UNICEF Uses SMS in Global AIDS Awareness Campaign

Millions of SMS have been sent as part of a global campaign by UNICEF to raise awareness of the enormous impact of HIV/AIDS on children around the world, reports Mike Grenville for 160characters.org.

"The launch of Unite for Children. Unite against AIDS took place on 25 October 2005 in 50 countries around the world and in two countries SMS has been used to back up the poster campaign.

Uzbekistan

Nearly a million cell-phone subscribers in Tashkent received an intriguing ‘wake-up call’ on 25th October through an SMS message to launch the campaign in Uzbekistan.

The message asked “Why are so many young people contracting HIV?” Each SMS message had a link to the UNICEF website where everyone interested was able find more detailed information about the campaign.

Nigeria

Cellphone provider MTN arranged for an SMS message to be sent to all 9 million subscribers in Nigeria. The message read, in part: “You can stop AIDS from destroying our children and leaving millions of orphans in Nigeria. UNITE FOR CHILDREN UNITE AGAINST AIDS.”

emily | 12:09 PM | SMS and Charities |
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