The Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Regional Coordinating Mechanism (RCM) for HIV/AIDS was successful in their Global Fund bid on behalf of six Eastern Caribbean nations. The $5.3 million grant is earmarked for outreach, prevention, care, and treatment for key populations, with a focus on human rights.

In an article on the Global Fund award, OECS RCM Chair and St. Lucia Minister of Health Alvina Reynolds commented: “It’s been hard work . . . Today we got the good news that we have been awarded the amount of US$5.3 million to deal with the issues of HIV/AIDS in the region. We must continue to be strategic in using the funds where [they are] most needed, to save lives and reduce HIV and AIDS infections in the region.” This award is particularly good news given that donor support for HIV in the OESC has declined in recent years.

The Health Finance and Governance (HFG) project with additional support from the Strengthening Health Outcomes through the Private Sector (SHOPS) project, supported the Global Fund application. HFG:

• Developed HIV Investment Briefs and analyses for each of the six countries outlining country commitments to the HIV response and possible impact of investments;
• Developed a regional approach for the OECS Regional Coordinating Mechanism (RCM), expressing funding requirements, gaps, and expected contributions from donors and other related inputs for the application;
• Facilitated and provided technical support to the country-based dialogue meetings with government, private sector, and civil society stakeholders; and
• Participated in several regional meetings with the RCM and development partners in support of the application.

The six OECS countries receiving the grant include: St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda, and Dominica.