HIV exists in epidemic proportions throughout Nigeria. The social and economic implications of HIV/AIDS at national, community and household level are very important.
In Nigeria, The Salvation Army and the communities where The Salvation Army is present are feeling the severe impact of HIV/AIDS. Since 1991, The Salvation Army in Nigeria has begun its work to decrease the impact of HIV/AIDS pandemic. One year later, we started counselling for People Living With HIV/AIDS with our base in Lagos and sub-regional centres throughout the country. In 1993, we opened a notable HIV/AIDS Counselling, Action and Resource Centre in Lagos State for blood donors, PLWHA, and intending Clients.
The Salvation Army in Nigeria has decided to use its existing network to implement this programme all around the country. The organisation support the development of the Territorial & Divisional Facilitation Teams in Nigeria which in turn provide support to the expansion of local response, youth capacity & leadership development with transfer to the communities. We believe in the capacity of people to respond to the pandemic with the help of the facilitation teams.
With the support of CIDA, we have carried out enlightenment programmes in Nigeria communities from 1993 to 1996. Between 1999 and 2001, The Salvation Army in collaboration with UNAIDS, Hope Worldwide and Enda Sante designed a methodology for capacity building approach, a community response to HIV/AIDS in West Africa and Central Africa.
From 2001-2009, we worked in collaboration with Family Health International Nigeria; the National Action Committee on Aids (NACA), with funding support form the World bank through Nigerian Government to create demand for VCT in the community; and the Abstinence, Be faithful programme for Youths (ABY) with fund from USAIDS through Food for the Hungry International (FHI), and with a support from NORAD.
The Salvation Army is engaged in more campaigns, outreaches and many other programmes aimed at reaching a wider coverage.
The management structure of The Salvation Army Nigeria and as it is with The Salvation Army globally, is headed by a board of cabinet members. Cabinet members who head departments and perform as line managers. They represent every department at the cabinet meetings. The Social department of The Salvation Army Nigeria is under the Secretary for Field Programme who is a member of the Cabinet. The Salvation Army Agency for the Control of AIDS (TSAACA) is a unit under the Social Department headed by a Social Secretary. The Salvation Army has an HIV/AIDS unit in Lagos state headed by Lagos state HIV/AIDS Coordinator who reports to the Social Secretary.
