Protecting Africa's future: Livelihood-based social protection for orphaned and vulnerable children in East and Southern Africa

FAO REOSA policy brief 01

Despite greater access to antiretroviral (ARV) drugs in southern Africa, the current HIV epidemic continues to result in increasing numbers of orphaned and vulnerable children. In many countries in the region, as many as 50 per cent of all orphans under the age of 17 years had parents who died of AIDS-related illnesses. According to bodies like UNAIDS, this level of AIDSrelated orphanhood is expected to remain high until 2030.

Although noteworthy policy and investment in programmes aimed at responding to these children’s needs exist, too many programmes remain ill-equipped to cater for their needs in a sustainable and cost-effective way. This is partly as a result of gaps in OVC social protection policy and legislation.

This policy brief presents a series of Regional Inter-Agency Task Team for Children (RIATT) and FAO recommendations. 

Among them are:

• Drafting stand-alone social protection policies to fill gaps in protection of orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC); and
• Strengthening existing policy frameworks.

It also advocates for:

• Livelihood-based social protection initiatives aimed at reducing vulnerability and providing social transfers to the poor; and
• Protecting the vulnerable against livelihood risks and enhancing the social status of themarginalized.

Strategic plan of action for orphans and other vulnerable children 2007-2011: Republic of Rwanda

Strategic plan of action for orphans and other vulnerable children 2007-2011: Republic of Rwanda

The Government of Rwanda is committed to ensuring that the fundamental rights of all children are realised. However, in Rwanda we have 1.26 million orphans and countless vulnerable children whose rights have been violated as a result of the combined effects, especially the consequences of the genocide; the chronic poverty experienced by some households; and the threat of HIV/AIDS.

One of the guiding principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Rwanda National Policy on Orphans and other Vulnerable Children, 2003, is the principle of participation of the child in the actions and decisions that concern him or her. The two National Children’s Forums organised in April 2004 and in January 2006 respectively have provided an opportunity for children’s voices to be heard about issues affecting them and for them to make some key recommendations which have been used to inform the National Plan of Action for Orphans and other Vulnerable Children.

SADC business plan on orphans and other vulnerable children and youth 2009-2015

SADC business plan on orphans and other vulnerable children and youth 2009-2015

Poverty and under development remain daunting challenges for the SADC region. The combined impact of these factors is evident in the increasingly high numbers of orphans and other vulnerable children and youth (OVCY) and the often acute violation of human and child rights. The SADC business plan links with other strategic frrameworks to provide a roadmap of the SADC approach to the care and support for OVCY. 

About two thirds of the population in the region live below the international poverty line of US1$ per day. Poverty in SADC is exacerbated by several factors among which are: (a) high levels of diseases in particular HIV and AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis.

These have resulted in unprecedented levels of morbidity and mortality among the people of productive and reproductive age; (b) social conflict and in some cases war; (c) natural disasters such as recurrent droughts and floods associated with climate change which impact negatively on food security; (d) unemployment; (e) and low industrial growth and productivity which is reinforced by high levels of migration of skilled labour from the region.

The recent global economic turmoil is compounding on the already dire situation in the region. Health, social and economic forecasts suggest that household poverty and orphaning will remain high in the foreseeable future. Vulnerable and poor households such as those headed by children, women, older people, people living with disabilities and HIV and AIDS and the unemployed bear the brunt of these numerous challenges, with often little or no options to cope. 

In view of these challenges, SADC developed specific interventions focusing on OVCY, elaborated through the Strategic Framework and Programme of Action for OVC, 2008 -2015 that was approved by SADC Ministers of Health and HIV and AIDS in November 2008 -2015. The Framework and this Business Plan, mark the first deliberate effort to mount a regional response on OVCY in SADC.

The premise of the SADC approach to the care and support for OVCY is the recognition that people in particular children and young people who comprise the demographic majority, are the real wealth of SADC Member States (MS). Thus, the fundamental purpose of development should be directed at enlarging their human freedoms and capabilities by expanding the choices that they have, to live full productive and creative lives, contributing to sustainable development in SADC.

The national costed plan of action for most vulnerable children 2007-2010: United Republic of Tanzania

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The national costed plan of action for most vulnerable children 2007-2010: United Republic of Tanzania

Tanzania , like other sub-Saharan countries, continues to be deeply affected by HIV and AIDS. The epidemic poses a threat to the country’s economic and social development and has exacerbated the vulnerability of most children, their households, and communities. A rapid increase in the number of MVC in the country has necessitated development of workable interventions for scaling up protection, care, and support—that is, the NCPA.

The NCPA will serve as a reference tool for government and stakeholders in their efforts to improve the lives of MVC and promote the rights of children. The thrust of the plan is to develop and implement safety net systems that will deliver multifaceted care and support at the household level. It puts forward a concrete work schedule, specifying stakeholder’s responsibilities and providing a clear framework for the continuation, improvement, and scaling up of OVC interventions. Periodic monitoring and evaluation exercises will guide the quality and effectiveness of the response.

National plans of action for orphans and vulnerable children in sub-Saharan Africa: Where are the youngest children?

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Working papers in early childhood development, 50

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National plans of action for orphans and vulnerable children in sub-Saharan Africa: Where are the youngest children?

In 2005, an estimated 48 million children aged 0-18 years - 12 percent of all children in sub-Saharan Africa - were orphans, and that number is expected to rise to 53 million by 2010. One quarter of all orphans are orphaned because of AIDS, and about 2.6 million children are currently infected with HIV. Untreated, most children born with HIV will die before their fourth birthday, most likely in the first two years of life. UNICEF concludes that, although they represent a smaller percentage of all orphans, the youngest orphans are the least resilient and have the greatest need for physical care and emotional nurturing.