Ensuring Continuity of Antiretroviral Therapy among Displaced Populations

during 2011 Ivorian Post-Election Violence

Dieudonné T S Yiweza

N. Cornier, M. Gounongbe, G. Petros, I. Assouan, D. Bilguissa, P. Spiegel

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

Introduction Displacement of 175,000 Ivorians to Liberia in 2011 Cont. Plan: ± 14,500 conflict-affected Ivorians living

with HIV in need of treatment Disruption of HIV-related services including provision

and access to antiretroviral therapy (ART). UNHCR and partners working at community and camp

levels to ensure access to HIV and AIDS prevention, treatment, care and support

First level registration used as entry point for identification of PLWA

First week registration

Major Challenges Health systems had difficulties in functioning

adequately during emergency Stock-outs of drugs and supplies, shortage of staff

Security and logistical constraints made it difficult to access service and supplies to be delivered

Confidentiality difficult in these circumstances Need effective out-reach, referral and follow-up for

people receiving treatment

Addressing sex-work and HIV in refugee settings

Lessons Learnt (1) Refugees should be

integrated into national health and HIV programmes

Referral pathway for people living with HIV need to be designed and communicated

Treatment cards are helpful in follow-up Accompaniers and socio-economic support enhance

clinical effectiveness

Conflict-affected

population

Refugees

Border

IDPsHost

community

Adapted from P. Spiegel et Ali

Host community

Lessons Learnt (2)

Funding mechanisms should promote partnership between international and local partners

Supervision and support systems for community volunteers need to be strengthened

Properly brief medias to avoid spreading harmful misconceptions

Addressing sex-work and HIV in refugee settings

THANK YOU