CRC/C/KIR/CO/1 page 10 promote new practices in the use of water and sanitation. The Committee recommends that the State party seek international technical cooperation in this regard. HIV/AIDS 52. The Committee is concerned at the increased prevalence of HIV/AIDS among adolescents and the lack of knowledge about the potential for an epidemic in the country. The Committee is also concerned at the absence of awareness-raising and prevention programmes. 53. The Committee recommends that, taking into account the Committee's general comment No. 3 (2003) on HIV/AIDS and the rights of the child and the International Guidelines on HIV/AIDS and Human Rights, the State party take action, including by: (a) Strengthening its efforts to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS, including through awareness-raising campaigns, and ensuring the availability of confidential, voluntary testing; (b) HIV/AIDS; Preventing discrimination against children infected with and affected by (c) Ensuring access to child-sensitive and confidential counselling, when such counselling is required by a child; (d) Adopting measures to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV and other STIs; and (e) Seeking international assistance from, among others, UNAIDS, the United Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA), UNICEF and WHO. Standard of living 54. The Committee recognizes that children and their families are severely impacted by the economic vulnerability of Kiribati. It is concerned that large numbers of families live in economic hardship, near or below the level of subsistence, especially in South Tarawa, and suffer from the effects of overcrowding and limited economic opportunities. The Committee takes note of the high number of job-seeking adolescents and is concerned at the difficulties of transition from school to the labour market, experienced in particular by children who dropped out before graduation. 55. The Committee recommends that the State party ensure that: (a) Financial support is provided to families living under restricted economic conditions and that it includes the provision of school lunches and educational allowances; (b) Schools assist families, particularly disadvantaged families, with regard to child care and education and provide facilities for special education programmes; (c) Families are provided with adequate and affordable housing; and