Former Zambian President Kaunda Says African Countries Need Assistance in Fighting HIV/AIDS

Former Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda in a recent speech in Lusaka, Zambia, called on leaders worldwide to help African countries fight HIV/AIDS, Xinhua/CRIEnglish.com reports. He said that poverty, underdevelopment, illiteracy, ignorance, the status of orphans and diseases -- such as malaria, TB and HIV/AIDS -- have undermined economic growth on the continent. "Let us be mindful that the AIDS pandemic has over the years spread across our continent at an alarming rate," Kaunda, said, adding, "This alarming situation should in my humble view serve as a call to action for all of us rise to the challenge in order to make a difference in our one world."

Kaunda said that Africa's HIV/AIDS epidemic requires collaboration among all stakeholders. According to Kaunda, African countries are facing a disaster, but no clear strategies for fighting the disease have been developed. He said the millions of people who have died from AIDS-related illnesses should be cause for global concern, adding that these numbers represent real people who are missed by their families. "Today our graveyards are expanding at a much faster rate than before," Kaunda said, adding, "This is a disaster. If we do not act now, posterity will judge us harshly for the world has the capacity and resources to reverse this pandemic" (Xinhua/CRIEnglish.com, 12/9).