Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine — December 1, 2007 — To commemorate World AIDS day, IRD Ukraine held a series of student-sponsored events promoting tolerance and awareness of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Ukraine, provided through the USAID- funded program “Reducing the Stigma and Discrimination Associated with HIV-infection and AIDS” in both Crimea and the Donetsk and Luganks oblasts. Dr. Douglas Menarchik, Assistant Administrator of USAID, participated in the World AIDS Day events. 

"The students were so thrilled to have Dr. Menarchik join us for World AIDS Day," said Oksana Mikitenko, IRD Country Director for Ukraine. "His participation really underscores the commitment of USAID to addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the country, and more importantly raises awareness."

Dr. Menarchik visited the student theater performance of the “Time of the Innocents,” aimed at promoting tolerant attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS and emphasizing the importance of HIV/AIDS preventive measures. The use of interactive, innovative theater techniques - where the audience participates in the play - allows people to see how every individual can impact the lives of HIV-positive people.

Dr. Menarchik also helped hand over medical equipment to the Hospital of Occupational Diseases, part of a USAID-funded emergency response to the Zasiadko mine accident in the region, and learned more about the needs of the Donetsk region.

"With targeted outbreaks of HIV/AIDS, such as the one Ukraine, reducing the stigma associated with the disease is really essential to raising awareness," Mikitenko added. "Each World AIDS Day is an opportunity for us to do that, thanks to the support from USAID."