UNAIDS Press Release - May 25, 2005

United Nations Special Envoy James T. Morris, UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman and UNAIDS Executive Director Peter Piot warned that although great strides have been made by governments and the international community in meeting the most critical needs of the region, the 'triple threat' of HIV/AIDS, food insecurity, and the loss of human capacity is still stalking the region and more investment is needed if gains made over the last three years are to be sustained.

Emergencies come and go, but we are now in an acute phase of a chronic problem and the effects of this are going to be with us for generations to come," Morris said. "This is not about one issue or one country. Many factors are converging to undermine livelihoods of millions of people in southern Africa. The complexity of the situation demands that we must do all we can to help Governments in the region."

Three years ago, at the height of the southern Africa crisis, many countries in the region did not have food security and access to treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS. In addition, many countries did not have programmes to target the growing crisis of orphans and other vulnerable groups.

Today, there has been a move to diversify crops and sources of income that has helped to mitigate the impact of erratic weather. Several countries now have action plans to create safety nets for the more than four million orphans and other vulnerable children across the region. Up to 176,000 people are not receiving anti- retroviral treatment in southern Africa. This could never have been achieved without a concerted effort by Governments, civil society, the UN system and the international community.

However, one million people are still not receiving these life- prolonging drugs. In addition, the current dry spell and crop failure across the region means that seven million people could need food assistance over the coming year. Final analysis from regional crop assessments is expected in early June.

The situation is already considered so serious that the United Nations Special Envoy held a review meeting Wednesday morning with ten country representatives from the United Nations system in southern Africa. The meeting examined current interventions, joint programming, UN reform, and the strategies to address the multiple impacts of the triple threat.
050525
UN050503

Copyright © 2005 - Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). All rights reserved. UNAIDS articles, which are not formal publications of UNAIDS, may be freely reviewed, quoted, reproduced or translated, in part or in full, provided the source is acknowledged. The documents may not be sold or used in conjunction with commercial purposes without prior written approval from UNAIDS (contact: UNAIDS Information Centre).

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Roche and Trimeris, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2005. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 2005. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .