HIV / AIDS Stories

Stories about how WFP is assisting people with HIV and tuberculosis.

28 November 2011

For World's Poor, Right Food Key To Beating HIV

For people living with HIV, eating nutritious food is essential. Proper nutrition, combined with medical treatment, means they can recover their health and resume productive lives. WFP supports some 2.5 million people in 44 countries through its HIV programmes. Here are three of those people.

28 November 2011

Swaziland: Grandmother Manages To Care For Kids Despite Challenges

In a country where AIDS has left countless children orphans and where life expectancy is only 47, Nosipho and her grandchildren might appear to have the cards stacked against them. But with a bit of food assistance, the determined 50-year-old, diagnosed with HIV five years ago, is steering the children towards a brighter future.

25 November 2011

Cambodia: 'Without HIV Support I Probably Would Have Died'

Thanks to her chicken farming and small grocery business, Pong Onn is now able to look after herself and her daughter. But to get here she had to weather a series of crises after learning that she was HIV positive. One of them was the sudden death of her husband. Getting through the tough times required support, which came from WFP and a local NGO, Cambodian HIV/AIDS Education and Care.

24 November 2011

Bolivia: Woman Learns About HIV The Hard Way

Before Dora was diagnosed with HIV, she had never even heard of the disease. But she quickly learned about its effects on herself and on ability to care for her children. Now, with WFP’s food and nutrition support, she is stronger, healthier and better able to provide for herself and her family.

16 November 2011

Afghanistan Diary - Day Three

During Silke Buhr's third day in Afghanistan, she visits Bamyan Hospital and learns how important food assistance is for patients at the tuberculosis clinic. She also meets Khadeja, a woman who's found a new lease of life thanks to involvement in a plant nursery, which is indirectly helping to improve soil quality in the area.

19 October 2011

Bolivia: Soy Helps Improve Nutrition and Medical Treatment

Almost a year ago, WFP started a project aimed at assisting some 650 people living with HIV who were receiving antiretroviral treatment and were identified as highly food insecure. Every month, while receiving their medical treatment at the health center, these people also receive a family food basket made up of rice, soy grains, salt and vegetable oil.

14 June 2011

Food Assistance Provides Hope For HIV-Positive Orphan

NKILONGO - Life is difficult for Mndeni Mlduli, a five-year-old Swazi orphan who is HIV-positive and on anti-retroviral medicines. But thanks to a neighbourhood feeding scheme in his community in rural Swaziland, he has regained the strength and energy he needs to play and be a child again.

5 May 2011

HIV+ Mother Finds Way Out Of Hunger Trap

Until recently, Neri, an HIV+ mother of three, often had to choose between feeding her children and feeding herself. It was an impossible choice and she might have died if she hadn't started receiving food as part of her treatment. She's now healther, better able to care for her family and was able to celebrate Mother’s Day.

1 December 2010

We Can Break The HIV-Hunger Trap, Says Nutritionist

As we remember all those living with the HIV virus on World AIDS Day, millions of people with the disease are barred by hunger from leading the healthy and productive lives that they could have with treatment. Zambia-born nutritionist Mutinta Humbayi says that by breaking down those barriers, we can help stop a vicious cycle driving the epidemic.

24 September 2010

Kenya: HIV-Positive Woman On Food Aid Now Selling Food To WFP

Anne Rono is a small farmer, but after contracting HIV, lost the strength to farm her land. With the help of antiretroviral drugs and nutritious food, she’s not only back on her feet but selling her crops to WFP through an innovative new programme that links small farmers to markets.