Dear friends,
UNAIDS is conducting a global survey of community-led organizations and networks who work in the HIV field, in order to learn about the impact that COVID-19 has had on their existing HIV/AIDS work, as well as the new efforts they have been undertaking in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The survey is specifically focused on organizations run by and for their communities, and the service delivery and advocacy these organizations may be undertaking with their governments related to COVID disruptions. Service delivery for this survey is defined broadly, for example, services could include health education; outreach; ART delivery; supplying masks, soap and sanitizers; peer support for ART adherence; nutrition support; financial support; counseling, testing, and prevention services; support for harm reduction, including commodities and medications; psychosocial support; paralegal support; community-led monitoring; advocacy to protect and expand the space for communities to provide these services; and more.
The information derived from this survey will be used to generate a new UNAIDS report on the critical role and impact of HIV community-led responses as well the current challenges and opportunities they face. The goal of the report is to demonstrate that community-led work is a linchpin for societal resilience and sustaining the HIV response. This information will also be made available to help plan and advocate for future programmes and funding on health crises and HIV/AIDS.
The work that community-led organizations and networks are doing is more vital than ever in the context of the current crisis. Our hope is that, with this survey, we can raise awareness about the importance of community-led work and gain greater recognition and support for community-led initiatives.
Please join with us in this effort by filling out and returning the attached questionnaire if your organization is community-led and involved in service delivery, or by sharing this survey with any of your partners who are. The survey is available in Arabic, English, French, Russian, and Spanish. Please note that an earlier version of this message was circulated with the English language survey. The same survey is linked above and does not need to be completed again if you already made a submission.
Replies would be appreciated by July 6.
We can be contacted at communities@unaids.org, if you have any questions.
In solidarity and with heartfelt appreciation,
Laurel Sprague, Chief, Community Mobilization
Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS)