HIV and AIDS and their socioeconomic effects cause significant risks and vulnerabilities for children and adolescents, including orphanhood and HIV acquisition.
In 2023, an estimated 14.1 million children under age 18 had lost one or both parents due to AIDS. In the same year, an estimated 1.4 million children ages 0–14 were living with HIV, and only 57% of them were on HIV treatment.
UNAIDS notes that although improvements in reducing new HIV infections is greatest among children, progress has stalled in recent years.
For more than two decades, FHI 360 has worked in partnership with PEPFAR, USAID and local organizations to implement community-based, family-centered and child-focused programs to support orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in Africa and the Caribbean. In Africa, FHI 360 has implemented more than 25 OVC programs since 1997.
We provide comprehensive, family-centered services to highly vulnerable children, including infants who have been exposed to HIV, children who are living with HIV, children whose caregivers are living with HIV or are deceased due to AIDS (are orphans), and children experiencing a combination of these risk factors and their families. We use case management to improve health, education, protection and socioeconomic outcomes as well as strengthen child and family resilience.
FHI 360’s work, in collaboration with HIV clinical partners, contributes to improved access to HIV testing and improved care and treatment outcomes for children and adolescents living with HIV. Through this work, we contribute to the achievement of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) 95-95-95 goals and PEPFAR’s goal of an AIDS-free generation.
Through our OVC programs, FHI 360 also supports the implementation of evidence-based interventions in high-HIV burden communities to prevent sexual violence and HIV acquisition among adolescent boys and girls who are most at risk.
FHI 360 also provides technical assistance and support to local community organizations to strengthen their technical and organizational capacity to implement care and support activities for OVC. We also help local government organizations strengthen their capacity to coordinate and lead local OVC responses.
