KHANA

At the time of the study, illicit drug use had only been recently recognized by the Cambodian government as having the potential to accelerate the HIV epidemic in Cambodia. Responses to this issue had been focused, at best, on arresting dealers and sending users to military style camps for rehabilitation.

The study aimed to identify the most vulnerable people at risk to HIV related to drug use. Participatory approaches were used to generate qualitative information. Results showed relatively high levels of drug use within certain populations including out of school youth and sex workers. These groups already have a high HIV risk which is therefore compounded by the use of behavior changing drugs such as amphetamine type stimulants. The study recommends that drug related programs need to fully understand the personal and social factors that lead to drug use. A lack of services relating to drug use was found and therefore improvements to services and information availability and community involvement are needed.

The Communities Responding to the HIV/AIDS Epidemic (CORE) Initiative, a global program founded by the USAID, aimed to support an inspired, effective and inclusive response to the causes and consequences of HIV/AIDS by strengthening the capacity of community and faith-based groups (CBO/FBO). An evaluation was conducted using qualitative research to analyse inputs, outcomes, change among beneficiaries, challenges and lessons learned. Findings showed increased access to resources for CBO/FBO through small grants provided to implement HIV prevention and impact mitigation activities.

The report highlights findings of an evaluation of the three year integrated food support and home care project conducted in collaboration with WFP. The report also aims to establish baseline data for future project implementation. The evaluation used a combination of quantitative and qualitative approaches and looked at two areas (one intervention and one control). The report outlines the socio-economic and demographic profiles of informants and the positive impact of the program in mitigating the effect of HIV/AIDS on food security, nutrition, health, schooling, and improving livelihoods. Major change in the perception of beneficiaries and communities around their role and responsibilities in the project were also found.

The assessment aimed to examine organizational and project management capacity, and staff technical capacity. The capacity assessment aimed to inform capacity building plans for each partner. Data was collected through small group discussions, large group discussions, individual and confidential scoring, and final review of result with all participants against assessment tool criteria. Findings showed strong implementation, networking and coordination capacity of partners. However, gaps were found in areas of policy, procedures and regulations documentation. Improvement in these areas will improve program implementation, effectiveness and impact.

The program aims to improve empowerment for most risk population and PLHIV, which is visualized as the interplay between social capital, an enabling environment and access to services and commodities. A baseline study was conducted using qualitative methods. Findings showed diversity in stigma towards affected populations, including variations among geographical areas, rural groups, and minority groups and due to status as SW or MSM. Sex workers were looked down upon the general community due to perceived low social class. The study found PLHIV were pessimistic about the future, isolated, and affected by low self esteem. PLHIV relied most on relatives and friends for support, followed by NGO and pagodas. PLHIV were found to be using private practitioners for medicine supply rather than public services.

A qualitative method was employed using field visits, observation, semi-structure interviews and key informant interviews. Finding show achievements of home based care (HBC) activities include: increased technical skills related to home based care activities; increased HIV and ARV awareness; empowerment of PLHIV to resist stigma and discrimination due to their illness; facilitation of PLHIV voice through home care teams (HCT) and self help group (SHG) meetings. Challenges faced include: constraints related to planned time frame, limited budget for travel to reach isolated areas; difficulties following up with PLHIV migrating for work; demotivation of home based care staff due to limited budget, training gaps and demanding reporting requirements.

The operational research to study the KHANA Meanchey Drop in Center (KMDC) comprehensive model would not have been possible without the joint efforts of the Research Department, the Technical Support and Best Practice (TSBP) Department of KHANA, and last but not least the KMDC.

The completion of this SAHACOM end-of-project evaluation has been made possible by the contribution of a number of people both at KHANA and KHANA’s implementing partners. We would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to KHANA’s Senior Management Team and the Programs Division of KHANA for their guidance and support.