The AIDS crisis is a global emergency. But think about this: in southern Africa it has actually become the leading cause of death!

In African countries south of the Sahara Desert, more than 25 million people are infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. It’s a big problem and it’s getting bigger. In 2004 alone, more than 3 million people in the region became infected with HIV. More than 2 million died of AIDS.

Many of the people affected by HIV and AIDS are farmers. They grow their own food or cultivate cash crops to earn money. Often they do both. In the 27 most affected countries in Africa, 7 million agricultural workers have died from AIDS since 1985. By the year 2020, 16 million more are expected to die.

And it’s not just the farmers who are becoming ill and dying. Employees of government and rural organizations that provide services to farming villages are also becoming infected.

Not just numbers

These are more than frightening statistics, these are people. They are men and women and many of them have families. About 12 million children in sub-Saharan Africa have lost one or both parents to AIDS. By 2010, this number is expected to climb to more than 18 million.

Often it is children, or teenagers like yourself who have had to take on the responsibility of feeding themselves and their family.

What do you think this would be like? Find out more about young people and AIDS.

Women and girls have had to take on greater responsibilities on the farm and at home as a result of the AIDS crisis. They are also the most vulnerable to HIV infection and face the most severe consequences when AIDS strikes their families.

Find out more about women and AIDS.

So you see, AIDS is more than just a health issue. The epidemic is changing the face of farming in Africa. FAO is working to make sure that the people who have had to shoulder the burden of food production – especially women, children and teenagers and the elderly – have the support they need to feed themselves, stay healthy and escape poverty.

Find out more about FAO and the AIDS epidemic.