The United Nations warns that up to 90 million Africans could be infected by HIV in the next two decades if more is not done to fight the epidemic. Over 25 million southern Africans are already living with HIV.

In a poll of "forgotten" emergencies released by AlertNet in March 2005, aid experts ranked the HIV/AIDS pandemic sweeping much of the world fourth. Here they explain why.

On the psychological and economic effects of HIV/AIDS…

HIV/AIDS has been prominent for now over twenty years and though the progress in the developed world has been admirable, the developing world is being eaten alive by this disease.

We have not yet seen the economic consequences of the perishing of generations of wage earners nor the psychological and spiritual damage done to millions of children raised without parents. Pam Wilson International relief coordinator, Operation Mercy, Sweden
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HIV/AIDS is not simply a public health issue but has huge global implications. Just as poverty and inequality facilitate the transmission of HIV, HIV/AIDS exacerbates poverty and inequality and devastates families and communities. Gail Wilson Fundraising manager, African Medical and Research Foundation, UK

On AIDS orphans…

Southern Africa currently hosts more than three quarters of the world's HIV/AIDS population which translate to nearly 30 percent of the population in region being infected. The region has more than 14 million orphans due AIDS and of the 30 percent adults who are infected, 90 percent of them are parents with at least one child, which means as the patients' conditions deteriorate, we are going to have more than 35 million more orphans -- which is 30 percent of 115 million people in Southern Africa -- on top of the current 14 million.

That should give us nearly 50 million orphans who will not be able to have access to education, unemployable since they do not have education, can not access basic health and many other things that you may think of. Tapiwa Gomo Regional senior information officer, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - Southern Africa
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Perhaps the most worrying crisis for me involves the plight of more than five million people across southern Africa. The triple threat of AIDS, food insecurity and dwindling capacity has slashed life expectancy in the region by 21 years. Village “elders” are now in their thirties. By 2010, one in five children will have become orphans. James Morris Executive director, U.N. World Food Programme
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With close to a million orphans in a country like Zambia alone -- whose population is only 10 million -- the future of the country is going to be shaped by a generation who have experienced bereavement, poverty, hunger, illness and lack of access to education all as a result of this deadly pandemic. Amy Slorac Appeal coordinator, Tearfund, UK

On the HIV/AIDS tally in sub-Saharan Africa… Sub-Saharan Africa...has borne the major brunt of the epidemic, and of the estimated 39.4 million people living with HIV/AIDS in 1999, 26.4 million were in sub-Saharan Africa alone. Gail Wilson Fundraising manager, African Medical and Research Foundation, UK

On the shortfall of aid in southern Africa…

Funding, while increasing, is not keeping pace with demand, particularly the need to get people living with HIV/AIDS onto anti-retrovirals. A huge amount of work still needs to be done on education, prevention (and) fighting stigma, as well as empowering of women.

This is the hardest hit area of the world and failure to turn the tide in southern Africa will have a devastating long-term impact on the viability of these states. Roy Probert Communications chief, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

On AIDS and food security…

We know that a healthy diet helps keep people alive for longer. We know that people who receive anti-retroviral drugs respond better if they’re well nourished. We know that food can help keep children -- especially orphans -- in school and that reduces the risk that they will contract the virus. But we have received less than 10 percent of the money required for our southern Africa operation so far. James Morris Executive director, U.N. World Food Programme

On AIDS and food security in Zimbabwe…

Extreme food insecurity, combined with a volatile political situation, an HIV/AIDS rate exceeding 30 percent (according to some estimates), lack of donor commitment from either the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for Aids Relief or the World Bank, and minimal support from the Global Fund, require that the press play its role in ensuring that the world responds. Julia Greenberg Deputy director of international programs, American Jewish World Service, USA