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New data on refugees and HIV/AIDS The Reproductive Health Response in Conflict Consortium (RHRC Consortium) welcomes the new data from the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) which highlights two points: that refugees in many African countries are not more likely to be HIV positive than the countries’ general population and that a public awareness campaign led to a reduction in HIV/AIDS infection rates among refugees in East Africa. Whilst the reports point to lower than anticipated prevalence rates in conflict-affected countries like Sierra Leone and Angola, the RHRC Consortium notes that there is real potential for increases in HIV transmission when there are mass movements of people who may have been living in areas with higher prevalence rates. It is imperative that the international community acts now to ensure that HIV/AIDS prevalence rates do not increase. “These findings are great news” says Samantha Guy from the RHRC Consortium. The aim of any HIV/AIDS programme is to reduce transmission and if levels are low in these settings then we have the best possible reason to step-up prevention activities to ensure that they stay low. Not only is this good public health, it also makes sense in terms of reducing costs for treatment and care.” Based on the successes highlighted in these reports, the RHRC Consortium, which has long advocated additional resources for integrated sexual and reproductive health services for conflict-affected populations, hopes that all humanitarian aid agencies serving displaced populations will expand their work to incorporate comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and HIV/AIDS services into their activities. The relationship between conflict and vulnerability to sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS is a complex one and further research and monitoring of HIV in conflict-affected settings is needed. However, two things are certain: displaced populations should be given the same access to prevention, care and support as the wider population and more needs to be done to ensure the sexual and reproductive rights of these often marginalized communities. Contact: Samantha Guy [log in to unmask] or Julia Matthews [log in to unmask] To read more on the UNHCR report go to www.unhcr.ch For more information on the RHRC Consortium go to www.rhrc.org ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Note: The material contained in this communication comes to you from the Forced Migration Discussion List which is moderated by the Refugee Studies Centre (RSC), University of Oxford. It does not necessarily reflect the views of the RSC or the University. If you re-print, copy, archive or re-post this message please retain this disclaimer. Quotations or extracts should include attribution to the original sources. List archives are available at: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/forced-migration.html