Media Contact: Geraldine Ryerson-Cruz, +1.202.572.6302

SENATE PASSES HISTORIC AIDS, TB AND MALARIA BILL

MEASURES WILL SAVE COUNTLESS LIVES

Washington, D.C., July 17, 2008—The U.S. Senate voted to approve reauthorization of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), and significantly increase funding for the global response to AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.

The following is a statement from Robert Zachritz, World Vision's director of advocacy and government relations in the U.S.:

"We commend the lawmakers who have come together on a bi-partisan, comprehensive agreement on the Global AIDS, TB and Malaria Bill providing a much-needed increase in U.S. assistance to address the needs of millions of orphans and vulnerable children affected by these epidemics.

"This is crucial to ensuring uninterrupted availability of treatment, care and prevention services for affected children, women and men in hard-hit nations. Reauthorizing PEPFAR before its first round expires means the U.S. can maximize its life-saving impact in the global fight against HIV and AIDS, rather than allowing our commitment to stall. The additional funding for malaria programs is also desperately needed.

"This important step heeds the broad public support of the many American voters who recognize the moral imperative of responding to AIDS and other devastating global health crises in developing nations. As the U.S. House and Senate bills are reconciled, we urge lawmakers to act swiftly."

More than 15 million children worldwide have lost one or both parents to AIDS and related illnesses, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa. Malaria kills an estimated 1 million people each year, 80 percent of whom are children.

World Vision, an international Christian humanitarian agency, has been addressing the impact of AIDS for nearly two decades, starting with orphaned children in Rakai, Uganda. Today, the organization is fighting the spread and impact of AIDS in more than 60 nations—including PEPFAR-funded work in 14 countries, in partnership with other groups.

To schedule an interview or for more information, contact Geraldine Ryerson-Cruz at +1.202.572.6302 or gryerson@worldvision.org

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. We serve all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. For more information, please visit www.worldvision.org