An editorial in The Lancet comments the World Disasters Report 2008 published by the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) . Previous IFRC disaster reports focused on natural events but this year’s report is concerned with the only one issue: HIV.

“The report has three key messages. First, effective interventions to tackle HIV/AIDS are not being targeted at the right groups. In too many countries where the HIV epidemic is concentrated in high-risk groups (sex workers, injecting drug users, men who have sex with men), governments have taken the easy route of generalised approaches, such as school programmes.

Second, money for HIV/AIDS is not flowing from donors to communities effectively. Bureaucracy, earmarked aid, and lack of coordination all mean that funds do not reach those most in need.

Third, groups at high-risk of contracting HIV continue to face stigma and discrimination. Efforts to control HIV/AIDS are hampered because these groups are criminalised and have little or no access to HIV prevention and treatment services.”

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