Working together to end poverty and injustice

HIV and AIDS

There are over 40 million people living with HIV and AIDS world-wide. AIDS claims over 8,000 lives every day. We know how to prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS and yet last year over four million people became infected with the virus. HIV and AIDS is fuelled by poverty and it’s one of the biggest social, economic and health challenges in the world – and in our neighbourhood.

Oxfam is working to bring education, awareness and understanding of HIV and AIDS, to prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS, fighting for access to treatments and supporting people living with the virus.

A peer educator in South Africa visits communities to spread awareness of HIV and AIDS and HIV prevention using traditional church songs and apartheid freedom songs. Credit: Paul Weinberg/Oxfam

Where we work

• PNG
• Vanuatu
• Africa
• Asia

HIV and AIDS and basic rights

Oxfam believes everyone has the right to a life of dignity and opportunity. HIV and AIDS pushes many families into poverty and poverty makes people more vulnerable to the disease. It is vital that this cycle is broken.

• Read more on HIV and AIDS and basic rights

The numbers of women living with HIV and AIDS is on the increase. In some parts of Asia and the Pacific, infection rates among women now exceed men.

• Read more on HIV and AIDS and gender

HIV and AIDS in the Pacific

In the Pacific, more than 90 percent of HIV infections reported in 2004 were recorded in Papua New Guinea, prompting predictions that PNG is fast becoming the new frontline in the battle against HIV and AIDS in the Asia-Pacific region.

• Video clip: Radio show in Vanuatu is educating people about safe sex
• Read more on HIV and AIDS in the Pacific