MOZAMBIQUE: HIV/AIDS and malnutrition severely affecting children

JOHANNESBURG, 24 Nov 2003 (PLUSNEWS) - The combined impact of HIV/AIDS and poor nutrition has led to an increasing number of Mozambican children orphaned and needing care, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) has said.

The statement followed research by the national Vulnerability Assessment Committee (VAC) during May and June 2003, showing that the situation of orphaned children had become particularly worrying.

"Further, maternal orphans were also found to have considerably lower access to care and a higher likelihood of getting sick," UNICEF added.

In 29 districts affected by the dual impact of food insecurity and HIV/AIDS, the VAC confirmed a very high mortality rate among children, with one in four children dying before they reached their fifth birthday.

The resident representative for UNICEF in Mozambique, Marie-Pierre Poirier, said in a statement: "The limited response to the UN Regional Appeal is also having an extremely negative impact on our ability to respond to the situation."

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