©InfoIt is not only the person living with HIV who is affected, but also their families and communities. Children and elderly grandparents are often left caring for family members living with HIV. And when children are orphaned as a result of HIV it increases stress within families and communities.
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement has thousands of homecare volunteers, who are specially trained to support families in their homes and communities.
Homecare includes: providing information on HIV prevention, including positive health and dignity counselling; helping people stick to their treatment; helping with household chores; and providing basic nursing care.
Supporting vulnerable children
The Movement also supports orphans and other children made vulnerable by HIV. Working with partners it offers psychological and social support, helping children continue their education and providing food and other essentials.
The British Red Cross has been supporting HIV work internationally since the mid-1980s.