Bush pledges to double aid to Africa

President Bush pledged today to double US aid to Africa over the next five years. Aid to Africa has greatly increased since Bush took office in 2000, with much of the current aid going to fight infectious diseases including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. The new funds pledged today will be earmarked for the education of girls, promotion of women's rights, and malaria prevention. Tanzania, which is one of the fifteen focus countries in the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, currently receives significant funding from the US government to fight AIDS. You can find more information about the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief at http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/global_health/aids/pepfarfact.html.