Government lauded for aid to children in crisis
Ireland is the first country in the world to acknowledge the serious needs of these children - something of which we should be very proud.
The World Vision partnership has been campaigning for the rights of children and their carers affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic for over a year.
In Ireland, World Vision has lobbied the Government to endorse the ‘Framework for the Protection, Care and Support of Orphans and Vulnerable Children Living in a World with HIV and AIDS’ and to provide the resources needed to curb the effects of the disease on children.
There are over 14 million children under 15 who have lost a father or mother, or both, to AIDS. This number is projected to reach 25 million by 2010.
Recent research by World Vision in four countries in Africa found that the targets outlined at the 2001 UN general assembly special session on HIV and AIDS - to improve the conditions and circumstances of orphaned and vulnerable children - haven’t been met.
The impact of HIV/AIDS on children in developing countries is immense; the disease not only threatens their right to life and family environment, it also undermines their access to fundamental rights such as shelter, food, healthcare and education. If we are ever to have a real impact on the spread of HIV, then it is essential to support vulnerable children. The long-term consequences of ignoring their needs would have serious implications for sustainable development and it’s unlikely that millennium development goals would be met.
A major and sustained international response is needed. The Irish Government is to be commended for its unprecedented initiative, and we hope that the rest of the world follows suit.
Helen Keogh
Chief Executive
World Vision Ireland
Rathmines Park
Dublin 6
