Focus on indigenous people with Aids

The plight of indigenous people who have Aids is being focused upon as part of an international campaign.

Unicef helped to commemorate the International Day of the World's Indigenous People yesterday.

This year, the theme of the event is increasing awareness and protection among indigenous people of HIV and Aids.

In New York, Ann M Veneman, executive director of Unicef, commented: "Many indigenous peoples live in conditions that make them especially vulnerable to the spread of HIV. Yet efforts to monitor the epidemic among indigenous peoples are often lacking, as are examples of interventions informed by local participation.

"If indigenous children and women are to receive effective HIV prevention and care, the factors that drive the epidemic in indigenous communities must be identified and understood, and appropriate information must be provided in ways that are accessible to indigenous communities."

The 20th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child is also being linked to the International Day of the World's Indigenous People.

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