Orphans and Children Affected
Twenty years after HIV/AIDS was first detected in China and as the epidemic matures, more and more infected people are developing AIDS. As adults get sick and die, children suffer:
- Many have already watched helplessly the loss of one or both parents to AIDS;
- Still more children are living with sick parents. Their young shoulders are carrying the multiple burdens of caring for their sick and dying parents, raising younger siblings and supporting the whole family. They also have to live with ,the fear of losing their loved ones, and isolation from relatives and friends.
Without adequate support from the whole society, children affected by AIDS are more likely to withdraw from school, suffer from malnutrition and a variety of illnesses, They also feel fearful and isolated and become more vulnerable to being infected with HIV themselves. UNICEF, in collaboration with governmental and non-governmental partners, is mobilizing multifaceted and multisector action to protect the rights of orphans and affected children:
- UNICEF's work has contributed to the child component of the national "four frees and one care" policy and the formulation of a comprehensive and coordinated national response to orphans and vulnerable children coordinating the work of the Ministry of Civil Affairs with another 15 ministries/government departments;
- Since 2003, UNICEF has worked with local health workers,the Women's Federation and the community to provide psychological and social support [community stigma and discrimination reduction] to children affected by AIDS (real life stories);
- Since 2004, the Summer Camp for Children Affected by AIDS has been held for three years in a row in Beijing, organized by CNCCC and supported by UNICEF. The annual event has been critical in raising awareness of the needs of children affected by AIDS and has received national media coverage.
"Your Support will help us out of Despair" － Children Affected by AIDS Call for Social Support at Beijing Summer Camp
Sir Roger Moore Speaks to Children Orphaned by AIDS at the Launch of their UNICEF Funded Beijing Summer Camp.
