- Date
- December 2004
Myanmar: Update on HIV/AIDS Policy, the latest report from OSI grantee the International Crisis Group, describes the country's rate of HIV infection, one of the highest in Asia, as more than an issue of public health. The epidemic has security implications for the country's neighbors, and it also offers an opportunity for the strengthening of civil society inside Myanmar.
For the past two years, the international community has boosted funding and shown more willingness to find ways to help victims and counter the pandemic. While this engagement has not had a transforming impact on either the epidemic or the country's politics, it is possible to point to some positive developments, at least with respect to the former.
The regime remains closed, but some government obstacles have been removed: most critically, the military decided to address the problems of HIV. Also, in a change of heart, the opposition National League for Democracy has supported outside assistance for HIV/AIDS programs.
"Fighting HIV/AIDS involves intensive ground-level work, so it entails fostering small NGOs and grassroots organizations, the kind of groups that might eventually help prepare for any democratic transition," says Robert Templer, director of Crisis Group's Asia Program.