World Vision recently applauded US President George W. Bush for increasing funding for programmes to fight AIDS and malaria in fiscal year 2007.

"We are especially pleased that the resolution increases global AIDS funding by $1.3 billion USD and malaria funding by $149 million USD," said Robert Zachritz, World Vision's senior policy advisor for global development. "It just goes to show that even in tight budget times, the Congress and the President can work together in a bipartisan manner to fight global poverty and disease."

"It is essential that we now ensure that children who are vulnerable or orphaned by AIDS are a priority when this funding is used," said Zachritz.

World Vision, along with the ONE Campaign and many other non-governmental groups, will continue to encourage government leaders to commit more funding to the global fight against AIDS and poverty.

More than 200,000 people joined the ONE Campaign and World Vision in a recent appeal to the White House and Congress asking for the higher funding levels.

The total amount designated for international humanitarian assistance programmes is notably less than 1 percent of the total of U.S. government spending for the year.

Having orphaned 15 million children around the world, AIDS has killed an estimated 380,000 under the age of 15 in 2006 alone.

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organisation 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, go to www.worldvision.org/.