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November 10, 2017
10 Nov 2017

Life Expectancy On the Rise in Africa

Life Expectancy in AfricaLife expectancy is one of the methods used to measure health in various countries. Countries with low life expectancies usually have problems maintaining health and longevity, while countries with higher life expectancies generally have better healthcare and longevity. Africa is a continent that has long had a very low life expectancy; however, in recent years the life expectancy in Africa has fortunately been on the rise.

Since 2000, the average life expectancy in African countries has increased from 20 percent to 42 percent. That is the biggest increase in  life expectancy recorded in that time frame in all regions around the world. One of the biggest life expectancy increases has occurred in Malawi. Malawi’s life expectancy in 2000 was 44.1 years. In 2014, it was reported that the new life expectancy in Malawi was 62.7 years – a 42.2 percent increase.

Health and welfare improvements are one of the main reasons why life expectancy in Africa has been on the rise. One of the biggest health issues that Africa has been plagued with is the HIV/AIDS epidemic. HIV/AIDS has tragically claimed many lives in Africa, which is a large reason why life expectancy was so low. Treating these diseases was difficult at height of the epidemic, so many Africans unfortunately died. Because HIV/AIDS has been such a huge issue, there has been a lot of research done to help alleviate the problem. Improvements in medication and treatment have helped Africans and others around the world combat the AIDS epidemic. Not only is there now medicine available to help suppress the disease, but this medicine has become much more affordable for all people, including those in developing countries.

Although an epidemic, HIV/AIDS was not the only problem that African countries suffered from. Malaria was also an issue that affected life expectancy in Africa. However, strides have since been made to alleviate that issue as well. The World Health Organization (WHO) in Africa has reported that the rate of malaria has decreased by 66 percent since the year 2000. More importantly, malaria in African children under the age of five has decreased by 71 percent. This is important because more children are surviving in Africa. Prior to these improvements, HIV/AIDS and malaria have claimed many lives of children under the age of five. Since healthcare – and access to it – has increased in Africa, more children are surviving past age five. Once these kids clear the first five years of their lives, it is much more likely that they will grow up to reach the age of 60.

Life expectancy in Africa has increased and things are only looking to get better. Not only has the life expectancy dramatically increased, it is beginning to look like malaria may be eliminated by 2020 and HIV/AIDS by 2030. This will surely serve to further increase the life expectancy of African countries, as well as elsewhere around the world.

– Daniel Borjas

Photo: Flickr

in Africa, AIDS, Global Poverty, Health, Malaria /by /#permalink
November 7, 2017
07 Nov 2017

Congress Resolution Recommits to Fighting Pediatric AIDS

Barbara LeeRecent action has been taken on a resolution in Congress that will further the United States’ role in recognizing and ending the epidemic of HIV/AIDS in children around the world. Resolution 593, “Recognizing the importance of a continued commitment to ending pediatric AIDS and HIV worldwide,” was introduced to the House by Representative Barbara Lee, a Democratic and representative of California. The resolution brings to light the ubiquity of the AIDS disease and prevalence of HIV in children living in disenfranchised parts of the world.

According to the Pediatric AIDS Foundation, HIV affects children’s immune systems differently than adults’ due to their lack of development. Children living with HIV get sick more often than adults as well as more severely. Currently, half of the people living with the HIV virus (the pathogen that causes AIDS) worldwide are women and children. The disease is also the leading cause of death among women of childbearing age.

Additionally, over 400 children were born HIV positive each day in 2016. This number has been cut in more than half since 2001. Less than half of children with HIV will receive antiretroviral therapy, which is far below the percentage of adults who will receive treatment. This has led to 120,000 children dying of AIDS-related causes in 2016. Through this legislative action, the United States has recommitted to leading the world in ending the pediatric AIDS crisis and eliminating new pediatric HIV infections throughout the world.

The resolution noted the astounding achievements made in the last two decades thanks to the United States’ role in AIDS and HIV prevention and treatment. In 2016, the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PERFAR) supported HIV testing and counseling for more than 11 million pregnant women. The plan also announced the Accelerating Children’s Treatment Initiatives that aimed to double the amount of treatment for children with HIV over the two years following its initiation in 2014.

The bill has been referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, as expected, as well as to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. There are currently 18 cosponsors of the resolution, including representative leaders from Florida, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, New York, Georgia, Illinois and Maryland. If it passes, it will be a vital part of the continued fight against pediatric AIDS worldwide.

– Melanie Snyder
Photo: Flickr

in Congress, HIV/AIDS /by /#permalink
October 14, 2017
14 Oct 2017

Five Ways to Help People in Djibouti

Help People in DjiboutiDjibouti, a small country in the region known as the Horn of Africa, has struggled in recent years with the effects of drought, famine and loss of income. As less than .04 percent of the country’s landmass is arable farmland, Djibouti relies heavily on other countries to provide food and other amenities, the prices of which can fluctuate wildly. As a result, Djibouti is in a near-constant food crisis, often finding it difficult to pay for the basic sustenance its citizens need. 23 percent of the population lives in extreme poverty and 39 percent of the population is unemployed. In an effort to address these issues, many organizations have already begun work to improve conditions. Here are five ways to continue this good work and help people in Djibouti:

  1. Help provide water. In addition to making it difficult to grow crops, widespread drought in Djibouti has made it difficult for many people to access to water at all. In some rural communities, families only get 40 liters of water every two or three days, and that water must provide for an entire family. Often the nearest water source is 14 miles away. In 2011, $1 million was allocated through UNICEF to provide food, water and sanitation to Djibouti, and other organizations, such as Action Against Hunger, have also been instrumental in providing water. Even so, many families do not have a consistent source of water, and there is much work still to be done.
  2. Provide food. As Djibouti’s growing conditions leave much to be desired, one of the first and most important ways to provide help is through providing food. The World Food Programme, which has been present in Djibouti since 1978, has fought to make sure that people in Djibouti have access to proper nutrition, and has even slowly helped to build a national school meals program.
  3. Contribute to health services. In addition to malnutrition and lack of clean water, the health of people in Djibouti suffers from the effects of HIV and AIDS. The World Food Programme, as one of its main goals for the country, hopes to help people in Djibouti with HIV/AIDS by providing them with specialized nutrition products to aid recovery. Action Against Hunger, meanwhile, supports six emergency care facilities throughout Djibouti, including one based in Djibouti City.
  4. Support the industries that drive growth. While Djibouti is unable to sustain an agricultural industry, it has found opportunity in other fields, specifically, port services, construction and transportation. One of the most direct ways to support the growth of its GDP is to visit the country and experience its rich culture in person.
  5. Encourage foreign nations to give more. As the economy of Djibouti still relies heavily on foreign nations, it is crucial that those nations give all that they can. To let your government know that foreign aid is a priority, contact your representatives by phone or by email.

Djibouti’s economy and people have suffered greatly from factors far out of their control, and it is in other countries’ best interests to help people in Djibouti however they can, whether in small ways, like donating a few dollars to a charitable organization, or through larger ways, like pushing foreign governments to help. Given time and hard work, we can see Djibouti’s luck begin to change.

– Audrey Palzkill

Photo: Flickr

in Global Poverty /by /#permalink
September 6, 2017
06 Sep 2017

10 Facts About Health in Libya

Health in LibyaAs a result of the 2011 civil war that culminated with the ousting of longtime Libyan dictator Muammar al-Qaddafi, multiple sectors of Libyan society needed to be rebuilt. While progress has been made since the end of the conflict, long-term reform in the health sector of Libya presents obstacles due to the continuing violence and a lack of resources. Following are 10 facts about health in Libya.

  1. Libya had a fairly strong healthcare structure prior to the civil war. The country had proficient water and sanitation systems and near-universal vaccination coverage.
  2. In 2010, the top two reported communicable diseases in Libya were influenza and diarrhea. Cardiovascular disease, a noncommunicable disease, was the number one cause of death in Libya that year.
  3. When the civil war began, health in Libya began to deteriorate. The primary health system collapsed in the eastern part of the country, and fewer hospitals had to accommodate an increased number of patients.
  4. The issues continued after the 2011 civil war ended. Libyan hospitals were previously staffed by foreigners who left Libya when the civil war began and never returned. Also, the factional state of the current Libyan government has made it increasingly difficult to implement a health policy across the whole country.
  5. Libyan hospitals are still overloaded with patients. This is exacerbated by the fact that 43 out of 98 hospitals in Libya are partially functional or not functional at all.
  6. This resulted in 1.3 million people needing health humanitarian aid in 2017. There was also a decrease in vaccination coverage and an increase in maternal mortality in Libya.
  7. Despite these setbacks, progress has been achieved. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently held National Immunization Days where 1.3 million Libyan children were vaccinated.
  8. HIV/AIDS prevention also suffered from the Libyan civil conflicts. At one point, the rollout of anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs ended.
  9. Currently, HIV/AIDS is considered to be a concentrated epidemic among high-risk groups in Libya, while its prevalence among the general population remains relatively low. In 2016, there were 6,330 registered HIV patients in Libya.
  10. Health in Libya also extends to mental health. After the civil war, there were only 12 psychiatrists in Libya and mental health services were provided at two hospitals. Due to the number of Libyans who survived war-like conditions, mental health training became required for various workers in the medical field.

Malika Saim, a Doctors Without Borders staff member currently working in Libya, said that Libya is “a country where the problems aren’t immediately obvious, but so much is needed.” With continued cooperation between Libyan officials and international aid organizations and ongoing peace talks, hopefully health in Libya will improve, providing care to those who need it most.

– Sean Newhouse

Photo: Google

in Civil War, Disease, Global Poverty, Health, Libya /by /#permalink
September 4, 2017
04 Sep 2017

Common Mental Illnesses in Developing Countries

Mental Illnesses in Developing Countries
Although many diseases plague those in poverty, mental illnesses in developing countries also wreak havoc. Mental healthcare for vulnerable populations cannot keep up with the demand of those suffering from mental illness. While the stigma even in the developed world is still prevalent, awareness must lead to action in order to treat mental illnesses in developing countries.

Mental illnesses in developing countries encompass diverse conditions and ages — from autism and mental retardation in early childhood to substance abuse and schizophrenia in adolescents, depression and bipolar disorder in adults and dementia in older people. Compared to developed countries, the developing world sees the same number, if not more, cases of mental illness. While the genetic disposition for developing most mental illnesses is universal, the social and environmental factors that trigger these diseases are more direct for those in poverty.

Most scientific studies show a close correlation between indicators of poverty and the risk of mental disorders, the most consistent association being with low levels of education — a common factor in low-income societies. Other factors such as the experience of insecurity and hopelessness, rapid social change and the risks of violence and physical ill-health also contribute to the greater vulnerability of the poor to common mental illnesses.

Apart from the innumerable symptoms associated with mental illness, including hopelessness, anxiety, delusions and so many more, these conditions have a big effect on other health issues and on the social and economic opportunities. The World Health Organization estimates that mental and neurological disorders are the leading cause of ill health and disability globally.

People who feel depressed, anxious, or cannot function without extra support are less likely to attend school, seek employment, and follow the laws. Too often, those stuck in this vicious cycle don’t have access to consistent treatment to prevent the negative consequences.

A common myth, even among those who accept that mental disorders are prevalent in poor countries, is that these illnesses cannot be treated affordably. With so many health issues affecting developing countries, tackling mental health tends to seem like a luxury. Foreign aid remains focused on the “big three” communicable diseases of HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis.

Many other health conditions, especially mental illness, thus receive only a fraction of the attention and funding. The gap between the number of people with disorders and the number who receive evidence-based care is as high as 70 to 80 percent in many developing countries. Almost half the countries in the world have no explicit mental health policy and nearly a third have no mental health program whatsoever.

Individuals, governments and organizations also currently lack interest to treat mental illnesses in developing countries. However, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and all common mental disorders need to be placed alongside other diseases associated with poverty.

Mental health is just as important to a country’s stability as physical health. Regardless of ethnicity, gender, or income level, everybody deserves access and support for growingly common health conditions.

– Allie Knofczynski

in Disease, Foreign Aid, Global Poverty, Healthcare, Mental Health /by /#permalink
August 30, 2017
30 Aug 2017

Why is Botswana Poor?

Why Botswana is PoorBotswana, located directly north of South Africa, is slightly smaller in size than Texas and has a population size of about 2.2 million. From 1867 to 1966, Botswana was under the rule of Great Britain, which limited its economic growth, as Britain used Botswana for its benefit. Nowadays, though, why is Botswana poor?

After achieving independence in 1966, Botswana saw its economy boom, in part due to the discovery of diamonds within its borders. Previously, Botswana had been one of the poorest countries in Africa, but it has continually grown economically, with an average GDP growth rate of 5 percent per annum in the last ten years.

Although Botswana has vastly improved since gaining independence, as is additionally supported by its dropped poverty rate from 50 percent in 1966 to 19 percent today, poverty is still a significant problem within Botswana. Focusing on rural areas where poverty is most present, one can find answers to the question “why is Botswana poor?”

Botswana has a lack of economic diversity; its two major sectors are the diamond industry and tourism. Rural subsistence farming and cattle raising account for an additional large portion of Botswana’s workforce. Botswana’s dependence on the diamond industry for economic growth creates economic instability.

The diamond industry accounts for 85 percent of Botswana’s export earnings. Dependency on diamonds, a luxury item, causes Botswana to be very vulnerable to economic downturns in developed countries, such as the 2008 recession. Economic growth has risen and fallen multiple times since the 2008 recession – most recently it grew 2.6 percent in 2016.

The diamond industry cannot support all of Botswana’s people, however, especially as it is mostly mechanized and therefore does not create a vast amount of jobs. Many Batswana survive through the agricultural industry, which is also unstable due to chronic droughts plaguing Botswana.

Why is Botswana poor? The years of 2015-2016 saw the worst drought to hit Botswana in 34 years. Many groundwater sources went dry, and dams fell to below 20 percent of their capacity. Unstable agricultural conditions in a country where nearly half (48.5 percent) of land is for agricultural use, contribute to poverty.

Another major reason why Botswana is poor is the intensity of HIV/AIDS within its borders. Although Botswana no longer ranks as the country with the highest rate of HIV/AIDS infection in the world, it is third-highest, with an adult prevalence rate of 21.9 percent. The HIV/AIDS epidemic is hugely detrimental to society and the economy.

A high prevalence of HIV/AIDS creates a diminished workforce and poses problems for employers that need to provide healthcare and death benefits. It also increases the gap between wealthy and poor within Botswana, as more affluent individuals and families are better equipped to pay for health expenditures and financially cope with the loss of a family member than an impoverished family.

– Mary Kate Luft

Photo: Flickr

in Agriculture, Disease, Economy, Global Poverty, South Africa /by /#permalink
August 15, 2017
15 Aug 2017

Fighting Common Diseases in Honduras

Common Diseases in HondurasHonduras is a country with fairly poor healthcare available to its citizens. This means that patients who cannot afford care suffer unnecessarily from curable diseases. However, the CDC is helping the country strengthen their healthcare systems by increasing the technical skills of doctors in the region. A few common diseases in Honduras can turn rather serious without the appropriate care to get better.

According to the World Bank, Honduras currently has just over 9 million people. The per capita income is $3,710, and the life expectancy is 76 years for the women and 71 years for the men.

One of the major problems in Honduras is the childbirth complications, and many mothers have issues with their pregnancies and some could lead to infant deaths. In fact, 16 percent of deaths in Honduras come from perinatal conditions. This may not be a disease, but it is a problem that needs to be addressed. The CDC can clean up some conditions and help the doctors address the issues that are causing so many deaths in the birthing process.

Diabetes is a major problem in Honduras, as well. In 2010, it was the second leading cause of death in Honduras, sitting at just under seven percent. Some of the major risk factors leading to the presence of diabetes includes physical inactivity and obesity. The problem exists in Honduras because the only capability they have are blood glucose measurement.

Many other medicines, such as insulin and metformin, and procedures available elsewhere around the world are not available in Honduras. They also don’t possess many of the procedures and policies such as a registry, national guidelines, etc. These are vital to helping the people that need insulin and other procedures to help relieve them of the problems that they face with diabetes.

Some of the other common diseases in Honduras include heart disease, lower respiratory disease, diarrhea and other lower respiratory and common infectious diseases, and HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.

HIV/AIDS has an estimated prevalence in Honduras between one and just over three percent within adults ages 15-49. The estimated number of people living with either HIV or AIDS in Honduras is between 35,000 and 110,000 people.

There needs to be more awareness and testing available to the people in Honduras. In addition, only about a third of HIV/AIDS patients were receiving the therapy they needed in 2005. That proportion has no doubt increased in the past decade, but new technology will be able to assist people in need. The CDC’s involvement in the country is definitely a good thing for those with HIV and AIDS to make sure they are treated for.

Honduras needs better healthcare in place to help their citizens. There is help from the CDC, who has been there in recent years, to attempt to help them improve their care for the common diseases in Honduras. The look toward the future is brighter with the CDC’s involvement than the past.

– Brendin Axtman

Photo: Flickr

in Disease, Global Poverty, Honduras /by /#permalink
August 15, 2017
15 Aug 2017

How to Help People in Angola: Three Simple Ways

How to Help People in AngolaAngola is a large, underdeveloped country in Africa. Despite the country’s wealth from oil and diamond exports, nearly half of the population lives on less than a dollar a day. Unemployment, poverty, and birth rates are high, but the literacy rate and life expectancy are low.

Angola only has one doctor per 10,000 people. Millions lack access to sanitary water and restrooms, and thousands die of preventable diseases such as malaria and bacterial diarrhea.

Without stable incomes, quality educations and proper health care, many Angolans suffer. But, they do not have to suffer forever. The following is a list of how to help people in Angola.

 

1. Donate to a worthy nonprofit.

Donating to an organization working in Angola is a good solution when you don’t know how to help people in Angola. Dozens of international nonprofits and charitable agencies are currently working in Angola to improve living conditions of people living in extreme poverty. Organizations are always looking for donor support to help fund their projects and change lives. UNICEF, Save the Children, the Fistula Foundation and World Vision are a few.

  • UNICEF has been in Angola since 1976. It focuses on boosting primary health care; providing primary education; and creating a social and legal environment of child protection.
  • Save the Children is another nonprofit dedicated to helping children.   Save the Children has built four free schools and two health centers. It has also implemented a polio eradication project and community development forums.
  • The Fistula Foundation opened a medical center in Angola that provides free fistula surgeries and other maternal health services to women. A fistula is a medical condition that obstructs labor. It is more common in poor areas where women in labor do not have access to a midwife or doctor, like in many parts of Angola.
  • World Vision has given thousands of tons of food, seeds and tools to hungry farm families in Angola. It also offers agricultural training, microfinance opportunities and access to clean water. To top it off, World Vision improves rural Angolans’ health through nutrition education, HIV/AIDS awareness and health care services.

 

2. Voice support for U.S. Agency for International Development.

 USAID is the United States’ main governmental agency for improving lives in developing nations. It has several initiatives in Angola, including: increasing literacy and entrepreneurship; decreasing the spread of HIV/AIDS; building disaster response capabilities; and supporting democracy.

It takes less than 60 seconds to call your Congressional representatives and urge them to support USAID and policies strengthening the United States’ commitment to developing nations like Angola. A staff member for the representative or senator will take note of each call, email and letter, then make sure the Congressional leader knows which issues are on the minds of constituents.

 

3. Educate and mobilize others.

The more people who know and care about the problems facing Angolans, the greater the chance political leaders will take heed.

The United States spends less than 1 percent of its budget on foreign aid; many people incorrectly believe it spends a lot more. Dispel the myths and teach others why investing in foreign aid is good for everyone involved. Helping Angola grow its economy will pay off for the United States because it increases Angolans’ demand for American goods and services, which creates jobs at home.

The high level of poverty and suffering in Angola may seem difficult to change, but individuals and organizations are making strides every day to transform lives. There are three simple answers for how to help people in Angola: support a worthy organization in the country; contact your representatives about the importance of foreign aid; and educate and mobilize others to join the effort to improve the standard of living for millions of Angolans.

– Kristen Reesor

Photo: Flickr

in Angola /by /#permalink
August 9, 2017
09 Aug 2017

Three of the Most Common Diseases in the Dominican Republic

Common Diseases in the Dominican RepublicWith places like Punta Cana, it is no wonder that the Dominican Republic is a popular tourist destination. The Dominican Republic appears to have everything, from sandy beaches to high mountain peaks. The beautiful landscape of Dominican Republic may set it apart from other countries, but like the rest of the world, it is not immune to medical issues. Here are three of the most common diseases in the Dominican Republic:

1. Schistosomiasis

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), schistosomiasis spreads through parasitic worms that are in infested water. People in poorer communities are more vulnerable to this disease because they are more likely to drink from or bathe in contaminated waters. Symptoms of intestinal schistosomiasis involve abdominal pain and diarrhea. The main symptom of urogenital schistosomiasis is blood in urine. In the Dominican Republic, intestinal schistosomiasis is the most common form of the disease.

Fortunately, taking Praziquantel, an anti-parasite medication, for a few days can treat schistosomiasis. Since there is only a limited amount of the prescription drug available, the WHO has been advocating for more access to the medication. With increased Praziquantel availability, more people that have schistosomiasis are being treated.

2. HIV/AIDS

As the Caribbean country with the second most reported HIV cases, it is clear that HIV is a problem in the Dominican Republic. However, that doesn’t mean that the country’s health officials and government aren’t working on fixing it.

Out of all of the countries that comprise the Caribbean and Latin America, only eight have needle and syringe programs (NSPs), and the Dominican Republic is one of them. NSPs provide people who inject drugs with sterile needles and syringes. Since HIV can be transmitted through unsanitary needles and syringes, NSPs help reduce the risk of contracting HIV.

Although there is no cure for HIV/AIDS yet, there is a significant amount of research being done to find one. Recently, researchers successfully edited the genomes of infected mice, in which they eliminated most of the disease from the animals. Although genome editing is more complicated when humans are involved, there is still a possibility of it being successful.

 In addition to NSPs reducing HIV/AIDS transmission and research being done to find a cure, there are also ways to control the disease. People with HIV can take antiretroviral therapy (ART) to slow down the progression of the disease.

3. Malaria

The Anopheles mosquito transmits malaria. Symptoms of the disease include chills and high fever. Malaria treatment is all about timing. If detected early, it can be treated with antimalarial medication. However, the disease can be fatal if it goes unnoticed and untreated.

In 2015 alone, malaria caused 438,000 deaths worldwide. While that number is very large, it is actually a decrease from the estimated 584,000 malaria deaths in 2013. In the Dominican Republic, indoor residual spraying (IRS) of insecticides is used to kill disease-spreading mosquitos, which helps prevent initial infection.

Although these three diseases are some of the most common diseases in the Dominican Republic, there are others. Many different organizations are working toward the mutual goal of eliminating both uncommon and common diseases in the Dominican Republic.

– Raven Rentas
Photo: Flickr

in Disease, Dominican Republic, Global Poverty, Public health /by /#permalink
August 4, 2017
04 Aug 2017

10 Facts About Refugees in Namibia

Refugees in NamibiaNamibia is a country in southern Africa with a population of about 2,514,000. The country was formerly a German colony, and then it became a part of South Africa before gaining independence in 1990. Here are 10 facts about refugees in Namibia:

  1. According to the World Bank, 1,737 refugees officially registered in Namibia in 2015. The official number of refugees in Namibia is lower than neighboring countries; Angola, for example, has 15,555, and Zambia has 26,447. However, according to the Namibian government, the World Bank’s count of the number of refugees in Namibia is incorrect. Many refugees and asylum seekers have moved from designated refugee camps to other parts of Namibia. The government estimates that there were actually more than 6,000 refugees in Namibia in 2015.
  2. From 1998 to 2001, the number of documented refugees in Namibia skyrocketed from 3,820 to 30,885. The majority of these refugees came across Namibia’s northern border from Angola, where fighting between the Angolan government and rebel group UNITA was taking place.
  3. The official number of refugees in Namibia peaked at 30,885 in 2001. Since that time, that number has decreased drastically. Namibia saw a slight uptick in the number of officially stateless people from 2007 to 2010, and again in 2013.
  4. Namibia’s Minister of Home Affairs and Immigration Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana described the current state of refugees in Namibia to New Era, a government-owned media outlet in Namibia. “Roughly 80 percent of these refugees are Congolese. A few are from Rwanda, Burundi, Zimbabwe and other countries, with about 30 asylum seekers arriving at Namibian borders every month,” she said.
  5. The Congolese refugees in Namibia have left behind a state of constant war. In 1996, Rwanda invaded the DRC in pursuit of the perpetrators of the Rwandan Genocide. This initial conflict destabilized the eastern DRC, and over the last two decades, multiple paramilitaries have warred with each other and the Congolese government for control of the region and its resources. This conflict, sometimes dubbed “Africa’s World War,” is the main source of refugees in Namibia.
  6. After 23 years, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees ended its campaign to serve refugees in Namibia in 2015. Despite the government’s claim that there were more than 6,000 refugees, the U.N. contends that the number has dropped below 5,000. This, as well as Namibia’s upgrade to a middle-income nation at the time, were the U.N.’s justifications for its pull-out.
  7. Many of the refugees in Namibia live at the Osire camp—a specifically designated area for refugees in Namibia. However, there have been mixed accounts about the quality of conditions at the camp. In 2009, a local human rights organization smuggled 41 people out of the camp after they had received death threats. The refugees were denied access at the border of Botswana and remained in “no man’s land” between Botswana and Namibia.
  8. Although the U.N. stopped direct refugee operations, the international union continues to support refugees in Namibia by lending resources from its regional office in Pretoria, South Africa.
  9. Namibia has begun resettling its refugees in other countries that will take them, known as “third countries.” In 2016, Namibia resettled more than 200 refugees to other countries, citing a lack of ability to provide for them.
  10. The U.N. conducted research on refugees at the Osire camp to test for HIV; the organization also provided the refugees with information on how to avoid contracting the virus. The program was a moderate success, as it successfully educated refugees at the camp about HIV/AIDS. However, the data also shows that the percentage of refugees at the Osire camp with HIV/AIDS exceeds the percentage of those from the surrounding areas (38.3 percent compared to 30.2 percent).

These facts about refugees in Namibia demonstrate that despite a lack of statistical clarity, the nation is still working to accommodate those in need.

– David Mclellan

Photo: Flickr

in Africa, Global Poverty, Namibia, Refugees /by /#permalink