The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, known as PEPFAR, says it is providing $18 million to scale up HIV/AIDS response in South Sudan.

In a press release, It says an about 160,000 people infected HIV/AIDS in South Sudan need treatment.

“Despite tremendous progress, the HIV epidemic is not yet controlled. An AIDS-free generation is within our reach, but to get there we must deliver the right thing, in the right place, at the right time,” said the statement.

Currently, more than 9,400 people are receiving treatment for HIV in South Sudan through PEPFAR and Global Fund support.

PEPFAR says it is working closely with the Ministry of Health, South Sudan AIDS Commission, and other partners to fight the epidemic.

It says the money will be spent on prevention, care and treatment programs including laboratory capacity and strengthening disease surveillance systems.

In South Sudan, PEPFAR is administered through the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), USAID and the US Department of Defense.