Publication: Africa's Orphans and Vulnerable Children
Date
2002-02
ISSN
Published
2002-02
Author(s)
Subbarao, K.
Mattimore, A.
Plangemann, K.
Abstract
The note is based on the "Social
Protection of Africa's Orphans and vulnerable
children" study, which looks at HIV/AIDS, and the
violent conflicts that are giving rise to a massive
generation of orphans in Sub-Saharan Africa. The region
currently has about 12 million orphans, most under the age
of fifteen. Coping with the risks, and consequences of
orphan-hood, poses immense problems: resources are limited,
communities are being overwhelmed, and the realization of
international development goals is being threatened. Yet,
the contours of public action are unclear due to limited
knowledge of the problem's magnitude, and a lack of
clarity on the effectiveness of interventions. While the
impact of the epidemic is felt throughout communities, the
focus of the study is limited to the analysis of the
implications of the growing numbers of vulnerable children
for Africa's future human development. The study pulls
together the existing information on orphans, and vulnerable
children, traces the sources, and extent of their
vulnerability, examines the prevailing community responses,
and, argues the case for concerted public actions. It also
reviews the ongoing interventions, and delineates some
examples of good practices. Hopefully, enhanced
policy-making capacities will offer effective social
protection to these groups in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Citation
“Subbarao, K.; Mattimore, A.; Plangemann, K.. 2002. Africa's Orphans and Vulnerable Children. Africa Region Findings & Good Practice Infobriefs; No. 201. © http://openknowledge.worldbank.org/entities/publication/39ff1f6f-2e54-504a-bcb8-3c006ca52a77 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”