§ Hugh BayleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what support his Department has given to military forces in sub-Saharan Africa to establish programmes to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS by their soldiers. [164762]
§ Hilary BennI have been asked to reply.
DFID recognises the high incidence of HIV prevalence among African military personnel and the problems of tackling HIV-infection in conflict areas and among African peacekeeping troops. This issue is also addressed within the interdepartmental (DFID, FCO and MOD) Africa Conflict Prevention Pool.
DFID has been working with UNAIDS to incorporate HIV/AIDS policies into the design of UN led peacekeeping operations, many of which are operational in Africa and involve African troop contributing countries. A separate piece of work has just begun to develop similar guidelines and approaches with the African Union.
Regional training centers, such as the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training center (supported by the UK Government through the interdepartmental Africa Conflict Prevention Pool) also provide a range of training courses for African peacekeepers, some of which touch on HIV/AIDS.
Ultimately addressing the causes of conflict is key to stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS among military personnel and between military personnel and civilians. African conflict prevention therefore remains a key focus for DFID and for wider HMG programmes of support.