Irish Aid Responding to Children Affected by HIV & AIDS

It is estimated that 1,150 children become infected with HIV daily and 2.5 million children are living with HIV worldwide. Of these, 80% are born in sub-Saharan Africa and 90% of infections are acquired during pregnancy, delivery and breastfeeding. Only 10% of HIV positive pregnant women are offered treatment, which can reduce the risk of HIV transmission from Mother to child by 40%. In some of the worst affected countries, AIDS is the most significant cause of death among the under 5’s and yet only an estimated 10% of children are in receipt of life saving treatments. Currently children account for one in six AIDS-related deaths worldwide.

Ireland ’s commitment to children affected by HIV and AIDS is reflected in the Taoiseach’s announcement during the Irish launch of UNICEF’s global campaign Unite for Children, Unite Against AIDS on 24 th October 2005:

“When doubling our funding for these purposes (HIV and AIDS and other communicable diseases) we will ensure that up to 20% of the increased funding will be invested in interventions that benefit children.”

Irish Aid responds to the needs of children affected by HIV and AIDS through a range of organisations working at global, regional and country level, while focusing our efforts on interventions that work to eradicate child poverty and vulnerability.