Saturday, February 25, 2006
Orphans and Vulnerable Children
According to studies, by 2010 their will be approximately 25 million children worldwide orphaned by AIDS. This article highlights the complexity of providing effective care and support to orphans and vulnerable children infected and/or affected by HIV/AIDS. Orphans and vulnerable children face numerous burdens: stigma/discrimination, caring for ill family members, enduring impoverished households (poor nutrition and health care), and difficulties both psychological and emotional. Additionally, this article details lessons learned from various countries engaged in addressing the plight of orphans and vulnerable children.
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Orphans and Vulnerable Children
Orphans and Vulnerable ChildrenAccording to conservative estimates, the number of children orphaned by AIDS will reach 25 million worldwide by 2010. But this estimate only tells part of the story.
Many orphans and other vulnerable children are themselves living with HIV/AIDS, caring for siblings and chronically ill family members, and living in financially stretched households that have absorbed other children affected by HIV. Some orphans engage in high-risk behaviors to support themselves and their families. According to studies in multiple countries, orphans are more likely than non-orphans to suffer from poor nutrition, lack access to basic health care, miss school, and face psychological and emotional difficulties. Children orphaned by AIDS face the added burden of stigma and discrimination surrounding the disease.
The impact of HIV/AIDS on children and their families is not a simple problem with an easy solution. The situation is complex, interrelated on all levels of life, and cuts across all sectors of development.
State-of-the-art components of effective care and support for orphans and other vulnerable children have evolved from the lessons learned in various countries and experiences from development, child survival, children of war, and other HIV/AIDS-related programs.
We have learned that effective care and support for these children depends upon appropriate:
• Policy and law
• Medical care
• Socioeconomic support
• Psychological support
• Education
• Human rights
• Community-based programs
We have also learned that interventions to provide care and support for orphans and vulnerable children should:
• Emphasize community rather than institutional care
• Strengthen the care and coping capacities of families and communities
• Involve children and youth as active participants
• Build broad collaboration among key stakeholders in all sectors
• Apply a long-term perspective
• Integrate with other prevention, care and support services
Related FHI publications
Conducting a Participatory Situation Analysis of Orphans and Vulnerable Children Affected by HIV/AIDS: Guidelines and Tools
Catholic AIDS Action Manuals Offer Counseling Guidance for Children and Others Affected by HIV/AIDS
FHI Briefs: Orphans and Vulnerable Children - 2 pages (1.42MB)
Care for Orphans, Children Affected by HIV/AIDS and Other Vulnerable Children: A Strategic Framework
Findings of the Orphans and Vulnerable Children Psychosocial Survey Januray 2003
2nd National Conference on Orphans and Other Vulnerable Children (OVC) "Facing Challenges, Ensuring Futures" Windhoek, Namibia, 25-27 June 2002 SUMMARY REPORT
2002 Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Workshop on Children Affected by HIV/AIDS
The Situation of Orphans in Haiti: A Summary Assessment: A Preliminary Assessment of Orphans and Vulnerable Children with a Focus on Children Affected by HIV/AIDS (2002)
Meeting on African Children Without Family Care Windhoek, Namibia (2002)
Strengthening National Responses: Southern Africa Workshop on Orphans and other Vulnerable Children (Translation alert: This report is also available in Portuguese.)
'Kuana's Birthday Wish': An Instructional Storybook for OVC
Building Community-Based Partnerships to Support AIDS Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Zambia
Cambodian Monks Work as Change Agents for HIV/AIDS Care and Support
Voices from the Communities: The Impact of HIV/AIDS on the Lives of Orphaned Children and their Guardians
Telling Our Stories: Children Deal with Loss, Grief and Transition
West and Central Africa Regional Workshop on Orphans and other Vulnerable Children Yamoussoukro, Côte d'Ivoire, 8-12, April 2002
Results of the Orphans and Vulnerable Children Head of Household Baseline Survey in Four Districts in Zambia (2002)
Fact sheet, Care for Orphans, Children Affected by HIV/AIDS, and Other Vulnerable Children
Proceedings of a Consultative Meeting on Orphans and Other Children Made Vulnerable by HIV/AIDS
First National Conference on Orphans and Other Vulnerable Children, Windhoek, NamibiaOther Online OVC Resources
Orphans and Other Vulnerable Children Support Toolkit
FHI and the International HIV/AIDS Alliance have launched a new online toolkit for those working with orphans and other vulnerable children. The toolkit is a collection of information, tools and guidance on supporting orphans and other vulnerable children living in a world with HIV/AIDS. Visit the toolkit Web site at http://www.ovcsupport.net.
Children in Distress (CINDI)
Displaced Children and Orphans Fund
Firelight Foundation
Hope for African Children Initiate
International HIV/AIDS Alliance
Synergy Project
USAID
UNICEF
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