continued

A parent’s death also deprives children of the learning and values they need to become socially knowledgeable and economically productive adults. This breakdown in intergenerational knowledge can play a part in a country’s economic decline.

Human resources are being drained and labor markets distorted by the AIDS-associated deaths of the majority of the working population. This is impeding economic development, diminishing national wealth, and increasing the already high poverty rate.

In summary, millions of Zambian children are suffering from neglect, stigmatization, exploitation, and inadequate education due to HIV/AIDS. This in turn is adversely affecting Zambian society and its economy. An extensive and increased effort by the international community is required to resolve this growing crisis on all fronts. In Zambia, volunteer associations, churches and Non-Governmental Organizations are overwhelmed, reporting that they are only able to assist seven percent of children requiring aid. More effective care is a necessity to assist orphaned and vulnerable children and to prevent further social and economic breakdowns. Interventions must be low cost, community centered, sustainable and easily replicated in order to both effectively care for the orphans, and to begin to turn the tide in the fight against AIDS in Zambia.

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