Playing a key role in the response to HIV/AIDS in Cambodia, KHANA has received new grant from the European Commission to extend its work in new target areas. The five- year project starting from January 2007 is implemented in 3 provinces - Kampong Speu, Kampong Chhnang, and Prey Veng.

Dr. Tith Khimuy, KHANA Programme Director, said the grant is very important to help reduce HIV/AIDS in the country. "The EC fund through the UK based International HIV/AIDS Alliance is focusing on three main areas - prevention, care support, and advocacy," he said.

The project with half million dollar per year is implemented by seven NGO partners in the three provinces, he added.

NGO partners have been selected through an open voting process at provincial consultation meetings. Before starting the implementation in May, selected partners have to join the project design workshop for one week in March in KHANA office. The project will target sex workers, married people, youth, MSM, drug users, and factory workers. "This is a very good opportunity for us to extend our work into the underserved area where nobody has yet reached," Dr. Khimuy said.

This is the second funding grant from EC. The first grant, through UNFPA, focused on the field of reproductive health with young people in the provinces of Kandal, Prevey, and Kampong Chhnang between 2003 and 2006.