The logo and theme song of a UNICEF campaign to care for children affected by HIV/AIDS was unveiled yesterday in the press hall of the State Council Information Office in Beijing.

According to Sun Zhigang, who heads the Development Center of the China Youth Concern Committee, UNICEF's partner in the program, hundreds of thousands of children in China have been orphaned or infected by the disease.

"Most of the children affected are living in provinces hit hardest by the virus, such as Henan and Yunnan," Sun said, adding that his organization has spent around 700,000 yuan (US$85,000) this year on enhancing public awareness of their situation.

Stigma and discrimination against children affected by HIV/AIDS prevents many in China from realizing the opportunities other children enjoy. Those orphaned can find it particularly hard to remain in education, and ignorance about HIV can lead to them being subjected to unreasonable fear and exclusion.

The program "Care for Children Affected by HIV/AIDS" is one of UNICEF's global focuses for 2005.

(China Daily, China.org.cn June 23, 2005)