FHI 360 and USAID collaboration provides HIV services to key populations

DURHAM, N.C., July 21, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- FHI 360 is pleased to announce that it has been awarded Linkages across the Continuum of HIV Services for Key Populations Affected by HIV (LINKAGES), a five-year cooperative agreement, funded by the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

LINKAGES aims to strengthen the ability of partner governments, civil society organizations working with key populations and private-sector providers to effectively deliver comprehensive, high-quality HIV prevention, treatment and care services for key populations and their partners. Key populations may include sex workers, men who have sex with men, transgender persons and people who inject drugs. LINKAGES is USAID's first global project dedicated to key populations.

"USAID and PEPFAR are proud to support the first global award targeting key populations in the HIV pandemic. We know that ensuring this vulnerable group has access to the continuum of HIV services is critical to our work toward an AIDS-free generation," said David Stanton, USAID's Director of the Office of HIV/AIDS.

FHI 360 will work in partnership with Pact, IntraHealth International and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to deliver services across the health delivery cascade — from behavioral interventions to clinical services and structural interventions.

"FHI 360 and our partners are honored to receive the LINKAGES award," said Dr. Timothy Mastro, Director of Global Health, Population and Nutrition at FHI 360. "This is an exciting opportunity to advance the levels of HIV prevention, care and treatment for key populations globally, building on our collective expertise in this area. We look forward to five years of active collaboration that will reduce HIV transmission among key populations, effectively altering the course of the HIV epidemic."

"We are pleased to be able to continue our scientific leadership through this award and continue to reach those most at risk of HIV and link them with prevention and care services," said Kimberly Green, Deputy Director for LINKAGES and FHI 360's Country Director in Ghana. "The proven cascade framework, an easy-to-understand analytic approach to address gaps in the HIV prevention-care-treatment continuum, is a powerful tool for advocacy, consensus-building and planning that can help transform how governments view, value and invest in HIV services for key populations."

From the earliest years of the HIV epidemic, FHI 360 has partnered with funders, health ministries, nongovernmental organizations and communities to pioneer HIV research, prevention and treatment programs around the world. FHI 360 is the lead implementer of some of the world's largest and most comprehensive HIV programs. The organization's approach to fighting HIV is driven by innovative research, community engagement and a long track record of strengthening local capacity in many communities around the world that have been hit hardest by the epidemic.

About FHI 360

FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in health, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, civil society, gender equality, youth, research, technology, communication and social marketing — creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today's interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 70 countries and all U.S. states and territories.

Natasha Abel
Media Relations Specialist
FHI 360
202-884-8018/ 928-266-6318
[email protected]

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SOURCE FHI 360