9.4. How can communities respond to the epidemic?

Many communities have responded to the problems described above. It is important to note that the HIV epidemic is too big for government or business to handle on its own. Communities, business and government need to work together to address the many challenges.
NGOs (non-governmental organisations) provide a wide range of HIV and AIDS -related services:
* Prevention and testing services - condom distribution, provision of Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT), support for the prevention of mother to child transmission programmes (PMTCT) and prevention of infection after rape and accidental exposure to the virus (PEP).
* Care and support services - counselling and support for people living with HIV and AIDS (PLHA), assisting orphans and vulnerable children (OVC), running support groups and giving support to families and caregivers. Home-based care and nutritional support is also provided eg. food gardens and feeding schemes.
* Treatment and care services - some organizations start ART clinics and hand them over to government, others provide education and awareness around treatment and support such as the Treatment Action Campaign.
Many community organisations are volunteer driven and operate with few resources. Many NGOs rely on foreign donor organizations for funding. This funding is not always available and can be withdrawn during a recession - when the economy is not doing very well.
Faith based organisations (FBOs) such as churches and mosques play a very important role in responding to HIV and AIDS. They are already respected and trusted in most communities and they have regular involvement in key life events such as birth, coming of age, marriage and death. FBOs need to understand the basics about HIV and AIDS and should encourage their members to speak openly about it. It is only through talking, sharing and educating that we will prevent and treat HIV and AIDS.


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