The US president's emergency plan for AIDS relief in South Africa has reached over 70,000 HIV- affected orphans and vulnerable children last year, the US ambassador said on Tuesday.

The emergency plan began funding activities a year ago, said Ambassador Jendayi Frazer, speaking at the international AIDS conference in the coastal city of Durban.

The plan had also given antiretroviral-based treatment to over 25,000 people and had trained over 30,000 health professionals.

Two years ago, US President George W. Bush and South African President Thabo Mbeki agreed that their countries would cooperate to implement the emergency plan.

Frazer said the plan was drawn up to support the South African government's operational plan for comprehensive HIV/AIDS care, management and treatment.

"I am pleased to let you know that just last week, President Mbeki and President Bush met again and reconfirmed their commitment to the cooperative efforts our partners are engaged in to address HIV and AIDS in South Africa," he said.

In the first 12 months, prevention programs had been implemented for the uniformed services, labor unions, school children and for poor communities, he said.

With a total population of about 47 million, South Africa has the largest number of HIV-affected population in the world, about 10 percent of the total population.

Source: Xinhua