On the occasion of World AIDS Day, the Red Cross and Red Crescent reaffirms its belief in humanitarian values and solidarity as a crucial tool for protecting the lives and dignity of all people living with HIV/AIDS.

Our work is guided by the principle of Humanity, along with the principles of Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity and Universality.  Based on this humanitarian doctrine, we assume the obligation to prevent and alleviate suffering and protect the lives and health of all people without discrimination, always acting in equitable proportion to the gravity and urgency of the circumstances.

Halting the spread of the epidemic, ensuring quality care for people living with HIV/AIDS and dispelling the ignorance and prejudice still surrounding the disease is a pressing and undeniable ethical imperative, as is transforming the situation of underdevelopment that fuels the disease, something that is a determining factor in the immediate future of a large part of humanity.

The Red Cross and Red Crescent regards poverty as the main factor in the onslaught of the epidemic and an accomplice in the devastation wrought by the disease. Poverty creates a breeding ground for the spread of HIV/AIDS and other serious diseases, such as malaria and tuberculosis.

The Red Cross and Red Crescent is also very concerned about the increasing feminization of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. A major factor in this trend is the massive and serious violation of gender rights in many parts of the world. Our priority at this time is to focus strategic attention on women and young people, the population sectors registering most new infections.

Reducing the number of deaths, suffering and impact from HIV/AIDS, other diseases and public health emergencies is one of the priority objectives on the Global Agenda of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and an objective that contributes to fulfilling the United Nations Millennium Development Goals for achieving a decent standard of living for all people in a reasonable period of time.

Aware of the ethical commitment of our volunteers in the fight against the pain, despair and, sometimes, incomprehension surrounding HIV/AIDS, as President of the Federation, I urge the 185 member National Societies to undertake and implement initiatives aimed at alleviating the suffering of those affected and facilitating and promoting the effectiveness of our work. I wish to appeal specifically for internal solidarity with those members of our organization who have fewer resources and capabilities, but have to deal with the most severe and widespread epidemics in their respective countries.

The Red Cross and Red Crescent also invites authorities, institutions and corporations from all national and international sectors to contribute to building a global alliance to stop and, to the extent possible, repair the damage wrought by HIV/AIDS, assuming the task as a step on the path to equity and justice in human relations.