RAINBOW CARE PROJECT

THE RAINBOW CARE PROJECT
HealthPlus 4 Men Eswatini is running a “Rainbow Care project” which seeks to support the members of the LGBTIQ & other minority groups who have been hit hard by the current state of COVID 19. This emergency relief fund form Outright Action International will provide aid to the LGBTI community on the impact of Covid-19 especially those that have leading implications to HIV infection. The Rainbow Care project will support the LGBTIQ community members and other minority groups where there is need, may it be food, healthcare services and psychosocial support.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVE
Most members of the LGBTIQ community became jobless due to the impact of COVID-19 on the economy which forced most institutions to retrench employees and many members of the LGBTIQ community are homeless due to stigma and discrimination perpetuated by their families, forcing them to leave home. This exposes them to risk of contracting COVID-19 as they are forced to move from place to place seeking for better living conditions and employment. Furthermore, this accelerates GBV as a lot of LGBTIQ members are forced to move in with their sexual partners for financial support, which usually results in intimate partner violence and exposes them to the risk of HIV infection due to engaging in unprotected sexual intercourse as a way of showing gratitude.

The Rainbow care project will implement the following activities:
1. 1. The provision of the COVID 19 Personal Protective Equipment which will play a vital role in reducing the risks and fears of contracting COVID 19 to clinical staff and the LGBTIQ community members when accessing healthcare services at the static clinic. This intervention will instill confidence to both parties by creating a COVID 19 risk free environment.
2. The provision of Psycho-social support services to the LGBTIQ community members particularly, those who are victims of GBV, being stigmatized and discriminated, and their family members is a crucial component of stigma and discrimination reduction and GBV case management. The PSS services will aid in the reduction of the risks and levels of depression and post-traumatic effects i.e. suicide attempts, excessive drug use, family conflict which subsequently leads to the LGBTIQ members being forced out of their homes.
3. The distribution of food parcels which will play a major role in ensuring HIV positive LGBTIQ’s adherence to ART treatment, and it will immensely reduce the risks of poverty related crimes within the LGBTIQ community members. The HIV infection will be reduced as there will be reduced cases of transactional unprotected sex.
4. The distribution of COVID 19 and GBV educational communication material which will aid in disseminating awareness about COVID 19 and GBV. This will continue to enforce awareness about COVID 19 and help codon conspiracies. The GBV IEC material such as posters and social media posts will create demand for the Psycho social support amongst the LGBTIQ community and the reporting of GBV cases to law enforcers.