30.11.2009 19:14
Latest results from the Barça-UNICEF partnership
www.fcbarcelona.cat
The Foundation and UNICEF have presented the latest results of projects in Swaziland, Malawi and Angola. They have also presented their annual report on AIDS in children around the world.
To mark World AIDS Day held on Tuesday, 1 December, the Foundation has presented the latest results
of its global alliance with UNICEF in the fight against infant AIDS.
The event was attended by Joan Laporta, Chairman of FC Barcelona, Marta Segú, Director
General of the FC Barcelona Foundation, Susan Kassede, Senior Specialist, HIV Prevention
(Adolescents), UNICEF HIV Section, and Pablo Giménez- Salinas, Chairman of the UNICEF Catalonia
Committee.
Results in Swaziland
The
review of the Barça-UNICEF partnership has been very positive. The results in Swaziland show
paediatric treatment has been given to over 2,000 children affected by HIV/AIDS while prevention of
mother-to-child transmission of the AIDS virus has been extended. Furthermore, the provision of
medicine and equipment and improvements in the capacity of health facilitators have helped provide
greater treatment coverage. Support has also been given to 725 community care centres for AIDS
orphan children where they are offered food, education and psychosocial care, while 3,375 educators
have been trained and over 31,000 children attend these centres.
Results in Malawi
In Malawi, one of the ten countries in the world most affected by AIDS where 18% of
children are orphaned by the disease, the alliance has supported the establishment of 1,600
community care centres where 125,000 children under 5 years of age have been given food and got
ready for primary education. In addition, a total of 1,794 educators and 2,434 members of
parents’ committees received training in early childhood development. Furthermore, 75,000
children aged 6 to 18 attended 1,100 children’s centres where they receive psychosocial
support, especially when they are neglected by their families. Some 1,617 community volunteers
received training in the operation of these centres and child care.
Results in Angola
In a country with the world’s highest mortality rates for children aged under
5, the alliance in Angola has raised awareness among 44,000 young people through high-impact
campaigns to prevent transmission of HIV/AIDS. 170 sports competitions were organized to raise
awareness about prevention among these adolescents and 475 sports clubs were set up to promote
sport and the fight against this disease.