There is a special focus this World AIDS Day on reaching people who are left behind - Photo:canva.com
World AIDS Day is one of the most recognized days of global awareness-raising. The theme of World AIDS Day 2021 is: ‘End inequalities. End AIDS.’
UNAIDS leads the global effort to end AIDS as a public health threat. The global effort to end AIDS contributes towards achieving the United Nations General Assembly 2015 Sustainable Development goals, which aim to improve human lives, reduce inequalities, contribute towards global peace and protect creation.
UNAIDS reports that since the first cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) were reported over 35 years ago, 78 million people have been infected and 35 million have died from Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) related illnesses. The World Health Organization (WHO) states disregard for human rights, inequalities, stigma and discrimination have contributed to the scale of the HIV/AIDS global crisis. The worlds most disadvantaged communities are amongst those most impacted by HIV/AIDS due to a range of structural failures, including barriers to healthcare. These inequalities have been further exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Columban Missionaries are key to offering compassionate response to need within vulnerable communities worldwide. There is a special focus this World AIDS Day on reaching people who are left behind.
Columban Missionaries live and work in countries where the prevalence of HIV/AIDS is high and impacts entire families. Columban Fr Rafael Ramirez, originally from Santiago Chile, is chaplain at the St Francis Xavier Orphanage in Myitkyina, Myanmar. Some of the children living in the orphanage are born with HIV and come from families who experience multiple layers of economic and social disadvantage. Columban Sr Mary Dillon set up the Hope Centre in Myitkyina as part of her fourteen years of ministry in Myanmar to support people who test positive for HIV and their families.
Columban lay missionary Jao Resari, originally from the Philippines, was invited by the local bishop to establish the Agape Centre for HIV Education and Outreach Ministry, Hsinchu Diocese, Taiwan. The centre was established in 2012. Jao gives education to high school students, parish communities and migrant workers. (see link below to watch interview with Jao Resari).
Columban Missionaries are key to offering compassionate response to need within vulnerable communities worldwide. There is a special focus this World AIDS Day on reaching people who are left behind.
Sr Caroline Vaitkunas RSM, Peace, Ecology and Justice Team member, Columban Mission Centre, Essendon.
Related links
- Watch - Meet a Columban interview with Jao and Columban Fr Jim Mulroney. Click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzzTklFVaow
