AT LEAST 10 PERCENT MUST REACH ORPHANS, AFFECTED CHILDREN

Child-focused International Advocates Available for Comment

Washington, D.C., May 30—World Vision commends President George W. Bush's proposal that Congress double funding to fight AIDS globally to $30 billion over five years. Bush announced the plan today, a week before meeting with other leaders at the annual G8 summit.

"This vital leadership will help vulnerable nations fight the AIDS pandemic and will save millions of lives," said Robert Zachritz, World Vision's senior policy advisor for global development. "President Bush should be commended for his announcement today to double global AIDS funding and make children a priority over the next five years."

"We now need to ensure an adequate portion of funding goes to the needs of children made vulnerable or orphaned by the pandemic, and that this initiative doesn't reduce funding for ongoing humanitarian development programs," Zachritz said. "We urge Congress to courageously move this proposal forward."

The announcement is a step on the way to meeting commitments that the Group of Eight leading nations made at the 2005 summit at Gleneagles. The U.S. and other G8 nations will hold their annual meeting next week in Germany, and must make these goals a priority in order to keep their promises to ensure all countries can prevent the spread of HIV and care for those affected.

The proposal would broaden care to reach 5 million orphans and vulnerable children, up from 4 million. AIDS has already orphaned 15 million children. World Vision, a child-focused Christian humanitarian organization working in almost 100 countries, is a leading agency in development, advocacy and care for people and households living with HIV and AIDS.

The budget increase would extend the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) for an additional five years beyond its original mandate expiring in 2008. The number of people receiving access to antiretroviral drugs through PEPFAR would increase to 2.5 million.

"Lack of access to treatment is a death sentence for millions," said Zachritz. "Increasing the numbers of those who receive medication is crucial, as is providing the services that can prevent pregnant women from transmitting the virus to their babies, protecting a new generation."

To schedule an interview, contact Geraldine Ryerson-Cruz at +1.202.572.6302 or gryerson@worldvision.org

# # # World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. We serve all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. For more information, please visit www.worldvision.org