500,000 NEW-BORNS AND 500,000 INJECTING DRUG USERS INFECTED WITH HIV YEARLY DUE TO STIGMA, SAYS RED CROSS RED CRESCENT CAMPAIGN
8 May 2002

Stigma and discrimination are fuelling the HIV/AIDS epidemic worldwide, according to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies which today is using World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day (May 8) to launch a global campaign against HIV/AIDS related discrimination. There are an estimated 40 million people living with HIV.

Though the means to prevent the tragedy are available, 500,000 babies are born every year with the virus. “Many mothers prefer not to have the HIV test, or collect the results, or act on them out of fear of being stigmatised and discriminated against by their families, their friends, their employers or the authorities if they become infected,” said Didier Cherpitel, Secretary General of the International Federation at the campaign launch in Maputo, Mozambique.

The Federation is also highlighting the fact that in many countries millions of injecting drug users are denied access to clean injecting material, so they share needles and thus the infection among themselves and with their sexual partners. The problem needs to be addressed particularly in Eastern Europe where the fastest growing HIV/AIDS epidemic is taking place, an increase of 426% in the last five years. An estimated 500,000 injecting drug users contract HIV yearly.

In a message to the 178 national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies around the world, Federation President, Juan Manuel Suárez del Toro, urged the 97 million members and volunteers to unite against discrimination under the banner: “Take a look. Stigma Kills.”

Highlights from the campaign launch around the world today will include symbolic removal of blindfolds from the eyes of public figures like the President of Mozambique, the Prime Minister of Belize and the President of the Honduran Republic. Prejudice against people living with HIV/AIDS is largely based on ignorance about how the virus is spread. The campaign under the signature, “The truth about AIDS. Pass it on...”, will continue for the next two years. Saatchi and Saatchi have partnered with the Federation to develop the campaign materials.

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

Denis McClean, Head of Media Service Tel: + 41 22 730 4428 / + 41 79 217 33 57
Jemini Pandya, Information Officer Tel: + 41 22 730 4570 / + 41 79 217 33 74
Marie-Francoise Borel, Information Officer Tel: + 41 22 730 4346 / + 41 79 217 33 45

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.