Posted: 19-Sep-2005 20:18 hrs

Somalia 's breakaway region of Somaliland has intensified efforts to halt the spread of the HIV/AIDS virus, whose prevalence has steadly risen there over the last six years, said the United Nations.

Authorities in the northwestern region last week launched a National AIDS Commission to fight the deadly virus as well as offer treatment, care and support of those infected and affected, the UN humanitarian office for Somalia said in a statement on Monday.

The commission will be a partnership between the public and private sectors, which will work to brake the spread of the virus in the region that unilaterally declared independence in 1991 when Somali dictator Mohammed Siad Barre was toppled.

"Its real that the HIV/AIDS epidemic is in the country and already contributing to increased mortality, morbidity, fear, family disintegration, orphans, stigma and discrimination in our society," Somaliland president Dahir Rayale said in the statement.

"Denial serves as a negative fuelling factor of the epidemic and creates environment of more stigma and discrimination in the society," he said, adding that his administration would mobilize funds for the exercise.

A survey carried out in 2004 found Somalia's average HIV infection rate to be 0.9 percent but with "zonal variations," particularly in its two self-declared autonomous regions of Puntland and Somaliland, where the average was one and 1.4 percent respectively.

In Somaliland alone, prevalence among antenatal attendants increased from 0.9 percent in 1999 to the current 1.4 percent. Prevalence among sexually transmitted infections and tuberculosis patients stand at 3.5 and 5.6 percent, the survey said.

"It is essential that we tap into the guidance and prominent placing of the religious leaders in our society to form a united front against HIV/AIDS," UN humanitarian cordinator for Somalia Elballa Hagona said during the launch last Wednesday.

Last month, the UN warned of an explosion of HIV/AIDS in Somalia proper, home of up to 10 million people, unless steps are taken quickly to stop the spread of the disease and reduce numerous risk factors, namely; poor education, high mobility, the transfusion of unsafe blood and negative cultural practices, including female circumcision and commercial sex.

"Several windows of opportunity exist now in Somalia to fight HIV/AIDS which other African countries never had at this stage of the epidemic in the early 1980s," said the latest edition of the UN's monthly report on the humanitarian situation in Somalia . — AFP

Somalia 's breakaway region of Somaliland has intensified efforts to halt the spread of the HIV/AIDS virus, whose prevalence has steadly risen there over the last six years, said the United Nations.

Authorities in the northwestern region last week launched a National AIDS Commission to fight the deadly virus as well as offer treatment, care and support of those infected and affected, the UN humanitarian office for Somalia said in a statement on Monday.

The commission will be a partnership between the public and private sectors, which will work to brake the spread of the virus in the region that unilaterally declared independence in 1991 when Somali dictator Mohammed Siad Barre was toppled.

"Its real that the HIV/AIDS epidemic is in the country and already contributing to increased mortality, morbidity, fear, family disintegration, orphans, stigma and discrimination in our society," Somaliland president Dahir Rayale said in the statement.

"Denial serves as a negative fuelling factor of the epidemic and creates environment of more stigma and discrimination in the society," he said, adding that his administration would mobilize funds for the exercise.

A survey carried out in 2004 found Somalia's average HIV infection rate to be 0.9 percent but with "zonal variations," particularly in its two self-declared autonomous regions of Puntland and Somaliland, where the average was one and 1.4 percent respectively.

In Somaliland alone, prevalence among antenatal attendants increased from 0.9 percent in 1999 to the current 1.4 percent. Prevalence among sexually transmitted infections and tuberculosis patients stand at 3.5 and 5.6 percent, the survey said.

"It is essential that we tap into the guidance and prominent placing of the religious leaders in our society to form a united front against HIV/AIDS," UN humanitarian cordinator for Somalia Elballa Hagona said during the launch last Wednesday.

Last month, the UN warned of an explosion of HIV/AIDS in Somalia proper, home of up to 10 million people, unless steps are taken quickly to stop the spread of the disease and reduce numerous risk factors, namely; poor education, high mobility, the transfusion of unsafe blood and negative cultural practices, including female circumcision and commercial sex.

"Several windows of opportunity exist now in Somalia to fight HIV/AIDS which other African countries never had at this stage of the epidemic in the early 1980s," said the latest edition of the UN's monthly report on the humanitarian situation in Somalia .

Source: AFP, Sept. 19, 2005