The East Africa Regional AIDS Programme, established in 1994 to support ACORD programmes in developing and co-ordinating HIV-AIDS responses in East Africa was reviewed in 1999. This was primarily because the context in which the programme was originally conceived seems to be changing. This may require a re-definition of roles and activities to match the changing needs at the programme, community, and donor levels.

EAF/1 support has been mainly provided to the Ugandan ACORD programmes in Gulu, Nebbi, Adjumani, Moyo and Mbarara, as well as to the Tanzania ACORD programmes in Karagwe and Nyamirembe.

The Programme's Objectives
The overall goal of EAF/1 is to contribute to the reduction of the spread of HIV/AIDS and to mitigate against the social and economic impact of the pandemic.

To realise this goal, the following specific objectives were set:

• Ensure integration of HIV/AIDS into ACORD’s work;

• Provide on-going logistical and technical support to programmes;

• Provide methodological support and research initiatives;

• Provide a focus for advocacy and networking within and beyond the region; and

• Assist programmes to solicit funding especially from local sources.

To meet the objectives, ACORD recognised that their specialist skills that can be drawn upon in the programme fall into two main areas:

• Information, education and communication: this includes gender relations, legal awareness and sexual health;

• Technical-logistical support: this includes credit, income generation, counselling, support to emerging structures, condom supply, and linking community with relevant services (e.g. family planning, STD control).

The main activities of EAF/1 to date have been fundraising for HIV-AIDS activities, carrying out field visits to the programmes, providing technical support, distributing reading and educational materials, assisting with documentation, reporting, and dissemination, and research, advocacy and networking.

• The EAF/1 team has implemented most of their planned activities. The team has responded to requests for support from the field programmes. The teams are committed and a new programme officer has just joined the EAF/1 programme. The programme has demonstrated that it has the skills and knowledge capacities to make a contribution to reducing the spread of HIV-AIDS, as well as helping communities cope with the impact.

• It has been concluded that EAF/1 has the ability to play the role of regional structure, that it has matured over the years, and that as a result of their work, there is a growing awareness of HIV-AIDS issues beyond the East Africa Desk.

• EAF/1 has successfully shifted the focus from HIV-AIDS as a health issue to a development issue in the Uganda programmes and has raised its profile in ACORD.

• Though this has been a limited activity, EAF/1 has provided forums for sharing and learning through regional workshops for all ACORD programmes in the region and other agencies involved in HIV-AIDS programmes.

• The programme established contact with a number of agencies involved in material development. These agencies include UNICEF and the Uganda AIDS Control Programme. Educational materials are received from these agencies and sent to the field programmes for distribution.

• Information is collected on an on-going basis by the PC from: the UK NGO AIDS Consortium; Strategy for Hope; ACTAN; South African AIDS network; UAU; National AIDS Programme; Publications from the internet, and publications from other information through the ACORD London office.

• EAF/1 presents papers on various themes.

• EAF/1 participates in a number of advocacy forums: ANNEA (AIDS NGOs Network of East Africa); AIDS UK Consortium Forum; and Ugandan AIDS Committee.

• The programme has been networking and collaborating with other actors in the field of HIV-AIDS, sharing information and experience to improve the programme.

• There is a skilled, knowledgeable and capable Programme Co-ordinator.

• There is a wide recognition of EAF/1 support to the ACORD programmes.

• Other agencies, such as NOVIB, have requested EAF/1 to support the Ngara District Development Organisation) in northern Tanzania in assessing the HIV-AIDS component. This is a reflection of the confidence that other organisations have in EAF/1.

• With the support of RAPP, all the programmes have integrated the link between gender and HIV-AIDS.

• EAF/1 have been encouraging the formation of local CBOs as part of ACORD’s commitment to local capacity building.

• There is limited knowledge in terms of integrating HIV-AIDS work into other components.

• There is a feeling of isolation in some programmes.

• There is no strategic plan for future activities.

• The programme should clarify its objectives and roles (e.g. expectations and duties) and update its workplan.

• The programme should produce a clear strategic plan for the structure of the EAF/1 programme.

• There is a need to develop monitoring and evaluation systems for EAF/1 to help measure its impact on the programmes and the communities that it is supporting.

• The programme should define clear indicators to show the impact of the support.

• There is a need for more regular visits and more consistent contacts with the field by EAF/1.

• There is a limited number of staff to cover the entire region and to meet the needs and expectation of all the programmes.

• Operationality

• Capacity building

• EAF/1 should consider becoming an information focal point

• Resources are too limited at present to extend the programme beyond the Great Lakes Region

• To fully address the challenges and potential, a more in-depth evaluation should be mounted.