AFEW: For journalists >> New international NGO AIDS Foundation East-West (AFEW) combats the growing HIV/AIDS epidemic in the Former Soviet Union

New international NGO AIDS Foundation East-West (AFEW) combats the growing HIV/AIDS epidemic in the Former Soviet Union

Moscow, 19 September 2002 - The newly founded international non governmental organisation AIDS Foundation East-West (AFEW) is specifically designed to combat the growing HIV/AIDS epidemic in the Newly Independent States (NIS) of the former Soviet Union (FSU), in succession of the work of the international medical aid organization Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). AFEW has its headquarters in Moscow and branch offices in Kiev (Ukraine) and Almaty (Kazakhstan) expanding its activities to Republic of Moldova, Belarus, Kyrgystan and the other countries of the NIS.

To date the Newly Independent States (NIS) of the Former Soviet Union (FSU) are experiencing an uncontrolled HIV /AIDS epidemic at a rate never witnessed in the world. The total number of registered HIV infections in Russia for example increased from 1,047 in 1995 to 210.763 per 2 September 2002 (source; Russian Federal AIDS Centre). According to WHO and UNAIDS actual numbers are 5 to 10 times higher. The engine behind the current epidemics is the rapid spread of HIV among Injecting Drug Users (IDU) due to unsafe injecting practice, over 90% of the registered HIV cases in Russia is among this group. The current forecast for the Russian Federation is that in year 2005 over 5 million people will be infected. The demographic and socio-economic impact will be staggering. Recent reports by the World Bank indicate the Russian GDP in 2010 would be up to 4.15 percent lower and the loss would rise to 10.5 percent by 2020.

AIDS Foundation East-West (AFEW) has been established by MSF with support of the Open Society Institute (OSI) and the Dutch government. Austen Davis, General Director of MSF in Amsterdam: "Having the engagement of the core team in Moscow to commit themselves to this new organization for at least the coming five years, MSF is in full support of establishing this expert, innovative and motivated organization - AIDS Foundation East-West - to continue the battle against the AIDS epidemic in the Newly Independent States."

"This organization will significantly contribute in the fight against HIV/AIDS in the Newly Independent States" says George Soros, Chairman of the Open Society Institute, one of the principal financial supporters of the Moscow-based NGO, It is a unique organization with experienced staff and the vision to make a difference."

Jozias van Aartsen, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands adds: "HIV/AIDS will soon be a major burden on the local health systems, on the national budgets and on the society as a whole, thereby threatening the socio-economic development of the NIS countries. Given the level of mobility of this day and age, the treat of the fast growing infection will surely extend beyond the NIS-countries itself".

AFEW wants to promote a better understanding among Western countries and make them realise that AIDS is no longer only a "North-South" problem. AFEW also sees it as part of its mission to strengthen the engagement between Eastern and Western countries in fighting the AIDS epidemic in Former Soviet Union.
AFEW works throughout the Newly Independent States of the former Soviet Union developing country wide Safer Sex campaigns and Solidarity campaigns, Harm Reduction training programs and Preventive Health programs in the penal system. AFEW recently started to focus also on treatment, care and support people living with HIV and AIDS.

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