The Avengers
 |
Scarlett Johansson, actress and activist returns this week from her first trip to Rwanda with (RED), the initiative to engage business and consumer power in the fight against AIDS in Africa. During her four day stay, the actress visited projects and people who benefit from the flow of (RED) funds via the Global Fund into Rwanda to help tackle the AIDS and HIV pandemic there. Scarlett has supported (RED) since its launch in 2006.
“It was important for me to come here and understand the issue we’re up against firsthand. It’s not until you’ve had the privilege of meeting healthcare providers who are fighting the daily battle, heard from people who are now getting antiretroviral drugs to stay alive, and met mothers whose babies are born healthy because they received treatment that stopped transmission of HIV, that you understand that we absolutely can do something to reverse the AIDS crisis in African countries.” commented Scarlett. “I came here with an open mind, wanting to listen, understand and learn; I leave with the overwhelming understanding that the small action of making a (RED) choice in your purchases in the West has an enormous impact on the lives of people in countries like Rwanda.”
The results of such projects are evident in the statistics – 5% of Rwanda’s 9 million population was HIV positive in 2003, and in 2007 this rate is down to 3%*.
It has been over 2 years since (RED) funds began flowing into Global Fund projects in Rwanda, with over $22 million into the country so far. The power of (RED) consumer action has helped provide antiretroviral therapy for HIV and AIDS to over 17,000 patients, and reached over 408,000 pregnant women with counseling and services to reduce the risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
