U.N. Peacekeeping: United Nations Faces Challenges in Responding to the Impact ofHIV/AIDS on Peacekeeping Operations

摘要

In July 2000, the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution expressingserious concern that the increased risk of Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) in conflict situations could adversely affect peacekeeping missions. The Security Council resolution noted that an environment of conflict and instability produces large movements of people and reduced access to medical care, which increases the risk of HIV transmission. The resolution expressly encouraged member states to provide HIV prevention training to peacekeeping personnel, including those troops who may be HIV positive. In January 2001, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations expressed concern that the United Nations had not yet initiated an adequate response to the Security Council's concerns and, in particular, the risk of transmission between peacekeepers and civilian populations. Given the importance of U.N. peacekeeping efforts to U.S. foreign policy goals and the approximately $700 million contributed to the United Nations by the United States for these efforts in fiscal year 2001, you expressed concern that HIV/AIDS infection could undermine the effectiveness of U.N. peacekeeping operations. This report responds to your request that we examine U.N. efforts to mitigate the potential impact of HIV/AIDS on its peacekeeping missions. In this report, we (1) analyze U.N. policies and guidance on the use and deployment of peacekeepers with HIV, (2) examine the data available on HIV/AIDS prevalence rates among peacekeepers, (3) assess actions the United Nations is taking to limit the spread of HIV/AIDS among peacekeepers, and (4) examine the actions the United Nations is taking to limit the impact of HIV/AIDS on civilians affected by armed conflict, including groups who may come into contact with peacekeepers.