HIV and Infrastructure: ADB Experience

The Northern Economic Corridor Project (National Route 3) upgraded a 220-kilometer road in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) linking Thailand and the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The project incorporated awareness and prevention education programs on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and drug and people trafficking in several aspects of its operations with the goal of mitigating risk and adverse outcomes associated with the road construction.

Route 3 passes through 94 villages and towns in the poor, northwest region of the Lao PDR. Road upgrading will bring significant economic development to two of the country’s poorest provinces (Louang Namtha and Bokeo).