Response on Stop AIDS Campaign to “Save the Universal Access Promise”

June 2008

I would like to thank you for your interest in HIV and AIDS and the work of the UK Government on this issue.

I am pleased that the UK Government’s updated seven-year AIDS strategy “Achieving Universal Access – the UK Government’s strategy for halting and reversing the spread of HIV in the developing world” (4 mb) was launched on 2 June and is now available.

You raise a number of issues in your letter, which I shall answer in turn. However, I would refer you to “Achieving Universal Access” and the companion volume of supporting evidence “Achieving Universal Access – evidence for action” (592 kb) for more details on the issues raised.

Spending commitment

The UK Government has committed £6 billion on strengthening health systems and services over seven years to 2015. We have also committed to spend over £200 million on social protection over 3 years to support the most vulnerable households, including orphans and vulnerable children (OVC). The UK will also increase by at least 50% its funding for research and development of AIDS vaccines and microbicides over 2008-2013.

A range of funding instruments

The UK delivers funding through a range of funding instruments. Decisions on what aid instruments to use are taken at country level depending on what is most appropriate for that country context. Typically DFID uses a range of instruments, including budget support, as well as support to multilateral and civil society actors. The UK promotes efforts to track the flow of funds from national to community level and alleviate bottlenecks.

Universal Access

I want to assure you that the UK Government remains firmly committed to the international goal of Universal Access to comprehensive HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. The strategy sets out action the UK will take to help achieve Universal Access. We will continue to provide international leadership on HIV and AIDS and work together with other actors responding to AIDS, including national governments, multilateral organisations and civil society, to reach the goal of Universal Access.

A gender sensitive approach

Women and girls are disproportionately affected by the epidemic. Tackling gender inequality and ensuring women’s rights is essential to achieve Universal Access. We will continue to promote the needs and rights of women, including through promoting the integration of sexual and reproductive health and rights and HIV, challenging gender-based violence, supporting girl’s education, and reducing the burden of care on women and girls through social protection programmes.

Orphans and vulnerable children

The UK remains firmly committed to meeting the needs and rights of OVC, and is taking action to reduce their vulnerability to HIV and AIDS, including through prevention of mother to child transmission and social protection programmes. Support for social protection programmes will be channelled both through government and non-governmental organisations. Social protection programmes, including cash transfers, have been shown to be highly effective in reaching OVC and promoting their access to basic services.

A cross-government priority

The strategy makes clear that tackling AIDS in the developing world is a priority for the UK Government as a whole, not just for DFID. It sets out how DFID will work with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Department of Health and the Home Office to ensure effective UK support to international and national AIDS responses.

People living with HIV

Organisations and networks of people living with HIV and vulnerable groups are key actors in the AIDS response. The strategy recognises that their capacity is often limited and greater efforts are required to ensure their meaningful involvement in all aspects of the response to AIDS. DFID will seek to work with people living with HIV in designing and implementing our policy.

I hope this is helpful.

Gillian Merron
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for International Development

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