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An estimated 800,000 Nigerian children became orphans in 2003 as a result of the death of their parents from HIV/AIDS related complications.
A release signed by the Communication Officer of the United Nations Children's Fund, (UNICEF), Mr. Geoffrey Njoku quoting statistics from a report titled, "Children on the Brink," stated that 5.2 million children lost one or both parents in Sub-Saharan Africa last year, while by 2010, the region will be home to an estimated 50 million orphaned children.
The biennial report released by UNICEF, UNAIDS and USAID gave the latest statistics on historical, current and projected numbers of children under age 18 orphaned by AIDS and other causes.
"Children need more than inspiring words. They need leadership that touches their lives directly. They need Action that is taken to scale action that grows out of a unified and targeted strategy that will protect, respect, and fulfill the hopes and dreams of all orphans," said the authors of the report.
UNICEF Executive Director, Carol Bellamy said the report noted that it is best to keep parents alive and healthy, while Assistant Administrator of USAID, Dr. Anne Peterson said the report underscores the critical importance of caring for children affected by AIDS.
The United Nations and many partner organisations have also endorsed a framework of action to provide guidance to donor nations and the governments of affected countries to respond to the urgent needs of children affected by HIV/ AIDS.
The authors canvassed the building of a protective environment for children who have lost their parents.
They pointed out that without protective laws, child welfare services, social mechanisms and a supportive community, children are at much higher risk of exploitation, abuse, violence and discrimination.
The report also calls for the urgent development and expansion of family-based and community-based care for boys and girls who are living outside of family care. It also noted that placement in residential institutions is best reserved as a last resort when better care options have not yet been developed or as a temporary measure pending placement in a family.
The key strategies in the report include strengthening the capacity of families to protect and care for children by prolonging lives of parents and providing economic, psychological and other support; mobilizing and supporting community-based responses to provide both immediate and long-term support to vulnerable households; ensuring access of orphans and other vulnerable children to essential services, including education, health care and birth registration.
Governments are also expected to protect the most vulnerable children through improved policy and legislation and by channeling resources to communities; and raising awareness at all levels through advocacy and social mobilization to create a supportive environment of all children affected by HIV/AIDS. [an error occurred while processing this directive]
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