The Sudan Armed Force (SAF) and Northern Sudanese DDR (Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration) Commission organized an HIV/AIDS training for 30 officers from SAF and SAF-aligned other armed groups (OAGs) at the military hospital in Omdurman from 12 to 21 February 2007. The Peer Educators training was organized in collaboration with the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, UNDP and UN DDR Unit. As future agents of positive behaviour change in their units, and in their communities at large, the officers were trained to do follow-up peer education on HIV and gender based violence (GBV) prevention amongst SAF and OAG rank and file.

The training is part of the DDR programme HIV strategy, to sensitize and promote safe practices amongst soldiers prior to their demobilization. It also aims to integrate HIV/AIDS, STI and GBV awareness and prevention activities into the demobilization and reintegration processes. This has been planned through mandatory briefing sessions for DDR participants, providing them behaviour change material, and information on HIV testing and treatment available.

The DDR programme in Sudan has identified HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention activities as a critical area of focus. This is due to the greater vulnerability of HIV infection among the DDR target group, and the potential risk they may pose as vectors of the virus in their communities of return. The final aim is to build capacity for HIV testing and referral services among the DDR caseload which is close to a 100,000.

The UNDDRU, UNFPA and UNDP plan to hold more such trainings for the SAF and SPLA in Northern and Southern Sudan. Trainings were also held in 2006 in Rumbek for the SPLA, and in Khartoum for the SAF. A VCT (Voluntary Counseling and Testing) Counsellor's training for the SPLA in Rumbek is also planned for March 2007. Currently, Sudan has just 16 functional VCT Centers, and plans are being drawn up with WHO to increase their numbers.