The note is based on the "SocialProtection of Africa's Orphans and vulnerablechildren" study, which looks at HIV/AIDS, and theviolent conflicts that are giving rise to a massivegeneration of orphans in Sub-Saharan Africa. The regioncurrently has about 12 million orphans, most under the ageof fifteen. Coping with the risks, and consequences oforphan-hood, poses immense problems: resources are limited,communities are being overwhelmed, and the realization ofinternational development goals is being threatened. Yet,the contours of public action are unclear due to limitedknowledge of the problem's magnitude, and a lack ofclarity on the effectiveness of interventions. While theimpact of the epidemic is felt throughout communities, thefocus of the study is limited to the analysis of theimplications of the growing numbers of vulnerable childrenfor Africa's future human development. The study pullstogether the existing information on orphans, and vulnerablechildren, traces the sources, and extent of theirvulnerability, examines the prevailing community responses,and, argues the case for concerted public actions. It alsoreviews the ongoing interventions, and delineates someexamples of good practices. Hopefully, enhancedpolicy-making capacities will offer effective socialprotection to these groups in Sub-Saharan Africa.
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