Kenya news: emergency within an emergency

The latest updates from Kenya indicate there's still no resolution to the political violence that erupted during the 2007 elections. While the death toll is bad enough, an 'emergency within an emergency' is becoming apparent with many displaced citizens unable to access their life-saving anti-retroviral drugs.

There's an estimated 21,000 persons with HIV now unable to continue their daily antiretroviral regimen due to displacement, violence restricting movement, or because their status documents were burnt with their houses. Many will not seek out treatment in temporary camps due to distress surrounding stigma of the disease, and many are suffering from an increase in sexual violence within these camps that will only lead to a further increase in the spread of HIV.

The election violence and subsequent instability affect Kenya in many ways beyond the economic issues that will result from a loss of tourism and trade. There is a huge human cost as well that will prove to be ongoing if this crisis is not resolved.

It's now more important than ever to support the work of local clinics who are able to help HIV positive citizens access the drugs they need. While government fighting continues, support those who are really suffering, and join the call to end unncessary fighting in Kenya.