World AIDS Orphan Day observed in Asom

Guwahati, May 4 (UNI) With the number of AIDS orphans increasing and no state government taking any 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 organisation said no official statistics on the number of children who had lost their parents to AIDS is available either with the Indian government or the 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 all over India, the figure is 52 lakh, Ms Diwany informed.

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

''Not only were the barbers sensitised on how AIDS spread and how it can be prevented, but were also engaged to share the information with their customers,'' she said.

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