Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2006. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - April 6, 2006
Jean-Luc Martinage in Johannesburg
Several hundred delegates, many of them volunteers, came to share their experience and best practices in home-based care programmes. The official theme of the symposium is "Caring Together, Come closer". "This slogan has become part of our daily life in this country: "Khomanani", a call for all to do their best in fighting for the care and support of people affected by HIV/AIDS," said Ms Mandisa Kalako Williams, president of South African Red Cross society.
The symposium also gives an opportunity to highlight how serious the situation is in Southern Africa, with 25 % of the population infected and four million children orphaned by AIDS. "HIV/AIDS does not kill only individuals, it is threatening to kill nations and threaten the future of our children by depriving us of our youth and the most productive sector of our population who are the nation builders," says Mr Shimelis Adugna, vice-president of the International Federation.
To try to face this challenge, the International Federation is launching a new five year strategic plan in Southern Africa, scaling up home-based care treatments. "This new plan requires USD 290 million (CHF 375 million),"says Francoise Le Goff, Head of the International Federation's regional delegation in Harare. Some of the priorities are also the integration of food into home-based care programmes with a focus on livelihood, and supporting government efforts in rolling out Anti-retroviral to people living with HIV/AIDS at the community level through a drug monitoring programme. It also insists on the need to advocate for support from government and private sector for orphans and vulnerable children by providing educational, psychological, emotional and material support.
The plan also aims at strengthening interventions at community level that are targeted at reducing stigma and discrimination by involving chiefs and influencial leaders. "We also discovered that home-based care was and continues to need a much more integrated response that includes water and sanitation, malaria and TB prevention and care, food security and care for orphaned and vulnerable children", says Dr Tito Fachi, the International Federation's HIV/AIDS scaling up committee chairman.
Several high level guests also took part to the opening ceremony. Ms Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, South African Minister of Health, highlighted the work of national societies volunteers in Southern Africa. "Thank you for your outstanding work," she said.
Another special guest was Dr Kenneth Kaunda, former president of Zambia, who is now the chairman of "Kenneth Kaunda Children of Africa" foundation. To show his enthusiasm when being shown the work of volunteers, Mr kaunda did not hesitate to join the Soweto Choir to sing and dance with them on the stage.
In his speech, Dr Kenneth Kaunda emphasized the need to work together to support those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. He also insisted on the urgency of the situation. "It is estimated that 70 % of the world's population infected with HIV/AIDS reside in Sub-saharan Africa. There is approximately 11 million people who are living with HIV/AIDS in Southern Africa. This is the equivalent of the entire population of Zambia," he said. Mr Kaunda ended his speech by asking for " a rousing round of applause" in recognition of the work done by Red Cross Red Crescent volunteers.
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