Strategies to support the HIV-related needs of refugees and host populations. A joint publication of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV / AIDS (UNAIDS) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Many countries are already overburdened by the impact of AIDS and are often unable or unwilling to provide these populations with the HIV-related services they require. This places many refugees in a unique situation. They are no longer guaranteed the protection of their country of origin they often do not have the assistance of the country of asylum and they go without the HIV-related services which they need and to which they are entitled under international human rights instruments. This failure to provide HIV prevention and care to refugees not only undermines effective HIV prevention and care efforts it also hinders effective HIV prevention and care for host country populations. Since refugee populations now remain on average in their host country for 17 years2 the implications for both refugee and host populations are very serious. Addressing HIV-related needs in the context of refugee situations requires a change in the thinking of the authorities in many countries of asylum. It is impossible to determine the actual length of time that refugees will remain in the host country. However it is critical that during this time both refugees and surrounding host populations receive all necessary HIV related services including those that require long-term funding and planning. Failure to provide these interventions could be very harmful to both refugees and the surrounding host populations. In order to meet the HIV-related needs in the context of refugee situations UNHCR and UNAIDS advocate for the implementation of the best practices described below. Both organizations believe that these practices will generate more effective equitable and sustainable frameworks to help countries better address both the needs of refugees and their own citizens whether they are displaced themselves or hosting refugees in their communities. (excerpt)