Building Blocks Africa-wide Briefing Notes: Overview

This briefing note is part of a set of seven, comprising an overview and the following six topics: Education, social inclusion, health and nutrition, economic strengthening, psychosocial support, and supporting older carers. All these areas are important and should be considered together in an integrated response. 

This briefing note is divided into four main sections:

• INTRODUCTION: An overview that explains why programmes need to strengthen the skills and resources of families and communities to cope with the impacts of HIV/AIDS.

• ISSUES: An outline of the impact of HIV/AIDS on children.

• PRINCIPLES: Guidelines for programmes aimed at strengthening the coping capacity of vulnerable children, families and communities.

• STRATEGIES: Possible ways of taking action to strengthen support for orphans and vulnerable children.

This overview outlines important issues involved in working with orphans and other children made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS, and summarises principles for programming support for them.