UN urges gov'ts to include refugees in HIV policies

    The two UN agencies have also urged host governments to honor their legal obligations to refugees and said civil society should help address popular misconceptions about refugees and the spread of HIV.

    The calls came in a recently released four-page policy brief that focuses specifically on actions required to address the spread and effect of HIV on refugees and their host communities, a UNHCR press release said on Thursday.

    "Far too often refugees face an untenable situation: they are no longer guaranteed the protection of their country of origin and do not receive assistance from host countries," said the document, which is to be distributed worldwide.

    It added that in countries struggling to cope with an HIV problem, "refugees often do not have access to HIV-prevention commodities and programs. Access to HIV-related care and support is also rarely given adequate attention."

    The policy brief said refugees also often face stigma, both because of their status as refugees and because of the common misconception that HIV prevalence is higher among refugees than in host communities.

    "Stigma and discrimination need to be tackled as an integral part of responding effectively to HIV among refugees and host communities," it said.

    Among specific recommendations in the paper, UNHCR and UNAIDS said governments should incorporate refugees in HIV policies, strategic plans and programs for host communities and ensure appropriate access to comprehensive HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.

    Another core recommendation of the paper is that governments ensure that their national HIV policies and programs are designed, implemented monitored and evaluated with the participation of refugees.

    UNHCR and UNAIDS also called on host countries to ensure that laws policies and programs respect, protect and fulfill the rights of all refugees and that there is no discrimination toward refugees.

2007-03-02