Voices from the Capacity Project
Swaziland has the world's highest known rate of HIV infection—over 38% in the adult population. Average life expectancy has declined to just 39 years. Orphans are estimated to number almost 70,000, projected to increase to 120,000 by 2010. A vast number of this small country’s households are headed by children living on their own or with a sick parent or relative, unable to provide for their basic needs. With so much at stake, the country is working hard to mobilize all resources.
The National Emergency Response Council on HIV/AIDS (NERCHA) is mandated by the government of Swaziland to facilitate the multisectoral response. “NERCHA is in a pivotal position to coordinate a successful response to the pandemic,†says the Capacity Project’s Jawara Lumumba. Among its duties, the organization serves as the Principal Recipient for Swaziland’s HIV grant from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
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