After the Storm: AHF Mobilizes for Jamaica

AHF Stands with Jamaica in the Wake of Hurricane Melissa

WSVN 7News takes you inside AHF’s efforts as volunteers load supplies for Jamaica relief.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa’s destruction, AHF has mobilized emergency relief efforts across Jamaica, beginning with an initial shipment of generators, tarps, water purification tablets, medical equipment, food kits, and hygiene products—ensuring aid reaches those who need it most.

AHF Jamaica's staff unload a 40-foot container of relief supplies for communities hardest hit by the hurricane.

“AHF has a robust history of proactively responding to the needs of individuals and communities in crisis. We are deeply saddened by the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa,” said Michael Weinstein, AHF President.

“Having supported many disaster relief efforts, we know the road to rebuilding is long. We remain committed to providing the critical resources the Jamaican people will need as they recover from this natural and humanitarian disaster.”

“Our initial shipment is just the first step in a broader recovery effort,” said Dr. Kevin Harvey, Deputy Bureau Chief of Latin America and the Caribbean. “AHF remains deeply committed to working alongside our government and regional partners to restore healthcare infrastructure, strengthen resilience, and ensure that Jamaica emerges from this tragedy stronger, safer, and better prepared for the future.”

Future shipments will include large tents to serve as makeshift clinics, temporary treatment spaces, and safe shelters for displaced families, along with additional food and water supplies.

AHF began operating in Jamaica in 2013 and today serves more than 28,000 clients across the country.

Click to watch AHF’s “Keeping the Promise,” narrated by Academy Award–winning actor Meryl Streep, and explore the real-life impact of HIV advocacy and prevention efforts.

Transforming Lives through Skills and Health Education

Participants graduate from a program in skills development, mentorship, and health education.

In Eswatini, AHF Fund grantee Women in Trade and Development (WITAD) is transforming the lives of out-of-school teen mothers and unemployed young women in rural communities by equipping them with skills to achieve economic independence and prevent HIV, STI, and TB infections.

Over two months, the grant-funded program trained 320 adolescent girls and young women in financial literacy, agricultural, and cottage industry skills, while also providing education on sexual and reproductive health. A mobile testing unit also offered free HIV testing to participants during trainings.

By the end of the program participants had gained the technical and financial knowledge needed to launch small businesses, and completed the necessary paperwork to qualify for startup capital.

A workshop provides digital skills training to participants.

WITAD empowers girls, women, refugees, and immigrants to overcome vulnerability and poverty through capacity building, entrepreneurship, and access to education and health services. The organization focuses on digital literacy, financial inclusion, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and advocacy for women’s participation in decision-making.

Chhoeun Chhim: Guided by Compassion

CAMBODIA

Chhoeun Chhim is a nurse counselor with AHF Cambodia. Her story is next in our "I Am AHF" series featuring remarkable staff, clients, and partners who are doing what's right to save lives everyday.

"This work allows me to use my professional skills to improve treatment adherence and enhance the quality of life for many people," said Chhoeun.

My name is Chhoeun Chhim. I am 35 years old, married, and a mother of two children, aged 10 and 7. I live in a small village in Siem Reap Province, where I work as a nurse counselor at the HIV treatment clinic at the Provincial Hospital for AHF Cambodia.

Before joining AHF, I worked for many years in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Siem Reap Referral Hospital. During that time, I met many people from my own village who were seriously ill with HIV but struggled to accept their diagnosis.

I graduated from nursing school in 2008 and began working under a government contract as an ICU nurse. Over the years, I realized that caring for PLHIV goes beyond treating critical illness—it also requires patient education, treatment adherence, and mental health support. I took pride in being part of their journey toward better health and understanding.

Through my nursing work, I developed a strong connection with the AHF team at the ART site and came to believe deeply in AHF’s mission. HIV/AIDS is a global issue that continues to affect millions, including many in Cambodia. I wanted to be part of a team that provides full counseling, care, and treatment for those most in need.

Fighting a Hidden Killer: Advancing TB Prevention in China

The TB preventive treatment program supported by AHF China is setting the stage for broader adoption across provinces, reaching both people living with HIV and those at risk.

AHF China recently supported the Zhejiang Association of STD & AIDS Prevention & Control in hosting a high-level meeting that brought together more than 20 experts from Zhejiang CDC, Shanghai CDC, and local hospitals. By sharing experiences and identifying gaps in care, participants developed strategies to improve treatment adherence and scale up TB preventive treatment (TPT) for people living with HIV.

People living with HIV are up to 16 times more likely to develop active TB—highlighting the need for integrated care and early detection.

Zhejiang CDC Deputy Director Jiang Jianmin addressed ongoing challenges, including low screening rates, uneven testing capabilities regionally, and complex diagnostics. She also emphasized the need to use provincial public health data to identify key populations and implement scalable solutions.

Ding Zhengwei, AHF China’s Senior Monitoring and Evaluation and Data Management Officer, shared lessons from successful TPT pilots in Tianjin, highlighting practical models that could be adapted across Zhejiang.

The meeting concluded with a strong commitment to strengthen latent TB infection screening, refine technical guidelines, and promote dual-direction screening, a strategy that ensures people with TB are tested for HIV and people living with HIV are screened for TB. Participants also agreed to pilot scalable TPT models and foster closer collaboration between hospitals and public health systems.

Since its launch in January 2006, AHF China has grown to serve over 84,000 clients.

Click to follow us on social media.