Caribbean

The Caribbean has the second-highest rate of HIV infection in the world after sub-Saharan Africa, with 430,000 people living with HIV/AIDS.

Of the Caribbean islands, Haiti is by far the poorest nation and faces the worst epidemic, with a national prevalence rate of 5.6% followed by Trinidad and Tobago, and the Bahamas, all of which have a rate of at least 3%.

Heterosexual transmission is considered to be the main method of transmission in the Caribbean, but gay men and men who have sex with men may actually account for a significant number of cases. False reporting of cases is thought to be common, since in many Caribbean islands homosexuality is still criminalised.

High levels of homophobia and violence against gay men cause widespread denial, making people more likely to engage in high-risk behaviour, and increasing the potential for HIV transmission from men who have sex with men to their female partners and children. Rates of infection among sex workers are high, particularly in tourist areas.

What we do

The Alliance programme focuses on three key population groups – sex workers, men who have sex with men, and people living with HIV/AIDS. We work with partners in nine small countries in the East Caribbean, including community-based organisations formed by female sex workers, gay men and other men who have sex with men, and people living with HIV/AIDS. We share learning with local non-governmental organisations, and support the Caribbean Regional Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS and other groups working with people living with HIV/AIDS.

What we’ve achieved

The regional Caribbean programme began in January 2003. To date, the Alliance has signed agreements totalling just over US $700,000 to approximately 10 community-based or non-governmental organisations. Activities have included: organising training workshops on issues such as basic AIDS prevention, running workshops, national-level HIV prevention, and advocacy work with regional bodies to promote the rights and needs of members of key populations.

We support and advise small groups on how to organise themselves, and how to write proposals for grassroots HIV/AIDS prevention activities and outreach work. We have also supported the Caribbean Regional Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in writing successful funding proposals.

The regional Caribbean programme is managed by an Alliance regional office located in Port of Spain, Trinidad.

Future plans

The regional Caribbean programme, funded by USAID, has a five-year strategy ending mid-2009.