National Aids Committee Jamaica, Kingston, Jamaica

The National AIDS Committee (NAC) is a private non-governmental organization that was established in 1988 by the Minister of Health to co-ordinate the national multi-sectoral response to the AIDS epidemic in Jamaica.

The National AIDS Committee began with 18 members and now has over 100 member organizations.

The National AIDS Committee has four main functions.

To advise the Minister of Health on policy issues relevant to HIV / AIDS / STIs.

To involve all sectors of society in efforts to prevent and control HIV / AIDS / STIs.

To act as a central body where ideas, experiences and questions about HIV / AIDS /STIs in Jamaica can be shared, discussed and addressed.

To provide a sustainable means of supporting the initiatives of the NAC and member organizations by eliciting funds from fundraising activities, public and private sector participation.

The NAC has strong links with the National HIV/STI Control Programme (NHCP), representatives from both public and private sector organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and community based organizations (CBOs).

The NAC is further facilitated by an Executive Committee, Sub-committees, 13 Parish AIDS Committees and two AIDS Advisory Committees.

The Executive Committee consists of a Chairman, a Managing Director, a Co-ordinator, the Chairpersons of Sub-committees and Parish AIDS and Advisory Committees.

In addition there are elected members from both the public and private sectors. The Executive committee acts as a Board of Directors.

The National AIDS Committee acting in its capacity as an umbrella organization reflects the needs voiced by agencies in the structure of its Sub -committees. Hence these needs are reflected in the choice of Sub-committees.

The Sub-committees of the National AIDS Committee are Education, Care and Counseling, Legal and Ethical and Fundraising.

The Education Sub-committee advises on all aspects of HIV / AIDS written and public educational materials.

The Care and counseling Sub-committee promotes the provision of quality care for those individuals that are infected or affected by HIV / AIDS.

The Legal and Ethical Sub-committee examines and advises on the legal and ethical issues that are faced by persons infected and affected by HIV / AIDS. The Sub-committee also attends to the legal transactions of the NAC.

The Fundraising Sub-committee is responsible for locating and allocating the needed financial resources to assist in the national HIV / AIDS initiatives of the National AIDS Committee.

In addition to the Sub-committees, the National AIDS Committee receives an enormous input from 13 Parish AIDS Committees and two AIDS Advisory Committees across the island.

Parish AIDS Committee (PACs) have formed in all parishes. These committees reflect the structure of the NAC and provide a multi - disciplinary community based response to the needs of persons infected and affected by HIV / AIDS.

Likewise, the PACs act as local representative bodies that inform and contribute to translating ideas and building policy enabling the work of the NAC to be more realistic, obtainable and sustainable.

Jamaica Red Cross, Spanish Town, Jamaica

Jamaica Red Cross has helped those most vulnerable since 1948. We work with disaster response, disaster preparedness, first aid, search and rescue, health services, HIV/AIDS, social welfare, environmental problems, information/dissemination and youth.

By mobilizing our thousands of volunteers, we aim at improving the lives of those who need it the most.

Jamaica Red Cross is a part of the International Movement of Red Cross/Red Crescent Societies.

The mission of the Red Cross Movement is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity. We work to prevent and alleviate human suffering and to protect human life and dignity.

The core areas that define the work of all Red Cross Societies, including Jamaica Red Cross, are disaster preparedness and response; health and care in the communities; and promotion of fundamental principles and humanitarian values. There is a strong focus on youth development.