Global Fund Extension of HIV Prevention Programmes for People at High Risk for HIV in Russia Will Save Thousands of Young Lives

The International AIDS Society (IAS) and the International Harm Reduction Association (IHRA) today welcomed the announcement by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) to extend by two years its funding of HIV prevention programmes (known as the GLOBUS grant) in the Russian Federation at a cost of US$24 million. “This two-year extension will save thousands of lives,” said Robin Gorna, IAS Executive Director. “While this decision is very welcome, it is nevertheless a band-aid measure, not a long-term solution. External funding cannot prop up Russia’s HIV response forever. The onus is still on the Russian Government to listen to the science and 20 years of proven practice and put in place long-term harm reduction prevention programmes that will save tens of thousands of young Russian lives”.

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