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Global AIDS Bill: World Vision Advocates for Swift Reauthorization
Congress should give priority to vulnerable children in the global fight against AIDS.
| On May 30, President Bush announced his intent to seek $30 billion for a five-year extension of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which is currently set to expire on Sept. 30, 2008.
World Vision is advocating for swift reauthorization of PEPFAR. We also call for a continued commitment by the U.S. Congress to set aside 10 percent for orphans and other children made vulnerable by HIV and AIDS. |
What is PEPFAR?
Established in 2003, PEPFAR is the largest international health initiative dedicated to a specific disease, now totaling a commitment of more than $15 billion during the past five years. The PEPFAR Authorization Bill, recently introduced on the Senate floor, must be passed in order for PEPFAR to continue.World Vision works with the U.S. Congress to ensure that the funding for AIDS programs is secured each year and that the needs of AIDS-affected children are met. World Vision's advocacy efforts, coupled with our work in AIDS-affected countries, helps bring healing and hope to those who are suffering.
"The Global AIDS, TB [tuberculosis], and Malaria Act of 2003 [which funds PEPFAR] has helped millions of people fight these diseases," says Robert Zachritz, senior policy advisor for World Vision. "Over the past five years, hope has been provided in the areas of treatment, prevention, and care.
"We can continue to give people hope for another five years," he adds. "It is critical that Congress begin work on this reauthorization now — by the end of this year, if possible — and recommit itself for another five years to fighting global AIDS.
"We have to assure mothers, fathers, and children, that their life-saving treatment will not be cut off next year."
Advocate now! Take the 6000 Challenge
The president has proposed doubling global AIDS funding over the next five years. We have an opportunity to show significant support for this funding by urging Congress to reauthorize the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief with 10% earmarked toward caring for orphans and vulnerable children. This legislation will help save lives, and through our advocacy efforts we can ensure that our government leaders hear the millions of voices who have not been heard. It is crucial that Congress reauthorize this bill quickly so that programs can be funded and implemented as soon as possible.This Fall, we are asking each college campus to take the 6,000 Challenge and collect 6,000 advocacy signatures to represent the 6,000 children who become orphans every day because of AIDS. Our hope is that by World AIDS Day (December 1, 2007), this movement will have recruited hundreds of thousands of Americans who will actively lend their voices for the millions of people affected by HIV and AIDS.
Click here to download a copy of the advocacy petition now! (right-click, "Save Target As" to download.)
For more information, please visit our 6000 Challenge web page or e-mail actingonaids@worldvision.org.