Press Release

U.S. Supports Indonesia’s 2008 World AIDS Day Activities

Jakarta | Monday, December 01, 2008

On World AIDS Day 2008, in countless communities around the world, through partnership 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.  We must continue our efforts to raise awareness HIV/AIDS in Indonesia and globally, and we invite the media to join us.

Under the international theme of “Leadership Makes a Difference,” the U.S. Government is once again standing in partnership with the Indonesian Government in supporting World AIDS Day, which is commemorated annually on December 1.  Indonesia’s theme is “Young People Make a Difference” while the U.S. is commemorating the day with a message to “Celebrate Life.”

In collaboration with the Indonesian National AIDS Commission, the US Government through USAID is supporting two major activities this year: organizing a Condom Promotion Week to coincide with World AIDS Day; and providing educational information about HIV/AIDS throughout eight provinces and 80 districts where the HIV/AIDS epidemic is particularly acute.

At the national level in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, 12-foot balloons will be flown at several government offices in Jakarta promoting the message: “STOP AIDS – Kasih Sayang dan Keteladan” (Be compassionate; Be a good model).  In addition, the annual national commemoration at the National Palace is tentatively scheduled for December 1.

According to newly-released estimates by UNAIDS for 2008, the HIV epidemic in Indonesia is among the fastest growing in Asia. The majority of HIV infections are estimated to occur through the use of contaminated needles and injection equipment, unprotected paid sex, and to a lesser extent, unprotected sex between men.  The epidemic is concentrated primarily among injection drug users (IDUs) and their sexual partners, people engaged in prostitution and their clients, and men who have sex with men.  Indonesia has an estimated 240,000 people living with HIV/AIDS and an estimated prevalence of 0.2%.  In Tanah Papua, however, the epidemic is estimated at 2.4% with unprotected sex being the main mode of transmission. There have been an estimated 8,700 deaths due to AIDS in Indonesia. As of June 30, 2008, 43% of all reported cases of AIDS had been transmitted through heterosexual intercourse and 49% through IDUs.

The U.S.-based President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is supporting an annual $8 million HIV/AIDS program in Indonesia.  The program is focused on eight provinces, Papua, West Papua, North Sumatra, East Java, Jakarta, Riau Islands, West Java and Central Java.  Efforts focus on prevention through behavior change, linking prevention to treatment and care services, and strengthening systems and building capacity of local organizations to provide services.

For more information, please contact:
Danumurthi Mahendra at
62-21-3435-9384
USAID/Indonesia
Development Outreach and Communications