HIV-AIDS - Crisis in Africa

WHEREAS, the NAACP, the oldest and largest civil rights organization in the United States, has consistently throughout its ninety (90) years of existence sought to support the hopes and aspirations of the people of Africa; and

WHEREAS, the continent of Africa is now being ravaged by the overwhelming impact and burden of HIV-AIDS, the region where seventy percent (70%) of the new cases worldwide in 1998 occurred; where eighty-three percent (83%) of all AIDS deaths have occurred; where among children under fifteen (15) years of age Africa's share of new 1998 infections was nine out of ten; where ninety-five percent (95%) of all AIDS orphans worldwide now reside; where in some countries, thirty percent (30%) of all working adults now have AIDS or carry the virus; and

WHEREAS, American support for Africa generally and support for combating the growing menace of HIV-AIDS on the continent has been paltry and non-responsive; and

WHEREAS, the NAACP deems the HIV-AIDS crisis in Africa so disturbing as to declare an emergency.

BE IT RESOLVED, that the NAACP will utilize its network of more than 500,000 members in 2,200 Units across the United States, Japan and Germany to work with organizations providing direct assistance in Africa to support efforts to provide comprehensive services to prevent the spread of HIV and the care and treatment for those persons already infected with the AIDS virus and their children. Also, the NAACP will provide support for the general health infrastructure on the African continent; and

BE IT ALSO RESOLVED, that the NAACP's Health Committee will establish a working committee to advise the NAACP on the HIV-AIDS crisis in Africa and will include members of the Constituency for Africa, Healthcare International, and the Center for Disease Control; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NAACP will use its vast network to advocate for the expansion of American technical and monetary support for strategies to combat HIV-AIDS in Africa and will place this problem at the top of the U.S. agenda with Africa; and

FINALLY, BE IT RESOLVED, that NAACP will work to educate its membership and the American public about Africa and about the HIV-AIDS crisis on the continent by collaborating with organizations such as the Constituency for Africa, the Center for Disease Control and professionals in all fields to hold seminars, workshops, town hall meetings and other educational activities.