Christian agencies around the world are calling for more funding to protect children who are affected by HIV and AIDS.

|TOP|A recent Tearfund report revealed church volunteers lack the international support to turn Africa's one million churches into "a single most effective weapon for halting the pandemic".

Tim Creber from Tearfund said: "International donors must urgently seek to understand the nature of faith, recognise churches' potential to be more effective and partner with churches in Africa to stop the spread of HIV.

"We must ensure funding quickly reaches the grassroots of African society where the money is most needed."

Meanwhile, World Vision is urging major HIV and AIDS programme donors and recipient nations to distinguish 12 per cent of programme funding specifically to services for children.

|AD|The agency is inviting delegates and participants at the XVI International AIDS Conference in Toronto, which runs from August 13-18, to dip their finger in orange ink and put their personal mark beside their signature on an open letter calling for more dedicated HIV/AIDS funding for children.

The fingerprints will be delivered, along with all of the signatures, to each of the G8 leaders and to the board of the Global Fund.

World Vision delegates from the UK and across the world will join an estimated 30,000 participants at the conference in Toronto to present research, and discuss the progress and challenges in the fight against HIV and AIDS.

“We have nearly 10,000 World Vision staff working every day on the frontline in the fight against AIDS,” says Rudo Kwaramba, World Vision UK Director of Advocacy. “Our ability to learn from this conference and to share our knowledge can make a life or death difference for thousands.”

In addition, World Vision UK has sent acclaimed photojournalist Nick Danziger to Russia, Mozambique and India to highlight the untold stories of children caught up in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The photos will be exhibited on a giant screen.

Rudo Kwaramba says: “These photos are a powerful reminder that children are often the most vulnerable to the effects of HIV/AIDS. We’re calling on world leaders to prioritise children in their response."