New challenges create new resources for NGOs

Now many donors are reallocating resources to combat COVID-19. But this does not mean that we cannot get these resources to help and support people living with HIV. On the contrary, today new opportunities are opening up for expanding the range of services of the non-governmental sector. Indeed, one of the main goals is to reduce the growth of COVID-19 disease among people living with HIV.
Liubov Vorontsova SOS_project Director in Kazakhstan

Problem

During the state of emergency and quarantine throughout the country, people living with HIV were in a difficult situation. Many lost their jobs and were left without a livelihood. Activists of HIV-service NGOs note the lack of personal protective equipment for employees and volunteers of organizations. Clients of NGOs need food packages, protective equipment (masks, gloves, sanitizers), as well as stable communication with consultants by phone or through the messenger, but due to loss of income they do not have this opportunity. This situation significantly increases the risk in people living with HIV (PLHIV) of COVID-19.

Solution 

The Kazakhstan Union of PLHIV, together with the Central Asian Association of People Living with HIV, UNAIDS and NGOs, using the rapid research method, collected information on the needs of NGOs and people living with HIV in Kazakhstan during the pandemic and total quarantine. Activists wrote an application for a grant to the Soros Foundation-Kazakhstan to attract resources for operational assistance to PLHIV in the form of food packages, personal protective equipment against COVID-19, as well as providing technical support to NGOs regarding the prevention of COVID-19 among clients.

Result

Grant application was approved by donor. And now, in five cities of the country – Karaganda, Petropavlovsk, Taldykorgan, Nur-Sultan and Shymkent, active work has begun to provide one thousand PLHIV with food packages and personal protective equipment against COVID-19 through the issuance of special certificates. In addition, the training of five HIV-service NGO employees on how to organize thematic online meetings and webinars began. Active work will continue until the end of August 2020.