Programs & Events
Close Window
Ambassador Mussomeli cuts the ribbon with H.E. Professor Eng Hout at the PRASIT launch.
USAID Launches “PRASIT” to Combat HIV/AIDS in Cambodia
Phnom Penh
November 01, 2007
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) proudly launched its new $13 million, 3-year "Project for HIV/AIDS Strategic Technical Assistance" called PRASIT, which means “effectiveness” in Khmer. Special guests for the event were U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia Joseph A. Mussomeli, Ministry of Health Secretary of State H.E. Professor Eng Hout, Vice President of the Cambodian Red Cross H.E. Ouk Damri, and Ministry of Women's Affairs Secretary of State H.E. Chan Sorey.
This new project aims to help Cambodia sustain its remarkable success in reducing HIV prevalence and to provide humane and effective services for people living with HIV and AIDS. USAID Cambodia is funding PRASIT under the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). The program is being implemented by Family Health International (FHI) and two local non-governmental partners, Cambodian Women for Peace and Development (CWPD) and Médecine de l’Espoir Cambodge (MEC), and in collaboration with the Royal Government of Cambodia and other NGO and community partners.
In his remarks, Ambassador Joseph A. Mussomeli stated, “USAID has been supporting the Royal Government of Cambodia’s HIV/AIDS program since 1993. During this time, HIV prevalence peaked at 2% in 1998, but by last year it had declined to 0.9%. This remarkable decline has been recognized worldwide as a genuine success story in our global fight against HIV/AIDS.” He cautioned, however, "We must remain steadfast to ensure that the incidence of HIV does not increase, and with it, the number of people who will require care and support. Overconfidence is almost as dangerous as apathy.”
H.E. Professor Eng Hout remarked, “Providing technical and financial support to national programs at all levels in accordance with the national strategic plan of the Ministry of Health, and using harmonizing mechanisms in good collaboration with all development partners, is the key to successfully achieving the object of the program. On behalf of the Ministry of Health, I am committed to provide continual support and work in close collaboration with USAID, FHI and its implementing partners to achieve the goal.”
