CHILDREN suffering from HIV/AIDS will be given special attention in a joint campaign by the United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the ICC, during Sunday’s opening ceremony of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) World Cup in Trelawny.

The campaign, dubbed ‘Unite For Children, Unite Against AIDS’, will highlight the plight of children suffering from HIV/AIDS.

During the ceremony, each of the 16 Test-playing nations will escort an infected child as part of their parade parties. But the campaign will not end with the opening ceremony as West Indies opener, Chris Gayle along with England’s Andrew Flintoff and Australian Mike Hussey, will act as ambassadors for the cause and will make public declarations and field visits. The cricketers have donated their time free of cost.

About 2.3 million children under the age of 15 are now living with the disease

Here, Health Minister Horace Dalley (centre) greets Chris Dehring, managing director and CEO of ICC Cricket World Cup West Indies 2007 Inc, during yesterday’s function at the Terra Nova Hotel in Kingston to launch the campaign. Sharing in the occasion is Bertrand Bainvel, UNICEF representative in Jamaica.

(Photo: Michael Gordon)