Since the first HIV/AIDS cases were reported in Burkina Faso in 1987, the Government has taken an increasingly active role in responding to the epidemic. The national HIV/AIDS response has moved from ad-hoc activities to a fully integrated, multi-sectoral national plan. The Government has integrated HIV/AIDS into the Poverty Reduction Strategy to put HIV/AIDS in the mainstream of development planning. The National AIDS Programme recognizes the need for expanded responses at the local level.
In December 2001, the XIIth International Conference on AIDS and STDs in Africa (ICASA) was held in Ouagadougou. In conjunction with ICASA, the Burkina Faso National Chapter of The Alliance was launched. A task force was also created to move ahead quickly with follow-up activities; including development of a national AMICAALL programme. A five-year strategic framework was developed in 2002.
With funding from the National AIDS Programme in Burkina Faso, and other organizations, a number of start-up activities were launched. These included holding a series of HIV/AIDS workshops in early 2004 with local government authorities from 30 municipalities. The purpose of these workshops was to make available accurate and relevant information on HIV/AIDS and help local government authorities develop the skills to speak openly and accurately about the epidemic. This was followed by launching phase one activities in six municipalities, aimed at enhancing the capacity of local government authorities to mainstream HIV/AIDS at the municipal level.
Through the World Bank/IDF grant, a full-time national technical advisor/AMICAALL Coordinator was recruited and steps have been taken to identify additional resources over the longer term.