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| UNICEF's latest report details the severity and extent of the HIV orphan crisis in Africa and the urgent need for support |
Families supporting the massive and growing orphan populations in sub-Saharan Africa need immediate help
says UNICEF’s newly released report, Africa’s Orphaned Generations. The report outlines the implications of the problem for the long-term economic and social stability
of sub-Saharan Africa.
AIDS has already orphaned a staggering 11 million children in sub-Saharan African according to the report. Half of them are between 10 and 15 years of age and have lost one or both parents to the virus. The rapidly growing number of orphans is beginning to overwhelm the coping capacities of families and communities, with extended families caring for 90% of all orphans in the region. In a frightening forecast the report says that by 2010 the number of orphans will increase to 20 million. This translates into between
15 and 25% percent of all children in a dozen sub-Saharan African countries orphaned mostly by HIV/AIDS. It will bring the total number of orphans in the region to over 40 million.
According to UNICEF, “this is only the beginning of a crisis
of gargantuan proportions, and the worst is yet to come”. UNICEF executive director, Carol Bellamy explained on
the occasion of the release of the report that UNICEF wishes "to sound a new and more urgent alarm over what is arguably the most neglected crisis spawned by HIV/AIDS pandemic, the plight of millions of profoundly vulnerable children who have lost one or both parents to the disease, and the long-term threat that the situation poses to peace and security, not only in sub-Saharan Africa, but worldwide”.
The profound trauma of losing a mother or both parents
has devastating long-term implications, not only for a
child’s well-being and development, but also for the stability of communities and, ultimately, nations. The effects of the crisis on these orphans include physical and emotional damage, stigmatisation, disconnection from societal norms, lack of education, and vulnerability to violence, sexual exploitation and political opportunism. Then there is the concern that the disease could decimate the ranks of people with the skills to help save these children, including extended family members, teachers and health workers,
who are dying in unprecedented numbers in some countries, much faster than replacements can be trained. The diversion of scarce development resources to provide care and support for the sick and dying and the increasing burden on caregivers, who are often elderly grandparents or extended family members, are also cause for concern.
UNICEF regards enrolling children in school and keeping them there as the most essential ingredient in helping orphans cope with their loss. Education has the power to break the silence surrounding HIV/AIDS, to empower children with the knowledge and life skills they need to protect themselves and their families, and to combat the stigma and discrimination that marginalises orphans and others who are affected. Immediate concerns such as homelessness, malnutrition and protection from exploitation must also be addressed, along with basic education, medical care, legal protection and vocational opportunities, to say nothing of recreation. Community-wide counselling is needed to prevent and help eliminate discrimination and exploitation. Our mutual obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child could not be more compelling or clear. Education
is the right of all children and the obligation of all governments. Given the ripple-effect of orphaning,
Africa’s Orphaned Generations encourages hope in the face of an epic disaster and, presents a strategy for giving all of Africa’s orphaned children a safe, healthy and well-educated childhood that will establish the foundation for a productive adult life and for their country’s overall development |
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