Health 
Dramatic increase in AIDS orphans

Of these 44 million orphans, 68 percent of their parents will die of AIDS. This represents a dramatic increase from 1990, when AIDS accounted for 16.4 percent of parental deaths. Orphans are distributed among world areas in the same patterns as HIV-prevalence, so that countries with the highest infection levels usually have the highest orphan rates. 

The orphan crisis is most acute in sub-Saharan Africa. In at least eight countries in this region, between 20 and 35 percent of children under 15 have lost one or both parents. By 2010, 11 countries will reach this rate. 

Children on the Brink 2000 finds that with few exceptions the number of children being orphaned will accelerate through at least 2010. In many countries, the proportion of orphaned children will remain exceptionally high until 2020 or 2030. 

One country studied was Zambia. Children on the Brink 2000 finds that in Zambia, currently 27.4 percent, or 1.2 million children, who are under age 15, are orphans. Chronic malnutrition is widespread. Orphan caregivers are predominantly poor women. Children in these households are significantly more disadvantaged than children in two-parent families, largely because women have less access to property and employment. Female-headed households are larger and poorer than male-headed households in all regions. 

The executive summary of Children on the Brink 2000 was released at a USAID press conference at the XIII International AIDS Conference in Durban, South Africa. 

Since 1986, USAID has dedicated over $1.4 billion dollars for the prevention and mitigation of this epidemic in the developing world. USAID's HIV/AIDS budget of $200 million for 2000 is four times as great as the next-largest donor's budget. USAID is working in 46 of the hardest hit countries around the world. Nearly 70 percent of USAID's HIV/AIDS program assistance goes to small non-governmental organizations that have direct connections to the poorest of the poor and those most vulnerable to infection. 

Children on the Brink 2000 updates USAID's 1997 report on orphans, and provides estimates of the number of orphans in 34 developing nations, as well as offering strategies to support children affected by HIV/AIDS worldwide. The original report included the first international orphan estimates published since 1990 and contributed to a growing sense of urgency about the impact of HIV/AIDS, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. The complete Children on the Brink 2000 will be released this fall. 

Children on the Brink 2000 presents new orphan estimates for the 23 countries studied in the 1997 report, as well as 11 additional developing countries. Many of the new estimates are lower than those reported in 1997 because Census Bureau demographers factored in reduced fertility rates for HIV-positive women. 

The report also provides a summary of new statistics on the HIV/AIDS pandemic; new programming recommendations for children, families, communities, and governments; and an updated overview of actions taken by international organizations to assist families and children affected by HIV/AIDS. 

USAID is a U.S. government agency that provides development and humanitarian assistance worldwide. The executive summary of Children on the Brink 2000 is available at www.usaid.gov. 

Source: USAID 

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