1 December 2012 - HIV/AIDS-affected orphans urged the Western Bahr El-Ghazal State government to support their lives and educational needs during World AIDS Day celebrations today in the capital Wau.

"My mother died with (the) virus," said infected orphan Helen Sinitei at Wau Stadium. "I went and was tested positive. I am crying to you the government ... do you see this disease as something small?"

Rita Batista, Chairperson of People Living with HIV/AIDs in the state, appealed to the government and humanitarian organizations for support, lamenting the irregular drug supply that could affect their doses.

Ms. Batista said her group had presented several projects to the government, including one to build an office for them, but had received no response.

State Minister of Health Isaac Cleto revealed that the number of people affected by HIV/AIDS in the state had increased to 2.6 percent this year, compared to 1.5 percent in 2011, and stressed the need for more awareness raising.

Youth should join efforts to further distribute information on HIV/AIDS to minimize the rate of new infections, said Acting Governor of Western Bahr El-Ghazal Angelo Taban. "The civil war is over, but we are yet to fight another war of poverty and HIV/AIDS."

"Do not stay in darkness, come for testing and know your status so as to live a decent life (be you) positive or negative" said Mr. Angelo, adding that many state citizens were still in danger.