Nepal

The Problem

Nepal's HIV/AIDS epidemic is ranked as a "concentrated epidemic".  With less than 1% prevalence amongst the general population but higher levels of infection amongst its most at risk populations including injecting drug users, sex workers, men who have sex with men and migrant workers.  Around 50,000 of the 70,000 people estimated to be living with HIV/AIDS in Nepal are from at risk groups and 3/4 are men.

Nepal's HIV/AIDS response has been hampered by a decade of civil conflict, difficult terrain and limited resources.  Whilst focused prevention efforts by civil society organisations working with high risk groups appear to have had some impact on controlling the epidemic amongst these groups; there has also been an increase in the number of "low risk" women and children living with HIV/AIDS, suggesting the potential towards a more generalised epidemic.

Our Response

EJAF began funding work in Nepal in 2003.  Initially our response was focused around prevention work with vulnerable and at risk groups, including sex workers, young people in rural areas and those living with disabilities.  We also supported the first national organisation by and for men who have sex with men to undertake HIV/AIDS prevention and care work.

Now, with the end of the civil conflict and the government's commitment to scale up its response to the epidemic, we are also helping to support people living with HIV/AIDS to access life-saving treatment and care.  In the Far West of Nepal we are supporting a multi-dimensional approach to care, with support to the government's clinical treatment sites complimented by local advocacy initiative, support groups, home based care and a care home facility all run by HIV positive people's groups. 

For more information on some of our work, please click on one of the projects featured above

To learn more about our current funding priorities and application procedure for Nepal please click on the 'Grant Strategy' link to the left of this page.