Armenian Red Cross Society

"Time for Choice" HIV prevention program in RA
The Conclusive Concert of "Concert on Wheels"

Press Release

Today the HIV/AIDS epidemic with its tremendous scale and affect has become an emergency situation and a threat to millions of people around the world, influencing almost every sphere of life and every member of community. Over 33.4 million people around the world are currently living with HIV. The growing problem of HIV/AIDS has become a crisis not only at a global level, but also at a local level in Armenia. Since 1988 until May 31st, 2010 there have been registered 874 HIV positive cases among RA citizens and according to statistics, there are estimated over 2300 people living with HIV in Armenia today. The necessity to respond to the situation and to take preventative measures is enormous.
Armenian Red Cross Society being an auxiliary organization to the Government in humanitarian field gives much importance to the problem of raising awareness of population focusing youth about HIV/AIDS issues.
Since 2006 ARCS implements "Time for Choice" HIV prevention program funded by Global Fund and is a part of National HIV Prevention program. In the framework of the program mass public events are realized, including concerts, events on World AIDS Day, memorial candlelight processions, sport events, distribution of informative materials.

The "Time for Choice" program is continued with the concert tours named "Concert on Wheels" with participation of the "Sasun" national song and dancing group. A number of concerts took place in Hrazdan, Ijevan and Kapan cities of RA. The concerts were realized with the support of Local Authorities.

The aim of the event is to spread correct information about HIV/AIDS to raise awareness of population. During the concert informational stands will be placed, films, clips will be shown, polls will be held, Red Ribbons, information materials on HIV/AIDS and condoms will be distributed in Poghosyan Partezner (Lovers Park - Siraharneri Aygi) at 20:30 on July 29.

Program Responsible
Katarina Vardanyan
Tel.: 53 86 03, 093 38 25 35
E-mail: katarina.vardanyan@gmail.com