AIDS orphan explosion ominously close - UN

ETHIOPIA: AIDS orphan explosion ominously close - UN

JOHANNESBURG, 26 May 2004 (PLUSNEWS) - The UN Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, Stephen Lewis, has warned that Ethiopia is making a very late response to children who have lost one or both parents to the disease.

He put special emphasis on what he called the "orphan explosion," which was looming as a result of the delayed action.

"There are about one million, or even probably more, orphans who have lost their parents as a result of the pandemic ... given the appalling situation, Ethiopia is making a much delayed response to the situation - if not neglecting the issue altogether," Lewis said at a recent press conference in the capital, Addis Ababa.

He stressed that there was currently no visible policy or emphasis by government on HIV/AIDS orphans.

[ENDS]

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