In this newsletter, we would like to share our reflections on the data of the latest UNAIDS report with you and why we think that although COVID-19 pandemic imposes additional barriers to reaching the global targets, what is the real problem that keeps the AIDS response off track.
Additionally, we would like to report to you our preliminary results of our survey on the COVID-19 impact on AAE member organisations. The first results show that our organisations are struggling hard due to the impact of COVID-19 induced measures.
At the end, we have linked the recent published UNAIDS resources.
Best regards,
AAE Office Team
AAE ON THE 2020 GLOBAL AIDS UPDATE
Missed targets on the road to ending AIDS - who is to blame?
The data from the latest UNAIDS report is clear, neither the UNAIDS treatment targets (90-90-90) nor the vision of getting to zero new infections, zero AIDS-related deaths and zero discrimination by 2030 are feasible to reach based on the data by the end of 2019. According to the report, the world is not doing great on reaching the targets set by the 2016 UN Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS.
The missed epidemiological targets are results of 2 major obstacles, the serious underfunding of the HIV/AIDS response and the slow progress, if not regression, in the realization of the human rights of people living with HIV and other key populations.
Although UN Member States have committed to ending AIDS as a public health threat as part of the SDGs, one can ask how fast a seriously underfunded response can progress, while there is reluctance to remove several of the obstacles on its way?
Seizing the moment — Tackling entrenched inequalities to end epidemics
The UNAIDS report on the global AIDS epidemic shows that 2020 targets will not be met because of deeply unequal success; COVID-19 risks blowing HIV progress way off course. Missed targets have resulted in 3.5 million more HIV infections and 820 000 more AIDS-related deaths since 2015 than if the world was on track to meet the 2020 targets. In addition, the response could be set back further, by 10 years or more, if the COVID-19 pandemic results in severe disruptions to HIV services.
With the end of 2020 approaching, the latest data from countries show both progress and challenges. As the complex reality of HIV epidemics is increasingly understood, more HIV responses are sharpening their ability to identify gaps and develop strategies to reach people who are being left behind. However, too few countries have taken sufficient action to reach the interim milestones, leaving the world off track to achieve the three zeros by 2030.
Relevant information and resources on COVID-19 in regards to HIV, TB and viral Hepatitis. MORE
The AIDS Action Europe Clearinghouse is an online platform where NGOs, policy makers, networks and other stakeholders in Europe and Central Asia can share key documents and good practice materials. Check out more materials at hivaidsclearinghouse.eu
The European AIDS Action Network was established in 2004, has continued to develop and has become one of the largest networks working in the field of HIV infection in the region. The network goes far beyond the borders of the European Union and covers all 53 countries in Europe and Central Asia. WEB - FACEBOOK - TWITTER - VK
