International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - December 18, 2006
Amit Kumar, in New Delhi
India is experiencing a rapid growth of HIV epidemic in certain geographic areas and almost two-thirds of those infected with HIV in Asia live in India. The situation is quite alarming and it needs to be addressed holistically. Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) has been implementing a wide range of HIV prevention progr
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - December 6, 2006
Tapiwa Gomo, Lusaka
Investing in prevention is one way of curbing the spread of HIV in a country like Zambia where 50% of the youth are faced with life-time risk of dying of AIDS in the absence of treatment. This was one of the main messages sent from Lusaka by Dr. Kapila Mukesh, the International Federation Special representative for HIV
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - December 5, 2006
The Zambia Red Cross Society is launching an appeal for 50 million US dollars as a massive expansion of its HIV and AIDS programme for the next five years. The launch which coincides with the UNAIDS Programme Coordination Board meeting will take place on the 5th of December 2006 in Lusaka, Zambia. This comes at a t
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - November 27, 2006
Mukesh Kapila, Special Representative of the Secretary General for HIV/AIDS, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Year after year, AIDS statistics hit us like a sledgehammer, a forceful reminder of the uphill struggle against one of the worst afflictions of humanity. Since the epidemic began, some 65 million people have been infected, 25 million of whom have died. The chilling death count continues at a rate of 8,000 a day. Whil
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - November 27, 2006
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is increasingly concerned by the plight of vulnerable people affected by HIV and AIDS throughout the world, especially women and young girls. The growing feminization of the HIV epidemic is not just due to biological factors but more the consequence o
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - November 27, 2006
Helena Laatio
It takes some time and circling around the backyards of Ulaanbaatar to find the office of Youth for Health , a voluntary organization. Neither the neighbors nor the landlord know, what these tenants are doing. It is an organization run by gay men, who are significantly contributing to the battle against HIV in
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - November 24, 2006
Oksana Shved, Ukrainian Red Cross
The first case of HIV infection in Ukraine was registered only a year after the most well-known nuclear accident in the world, the Chernobyl tragedy. As the saying goes, When it rains, it pours . Today Ukraine shows the most rapid spread of HIV in Eastern Europe, more than 1,4% of Ukrainians are living with HIV, includ
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - November 10, 2006
Tapiwa Gomo in Johannesburg
The South Africa Partnership for Red Cross Societies (SAPRCS) is a regional forum made up of the ten Red Cross national societies in southern Africa. The last meeting in Johannesburg on November 3 saw the election of a new chairperson with Mandisa Kalako-Williams, also President of the South Africa Red Cross Society, h
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - November 1, 2006
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is launching an appeal for some 300 million US dollars (CHF 384 million/EUR 241 million) as a massive expansion over five years of its HIV and AIDS programme in southern Africa. The programme is part of the new International Federation Global HIV and
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - October 30, 2006
Jean-Luc Martinage in Kajintchi, Malawi
Mr Nkhoma has a big smile on his face as we join him in front of his impressive maize field in the village of Kajintchi, 120 km to the north of Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi . He is the president of one of the 42 clubs in the irrigation project implemented by the Malawi Red Cross with the support of the International
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - October 16, 2006
Alim Atarud of the International Federation's delegation in Kabul
In an effort to raise public awareness about HIV transmission, youth volunteers from the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS) recently launched a campaign targeting beauty parlour and barbershop owners and customers in the capital of Kabul. The campaign was entitled Let s be aware of HIV/AIDS and involved more than 50 yo
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - October 13, 2006
Jean-Luc Martinage in Chisoko, Malawi
Caroline is a pretty little girl of 13. When you see her dance with her friends from the orchestra of Chisoko Community Child Care Centre, you would almost think that she does not have a care in the world. Yet in the beautiful region of Mwachongo Forest, near Mwanza in southern Malawi , tragedy has struck her family.
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - October 3, 2006
Jean-Luc Martinage in Harare
Red Cross volunteers in southern Africa and in other parts of the world have been implementing home-based care programmes for many years, providing prevention, treatment and support to people living with HIV and their families. So far however, trainers had no comprehensive, easy-to-use training tool to equip community-
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - October 2, 2006
Southern Africa deserves better than promises. With more than 11 million people living with HIV, including 500,000 children, Southern Africa needs urgent action to turn words into deeds. This is the clear message sent from Harare, Zimbabwe by Mukesh Kapila, Special Representative for HIV and AIDS of the International
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - September 30, 2006
The three giant humanitarian organisations, International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in collaboration with the World Health Organization Africa Regional Office (WHO/AFRO) and the Southern Africa HIV and AIDS Information Dissemination Service (SAfAIDS) have joined forces and will launc
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - September 14, 2006
Jean-Luc Martinage in Brussels
The hard work and achievements of the 53 African Red Cross-Red Crescent National Societies in food security, HIV and AIDS, health and care and water/sanitation were highlighted in Brussels on September 11th during a two hour-special event organised by the Red Cross/EU Office and the Finnish Presidency of the European U
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - August16, 2006
Jeanne Tonye Kiboum and Desire Takoumbo at Yaounde
Female genital mutilation (FGM), quite apart from being a violation of the integrity of the person, can have very serious medical consequences. Yet, it has been practised for generations in many African countries and the phenomenon persists despite all the campaigns organised to fight against it. Such is the case in Ce
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - August 15, 2006
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies announced today during the XVI International AIDS Conference in Toronto that it will launch a new programme, in the coming weeks, to support Red Cross societies in southern Africa in fighting HIV/AIDS over the next five years. With over 11 million peo
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - August 10, 2006
Morning Star Rosario, Namibia Red Cross
Whenever visitors come to the Namibia Red Cross, they are greeted by an elegant young woman at reception. Livey Van Wyk Samaria looks very healthy, despite all odds thrown her way. She has managed to keep her head above hell-rising waters. At 21 years old and living positively with HIV, Livey is married with a husband
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - August 7, 2006
Lydia Mirembe, Uganda Red Cross Society
Two thousand people living with HIV/AIDS in Naguru (Kampala District) and the IDP camp in Kapelabyong (Soroti District) are sleeping easier after a gift of long lasting insecticidal mosquito nets (LLIN) from Uganda Red Cross Society. The nets were a donation from the World Swim for Malaria Foundation through the Intern
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - July 25, 2006
Elvina Nawaguna for the Uganda Red Cross Society*
Some 1.7 million people in Uganda s far north - towards the Sudan border - are living in incredibly harsh conditions in about 200 internally displaced people s camps. Of those, the UN and other international agencies have access to only about 20 camps. The rest are off limits due to the brutal fighting between governme
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - July 19, 2006
Teresita P. Usapdin
I want to be a doctor so I can help put an end to this terrible disease that kills even innocent people slowly and painfully. Fourteen year-old Fakrul Gamal Putra from the tsunami-hit district of Banda in Aceh, Indonesia , has just learned about HIV/AIDS. This important issue was the subject of one of the sessions at
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - July 11, 2006
First there was the tsunami, then the looming eruption of Mt Merapi and on top of that, the devastating earthquake in Java; these are challenging times for the Indonesian Red Cross. I try to imagine what it must be like for the people who have lost relatives ... and it makes me feel very sad, says Umi Alfiah, a 21-year
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - June 14, 2006
Thai Red Cross Society, working together with Ministry of Public Health, is organizing a major celebration to mark the occasion of the World Blood Donor Day 2006 on June 14 at the National Blood Centre in Bangkok, Thailand . Celebrations are also expected to take place in more than 100 other countries as World Blood Do
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - May 15, 2006
The 5TH Conference of Middle East and North Africa Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies opens in Marrakech, Morocco on 15 May, under the theme Future humanitarian challenges . The three-day meeting will bring together some 150 participants, including representatives of the 18 Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies of the
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - May 5, 2006
Allison Ali
The Caribbean has the world s second highest rate of HIV/AIDS. In 2005 alone, the AIDS epidemic claimed an estimated 24,000 lives in the Caribbean, making it the leading cause of death among people aged 14 to 44 years. Some 300,000 people are living with HIV, including the 25,000 people who acquired the virus in 2005.
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - May 3, 2006
Tapiwa Gomo in Harare
The long wait is now over following the graduation of 22 Red Cross HIV and AIDS care facilitators and 11 trainers who recently attended a three week training programme on HIV prevention, care, treatment and support tool kit. The tool kit, the first of its kind developed, provides guidance and information to community b
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - April 6, 2006
Jean-Luc Martinage in Johannesburg
Members of the famous Soweto Choir wearing Red Cross T-shirts gave a warm and typically Southern African opening to the Southern Africa Symposium on home-based care organized by the regional delegation of the International Federation of Red Cross Red Crescent societies on April 6-7 in Johannesburg, South
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - April 6, 2006
On the eve of World Health Day, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies highlights the growing importance of its volunteers involved in community health activities, especially activities related to HIV/AIDS. According to the World Health Organization , there is an estimated shortage of four
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - March 29, 2006
Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, Chairman and CEO of Nestle, and Markku Niskala, Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, today signed a new partnership agreement extending their cooperation for a further three years, until 2008. Under this agreement, Nestle will provide funding
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - March 20, 2006
Leigh Daynes, south-eastern Zambia
The Zambia Red Cross home-based care programme for people affected by HIV/AIDS provides Florence Lupiya, 52, with a unique lifeline. Trained volunteers provide practical help and emotional support to people like Florence in their own homes. With food aid she received from the Red Cross in September, Florence is able to
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - March 8, 2006
Varaidzo Dongozi, Zimbabwe Red Cross Society
As the world commemorates the International Women s Day on the 8th of March 2006, the status of women in society, particularly those living with HIV and AIDS continues to be marred by stigma. Early HIV and AIDS messages stereotyped women as the sole transmitters of HIV, while men were warned to be wary of such women. I
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - March 6, 2006
Tapiwa Gomo, Johannesburg
The Red Cross has expressed its satisfaction with progress in the seven countries, following the launch of a nine months food security operation to avert starvation in the region. This was announced following a regional food security meeting in Johannesburg on the 3rd of March to review progress to date. “We are operat
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - March 2, 2006
Michel Paris, Relief Delegate, Manzin, Swaziland
All hope was lost for many families in Swaziland following almost two years of drought. Some had already sold their household properties to raise money for food. When the rain season started late last year, many people in Swaziland could only see another year of hunger approaching as they did not have money to buy seed
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - February 21, 2006
Leigh Daynes, eastern Zimbabwe
The Zimbabwe Red Cross uses innovative methods to reach 18,000 people through its home-based care programme for people living with HIV and AIDS, and 36,000 children affected by AIDS. Among the projects are giving advice on running a small business and paying school fees. Near Mutare in eastern Zimbabwe, ten women run a
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - February 10, 2006
Michel Paris Relief Delegate, Manzini Swaziland
All hope was lost for many families in Swaziland following almost two years of drought. Some had already sold their household properties to raise money for food. When the rain season started late last year, many people in Swaziland could only see another year of hunger approaching as they did not have money to buy seed
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - February 2, 2006
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is scaling up its home-based care programmes for people living with HIV/AIDS in Africa. It has begun pilot programmes in seven countries where Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers are being trained to follow up with people who are on antiretroviral t
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - February 1, 2006
The Olympic torch has almost completed its long journey from Greece to the city of Turin, in Northern Italy , where the 2006 Winter Olympics will take place from 10 February. On 29 January, thousands of people gathered in the nearby city of Milan to welcome this symbol of the Olympic movement as it made its wa
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - January 20, 2006
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Southern Africa has expressed its profound concern over the slow response to the food insecurity appeal launched in October last year following another severe drought which left more than 12 million in urgent need of food assist. The leading humani
International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - January 13, 2006
Risco Lumamezi in Caprivi and Morning-Star Rosario in Windhoek
Standing in her vegetable garden, Charity Silangani is a tall, well built 38-year old woman, living in the Choi village of the Caprivi region in north-eastern Namibia . I tested HIV positive in 2003 and have been getting assistance from Namibia Red Cross Mapilelo project since 2004, she says. Mapilelo, or place o
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - January 11, 2006
Christopher Dlamini, Baphalali Swaziland Red Cross Society , Francis Musasa, Malawi Red Cross Society, and Morning-Star Rosario, Namibia Red Cross Society, in Salima, Malawi
Sellina Alusi, 49, lives in Imedi, a sandy village in central Malawi . She is one of the 4.8 million people in Malawi affected by hunger as a result of severe drought and poor economic performance. During times of plenty, when Sellina was in good health, she would harvest 30 to 40 bags of rice. This year she has been b
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