Around the world, offices of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) are planning events to commemorate World AIDS Day, annually held on December 1.

“A total of 40 million people around the world are suffering from this disease and this past year has been a devastating one. More people died from AIDS last year than ever before and there were five million new cases of HIV reported, 700,000 of whom were children,” said Charles Sandefur, president of ADRA International. “For ADRA, this means that commemorating World AIDS Day this year is more important than ever,” Sandefur continued.

In addition to ongoing HIV/AIDS projects throughout the world, several ADRA offices are holding special events. ADRA Nepal is offering free voluntary counseling and testing in Banepa and Damak. A number of other projects will be featured as well including an oratory contest, distributing AIDS day red ribbons, a folk song competition, street dramas, a school awareness program, and table tennis, chess, and volleyball competitions. ADRA Myanmar is commemorating World AIDS Day by holding competitions for posters, poems, and drama, and holding a pwe show (traditional play).

Globally, ADRA implements HIV/AIDS projects that address the issues surrounding HIV/AIDS including care, treatment, and prevention. ADRA also works with individuals, families, communities and leaders to address stigma, orphan and vulnerable children care, and healthy living to promote longer and more productive lives.

ADRA is present in more than 120 countries providing individual and community development and disaster relief without regard to political or religious association, age or ethnicity. (Editor: Todd Reese)