HIV and Humanitarian Emergencies

[Guest guest]

Dear FORUM,

Apart from the devastation and havoc that a natural calamity causes

it has far reaching effects on the lives of the people affected by

it. Vulnerability to HIV is one such reality that cannot be

ignored.Swasti,Health Resource Center, with the support of Oxfam

International conducted a study on: Vulnerability to HIV in

Humanitarian Emergencies: A Study of Tsunami Affected Communities in

India, March 2007. An abstract of the study is given below:

Abstract

Vulnerability to HIV in Humanitarian Emergencies: A Study of Tsunami

Affected Communities in India, Shiv Kumar.N, N. Raghunathan and Benoy

Understanding on vulnerability to HIV in humanitarian emergencies is

limited to conflicts. Natural disasters like Tsunami are hypothesised

to have increased vulnerability to HIV. This unique study focused on

understanding the vulnerabilities of Tsunami affected communities in

India , to HIV; covering 30 locations through multi-stage sampling,

across five states, using mixed methods. Vulnerability existed in

almost all locations; heightened in two-thirds locations. Physical

proximity of displaced populations was the primary factor

contributing to a chain of events that led to increased

vulnerability. Increased unprotected sex with non-regular partners

was the key risk factor. Coastal communities in the tsunami hit areas

were vulnerable to HIV even before Tsunami. The effects of

humanitarian crises and aid measures influenced the behaviour and

practices of the affected, significantly heightening vulnerability.

There is need to mainstream HIV and AIDS components in humanitarian

aid and include communities from disaster-prone areas into national

HIV and AIDS interventions.

The complete report is available at:

http://www.swasti.org/main/media/Effect_of_Tsunami_on_HIV_Vulnerability.pdf

We will be happy to answer any queries you may have.

Regards

Vandana Nair

Senior Consultant

Swasti, Health Resource Centre

34, IInd Floor, NRI Complex

Greater Kailash IV

New Delhi: 110019

email: vandana@...

contact: +91-93508-68370

Telephone:91-11-30825757

Fax: 91-11-40519857