As a trusted development partner and co-sponsor of UNAIDS, UNDP’s main focus is to build national capacities of government at all levels and work closely with civil society to support a coordinated and effective response to the HIV & AIDS epidemic (UNDP strategic plan, 2008-2011).

The main strategic priorities for UNDP Somalia Country Office are outlined below:

1. Strengthen the coordination capacity of the National AIDS Commissions, in order to promote coherence and coordination at the regional and national levels through our support for Regional Working Groups (RWG) to avoid duplication and ensure that all HIV work is well harmonized. 
2. Support the creation of an enabling environment by assisting governments to finalise the HIV/AIDS Policy in each zone as well as an HIV/AIDS Bill to Protect the Rights of People Living with HIV & AIDS. In addition, UNDP Somalia has a media project to help sensitise people about HIV & AIDS issues. Protecting human rights and promoting gender equality are essential to reduce vulnerability to HIV as well as mitigate the impact of AIDS on women and girls. Promoting an enabling legislative environment and women’s empowerment is critical to scaling up HIV/AIDS responses.
3. Strengthen District and Community Responses to HIV & AIDS in Somalia. This is required to link efforts being made at a national level to those at a regional and district level, in order to ensure the participation of a wide range of stakeholders across government as well as with civil society and the private sector. UNDP is introducing an initiative called ‘Community Conversations’ in Somalia to help strengthen District and Community responses to HIV & AIDS. 
4. Promote meaningful engagement of civil society participation in planning, implementation and evaluation of AIDS responses – particularly by supporting networks of people living with HIV, women’s groups, and vulnerable and marginalized groups affected by AIDS.
5. Mainstream HIV & AIDS issues into the work of all other UNDP programmes
   

Project Duration:

August 2006-December 2015

Total proposed budget:

USD 1,020,510