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HIV/AIDS awareness in Darfur

December 1, 2006

By Charlotte Brudenell, ACT-Caritas field communicator

Nyala, South Darfur, Sudan -- To mark World AIDS Day (December 1), the Sudan Council of Churches (SCC), a local partner of Church World Service and others in the global alliance Action by Churches Together (ACT), has organized three days of events in Nyala town, the capital of South Darfur state.

"Celebrating World AIDS Day creates an opportunity to raise awareness," says Lokman Mohammed, acting HIV/AIDS coordinator at SCC. "People in Darfur need to open their eyes about HIV/AIDS. There is a great deal of ignorance about the disease, and as a result, people do not know how to protect themselves."

Under the slogan "Ignorance + risky behavior = AIDS," SCC aims to inform people about HIV/AIDS and promote safe practices throughout the campaign.

Songs, speeches, drama sketches, and football team T-shirts are all being used to convey messages about how HIV/AIDS is transmitted and how people can protect themselves.

In addition, educational posters and videos are on display to provide detailed information on the disease, including how to care for people living with HIV/AIDS.

To open the commemorations, pupils from 45 secondary schools and university students will march through the town.

The campaign focuses on young people, as they are one of the groups that is most vulnerable to HIV/AIDS, but they also have the potential to play a big role in tackling the epidemic.

"I am hopeful that those who attend the events will learn something about the danger of HIV/AIDS and how to protect themselves, so that people, in particular the young generation, have a clear way of leading their lives," says Mohammed.

SCC hopes the events will also encourage community leaders and the state to address the impact of HIV/AIDS on young people.

But the focus on youths is not exclusive. SCC firmly believes that each person in the community, including religious leaders, has a vital role to play in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

"Most people think that HIV/AIDS is not here in Darfur. However, since the crisis began, people have been coming from different places and gathering in certain areas. This is an indicator of the spread of HIV," explains Mohammed.

Studies have linked the spread of HIV to migration, both voluntary and conflict-induced. Poverty, powerlessness and social instability -- the conditions of refugees and internally displaced persons -- also facilitate the spread of the disease.

This year's World AIDS Day campaign is part of SCC's larger effort to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS. During 2006, more than 1,200 young people in Nyala have attended workshops run by SCC, informing them about HIV/AIDS. Throughout Darfur, teachers, religious leaders and military personnel have attended similar workshops.

SCC also trains people in methods and techniques to raise awareness about the disease among others. It is these individuals who help their community fight against HIV/AIDS year-round.

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ACT International is a global alliance of churches and related agencies working to save lives and support communities in emergencies worldwide. Church World Service is supporting the ACT humanitarian assistance in Sudan.

Contributions to CWS Sudan-Darfur emergency efforts may be made online, by phone to 800-297-1516 ext. 222, or mailed to CWS, P.O. Box 968, Elkhart, IN 46515. Thank you.

Media Contact:
Lesley Crosson, CWS/New York, 212-870-2676;
Jan Dragin, 781-925-1526;

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