1. Snap Shot of OVC Planning in the Caribbean

2. Facts Three quarters of the 250,000 people infected wit HIV live in two countries: Haiti and Dominican Republic. 27, 000 newly acquired infections in 2006 alone of which 3,700 were children under 15 years age. 3,100 children died of AIDS in 2001 National prevalence is high: 1-2 for Barbados, DR and Jamaica. 2-4 for Bahamas, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana and Belize. Deaths in 2006: 19,000 one of the leading causes of deaths among adults. Young women make two thirds of all young people living with HIV/AIDS. Only one third of HIV+ pregnant women receive ART Only 26% of infected children receive ART 70% of people infected with HIV do not know their status. Estimated orphans: 300,000.

3. OVC Plans Caribbean regional strategic framework for HIV/AIDS (2002- 2007) does not make any reference to children living and affected by HIV and AIDS. Few countries conducted situational assessments: Jamaica, Guyana, Belize, Trinidad and Tobago. Child vulnerability study: Barbados, St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Lucia. IPE: Index of Programming Effort (rapid assessment). World Bank: Legal Protection mechanism study: Grenada, Guyana, Dominican Republic and St Lucia.

4. National Plans of Action: Guyana: Not yet approved by Cabinet. Jamaica plans exist NPA for children not just OVC - Belize Trinidad and Tobago: by end of 2007 will be in place. Other countries not really a problem

5. Funding for 0VC: PEPFAR: in both focus countries of the Caribbean i.e. Haiti and Guyana. Has reached more than 20,000 children. Global Fund: Funding proposals address OVC. Guyana and Haiti. For the OECS not included yet. UNICEF: Guyana, Jamaica, Haiti, Belize, Suriname. Clinton Foundation office in St Lucia

6. Success and Challenges Governments still not acknowledging OVC is a problem: HIV prevalence bn 1- 3% Some encouraging developments in Guyana and Jamaica on the policy front. Haiti still the best example in the region for working with civil society. National NPAs may not be feasible for most of the countries. We may have to look at sub-regional NPAs. (OECS,OCT)

7. Role of Global IATT other regional mechanisms: A regional Adoption of the framework for the protection and care of orphans and other vulnerable children.. Making sure the new Caribbean Strategic Framework for HIV/AIDS 2008-2011 adequately covers children living and affected by HIV and AIDS. A Caribbean specific regional forum A Caribbean specific IATT. The research Agenda.