Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Abidjan (Agenzia Fides)- The AIDS emergency is one of the African tragedies which have plagued the continent for decades. According to the AIDS Epidemic Update 2005 issued on 21 November by the United Nations Joint Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), sub-Saharan Africa has 60% of the people with HIV: over 25 million. This figure puts sub-Saharan countries more than10% of the world population top of the list.
The report says the situation in sub-Saharan countries has either remained stable or has worsened. However some countries are working on a promising reduction of the virus in adult individuals partly thanks to prevention efforts.
These results are important for programmes run by the Jesuit Refugee Service JRS to help people in Africa with HIV/AIDS.
In war torn Côte d'Ivoire in 2003 JRS launched a programme for psycho-social support and medical care for people infected by the virus, offering HIV tests to everyone in the city of Bouaké, in the rebel controlled north.
In November 2005, in the poorest parts of Bouake JRS Côte d'Ivoire started a second AIDS prevention programme to flank the first AIDS awareness raising programme.
The above mentioned UNAIDS/WHO report was issued in view of World AIDS Day, December 1 the theme of which "Stop AIDS. Keep your Promise" launched a five year campaign to fight AIDS all over the world.
Despite efforts on the part of the international community, the political impasse in Côte d'Ivoire remains. The country has been cut in two since 2002 with the north and west in the hands of New Forces rebels and the rest controlled by the army. The warring parties are kept apart by French and UN peacekeepers. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 6/12/2005 righe 32 parole 361)
