Lifestyle & Entertainment

Red Cross: By 2040 the Most Endangered Species in Asia Could Be Human

October 2nd, 2001

Australians will be challenged to consider the implications of an HIV/AIDS epidemic erupting in the Asia Pacific region in a new campaign launched today by Australian Red Cross.

Created by leading international advertising agency J. Walter Thompson in Melbourne, the thought-provoking appeal campaign consists of a 1 x 45 second and a cut-down 1 x 30 second television commercial, print and below-line-activity including direct mail.

The appeal is supported by Mrs Ann Hollingworth, President of Australian Red Cross.

"I urge you to consider how you can help to save lives through our Asia Pacific HIV/AIDS Appeal. Your gift will allow us to continue to help vulnerable children women and men whose lives are at risk from a disease which threatens humanity."

National Geographic is also generously supporting the appeal by providing the stunning vision and images used in the campaign.

It is being launched ahead of the 6th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific (ICAAP) to be held in Melbourne from 5th - 10th October 2001.

Australian Red Cross has a high-level leadership role in HIV/AIDS peer education programs in Cambodia, Vietnam, China, Laos, Indonesia and Myanmar. Programs have also been supported in Papua New Guinea, Nepal and Mongolia.

Donations to the Australian Red Cross Asia Pacific HIV/AIDS Appeal will support the development of further prevention programs in the region. All donations over $2 are tax deductible.

According to UNAIDS estimates approximately 6.4 million people are living with HIV in Asia – the second largest regional epidemic after Africa.

In the year 2000 470,000 AIDS-related deaths were recorded and a staggering 780,000 children and adults became infected. On current predictions it is estimated that in the next 10 years the spread of AIDS in Asia may eclipse the 22.5 million cases in sub-Saharan Africa and become the largest regional epidemic in the world - mostly due to population density.

It is a disaster of massive proportions waiting to happen - and it can be prevented.

The Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, comprising the 177 member International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (Federation) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), has identified HIV/AIDS as a key focus of the Movement in the next 10 years.

The seven Fundamental Principles of the Movement - Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity and Universality - direct our mission to alleviate human suffering, protect life and health and ensure respect for the human being around the globe.

All of these core values will shape our response to caring for people living with HIV/AIDS.

At the recent United Nations General Assembly Special Session on AIDS the Movement reconfirmed its commitment to ensuring Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies around the world become a better home for People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).

Australian Red Cross leads the Movement in HIV/AIDS response having identified the threat of an HIV/AIDS epidemic to the region as a priority almost 10 years ago.

Mr Bernard Gardiner, a former General Manager of the Victorian AIDS Council, manages Australian Red Cross HIV/AIDS programs from Bangkok and is a key adviser to the Federation’s Geneva-based Governance Group on HIV.  

To donate to the Australian Red Cross Asia Pacific HIV/AIDS Appeal:
- make a secure online donation via the ourcommunity.com.au website
- Freecall 1800 811 700 from anywhere within Australia to make a credit card donation
- Send a cheque or money order to GPO Box 9949 in your capital city