Assistance for AIDS prevention

JAKARTA: The Australian government has provided assistance to Yayasan Hotline Surya, a non-governmental organization based in Surabaya, which is active in HIV/AIDS prevention.

The Australian embassy said yesterday that the assistance to Hotline Surya and Yayasan Hotline Mitra Jakarta, another NGO involved in HIV/AIDS prevention, is being provided by the Australian Agency for International Development, AusAid.

Hotline Surya received Rp 81 million (US$35,541) earlier this year as the first installment for a total grant of around Rp 750 million over three years.

The second installment of Rp 267 million was recently paid to enable Hotline Surya to proceed with plans including a meeting of sex workers who have been participating in networking activities.

Australian grants have also been extended to NGOs in Jakarta, Bali, Kupang and Ujungpandang in relation to HIV/AIDS prevention. (anr)