KATHMANDU: The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria has approved in principle USD 47 million grant for a community strengthening programme, aimed at reducing the rapid spread of HIV and AIDS among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender people in South Asia.

The grant proposal was submitted by Naz Foundation International (NFI), Population Services International, the UNDP Regional Centre based in Colombo, and the South Asian MSM (men who have sex with men) and AIDS Network (SAMAN), a coalition of country level community based organisations dedicated to MSM and HIV issues, it was stated in a release today.

The five year project will encompass Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. "This is indeed a milestone for both the Global Fund and those of us who work on these issues," said Shivananda Khan, NFI founder and Chief Executive.

SAMAN's partner in Nepal is the Blue Diamond Society while in Sri Lanka, Companions on a Journey and Naz Foundation International (South Asia) in India, said O'Malley, Global Director of UNDP's HIV group.

HIV/AIDS initiative

KATHMANDU: As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, Varun Beverages (Nepal) Pvt. Ltd. has taken initiative of creating HIV and AIDS awareness among labourers. A press statement mentioned that the disease remained incurable till date and awareness campaign for labourers was necessary.