Orphans and Vulnerable Children - CRIN

Identifying OVC

The CCC, in consultation with the community, needs to define criteria for assessing vulnerability
within the community, and for identifying OVC. The community must take the lead in the process
of deciding which children are most in need of care, based on these agreed criteria. For example,
there should be a common understanding of what qualifies a family to be classified as very poor.
It may also be necessary for the mobiliser to sensitise the community on issues of children with
mental and physical disabilities, as these children are often stigmatised and hidden but are also
vulnerable and in need of support.

In World Vision’s experience, giving children a voice in the CCC enables them to advocate for their
own needs and concerns in an emotionally direct way that is difficult for a community to ignore, thus
strengthening community mobilisation. Their participation will help the local CCC to define their
criteria for vulnerability. The criteria recommended by World Vision for defining OVC are outlined
below.

STAGE 6

World Vision’s Definition of OVC:

Orphans: Children below 18 years of age who have lost either a mother, a father or both

parents to any cause.

Vulnerable childreninclude:

Children whose parents are chronically ill. These children are often even more vulnerable

than orphans because they are coping with the psychosocial burden of watching parents

become increasingly ill and the economic burdens of reduced household productivity and

income and increased healthcare expenses.

Children living in households that have taken in orphans. When a household absorbs orphans,

existing household resources are spread more thinly among all children in the household.

Children with physical or intellectual disabilities, whether they are orphans or not.

Through discrimination, fear and lack of understanding, children with disabilities are often

under-valued, and face neglect and malnutrition. These children are often hidden and rarely

attend school. They are often more likely to suffer sexual abuse and violence and are least

likely to have access to information about HIV and how to avoid infection.

Any other children the community identifies as most vulnerable, using criteria developed by the

community. One of these critical criteria may be the poverty level of the household.

At the community level, defining OVC is complex and should not be dictated by others.

Not all orphans may be vulnerable, and some of the most vulnerable children may not fall

into the categories that have been defined here. The term ‘AIDS orphans’ should not be

used because parents rarely know their HIV status. The term may lead to stigmatisation

and discrimination against the orphans.

Guide to Mobilising and Strengthening Community-Led Care for Orphans and Vulnerable Children Unit 1, Module 1^13