UNITE FOR CHILDREN AND UNITE AGAINST AIDS

HIV and AIDS profoundly affect children at many levels. A child’s family and community can be hard struck by the effects of AIDS as parents get sick, are not able to work or are not there to protect their children. The results of this can disrupt children’s lives and put their health and security at risk.  • As of 2011, more than 17 million children had lost one or both parents due to AIDS, almost 90% of which live in Sub-saharan Africa. • Children orphaned by AIDS are considered vulnerable - recent UNICEF research shows that factors such as poverty levels and access to education are also important indications of vulnerability. • Between 2000 and 2011, the number of cash transfer programmes- which have shown to have positive impact on families affected by HIV and AIDS,  increased nearly ten-fold throughout sub-Saharan Africa. we supports a response to children affected by AIDS by providing protection, care and support to mitigate the impact of the HIV epidemic on households, but also to support increased access and retention into HIV treatment and care programmes. we supports strong linkages to child protection systems to provide social care and protection to children and families affected by HIV and AIDS.