Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance Media Release ******************** Religious leaders, faith communities, and faith-based organizations are questioning the global political will to fight HIV and AIDS in light of the new 2006 AIDS Epidemic Update issued b
Religious leaders, faith communities, and faith-based organizations are questioning the global political will to fight HIV and AIDS in light of the new 2006 AIDS Epidemic Update issued by UNAIDS today.
The report indicates that the number of people living with HIV increased in every region of the world from 2004 to 2006, with the greatest increases in East Asia, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia. Currently: · 39.5 million people are living with HIV; 2.3 million are children under 15. · 4.3 million people were newly infected; 530,000 of them children. · 2.9 million died of AIDS-related illness; 380,000 of them children.
The human toll of the epidemic is undeniable and increasing. The statistics represent the lives of our families and friends, our faith communities and our religious leaders. We all must do more, says Dr. Manoj Kurian of the World Council of Churches.
Among the more important trends noted by faith communities is that new infections are concentrated among young people age 15-24. In sub-Saharan Africa, where the epidemic is strongest, there are mixed experiences by country in behaviour change among young people to prevent transmission (delay of sexual debut, avoiding sex with a non-regular partner, use of condom during sex with non regular partner).
We must focus on the vulnerability of young people - insuring that they understand the risks they take, have complete information and access to resources to prevent infection, and that they chose to change risky behaviours, says Anne-Marie Helland of Norwegian Church Aid. But we must also give strong attention to high-risk behaviour - such as injecting drug use, unprotected paid sex, and unprotected sex between men - if we are to save lives.
Helland also emphasizes that People need support from their community, including faith communities, compassion and accepting engagement to change behaviour that puts them at risk.
The report also indicates that: · less than 1 out of every 5 people at risk of infection have access to basic prevention services. · only 1 of every 8 people who want to be tested, to know their status and protect others, are currently able to do so.
The good news reflected in the report is that lifesaving access to treatment has increased with more than 1.65 million people now receiving anti-retroviral treatment. However, this is still far short of the global need.
Missing from the report is specific analysis of childrens access to treatment (pediatric AIDS drugs) and prevention of mother-to-child transmission. Father Robert Vitillo of Caritas Internationalis states, The pharmaceutical industry needs to make even greater efforts make these drugs available in better formulations for use with children and to do so at affordable prices. And our governments have failed to keep the simple and affordable promise of preventing transmission of HIV from mother-to-child.
Governments met in June 2006 to re-commit themselves to the global response to HIV, and to Universal Access to care, treatment and support. Campaigners emphasize that this must be translated in to political will, programmatic response, and financial resources.
Our governments must still learn to keep their promises -- and we will not let them forget, says Dr. Sheila Shyamprasad of The Lutheran World Federation. 189 countries signed the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS, but only 126 submitted their reports on how they have delivered. Only 84 have completed setting their national level targets - as they promised. And the measure of faithfulness will also come in closing the global funding gap which was USD$ 5 billion in 2006 (USD$ 14.9 million required, only USD$ 8.9 provided).
Shyamprasad concludes, "This is simply not enough."
