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South Caucasus

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South Caucasus

21.5 %

Of men who have sex with men in Georgia are HIV-positive.

52.6 %

of people who inject drugs in Armenia are exposed to hepatitis C.

90,000

Spontaneous arrivals in Armenia following the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Médecins du Monde’s emergency response includes a range of humanitarian assistance programmes. Find out more below about our work and missions in South Caucasus.

THE HUMANITARIAN EMERGENCY IN SOUTH CAUCASUS

After the fall the of the Soviet Union, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan have re-established their independence in 1991. Together they form the South Caucasus region. Despite some health system reforms, the situation remains critical, especially regarding the prevention of infectious diseases.

3 COUNTRIES AFFECTED BY THE SAME SCOURGES

In the South Caucasus region where HIV-infection rates are quite low in the general population, some populations are more exposed than others. People who inject drugs in Armenia (7%) along with men who have sex with men in Georgia (21.5%) are amongst the most affected.

Moreover, South Caucasus has one of the highest hepatitis C prevalence rates in Eastern Europe and Central Asia amongst the general population. Once again, people who use drugs are especially exposed and stigmatised, with a hepatitis C prevalence of 52.6% in Armenia and 62.8% in Azerbaijan.

Yet access to treatment remains almost non-existent and legislation is extremely repressive.

Médecins du Monde is carrying out various humanitarian aid programmes in Georgia and Armenia and is planning to step in Azerbaijan to launch a regional harm reduction programme. We aim to intensify our advocacy work to improve access to health and prevention services for the most affected and marginalised populations.

HARM REDUCTION AT MÉDECINS DU MONDE

OUR HUMANITARIAN ACTION IN GEORGIA

HARM REDUCTION IN GEORGIA

SUPPORTING THE LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY AND PEOPLE WHO USE DRUGS

In 2021 in Georgia, Médecins du Monde kept supporting two local partners committed to harm reduction for the populations affected: Equality Movement, an organisation defending the rights of men who have sex with men, along with Mandala, a self-support group of young people who use new psycho active substances (NPS).

In collaboration with these two partners along with other civil society members and the authorities, Médecins du Monde has developed a care model for the populations involved. The aim is to develop a pilot project so as to improve access to innovative HIV prevention services for the LGBTQIA community, as well as developing new harm reduction services for young people who use NPS. These populations frequently interact with each other especially in nightlife settings or when engaging in high-risk sexual behaviour.
EXPANDING OUR ADVOCACY WORK

Médecins du Monde continues its advocacy work in the context of its humanitarian mission in Georgia, aiming to integrate harm reduction services in the national legislation. At a time when the state of Georgia is about to take over funding – which was previously provided by the Global Fund – our engagement is all the more essential.

Mobilisation continues with civil society organisations supported by Médecins du Monde in the development of their advocacy plans and are now able to influence decision-making regarding harm reduction.
SUMMARY
In 2021, we:
- Developed a care model for the LGBTQIA+ community and young people who use drugs,
- helped integrate a simplified HIV diagnostic system for the national screening strategy,
- contributed to improving access to post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for people who were exposed to HIV available as early as 2022 in harm reduction centres,
- helped integrate issues relating to new psychoactive substances (NPS) and chemsex (sexual activity while under the influence of drugs) into the Global Fund strategy, starting in 2023.

Treatment for hepatitis C in Georgia in 2015

OUR HUMANITARIAN WORK IN ARMENIA

Our humanitarian mission in Armenia particularly helped vulnerable populations along with people who use drugs and people who were hit hard by the conflicts.

HARM REDUCTION IN ARMENIA

SUPPORTING PEOPLE WHO USE DRUGS

In 2021, Médecins du Monde worked with the Armenian NGO Real World Real People to adapt the recognised and previously used model in Georgia, improving HIV and hepatitis C detection, and access to treatment for people who use drugs.

We thereby aim to develop technical guides and forms to ensure diversification in terms of HIV and hepatitis tests offer. Furthermore in 2021 and for the first time in Armenia, screening for hepatitis C was not only available in healthcare centres but also outside of healthcare centres.
CIVIL SOCIETY MOBILISATION AND ADVOCACY

In 2021, Médecins du Monde launched a National Coalition with organisations involved in harm reduction in order to support capacity-building for the Armenian civil society, which is hardly mobilised yet.

We offered training for 18 local organisations representatives to help them develop their advocacy plans and strategies of influence. The Coalition was then able to develop a joint action and advocacy plan aiming to change laws and practices regarding harm reduction for people who use drugs.
SUMMARY
In 2021, we:
- screened 2,000 people for HIV,
- screened 550 people for hepatitis C,
- built a national coalition for advocacy with 14 civil and community local organisations,
- trained 18 civil society organisation representatives on advocacy and influence strategies.

RESPONDING TO THE HUMANITARIAN EMERGENCY IN KARABAGH

In the context of our humanitarian work in South Caucasus, Médecins du Monde supported people who were affected by the violent conflict in the region.

THE NARGONO-KARABAKH CONFLICT

At least 5,000 thousand people died during confrontations between the start of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict on 27 September 2020 regarding the separatist Republic of Artsakh and the ceasefire agreement signed on 9 November 2020 under the aegis of Russia. Many were injured and are now disabled. Entire families had to leave their homes (mainly women and children) which is around 80,000 people out of a total of 120,000 people registered in the region.

SUPPORTING THE RECEPTION OF DISPLACED PEOPLE IN ARMENIA

After an initial emergency response phase at the end of 2020, Médecins du Monde established a humanitarian emergency support starting January 2021 lasting 9 months, to help people who arrived in Armenia following the conflict access social and health services.

More than 4,000 people were able to benefit from healthcare services and mental health consultations thanks to a partnership between Médecins du Monde and two local organisations. We also wish to support capacity-building for our partner organisations and the volunteers who not only welcome and help displaced families but also improve access to information as well as health and social services.
SUMMARY
En 2021, we:
- supported two local organisations in Armenia working with displaced populations,
- provided social and health services for 4,000 displaced people,
- supplied 1,500 non-food items kits for families affected by the conflict,
- supported capacity-building for 80 healthcare professionals and volunteers working with displaced populations.

6,050
Beneficiaries in 2021.
531,310 €
Budget in 2021.

6,050

Beneficiaries in 2021.

531,310 €

Budget in 2021.

They support our actions

Our work in South Caucasus is supported by:

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OUR AREAS OF INTERVENTION

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