World Health Organization
Mitigating the HIV epidemic in Zambia, with a special focus on the security, of the aid workers and organisations
Committee Background
In the summer of 1981 the CDC published its first reports describing a rare cancer, Kaposi sarcoma, found in homosexual men living in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York City. After the death of 121 individuals, Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome was found to be the cause of their deaths. Fear, stigma and ignorance followed, defining the HIV epidemic that raged through the world in the 1980s, killing thousands of people. The effort to develop an effective treatment for HIV has been remarkable in its speed and success.
However, with 30 years on the line, some of the biggest challenges in the HIV- response chain still stand unchanged. These include timely diagnosis of the disease, disproportionate spread in marginalized communities, preventative education for individuals and families, social integration of patients with HIV, and legal and human rights of HIV patients.
Still remaining highly contentious topics across the world, these aspects require pragmatic solutions. With the advent of rapidly dynamic technology and the emergence of fields including biomedical engineering, novel ideas are continually coming up. WHO will tackle myriad of implications of HIV alongside discussions surrounding the future of genetics and diseases. The committee will embark on a mission to evaluate the disease since its very beginning in the 1980s, gradually taking note of technological advances to finally propose a well-developed action plan that addresses the HIV epidemic holistically.
Risha Chaurasia
Chairperson
Shradul Jain
Rapporteur
Kaashvi Dhawan
Vice Chairperson
Aadhya Nahar
Rapporteur
Hello! Welcome to the World Health Organisation at DCMUN 2024. We, as the EB extend a warm welcome to all the delegates and look forward to having you on our committee. Our agenda may seem simple at first, yet has several complex aspects that we expect the committee to address and solve. You, as a delegate are expected to be well-researched upon the topic while also understanding the agenda from a human and practical lens. The Zambian HIV epidemic dates back to 1984 and has since led to severe socioeconomic consequences. AIDS remains the largest cause of death in Zambia, and lack of awareness and access to lifesaving healthcare facilities remains a challenge in this sub-Saharan nation. According to UNAIDS, the epidemic is expected to peak by 2050, meaning that three million people dying of AIDS this past year might only be the tip of the iceberg. These are challenges that you, as a delegate, must tackle. Another focal point for the debate would be the condition and challenges of the several active aid workers and organizations in Zambia. The Zambian healthcare system also relies heavily on its frontline aid workers and the aid organizations play a pivotal role in the delivery of medical assistance to the vulnerable and remote populations. However, there has been an alarming increase in the number of attacks on aid workers, with 51 aid workers being killed in the first 4 months of 2024 alone. Additionally, inadequate funding, below-par living conditions, and a constant threat to personal safety make their lives even tougher. As a committee, you are expected to be their advocate and our job would be to form sustainable solutions for their long-term safety and protection.