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SOUTHERN AFRICAN RAILWAYS ASSOCIATION




                   SARA HIV/AIDS PROPOSAL

                              FOR SUBMISSION TO


              REGIONAL HIV/AIDS PROGRAM
                  USAID/SOUTH AFRICA

                           RAILWAY MAP OF SARA MEMBERS
                           RAILWAY MAP OF SARA MEMBERS
                                                                                                                              KENYA
                                  CONGO
                                                                                                                                 MOMBASA
                                                KINSHASA
                                                                         DRC
                                                                                                        TANZANIA               DAR-ES-SALAAM



                             LUANDA


                                                   ANGOLA

                              LOBITO
                                                                                                                MALAWI
                                                                                ZAMBIA                                 MOCAMBIQUE
                                                                                                                                  NAC ALA
                                                                                    LUSAK A
                                                                                                                   BLANTYRE

                                                                                                      HAR ARE

                                                                   VICTORIA FALLS        ZIMBABWE
                                       NAMIBIA                                                                     BEIRA
                                                                            PLUMTREE


                              WALVISB AAI                           BOTSWANA                     BEITBRIDGE
                                                        WINDHOEK
                                                                     GABORONE
                                                                                    JOHANNESBURG

                                  LÜDERITZ                                                                MAPUTO
                                                                                                   SWAZILAND
                                                                                                        RICHARDS BAY
                                                                                       LESOTHO
                                                        SOUTH AFRICA                                DURBAN




                                            SALD ANHA                                     EAST LONDON
                                            CAPE TOWN                         PORT ELIZABETH




                            TOGETHER WE ARE BETTER
                             JUNTOS SOMOS MELHOR
                          ENSEMBLE NOUS FERONS MIEUX



SARA REGIONAL SECRETARIAT
                       PHONE: +263-4-736777
67 FIFE AVENUE            FAX: +263-4-736813
HARARE, ZIMBABWE
               WEBSITE: http://www.sararail.org
HIV/AIDS PROPOSAL FOR SOUTHERN AFRICAN RAILWAYS ASSOCIATION


Summary


Southern African Railways Association (SARA) is in the process of implementing its
regional HIV/AIDS policy in its member railways. SARA is requesting for funding for
setting up of Voluntary Counselling and Testing centres in each member railway, training of
counsellors, peer educators and basic nutrition and supply of subsidized Antiretroviral drugs.

Organisation Information

In the South African Development Community (SADC) transportation of goods plays a
significant role in the regional economy. If transportation costs do not change to become
more competitive, regional growth will be compromised, and ultimately, poverty alleviation
will be jeopardized.

To address these issues, the Southern African Railway Association (SARA) was formed in
1996 as an advocacy group for a sustainable, fair, surface transport policy in the SADC
region. Members include 13 companies and organizations owning railway infrastructure and
facilities, or providing or operating railway services in southern Africa. SARA’s vision is to
achieve a cost effective, regionally integrated seamless and predictable railway transport
service. This calls for the rail industry to improve its performance so as to meet the demands
on the services. The performance of the sector is affected by morbidity, mortality and ill
health retirement of its human resources. The loss of skilled and experienced labour within
the industry has proved to be detrimental, as flows of goods and people are interrupted or
discontinued. Replacement of highly skilled workers such as train drivers, shunters and
technically skilled is not easy and may also result in a decline in services rendered. HIV/AIDs
pandemic not only affect the rail workers directly but indirectly through taking time off to
attend funerals or to care for sick family members.

The costs of the HIV/AIDs epidemic will be felt throughout the workforce. In the region
railway administrations are responsible for paying a total wage bill that includes basic wage
provision for health care, pensions, insurance, transport and housing. The replacement costs
of labour will vary depending on the qualifications required for a specific operation, the level
of skills employed and the availability of labour. If suitable labour is not available then
training may be required. Key employees for example, train drivers, and technical operators
are difficult to replace and expensive to train and are key personnel responsible for sustaining
core businesses. Railway administrations bear the costs of training personnel and most
training is in-house or through training boards to meet accreditation requirements. Losing
such employees due to HIV/AIDs and related diseases has had adverse effects on the rail
industry not only in terms of productivity losses but also in terms of investment losses.

To address the HIV/AIDs pandemic SARA is in the process of developing a regional
HIV/AIDS Policy framework for implementation by its members. The policy is scheduled for
tabling and adoption at the SARA Board meeting in May 2007.
Project Description

The purpose of the HIV/AIDs Policy is to ensure a consistent and equitable approach by
SARA members in the prevention of HIV/AIDs among employees and their families and to
the management of HIV/AIDs including the care and support of employees and their
dependencies living with HIV/AIDs. SARA’s HIV/Policy has been developed in consultation
with individual railways and Southern African Development Community (SADC) policies
and is based on International Labour Organisation HIV/AIDs in workplace policy framework.
The Policy has incorporated national, regional policies and global HIV/AIDs initiatives. The
SARA HIV/AIDs Policy recognises the need of regional inter-sectoral approach and global
initiatives in prevention and management of HIV/AIDs through adopting standardised
HIV/AIDs overall objectives.

There has never been a study on the impact of HIV/AIDs in the rail sector in the SADC
region. It then becomes a necessity for SARA to carry out the impact study before embarking
on any HIV/AIDs programmes. In ensuring that, the impact of HIV/AIDs is effectively
addressed the SARA HIV/AIDs programmes should include the following:
        i. Nutrition
        ii. Prevention Programmes
        iii. STI Prevention
        iv. Support for People with HIV/AIDs
        v. HIV/AIDs Awareness and Advocacy
        vi. Antiretroviral drugs
        vii. Monitoring and Coordination Systems for HIV/AIDs
        viii. Estimating the Potential Consequences of the HIV/AIDs Epidemic
        ix. Monitoring of risk behaviour patterns
        x. Development of Social Indicators to Monitor the HIV Epidemic
        xi. Gender and HIV/AIDs in the context of Human Development Implications of the
              Epidemic

Project Objectives

Inline with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) regional framework to
mitigate the negative economic and social effects of HIV/AIDS, SARA has embarked on a
development and implementation of regional rail sector HIV/AIDs Strategic Framework and
Program of action for 2007-2011.

The goal of this project is to manage the cost of human resources on railway administrations
by reducing mortality and ill health of railway employees and their families due to HIV/AIDs
and related diseases. The management entails adoption of HIV/AIDs as part of
Organizational Strategic Planning, HIV/AIDs awareness campaigns, setting up of Voluntary
Counseling and Testing centres in every SARA member, training of counselors, peer
educators and trainers, nutritional counseling and provision of subsidized antiretroviral drugs
to employees and their families and provision of health food baskets to employees living with
HIV/AIDs.

Family members of railway employees are also incorporated in the HIV/AIDs mitigation
projects. Railway administrations provide accommodation to most of their employees. Thus
family members leaving in these railway communities would be assisted to start nutritional
gardening and chicken projects to argument their health food provisions for their community.
Funding requirements

Funding required is for:
               HIV/AIDs impact assessment
               Training of peer educators, counsellors
               Supply of ARVs or subsided supply of ARVs
               Home based care kits
               Initial capital injection for community health projects such nutritional
                 gardening chicken projects

Proposed date of implementation

The implementation will commence as soon as the Policy framework is adopted.

Implementation Agents

The SARA secretariat will be the implementation agent of the project and railway
administrations are the beneficiaries of the project. The project will be monitored and
evaluated yearly based on the following indicators:
        Prevalence
        Interventions
                      Awareness and Campaigns
                      Medical Treatment (ARVs, STI and opportunity infections treated)
                      Lifestyle improvements (nutritional supplements, alternative therapies)
                      Behavioural change programmes
                      Career and succession planning
                      Community based projects
                      Number beneficiaries
                      Costs
                      Other milestones

Contact Details
Joice Chidora
Southern African Railways Association
67 Fife Avenue
Harare
Zimbabwe
Tel +263-4-736777/8
Fax + 263-4-736813
Mobile: +263-11-802067
E-mail: jchidora@sararail.org

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SARA HIV/AIDS Proposal Seeks Funds for Regional Rail Program

  • 1. SOUTHERN AFRICAN RAILWAYS ASSOCIATION SARA HIV/AIDS PROPOSAL FOR SUBMISSION TO REGIONAL HIV/AIDS PROGRAM USAID/SOUTH AFRICA RAILWAY MAP OF SARA MEMBERS RAILWAY MAP OF SARA MEMBERS KENYA CONGO MOMBASA KINSHASA DRC TANZANIA DAR-ES-SALAAM LUANDA ANGOLA LOBITO MALAWI ZAMBIA MOCAMBIQUE NAC ALA LUSAK A BLANTYRE HAR ARE VICTORIA FALLS ZIMBABWE NAMIBIA BEIRA PLUMTREE WALVISB AAI BOTSWANA BEITBRIDGE WINDHOEK GABORONE JOHANNESBURG LÜDERITZ MAPUTO SWAZILAND RICHARDS BAY LESOTHO SOUTH AFRICA DURBAN SALD ANHA EAST LONDON CAPE TOWN PORT ELIZABETH TOGETHER WE ARE BETTER JUNTOS SOMOS MELHOR ENSEMBLE NOUS FERONS MIEUX SARA REGIONAL SECRETARIAT PHONE: +263-4-736777 67 FIFE AVENUE FAX: +263-4-736813 HARARE, ZIMBABWE WEBSITE: http://www.sararail.org
  • 2. HIV/AIDS PROPOSAL FOR SOUTHERN AFRICAN RAILWAYS ASSOCIATION Summary Southern African Railways Association (SARA) is in the process of implementing its regional HIV/AIDS policy in its member railways. SARA is requesting for funding for setting up of Voluntary Counselling and Testing centres in each member railway, training of counsellors, peer educators and basic nutrition and supply of subsidized Antiretroviral drugs. Organisation Information In the South African Development Community (SADC) transportation of goods plays a significant role in the regional economy. If transportation costs do not change to become more competitive, regional growth will be compromised, and ultimately, poverty alleviation will be jeopardized. To address these issues, the Southern African Railway Association (SARA) was formed in 1996 as an advocacy group for a sustainable, fair, surface transport policy in the SADC region. Members include 13 companies and organizations owning railway infrastructure and facilities, or providing or operating railway services in southern Africa. SARA’s vision is to achieve a cost effective, regionally integrated seamless and predictable railway transport service. This calls for the rail industry to improve its performance so as to meet the demands on the services. The performance of the sector is affected by morbidity, mortality and ill health retirement of its human resources. The loss of skilled and experienced labour within the industry has proved to be detrimental, as flows of goods and people are interrupted or discontinued. Replacement of highly skilled workers such as train drivers, shunters and technically skilled is not easy and may also result in a decline in services rendered. HIV/AIDs pandemic not only affect the rail workers directly but indirectly through taking time off to attend funerals or to care for sick family members. The costs of the HIV/AIDs epidemic will be felt throughout the workforce. In the region railway administrations are responsible for paying a total wage bill that includes basic wage provision for health care, pensions, insurance, transport and housing. The replacement costs of labour will vary depending on the qualifications required for a specific operation, the level of skills employed and the availability of labour. If suitable labour is not available then training may be required. Key employees for example, train drivers, and technical operators are difficult to replace and expensive to train and are key personnel responsible for sustaining core businesses. Railway administrations bear the costs of training personnel and most training is in-house or through training boards to meet accreditation requirements. Losing such employees due to HIV/AIDs and related diseases has had adverse effects on the rail industry not only in terms of productivity losses but also in terms of investment losses. To address the HIV/AIDs pandemic SARA is in the process of developing a regional HIV/AIDS Policy framework for implementation by its members. The policy is scheduled for tabling and adoption at the SARA Board meeting in May 2007.
  • 3. Project Description The purpose of the HIV/AIDs Policy is to ensure a consistent and equitable approach by SARA members in the prevention of HIV/AIDs among employees and their families and to the management of HIV/AIDs including the care and support of employees and their dependencies living with HIV/AIDs. SARA’s HIV/Policy has been developed in consultation with individual railways and Southern African Development Community (SADC) policies and is based on International Labour Organisation HIV/AIDs in workplace policy framework. The Policy has incorporated national, regional policies and global HIV/AIDs initiatives. The SARA HIV/AIDs Policy recognises the need of regional inter-sectoral approach and global initiatives in prevention and management of HIV/AIDs through adopting standardised HIV/AIDs overall objectives. There has never been a study on the impact of HIV/AIDs in the rail sector in the SADC region. It then becomes a necessity for SARA to carry out the impact study before embarking on any HIV/AIDs programmes. In ensuring that, the impact of HIV/AIDs is effectively addressed the SARA HIV/AIDs programmes should include the following: i. Nutrition ii. Prevention Programmes iii. STI Prevention iv. Support for People with HIV/AIDs v. HIV/AIDs Awareness and Advocacy vi. Antiretroviral drugs vii. Monitoring and Coordination Systems for HIV/AIDs viii. Estimating the Potential Consequences of the HIV/AIDs Epidemic ix. Monitoring of risk behaviour patterns x. Development of Social Indicators to Monitor the HIV Epidemic xi. Gender and HIV/AIDs in the context of Human Development Implications of the Epidemic Project Objectives Inline with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) regional framework to mitigate the negative economic and social effects of HIV/AIDS, SARA has embarked on a development and implementation of regional rail sector HIV/AIDs Strategic Framework and Program of action for 2007-2011. The goal of this project is to manage the cost of human resources on railway administrations by reducing mortality and ill health of railway employees and their families due to HIV/AIDs and related diseases. The management entails adoption of HIV/AIDs as part of Organizational Strategic Planning, HIV/AIDs awareness campaigns, setting up of Voluntary Counseling and Testing centres in every SARA member, training of counselors, peer educators and trainers, nutritional counseling and provision of subsidized antiretroviral drugs to employees and their families and provision of health food baskets to employees living with HIV/AIDs. Family members of railway employees are also incorporated in the HIV/AIDs mitigation projects. Railway administrations provide accommodation to most of their employees. Thus family members leaving in these railway communities would be assisted to start nutritional gardening and chicken projects to argument their health food provisions for their community.
  • 4. Funding requirements Funding required is for:  HIV/AIDs impact assessment  Training of peer educators, counsellors  Supply of ARVs or subsided supply of ARVs  Home based care kits  Initial capital injection for community health projects such nutritional gardening chicken projects Proposed date of implementation The implementation will commence as soon as the Policy framework is adopted. Implementation Agents The SARA secretariat will be the implementation agent of the project and railway administrations are the beneficiaries of the project. The project will be monitored and evaluated yearly based on the following indicators:  Prevalence  Interventions Awareness and Campaigns Medical Treatment (ARVs, STI and opportunity infections treated) Lifestyle improvements (nutritional supplements, alternative therapies) Behavioural change programmes Career and succession planning Community based projects Number beneficiaries Costs Other milestones Contact Details Joice Chidora Southern African Railways Association 67 Fife Avenue Harare Zimbabwe Tel +263-4-736777/8 Fax + 263-4-736813 Mobile: +263-11-802067 E-mail: jchidora@sararail.org