In the countries most affected by HIV /AIDS, there has been growing concern over the number of orphans, a problem that has increased largely as a result of the pandemic. It has been difficult to track this trend because there are few estimates of the number of orphans caused by AIDS and because those estimates of the number of orphans caused by AIDS and because those estimates that do exist often are not comparable form one country to another. However, the needs of these children and their growing number means that government, donors, non government organizations, religious bodies, and others concerned about child welfare must take this trend seriously.

According to the US census bureau, 15.6 million children will have lost their mothers or both of their parents by 2000 in 23 countries heavily affected by HIV/AIDS. That number will increase to 22.9 million by 2010, largely as a result of the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

The Impact of HIV/AIDS on children:

• Loss of family and identity
• Psychological distress
• Increased malnutrition
• Loss of health care, including immunization
• Increased demands of labor
• Fewer opportunities for schooling and education
• Loss of inheritance
• Forced immigration
• Homelessness, vagrancy, starvation, crime
• Exposure to HIV infection

The WISHH projects aim at mitigating the impact of the epidemic among orphans by improving the nutritional status and household food security. Projects will identity the local dynamics in the affected areas and work in both the biological and the socio economic perspective of HIV/AIDS and nutrition.

Overview

Nutrition and HIV

HIV Literature Database