The global AIDS crisis

The impact on children By 2010, an estimated 15.7 million children will be orphaned by AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa; globally, 20.2 million children will be. AIDS destabilizes families and entire societies, leaving children without the care and support necessary to grow up, survive, and thrive. In 2006 alone, AIDS killed an estimated 380,000 children under the age of 15.

Speak out for children affected by AIDS Contact your members of Congress. Urge them to continue and increase the U.S. contribution to the global HIV and AIDS battle and ensure that AIDS-affected children are not forgotten.

What is World Vision doing?

		Video: Maggie's story The AIDS crisis in Africa left 7-year-old Maggie with only one relative in the world — her 72-year-old great-grandmother, Finedia. See how Maggie and Finedia survive alone in the midst of desperately poor conditions in their Zambian village. Running time: 3.5 minutes Play video

In solidarity with these efforts, volunteers in America have already assembled more than 100,000 Caregiver kits, many of these at group events with their churches, companies, and other groups. The kits contain basic supplies that enable caregivers to serve their patients while protecting themselves from infection. Items include soap, washcloths, a flashlight, and ointments.

See our FAQs page to learn more about World Vision's response to the global AIDS pandemic

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U.S. a major force in the global AIDS fight

The United States has made significant contributions to the fight against global AIDS in the past few years — but we are still only skimming the surface.

Established in 2003, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS relief (PEPFAR) is the largest international health initiative dedicated to a specific disease. Having already provided approximately $16 billion over the last five years, new legislation has committed the United States to providing almost $37 billion over the next five years. PEPFAR also includes a provision that sets aside 10 percent of the global AIDS budget to help care for orphans and other children made vulnerable by HIV and AIDS. World Vision played a critical role in securing this 10 percent dedication of funds.

Because each congressional budget cycle brings competing budget priorities and special interest groups lobbying for funds, World Vision works with Congress to ensure that funding for AIDS programs are protected, and continues to advocate for 10 percent of the funding to be set aside for the care of AIDS-affected children.

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PEPFAR must be fully-funded and child-focused

Thanks to the courageous bipartisan efforts of Congress and the Administration, PEPFAR was renewed for another five years and signed into law on July 30, 2008. In order to fulfill The U.S. commitments to continue and increase the contribution to the global HIV and AIDS emergency, World Vision calls on Congress to take the following actions:

• Fully fund PEPFAR over the next five years by providing at least $7 billion in fiscal year 2009
• Commit to setting aside 10 percent of AIDS funding for orphans and vulnerable children;
• Support programs that prevent spread of the disease by helping change the behaviors of young people, including encouraging abstinence and faithfulness.

Learn more

• Download a one-page talking points sheet (PDF).
• Take the AIDS Test. How much do you know about AIDS?
• Dig deeper. See reports and resources on the AIDS crisis.

Get involved

• Speak out for AIDS-affected children. Urge Congress to continue and increase the U.S. contribution to the global HIV and AIDS battle and ensure that AIDS-affected children are not forgotten.
• Visit the "World Vision Experience: AIDS" in a city near you.
• Sponsor a HopeChild in an AIDS-affected nation.