HIV/AIDS is a disease that affects people throughout the world. Haiti, unfortunately, is one place where HIV/AIDS has had a disastrous affect on thousands of people.

HIV/AIDS is a disease that affects people throughout the world. Haiti, unfortunately, is one place where HIV/AIDS has had a disastrous affect on thousands of people. The socio-economic impact of HIV/AIDS on the family is enormous – there is no social security or insurance system. Because of the broad economic, cultural and social consequences that reach far beyond the capacities of the health system resulting from HIV/AIDS, Haiti is facing its most serious medical crisis ever.

Unless a major effort is undertaken to control HIV/AIDS in rural areas, where the majority of the population lives, HIV/AIDS will continue to gain ground and the seroprevalance rate in the most remote parts of the country will be comparable to that of the large cities in Haiti, such as the capital Port au Prince.

The Far West (Northwest department of Haiti) is the most deprived part of the country. It is the most desolate and deforested area of Haiti and as a result of this, the most economically depressed as well. QIFD traveled to this region to give a seminar on social movements and the role of grassroots organizations to fight against poverty. While we were there we had several in depth discussions with doctors working in the towns Mare Rouge and Bombardopolis in regards to the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in this area of Haiti. Our initial observations were that HIV/AIDS was far more prevalent than any official data that we have seen. In fact, people that have contracted HIV/AIDS in the large cities tend to migrate back to the rural areas as they find it easier to hide their disease from people. It is also less expensive for them to live in the rural areas, particularly if they are unable to work due to their illness. As a consequence, the rate of HIV/AIDS is skyrocketing in these areas. The doctor that we spoke with in Bombardopolis was in complete despair regarding the complacency of the Haitian state towards the problem of HIV/AIDS in their area.

Because of this, QIFD feels that it is imperative to work in the rural areas to try to curb the prevalence of HIV/AIDS before it explodes to the same levels seen in the urban areas. Our proposal is an initial project that is a preparation for a 4 year program that QIFD will design in coordination with the local community organizations, churches, schools and local health professionals.

The objectives of this project include:

1. A research of the HIV/AIDS and STD problem in the communities of Jean Rabel, Bombardopolis, Mare Rouge and Mole St. Nicolas.
2. A campaign to sensitize young women on sexual behavior and poverty.
3. A masculinity seminar for the adult males to change their sexual behaviors (ie: the use of condoms on a regular basis).4.The creation of a Community Based Monitoring System (CBMS) on STDs with a focus on HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis.
4. Counseling Training for health workers to train them on how to work with families affected by HIV/AIDS.
5. The creation of four counseling and health centers for people infected with HIV/AIDS and STDs.
6. Community workshops to identify the needs to be able to identify the need in changing the sexual behaviors of the young generation against the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Goals

1. To increase capacities on research relative to the HIV/AIDS and STD issues.
2. To develop a knowledge base that integrates gender, human capital and socio-cultural issues in this region.
3. To coordinate the communities capacities to deal with this epidemic.
4. To develop a four year program with the communities in the Northwest department (Far West) of Haiti.
5. To create an awareness program of the problem of HIV/AIDs (and STDs) in this part of the country.

Beneficiaries

The communities of Bombardopolis, Mare Rouge, Jean Rabel and Môle St. Nicholas in the Far West of Haiti ; with specific attention to the youth of these communities.