Bringing Relief to Orphans and Vulnerable Children

On Sunday, many in the international community will focus on a compelling and complex reality that many children face throughout the developing world. As a result of disease, conflict and violence, natural disaster or severe economic strife, millions of the world's youngest people are left without parents or caregivers and are unable to access essential services needed for healthy development - shelter, health care, schooling, job opportunities and other critical social support systems. These orphans and vulnerable children face serious risks to their survival and well-being, and are an important focus of the U.S. Agency for International Development's work in building a future in which they become healthy adults.

Building on this vital work is the Assistance for Orphans and Other Vulnerable Children in Developing Countries Act, signed into law by President George W. Bush on November 8, 2005. This landmark legislation requires the U.S. Government to devise a single, comprehensive strategy for addressing critical needs among the developing world's roughly 143 million orphans and vulnerable children. In the coming weeks, USAID anticipates releasing this U.S. Government working strategy, and we look forward to collaborating with our many partners and on initiatives, including the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, to alleviate the suffering of children worldwide. While finalizing this strategy, the U.S. can take note of innovative programs implemented through USAID that have already had a distinct and profound impact on the lives of children.

For instance, the use of children as armed soldiers is a tragic and inhumane practice found in many conflict zones. But children who are the victims of this trauma, violence, and involuntary participation in war are not the only ones who are affected. Essentially, most children living in conflict areas are seriously affected by such factors as loss of family and friends, displacement, disrupted or terminated education, as well as emotional distress that can have long-term effects. Since 1989, USAID's Displaced Children and Orphans Fund has provided assistance to children affected by war, HIV/AIDS, or who live on the street. For example, in Uganda, continued rebel uprisings have caused displacement of 90 percent of the population in the northern part of the country. USAID's Fund is supporting the Community Resilience and Dialogue program in the country to assist abducted children, former child soldiers and child mothers, reuniting them with their families and reintegrating them into communities. The program also supports vocational training and HIV/AIDS awareness education.

Last year, the 7.6 magnitude earthquake that struck Pakistan, India and Afghanistan decimated entire villages, leaving nearly 3 million homeless and countless children orphaned. For children affected by the earthquake, the trauma of losing their homes and schools was compounded by the loss of a daily routine. To provide children with a safe place to interact with peers, USAID established 40 "child-friendly spaces," or child protection centers. These safe areas limited exposures to hazards and offered children a sense of normalcy through access to social networks.

These are but a few examples of the exceptional work already taking place around the world. At the beginning of 2005, USAID was supporting 114 projects for orphans and vulnerable children in 20 countries around the world. Today at USAID, we reaffirm our commitment to the world's children, and with that commitment, bring a renewed spirit of leadership through the Orphans and Vulnerable Children Act.

Source: U.S. Aid

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