HIV/AIDS is a global epidemic: some 33 million people around the world are infected with HIV, and to date more than 25 million have died from it (UNAIDS/WHO Report on the global AIDS epidemic 2006; AIDS epidemic update 2007). The regions hardest hit by far are Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe. Aside from the personal tragedy of the victims, the epidemic slows down all development in the countries and places a huge burden on their respective social structures. 

The Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GTZ) – German Technical Cooperation – on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), is engaged worldwide in stopping the spread of the virus and supports its partners actively in alleviating the epidemic’s effects. Very much in the spirit of capacity development, our objective is to protect people against infection by the virus and to improve their ability to cope with it. In 2007, more than 90 projects throughout the world combated AIDS and made a contribution to sustainable development in their respective countries. Their financial volume amounts to about EUR 116 million.

One special feature of our work is called “mainstreaming”. This means that in all projects the focus on the HIV/AIDS factor starts already in the planning stage. And – through a binding policy based on non-discrimination, prevention and confidentiality – GTZ leads the way in implementation within its own organisation.

Worldwide, GTZ works against AIDS in a wide range of areas.  For a clearer idea of our work, in the following pages, in addition to brief project examples, you will find photos, reports, brief interviews and facts and figures concerning:

• Education and information: “social immunisation” against the spread of HIV and AIDS
• AIDS at the workplace: partnership with businesses around the world
• Comprehensive programmes: preventing infection, alleviating effects
• Special approaches: new ways to combat HIV/AIDS
• Worth knowing: facts, figures and links to further information
• Photos and illustrations

We would be happy to provide experts in various fields for interviews and to supply further information – please write or give us a call!