Rome (Fides Service) - With the signing of a memorandum-agreement the United Nations High Commission for Refugees UNHCR has become the tenth co-sponsor of UNAIDS, the United Nations programme to fight HIV/AIDS, in the ambit of UN commitment to prevent and fight the epidemic.
Although the rate of diffusion of HIV/AIDS among refugees is usally lower compared to local communities, refugees are at high risk of infection as a vulnerable category of people subject to the threat of sexual violence. UNHCR considers prevention of HIV an essential component of its comprehensive and complex activity to protect and assist refugees.
UNHCR has set up an internal section to deal with HIV/AIDS and is increasing its activity in sectors of counseling, testing and prevention of mother/child transmission.
Refugees in Africa are the main target of UNHCR programmes in the HIV/AIDS sector because Africa has the second highest number of refugees in the world and also some of the highest rates of infection HIV/AIDS. UNHCR is also planning programmes on vast scale for Asia, starting in 2005. (AP) (26/6/2004 Agenzia Fides; Righe:21; Parole: 204)