Burundi

Alliance linking organisation, l’Alliance Burundaise contre le SIDA (ABS) is a national network of over 400 member faith-based, community-based and non-governmental organisations responding to HIV and AIDS in Burundi.

Burundi’s 1993–2005 conflict had a profound impact on the living conditions of the population, significantly increasing vulnerability to poverty, violence, food insecurity and disease, including HIV/AIDS. The country has a generalised HIV epidemic, with a prevalence rate of 3.3%.

ABS is the voice of civil society within the national AIDS response in Burundi. It works to support its members to engage effectively with communities through capacity building, grants, technical support and thematic technical training.

ABS is a local implementing partner of Link Up (2013-16), a five country programme which aims to improve the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) of young people who are affected by HIV. The programme draws on the experiences of a consortium of organisations, and the existing strengths of the implementing partners. By ‘linking up’ we will make a significant contribution to the integration of sexual reproductive health and rights interventions.

Link Up will work to ensure that SRHR is integrated into existing HIV services for young men and women and vice-versa. The programme will work with youth as an entry point to reach those most in need. You can read more about Link Up here.

ABS’s work:

• As part of the Alliance’s Africa Regional Programme ABS works to increase access to and uptake of prevention of parent to child transmission, read more here.
• Supports orphans and vulnerable children who are affected by HIV, as a sub-recipient of the Global Fund Round 8.
• Advocates at national level for increased support to civil society efforts on HIV and AIDS as well as promoting civil society engagement in national health policy development and implementation.

Key achievements

In 2011:

• 24 organisations supported financially
• 150 decision makers reached through advocacy
• 23,013 people reached directly through services (including information, education and communication materials and/or activities and referrals)
• 41,472 condoms distributed
• Read more about our achievements in Burundi on our interactive map.