Australian aid for North East AIDS battle

Kohima, May 24: The Australian Government has contributed a huge amount and has further funding plans to help Northeast India fight the curse of HIV/AIDS.

The Australian Government has already contributed an amount of 3,50,000 Australian dollars towards the HIV/AIDS projects in North East India.

They have also decided to contribute 8.5 million Australian dollars to four identified states of the region for large-scale prevention and care, Australian High Commissioner to India John McCarthy said here yesterday.

Mr MacCarthy, who is presently visiting Nagaland, said that the four states identified for funding included Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Meghalaya.

He said the fund was meant to assist the State Governments, NGOs and the villages in checking further spread of the virus and lowering its effect in the region. They further said that it was not specific to any area as long as it was effective.

McCarthy, who was accompanied by First Secretary (Political) and Head of Public Affairs Murry Harris and other officials, yesterday visited Kripa Drop-in Centre and Rehab Centre in Kohima and interacted with the workers and clients.

Later, the High Commissioner and his colleagues met Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Chief Secretary Lalhuma.

UNI