Facing the Millennium Development Goals

SAHIMS Briefcase 72, Johannesburg, 6 February 2006

“The MDGs can be met by 2015 - but only if all involved break with ‘business as usual’ and dramatically accelerate and scale up action now. United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan

In September 2000 at the United Nations Millennium Summit 189 countries signed an agreement to significantly improve human conditions worldwide by creating and achieving eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)*.

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AIDS - No more child’s play

SAHIMS Briefcase 71, Johannesburg, 25 November 2005

Children are the "most neglected" part in the war against HIV/AIDS today...

Globally the AIDS epidemic has claimed an estimate 3.1 million lives in 2005; more than half a million 510 000 were children. A child under 15 dies of an AIDS – related illness every minute of every day and a young person aged between 15 – 24 contracts HIV every 15 seconds.

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Tuberculosis Emergency

SAHIMS Briefcase 70, Johannesburg, 13 September 2005

WHO Regional Committee for Africa comprising of health ministers from 46 Member States has declared tuberculosis an emergency in the African region.

The declaration was made in a resolution adopted at the end of the Committee's fifty-fifth session in Maputo, Mozambique on 26 August 2005. The resolution urges Member States in the African Region to commit more human and financial resources to strengthen DOTS programmes and scale up collaborative interventions to fight the co-epidemic of TB and HIV.

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Inequality puts women at risk

SAHIMS Briefcase 68, Johannesburg, 11 February 2005

Studies have shown that “there is no tool for development more effective than the empowerment of women.”
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

Every year on 8 March, people around the world celebrate International Women’s Day. This year the focus is on the theme "Gender Equality: Building a More Secure Future," with particular emphasis on issues around development, human rights, security and disasters.

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Children and HIV treatment

SAHIMS Briefcase 67, Johannesburg, 28 January 2005

HIV/AIDS is one of the main causes of mortality for children under the age of five worldwide and seriously threatens the well-being of older children in many different ways.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, of the over 5 million infants who have been infected with HIV, 90 percent were born in Africa. In sub-Saharan 3.8 million people need treatment now, but as of June 2004, only 150,000 were on ARVs - less than four percent of the total.

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The impact of HIV/AIDS on agriculture

SAHIMS Briefcase 66, Johannesburg, 22 October 2004

HIV/AIDS is exacerbating a long-term decline in subsistence agriculture across southern Africa.

This is having a devastating effect on food security, as thousands of people in rural areas become infected and too ill to work and feed their families. Africa continues
to be the epicentre of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, with two-thirds of the world’s
HIV-infected people living there, over half of them in rural areas.

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Fighting AIDS with Education

SAHIMS Briefcase 65, Johannesburg, 13 August 2004

AIDS has become the most devastating disease the
world has ever faced.

The AIDS crisis is extraordinary; it is both an emergency and a long-term development issue that threatens the education infrastructure amongst
other things. The number of people living with HIV increased from
35 million in 2001 to 38 million in 2003.

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Conflicts, natural disaster and HIV/AIDS

SAHIMS Briefcase 64, Johannesburg, 4 June 2004

HIV/AIDS deepens existing vulnerabilities, disrupts livelihoods and results in food insecurity.

The relationship between AIDS and conflict is complex and mutually reinforcing.
Both are compounded by poverty, inequitable gender relations and the spread
of the pandemic.

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Securing food

SAHIMS Briefcase 63, Johannesburg, 26 May 2004

Leaders agree to try and produce more food for their hungry populations in a region hard hit by shortages.

"Together, these initiatives will form the backbone of the food safety net that we need to knit tightly for our region." President of Tanzania.

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Treating HIV and AIDS

SAHIMS Briefcase 62, Johannesburg, 14 May 2004

Treatment is the difference between life and death for the millions who are HIV positive.

"No war, no terrorist attack, has ever threatened the lives of more than 40 million people worldwide. AIDS does. Southern Africa, currently bears the heaviest
burden of the AIDS epidemic, its effects permeate societies and include
children, women, men, rich and poor alike." Helen Jackson, AIDS Action Now.

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Combating a killer

SAHIMS Briefcase 61, Johannesburg, 7 May 2004

"Malaria is like the common cold, except that it's a killer" MSF doctor.

Every year between 19 and 21 million people fall ill with malaria in the SADC region, including over 15 million children under five years and close to 4 million pregnant women, the two most vulnerable groups. Between 200 000 and 300 000 of
those infected in the region die each year.

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Food prospects for 2004

SAHIMS Briefcase 60, Johannesburg, 23 April 2004

Crop prospects and food supply situation estimate cereal import requirements expected to be lower than in 2003.

Food availability in sub-Saharan Africa has improved since late 2003, but well over
10 million people in 24 countries are still facing food emergencies, because of
poor weather, conflicts and disease.

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The Tuberculosis Threat

SAHIMS Briefcase 59, Johannesburg, 31 March 2004

Tuberculosis, kills two million each year and about
one third of the world's population is currently infected.

There are an estimated 8.8 million new cases of TB each year, of which 3.9 million are infectious. Despite medical progress in fighting the disease incidence rates continue to rise alarmingly, particularly in African and other developing countries
that have high HIV prevalence rates.

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Vital and deadly

SAHIMS Briefcase 58, Johannesburg, 26 March 2004

‘Water and Disasters’ the theme of World Water Day 2004 brings out the link between these two elements. 

Water-related disasters disrupt national economies and weaken the already vulnerable. World Water Day 2004 aims to promote disaster preparedness, knowledge sharing and public awareness of issues concerning
water-related disasters.

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Repatriation and Reintegration

SAHIMS Briefcase 57, Johannesburg, 19 March 2004

Millions of Africans, uprooted by war, are in sight of returning to their homes.

For the first time in years there is some chance of repatriating up to 2 million refugees, and millions more internally displaced people throughout Africa.

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A women’s fate 

SAHIMS Briefcase 56, Johannesburg, 12 March 2004

Women comprise more than half of all people living
with HIV/AIDS.

Not only are women contracting HIV in greater numbers than men, but increasingly African women are failing to cope with the disproportionately heavy burden of
care placed on them by the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

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Unsure future for southern Africa

SAHIMS Briefcase 55, Johannesburg, 3 March 2004

Hopes that the growing humanitarian crisis in southern Africa has been countered are ‘fading fast’.

Chris Kaye, the regional representative of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs highlights the crisis facing the region in the 2003/4 season: "These are people for whom the prospect of survival is critical in the face of
the combined effects of food insecurity, weakened capacity for
governance and HIV/AIDS."

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Reducing maternal and newborn mortality

SAHIMS Briefcase 54, Johannesburg, 27 February 2004

Africa has the highest maternal mortality rate in the world.

Experts on reproductive health have painted a grim picture of maternal and child health on the continent and warned that the situation could worsen in the next
decade if governments and development partners do not take immediate
remedial actions.

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Taking control

SAHIMS Briefcase 53, Johannesburg, 18 January 2004

Women comprise about half of all people living
with HIV/AIDS.

An increasing number of young women are being infected by husbands and long-term partners. This indicates that to effectively address gender inequality and to
reduce women's vulnerability to HIV prevention programmes should
involve both women and men.

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Drought threat continues

SAHIMS Briefcase 52, Johannesburg, 6 February 2004

The worst drought in more than a decade continues to devastate southern Africa.

Across southern Africa the worst drought in more than a decade is destroying crops, pushing up food prices and leaving millions in need of food aid. The UN fears that if the drought continues many families will be forced to adopt self-destructive
practices, such as selling off their assets, to ensure short-term survival.

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Drought spreads

SAHIMS Briefcase 51, Johannesburg, 28 January 2004

Drought is worsening and having a severe impact in the southern African region.

This will increase regional dependency on donor food supplies. The drought in the region has left millions in need of emergency food aid. It has affected South Africa, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Lesotho and Swaziland.

Full Abstract

Drought hits hard

SAHIMS Briefcase 50, Johannesburg, 23 January 2004

Four million rural South Africans need immediate
drought assistance.

The South African National Disaster Task Force calls it one of the worst droughts in 10 years while the Southern African Development Community confirms that
27% of the country has received the lowest rainfall in 88 years.

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The war on AIDS

SAHIMS Briefcase 49, Johannesburg, 21 January 2004

Providing cheaper tests and treatment in the
developing world.

Worldwide, more than 40 million people are infected with HIV while 5 - 6 million people living with AIDS currently need treatment. However, only about
300 000 people in the developing world are receiving medicine.

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Committed to the cause

SAHIMS Briefcase 48, Johannesburg, 14 January 2004

Nearly 30 million of the 42 million people infected
with HIV worldwide are in Africa.

The year 2003 saw several African governments rolling out national anti-AIDS drug treatment programmes, which should significantly improve access
to antiretroviral drugs.

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Information Society & Poors

SAHIMS Briefcase 47, Johannesburg, 12 December 2003

Information Technology is a vital and powerful tool in
the fight against poverty.

The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in Geneva, Switzerland from the 10-12 December 2003, will address global information communication technology (ICT) and its ability to contribute to democratisation, transparency and accountability.

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World AIDS Campaign 2003

SAHIMS Briefcase 46, Johannesburg, 5 December 2003

Continuing focus on stigma and discrimination under the slogan "Live and let live".

Five people worldwide die of AIDS every minute. HIV has hit every corner of the globe, infecting more than 42 million men, women and children; 5 million
people were infected in 2002 alone.

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SAHIMS Briefcase 45, Johannesburg, 26 November 2003

“The future of Africa depends upon it”.

UNICEF's latest report details the severity and extent of the HIV orphan crisis in Africa and the urgent need for support. Families supporting the massive and growing orphan populations in sub-Saharan Africa need immediate help says UNICEF’s
newly released report, Africa’s Orphaned Generations.

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SAHIMS Briefcase 44, Johannesburg, 22 November 2003

Southern African Youth (SAY) projects on AIDS initiatives are backed by UNFPA and UNAIDS.

On a recent trip to southern Africa, UNAIDS Prevention and Vulnerability Advisor, Aurorita Mendoza attended a consultative meeting on the Southern African
Youth (SAY) on AIDS initiatives.

Full Abstract

SAHIMS Briefcase 43, Johannesburg, 20 November 2003

Discussions on how to meet the needs of over one billion people who do not have access to safe water.

In addition to meeting basic water and sanitation needs the conference will
also focus on water management.

Full Abstract

SAHIMS Briefcase 42, Johannesburg, 12 November 2003

Food insecurity and poverty are inextricably linked
to rural development.

The director general of the FAO addressed the Council on Foreign Relations
in Rome, on the challenges of water and rural infrastructure.

Full Abstract

SAHIMS Briefcase 41, Johannesburg, 7 November 2003

‘AIDS orphanhood’ is perceived as a disease in itself.

Researcher Jo Steins’ review looks at the complexity of the stigma that
AIDS orphans face.

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SAHIMS Briefcase 40, Johannesburg, 31 October 2003

The aim is to have 2 million people on medication by 2008.

An agreement to drastically reduce the price of HIV/AIDS drugs has been
reached between the Clinton Foundation and drug manufacturers.

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SAHIMS Briefcase 39, Johannesburg, 24 October 2003

Woman living in sub-Saharan Africa have a 1 in 16 chance
of dying in pregnancy or childbirth.

According to estimates in the Maternal Mortality Report 2000, published by WHO, UNICEF and UNFPA,  a woman living in sub-Saharan Africa has
a 1 in 16 chance of dying in pregnancy or childbirth.

Full Abstract

SAHIMS Briefcase 38, Johannesburg, 17 October 2003

Urging an international alliance against hunger.

Creating an International Alliance Against Hunger was the core theme of
World Food Day’s 20th anniversary on the 16 October 2003.

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SAHIMS Briefcase 37, Johannesburg, 15 October 2003

Stepping up the repatriation programme for refugees.

The office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has announced that it will be expanding its voluntary repatriation programme for
Angolan refugees.

Full Abstract

SAHIMS Briefcase 36, Johannesburg, 8 October 2003

Slow donor response threatens a new food crisis
in southern Africa.

The United Nations has warned that recent gains in the fight against the
humanitarian crisis could be lost if donors do not increase funding for
food and non-food aid in several southern African countries.

Full Abstract

SAHIMS Briefcase 35, Johannesburg, 3 October 2003

Working towards reducing poverty and endemic diseases.

In addressing the humanitarian crisis long-term strategies to enhance self-reliance needs to be implemented to enable Africa to meet the Millennium Development
Goals (MDG) by 2015.

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SAHIMS Briefcase 34, Johannesburg, 1 October 2003

Millions face acute food shortages due to a significant
lack of relief funding.

The World Food Programme has renewed its appeal for funding and highlighted the impact HIV/AIDS is having on the food crisis. It is appealing to donors to
recognise the crisis in southern Africa.

Full Abstract

SAHIMS Briefcase 33, Johannesburg, 26 September 2003

The orphan crisis is massive, growing and long-term.

UNICEF's latest report details the severity and extent of the HIV orphan crisis
in Africa and the urgent need for support.

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SAHIMS Briefcase 32, Johannesburg, 19 September 2003

The fight against HIV/AIDS is adopting vigorous and
diverse approaches.

The Commission on HIV/AIDS and Governance in Africa, a United Nations initiative announced by Secretary General Kofi Annan in February 2003, has begun
discussions in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

Full Abstract

SAHIMS Briefcase 31, Johannesburg, 17 September 2003

Breakdown of talks could be a major setback for
the world economy.

World trade talks in Cancun, Mexico, have collapsed amidst serious differences between rich and poor nations. The main sticking point was the refusal of rich countries to cut huge subsidies they give to their farmers.

Full Abstract

SAHIMS Briefcase 30, Johannesburg, 12 September 2003

Aid agencies are developing contingency plans
should Karthala volcano erupt.

United Nations agencies in the Comoros stated that contingency plans were
underway to assist civilians in the event of a volcanic eruption on the
main island of Grande Comore.

Full Abstract

SAHIMS Briefcase 29, Johannesburg, 10 September 2003

Providing food aid alone will not solve the
current food crisis.

Locally available and affordable resources have untapped potential for food security, HIV/AIDS mitigation and sustainable rural livelihoods which could improve food security. A new vision of agriculture encourages farmers to maintain,
develop and exchange broad crop genetic diversity.

Full Abstract

SAHIMS Briefcase 28, Johannesburg, .05 September 2003

Experts warn that crop improvements may not be
enough to ensure food security.

Despite an overall increase in cereal production in the SADC region, Zimbabwe, Lesotho and Swaziland have large shortfalls, and the number of people
needing food assistance could reach 7 million by January 2004.

Full Abstract

SAHIMS Briefcase 27, Johannesburg, 20 August 2003

The humanitarian situation in several countries worsens,
as the drought continues.

Agricultural development needs to be prioritised as food shortages are triggered mainly by drought.

Full Abstract

SAHIMS Briefcase 26, Johannesburg, 15 August 2003

Facing the challenges of rolling out treatment programs.

The South African government has reversed its policy on HIV/AIDS treatment. However, implementing a national treatment programme is a
daunting challenge.

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SAHIMS Briefcase 25, Johannesburg, 13 August 2003

All people deserve ‘the highest attainable
standard of treatment’.

Around 600 people die of AIDS-related diseases in South Africa every day. Government announces the drafting of a national HIV/AIDS plan to
provide antiretroviral treatment.

Full Abstract

SAHIMS Briefcase 24, Johannesburg, 08 August 2003

Health care services need more than money to meet the challenge of delivering treatment to HIV/AIDS infected.

Delegates to the AIDS conference held in Durban this week were made aware that the distribution of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs through the public health system in
South Africa will soon be a reality.

Full Abstract

SAHIMS Briefcase 23, Johannesburg, 06 August 2003

The battle against the HIV/AIDS pandemic will require more funding.

A number of interventions to fight the HIV/AIDS epidemic, including those
addressing social and economic conditions and prevention strategies
need support in order to be effective.

Full Abstract

SAHIMS Briefcase 22, Johannesburg, 25 July 2003

The impacts of HIV/AIDS could lead to economic collapse in some sub-Saharan countries.

Focusing on the long-term effects, and providing sufficient medical care could save millions of lives in the southern African region.

Full Abstract

SAHIMS Briefcase 21, Johannesburg, 23 July 2003

Poverty, hunger and AIDS all exacerbate each other.

United Nations agencies dealing with food security have called on agriculture ministries to include HIV/AIDS in their programmes and activities.

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SAHIMS Briefcase 20, Johannesburg, 18 July 2003

New initiatives for the multi-fased emergency and more appeals for aid.

The region is in the midst of a multi-faceted crisis, with food insecurity and HIV/AIDS requiring different interventions from key players to overcome the situation.

Full Abstract

SAHIMS Briefcase 19, Johannesburg, 16 July 2003

Addressing peace in Africa and the AIDS pandemic.

African leaders agreed to improve economic governance and work harder to end regional conflicts and the spread of AIDS.

Full Abstract

SAHIMS Briefcase 18, Johannesburg, 11 July 2003

Working towards the Millennium Development Goals
can ensure that Africa reaches its full potential.

Despite three years of concerted efforts working towards the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs) some countries are getting poorer.