STATUS REPORT ON HIV/AIDS IN THE SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT SECTOR

  1. INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY

This report covers achievements and challenges in the Department of Social Development with regard to provision of services to communities and individuals that are affected and infected by HIV/AIDS in the last financial year and up to the end of August 2001. There has been significant progress with regard to the initial implementation of home community based care and support, a component of the National Integrated Plan for Children and Youth Infected and Affected by HIV/AIDS. The programme has been established in the first six sites and the rolling out is taking place in other areas. Vulnerable children and their families have been identified and are receiving assistance which is provided by trained volunteers recruited from the same communities. In addition communities that are impacted by HIV/AIDS are assisted to establish programmes to address high poverty levels and food security. Partnerships with International Organisations, NGOs, CBOs, and FBOs in the fight against AIDS are being strengthened and a programme to build the capacity of government officials is being implemented across the country. Special attention is being given to integrate HIV//AIDS in all programmes of the Department nationally and provincially

CHALLENGES

  1. OVERALL PROGRESS ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATIONAL INTEGRATED PLAN FOR CHILDREN INFECTED AND AFFECTED BY HIV/AIDS ( special reference to home community based care and support)
    1. Background
    2. During the financial year 2000/2001 the implementation of the National Strategic Framework for Children Infected and Affected by HIV/AIDS (developed by the Department of Social Development), as well as the National Integrated Plan for Children and Youth Infected and Affected by HIV/AIDS (developed jointly by the departments of Health, Social Development and of Education), was initiated.

      Both strategies were developed at the end of the previous financial year.

    3. Components of plan

The Integrated Plan consists of three components namely:

  1. Life skills programmes in primary and secondary schools,
  2. Voluntary testing and counseling services and
  3. Community and home based care and support, including community outreach

The Cabinet approved that an amount of R450 million be made available for

the implementation of the National Integrated Plan over a period of three

years.

The conditions given on the funds were as follows:

Budget allocations: Funds made available for the different components:

Financial Year

Amounts Allocated

Life skills

Voluntary Testing and Counselling

Community based Care

2000/2001

R75m

R39 000 000

R20.2m

R13 000 000

2001/2002

R125m

R71 000 000

R26m

R28 000 000

2002/2003

R250m

R125 000 000

R45m

R 42 000 000

T0TAL

R450m

R235 000 000

R91.2m

R83 000 000

Allocations for the year 2002/3 are being revised to shift more funds to Community home based care and support.

Summarised information on the different components:

Life skills

To implement a life skills and HIV/AIDS education programme that will assist youth to acquire knowledge, develop skills and establish values that will enable them to make responsible choices and grow up healthy.

Specific objectives:

Year 1 (2000/2001) 20%

Year 2 (2001/2002) 40%

Year 3 (2002/2003) 40%

Voluntary Testing and Counselling

The overall goal is to provide HIV counselling and testing to 25% of the adult population aged 15 to 49 years targeting the youth in rural areas through improving linkages between Health, Social Development and Education sectors at district level.

Overall objectives

Home Community based care and support

The strategic objectives of this specific allocation are as follows:

An amount of R13million was allocated to community and home based

care and support, in the financial year 2000/2001 and R 28million for

2001/2002 and R 68 million in the financial year 2002/2003.

2.3 Overall progress on implementation

2.4 Home-community-based care (Social Development)

An amount of R6, 8 million was allocated to the Department of Social Development for implementation of community-home based care and support in 2000/2001. Of this amount, R5, 620 million was allocated to six provinces, namely Mpumalanga, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, North West, Free State and Northern Province as conditional grants for 2000/2001 financial year. The rest of the funds were distributed to existing projects in order to strengthen their services and capacity. The condition of the allocation of funds was that the projects had to follow an integrated approach and complement the goals of the National Integrated Plan.

For the first year (financial year 2000/2001) implementation was initiated at six sites in six provinces namely: Eastern Cape (Tsolo), Northern Cape (De Aar), North West (Jouberton), Northern Province (Polokwane, Maraba and Mashashane), Mpumalanga (Tonga) and the Free State (Welkom). Both Health and Social Development departments in the respective provinces have identified these sites.

2.5 BUDGET ALLOCATIONS

2.5.1 Payments’ schedule for the year 2000/2001

2.5.1.1 Provincial’s payments schedule for the year 2000/2001

PROVINCE

AMOUNT GAZETTED

AMOUNT PAID

1st November 2000

1St Tranche

AMOUNT PAID

23rd November 2000

2nd Tranche

AMOUNT PAID

21st January 2001

3rd Tranche

Eastern Cape

R950 000

R380 000

R475 000

R95 000

Free State

R910 000

R364 000

R455 000

R91 000

Mpumalanga

R960 000

R384 000

R480 000

R96 000

Northern Cape

R1000 000

R400 000

R500 000

R100 000

Northern Province

R800 000

R320 000

R400 000

R80 000

North West

R1000 000

R400 000

R400 000

R500 000

 

2.5.1.2 National payments report for the year 2000/2001

R 1 180 000 of the National Integrated Plan Funds was allocated to national level to strengthen existing initiatives on community-based care in selected communities and for administrative expenditure at national level. The following is a breakdown of how these funds have been utilised:

R1 122 250 has been transferred to the following projects: 

Project

Amount

Kidd’s Beach Development Association, Eastern Cape

R 138 250

Khululeka Women’s Group- in Beaufort, Western Cape

R 100 000

Tembalabantwana – Child Welfare Society, Western Cape

R 304 000

Cindi Networking for Children affected by Aids – KZN

R 30 000

Mission Society Care, Gauteng

R 200 000

Koningsdal HIV/AIDS Care Centre, Bambanango (KZN)

R 200 000

To be allocated to Arekopaneng

R 150 000

SUB TOTAL

R 1 122 250

National administration and travelling costs

57 750

GRAND TOTAL

R 1 180 000

2.5.1.3 Payments’ schedule for the year 2001/2002

For the financial year 2001/2002 the provincial Departments of Social Development and Health received the following amount for home/community based programmes:

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

HEALTH

  1. Sustainability of
  2. Existing sites: 6 sites @ R450 000 per site

R2, 7 million

R2, 7 million

  • Roll out of sites
  • In provinces: 3 sites per province

    R350 000 x 3 x 6

    R6, 3 million

    R300 000 x 3 x 6

    R5, 4 million

  • New provinces:
  • Gauteng

    Western Cape

    KwaZulu Natal

    Total

    R1million

    R1 million

    R1, 5 million

    R3, 5 million

    R1million

    R1million

    R2 million

    R4 million

    TOTAL

    R 12,5 MILLION

    R 12,1 MILLION

    2.5.1.4 Proposed payments to provinces for the year 2001/2002

    In summary the following amounts will be transferred to provinces:

    PROVINCE

    HEALTH

    DSD

    TOTAL

    MPUMALANGA

    1 350 000

    1 500 000

    2 850 000

    FREE STATE

    1 350 000

    1 500 000

    2 850 000

    EASTERN CAPE

    1 350 000

    1 500 000

    2 850 000

    NORTHERN CAPE

    1 350 000

    1 500 000

    2 850 000

    NORTH WEST

    1 350 000

    1 500 000

    2 850 000

    NORTHERN PROVINCE

    1 350 000

    1 500 000

    2 850 000

    GAUTENG

    1 000 000

    1 000 000

    2 000 000

    KWAZULU-NATAL

    2 000 000

    1 500 000

    3 500 000

    WESTERN CAPE

    1 000 000

    1 000 000

    2 000 000

    The conditional grant for the implementation of the home/community-based care and support component of the National Integrated Plan for Children and Youth Infected and Affected by HIV/AIDS has been approved and has been transferred to the account at the Provincial Treasury Department on 29 June 2001. Three provinces namely Mpumalanga, North West and KwaZulu-Natal received their first tranche on 15 August 2001 due to late submission of business plans.

    The breakdown of the allocation for the financial year 2001/2002 is as follows:

    Province

    Amount

    1 Tranche

    June 2001

    2 Tranche

    Sept.2001

    3 Tranche

    January 2002

    Eastern Cape

    1,500

    500

    500

    500

    Free State

    1,500

    500

    500

    500

    Gauteng

    1,000

    500

    500

    KwaZulu-Natal

    1,500

    500

    500

    500

    Mpumalanga

    1,500

    500

    500

    500

    Northern Cape

    1,500

    500

    500

    500

    Northern Province

    1,500

    500

    500

    500

    North West

    1,500

    500

    500

    500

    Western Cape

    1,000

    500

    500

     

    Sites identified for the financial year 2000/2001 and 2001/2002

    PROVINCE

    1ST YEAR

    2ND YEAR

    MPUMALANGA

    Tonga

    Matibidi

    Mmamthlake

    KwaMhlanga

    Eerstehoek

    NORTH WEST

    Jouberton

    Brits

    Zeerust

    Vryburg

    NORTHERN PROVINCE

    Maraba

    Mashashane

    Westernburg

    Seshego

    Dwarsloop

    Acornhoek

    Dzanani

    Messina

    Nylstroom

    Potgietersrus

    FREE STATE

    Welkom

    Qwaqwa

    Sasolburg

    Odendaalsrus

    Virginia

    Theunissen

    Bultfontein

    EASTERN CAPE

    Tsolo

    Mhlakulo

    Butterworth

    NORTHERN CAPE

    De Aar

    Diamond fields

    Namakwaland

    KWAZULU-NATAL

     

    Ndumu,Ngwavuma-Nothern

    Moyeni, Gingindlovu-Zululand

    Nseleni, Mpangeni – Zululand

    Nduduzweni, Durban – Lower

    Bhambayi, Durban

    Khanyiselani, Portshepstone/Kokstad

    Mpendle, Pietermartzburg/Midlands -

    GAUTENG

     

    Alexandra

    Carletonville

    Sebokeng

    Bronkhortspruit/ Cullinan

    WESTERN CAPE

     

    All regions

    2.1.5.5 Proposed allocations to national departments

    The following funds will be allocated to national departments:

    DEPARTMENT

    ALLOCATION

    Social Development

    R900 000

    Health

    R2, 5 million

    Total for Health and Social Development (National and Provincial)

    R28 million

    The funds from the national Department of Social Development will be transferred as conditional grants in three tranches during May 2001, September 2001 and January 2002.

    In allocating the funds the following assumptions were made:

    For roll out to other sites the six provinces will receive equal amount.

    Provision should be made for roll over funds to the next financial year (if necessary).

    It is envisaged that provincial home/community-based care and support co-ordinators have been appointed in all provinces

    Training in home/community based care and support have been rolled out in the provinces.

    Community child care forums have been established

    It is assumed that in established six sites more people will be receiving services.

    The conditions for such grants are:

    *An outline of actual revenue and expenditure on the grant for the month and the projected total expenditure on the grant for the financial year, including the projected commitment in the financial year;

    *The reason for any projected under-spending or over-spending on the grant and an indication of the measures to be taken to deal with such under- or overspending;

    2.1.5.6 EXPENDITURE REPORT

    Grant HIV/AIDS National Department Social Development Quarter Ending March 2001

    Financial Information

    Province

    For the quarter

    Total Transfers and Expenditure to date

    Annual Allocations

    Committed end of Quarter

    R’000

    Projected Rollover

    R’000

     

    Transferred

    R’000

    Expenditure

    R’000

    Scheduled for Transfer

    R’000

    Transferred

    R’000

    Expenditure

    R’000

    Budget

    R’000

    Projected Expenditure

    R’000

       

    Eastern Cape

    95

     

    950

    950

    Nil

    950

    950

       

    Free State

    91

    91

    910

    910

    910

    910

    910

       

    Gauteng

                     

    KwaZulu-Natal

                     

    Mpumalanga

    96

     

    960

    960

    Nil

    960

    960

       

    Northern Cape

    100

     

    1000

    1000

    68

    1000

    68

     

    932

    Northern Province

    80

     

    800

    800

    699

    800

    699

     

    101

    North West

    100

     

    1000

    1000

    Nil

    1000

    Nil

     

    1000

    Western Cape

                     

    Total

    562

    91

    5620

    5620

    1677

    5620

    3587

     

    2033

    All provinces were able to rollover their 2000/2001 allocated funds to this financial year.

    3 PROGRESS

    3.1 Sites visits

    Monitoring visits to sites of the National Integrated Plan have been undertaken in NorthWest, Northern Province, Free State, Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga. Northern Cape site visit will be undertaken during October.

    The following are some of the major achievements in most sites:

      1. Fast tracking of the home/community-based care and support programmes

    In order to accommodate the social and economic diversity of communities, the following home/community based care and support models were identified: mentioned qualities have been identified.

    Throughout the provinces these models are being implemented as part of the National Integrated Plan and also forms part of the fast tracking of home community-based care and support programmes.

    A workshop between health and social development was held from 17 to 19 June 2001, as a response to joint Health and Social Development MINMEC to establish 200 home community based care during this financial year and 600 by the year 2005.

    The workshop looked at the following:

    The objectives of the workshop were met. The rapid audit tool was workshopped, finalised and distributed to provinces. The Chief Directorate: Population and Development is presently assisting provinces in using the tool to capture the data. .

    Provincial workshops will be held in collaboration with the Department of Health and the National Co-ordinator during September to November 2001 to assist the provinces with the operationalisation of fast tracking of home/community-based care and support programmes as well as the co-ordination within the NIP.

    3.3 Appointment of Coordinators

    Interviews to appoint provincial community-based care and support co-ordinators for the National Integrated Plan in collaboration with provincial departments of Health and Social Development have been finalised and the actual appointments are presently being processed.

    3.4 Training Manuals and Programmes

    Tenders have been invited to submit proposals for the development of a manual for the establishment of child care forums which will ensure the provision of effective care and support services to children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. This tender includes the training of stakeholders (professional as well as lay person). Other capacity building manuals which are being developed are for training community care givers in counselling children and in the social development specific elements of home community based care and support programme.

    3.5 Draft guidelines for Children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS

    The draft guidelines are intended to assist service providers to render services to children within the basic parameters of children's rights and child care legislation. The guidelines also provide general information on services and options that are available to vulnerable children. The guidelines will be distributed as a draft for comments and initial implementation where needed and will be refined by December this year.

    1. STATUS OF PROGRAMMES PER PROVINCE

    4.1 Refer to Annexure A (HIV/AIDS programmes per province) for a detailed report on the implementation of the community home-based care and support component in provinces.

    5. CHALLENGES ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATIONAL INTEGRATED PLAN

    6. INTERVENTION

    6.1 Policy Level:

    6.2 Institutional Arrangements

    6.3 RESOURCES

    1. ALIGNMENT OF HIV/AIDS PROGRAMMES WITH OTHER NATIONAL SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES

    7.1 LINKING HIV/AIDS PROGRAMMES TO THE POVERTY RELIEF PROGRAMMES

    The link between HIV/AIDS and poverty is now a matter of common knowledge, the majority of the 4.2 million reported HIV/AIDS cases are, no doubt, poor people located in impoverished communities. It is for these purposes that the Poverty Relief Programme and the HIV/AIDS Directorate have targeted communities where the prevalence of HIV/AIDS and poverty is high. The objective is to build, support or fortify social community support structures for those affected by HIV AIDS, whilst incorporating those affected in the other project areas or objectives of the Poverty Relief Programme.

    Allocation to HIV/AIDS projects

    Whereas the majority of projects funded in 2000/1 reported that they had some component of HIV/AIDS support, because of the nature and stigma attached to HIV/AIDS no composite comprehensive figures could be gathered. However certain conclusions can be drawn from project data:

    This figure was largely spent on Home Based Care projects, projects targeting those affected and awareness raising projects.

    POVERTY RELIEF PROGRAMME – 2001/2 BEYOND PROJECTED HIV/AIDS EXPENDITURE

    Establishment and/or support of 100 community-based institutional structures that will provide social support in rural communities where the prevalence of HIV/AIDS is highest.

    Total 3 year budget for this category R25 million

    In line with the new programmatic approach the programme will support each initiative over a three-year period, thus allowing it to at least reach long-term organisational/institutional sustainability.

    The first year will focus on the establishment of the community-based structures and the identification and initiation of specific projects for each area. The second year will intensify and link the support initiatives whilst introducing social support facilities that are provided through self-funded partnerships. The third year will seek to reduce support on the basis of increased self-reliance and the strength of collective resources from local partnerships.

    Thus in the first year of operation (2001/2) it is envisaged that R5million will be allocated to meet this objective.

    In line with the legal rights of people, the programme will not be able to target HIV/ AIDS sufferers directly, but will concentrate on those affected and in those geographic areas (eg. magisterial districts) where the incidence of the epidemic is considered to be high.

    All provinces will be included in terms of the following percentage allocation based on HIV prevalence and poverty statistics:

    KZN, F State and MP - 20% each

    E Cape, N West and Gaut. - 10% each

    N Prov, W Cape and N Cape - 4%, 3%, 3%.

    The sustainable reduction in poverty in each area and the creation of viable community-based institutions is expected to improve the ability of the community to absorb educational and awareness initiatives directed at controlling the spread of HIV/AIDS. The Department of Health will be drawn in to assist with the targeting process and to provide support in assessing the suitability of individual projects

    The establishment of 144 rural food production clusters (each comprising 100 households) that will focus on creating security and stability in those rural areas/communities where the prevalence of child neglect and abuse is high, with a special emphasis on households affected by HIV/AIDS.

    Total 3 year budget for this category R60 480 000

    The programme will support each cluster to increase the volume and range food production for a period of 2. It is also anticipated that each food cluster will incorporate an HIV/AIDS support component, this is envisaged to cover HIV/AIDS related food insecurity issues such as child headed households, amongst other things.

    Provincial allocations on the basis of poverty statistics will be as follows:

    KwaZulu Natal 28

    Eastern Cape 28

    Northern Province 27

    Mpumalanga, 14

    Free State 13

    North West 13

    Northern Cape 12

    Western Cape 05

    Gauteng 04

    Emphasis will be placed on raising the level of food security in each cluster on the basis of sustainable food production systems and co-operatives. Co-operation and support from the Department of Agriculture will be sought in regard to the technical assessment of project viability and linkage into any existing small scale farming support initiatives. Whilst the Department of Health will be called upon to assist with the nutritional values and aspects of food produced.

    Year one 64 clusters @ R170 000 R10 880 000,00

    Year two 64 clusters @ R250 000 R16 000 000,00

    Year two 80 clusters @ R170 000 R13 600 000,00

    Year three 80 clusters @ R250 000 R20 000 000,00

      1. POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT

    The Chief Directorate: Population and Development is undertaking the following activities as part of an integrated response to the impact of HIV/Aids.

    i A Survey of good practices models on HIV/Aids awareness, prevention and care with a view to inform government and NGO’s on appropriate intervention. Fifteen projects were selected for research purposes and documentation. The following number of projects were documented per province: National - six projects, Western Cape, Kwa-Zulu Natal, Northern Province and Eastern Cape each two projects while in Mpumalanga one project was documented. The report will be released in July 2001.

    Partners: NGO’s: Lubombo Initiative, Masoyi Home-based care, Cradock Hospice, Bela Bela Welfare Society, Youth for Christ, Adolescent friendly clinics, Takalani HIV/AIDS resource centre, Vaal Aids home-based care, Mothusimpilo outreach project, Old Mutual I Have Hope, Arepp Educational Trust, Bushbuckridge health and social services, Thembeni care centre, Soul City and Love Life

    Partners: Univ. of Natal, Centre for study of Aids, Univ. of Venda, RAU, University of North West, Univ. of Zululand, Univ. of Transkei, University of Fort-Hare, Univ. of Free-State, Vista University, Univ. of Stellenbosch, Rhodes University, Univ. of Western Cape, Univ. of the North, Wits University: Women Health Project, CEDFA, University of Cape Town, SAMDI, DPSA, UNFPA, SALGA and the Dept of Health

    7.3 SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES AND SOCIAL SECURITY

    The objective of social welfare is to promote the well-being of individuals, families and communities. Welfare services are part of a broad menu of social services which aim to enhance the quality of life of South Africans and which provide an enabling environment for women, youth, children, families and the aged to achieve their aspirations.

    Special development and crosscutting areas such as HIV/AIDS should be integrated when rendering services to vulnerable persons or group of persons.

    Children from all ages are affected and infected by HIV/AIDS. The caring and support will vary and will be influenced by factor leading to a child being vulnerable, at risk or in need of care.

    Due to the increasing numbers of children affected by AIDS, some of whom are orphaned and others who are also infected by HIV/AIDS, many Children’s Homes have opened their programmes to accommodate these children and have also integrated their services in line with the community/home-based care models. Some children’s homes have completely changed their programmes to accommodate affected and infected children.

    NGO’s, CBO’s and faith based organizations have declared a willingness to redirect their programmes towards the care and support of these vulnerable children and adoption agencies have opted to motivate prospective adoption parents to adopt the children orphaned by HIV/AIDS.

    Families at risk where family members are affected or infected by HIV/AIDS can lead to the disintegration of the family. Family preservation programmes are geared to prevent the disintegration family life or to sustain it.

    NGO’s have integrated awareness and preventative programmes relating to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in their programmes to support and protect families where family members are affected and infected by HIV/AIDS. Child Protection Week programmes are but one of the vehicles used to sensitize the general public on the devastating affect of HIV/AIDS and the impact on family life and the country as a whole. Ongoing awareness and prevention programmes are planned throughout the country.

    As a result of the vulnerability of women to HIV/AIDS, the Flagship Programme (economic empowerment) and the Victim Empowerment Programme (domestic and gender violence), are being used to minimize the impact of economic factors and to prevent and address gender violence to women, their children and their families. Provincial Facilitators for both Programme were made aware of the importance to address HIV/AIDS related problems through services provided to women and their families in these programmes.

    There has been a deliberate drive to increase the uptake of the Child Support Grant to ensure that children who come from low-income family backgrounds have access to social assistance. The Child Support Grant expenditure has increased from R320 million in 1999 to R1, 2 billion in 2000.

    The Department provides a Disability Grant to people with disabilities these includes people with full-blown AIDS and whom the disease has incapacitated.

    A Care Dependency grant is also provided to care givers of children who are chronically sick and need constant care this includes HIV/AIDS infected children. Other grants that are of relevance to assist people who are infected and affected by HIV/AIDS include the Social Relief in Distress Grant and the Foster Care Grant

    1. PARTNERSHIPS WITH INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL ORGANISATIONS:
      1. SAVE THE CHILDREN, UK

    Provides the secretariat and other assistance to The National AIDS Children’s Task Team (NACTT) which is a multi-sectoral team focussing on the care and support of children infected and affected. Save the Children, UK is presently engaged in undertaking research and abused children and HIV / AIDS. In 1999 Save the Children’s published the first Rapid Appraisal on Children who affected by HIV/AIDS, this document has been one of the main source of reference for service providers

    The Directory of Services for Children Infected and Affected by HIV/AIDS was commissioned by Save the Children, UK the National AIDS and Children Task Team to assist the sector by collecting information on organisations working with and for children and youth infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. The directory which was launched by the Minister on 24/8/2001 contains ± 1000 organisations and is also available in electronic (Internet <www:http:\childaidsservices.org. The Directory will eventually be placed on the website of the Department for easy access to clients and service providers.

    8.2 UNICEF

    Conducted studies on approaches to caring for children orphaned by AIDS and other vulnerable children and the cost effectiveness of six models of care for orphaned and vulnerable children in South Africa. The Department is part of a reference group to disseminate the results of the findings and determine a way forward. UNICEF has also commissioned a Global Study on Children Infected and Affected by HIV/AIDS in South Africa, a draft report has been made available to the Department and the final report will be disseminated in due course. UNICEF is one of the partners in NACTT mentioned above and has also indicated interest in assisting the Department to fast track community based care and support.

    8.3 UNAIDS

    Funding avenue for Danish funds directed at the linkages between poverty and HIV/AIDS and violence against women and HIV/AIDS. The Department is one of the role players together with the Department of Health in determining a strategy for the roll out of the funds for the linkage between violence against women and HIV/AIDS. This programme will particularly focus on the girl child. UNICEF has been involved in the National Task Team on Children who are affected by HIV/AIDS.

    8.4 KAISER FAMILY FOUNDATION

    The Foundation is funding in partnership with government, efforts at reducing and preventing the risk of infection amongst youth through the loveLife programme. The Department is one of the partners that are developing the strategy to address the vulnerability of the youth through the Community Mobilizers /Ground Breakers. A business plan on this component has been drafted and will be finalised by October 2001.

    8.5 SOUTH AFRICAN COUNCIL FOR CHILD AND FAMILY WELFARE

    The Department has funded the Council to undertake training of the Child Welfare Societies’ staff in the provinces, in providing community-based care and support services to people who are affected and infected by HIV/AIDS. The Council is also one of the partners in NACTT.

    8.6 FAITH-BASED ORGANISATIONS

    The Department funded a national religious conference held in August 2000 on HIV/AIDS with the focus on the involvement of the religious involvement in HIV/AIDS programmes

    The conference led to the development of strong partnerships between the Department and Faith Based Organisations (FBO) and over five million rands of poverty relief funds were allocated to some FBO’s to enable them to strengthen their community based programmes which include HIV/AIDS support and care programmes.

      1. UN POPULATION FUND

    The UNPFA redirected its Country Programme since 2000 to specifically focus on the impact of HIV/AIDS, particularly on the youth. Investments were made in capacity building/training, community-based reproductive health projects and information systems.

    8.8 CINDI

    Case study on Networking

    The CINDI project has completed a study, which was funded by this Department, with the aim of documenting local experience of networking and to share the valuable lessons that could be learnt from it. The document will be made available to all stakeholders to improve networking among NGOs, CBOs and FBOs.

    9. WAY FORWARD

    1. Continue with the partnership with Health and Education to rollout the home community based care programme in identified communities as a long term strategy
    2. Of most importance continue as a matter of urgency the fast tracking of the implementation of community based care support by identifying and strengthening existing initiatives at community level as a strategy to provide an immediate solution to the growing numbers of children who affected and infected by HIV/AIDS. A well-coordinated implementation will ensure that the basic needs of children and families for food, shelter, education, health care and counselling and alternative care are immediately addressed.
    3. Working in strong partnerships with NGO’s, CBO’s and FBO's in communities to fast track the implementation of community-based care and support programme.
    4. Continuing partnerships with international and national donor organisations and the business community to secure additional funding and technical support required to speed up implementation. For example, UNICEF has expressed interest in joint funding this financial year, with the department, to support community initiatives, which provide services to infected and affected persons.
    5. Support the utilisation of volunteers through training and provision of stipends were required
    6. Establishment of a chief directorate for HIV / AIDS at national level to support provinces in the provision of services. The establishment of dedicated directorates at provincial levels for an increased intervention and focus
    7. Provision and maintenance of a database of community based initiatives for referral purposes and provision of support by beginning of August 2001.
    8. Capacity building programme for the welfare sector to be in place by September 2001
    9. Programmes to reduce the risk of HIV/AIDS amongst the youth- ongoing
    10. Develop practice guidelines for orphaned children and other children affected by HIV/AIDS.
    11. More effort to ensure the accessibility of Social Assistance by affected families and children especially the Child Support Grant
    12. A concerted effort to link poverty relief and HIV/AIDS by incorporating the establishment of poverty relief programme in community based care and support programmes
    13. Securing funds to expand social development services to address the most critical social impact of HIV/AIDS

    Improve the information base of the Department to inform policy-making and planning.