World AIDS Day 1 December Bringing attention to the global AIDS epidemic and the critical need for a committed, meaningful and sustained response.

: An ambitious treatment target to help end the AIDS epidemic This new campaign begins this year, with the aim that by 2020: -90% of all people living with HIV will know their HIV status. -90% of all people with diagnosed HIV infection will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy. -90% of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy will have viral suppression.

Facts

The number of people dying from AIDS-related illnesses is declining steadily. Fewer people are becoming infected with HIV. Access to anti-retroviral therapy has increased significantly. (UNAIDS Global Report 2013)

Progress and challenges Over the past ten years there has been considerable progress in prevention and treatment of HIV and AIDS, but some countries have not experienced the same level of success as others. Sub-Sahara Africa has the largest number of people living with HIV, whereas the Caribbean has the highest rates of infection in the world at 4.5 percent.

Note: You will need an internet connection to view the video. Video – 2mins

Faith in action On 18 to 20 July 2014, Caritas Australia welcomed to Melbourne an international group of experts to discuss the Catholic response to HIV and AIDS, before the 20th international AIDS conference.

Faith in action With Catholic agencies providing as much as 25 per cent of care worldwide for people living with HIV and AIDS, this was a chance for key agencies to share ideas.

Faith in action Stigma and discrimination was one of the core topics, in particular the need to encourage religious leaders and all peoples of faith to challenge stigmatising attitudes, as well as encourage the acceptance of HIV-positive people.

Scripture Would Jesus discriminate? He touched lepers, who were regarded as ‘unclean’. He ate with ‘tax collectors and sinners’. He told the story of a Samaritan, a people hated by Jews, as an example of neighbourly love, and said: “Go, and do the same yourself.” (Luke 10:37)

Faith in action Caritas Australia and our partners support a number of HIV/AIDS projects in countries such as El Salvador, Zimbabwe, Democratic Republic of Congo, Indonesia, Cambodia, Papua New Guinea and Burma/ Myanmar.

Faith in action Their programs include healthcare, counselling, nutrition, training, support for the families of those affected and education about the prevention and impacts of HIV.

Case Studies

Faith in action In Democratic Republic of Congo: - A sensitisation program is improving the accessibility and quality of HIV/AIDS care and treatment services by building the capacity of local communities. This includes advocacy and awareness campaigns, self-help groups for people living with HIV/AIDS, and psychosocial support to combat stigma and discrimination among those infected for a sustained, locally-driven response to the epidemic

Key Outcomes to date Over 5,000 people have been reached through the awareness raising campaign and through education sessions conducted by trained peer educators in schools and parishes. More women now have access to anti-retroviral treatment. Change in behaviour towards survivors is noticeable, through the increase number of reported cases.

Faith in action In El Salvador: - Our partner, CONTRASIDA, is working to prevent the spread of HIV and advocating on behalf of those who are living with HIV/AIDS. The ongoing partnership between CONTRASIDA and Rosales Hospital in attending to HIV positive pregnant women has resulted in no transmission of the virus to newborn infants in the last three years.

Faith in action In Papua New Guinea: - In 2011, Catholic-run services accounted for a third of all testing and treatment of people with HIV. - In the first four months of 2012, 18,948 people were tested at 77 sites.

Faith in action In India: -Caritas Australia has supported various HIV-related activities since The current phase of the Community Based Rehabilitation program reaches 1,103 people living with HIV. A participant in the program now operates a wallet making business.

1.Wear a red ribbon today – to show your solidarity with people living with HIV and AIDS 2. Find out more – there are some useful links at the end of this presentation 3. Pray – for our Caritas partners and all who help people living with HIV and AIDS. Take action!

Prayer Compassionate God, today we remember our sisters and brothers who are HIV positive or who have AIDS, especially in the developing world. We pray for those who do not have access to treatment and for those whose hunger makes their treatment ineffective. We pray for children and young people who are unable to go to school because of their HIV status. We pray for people who cannot reveal their HIV status or who are denied care because they fear the reactions of others. Help us to fight discrimination and enable us to live in solidarity with our sisters and brothers around the world. Empower us to build societies of life, equality and dignity for all, no matter what HIV status people have. We make our prayer through your Son, Jesus, who welcomed all. Amen

Find out more Order your free DVD and 50-page HIV teaching resource called Tomorrow’s Promise. It is packed with activities for all curriculum areas for secondary students. Caritas Australia partner stories and our approach to HIV and AIDS. Caritas Australia Millennium Development Goal 6- Caritas Australia’s HIV/AIDS policy

Last updated Nov. 2014