Why has HIV become a priority for British Red Cross’ overseas work? | Top |
The British Red Cross has committed to scale up its response to the pandemic. It is already supporting several Red Cross and Red Crescent societies’ health programmes and HIV prevention and care is an integral part of this.
What exactly is the British Red Cross doing? | Top |
The British Red Cross helps combat HIV in three areas:
- through peer education, where young people encourage their peers to adopt safer lifestyles and try to counter stigma and discrimination.
- through home-based care, where Red Cross and Red Crescent facilitators visit the homes of people living with HIV and their families and provide them with information, care and social support to help them lead healthier and happier lives.
- through advocacy at a number of levels, to reduce stigma and discrimination.
The British Red Cross also provides funds and technical advice to the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and supports delegates in southern Africa. One works on home-based care programmes and the other helps develop programmes for orphans and other children made vulnerable by HIV.
Why don’t you do HIV work in the UK? | Top |
At the moment there is not an obvious role for the British Red Cross. Partly because the UK has a good public health system that provides treatment to all. Secondly, there are quite a few non-governmental organisations, which have the knowledge and expertise to provide help and support to people living with HIV and their families.
However, by introducing a HIV declaration (see below), the British Red Cross has committed itself to advocate on behalf of people most vulnerable to HIV in the UK and internationally.
What is the British Red Cross policy on anti-retrovirals (ARVs)? | Top |
The Red Cross has always said that people should have access to essential medicines, including ARVs.
Access to treatment is not just about the price of ARV drugs, although this is a major issue. Also important is the availability of health services for diagnosis and prescription. ARV treatment is part of a holistic approach, which includes home-based care, social and nutritional support, care of orphans and other vulnerable children and continuing education around prevention. These are all aspects of Red Cross programmes in many highly affected countries.
Does the Red Cross treat people with ARVs? | Top |
Our National Societies are not medical organisations, but many are involved in community-level health promotion activities. It is important that these activities complement the work of other organisations, which are often better placed to deliver ARV therapy.
Nevertheless, we are reviewing all possible ways in which we can improve access to ARVs for the most vulnerable.
What is the Masambo Fund? | Top |
The Masambo fund will provide access to life saving drugs, including ARVs, to Red Cross staff and volunteers. The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has requested that all National Societies raise a voluntary annual contribution for this fund. It was named after Masambo Mundega, a long serving Zimbabwe Red Cross staff member working with people affected by HIV. If Masambo had been able to access treatment, she would probably still be alive today. Her work and need symbolises what this fund seeks to address.
Why has the fund been set up? | Top |
Conscious of the unprecedented threat that HIV poses to the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, we were aware that an extraordinary humanitarian response was called for. This fund seeks to ensure the survival of our workers and maintain our capacity to deliver assistance.
How will the fund work? | Top |
All National Societies can apply for a grant to pay for the life-saving drugs for their staff and volunteers. Once a request has been granted, funds will provide treatment for five years. During that time, the National Society of that country must work to improve access to treatment within the country, so that the beneficiaries can access alternative sources of support. If no other source is found, the application can be extended.
How can the Red Cross say it is impartial when we are singling out our own staff and volunteers for special assistance? | Top |
Like many organisations, the Red Cross cares passionately about the health and well being of its staff. We cannot ignore the fact that many of our staff and volunteers may have HIV. It is vital that we address this issue, as the Red Cross would not be able to deliver humanitarian assistance without a fully functioning National Society.
We are a membership organisation and this is one way in which we can support our colleagues around the world. | 
