Laos: rural economy threatened by AIDS
Zola, A.M.
Aidslink Eastern Central and Southern Africa 26: 5-6
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0856-3969 PMID: 12287643 Document Number: 277815
An US-Japan summit was held in Washington, DC, on population and HIV/AIDS. Japan pledged February 11, 1994, at the close of the summit, US$3 billion over seven years in an expansion of its official development assistance to developing countries in the areas of population and HIV/AIDS. The US expects its contribution to total US$9 billion over the period 1994-2000. The 2 countries plan to expand collaborative research and related personnel exchanges under the agreement, will try to coordinate bilateral assistance activities on priority countries throughout the developing world, and together called upon other nations and donor organizations to expand their efforts in the field. Nongovernmental organizations (NGO) welcomed the announcement and hope that the funds will be used to reach people at the community level. NGO representative in Japan argue that investments in NGO activities are ultimately more practical and cost-effective than major institutional investments in projects like large hospitals and infrastructure.