HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS: Between Crisis and Hope

It is estimated that there were approximately 5 million new cases of HIV infection in 2004, about 650,000 of them children. In some African countries such as Botswana and Swaziland, almost 40% of the population live with HIV/AIDS. Sub-Saharan Africa is by far the most affected region of the continent, with 25 million people infected out of the 40 million reported cases worldwide.

Although these numbers are truly alarming, there is a way to turn things around. Stopping the spread of AIDS and reversing the current trends are part of the MDG. The international community has taken these two objectives to heart. The partners of Uniterra are especially committed to the fight against AIDS through numerous programs that aim to strengthen community associations, put in place awareness and education programs, and foster cooperation between local and national health partners.

Women and girls are increasingly the victims of the epidemic, representing almost half of the persons living with AIDS around the world. It is in this group that the rates of infection are rising most rapidly. It is consequently vital that improved health care services and more information resources be devoted to this segment of the population.

Because of its scope, HIV/AIDS affects the most active segments of the population and is an undeniable obstacle to progress. We have identified prevention, education and access to treatment as the three priority areas in the countries in which we are operating.

Projects focused in Africa

We support projects that aim to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS in three countries in Africa, which is the continent most affected by the pandemic.

In Botswana and in Burkina Faso , our priority is to increase the care and services to infected persons and their kin, notably through the creation of health coops and private health providers.

In Malawi , we support the capacities of community organizations to meet various needs, including those of the thousands of children who have been orphaned because of the disease.