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UNAIDS/UNHCR to combat AIDS among refugees

    JOHANNESBURG

    The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has become the 10th co-sponsor of UNAIDS.

    It is envisaged that collaboration between the two organisations will have greater impact in combating HIV/AIDS among refugees, a population particularly vulnerable to the disease due to conflict, family disintegration, social disruption and increased sexual violence.

    UNHCR aims to implement comprehensive HIV testing and counselling and prevention of mother-to-child transmission, while addressing the stigma and prejudice associated with both refugees and HIV/AIDS.

    UNAIDS Executive Director Peter Piot said ensuring that refugees benefited from effective prevention efforts meant that traumatised people, forced to flee their homes, could avoid the further devastation of AIDS. "UNHCR is absolutely vital in the fight against HIV/AIDS," he added.

    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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