PEPFAR Invests N$840 Million in New USAID Program to Provide Health Services to Vulnerable Children, Adolescents, and Youth

Windhoek – The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) will invest approximately N$840 million (US$45 million) in providing health and social services to vulnerable children, adolescents, and youth in Namibia.  This was announced by the PEPFAR Namibia Deputy Principal for USAID, Ms. Tamara Cox, who is currently visiting the Land of the Brave. ... Read More»

U.S.-funded DREAMS Program Breaks Down Barriers

How young women in Katima Mulilo succeed in the field of woodwork  Namibia has one of the youngest and fastest-growing populations in southern Africa, but more than 40 percent of Namibia’s youth are unemployed – nearly three times as many as the global average – and according to the National Planning Commission of Namibia, this ... Read More»

U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, Ambassador Dr. John Nkengasong, Visits Namibia to Celebrate 20 Years of PEPFAR Globally

Windhoek – The United States Global AIDS Coordinator, Ambassador Dr. John Nkengasong, visited Namibia from June 17 – 20 to celebrate 20 years of The United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and 18 years of saving lives in Namibia. During his three-day visit, Ambassador Dr. Nkengasong engaged with Namibian government officials and ... Read More»

Translating DREAMS into Practice

Monika was born 24 years ago in the Okahala village in the northern Omusati region of Namibia, as one of seven children, where she grew up with her father as well as with her grandparents. In 2018, she had to drop out of school at grade 9 when they refused to pay the school fees ... Read More»

DREAMS Trains Young Women to Improve Early Childhood Education in Namibia

“She is an absolute delight to work with,” says one of Maxi’s colleagues at the non-governmental organization where they work together to improve Early Childhood Development (ECD) centers in Windhoek, Namibia. In 2021, Maxi joined DREAMS – an HIV prevention program for vulnerable adolescent girls and young women funded by the United States Government. When ... Read More»

New HIV Medicine for Children Saves More Lives

John* plays quietly on the floor as his caregiver looks proudly on. Healthy and growing, John is the perfect example of a thriving 3-year-old. However, this was not always the case. John was infected with HIV at birth, and despite being put on the HIV treatment available at the time, the virus was not suppressed ... Read More»

270,000 Circumcised Men Help Namibia’s Fight Against HIV

Swakopmund – On March 9th, the U.S. Government joined the Ministry of Health and Social Services in commemorating yet another milestone of Namibia’s fight against HIV as the country managed to get 270,000 young boys and men circumcised, with support of the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). “The risk of contracting ... Read More»

A Little Moonlight Goes a Long Way

Bringing HIV Services to Hard-to-Reach Populations “Good evening, do you have a moment to talk with us? Do you have friends who would like to join us?” These are some of the questions you can hear as the KP-STAR project team engages female sex workers on a street in Windhoek on a Friday night. KP-STAR ... Read More»

U.S. Government commemorates World AIDS Day with Namibia

Windhoek – The United States government through the U.S President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) reaffirms its commitment to fight against HIV/AIDS and remembers the millions of people who have died of AIDS. In Namibia, PEPFAR works closely with the Namibian government to advance the health of the Namibian people through HIV prevention, care, ... Read More»

Remarks by Dr. Brian Baker, CDC Namibia Country Director, On the Occasion of the Launch of the MenStar Strategy in Namibia

Good morning and welcome! Today, we are here to celebrate the launch of the MenStar strategy, a critical program focused on improving health outcomes for men, and just as importantly, helping men to be community leaders in fighting the HIV epidemic in Namibia. On behalf of the U.S. Government, I am proud to be here ... Read More»

HIV in 9 out of 10 Infected Children Below Detection Level

Okambebe – HIV concentration in 90% of children living with the virus in Ohangwena Region is so low that a blood test cannot detect HIV anymore. This is the encouraging result of strict adherence to antiretroviral therapy and other support services provided by Project Hope’s Namibia Adherence and Retention Project (NARP). “Once HIV cannot be ... Read More»

Remarks by Katie Battey, Acting CDC Namibia Country Director, at the Official Launch of the Minimum Package

Let me begin by offering my sincere congratulations on the launch of this Minimum Package of HIV and TB Services for People in Correctional Facilities and Police Holding Cells. This is a shining example of partnership and collaboration and it my great pleasure to be here today on behalf of the United States Government. The ... Read More»

Remarks by Chargé d’Affaires Jessica Long at the milestone achievement of Namibia making the best HIV medicine, Dolutegravir (DTG) available

Congratulations Namibia! I am very proud to be here today because I was invited to speak when the new pediatric HIV medicine was introduced to Namibia just over a year ago, and I have closely watched the progress made since then. The child version of DTG (I understand that we call it “pediatric DTG”) was ... Read More»

Traditional Circumciser Gains Title of Community Mobilizer

Norich Uararakana Kaurika, 44, is a respected traditional circumciser from Okakarara, a small town in Namibia’s Otjozondjupa Region. Norich takes pride in performing circumcisions because, for his tribe (Ovaherero), tradition dictates that every young man should be circumcised not only as a rite of passage but also to prevent infections and improve hygiene. He explains ... Read More»

United States Donates Millions of Condoms

Windhoek – The United States handed over 6.9 million condoms and 2.6 million lubricants to the Ministry of Health and Social Services to address supply shortages. Namibia has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in the world, and condoms continue to be a health sector priority for preventing the spread of HIV. These commodities are ... Read More»

“I regained my life through DREAMS” – Rempie

With only a Grade 10 in hand, 23-three-year-old Rempie Jeremaia from Omuthiya, just like so many other young Namibians, had limited options and was at high risk of living a life in poverty. But, with the help of DREAMS, a program funded by the U.S. Government President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the ... Read More»

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Helps Vulnerable People Stay HIV-Free

“Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis or PrEP keeps me safe from contracting HIV.” These are the words of 40-year-old Mulela*, a resident of Makaravani location at Katima Mulilo in the Zambezi Region. Mulela was introduced to sex work by a friend as a last resort to provide for her three children aged 21, 15 and 13 years. “I ... Read More»

Namibia Receives 200 Medical Emergency Beds to Support COVID-19 Response

Windhoek –  The Ministry of Health and Social Services received today 200 new medical emergency beds following a months-long cooperation on the initiative by the U.S. Embassy in Namibia and the Namibian Embassy in the U.S. The Ministry will distribute the beds to four health facilities in support of Namibia’s COVID-19 response:  Katutura Hospital, Okahandja Hospital, Onandjokwe Hospital, ... Read More»

Who Will You Trust About Vaccines? By Chargé d’Affaires Jessica Long

Windhoek – The United States Government (USG) has been a partner in health with the Namibian Government for nearly two decades.  We have been incredibly successful in our joint efforts related to HIV and TB.  These efforts have revealed our commitment and reliability on issues of health.  Fifteen years ago, people in Namibia were dying every day from HIV/AIDS. Families ... Read More»

CAGs bring hope to those living with HIV

The air was dry, the cloudless sky blue, and the road dusty in the quiet sleepy town of Outjo. With the sun shining mercilessly, hot air blew through the community hall’s windows and wide-open doors on the side and back of the hall.  In this hall situated in Damara location was a sea of yellow ... Read More»

Remarks by Chargé d’Affaires Jess Long on World AIDS Day

It is an honour to be with you today to commemorate this year’s World AIDS Day. The focus of our partnership with the Namibian government remains on ‘Ending the HIV epidemic, working on Equitable access and Hearing everyone’s voice’ which is also the United States government’s theme for this year’s World AIDS Day. As President ... Read More»

USAID’s Office of HIV/AIDS & the Bureau for Resilience & Food Security Private Sector Engagement for Youth Employment Request for Information

USAID’s Office of HIV/AIDS (OHA) and Bureau for Resilience and Food Security (RFS) are pleased to announce the release of the Youth Employment Request for Information (RFI). This is the first collaboration of its kind working across USAID to mobilize the private sector on behalf of employment opportunities for youth at higher risk of HIV. This RFI is ... Read More»

U.S. Funded Project Helps HIV-Positive Families Live Decent Lives

Ndahafa is one of approximately 8,000 Namibian children living with HIV. She was diagnosed with the virus at the age of four, and since then, has been taking HIV medicine known as ART (antiretroviral therapy) at Eudafano Clinic, which is located five kilometers away from her homestead at Omatunda Village in the Ohangwena Region. A ... Read More»

U.S. Congressional Delegation Visits Namibia, Meets President to Advance U.S.-Namibia Cooperation

Windhoek – A delegation of six Congressmembers from the U.S. House of Representatives met today with President Geingob to encourage U.S.-Namibia partnership on global health, security, bilateral trade, climate change, racial justice, and other priorities that the two democracies share. The delegation is led by Congressmember Karen Bass of California, who is the Chair of the House ... Read More»

U.S. Project Helps Namibian Children in Need

It is not a hot day, but the sun is striking a bright reflection from the white sandy soils of the village at the outskirts of Oshakati, a town in northern Namibia. Standing by her mother, almost leaning over her lap, is her little daughter. The girl’s feet are pale white from the dust she ... Read More»

U.S. Government Provides Food to Namibians Most Affected by Drought and COVID-19

Oshakati – The U.S. government has provided food aid since February to more than 10,000 Namibian families in drought-stricken areas already suffering from the economic challenges due to COVID-19.  The food is primarily going to households with children affected by HIV as well as people at risk of contracting HIV in 10 regions: Karas, Erongo, Otjikoto, Ohangwena, ... Read More»

Remarks by Deputy Chief of Mission Jessica Long – USAID Food Voucher Distribution Oshakati

Thank you very much for the warm welcome and the opportunity to be here with you this morning to learn more about this innovative approach to ensure the food security of those who are most vulnerable and in need. The U.S. government is committed to ensuring we sustain the gains we have made in controlling ... Read More»

20,000 More Orphans and Vulnerable Children Receive U.S.-Funded HIV Support Services

Outapi – Over the past seven years, the U.S. Government has supported close to 60,000 Namibian orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) affected by HIV with services to live healthy, safe lives, and to stay in school.  On May 27 in a ceremony at Outapi in the Omusati region, the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief ... Read More»

United States Supports Access To HIV Prevention, Care And Treatment Services For Correctional Service Inmates

Windhoek – To continue increasing access to HIV services for all people in Namibia, the U.S. Embassy in Namibia has supported the opening of two HIV testing facilities in cooperation with the Namibian Correctional Service. Working through the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Namibia (CDC Namibia) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health ... Read More»

Statement by U.S. Ambassador Lisa Johnson in Recognition of International Women’s Day on March 8

Windhoek – Each year on March 8, the world celebrates International Women’s Day.  This year, I am taking this opportunity to encourage women in Namibia, especially those who are HIV-positive, to get screened for cervical cancer. Every woman who has ever been sexually active should be screened regularly starting at the age of 20, every three ... Read More»

Research guides convenient and cost-effective long-term HIV care in Namibia

Credit: CDC Namibia January is often a time when people review their budgets, both personally and professionally. For government bodies, the financial year is drawing to a close, and the operation of the last couple of months of the fiscal year are impacted by the pressures and stressors of the year, and how well the ... Read More»

Remarks by the U.S. Ambassador to Namibia at the World AIDS Day Commemoration

This year’s World AIDS day theme is “Global solidarity, shared responsibility.” For over 15 years, the United States and Namibia have been partners in health. The result of our partnership is that Namibia is a global leader in the fight against HIV! Together with Namibia, we share a common interest in reaching and sustaining epidemic ... Read More»

Remarks by the U.S. Ambassador to Namibia at the launch of two Ministry of Health reports

“Determining the Cost of Providing HIV Care and Treatment, Including the Achievement of Viral Suppression, to Patients at Antiretroviral Therapy Sites in Namibia” and “Assessment of Community Adherence Club Implementation in Namibia’s HIV Programme, July 2020” Good afternoon! The United States Government, through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), has been in Namibia since ... Read More»

Namibia Tracking Down Last HIV Hotspots with Four New Cars from U.S. Embassy

Windhoek – As part of the effort to expand HIV services in Namibia, the U.S. Embassy in Namibia has provided two Toyota Hiluxes and two Toyota Land Cruisers to NGO partner Development Aid from People to People (DAPP Namibia). DAPP Namibia, a local NGO that partners with the U.S. Embassy’s PEPFAR program and the Ministry of ... Read More»

U.S. Food Assistance Enables 4,000 HIV Patients to Resume Treatment

Gobabis – More than 4,000 Namibian HIV patients who stopped taking their antiretroviral medication have resumed treatment as a result of the United States’ food assistance program, which comes to an end in August. “I simply could not take my medication on an empty stomach because of side effects,” recalls Pezaje Tjazuvara from Otjinene, Omaheke ... Read More»

Remarks by U.S. Ambassador Lisa Johnson at the PEPFAR COP 20 Stakeholder meeting

Good morning and thank you all for attending the PEPFAR stakeholders’ meeting to kick off this year’s COP planning season. The United States is the single largest donor to Namibia’s fight against HIV, and we do not intend to stop now! We are excited to begin the planning process for COP20, which will provide PEPFAR ... Read More»

NUST HIV/AIDS Awareness and Wellness Campaign 2019

Good morning! It is my pleasure to be here with you all today. The Namibia University of Science and Technology’s annual HIV/AIDS and Wellness Campaign is a great way for us to share information and increase our knowledge about HIV. This year’s theme, ‘Knowledge is Power,’ is appropriate because when we know more, we are ... Read More»

Remarks by U.S. Ambassador Lisa Johnson at the Community Adherence Groups Milestone

We are here today with the Yambidhidha Community Adherence Group to celebrate an important achievement: more than 3,200 people in eight health districts now receive their HIV medication through Tonata’s 322 Community Adherence Groups! If it were not for the Community Adherence Groups, many of those people would face difficulties in obtaining their medication and ... Read More»

Remarks by U.S. Ambassador Lisa Johnson at the launch of the Namibia National ART Guidelines

Launch for the National Guidelines for Antiretroviral Therapy, the Paediatric and Adolescents ART Package, and the CBART Evaluation report Today is an exciting day. These new guidelines are making important changes in the way HIV positive patients will receive care and treatment. We also are launching several documents to support the Pediatric and Adolescents HIV ... Read More»

U.S. Government Donates Warehouse Equipment Worth N$500,000 to Medical Depots in Oshakati and Rundu

Oshakati – The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) handed over warehouse equipment valued at N$500,000 to the Multi-Regional Medical Depots of Oshakati and Rundu on 25 July 2019. Each warehouse received half of the equipment consisting of items such as semi-electric stackers, heavy-duty mobile platforms, and safety gear. The items that are funded ... Read More»

U.S. Ambassador Lisa Johnson remarks at the PEPFAR Media Information Session

Thank you for attending this important media briefing today.  I appreciate your interest in this life-saving work that the United States government undertakes jointly with the Namibian government. The United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) was enacted on May 27, 2003, and began its work in Namibia in 2005.Our commitment remains unwavering. ... Read More»

World TB Day Commemoration

Dr. Randy Kolstad, USAID Country Representative, Launch of National Guidelines for the Treatment and Management of TB & National Tuberculosis Disease Prevalence Survey It is an honor to join you today in this beautiful Oshakati stadium for this year’s World TB Day commemorations.  Today’s commemorations are part of a worldwide occasion to raise awareness about the ... Read More»

World AIDS Day Commemoration

For 30 years we have marked World AIDS Day.  On this day we reflect on the impact HIV/AIDS has had on the lives of millions of people around the world.  This day also is a solemn reminder of the many lives lost to HIV/AIDS.  Today in Namibia, however, we have cause for hope and also ... Read More»

USAID provides N$395 million to fight HIV/AIDS

Windhoek – On 28 November 2018, the United States Government (USG), represented by the Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Government of the Republic of Namibia, represented by the National Planning Commission (NPC) and the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS), signed an amendment to their 2007 bilateral grant agreement to add US$28.2 ... Read More»

Remarks by U.S. Ambassador Lisa Johnson at the handover of the Akutsima CBART site

Thank you for inviting me here today. I, too, come from a small town, so it is special for me to have the opportunity to visit places such as Akutsima. While quite different from my home town, what is the same is the sense of community. I am telling you this because I want you ... Read More»

Remarks by U.S. Ambassador Lisa Johnson at the NUST HIV/AIDS Awareness Campaign

Today marks the first day of the 2018 Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) HIV/AIDS Wellness Campaign. I trust that all of you have heard a lot about HIV before today.  So I hope you already are well-equipped with information about how you can protect yourselves from contracting HIV, what to do if you ... Read More»

U.S. Ambassador remarks at the NAMPHIA Launch

Today is a remarkable day.  The results presented here today show that Namibia is one of the countries leading the world in implementation of a successful national response to end the HIV epidemic. Namibia, I congratulate you.  I especially want to congratulate the women of Namibia for having already achieved the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets two ... Read More»

USAID provides N$435 million to Namibia to fight HIV/AIDS

Windhoek – On 06 November 2017, the United States Government (USG), represented by the Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Government of the Republic of Namibia, represented by the National Planning Commission (NPC) and the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS), signed an amendment to their 2007 bilateral grant agreement to add US$31 ... Read More»

2nd Annual HIV/AIDS Awareness Campaign

U.S. Ambassador Thomas F. Daughton remarks to the 2nd Annual HIV/AIDS Awareness Campaign  Good morning!  It is a real pleasure for me to be here again today to help commemorate the second HIV/AIDS awareness week at the Namibia University of Science and Technology.  I’m particularly pleased that the theme for this year’s awareness week is ... Read More»

Your Voice: Keeping Babies HIV-Free

Windhoek – Squinting in the hot northern Namibian sun, a man smartly dressed in a nurse’s uniform greets us with a warm smile. Rightwell Zulu, or “Dr. Zulu,” as he is affectionately called by his colleagues, is a nurse mentor at Nyangana District Hospital in Namibia. Zulu, together with his colleagues, Veronika Shivute and Felistas ... Read More»

Early Infant Diagnosis Milestone

U.S. Ambassador Thomas F. Daughton remarks at the Early Infant Diagnosis Milestone, Nyangana Hospital, Nyangana District, Kavango Region, May 11, 2017 It is a pleasure to be here with you at Nyangana Hospital to celebrate your achievements in preventing HIV transmission from mothers to their children. And I am proud and honored that the United States government ... Read More»

Water Trucks & Food Supplements: USAID provides N$49 Million in Drought Assistance

Windhoek — The U.S. government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), will purchase eight (8) water tanker trucks and promote community and school sanitation valued at US$1.6 million (N$21 million). Additionally, USAID, with funding from the President’s Emergency Fund for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), is rolling out US$2.2 million (N$28 million) in drought ... Read More»

Handover of Community-Based ART (C-BART) Clinic to Oupili Community

Remarks by U.S. Ambassador Thomas F. Daughton at the handover of Community-Based ART (C-BART) Clinic to Oupili Community Okongo District, Ohangwena Region Good morning!  During the last couple years, in my role as U.S. Ambassador I have had the opportunity to visit many places in this beautiful country, but it is truly a pleasure for me to ... Read More»

Handover of Community-Based ART (C-BART) Clinic to Omutwe-Womhunu Community

Remarks by U.S. Ambassador Thomas F. Daughton at the handover of Community-Based ART (C-BART) Clinic to Omutwe-Womhunu Community Okongo District, Ohangwena Region Good afternoon!  During the last couple years, in my role as U.S. Ambassador I have had the opportunity to visit many places in this beautiful country, but it is truly a pleasure for me to ... Read More»

Handover of Acceleration Plan Vehicles

Remarks by U.S. Ambassador Thomas F. Daughton at the Official Handover of Acceleration Plan Vehicles to Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) Directorate of Special Programs Good morning!  It is a real pleasure for me to be back at the Ministry of Health and Social Services today to participate in another event marking our longstanding, close cooperation ... Read More»

Official Handover of Prefabricated Containers – Onandjokwe District Hospital

Remarks by U.S. Ambassador Thomas F. Daughton at the Official Handover of Prefabricated Containers to Namibia Institute of Pathology (NIP) Onandjokwe District Hospital Good morning, and thank you all for joining us today to mark an important milestone in the provision of high-quality HIV treatment to Namibians living with HIV in this district.  It’s important because today ... Read More»

Scaling Up HIV Viral Load Testing Workshop

Remarks by U.S. Ambassador Thomas F. Daughton Official Opening of the Scaling Up HIV Viral Load Testing Workshop Safari Hotel, Windhoek September 13, 2016 Good morning!   It is a pleasure for me to welcome you to Windhoek for what I am sure will be a valuable workshop on scale-up of viral load testing.  This is the third in ... Read More»

20th HIV/AIDS Awareness Campaign

Remarks by U.S. Ambassador Thomas F. Daughton 20th HIV/AIDS Awareness Campaign at NUST Namibia University for Science and Technology Good morning! It is a real pleasure for me to be here today to join you for the 20th HIV/AIDS Awareness Campaign. The Namibia University of Science and Technology is at the forefront of shaping the ... Read More»

100 New Health Care Workers Commence Duty To Fight HIV/AIDS In Rural Areas

Ongwediva — On 02 August 2016, U.S. Ambassador Thomas Daughton and Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services Juliet Kavetuna welcomed more than 100 new health care workers hired through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) who will soon be deployed to health facilities in seven districts (Onandjokwe, Omuthiya, Tsumeb, Oshikuku, Andara, Nyangana, Engela) ... Read More»
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