Congress should give priority to vulnerable children in the global fight against AIDS.

August 2007

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.

'Hope Must Continue'

World Vision is an organization committed to the well-being of children worldwide — with a special focus on the most vulnerable, including those affected by AIDS. We work 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."