Online Launch of Policy Brief on EU’s Levers to End HIV/AIDS in Ukraine

11 December 2024, 13:00-14:30 CET

Alliance for Public Health (Ukraine), Aidsfonds, and Friends of the Global Fund Europe cordially invite you to the online launch of a policy brief on the EU’s Levers to End HIV/AIDS in Ukraine, hosted by MEP Andriukaitis.

This event marks the culmination of a multistakeholder dialogue convened in February 2024, which explored the current state of the AIDS epidemic in Ukraine and the European Union’s role in bolstering the HIV/AIDS response in the country.

Since the outbreak of the war, the EU has shown unwavering political and financial support to Ukraine, including through the recent creation of the Ukraine Facility. With Ukraine’s EU accession status and its inclusion in the EU4Health and Horizon programs, the EU has strengthened its commitment to addressing critical health challenges, including HIV/AIDS.

Ukraine has one of Europe’s highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rates, and the war has intensified service disruptions, population displacement, and overall vulnerability. Leveraging the EU’s resources and expertise can make a critical difference in Ukraine’s ability to tackle HIV/AIDS effectively.

The policy brief will present concrete recommendations for shaping the future Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and its funding instruments, the Ukraine Facility, and the EU’s broader support of health multilaterals.

• MEP Lena Düpont – Delegation to the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee
• Ms Iwona Wawer – Chief specialist at the Polish National AIDS Centre
• Counsellor Anne Maria Madsen – Counsellor on Development Policy and Reconstruction Assistance to Ukraine, Danish Permanent Representation to the EU
• Member of DEVE Committee (TBC)
• Member of SANT Subcommittee (TBC)
• DG SANTE (TBC)

Background on organisers

Alliance for Public Health : Since the early days of the war, Alliance for Public Health has worked together with other civil society and community organizations, healthcare facilities, the Ministry of Health, the Public Health Center, and other government organizations to support people and keep the HIV and TB epidemics under control. And with joint efforts, we have succeeded! During one year of the war, 4 times more people have become Alliance beneficiaries than in previous years – over 1 million Ukrainians! Due to our cooperation with donors and partners, Alliance has delivered and handed over 2,000 tons of humanitarian and medical cargoes to more than 200 healthcare facilities throughout Ukraine, including in the liberated areas of Kherson, Kharkiv, Kyiv, Sumy, and Chernihiv oblasts. Alliance for Public Health works in the countries of the European region, supporting and sharing best practices in the response to HIV/AIDS.

Aidsfonds : Since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Aidsfonds set up the Emergency Support Fund for Ukraine and Neighboring Countries with the aim of ensuring uninterrupted services and safety for people living with and vulnerable to HIV. The fund provides short-term small grants and mid-term support for community-led and community-based organisations in Ukraine and EECA countries. So far, it has provided 64 grants to support 33 community-led organisations.

Friends of the Global Fund Europe : As an advocacy organisation, Friends Europe has been focusing on providing a platform for Ukrainian voices to call for increased funding to continue community-led initiatives for vulnerable populations. The advocacy started with a statement from Friends Europe’s board of directors. Friends organised events around World Tuberculosis Day in France and in the European Parliament to highlight the work of civil society and community-based organisations in maintaining access to critical health services in particular for key populations. Finally, it facilitated the access of Ukrainian voices to European media with coverage in the Rai and in Euractiv.