Monk Thich Than Huan visits a patient in his home in Hanoi (Photo: Pham van Ty/NCA)
Only a handful of organizations in Vietnam have so far emerged as leading actors within HIV and AIDS-related activities. With HIV prevalence and annual deaths caused by AIDS both on the rise in Vietnam, there is much to be done: awareness of the epidemic must increase; knowledge of how to protect oneself shared, and support and care provided to those infected with and affected by HIV and AIDS.
Since 2006, Norwegian Church Aid has operated a USAID-financed project designed to reduce the impact of the HIV and AIDS epidemic in Vietnam through Buddhist and Catholic organizations in northern, central and southern Vietnam. Local organizations are rooted in the fabrics of their communities and as such are best placed not only to assist community members in accessing treatment, and to provide home-based care, but also to act as role models in combating stigma and discrimination.
See pictures from NCA’s work to address HIV and AIDS in Vietnam here!
Norwegian Church Aid’s program supports grassroots organizations in these activities and helps them build and grow, to provide more professional services for their communities. By improving staff and volunteers' legal understanding of issues related to HIV and AIDS, such as the right to medical treatment, or the rights of vulnerable children, local organizations are better able to represent and support their beneficiaries. Similarly, staff have been trained in various aspects of home-based care and counseling, as well as self-care issues such as hygiene and dietary requirements.
The capacity of the local organizations has also received a boost through training modules in financial management, planning, monitoring and evaluation, and human resource management.
A total of 18 organizations have so far received assistance through the program, and these organizations in 2010 alone reached out to 38,233 individuals with information about HIV and AIDS. 5,715 adults and 1547 children received regular care and support.