Africa Twice as Violent

The death rate due to violence in Africa is more than double the world average and “substantially higher” than that of other parts of the world – such as Latin America and Eastern Europe – where violence is also a major public health issue. This is according to the World Health Organisation, which said on Monday the death rate due to violence on the continent was estimated at 60.9 per 100 000 population. “Africa’s excessively high violent death rate is driven by homicide rates that are twice the global average, and which include the world’s highest rates of homicide for children under five years of age. “The toll of violent deaths…also reflects the many war-related deaths, which occur in Africa at a rate six times greater than the global average for this form of violence,” the WHO’s Africa office said in a statement. The organisation’s regional office has its headquarters in the Congo Republic capital, Brazzaville. The WHO said it was “tremendously impressed” with the vision of African leaders – as seen at the recent African Union summit in Maputo – to address violence. Full Story