Australia commits US$10 million for Fiji's HIV response
Australia has pledged US$10 million to support Fiji's response to an HIV outbreak that has seen cases rise to nearly one percent of the population. The funding will target prevention, community outreach, and health supplies.
Why it matters
The significant rise in HIV cases in Fiji represents a major public health crisis that requires international cooperation to manage.
Australian foreign minister Penny Wong has announced FJ$23.5 million (more than US$10m) for Fiji's HIV response.
As of March, the head of the country's HIV response said the number of Fijians who are HIV positive had risen to at least 9000 - almost one percent of the population.
Wong said the funding goes to prevention, training, workplace support, community outreach, and essential health supplies.
"Our support recognises that this is a health challenge, but it is also a security challenge," she said.
"Alongside our health partnership, we're also working together to combat transnational crime, illicit drug trafficking, which is contributing to this challenge across the region."
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