Advances in medicine have made the prognosis for those diagnosed with HIV much better, but unfortunately many people are still becoming infected with the condition and, particularly in poor countries, those who are diagnosed can struggle to get the treatment they need.
One part of the world that may be set to witness a spike in HIV infections is Somalia. This east African country is currently experiencing a severe drought that has caused rivers to dry up, crops to fail and livestock to die. The northern areas of Puntland and Somaliland have been especially badly affected, and farmers and herders are among those worst hit. Charity projects, such as the Food Parcel and Food Fund initiatives run by the charity humanappeal.org.uk, are attempting to relieve the suffering there. However, as well as problems accessing food, experts have suggested that some people in Somalia are now at an elevated risk of HIV infection.
A warning from UNICEF
The United Nations children’s agency UNICEF has warned that more girls and women may turn to the sex industry in order to get money to pay for food, increasing their likelihood of becoming infected. At the same time, people who have already been diagnosed with the medical problem are now less likely to take their treatment. Some are refusing to have the medicine they receive on an empty stomach, while others are choosing to spend the little money they have on food rather than paying for transport to get them to health centres.
Speaking to the Thomson Reuters Foundation, UNICEF spokeswoman Patsy Nakell said: “People sometimes are having to resort to these extreme choices between eating and taking life-saving medication.” She added that this is the “global epicentre” of the HIV epidemic.
Millions in need of help
As well as those at risk of contracting HIV in Somalia, or of their condition worsening because they are not taking their treatment, millions of people around the country are in need of humanitarian assistance simply in order to access the food they need to fend off starvation and malnutrition. It’s thought that as many as 300,000 children under the age of five are acutely malnourished as a result of the droughts, which have been made worse by El-Nino.
If you’re keen to do your bit to help those in need in Somalia, you can donate money to charities that are working there. These organisations are providing crucial aid to communities across the country.
*Guest Post
