![]() ![]() The combination of rapid, unplanned urbanisation with a lack of health infrastructure would expose growing populations to disease, violence and poor sanitation.ĭr Munodawafa told The Telegraph: "Already weak health systems will be overstretched, including financial and human resources, in order to address numerous public health conditions - such as maternal care, child health and communicable diseases. Diseases such as ebola can spread faster in more densely populated areas. Dr Davison Munodawafa, a WHO programme manager in the Congo, warned of likely disease outbreaks in urban environments. If this is combined with the right government intervention, providing education and health infrastructure, investment in poorer areas can increase, which can higher wages and better housing improvement.īut an increasingly large and urbanised population poses threats too. With the greater proportion of working age people that arises from this, there are better chances of economic sustainability. The African Population and Health Research Center has highlighted how residents of slums are younger than average and have higher birthrates. There are opportunities to come from such urban poverty. The Kenyan government is building apartment blocks near Kibera to relocate residents, while projects such as Map Kibera - formed by young Kiberans - aim to open up slum space to the wider community and prevent slums from becoming a "blank spot" for outsiders. There are several initiatives, both government and community led, to help improve the quality of life for slum dwellers. Increasing urban populations may make the matter worse, driving more people into slum housing. She remembers that "it was easy to escape problems by engaging in drugs, and other substance use and other illegal activities." It was dangerous at night due to the lack of lighting, and disease outbreaks were common as government rubbish collectors would not collect waste from the slums. Then you begin to realise life has more and in order to have a fulfilling life you need an environment that is conducive for growth." I remember I would make dolls from thread and plastic bags."īut as you grow up, "you are opened to the other sides of life and interact with other people. We had no need for expensive toys as we made stuff from whatever was available. "We took each others’ problems as our own, regardless of our inability to solve it. Initially, there was comfort in Kibera's strong sense of community as she grew up in its Laini Saba village. The social worker, who currently works with American exchange students, remembers how she began to see its limitations. Lydia - a young woman born and raised in the slum, who asked The Telegraph to withhold her surname - now lives in a house on its border. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |