BURUNDI
HEART OF AFRICA
|
COUNTRY STATS:
CAPITAL: BUJUMBURA POPULATION: 7,548,000 LANGUAGE: FRENCH/KIRUNDI BELOW POVERTY: 68% ACCESS TO WATER: 75% ACCESS TO IMPROVED SANITATION: 41% AVERAGE ANNUAL INCOME: $877 CHRISTIAN: 75% |
|
PARTNERED NGO
World Relief helped establish a network of Burundian pastors called "Dutabarane" that strives to prevent HIV from spreading while caring for those already affected. Churches trained by World Relief teach youth that abstinence and fidelity are parts of God's plan for healthy relationships and are the best ways to prevent AIDS.
|
BURUNDI CHALLENGES |
BURUNDI NEWS |
|
HIV/AIDS: Conflict and mass displacement of people has fueled the spread of AIDS in Burundi. After 12 years of civil war, over 110,000 people are living with HIV/AIDS and an estimated 120,000 children have been orphaned. Yet, a significant number of Burundians have never even heard of the disease.
CHILD HEALTH: Infant and child mortality rates in Burundi rival the highest in the world. Approximately 1 out of every 6 children dies from a preventable, treatable diseases before reaching the age of 5. Diarrhea and malaria are leading childhood killers, with malnutrition and poor access to health services exacerbating the effects of disease. REFUGEES: Years of conflict have led to hundreds of thousands of Burundians flee ing to safety. Today, they are returning home in large numbers and finding everything they once had – homes, families and livelihoods – has disappeared. POVERTY: Due to civil war, poverty has increased substantially in Burundi. Agricultural work employs 90% of the population yet the country produces barely enough food to survive. Rural housholds are considered risky clients and are left without access to financial services as providers exclude them with high fees and unattainable minimum balances. Information Provided by World Relief |
|
