GENEVA, 13 July 2023—A new report released today by UNAIDS shows that there is a clear path that ends AIDS. This path will also help prepare for and tackle future pandemics and advance progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The report, ‘The Path that Ends AIDS’, contains data and case studies which highlight that ending AIDS is a political and financial choice, and that the countries and leaders who are already following the path are achieving extraordinary results.

Botswana, Eswatini, Rwanda, the United Republic of Tanzania, and Zimbabwe have already achieved the “95-95-95” targets. That means 95% of the people who are living with HIV knowing their HIV status, 95% of the people who know that they are living with HIV being on lifesaving antiretroviral treatment, and 95% of people who are on treatment being virally suppressed. A further 16 other countries, eight of them in sub-Saharan Africa, the region which accounts for 65% of all people living with HIV, are also close to doing so.

“The end of AIDS is an opportunity for a uniquely powerful legacy for today’s leaders,” said Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “They could be remembered by future generations as those who put a stop to the world’s deadliest pandemic. They could save millions of lives and protect the health of everyone. They could show what leadership can do.”

The report highlights that HIV responses succeed when they are anchored in strong political leadership. This means following the data, science, and evidence; tackling the inequalities holding back progress; enabling communities and civil society organizations in their vital role in the response; and ensuring sufficient and sustainable funding.

Progress has been strongest in the countries and regions that have the most financial investments, such as in eastern and southern Africa where new HIV infections have been reduced by 57% since 2010.

Thanks to support for and investment in ending AIDS among children, 82% of pregnant and breastfeeding women living with HIV globally were accessing antiretroviral treatment in 2022, up from 46% in 2010. This has led to a 58% reduction in new HIV infections among children from 2010 to 2022, the lowest number since the 1980’s.

Progress in the HIV response has been strengthened by ensuring that legal and policy frameworks do not undermine human rights, but enable and protect them. Several countries removed harmful laws in 2022 and 2023, including five (Antigua and Barbuda, the Cook Islands, Barbados, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Singapore) that have decriminalized same-sex sexual relations.

The number of people on antiretroviral treatment worldwide rose almost fourfold, from 7.7 million in 2010 to 29.8 million in 2022.

However, the report also sets out that ending AIDS will not come automatically. AIDS claimed a life every minute in 2022. Around 9.2 million people still miss out on treatment, including 660 000 children living with HIV.

Women and girls are still disproportionately affected, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Globally, 4,000 young women and girls became infected with HIV every week in 2022. Only 42% of districts with HIV incidence over 0.3% in sub-Saharan Africa are currently covered with dedicated HIV prevention programmes for adolescent girls and young women.

Almost one quarter (23%) of new HIV infections were in Asia and the Pacific where new infections are rising alarmingly in some countries. Steep increases in new infections are continuing in eastern Europe and central Asia (a rise of 49% since 2010) and in the Middle East and North Africa (a rise of 61% since 2010). These trends are due primarily to a lack of HIV prevention services for marginalized and key populations and the barriers posed by punitive laws and social discrimination.

Funding for HIV also declined in 2022 from both international and domestic sources, falling back to the same level as in 2013. Funding amounted to US$ 20.8 billion in 2022, far short of the US$ 29.3 billion needed by 2025.

There is an opportunity now to end AIDS by increasing political will by investing in a sustainable response to HIV through financing what matters most: evidence-based HIV prevention and treatment, health systems integration, non- discriminatory laws, gender equality, and empowered community networks.

“We are hopeful, but it is not the relaxed optimism that might come if all was heading as it should be. It is, instead, a hope rooted in seeing the opportunity for success, an opportunity that is dependent on action,” said Ms Byanyima. “The facts and figures shared in this report do not show that as a world we are already on the path, they show that we can be. The way is clear.”

In 2022, an estimated:

• 39.0 million people globally were living with HIV
• 29.8 million people were accessing antiretroviral therapy
• 1.3 million people became newly infected with HIV
• 630 000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

To help reflect on the progress made and the work still under way in the process of Culture Transformation, UNAIDS has produced a new brochure that is being shared with staff, stakeholders and other UN organizations. 

The brochure, Building a Workplace Culture of Equality—a Reflection on UNAIDS Culture Transformation Journey to Date reviews some of the processes undertaken since 2020 to build an equal, safe and empowering workplace culture. UNAIDS Culture Transformation is grounded in feminist thinking and practice and supports UNAIDS staff through a change process, helping them to develop positive working practices that can be taken forward and embedded within organizational policy and practice.

Back in 1996, UNAIDS became the only Joint Programme of the United Nations. The small team grew over the years leading and inspiring the world to achieve its vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. Currently, some 650 staff members from over 120 nationalities work across 80 duty stations to end AIDS as a public health threat as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. In 2018, an external review noted the need for action to transform organizational culture to ensure an empowering and inclusive workplace.

The two-person team leading the work along with dedicated change agents inspired themselves with the powerful NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt to visually show the key concepts essential to an empowering culture. The original AIDS quilt had stitched names on tiles to recall the lives of people who had died of AIDS-related illnesses and to honour them. The quilt became a beloved symbol for friends and family to remember their loved ones since social stigma had denied many people a proper remembrance.

The UNAIDS Culture Transformation team created its own virtual quilt showing the long-term journey necessary to transform and sustain a culture of equality and social justice.  

“We have been so inspired by the determined work of staff across the organization to advance building a culture of equality,” said Mumtaz Mia and Juliane Drews who have led UNAIDS Culture Transformation. “We have been so moved by the lessons learnt in the process of change and hope that taking stock will help staff as they continue to  pursue this journey.”

In other words, keep adding tiles to the UNAIDS quilt.

All of UNAIDS Cultural Transformation documents can be downloaded here.

Read Juliane and Mumtaz’s very powerful and personal OpEd in IPS News. 

UNAIDS is saddened by the passing of long-time HIV and public health adviser to the Caribbean, Dr. Michel de Groulard. Michel had more than 30 years’ experience in International Public Health, with around 25 years dedicated to HIV.  

Michel was a French citizen who made the Caribbean his home. He lived in Trinidad and Tobago for several years and up to the time of his passing.  

A medical doctor by training, Michel worked on several public health projects for the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and provided healthcare to remote, desert villages in Mauritania and Cameroon. He also served as a Public Health Officer in the Grenada Health Ministry and an HIV Project Manager at the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre.

Michel joined UNAIDS in 2001 as a Senior Partnerships Adviser. He went on to serve the Caribbean region in a number of positions with UNAIDS, including Senior Program Adviser to the region for more than seven years. He had just last month concluded a two-year appointment as interim Country Director for the Guyana/Suriname office which he opened in Georgetown in 2005.

In his HIV work over the years, he continuously placed a strong emphasis on the role of civil society at all levels of the response to address risk and vulnerability, gender issues and barriers to access services. Michel provided technical support for the creation of the Caribbean Network of People living with HIV in 1996 and the establishment of the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition in 2005. For several years he was Vice Chair of Community Actions Resource, Trinidad and Tobago’s oldest organization serving people living with HIV.

Above all Michel was a champion for the marginalized and excluded, especially people living with HIV and key populations. He ensured that communities’ concerns and voices were put at the centre of planning and advocacy. He is remembered by civil society and for championing their critical importance in shaping public policy and delivering services.

Michel never truly retired. Always energetic and committed, he took on several challenges following his initial departure from UNAIDS in 2013. This included the role of Regional Manager for the USAID/PEPFAR LINKAGES programme for the Eastern and Southern Caribbean. He also volunteered with the Alliance Française in Port of Spain.

His interests in epidemiology and public health were enduring. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, he compiled and disseminated daily country and regional graphs tracking new infections and deaths in the Caribbean. His nightly WhatsApp messages to friends and colleagues continued until the night before his passing.

Michel loved to cook and would often entertain friends at home with his famous quiche. He encouraged us all to eat healthily and work out.

Michel served with distinction as an international civil servant, and he touched many lives. He was a real champion for ending inequalities. We have lost a great brother, a wonderful human being and a very committed professional with exceptional leadership skills and understanding of human rights and inclusion. We extend our deepest condolences to his family. We shall miss him.

NEW YORK/GENEVA, 5 October 2022 — United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has today announced the appointment of UNAIDS two Deputy Executive Directors.

Angeli Achrekar, who is currently Principal Deputy U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, PEPFAR, will be UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director for the Programme Branch. Christine Stegling, who is currently Executive Director of Frontline AIDS, will be UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director for the Policy, Advocacy and Knowledge Branch.

Each of them will also be an Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations.

UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima said:

"I am delighted to welcome to UNAIDS two exceptional leaders in the global HIV response. Angeli Achrekar and Christine Stegling are exemplars in building strong partnerships which connect communities, governments and the United Nations and achieve transformational impact. Their work has saved and changed lives and helped advance the dignity and rights of all. They are joining a UNAIDS that has been reshaped to be ready in this challenging global moment to ensure that no one is left behind. Through courageous leadership to end the inequalities which perpetuate the AIDS pandemic, the world can end AIDS. With the help of Angeli and Christine, UNAIDS will galvanise that leadership."

Angeli Achrekar said:

"I am honored to join UNAIDS and to lead the Programme Branch. I am inspired by how UNAIDS has united the world through its strategy in a shared commitment to end the inequalities which drive the AIDS pandemic. UNAIDS grounding in communities, data, programmatic insight, convening strength and bold advocacy have been central to the progress that has been made in the AIDS response, and are needed now more than ever. Together, in partnership with communities, NGOs, private sector, governments and multilateral organizations, we can and will end AIDS."

Christine Stegling said:

"I am thrilled to join UNAIDS and to lead the new Policy, Advocacy and Knowledge Branch. UNAIDS has helped advance vital progress in laws, policies, and investments needed to unlock the barriers to prevention, testing and treatment. By ensuring that science is shared, that the human rights of all are protected, that inequalities are tackled, and that communities are supported to lead, we can enable the world to meet the international pledge to end AIDS."

The UN Secretary-General's announcement will be made available at https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/personnel-appointments.

UNAIDS Global AIDS Strategy 2021-2026, "End Inequalities. End AIDS." is available at Global AIDS Strategy 2021-2026.

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Dr Leo Zekeng, UNAIDS Country Director and Representative in Nigeria, has shared how lessons from the AIDS response apply to the Monkeypox response.

Dr Zekeng said:

“Monkeypox is endemic in Nigeria, and in recent weeks there has been a significant increase in suspected and confirmed cases. The Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC)’s most recently published sitrep (7^th August 2022) indicates that in 2022 there have been over 473 suspected Monkeypox cases (407 of which are since 30^th May), of which have been 172 confirmed (151 of which are since 30^th May).  In the most recent weekly data published (1^st to 7^th August), 60 suspected cases were recorded in one week, out of which 15 were confirmed.

The Nigerian government, civil society organisations, development partners and the UN are working together to respond to the increase of suspected and confirmed Monkeypox cases in Nigeria. On 26th May 2022, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) activated a national multisectoral Emergency Operations Centre for Monkeypox to strengthen and coordinate ongoing response activities in-country while contributing to the global response.

Lessons we have learnt in the AIDS response apply to the Monkeypox response too. The Monkeypox response in Nigeria is being impacted by both social stigma and by global inequality in access to essential medicines, including vaccines.

Local staff in the most affected states have reported that stigma, connected with commentary from across the world blaming gay people for Monkeypox, is discouraging some people from seeking care. Local staff report that there have been situations of people being too afraid to access medical care because of stigma. State Health officials are working to ensure that staff at health clinics are sensitized to break down such stigma, and not to reinforce it. State Ministry of Health officials are also embarking on community sensitization on Monkeypox, emphasizing identification of symptoms, prevention, and the need to get tested.

The scarcity of key medicines is also holding back Nigeria's Monkeypox response. There is a need to support expansion of the supply of medicines, equipment, and sample collection materials. Unlike the US and EU, Nigeria does not have any supply of vaccines for Monkeypox. This brings amongst people in affected areas a sense of frustration that they have been left behind by the world. This inequality in access to vaccines and other key medicines must be urgently put right by sharing doses, sharing production rights and sharing know-how.

Support in efforts to challenge stigma, and in enabling access to essential medicines, are key to ensuring that everyone impacted by Monkeypox in Nigeria gets the care they need. Support for the response in Nigeria is essential for the success of the global response."

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

From the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was clear that life would be even more difficult for people living with HIV.  

“When experts identified how COVID-19 affected people, it was clear that people with compromised immune systems needed to get a heightened level of care and attention,” said Fardad Doroudi, the UNAIDS Country Director for the Islamic Republic of Iran. “We needed to be quick and agile to mobilize our resources and expertise to make sure that no person living with HIV was left behind.”

Throughout the multiple waves of COVID-19 in the country, UNAIDS has provided critical support to people living with and affected by HIV, providing personal protective equipment and medicines, supporting nongovernmental organizations with small grants to help communities, developing information, education and communication materials and developing a community-based monitoring and evaluation framework.

Personal protective equipment, such as masks, shields, gloves and sanitizer, is a key tool in preventing the spread of viruses such as the virus that causes COVID-19. UNAIDS provided 95 tonnes of personal protective equipment to the Ministry of Health and Medical Education and the State Welfare Organization to be distributed through HIV-related nongovernmental organizations. Items provided included 1.8 million face masks, 60 000 bottles of hand sanitizer and 40 000 boxes of latex gloves, among other equipment.

Multimonth dispensing, ensuring that people living with HIV who are on HIV treatment receive enough treatment to last several months in order to avoid frequent visits to health centres, is a key pillar of an HIV response in humanitarian crises and was at the centre of UNAIDS’ efforts during the pandemic in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

To ensure that people on HIV treatment received their life-saving medicines, UNAIDS procured and delivered more than 650 000 doses of Vonavir, which covered the needs of more than 7000 people living with HIV for nearly three months, and more than 520 000 doses of Truvada, which covered the needs of nearly 3000 people living with HIV for six months. The more than 10 000 people helped with treatment received their medicines through treatment centres across the country.

Ten nongovernmental organizations working on HIV were awarded 26 small grants to increase community engagement and help people living with HIV adapt to life during the COVID-19 pandemic, and reached more than 14 000 people. Some of the activities funded by the grants include income generation schemes, home-care services, online sales and commerce, mental health support, the development of e-learning platforms, the distribution of hygiene kits, food and medicines and holding virtual events and forums for awareness-raising and stress reduction.

UNAIDS also helped in creating impactful information, education and communication material to enhance knowledge and build awareness of the COVID-19 pandemic. In collaboration with the national AIDS programme, UNAIDS supported the production and dissemination of a series of animations by a local nongovernmental organization. The 16-minute animation series, split into three episodes, covers topics such as the basics of HIV in relation to COVID-19, prevention of the virus in the context of HIV, the importance of continuing HIV treatment and addressing stigma and discrimination. The videos were featured across a number of online channels and platforms, receiving more than 15 000 views to date.  

UNAIDS also developed and piloted a community-based monitoring and evaluation framework. This was born out of field monitoring activities carried out together with government partners and civil society organizations.

Online training sessions were organized for more than 200 people living with HIV and service providers. The sessions covered the basics of monitoring and evaluation of HIV-related COVID-19 programmes for nongovernmental organizations. The goal was to improve the effectiveness of monitoring and evaluation practices for HIV within the framework of the national strategic plan in order to improve the quality of HIV programmes in the country. 

“Relying on strong collaborations and partnerships was key for our fast response during a rapidly changing time,” said Mr Doroudi. “With the support of donors, a strong liaison with national counterparts and effective collaboration with other United Nations agencies, we managed to be a part of the overall support to people living with HIV, who had to deal with the health, social and economic challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.”

UNAIDS’ response to COVID-19 in the Islamic Republic of Iran was funded by the European Union’s humanitarian aid budget and was facilitated in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund. The Islamic Republic of Iran’s Ministry of Health and Medical Education and the State Welfare Organization were the key governmental partners for the wide range of activities undertaken as part of the project.

GENEVA, 7 April 2022—The German Federal Government has agreed to host a new UNAIDS office in Bonn. The agreement is part of Germany’s commitment to reinforce its partnership with the United Nations and part of UNAIDS’ commitment to realign its work to the new Global AIDS Strategy 2021–2026: End Inequalities, End AIDS.

“UNAIDS welcomes this important support by Germany,” said Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “Germany is continuing to demonstrate its commitment to end AIDS through shared responsibility and global solidarity, and we look forward to working ever more closely into the future towards our common goals.”

The UNAIDS office will house UNAIDS’ management support functions, including People Management, Information and Communications Technology, Finance and the Independent Evaluation Office. Operations will begin in mid-2022 and will be part of the UNAIDS Secretariat’s more geographically distributed “global centre”. Approximately 45 UNAIDS staff will be working in Bonn, a location that also hosts United Nations organizations that include the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the United Nations Volunteers programme, the United Nations Global Centre for Human Resources Services and the United Nations System Staff College Knowledge Centre for Sustainable Development. It will become the third largest United Nations office in Bonn and joins 25 other United Nations entities with a presence in the city.

“With this relocation of UNAIDS staff to Bonn, Germany shows its commitment to supporting the important work of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS in the global AIDS response and reflects Germany’s commitment to global health overall. We hope that this move as part of the realignment process will contribute to a more effective and cost-efficient UNAIDS. We welcome the United Nations staff to Bonn,” said the German Minister of Health, Karl Lauterbach.

The Government of Germany, parliamentarians, civil society and other partners in Germany have long shown commitment to the global HIV response and to global health and health security. Germany has provided regular contributions to UNAIDS and was the third largest donor in 2020, investing a total of almost US$ 30 million in that year, and pledged US$ 1 billion to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria at its last replenishment.

A valued partner of UNAIDS, the Government of Germany is firmly committed to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 and has invested significant resources to ensure that no one is left behind. In 2020, Germany contributed an additional €20 million to UNAIDS above its core contribution to strengthen the response to HIV during the COVID-19 pandemic.

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

On 24 February, Olena Sherstyuck, UNAIDS Global Outreach Officer in Ukraine, had no choice but to flee Kyiv. We spoke to her from her new location in western Ukraine.

On 24 February, what were your first thoughts?

Well, my day started very early that day. My son messaged me at 5 a.m. saying, “It looks like the war has begun.” When I went out on my balcony, I heard loud sounds that sounded like bombs.

Is that when you decided to leave Kyiv?

At first, I sat in my car with my cats and then, after checking in with the country director and the rest of the staff, I decided to go to my country house with a garden outside of the city, where I met up with my son and his wife.

Was that safe enough?

When I arrived, I realized this was worse than the city. My house is in fact near the Gostomel Airport, so is a target of missiles. We hardly slept at all. The sky was red and what I love about the place is that there are panoramic windows, but this was not pleasant at all. The windows kept rattling.

So, what did you do next?

On 25 February, at midnight, we decided to leave for western Ukraine. I had worked in the region for five years while working at the United Nations Children’s Fund and had been back since then, so the mountainous region seemed like a good option to me.

It meant driving solidly for 28 hours because we zig-zagged from place to place to avoid fighting and to find alternatives to closed roads or blown-up bridges. We had to change our route constantly. That was quite challenging.

I asked friends in the region to help me find a place to stay, so we are now settled in a wooden house with five rooms and a common kitchen. 

Were you liaising with your team and your supervisor?

We are a small UNAIDS office in Ukraine and because of COVID-19 we had all sorts of ways of staying in touch, via WhatsApp, Viber, etc. Every morning we have our regular morning check-ins. That has helped a lot to stay connected. Colleagues from the region and the global hub have also reached out, which keeps me feeling like things are normal.

Normal, really?

I cannot sleep and I cannot eat but the work and meetings and coordinating efforts help keep me grounded—it keeps me going.

I am, however, addicted to the news. It’s impossible to stop watching and reading what is going on. I keep thinking about my apartment in the city and about my garden and when we can all go back to Kyiv.

I have no regrets about leaving. I am not a fighter nor am I in the army, so why get in the way of the people fighting. That first week I was in shock and I thought that it would end quickly, but we are now three weeks in.

I assume you took your passport and phone but what about food and clothing?

I took my key documents and passport and my work computer but only had gardening clothes from my house, so I have been wearing an all-purpose man’s jacket ever since. Let’s just say I am looking a bit disheveled, but I am not the only one! (Laughter.)

As for food, there are small markets and so far we have had no shortages. We are trying to make ourselves busy by joining local women making bread and there are other communal activities organized in the village.

(Interruption) Do you hear that, Charlotte? You heard the sound of the air raid alert? It’s stopped now.

Not having lived through something like this, what advice do you have for us?

First of all, having personal relationships with people really comes in handy in such times. Not only was I able to connect with my current colleagues, I also did so with my former work friends too.

And from the first day, I was able to reach out to the numerous networks of people living with HIV and other nongovernmental organizations I work with to see how they are doing. This meant lots of calls back and forth, but these are professional and personal relationships I have made over the years—I wanted to know if everyone was safe.

I must say we at UNAIDS were really good at sharing and passing on key information regarding what services are available, where and with whom, services such as antiretroviral therapy refills or opioid substitution therapy, and then updating the information. Before the war, I was a member of the national oversight committee and programmatic committee that oversees Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria grants, so my colleagues and I are trying to follow up on programming aspects. It is not easy, and as for monitoring, many people are still hiding in basements, so that complicates things.

Secondly, it is really hard to plan strategically. In the beginning, everyone is making ad hoc decisions. Our partners, other international organizations, basically everyone was scrambling to help and unfortunately there was a lot of duplication. One day I would be asked to find mattresses, another day someone needed gas, now things feel more organized.

I learned that it takes time to understand how to act and react and it’s important to find one’s niche. Don’t try and spread out too much.

Good advice—basically, assign roles and/or tap into each organization’s strengths to work better as a whole?

Exactly. Another thing that has been helpful is to have the global hub’s input. I mainly work with local counterparts—for me, that is 90% of my time and because of all the running around and the forever-changing situation, it has been useful to have HQ give us the bigger picture.

How so?

It’s reassuring to know that countries, such as Poland and the Republic of Moldova, and people have committed to help Ukraine. I now know what our colleagues in the region are doing regarding antiretroviral therapy stocks and using international assistance. In Ukraine, we adopted more European standards, so, for example, our regulations on medicines and intellectual property are close to European standards and have little in common with former Soviet satellite countries. Our legislations contain chapters on key populations and prohibit discrimination and the Ukrainian Government financed basic HIV prevention services for hundreds of thousands of people from key populations. We also really pushed harm reduction services, since HIV in Ukraine affects mostly people who inject drugs, with thousands of people on opioid substitution therapy and pre-exposure prophylaxis. The rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people have also been an integral component of the country’s human rights strategy.  I can hardly imagine such developments in many eastern European countries.

Any last thoughts?

It’s really important to feel like I have human contact, so do reach out. And I must say I have been impressed by people uniting, Ukraine feels more united to me. That is my one optimistic note in all of this—there has been fantastic support among people. Glory to Ukraine!