Available evidence reveals that the HIV and AIDS epidemic in Ethiopia started in the early 1980s. According to the Federal HIV Prevention and Control Office, the HIV prevalence in Ethiopia in 2014 is estimated at 1.2%; a total of 711,446 (39% Male and 61% Female) people are expected to live with the virus. Orphan and Vulnerable Children (OVC) due to AIDS are more than 800,000. Since recent years there has been a decreasing trend in new HIV infections and AIDS related death. While there is significant increase in the need for Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART).

This guideline is developed as a joint activity of the Community of Practice of the STOP AIDS NOW! HIV and livelihoods linking and learning project. The document consists of experiences and practices of 12 Community of Practice organisations in Ethiopia: Action for Self-Reliance, CVM Ethiopia, Dorcas Aid Ethiopia, Envisage for Better Life, Hundee Grass Root Development Initiative, ISAPSO, Jerusalem Children and Community Development Organisations, MKC-RDA, NEP+, OSSA, OVC Network and Wasasa Microfinance Institution.