Backgrounder: Funding to help community-based organizations address monkeypox

Backgrounder

August 2022

The HIV and Hepatitis C Community Action Fund takes an integrated approach to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of prevention initiatives for these infections, along with other sexually transmitted and blood borne infections. This approach addresses common transmission routes, risk behaviours, affected populations and social determinants of health among these infections through targeted prevention, testing, care and treatment interventions.

Today's announcement is part of a comprehensive approach to reach key populations affected by the monkeypox outbreak and help community-based organizations respond to the expressed needs of communities for prevention, education, awareness, and anti-stigma activities. These organizations will amplify the Public Health Agency of Canada's (PHAC) messaging in a way that is culturally appropriate and stigma-free, to reach the populations who are currently affected by the outbreak.

The Community Based Research Centre (CBRC) will receive a total of $350,000. CBRC serves as the coordinating body for the Advance Community Alliance, a pan-Canadian alliance of organizations addressing gay and bisexual men's health. CBRC will develop an evidence-based set of national educational resources, coordinate the work of the alliance, and ensure that smaller communities in Canada can access immediate financial support for programming demands that may arise as the monkeypox outbreak evolves.

H.I.M Health Initiative for Men Society, a member of the Advance Community Alliance, will receive $100,000.

Additionally, the Queer and Trans Health Collective in Edmonton will receive $100,000 to reach key populations in their community.

This announcement is part of a $1 million commitment to support organizations across the country. A total of $350,000 was recently announced on July 21 at an event in Montreal. As part of this announcement, RÉZO received $150,000 to support local and provincial outreach efforts, as Montreal is currently the region with the highest number of cases. AIDS Committee of Toronto received $100,000, and MAX Ottawa received $100,000.

The remaining $100,000 is available through PHAC for contingency to support any emerging issues that arise in the monkeypox outbreak.

Since the outset of the monkeypox outbreak, PHAC has been working with domestic and international partners to protect the health of everyone in Canada. The Government of Canada activated its Health Portfolio Operations Centre with the confirmation of the first cases. The National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) continues to conduct testing to confirm a diagnosis of monkeypox for suspected cases, while provincial/territorial public health and health care systems are conducting case investigations and outbreak management. PHAC continues to provide regular updates on the monkeypox outbreak through public reporting and on Canada.ca/monkeypox, including posting interim infection, prevention and control (IPC) guidance, case and contact management guidance, a national monkeypox case definition, guidance for health professionals and information on risks and symptoms to increase awareness.

PHAC is working with stakeholders, including non-governmental organizations, Chief Medical Officers of Health through the Pan-Canadian Public Health Network and international partners/networks, to raise awareness among populations at higher risk. This includes equipping them with the guidance and tools necessary to help manage cases of monkeypox.

British Columbia has declared a total of 98 cases of monkeypox as of August 11 (the vast majority of being in the Greater Vancouver area). Provinces and territories determine their immunization programs based on their unique circumstances. As of August 8, 2022, British Columbia has administered 11,629 doses of the Imvamune® vaccine to close contacts and those at the highest risk of infestion . For more information on the location of vaccination in British Columbia, visit the following: Monkeypox: Vaccination

The global understanding of the monkeypox virus is still evolving, and Canada is providing leadership to help improve our understanding of the current monkeypox outbreak, including mobilizing experts and sharing available scientific evidence to inform the response. Canada will continue to work with the WHO and international partners to strengthen the global response to the current monkeypox outbreak.

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