Volunteers break the silence on HIV/AIDS at International Federation General Assembly
8 November 2001

Even her own death just some weeks ago, did not prevent 40- year-old Red Cross volunteer, Masambo, from addressing an emotion-charged session on HIV/AIDS today at the General Assembly of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Geneva.

*In a piece filmed shortly before Masambo died at home in Harare, Zimbabwe, she summed up her own life and struggle as a pioneer on behalf of people living with HIV/AIDS since she joined the Zimbabwean Red Cross in 1992.

"I thought it was much better to help other people who are ill patients. We went in the village, seeing ill patients, those who were very ill. It was very serious, because there were no people who wanted to treat people with HIV. They are so many. I had three children, they all passed away. Then I had one and she passed away. The last one was six, the second was four, third was three, the fourth was two," she said.

The moving footage of this physically weakened but mentally strong advocate on behalf of people living with HIV/AIDS was introduced by her friend and colleague, Bongai Mundeta, International Federation Regional HIV/AIDS co-ordinator for Southern Africa, who said HIV/AIDS concerns and affects us all and that some 140,000 Red Cross Red Crescent volunteers are themselves infected based on present global statistics. "What are we doing as a Movement to face and respond to this overwhelming question?" she asked.

Four volunteers who have been breaking the silence about HIV/AIDS for the last few years through their work with the Red Cross also addressed the General Assembly: David Mukasa, Uganda Red Cross, Patinya Thakaeng, Thai Red Cross, Ramon Acevedo, Red Cross of the Dominican Republic , and Josephine Chituramani, Zimbabwe Red Cross. Freddie Pedersen, President of the Danish Red Cross said stigma must be challenged in a world where people living with HIV/AIDS "are far too often ostracised, isolated, ignored, humiliated, and in the worst cases, they are killed."

Prior to the General Assembly, the President of the International Federation, Dr. Astrid N. Heiberg, urged National Societies to inform their governments participating in this weekend's World Trade Organisation summit that "humanitarian concerns should prevail over commercial concerns" in discussions on affordable access to drugs in the face of public health emergencies like the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
*A video news release is available

For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact:

Denis McClean, Head, Media Service Tel.: +41 22 7304428/+41 79 2173357

Christopher Black, Information Officer Tel.: +41 22 730 4377/ + 41 79 3089811

The Geneva-based International Federation promotes the humanitarian activities of 181 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies among vulnerable people. By coordinating international disaster relief and encouraging development support, it seeks to prevent and alleviate human suffering. The Federation, National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross together, constitute the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.