Media Contacts Geraldine Ryerson-Cruz 202.572.6302 (o) 202.615.2608 (c) Amy Parodi 253.815.2386 (o) 253.709.3190 (c)

Latest Press Releases 08/08/2008 Progress slow at facing children’s needs at Mexico City AIDS meeting 08/07/2008 Global food crisis threatens HIV control in Latin America, rest of world 08/01/2008 International AIDS Conference an “expensive talking shop” unless more done for children

The Need

AIDS has taken lives of all ages and all backgrounds, leaving a generation of orphans and vulnerable children. The pandemic is on a global march through sub-Saharan Africa, India, and China. Read more... Resources for Journalists World Vision at the International AIDS Conference New World Vision's AIDS Attitudes Survey The impact of global AIDS on children World Vision's advocacy for AIDS-affected children World AIDS Day 2007 The World Vision "Experience: AIDS" tour Request an interview How your audience can help Interactive feature: The AIDS Experience Interactive feature: The AIDS Test

Some 15 million children worldwide have lost one or both parents as a result of AIDS.

	Fast Facts More than 33 million people are living with AIDS as of the end of 2007. UNAIDS/WHO 2007 AIDS Epidemic Update, November 2007 Some 25 million people have died as a result of AIDS since the disease was identified. UNAIDS, December 2005 Africa remains the region hardest hit by AIDS: 68 percent of all people living with HIV and 76 percent of AIDS deaths in the world are in sub-Saharan Africa, even though the region only accounts for 12 percent of the world’s population. UNAIDS/WHO 2007 AIDS Epidemic Update, November 2007 UNICEF estimated in 2001 that a child loses a parent to AIDS every 14 seconds. That means that every day, 6,000 children will lose a parent to AIDS. June 2001 press briefing, UNAIDS More fast facts ...

World Vision’s Response

World Vision has been combating global AIDSfor nearly two decades. The organization started its first AIDS programs among orphaned children in Uganda, HIV-infected children in Romania and young women caught in the sex trade in Thailand.

Today, World Vision has AIDS programs in more than 60 nations. World Vision is working to reduce the impact of HIV and AIDS through innovative and compassionate care, prevention efforts and effective advocacy so that gains in agricultural development, education, health care and other areas are not lost by the ravages of AIDS.

Care

Meeting basic needs—In communities hard-hit by HIV and AIDS, we help provide things such as clean water, nutritious food, health care, education, plus vocational training for older children and adults. Last year, more than one half million orphaned and vulnerable children and chronically ill adults received care and assistance through World Vision’s efforts.

Encouraging testing—HIV testing and counseling can help people learn to live with the disease and protect themselves and their children.

Home-based care—In partnership with local churches and community leaders, World Vision staff and volunteers personally visit vulnerable children and people living with HIV and AIDS.

Sharing love and hope—Our compassionate staff and volunteers counsel and pray with children and families, demonstrating God’s unconditional love.

Prevention

Prevention education—World Vision provides age-appropriate HIV education to children and teens, often through church youth groups that use drama and song to educate their peers about HIV and AIDS prevention. Last year, 770,000 children — many of them in sub-Saharan Africa — received age-appropriate HIV-prevention training.

Prevention of mother-to-child transmission—We teach mothers and fathers how to avoid transmitting HIV to unborn or nursing children and support them in accessing antiretroviral drugs.

Work with high-risk groups—World Vision programs reach sex workers, truck drivers and migrant workers to educate, provide counseling and care, and offer alternative income generating opportunities.

Advocacy

Influence policy—As a voice for children and families, we advocate for public policies that promote effective methods of HIV and AIDS prevention and care.

Mobilizing youth—Acting on AIDS is a program started by Christian college students to create awareness and promote activism around the AIDS pandemic on college and university campuses across the United States.

Raise awareness—We seek to increase support for orphans and vulnerable children, families and adults affected by HIV and AIDS as well as share our expertise to benefit as many people as possible.

Who Is World Vision?

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice.

Steve Panton Executive Director Media Relations 202.492.6556 (c) Rachel Wolff Disaster Response See all contacts 253.815.2072 (o) 253.394.2214 (c) Cynthia Colin International Affairs See all contacts 202.572.6595 (o) 202.436.1266 (c) John Yeager Domestic Campaigns Regional Events See all contacts 253.815.2356 (o) 425.765.9845 (c) Karen Kartes Corporate Partnerships Celebrity Engagement See all contacts 253.815.2163 (o) 206.351.4315 (c) Dean Owen Executive Affairs "Experience: AIDS" Tour See all contacts 253.815.2103 (o) 253.906.8645 (c)