USAID/PEPFAR Faith-based Retention and Adherence Initiative

Inter Religious Council of Ethiopia (IRCE)

Quarter II Implementation Report

(January 1, 2023 to March 31, 2023)

Grant Number: FAA# 72066320FA00006

Submitted to: Hailu Gebisa

Submitted by: Milky Sadessa

Position= SBCC Specialist IRCE
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Telephone: - 0912203486

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Table of Contents
Acronyms.....................................................................................................................................................2
1. Introduction.........................................................................................................................................3
2. Key Accomplishments by Activity........................................................................................................4
1. Project management: Familiarize IRCE and Interfaith Council Management about PEPFAR Faith
Based ART Retention and Adherence Initiative Services.......................................................................4
2. IR 1: Strengthened ACSM interventions on compatibility of Spiritual therapy with ART.................4
2.1. Improved ACSM by top management of IRCE and member religious institutions at all levels..4
2.2. Improved knowledge of targeted FBO leaders and their followers toward compatibility of
spiritual therapy with ART..................................................................................................................4
2.3. Improved ART Retention and Adherence among PLHIV who are following spiritual therapy at
spiritual healing sites..........................................................................................................................5
3. IR 2: Strengthened capacity of interfaith council and FBOs to conduct ACSM on compatibility of
Spiritual therapy with ART......................................................................................................................6
3.1. Improved capacity of members religious institutions to deliver ACSM on compatibility of
spiritual therapy with ART..................................................................................................................6
3.2: Strengthened MEL for evidence generation and use for strategic ACSM intervention.............6
4. Quality Improvement.........................................................................................................................8
5. COVID 19 prevention and Mitigation.................................................................................................8
3. Major Challenges and Measures taken................................................................................................9
4 Major Planned activities in the second quarter.................................................................................10

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Acronyms
xxxxxx

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 1. Introduction
Inter-Religious Council of Ethiopia/IRCE/ is an organization established by seven-member
religious institutions. These are; Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, Ethiopian Islamic
Affairs Supreme Council, Ethiopian Catholic Church, Evangelical Churches Fellowship of
Ethiopia, Ethiopian seventh day Adventist international church, Ethiopian Kalehiwot Church and
Ethiopian Evangelical Church of Mekane Yesus.
Its main purpose is to facilitate a forum for its member institutions to engage in the development
of the country through peace building and other development activities. IRCE targets in bringing
religious leaders and institutions of various faiths at national and regional levels to identify
potential on building trust and relationship among the various religious communities. IRCE
currently implements various development activities including Peace Building, Prevention and
Mitigation of Harmful Traditional Practices, Gender Inclusiveness and PEPFAR Faith Based
ART Retention and Adherence Initiative.
U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through USAID has granted IRCE
“A Faith-based ART Retention and Adherence Initiative” project running for 23 months. The
objective is Strengthening Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilization (ACSM)
approaches to community engagement carried out by public health organizations. This will help
to be more systematic, multidisciplinary, and informed about cultural norms, beliefs, and
practices. In addition, this project has aimed in strengthening the capacities of the interfaith
council and participating FBO to conduct advocacy, communications and social mobilization
purposefully and systematically.
This report covers activities that have been implemented during the period of January 01 to
March 31, 2023 under FY23 project implementation plan.

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 2. Key Accomplishments by Activity
1. Project management: Familiarize IRCE and Interfaith Council Management
about PEPFAR Faith Based ART Retention and Adherence Initiative Services
1.1 Contract extension for all project staff both at national and regional level

 NA

1.2 Annual review of FY22, Orientation of the project scope with milestone deliverables
activities (Workplan of FY23) to project staffs

NA

2. IR 1: Strengthened ACSM interventions on compatibility of Spiritual therapy

with ART
2.1. Improved ACSM by top management of IRCE and member religious institutions
at all levels
2.1.1 Conduct subnational advocacy conference on retention and adherence and stigma
reduction focusing on compatibility of spiritual therapy with ART with leadership of member
faith-based institutions, government sectors, PLHIV associations, USAID implementing partners
and spiritual healers/leaders at respective healing sites.

2.1.2 Proactively attend, revitalize and contribute to federal/regional HIV TWGs representing
FBOs

2.1.3 Conduct rapid assessment/mapping of spiritual healing sites where PLHIV with potential
retention and Adherence problems resides to trace the lost to follow up and reengage them to
treatment.

 We have conducted assessment of potential spiritual healing sites in Oromia region.

Accordingly, 35 spiritual healing sites were mapped and is in operation.

2.2. Improved knowledge of targeted FBO leaders and their followers toward
compatibility of spiritual therapy with ART
2.2.1 Design and deliver audio video messages focusing on HIV testing, treatment
compatibility with spiritual therapy, prevention of GBV and stigma reduction for persons living
with HIV through faith-based media houses to interfaith leaders and their constituencies

 NA

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2.2.2 Working with Interfaith leaders and facilitate transmission of retention and adherence on
prevention of stigma and discrimination messages during holidays by heads of religious
institutions

 NA

2.2.3 Produce and broadcast TV/Radio talk shows/programs on ART retention and adherence,
stigma and discrimination and GBV with religious scholars, health professionals and affected
communities (PLHIVs)

 NA

2.2.4 Translate, Print and distribute sermon guides to preachers, RLs and the target community
with different local languages

 NA

2.2.5 Translate and print bill board messages that promote ART adherence and retention in to
different local languages and erect at three regions

 NA

2.2.6 Design and erect mini and mega billboards promoting ART adherence and retention for
each religious member institution at healing sites and major regional towns.

 NA

2.2.7 Print and distribute leaflets and stickers broachers containing messages on HIV testing,
treatment compatibility with spiritual therapy, stigma and discrimination reduction and GBV
prevention. (5000 per region)

 NA

2.3. Improved ART Retention and Adherence among PLHIV who are following
spiritual therapy at spiritual healing sites
2.3.1 Conduct sensitization events across all members of religious institutions of IRCE to
advocate for compatibility spiritual therapy with ART

 Our Religious Leaders and spiritual leaders at those mapped Spiritual healing sites have
conducted sensitization events during the weekly, monthly and annual holidays and
preached on compatibility of spiritual therapy with ART, HIV testing and treatment,
adherence and retention and on prevention of GBV. Accordingly, around 23,000
congregations have been reached with the messages.

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2.3.2 Commemorate world AIDS day with Government of Ethiopia and USAID implementing
partners.

 This has been conducted during celebration in the First Quarter

2.3.3 Facilitate outreach program in collaboration with trained spiritual healers, PLHIV
associations and USAID-PEPFAR implementing partners at holy water and worship areas
identified by program data to advocate for compatibility of spiritual therapy with ART. in 8
regions.

 Our Religious Leaders and spiritual leaders at those mapped Spiritual healing sites have
conducted sensitization events during the weekly, monthly and annual holidays and
preached on compatibility of spiritual therapy with ART, HIV testing and treatment,
adherence and retention and on prevention of GBV. Accordingly, around 23,000
congregations have been reached with the messages.

2.3.4 Identify PLHIV who interrupt treatment and refer/link them with IPs for re-engagement

 In progress

2.3.5 Identify PLHIV who face intimate partner violence, provide psychosocial and counseling
support and refer to health facilities as necessary

 in progress

2.3.6 Provide counseling support to children, adolescents and old age PLHIV who have poor
adherence to treatment and referral/link to social protection scheme/ Economic strengthening ,
legal services, USAID Ips, etc.)

 in progress

2.3.7 Refer/link PLHIV with high need of economic support /social protection through IPs )

 In progress

3. IR 2: Strengthened capacity of interfaith council and FBOs to conduct ACSM

on compatibility of Spiritual therapy with ART
3.1. Improved capacity of members religious institutions to deliver ACSM on
compatibility of spiritual therapy with ART
3.1.1 Refresher and basic capacity building training for holy water sites/Churches and Mosques
leaders, spiritual healers and youths on ART Retention and Adherence (compatibility of spiritual
therapy with ART), stigma and discrimination reduction and GBV prevention.

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  Refresh training for holy water sites/Churches and Mosques leaders, spiritual healers and
youths on ART Retention and Adherence (compatibility of spiritual therapy with ART),
stigma and discrimination reduction and GBV prevention has been conducted during this
quarter. Accordingly, 118 (13 Female) participants were able to attend the trainings from
those selected healing sites.

3.1.2 Train religious media house professionals on ART retention and adherence
(compatibility of spiritual therapy with ART), stigma and discrimination reduction and GBV
prevention

 NA

3.2: Strengthened MEL for evidence generation and use for strategic ACSM
intervention

3.2.1 Orientation of IRCE staff, spiritual healers and volunteers on various tools, guidelines,
reporting formats etc.

 NA

3.2.2 Conduct periodic joint supportive supervision with RHB, health facilities, religious
leaders and USAID implementing partners at selected healing sites

 We have engaged and supported Oromia regional Health Bureau in Integrated Joint
supportive supervision were all HIV services in the region were supervised. With this, the
supervising team have visited the healing sites and identifies lessons/good work, areas of
improvements and completed successfully.

3.2.3 Undertake mentorship at site level at selected sites

 We have conducted coaching and mentoring at those healing sites and supported spiritual
healers on topic of teaching, documentations and reporting.

3.2.4 Conduct routine data quality assessment (RDQA) by integrating with JSS

 NA

3.2.5 Conduct quarterly, biannual and annual project performance review meetings

 NA

3.2.6 Conduct quarterly review meetings at SNU/regional level with RHBs, religious leaders,
health facilities and USAID implementing partners.

 NA

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3.2.7 Participate at national level periodic FBO-TF meeting and site level joint supervision

 NA

3.2.8 Document and disseminate best lessons learned on faith-based ART retention and
adherence initiative

 N/A

3.2.9 Conduct assessment on impact of ACSM work done through faith medias on ART
retention and adherence (Spiritual compatibility with ART)

 NA

3.2.10 Project close out Workshop will be conducted at the end in coordination with USAID
implementing partners, MoH/RHBs/ health facilities and PLHIV associations.

 NA

4. Quality Improvement
4.1 Support in establishment of QI teams across Service delivery points/health facilities, who
will conduct routine review of data to identify HIV data and service delivery gaps and implement
strategies to support performance and quality of services provided

 In progress

4.2 Provide training on QI for QI team at selected health facilities and project staff

 In progress

4.3 Monitor changes in performance through M&E and the use of quarterly performance
data.

 In progress

5. COVID 19 prevention and Mitigation

5.1 All training sessions and meetings shall be conducted by strictly following the COVID-
19 prevention precautions.

 Yes!

5.2 All necessary PPE shall be applied like use of sanitizer, hand washing, wearing of a mask
and maintaining distance at all times.

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  Yes!

3. Major Challenges and Measures taken

3.1 Major challenges
 Transportation means shortage or vehicles shortage during
field visit and to transport tools for HS
 Security issue

3.2 Measures taken

 Using own vehicle for some short distance

 Communicate through phone, telegram etc

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4 Major Planned activities in the second quarter
 Xxx

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