HIV/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 amongst injecting drug users, and in prison settings. UNODC is also responsible for facilitating the development of a United Nations 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 the UNODC 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 in providing 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. At the same time UNODC aims to assist in building the capacity of national partners such as government agencies and civil society organizations to implement these interventions.

UNODC's work in the region is done in partnership with UNAIDS co-sponsoring organizations and key partners, including civil society and organizations of people living with HIV. The regional 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' organisations and people living with or affected by HIV and AIDS.

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