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 As deadly food shortages continue to take their toll on southern Africa and the Horn of Africa, the role of private aid agencies becomes increasingly important. In many of the hardest-hit countries, non-governmental organizations (NGO’s) are able to navigate complicated bureaucracies and reach the communities with the greatest needs. These organizations are not only effective in bringing food aid to the starving, but, in many cases, also can teach villagers about the dangers of AIDS which is complicating and exacerbating the effects of the current food shortage.
In addition to food distribution, “NGOs can build partnerships to provide care for the sick and for orphaned children, prevention education and counseling to those who are infected,” says Stephen Lewis, the United Nations’ Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa.
In his role with the United Nations, Lewis is responsible for ensuring follow-up to last year’s African summit on HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and other infectious diseases. According to Lewis, non-governmental organizations are key to helping Africa recover from AIDS’ devastation.
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