Outapi, Namibia – Over the past seven years, the U.S. Government has supported close to 60,000 Namibian orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) affected by HIV with services to live healthy, safe lives, and to stay in school. In a ceremony at Outapi in the Omusati region, the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) outlined the expansion of this support from 14 to 18 districts in eight regions, adding 20,000 new beneficiaries so far this year. 

The project focuses on mitigating the impact of HIV on at-risk populations such as OVC and their caregivers, adolescent girls and young women, as well as key populations. The services provided include HIV risk assessment, prevention of HIV and sexual violence skills training, sexual reproductive health education, socio-economic and psychosocial services, parenting skills training, as well as referrals for education, civil, legal, and social protection. The program is implemented by Project HOPE Namibia through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

“Our work is an important contribution toward achieving HIV epidemic control through a comprehensive response for families that provides community-based treatment, care and support interventions to children and their caregivers that are living with or are affected by HIV,” highlighted Acting USAID Namibia Health Office Director Daniel Lee. “PEPFAR will continue funding OVC programs with over US$4 million this year - or N$56 million - to ensure that OVC services are continued and expanded in 18 districts.”

The four new expansion districts are Okongo in Ohangwena Region, and Outapi, Okahao, and Tsandi in the Omusati region. This will allow us to provide full coverage to all districts in the Ohangwena and Omusati regions. Since the inception of the program in 2013, more than 59,000 orphans and vulnerable children have received support services, and an estimated 278,000 OVC were registered for government-funded social grants with Namibia’s Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare. These cash transfers help the family and the child meet their daily expenses including food, school supplies, and clothing.  

###

 

Image
U.S. PEPFAR expands activities for vulnerable children, implemented by Project HOPE Namibia through USAID
HIV Clinical Mentor, Dr. Trevor Dzenga (left) explains the clinic routine to Omusati Region Governor, Hon. Erginus Endjala (center) and Acting USAID Namibia Health Director, Daniel Lee (right) during their tour of the ART Clinic at Outapi in the Oshana region