Friday, June 16, 2006

Africas Angola: Has Money and Cholera But No Hygiene

Angola is suffering from an outbreak of cholera. Since February of this year over 43,000 have been sickened and over 1600 have died. Cholera is a direct result of non-hygienic living. The main reason cited for this latest epidemic is the distribution of water that is infected with human feces and other lethal man-made organisms. Daily over 450 tanker trucks load up with diseased Bengo River water and distribute it to overpopulated slums. The shanty-towns themselves have no facilities and the human sewage runs in the street.

This is happening while the countrys revenues from oil production will tally over $ 17 billion this year. Do the Angolans need more money? Do they need more assistance and debt relief? Do Bono and Bill Gates need to remind the world of their plight? Will they ever be able to live in sanitary conditions and a sustainable population density that they have figured out for themselves?

The problem with the Angolans as with many other African nations is overpopulation and a racial and cultural backround that doesn't regard hygiene as a priority. The civilized world continuing handouts and exploitation of Africas natural resources have exacerbated these root tendancies . Africa should be conserved as the worlds natural park where all can visit and learn what it was like at the dawn of mankind. The Africans themselves feel more comfortable with these ancient ways and themes.

No comments: