Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) Who:
- have been orphaned by the death of one or both parents
- have been abandoned by parents
- are malnourished due to extreme poverty
- are in need of safe, consistent shelter
- lack access to vaccinations and annual physicals
- have insufficient schooling support
OVC (Orphans and Vulnerable Children)*
The OVC designation generally refers to orphans and other groups of children who are more exposed to risks than their peers. In an operational context we can say that they are the children who are most likely to fall through the cracks of regular programs, or, using social protection terminology: OVC are groups of children that experience negative outcomes, such as the loss of their education, morbidity, and malnutrition, at higher rates than do their peers. To be protected from negative outcomes and/or allowed participation, OVC need to be given special attention to remove the barriers that stand in the way of their equal participation in projects designed to benefit all children, or through special project components and targeting strategies tailored to their needs.
Vulnerable Women Who:
- lack access to basic healthcare screenings
- lack access to prenatal care
- lack access to well woman exams
- lack access to basic education
- lack positive earning potential and job opportunities
