Local
WORLD Vision International (WVI) says Zambia is a show-case in the world for taking great strides in tackling the HIV/AIDS pandemic.In appreciation, the organisation has staked US $7 million in various projects in Zambia.
Visiting WVI US president Richard Stearns said this yesterday when he called on Kitwe Mayor Patrick Tembo.
Mr Stearns said 15 per cent of the total amount (over $1 million) would go to running HIV/AIDS programmes.
He said his organisation was committed to ensuring that the HIV/AIDS and poverty alleviation programmes in Zambia were run smoothly.
He also said the WVI US office was responsible for 60 per cent of funding to the Zambian office and said this was largely because donors in the US were impressed with progress and implementation of humanitarian projects.
“Funding for these projects we have undertaken in Zambia has been flowing because our ambassadors here have attracted donors to helping orphans and fighting the HIV scourge.
“ I will tell you that Zambia is our show case all around the world in terms of performance,” he said.
He said the rising levels of poverty were compounding the HIV/AIDS problem in Zambia.
The WV US president said the church and other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) needed to work with Government in finding lasting solutions in turning the tide against HIV/AIDS.
Mr Stearns also said since its establishment in Zambia, WVI had spent approximately $70 million on its projects.
“Like I told the President yesterday, our priority this year is the HIV/AIDS pandemic and we are committing 15 per cent of our budget to this fight,” he said.
And Mr Tembo thanked WVI for its continued humanitarian aid provisions and support to the city.
Mr Tembo said it was gratifying to note that WVI was committed to helping alleviate the various challenges the district was facing.
He said WVI was one of the few organisations working to help orphans and other needy sectors of society.
Mr Tembo admitted that some NGOs charged with the responsibility of providing for the needy misappropriated funds.
“The closing down of the mines and the HIV problem have affected not only us but the rest of he province and so I challenge you to include projects in other towns as a long-term goal,” he said.
[Times of Zambia]
