Ensuring HIV Treatment Access for LGBTIQ Persons

Report Submitted to: Kind Donors

Prepared by: Raymond [Executive Director]

Background:

Due to recent funding cuts, including the suspension of U.S. HIV support, Mbarara Rise Foundation and the LGBTIQ community we serve have faced significant challenges. These include barriers in accessing HIV treatment, drug stock outs, and increased discrimination, threatening the health and wellbeing of many community members.

1. Achievements to Date

Despite resource limitations, the Foundation has made key progress:

•70 LGBTIQ individuals supported with emergency HIV treatment access, including:

•Coverage of consultation fees for ARV refills

•Transport assistance to healthcare centers

•Legal aid for those denied services or facing stigma

•20 individuals provided food relief to address immediate nutritional needs, especially among those severely affected by treatment side effects and financial hardship

•Core team of staff retained through modest allowances, ensuring continuation of:

•Case management

•Peer navigation

•Community follow-ups

•Crisis Response Team established to handle:

•Eviction threats

•Acute health needs

•Psychosocial support, including mental health first aid

•Three local partners mobilized to provide in-kind support in:

•Transport (motorcycle hire and fuel)

•Emergency food baskets

•Counseling and psychosocial care

2. Outstanding Needs and Gaps

While the initial response has been impactful, critical gaps persist:

200 additional LGBTIQ individuals still urgently need:

•Consultation fees for ARV access

•Transport to safe and stigma-free health facilities

•Emergency Fund nearly depleted, limiting the organization’s ability to respond to:

•Ongoing eviction cases

•Mental health breakdowns

•Emergencies related to opportunistic infections

•Sustainability of five essential staff (outreach, casework, psychosocial support, legal aid, and administration) is at risk without further funding

•Rising mental health concerns tied to stigma, discrimination, and poverty require a scale-up of structured psychosocial support interventions, including group therapy and individual counseling

We kindly appeal for your continued solidarity and support to enable us to meet the urgent needs of our community. Every contribution extends care, dignity, and protection to those left behind by broader systemic cuts.

Thank you for your trust and partnership.