GENEVA, Dec 4 (AFP) - The umbrella organisation for the world's national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies is to shift its focus next year to deal with the devastating impact of HIV/AIDS, primarily in Africa, the agency said on Tuesday.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies launched an annual appeal for 270 million Swiss francs (183 million euros) in funding for next year, about 24 percent below the 2001 budget thanks to efforts by national societies to set "more realistic" targets, officials said.

However, the Federation said it would try to give greater weight to health programmes by mobilising its national societies at a local level.

"One health threat demands that we succeed," Federation Secretary-General Didier Cherpitel told reporters.

"HIV/AIDS will kill more people this decade than all the wars and natural disasters over the last 50 years," he added.

"These statistics are so horrendous and their social and economic implications so catastrophic, that the fight against HIV/AIDS has become the Federation's single largest programme priority," Cherpitel said.

The Federation said its effort would not only involve treatment and care, but would also include a significant attempt to fight the stigma and discrimination that HIV/AIDS patients endure.

Cherpitel said the Federation recognised "that programme initiatives alone are insufficient to overcome the obstacles and prejudice they face".

Africa will take the largest share of predicted annual spending with 72 million Swiss francs, as AIDS campaigns are stepped up, including help for people orphaned because of the disease.

During 2001, the Federation has also appealed for an additional 400 million Swiss francs on top of its annual budget to respond to emergencies, mainly natural disasters.

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