Natalia Khodakevich

Natalia Khodakevich is Chair of Board of the Russian Harm Reduction Network (ESVERO), which promotes and works in the field of harm reduction in various regions in Russia.

The main objective of ESVERO is developing integrated low-threshold services for people who inject drugs, and for other HIV vulnerable people, aimed at prevention of HIV and other infections, providing access to high-quality drug treatment services, overdose prevention, HIV treatment, rehabilitation and re-socialization.

Natalia has held a variety of positions over ten years in AIDS Foundation East-West (AFEW) ranging from Project Manager and Co-ordinator in the Penal System Project in Russia and working with the Regional Director managing the GFATM financed project, which included VCT services; HIV prevention in the penal system and through injecting drug use; PMTCT; providing treatment, care and support to parents and their children living with HIV/AIDS; advocacy; and client management.

Previous to her work in AFEW Natalia has worked in Medecin Sans Frontieres and she also has worked as the UNWomen National Coordinator for the Russian Federation. Natalia holds an MBA from Leti-Lovanium International School of Management, St.Petersburg. In 2002 Natalia was awarded the Medal of the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Fedeartion and a Medal of the Belarus Ministry of Justice.

Her areas of expertise are rapid assessment and situational analysis, policy and project assessment, strategic planning and project management, advocacy and communications. Natalia brings an understanding of health issues in Eastern Europe and Central Asia pressing.