Lebanon

Projects Database / Joint Initiative on the Response to HIV/AIDS

Project ID
00061566

Background
In the Arab region one new HIV infection occurs every 20 minutes. Today, high estimates project 720,000 people living with HIV in the region with up to 210,000 newly infected adults and children in 2006 alone. The Arab region also accounts for one of the highest infection growth rates in the world . Further, the number of AIDS deaths in the region has increased six-fold since the early 1990s. If current trends continue, it is projected that countries in the region will face generalized epidemics by 2015 if urgent measures are not taken today.

The magnitude of the current AIDS epidemic is a symptom of underdevelopment and inequality, both of which are factors that put so many in the Arab world at risk. This means in the region’s response to HIV/AIDS, the status of an individual’s health must not only be addressed, but also how seemingly disconnected events and trends (such as unemployment, conflict, mobility, the education of girls, poverty) can work together to expand or limit the pandemic. Thus, the progress HARPAS and its partners have made in the HIV/AIDS response has been developed in an environment with multiple, deeply connected high risk factors that clearly illustrate the need for urgent, pro-active measures.

Lebanon has developed a national strategic plan, “AIDS National Strategic Plan in Lebanon for 2004-2009”. The NSP has been finalized and widely disseminated to diverse partners. Operational plans have been refined and limited resources made available through the World Bank for Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E). Implementation of the response needs to expand across sectors and mobilization of resources for implementation of the first two years of NSP operational plans. In Lebanon up to 9,200 people are living with HIV . With escalating violence, gains made in modest efforts to support PLWH and vulnerable groups could likely face stagnation or reversal if programmes are not secured and scaled-up within the fragile post conflict setting.



Achievements & Expected Results
Within the framework of the initiative “Towards a media that protects the Rights of People living with the HIV virus”, UNDP and HARPAS organized a training workshop entitled” Breaking the Silence Surrounding HIV/AIDS”, in order to encourage members of the press to respond to the challenge of HIV/AIDS.
The workshop aspires to augment the ability of the media to comprehensively, professionally and responsibly represent the multidimensional issue of HIV/AIDS and promote the rights of PLWH.

Downloads HARPAS workplan (1,067 KB)

Relevant News Training Workshop for National Religious Leaders on the “Response to HIV/AIDS”