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Iraqi war should not derail HIV/AIDS fight in Africa - Stephen Lewis

    JOHANNESBURG

    A top UN official on Thursday expressed concern that a possible war in Iraq could shift the focus away from tackling HIV/AIDS in Africa.

    It would be an "unspeakable humanitarian tragedy" if war in Iraq subverts the struggle against HIV/AIDS in Africa, UN Special Envoy on HIV/AIDS in Africa, Stephen Lewis, warned at a press briefing.

    "HIV/AIDS is the most fundamental underlying cause of the southern African crisis," Lewis said.

    Reporting on his recent mission to Southern Africa to assess the food crisis, Lewis said no one should permit any distraction from the HIV/AIDS struggle.

    Lewis said despite there having been much debate about drought and rainfall in January's multi-agency mission to Southern Africa, his findings were that the food crisis was "in significant measure, caused by HIV/AIDS".

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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