Quaid-e-Azam University Road, Diplomatic Enclave 2, G-4Islamabad, Pakistan P.O.Box # 1263
Tel: +92 51-2829502-6 ext. 2421/2428 Fax # +92-51-227-7683

UNHCR and UNAIDS sign three-year cooperation agreement

December 07, 2004

ISLAMABAD, 7 Dec (UNHCR) -- The UN Refugee Agency and the UN Programme on HIV/AIDS signed a three-year agreement on Tuesday to work to prevent and control HIV/AIDS among refugees in Pakistan.

"This is the first signing of a commitment by a UN organisation to a multi-year programme in support of the national response," said Aldo Landi, UNAIDS Country Coordinator in Pakistan. He stressed the need for quick action in Pakistan to prevent HIV/AIDS spreading rapidly as in other countries: "The window of opportunity is very small." Under the Memorandum of Understanding, signed at UNHCR's Pakistan headquarters in Islamabad and in effect until 2008, the UN Refugee Agency will work closely with UNAIDS to share information on HIV/AIDS and implement UN plans to combat aids in refugee camps.

Landi, UNAIDS Country Coordinator singing the MOU © UNHCR A. Shahzad

UNHCR will provide protection and legal assistance to all refugees diagnosed with HIV/AIDS through its network of Advice and Legal Aid Centres in Pakistan operated by non-governmental organisations. It will also provide financial support for the UNAIDS programme in Pakistan.

"There is a clear understanding that HIV/AIDS is an international phenomenon that threatens everyone," Guenet Guebre-Christos, representative of UNHCR in Pakistan, said in signing the agreement. "This is an example of close cooperation of UN agencies to maximise the use of resources and bring help to the largest possible number of people."

The signing came seven days after the marking in Pakistan and other countries of UNAIDS day, which is held annually to draw attention to the worldwide scourge of HIV/AIDS.