WFP policy on HIV/AIDS

A policy document, 'Programming in the era of AIDS : WFP's response to AIDS/HIV', submitted in February 2003 to the World Food Programme (WFP) Executive board¹ has been approved.

The document begins with the premise that food security can be viewed as one more way to prevent the spread of AIDS and reduce its impact, and that people affected by HIV/AIDS need both treatment and food. The document notes that little work has been carried out on how food - and, specifically, food aid - can be best integrated into programmes designed to mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS on poor households' food security.

The document states that, when associated with other inputs, food assistance in all WFP programming categories can:

• create opportunities for less risky livelihoods, and strengthen household and community capacity to respond to HIV/AIDS impact on food security, through initiatives such as food for training and food for assets
• improve and maintain human capital through nutrition programmes, food for training and school feeding
• reduce the vulnerability of families to food insecurity and malnutrition through safety-net initiatives, such as home-based care projects and mother-and-child health programmes, and initiatives targeted at child-headed households
• through partners, be used as a conduit for the dissemination of HIV/AIDS messages and information.

The board adopted the following recommendations contained in the policy paper:

• WFP will incorporate HIV/AIDS concerns in all of its programming categories - Country Programmes, Protracted Relief and Recovery Operations (PRROs), and Emergency Operations (EMOPs). Food insecurity driven by HIV/AIDS can be addressed directly through WFP programmes and WFP activities can be used as platforms for other types of HIV/AIDS programmes, such as preventative education.
• WFP will work with local and international partners, non-governmental organisations, governments and United Nations agencies to ensure that food is incorporated into HIV activities when and where appropriate. WFP will work particularly closely with UNAIDS cosponsors and the UNAIDS Secretariat in this regard.
• WFP will adjust programming tools such as needs assessments, vulnerability analysis, the design of rations and other nutritionrelated activities as information and research results become available, to reflect the new reality presented by HIV/AIDS.
• When HIV/AIDS threatens food security and influences mortality in ways similar to other disasters, WFP will consider HIV/AIDS as a basis for a PRRO, consistent with the current WFP policy on PRROs.

For further information, contact Rita Bhatia, WFP at email: Rita.Bhatia@wfp.org

¹Executive board first regular session - 5-7th February, 2003. Policy Issues Agenda Item 4. Programming in the era of AIDS; WFP response to HIV/AIDS