Aids hampers project work

People working in the field. © RiehleAll kinds of relief work have long been affected by the repercussions of the immunodeficiency syndrome. This applied to the work of Welthungerhilfe (German Agro Action) as well, particularly in rural areas, making the fight against hunger considerably more difficult. Welthungerhilfe sees its role in the struggle against HIV/Aids as a series of lateral tasks. Through information and educational programmes, we try to prevent the spread of new infections. In the long-term we aim to reduce the social and economic consequences for poor rural populations.

Agriculture is an important
sector of the African
economy. © LachenmaierHelp for the Rural Population

Welthungerhilfe interprets its commitment to fighting the immune deficiency as a cross-sectional task. It involves the problems of this epidemic in its different projects and approaches. The strengths of the aid organisation are above all in rural development. The organisation is trying to prevent new infections through providing education and information. Furthermore it aims to ameliorate the social and economic consequences for the poor rural population. Since HIV/Aids represents a massive threat to rural development, the impacts of the immune deficiency must be factored into the planning of future projects. This means particularly involving certain risk groups, such as migrants, nomads and prostitutes in the educational programmes.

Crisis aggravate the impacts of HIV/Aids

Emergency relief work, which also comprises an important part of Welthungerhilfe’s work, is also affected by the disease. When people are thrown into acute hardship and go hungry, HIV/Aids is sure to be on the rise. Refugees are particularly at danger and inevitably pass on the virus. They have little access to health provisions, education and precautionary measures. In civil war women and girls are often victims of sexual violence in which the virus can be transmitted. When left without an income and plagued by hunger, women and girls often turn to prostitution in exchange for food, shelter and protection.
    

What can be done to help?

An effective strategy is to directly involve family and village communities in understanding their respective situations with regards to Aids. It’s important that they recognise for themselves the dangers the disease presents for their village and individual lives. For example, that it leads to hunger when more and more people die and there are increasingly fewer people working the fields. It’s essential that people accept the full picture. Only then can a joint effort against the pandemic be effectively put into action. Furthermore, it’s also of great benefit when young people and people from the same social milieu and the same age take on the task of Aids awareness. They have more credibility in the respective communities and often know the situation of their listeners on the basis of first-hand experience.