Call for Action: Myanmar Cyclone Nargis Emergency Response and the needs of the People Living with HIV (PLHIV) Community

For immediate release:

Contact: Shiba Phurailatpam, Regional Coordinator, APN+ Secretariat Office, Bangkok. shiba@apnplus.org , phone:+66 2 2591908-9

In the aftermath of the recent Cyclone Nargis that brought devastating damages in Myanmar, the Asia Pacific Network of PLHIV (APN+) is extremely concerned about its impact on people living with HIV and HIV prevention, care and support efforts in the country.

An informal study recently conducted by people living with HIV in Myanmar found that many HIV positive people are severely affected by the disaster, left without food, shelter, clean water and medicine. Many positive people have been placed in a situation where access to HIV medicines and treatment is extremely difficult, thereby putting their lives in danger.

The current situation could greatly exacerbate the existing challenges in Myanmar where basic HIV prevention, treatment and care services are not readily available and accessible. It is important to remember that Myanmar is one of the countries in Asia where more than 1% of adult population is living with HIV. Disruptions in the supply and provision of HIV prevention commodities and clean needles could put many people at risk of HIV infection.

Under the circumstances, APN+ calls the government of Myanmar, all the relevant authorities, UN and donor agencies to ensure the following:

• Adequate supply of food, water and shelter are provided to those people living with HIV affected by Cyclone Nargis;
• That health care and HIV treatments are not interrupted;
• Involvement of the HIV positive community and local organisations in the responses, in particular in the longer term planning and implementation processes;
• That the local HIV positive community is supported to be an active participant in all community based responses focused on PLHIV;
• Prevention services such as condoms and clean needles are available and easily accessible;
• Remove all restirctions of foriegn aid workers so that more humanitarian aid can be delivered where needed.

The Asian Tsunami Study conducted by (APN+) and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) found that HIV positive people faced increased challenges such as illness, poverty, unemployment, psychological trauma and discrimination as a result of the 2004 Asian Tsunami. Therefore, disaster situation emergency responses must include comprehensive HIV treatment, care and support and prevention services, with particular attention to the needs and involvement of HIV positive people.

APN+ requests all stakeholders to support people living with HIV and those working in the response to the Cyclone Nargis disaster to ensure the availability of HIV prevention, treatment, and care and support services in Myanmar.