EC-US HIV/AIDS Prevention and Awareness Programme for Ukraine

[index.html] This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this publication is the sole responsibility of the British Council and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union. "Ukraine is today the worst affected country in eastern Europe. Without effective intervention, the incidence of HIV infection could reach 6% of the adult population by 2010. The main priority should therefore be information and education" Andre Vanhaeverbeke, Head EC Delegation (2001) By the end of 2001, 43,600 people were registered with HIV infection in Ukraine. This included 2,907 persons who have been diagnosed with AIDS of whom 1,357 have died. Most of the infections have been the result of intravenous drug use and unprotected sex, and the age group affected is primarily 15 - 40. However, a recent study funded by the British Government estimates that the actual numbers of people infected with HIV at this time could be between 330,000 - 410,000. Within the framework of this situation, the European Commission and USAID are co-operating in order to help Ukraine combat the problem of HIV/AIDS in the country. On World AIDS Day (December 1) 2000, the two agencies announced the EC-USAID HIV/AIDS Prevention and Awareness Programme for Ukraine. The British Council is the implementing agency for the EC component of the project, the duration of which is 2.5 years. The project is primarily aimed at young people and it has 4 objectives: To develop at oblast level a co-ordinated, comprehensive and systematic strategy for HIV prevention that involves the key stakeholders from the government and non-governmental sectors To develop a programme approach that builds on existing initiatives and benefits from examples of good practice within the oblast and country as a whole To develop the infrastructure across all sectors for the effective development, delivery and evaluation of these programmes To develop, where possible, low cost approaches that are both sustainable and replicable. The British Council invited all regions of Ukraine to express their interest in participating in the project and through a transparent and open selection process, the following 5 pilot regions, out of 25 that responded, were selected to receive technical and financial assistance from the project: The Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol Donetsk oblast Kherson oblast Kharkiv oblast Lviv oblast Each oblast is developing expertise in key areas, for the overall benefit of the project. These areas cover both planning and implementation issues. EU and Ukrainian consultants are supporting the development of these areas. The focus of activities during 2002 is on improving the levels of knowledge, understanding and attitude towards HIV of all young people, and creating a more supportive environment for safer sex. Last update: 12.02.2003