Community support must also be a feature of a global commitment to fighting AIDS. The 10 million children already left parentless by AIDS are stretching Africa past its limits. 30 million more orphans would be overwhelming. While treatment is critical to save the families of millions of these children, resources must be dedicated to looking after those without guardians. Unattended, few of these children will attend school or become literate; they will have few life prospects and little reason to hope. They must be helped.
Peter Piot, Director of UNAIDS, has said that, "the great moral test of our time is how the rich countries respond to the AIDS crisis." As America decides how to spend a $5.4-trillion projected surplus, it must bear in mind that enormous good can be done for less than $10 billion. Last year, the United States contributed about $350 million to fighting global AIDS; this year, it should multiply that amount several times. Stone Professor of International Trade Jeffrey D. Sachs '76 and others have estimated that dramatic gains in fighting AIDS in Africa can be had for only a few billion dollars a year. The U.S., working with other developed countries, must secure funds to pay for AIDS prevention, treatment and community support.
Certain members of the new administration and legislators on both sides of the aisle have pledged their support for a serious U.S. commitment to fight AIDS in Africa. In order for them to succeed in boosting U.S. involvement, however, their voices must be amplified by the voice of the public. We must swamp Washington in letters, phone calls, news pieces and other indications that America cares about AIDS in Africa. Simultaneously, pressure must be brought to bear on drug companies to lower the price of AIDS drugs to developing countries to the cost of production. Students must answer the calls of a global conscience and act now to end the global AIDS crisis. Each day that passes brings 8,000 new deaths. There is no time to wait.
Benjamin M. Wikler '03 is a social studies concentrator in Cabot House. He is president of the Harvard AIDS Coalition.