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Churches emphasize long-term need for leadership and action
UNAIDS
July 29, 2008

"We must intensify our actions and build on even the smallest gains" proclaimed Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, General Secretary of the World YWCA. Speaking in response to the latest data on the AIDS epidemic released today by UNAIDS, Gumbonzvanda said, "Even small signs of progress in some areas have to give us hope and new energy, because the road ahead is still very long before we can ever say we have overcome AIDS."

The Global Report on the AIDS Epidemic has encouraging signs that increased efforts in prevention and treatment over the last two years are making an impact in infection rates in some areas, particularly among the most at risk populations. Globally, there has been a small reduction in the number of people newly infected with HIV and AIDS in several countries.

Church leaders underscore the need to make any small success the catalyst for a full-scale response that will mean long and productive lives for millions.

"The report verifies what we have said all along, we need strong leadership that keeps the promises that have been made, that takes action backed by sustainable financing," Stated Mark S. Hanson, Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. "If we have that, we can envision future generations without AIDS."

UNAIDS highlights that the quantity and quality of data is increasing, making this report the most comprehensive to date on the AIDS epidemic. The report highlights that increased prevention coverage seems to have impacted infection rates. Young people are waiting longer to become sexually active, infection rates have declined among most at risk populations in some countries and there has been increased treatment aimed at preventing mother to child transmission.

Yet these efforts have not been sufficient to push back the epidemic. There are still five new infections for every two people put on treatment. Three out of every four young people newly infected are girls. A further 2.7 million new HIV infections were reported for 2007. The number of people living with HIV is estimated at 33 million. AIDS is still the leading cause of death in Africa and among the top 10 causes of death worldwide.

"The lesson here is that where there is investment, prevention and treatment work," States Rev. Canon Gideon Byamugisha, from the Hope Institute for Transformation Leadership and Development in Uganda. "But with stigma, denial and discrimination still rampant, the low commitment to finance responses for the people, communities and nations most at risk, and the taboo topics of sex and drug use involved, we still have not nearly come close to stopping this pandemic."

"Our daily experience in nearly 30 sub-saharan countries adds urgency to the messages from this report," states Fr Michael Czerny, S.J., Coordinator of the African Jesuit AIDS Network. "We have to multiply our efforts, reach out to those most vulnerable in each society, respect everyone's human dignity, and assure both leadership and long-term funding. Treatment, care and support are just beginning to reach the millions who need them."

The report suggests that 370,000 children under 15 became infected with HIV in 2007 while 270,000 died from AIDS-related illnesses. While welcoming the fact that there is more data now available on children, Martha Newsome, Senior Director for Global Health and HIV and AIDS at the Hope Initiative, World Vision International, also drew attention to the lack of action in responding to the needs of children living with or affected by HIV and AIDS.

"Children are the forgotten and often silent sufferers of this disease. We need exceptional leadership that puts children at the core of our response to AIDS," she stated. "They are the future, and the treatment, prevention, care and support available to them still remain woefully inadequate."

The report comes as over 450 faith-based representatives active around the globe in the response to HIV and AIDS gather in Mexico City for an Ecumenical Pre-Conference, "Faith in Action Now!" in advance of the XVII International AIDS Conference. Delegates will be grappling with the key issues raised in the report, including prevention, leadership, children, gender-based violence and stigma and discrimination.

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