Note: Program coordinators are available for press interviews. Please contact Alina Labrada in Atlanta (labrada@care.org and 404-979-9383).

Bangladesh
The SHAKTI-II (Stopping HIV/AIDS through Knowledge and Training Initiatives) and RASTTA Bondor Project both strive to halt the spread of the HIV/AIDS virus among Bangladeshis with high-risk behavior: truckers, sailors and commercial sex workers based in border and port areas. CARE is addressing this problem by zeroing in on strategic highways across the country and border crossings. CARE is promoting safer sexual practices, providing awareness training and messages, improving access to effective treatment for sexually transmitted disease and ensuring easy access to condoms.

Cambodia:
The Community Caring and Prevention Project seeks to address transportation workers and commercial sex workers, whose behavior puts them at risk for HIV/AIDS; poor public health programs; and widespread access to liquor and recreational drugs. The project includes training home caregivers; developing community support programs for orphans and vulnerable children; and educating and counseling high-risk populations about how to prevent the spread of AIDS.

India
Through several projects --- Chayan: Improving Reproductive Health Status and Reducing STI and HIV Infection; OKTATA Project; Partnership for Sexual Health Project; Improving Reproductive Health and Reducing STD/HIV Transmission among Female Slum Dwellers of Agra City; Improved Health Care for Adolescent Girls in Urban Slums; Action for Slum Dwellers Reproductive Health – CARE is working in four of India’s most populated states: Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal and Orissa. Activities include:

• Establishing outreach programs spreading information about HIV/AIDS and promoting changes in risky sexual behavior.
• Training community members about the basics of HIV/AIDS and reproductive health, including safer sex and contraception for women, men and adolescents.
• Generating demand for and increased use of health care facilities.
• Empowering people to make informed choices about their reproductive health that lead to reduced risk of unplanned pregnancies and STI/HIV infection.
• Strengthening the ability of local health workers to treat HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases through partnerships with the government of Uttar Pradesh, nongovernmental and community based organizations.

Laos
As part of the Factory Workers' Reproductive Health Awareness and Services Project, CARE is promoting HIV/AIDS and STD prevention and management through peer education training, counseling, awareness-raising materials on radio and TV and outreach activities and peer educator training.

Nepal
Through the Bajhang Poverty Reduction Project, CARE conducts community-based interventions to reduce HIV/STI-related risk behaviors among high-risk groups (current and potential male migrants and their sexual partners).

Tajikistan
CARE’s Mobile Population Project works to educate mobile laborers about HIV/AIDS risks and prevention.

Thailand
CARE’s Living with AIDS Project is training village volunteers to organize activities to reduce the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS. The project also helps support families living with HIV/AIDS directly by providing food for infants, education for children, job opportunities and assistance with medical costs. At the same time, we work with local organizations to build their capacity to sustain these and other support services.

Vietnam:
Through three projects -- Working on AIDS; Confronting HIV/AIDS in the workplace; and SEAFARERS, CARE is building capacity of local organizations to deliver prevention and awareness activities for young workers. We work with local and partner organizations to establish more than 700 new places where condoms can be bought (bars, cafes, hotels and from street hawkers). Among the goals are lowering the incidence of HIV/AIDS transmission among sailors, their partners and women that provide recreational services to them.