AIDS orphans reaches one million mark

The number of AIDS orphans in Ethiopia has reached the one million mark, according to the Ministry of Health, placing an even greater strain on the country’s already limited and stretched social services. Ethiopia has the third largest population in the world with the HIV virus. Only India and South Africa have a greater number. “Tackling AIDS is the most serious problem that Ethiopia now faces,” Ministry of Health spokesperson Amsale Yelma told IRIN. “The situation is very severe with all the associated social and economic problems that follow. We now have around one AIDS million orphans. It places a burden not only on the health system and families but also has a severe impact on industry because it affects the workforce.” She told IRIN that the Ethiopian Government needed international help to help deal with the crisis. The World Bank has already given a US$59 million loan to the government to help tackle the crisis. Other agencies are pouring in funds to help with health care and education although they have been urged to do more. UNICEF is one of the organisations trying to help AIDS orphans and victims. Mirgissa Kaba, officer in charge of HIV in UNICEF, said: “This country is facing a severe situation. “AIDS orphans usually come from very poor families and face the usual problems associated with that. “They often find themselves on the streets without shelter and do not have food. There are inadequate services for these children - including health care, school fees and materials and orphanages - in part due to a lack of information on the specific families and children affected. “Consequently, the numbers of street children is likely to increase as affected youth search for alternative means for survival.” Many fear that girls forced onto the streets to survive will end up as prostitutes and further spread the virus. According to official figures released last year the number of orphans was 750,000. As yet no figures exist on the number of children between the ages of five and fourteen who have contracted the virus. The data estimates the number of orphans will reach 2.1 million by 2014. Current statistics estimate that 7.3 per cent of the adult population (in the 15 to 49 age group) is now living with the virus. The current population of Ethiopia is estimated to be 65 million - one of the largest in Sub Saharan Africa. Kaba said UNICEF was targeting three main areas to try and fight the virus. The first was providing information to young people. They are also offering support to AIDS orphans. Yelma said that the Ministry of Health had been urging families to help orphans. She said that Ethiopia’s culture of extended families proved to be one of the most practical mechanisms in facing the threat. Yelma, a spokeswoman with the ministry, said the problem should not just be left to the government or non-governmental organizations. This is a problem that faces everyone in the country.”