HIV/AIDS is a global problem, killing 3.1 million people in 2004
alone. Many feel the pandemic can be defeated given adequate
resources, yet there is a continual lack of worldwide unity and
support to defeat HIV/AIDS.
We know that the world can come together to support people in
other crises, as the recent tsunami has shown us. The eradication
of HIV/AIDS must be a higher priority to the international
community; the toll it takes on the world is much worse than that
of an isolated disaster.
The tsunami in Southeast Asia has taken over 150,000 lives. In
the wake of this tragedy, we have witnessed the world opening its
heart and pocketbook to provide donations for relief for the
region.
These donations range from the $350 million pledged by the
United States to pennies young children sacrifice from their
allowances.
Astoundingly, countries that are in constant struggles to
maintain the health of their own populations are also contributing
significant amounts of money to the tsunami relief fund. A BBC
story reported one of the world’s poorest countries,
Mozambique, donating $100,000, and Nigeria pledging $1 million.
The incredible outpouring of generosity is a testament to the
compassion of humans for those who suffer from crisis situations
and humanity’s desire to improve the world.
In December 2004, The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS
and the World Health Organization released its 2004 AIDS Epidemic
Update.
In Africa alone, 24.5 million children and adults live with HIV
and over 40 million people suffer from the virus worldwide. A
staggering 75 percent of the world’s AIDS-related casualties
occur in Africa.
HIV/AIDS and the chronic illness and deaths associated with the
virus and syndrome have debilitated communities throughout
Africa.
Some say that it is the perceived controversial nature and
stigma related to HIV/AIDS, and moral controversies resulting from
its association with sex, that keep people from donating money and
providing assistance.
Others believe that it takes a sudden emergency, like the
tsunami, to bring people to action.
Stephen Lewis, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy
for HIV/AIDS in Africa, has stated that the HIV/AIDS pandemic can
be overcome if the international community can join together in a
significant worldwide effort.
The question is, why has the devastation of HIV/AIDS worldwide
not received the attention and dollars that the tsunami relief
effort or even 9/11 victims funds have?
Unlike the tsunami’s instant destruction of Southeast
Asia, the slow progression of the breakdown of Africa appears to
weaken the need for assistance.
Some HIV/AIDS fund-raisers have expressed concern that the
tsunami relief efforts will detract funds from HIV/AIDS-related
efforts. If we can each donate a few dollars to the tsunami relief,
then we can also afford to donate a few dollars to HIV/AIDS
efforts.
Unfortunately, three million deaths a year is apparently not a
big enough tragedy to mobilize the world in the fight against
HIV/AIDS.
Regardless of the reason for the lack of support for
HIV/AIDS-related efforts, world powers, including the United
States, must prioritize international HIV/AIDS funding to save the
millions living with the virus and prevent the further spread this
killer disease.
While the tsunami and many other urgent international crises
bring out the world’s kindness and financial support, the
prolonged calamity of the HIV/AIDS epidemic cannot be ignored.
Emily Chung is a second-year graduate student at the UCLA
School of Public Health.