Integration of HIV/AIDS activities with food and nutrition support in ...

e gender-balanced, may elect an HIV/AIDS focal point for that purpose. By participating in
AIDS-related dialogue, planning and training, food distribution leaders will acquire the skills
needed to facilitate dialogue and training about HIV/AIDS in their own communities. They
can also coordinate HIV/AIDS sensitization events to take place at the distribution site. Largescale
prevention and education programmes should be implemented in close collaboration with
health and social welfare and protection services among the partners.
Emphasis on participatory and community-led approaches. Discussions may be held about
how foods distributed (and available locally) may be prepared for family members who are ill
and nutritionally at risk. Agency staff should work closely with local communities to identify
the types of HIV/AIDS sensitization activities to be undertaken and the issues and concerns of
the refugee community to be addressed. Participatory techniques may be supplemented – but
not replaced – by posters and leaflets at the distribution site or given to take home. To ensure
that community-based HIV/AIDS prevention and education activities are designed effectively,
expert advice should be sought.
Logistics of implementation. Activities conducted at the distribution site should not interfere
with the distribution process. Though women are often encouraged by implementing agencies
to register as household ration recipients, other family members (men, children) often attend
to help carry the ration home, so wide population exposure to the programme is possible. If an
HIV/AIDS committee decides to make condoms available at the GFD site, they may be placed
at a private, sheltered location nearby, where community members may pick them up together
with information on proper use and disposal. To avoid stigmatization, other materials should
also be available at the condom distribution site, so that those entering the site are not assumed
to be receiving condoms. Alternatively, condoms could be placed in a building that all ration
recipients must enter. As with strategies 2-4, this strategy should be coordinated with follow-up
services (e.g., VCT, ART) for those who request them.
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Figure 5. Coordination structure for linking general food
distribution management with HIV/AIDS planning
HIV/AIDS
committee:
Coordinating body
for all HIV/AIDS-related
programmes for refugees
Government (central, local)
Refugee leaders
(e.g., refugee welfare committee)
Food management committee,
other programme committee
(e.g., via HIV/AIDS focal points)
United Nations agencies and NGOs
(management and technical staff)
Community-based organizations
(e.g., PLWHA groups, other
civil society groups)