Guinea Bissau
Guinea Bissau, officially the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, is a country in West Africa bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, Senegal, and Guinea. Guinea Bissau’s population is believed to have grown to 1.97 million, compared to the official population of 1.3 million at the 2002 census. The population density of Guinea Bissau is 44 people per square kilometer (154th in the world)
Guinea-Bissau, once considered to be the ideal cradle of African economic progress, is now one of the most deprived countries in the world. Though pulling most of its income from cashew nut crops and other similar commerce as a source of foreign exchange, the country unfortunately still relies heavily on foreign aid.
70% of Guinea-Bissau’s population is below the poverty line
The relatively young country of Guinea-Bissau has experienced more than 4 major coups d’état since its Independence in 1973 which was only recognized a year later in 1974 by the United Nations.
In 1998, the capital of Guinea-Bissau, Bissau, was awakened by sporadic heavy machine gunfire. This was the start of the civil war, later known as Guerra de 7 de Junho (Civil War of June 7th 1998-1999)
These events lead to a crumbling political frame that left its 1.5 million residents torn, confused, and impoverished to this day. It is estimated that around 70% of the country’s population is currently below the poverty line. The median monthly income is estimated to be $100 per month.
The lead up to the March and November 2019 elections were very promising but the presidential election was contested by one of the candidates and before the Supreme Court weighed in, one of the parties decided to take over the presidential palace. Because of this new political uncertainty, the country is even more vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Facing a New Challenge
2019, Chinese researchers and officials reported a previously unknown illness affecting residents of Wuhan at an alarming rate. This new disease was later identified to be a new strain of coronavirus officially named Severe Acute respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
In less than 3 months upon official discovery, the new coronavirus or more commonly known as COVID-19 has spread throughout all 7 continents, including Africa, and Guinea-Bissau is said to be one of the most vulnerable nations. Since the time of this writing, there have already been approximately 800 confirmed cases in the country, and experts estimate that there could be more than what the numbers portray.
Just as the Western Nations are preparing to reopen, Africans Nations are just starting to experience the wrath of this virus. The lack of HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE will make the impact of the Virus even more CATASTROPHIC, especially in Guinea-Bissau.
STOP COVID-19
Guinea-Bissau-Archipelago
The Bissagos Islands, also spelled Bijagós (Portuguese: Arquipélago dos Bijagós), are a group of about 88 islands and islets located in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of the African nation of Guinea-Bissau. The archipelago was formed from the ancient delta of the Rio Geba and the Rio Grande and spans an area of 12,958 km2 (5,003 sq mi).
Only some 21 islands are populated year-round, namely Bubaque which is where the Bissagos administrative capital is situated and is the most populated island, Bolama, Carache, Caravela, Enu, Formosa, Galinhas, João Vieira, Maio, Meneque, Orango, Orangozinho, Ponta, Roxa, Rubanhe, Soga, Unhacomo, Uno, and Uracane.
There is a high diversity of ecosystems: mangroves with intertidal zones, palm forests, dry and semi-dry forests, secondary and degraded forests, coastal savanna, sand banks and aquatic zones. The archipelago was declared in 1996 a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve—BolamaBissagos Biosphere Reserve, known for animals including marine turtles, hippopotamus and the southern islands are today a nature reserve.
How We are Helping
Help Guinea-Bissau Africa http://helpguineabissauafrica.org/home is a non-profit organization committed to providing aid and support for impoverished families. Founded on the idea of empathy and equality, we strive to give the necessary assistance to Guinea-Bissau citizens and provide them with means not only to survive but thrive.
We are a solutions-driven organization. Through different support mediums such as various skill development programs, we sincerely believe that our efforts are making an impact with the Guinea-Bissau general population. Now with the new coronavirus pandemic threatening it’s people, we’re geared up to take a stand and be at the forefront of such a crisis. Please join us in assisting these lovely people with information,food, medical assistance to keep them safe from the onslaught of COVID-19 and other pre-existing diseases that come with the rainy season. We are running a special campaign this May through October to coincide with the rain season to help the Republic of Guinea-Bissau fight the spreading of OVID-19 pandemic into the isolated Islands.
COVID-19 has killed 19 people of 1,556 people infected so far but guess what the hunger has killed? And how many more will it kill during this pandemic?
We Believe that Healthy and Educated Children Equates to a Healthy and Strong Nation.
How You Could Help
Though our efforts are fueled by our desire to help, we would never have been able to reach out to Guinea-Bissau’s citizens without the unwavering support of others. And in a time where hardships seem to have no end in sight, there is. And you could help. Be involved in a global effort to assist those below the poverty line. We highly appreciate any form of volunteerism that you can provide and consider you as part of our team.