UN envoy 'enraged' by rich countries for 'neglect' of African AIDS crisis

Expressing his "overwhelming sense of dismay, anxiety, even dread" at the plight of the nearly 13 million children orphaned by AIDS in Africa, a United Nations envoy told delegates at a conference in Nairobi, Kenya, that he is "enraged" by the behaviour of rich countries, which, by their neglect, have worsened the situation on the continent.

"I'm enraged by the behaviour of rich powers… how much more grievous, by their neglect, they have made the situation in Africa," Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Special Envoy on AIDS in Africa Stephen Lewis said. "That isn't to take Africa off the hook - the behaviour of many former African leaders was indefencible. But Africa has moved mountains in the last couple of years, while the western world remains mired in the foothills."

Mr. Lewis was speaking yesterday at the opening of the six-day 13th International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA). Every two years, African scientists, social and political leaders meet to share their experiences and best practices in the management of the pandemic from an African perspective. This years' conference is focusing on the challenges in accessing care for those affected by HIV/AIDS.

"Orphaned children are the most vexing issue related to care, because there are not enough adults left to do the care-giving - no one to hand down knowledge - or perhaps most important of all, values from one generation to another. It's appalling that so many children are growing up without the kind of emotional anchor that leads to a life of stability," Mr. Lewis said.

He said the one "foolproof" way to reduce the orphan population is to keep the mothers alive. "If ever the skyrocketing orphan population - already pushing 13 million - is to be brought under control, then treatment is absolutely imperative to success.

"The women of Africa, all the people of Africa, the governments of Africa - they can't do it alone. This is a full-blown emergency; in every emergency there is a division of labour. Africa is struggling to hold up its end; the west is not," the envoy stated.