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Desmond Tutu asks the Netherlands to protect African children
Desmond Tutu asks the Netherlands to protect African children15 Jun 2024 | Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa had a manifesto on social protection of vulnerable children presented to development minister Bert Koenders on 15 June after a Senate debate on children orphaned by AIDS.
In this manifesto, four organisations – the Association of European Parliamentarians for Africa (AWEPA), UNICEF, the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) and STOP AIDS NOW! – ask the Dutch government to provide financial, international, technological and other forms of support. The meeting in the Dutch Senate was the first stop on AWEPA’s tour of European governments aimed at drawing attention to the plight of children orphaned by AIDS.
Estimates indicate that over twelve million children in Africa have lost one or both parents to AIDS, and this number is expected to continue growing.