3 Apr 2008 - In the News, People and Organizations
Today, UNAIDS, the WHO and UNICEF released Children and AIDS the Second Stocktaking Report which reviews how AIDS is affecting children and young people. The report notes that progress has been made in expanding treatment needs of children – finding that the number of HIV-positive children in low- and middle-income countries receiving antiretroviral treatment increased by 70 per cent from 2005 to 2006. Progress was also made in preventing mother-to-child transmission.
Yet despite progress made in the clinical setting, 15 million children have been orphaned by AIDS, 12.1 million of whom live in sub-Saharan Africa.
From a policy perspective, the report finds that an increasing number of lower and middle income countries have developed specific national plans of action for orphans and vulnerable children. In 2007, 24 countries are the world - including 21 in sub-Saharan Africa – have had completed such plans, and an additional10 countries had plans in process. However, real funding to turn plans and strategy paper into action continues to lag behind.
The report finds that although annual AIDS funding is at an all time high ($10 billion), orphans continue to be ignored. In order to adequately respond to the pandemic, UNAIDS is calling upon 12% of global AIDS funding to support the needs of orphans – this would translate to $1.2 billion.
Check out the release of the report which includes fact sheets, videos, and country specific data.
Join us in taking this report to the streets. Spread the word. Take action.
