Rwanda and Libyan Refugees

Recently, video footage has shown that Libyans are being sold off as slaves for around $400. These Libyans often are seeking refuge in Europe, but do not always make it there. Instead, smugglers capture them and sell them off or they hold them for ransom which the families most of the time can not pay. As slaves, they are sold for little money and receive little to no money for their work. However, Libyans are not the only ones being sold off as slaves. Most migrants come from Mali, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Sudan, Egypt, Eritrea, and Somalia. Those countries that do not border that waters dividing Africa and Europe, travel through Niger, Chad, and Libya.

In response with these horrific events, Rwanda pledged to aid around 30,000 refugees. Foreign Minster of Rwanda, Louise Mushikiwabo said that although Rwanda is a small country, they would accomodate those that are being smuggled and sold off into slavery. She made it clear that while no one gave aid to stop the Rwanda genocide, they can not idly stand by and do nothing. Lastly, BBC noted that:

The minister also said negotiations were also continuing with Israel about accommodating African migrants seeking asylum there.

Last week, the AU expressed outrage after the footage emerged appearing to show slave markets in Libya (BBC).

Slavery in the 21st century that looks like what we have read in textbooks. 

If you would like anymore information or would like to read the article from which I collected my information, simply click on the link below. 

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-42095629

Malnutrition in Africa

The World Bank has estimated in April 2016 that, "There are 17.6 million children in sub-Saharan Africa who suffer from acute malnutrition" (SOS Children's Villages). Malnutrition includes not having access to clean water and a balance diet. Another statistic posed by UNICEF is that between 1990 and 2014,  children who have suffered from stunted growth in West and Central Africa has increased from 19.9 million to 28 million while the number declined else where in the world (SOS Children's Villages). Stunted growth is an impairment of growth in children whether it be psychologically, height, weight, malnutrition, and disease. 

Recently, in Rwanda, children were asked to share what they think would stop malnutrition occurring in children. AllAfrica reports that a 14 years old girl named Desire suggested that since parents are in charge of their children's diets, they should be taught "....the causes, effects, and treatment. With this knowledge mothers can ensure that their children eat and grow healthy" (AllAfrica). Another child, 12 years old,  Keria mentioned. "From my understanding, malnutrition is caused by lack of vitamins and food nutrients in the body, mainly due to poor feeding. So in my opinion, it's good to ensure that we eat foods rich in vitamins and other nutrients to be on a safe side" (AllAfrica). A third child, Sonia who is also 12 years old stated, "Besides proper feeding, it's good that children go for regular medical check-up to ensure that they are experiencing normal growths and treat any signs of malnutrition in the early stage. Milk is one of the best foods that prevents malnutrition" (AllAfrica). These children know what needs to be done to ensure they and their families and friends remain healthy as malnutrition is one of the largest reported health issue of Africa. Our only hope can be is that health education such as this continues to spread and they receive the essential foods and vitamins needed to remain healthy. 

https://www.sos-usa.org/our-impact/childrens-statistics/africahttp://allafrica.com/stories/201711150110.html

Malaria

What is Malaria? We hear about it all the time, especially in association with Africa. But, how is it spread? What are the symptoms? Where did Malaria come from? How do you treat it?

According to WHO (World Health Organization), "

• The WHO African Region carries a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden. In 2015, the region was home to 90% of malaria cases and 92% of malaria deaths." 

Malaria is spread through plasmodium parasites. Female mosquitoes are malaria vectors, meaning they carry the disease with them and spread it into a host whom they bite. There are 5 different kinds of these parasites. Most malaria outbreaks and deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa. Epidemics usually occur during and after rainy seasons (WHO). Now that we know how and where, what are the symptoms?

The symptoms of Malaria are fever, headache, and chills after 10-15 days of being bitten. These symptoms are often mistaken for the flu or a cold, so if it isn't diagnosed and treated within 24 hours, chances of survival are lower and the likelihood of death increases. Children suffer the most because their symptoms tend to be worse such as anemia and respiratory difficulties. However, some people are immune to malaria and are unaffected when bitten. 

Efforts to reduce malaria cases, many organizations and people such as Stephen Curry, make an effort to increase the number of mosquito nets distributed to the people who are at most risk of getting malaria. There is also indoor spraying in houses that are at risk of mosquito invasions. There are anti-malarial drugs to prevent being bitten. There is also a long political debate about the use of insecticides, but that is a debate to be shared another time. However, recently, BBC wrote an article about a new malaria breath test that seems to be promising. It is guessed that people with malaria have a certain breath odor and when they blow into this machine, if the odor is present, then those people are either at a greater risk of malaria or have malaria. 

Sources: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs094/en/

               http://www.bbc.com/news/health-41820346

Anti-terrorism Force in Africa

The Sahel of northern, central, and western Africa has been the ideal place for Islamic extremist groups to meet, train, and continue to utilize violence to instill fear in Africans close to the Sahel. This past Monday, the United States has pledged to donate $60 million dollars to anti-terrorism efforts by the United Nations. The European Union has also pledged to donate money. Together with the aid of soldiers and police officers from Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Chad they will use force and whatever means necessary to rid Africa of the terrorists in the Sahel. The argument is, these terrorists need to be met with direct action so that there is no place for them to gather and cause harm in Africa or any other continent.

The United States did not initially want to help fund this anti-terrorism effort until four U.S. military officers were killed by these extremist. France, who once was a colonial power in all five of these African countries, was an immediate supporter of the anti-terrorism force. Now that the forces have been gathered, we will await to see if there any successes and what more news to report on a blog.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/30/world/africa/sahel-force-united-nations.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fafrica&action=click&contentCollection=africa&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=sectionfront

The Plague in Madagascar

Medicine--As you read from my last blog post is one of my interests.

Fitzgerald mentioned a few days or weeks ago about Madagascar experiencing the plague every year. I remember being like, "What?! The plague?" and I found myself stuck on what I should write about today. So, what better topic to share with you guys!

The information I am writing on is drawn from the NY Times:
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/06/health/madagascar-plague.html

So yes, the plague as in the bubonic plague...AKA the black death. Madagascar is used to it and experiences an controlled outbreak September and April, "...typically about 400 cases, but they are usually focused in the nation's central highlands and spread by fleas living on rats in rice-growing areas" (NY Times). But, this usually a pneumonia plague--not bubonic. Keep in mind, the pneumonia plague spreads much faster than the bubonic plague, however the bubonic plague infects the lymph nodes.

Well, what's the cause for concern if they are used to it?

New York times reports that a 31-year old taxi driver thought he had malaria and he kept driving, but eventually he succumbed to the plague while en route. Those passengers riding in his car were infected too. The government and WHO were concerned because they could not pinpoint what was infecting and killing Madagascar's people. They ended up taking blood tests of a 47 year old woman who also succumbed to the plague and the tests were positive for the plague.

Here's some good news and not so good news, usually, common antibiotics can cure the plague but a antibiotic resistant strain of the plague is in Madagascar. This year in Madagascar, "Since August, the country has reported over 200 infections and 33 deaths." However, the World Health Organization has thus far sent 1.2 million antibiotics.

My hearts and prayers go to Madagascar.

Ebola

I have a multitude of interests and what better subject to write on that includes history and medical.


Hemorrhagic Fever, better known as Ebola.

In America, we were afraid of the frequent travelers that came from Africa and the frequent travelers that went to Africa during the Ebola epidemic. Ebola meant a death sentence, yet we barely knew anything about it--heck, even President Obama went on national television to speak about it. Ebola spread like wildfire in Western Africa in places such as Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone during 2014. Ebola is usually only found in the Congo or Uganda. You can get it by touching an infected person's skin or by coming in contact with an infected person's urine, blood, mucus, and saliva. It is mistaken for the flu at first until your organs start shutting down. There was no vaccination.

In the beginning, natives of these countries did not believe CDC, other doctors, or the government. They refused to listen to the preventative steps until it was too late. No one could believe that it was Ebola because it was hitting urban areas harder than it had hit rural areas.

If interested in the medical aspect and visual representations of what Ebola looked like in West Africa, go to Netflix and watch the documentary Facing Darkness.

HIV/AIDS Epidemic

I'm sure we all have heard of the HIV/AIDS Epidemic that had hit the world, especially Africa.

My current blog theme for this class is looking for films or documentaries on various topics that spark my interest. I stumbled across a film called Fire in The Blood on Netflix. This documentary has focused on how HIV/AIDS has affected African countries in the same ways; countries such as Uganda and South Africa.

20-25 million Africans have been killed by HIV/AIDS, suffering one of the most painful deaths. The progression of this disease has been halted by antiretroviral drugs or ARVs. In Europe and North America, the drugs had become readily available and saved the lives of millions. While in Africa, the West had placed patent on the ARVs to prevent any generic drugs from being sold. Mind you, these generic drugs are exactly the same as the patent drugs, just without the brand name. While each pill was produced for a cheap price in Europe and North America, one tablet of an ARV would cost an African up to $40 (South Africa, one of Africa's wealthiest countries earned up to only $68 a week). When journalists and experts asked HIV/AIDS activists why they were against the West sending generic ARVs to Africa, many answered that Africans would not properly use the treatment or the virus would mutate thus spreading to North America and Europe without a proper treatment.

Please take the time to watch this film if you are interested in medicine, international relations, economics, and politics.