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United Nations Releases Shocking Zimbabwe AIDS Figures

According to the United Nations, Zimbabwe has the highest number of orphans per capita in the world due to the AIDS/HIV pandemic that has swept this Southern African country. Numbers show that a staggering one out of every four Zimbabwean child (25% in total) has lost at least one parent to AIDS. UNICEF says that despite incredible efforts by its organization and the Zimbabwe government, the number of orphans is increasing.

A look at the bigger AIDS/HIV picture in Zimbabwe looks slightly more optimistic, however. Five years ago, the prevalence rate was 25%. Today, that rate has dropped to 18% - a very positive trend. This has been attributed to the fact that President Robert Mugabe?s government has taken the matter of fighting the disease very seriously. Programs that supply condoms and encourage less sexually promiscuous lifestyles have proven to be successful. Nevertheless, 3000 people still continue to die every week from AIDS/HIV in the country.

Orphaned children in Zimbabwe are relatively well cared for in comparison to the rest of Africa. Almost 90% of these orphans have been kept out of institutes and have been successfully absorbed into the homes of extended family members. In addition, UNICEF has said that a $6-million donation by Sweden has bolstered the organization?s abilities to provide nutrition, care and education to these children.