Johannesburg, Dec. 1, 2008 -- The following is a statement from Martha Newsome, director of World Vision International's Global Health and HIV & AIDS Hope Initiatives:

This World AIDS Day is being commemorated against the backdrop of a debilitating global financial crisis that threatens the livelihoods of vulnerable families and children, who are set to bear the brunt of a downturn more than any other group, raising the need for greater interventions to protect the children.

As World Vision responds to the needs of millions of orphans and vulnerable children affected by HIV and AIDS in Africa, we are deeply concerned that assistance for these children is now threatened by declining economies. This environment can lead to constrained donor funding, putting pressure on existing responses to the pandemic.

World Vision's funding for children's projects comes from individuals, companies, governments and other organizations whose disposable incomes are now being eroded by the financial crisis. However, World Vision is appealing to donors to commit more rather than cut back on funding, as their assistance is even more crucial now than before.

Even amid the global economic crisis, we must give special attention to children affected by HIV and AIDS now or pay a grim price in the near future: a grievous loss of life, hope and potential.

In 2007, Sub-Saharan Africa was home to 22 million people living with HIV, making up two thirds of all those living with HIV globally. The region also has the highest poverty and food insecurity rates, with the United Nations' World Food Programme (WFP) stating that 22 of the 30 high-risk countries in need of external food assistance are in this region.

Millions of children in Africa have no access to sufficient food, health, education and shelter because they have lost one or both parents to AIDS. Others have breadwinners who are too weak to provide for them due to the pandemic, and others are living with HIV themselves.

As the financial crisis eats into domestic income, pitting medication against other bare necessities, the cost of anti-retroviral treatment is beyond the reach of many in communities where the need is greatest.

Meanwhile, the costs of food and transport are rising in many parts of Africa, creating an even harsher impact for those affected by HIV and AIDS.

In these difficult times, resources must increase to ensure those affected receive the care and support they need - especially the children. Funding and support for orphan care and protection, prevention of mother-to-child transmission and pediatric anti-retroviral treatment are needed now more than ever.

For more information, or an interview with one of World Vision's HIV and AIDS experts, U.S. media should contact Geraldine Ryerson-Cruz in Washington at +1.202.572.6302 or gryerson@worldvision.org, and all other media contact Vongai Makamure in Johannesburg, South Africa, on +27113754600 (office) or +27825507434 (mobile) or vongai_makamure@wvi.org