Fuelwood, food and medicine: the role of forests in the response to HIV and AIDS in rural areas of southern Africa

The HIV pandemic is deeply entrenched in the countries of southern Africa and has had dramatic effects on rural livelihoods. This article examines the role of forest resources in the response to HIV and AIDS, particularly in terms of herbal medicines, energy and food. It is based on the findings of studies commissioned by FAO and carried out in 2003 to examine the impact of the pandemic on the utilization of woodland resources in the miombo woodland zones of Malawi (Kayambazinthu et al., 2005) and Mozambique (Sitoe, 2005). Data collection methods included a household questionnaire survey, focus group discussions, transect walks, and key informant interviews. The results show that HIV and AIDS increase the dependence of communities in woodland zones on forest resources and that the pandemic has environmental and natural resource management implications. The article highlights some forest policy and programme interventions that might help lessen the impact of the pandemic on natural resources and the role the forest sector can play in the multisectoral response to HIV and AIDS.

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