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World Vision renews call for G8 nations to honor commitments to children
U.S. Senate forgoes agreement on Global AIDS Bill until after G8 summit concludes this week, creating uncertainty for a critical component in the fight against this pandemic.
July 7, 2008
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 Christine, 8, has suffered from AIDS her whole life, a condition that has given way to other diseases like intestinal worms and malaria. World Vision is calling on U.S. officials and world leaders to take action quickly for children like Christine.
Photo ©2007 Paul Bettings/World Vision This increase in international aid comes as U.S. officials meet this week in Japan with other leaders from the G8 (Group of Eight) nations, with an agenda including development in Africa and achieving the Millennium Development Goals set at the 2005 summit. World Vision calls on G8 leaders to keep their promises to eradicate extreme poverty, reduce child mortality and hunger, and combat AIDS, malaria, and other diseases.
A missed opportunity
The effort to combat the HIV and AIDS pandemic should be a pressing issue at the summit. Unfortunately, the U.S. Senate recently forfeited a key opportunity to demonstrate continued American leadership in the global fight against AIDS by postponing an agreement to reauthorize the Global AIDS, TB and Malaria Bill.
"It is very disappointing that Congress has not yet finalized the next five-year bill to fight AIDS, TB and malaria internationally. It should have been done before the July 2008 summit in Japan," said Robert Zachritz, director of advocacy and government relations for World Vision in the United States. "However, it is encouraging that the Supplemental Appropriations Bill will provide significant resources in the next two fiscal years to address the global food crisis with both long- and short-term measures."
The recently passed Supplemental Appropriations Act will help people struggling amid the global food crisis by setting aside funds for both emergency disaster assistance and long-term agriculture programs, including cash for purchasing food in developing countries. These appropriations will provide a tangible example of U.S. commitment to international development and the eradication of hunger and poverty at this year's summit.
'Action and not just words'
The United States and other G8 countries must set a powerful example and honor their commitments to end extreme poverty and stop the devastation caused by poor health and AIDS in the developing world, World Vision said in a policy briefing released recently.
Poor health claimed the lives of 9.7 million children under the age of 5 in 2006. Most of these deaths were attributed to preventable and treatable causes that children receiving adequate health care would survive.
American taxpayers are increasingly concerned about poverty issues. The ONE Campaign, InterAction, and the U.S. Global Leadership Campaign — organizations of which World Vision is a member — are calling on the federal government for policies that will provide better international aid and help children get the care and treatment they need.
"World Vision is calling on all G8 leaders to keep their promises to fight global poverty," said Zachritz. "The time is now for action and not just words."
Learn more
>> Read more about the Millennium Development Goals.
>> See World Vision's 2008 G8 policy briefing, " A matter of life or death," (PDF) which outlines actions that World Vision is asking the G8 to take.
>> Read how AIDS and malaria combine to form a deadly duo. Four ways you can help
>> Pray that U.S. officials and world leaders would be moved to act on behalf of children and families around the world who are affected by poverty, hunger, and diseases like AIDS and malaria. Pray that these leaders would recognize what's at stake and take quick action to alleviate the suffering caused by these afflictions.
>> Take action now. Contact your members of Congress and ask them to reauthorize the Global AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Bill without further delay. This legislation is critical to ensure that children are not left behind in the fight against malaria and global AIDS.
>> Make a one-time donation to provide malaria prevention for a family in a region prone to this deadly disease.
>> Sponsor a HopeChild in an AIDS-affected community.
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