UN family HIV/AIDS Learning fair

Saturday, December 07, 2013 Commemoration of World AIDS Day at UN Compound with the UN, Asmara, Eritrea

The UN family HIV/AIDS learning fair was conducted to commemorate World Aids Day in Asmaras United Nations Compound, on Saturday the 7th of December. The event attracted local residents, UN staff and their families, civil society groups, as well as heads of agencies of United Nations in Asmara. The event commenced by the welcoming remarks of Ms Senait Tesfamicael of UNAIDS in which she stated the importance of the day as well as the need for continues work required to address HIV/AIDS in the workplace. The UN RC a.i, Dr Sueiman Brainoh on his behalf also stressed the importance of marking the World Aids day especially with a focus on a family centred learning fair where children and young adolescents could be educated and made aware of the dangers of HIV/AIDS at an early age. He also stressed on the importance of UN Cares program designed to reduce impact of HIV in the work place by supporting universal access to a comprehensive range of benefits for all UN personnel and their families, including prevention, treatment, care and support.

Dr Sueiman Braimoh UN RC A.I and Mr Solomon Gebrekidan chairperson of BIDHO

A similar message was also delivered by the Chairperson of BIDHO, Mr Solomon Gebrekidan, where he emphasized on the importance of hard work and cooperation; to build on the great success which has been achieved in the reduction of HIV infections in Eritrea and work towards the goal of zero new infections. Furthermore, different activities were conducted to convey the messages of the event to the participants, including painting competition for children of different age group, general knowledge competition for both children and adults as well as a musical drama on the theme of HIV/AIDS was used to capture the attention of participant while also providing entertainment and sending the message of working towards zero infection.

Painting compition for children

In closing, Mr. Dan Odallo, UNFPA representative in Eritrea (HIV/AIDS theme group chair) also stressed the key role events like this play in the life of every one of us and recommended to have it as frequent as possible. In addition, he commended the effort that have been put by the UNCARES team in Eritrea to make the days event a success. The successful event was concluded by the distribution of awards to the various participants and winners of the competitions awarded to them by Ms Monica Sandri; UNCHCR representative and Mr Dan Odallo.

Winners of the competitions receiving awards from Mr Dan Odallo AND Ms Monica Sandri