Refugees benefit from NAS donation
In the fight to wipe out HIV/AIDS and STIs in the country, the National HIV/AIDS Secretariat Eastern region through a program call Sensitization Campaign and Creation of Community-based Audio-Visual centers for health information and Education has donated equipment that will be use for the sensitization on HIV/AIDS and other health related diseases in three refugee communities namely Hangha, Gbenderu and Kissi refugees communities. (Photo: Donated equipment)
In his opening remarks the Senior District Officer Kenema district who doubles as chairman of the program, Shek Mohamed Kargbo, thanked all present and went on to say that the day is his happiest day as the occasion is yanning towards development.
The SDO admonished the beneficiaries not to be separated but be united more than how they were in the past, and the materials were not donated by any politicians and should not be controlled by nor chiefdom authorities and politicians and he call on the beneficiaries to take great care of the items and use it for the intended purposes .
Giving the overview, purpose and objective of the project, the regional coordinator of national HIV/AIDS Secretariat Mohamed M. B. Sisay said that the main goal of the project is to increase the awareness about HIV/AIDs through sensitization activities and to create a means of continual information dissemination strategy by providing audio visuals for UNHCR refugees and their host communities. He went on to say that the purpose of the project is to strengthen and help change the passive culture among refugees and their host communities by creating a well-informed society on HIV/AIDs through the provision of audio visual materials through which the message and adapted to local conditions in any part of the country. He said that the project will contribute to building the capacity of people to analyse reality, and to effectively tackle the causes of risk and vulnerability to HIV/AIDs, activities that build capacity networking and exchange of experiences with other people would be successful outcome of the project.
Sisay reiterated that the objective of the project is to establish an audio visual education programmes and strengthen outreach to foster the collegial participation of religious/traditional/societal/opinion leaders, teachers, youths and women groups in HIV/AIDs sensitization in the twelve refugee host communities, to promote behavioral change communication (BCC) through the development and dissemination of HIV/AIDs information , education and communication (IEC) materials and to develop the use of audio visual to prevent HIV/AIDs and promote Duty bearers and duty claimers HIV/AIDs measures and initiatives.
Sisay concluded that the materials supplied were 21’TV flat Televisions, Honda generators, DSTV and accessories, DVD video players, stabilizers (1000 water), sign posts, extension cords, seal oils, petrol and DVD plates all worth’s twenty two million Leone (Le 22,000,000) and that NAS will continue to support fueling the generators top-up the DSTV for up to six months and will always monitor the materials provided.
In his statement, the representative from the UNHCR mad. Sarah Falla said that UNHCR as an organization is working in partnership with NAS and committee to promote the effort to fight against HIV|AIDs among refugees and their host communities in Sierra Leone and because UNHCR alone cannot confront the epidemic that is why they are encouraging the full participation of all refugees with the aim to build capacity for self protection of their own families, self reliance for families, and community development.
Mad. Sarah Falla reiterated that UNHCR and their implementry partner thought it important to support activities on HIV|AIDS sensitization to increase access to information on how to reduce the risk of contracting the disease. She said access to information is a vital tool when dealing with difficult issues like HIV|AIDS, it is on that vein that UNHCR through its implementing partner donated the assorted equipment to support refugees and host communities efforts to fight against HIV|AIDS.
The regional coordinator of NACSA in his contribution said that he was impressed with the donation made by NAS of which they are fighting to wipe away HIV|AIDS.
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