With its HIV prevalence rate of 17.8% (Sentinel Survey 2008, Ministry of Health and Social Services) Namibia is one of the most HIV-affected counttries in the world. HIV/AIDS is a key factor for the reduction of a country's productivity leads to an increase in sick-leave and a dramatic hike in health related costs.

DED's activities are determined by the focal areas of the German-Namibian Development Cooperation. In this respect, associations, the private sector and ministries are advised and supported withthe implementation of HIV/AIDS wirkplace programmes within the respective focal areas. In this multisectoral approach of fighting HIV and AIDS, DED closely cooperates with GTZ (Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit).

The private sector and especially small- and medium seized enterprises are targeted with the AWiSA (AIDS Workplace Programme in Southern Africa) programme. AWISA is a cross-national project of DED and InWEnt (Internationale Weiterbildung und Entwicklung gGmbH). The overal aim is to maintain the health of the Namibian workforce and their capacity to work and thereby safeguard the existence of small and medium enterprises in Namibia.