To address the multiple challenges presented by the HIV epidemic, the Government took steps to establish a National AIDS Prevention and Control Programme and a National HIV/AIDS policy. Steps were also taken to integrate HIV into the National Poverty Reduction Strategy. The impact on human resources is being felt across sectors with 68% of the population living in poverty, increasing numbers of deaths amongst healthcare workers, teachers and other professional groups. Children and young people who have lost their parents to AIDS are particularly vulnerable.
All 72 local authorities are members of AMICAALL Zambia.The programme strategy focuses on attainment of the Millennium Development Goals at local level; local leadership development and economic opportunities for HIV affected people. A three phase programme includes awareness, workplace and community response training and implementation.
Results of the programme include all 72 Mayors, council chairpersons, town clerks/secretaries and municipal planners being trained in local HIV/AIDS responses, with 35 municipalities having developed workplace policies and 38 establishing workplace HIV/AIDS committees. A total of 18 local authorities have completed the entire AMICAALL capacity building programme and six have prepared their services directories. The AMICAALL leadership development programme has reached 420 councilors, 25% coverage so far.
One of the flagship initiatives in Zambia is known as AA4, a unique partnership between civil society, local government and the business sector, establishing linkages between a targeted 84 People Living with HIV (PLHIV) support groups and business development services to create viable enterprises in 7 Districts. The programme represents a sustainable mitigation strategy through employment and income generation.
Prior to the official launch of the Zambian chapter of the Alliance, a series of sensitisation activities were undertaken, including a preparatory workshop with Zambian mayors, municipal leaders and other partners. From the workshop, the Local Government Association of Zambia (LGAZ) Declaration on HIV/AIDS was signed by each local government authority in the country and presented at the launch in August 2002.
In early 2004, a National Coordinator was appointed and an implementation strategy adopted, which complements HIV/AIDS coordination structures at the District Level. The first phase of AMICAALL programme implementation was targeting 10 of Zambia’s 72 local government authorities. By the end of 2005, AMICAALL Zambia had completed planning activities at district and local levels aimed at integrating local and national planning efforts. AMICAALL Zambia was also nominated to lead the process of guiding districts in developing integrated district HIV strategic plans and contributing to the chapter on HIV and AIDS in the National Development Plan for 2006-2011.
Thanks to funding received from Irish Aid and support from UNDP, HIV service directories will be developed in 10 municipalities.