Executive Agent: Center of Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance (COE). COE works with technical partners, including AFRIMS, University of Hawaii Clinical AIDS Research Program, Tripler Army Medical Center, Royal Thai Army, UNAIDS, Family Health International and US Embassy DATT and ODC

Program Goals

• Prevent military HIV infections

• Advocacy, prevention, and research for sustained HIV/AIDS prevention activities

• Promote collaboration with civilian partners to enhance military HIV/AIDS

• prevention activities

• Prevent HIV spread to, and from, peacekeeping forces

• Establish framework for HIV/AIDS prevention in complex humanitarian emergencies

Long-Term Program Objectives

• Support US PACOM Theater Security and Cooperation priorities through the implementation of bilateral and multilateral military to military HIV prevention activities.

• Create effective advocacy and sustainable HIV prevention efforts in partner militaries.

• Effect HIV/STD-related behavior change within the military forces and peacekeeping contingents from throughout Asia

• Progressively lower HIV incidence and prevalence rates among all military personnel in the region

• Reduce HIV/AIDS risk to members of the regional armed forces and peacekeeping forces and secondarily to vulnerable populations served by these personnel

• Strengthen skills of military personnel as advocates, trainers, and researchers so that coalition military partners can sustain HIV/AIDS prevention activities

Funding Sources:

• US DOD HIV/AIDS Prevention Program (DHAPP)

• U.S. President’s Emergency Program for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)

• COE Core Budget
  Regional Activities:

• Regional Training Center, Bangkok – six training workshops to date. Directly trained over 150 Military Medical Personnel from 22 countries, including Afghanistan. Extended impact includes over 1000 military medical providers.

• Asia Pacific Military Medicine Conference – supported the HIV/AIDS plenary and breakout sessions 03, 04, 05. Attendance has been between 350 and 700 personnel.

Bilateral Programs:

• Vietnam – started with DHAPP funds, now the 15th PEPFAR Country –activities include workshop support - HIV/AIDS Policy Workshop for Military Medical Officers, Hanoi, April 2004 (120 officers) ; HIV/AIDS Counseling Education Workshop, Sept 2004 (HCMC) 126 Officers; upgrade of Diagnostic Lab - MIHE, Hanoi ; Senior Line officers HIV policy and advocacy workshop (Dec 2005), 400 non-medical officers; CD4/CD8 count laboratory workshop (Jan 2006); support for military medical officers’ participation in international workshops and conferences; expansion of UNAIDS peer education program; HIV care & treatment preceptorships at UH Hawaii AIDS Clinical Research Program, Tripler Army Medical Center and USAMC-AFRIMS; lab/technical training: HIV Diagnosis, Immunology, Virology at USAMC-AFRIMS.

• India – started with DHAPP funds, now a “non-focus” country – activities include strong emphasis on Prevention - Peer Education and capacity building of key laboratory infrastructure; workshop support (International HIV/AIDS Policy Workshop and CME - Pune, August 2005; HIV/AIDS Workshop for Peer Leaders of the Armed Forces - New Delhi, April 2005; HIV/AIDS Workshop for Peer Leaders - Shillong, Aug-Sept. 20050; laboratory facilities upgrade and equipment procurement and other critical supplies; publications of IEC materials.

• PNG: Sept 2005, Feb 2006: Terms of Reference signed for 2-yr bilat agreement, Communications infrastructure connecting 8 barracks including remote areas: 6 Voluntary Counseling and Testing Centers to be stood up with testing kits and auxiliary equipment supplied – including training. Treatment, care, and technical training workshop planned in FY06 with PNG DF, NGOs, National AIDS Council, AusAid, $180K for 2005/6; 180K proposed for 2006/7.

• Indonesia: Sept 2005, Convened multi-agency (FHI, UNAIDS, TNI, MOD) working group to develop comprehensive HIV/AIDS country Plan. $300K for 2005/06. LOA pending.

• East Timor: Sept 2005, conducted IPC for Bilateral program with ET; follow-up planning meeting, Jan. 2006. FY05 70K approved; FY06 130K proposed. January 31-February 3, in partnership with FDTL, FHI and UNAIDS, COE is implementing a Strategic Planning and Endorsement meeting. This event will ensure that senior officers understand the recently developed strategic plan for the Department of Defense as if fits into the overall National Strategic Plan for HIV/AIDS 2006-2011

• Nepal: A bilateral HIV engagement with Nepal has been proposed to DHAPP. Funding will be allocated for FY06/7 if approved for initial engagement: $130,000

• Cambodia: A bilateral HIV engagement with Cambodia has been proposed to DHAPP and will be allocated FY06/7 if approved. $20,000

Ongoing initiatives and proposal process also includes potential bilateral with China.