IMMEDIATE RELEASE - MARCH 6, 2008
CRWRC Media Contact: Beth DeGraff, 616-648-7821 or 1-800-55-CRWRC
CRWRC Welcomes Compromise Bipartisan HIV/AIDS Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- As a member of the AERDO HIV/AIDS Alliance (AHA), the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (www.crwrc.org) supports the AHA's approval of the bipartisan HIV/AIDS compromise approved by the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee on February 27, 2008. The Committee's approval of the bill provides renewed bilateral momentum toward the passage of legislation that will continue the impact of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
The bill authorizes up to $50 million for PEPFAR over the next five years. Among improvements over the draft bill, the approved compromise improves the effectiveness of HIV/AIDS treatment programs, provides resources in countries with minimal health care systems, and allows religious organizations flexibility in providing effective prevention programs.
CRWRC has received PEPFAR funding for 2004-2009 that totals US$5.7 million. These funds support AIDS programs in Haiti, Nigeria, Kenya, Zambia, and Mozambique. Most of this PEPFAR funding has been accessed through CRWRC's membership in the Association of Evangelical Relief and Development Organization's (AERDO) HIV/AIDS Alliance. AERDO is a consortium of thirteen U.S.-based Christian agencies that can respond collaboratively to natural and humanitarian emergencies and long-term development needs.
In approving the bill, the Foreign Affairs Committee adopted several key components strongly supported by AHA, the most important of which is the maintenance of a balanced approach to HIV prevention that includes support for evidence-based abstinence and behavior change prevention programs. CRWRC's programs incorporate these balanced components on a contextualized basis.
"As the relief, development and justice organization of the Christian Reformed Church in North America," says CRWRC's U.S. executive director Andrew Ryskamp, "CRWRC has actively implemented education and prevention programs in Africa and around the world since 1990. CRWRC's AIDS prevention programs promote abstinence among unmarried youth and faithfulness among married couples. CRWRC provides home-based care for people living with AIDS and mobilizes churches and volunteers to provide care and support to orphans and vulnerable children living in their communities."
In addition, CRWRC has launched the Embrace AIDS Campaign, a multi-million dollar, two-year fundraising effort to educate and activate North American constituents in AIDS and AIDS response. More information and free resources are located at www.embraceaids.org.
With CRWRC, eight AHA members currently implement AHA-led PEPFAR grants worth more than $39 million in six countries. Lead agencies for these grants include Food for the Hungry, World Concern, Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, World Hope, and CRWRC.
On behalf of the AERDO-AHA, David Evans, Food for the Hungry's V.P. of Government Resources and Programs and leader of AHA says, "The AERDO HIV/AIDS Alliance is very pleased with this bill and we would like to thank all the members of the Committee and the White House for their concerted efforts to come up with a bill that keeps this tremendous program on track and moving forward into the next decade. This is only the first step of many in this legislative process, but it is a big one and we want to take a moment to celebrate this success."
Those wishing to donate to CRWRC's Embrace AIDS Campaign can mail their check, designated "Embrace AIDS" to CRWRC, 2850 Kalamazoo SE, Grand Rapids, Mich., 49560, or log on to www.crwrc.org and choose Donate Now from the Menu bar. Or call 1-800-55-CRWRC to give your credit card donation by phone.
For more information about CRWRC, the Embrace AIDS Campaign, or to download CRWRC's 2007 financial report, visit www.crwrc.org or call 1-800-55-CRWRC. CRWRC is a Christian, non-profit organization of the Christian Reformed Church in North America providing a ministry of development, relief, and justice education to people in need around the world. CRWRC is currently active in 30 countries and has a 45-year, international reputation for "helping people help themselves."
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Beth DeGraff US Media and Justice Contact 2850 Kalamazoo SE Grand Rapids, MI 49560 degraffb@crcna.org ph: 616-241-1691 x4191 fax: 616-724-0806