Group restates resolve not to leave vulnerable, most marginalized behind

Thu, Feb 11, 2021
By editor
3 MIN READ

Lifestyle

AN International NGO, Heartland Alliance International (HAI), has restated its resolve to continue to help the vulnerable and most marginalised communities to ensure that no one is left behind.

The Country Director of the group, Mr Bartholomew Ochonye, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.

He expressed the commitment of the group to give succour to most disadvantaged and marginalised communities for equity.

He added that “the world can only be as good as the conditions of the weakest, vulnerable and most marginalised populations anywhere they are found.

“Whatever we do to help the less privileged will contribute to making the world a better place for all.”

Ochonye, who reiterated the determination of Heartland Alliance to pursue the joy of all, noted that it was a moral imperative and not charity to be of help to fellow humans.

He explained that it was the responsibility of the rich, wealthy countries or nations to support the low and middle-income nations to bridge inequalities among
the human race.

The director said that the group had impacted on the lives of many indigents and marginalised communities positively by way of job creation and empowerment.

“We have empowered many young people through employment opportunities with us and our local partners. We also mentored young key populations to
take up leadership responsibilities and contribute to national response needs.

“Some have risen to become executive directors of organisations where they have grown to become great influencers of decision making at various levels.”

According to him, the programme participants of the group’s projects contribute to the country’s operational plan development of the President’s Emergency
Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a U.S. Government initiative to address the global HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Launched by U.S. President George W, PEPFAR helps to save the lives of those suffering from HIV/AIDS.

He noted that the programme participants of HAI projects also contribute to the country’s operational plan development of the Integrated Biological and
Behavioural Surveillance Survey (IBBSS) 2020, supported by Global Fund.

He added that the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the UN Development Programme (UNDP), as well as the UN Office for Drugs
Control (UNODC) had supported their coordination efforts.

According to him, the coordination efforts with the government is aimed at ensuring that no one is left behind in the national HIV response. (NAN)

Feb. 11, 2021 @ 13:16 GMT /

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