HIV/Aids is regarded the most devastating disease for the world's social and economic development. Diakonia is mainstreaming HIV-issues into all parts of its work, and also support partners' activities.

Mainstreaming of issues related to HIV/Aids

Diakonia has five themes for its international development work:

• Human rights
• Democratisation
• Social and economic justice
• Gender equality
• Peace and reconciliation

All of these work areas are affected by the HIV pandemic.

Devastating consequences

The pandemic has far-reaching negative effects on economic growth and development, and further increase existing inequality. In countries that are affected the worst, life expectancy is decreasing rapidly which also diminishes the period of life when people can be productive and contribute to development. Children are left without parents and adult models who can guide them into the adult life with its responsibility and human rights.

Poor and exposed people are affected the worst

More than 60 million people have been infected with HIV. The disease is now the leading cause of death in Africa south of the Sahara. The number of infected people also increases in other parts of the world where Diakonia has partners.

The dispersion of the disease hits the hardest among people living in poverty and also in societies broken by conflicts, disasters, war and many refugees or internally displaced.