Donors pledge to support HIV/AIDS fight

International donors say they will support Malawi’s new strategy to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS, media reports said on Wednesday. Talks between donors and the government are expected to begin next month to discuss funding mechanisms for the strategy which was launched in October. “We and other donors look forward to participating in this round table discussion and providing whatever support to ensure that the government mobilises the resources it needs to implement the strategy,” said World Bank Representative in Malawi, Barbara Kafka. “This is an excellent strategy and we are pleased with the level of political commitment shown so far because HIV/AIDS is a major development challenge to this country.” A recent HIV/AIDS assessment study by the Malawi government and the World Bank indicated that at least 25 percent of the urban workforce will die from the epidemic within the next 10 years. According to the study, the hardest hit sectors include health and education where the annual personnel death rate is now 3 percent, six times higher than the predicted 0.5 percent.