Infrastructure Cooperation Against HIV/AIDS

Transport routes and construction sites can increase the spread of HIV/AIDS. Agencies recognize the importance of harmonizing policies. Fighting the spread of HIV/AIDS is a multisectoralchallenge that requires increased coordination in infrastructure programs.

Participating Agencies

Joint Statement signed for XVI International AIDS ConferenceToronto, 2006• Strengthen sharing of

good practice experience

• Interventions to be consistent with national strategy

• Encourage local government cooperation with communities

• Jointly assess key interventions

• Support further initiatives funded by domestic or external sources

Transport Against AIDSTransport and Social Responsibility

Risks at Border Crossings

Cross-Border Transport: Increased HIV/AIDS risk

Road transport operators experience the most serious border delays.Lack of safe, clean and affordable accommodation for drivers -encourages risky behaviors.Limited access to health services at borders - condoms unavailable or expensive.

Some drivers say it is cheaper to spend the night with a commercial sex worker than pay for a night’s lodging.ILO Report, 2006

Corridor Border Post Countries Border Delay (hrs)

Beira Machipanda Mozambique - Zimbabwe 24

Beitbridge South Africa - Zimbabwe 36

Victoria Falls Zimbabwe -Zambia 36

Trans Caprivi Kazungula Botswana - Zambia 24

North-South

Delays at Border Posts

Transport Against AIDSTransport and Social Responsibility

Transport and HIV/AIDS in South Asia

South Asia: 5.5 million people living with HIV/AIDS

- 3.5 million in IndiaTransport sector workers are twice as likely to acquire HIV infection as workers in ‘low risk’ occupations.

HIV prevalence is above 2.5% along National highways between New Delhi, Calcutta, Chennai and Mumbai.

Transport sector action is crucial to avoid wide spread expansion of the disease in South Asia.

Mainstreaming HIV/AIDS in SAR Infrastructure Projects• Screen new projects to determine whether HIV/AIDS

prevention could be mainstreamed into the project design

• Provide seed money for HIV prevention. Cooperate with the relevant State Aids Control Societies (India)

• Monitor program impacts and evaluate intervention information

Demonstration of condom use for truckers in Nelamangala

11% of truckers may be HIV positive.The stigma around truckers is so strong that fathers in some parts of the country forbid their daughters to marry them.

The New York Times, 12/06/05

Transport and Social ResponsibilityTransport Against AIDS

Transport against AIDS in China

The spread of HIV in China matches the progression of transport development.Professor Xi’en Gui, ZhongnanHospital, Wuhan University

Includes education/testing program to support behavior change and lower risk of HIV/AIDS transmission among Hubei Provincial Communications Dept. (HPCD) staff, construction employees and residents around construction sites.

Impact on workers / residents• STD cases decreased by

29% in 2005; by 35% in 2006

• Improved awareness and behavioral changes

• Stigma reduced by 30% in 2005 and 44% in 2006

Hubei Shiman Expressway Project

1985 1995

1989 1998

Finance secured to replicate in two other China transport projects.

A seminar on HIVAIDS in Transport –jointly hosted by HPCD and ZhongnanHospital in October 2006–attracted over 60 international HIV experts, Chinese government officials and sector professionals.

Transport and Social ResponsibilityTransport Against AIDS