Economic strengthening and Children Affected by HIV/AIDS in Asia: Role of Communities

In communities throughout Asia, numbers of orphaned or vulnerable children infected or affected by HIV and AIDS are increasing. With the success of effective treatment, more infected children are surviving, increasing the economic burden on families with single parents or elderly caregivers. Children of families in economic stress are subject to educational, nutritional, health and developmental vulnerabilities. Community-based economic strengthening interventions for affected families decrease vulnerabilities experienced by children. This study examines four economic strengthening programs in Asia – India, Bangladesh and Cambodia – working with HIV-affected families. Included in this study are evidence-based benefits recommendations for effective economic strengthening interventions in the context of families with children affected by HIV/AIDS.