World AIDS Day

As a humanitarian aid organization that focuses on health care and training, International Medical Corps gives a special priority to the fight against HIV/AIDS. Health education campaigns are a large part of this effort, and World AIDS Day is an important international day of action.

As part of its continuing efforts to combat HIV/AIDS, IMC projects launched various initiatives on and around World AIDS Day, including:

• IMC in Somalia created youth sensitization campaigns that took place over a three-day period covering prevention and control of HIV/AIDS. On World AIDS Day IMC mobilized local leaders and community members for a march in four districts, leading to speeches, drama competitions and poetry readings with positive messages about HIV/AIDS.
  
  
• IMC in Azerbajan distributed interactive CD-roms about HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases to local NGOs, and had three public events on and around World AIDS Day, including a sport competition and charity concert to raise awareness.
  
  
• IMC in Pakistan developed local language informational pamphlets on HIV/AIDS which were distributed in Basic Health Units, Mother Child Health Centers and refugee schools in camps. They also organizd public gatherings and community awareness campaigns, including question and answer sessions with health care workers.
  
  
• IMC in South Sudan chaired the planning committee for activities in Kajo Keji County, and worked in close collaboration with the County Health Department and local and international NGOs. HIV/AIDS sensitization activities, including workshops, dramas and speeches took place for one week leading up to World AIDS Day.
  
  
• IMC in Liberia collaborated with other NGOs and the Ministry of Health to organize a float parade in the town of Kenema and distribute condoms. A quiz competition for students took place at the town hall. Similar activities were planned for three refugee camps.
  
  
• IMC in Burundi worked with the provincial health authorities and participated in a variety of events to mark the day. The main focus was community mobilization through education campaigns on HIV prevention.

World AIDS Day began in 1988 with the goal of raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic. This year’s theme, “Stop AIDS: Keep the Promise”, is designed to hold the international community accountable for commitments made last year calling for universal access to treatment by 2010.