What does ARUNA stand for?

ARUNA stands for Association for Rural Upliftment and National Allegiance, a non-profit development organisation established in Odisha, India, in 1994.

Where does ARUNA work?

ARUNA works across 30 districts of Odisha, India, with its headquarters in Brahmapur, Ganjam district.

What programmes does ARUNA run?

ARUNA runs programmes in HIV prevention, care and support; child protection; gender empowerment; adolescent health and development; health services; and humanitarian response.

Is ARUNA registered with FCRA?

Yes, ARUNA is FCRA-registered with registration number 104910076, allowing it to receive foreign contributions legally.

How can I donate to ARUNA?

You can donate online via UPI, credit card, or net banking through the Donate page on the ARUNA website. Donations are eligible for 80G tax deductions under the Income Tax Act.

How can I work with or volunteer at ARUNA?

You can apply for open positions or volunteer opportunities through the Work With Us page on the ARUNA website.

What is ARUNA Odisha?

ARUNA Odisha manages 5 data types including articles. Helps you organize, track, and share your work in 1 place for teams and solo users.

Our Programmes

Comprehensive interventions addressing critical development needs

HIV Prevention, Care & Support

ARUNA has a long-standing commitment to addressing the HIV epidemic through an integrated and rights-based approach. Our work spans prevention, early testing, linkage to treatment, adherence support, counselling, elimination of paediatric HIV and community-based care. We partner with key and vulnerable populations, government health systems, and frontline workers to ensure access to stigma-free and quality services. Beyond medical care, we support families and individuals with psychosocial support, nutrition, livelihood pathways, and social protection benefits, enabling people living with HIV to lead healthy, dignified, and empowered lives.

Prevention: HIV prevention programs for migrants, female sex workers, transgender & MSM communities with tailored strategies addressing specific needs

Care, Support & Treatment: Comprehensive care, counselling, and treatment linkages for People Living with HIV ensuring health management and dignity

CABA (Children Affected By AIDS): Emotional care, educational support, nutrition, and ART adherence for children affected by HIV with focus on family-based care

Child Protection

We work to ensure safety, wellbeing, and equal opportunity for children in vulnerable circumstances especially those without parental care, at risk of family–child separation, living with disabilities, or affected by HIV & AIDS. These children often face multiple and overlapping challenges such as stigma, discrimination, emotional trauma, limited access to education and healthcare, and increased risk of exploitation.

Preventing unnecessary family-child separation through counselling, parenting skills, livelihood linkages, and social protection access

Promoting family-based alternative care: kinship care, foster care, and supported independent living for adolescents

Building community-based safeguarding systems by mobilizing children, parents, teachers, and community leaders

Collaboration with Child Protection Units, Juvenile Justice Boards, and Gram Panchayats for early identification and prevention

Gender Empowerment

ARUNA champions the rights and dignity of women and gender-diverse communities. Our initiatives focus on safety, economic independence, access to healthcare, and leadership development. We work with women, female sex workers, and transgender persons to build pathways to justice, security, and livelihood sustainability.

Support for women through economic opportunities, leadership training, health services, and advocacy for rights and participation

Comprehensive services for Female Sex Workers: HIV prevention, sexual and reproductive health, STI management, and dignity-centered care

Rights-based approach for Transgender & MSM: peer-led networks, stigma reduction, ART linkages, safe spaces, and legal recognition advocacy

Awareness, community mobilisation, skill development, and advocacy fostering equality and accessible opportunities

Adolescent Health & Development

Adolescence is a pivotal stage in life, where young people experience rapid physical, emotional, and social changes. ARUNA's programme aims to empower adolescents with the knowledge, skills, and support they need to lead healthy, confident, and resilient lives.

Holistic health focus: sexual and reproductive health education, mental health, nutrition, menstrual hygiene management, and life-skills training

Special emphasis on adolescents affected by or living with HIV ensuring treatment access, care, and psychosocial support

Engagement through schools, colleges, peer-educator networks, youth clubs, and community platforms creating safe spaces for dialogue and leadership

Addressing critical issues: early marriage, substance abuse, gender-based violence, school dropout through protective services and referral systems

Health Services

Health is central to our mission of inclusive and equitable development. We work to improve access to quality healthcare, reproductive and sexual health, mental health support, and disease prevention services for underserved communities.

Strengthening community health workers and linking families with government health schemes

Promoting health-seeking behavior through awareness campaigns and community engagement

Comprehensive services: screenings, capacity building, facility management, and evidence-based health interventions

Addressing disparities in healthcare access and outcomes for vulnerable and marginalized populations

Humanitarian Response

ARUNA is actively engaged in emergency relief and disaster response across Odisha, particularly during cyclones, floods, and other crises. Our approach combines immediate relief with medium-term recovery planning, psychosocial care, and community resilience strengthening.

Prompt emergency relief during cyclonic devastations (PHAILIN, HUDHUD, TITLI) with food, shelter, and immediate support

COVID-19 pandemic response: nutrition, counselling, institutional delivery services for HIV-infected pregnant women, and door-step ART delivery

Support for walking migrants along National Highway 16 with transportation, food, and essential services

Medium-term recovery planning, psychosocial care, and community resilience strengthening with government collaboration

Local Governance Strengthening

We believe sustainable development is achieved through strong, accountable systems and empowered communities. ARUNA collaborates with government departments, Panchayati Raj Institutions, academic bodies, and civil society networks to strengthen service delivery and public welfare systems.

Capacity building for government departments and Panchayati Raj Institutions to improve service delivery

Evidence generation, research, and advocacy to inform responsive governance and policy development

Community monitoring mechanisms enabling participation, transparency, and accountability at grassroots levels

Partnership with academic institutions and civil society for community-led development models delivering lasting change