A generation free from HIV is within our reach, says World Vision

Millions of children can be saved by 2015 with Canada's help

TORONTO, Nov. 29 /CNW/ - On World AIDS Day, December 1, World Vision is calling on the Canadian Government to include prevention of parent to child transmission of HIV in the Muskoka Initiative health package for mothers and children. It is possible to virtually eliminate this form of HIV transmission by 2015 and save the lives of millions of children.

"We've been working with children, families and communities for 60 years and nothing has threatened the progress of development like the devastation of the AIDS pandemic. We have this one special day to think about HIV and AIDS, but millions of families face this crisis every day. Today alone, 5,400 people will die because of HIV and AIDS. We can pioneer the fight towards achieving a generation born free from HIV." 
- Dave Toycen, President and CEO, World Vision Canada

Background
More than 90 per cent of children under the age of 15 with HIV have contracted the disease from their parents. Simple actions like education and access to antiretrovirals can eliminate these infections, forever changing the scope of HIV and halting its rapid progression.

The Muskoka Initiative is Canada's maternal and child health care package announced at the G8 in June. Canada contributed $1.1 billion to address the eight million children who die before their fifth birthday and more than 350,000 women who die during pregnancy or from pregnancy-related causes.

Canadians currently sponsor 500,000 children through World Vision. More than 193,000 of these children live in communities with a high prevalence of HIV and AIDS. In these communities, World Vision's HIV and AIDS programs provide prevention, care and advocacy.  

Facts

• Approximately 33 million people are living with HIV around the world - an estimated 2 million of these are children.
• Worldwide, 17.5 million children have lost one or both parents to HIV, leaving them orphaned, vulnerable and susceptible to the dangers of exploitation, poverty and disease.
• Globally, World Vision is providing care and support for 1.3 million orphans and vulnerable children
• World Vision has been combating the HIV and AIDS pandemic in developing communities for more than a decade. The agency works in nearly 100 countries where they do relief, development and advocacy with local communities.

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World Vision is a leading Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. Inspired by our Christian values, we are dedicated to working with the world's most vulnerable people. We serve all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender.

For further information:

Tiffany Baggetta, 416-305-9612, [email protected]
Rachel Allred, 647-328-3769, [email protected]