At a glance: Djibouti

Djibouti launches UNITE FOR CHILDREN UNITE AGAINST AIDS

© UNICEF Djibouti/2005/Habib

Children at the launch of UNITE FOR CHILDREN UNITE AGAINST AIDS in Djibouti.

DJIBOUTI, Djibouti, 5 December 2005 – At the launch of the UNITE FOR CHILDREN  UNITE AGAINST AIDS campaign in Djibouti, President H.E Ismael Omar Guelleh stressed the fact that his country is the hardest-hit in the Arab World, with an HIV prevalence rate of 3 per cent among the general population and 6 per cent among those aged 24 to 34.

The President also called for effective interventions in all countries to prevent mother-to-child transmission and for support to orphans and vulnerable children.

In his remarks at the event last Thursday, the President said: “People living with HIV/AIDS may have lost their immunity, but they have not lost their humanity.” He said that the fight against AIDS is everybody’s responsibility, referring to the message of World AIDS Day for 2005.

© UNICEF Djibouti/2005/Habib

UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa Tom McDermott speaks at the Djibouti launch.

Djibouti’s Minister of Health, Mr. Abdallah Abdillahi Miguil, described the country’s efforts to make HIV testing available in all health facilities, provide services for prevention of HIV transmission from mother to child, and supply anti-retroviral drugs. He also announced that the Government had allocated $565,000 to fund interventions supporting orphans and vulnerable children.

UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, Tom McDermott, said: “For a long time, the focus in fighting AIDS was on adults. The reality is that impact of AIDS is even more for children”.

Mr. McDermott called upon all countries in the region to ensure that all pregnant women living with HIV benefit from services to prevent mother-to-child transmission, that all children living with AIDS receive adequate treatment, and that orphans and vulnerable children are supported by their families, communities and governments.