Equatorial Guinea

SOS Children’s Villages ensures that children grow up with the care, protection and relationships they need to become their strongest selves (photo: SOS Children’s Villages in Equatorial Guinea)

With around 1.4 million people, the Republic of Equatorial Guinea is one of the smallest countries in Africa. Sandwiched between Cameroon and Gabon, it is located on the western coast of Africa. The country has a lot of natural resources such as gold, diamonds and oil, and was once one of the fastest growing economies in Africa. Unfortunately, little of the wealth that was generated through oil actually reached the population and the majority lives in poverty.

SOS Children’s Villages has been supporting children and young people without parental care, or at risk of losing it, in Equatorial Guinea since 1996.

Children are at risk

Equatorial Guinea has a very large youth population: about 60% are under the age of 25. Many Equatorial Guinean children enter school late and don’t go to school regularly. The dropout rates are high. As a result, many young people do not have the skills needed to find a job. There is a large number of people with HIV living in Equatorial Guinea. Even though many young people are affected, they have less access to HIV prevention and treatment than adults.
62,000
People live with HIV

High rates of HIV

HIV is very common in Equatorial Guinea. The United Nations estimates that around 7% of the population suffer from it. Women are more affected than men are. The number of people receiving antiretroviral therapy has decreased over the last few years. In 2019, only 14% of children and 50% of pregnant women living with HIV were able to receive it (compared to 16% and 90% in 2016). This also shows that children and young people have far less access to treatment than adults do.

83%
Of primary schools lack clean drinking water

Water and sanitation

The access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities in schools is poor. Over 83% of pre-primary and primary schools do not have safe drinking water and over 35% do not have latrines. This is worrisome because in order to keep children in school the conditions of safe drinking water and proper toilets need to be vastly improved.

82
Children (per 1000 live births) die before they reach the age of 5

Under-five mortality

The under-five mortality rate is very high compared to other middle-income countries. The main causes of child mortality remain malaria, acute respiratory infections and diarrhea. Child deaths could be reduced by improved access to drinking water and toilets. Furthermore, only a few children are vaccinated against preventable illnesses. The under-five mortality rate does not only measure child survival but also reflects the social, economic and environmental conditions in which children live.

Together we can make a difference for children in Equatorial Guinea

1,150
Adults and children
Are supported in the community
1,230
Children
Learn at our kindergartens and schools
17,090
Medical treatments
Were possible
80
Children
Grow up in our care
60
Young people
Are supported on their way to independence
SOS Children’s Villages Equatorial Guinea supports families in the community so that their children can live in better conditions. Marisol and her family is one of many that SOS Children’s Villages Equatorial Guinea is helping. The family are facing some financial difficulties but they are striving hard to make ends meet. ‘I have benefited from financial support for my education but I also gained a lot in terms of skills,’ says Marisol (photo: SOS Children’s Villages in Equatorial Guinea).

Let’s keep on protecting children and young people!

Many children have been able to find a safe and secure home. With your help, we can continue to change their lives