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Supporting people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS


Brussels, 01December 2009 - Today, the 1 December, is World AIDS Day, a day which serves to focus attention on what everyone can do to support the estimated 33.4 million people currently living with HIV/AIDS. Some of this number will not even be aware they have the disease, others will be stigmatised and fall victim to prejudice. All need our support.

Caritas in Europe is active in taking care of, treating and supporting those living with HIV/AIDS across the continent. It has been agitating for the stigma surrounding the disease to be removed and has been pushing for education, healthcare, social, emergency and developmental services to be accessible and welcoming for those affected by HIV/AIDS. People living with HIV/AIDS need and deserve the same attention which biblical tradition requires for ‘the orphans, widows and strangers in your midst’, namely a response which conveys God’s preferential love for them.

Increased awareness about HIV/AIDS and the hard work of healthcare professionals, governments, churches, NGOs and countless others have led to a slowing of HIV infections globally. There were nonetheless, according to UNAIDS, the UN Agency charged with fighting the epidemic, an estimated 2.7 million new infections in 2008. This is 2.7 million infections too many. Eastern Europe and Central Asia have been particularly hard hit by new infections – it remains the only region in the world where HIV infections show a significant rise.

      HIV/AIDS is still killing millions of people in the world

Caritas is supporting people living with HIV/AIDS across the world
Photo: Caritas Ukraine

As well as providing support to those living with or affected by HIV/AIDS, Caritas has also been lobbying against the root causes that favour the spread of HIV in society - exclusion and marginalisation as well as inequity and injustice. Vulnerable members of society such as migrants or other disadvantaged groups remain particularly affected by the disease.

World AIDS Day is therefore a good opportunity for reflection and analysis of this complex disease. It is worth seizing the moment to remind ourselves what we can do, not just today, but every other day of the year.


For more information, please contact:
Natallya Kaval Kova
Staff Officer for Social Policy
Caritas Europa
Email: nkavalkova@caritas-europa.org

 

 

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