Africa devastated by Aids

Africa devastated by Aids

Aids kills some 6,000 people each day in Africa - more than wars, famines and floods. It is the biggest threat to the continent's development, according to the United Nations.

BBC News Online provides special video reports on the Aids tragedy facing Africa.

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Urgent need for action?

Two years ago, the South African President Thabo Mbeki stunned experts by appearing to question the link between HIV and Aids. His government stands widely accused of being slow to react to the crisis enveloping the country, be that for reasons of finance or stigma.

In this special report, Michael Buerk explores the reasons why the government has been reluctant to face the realities of the Aids epidemic.

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The vicious cycle of poverty and Aids

In southern African countries the epidemic has far-reaching consequences. The stigma attached to being infected leads to the spread of the disease, and hunger forces women into prostitution. To understand the wider social problems, British actress Claire Sweeney sent two reports from Malawi.

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A debate of 'life and death'

This is an international emergency - the world has got to unite to tackle Aids

UK Chancellor Gordon Brown

The drugs exist, the problem is they are hugely expensive. Politicians know a deal needs to be struck with the companies who make the drugs available to Western Aids victims, but wrangling over patents and other issues continue to stall deals which could save African lives.

A generation is going to its grave long before its time. Life expectancy has fallen sharply in the hardest-hit countries in southern Africa. In Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique and Swaziland, people now die, on average, before their 40th birthday. Without Aids, they would live to be at least 60.

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Vaccine hopes dashed

We need an Aids vaccine

Christopher Davis, Volunteer

More than 5,000 homosexual men took part in a trial to test a vaccine hoped to tackle the strain of HIV found in caucasians, but its effectiveness was found to be minimal. Ironically, it did prove more effective when given to Asian and Black sufferers, leaving a dilemma for the small drugs company which pioneered it.

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