Africans Celebrate Progress on National AIDS Day

This past Saturday, the world celebrated National AIDS Day with hope for Africa, especially Sub-Saharan Africa which houses the world's largest AIDS population. For example, AIDS deaths in Africa have fallen by 32% in the last 6 years. In Kenya, there is a push for a Kenya’s Equity Tribunal which will help to end discrimination for getting treament and being hired for people who are infected with AIDS. There's been a large change in the number of people infected because of a push for condom use, use of sterile needs, circumcision, antiretrovirals and other efforts to help stop the spread of the disease. In some countries in Africa, there has been as much as a 50% decline. All this is wonderful news for a continent that has suffered so long!

Number of New HIV cases falling in Some African Nations--and around the world

This article talks about the ways in which new cases of AIDS are falling in some nations such as Botswana, Zambia and South Africa--which are some of the most effected countries in the world. Overall, one of the greatest tools to fend of new cases of AIDS has been the use of antiretroviral drugs to prevent mothers from spreading AIDS during child birth. Interestingly enough, its not that more money has been the fighting force in causing the reduction of AIDS, but rather its the focus on high risk groups such as the gay community, prostitutes and drug abusers. The testing done on these groups help to reduce the spread. In order to effectively fight off the disease, more money is needed because many people cannot get the treatment they need. Worldwide, "The number of people living with H.I.V. rose to a new high of 34 million in 2011, while the number of deaths from AIDS was 1.7 million, down from a peak of 2.3 million in 2005. As more people get life-sustaining antiretroviral treatment, the number of people living with H.I.V. grows". Although more and more people have access, there is still not enough to wipe out this epidemic, but there is definitely hope!
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/21/world/new-hiv-cases-falling-in-some-poor-nations-but-treatment-still-lags.html?ref=africa

Heavy Traffic in Kenya Alleviated by Commuter Rail

Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya, is one of the most traffic congested cities in the world believe it or not! In order to help alleviate traffic, the government of Kenya has recently build a commuter rail that stretches from the business district to the Syokimau suburbs which is a 40-min trip. It is estimated that 20,000 commuters will be able to ride the train daily with the six trains daily. I thought this was a great way to save people money, gas and a way to reduce pollution since the tickets are around a dollar each way. It is also an effort to help Kenya become a more industrialized city. Kenya has plans to build more trains in the near future. It will be interesting to see if it become a city more reliant on trains than on cars.

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Africa/2012/1117/Sick-of-traffic-Kenyans-on-board-with-Nairobi-s-new-commuter-rail

New University to Open in Kenyan Refugee Camp

I found this post interesting for two reasons. One: I had no idea that Africa's largest refugee camp was located in Kenya--let alone, I had no idea that it is mainly Somalians that live in the refugee camp. Two: I think this is a fantastic thing to do! It gives refugees the opportunity to better themselves, build a future for themselves and help society out. In a continent like Africa where the numbers of educated are still low, this new university helps provide hope for many--especially those who have lost their home because of war and poverty. Also, educated women are more likely to have children that survive childhood. This is a great solution and I think Kenya and the refugees will only benefit.

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Africa/2012/1027/In-world-first-biggest-refugee-camp-gets-university

Somalian Piracy on the Decline

In the past year, the number of ships being commandeered by Somalian Pirates has plummeted from 199 in 2011 (from January to September) to only 70 in the same period of time. This number has declined because many ships are now choosing to hire ships to escort them through the waters and many naval ships from the US, Britain, EU, Russia, China and India are now patrolling the waters to put a stop to these attacks. The main interest in doing so is because of the expensive cargo that is carried on the ships and the increase in insurance prices as a result. For example, 2010 saw the costs of these pirate raids to be totalling at almost $12 billion dollars. Now these attacks occur to only 1 in every 20 ships. The ransoms for those that have been caught can be extraordinarily high though. For example, a super sized oil tanker that was seized from South Korea in 2010 is being help hostage for almost $9 million. How ridiculous is that? In order to end piracy, officials have mentioned that they want to go after the most high ranking officials in the business. They're hoping to get these officials for such crimes as money laundering because these individuals can then be arrested in other countries.
http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Africa/2012/1030/Pirate-attacks-off-Somalia-plummet-thanks-to-navies-armed-guards

Digital Technology in Africa

I found this article to be quite interesting and informative. For a continent that has electricity for only about 1 in every 3 people, the country has a far greater number of people who have mobile phones. Shocking right? Most of the cell phones they have are not smart phones, but rather ones with basic necessities and a long battery life because charging them can be a challenge. They are helpful in the sense that they keep families connected when individuals go off to find jobs. Also, there has been a growing trend in using mobile money (which can be wired from other people straight to their phones), this money can then be redeemed at vendors. It's a great way for individuals to send money home when they are off on a job far away. As of now, only about 15% of people have Internet access, but the Internet is still being used for productive uses. As opposed to the people with Internet getting involved with social media sites, many of the people use the Internet to find jobs, send money to a rural family member and find the best place to sell their products. In this way, technology in Africa is very much centered around the needs to move the country forward.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/oct/30/africa-digital-revolution-mobile-phones

Park Rangers Killed in Virunga National Park

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2 rangers and a solider were recently killed by the rebels that poach the mountain gorillas in the park. The job of the rangers is to protect these animals from poachers, yet I don't think we realize how dangerous their job actually is. The article sites an alarming statistic that mentions that since 1996 over 130 park rangers have been killed. Park rangers are risking their lives for the diminishing number of mountain gorillas left in the world (this park houses 480 of the 790 mountain gorillas left). Yet, these rebels show no respect for the preservation of wildlife, nor any humanity towards those who are trying to protect gorillas. This just goes to show how widespread animal poaching is and the effects it has on more than just wildlife. Its scary to see such a war going on.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-20092835