For Journalists 

His Excellency Vladimir Putin
President of the Russian Federation
Moscow, Russia

Moscow, 26 October 2005

Your Excellency:

Taking into account your visit to the Netherlands, we would like to draw your attention to the HIV/AIDS situation in your country, and to the vital role and importance of your leadership in tackling this problem.

As you know, over the last ten years the issue of HIV/AIDS has gradually become a very serious problem. UNAIDS reports that Russia and the neighbouring countries of the former Soviet Union have the fastest growing HIV rates in the world. The estimates of the Russian Federal AIDS Centre suggest that there are between one and two million people living with HIV in Russia, and the numbers are continuing to rise.

As a result, Russia is on the verge of a social, economic and, most importantly, humanitarian catastrophe. This impending catastrophe has not yet been given the attention it deserves. The experiences of other countries show that strong commitment and public support by political leaders can help halt and reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS.

The Dutch organisation AIDS Foundation East-West (AFEW) was pleased to learn that during your recent live appearance on Russian television you said that the current situation with HIV/AIDS in Russia was ‘an acute problem’ and announced that in 2006 there would be a twenty to thirty-fold increase in the funding allocated for the fight against HIV/AIDS. By doing so, you have given hope to millions of people, both those Russians living with HIV/AIDS and their families.    

We hope that this marks the start of your serious involvement with these issues, both in words and actions. Other countries have shown that personal effort and participation by the most influential government leaders is a crucial factor for success. From your position you could help raise awareness among the Russian population, motivate people to take responsibility for protecting themselves and address the stigma and discrimination faced by people living with HIV/AIDS.

It is also in your power to steer the decision-making process when choosing the right programmes in the spheres of both prevention and treatment. Over the past several years AFEW, together with a large group of Russian partners, set up a variety of programmes in Russia and proved that international knowledge and experience in the field of HIV/AIDS can be successfully used in Russia and adapted to the specifics of the Russian context. With next year’s new federal budget and the substantial investments by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, a lack of funds is no longer the most serious obstacle. The challenge now is to create and implement effective interventions throughout the country, giving special consideration to the lessons learned in Russia and throughout the world.    

Your Excellency, we strongly appeal to you as the President to show your will and courage to take up the fight against HIV/AIDS in Russia and make it a political priority.  

Respectfully yours,

Rian van de Braak
Director of International Affairs
AIDS Foundation East-West

Joost van der Meer
Executive Director
AIDS Foundation East-West