HIV/AIDS Prevention and Awareness

Counterpart International (Counterpart) provided training to a local NGO, RIP+ (Ivorian Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS), and its affiliate organizations to strengthen their ability to mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS in vulnerable communities. RIP+ is an association for groups of people living with HIV/AIDS that employs integrated and comprehensive programming, building the capacity of local organizations to provide care and support to people living with HIV/AIDS.

Côte d'Ivoire has the highest HIV prevalence in West Africa: in 2007, an estimated 3.9 percent of adults were living with HIV (CIA Factbook). With 38,000 AIDS deaths in 2007, this epidemic has serious consequences on the general health and wellbeing of those living in Côte d'Ivoire.

A small grants program helped local organizations conduct community-based positive prevention interventions, care and support services for people living with HIV/AIDS. Simultaneously, RIP+ and Counterpart developed a year-long Côte d'Ivoire Media Exchange to increase awareness and reduce HIV/AIDS stigma and discrimination.

In Côte d'Ivoire, RIP+ provides HIV counseling and testing and care for orphans and vulnerable children, as well as prevention programs using the ABC approach (Abstain, Be faithful and use Condoms).