AIDS, a risk disaster for the African Great Lakes region

Abstract number: 1135_253

Mangala Miherule J.L.

Africa bears the heaviest burden of HIV/AIDS. According to the UNAIDS (2003), more than 28 millions are contaminated. The prevailing remains stable. African states already faced with many developmental difficulties must by all means avoid the total explosion of this bomb ( HIV/ AIDS). Southern African still has this disaster. The African Great lakes region constitutes countries such UGANDA, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi, Rwanda, Zambia and DRC. These Countries are noticing new infections following a massive displacement of (refugees) population due to ethnic conflicts, political, economic and social crisis (lands, poverty, identity and other problems). According to research conducted by UMHE/GREAT LAKES, ANDA-ONLUS for Central And Eastern Africa, out or 12,000 young students (boys/girls) of the sub-regions, +20% of girls agreed to have succumbed to sexual violence from soldiers from one or another regime. +80% have no idea on voluntaring testing and antiretroviral , +70% are engaged in unprotected sexual relations +75% fear being pregnant than HIV/AIDS . +2% accepted to contribute towards funds for solidarity for students and young HIV/AIDS victims. No one ignores that the Great Lakes region is led by Armies, Warlords, troops that 40% are infected by HIV/AIDS. +50% Of other young girls did not want to testify in sexual violence from the men in uniform fearing stigmatization and reject. +60% of young would like to know their status but there is lack of appropriate structures. A study conducted in the East of DRC ( North–South Kivu and Maniema), for about 10,000,000 habitants, there exist six structures of voluntary testing but with a weak capacity of less than 500 volunteers per year. In south –Kivu for example, there is only one existing structure taking care of patients of HIV/AIDS with a capacity of 20 Patients per year out of a population of +4,500,000 habitants. Rape is part of principal causes of HIV/ AIDS expansion in the sub-region. Sexual Violence have become a current denomination in the region for a decade now. The African Great Lakes Region is undergoing a disaster without precedent. The future of the region might be auctioned. Efforts for a stable development risk being trapped by the explosion of HIV/ AIDS. We are requiring once more, action for all in order to save human lives in danger in the great region.