American Red Cross Engages in HIV/AIDS Projects Around the World
An estimated 33.2 million people around the world are currently living with HIV and 2.5 million of them were infected in 2007 alone, according to the latest UNAIDS data. The Red Cross mission is to prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies - this crisis requires action on all fronts.
American Red Cross HIV/AIDS projects work to prevent the spread of the disease and to care for those infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS. The various projects described below allow the Red Cross to emphasize prevention for HIV among adolescents, provide care and support for the most vulnerable and combat stigma for those affected.
"Together We Can"
Tanzania, Haiti and Guyana
Together We Can is the program the American Red Cross uses in Guyana, Haiti and Tanzania to empower young people between the ages of 10 and 24 with the skills needed to reduce their risk of HIV infection. The program also connects to the community and reaches larger numbers of young people with “edutainment” events such as concerts, street theater, films and sports that all educate through entertainment.
From February 2004 to September 2007, information on how to avoid HIV infection reached more than 715,000 young people.
 For more information, visit:
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HIV/AIDS Care and Support Program, Russia
Over the past decade, Russia has experienced one of the fastest growing HIV/AIDS epidemics in the world. In 2005, the HIV epidemic in Russia established a foothold. Approximately 210,000 women were living with HIV/AIDS, almost one-third higher than was reported in 2003 according to UNAIDS.
The American Red Cross is supporting the Russian Red Cross in an HIV/AIDS care and support project that will benefit more than 18,000 people living in Irkutsk City in Eastern Siberia.
One of the most unique aspects of the program is the home-based care services offered by a team of visiting nurses who provide nutritional assistance, health checkups and developmental and psychological support for pregnant women with HIV, and children born to HIV-positive mothers. |
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For more information, visit Current Projects: Russian Federation
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HIV/AIDS Care and Support Program, Vietnam
Vietnam has a rapidly worsening epidemic of HIV/AIDS, with 260,000 people estimated to be living with HIV in 2007, up from 120,000 in 2000. HIV in Vietnam is concentrated in high risk populations (drug users, commercial sex workers, migrant/transport workers and men who have sex with men).
The American Red Cross is supporting the Vietnam Red Cross in a project to reach more than 12,000 people in Hanoi with HIV/AIDS prevention, care and support services such as home based care, post test counseling, peer support groups and trainings. |
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HIV/AIDS Education Program, United States
The American Red Cross has trained over 30,000 people as HIV/AIDS instructors. AIDS is still a leading cause of death among Americans aged 25 to 44. The estimated number of people living with HIV in the United States exceeded one million in 2003. |
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Donate to the American Red Cross International Response Fund
You can help those affected by countless crises around the world each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need. Making a financial contribution is the best way to help.
To make a donation:
NOTE: The Red Cross has a four-star rating from Charity Navigator for its effective use of donations. At least 91 cents of every dollar donated to the American Red Cross goes directly to assist disaster victims.
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