Eritrea

As the result of the combined efforts of the UN system and the Government to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS and achieve universal access to treatment for HIV and AIDS for all those who need and to achieve MDG six, Eritrea is recording success in controlling HIV/AIDS epidemic.

A new country in the Horn of Africa, Eritrea , is a nation that won its independence in 1993, after long armed struggle and a successful UN supervised referendum. Yet, shortly after independence, the nation has again to face the adverse effects of the sudden border conflict (1998-2000) with Ethiopia . As a result of the consecutive wars and successive droughts, the social fabric of the country has been seriously affected with the majority displaced and its livelihoods disrupted.

It is apparent how seriously the population of the country would remain exposed to the rapid expansion of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in a repulsive situation. Reports indicate that HIV/AIDS was a leading cause of death in the health institutions among the population aged above 5 years in 2006. Figures from the Health Ministry's national Aids control programme estimate that there are, about 2.4% of the population with HIV/AIDS positive. Whatever the figure is, the problem is serious, especially in a population of only several million. The first AIDS case was reported in 1988.

Recent reports indicate that as the result of the multifaceted response from development partners including UN Agencies and commitment of the government to curtail HIV/AIDS prevalence in the country, Eritrea starts to reap the fruits of these combined efforts. Statistical reports signify the overall prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS among the Eritrean population is decreased by more than 40%. According to the ANC surveillance survey report released in 2007, the national rate of HIV infection among adults has been significantly reduced to 1.33%.

This was the result of combined efforts of the UN, development partners and the Government. For example, the UN joint programme on HIV/AIDS increased its earmarked resources by 5% in 2007 when compared to the year 2006.