Project HOPE Namibia launches USD60 million ANAPA Project in Malawi to tackle HIV crisis among young adults and children

Namibia in Malawi (PHN-MA) proudly announces the recent official launch of the Ana ndi Achinyamata Patsogolo – ANAPA (Children and Youth First) initiative in response to the ongoing challenges posed by HIV among young adults and children in the country.

The HIV epidemic in Malawi presents a significant challenge, particularly impacting vulnerable groups such as children, adolescents, and young women.

Despite progress towards UNAIDS goals fueled by PEPFAR investments and governmental efforts, gaps persist, notably among orphans, vulnerable children, and adolescent girls and young women (AGYW).

Various risk factors exacerbate HIV, including child marriage, violence, and educational disparities. Project HOPE Namibia (PHN) leads the USAID/Malawi ANAPA project, aiming to reduce new infections among AGYW and end the AIDS epidemic by 2030, as set under the UNAIDS strategy.

Funded by the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), ANAPA focuses on equitable access to health, HIV, and social services for children, adolescents, their families, and young women infected or affected by HIV (CAFYW) cohorts, while also strengthening Malawi’s social service systems.

Through targeted interventions and community engagement, ANAPA aims to empower marginalized groups, improve health outcomes, and enhance social well-being in Malawi. In recent years, Malawi has made remarkable progress in curbing the HIV epidemic, witnessing a 50% reduction in AIDS-related deaths from 34,000 in 2010 to 12,000 in 2022.

Positive trends continue, with life expectancy rising from 46 years in 2004 to 66 years in 2024, and projections anticipate further growth to 74 by 2030.

Despite these gains, challenges persist, particularly among other subpopulations (children and young adults), necessitating targeted interventions.

Recent data reveals that new HIV infections occur among young girls and women more than their male counterparts. Additionally, there exists a concerning disparity in viral load suppression (VLS) rates, particularly among children and adolescents compared to adults.

The need for targeted solutions to address these challenges is evident. “The Project HOPE Namibia in Malawi-led ANAPA team acknowledges with humility that for our success we will be building from previous PEPFAR funded mechanisms, and we are expected to guard and maintain the successes made by these predecessor mechanisms,” said Rosalia Indongo, Country Director at Project HOPE Namibia.

“We have worked closely with JSI and World Education-led Ana Patsogolo (APA) project in the transition period. To date, we have successfully transitioned 24,721 beneficiaries under the OVC Program, of which 7,058 (29%) are caregivers and 17,663 (71%) are children; and 18,821 beneficiaries under the AGYW/DREAMS program, of which 4,910 are 10-14 years; 5,310 are 15-19 years; and 8,601 are 20-24 years old. Furthermore, 100% of individual case plans were updated by the ANAPA community cadres in the last few months,” she added.

Project HOPE Namibia acknowledges the invaluable support from the Government of Malawi through the Ministry of Gender, Community Development, & Social Welfare (MoGCDSW), and recognizes the importance of this support in sustaining program gains and innovations.

Project HOPE Namibia further commends the support from Project HOPE US and key local Malawi organizations, including the Association of Social Workers in Malawi (ASWIM), and Lilongwe Catholic Health Commission (LCHC).

With a wealth of experience in successfully implementing HIV programs in Africa, Project HOPE Namibia is committed to making a lasting impact in Malawi and contributing to the global fight against HIV.