Compiled and edited by Martin Flynn
Peter Mandelson joins 'Stop Aids Campaign'
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Peter Mandleson, MP for Hartlepool and former Northern Ireland Secretary,
joined other parliamentarians, activists and charities to lend support
to the 'Stop Aids Campaign' at the House of Commons last month.
The campaign is a collaboration of 15 charities and non governmental organisations,
such as Oxfam, Save the Children Fund, Action Aid, UNICEF and the National
Aids Trust, to increase support in the UK for a better international response
to the HIV and Aids epidemic.
Mandelson added his support along with other MP's and members of the House
of Lords and his very presence at the parliamentary launch substantially
raises the profile of the campaign.
Ugandan activist Milly Katana explained that she was now the developing
countries' HIV positive representative on the Board of the Global Aids
Fund and is one of just nine voting members which will disburse over $700
million to HIV, TB and Malaria projects across the world this year alone.
Mike Aaronson, director of Save the Children Fund, said it is important
that people do not become fatalistic and pessimistic about Aids. Even
though it is estimated that the economic cost of Aids is now more than
£500 billion and millions are still dying, it is not a hopeless
situation if we have concerted international action.
He called on the British government to honour its commitment to give at
least 0.7 per cent of GDP to foreign aid and to work harder to relieve
third world debt and unfair
trade rules.
