In 2010, to address the increased vulnerability of MSMs as well as Transgenders to HIV transmission especially in the context of South East Asia, the Insular Southeast Asian Network on MSM, TG, and HIV or ISEAN and the Humanist Institute for Cooperation with Developing Countries or Hivos, jointly submitted a regional proposal to the Global Fund Round 10.
The Program is entitled ‘Strengthening Community Systems to Reduce Vulnerability to and Impact of HIV infection on MSM and TG in Insular Southeast Asia’. Its goal is to reduce the vulnerability and risks of MSM and TG to HIV infection and the impact of HIV on their lives in Insular Southeast Asia. The Program intends to address critical gaps in supporting and scaling up activities that reduce HIV/AIDS among MSMs and TGs. The Grant Agreement was approved by Global Fund and the contract for the grant was signed on 6 October,2011. This grant, has since then been called, the ISEAN- Hivos Program.
Signaling the start of the full implementation of the ISEAN-Hivos Program and to raise awareness of the program’s existence goals and activities, a formal Launch was held in Manila, Philippines on January 19, 2012. The event was attended by local and regional stakeholders, including representatives from the Sub-Recipients in Malaysia (PT Foundation), Indonesia (GWL-INA), Philippines (PNGOC and TLF Share) and partners from Timor Leste (FTH and TLNAC). Several Philippine offices and organizations were represented during the launch including the Centers for Heath Development, Philippines CCM, Commission on Human Rights, Department of Health and Department of Interior & Local Government. International organizations that were represented were the Family Health International-Philippines, the Malaysian AIDS Council, the Board of the Insular South East Asia Network (ISEAN), UNAIDS, UNFPA and UNDP. Satu Dunia and the CPPS-Gajah Mada University representatives were also present.
During this activity, the ISEAN-Hivos Logo, Program Implementation Manual, M&E Toolkit and Training Toolkit were also launched and officially endorsed to the implementing partners. An introductory video on the ISEAN-Hivos Program provided the background on this regional initiative. With the ISEAN-Hivos Program formally launched, the entire team is moving forward in its grant implementation activities in four countries in South East Asia.
See the full newsletter here. (PDF file)
Copyright: ISEAN-HIVOS
