United Nations Launches $40 Million Appeal to Provide Services to People Affected by Violence in Kenya, Including People Living With HIV/AIDS

The United Nations on Tuesday said it will launch a $40 million appeal to address the political crisis in Kenya and provide services for people displaced by the violence, including those living HIV/AIDS, Xinhua News Agency reports (Xinhua News Agency, 1/15). The political and tribal violence broke out after Kenya's president Mwai Kibaki was declared the winner over Raila Odinga, the opposition presidential candidate, by a narrow margin earlier this month. Miriam Were, chair of Kenya's National AIDS Control Council, said that widespread sexual assaults during the violence in the country likely will reverse gains made in the fight against HIV/AIDS. In addition, some groups have voiced concerns about HIV-positive people's ability to adhere to treatment regimens during the violence and displacement (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 1/9).

The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees will be allocated $6.4 million of the $40 million, Xinhua News Agency reports. UNHCR funds will be used for HIV/AIDS projects, protection, assistance delivery, emergency shelters, and coordination and management of refugee camps. UNHCR and World Concern have begun distributing supplies to an estimated 3,000 people in Narok, Kenya, who were displaced by the violence (Xinhua News Agency, 1/15).

PlusNews on Thursday examined how some health officials are concerned that drug resistance could develop among displaced HIV-positive people in Kenya who do not have access to antiretroviral drugs.

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