Ambassador Perry's Speeches

World AIDS Day (01 Dec 08)

His Excellency, President Ernest Bai Koroma
His Worship the Mayor of Freetown, Mr. Herbert George-Williams
Members of the Diplomatic and International Corps
Honorable Minister of Presidential Affairs, Alhaji Alpha Kanu
Honorable Minister of Health and Sanitation, Dr. Saccoh Kabia
Honorable Parliamentarians
Honorable Council of Paramount Chiefs
Members of the Inter-Religious Council
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen -'Una tenki fo welcome me nar ya tiday'

I am thrilled to see such as immense turnout of this event.  I am proud to stand with you to protect the people of Sierra Leone from the scourge of HIV/AIDS.  This year, the world comes together for World AIDS Day under the theme of "Stop AIDS: Keep the Promise."  On World AIDS Day 2008, we celebrate life.  In countless communities around the world, through partnerships with the American people, courageous individuals in nations devastated by HIV/AIDS are choosing life, saving the lives of their fellow countrymen and women, and creating hope for a future free of HIV/AIDS.

The United States contributes to the fight against HIV/AIDS in Sierra Leone in many ways, though the Department of Defense HIV AIDS Prevention Program is the primary means by which the United States Government assists Sierra Leone in its AIDS prevention strategies.  Our program in Sierra Leone provides condoms and Antiretroviral Therapy; it provides education on how to prevent the spread of AIDS and, just as important, how to live a positive lifestyle with HIV.

We are gratified by what we have accomplished in partnership with the people of Sierra Leone, but also acknowledge that we are nowhere near where we want to be in terms of protecting young and old, treating those who need it, and ensuring that those with HIV are respected for their courage to be open about their status rather than shunned by their communities. 

We have been pleased the past year to see that President Koroma's government has made health one of its top priorities, and I have been encouraged to see the steps the government has taken in its first year.

The Honorable First Lady, Mrs. Sia Koroma is working hard to spread the message about the importance of public health, and the National AIDS Secretariat is strongly committed to their mission.  To make real progress in securing the health of this nation, however, they need the cooperation of every citizen.  I am convinced that with their commitment and the support of the international community, we can eliminate stigma, treat those individuals already affected by HIV, and decrease in the number of people with AIDS in Sierra Leone.

Despite the progress we have made, the latest statistics from the United Nations and World Health Organization suggest that the overall rate of infection has been climbing continuously since 1990.  As much as HIV/AIDS is an issue that evokes compassion and empathy, we must also look at the issue as it relates to more pragmatic concerns about national reconstruction and economic growth.  If two or three or four percent of people in the nation are unable to work, unable to contribute to national development, unable to care for their families, unable to play an active role in raising their children, it makes the task so much harder for those who are healthy.  Sierra Leone can not afford to have any segment of its population out of commission in these crucial times.

We were pleased last month to host Police Superintendent Gezepi Chakulunta, the HIV/AIDS Coordinator for the Zambian National Police.  Mrs. Chakulunta shared her experience as an HIV positive individual working to eradicate stigma in her country during a four-week visit to Sierra Leone.  Her discussions with members of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces went a long way towards letting them now how anti-stigma programs can succeed in helping people get treatment.

Now, Sierra Leone is at a crucial point in its fight against AIDS.  The epidemic here has not reached the proportions that it has in some parts of Africa, such as Southern Africa.  As many of you know, the United States commitment to combating this disease all over the world has been tremendous in recent years.

Our flagship program, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR, provides education, means of prevention, and treatment to people in the countries most devastatingly affected by AIDS.  In fact, PEPFAR has provided HIV/AIDS treatment for over 1.7 million people around the world.  PEPFAR's assistance, like much of U.S. international assistance, is implemented in partnership with organizations in the benefitting region.  87 percent of PEPFAR funds are committed through grants to indigenous organizations.

In addition to PEPFAR, the United States helps in the fight for improved health around the world through the Millennium Challenge Corporation, the President’s Malaria Initiative, the Ambassador’s Girls Scholarship Program (AGSP), the Ambassador’s Special Self Help (SSH) Fund, and numerous grants through USAID, the Department of Defense, and other agencies.  In July, the United States government dramatically increased its financial commitment to this fight – our Congress authorized up to $48 billion to combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria over the next five years.  Through that legislation, we will be able to increase the number of individuals being treated from 1.7 to 3 million people worldwide, and provide care for 12 million others. 

In addition to United States Government contributions, individual Americans have, through philanthropic outreach and volunteerism, contributed immensely to the fight against AIDS.
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation alone has given over 17 billion dollars to fight AIDS through education, provision of basic health services, sanitation, and other projects through local NGO partners.  The American spirit of volunteerism and philanthropy is a testament to our sense of membership in a global community.

In addition to the health, security, and economic benefits of our commitment to development, it reflects the compassion of the American people and a timeless truth: to whom much is given, much is required.

Through our partnerships, we have made tremendous progress around the world, and we are committed to continuing the fight.

On today, World AIDS Day, I encourage you all to celebrate life.

On behalf of the President and people of the United States of America,

Thank you.