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House International Relations Committee Unanimously Passes Congresswoman Barbara Lee's Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Developing Countries Act of 2004
Washington, DC – The House International Relations Committee today unanimously 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 creates a separate office in the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to better coordinate and provide assistance in support of basic care; treatment for HIV-infected children; psychosocial support; school food programs; educational opportunities through the elimination of school fees; and inheritance rights for orphans and vulnerable children.
“I’m proud to offer this bill as a first step to 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.”
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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 creates a separate office in the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to better coordinate and provide assistance in support of basic care; treatment for HIV-infected children; psychosocial support; school food programs; educational opportunities through the elimination of school fees; and inheritance rights for orphans and vulnerable children.
“I’m proud to offer this bill as a first step to 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.”
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