United Arab Emirates

Raising Awareness on HIV-AIDS

In the UAE, HIV/AIDS is a “low prevalence” disease and available data (both national and international) confirms that the risk in the UAE remains to date relatively low. However, Given the high influx of expatriate communities and the gradual transformation of UAE into a major tourist destination, the importance of advocacy and awareness raising is paramount.

To this end, the Ministry of Health, the Red Crescent UAE, and UNDP have joined hands to strengthen AIDS awareness programmes throughout the UAE targeting, in particular, among youth in government high schools and universities. Student ambassadors have been appointed to help, not only their fellow students attain a higher awareness of AIDS, but also to be source of information and sensitization in their neighborhoods. As a result of this awareness project, learning materials were produced and distributed in the schools, ministries and to the public at large through print media.

The UN Theme Group on HIV AIDS is also providing capacity development support to the National AIDS programme (coordinated by the Ministry of Health) for the design and implementation of a holistic approach on HIV/AIDS.

UNDP works to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and reduce its impact. As a trusted development partner, and co-sponsor of UNAIDS, it helps countries put HIV/AIDS at the centre of national development and poverty reduction strategies; build national capacity to mobilize all levels of government and civil society for a coordinated and effective response to the epidemic; and protect the rights of people living with AIDS, women, and vulnerable populations. Because HIV/AIDS is a world-wide problem, UNDP supports these national efforts by offering knowledge, resources and best practices from around the world.