Sidaction Maroc 2008 raises millions to combat HIV/AIDS

2008-12-22

Morocco holds second telethon to raise funds against AIDS. AIDS organisations will use the money to help AIDS victims and raise awareness among the country's youth.

By Sarah Touahri for Magharebia in Rabat – 22/12/08

[Sarah Touahri] The Sidaction Maroc 2008 telethon raised nearly 7 million dirhams on Friday to support efforts against HIV/AIDS.

The Sidaction Maroc 2008 telethon was held on Friday (December 19th), with participation from artists, sports personalities, NGOs, experts and government officials. With their help, the event raised 6,741,000 dirhams to combat HIV/AIDS. The live event, broadcast on 2M, Al Oula and satellite channels, raised awareness and secured donations for the AIDS Prevention Association (ALCS) run by Hakima Himmich.

The initiative was the second of its kind, following the successful 2005 telethon, which raised more than 13.1 million dirhams.

According to Himmich, the funds are needed to provide care for people living with HIV and to prevent the spread of the disease. Some of the money raised will also be used to finance applied research projects run by the ALCS and partner organisations. "We're hoping to set up screening centres across the country," Himmich said.

To guarantee transparency, the Association's accounts are regularly audited by an international office, and the funds raised by Sidaction Maroc 2008 will undergo the same audit process. A special Transparency Guarantee Committee has been created to oversee fundraising efforts and to ensure that the money is used for the purposes announced by Sidaction Maroc.

The evening featured reports, guest speeches, street interviews, testimonials, entertainment and music performances, and appeals for donations. The awareness-raising messages were aimed in particular at young people, who are the most vulnerable to infection.

The programme included reports on existing projects and moving testimonials from people suffering from AIDS and from their loved ones. Viewers got a snapshot of AIDS in Morocco.

The Ministry of Health reports a total of 2,798 cases of AIDS since 1986, and a low prevalence of the disease. According to the most recent estimates, the number of people living with HIV rose from 14,500 in 2003 to 22,300 in 2008.

The story of a woman suffering from AIDS, who had been interviewed in 2005 with her face uncovered, was one of the most moving parts of the telethon. After the 2005 telethon, Fatima Abou Ali, who had been disowned by her family and friends, was able to move into a small flat with her children thanks to donations.

"Society can be very cruel," Abou Ali said. "People should not be ignorant. AIDS is like other illnesses. You just have to avoid the ways in which it is passed on."

Egyptian actress and singer Yousra, who was moved by this story, noted that Morocco is the first Arab country to have launched such an initiative to tackle AIDS, which is often a taboo subject in the Arab world.

Algerian Rai singer Faudel agreed. "It's the first African country that has dared to talk openly about AIDS. Everyone needs to join forces to wipe out this terrible disease."

Health Minister Yasmina Baddou commented that the government realises that "efforts to tackle the pandemic will not succeed unless a close partnership can be formed with frontline civil-society organisations that have first-hand knowledge of the situation."

Soumia Benchekroun, President of the Soleil Association, which helps children infected with HIV, explained that financial support is needed to help children. She reported that 90% of children suffering from AIDS were born with the disease, while 10% were the victims of sexual abuse or under-age marriage. A total of 116 cases have been diagnosed and reported in Morocco since 1986, with 96 of these children currently under tri-therapy in Rabat and Casablanca.