December 2, 2008

New Project Won—Rwanda: Food and Nutrition Interventions for PLWHA

ACDI/VOCA has won a five-year, subagreement from Catholic Relief Services on the Ibyiringiro project to support improved services available to people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in Rwanda. USAID and the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) program provides funding for the project, which will address four main impediments to improving the livelihood security and resiliency of households impacted by HIV and AIDS.

1. a lack of available resources to expand the quantity and quality of services to PLWHA and OVC households already receiving food rations
2. a lack of strong community-based organizations to consistently support PLWHA and OVCs
3. insufficient economic opportunities for PLWHA and OVC households
4. insufficient weaning food and targeted nutrition education to HIV positive mothers to prevent the transmission of HIV to their infants after six months of exclusive breastfeeding

ACDI/VOCA will be primarily working with local cooperatives in cooperative development, including training in management, financial systems and governance.

To learn more about ACDI/VOCA’s work in Rwanda, click here.