28 September 2017 - The Stop TB Partnership, International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) and regional TB/HIV community advocacy networks share a vision of a world where everyone, including those most vulnerable and marginalized can access healthcare. This includes access to tuberculosis and HIV testing, treatment, care and support. Together, we will work to strengthen regional advocacy efforts to hasten the end of TB and HIV epidemics and to build connections between community advocates, national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, and other key actors.
The IFRC has significant experience in community mobilization and has the capacity to address health challenges and build resilience of affected communities humanitarian situations. Stop TB Partnership’s mission is to serve every person who is vulnerable to TB and HIV by ensuring that high-quality diagnosis, treatment and care is available to all who need it. Together, IFRC, Stop TB Partnership and its partners focus on building regional networks of TB advocates, develop key population guides and a data framework.
Engaging, building capacities, empowering and mobilizing people affected by TB and HIV at the global, regional and national levels is a key component of community leadership in the TB response. Stop TB along with Global Coalition of TB Activists (GCTA) with support from USAID and the Global Fund has responded to calls from affected communities and civil society to facilitate the establishment and strengthening of community advocacy networks at the regional level. To date, regional networks have been formed in Asia-Pacific (ACT Asia-Pacific), Eastern Europe Central Asia (TB People), Anglophone Africa (ACT) and Latin America (REDTBLAC).
This initiative will work with local Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to increase the capacity and address the priorities of each of these networks. In addition, this initiative will look to increase the coordination among francophone African advocates in the broader African context and to establish a community advocacy network in the Middle East.
Building on already established community networks, this initiative aims to:
If we are to end TB and HIV, affected communities must be at the forefront of all aspects of the response. Interventions must be human right-based, gender transformative and people-centred. Building on established regional in Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe Central Asia, English-speaking Africa and Latin America, this partnership between the Stop TB Partnership, IFRC, National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and regional TB community platforms is the next step in empowering advocates, allies and partners to work together toward a world without TB and HIV.