Eritrea

December 20, 2008 - Learning fair on HIV and AIDS in Eritrea

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 December 20, 2008 at the Hotel Asmara Palace. 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 UN heads of agencies and UN staff and their families. Mr. Chris Lavolace, World Bank Manager in Eritrea and Somalia opened the Fair by delivering the UN Secretary General’s message on World AIDS Day.

Mr. Pascal Stenier, UNAIDS Country Coordinator in Eritrea, delivered the message of the Executive Director of UNAIDS, which underscored that the year 2008 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 lady who are HIV positive told her story and life after she has been infected with HIV. her 2 years 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.