Africare-Benin

Africare’s History in Bénin

Africare’s work in Bénin began in 1992 with a project to strengthen capacity of local NGOs throughout the country funded by USAID. Since then, Africare has worked at both the national and community levels in the field of health and HIV / AIDS.  Throughout its 18 year presence in Bénin, Africare has carried out projects in maternal and child health, family planning, malaria prevention and treatment as well as in HIV/AIDS prevention.

With grant support from USAID, the Global Fund to fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria and other donors, Africare's program of assistance from 1992 to 2009 totalled more than US $23 million.  At the peak of this period, more than fifty local hire Africare staff, based in four offices (two offices in Cotonou, one in Porto Novo and Lokossa), carried out their work in partnership with hundreds of well-experienced Benenese professionals and community-based organizations.

Through these projects, Africare has contributed to strengthening institutional and operational capacity of local NGOs, and to strengthening the health system, through the following:

• Development of policy and strategy document of community-based activities of the Ministry of Health

• Adoption and implementation of the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness in Benin

• Improving the management of uncomplicated malaria in health facilities and management of fever at home

• Development of approach for promoting insecticide treated nets (ITNs) in community-based organizations and health facilities

• Developing a set of documents on standards related to Sexually Transmitted Infections, HIV / AIDS and services

• Development and adoption of the Law on the prevention, care and the fight against HIV / AIDS in Bénin

 

Africare-Bénin Today

 

With support from the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Africare is currently implementing malaria control related activities throughout Benin. With its 6 offices based in Djougou, Parakou, Abomey, Lokossa, Porto-Novo and Cotonou, Africare trains women’s groups in malaria prevention and treatment, and collaborates with community leaders, health care providers and various partners to drastically reduce malaria related morbidity and mortality amongst vulnerable groups throughout the country. Africare Bénin implements these two projects under two separate grants: the round 3 Rolling Continuation Channel as the Principal Recipient and the round 7 malaria project as a Sub Recipient.

 

Country Profile: Benin

REGION: West Africa
CAPITAL CITY: Porto-Novo (official)
POPULATION: 9,056,010
LAND AREA: 110,622 sq km (68,737 sq miles)

Democracy came to Benin in 1991, when the first free elections brought an end to 17 years of Marxist rule. The country has maintained its commitment to democracy ever since and is regarded as one of Africa's most stable nations. An important cotton producer, Benin nevertheless remains a poor nation by international standards. Among the most pressing problems are inadequate supplies of potable water, deforestation, desertification (in the semi-arid north) and disease (malaria is especially prevalent in the hot, humid south). As a result, development — hand in hand with democracy — is as a priority of the people and government of Benin.

Country Stats Life expectancy: 55.4 years (USA: 77.9) Under-5 child mortality: 150/1,000 live births (USA: 7/1,000) HIV prevalence, ages 15-49: [1.1 - 1.4]% (USA: [0.4 - 1.0]%) Physicians per 100,000 people: 4 (USA: 256) People undernourished: 12% (USA: 0%) People with access to safe drinking water: 67% (USA: 100%) Adult literacy: 34.7% (USA: 99%) Gross National Income per Capita : $1,141 (USA: $41,890) People living on less than $1 a day: 30.9% (USA: 0%) (HIV prevalence statistics, UNAIDS. All other statistics, 2007/2008 Human Development Report, UNDP)

 

(Updated, June 2010)