Russia

The Problem

There are estimated to be around 1 million people living with HIV in Russia and the numbers infected continues to increase (1). There are about 160 new registered cases of HIV infection daily, transmission is mainly driven by injecting drug use in Russia. Less than 30% of those with advanced HIV receive antiretroviral therapy (ART) and more than 50,000 people with HIV die each year. There are many issues still to address:

• Young women are twice as likely to be infected with HIV than young men.
• Over 100,000 people are diagnosed with HIV in Russia each year (2).
• HIV prevalence is as high as 9.2% among MSM in urban areas (3) compared to 1% in the general population.

Our Response

EJAF’s has supported Russian Networks of people living with HIV to overcome stigma, expand access to treatment and champion the rights of people living with HIV (PLWH). In partnership with PSI, the Foundation supported prevention campaigns especially for injecting drug users. We have supported projects working with vulnerable children including orphanages.

Our Strategy

EJAF’s recent approach in Russia is to fund programmes of work that strengthen local or national provision and can be scaled up to address issues:

Scaling up response to the needs of orphans and vulnerable children 

Programmes that address the multiple needs of children affected by HIV particularly street children and those in institutional care. 

 

Organisations/networks of People Living with HIV (PLWH)

Programmes which empower PLWH to play a key role in the development of services, improve their quality of life and exercise self-determination.

 

Programmes for for vulnerable or at risk groups

(particularly injecting drugs users, sex worker, migrants, prison populations and men who have sex with men (MSM)  

Programmes providing information, treatment, psychosocial support, and legal advice to vulnerable or at risk groups so they are able to make informed choices regarding HIV, access treatment, and exercise their rights.

1. UNAIDS 2009

2. UNAIDS 2009

3.  Alena Peryshkina et al: John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; 2010