http://www.worldaidsorphans.org

Over 15 million children worldwide have lost one or both parents to AIDS – equivalent to the number of people living in New York, Paris, and Bangkok combined. In sub-Saharan Africa alone, over 12 million children have been orphaned by the pandemic.
Experts believe that millions more orphans remain unaccounted for in India, China and Russia.
By 2010, the number of AIDS orphans worldwide is expected to reach at least 20 million

The Facts
Number of AIDS Orphans:
· There are over 15 million children orphaned by AIDS around the world.
· Well over 12 million AIDS orphans live in Sub-Saharan Africa, alone.
· Experts believe that millions more orphans remain unaccounted for in India, China and Russia.
· At least 10 million more children will be orphans by AIDS by 2010.
The Impact:
· In addition to the trauma of losing a parent, orphans are often subject to discrimination and are less likely to receive healthcare, education and other needed services.
· In HIV affected households lacking community support, food consumption can drop by 40% putting children at risk to hunger, malnutrition and stunting.
· Impoverished and often without support to educate and protect them, orphans and vulnerable children face increased risk of HIV infection.
· Orphans are often easy prey to many forms of exploitation: forced labor, prostitution and child soldiering.
Support for AIDS Orphans
· Fewer than 1 in 10 AIDS orphans receives any external support.
· US $4.6 billion is needed to implement a comprehensive response to AIDS orphans and vulnerable children. Estimates suggest that less than US $0.5 billion is currently being invested.
· Only three countries – the US, UK and Ireland have earmarks providing at least 10% of HIV/AIDS funding to orphans and vulnerable children. Yet experts believe that these promises and legislation are unfulfilled as they meander through government bureaucracy