*Somar Wijayadasa, is an International lawyer who worked for IAEA and FAO (1973-1985) and was UNESCO delegate to the UN General Assembly from 1985-1995, and was the Director of the UNAIDS New York Office, and simultaneously, Representative of UNAIDS at the United Nations from 1995-2000.

NEW YORK (IDN) – Since the first identification of HIV/AIDS in the United States of America (USA), in 1981, approximately 80 million people have been infected with HIV, and over 40 million have died of AIDS – the highest global death toll of all time – and also one of the world’s most serious public health challenges.

Each year, on December 1, the world commemorates World AIDS Day to show support for people living with HIV and to remember those who have died from AIDS-related illnesses.

The theme for this year’s World AIDS Day, "Communities Make the Difference”, denotes that communities are the lifeblood of an effective AIDS response and an important pillar of support.

After years of engagement in all corners of the world to fight against this deadly disease, it is now evident that the communities are in the forefront in the AIDS response as they ensure that HIV services reach the people who need them most.

Emphasizing the significance of communities, Winnie Byanyima, the Executive Director of UNAIDS, opines that “without communities, 24 million people with HIV would not be in treatment today”. Read more via In Depth News