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Source: LAC Platform
In April 2020, the Global Fund (GF) established the COVID-19 Response Mechanism (C19RM) to support countries in responding to the pandemic, mitigating its impact on HIV, TB and malaria programs and strengthening health and community systems. In April 2021, the FM launched the second phase of C19RM 2.0, in which all countries eligible for GF grants are eligible to receive C19RM funds, including multi-country projects.
In this context, on May 22 2021, it was held the National Dialogue of Community Members Representing Key Populations in Belize to Request Financing from the Global Fund C19RM.
The meeting’s main goal was to conduct a national dialogue with community members to identify priorities for the strengthening of health and community systems and to include such requests for C19RM 2.0 funding from the Global Fund.
The National Dialogue was a head of Mrs. Eva Burgos, CSO Hub Coordinator, Ms. Derricia Castillo-Salazar and Mrs. C. Lizet Aldana, LAC Consultants and Dr. Minerva Pinelo, Community Members’ Consultation Consultant for LAC and it had the support of the Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Platform for Coordination and Communication of Civil Society, as part of the Global Fund Strategic Initiative on Community, Rights and Gender (SI CRG).
The meeting facilitated a face-to-face 16 community members’consultation of Belize. These participants represented key and vulnerable populations whose needs have been furthered exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic (women, people living with HIV, youth, LGBT populations and migrants).
Using as base the Toolkit designed by Via Libre, Plataforma Regional LAC, ICASO and GATE; the Consultant team developed a concept note, agenda and presentation materials drawing from guiding questions for social dialogue related to: HIV, COVID-19, stigma and discrimination, community-led monitoring, advocacy and social mobilization, capacity building of CSOs and communities.
“Participants recommended solutions to support a list of community priorities such as the need for:
- a platform for data collection and information sharing to monitor and evaluate progress towards the 90-90-90 goals
- safe spaces to provide both empowerment and security for key and vulnerable populations (KVPs) faced with increased stigma and discrimination while attempting to access services through the general health system
- institutional strengthening and leadership development among health care providers to improve adherence to protocols and support specific needs of marginalized populations
- establishing a holistic approach to prevention and care of gender-based violence by expanding CSO’s present capacity for providing psychosocial support (PSS) and psychological first aid (PFA)
- standard operating procedures (SOPs) and memorandum of understanding (MoUs) to address barriers to accessing healthcare services and increasing an orientation towards a human rights-based approach” *
* Report on the Results of the Social Dialogue of Community Members Representing Key Populations in Belize to Request Financing from the Global Fund C19RM