FOCUS
Promoting Health and Fighting Disease
Alleviating Hunger
Creating Economic Opportunities
MDGs ADDRESSED
MDG 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
MDG 3: Promote gender equality and empower women
MDG 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases
MDG 8: Create a global partnership for development
OVERVIEW
Burundi’s decade-long civil war and genocide (1993-2003) killed 200,000 people, displaced hundreds of thousands from their homes, and caused a 20% reduction in the country’s gross national product. In 2005, the United Nations Human Development Index ranked Burundi 174th out of 177 countries in the world because of its economic struggles.
The war also contributed to the spread of malaria from the lowlands into the highlands, with the number of reported cases rising from 500,000 to three million per year. Violence against women during the conflict has made them more vulnerable to HIV/AIDS, and many infected women do not seek treatment for fear of stigma and discrimination. An estimated 200,000 children have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS.
Our PARTNER
Episcopal Relief and Development is partnering with the Anglican Church of Burundi which consists of seven dioceses and 200 parishes across the country. Burundi is home to 425,000 Anglican congregants and 250 clergy. The Church's major concerns include peace and reconciliation, repatriation of refugees and displaced people, community development, literacy and education, HIV/AIDS and malaria.
Our CURRENT PROGRAMS
Episcopal Relief and Development is saving lives in Burundi through effective malaria and HIV/AIDS prevention, while building the capacity of communities to provide compassionate care and support for people affected by HIV/AIDS. Episcopal Relief and Development is also creating long-term opportunities for community members to work together to increase food supplies and income through micro-finance associations.
Episcopal Relief and Development is working in five of Burundi’s six dioceses: Bujumbara (the capital of Burundi), Gitega, Mantana, Makamba, Muyinga, and Buye. Muyinga and Buye are located in the drought-stricken north of the country, where food shortages and hunger have plagued communities for several years in a row.
Promoting Health and Fighting Disease
Episcopal Relief and Development is equipping communities with the knowledge and tools they need to prevent malaria and HIV/AIDS in their communities and care for children orphaned by AIDS.
- Long-lasting insecticide-treated nets, along with training in the proper use of nets, ensure that the most vulnerable are protected from the Anopheles mosquitoes that transmit malaria.
- Trained malaria “agents” and volunteers instruct community members in malaria prevention and treatment methods.
- A Preventing Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) program teaches women how to avoid transmitting HIV during pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding.
- HIV/AIDS awareness workshops train clergy and community leaders to teach prevention methods in their communities and provide counseling to those affected by AIDS.
- Home-based care for people living with HIV/AIDS and support for children orphaned by the disease improves the quality of life of those suffering and the children left behind.
- National insurance cards for orphans, purchased by Episcopal Relief and Development, makes health care available.
Alleviating Hunger
Episcopal Relief and Development is helping families, particularly those affected by HIV/AIDS, improve their food supply through agricultural training.
- Training in advanced farming methods, crop diversification, and water management help communities improve the quality of their crops.
- Assistance in starting new businesses including trading, market gardening, small livestock, and potato cultivation allow community members to work together to improve the food supply and create new sources of income.
Creating Economic Opportunities
Episcopal Relief and Development is assisting families and communities achieve economic stability through micro-finance associations. These associations range in size from 25 to 60 people. Some associations include both people living with HIV/AIDS and those not infected. These strategically mixed groups offer emotional and social support and help to decrease stigma.
- Micro-finance associations provide opportunities for people living with HIV/AIDS to create a source of income for their families.
Our PAST ACHIEVEMENTS
Episcopal Relief and Development’s on-going partnership with the Anglican Church of Burundi improved the lives of thousands in 2007.
- The NetsforLifeSM malaria prevention partnership distributed 31,770 long-lasting insecticide-treated nets. A total of 62,815 people were sensitized about malaria prevention, and 272 individuals were trained as malaria agents. This brings the total number of people protected to over 94,500.
- The micro-finance program increased to a total of 70 associations in 2007 with 84 new associations planned for 2008.
- Insurance cards were purchased for more than 500 orphans; in 2008 this program will expanded to assist 10,200 children.
- Emergency assistance was provided to the Anglican Church of Burundi to help returning Burundian refugees who had been living in Tanzania. Nine hundred households and 1,500 students were provided with emergency food, blankets, clothing, transportation monies, school materials, and other items to help re-establish their lives, homes, and communities.
