The number of children under the age of 18 in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) who have lost one or both parents to AIDS has increased dramatically in the last five years. The number of children orphaned by AIDS in SSA is estimated to be around 12 million (UNICEF, 2006).

In Viet Nam, the lack of understanding of HIV, myths about HIV and the association of HIV with "social evils" often causes the patients to be stigmatized.

This document represents part of a SAfAIDS project implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Social Services (MoLSS), which documents Good Practices in OVC programming in Zimbabwe.

Community-based organizations (CBOs) are an important model for the care of orphans and other vulnerable children whose life and development are threatened by human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) and poverty.

Only one in every eight households containing orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in African countries received any support from an external source (UNICEF, 2008).

Initiatives from the local community have been a major part of what has been provided towards the needs of vulnerable children.

While it does not cost a great deal to make a difference in the life of a child living in poverty, that does not mean that they are cheap to care for. To avoid confusion there is a need to distinguish between expenditures on care, marginal costs of care and total cost of care.

Vulnerable children in Africa have traditionally been absorbed and supported by their communities. However, in the context of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and poverty, communities are increasingly stretched, compromising the quality of care available to children affected by AIDS.

Approaching 20 years after the first studies drew attention to the issues faced by children and families affected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), evaluation data from programs addressing their circumstances remains limited and clustered, especially when considered in relation to the magnit

Worldwide, millions of children are affected and made vulnerable by HIV and AIDS. Despite continued treatmentand prevention efforts, the number of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) worldwide will likely increase, emphasizing theimportance of understanding the costs of OVC interventions.