Early Christmas present for UNAIDS

AS a member of the Namibia Partnership Forum on HIV-AIDS, Finland has donated N$3.9 million) to the Small Grants Fund managed by the UN Working Group on HIV-AIDS.

This substantial amount of money will be spent over the next three years to help finance the work of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and community-based organisations (CBOs) in combating HIV-AIDS. In her statement at the signing ceremony, Finnish Charge d’Affairs Seija Kinni-Huttenen stressed the importance of supporting the work done in rural communities to complement Government efforts to combat HIV-AIDS.The Small Grant Fund, which supports prevention and care activities of NGOs and BCOs throughout the country, is the ideal partner to allocate the money where it is most needed.HIV-AIDS is not only a matter of health, but affects and involves many, if not all, sectors of the society and therefore is an extensive development issue, determined also by poverty and gender inequalities, Kinni-Huttenen stressed.Attitudes towards people living with HIV-AIDS have to change to stop the marginalisation and stigmatisation of the affected, she said.Preventive measures, civic education as well as information could best be implemented by strengthening communities and safety networks.These have the advantage of flexibility, deep knowledge of the working environment and culture.They are trusted in the communities and have a good reputation among the people.UN Resident Coordinator Simon Nhongo, who received the cheque on behalf of UNAIDS, said the donated money would go directly to where it was most needed.” The UN does not normally have the funds to help in every village, but rather tries to influence policies at the top level.”In her statement at the signing ceremony, Finnish Charge d’Affairs Seija Kinni-Huttenen stressed the importance of supporting the work done in rural communities to complement Government efforts to combat HIV-AIDS.The Small Grant Fund, which supports prevention and care activities of NGOs and BCOs throughout the country, is the ideal partner to allocate the money where it is most needed.HIV-AIDS is not only a matter of health, but affects and involves many, if not all, sectors of the society and therefore is an extensive development issue, determined also by poverty and gender inequalities, Kinni-Huttenen stressed.Attitudes towards people living with HIV-AIDS have to change to stop the marginalisation and stigmatisation of the affected, she said.Preventive measures, civic education as well as information could best be implemented by strengthening communities and safety networks.These have the advantage of flexibility, deep knowledge of the working environment and culture.They are trusted in the communities and have a good reputation among the people.UN Resident Coordinator Simon Nhongo, who received the cheque on behalf of UNAIDS, said the donated money would go directly to where it was most needed.” The UN does not normally have the funds to help in every village, but rather tries to influence policies at the top level.”