Strengthening rural institutions

Mitigation strategies to cope with the epidemic need to be directed not only to individuals and households, but also to community organizations and institutions, which also suffer from the loss of staff, implementation capacity and institutional knowledge due to AIDS deaths. Rural service providers of all types -- for education, health, agricultural extension, credit and finance; women's associations; nutrition groups; irrigation committees; and terrace maintenance associations -- need to be supported.

Staffs need to be equipped with knowledge of the impact that HIV/AIDS has on rural livelihoods and how to incorporate AIDS-sensitive strategies into their work. Some communities have been extremely responsive to the epidemic, and institutions have been strengthened to be able to deal with a variety of problems created by increased morbidity and mortality. Social support groups, savings clubs and credit associations, self-help groups, community-based organizations, income-generating projects and exchange of labour are all essential in supporting rural livelihoods.

An agriculture-sector strategy must not overlook these institutions and their initiatives. External support from donors, NGOs, religious organizations or other groups should be directed towards strengthening these kinds of community-based initiatives rather than replacing them. As most assistance provided to AIDS-affected households comes from family, neighbours and local informal community institutions, it is important that the lessons from these initiatives be documented, shared and built upon.