AIDSTAR-Two Project Trip Report – Guatemala

Berman, Team Leader. The purpose of the trip was to develop a draft work plan for AIDSTAR-Two field support provided by USAID/Guatemala. The team's deliverable was a draft work plan, which was presented to USAID/Guatemala in a debriefing meeting. The mission concurred with the design and structure of the program as presented. The work plan aims to strengthen community-based network capacity to reach most-at-risk populations (MARPs) in the Petén and Izabal Departments. The program will be implemented in collaboration with the International HIV/AIDS Alliance (the Alliance), a core AIDSTAR-Two Consortium partner. Activities to enhance local organizational capacity include working with NGO leadership to develop capacity-building plans, providing assistance to individual organizations and nascent NGO networks, and evaluating the progress of capacity-building efforts. Enabling local organizations to address the structural drivers of the epidemic involves assessing cultural and social factors that drive risk for members of the MSM community, and assessing the social, legal, and other factors that fuel sexual trafficking. AIDSTAR-Two partners will work with local network organizations to develop social mobilization interventions that address structural drivers of the epidemic, and provide assistance to them in the implementation of these programs. To improve the continuum of preventive care services in the two target departments, AIDSTAR-Two partners will work with local partners/implementing agencies to prioritize investments in key services. Once these priorities have been established, AIDSTAR-Two will provide sub-awards to local organizations, and monitoring of their progress executing these awards. The program's objectives include building local organization capacity for a sustained response to HIV, enabling local organizations to address social and structural factors that drive the epidemic, and mapping the continuum of HIV prevention, care, and support services. The program will be implemented over an 18-month period, with a focus on empowering local organizations to support local initiatives and advocate for change in social, political, legal, and structural factors that drive the AIDS epidemic in Guatemala. Key individuals contacted during the trip included Fidel Arevalo, Activity Manager for AIDSTAR-Two field support activities, Karen Nurick, LAC Bureau at USAID/Washington, and Raul Boyle, Country Representative for UNAIDS in Guatemala. Relevant documents include the AIDSTAR-Two Workplan for Guatemala version, Final July 31st draft, and the AIDSTAR-Two/Guatemala Work Plan, Strengthening Community-Based Network Capacity to Reach Most-at-Risk Populations (MARPs) in the Petén and Izabal Departments. The program's implementation will be guided by a work plan that outlines key activities, deliverables, and timelines. The team will work closely with local partners and implementing agencies to ensure the successful implementation of the program. The program's impact will be monitored and evaluated through regular progress reports and assessments.