NAMIBIA: UN urges step-up in AIDS efforts

The UN special envoy for humanitarian needs in southern Africa, James Morris, has urged Namibia to step up efforts in tackling HIV/AIDS.

Speaking on Monday in the capital, Windhoek, Morris said: "AIDS in southern Africa is the most significant human crisis in the world today. The Namibian government has started to address the country's HIV/AIDS problem, but ... [the effort] needs to be stepped up."

Morris highlighted the plight of women affected by the disease and children orphaned by it, saying they were unable to find food and clean water, go to school or get proper health care.

An estimated 24 percent of Namibia's 1,8 million people are HIV-positive and some 120,000 children have been orphaned by AIDS.

Theme (s): Care/Treatment - PlusNews, Children,

[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]