Post-conflict HIV prevention response: lessons from East Timor.
Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. LbOr08)
Thomas J Advisor, Ministry of Health, Dili, East Timor
This paper summarises the lessons learned from a 12 month HIV/AIDS Prevention activitiy carried out in the newly independent country, East Timor. Indonesia annexed this territory in 1975 after Portuguese colonial rule collapsed. About 200,000 East Timorese were killed or died from disease and famine during a 24-year fight for freedom. In a UN monitored referendum on 30th August, 1999 the Timorese voted against the Indonesian occupation. As a retaliation, the military and the pro-Indonesian militia unleashed violence. Massive population displacement resulted. The UN inherited a violence-ravaged country with no trained health care providers, or infrastructure. The UNTAET is consisted of approximately 10, 000 personnel of a multi national peace keeping force and civil administrators. Timor is one of the poorest countriy with 41 percent of its people living below the poverty line. The 'AIDS capacity building program' is an assistance package provided to the UNTAET by AusAID. The objective is to support the MoH in addressing most urgent HIV/AIDS prevention needs, and to develop a strategic response to HIV/AIDS. The key outputs are: A Timorese Working Group on STI/HIV/AIDS established, urgent capacity building activities were identified, short term prevention needs were addressed. Intersectoral collaboration strengthened, and a strategic plan has been developed. The key aspects of post conflict capacity development is: establishment of new organizations and their management and developing social capital. Effective approaches for capacity development are in -service training, education, the development of institutions, training of resource persons and targeted technical assistance. The key to the post-conflict sustainability are; enhanced knowledge, skills, experience and level of involvement. Key 'social capital' needes in post conflict situation are rapid efforts to develop skills in managerial and technical staff, skills in mediating of contextual environment
Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Infections, Conflict (Psychology), United Nations, Health Services Needs and Demand, Health Education, Sex Education, Social Conditions, Indonesia, prevention & control, Education
