Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa

1. Formation

AEDAS was established at the University of Gezira [Wad Medani, Gezira state] (UN 8 Aug. 2012; AEDAS [2008]a). In 8 August 2012 correspondence with the Research Directorate, a UN Development Programme (UNDP) representative, working as the senior program officer for the program called Scaling up the National Response for Prevention and Treatment of HIV/AIDS in Sudan, indicated that AEDAS was established in 2002. A report prepared by AEDAS and sent by the Bedayaa organization to the Research Directorate indicates that AEDAS was established in 2000 (AEDAS [2008]a). The Bedayaa organization is a network for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex individuals in the Nile Valley Area of Egypt and Sudan that provides psychological, educational, outreach services and legal advice (Bedayaa n.d.).

2. Registration

The AEDAS report notes that in December 2006 the organization was registered as an NGO with the Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) in the state of Khartoum and renewed its registration on 25 February 2008 (AEDAS [2008]a). The HAC is a "national organ responsible for co-ordinating humanitarian effort in Sudan" (Sudan n.d.).

3. Mission Statement

AEDAS is a "voluntary society" with the following mission:

Raise HIV/AIDS awareness through communication and joint work with relevant organizations and institutions that work in the field of HIV/AIDS. AEDAS hopes to achieve the mission of offering youth the skills and abilities to give their peers comprehensive information on HIV/AIDS and other topics on reproductive health. (AEDAS [2008]a)

4. Director, Structure and Locations

According to the UNDP representative, the director of the organization, since 2002, is Ali Alkhir (UN 8 Aug. 2012). Corroboration could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

The UNDP representative added that AEDAS has three main offices: executive, financial, and operational; there are also a health unit and a capacity building unit (UN 8 Aug. 2012). The organization's main office is located in Khartoum (ibid.). According to the website of the Youth Peer Education Network (Y-PEER), AEDAS is a youth aid humanitarian organization located in Khartoum (Y-PEER n.d.b). Y-PEER is a network initiated by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) of over 500 government and non-profit organizations working in different areas of adolescent sexual and reproductive health (Y-PEER n.d.a). Its main offices are located in Beirut, New York, and Sofia (ibid. n.d.c). In an AEDAS newsletter also provided by Bedayaa, AEDAS notes that in 2008 they opened three local offices in Khartoum, Gezira and Blue Nile (AEDAS [2008]b).

According to the AEDAS report, the NGO is present in the following states: Red Sea, with 40 volunteers; Kassala, with 28 volunteers; Gedarif, with 20 volunteers; Gezira, with 400 volunteers; Sinar, with 40 volunteers; Blue Nile, with 20 volunteers; Khartoum, with 100 volunteers; North Kordofan, with 10 volunteers; South Kordofan, with 7 volunteers; and, North, South and West Darfur, with a total of 18 volunteers (AEDAS [2008]a). Corroboration for the number of volunteers could not be found by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

The UNDP representative indicated that AEDAS has established HIV awareness programs in the following universities: Khartoum University; River Nile University; Ahfad University; Kordofan University; Red Sea University; Nyala University; Neleen University; University of Gezira (UN 8 Aug. 2012).

Contact information for AEDAS could not be found in the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

6. Funding

The AEDAS newsletter mentions that the organization received training funded by the German Development Service (DED) (AEDAS [2008]b). The AEDAS report mentions that the organization was receiving funding from the following organizations: UNICEF, which funds the "word on a bus" project; UNFPA, which funds Peer Education project in Blue Nile state; and DED, which funds AEDAS members capacity building projects (AEDAS [2008]a). According to the UNDP representative, AEDAS is funded by the following: the UNFPA, the DED and Sudan's Ministry of Health (UN 8 Aug. 2012). Deutsche Kultur International (DKI), a website providing information on German organizations, conferences, events, and culture (DKI n.d.a), indicates that DED was founded in 1963, with a presence in 47 countries where development workers are working to improve the living conditions, promote sustainable development, and preserve natural resources (ibid. n.d.b). DED was incorporated into the German Society for International Cooperation (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit , GIZ), which was established in January 2011 (ibid.).

7. Activity

According to the UNDP representative, AEDAS is working on youth programs that focus on HIV education and "capacity building" (UN 8 Aug. 2012).

The AEDAS newsletter lists the activities of the organization, such as training received by its members, as well as training provided by AEDAS to the public, including:

• a weekly session raising awareness on HIV/AIDS in Khartoum;
• the implementation of 14 training workshops for 840 bus drivers and their assistants in Khartoum raising AIDS awareness; "a word in a bus" AIDS awareness project is also aimed at passengers;
• an awareness project for university students, youth, and women implemented in Blue Nile state;
• AIDS awareness raising in Gezira state for at-risk groups in the University of Gezira, Alahliya College and Holy Koran College, including the establishment of AIDS awareness societies and promoting voluntary testing (AEDAS [2008]b).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

AIDS Effects and Dangers Awareness Society (AEDAS). [2008]a. "Report: On AEDAS Activities in the Past and On Going Activities." Report provided by the Bedaaya organization in 4 August 2012 correspondence sent to the Research Directorate.

_____. [2008]b. "AIDS Effects and Dangers Awareness Society AEDAS." Newsletter provided by the Bedaaya organization in 4 August 2012 correspondence sent to the Research Directorate.

Bedayaa. N.d. "Who We Are?" <http://bedayaa.webs.com/whoweare.htm> [Accessed 9 Aug. 2012]

Deutsche Kultur International (DKI). N.d.a. "Deutsche Kultur International Provides Information On." <http://www.deutsche-kultur-international.de/en/> [Accessed 22 Aug. 2012]

_____. N.d.b. "Organisations." <http://www.deutsche-kultur-international.de/en/org/organisations/german-development-service-ded.html> [Accessed 22 Aug. 2012]

Sudan. N.d. Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC). "Structural Organization." <http://www.hac.gov.sd/Page/EN/main_read_page1.aspx?Type=N'SPCE'> [Accessed 22 Aug. 2012]

United Nations (UN). 8 August 2012. UN Development Programme (UNDP). Correspondence from a senior program officer to the Research Directorate.

Youth Peer Education Network (Y-PEER). N.d.a. "About Y-PEER." <http://38.121.140.176/web/guest/about-ypeer> [Accessed 17 July 2012]

_____. N.d.b. "Where Is Y-PEER?: Sudan." <http://38.121.140.176/web/guest/sudan> [Accessed 17 July 2012]

_____. N.d.c. "Contact Us." <http://38.121.140.176/web/guest/contact-us> [Accessed 22 Aug. 2012]

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources: Attempts to contact African Network for Strategic Communication in Health and Development Secretariat, AIDS Effects and Dangers Awareness Society, Eastern Africa National Networks of AIDS Service Organisations, United Nations Population Fund, and Y-PEER International Center were unsuccessful.

Internet sites, including: Action in the Community Environment Africa; African Network for Strategic Communication in Health and Development; AIDSPortal; AllAfrica.com; Eastern Africa National Networks of AIDS Service Organisations; Factiva; Network for Adolescent and Youths of Africa; Planned Parenthood Federation of America; Sudan – Federal Ministry of Health, Sudan National AIDS Program; Sudan Tribune; UN – AIDS, Department of Public Information, Development Programme, Refworld, World Health Organization.