August 2013 — Despite Cambodia’s success in its response to HIV/AIDS, reaching the most-at-risk populations with essential health services has become increasingly difficult. The enforcement of new and existing government laws and policies has created significant barriers to accessing HIV prevention, treatment and care among at-risk populations, which includes injecting drug users, transgender people, men who have sex with men and entertainment workers.
The Ministry of Interior, in collaboration with FHI 360 and with financial support from the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), is responding by implementing the Police Community Partnership Initiative (PCPI). This initiative aims to strengthen collaboration between ministries, local authorities, police, health care providers, development partners, nongovernmental organizations and community members to create an enabling environment for most-at-risk populations to access health and social services.
In 2012, the AIDS Secretariat of the Ministry of the Interior — with support from FHI 360 and AusAID — conducted a baseline study to ensure the effectiveness of the initiative. The study reviewed the enabling environment for the most-at-risk populations in five Khans (districts) of Cambodia’s capital city, Phnom Penh, where PCPI will be implemented. This report describes the methodology, findings and recommendations from the study; the results will be used to inform and measure future progress of PCPI implementation.
