MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
I met with Botswana's Foreign Minister General Merafhe in my electorate last night and today.
Together we toured local agricultural sites including 'Nangkita Hills' Dairy, Alexandrina Cheese Company and Currency Creek Winery - reflecting the excellent friendship between Australia and Botswana.
Australia will provide six scholarships for Botswana to help fight HIV/AIDS. Almost one in four people in Botswana is infected with the deadly virus - one of the highest rates in the world.
Botswana was the first African country to provide antiretroviral therapy and has been working hard to implement a comprehensive HIV/AIDS care and treatment program.
Botswana has made significant progress in addressing the HIV/AIDS pandemic, but it remains a major challenge for the government and people of the African nation.
The Australian Government will support these efforts by providing six Australian Development Scholarships to Botswana for study in the health field, specifically in areas related to HIV/AIDS.
Australia also awards scholarships for study in HIV/AIDS related areas to other countries in southern and eastern Africa.
Under Australia's regional development cooperation program with Africa, the Australian Government has committed $12 million over three years to the UNICEF Children and AIDS Regional Initiative to provide better health and education for children orphaned by AIDS.
Australia also supports non government organisations working to address HIV/AIDS in Africa.
Media contacts:
AusAID Public Affairs 0417 680 590
Tony Parkinson (Mr Downer's Office) 02 6277 7500