Positiv Leben Blog

Geneva, 5 July, 2010 - The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) weIcomes the merging of four gender entities of the United Nations into UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The new entity will provide a new powerful voice for women and girls and help move the AIDS response forward.

"I look forward to working with UN Women," said UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé, "Together we can ensure that all women living with HIV access treatment when they need it. And most importantly, we can restore their dignity and rights."

Nearly half the people living with HIV in the world are women. In sub-Saharan Africa more women are infected than men. HIV is a major cause of maternal mortality. It is behind nearly 1 in 5 of all maternal deaths.

Gender inequities, violence, lack of access to education, health and economic opportunities are making women vulnerable to HIV.

But by teaming up and working on common goals the AIDS movement and the women’s movement can dramatically reduce the impact of HIV on women and their families.

UNAIDS recently recognized the importance of promoting gender equality and eliminating violence and discrimination against women, by appointing the renowned singer Annie Lennox as International Goodwill Ambassador for UNAIDS. Her particular mission is to raise awareness and support for women affected by the AIDS epidemic.

Press Statement from UNAIDS – 5 July, 2010

New UNAIDS report calls for coordinated approach to support Haiti, the country most affected by HIV in the Caribbean

GENEVA, 26 February 2010 - UNAIDS calls for a coordinated approach in supporting Haiti, the country most affected by HIV in the Caribbean, to rebuild its AIDS response in the wake of the 12 January earthquake. Following an initial rapid assessment of the situation with the Ministry of Public Health and Population, UNAIDS has released the concept note Helping Haiti rebuild its AIDS response. The report explains the current situation in Haiti and what may be required to meet the immediate and intermediate AIDS response needs. UNAIDS will continue to revise and update this assessment as new information becomes available.

"It is unprecedented to have such a huge natural disaster in a country with a high HIV prevalence," said Mr Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS.

There were an estimated 120 000 people living with HIV in Haiti before the earthquake. Haiti's epidemic is mostly driven by heterosexual sex and an estimated 53% percent of people living with HIV are women.

Most of the structural damage happened in the three departments (Ouest, Sud-Est and les Nippes) that accounted for nearly 60% of the population of people living with HIV.

"Now, more than 1 million people are living in temporary shelters, putting them at greater risk of violence that includes sexual and gender based violence," added Mr Sidibé. "Programmes are urgently needed to reduce vulnerabilities to HIV and ensure protection."

The three most affected areas also had more than half of all the antiretroviral treatment sites. Assessment teams have noted make-shift clinics under tents popping up to help increase treatment access, however, the Ministry of Health estimates that less than 40% of the 24 000 people living with HIV who were on treatment before the earthquake have accessed them.

Civil society networks of people living with HIV as well as many of the organizations providing HIV services have been affected by the earthquake and will need to be strengthened.

Currently Haiti is experiencing a critical interruption of HIV services and programmes and will need comprehensive and sustained support for the country to regain momentum towards universal access targets to HIV prevention, treatment, care, and support.

Seven priority actions have been identified:

1. Rebuild health systems (including antiretroviral and PMTCT services);

2. Protect displaced people from HIV;

3. Rebuild the national and local network of people living with HIV;

4. Support social protection measures;

5. Revitalize HIV prevention programmes;

6. Re-establish comprehensive coordination mechanisms for the AIDS response; and

7. Develop a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation mechanism.

UNAIDS is currently working with its partners to integrate HIV into the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment process and ensure the HIV-related needs identified will be part of the ongoing humanitarian assistance efforts and upcoming recovery plans. The rebuilding of Haiti's national AIDS programme will need to link the current humanitarian HIV needs and actions with the longer term strategic goal of building back an even better AIDS response.

The annual national AIDS budget of Haiti was US$ 132 million prior to the earthquake. UNAIDS estimates that an additional US$ 70 million will be needed for the next six months to meet Haiti’s immediate AIDS response needs.

Press release from UNAIDS – 26. February 2010

South Africa makes the biggest domestic investment on AIDS by a developing country

PRETORIA, South Africa, 19 February 2010 - UNAIDS welcomes the increased investments by South Africa to the AIDS response. In his 2010 budget speech, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan has proposed an allocation of US$ 1.1 billion, a 33% increase from 2009 levels. This is the biggest domestic investment made by any developing country on AIDS to date.

"South Africa can directly change the trajectory of the AIDS epidemic with such bold investments," said Mr Michel Sidibé, UNAIDS Executive Director. "This budget is pro-people and must serve as a model for increasing investments in health, education and social welfare even in times of economic crisis."

South Africa has the largest number of people living with HIV worldwide. This budget proposal aims to more than double the number of people on HIV treatment to 2.1 million. Separately, the budget also provides increased social support to women and children. 

"South Africa's AIDS response has come of age under the leadership of President Zuma. UNAIDS pledges its full support to South Africa in reversing the course of the AIDS epidemic," said Mr Sidibé.

The overall allocations for the Health and Education sectors have been increased. The budget provides for nearly US$ 14 billion on health issues and US$ 21 billion on education. This will put South Africa on course to meet its universal access targets and Millennium Development Goals.

UNADIS Press release from 19. February 2010