CIDA and CCC strengthen collaborative relationship in addressing HIV/AIDS epidemic in the Caribbean

The Caribbean Conference of Churches will receive support from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) for the implementation of a comprehensive three-year Regional HIV/AIDS project entitled "Building a Faith-based Response to HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean ". High Commissioner Simon Wade witnessed the signature of the project contribution agreement by Gerard Granado, General Secretary of CCC at a launch at the Canadian High Commission on Tuesday June 17 2003 .

Captured here after the official signing of the project contribution document are, from left, Mr. Gerard Granado, General Secretary of CCC; Noble Khan, President of the Inter-Religious Organization (IRO); Violette Pedneault, Program Manager, CIDA Program Support Unit; Simon Wade, Canadian High Commissioner; The Right Reverend Calvin Bess, Anglican Bishop of Trinidad and Tobago; and Dr. James Hospedales, Director of Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC).

The overall goal of the project, which will be implemented over a period of approximately three years, is to mobilize and enhance the response of Faith-based organizations (FBOs) in the Caribbean to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The purpose is to strengthen faith-based HIV/AIDS projects and programs particularly in the areas of care and support initiatives, education and awareness building at the level of congregations and communities in 14 CARICOM territories.

The project aims to achieve results such as increased advocacy from FBOs on HIV/AIDS issues and improved and increased availability of home-based care and support programs for People Living with HIV/AIDS and their families. It will make use of existing FBO structures and institutions in the region and will strengthen the response of these organzations to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. This will be done through the establishment of guidelines as well as the provision of training and capacity building in various areas. It will also ensure the effective development of linkages between existing faith based and HIV/AIDS networks at local, regional and international levels.

CIDA, through its program Enhanced Support to HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean Region (ESAC) , supports the implementation of the Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework for HIV/AIDS in order to reduce the spread and impact of the epidemic in the Caribbean . ESAC's purpose is to strengthen the capacity of regional organizations to respond to HIV/AIDS in the region and ensure an effective, coordinated and multi-sectoral response to HIV/AIDS.