The HIV/AIDS epidemic represents one of the most serious public health problems in India. The prevalence of the infection in all parts of the country highlights the spread from urban to rural areas and from high-risk groups to the general population. Among them, children and young people are at the centre of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

According to the latest UNAIDS epidemic update, India has 5.134 million out of the estimated 40.3 million people living with HIV and AIDS worldwide. A previous study also concludes that approximately 220,000 of the infected in India are children.

Andhra Pradesh being one of the high prevalent states in India for HIV/AIDS, addressing various issues of Orphan and Vulnerable Children (OVC) is looming largely at the face of the NGOs and government alike, according to experts.

Catholic Relief Services (CRS), a US based international relief and development agency with USAID/ Family Health International (FHI) support is implementing the "Cheyutha Project" in AP since August 2003. The focus of the project is on children infected and affected with HIV/AIDS and orphan and vulnerable children (OVC). The project is implemented in four locations in Andhra Pradesh and provides comprehensive prevention, care and support services.

Under the project, interventions are underway to provide comprehensive prevention, care and support through nutritional support, educational services and psychosocial support. Project has so far reached out to around 4000 infected and 14000 affected children.

FHI/CRS has convened a state-level advocacy workshop on OVC at Hyderabad on June 22 and 23, 2006, for different stakeholders, such as Government agencies, donor agencies and implementing agencies supporting HIV/AIDS programme as well working on child protection issues.

The workshop addressed on sensitisation of different stakeholders such as NGO's, Government Departments related to OVC work and seek their support through greater involvement and to arrive at appropriate mechanisms to address gaps realized through the implementing of OVC projects, including a state level forum and follow up action.