| In response to the National AIDS Commission's (NAC) request for applications for Umbrella Organizations to assist in reducing transmission of HIV and improve the quality of life of people infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS in Malawi. Save the Children Federation, Inc. (SCUS), in partnership with ADRA Malawi, CARE, Concern Universal and Save the Children UK (SCUK), are hereby proposing to implement the Umoyo Umbrella Program to increase utilization of HIV/AIDS prevention, care and mitigation services in 13 districts of Malawi. The districts in the Northern Region are: Mzimba (in Mzuzu City); Central Region: Dedza, Dowa, Lilongwe, Mangochi, Mchinji, Nkhotakota, Ntchisi, Salima; Southern Region: Balaka, Blantyre, Chiradzulu, and Thyolo.The epidemiology, vulnerability and risk factors for HIV infection in the 13 target districts fit a pattern that is typical throughout Malawi. According to projected figures for 2000, the number of infected adults in each district is very high in relation to their district populations (infected adults range from 15,000 to 95,000 per populations of 160,000 to 1,200,000 per district). The prevalence rates are equally high, ranging from 7.5 to 23 percent in the focus districts, and the numbers of children orphaned by AIDS related causes are increasing. Poverty is a contributing factor in all districts and, while efforts in poverty alleviation are being made in Malawi, this continues to drive the epidemic. The magnitude and impact of the epidemic in Malawi has demanded a growing response, including national, district and community level government as well as in civil society. Each focus district has a District Assembly (DA) that is taking on an increasing role in the planning of HIV/AIDS activities, a District AIDS Coordinating Committee (DACC) (some functioning better than others), government health services and many under-resourced NGOs and community groups who are actively implementing HIV prevention projects and providing the bulk of care services. The program has four objectives: improved human and organizational capacities of District Assemblies and DACCs to co-ordinate HIV/AIDS control and support to local civil society partners; improved human and organizational capacities of CBOs and other civil society partners to implement quality HIV/AIDS prevention, care and impact mitigation services; increased financial resources available to local CBOs and other civil society organizations to implement HIV/AIDS services and activities; and increased number of local CBOs and other civil society partners receiving resources and support. In collaboration with the NAC and the District Assemblies, the program's main activities will be to establish and assist in the management of an efficient grants facility in each program district. The program will also provide technical assistance to build the capacity of District Assemblies, DACCs and CBOs in order to provide better quality HIV/AIDS services. The program will adopt a holistic approach to capacity building, based on the fundamental premise that an organization with a clear mission, goal, and strategic approach, good governance and management is able to plan, implement and monitor its operational work and ensure consistent quality. |