Plight of AIDS orphans overlooked - UN

AFRICA: Plight of AIDS orphans overlooked - UN

JOHANNESBURG, 14 Jul 2004 (PLUSNEWS) - Between 2001 and 2003 some three million children worldwide lost one or both parents to AIDS-related illnesses, but UN and US officials say the plight of these orphans is being overlooked.

A focus on treatment and prevention of HIV in adults has left an "enormous gap" in funding for children orphaned by HIV/AIDS, according to a joint report by the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), UNAIDS and the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

The report, "Children On The Brink", estimated that US $10 billion a year would be needed to help HIV/AIDS orphans and vulnerable children. In 2003 there were 15 million AIDS orphans globally.

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