MAP International Brings Hope To United Nations Special Session On HIV/AIDS

MAP International
Saturday, 23 June 2001

Brunswick, GA June 23, 2001 Georgia-based MAP International has been invited by the United Nations General Assembly to a special session on HIV/AIDS at their headquarters in New York, June 25 to 27. The special session will aim to intensify international action to fight the epidemic and to mobilize the resources needed. Michael Nyenhuis, MAP's president and CEO, and Dr. Peter Okaalet, MAP International's director in East and Southern Africa, will be representing the Christian organization's groundbreaking work in HIV/AIDS education and prevention.

Having begun its HIV/AIDS programs in Africa in the 1980's, MAP International was one of the first ecumenical relief, faith-based organizations to become pro-active in advocacy and program development. "The scale of the AIDS epidemic around the globe, and especially in Africa, is beyond what most of us can imagine," said Nyenhuis. "Never in our lifetime has a health issue so devastated entire countries. We are grateful for the opportunity to take our experiences to the United Nations, and for the global spotlight the special session will put on the tragedy of AIDS."

Georgia currently ranks eighth in the nation for HIV/AIDS infection. This pandemic has taken the lives of over 21.8 million people worldwide. Of the 36.1 million currently affected, a staggering 71% live in Africa. AIDS has orphaned over 13 million children. By the year 2010 that number is expected to explode to over 42 million. According to Dr. Peter Okaalet, the scope of AIDS in Africa is "like a house on fire."

"MAP's mission, as it relates to HIV/AIDS programs, is to build effective, community-based programs focused on prevention of infection and care of people affected by the disease. We do this in Africa by equipping local churches to carry out prevention and care ministries in their own communities. The role of the church is vital in the fight against HIV/ AIDS. We will be carrying this message to the UN," stated Nyenhuis.

Since 1954, MAP International has promoted the Total Health of people living in the world's poorest communities through the provision of essential medicines, the prevention and eradication of disease, and the promotion of community-based health development. MAP's U.S. offices are located in Georgia (Atlanta and Brunswick). Regional offices are located in Africa (Kenya and Ivory Coast) and in Latin America (Bolivia and Ecuador).

For more information, or to contact MAP International, see their website at: www.map.org