is a former French colony located on the Western coast of Africa. It became independent on August 7^th, 1960. The current population amounts to over 15 million inhabitants out of which 58% live in rural areas. 1.3 million households depend on agricultural activities representing 1/3 of the GNP.

 Côte d'Ivoire is the country most affected by the HIV/AIDS infection in West Africa (prevalence: 9.7%, UNAIDS report 2003). Most infected people are 15 to 49 years old - the active manpower of the country. This infection also affects the workers of the agricultural sector.

ANADER, the National Agency for Rural Development, is represented throughout the country with the task of training farmers and expanding agriculture. It has decided to tackle the HIV/AIDS epidemic to maintain the productivity in this sector.

For the past five years, ANADER has been associating the fight against HIV/AIDS to its core mission. This decision was taken for the following reasons:

• The vulnerability of ANADER field workers.
• The HIV threat to rural communities.
• The lack of information and awareness about HIV/AIDS in rural areas.
• The difficult access to HIV/AIDS treatments in rural areas.

To achieve their goal, ANADER and PNGTER have developed a tool for community mobilization called "Risk Mapping".

ANADER peer educators have been trained and HIV/AIDS village committees have been set up.

ANADER has also initiated a solidarity fund for the antiretroviral treatment of its HIV-infected employees.

The results obtained so far are:

• 3600 HIV/AIDS villages committees set up through "Risk Mapping".
• 3662 condom shops opened.
• 62 ANADER HIV/AIDS committees set up and members trained.
• 30 employees in a train the trainers program.
• 600 peer educators trained.
• 125 teachers and educational advisers of Bonoua district elementary schools trained.
• Employees of PROSTAB, CMR, STCP, Agricultural cooperatives educated.
• Production of a movie highlighting "Risk Mapping" in a village.
• Sales of  more than thirty million condoms.
• Supply of full medical care, including antiretroviral treatment, to the 18 HIV-infected diagnosed employees.
• Attendance at conferences on HIV/AIDS (Mwanza in June 2000, Barcelona in July 2002).
• Participation in the elaboration of the HIV/AIDS sector-based plan of the Ministry of Agriculture.   
• Agreement on HIV/AIDS management with three care centres: CIRBA, AIMAS and SMIT.

Today, ANADER has become a nationwide reference for the fight against HIV/AIDS at the rural community level.

The main difficulties faced by ANADER in the implementation of its program are:

• Monitoring and evaluation of the HIV/AIDS village committees.
• Lack of psychological support and medical care for employee families infected with HIV.
• Poor access to VCT and care for the rural populations.
• Lack of awareness and teaching materials on HIV/AIDS for the mobilization of the rural communities.
• Shortage of condoms.
• Insufficient continuous education for ANADER employees, members of the HIV/AIDS village committees.
• Insufficient HIV/AIDS care training of the ANADER part-time contracted doctors.

In order to improve its HIV/AIDS program and better serve the rural communities, ANADER has sought partnership with experienced organizations in the fight against HIV/AIDS, such as MSD (Merck Sharp and Dohme) who supported company as well as country projects like the African Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Program (ACHAP) in Botswana.

The 2005-2007 ANADER HIV/AIDS strategic program has been elaborated with MSD.

The extension of the program to the rural communities is guided by the following vision forged by ANADER:

• All employees of ANADER and their families know their HIV status. All HIV-infected employees are well accepted in their professional and family environment and receive appropriate care.
• VCT is no longer taboo in rural communities. People living with HIV/AIDS are well accepted and effective HIV/AIDS care management is set up for the infected and affected rural populations.
• Risk behaviours diminish among ANADER employees and the rural population, contributing to the decrease of HIV infections.

The objectives of the ANADER project are as follows:

- Inform and sensitize ANADER employees and their family members on HIV/AIDS prevention and care for those infected or affected by HIV/AIDS. This will be achieved through :

• Revitalization of ANADER HIV/AIDS committees.
• Improvement of ANADER HIV/AIDS care and treatment provided to its employees.
• Extension of ANADER HIV/AIDS care and treatment, including antiretroviral therapy, to the employees' families.

- Inform and sensitize the rural populations on HIV/AIDS prevention, and facilitate their access to specific socio-medical services through:

• Extension and revitalization of the HIV/AIDS village committees.
• Increase access to condoms in rural areas.
• VCT mobile units serving remote rural areas  (4x4 vans equipped for VCT and care of HIV-infected people living in rural areas).
• Referral to appropriate medical and social services.

Target population benefiting from the ANADER project:

With the adequate support provided by international donors, ANADER has the network, expertise and commitment to make a difference in the fight against HIV/AIDS in rural areas. This project is in line with the objective of the Ministry of Health in Côte d'Ivoire of saving numerous lives through prevention and care. The ANADER project will help ensure the economic development of the agricultural sector, the biggest contributor to the Ivorian population's income.