ZAMBIA: HIV/AIDS WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP

ZAMBIA: HIV/AIDS n 20% OF ZAMBIAN ADULTS ARE HIV+ n HIV/AIDS HAS BEEN AROUND FOR ABOUT 18 YEARS n ALL SEGMENTS OF SOCIETY ARE AFFECTED n THIS IS REALLY A CHALLENGE FOR ALL OF DEVELOPMENT

MULTISECTORAL WORK n HIV/AIDS And Orphans Working Group (HOW) n Embassy-wide HIV/AIDS Coordination Group n ZAMCARE n Workplace HIV/AIDS Committee (HOPE)

HIV/AIDS And Orphans Working Group (HOW) n Started in 1999 with focus on orphans n Expanded following ICASA to include HIV/AIDS n Includes all Mission Strategic Objective Teams and Support Teams n Meets each month with rotating chairperson

HOW Group n Developed an HIV/AIDS Framework n Selected one district (Livingstone) as demonstration site n Coordinate work also at the national level n Most work has been no cost or low cost options

HOW Group n Hired FSN as Multisectoral Coordinator for Mission n Developed an Expanded HOW Team of Cooperating Agencies working in Livingstone (all SOT involved) n Livingstone District HIV/AIDS Council formed

Health Activities n Communication/Behavioral Change n Social Marketing of Condoms n Voluntary Counseling and Testing n Orphans and Vulnerable Children n Mother to Child Transition n Cross Border/High Risk n FACEAID (Workplace Program

Heath Activities Cont... n NGOs n Faith-based Community n National Support n Research and Surveillance n Policy and Advocacy

Agricultural Activities n Marketing to Farmers - SASSO n Cooperatives - reaching rural farmers n Impact of HIV/AIDS on sector n Labor saving technologies n Household Food Security n Income Generation Mix n Awareness Campaigns

Private Sector n Workplace policies and activities (IESC) n Microcredit Loans –insurance schemes –increase in transition cost –intentionally overstaffing

Education Activities n Long Distant Radio Programming n Incorporating AIDS education into schools n Program to protect teachers n Formal Assessment of Impact n HIV/AIDS Intermediate Result (IR)

Democracy and Governance Act. n Civil Society Advocacy n Local Town Councils n Community mobilization

Embassy-wide HIV/AIDS Coordination Group n Started in 2000 following Southern Africa Mission Director Meeting n Includes about 20 persons from Embassy, USAID, Peace Corps, and CDC n Meets about every two months and chaired by Ambassador

Embassy Coordination Group n Has broadened the involvement of the American community n Reached new target groups n Kept HIV/AIDS on the top policy agenda of the Embassy n Developed critical networks for future work

Embassy Coordination Group n Strengthened HIV/AIDS Workplace Program n Strong HIV/AIDS Advocacy n Strengthened HIV/AIDS training in Peace Corps n Increase dialogue with Faith-based communities

ZAMCARE n Embassy-wide voluntary program on HIV/AIDS n Employee can take up to 4 hours each month to work with a pre-approved organization n Employee goes through an orientation program with the organizations.

Workplace HIV/AIDS Committee (Hope) n HIV/AIDS support group n Representatives from all offices of mission n Organize talks and discussions with staff n Support those who are HIV/AIDS +

Summary n To address HIV/AIDS, you have to think beyond the health sector n Most staff are eager to work on HIV/AIDS activities no matter what sector they come from n FSNs are valuable assets to the effort n Every one does not want to become HIV/AIDS expert

Summary cont... n Having the Ambassador and Mission Director on board is critical n Having strong staff support is also key n Everyone needs to see advantage of HIV/AIDS program n Different sector funding can pose problems n Share ownership of multisectoral work

n IT TAKES TIME… BUT IS WORTH IT!