Cambodian Red Cross - assisting the vulnerable though the provision of health services, disaster management and promotion of humanitarian values.

BACKGROUND

Police discuss HIV/AIDS issued
during 2 days life skill workshop.

The HIV epidemic among population aged 15-49 in Cambodian has slightly decreased from 3.3 % in 1997 to 2.6 % in 2002 respectively. However, this figure remains highest in the region. The cumulative death related to HIV currently estimated 94,000 and 100,000 orphans and elderly left behind without support. According to National Centre for HIV/AIDS, Dermatology and STD, of 157,500 positive people, 22,000 require anti-retro viral treatment (ARV) where about 3000 have access to ARV.

Cambodian Red Cross (CRC) has worked on HIV/AIDS since 1995 and currently implements prevention, care and support of PLHAs, and anti-stigma and discrimination projects, using Red Cross volunteers and youth to mobilize vulnerable groups and communities. Peer and life skills education programs target uniformed service personnel, university and school teachers & students. CRC supports PLHAs and affected families through advocacy, capacity building, support for self-help groups, community based support and community mobilization. CRC currently works in Phnom Penh and 10 provinces.

The combination of peer support and life skills represents a unique approach to HIV/AIDS intervention. The project has made significant gains and affected a substantial shift in attitudes and behaviors regarding HIV/AIDS. The most recent surveillance suggests that the epidemic in Cambodia is going from the ‘high risk’ groups with which it is most associated, (commercial sex workers and uniformed services personnel), to a generalized epidemic affecting a broader section of the Cambodian population, including married women and children. Cambodian Red Cross has responded to this trend with a strategic plan to mainstream HIV/AIDS activities of the CRC.

The Cambodian Red Cross current mission is to work in partnership with positive people and other key stakeholders to eliminate stigma and discrimination, reduce vulnerability to, and alleviate the impact of HIV/AIDS.

OBJECTIVES

1.	To reduce HIV/AIDS related stigma and discrimination in Cambodia;
2.	To prevent further HIV transmission among vulnerable group in Cambodia;
3.	To mobilize RC networks to provide community based advocacy and support for PLWHA and their families in Cambodia;
	To develop the capacity of CRC through human resource and program development

NETWORK
1. HIV/AIDS Coordination Committee (HACC)
2. Australian Red Cross supported AIDS Program (ARCAIDS)
3. Member of Asian Red Cross/Red Crescent AIDS Network (ART Network)
4. Member of National AIDS Authority (NAA)