Studies highlight aid efforts in context of HIV/AIDS

Given the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Southern Africa, food aid programming needs to be adapted to address the multiple impacts of the pandemic, say two new studies. The reports, both compiled by the Consortium for Southern Africa's Food Security Emergency (C-SAFE), 'Food for Assets: Adapting Programming to an HIV/AIDS Context' and 'Targeted Food Assistance in the Context of HIV/AIDS', focus on ways of improving the effectiveness of aid programmes in the region. In terms of targeted food aid, the latter study noted that "while food aid provides a much-needed short-term safety net, it is only one piece of a much larger food security challenge". "The challenge lies in identifying the most appropriate food or nutrition intervention, targeting the right individual/household/community, and providing it [aid] at the right time (and for the right duration) for maximum effect," the report said. C-SAFE's experience during the drought of 2001/02 in Southern Africa highlighted the "complexity of designing food aid/security programming in the context of high HIV prevalence rates". The report noted that in order to ensure effective and appropriate aid programming, "it is necessary to step outside the traditional practices and mechanisms of emergency relief and recovery". This entailed conducting targeted research, developing new partnerships and equipping aid workers with new sets of skills. Apart from a solid understanding of relevant government strategies and goals regarding the prevention, care and mitigation of HIV/AIDS, "the planned involvement of people living with HIV/AIDS will guide the development of a credible and effective strategy," the report commented. Having a designated staff member with a mandate to spearhead, guide and document HIV/AIDS- related activities in food aid programming were also crucial to projects in high prevalence countries, the study found. The C-SAFE report on food-for-assets aid programmes noted that "in Southern Africa, where HIV prevalence is the highest in the world, 'mainstreaming' of HIV/AIDS is a crucial element of every intervention". Food-for-assets programmes, also known as food-for-work, aim to improve food security in asset poor communities by getting them involved in projects that will build productive assets, such as dams, to assist recovery and strengthen resilience to future shocks. In return for working on these projects, participants are rewarded with food rations. C-SAFE noted that in areas where HIV prevalence was high, groups of people that food-for-assets programmes should target were: households caring for chronically ill members, including tuberculosis patients; households with pregnant or lactating mothers enrolled in a prevention of mother-to-child transmission programme; able-bodied individuals who had recently completed treatment of an opportunistic infection, and able-bodied people who were HIV-positive. For the full reports go to: www.c-safe.org