Burundi

HIV and AIDS in extreme poverty

Burundi is a landlocked, resource-poor country with an underdeveloped manufacturing sector. The economy is predominantly agricultural with more than 90% of the population dependent on subsistence agriculture and 81% of the population lives on less than $1.25 a day. Culturally and ethnically similar to its neighbor Rwanda, Burundi has suffered the same violent history. An ethnic-based war between Tutsi and Hutu that lasted for over a decade resulted in more than 200,000 deaths, forced more refugees into Tanzania and displaced 140,000 others internally. 

Burundi has the second-largest population density in Sub-Saharan Africa and is ranked at the bottom of the UNDP Human Development Index at 185 out of 187 countries. Approximately 970 out of every 100,000 women die from pregnancy related causes. 

Our work in Central Africa

Medical Teams International has a long history of disaster response and humanitarian aid interventions in the region nearby. From 1994-96, Medical Teams International assisted the Rwandan refugees who fled to Democratic Republic of Congo to Goma by providing emergency medical care.

From 2001-2004, Medical Teams International sent four teams to treat the wounded in Goma, near the Rwandan border in response to the violence of the Congo Wars. In 2006, we sent one HIV and AIDS Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission team to train health care providers in Burundi and sent shipments of essential medicines and supplies to Nyamata hospital, in Rwanda along with two OB/Gyn teams.

Plans for 2012-13

Medical Teams International is in its second year of partnership with Hope Africa University, sending teams to Hope Hospital of Kibuye in Gitenga Province, the teaching hospital of the Frank Ogden School of Medicine at Hope Africa University in Bujumbura. The goal of the project is to improve the medical and the general services of the hospital, with a focus on maternal health. This will be accomplished at Hope Hospital of Kibuye with the assistance of short term volunteers who will teach African students and hospital staff.

This project requires volunteer nurse midwives, OB/Gyn’s and pediatric specialists. Please see International Volunteer Opportunities for details on how you can volunteer.  

Partnership with Hope Africa University

Hope Hospital of Kibuye is a 98 bed general hospital serving a population area of 250,000 people. There are 10 health centers that refer to the hospital with radio contact for service by ambulance. Located in a rural area, Hope Hospital of Kibuye is reached via 100 miles of paved road from the capitol of Bujumbura. Hope Africa University, in Bujumbura, has established a Health Sciences school for training nurses and doctors called The Frank Ogden Medical School. It is named after long-time missionary surgeon, Dr Frank Ogden.

You can help save lives in Burundi

Please consider a donation or find out about volunteering to help save lives in Burundi.