WASHINGTON -- Millions of young children around the world face the tragic prospect of losing one or both of their parents to HIV/AIDS.

As many as 15 million children have already been orphaned by this preventable disease. HIV/AIDS commonly affects people in their prime years -- mothers and fathers, teachers, doctors and nurses, community leaders.

With an estimated 33 million people now living with HIV/AIDS, children in countries around the world face the prospect of being left without the benefit of a parent's guidance, leadership, love, and support.

As Secretary of State, I have seen firsthand the devastating impact of HIV/AIDS. But as a result of President Bush's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), I also have seen the remarkable progress made in the field of HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and care.

President Bush launched PEPFAR in 2003. It is the largest international commitment any nation has made that is focused on a single disease, and it confronts one of the great health challenges of our time. At PEPFAR's inception, barely 50,000 people in all of sub-Saharan Africa were receiving life-saving antiretroviral treatment. AIDS was literally a death sentence to those who contracted the disease.

Today, with support from the American people, we are helping treat more than 2 million HIV/AIDS sufferers in Africa and tens of thousands more around the world.

South Africa's Soweto Hospice is an inspiring example of the transformations taking place in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Prior to the launch of PEPFAR, the Hospice marked World AIDS Day by mourning those who had lost their lives to the virus.

But following the introduction of free antiretroviral treatment supported by the American people, Soweto soon began honoring World AIDS Day as a celebration of life. While AIDS patients previously had come to the hospice to die, they now are being treated and surviving. It seems fitting that the cover of PEPFAR's Fifth Annual Report to Congress features a photo of children whose parents receive treatment and care at the PEPFAR-supported Soweto Hospice.

While we have achieved impressive results through PEPFAR, there remains much to do. Despite these tough economic times, the American people have made a commitment that should continue. The progress of these past five years proves that our generosity has made a significant impact on people's lives.

Moreover, our commitments to the world's poor not only represent our essential humanitarian spirit but also recognize the benefits of such investments in regional and global security. The partnership and goodwill created by these efforts -- particularly for young boys and girls whose parents are being saved -- is invaluable.

Currently through PEPFAR, the American people also are supporting care for more than 10 million people affected by HIV/AIDS, including 4 million orphans and vulnerable children. PEPFAR supports services to prevent the spread of HIV from mothers to children during nearly 16 million pregnancies, allowing an estimated 237,000 babies to be born free of HIV.

As healthy behavior begins with knowing your HIV status, the program has supported nearly 57 million HIV counseling and testing sessions for citizens in countries ravaged by the disease.

As an American who supports the PEPFAR initiative, I take great satisfaction in what we have accomplished together in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

We can be proud to know that our support is creating new hope for millions of children around the world by giving their parents a chance to survive.

For more information on the PEPFAR and its Fifth Annual Report to Congress, please visit www.pepfar.gov. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice wrote this for the Scripps Howard News Service.