Regional coordination

SAT took the initiative in 2007 for the formation of an informal network for regional indigenous organisatons focussing on HIV and AIDS, called Regional African AIDS NGOs (RAANGO) which was official founded in 2009, and continues to carry the logistic responsibility for meetings on a quarterly basis. Several joint activities are undertaken. RAANGO participates as a permanent feature in the SADC Partnership Forum Meetings held twice a year.

What is RAANGO

Regional African HIV/AIDS NGOs (RAANGO) is an informal network of 14 organizations working on HIV/AIDS related issues in Southern and Eastern Africa.  Founded in April 2009, RAANGO's aim is to increase coordination and harmonization among indigenous NGOs working at a regional level in the Eastern and Southern Africa regions. RAANGO operates through regional coordinator that’s sits at the Southern Africa Aids Trust (SAT) regional office in South Africa.

Goal

The goal of RAANGO is improved contributions from regional organisations towards achievement of Universal Access to prevention, treatment, care and support for all people in Southern and Eastern Africa and to mitigate the impact of AIDS on all sectors through an expanded, comprehensive and sustained response led by Southern and Eastern Africa regional organisations.

The purpose of the RAANGO network is to:

• Enable increased leverage by drawing upon specific organization’s comparative as advantages
• Enable a platform for regional NGOs to talk with one voice; e.g. in SADC’s and EAC’s partnership forums
• Capitalize on and support members ‘roles in different other forums e.g. UNAIDS PCB and SADC’s technical Advisory Forum
• Provide a platform for discussions and support on emerging issues relevant to communities in the ESA region
• Provide a platform for learning and sharing among members
• Foster collaboration between RAANGO members 

Current members of RAANGO in the regions include:

• African Network of Higher Education and Research in Theology HIV&AIDS
• Aids and Rights Alliance Southern Africa (ARASA)
• Disability HIV and AIDS trust ([DHAT)
• Eastern African Network of AIDS Service Organisations (EANNASO)
• Health Economics and AIDS Research Division – University of KwaZulu Natal (HEARD)
• Human Rights Development Initiative (HRDI)
• International Network of Religious Leaders Living With and Personally Affected By HIV/AIDS, Africa Region (INERELA+/Africa)
• Network of African People Living Positively, African Region (NAP+SAR)
• Regional AIDS Training Network (RATN)
• Regional Psychosocial Support Initiative (REPPSI)
• Soul City Institute (Region Programme)
• Southern Africa AIDS Information and Dissemination Services (SAfAIDS)
• Southern Africa AIDS Trust (SAT)
• Volunteer Services Overseas – Regional AIDS Initiative Southern Africa (VSO –RAISA)

 Contacts: raango@satregional.org