Advocacy and Awareness Campaign on HIV/AIDS Prevention

This initiative drew on what is characterised as a popular sporting event in order to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and to motivate people to change their behaviour so as to halt its spread. NAACC organised promotional activities that involved various media, such as banners displayed at key points with slogans on HIV/AIDS prevention and information, education, and communication (IEC) materials. In addition, NAACC was on hand at the festival to offer individual counselling sessions, and to make announcements highlighting the issue and calling upon the masses to take precautionary steps to stop HIV/AIDS.

At the end of the festival, NAACC volunteers cleaned up the camp to keep Shandur environmentally safe and clean as well.

HIV/AIDS.

According to NAACC, the 2007 National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) report indicates that approximately 3,250 HIV/AIDS cases have been registered; however, estimates by various international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) put that number much higher, with nearly 90,000 HIV/AIDS cases potentially existing in Pakistan. NAACC explains that the Federally Administered Northern Areas (FANA) (also known as Northern Areas) are particularly vulnerable to HIV and AIDS due to high-risk behaviours of vulnerable groups, as well as what NAACC describes as a "low rate of education, ignorance, poverty, denial, shortage of standard health facilities and bad practices of traditional healers".

Realising the importance of participation of grassroots level communities and civil society organisations in combating the challenge of AIDS and other infectious diseases, in 1999, NAACC was formed. It has grown to a network of 32 registered NGOs and civil society organisations (CSOs) from all six districts of FANA working in the health and social sector.