When the State Secretary for Foreign Affairs announced in November 2010 that the Dutch contribution to the global HIV/AIDS response was no longer a government priority, alarm bells started ringing at STOP AIDS NOW! We conducted successful campaign and lobbying activities against these plans and for a relatively small organization, had a big impact. We were able to achieve this by working with others, like our partner Aids Fonds and other Dutch AIDS organizations. And because, as a partner of the largest development organizations in the Netherlands, we know our work well.
It has since become clear that the fight is by no means over. Recently published cabinet plans once again show no priority for HIV and AIDS. And this while AIDS programs actually work and make a strong contribution to people’s economic independence. Currently over 33 million people are living with HIV, 22 million of them in Africa. If people get the medication they need, they can live a normal life, work and take care of their children.
STOP AIDS NOW! contributes to this by publicizing the AIDS issue in the Netherlands, by fighting for women, young people and children in vulnerable situations, and by constantly stepping into the breach both nationally and internationally to ensure continuous AIDS response. We are most grateful to everyone who supports us in this.
At the beginning of 2011, we were winner of the National Postcode Lottery’s Dream Fund with a subsidy of € 8.8 million. With a groundbreaking project in Swaziland, we can now turn the tide in the HIV/AIDS response in that country. We are very proud and thankful that the National Postcode Lottery dared to join us in this venture.
Louise van Deth
Director STOP AIDS NOW!
|
|
