Think global act local!
This article is based on information from Stop Global Aids .
Think Global Act Local! Campaigners all over the world are putting the importance of the global HIV/AIDS problem to the forefront of everybody’s minds. Politicians and leaders, in the North and South, have already committed themselves to helping prevent HIV/AIDS, but are they doing enough? Urgent action is needed to tackle the escalating deaths, illnesses and catastrophic effects of men, women and children infected with HIV/AIDS.
Talking about reducing HIV/AIDS is not enough when there is a 13 billion dollar gap in funding needed to support HIV/AIDS programmes in countries in the South (2001), when the high price of anti-retroviral medicines means 95 % of people infected with HIV/AIDS cannot afford to medicines to lengthen their life, or stop children being infected, and when the insistence of paying back a debt takes money away from HIV/AIDS programmes.
People who have the power to save the lives of those infected and
affected with HIV/AIDS are not doing enough to put words in action. Do
you think the politicians and leaders in your area or country aren't
doing enough? Join a local campaign and tell them – and raise awareness
in your community too. Take action and join campaigners in the following three fights to stop global AIDS.
Donate the Dollar:
Countries need resources to support HIV/AIDS programmes. When
financial support was increased in Uganda from $1 to $18 to spread
awareness about HIV/AIDS, the AIDS epidemic was reversed. The Global
Fund to Fight Aids, TB and Malaria has so far been pledged $1.9 billion
dollars by rich governments and corporations. Campaigners around the
world are asking governments to contribute their fair share.
Treat the People: People are dying because they cannot afford the medicines they need. Recently, local pharmaceutical manufacturers have been allowed to produce generic versions of patented drugs for the local market, so that they are cheaper, and can save thousands of lives. This great achievement may be threatened by President Bush, who is pushing a trade deal with Central American nations that would stop access to affordable, generic medication. You can write to the US president to tell him to support the access to generic medication, not fight against it.
Drop the debt: The success of the Jubilee Campaign so far in reducing debt has meant that countries have more money to direct to HIV/AIDS plans. $1.3 million of Uganda’s debt relief will specifically be spent on their national HIV/AIDS plan. But debt relief is still not yet enough, 22 countries still owe their full debt, and only a third of all the countries’ debt has been reduced. Join the campaigns to drop the debt.
There are many other ways in which you can join campaigns and make your voice be heard to the leaders and politicians in your area. Have a look at the Stop Global Aids website to find out how you can make a difference.
