Kashmir AIDS Consortium
                                  (KAC)

Back Ground

According to the 1998 population census, the state of Azad Jammu & Kashmir had a population of 2.973 million, which estimated to have grown to 3.8 million in 2006. Almost 100% population is Muslim. The Rural to Urban ratio is 88:12.The population density is 258 persons per Sq Km. The literacy rate have increased from 55% to 60% after 1998 census. Infant mortality rate is approximately 56 per 1000 live births, whereas the immunization ratefor the children under 5 years of age is more than 88%.

The majority of the rural population depends on forestry, livestock and agriculture for its subsistence. Average per capita income is estimated to range from $ 5000 US to $ 600 US. Unemployment rate is from 35 to 50%. In line with the national trends, indicators of social sector improvement, particularly health and population welfare have not shown much proficiency. Efforts have been made during the recent past to make up this deficiency, in spite of these efforts the access to services especially health services remains limited.

The earthquake of 8th October 2005 brought devastation and destruction killing almost 8o thousand and wiping all infrastructure including health and educations systems structures.  The increased poverty as a result of the earthquake led to increase in many social problems and which were reported widely in the press.

The earthquake has increased vulnerability to HIV/AIDS in many ways. The huge emergency medical operation to provide medical relief to the hundreds of thousand of injured, left little room for screening of blood and sterilizing of instruments. When one side there are hundreds of injured pouring into the hospitals and on the other side there long queues to people willing to donate blood, it was not possible for the hospital authorities to ensure safety. Another important factor is the increase in poverty, which invariably leads to increased risky behaviours in terms of HIV/AIDS. Many women who been left without bread earners in their family may have turn to sex industry for their own survival and that of their families. The orphaned children can also easily become targets of child sexual abuse. The scenario gets grimmer as one continues to explore the situation even further

Kashmir AIDS Consortium

Kashmir AIDS Consortium is the premier network of 35 NGOs representing all the eight districts of AJK. It has a membership of 35 active organizations having experience of working in different sectors including education, health, environment and gender. It was registered in 2005 under society’s act 1860.

The objective of establishing KAC to help in mitigating the impact of HIV and AIDS and to help in the fight against HIV and AIDS by building the capacity of civil society organizations  through trainings, linkages and technical assistance.

KAC is the only network of its kind working for the prevention and control of HIV and AIDS in AJK where even the government program is in its nascent stages and has not been able to achieve much. KAC is the only network which has been able to organize some awareness seminars with media and capacity building workshops for the partner NGOs with help from PNAC and Aahung.

HIV Vulnerability in AJK

Though there was sound evidence of the prevalence of the high risk behaviours and low awareness levels in AJK even before the earthquake, the situation has worsened dramatically after the devastating earthquake of 8th October 2005. Vulnerability has increased manifold but on the other hand there is not a single facility of any kind including VCT Centre, Blood Testing or Counselling Centre in public or in NGO sector. There is not s single project for any vulnerable group by any NGO in any district of AJK. There exists a huge gap in the HIV situation and the services available for the vulnerable groups and for the people living with HIV and AIDS.

The government program for HIV and AIDS in AJK is also in nascent stages and there is practically no work going on the ground. The NGOs which are working in AJK are facing the problems of capacity, resources (both financial and human) and support. 

All these factors have contributed significantly in increasing the vulnerability of common people in general and marginalised groups in particular.

Way Forward

KAC proposes to establish a small office in Muzzafarabad AJK, with minimum staff for networking, liaison, resource mobilization and capacity building of the partner organization at local level.

The initiative was approved by PNAC Board of Director in the 12th Board Meeting as it is utmost importance to start work in AJK to stem the spread of epidemic and not to allow t take hold in the area.

KAC will bear the burden of the equipping the office and the salary of the support staff. Whereas PNAC is requested to provide support for the salary of consultant, rent and office running cost.

Contact Person

Raja Abid Ashraf
President
Kashmir AIDS Consortium
email: abid@kac.pnac.net.pk 

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