HELP THE YOUTH JOIN THE FIGHT AGAINST AIDS, UNICEF APPEALS TO SOMALI LEADERS

Nairobi, Monday, 1 December 2003 -Somali leaders are presented with a critical opportunity to generate a society-wide response to preventing HIV/AIDS in their country and should be devoting their energies to supporting youth in tackling the epidemic, Jesper Morch, Representative UNICEF Somalia said today in Somalia on the occasion of World AIDS Day.

In Somalia the HIV/AIDS prevalence rate remains relatively low - unlike many of the surrounding countries in sub-Saharan Africa which demonstrate the highest HIV rates in the world. In the face of this low HIV prevalence rate Somalia provides a setting in which an effective comprehensive and nationwide prevention programme - put in place now - has the potential to achieve future reduction in the number of HIV infections.

"Leaders must rise to this huge challenge and mobilize the youth, not to fight political battles, but to spearhead the fight for their own survival, and that of Somalia against AIDS," said Morch, noting that young adults are the biggest target of the pandemic, killing people at the time when they are in the most productive, and reproductive phases of their lives.

Addressing a meeting for community leaders in Northeast Somalia (‘Puntland’) Morch stated, "AIDS is an issue on which there can be no disagreement. It knows no clan, no faction nor political allegiance. Community mobilization is at the heart of all meaningful responses to the pandemic, and young people are the key actors in implementing this. Research has shown that, regardless of the stage of the epidemic in a country, the top priority is to invest in young people."

Quoting a recent statement from Peter Piot, Executive Director of UNAIDS he continued, "In every country where HIV transmission has been reduced, it has been among young people that the most significant reductions have occurred." He noted that leaders in Somali society, whether in government, in the mosques, in schools or in civil society, have a responsibility to the coming generation and an urgent role to play in encouraging debate, providing young people with the right information on prevention, and promoting healthy and responsible lifestyles.

On this front some action is under way. A UNICEF-assisted training programme for youth groups, known as the Leadership and Organizational Development (LOD) programme, has been holding workshops throughout 2003 where discussion of the basic facts about HIV/AIDS is on the agenda.

As an extremely complex development challenge there is however, no one single intervention which can stop the HIV/AIDS pandemic Morch stated, continuing, "A multifaceted response is crucial, where links are forged between all actors in society, making a compelling argument for commitment by multiple sectors in government to improve services and empower communities to take action."

Enhancing community capacity to address the pandemic is a critical component of UNICEF programming in Somalia. Measures to prevent rapid escalation of the pandemic have been set out in a Strategic Framework for the Prevention and Control of HIV/AIDS and STIs within Somali Populations, developed in 2003 through a participatory process involving Somali community members, authorities, civil society, international and local NGOs and UN agencies, including UNICEF. As a joint vision the Strategic Framework establishes agreed action plans for HIV/AIDS response measures, to be implemented by communities with the support of international partners.

A further dimension in designing the HIV/AIDS awareness, prevention and control measures which will have impact in Somalia is the need to break the silence and denial which has surrounded the disease. "Progress is not possible unless AIDS becomes visible, unless stigma is challenged and people living with HIV/AIDS are encouraged to be open about their status, and are free to continue contributing to community life. This requires resolute leadership at all levels and significant individual courage."

Returning to the theme of eradicating stigma and discrimination on which he spoke in Somalia on World AIDS Day in 2002, Morch referred to the bravery of Amina Hussein Aden, the first HIV-positive woman to freely acknowledge and speak without shame about being seropositive. He reported that sadly, Amina whose frank-speaking was influential in heightening awareness about the disease, succumbed and died recently after a long struggle against her illness.

"Partnerships are the foundation for all efforts to combat the epidemic" Morch stated. Among donors offering support to UNICEF-assisted HIV/AIDS response activities in Somalia are the governments of Denmark and the Netherlands, USAID, Swedish SIDA, and Japan. In concluding Morch reaffirmed the commitment of UNICEF, through the provisions for enhanced programming set out in its new five year Country Programme launching in 2004, to work actively on all possible fronts in Somalia on control and prevention of HIV/AIDS.

For further information contact

Julia Spry-Leverton, Communication Officer, UNICEF Somalia. Tel: +254 -20-623958. Mobile: +254-721-804-498. Email: . Fax: +254-20-623965/520640.

Robert Kihara, Assistant Communication Officer, UNICEF Somalia: Tel: +254-20-623958. Mobile +254-721-244-800. Email: . Fax: +254-20-623965/520640.

Notes to Editors:

The 'Strategic Framework for the Prevention and Control of HIV/AIDS and STIs within Somali Populations' was the result of a joint effort spearheaded by the Somalia Aid Co-ordination Body of which UNICEF is a member. It was funded with contributions from the Royal Netherlands Government, UNAIDS and UNICEF. Copies are available electronically – please contact Communication Officers as above.