08/04/04

Dear Colleagues,

For the past two years, The Federation has celebrated World Red Cross Red Crescent Day under the theme “The truth about AIDS. PASS IT ON….” In a recent communication it was announced that this year’s theme would be “Stop Discrimination” - a broader theme designed to enable National Societies to continue use of “The truth about AIDS. PASS IT ON…” materials. It was also suggested that this year, Red Cross Red Crescent Societies host events to which minorities and other groups who are discriminated against are invited to share the day with Red Cross Red Crescent staff and volunteers.

As the largest humanitarian organization in the world, the Red Cross Red Crescent has realized its obligation to work against the exclusion and harassment of people based on their sero-positive status. The Federation encourages National Societies to scale up their HIV/AIDS work in partnership with people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) as PLWHA bring a human face and voice to the epidemic, challenge complacency and denial, strengthen the call for urgency in response, and move leadership to action. Stigma and discrimination towards PLWHA has been reduced by their visibility and involvement in local, national and international organizations and activities.

The Federation’s global anti-stigma campaign, “The truth about AIDS. PASS IT ON…,” would like to highlight this opportunity to include HIV/AIDS related discrimination in your overall World Red Cross Red Crescent Day 2004 activity. You can use this opportunity to demonstrate your commitment to PLWHA by giving a uniform message of welcoming PLWHA and other groups of people who are discriminated against. In doing so, please make use of the campaign resources (including a Campaign Manual) available on the internet (URL addresses are given below). We do realize that some national societies have not engaged with “The truth about AIDS. PASS IT On…,” campaign resources yet and May 8th 2004 presents an opportunity to do so.

Four Communications Packs include different resources for planning activities and/or events to bring attention to stigma and discrimination in your communities. The campaign stamps are also available to counter the myths and fears that so often lead to intolerance and persecution of those living with HIV/AIDS.

Campaign website:

http://www.ifrc.org/what/health/hivaids/antistigma/commskit.asp
http://www.ifrc.org/what/health/hivaids/antistigma/commskit2.asp
http://www.ifrc.org/what/health/hivaids/antistigma/commskit3.asp
http://www.ifrc.org/what/health/hivaids/antistigma/commskit4.asp

Please let us know what you are planning for this year’s World Red Cross Red Crescent Day and if we can be of assistance please contact the Port-of-Spain Sub Regional Office at (868) 624-1557, (868) 627-2665 or fax (868) 627-9627 or e-mail Allison Ali, Information Officer at ifrctt07@ifrc.org.

We wish you luck in planning your World Red Cross Day activities.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or suggestions.

Regards,

Allison Ali
Information Officer
Port-of-Spain Sub Regional Office

1-868-624-1557/1-868-627-2665 (tel)
1-868-627-9627 (fax)
ifrctt07@ifrc.org (e-mail)