Urban Poverty Alleviation & Livelihood and HIV/AIDS

[Guest guest]

Urban Poverty Alleviation & Livelihood and HIV/AIDS

Chandigarh, 21st October, 2009

At an open discussion is organized with around 50 PLHIV (People Living with HIV)

on 21st October, 2009 in continuation with the International Urban Poverty Week

by Chandigarh Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (CNP+) in association with

Urban Poverty Alleviation & Livelihood Cell (UNDP & MoHUPA) Municipal

Corporation Chandigarh observed the day at International Hostel, Sec-15,

Chandigarh.

The programme was inaugurated by Shri. T P S Phoolka, Joint Commissioner

Municipal Corporation Chandigarh who is also the Nodal Officer for

“Mainstreaming of HIV/AIDS among Urban Poor†NACO and Ministry of Housing &

Urban Poverty Alleviation (MoHUPA).

Shri. T P S Phoolka said that it can achieve the United Nations Millennium

Development Goals (MDGs) that seek to halve global hunger and poverty situation

by 2015. Five presidential hopefuls offered different strokes to the lingering

problems of poverty, high maternal death rates and cases of HIV/AIDS.

The MDGs are eight time-bound goals that seek to eradicate extreme poverty and

hunger; achieve universal primary education; promote gender equality and empower

women; reduce child mortality; improve maternal health; combat HIV/AIDS, malaria

and other diseases; ensure environmental sustainability; and develop a global

partnership for development.

On this occasion Pooja, President, CNP+ said the North India has not made much

progress in terms of three goals that include the major objective of eradicating

hunger and poverty. She noted that poverty incidence has increased in the

country in the last few years.

The country is also lagging behind to achieving Urban Poverty Alleviation &

Livelihood with reference to HIV/AIDS.

Vivek Trivedi, Project Director, Urban Poverty Alleviation & Livelihood Cell

(UNDP & MoHUPA), Municipal Corporation  Chandigarh said on this occasion

“I’m really concerned about it after studying the project feels that it is

very useful project for PLHIV, they aren’t many options because they cannot

enter into formal jobs

Dr. Avnish Jolly, AIDS Activist shared that “hungry stomachs know no law,â€

problem of poverty is more of a moral issue when patronage politics still

prevails and we need to abolish pork barrel and ensure transparency and

accountability in governance.

Dr. Jolly stressed that one of the key factors in achieving the MDGs are good

governance, good leadership and democratic accountability.

Sandeep Mittal, D.D, SACS, Chandigarh appreciated the efforts made by CNP+ and

Municipal Corporation Chandigarh for the welfare of PLHIV.

It is very good effort initiated by CNP+ for the advocacy of Livelihood Projects

for PLHIV. He stressed that mainstreaming activity with Municipal Corporation is

found to be good and

strengthened the advisory and advocacy level for long term benefit of

the PLHIV.

Ms.Pooja Thakur

President

Chandigarh Network of Positive people &

Regional Coordinator INP+

C/O - Drop In Center - Int. Hotel, Sector 15A,

Madhya Marg, Chandigarh 160 015.

Tel.: +91-172-2784042,4664261

Cell: +91-9316177261

cnppls@...