HIV and AIDS in Europe & CIS

HIV/AIDS is a growing challenge for the entire continent of Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States. Over the past few years western CIS countries and the Baltic States have recorded some of the fastest growing rates of HIV infection in the world. The epidemic has reached critical levels in the Russia Federation and Ukraine, where infection rates have topped 1 percent of the adult population. At the end of 2005, there were between 1 million to 2.3 million people living with HIV in the region, compared with about 160,000 in 1995. Estimates of the number of new infections during 2005 range from 150,000 to 650,000. There were between 36,000 and 75,000 AIDS deaths during this period--almost twice as many as in 2003. This represents an almost 50-fold increase in infections over the past 10 years.

 

Almost one third of affected individuals are in the age group of 15 to 24.The Russian Federation and Ukraine are the most severely affected nations carrying around 90 percent of the region’s burden, but HIV is also spreading in Belarus, Kazakhstan, Romania and Tajikistan. The main driver of the epidemic in this region is Intravenous drug use but lately the sexual mode of transmission is also on the rise.

 

Since relatively few people living with HIV in the region are visibly ill, the extent of the problem is not fully evident. Governments are however, slowly recognizing the urgency of the issue and the threat the disease poses to economic growth and national security. During the past few years, some leaders in the region have increased the emphasis that they place on HIV and AIDS. Although, the level of resources available to address the epidemic has in general increased significantly, current approaches have many shortcomings in efficiency and effectiveness. Indeed, denial of the need for both immediate and long-term responses to the epidemic is still common in the region and high level political commitment is often lacking. Another prominent issue related to HIV and AIDS in the region is one of constant discrimination and stigma towards people living with the virus and low public awareness especially among vulnerable groups.

 

UNDP is the UN's global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. People across Eastern Europe and the CIS  benefit from UNDP's presence. The Regional HIV and AIDS team at the Bratislava Regional Centre  strives to strengthen that presence for greater development impact by providing coordinated support and assisting in capacity building measures to effectively confront the epidemic.

 

To make a real impact, the HIV/AIDS unit at Bratislava focuses on a holistic approach towards HIV and AIDS that encompasses HIV prevention, facilitating treatment access, care and support, and lessening the impact of AIDS. We strongly support the need of working with people who are most likely to be affected by the spread of HIV and AIDS. These are often people from marginalized groups who are the most vulnerable and the hardest to reach. Our staff and consultants provide technical support, often alongside financial support, to country offices. They in turn provide technical and/or financial support to governments, non-governmental and community-based organizations in their countries and thus fosteringlocal skills and local institutions. 

We have learnt that the most successful responses to HIV and AIDS are built upon local leadership, willingness, commitment and responsibility supported by knowledge, learning and resources. With our support, sharing of best practices and its timely dissemination the country offices are particularly well placed to facilitate community responses, as well as to bridge effectively the needs and capacities of the most vulnerable people with broader health and development efforts.