PEPFAR: Support for Host Nations

The Emergency Plan supports the multisectoral national responses in host nations, adapting U.S. support to the individual needs and challenges of each nation where the Emergency Plan is at work.

Countries and communities are at different stages of HIV/AIDS response and have unique drivers of HIV, distinctive social and cultural patterns (particularly with regard to the status of women), and different political and economic conditions. Effective interventions must be informed by local circumstances and coordinated with local efforts.

In April 2004, OGAC, working with UNAIDS, the World Bank, and the U.K. Department for International Development (DfID), organized and co-chaired a major international conference in Washington for major donors and national partners to consider and adopt key principles for supporting coordinated country-driven action against HIV/AIDS.

These principles became known as the “Three Ones": - one national plan, one national coordinating authority, and one national monitoring and evaluation system in each of the host countries in which organizations work. Rather than mandating that all contributors do the same things in the same ways, the Three Ones facilitate complementary and efficient action in support of host nations.

Inherent in the principles is the shared recognition of the urgent need for action that supports inclusive national ownership and clear accountability.

Through proactive diplomacy and communications, the Emergency Plan supports greater leadership at every level in the fight against HIV/AIDS. In highly impacted countries and those experiencing emerging epidemics, leadership is required from the statehouse to the village to combat stigma, denial, and misinformation; influence cultural patterns; and mobilize new partners, action, and resources.

With an eye to the future, the Emergency Plan supports the development of capacity to achieve, and sustain, success for years to come. Without local capacity, nations cannot fully “own” the fight they must lead against HIV/AIDS. The Emergency Plan supports national strategies to address lack of human resources and capacity; limited institutional capacity; and health care system weaknesses in such areas as health networks, physical infrastructure, and commodity distribution and control.

The President's Emergency Plan also brings unprecedented focus to building the institutional capacity of local organizations - including host governments and community- and faith-based organizations - to plan, implement, and manage HIV/AIDS programs to ensure sustainability.