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.