HIV - the world’s biggest humanitarian crisis'. Red Cross Event.

UNAMET organised a talk by Mr. Maxwell Madzikanga from the British Red Cross about 'HIV and its impact on communities' at London Metropolitan University. Mr.Madzikanga is a Health Advisor for HIV affiliated with the Humanitarian Policy Team in the International Division of Red Cross.

The British Red Cross works on a wide range of  humanitarian issues including disaster management and have long term partnerships on HIV/AIDS work in South Africa. 

The 30 minute talk centrally focused on themes about how the Red Cross as an organisation approaches to HIV programming, the various practical tools and mechanism to support HIV programming and especially about a local based 'peer education approach'. 

He began the introduction with some videos about the role of volunteers, the peer eduction system and about the issue of stigmas surrounding HIV. 
This might be of interest to you!

The role of volunteers video -

World Cup 2010 Peer education video- 5 minutes

BRC stigma and discrimination video

The talk then focus on the Objectives of the British Red Cross HIV programmes in various countries. Mr. Maxwell mentioned that prevention, expanding care, treatment and support and Reducing HIV stigma and discrimination were major work undertaken. He also emphasised that as a stable and financially stronger organisation, BRC support capacity building of Red Cross National Societies in other developing countries. Few countries where the British Red Cross is involved with HIV programme are following:

•       South Africa-ongoing

•        Lesotho-ongoing

•       Ethiopia-coming to an end

•       China-ongoing

•       Turkmenistan-ongoing

•        Kyrgyzstan-ongoing

•       Kazakhstan-ongoing

In regards to the Peer Education system- he mentioned that a peer is a member of a group of people sharing the same characteristics. The selection of peer educator is quite interesting, they are identified by the student who are already in the peer education system. The   HIV Peer Education involves selecting, training and supporting members of a specific group to educate members of their  peer group about HIV and related topics. 

The reasons for peer education approaches lies with the fact that the youth normally do not trust HIV and safer sex messages emanating from “official” channels and in many cases adult-led information channels are perceived to be  more judgemental, non-adapted, and authoritarian. Another reason being the difficulty in obtaining clear and correct information on sex, STIs and HIV. 

Due to presence of shared norms and values, Mr. Maxwell suggests that PE is seen credible, necessary and a successful way to reach young people, drug users and other vulnerable populations.

Following are few lessons learnt that Mr. Maxwell underlined:

•       Need to implement and follow standards for HIV peer education

•       Effective youth participation in all stages of the project cycle

•       Criterion-based selection of peer educators is important i.e. age, skills, attitudes 

He conclude to mention that training and supervision of peer educators should be consistent and regular.

The talk was followed by interesting debate surrounding the HIV issues and both the students and the speaker had a stimulating and delightful time with better ways and knowledge about HIV and work of Red Cross in general.

You can contact the speaker at:
mmadzikanga@redcross.org.uk

Or for more information, go to
www.redcross.org.uk/What-we-do/Health-and-social-care/Health-issues/HIV 

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