What's happening in Africa?

Africa is a continent of vast beauty, deep history, and rich culture. But it is also a land struggling with famine, poverty, debt and an AIDS epidemic that has already killed millions of people.

HIV/AIDS Epidemic

With widespread infection rates n too little prevention education, Africa is at the heart of e global AIDS crisis.

According to recent statistics, over 17 million Africans have died from AIDS. Last year alone, 2.3 million died from the virus. Currently, 28 million Africans are infected with HIV; approximately 1.5 million are children. Studies predict there will be more than 15 million AIDS orphans in Africa by the end of the decade.

Because of widespread poverty, infected Africans cannot afford medication or treatment for HIV/AIDS.

Massive Debt

Africa spends $40 million each day repaying old debts to rich countries.

This massive debt prohibits African nations from developing the infrastructure n trade agreements they need to thrive. Africa spends four times as much on debt repayment as it spends on health care.
For every one dollar sent to the poorest countries in aid, $1.30 is sent back to the leaders as debt repayment. Africa spends over $14.5 billion dollars yearly repaying debts. It receives only $12.7 billion in aid.

Delivering Clean Water

Many Africans suffer from lack of clean water and wells. "You can't talk about water enough. It's the thing that we in this country take the most for granted," says Oprah.

Bono adds that making clean water available to Africans is a relatively simple action that will produce great change. "Women [in Africa] are walking sometimes 10 miles a day to bring water," he explains. "If everyone gets together, this idea of bringing water to Africa is not far-fetched. It's possible, and we can do it right now. I tell you, it will revolutionize that continent."

http://www.oprah.com/tows/pastshows/tows_2002/tows_past_20020920_c.jhtml