Afghan Red Crescent Launches HIV/AIDS Awareness Program Aimed at Students

The Afghan Red Crescent Society on Tuesday launched an HIV/AIDS awareness program that initially will target about 1,000 students in the country's capitol, Kabul, Fatima Naseer, head of ARCS' HIV/AIDS program, said, Pajhwok Afghan News reports. The campaign -- which was launched at a Kabul middle school -- is financed by the Swedish Red Cross and will be implemented in two districts of Kabul. If successful, it will be extended to other areas. According to the Afghan health ministry, 54 HIV cases have been recorded in the country, but the ministry's spokesperson said up to 1,700 people could be affected by HIV/AIDS (Pajhwok Afghan News, 5/16).