Today, December 1st, 2009, is World AIDS Day. A day to take stock of the progress made worldwide to combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
World AIDS Day is held on December 1st each year to create awareness of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and to reduce the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS.
Various countries in collaboration with the WHO, Global Fund, UNICEF, USAID and other international funding agencies have made progress towards reducing the rate of the spread of HIV/AID infection and improved the quality of life of those affected.
On November 30th, 2009, The Global Fund -- a nonprofit organization that was established to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria announced its end-of-year results, which showed unprecedented progress in the fight against the three diseases.
Through its investments in health programs in 140 countries, the Global Fund supports lifesaving antiretroviral treatment for 2.5 million people living with HIV, and has supported effective tuberculosis drugs treatment for 6 million people, and the distribution of 104 million bed nets to prevent malaria.
As a result, more than 4.9 million lives have been saved. These are people who would have been dead, had it not been for interventions supported by the Global Fund. Every day, 3,600 deaths are averted. With US$ 9.3 billion disbursed to more than 500 grants so far, the Global Fund currently provides nearly a quarter of all international financing for AIDS globally, as well as three-fifths for TB and malaria.*
Yet much more remains to be done. You can learn more by visiting the following websites to find out how you can help:
- Official World AIDS Day website
- Global Fund website
- (RED) website
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