HIV and AIDS and Debt.docVIP

HIV/AIDS and Debt - A Deadly Combination The United Nations agency UN AIDS estimate that by the end of 2001, a total of 40 million people across the world will be living with HIV/AIDS. The vast majority, some 28 million people, reside in sub-Saharan Africa. Although accounting for only ten per cent of the worlds population sub-Saharan Africa sees 90 per cent of all new infections along with 80 per cent of AIDS related deaths. Poverty has fuelled the spread of the virus in the region. Of the 41 poorest and most heavily indebted countries in the world, 34 are in sub-Saharan Africa. Debt is a major cause of poverty and hardship in indebted countries where approximately 50 per cent of the population live on less than $1 per day and almost 50 million children are out of school. The spread of HIV/AIDS can be controlled and its impact can be significantly reduced. The fight against HIV/AIDS depends on strong and effective campaigns in health and education. In the past year sub-Saharan Africa has paid rich creditors almost $15 billion in debt repayments. Every day vital resources are taken away from the health and education sectors in countries where the HIV/AIDS pandemic is at its worst. Adults and children estimated to be living with HIV/AIDS Total 40 million (UNAIDS 2001) The Structural Adjustment Programmes of creditors such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank force indebted countries to slash government spending and introduce user fees for health and education services thereby reducing access for the poorest. Millions of people remain vulnerable to the risk of infection whilst the vast majority of the worlds HIV positive population have little hope of receiving treatment or support. High levels of illiteracy and low levels of access to mass media and information hinder AIDS education awareness campaigns. Christian Aid report that without a decent education Africas children are more vulnerable to contracting the virus in later life; 25 per ce