The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the Namibian government are in partnership to meet joint priorities, to build capacity and systems needed to ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of the national HIV/AIDS program. We work in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) and partners to plan, implement, and monitor co-investments to achieve epidemic control and foster a sustainable response.
PEPFAR is the largest commitment by a single nation towards an international health initiative and in Namibia, PEPFAR has contributed over US$1.1 billion for HIV/AIDS activities since its inception in 2003. The United States works with the Government of Namibia and partners to identify people living with HIV and ensure they start and remain on treatment; to prevent new HIV infections; and to care for vulnerable children and other people affected by HIV/AIDS. PEPFAR Namibia works with the Namibian government, civil society, and the private sector to expand ART access by assisting high volume sites in high burden areas and decentralizing services to increase access to HIV treatment. Through collaborative efforts and strategic partnership, Namibia can be the first African country to achieve an ‘AIDS free generation’. PEPFAR’s focus is on supporting the Government of Namibia’s high level of host country ownership and efforts to achieve the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets, which translate into 90% of people living with HIV knowing their status, 90% of those diagnosed positive receiving anti-retroviral treatment, and 90% of the population on treatment maintaining a suppressed viral load.
In order to meet these targets, PEPFAR has also collaborated with the Namibian government in developing interventions targeted to specific needs around the country. This includes focusing on areas with high prevalence rates, mitigating human resource shortfalls, and decentralizing ART services.
Aligning with Namibia’s national HIV/AIDS response, PEPFAR works with:
- Government of Namibia Ministries and Agencies
- Civil Society Organizations
- Faith-Based Organizations
- Private Sector Enterprises
- International Organizations that have a presence in Namibia (e.g., UNAIDS, WHO)
PEPFAR coordinates its programs through:
U.S. Embassy Namibia
Home to the PEPFAR Coordinator’s Office which is responsible for developing and implementing a unified program that capitalizes on the comparative advantages and competencies among the various U.S. Government agencies implementing PEPFAR-funded activities. The PEPFAR Coordinator’s Office is also responsible for facilitating collaboration and communications between U.S. Government agencies, Government of Namibia ministries, other donor agencies, and local partners. This office works closely with and receives support from various the Embassy Offices, including, Public Affairs, Economic and Commercial, Political, Regional Security, and Consular.
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
USAID and CDC support evidence-based HIV prevention efforts including behavior change, biomedical, and structural interventions that are proven to have real impact on communities.
Both agencies, along with their implementing partners, develop and implement HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment programs in Namibia, and help build the capacity of the country’s healthcare workforce. This assistance has strengthened national efforts to prevent HIV transmission and to expand care and treatment services. The aim of all support is to ensure that Namibia soon sees an AIDS-free generation.
U.S. Peace Corps
Between 160-180 Volunteers in Namibia work with their communities on projects in community economic development, education, and health. During their service, Volunteers learn to speak local languages, including Afrikaans, Damara, Khoekhoegowab, Oshikwanyama, Oshindonga, Otijherero, Rukwangali, and Silozi. Many volunteers are strategically placed in health centers, schools and vocational training centers where they create demand for HIV testing through community outreach programs such as organizing sports activities and youth clubs. They work closely with counterparts including but not limited to Health Extension Workers, business consultants and educators to implement these activities . More than 1,575 Peace Corps Volunteers have served in Namibia since the program was established in 1990.
Resources and Media Information
- DREAMS Fact Sheet (PDF 188 PDF)
- PEPFAR Namibia Media Information June 2018 (PDF 2,908 KB)
- PEPFAR Namibia Media Information May 2017 (PDF 926 KB)
- Seeking Safety – Domestic Violence in Namibia (PDF 5.3 MB)
- Domestic Violence Awareness Poster (PDF 612 KB)
- Domestic Violence and HIV Poster (PDF 182 KB)
- A Guide to Well-being for Lesbians (PDF 335 KB)
Grants
2019 PEPFAR Small Grants Now Open:
The PEPFAR Small Grants Program focuses on supporting grassroots and community run projects that seek to mitigate the spread and impact of HIV/AIDS in their communities. The program typically funds two to four projects a year, with the average grant ranging between US$20,000 and US$25,000, for the duration of one year. The total annual budget is typically around US$100,000. The funds are often used for health education for PLHIV or orphanages.
The program issues calls for proposals annually, which are usually based on that year’s Country Operational Plan (COP) themes or focus areas. The selection of grantees is done by a panel convened from across the mission. The grants for this year were focused on young girls, given the designation PEPFAR has made of Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) as a vulnerable group in the response.
- Please click here (PDF 441 KB) to download the 2019 PEPFAR Small Grants call for young men and boys.
- Please click here (PDF 442 KB) to download the 2019 PEPFAR Small Grants call for key and priority populations.
COP22
The Strategic Direction Summary (SDS) explains the PEPFAR programming to be executed in COP22 (Fiscal Year 2023). PEPFAR continues to effectively support the Namibian people in achieving the sustainable epidemic control of HIV/AIDS.
COP21
The Strategic Direction Summary (SDS) explains the PEPFAR programming to be executed in COP21 (Fiscal Year 2022). PEPFAR continues to effectively support the Namibian people in achieving the sustainable epidemic control of HIV/AIDS.
COP20
The Strategic Direction Summary (SDS) explains the PEPFAR programming to be executed in COP20 (Fiscal Year 2021). PEPFAR continues to effectively support the Namibian people in achieving the sustainable epidemic control of HIV/AIDS.
COP18
- Our previous Country Operational Plans, approval meeting out briefs, and budget and target reports: https://www.pepfar.gov/countries/cop/fy2017/index.htm
- PEPFAR data globally: https://data.pepfar.net/
- Quarterly data for Namibia: https://data.pepfar.net/quarterlyData/
- Compilation of programmatic solutions for epidemic control: https://www.pepfarsolutions.org/
- PEPFAR Strategic Direction Summary 2017 (PDF 1,827 KB)
- PEPFAR COP 18 Guidance (PDF 4,882 KB)
COP18 Presentations
Below are the presentations from the COP18 Stakeholder meeting held January 31, 2018 at Safari Court Hotel.COP18 Guidance Overview (PDF 475 KB)
- COP18 Heath Systems Strengthening (PDF 796 KB)
- COP18 HIV Testing (PDF 806 KB)
- COP18 Effects of Global Fund Budget Reduction 2018-20 (PDF 317 KB)
- COP18 Key Populations (PDF 613 KB)
- COP18 PrEP (PDF 554 KB)
- COP18 VMMC (PDF 780 KB)
- COP18 Way Forward Summary (PDF 463 KB)
- COP18 OVC (PDF 1,013 KB)
- COP18 TB-HIV (PDF 667 KB)
- COP18 AGYW Breakout (PDF 1,171 KB)
- COP18 Care and Treatment (PDF 1,419 KB)
- COP18 FY19 Target Setting_SI_Data (PDF 489 KB)
COP17
PEPFAR Namibia works closely with civil society implementing partners. In 2017, PEPFAR Namibia held individual engagements with identified civil society organizations in order to learn more about current projects and to discuss ideas for COP17. Three meetings were held so far, with the first national stakeholder meeting on January 26, 2017 to launch the development of COP17. On 21 and 22 February 2017, regional stakeholder meetings were held in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) in nine regions around the country. A total of 112 national level participants attended the meeting. Stakeholder engagements continue to be held throughout the year.
- PEPFAR Namibia Media Information May 2017 (PDF 926 KB)
- PEPFAR Namibia Stakeholders meeting, January 26, 2017 (PDF 736 KB)
- PEPFAR Regional meeting summary February 21-22, 2017 (PDF 973 KB)
- Opening remarks by Ms. Johanna Haimene, the Regional Health Director in Oshana region (regional consultation Ondangwa) (PDF 1,807 KB)