HIV/AIDS and Conservation Capacity: Impacts and Coping Strategies Society for Conservation Biology Annual Meeting, July 2005 Judy Oglethorpe, WWF Nancy Gelman, Africa Biodiversity Collaborative Group

Adults And Children Estimated To Be Living With HIV/AIDS, End 2004

Impacts on Conservation Capacity loss of capacity in conservation organizations loss of community capacity for land and natural resource management

Loss of Conservation Staff KwaZulu Natal Wildlife lost 9% of its 3000 staff Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi lost 7 of its 50 staff a fire awareness program in Southern Africa lost 10 out of 12 extensionists

Vulnerability of Conservation Sector protected area staff posted to remote areas away from families drivers and community workers frequently away from home, visiting different areas law enforcement officers may use undue influence over local women rotation of law enforcement staff

Impacts on Conservation Organizations loss of productivity – reduced conservation success (e.g. law enforcement, policy, research, education, tourism, community work) loss of institutional memory threat to conservation partnerships loss of training investment increased financial burden

Financial Costs of AIDS Medical expenses Sick leave Terminal benefits Funeral expenses Extra salary costs if recruiting replacement staff Training of replacement staff potential loss of tourism revenue

Loss of Community Capacity Loss of community champions Loss of social structures for resource management Loss of indigenous knowledge Loss of time for conservation (more time spent nursing the sick and meeting basic needs – especially for women)

Agriculture and Natural Resources AIDS results in increased consumption of timber and medicinal plants. Changes in livelihood strategies result in: more extensive farming increased use of fire increased use of natural resources

Longer Term Impacts Resource and environmental degradation Increased poverty Insecurity

HIV/AIDS is Our Problem The health sector is not addressing the AIDS/conservation linkage a multi-sectoral approach is needed the conservation community needs to take action

Maintain Conservation Capacity Develop HIV/AIDS institutional policies Promote awareness, VCT and wellness programs Overcome stigma and discrimination Reduce remoteness of staff from families Consider providing ARV drugs for staff Integrate HIV/AIDS in planning and fundraising Partner with other sectors to find solutions

KwaZulu Natal Wildlife’s Policy Providing HIV/AIDS awareness and wellness program for staff Providing incentives for employees to seek HIV/AIDS testing Transitioning infected staff to easier duties Negotiated with retirement funds to remove exclusion clauses about HIV/AIDS Partnered with local clinics for employee care

Modify Training Programs train more people on shorter courses, broadening their skill base incorporate HIV/AIDS in conservation curricula and college policies reduce separation of staff from families (e.g. distance learning) provide pre-departure HIV/AIDS awareness for those going away for training mentor junior staff who take over senior jobs

Maintain Community Capacity Integrate HIV/AIDS into community conservation programs (with health partners): promote HIV/AIDS awareness promote VCT and treatment where possible document/foster indigenous knowledge mentor youth in natural resource management encourage education integrate HIV/AIDS work with family planning as appropriate

Help Community Livelihoods Promote sustainable livelihoods through sound resource/land use with low labor inputs Promote labor-saving agriculture Promote sustainable enterprises Establish grant funds for communities’ relief efforts

Where Does This Work Best? in countries with strong HIV/AIDS policies early on (e.g. Brazil, Thailand) where good health services and partners are available where stigma and discrimination are overcome where there are strong peer champions where action is taken early (opportunity for next wave countries)

For more information on HIV/AIDS & Conservation: Contact: Special thanks to USAID, WWF, and Daulos Mauambeta for use of their photos ____________________________________________________________ Africa Biodiversity Collaborative Group member organizations: