In resolution 1308, passed in July 2000, the U.N. Security Council  recognized that in conditions of conflict, violence, and instability there is  increased risk of exposure to HIV. Resolution 1308 encouraged U.N.  agencies to take action with member states to develop strategies to  mitigate the spread of HIV/AIDS in peacekeeping missions. Department of Peacekeeping’s Policy Discourages but Does Not Preclude Deployment of HIV- Positive Peacekeepers

DPKO recommends that countries contributing to U.N. peacekeeping  operations should not send HIV-positive individuals on peacekeeping  missions for three reasons. The U.N. Code of  Conduct for Peacekeepers, although it does not address specific sexual  conduct, states that peacekeepers should do no physical, sexual, or  psychological harm. The United Nations Does Not Know How Many Peacekeepers Have HIV

The United Nations does not know how many peacekeepers have HIV/AIDS  because it opposes mandatory HIV testing before, during, or after  deployment to a peacekeeping mission and because contributing countries  either do not test or do not share test results with the United Nations. Nigeria is the largest African contributor to U.N. peacekeeping  operations. Despite the absence of data, U.N. and U.S. government officials have  expressed concern that peacekeepers may be transmitting or contracting  the virus during peacekeeping operations. However, these  prevention efforts face immediate obstacles that may impact their  implementation. Objectives, Scope, and Methodology

At the request of the Chairman of the House Committee on International  Relations, we (1) analyzed U.N. policies and guidance on the use and  deployment of peacekeepers with HIV; (2) examined the data available on  HIV prevalence rates among peacekeepers; (3) assessed actions the United  Nations is taking to limit the spread of HIV/AIDS among peacekeepers; and  (4) examined the actions the United Nations is taking to limit the impact of  HIV/AIDS on civilians affected by armed conflict, including groups who  may come in contact with peacekeepers. We also discussed the current training with senior officials at  the U.N. Population Fund, the U.N. Development Fund for Women, and the  U.S. No information  available.
What GAO Found

Last year, the U.N. Security Council passed a resolution expressing concern that the conflicts and instability associated with peacekeeping operations produce condition that could increase the spread of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The resolution encouraged member states to educate peacekeeping personnel--including those who are HIV positive--on peacekeeping missions. The policies and guidance of the U.N. Department of Peacekeeping Operations discourage, but do not preclude, countries from sending individuals who are HIV positive on peacekeeping missions. This is consistent with the U.N. peacekeeper's code of conduct to do no harm. This is also consistent with the U.N.'s stated opposition to discrimination against those who are HIV positive. The number of HIV-positive peacekeepers is unknown because (1) the U.N. opposes mandatory HIV testing and collects no information on infection rates and (2) countries that contribute peacekeepers either do not test or do not share test results with the U.N. The U.N. has tried to reduce the spread of HIV during peacekeeping operations, but it faces immediate and long-term challenges. U.N. officials said that the U.N. has not given this effort enough priority and that it has been difficult to obtain funding for HIV prevention efforts. Moreover, little has been done to help civilian populations at risk of HIV infection from U.N. peacekeepers.