FHI - Namibia Capacity-Building Focus

DECEMBER 2003 — Conducted by SIAPAC in 2002, this impact assessment examined the ways in which the HIV/AIDS pandemic is affecting five Namibian cities: Windhoek (the capital in the center of the country), Walvis Bay and Swakopmund on the west coast, and Ongwediva and Oshakati in the far north-west. To access the assessment findings see the links to the 7-volume report below.

The assessment was undertaken on the initiative of the City of Windhoek and is the first of its kind in Africa. The immediate purpose of the study was to assess the current and projected impact of HIV/AIDS on the functioning of the municipal authorities (the "internal impact" on municipal staff in terms of sick leave, deaths, training needs, etc.) and the impact on the population of the municipality (the "external impact" in terms of projected population growth, adult deaths, orphans, ability to pay for water and electricity, etc.).

The study has provided an estimate of the financial burden due to HIV/AIDS on municipal staff expenditure over the coming years. For the City of Windhoek alone the additional cost for personnel is estimated at more than N$3 million per year due to sick leave, productivity declines, deaths, and increased training and recruitment costs. HIV/AIDS will also have an impact on the revenues of businesses, increase the demand for health and social services, and reduce the ability of poor households to pay for essential services such as water and electricity.

The assessment has mapped out the challenges for local authorities. A participatory process was employed throughout the full study period under the guidance of an advisory committee by means of national workshops, focus group discussions and local stakeholder meetings. The process ensured that municipal staff gained a better understanding of the impact of HIV/AIDS on the functioning of the municipality. Each participating municipality prepared a comprehensive action plan during a planning workshop, including workplace programs for municipal staff, and prevention, care and support programs for community members.

The official launch and presentation of the summary report and five municipal action plans took place at a breakfast meeting hosted by the City of Windhoek in March 2003. Over 95 representatives of donor agencies, public and private sector entities, NGOs, local governments and the media attended. The Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services delivered the keynote address and the US Ambassador, Mr. Kevin McGuire, the closing remarks. The five municipalities were tasked to have an HIV action plan and budget approved by their respective municipal councils and to present their action plans to the councils for consideration and inclusion in the budget for the next financial year. FHI has continued to work closely with the municipalities to provide technical assistance and limited financial resources to ensure that the action plans come to fruition.

Reports

HIV/ AIDS Impact Assessment in Five Municipalities: Ongwediva, Oshakati, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay and Windhoek (7 Volumes). Windhoek: SIAPAC FHI USAID 2002.

Volume 1: Summary Report
Volume 2: Ongwediva
Volume 3: Oshakati
Volume 4: Swakopmund
Volume 5: Walvis Bay
Volume 6: Windhoek
Volume 7: Appendixes

Capacity-building Workshop on the Local Authority Response to HIV/AIDS

As an add-on to the HIV/AIDS Impact Assessment in Five Cities, USAID's Regional Urban Development Office (RUDO) of USAID, provided funds to build the capacity of Namibian Association of Local Authority Officers (NALAO) to expand this process to other local authorities in the country. According to criteria developed with FHI assistance and agreed upon by all parties, NALAO selected 10 additional municipalities for participation in a workshop in Windhoek in July 2003, the purpose of which was to report back to them on the five cities assessment findings, build their understanding of the impact of HIV/AIDS on their own workforce and community, and help them to formulate a tangible and practical local authority response plan with external and internal components as the first five municipalities had done. The workshop was co-facilitated by FHI, SIAPAC, the City of Windhoek, Walvis Bay and Swakopmund Municipalities.

The outcome was a set of draft action plans which the participating teams were tasked to finalize back in their workplaces, and deadlines were set for the submission of the finalized action plans first to the municipal councils for approval and then to the Ministry of Regional and Local Government and Housing for approval. The workshop covered a wide range of crucial issues for consideration in planning a local authority response to HIV/AIDS and established what types of support NALAO will be able to provide to municipalities for implementing their plans.

Municipal-supported Multipurpose Centers

Community multipurpose centers (MPCs) could prove to be highly effective entities in responding to the impact of HIV/AIDS on Namibian communities. They target youth primarily, but serve the community at large. FHI Namibia provides partial support to two of the many multi-purpose centers in Namibia. From the beginning both MPCs, even before they were built received the support and attention of its Municipal Leaders, including the mayors of both towns, who serve as chairperson of the respective Steering Committees. Both towns have shown support by providing land, human resources, active participation in the activities and promotion of the centers.

Learn more about this type of center on the following Web pages: