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HIV/AIDS is A Crisis in South Africa

South Africa is currently experiencing one of the most severe AIDS epidemics in the world.

By the end of 2005, there were five and a half million people living with HIV in South Africa, and almost 1,000 AIDS deaths occurring every day. UNAIDS/WHO (2006), 'UNAIDS 2006 Report on the global AIDS epidemic', Annex 2: HIV/AIDS estimates and data, 2005. This would be the equivalent of almost the entire population of Melbourne and Brisbane combined who are HIV infected.

For each person living with HIV, in South Africa and elsewhere, not only does it impact on their lives, but also those of their families, friends and wider communities.

Children

It is estimated that there were around 240,000 children living with HIV in South Africa at the end of 2005. UNICEF website, South Africa statistics (accessed March 2007). This is nearly the two thirds of the total population of Canberra who are children that are HIV positive.

Orphans

UNAIDS estimated that there were 1.2 million South African children orphaned by AIDS in 2005, compared to 780,000 in 2003. UNAIDS (2006), 'UNAIDS 2006 Report on the global AIDS epidemic', Annex 2: HIV/AIDS estimates and data, 2005. Once these children are orphaned, they have a high probability of encountering poverty, poor health and little if any access to education.

Cotlands

These cold statistics came to life for Canberra-based Despina Voudouris while she was holidaying in South Africa in September of 2003. She had planned to do some volunteer work during her vacation and within hours of her arrival in Johannesburg, she visited Cotlands, home to 60 HIV/AIDS children aged 0 to 9. Cotlands also has a number of home based care programs that assist and support families cope with the ramifications of this HIV virus.