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U.S. House of Representatives Passes Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s Orphans and Vulnerable Children Act
Washington, DC – The House of Representatives today passed H.R. 4061, the Assistance for Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Developing Countries Act of 2004. The bill, introduced by Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), a recognized Congressional leader on domestic and international HIV and AIDS issues, seeks to provide a comprehensive United States response to the continuing global problem of orphaned and vulnerable children, exacerbated in the last decade by the growing global AIDS pandemic.
Every 14 seconds, another child is orphaned by AIDS. Without parents, these children are left without food, shelter, education, and protection. As of 2001, 110 million children were orphaned throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean.
The Orphans and Vulnerable Children Act would better coordinate and provide assistance in support of basic care; treatment for HIV-infected children; psychosocial support; school food programs; and inheritance rights for orphans and vulnerable children.
“I’m very happy that the House has agreed to move forward on this issue, so that we can provide a more effective US response to the global orphan and vulnerable children crisis,” said Lee. “The spread of AIDS has only added to the urgent necessity to provide care for the world’s most vulnerable populations. These children are victims, and we have a moral duty to address their needs. I look forward to my colleagues in the Senate taking up this bill, so that we can get resources to help these victims.”
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Every 14 seconds, another child is orphaned by AIDS. Without parents, these children are left without food, shelter, education, and protection. As of 2001, 110 million children were orphaned throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean.
The Orphans and Vulnerable Children Act would better coordinate and provide assistance in support of basic care; treatment for HIV-infected children; psychosocial support; school food programs; and inheritance rights for orphans and vulnerable children.
“I’m very happy that the House has agreed to move forward on this issue, so that we can provide a more effective US response to the global orphan and vulnerable children crisis,” said Lee. “The spread of AIDS has only added to the urgent necessity to provide care for the world’s most vulnerable populations. These children are victims, and we have a moral duty to address their needs. I look forward to my colleagues in the Senate taking up this bill, so that we can get resources to help these victims.”
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