The Jamaica Red Cross is the recipient of the 2006 Ambassador’s Small Grants Program for HIV/AIDS.  The United States Ambassador to Jamaica Mrs. Brenda LaGrange Johnson presented a cheque of US$30,000 (J$1,962,600.00) to the Jamaica Red Cross President Dr. Jaslin Salmon at the presentation ceremony held on October 31, 2006 at the US Embassy’s office.

The award will be used by the organization to fund a national Anti-Stigma and Discrimination campaign against persons living with HIV/AIDS. The aim of the campaign is to reduce the level of stigma and discrimination experienced by persons living with HIV and AIDS so that they will be able to live normal lives and be able to access all the relevant resources such as education, health, etc. The campaign will include island wide community sensitization sessions to combat stigma and discrimination against Persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs), capacity building training for PLWHAs, the airing of a weekly radio show on HIV/AIDS and a quiz competition in the local media.

The Anti-Stigma and Discrimination campaign is part of the Jamaica Red Cross HIV/AIDS prevention and education programme. HIV/AIDS prevention and education as well as advocacy and support for PLWHAs is one of the many areas the Jamaica Red Cross works in as part of their mission “to improve the lives of the most vulnerable.”

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and its Caribbean Regional Office of Centre for Disease Control’s Global AIDS Program through the Office of Public Affairs, US Embassy administers the Ambassador's Small Grants Program (previously known as the Ambassador's Fund) for HIV/AIDS. The program is intended to further the United States Government’s commitment to combat HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean region, consistent with the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.

Both the US Embassy and the Jamaica Red Cross continue to partner together in reaching out to those most vulnerable.

For further information please contact Trevesa DaSilva, Communication Officer,  Jamaica Red Cross National Headquarters Phone: 1-876- 984-7860-2 Fax: 1-876-984-8272;  Email: tdasilva@jamaicaredcross.org or Alethia Lambert, Media Coordinator, Office of Public Affairs, U.S. Embassy Kingston Phone: 1-876-935-6008 (DL) OR 1-876 -935-6053-4 ext 2328 Fax: 1-876-929-3637 Email: lambertaa@state.gov