According to data of International HIV/AIDS Alliance in Ukraine (http://www.aidsalliance.org.ua) at the beginning of 2009, there were 91 717 HIV-infected, including 10 410 patients with AIDS under the supervision of the dispensary in Ukraine. Experts also say that any assessment of the extent of HIV/AIDS is not exect because of a significant number of HIV-infected, who don’t seek medical help. Experts predicted that at the beginning of 2011 the number of HIV-infected people could reach nearly 1.5 million people.

Currently the number of people who die from AIDS-related diseases is increasing dramatically in Ukraine. In 2008 the HIV epidemic claimed the lives of 2710 people with AIDS, 14 of whom were children. The mortality rate from AIDS-related diseases in Ukraine is constantly growing as compared to 2008 (5.8 per 100 thousand of people), in 2007 (5.4 per 100 thousands of population) in 2006 (5.2 per 100 thousands of population).

The rapid spread of HIV infections was caused by social-economic crisis of the last decade, which was resulted in favourable conditions for HIV spreading. Social problems that accompany economic decline caused a sharp increase in the number of people who use drugs (injecting) and commercial sex extention.

According to the data from epidemiological surveys HIV infection in Ukraine is still concentrated in the most high risk groups for HIV infection, including drug users, workers and clients of “sex-business” and others, but at the same time transmission of HIV from mother to child, through homo- and heterosexual casual relationships is spreading significantly nowadays.

Understanding the impact of AIDS on the health of people in Ukraine and taking to consideration the fact that prevention of HIV/AIDS is a priority of activity of Heifer International in the world the Foundation felt the need to include the component of prevention spreading of HIV infection and rehabilitation of people with HIV to its core activities. The aim is to promote the use of measures aimed at suspending the spread of AIDS in Ukraine.

Taking into consideration that HIV-positive is not the main target group of the Foundation strategic activity, but at the same time appreciating the importance of the problem of HIV spreading, ICF "HPI" has managed to use a key area of its activities – support of  rural communities by providing high-productive animals and improving of household skills -  as an important component of the system and mechanism for getting rid of the drug to HIV-infected people, thereafter, formation of a healthy and a conscious perception of their disease and prevention of its spreading consciously or unconsciously.

For this aim ICF HPI is currently focusing on providing livestock and training for drug-dependant persons in rehabilitation institutions. Thus, minding, development of new skills, sense of importance and responsibility for animal forms in HIV-infected peoplewho are treated from drug addiction, an alternative view of their future life and promotes awareness of their self-sufficiency through the acquisition of differnt skills for becoming self-sufficient after leaving rehabilitation center, because such people are often excluded by society, and not getting a chance to start a new life, back to old habits. Therefore, rehabilitation, combined with getting the practical skills of household and care of animals, is much more successful and it forms the basis for a stable life and self-sufficiency in the future.

Example of project with HIV initiative:

The project # 27-0847-02 Improving the Nutrition of People Recovering from Drug Addiction and People

Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Kirovohrad oblast through Greenhouse Development has helped 200 clients of the Rehabilitation Center gain skills in rabbit breeding, greenhouse farming, gardening, worm composting and poultry breeding; as well as improve nutrition. The farm consisting of 2 rabbit breeding mini-units purchased by Heifer-Ukraine has now grown and includes 8 units! In 2010 the centre decided to start geese breeding and purchased 150 heads of geese. Rehabilitants also had a chance to have first harvests of fruits and berries.