UNDP Sri Lanka has been supporting initiatives to combat HIV/AIDS in Sri Lanka. UNDP works with Lanka +, an NGO for people living with HIV (PLHIV) advocating the rights, providing services and support for PLHIV. UNDP is helping carry out a Functional Task Analysis for Lanka +, to reassess its mission, goals, governance structure and functions in relation to the emerging complexities in the field of HIV prevention and care.  The objective of this project is to contribute to the overall development of Lanka+, enable it to better respond to the changing trends and manage increasing levels of strategic resources to improve the realities faced by PLHIV and communities affected by HIV. 

The project is nearing completion with the 2 consultants having completed their tasks.  The recommendations of the 2 consultants have been accepted by Lanka+ and they have accordingly amended their Constitution with a view to bringing in more professionalism, accountability and transparency to the organisation.

In Sri Lanka, the Western and North Western provinces record the highest number of migrants leaving for foreign employment. The proposed activity is to be implemented in the highest sending districts in the North Western Province, Kurunegala (the number of recorded migrants in 2006 was 27, 814) The overall activity envisages an intervention in collaboration with the SLBFE, the Association of Licensed Foreign Employment Recruiting Agencies (ALFEA), Migrant Services Centre and the Gulf Cooperation Council Approved Medical Centres Association (GAMCA).  The activities are aimed at improving knowledge on HIV/AIDS, developing skills to cope with biological needs while away from home, skills for prevention of exploitation, promoting voluntary HIV testing by returnees and their spouses, and improving the quality and accessibility to services.This project is being implemented jointly by ILO and UNDP and has just commenced activities.  A Steering Committee has been set up comprising all stakeholders and an advocacy programme in Kurunegala is planned for late September 2009, to sensitise the stakeholders in Kurunegala.  Several activities are proposed, including, BCC material, training programmes, development of training modules, etc. 

The above 2 projects are funded under the UNAIDS Programme Accelerated Funds (PAF). 

UNDP also  organised 2 sessions on UN Cares, the UN system’s workplace programme on HIV/AIDS, for CO staff.  Additional sessions for field staff will be organized in the future.