HIV/AIDS
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Daniel lives in Kenya. He is just four years old and is HIV positive. He is cared for by his grandparents and they make sure he takes his anti-retroviral drugs. Daniel's mother died of AIDS and his father is missing. (Photo Brendan Bannon/International Federation) | |
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Ester Wangari Kagiri receives home-based care from the Kenya Red Cross Society. She had been bedridden by HIV, but has started to walk again. Ester has recently begun to train as a volunteer with the Red Cross to help others in a similar situation to herself. (Photo Brendan Bannon/International Federation) | |
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HIV/AIDS will kill more people this decade than all the wars and disasters in the past 50 years.
Since this epidemic began, 25 million people have died and more than 40 million are now living with HIV and AIDS. Fifteen million children have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS and that number is expected to more than triple by 2010.
The Red Cross HIV/AIDS strategy focuses on promoting prevention among vulnerable groups, supporting greater access to care and treatment, and reducing stigma and discrimination. The Canadian Red Cross supports HIV/AIDS programming in China, India and Southern and Eastern Africa.
With millions of people all over the world suffering from the AIDS epidemic and new infections occurring at an alarming rate – help is urgently needed.
Southern Africa
Southern Africa is the epicentre of this global health crisis with approximately 12.3 million people living with HIV - including 860,000 children under the age of 14. More than four million children have been orphaned by AIDS.
The International Federation of Red Cross Red Crescent Societies is seeking $342 million to support a five-year program to increase existing community-based care programs in Southern Africa. Programming will reach 50 million people across ten countries with messages for prevention and against stigma and discrimination. It will also provide services for at least 250,000 people living with HIV and 460,000 children who have been orphaned or made vulnerable by HIV.
Eastern Africa
With over five million people living with HIV, including more than 500,000 children, Eastern Africa is the one of the worst affected areas. Tackling the HIV pandemic in Eastern Africa is becoming more difficult due to the conflicts affecting many countries. The problem of displaced people living with HIV and on anti-retroviral treatment is particularly alarming. One reason for the spread of the virus in conflict areas is the significant number of rape cases and violence, especially towards women and children.
The International Federation is supporting the work of eight National Societies: Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. The program aims to reach 17 million people with information on prevention over the next three years, provide care and support to nearly 30,000 people living with HIV and 130,000 orphans and vulnerable children.
As well, during the summer of 2008, the Canadian Red Cross began supporting a three-year International Federation appeal to boost the HIV work of Red Cross societies in Burkina-Faso, Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea and Nigeria.
This new community-based program, which will run from 2008 to 2010, plans to reach 950,000 vulnerable people, including 10,000 orphans, 49,000 people living with HIV and 13,000 sex workers.
China and India
Despite improvements in access to health care, infection rates in China and India continue to skyrocket. The quickly escalating HIV infection rates in China are of great concern. Yunnan Province has the highest reported HIV infection rate in China with an estimated 30,000 HIV/AIDS cases in 2007. The reported number of people living with HIV/AIDS has increased by 30 per cent in recent years, and the epidemic has spread to 31 of China’s 34 provinces.
According to the 2006 UNAIDS Global Report on HIV/AIDS, India currently ranks as the highest country in the world for HIV/AIDS incidence at 5.7 million people. Infection is quickly spreading beyond ‘high risk’ behaviour groups into the general population.
In China and India, the Canadian Red Cross is supporting community-based programs to help educate and support groups particularly at risk of contracting HIV, such as commercial sex workers, intravenous drug users, and young people. These programs draw on local Red Cross volunteers to also help tackle the stigma that prevents many people from being tested and treated.
The Canadian Red Cross HIV/AIDS orphan program in China assists communities in strengthening their capacity to provide advocacy, home-based care and social welfare services to the hundreds of children left orphaned by the AIDS pandemic.
How you can help
Through the generous support of our donors, the Red Cross has the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of millions of people affected by HIV/AIDS.
Please give generously. Your financial support will rapidly be turned into help for the most vulnerable people affected by this situation.
Make your donation to the HIV/AIDS - International:
Toll-free at 1-800-418-1111
In person at any Red Cross office
By mailing a cheque or money order to Canadian Red Cross, 170 Metcalfe Street, Ste 300, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 2P2. Earmark your donation “HIV/AIDS - International.”
You Make the Difference – Support Canadian Red Cross International Programs
Thanks to the generous support of donors like you we assist millions of people in need around the world each year through our international health programs including mother and child health, malaria, HIV/AIDS, and health in conflict settings. Please donate to the International Programs Fund today.
