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World Vision's Fight Against AIDS
Battling this deadly disease on several fronts
The number of people living with AIDS worldwide now exceeds 40 million - equal to the population of Spain. The disease already has killed nearly 22 million people. While sub-Saharan Africa is clearly the hardest hit region, the disease is spreading rapidly through Asia as well.
The AIDS crisis threatens families and communities around the world. More than nine African countries have prevalence rates of 15 percent or more. In four, more than 25 percent are infected. While prevalence rates are lower in China and India, their billion-plus populations translate into millions of HIV-infected people. India is currently home to 4 million people living with AIDS; only South Africa has a larger HIV-positive population.
AIDS destroys communities on two fronts. First, it creates an overwhelming need for social services for the sick and their families. Those infected need medical care. The most effective treatments cost thousands of dollars per year; yet in poor countries, neither the governments nor individual citizens can afford them. For the majority of patients in poor countries, AIDS is a death sentence - not a chronic, manageable condition.
Surviving orphans need comfort, guidance and financial help. More than 14 million children have lost parents to AIDS; 12 million are in Africa. Many are raised by grandparents or other foster parents. Those without relatives are on their own. Tens of thousands of African families are headed by children, some as young as 11.
However, billions of people, including most Africans, are still AIDS-free. Those who are can remain healthy as long as they learn - and practice - prevention measures. Surveys reveal the dangerous ignorance of many young adults about the causes and transmission of HIV.
On a second front, AIDS reverses decades of hard-won health, social and economic progress by families, communities—even entire countries. Hundreds of thousands of teachers and civil servants die of AIDS every year. Millions of dollars in lost productivity and absenteeism threaten to destroy developing economies.
World Vision and AIDS:
World Vision’s first AIDS programs began in 1990 helping Ugandan children orphaned by AIDS and their foster families, caring for HIV-infected babies and children in Romania and helping women and girls escape prostitution in Thailand. Today, World Vision has AIDS prevention and care programs in 25 countries, including Zambia and India. In these two countries, World Vision provides prevention education to truck drivers and commercial sex workers, two of the highest-risk groups for HIV transmission.
World Vision accomplishes much of its community development work through child sponsorship. Donors support nearly two million children, whose families and communities also benefit from sponsorship programs. Sponsorship supports food, shelter and education for tens of thousands of children impacted by the AIDS crisis.
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Contacts:
Gardi Ipema Wilks: (708) 366-8389 (office); (708) 205-5020
Brian Peterson: (407) 445-6484 (office); (407) 491-2399
Founded in 1950, World Vision is a Christian relief and development organization serving the world’s poorest children and families in nearly 100 countries. For more information, visit www.worldvision.org.
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