HIV and Conflict Report

[Guest guest]

" HIV and Conflict: A Double Emergency "

Briefly, in the report, Save the Children warns world leaders that conflict is

speeding up the transmission of HIV/AIDS in the developing world. Faced with a

situation where around 70 per cent of people living with HIV/AIDS

reside in sub-Saharan Africa, where most of the world's conflicts are

concentrated, Save the Children calls for urgent action to curb the

spread of HIV/AIDS in conflict-affected countries.

The Report shows that in conflict situations, Young people are most

at risk People are being forced from their homes Food scarcity is

forcing women and girls to resort to sexual bartering Experience of

sexual violence at the hands of military forces, and forced migration

of people and military movements, are contributing to the more rapid

transmission of HIV Lack of targeted funding from donor countries

means there is little or no access to HIV prevention and treatment

services in many conflict-affected countries.

There are high levels of stigma There is an increased likelihood that

blood transfusions have not been screened.

The Report calls on the international community To curb the spread

of HIV in conflict situations To uphold the rights of children to

healthcare, vital information on forms of protection and freedom from

sexual exploitation Increase funding to the UN Global Fund to Fight

AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Ad on agencies responsible for the

provision of food and livelihood security, to take steps to ensure

that people have enough food to reduce the risk of young girls and

women being forced into trading sex to survive.

Key facts from the Report

In 2001, some 40 million people in the world were living with AIDS.

28 million of them in sub-Saharan Africa, where most of the world's

conflicts are concentrated. Of the 17 countries with more than

100,000 children orphaned by AIDS, 13 are in conflict or on the brink

of emergency involving conflict. Throughout north Africa and the

Middle East, UNAIDS says the disease is growing fastest in war-torn

Somalia and Sudan. Many women were raped in Rwanda during the 1994

genocide, leaving an estimated 15,000 women pregnant. Of 2,000 women

tested for HIV after the genocide, 80 per cent were HIV positive.

In northern Uganda, rebel forces sexually abused thousands of girls.

By 1997, soldiers in Uganda had an HIV prevalence rate of 27 per cent

when the national adult prevalence was 9.5 per cent.

In Burundi, up to 13 per cent of young women and 8 per cent of young

men are believed to be living with HIV. In the Democratic Republic

of the Congo, the African country with the largest ongoing war, some

680,000 children have lost parents to AIDS.

Key recommendations

Governments, donor countries and humanitarian agencies must curb the

spread of HIV in conflict situations, and uphold the rights of

children, by funding and supporting the provision of basic

healthcare, vital information on forms of protection, food security

and livelihood support measures.

Governments, donor countries and humanitarian agencies must meet

international commitments, including reducing sexual exploitation, as

agreed in the UN Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS made in June

2001 and reaffirmed in May 2002 at the UN Special Session on

Children.

Donors should: Increase funding to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS,

Tuberculosis and Malaria, to build the capacity of conflict-affected

countries to respond to the crisis. The Fund should consider

recognising conflict-affected countries as a priority category for

application support and disbursement

Increase funding to the UN Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeals Process

so that basic services can be provided to populations most affected

by war Give generously to UN agencies and NGOs working to safeguard

human security.

Governments, donor countries and humanitarian agencies should ensure

that children play a central role in prevention work in conflict and

post-conflict situations

Following from the principle that inaction constitutes neglect,

humanitarian agencies should develop and implement codes of conduct

for all staff to protect young people from exploitation resulting

from their need for food and other essential items. Codes should

include training in sexual and reproductive health and HIV/AIDS.

For further information about Save the Children, its work in relation

to Conflict and HIV and the Report, please contact Doug Webb,

HIV/AIDS Adviser, Save the Children UK at D.Webb@... or

Elaine Ireland, Policy Office, Save the Children UK at

E.Ireland@... .

Regards,

Dr. ph Chandy,

Regional HIV and RH Adviser,

South East, East Asia and Pacific Regional Office,

Save the Children UK, Bangkok.

E-mail: jo@...

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