WAD Image - Red Ribbon
The UK Government and Children Affected by AIDS
World AIDS Day 2007
Almost every minute of every day a child is born with HIV. Mother-to-child transmission accounts for the vast majority of the 2.5 million children currently living with HIV worldwide. Yet globally just 11 per cent of pregnant women with HIV have access to cheap and effective treatment that can dramatically reduce the number of children being born with HIV.
Nearly 90 per cent of the HIV positive children worldwide live in sub-Saharan Africa. Without treatment, approximately half of infected children will die before their second birthday but in 2006 only 1 in 7 of the 780,000 children in need of life-saving anti-retroviral therapy were receiving it.
It is estimated that there are a further 15 million children who have lost one or both parents to AIDS and millions more have been made vulnerable because their parents, relatives or other caregivers are affected by HIV and AIDS. These children often face an uncertain future and are less likely to have adequate food, education or access to health services.
Desmond Tutu Quote
"AIDS is having a devastating effect on children. Already 15 million have lost parents because of AIDS and face an uncertain future. The UK is one of only three countries in the world which provides specific funding for children affected by AIDS. This has been crucial in putting children at the forefront of the UK's response to the AIDS pandemic and must be continued."
Archbishop Desmond Tutu, November 2007
Stop AIDS.If not now, when? 2007 link to main
Push for the Pool
Campaign success! The UNITAID board have approved the establishment of a patent pool - this is the first step in a process towards making vital medication available to children and communities living in poverty.