§ Lord McColl of Dulwichasked Her Majesty's Government:
What steps they are taking to ensure that the needs of orphans and children made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe are being met. [HL1132]
§ Baroness AmosThe plight of orphans in Zimbabwe is tragic. More than 1.3 million children have already been orphaned as a result of HIV/AIDS. Within five years, over 20 per cent of Zimbabwe's children will have lost one or both parents to HIV/AIDS. The Department for International Development is already responding to this challenge in Zimbabwe.
In 2003–04, DfID funded non-governmental organisations to implement feeding programmes at schools and clinics which reached over one million children, many of whom were highly vulnerable or within families affected by HIV/AIDS.
In 2005, DfID is working with UNICEF and other donors to design a programme of international support for Zimbabwe's National Plan of Action for Orphans and Vulnerable Children. DfID support will amount to £25 million over the next five years, including £2 million already approved for community-based activities that directly assist children in need. Activities will include increasing school enrolment of orphans and vulnerable children, as well as their access to healthcare, food and clean water.
98WADfID Zimbabwe continues to work closely with the United Nations and other partners to ensure that our assistance remains apolitical and provided on the basis of need.