Guiding Principles for Program Responses

Human Rights

· Recognize that violations of human rights increase vulnerability to HIV and that responses to HIV/AIDS may breach human rights.

· Respect refugees’ rights to informed consent by providing adequate information and counseling.

· Ensure accessible services, privacy, confidentiality and continuity of care.

· Recognize the importance of linking prevention with non-discriminatory care and support.

· Respect the right to live (and die) in dignity, and without undue pain. esponses

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Women's Commission

Coordinated Multi-sectoral Approach

· Designate HIV/AIDS focal points.

· Design HIV/AIDS interventions in close consultation with the national HIV/AIDS control program.

· Integrate HIV/AIDS programming into existing activities.

· Coordinate, communicate and collaborate within and among sectors, with other organizations, including local nongovernmental organizations, and with refugees themselves.

· Recognize the uncertain and sometimes temporary nature of the refugee context; plan activities with short-term outcomes, as well as longer-term goals.

· Ensure that equitable HIV/AIDS services are provided to local and refugee populations.

Community Participation

· Include men, women, youth and people living with HIV in situation analysis, program planning, implementation and evaluation.

· Ensure activities that foster gender equity. Empower refugee women and girls at every level.

Figure

Women's Commission

Quality of Care

· Understand that vulnerability to STIs and HIV is determined not only by individual behaviors but also by the societal context and by the coverage, quality and access to prevention, care and support services.⁸

· Identify and work with refugees previously trained in skills relevant to HIV prevention and care.

· Plan program activities based on the findings of the local situation analysis and published research, as well as routine monitoring and surveillance information.

· Identify groups and areas of high transmission within the refugee community to more effectively target specific HIV/AIDS activities.

· Monitor and evaluate program interventions and disseminate the lessons learned.