The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has joined the international community in welcoming the world’s newest nation, the Republic of South Sudan, according to a UNAIDS statement. After two civil wars that spanned five decades, South Sudan officially broke off from Sudan on July 9. South Sudan may be home to a significant population of people living with HIV. More than 1 percent of women using antenatal services in South Sudan are living with HIV. UNAIDS has pledged its commitment and support to help South Sudan, as well as Sudan, expand HIV prevention.

To read the UNAIDS statement, click here.