Fr om November 27 to December 3, 2023 the Russian Red Cross (the RRC), which is the oldest humanitarian organization in the country, will be holding a nationwide event timed to coincide with the World AIDS Day. Events aimed at supporting and educating on HIV/AIDS shall reach more than 60 regions in Russia.
The goal of the all-Russian action is to underscore the importance of preventing the disease, reducing the stigma of HIV-positive people and expanding access to HIV testing.
At the nationwide level, the Russian Red Cross launched a special project on the website hiv.redcross.ru. The project is to become a center for information and support in order to provide access to the resources required for those in need of assistance. The website shall hold a photo exhibition on the life of HIV-positive people. There will be available a “help button” and useful services with contacts and services for those facing the disease. Visitors can also get general information on HIV/AIDS, addresses wh ere one can undergo rapid HIV tests, follow a check-list to comply with the rules of prevention, and get a promo code for books on the LitRes ebook service.
Beyond that, a documentary on the lives of people with HIV will be released on December 1. The documentary is intended to dispel myths and reduce the stigma.
RRC regional branches plan a wide range of events, including interactive lectures, public talks with subject matter experts and speeches by people living with HIV. Collectively with the children’s and youth public Russian Society “Znanie”, eight regional branches are expected to hold open lectures where participants shall share their experiences of living with HIV and discuss the importance of HIV prevention.
