(VOVworld) - The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced approval of a five-year project and a 26 million USD grant to help Vietnam fight HIV/AIDS. Michael Greene, country director of USAID Vietnam, said on Wednesday that the project aims to enhance the capacity of local civil society organizations and community-based organizations to lead the campaign in HIV prevention and treatment activities across the country. The project will also supply technical assistance based on real demand at central, provincial and district levels to ensure sustainable systems are put in place to combat HIV/AIDS and related infections.

In 2014, Vietnam became the first country in Asia to commit to implementing 90-90-90 targets set by UNAIDS, which call for a scale-up of HIV testing so that 90% of people with HIV are aware of their infection, 90% of people diagnosed with HIV are linked to antiretroviral treatment (ART) and 90% of those on ART receive treatment resulting in undetectable levels of HIV in their blood.