Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06MINSK720
2006-07-12 13:49:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Minsk
Cable title:  

POST REVIEW OF GLOBAL FUND TO FIGHT AIDS,

Tags:  EAID KHIV SOCI TBIO BO 
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VZCZCXYZ0002
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSK #0720/01 1931349
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 121349Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY MINSK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4675
RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS
UNCLAS MINSK 000720 

SIPDIS

INFO AMEMABASSY KIEV

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR S/GAC: JKOLKER, NALRTUZ
USAID/WASHINGTON FOR E&E/EA K.MONAGHAN, GH/
M.MILLER
HHS FOR WSTEIGER
USAID/KIEV FOR OHST N.GODFREY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID KHIV SOCI TBIO BO
SUBJECT: POST REVIEW OF GLOBAL FUND TO FIGHT AIDS,
TUBERCULOSIS AND MALARIA PHASE TWO GRANT RENEWAL

REF: STATE 098733

UNCLAS MINSK 000720

SIPDIS

INFO AMEMABASSY KIEV

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR S/GAC: JKOLKER, NALRTUZ
USAID/WASHINGTON FOR E&E/EA K.MONAGHAN, GH/
M.MILLER
HHS FOR WSTEIGER
USAID/KIEV FOR OHST N.GODFREY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID KHIV SOCI TBIO BO
SUBJECT: POST REVIEW OF GLOBAL FUND TO FIGHT AIDS,
TUBERCULOSIS AND MALARIA PHASE TWO GRANT RENEWAL

REF: STATE 098733


1. On June 27, 2006 USAID Country Representative, USAID
Activity Manager and an Embassy Poloff met with UNDP
HIV/AIDS Program Manager, the UNDP Resident Representative
and the Belarus Global Fund Project Manager to discuss the
results of Phase I of the project (which ends November 30,
2006) and possibilities for Phase II. The Phase II, three
year, request for Belarus is $10.3 million. The current
program is divided into several components with different
risk groups and quarterly checks progress against 28
indicators. Currently 73 organizations are part of the
network of partner NGOs. In the past two quarters, the
Belarus Global Fund has received a rating of 4 (5 being the
best). Implementers include a number of large NGOs but the
largest are, Positive Movement, "Vstrecha" and UNESCO Clubs.
See Para 2 below for summary of progress:

2.Grant Performance Assessment:

-- Prevention of HIV-infection among Injecting Drug Users
(IDUs):
55 anonymous counseling points (ACPs) have been set up to
date with a total of 65 projected by the end of the grant.
The main achievement is setting up a network of 73 partner
organizations with the Minsk and Gomel regions having the
most counseling points. By year 5 of this activity, it is
expected that 60% of all IDUs will be reached (note that
this is not 60% of the registered users). The current
number of IDUs reached is 12,000 compared with 10,000 who
are actually registered. There are 150 outreach workers and
155 specialists who have been trained in medical,
psychological and social aspects of counseling for IDUs.
The procurement of methadone, which was the stumbling block
of the project, was given a green light by the government in
late June and 51 patients are about to start receiving
methadone therapy.

-- Prevention of HIV infection and sexually transmitted
diseases (STD) among men having sex with men (MSM): This
component has made significant progress among the MSM
community and is wholly run by NGOs. Free-of-charge

sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and treatment
is organized in 6 cities in Belarus. A system for
conducting field work among MSM in all oblast cities has
been set up including Svetlogorsk (the town with the worst
HIV/AIDS infection rate in the country). This component has
managed to win over some governmental officials who now
acknowledge its significance.

-- Creating an environment that facilitates effective HIV
prevention activities in the penitentiary system of Belarus:
This is one of the best run components due to the good
working relationship with prison administration and
centralized decision making and implementation. Prevention
activities are being implemented in 93 percent of all
prisons in Belarus. Approximately, 16, 200 prisoners are
reached by prevention activities through distribution of
thematic materials and condoms, and by providing training.
At present, about 1200 prisoners have HIV/AIDS.

-- Providing access to treatment, care and support for
people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA): This component has been
the most difficult to implement due to the skeptical
attitude of the government officials. In spite of this, by
the end of the project about 600 patients will have received
antiretroviral (ARV) treatment. Eight self-support groups
have been established. Average cost of ARV treatment per
person is $1,000 per year.

-- Setting up continuous information and educational work on
HIV/AIDS prevention: This component is progressing as
planned. 10,946 copies of brochures, booklets and leaflets
were distributed in Quarter 5 of the project. Thematic
posters are posted on 50 billboards in the larger cities of
Belarus. A manual for teachers and youth trainers on
HIV/AIDS prevention work among youth was developed and is
now under review prior to printing. It is expected that,
once approved, this manual will be distributed to 10,000
schools. The Ministries of Education, Sport and Culture
participate in this component. A Resource Center has been
opened and the website www.aids.by was created.

-- Monitoring and Evaluation: provides for analysis of the

cumulative progress of the project. The monitoring plan for
2006 was developed jointly with the HIV/AIDS Prevention
Department of the Republican Center for Hygiene, and
approved by the Ministry of Health. A survey titled,
"Setting up HIV/AIDS Prevention Work among College and
University Students" is being conducted. To date, 222
educational institutions have been surveyed. This survey
will be concluded prior to the end of the grant. In
addition, a manual titled, "Monitoring and Evaluation in
HIV/AIDS" has been approved and will be printed and
distributed by October. Finally, KMPG has given this
financial management a rating of 4 out of 5 in both of the
past two quarters.

--Financial Status: Post is aware that initial spending was
slow, mostly due to the government of Belarus bureaucracy.
However, given the overall success of the activities we are
not concerned about the rate of spending or the rate of
implementation.


3. Recommendation on U.S. Vote: While the UNDP needs to
staff up some, it is still doing an excellent job in
coordination and management of the Global Fund project.
Post recommends Phase II funding be approved.


4. Comment: The positive results of this activity are due to
the experienced UNDP team, which overcame a difficult
initial environment, addressed issues despite heavy
understaffing, resolved the logistical problems concerning
the procurement of drugs, equipment and other supplies and,
most important, managed to reverse the initially skeptical
attitude of the local officials. Based on the Grant
Performance Report and the results of the meetings with the
UNDP representatives the project has all chances to be
implemented successfully and should receive further support.

KROL