The global battle with the HIV and AIDS epidemic is the most significant health challenge of our time. As the world’s leading child-focused humanitarian and development agency, UNICEF understands that preventing the transmission of HIV to children, and protecting and treating children with HIV and AIDS is the key to reversing and finally halting the epidemic.
In 2005 UNICEF launched its dynamic UNITE for Children, UNITE Against AIDS Campaign, as a worldwide call to action for all those who were dedicated to the treatment and care of children affected by the epidemic. The initiative takes a comprehensive approach – targeting the four key pillars of prevention, care, treatment and protection.
At the forefront of the international response to the crisis, UNICEF has HIV Section offices in 190 countries worldwide, provides child formulation antiretroviral drugs to more than 50 countries, and in 2009 procured 12 million HIV rapid-diagnostic test kits.
Dedicated to reversing the epidemic for mothers and children by 2015, UNICEF stands strong to ensure that the protection and treatment of children with HIV and AIDS remains central to the global response to HIV and AIDS.