HIV and AIDS: Treatment, Prevention and Care

UNODC is a co-sponsor of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). In accordance with the UNAIDS division of labour, UNODC is the lead agency for HIV prevention and care among injecting drug users and in prison settings. UNODC is also responsible for facilitating the development of a United Nations-wide response to HIV and AIDS associated with persons vulnerable to human trafficking. In addition, UNODC ensures the inclusion of young people, women and civil society organizations in the development and implementation of programmes.  

The focus of UNODC's global HIV programme is to assist countries in implementing large-scale and wide-ranging evidence-informed and human rights-based interventions to prevent HIV transmission and to provide treatment, care and support to people living with HIV and AIDS.

In this regard, UNODC Southern Africa provides tailored support to Governments and civil society organizations in the region in developing and implementing comprehensive and evidence-based policies and interventions.

In the region

UNODC's work in the region is done in partnership with UNAIDS co-sponsoring organizations and key partners, including civil society organizations and organizations of people living with HIV. The Office also works with the United Nations Joint Teams on AIDS and specific national technical working groups on areas in which UNODC has a lead role within the broad framework of the United Nations Implementation Support Plans.

UNODC works hand-in-hand with all relevant stakeholders, such as health, law enforcement and criminal justice sectors, as well as representatives of civil society and community-based organizations such as drug users' organizations and people living with or affected by HIV and AIDS.

UNODC believes that regional civil society organizations play a vital role in HIV and AIDS prevention and care among these vulnerable groups by empowering them so that their voices are heard when decisions that affect their lives are made. UNODC Southern Africa has thus been actively promoting the meaningful involvement of such organizations, as well as working to build their capacity to meaningfully and constructively contribute to the development and implementation of appropriate policies, strategies and programmes for injecting drug users, prisoners and persons vulnerable to human trafficking.

Specifically, UNODC Southern Africa is presently involved in projects concerning the following areas: