UNICEF Ambassador gets first-hand look at Local Action for Rural Children project

BEIJING, 29 January 2010 – Well known film actor and performer Leon Lai, yesterday, completed a three day visit to Longling County in Yunnan Province in support of community efforts to fight HIV/AIDS. The UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador's visit highlighted joint UNICEF and local government efforts to strengthen community based education and awareness of the disease.

During the mission Leon Lai visited remote rural communities mobilizing to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. He also lent a hand to HIV/AIDS public awareness campaigns by out-of-school youth groups. The activities were part of the "Local Action for Rural Children" project.

"It is great to see how the people in these very remote villages are informing themselves about HIV/AIDS," Lai said. "The youth I met and talked with are sharing knowledge with their friends and families. They are also learning to show care and concern for those affected."

Since 1996 Leon Lai has participated in many field visits organized by UNICEF in support of its joint programme with the Government of China for children. On this visit to Longling County of Yunnan Province he visited children and women beneficiaries of the programme and learned about their living conditions.

Longling County is one of the poorest counties in China and has a high HIV prevalence rate. In 2009 the number of HIV infections in Longling rose by 15% compared to 2008. The main cause of the virus' spread in the county is sexual transmission mainly by young migrant workers returning home from other parts of China, and cross-border marriages.

"Leon's visit helps to convey the message that HIV/AIDS in China is not someone else's problem anymore. It is everyone's concern. HIV/AIDS is now spreading fastest through sexual transmission and equally among younger women and men," said David McLoughlin, UNICEF China Deputy Representative. "UNICEF is pleased that the Local Action for Rural Children project implemented with local government partners is reaching so many people in Longling County."

The Local Action for Rural Children project focuses on reducing poverty through improved access to basic social services for the most vulnerable women and children in 20 of the poorest counties in China. The project has helped to accelerate progress by increasing the quality and uptake of health, education, water, sanitation and HIV/AIDS services.

In Longling County 60% of out-of-school youth in 18 villages have been educated on 10 key facts about HIV/AIDS. More than 9,000 residents have been trained in 83 community mobilization workshops.

Through the Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF the Chow Tai Fook Jewelry Company is one of the major donors to UNICEF's Local Action for Rural Children project.