Indian NGOs receive UN award for fight against HIV/AIDS

Three Indian organisations are among the 25 agencies chosen by the United Nations -- from across the globe -- to receive the Red Ribbon Awards for outstanding community leadership and action in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

The three organisations are --People Like Us, Sanghamitra and Sankalp Rehabilitation Trust.

The other organisations that were chosen from Asia Pacific are the National Federation of Women Living with HIV/AIDS of Nepal, Empower Foundation and Social Action for Women of Thailand and Yavsan Kesehatan Bali of Indonesia.

The awards are given every two years by the United Nations Development Programme and the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS.

The winners were chosen from 550 nominations submitted from 140 countries and announced on Tuesday to coincide with a high-level General Assembly meeting on HIV/AIDS.

Jeffrey Malley, the Director of UNDP's HIV/AIDS Practice, said there were many brilliant examples around the world of community action and leadership on HIV prevention, care, treatment and support.

"However, most of them are unheard and unsung," he said. "The Red Ribbon Award is a way to recognise and honour them."

The laureates, who will each receive US$ 5,000, were chosen by a technical review committee of experts in the field, and were selected for their innovation, impact, sustainability, strategic partnerships, gender sensitivity and social inclusion.

Five of the 25 winners will be chosen by a jury of eminent persons at an international AIDS conference in Mexico City in August to receive special recognition in the following categories: providing access to treatment, support and care; supporting children orphaned by AIDS; promoting human rights; empowering women and girls; and providing HIV prevention programmes and services.

They will each receive an additional US$ 15,000.

The 25 winners comprise nine from Africa, seven from the Asia-Pacific region, five from Latin America and the Caribbean, two from Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and two from the Middle East and North Africa.