A rising number of host communities across the globe are blaming refugees for the spread of HIV/AIDS says the UN refugee agency, UNHCR.
However, research suggests that HIV infection rates among refugees are generally lower than in host communities.
This has prompted the UNHCR to lobby governments hosting some of the world's 20 million refugees and asylum seekers, including those in the Southern African Development Community, to fight the myth that refugees add to the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
High commissioner Ruud Lubbers said in a recent statement: "Such sentiments are held not only by local people, but by politicians, some media and even humanitarian workers."
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