Breast cancer is the most common cancer found in females in both developed and developing countries. The occurrence of this cancer is soaring in developing countries due to factors such as increases in life expectancy, the expansion of urbanization and the endorsement of a more Western lifestyle. Breast cancer in Ethiopia is becoming the most prevalent disease among Ethiopian women, surpassing cervical cancer.
Many factors are known to contribute to breast cancer in women, such as the age at which women deliver children, poor diet, lack of physical exercise, uncontrolled consumption of alcohol and the lifestyle a woman lives.
Some of these factors might be reduced with lifestyle changes. However, prevention cannot eliminate the majority of breast cancer diagnosed in very late stages in low and middle-income communities. Early detection is important in order to improve breast cancer outcomes.
Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon (PRRR) is a global partnership comprised of national governments, corporations, foundations and NGOs, all working with the same intent: to reduce deaths caused by cervical and breast cancer in low- and middle-income communities.
By mobilizing resources from its cohorts, PRRR and its collaborators work on interventions ranging from prevention to medical care by educating the community about cancer, vaccinating young girls against HPV, screening women for breast cancer and cervical cancer and increasing access to treatments.
PRRR began supporting the government of Ethiopia in 2014 with the formation of a comprehensive cancer control program. With backing from PRRR and the Mathiwos Wondu Ye-Ethiopia Cancer Society, the first National Cancer-Control Plan (NCCP) was launched in October 2015 by Ethiopia’s first lady, Roman Tesfaye.
The plan is to launch five cancer treatment centers in the country, relieving the burden on the Tikur Ambessa Hospital in Addis Ababa. The government has committed $12 million to develop these centers at teaching hospitals in the areas of Mek’ele, Gondar, Jima, Hawassa and Haromaya.
The NCCP also called for cancer screenings to be offered in all of Ethiopia at locations known as “Screen-and-Treat” sites, which will be available in 118 locations. PRRR is pleased to contribute technological and monetary assistance to complement the investments of the Ethiopian government to implement this vision.
PRRR is also backing the government of Ethiopia in opening more cervical and breast cancer screening locations in the two most populated regions and Addis Ababa.
With foundations like Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon breaking ground in Ethiopia where there are not many resources available to most women, the awareness of breast cancer in Ethiopia is becoming much greater. With continued work, more progress will be made in the prevention and early detection of the disease.
– Zainab Adebayo
Photo: Google
How the US Benefits from Foreign Aid to Haiti
Haiti gained independence from France on January 1, 1804, and became the second oldest independent nation in the Western hemisphere. Before that, Haitians helped America win the Revolutionary War. In 1914, the United States under Woodrow Wilson invaded Port-au-Prince, raided the nation’s reserve and occupied the country. Haiti was ruled by the United States until 1934. Haiti still feels the consequences of imperialism and the U.S.-supported dictatorship that lasted from 1957 until 1986.
Today, the United States and Haiti are trade partners. The U.S. benefits from foreign aid to Haiti because helping the Haitian economy allows for increased trade. Many of the clothes sold at Walmart, JCPenney, Gap, Old Navy and other well-known stores are manufactured in Haiti. The country’s garment manufacturing industry has been stable for decades and is currently employing 60,000 people, according to the Association of Industries of Haiti. The apparel sector makes up at least 90 percent of Haiti’s total exports.
There is clear economic evidence that migrant workers fill important gaps in the U.S. labor market. A 2013 study showed that at the height of the Great Recession in North Carolina, unemployment reached 12 percent. Among half a million unemployed workers in the state, only 250 applied for the 6,500 open agricultural jobs. Haitian immigrants help fill the agricultural labor gap and add value to the U.S. economy.
The U.S. benefits from foreign aid to Haiti and the workers that travel to America on temporary visas. By disallowing visas to Haitian immigrants, the United Staes is cutting off an economically beneficial opportunity for both itself and the Haitian people. The special visas gave Haitians a rare chance to work legally in the United States, contribute to the U.S. economy and help fund the recovery of Haiti after the earthquake.
The United States’ humanitarian assistance to Haiti following the 2010 earthquake fostered goodwill and was a meaningful gesture that helped make amends for the many years of imperialistic rule. When Haiti is productive, safe and firmly rooted in democracy, both Haitians and Americans benefit. U.S. policy focused on aid to Haiti can foster the institutions and infrastructure necessary to achieve meaningful poverty reduction through sustainable development.
– Sam Bramlett
Photo: Flickr
Screenings for Breast Cancer in Ethiopia on the Rise
Many factors are known to contribute to breast cancer in women, such as the age at which women deliver children, poor diet, lack of physical exercise, uncontrolled consumption of alcohol and the lifestyle a woman lives.
Some of these factors might be reduced with lifestyle changes. However, prevention cannot eliminate the majority of breast cancer diagnosed in very late stages in low and middle-income communities. Early detection is important in order to improve breast cancer outcomes.
Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon (PRRR) is a global partnership comprised of national governments, corporations, foundations and NGOs, all working with the same intent: to reduce deaths caused by cervical and breast cancer in low- and middle-income communities.
By mobilizing resources from its cohorts, PRRR and its collaborators work on interventions ranging from prevention to medical care by educating the community about cancer, vaccinating young girls against HPV, screening women for breast cancer and cervical cancer and increasing access to treatments.
PRRR began supporting the government of Ethiopia in 2014 with the formation of a comprehensive cancer control program. With backing from PRRR and the Mathiwos Wondu Ye-Ethiopia Cancer Society, the first National Cancer-Control Plan (NCCP) was launched in October 2015 by Ethiopia’s first lady, Roman Tesfaye.
The plan is to launch five cancer treatment centers in the country, relieving the burden on the Tikur Ambessa Hospital in Addis Ababa. The government has committed $12 million to develop these centers at teaching hospitals in the areas of Mek’ele, Gondar, Jima, Hawassa and Haromaya.
The NCCP also called for cancer screenings to be offered in all of Ethiopia at locations known as “Screen-and-Treat” sites, which will be available in 118 locations. PRRR is pleased to contribute technological and monetary assistance to complement the investments of the Ethiopian government to implement this vision.
PRRR is also backing the government of Ethiopia in opening more cervical and breast cancer screening locations in the two most populated regions and Addis Ababa.
With foundations like Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon breaking ground in Ethiopia where there are not many resources available to most women, the awareness of breast cancer in Ethiopia is becoming much greater. With continued work, more progress will be made in the prevention and early detection of the disease.
– Zainab Adebayo
Photo: Google
The Success of Humanitarian Aid to Djibouti
Djibouti is a relatively small country in eastern Africa bordered by Somalia, Ethiopia and Eritrea. The majority of the population lives in urban areas, but this does not mean that the country is immune to problems such as poor nutrition, lack of education and poverty. The success of humanitarian aid to Djibouti has been in addressing these problems and more.
Children and Education
There has been a serious gap in education for females in Djibouti. The literacy rate in 2007 was 81.2 percent for males and only 63.8 percent for females. USAID has been working to specifically address this issue by doing work such as connecting girls with university mentors and revising textbooks using a gender-specific lens. In regard to more general education issues, USAID has also helped to develop a national teacher training plan that has trained more than 1,200 primary school teachers.
The United Nations Girls’ Education Initiative has also addressed these issues within Djibouti. Their Integrated Early Childhood Development program addresses girls’ education as well as childhood health with a focus on preventing HIV/AIDS and polio. They are also working to incorporate the principles of the Convention on the Rights of a Child into common practice in Djibouti.
Health and Medicine
USAID has also addressed health in Djibouti with a focus on problems related to tuberculosis, polio and HIV/AIDS. They have worked with the government of Djibouti to enhance the National Tuberculosis Program to maintain quality assurance and the management of multi-drug resistant cases. The organization has also supported the polio surveillance program to ensure the virus does not reenter through surrounding countries and to ensure childhood vaccination. Lastly, with the help of the government and other organizations, USAID has created a 1,600 square foot community health center which provides healthcare to over 30,000 truckers and other vulnerable persons to specifically address HIV/AIDS.
UNICEF also worked to address severe acute malnutrition within Djibouti. They provided treatment to 3,811 children under five and 29,513 children between six and 59 months in 2017. UNICEF was also pivotal in providing care for refugees in Djibouti.
Refugees and Displaced Persons
The success of humanitarian aid to Djibouti cannot be discussed without mentioning refugees and displaced persons. Djibouti has been known as a transit country for refugees fleeing conflict-stricken countries. As of October 2017, there were more than 27,000 refugees in the country, which is 3 percent of the total population. Some of these refugees have been in Djibouti for over 25 years. There are three refugee camps across the country, all of which depend on humanitarian aid.
More specifically, UNICEF has worked to aid refugee and migrant children. In 2017, they provided 632 children with child protective services and 139 children were involved in risk awareness activities. They also provided 4,396 children with access to schooling. The UNHCR also works to aid refugees in Djibouti with resettlement, ensuring refugee children have access to secondary education and providing food and water to refugee camps.
The success of humanitarian aid to Djibouti is an ongoing process. Drought and a lack of fertile land put pressure on the country as it continues to accept refugees while providing for native citizens. With the help of these international organizations and others, the hope is that Djibouti will continue to be a welcoming and safe country for all who live there.
– Megan Burtis
Photo: Flickr
Female Farmers Improve Sustainable Agriculture in Montenegro
Montenegro, like many of the Western Balkan countries, relies heavily on agriculture as a source of economic productivity and is eagerly searching for ways to make its agricultural sector more competitive while preparing to contend with the realities of climate change. The U.N. and the World Bank have worked extensively to promote sustainable agriculture in Montenegro. One important component of this work has been a realization of the need to make these efforts explicitly inclusive of female farmers, who are often overlooked.
The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, in particular, has a long history of working to promote competitive, sustainable agriculture in Montenegro that actually improves the circumstances of Montenegrin farmers. In addition to the focus on agriculture, the FAO has also put in place rural development initiatives and helped the Montenegrin government to ensure the sustainable management of the country’s natural resources.
There are some areas where the FAO has been particularly successful. Together with the Montenegrin government, it was able to improve the sustainability and management of the country’s forests, which is important as wood is still a key source of fuel, especially in rural areas. Montenegro has also made strides in recent years in managing its fisheries on the Adriatic coast. The focus now is on bringing Montenegrin agriculture in line with E.U. regulatory standards and ensuring that small farmers can compete on the international market in anticipation of Montenegro eventually entering the European Union.
Rarely, however, do these kinds of initiatives make a point of being inclusive of female farmers. In the Western Balkans, strict gender roles persist and farming is not seen as something that concerns women. But female farmers in Montenegro account for 13 percent of landholders and 65 percent of the agricultural workforce, indicating that perhaps these gender roles are becoming out of date. Female farmers have recently had success securing grants from the World Bank’s MIDAS program, but too often farmers, especially women, are not made aware that these programs exist to help them.
Now, finally, these women are being addressed and reached out to as a real constituency. The Ministry for Agriculture and Rural Development hosted a workshop exclusively for female farmers that allowed them to network and learn about options for assistance that many of the women did not know they had.
Sustainable agriculture in Montenegro, and in the Balkans more broadly, is ultimately going to be about more than eliminating ecologically harmful practices and increasing crop yields in an ecofriendly way. It will also consist of leveling the playing field and improving equity in the industry across all demographics and of producing more and wasting less.
– Michaela Downey
Photo: Flickr
Four Ways Educating Women Reduces Poverty
While global poverty affects people of all ages, races and genders, one truth can be agreed on: poverty disproportionately affects women. Researchers claim that 60 percent of hungry people are women, and women own less than 20 percent of privately-owned land. The global education statistics mirror the statistics concerning poverty. Two-thirds of the 796 million people who are illiterate are women. Is this a coincidence? It’s not likely, and here’s why.
Education is key to lifting individuals and families out of poverty and stimulates economic growth in a community. Girls are systemically denied education more often than boys, resulting in more impoverished women. While these statistics are discouraging, they actually provide a tangible step to ending global poverty: educating women. Here are four ways educating women reduces poverty.
Improving the Health of Mothers and Babies
One-third of girls in developing countries are married off before the age of 18, and most have children within a few years. Most of these marriages are arranged, and this can be incredibly dangerous as more girls between the ages of 15 and 19 die from pregnancy complications than anything else. Educated women tend to get married later and give birth to healthier babies. In Egypt, the children of educated mothers are half as likely to die as the children of uneducated mothers. Educating women reduces poverty by resulting in healthier mothers and babies. Growing up without a mother increases the chances of living in poverty, especially for females, and education is a tangible way to combat this issue.
Increasing Wages
Educated people are almost always paid more than uneducated people. Educating women reduces poverty by empowering them to seek more ambitious work opportunities. Research has shown that an additional year of schooling can increase a woman’s earnings by almost 25 percent. An increase in employment results in economic growth, which decreases the poverty levels in a community.
Halting Generational Poverty
Poverty is a cycle, an unwanted gift handed down from generation to generation. Poor families tend to live near each other, creating an impoverished community. When parents are well-educated, they tend to bring in more money and give their children more educational opportunities. Women also tend to spend more money on food and education for their children than men do, and educated women are more likely to value education. Educating women increases the chances that their children will be educated, and education is the number one tool to lift people out of poverty. Essentially, anything done to benefit the mother in a family will automatically trickle down to benefit her children.
Investing in Communities
Women are more likely to remain in their communities, and education better equips them to give back. It is estimated that some countries sustain more than $1 billion in losses as a result of inadequately educating girls. Educating women reduces poverty by empowering them to rise into leadership roles and make decisions that better their communities.
The research on the subject asserts that educating women reduces poverty, and this offers hope for a brighter future. If governments prioritize female poverty, they will be able to see a tangible improvement in the status of global poverty.
– Julia McCartney
Photo: Flickr
Revolutionizing Emergency Services in Kenya Through an App
In places like the U.S., one can dial 911 and expect to receive help within a reasonable amount of time. In places like Nairobi, there are fifty different numbers available to call for emergency services, some of which remain unanswered because of the swarm of prank calls flooding the lines. Emergency services in Kenya cannot reach people in need if they are simply unable to be connected.
Flare connects a person in an emergency to a responder, who then uses one of the many tools available to track and locate the appropriate services nearest to the emergency. Responders have access to over fifty hospitals that have registered with Flare, as well as the option to choose the most suitable vehicle depending on equipment on board and the expertise of the staff. While emergency service numbers are still relevant, they’re not always as quick or successful as Flare has proven to be.
Flare has revolutionized emergency services in Kenya by putting people first with the following innovations:
By using Google Maps, dispatchers tell drivers the quickest route to an emergency facility around traffic jams.
By locating and recording where functional fire hydrants are, fire agencies can save valuable time.
As Dolkart said to BBC News, “We learned there is a lack of ambulances between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. due to shift handovers.” Staggering the shift changes for ambulance companies makes sure there are always some ambulances available.
The creators of Flare saw where the emergency services in Kenya were failing people and decided to create something that would improve the system’s flaws. There have been countless lives that have been saved due to police arriving on time, ambulances reaching an injured person and a facility within half an hour and plenty more. With emergency services improving so much in Nairobi, Kenya, one can only hope that this app can expand to more places where this problem still persists.
– Irimar Waters
Photo: Flickr
Three Organizations Improving Sustainable Agriculture in Comoros
Sustainable agriculture is an ever-present priority in the Comoro Islands. More than 80 percent of the rural population relies on small-scale agriculture for food and income, therefore sustainable farming practices have become a major necessity. Current agricultural practices do not prevent soil erosion or retain field fertility, but there are a number of projects aiming to improve sustainable agriculture in Comoros. Three organizations operating these projects are:
The Engagement Communautaire pour le Developpment Durable (ECDD) project works toward environmental conservation in Comoros through the introduction of sustainable farming techniques. These methods increase crop yields and protect natural resources like soil and water. One recommended activity is market gardening, which generates income and reduces reliance on traditional agricultural practices. The ECDD project also provides the necessary support for the people to implement the new techniques.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the U.N. also plays a big role in the improvement of sustainable agriculture in Comoros. Some of the focuses of the U.N. organization are boosting domestic food production and improving food safety. Much of the population is affected by low-quality and unsanitary foods, and farmers don’t have access to the technology and methods needed for sanitary production. Additionally, this U.N. organization, as well as the World Bank and the Global Environmental Facility, have run programs supporting sustainable fishing and agroforestry. These are two other industries that are critical for life in Comoros.
Finally, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has a number of projects in Comoros. One of these projects is the Nioumakele Small Producers Support Project, which developed and popularized the practice of planting live fences around plots. This technique has benefited sustainable agriculture in Comoros by both rehabilitating soil in the region and increasing agricultural and dairy production levels. The project officially closed in 1997, but the environmental impact is still growing as local farmers continue to use the methods and take responsibility for the sustainable activities.
Ultimately, sustainable agriculture in Comoros needs to be improved. So much of the nation depends on agriculture, and in order for the country to withstand climate change and further development, it needs to implement more sustainable practices. However, through the help of organizations like the ECDD, FAO and IFAD, the Comoro Islands have the potential to create a much more environmentally-conscious agricultural industry.
– Liyanga de Silva
Photo: Flickr
A Global Health Institute in Lebanon
Under its “Health 2025 initiative,” AUB’s vision of contributing to national healthcare reform inspired the idea of establishing a Global Health Institute in Lebanon. An additional Health Sciences Complex will also be developed to complement the institute in its goal of empowering AUB’s footprint in health, for it to become a renowned medical center serving the clinical and surgical needs of the Arab population on a global scale.
According to Khuri, the Global Health Institute in Lebanon will contribute positively to the development of a “sustainable future for health in the Arab World.” He also acknowledged his fellow board members, associate vice president for health affairs Shadi Saleh and executive vice president Dean Mohamed Sayegh. Their collaborative efforts over a period of 18 months have ultimately launched the institution.
Donors & International Supporters
The Global Health Institute in Lebanon relies on the support of its generous donors. A five-year $1.35 million core foundational grant was given by Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) in recognition of the university’s ambitious healthcare mission. The IDRC leadership expressed its enthusiasm in collaborating with AUB to support new research leaders on current issues in healthcare, society, economics and the environment.
Interdisciplinary Programs
Currently, the Global Health Institute in Lebanon has launched three interdisciplinary programs directed by different health units within the university. The Conflict Medicine Program, the Refugee Health Program and the Nutrition, Obesity, and Related Disease Program have already exceeded expectations with their research projects, capacity-building events and outreach actions. New programs will be launched in the near future to broaden the range of activities and topics addressed by the institution.
Strategic Agreement with Humanitarian Leadership Academy
In August 2017, AUB’s Global Health Institute in Lebanon signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Humanitarian Leadership Academy (HLA), a global learning initiative providing people the skills needed to effectively prepare for and respond to crises. The Global Health Institute will pilot research, develop new structured learning pathways and contextualize content through advanced learning tools such as online courses to deliver necessary humanitarian capacity-building assessments to HLA.
One of the first activities organized by both parties was a workshop offered to representatives of different local and international organizations in Lebanon. The one-day workshop was focused on supporting local stakeholders responding to the Syrian Crisis.
Director of the Middle East Centre Brigitte Khair-Mountain praised the workshop for being a great opportunity to validate gaps in humanitarian learning present in the Middle East. She added that the workshop will allow stakeholders to prioritize best practices based on the region’s previous experiences in humanitarian response.
– Lea Sacca
Photo: Flickr
Sustainable Agriculture in the Solomon Islands
Sustainable agriculture in the Solomon Islands is not as big a concern as it is in regions where domestic agriculture is the main source of food and income. The Solomon Islands does have a small agricultural sector, but for the most part, the nation is very dependent on imported food. Some projects in the country have focused on creating more sustainable agricultural practices, but most focus on disaster preparedness.
Help from Multinational Organizations
Since the Solomon Islands is a Pacific Island country, it is very susceptible to natural disasters, particularly with the increased volatility of climate change. These disasters typically threaten food security and make it very difficult to consistently import food into the country. Organizations like the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) have worked with the government of the Solomon Islands to improve disaster preparedness and response. Additionally, the FAO has worked with the Ministry of Health to improve standards of sanitization for imported foods and other food control systems.
The Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation also operates in the Solomon Islands. A major project conducted by the organization was the Sustainable Seaweed Farming project. Seaweed farming is a common practice on the islands, and with increased pollution, it is important that practices for sustainable agriculture in the Solomon Islands are in use. This project helped manage overharvesting and helped reduce damage to the coral reef ecosystems.
Government Policy Focused on Agriculture
The Solomon Islands does have its own ministries and departments that manage agricultural issues on the islands. The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock creates and disseminates policy regarding plans for sustainable rural development, food security and improved livelihoods. These policies are very transparent and easily accessible.
Additionally, these policies are comprehensively broken down into four categories:
These categories show a good understanding by the government of who has a stake in the agriculture industry. It shows participation by the government in rural communities, in which almost 80 percent of the population lives. Most of these people additionally rely on agriculture for a portion of their income.
Ultimately, sustainable agriculture in the Solomon Islands is doing quite well, despite it not being a major focus for the island. Through the diligence of the government and projects run by independent organizations the Solomon Islands has implemented green farming and development practices and hopefully will continue to do so in the future.
– Liyanga de Silva
Photo: Flickr
How the US Benefits from Foreign Aid to Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a relatively small country in Central America with around 4.9 million inhabitants. Considered one of the more stable countries of the region, it ranks highly on the Human Development Index, at 69 in 2015. It has a highly educated workforce, which stems from the 6.9 percent of its annual budget it spends on education. Much of its population is bilingual in Spanish and English.
The Success Story of Costa Rican Development
As well, it is known for is environmentally sustainable practices, as it is the only country in the world that meets all five of the U.N. Development Program measures for environmental sustainability. In 2016, 98 percent of its electricity was generated from green sources, and it plans to become carbon-neutral by 2021.
But for all its successes, it was once, like many developing countries, on the list of those receiving foreign aid from the U.S. After receiving more than $2.7 billion in foreign aid, Costa Rica graduated from the program in 1996. This suggests Costa Rica achieved competency and shows the success of foreign aid.
But what are the U.S. benefits from foreign aid to Costa Rica? By funneling billions of dollars into Costa Rica, the U.S. has helped another country, but does that amount to worthwhile U.S. benefits from foreign aid to Costa Rica?
Electrifying Trading Partners for Mutual Growth
For one thing, by increasing economic stability for Costa Rica, the U.S. has also increased the nation’s purchasing power. In 1995, exports of non-traditional products totaled $1.4 billion. At almost 54 percent of total exports, Costa Rica imported more goods than Poland, Hungary and Romania combined. Stable growth of another nation, therefore, electrifies the U.S. economy as well, creating wealth in both countries.
Consider, for example, the concept of bilateral economics that’s been in place since the 1980s. It eliminated tariffs, opened markets and reduced barriers for imports and exports between the two countries. As one of Costa Rica’s largest trading partners, the U.S. has been able to export billions of dollars worth of products to Costa Rica in a way that alleviates the hindrance of taxes for both countries.
Similarly, it helps create allies for the U.S. and secure its global interests. As noted in a Washington Post article, aid to Costa Rica in the 1980s helped it become a nation of stability, democracy and human rights, as well as agreeing to regional trade agreements that give the U.S. a positive position. In this way, the U.S. benefits from foreign aid to Costa Rica are not only economic, but also strategic and political.
– Nick McGuire
Photo: Flickr