Alliance launches next phase of African regional programming
30 June 2008
The International HIV/AIDS Alliance is starting a new phase of its Africa Regional Programme following an agreement with the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency to fund 75% of the programme.
The new phase, from 2008 to 2010 will build on the work done so far and support partners to increase the quality of their programmes by addressing common needs, building the capacity of organisations, and sharing lessons at national and regional levels. The programme will also engage with national and regional bodies to create an environment that supports the achievement of universal access to HIV prevention, treatment and care.
It will also be working to overcome barriers to HIV services across the region identified during the 2005–2007 programme – including stigma and discrimination, a lack of prevention services for key populations at higher risk, and a lack of involvement of civil society – particularly networks of people living with HIV – in HIV responses.
The Alliance is committed to achieving wider access to HIV services in Africa and recognises the value that regional programmes contribute to country programmes – as well as the opportunities they provide to build strategic and policy partnerships regionally and globally.
Staff from Alliance organisations across sub-Saharan Africa gathered in May 2008 to plan the implementation of this next phase from 2008 to 2010. Joining them were the African Regional Programme advisory group – representatives from regional bodies and networks – along with Alliance secretariat staff.
The programme has identified three priority, related objectives for 2008 to 2010:
- to reduce stigma and discrimination faced by people living with HIV and vulnerable groups
- to increase the access of vulnerable and stigmatised populations to effective prevention interventions
- to strengthen the meaningful involvement of national and regional networks of people living with HIV in HIV policy development and implementation.
The last Africa regional programme ran from 2005 to 2007 and aimed to contribute to the quality and growth of HIV prevention, care and impact mitigation activities in sub-Saharan Africa.
