BONN, 1 December 2022 — United Nations Join Programme on HIV/AIDS together with City of Bonn, the Government of Germany, and civil society organizations observed World AIDS Day on December 1 to reinforce the partnership towards ending AIDS by 2030 globally and addressing urgent needs of the HIV response during the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.

„On today's World AIDS Day, we as the City of Bonn - together with UNAIDS and all organizations that are committed to the fight against HIV - would like to set an example against discrimination and exclusion,“ stated Mayor Dörner on behalf of City of Bonn.

Over 1.6 million people are living with HIV in eastern Europe and central Asia. 90% of HIV-registered cases in 2021 were in the Russian Federation (76%) and Ukraine (14%). 

Currently, over 17,7 million people in Ukraine require humanitarian assistance, with further deterioration expected during the winter months due to the crisis in energy and civil infrastructure. HIV is among key people’s health risks for conflict-affected populations as the result of potential interruption of access to diagnostic services and treatment. Over 7,8 million refugees from Ukraine were recorded across Europe.

„Eastern Europe and central Asia is the region with the fastest-growing HIV epidemic and the current humanitarian crises can affect it dramatically,” said Eamonn Murphy, UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director and Regional Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia. “Despite all the difficulties, Ukraine’s community organizations in close coordination with the Ministry of Health and the Public Health Center of Ukraine continue preserving the system of HIV services.“

With the help of the UNAIDS Emergency Fund and the German contribution to the Fund civil society organisations in Ukraine address urgent humanitarian and programme demands in seven cities that have large HIV epidemics. Neighbouring countries provide all refugees in need with HIV-related services and antiretroviral treatment

„UNAIDS applauds Germany’s support of global efforts in ending AIDS, its special attention to the AIDS response during the humanitarian crises in eastern Europe and Central Asia, and solidarity with the people of Ukraine,“ said Tim Martineau, UNAIDS Director of Management. 

„It is important to join efforts with UNAIDS in helping the most vulnerable during the crisis. We see the results and we are committed to continuing our support to prevent the deterioration of the HIV epidemic in the country and widely in eastern Europe and central Asia,“ highlighted Dr. Rainer Lassig, Ambassador, Liaison Office UN Campus Bonn /International Organisations in Germany, Federal Foreign Office.

„Neither I nor my friends or colleagues were ready for the ordeal of war. It was not necessary not only to survive but also to help others. We continue our work and provide HIV services in the most challenging environments,“ said Kseniya Syrykh-Chaplynska from the Ukrainian network of people living with HIV 100%LIFE Kharkiv.

„The main challenge for all people during the war, including LGBTQ people is just to survive. Many have lost their homes and relatives. With a grant from the UNAIDS Emergency Fund and other donors, we have been able to organize shelters in several cities where people have food, the Internet, and access to HIV counseling and antiretroviral therapy,“ said Andrii Chernyshev from the Ukrainian national LGBTQ organization ALLIANCE.GLOBAL.

The Government of Germany, parliamentarians, civil society and other partners in Germany have long shown commitment to the global HIV response and to global health and health security. Germany has provided regular contributions to UNAIDS and was the fourth largest donor in 2021 and pledged US$ 1.3 billion to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria at its last replenishment.

A valued partner of UNAIDS, the Government of Germany is firmly committed to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 and has invested significant resources to ensure that no one is left behind. In 2020, Germany contributed an additional €20 million to UNAIDS above its core contribution to strengthen the response to HIV during the COVID-19 pandemic.