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| Major Regional Grant to help reduce impact of HIV and AIDS |
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 The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria has approved in principle a landmark US $47 million grant for a community-strengthening programme aimed at reducing the rapid and alarming spread of HIV and AIDS among men who have sex with men and transgender people in South Asia. This marks the fi rst time the Global Fund will support a major regional project in Asia specifi cally addressing men who have sex with men (MSM), transgender (TG) and HIV.
The grant proposal was submitted by Naz Foundation International (NFI), PSI (Population Services International), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the South Asian MSM and AIDS Network (SAMAN), a coalition of country community based organizations dedicated to MSM and HIV issues.
The five-year project will encompass Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
"This is indeed a milestone for both the Global Fund, and those of us who work on these issues," said Shivananda Khan, NFI Founder and Chief Executive. "I speak for all our partners when I say how grateful we are that the Global Fund has recognized the urgency in combating the spread of HIV in these long marginalized and still 'invisible' populations. The grant provides South Asia with a promising platform which must continue to be strengthened by all concerned - governments, international development partners and community partners alike."
Following a review by an independent technical review panel the proposal was recently agreed to by the Global Fund Board. The Board's decision starts the fi nal contract negotiation phase before the first tranche of funding is released. PSI was named Principal Recipient of the grant, and will administer the funding, monitor the programme, and provide technical assistance based on its experience working with MSM and other vulnerable groups in Asia and its worldwide experience. As the lead UN agency on issues relating to HIV among MSM, UNDP will work on strengthening regional and sub-regional policy and advocacy efforts, while NFI will implement country-specifi c, community strategies for reducing
the impact of HIV on MSM and TG persons.
"The legal, structural and social challenges which impede effective and quality HIV programming among men who have sex with men and transgender people in South Asia are enormous," noted Jeff O'Malley, UNDP Jeffrey O'Malley, Global Director of UNDP's HIV Group. "Therefore, it is imperative that broad based
coalitions consisting governments, civil society and development partners of be formed to address punitive laws, policies, practices, stigma and discrimination that block effective AIDS responses, and increase social protection for people affected by HIV. The formulation and implementation of this Grant is a huge step forward in forming and strengthening such partnerships."
"The Global Fund grant comes at a time when the MSM HIV epidemic in South Asia is truly at a crossroads," said Andrew Boner, PSI's Country Representative in Nepal. "Regional HIV prevalence rates are diffi cult to estimate, but the most recent data for South Asia suggests that between 6% and 10% of men have had sex with other men, and up to 90% of men who had sex with other men in the last year are at great risk of HIV infection and transmission. If urgent interventionsare not implemented soon, the window of opportunity to address this crisis effectively will narrow very quickly."
SAMAN partner community based organizations that will help implement the programme at the country level include the Bandhu Social Welfare Society (Bangladesh); the Blue Diamond Society (Nepal); Companions on a Journey (Sri Lanka); India Naz Foundation International (India) and Naz Foundation International (South Asia). As other local organizations are created through the programme, it is expected that they will join the SAMAN.
Read Full Article HERE http://www.nfi.net/Jan10Pukaar.
NAZ Foundation International
Source : http://www.nfi.net/Jan10Pukaar. |
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