AIDS and hunger—these twin killers are devastating sub-Saharan Africa, trapping millions in a vicious cycle of despair.
“Together, AIDS and hunger are taking a life a minute in southern Africa,” says Mary Becchi, ERD’s Deputy Director for Programs. “There’s a direct, two-way relationship between them. The countries with the highest AIDS rates are also the countries with the largest number of hungry people.”
Last year, the world got a picture of how this deadly alliance works when more than 15 million people were close to starving in 6 of the countries hardest-hit by AIDS. Thankfully, the unprecedented humanitarian emergency crisis was averted with massive amounts of food aid.
Millions Could Die
But the problem continues. AIDS has killed 7 million farm workers in Africa since 1985. Within the next 20 years, 16 million more could die. Most AIDS victims are between the ages of 15-49 ¾ the prime working years. “These deaths mean a shrinking labor pool,” explains Becchi. “There just are not enough strong, healthy people to produce the amount of food needed.”
Small-scale and subsistence farmers are especially vulnerable. A family affected by HIV/AIDS has fewer members to work the fields. Families are wiped out by the additional costs associated with AIDS—such as medicine, funerals, and support for children orphaned by the disease. Many people sell animals and other property to care for sick relatives and pay for funerals.
Experts suggest an HIV-affected family can see their income drop by as much as 80 percent. Limited funds mean no food and other basic needs. Skyrocketing numbers of children are fending for themselves since elderly grandparents are unable to take care of them.
Episcopal Relief and Development is working with families devastated by HIV/AIDS to ensure both their immediate and on-going food needs are met. By partnering with local churches, dioceses, and grassroots organizations, we’re providing long-term responses with a human touch.
Zambia has the world’s largest population of AIDS orphans ¾1 million and growing every minute. Extended families-stretched beyond their means caring for the ever increasing number of children—are extremely vulnerable to hunger. In the village of Kitwe, ERD provides food assistance to orphans and their extended families. The children enrolled at the Mary Sikaneta Demonstration Pre-school get a balanced meal every day, as well as a 25 kilogram bag of cornmeal each month to take home to supplement the family’s food supply. By meeting this immediate need, hunger and malnutrition can be prevented among hundreds of orphans and their extended families.
In neighboring Zimbabwe, agricultural output has declined by half over the past five years. Currently, 5.5 million people are in need of food aid. Zimbabwe has one of the highest HIV/AIDS rates in the world — 33 percent of the population is infected. ERD is helping the St. Agnes Gokwe Children’s Home establish a working farm to grow vegetables and raise chickens. In addition to providing food for the AIDS orphans living at the home, the children also learn important agricultural skills.
Creating economic opportunities for people affected by AIDS is another critical piece in preventing hunger. Women are often the primary providers in AIDS-affected households. ERD is helping HIV positive women in South Africa supplement their income through quilting and beading. The women earn a steady wage that enables them to buy food for their families today and set up a trust to support their children after they die.
“The effects of AIDS-and the ever-present threat of hunger-are going to be with us for many years to come,” says Sandra Swan, President of ERD. “By giving people opportunities to grow more food and increase their income, we’re providing a long-term solution to the problem.”
Your generous contributions today will ensure that thousands of people affected by HIV/AIDS have food today and can support their families tomorrow. Each gift can save lives of people who are suffering.
