Eritrea

August 30, 2007 - HIV/AIDS and Organizational Health & Safety (OHS) Programmes in the Work Place

In line with efforts to fight HIV/AIDS epidemic, UNDP and ILO in cooperation with National Confederation of Eritrean Workers (NCEW) launches a new strategy for implementing HIV/AIDS work place programme. The programme involves in the coordination of efforts and activities on OHS and HIV in different public and private sector institutions.

The programme focuses on enhancing workers awareness and participation by strengthening training on HIV/AIDS and OHS programmes. The training is being given to the established committees and appointed representatives of institutions.

 

The United Nations System in Eritrea Conducts HIV/AIDS Learning Fair.

November 25, 2007

The UN System in Eritrea had a half day HIV/AIDS Learning Fair The HIV and AIDS Learning Team (HALT) of the UN and partners staff organized HIV/AIDS Learning Fair on November 25, 2007 at the UN compound. The Fair is a yearly event and is being organized since 2004 and provides an opportunity for the UN staff members and their families to come together and learn more about the disease, and discuss about prevention, care and behavioral change to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS.

The Fair was attended by Ambassadors, UN heads of agencies, religious leaders, and UN staff and their families. Ambassador Lebohang Moleko, DSRSG of UNMEE, opened the Fair by delivering the UN Secretary General’s message on World AIDS Day. The message highlighted that since the case of AIDS reported, it has killed 25 million people and infected 40 million more.

Mr. Pascal Stenier, UNAIDS Country Coordinator in Eritrea, delivered the message of the Executive Director of UNAIDS, which underscored that the year 2007 has registered new infections of 4.3 million and death of 2.9 million people by AIDS related illnesses. The message pointed out the positive trend that shows the decline of HIV prevalence among young people between 2000-2005, and on the other hand, indicated the development of tuberculosis, which is a new challenge to the international community because it requires multi drugs and for its extremely drug resistant nature.

A panel of speakers presented papers covering topics such as Poverty and HIV/AIDS, Stigma and Discrimination and HIV/AIDS in Africa, and these were followed by discussions.

A couple (husband and wife with their 8 months old child) who are HIV positive told their story and life after they have been infected with HIV. Their 8 months old child is not yet infected. This vivid testimony has been a good lesson to all the participants.

During the Fair there was a Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) opportunity and participants were encouraged to take blood test for HIV. Moreover, UN agencies have distributed flyers which are agency specific and/or of a general nature to participants.