Government launches appeal for AIDS money

The government of Sudan has launched an appeal for millions of dollars in aid to combat HIV/AIDS, the Associated Press agency reported on Friday. The government and the southern-based rebels of the Sudan People's Liberation Army are currently engaged in peace talks in Kenya that are expected to conclude with a final agreement in the next few months. It was feared that the HI virus would spread exponentially once peace was restored and displaced people returned from neighbouring states. Sudanese Health Minister Ahmad Bilal Osman said: "After peace, we expect a huge movement of population from countries known to have high rates of HIV/AIDS." It is estimated that the country would need around US $200 million to effectively tackle its HIV/AIDS pandemic.