USAID Project Profiles: Children Affected by HIV/AIDS. Third Edition

摘要

The consequences of the HIV/AIDS pandemic are catastrophic. One of the most tragic consequences is the toll on children. In 2001, more than 13 million children under age 15 had lost one or both parents to AIDS; that number will double by 2010. Along with the grief and dislocation that children of affected families experience comes the added burden of responsibilities that are far beyond the capabilities of young children: nursing a sick or dying parent, raising younger siblings, running the household or the family farm, substituting for a breadwinner, or scrounging for survival on city streets. In addition to these children who are affected by HIV/AIDS, there are more than 3 million children living with HIV/AIDS. But the pandemics consequences go far beyond its effects on individual childrens lives; it has devastated the families and communities where these affected youngsters live. Millions of mothers and fathers who would otherwise be raising the children and playing key roles in their families and communities have died, and the ability of the surviving adults, organizations, and institutions to nurture, socialize, educate, and support so many parentless youngsters is being overwhelmed. Beyond the emotional, educational, economic, and cultural harm to AIDS-affected children, the substantial gains made in child health and survival that countries attained in earlier years have begun to unravel. Communities and organizations working to meet the needs of orphans and other vulnerable children in the most affected countries, thus, confront a complex array of interconnected social, psychological, cultural, educational, economic, and health challenges. In response, USAID-supported activities have moved far beyond their initial focus on HIV/AIDS prevention, and now encompass an expanding range of responses to the crisis of affected children. As they evolve to meet the effects of the pandemic, many USAID-supported efforts combine HIV/AIDS prevention with care and support for affected children and their families. This third edition of USAID Project Profiles: Children Affected by HIV/AIDS describes projects whose diversity demonstrates USAIDs increasing commitment to meeting the wide variety of needs of affected children and youth. By documenting these activities USAID hopes to promote an exchange of ideas and information that facilitates learning by providers and organizations about what works and what does not; leverages technical and financial resources; and encourages partnerships, collaboration, and coordination among programs supported by USAID, its partners, and others.