World AIDS Orphan Day launched in Asom

Guwahati, May 04 (UNI) With the number of AIDS orphans increasing and no state government initiative to care for them, the FXB International has stepped in to do their bit for the children in Asom.

The World AIDS Orphans Day, observed on May 7 worldwide, would also be marked in the state.

Addressing a press meet here today, Ms Rasha Diwany of the organization said that no official statistics on the number of children who had lost their parents to AIDS is available either with the Indian government or the Asom state government.

'' We have unofficial figures that 26 AIDS orphans are there in Asom. But in the absence of any official data, we cannot do much for them,'' she added.

There are 578 AIDS patients in Asom, 142 of them are female, while the all India figure is 52 lakh, Ms Diwany informed.

On activities undertaken by FXB International in Asom, she said it had launched a campaign to sensitize and engage the barbers in creating HIV-AIDS awareness.

She said, ''Not only were the barbers sensitized on how AIDS spread and how it can be prevented, but were also engaged to share the information with their customers.'' The FXB International, further, had undertaken a HIV-AIDS awareness campaign for standard nine and ten students in the state, she added.

On the scenario worldwide, Ms Diwany informed that there were 15 million AIDS orphans in February last, while every 15 seconds, a child loses a parent to AIDS.

''In 2010, according to FXB estimates, there will be at least 100 million orphans and vulnerable children affected by HIV and AIDS,'' she added.

She further informed that 664 mayors and political representatives have rendered their support to the World AIDS Orphan Day.

UNI