Ukraine

The Problem

There are estimated to be 300,000 people living with HIV in Ukraine (1). Significant progress has been made in Ukraine but despite this, not everyone who needs it has access to antiretrovirals (ARVS) and over 20,000 people died of AIDS in 2008. There are still issues to address:

• HIV prevalence in injecting drug users is over 40% in some cities.
• Less than 50% of MSM have been tested for HIV.
• Over 50% of those estimated to be living with HIV in Ukraine are women (2).

Our Response

The Foundation has supported the All-Ukrainian Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (AUNPLWHA) since 2002 to enable them to work for the needs of people living with HIV, especially Injecting Drugs Users, MSM and children. We have supported projects enabling injecting drugs users to enter drug treatment programmes, preventing children of parents living with HIV from being placed in orphanages and providing information to MSM.

Our Strategy

EJAF’s recent approach in Ukraine is to fund programmes of work that strengthen local or national provision and can be scaled up to address issues:

Addressing the needs of injecting drug users (IDUs)

Programmes that aim to mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS on HIV positive injecting drug users, including access to combined drug substitution and ARV treatment.

 

Scaling up response to the needs of orphans and vulnerable children 

Programmes that address the multiple needs of children, including access to healthcare and education, adequate nutrition, shelter and emotional support.

 

Addressing the needs of women 

Strategic programmes that aim to decrease the vulnerability of women and girls to HIV and to mitigate its impact on them. These include:

 

• Providing integrated services that include sexual reproductive health, HIV testing/treatment and prevention of mother-to-child transmission.
• Legal/human rights programmes that empower women infected, affected and at risk of HIV to make informed choices and protect themselves. 
• Providing high impact food security and income generation programmes.

 

Organisations/networks of People Living with HIV (PLWH)

Programmes which empower PLWH to play a key role in the development of services, improve their quality of life and exercise self-determination

 

Programmes for men who have sex with men (MSM)  

Programmes providing information, treatment, psychosocial support, and legal advice to MSM so they are able to make informed choices regarding HIV, access treatment, and exercise their rights

1. UNAIDS 2009

2. UNAIDS 2009