A new Save the Children report released yesterday shows the extent to which a generation of Asian children are growing up with little hope or happiness due to the impact of HIV/AIDS.

Elaine Ireland, Regional HIV/AIDS Adviser for Southeast and East Asia, said: "This report shows that the HIV/AIDS epidemic is a swiftly escalating disaster for children in Asia, resulting in extreme poverty, exploitation and emotional turmoil. Communities, donors, governments, non-government organisations and UN organisations must increase their funding and do more to help children affected by HIV/AIDS."

The report, "Small Also Have Something to Say", highlights the plight of the growing number of children in the region who are infected by HIV/AIDS, have lost one or both parents to the disease or are caring for sick family members.

Children in all six countries studied told how they had to drop out of school to work or care for sick family members and how they experience discrimination and serious poverty as a result of HIV/AIDS. The report also shows how the epidemic places children at increased risks of substance abuse, becoming street children, trafficking and other forms of exploitation.

Recommendations from the report include improving access to care and support services and implementing appropriate fostering systems for orphaned children.

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