Poverty in Africa What does poverty mean to

Poverty in Africa What does poverty mean to you?

Poverty is… n n the state or condition of having little or no money, goods, or means of support; condition of being poor; deficiency of necessary or desirable ingredients, qualities, etc. : poverty of the soil.

As a result of Poverty… …A child dies every three seconds from AIDS and extreme poverty, often before their fifth birthday. …Every year six million children die from malnutrition before their fifth birthday. …More than 50 percent of Africans suffer from waterrelated diseases such as cholera and infant diarrhea.

As a result of Poverty… …more than 12 million children have HIV/AIDS. … 200, 000 child slaves are sold every year in Africa. There an estimated 8, 000 girlslaves in West Africa alone. …About 120, 000 African children are participating in armed conflicts. Some are as young as 7 years old.

As a result of Poverty… …One in six African children dies before the age of five. Most of these deaths could be prevented. … In sub-Saharan Africa, measles takes the life of a child nearly every minute of every day. An effective measles vaccine costs as little as $1 per child. … Between 12 and 14 million African children have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS.

As a result of Poverty… …Nearly 2 million children under 14 years old are HIV positive. … 64% of children in Sub. Saharan Africa do not have adequate sanitation. … Only 57% of African children are enrolled in primary education, and one in three of those does not complete school.

Why do Some Africans go Hungry?

Why do Some Africans go Hungry? n Is it because there is not enough food in the world? n n No, experts agree that more than enough food is produced to feed everyone. Is it because of droughts and natural disasters? n No, these things do hurt but Africa has been dealing with these issues for centuries and have never had this amount of hunger.

Why do Africans go Hungry? n Hunger is largely a problem created by people! Poverty and this outcome of hunger is a social problem which could be solved by people!

Why do Africans go Hungry? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 7 reasons Population Growth Land distribution Government Policies Poor Transportation Environmental Problems Debt War

Why do Africans go Hungry? Population Growth n n n Africa has the highest birth rate in the world. But overpopulation is not the cause of hunger, it is the result of hunger. Studies show that when people have enough to eat and are financially secure they have fewer children.

Why do Africans go Hungry? Land distribution n Subsistence farmers are losing their land to large corporations and wealthy landowners. These groups grow cash crops that are not grown for local consumption but for sale abroad. The subsistence farmers who have lost their farms now work as low-wage workers on the same farms they once owned.

Why do Some Africans go Hungry? Government Policies n n Government policies that favor selling food abroad. This means most farm loans and assistance go to large farms that export their produce.

Why do Some Africans go Hungry? Poor Transportation & Technology n n In rural Africa most roads are either in need of repair or nonexistent. Due to poor food storage technology an estimated 40% of all crops are ruined by rot, rodents, or insects.

Why do Some Africans go Hungry? Environmental Problems n Desertification: deterioration of land by natural forces or human activity until it is no longer able to be farmed. n Example: Land is overgrazed or farmed and is ruined

Why do Some Africans go Hungry? Debt n n Africa has borrowed millions dollars to buy food and fund development. Money raised from exporting goods is used to pay off debt and not reinvested back into the country.

Why do Some Africans go Hungry? War n n n Civil wars in Sudan and Somalia hurt food production and distribution. UN estimates about half of all food shipments never reach the hungry. Many of these conflicts are a result of colonialism-Europeans drew boundaries without regard for religious, ethnic, or linguistic groupings.