"HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa is a plague of genocidal proportions. No other calamity since the slave trade has depopulated Africa as AIDS has", said Rev. Dr Sam Kobia, director of the WCC Issues and Themes Cluster which includes the HIV/AIDS work. "The economic social and spiritual consequences cannot be over-emphasized. The churches in Africa consider HIV/AIDS to constitute the biggest challenge to their mission and calling of promoting life with dignity in sustainable communities", Kobia said.

African church leaders, ecumenical bodies, national councils of churches and related non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have met in Uganda, South Africa and Senegal since January 2001. Now, in Nairobi, they will share the results of those discussions with international ecumenical partner agencies to develop a joint plan of action.

"The Nairobi consultation is unique. For the first time the churches of Africa and all the major ecumenical funding partners from Europe and North America will draw up a coordinated plan of action. We cannot waste time and we must not, for we have to overcome the scourge of AIDS in Africa", said Kobia.

The consultation of over 120 people includes sessions on education, training and prevention, and care, treatment and support for victims.

The WCC staff person responsible for the consultation is Dr Manoj Kurian.

The Nairobi contact person, for media enquiries and interviews is:
Ms Martha Mbugguss, Communication Director, National Council of Churches of Kenya
Telephone (++254 - 2) 217 760; alternative: (++254 - 2) 215 560
Email

Contact number for Ms Mbugguss during the meeting at the Kenya School of Monetary Studies is: (++254 - 2) 861 177 or 802 225
Email marked "for Martha Mbugguss at the WCC meeting"