Last year, 1.7 million adults died from AIDS, yet the real human toll of this pandemic is immeasurable.  AIDS is leaving behind a generation of orphaned children, many of whom are HIV positive.  The majority of these children live in less developed countries, and face a future of hardship and tragedy. 

FXB is working to address this urgent situation and bring hope to these children.  Read below to learn more about the issues.

HIV and AIDS

• By 2010, the number of AIDS orphans globally is expected to reach 20 million (Global AIDS Alliance)
• In sub-Saharan Africa, 15 million children have lost a parent to AIDS (Avert)
• More than 90 percent of all orphans in sub-Saharan Africa are cared for by extended families (UNICEF)
• AIDS is more likely than any other cause of death to create double orphans – children who have lost both parents (UNICEF)
• Approximately 2.5 million children under age 15 currently live with HIV (UNAIDS)
• Every 15 minutes, one child under age 15 dies from AIDS or an AIDS-related illness (UNICEF)
• Less than 1 in 10 AIDS orphans receive any external support (UNICEF)
• Only three donor governments, the US, UK, and Ireland, dedicate at least 10% of their HIV/AIDS funding to children

Children in Poverty

• More than 1 billion children suffer some form of severe deprivation as a result of poverty (UNICEF)
• An estimated 11 million children under age 5 die each year from preventable or treatable diseases (World Health Organization)
• 200 million children under age 5 are malnourished (Global Health Council)
• 120 million primary school-aged children are not in school, mostly girls (UNICEF)
• 1.2 million children are victims of human trafficking (International Labor Organization)

The Impact

• In addition to the trauma of losing a parent, orphans are often subject to discrimination and are less likely to receive healthcare, education and other needed services.
• In HIV affected households lacking community support, food consumption can drop by 40% putting children at risk to hunger, malnutrition and stunting.
• Impoverished and often without support to educate and protect them, orphans and vulnerable children face increased risk of HIV infection.
• Orphans are often easy prey to many forms of exploitation: forced labor, gangs, prostitution, and child soldiering.

Reports and Documents

• The Convention on the Rights of the Child
• Children and AIDS the Second Stocktaking Report (UNICEF, UNAIDS, WHO) (PDF)
• Understanding the Needs of Orphans and Other Children Affected by HIV and AIDS in Africa (USAID) (PDF)
• The Framework for the Protection, Care and Support of Orphans and Vulnerable Children Living in a World with HIV and AIDS (PDF)
• Where the heart is: Meeting the psychosocial needs of young children in the context of HIV/AIDS (PDF)
• Family and Community Interventions for Children Affected by AIDS (PDF)
• The Impact of HIV/AIDS on the Development of Children (PDF)
• The Assistance for Orphans and Other Vulnerable Children in Developing Countries Act of 2005 (PL 109-95)

Links to More Resources

• Global Action for Children’s Collection of Facts Sheets, Reports and Links
• Global AIDS Alliance Fact Sheets on HIV and AIDS, Orphans, and other related issues
• The Joint Learning Initiative for Children and HIV/AIDS’ Compendium of Research and Reports
• UNICEF’s United for Children Publications list