Children Are Left Behind Says UNICEF

On the eve of World Aids Day recognized annually on December 1st, UNICEF in partnership with the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS, the Global Youth Coalition, UNFPA (UN Population Fund), WHO (World Health Organization), UNAIDS and the US Mission to the United Nations raised a universal call to action to address the special needs of AIDS orphans.

“HIV/AIDS is a global problem that requires a continued and strong global response. The gains made in recent years must provide momentum to urgently accelerate progress and prevent the spread of HIV” said Ann M. Veneman, UNICEF Executive Director.

The Fourth Stocktaking Report, launched today by UNICEF and UNAIDS, provides revised guidelines for treatment for HIV positive pregnant mothers. Nigeria has surpassed South Africa as the country with the highest number of HIV positive pregnant women in the world.

For the first time, the WHO (World Health Organization) is recommending all women who are pregnant must take antiviral drugs.

“An AIDS free day is in sight, but the sad fact is how uneven the progress has been.” There is a huge deficiency in prevention–especially among young girls. Children affected by HIV aids are not getting the care they need,” said Jimmy Kolker, UNICEF Chief of HIV and AIDS.

“Our Commission is the oldest and largest non profit working in America with clergy, NGO’s and local communities to fight the spread of AIDS,” said C. Virginia Fields, Director of the group. Ms. Fields  added that boosting the role of the clergy has been a big success in the United States and is sharing this information with Ambassador Susan Rice and the US Mission to the UN.

The report highlights several success stories from around the globe in treating HIV/AIDS including in China, Ghana and Malawi. In Ghana and Malawi, empowerment programs and national action plans for orphans and vulnerable children have greatly mitigated the spread of the disease. In China, the “Four Fees, One Care” AIDS policy has led to the development of small grants to women living with HIV–boosting their per capita income 38 percent from 2006 to 2008.