May 30, 2007, Baltimore, Md. -- Catholic Relief Services (CRS) commends President Bush's proposal to extend and expand the President's Emergency Program for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a pioneering program to battle HIV and AIDS in the developing world. The recipient of several large PEPFAR grants, CRS has seen both the dire needs in communities battling the epidemic, and the near-miraculous results that well-targeted programs have produced.

PEPFAR is a $15 billion, five-year program that provides vital services to more than a million people in 15 targeted nations in the hardest-hit countries in Africa, Latin America and Asia. Under the president's proposal, the program, which is set to expire in 2008, would be extended for another five years, fueled by an additional $30 billion. The expansion would allow the program to provide treatment to 2.5 million people, more than doubling its current reach.

CRS operates a range of programs across the developing world to help millions of people affected by HIV. Three PEPFAR grants have allowed the agency to work in 12 countries to provide comprehensive prevention programs and education on HIV and AIDS, serve more than 36,000 children affected by the epidemic or provide antiretroviral therapy. Having started more than 65,000 people on the lifesaving drugs, CRS is a daily witness to the effects such medication can have.

CRS encourages Congress to reauthorize PEPFAR for five years and dramatically increase funding without affecting other humanitarian and development accounts. The agency also asks Congress to retain provisions that allow faith-based groups to conduct evidence-based activities around abstinence, behavior change, and partner reduction. Finally, CRS calls on Congress to structure the program so groups like CRS can more easily address nutritional needs and other concerns in communities affected by HIV.

Background on CRS' work on HIV and AIDS: CRS started its first HIV and AIDS project in Bangkok, Thailand, in 1986. The agency has since expanded the focus to include more than 250 projects in 52 countries, spending almost $120 million on the pandemic this year alone. This year, CRS will directly help more than 3.5 million people affected by HIV, providing services including life-saving drugs, home-based care for people living with the disease, support for orphans and their caregivers, comprehensive prevention programs and education about the virus.

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. The agency provides assistance to people in 98 countries and territories based on need, regardless of race, nationality or creed.