Project ORCHID (Organized Response for Comprehensive HIV Interventions in Districts of Manipur and Nagaland) is a collaboration between Emmanuel Hospital Association (EHA) and Australian International Health Institute (AIHI), the University of Melbourne. It works to reduce transmission of HIV and STI among Injecting Drug Users (IDUs), Sex Workers (SWs), Men-who–have-Sex-with Men (MSM) and their sexual partners through a response of increased scale and coverage in selected high-prevalence districts and townships of Manipur and Nagaland in Northeast (NE) India. Project ORCHID has been building the capacity of local NGOs, community based organizations and faith-based organizations since May 2004. Together with Project ORCHID, implementing partners local NGOs continue to identify new strategies and create an enabling environment, to scale up harm reduction services and provide outreach to IDUs and SWs in remote and challenging terrains.

Project objective

Goal:

To reduce transmission of HIV and STIs among IDUs, SWs, MSM and their sexual partners, through a response of increased scale and coverage in selected high prevalence districts and townships in Manipur and Nagaland.

Objective:

1. To reduce the risk of transmission of HIV amongst IDUs through comprehensive and integrated responses of increased scale and coverage
2. To reduce the sexual transmission of HIV and other STIs among sex workers, IDUs, MSM and their sexual partners through comprehensive and integrated responses of increased scale and coverage
3. To strengthen the capacity of NGOs and SACS for an expanded response to HIV/AIDS/STI through capacity building and technical support
4. To increase the conduct and utilization of evidence based planning through supporting NGOs to undertake appropriate research, biological and behavioral monitoring and impact evaluation
5. To create an enabling environment to support behavior change and integrated, ongoing responses through advocacy at state, district and community level and through structured community mobilization efforts
6. To ensure the quality, impact and effective coordination of HIV/AIDS responses through efficient and effective project management

Population focus:

• Female Sex Workers (FSW)
• High Risk Men having Sex with Men (MSM)/Transgender
• Injecting Drug Users (IDUs)

Geographical area:

• Nagaland
• Manipur