It is with great sadness that we heard of the death of more than 100 HIV-AIDS researchers and activists in the crash of Malaysian Airways Flight MH 17.

Our condolences are extended to the families and friends of all victims of this tragedy and especially to those who were part of our global fight against the disease.

As Jason Roush writes at Quartz magazine ( http://qz.com/237241/what-the-aids-generation-lost-on-the-downed-malaysia-airlines-flight/ ) :

This week, the UNAIDS program predicted that with continued progress and research, it will be possible to end AIDS as soon as 2030.  Nevertheless, yesterday’s tragic loss of such an important contingent of worldwide HIV/AIDS researchers and advocates on MH17 will only further hinder us from reaching the terminal point of this devastating disease.