The prevalence of HIV in eastern and southern Africa remains at unacceptably high levels. There are many reasons for this,but one relates particularly to the influx of workers associated with the construction and subsequent operation of large capital projects – typically those projects which are classified as Category A in terms of World Bank and International Finance Corporation definitions.

Given that all countries in the region require an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to be carried out for such projects, an opportunity exists to strengthen the EIA process to better predict and manage the long-term impacts of these projects on health, particularly with reference to HIV in the workforce and affected communities.

The Guidelines, a collaborative effort between UNDP, the International Labour Organization, the International Organization for Migration and the Southern African Institute for Environmental Assessment, has been developed for the benefit of national environmental authorities, government ministries including those for health, gender and labour, Environmental Assessment (EA) practitioners, research and academic institutions and civil society organizations in the region. It provides guidance for incorporating HIV, gender and health issues into the EA process.