Aids in the Middle East is on the rise, says UN

The number of people living with HIV/Aids in the Middle East and North Africa was more than half a million by the end of 2004, the United Nations said.

According to a statement issued yesterday by the UAE Office of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), all Arab countries have reported increases in HIV/Aids infections in recent years, and the number continues to rise steadily.

The UNDP issued the statement yesterday to mark the 12th International Day of Families.

This annual day reflects the importance that the international community attaches to families regarding their situation around the world.

The International Day of Families provides an opportunity to promote awareness of issues relating to families as basic units of society.

"The theme of this year's International Day of Families The impact of HIV/Aids on family well-being draws attention to one of the most pressing challenges of our time. It is a challenge that affects families, extended families, communities and governments around the world," the statement said.

Referring to the UAE, the UN agency said despite the low prevalence in the country, HIV/Aids is an area that is quickly becoming a problem.

"Several seminars on HIV/Aids were conducted in the country by UNDP with the UAE Red Crescent Authority to students who represented five schools," the statement said.

"Statistics on HIV/Aids globally and the MENA region particularly were highlighted and discussed. The students, who were encouraged to ask many questions to receive more information, were well received.

"Despite the dearth of information and data on HIV/Aids in the Arab region, the best available estimates indicate that prevalence rates are still among the lowest in the world.

"UNAIDS and WHO estimate that at the end of 2004, the number of people living with HIV/Aids in the Middle East and North Africa ranged from 230,000 to 1.5 million with an average of 540,000.

"But there are clear signs that the situation is changing fast."

In a statement issued to mark the day, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said a strong and supportive family is one of the first lines of defence against HIV/Aids.