Tanzania, located just below the equator in East Africa, is rich in natural resources, has a vibrant, diverse culture, and is making positive leaps in economic development. The global consulting firm PricewaterhouseCooper published reports stating that if infrastructure in Tanzania improves, the nation has the potential to be a leader of development in East Africa.
The energy sector in Tanzania is currently under expansion, and aims to meet the growing power needs of its citizens. According to a World Bank report in 2011, only 15.5 percent of the 55.5 million people that make up Tanzania’s population had access to reliable power sources; since then, the country has made serious progress in developing its energy sector. Listed below are three of the growing sources of energy infrastructure in Tanzania.
1. Natural Gas
As of 2016, 49.8 percent of energy produced in Tanzania comes from natural gas infrastructure. The Tanzanian government continues to expand its natural gas projects in an attempt to ensure reliable power to its citizens. For instance, in 2016, repair of three gas turbine plants and construction of a new gas plant at the Songo Songo gas fields near the country’s largest city, Dar Es Salaam, contributed to a 30 percent growth of natural gas production in country.
Overall, natural gas expansion is increasing electricity access to urban civilian populations within the country.
2. Hydroelectric Power
Approximately 34.2 percent of power generated in Tanzania is created using hydropower. Multiple hydroelectric dam expansion projects were approved in 2017 by Tanzanian president Jon Magufuli to help provide power to Tanzanian communities in serious need.
These infrastructure projects also have a history of creating joint energy production throughout the East African community. In 2013, the World Bank approved a $340 million dam project in the Lake Victoria region that boosted the electrical power grids of Burundi, Rwanda and Tanzania.
While they do reduce greenhouse gas emissions, hydroelectric dams are at times extremely unreliable. During a drought year, major cities in Tanzania endure severe rolling blackouts, as the lack of water prevents the expected amount of electrical generation. For now, hydroelectric dams serve as a relatively effective way to provide Tanzanians’ power, while simultaneously capitalizing off of resources available in the country.
3. Solar Power
According to a Rural Energy Agency of Tanzania report in 2016, 65 percent of rural communities with access to electricity utilize some form of solar generation. One NGO in particular has been seriously successful in improving the solar energy infrastructure in Tanzania — Energy 4 Impact is a Sub-Saharan non-profit, that provides technological and financial solutions to improve solar infrastructure in rural parts of the country.
With the help of NGOs such as Energy 4 Impact, rural communities as well as some urban Tanzanians are becoming more energy independent over a shorter period of time, skipping the formal procedure of connecting to the nationalized power grids. This technological leapfrogging is not only connecting rural Tanzania to communities within the country, but also the rest of the world.
Electricity, Energy and Tanzania
Overall, electricity is vitally important to economic development and global access will continue to open up some of the last untapped markets on Earth. Energy infrastructure and access to reliable energy will benefit Tanzania greatly, as an estimated 28.2 percent of the country is “below basic poverty needs,” by the World Bank’s standard.
Given that status, researchers have determined that increased access to energy and technology will continue to bring economic growth and social hope to the continent. It is clear that Tanzania has infrastructural obstacles to overcome before it can reach its potential as the leader in East African development, but in spite of these obstacles, there are significant and interesting energy sector projects currently underway within the country.
– Danny Levy
Photo: Flickr
Myna Mahila Foundation: Menstruation in Mumbai is Not Shameful
Seventy-five percent of women in India buy sanitary napkins in a brown paper bag or wrapped up in paper because they feel immense shame related to menstruation. This is especially common in more urban areas like Delhi and Mumbai. There is a clear stigma surrounding menstruation in Mumbai, which greatly increases health risks because women are not taking care of their bodies as they should be.
Whether over fear of social discrimination or other reasons, many women change their attitudes and behaviors during menstruation. For example, nearly 50 percent of respondents to a survey by Quartz Media reported that they do not share a bed with their significant other during their periods. Other actions include isolating themselves in their bedroom, avoiding touching food due to a fear of contamination and using old rags rather than sanitary napkins so that shopkeepers do not judge them.
Recent movements have begun in order to destroy this stigma surrounding menstruation in Mumbai and throughout India. Myna Mahila Foundation is an organization that is attempting to make menstruation a less shameful topic.
In 2015, a college student studying at Duke University discovered how she would contribute to this movement. While volunteering in the slums of India, Suhani Jalota looked at the women around her and came to a realization. Jalota recognized that, in a place where menstruation was considered impure, the solution was to talk about empowerment.
With support from her father, Jalota launched the Myna Mahila Foundation in order to employ poor women in Mumbai. She wanted to train the organization’s employees to be entrepreneurs who could create their own products for income. These products just happened to be sanitary products for menstruation and maternity.
Jalota wanted to teach women how to be comfortable talking about their bodies and the natural bodily function of menstruation. She began by employing four women, training them to feel comfortable describing how pads work and then selling them door-to-door.
A few years later, the Myna Mahila Foundation now employs close to 20 women, has sold over 20,000 pads and has over 1,000 loyal customers. The dedicated team, aside from making and selling menstrual and maternity products, also holds workshops and camps to educate women and foster leadership development throughout the community in Mumbai. Its focus on generating empowerment for women has certainly paid off.
One testimonial cited on the foundation’s website says “Before I joined Myna Mahila Foundation, I would be scared to even leave my house to go to the market. But the women I have met here have changed my life – they help me realize my self-confidence and stand by me when I need help. I never want to go back home at the end of the day, as I learn I can only hope that we have many more Myna Mahila in the time to come!”
Jalota’s inspirational goal came true because of her determination to make a change and the support she has received from her family and community. By working together, they are challenging the stigma surrounding menstruation in Mumbai and giving women the confidence they need to chase down their own dreams just like Jalota has.
– Caysi Simpson
Photo: Google
Economic Impact of Refugees on Neighboring Countries
Refugees taking asylum within other countries’ borders affect the economy of the host country and surrounding countries. People fleeing usually choose neighboring countries of their homeland, some of these being lower-income developing countries. While the effects are varying, several outcomes influence the economy of the host country in a positive manner and indirectly act as an economic impact of refugees on neighboring countries.
Education for Refugees
One such outcome is the development of education for refugees. This provides education for children in the host country that originally could not obtain such an opportunity. The use of international aid organizations has furthered the building of schools and training of teachers. These organizations seek to invest in the host countries development to ensure that the needs of the refugees are met, and thus bolstering that country’s economy.
Each individual person seeking asylum also brings a skill from home to the new country. As unemployed refugees come, there are a variety of skills and occupational backgrounds that are also brought — for instance, doctors, lawyers, nurses and carpenters. This influx of vocational skills can alleviate issues of a demographic crisis or an in-country population decrease.
Refugee Economic Status
Establishing desirable economic status as an individual provides an economic gain to the country and allows refugees to more easily integrate or move into other surrounding countries. An economic gain to the host country in the form of a working-class can result in positive economic impacts on neighboring countries.
Economic stimulus for the host country can further be developed through local food purchase, non-food items such as shelter materials, disbursements made by aid workers and assets brought by refugees. Purchasing products from neighboring countries is another of the positive impact of refugees on neighboring countries.
Refugee Strain on Infrastructure and Foreign Aid
A large influx of refugees to host countries does strain the country’s current economic infrastructure and call for emergency financial assistance. In a case study done on the 1999 Kosovar refugees, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank estimated that host countries needed $52 to $188 million to appropriately deal with humanitarian needs. To accomplish this, these countries often look to developed countries to provide foreign aid.
Foreign aid given by countries can help increase the host country’s economy while also providing a peaceful presence to aid the in-need nation. Aid simultaneously benefits the receiving countries economy and the giving-country’s future economic gain and presence in foreign affairs.
Although hosting a large population of refugees can create a burden (especially on developing countries), the positive impact of refugees on neighboring countries is extremely apparent. These benefits provide an incentive to give asylum to those fleeing from conflict.
– Bronti DeRoche
Photo: Flickr
Crime and Punishment: Causes of Poverty in Central America
Central America links North and South America and includes countries such as Guatemala, El Salvador and Panama. Tropical and evergreen rainforests bring a wealth of biodiversity and beauty to the region; however, these countries face high infant mortality, low life expectancies and especially devastating poverty. Here is an analysis of the main causes of poverty in Central America.
Oppressive Histories
The Central American countries have histories which involve changes in power to those who wish to conquer them. This began with Columbus and the Spanish conquest of the region, where oppression was the norm as the years went on and the region was ruled by different European elites who put down the indigenous people.
This treatment and “status quo” continued until independence reached the region in the 19th Century. By this point, though, a classist system had already been put in place, and the effects of which can still be seen in modern times. Many attribute Costa Rica’s relative success to the fact that there was only a small indigenous population when the Spaniards conquered the region, the numbers allowing them to avoid the tiered class system that developed in neighboring countries.
Unequal Distribution of Wealth
Of the main causes of poverty in Central America, unequal distribution of wealth is by far the most consistent. The region has seen periods of boom and bust since the end of World War II, yet the vast difference in wealth distribution remained unchanged for decades. If wealth inequality remains the same, the only way to reduce poverty is by raising incomes.
In this region, industry remains limited due to a lack of mineral and energy resources making factory jobs scarce while agriculture still dominates. These factors make it increasingly difficult for citizens to gain increased incomes; however, an adjustment to wealth inequality may not increase incomes, but it does reduce poverty.
From 2008 to 2014, there was a period of decreasing wealth inequality due to a rise in minimum wage. This change led to an almost doubling of the middle class, and with formal employment, millions were able to ascend classes and overall statistics improved, including a 65 percent decrease in infant mortality. Yet, despite these promising changes, the region remains the most unequal region in the world for prohibiting the decline of poverty.
Gangs and Drug Violence
One of the largest setbacks faced by Central America is the success of gangs and the drug trade. Many of the Central American countries are referred to as “transit countries” as they transport cocaine and other drugs from South to North America. With the increase of drug trafficking, there has also been an increase in organized crime brought about by competition between trafficking groups as well as the governments of the countries they operate within.
Instead of putting money into social programs which could alleviate poverty, the government must use resources to fight against these illegal activities and violence. The effects of the drug trade and organized violence can be seen in the number of children from Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador found in Mexico attempting to flee their home countries. This number reached 16,000 in the first few months of 2016.
These main causes of poverty in Central America are certainly problematic, but all hope is not lost. These countries have made significant improvements in different areas in recent years and will continue to do so in the address of the most pressing problems. With foreign aid and government cooperation, these countries can move past these issues and put the lives of their citizens first.
– Megan Burtis
Photo: Flickr
Developing Better and More Sustainable Agriculture in Bulgaria
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) recently partnered with the nation in order to aid sustainable agriculture in Bulgaria. The partnership itself, advocating for small family farms in order to maintain the country’s food supply, has been helping to reduce food insecurity and produce nutrition research.
The partnership aligns with Bulgaria’s 2014-2020 National Development Strategy and the European Commission program to aid agriculture and rural development in countries such as Bulgaria. The FAO recently reported how invasive species may be to blame for Bulgaria’s food insecurity and unsustainable farming practices.
One officer on the FAO research team, Norbert Winkler-Ráthonyi, claimed in the report that Europe and Central Asia, in particular, are subject to these invasive species, saying, “Invasive insects, in particular, are damaging forests here.” Winkler-Ráthonyi continued to explain how invasive species usually began within a small region, but could easily intensify within a larger territory such as a forested area.
The FAO continues to monitor and research various insects within Bulgaria and its surrounding territories in order to identify the insects that are creating said damage. Furthermore, the FAO’s push to promote small family farms may aid sustainable agriculture in Bulgaria, as, in smaller regions, there is a smaller chance of invasive species damaging the area compared to larger regions.
On October 18, 2017, the Forest Invasive Species Network was established in order to aid in regulation and research the invasive species that are damaging sustainable agriculture in Bulgaria, Europe and areas within Central Asia. Winkler-Ráthonyi suggested that the creation of this network would “trigger region-wide cooperation on forest invasive species management.”
Organizations such as the FAO highlight the significance of looking into the problems of food scarcity like sustainability, rather than just population or economics. With the FAO and its networking, it remains a possibility that the issue of invasive species could be reduced in order to further nutritional and sustainable agriculture in Bulgaria and other countries around the world. Sustainability can no longer be just a goal but an expectation.
– Tatum Higginbotham
Photo: Flickr
5 Current and Important Development Projects in Suriname
There are several important development projects in Suriname that are currently taking place to help the country positively progress. The United Nations Development Programme, the Caribbean Development Bank and the Inter-American Bank all currently have active development projects in Suriname.
Suriname’s economy is dependent on mineral resources such as oil, gold and bauxite as well as natural resources, due to the fact that four-fifths of the country is covered by tropical rainforest. The country as a whole, however, still needs help to keep its economy from faltering and to improve climate control.
The UNDP’s Projects
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is one of the organizations that has implemented different development projects in Suriname to assist in the country’s needs when it comes to climate change. The UNDP currently has three active development projects in Suriname called National REDD+ Strategy, Suriname Global Climate Change Alliance and Strengthening the National Assembly of Suriname.
The National REDD+ Strategy project’s purpose is “to ensure success in continuing to preserve Suriname’s natural capital, enhance the value of forest-related services and benefits for its peoples and contribute to the international fight against climate change and the preservation of healthy ecosystems.”
The Suriname Global Climate Change Alliance project’s purpose is to support Suriname in improving its current climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts by providing more knowledge on the effects of climate change and developing tools that target adaptation measures, as well as strengthen capacities for mangrove conservation.
The Strengthening the National Assembly of Suriname project’s purpose is to provide best practices in parliamentary development, good governance, policy guidance and initiate capacity building initiatives.
The CDB’s Projects
The Electricity System Upgrade and Expansion Project is another development project in Suriname that has been created by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the government of Suriname. The project’s objective is to deliver a more reliable, efficient and sustainable electricity supply in Suriname.
When discussing the importance of the project to Suriname, Vice President of Suriname Ashwin Adhin said, “Our government will leave no stones unturned to achieve the objectives necessary to improve the energy sector. We will do this together with CDB and other important people and institutions.”
The IDB’s Projects
Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), which is the largest source of development financing for Latin America and the Caribbean, has also partnered with Suriname to create a developmental project to assist the country’s needs. The IDB Group Country Strategy with Suriname 2016-2020 project’s objective is to support Suriname’s economic stabilization.
This project is complemented by a longer-term view on the modernization of the public and private sectors in the country. Reducing subsidies, lowering public spending while protecting the social safety net, strengthening public administration and strengthening human capital are all important parts of the project’s focus.
Development projects in Suriname like the ones these organizations are implementing will continue to help the country of Suriname in its goal to become a thriving country.
– Kennisha L. Crawford
Photo: Flickr
Three Major Efforts in Sustainable Agriculture in Belarus
Sustainable agriculture in Belarus may not be the first thing that comes to one’s mind when thinking about the region, but in reality the issue is of utmost importance. Although Belarus is a country with nearly 43 percent of the land being conducive to agriculture, it is also plagued by past nuclear fallout, and by a lack of resources for sustaining an agricultural economy.
Numerous nonprofits and government organizations are currently trying to make moves towards building up sustainable agriculture in Belarus, including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the REALS project and the Foundation of Realization group. These organizations are not only exploring organic farming, but are also working to clean up the land and make it habitable again.
1. The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, or the FAO, recently signed a four-year cooperation agreement with Belarus to improve sustainable agriculture and development in the area. According to their website, they won’t solely be focusing on agricultural growth, but they will also be looking at how product from Belarus can be pushed in the international trade markets, effectively growing product and making a more competitive production market inside the country.
Some of their other foci include preventing climate change through the growth of resource conservation, and promoting jobs in the agriculture industry in the region.
2. The Resilient and Ecological Approaches for Living Sustainably Project
The Resilient and Ecological Approaches for Living Sustainably (REALS) project is a nonprofit organization focused on organic farming in the Belarus region, along with socio-economic development in eastern Europe. REALS concluded in August 2016, but according to the website, the group focused on growing local empowerment through bottom-up interactions, encouraging groups of existing local initiatives to increase agricultural development in their own towns.
The project also participated in regrowing ecosystems through regenerating fertile soil and ensuring that clean water is available to local communities. REALS had a large impact on the Belarus population, and encouraged ground-up participation in sustainable agriculture in Belarus.
3. The Foundation of Realization
The Foundation of Realization is an eco-group in Belarus that attempts to encourage and grow organic farming in the area. The Baltic region is still affected by the aftermath from the 1986 nuclear fallout at Chernobyl, and the Foundation of Realization is calling for the government of Belarus to be more accountable for the lack of organic farming resources actually being distributed in the region. In addition, the group does extensive research in the areas of regeneration of land and the effects of Chernobyl on the Belarusian community.
There are plenty of movements within Belarus, and there are also groups that are working to help provide for the many who are still affected by agriculture infertility in the area. Sustainable agriculture in Belarus is a long-term project, but it is one that is being thoroughly pursued.
– Molly Atchison
Photo: Flickr
The Development of Sustainable Agriculture in Pakistan
Since gaining independence from Britain in 1947, the development of sustainable agriculture in Pakistan has greatly improved. Agriculture currently employs 47 percent of the country’s labor force and comprises 24 percent of its GDP.
Now, in 2018, the country is self-sufficient agriculturally and exports large quantities of wheat, milk, rice and cotton for profit; however, the country could improve in the practice of sustainable agriculture.
The Goal of Sustainable Agriculture in Pakistan
The goal of sustainable agriculture is to perform human agricultural activities that take into consideration the earth’s ecosystems. In other words, an understanding of Pakistan’s complex terrains are required so that the country can remain self-sufficient without depleting resources or putting the land at risk.
Pakistan’s Main Obstacle: Energy Scarcity
The main obstacle regarding sustainable agriculture in Pakistan is the issue of energy scarcity. In 2016, Pakistan was the seventh-largest energy consumer in the Asia Pacific. The majority of fossil fuel consumption in Pakistan is related to industrial and domestic purposes, but Pakistan relies on a fossil-fuel based energy for agricultural production. Fossil fuel energy consumption in Pakistan increases at an average annual rate of .36 percent.
The burning of fossil fuels leads to harmful greenhouse gas emissions and significant economic effects. Studies demonstrate that the greenhouse gasses are not only poor for the environment, but they also have a negative impact on the agricultural production of cotton, wheat and rice: three of the most traded and produced resources in Pakistan.
Potential for Long-Term Sustainability
The adoption of renewable energy sources could increase the long-term sustainability of Pakistan’s agricultural production by providing energy that is cheaper, renewable and less harmful to the environment. Currently, some of the most popular alternative energy innovations among the Pakistani government is solar powered water pumps and irrigation systems.
Solar Power
Solar power is an unlimited resource and is therefore considered to be the most reliable type of alternative energy. Solar powered water pumps can improve sustainable agriculture in Pakistan in the following ways:
Recently, the Pakistani government approved the use of rooftop solar installations and reduced import taxes on solar equipment and, as of 2016, 1.2 million solar water pumps were installed in Pakistan. While the government is still looking for ways to fund the solar powered pumps for public use, it seems that the innovation could greatly increase the possibility of true, sustainable agriculture in Pakistan.
– Danielle Poindexter
Photo: Flickr
How the US Benefits from Foreign Aid to South Africa
One of the crucial details to understand about foreign aid is that it benefits America as well foreign countries. Over the years, America has done a lot to contribute to struggling countries and provide them with the life-saving help and supplies they would not have otherwise.
Through this progress, America has seen benefits in disease control and the prevention of pandemics, country stabilization and national security. Consequently, foreign aid to different countries and regions across the world benefits not only the foreign countries the aid is going to but also America itself. To narrow the topic down, here are a few instances of specific U.S. benefits from foreign aid to South Africa.
Humanitarian Benefits
By aiding countries in need, America upkeeps its values and leadership by responding vigorously in times of distress. For example, after the Horn of Africa drought and consequential famine in the year 2011, the U.S. provided $740 million to Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan. America ensured its reliability as a strong and generous country by providing aid to these struggling foreign areas.
National Security Benefits
National security interests are yet another way the U.S. benefits from foreign aid to South Africa. Terrorist activities have taken place close to South Africa, including Somalia and Mali, and there has been a potential danger of Boko Haram on Nigeria, which is one of the United States’ main trading partners in Africa. Due to this, the U.S. has essential national security interests existing in that region.
The State Department handles U.S. national security interests by providing funding for counterterrorism partnerships among the U.S. and African militaries, in addition to providing training for African soldiers to practice peacekeeping missions in countries such as Somalia, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Liberia. So, providing such aid enables America to keep peace within their counterterrorism partnerships and as a result, helps protect America.
Economic Partnership Benefits
Economic trade is an important part of any country’s development. According to Brookings, Sub-Saharan Africa has substantial economic potential. From 2001-2010, six of the economies that proved to be growing the fastest were in this African region. This has opened up trading opportunities between the U.S. and Africa.
There are numerous U.S. benefits from foreign aid to South Africa and other struggling countries. By giving these countries assistance in times of distress, the U.S. has directly gained from such partnerships. Stimulating South Africa’s development provides trading opportunities, national security, humanitarian and other benefits to America.
Continuing U.S. Benefits from Foreign Aid to South Africa
Without foreign aid from America, places like South Africa would have little ability to grow, develop and become self-sufficient. It is imperative to understand the benefits that come directly to America from such foreign aid to ensure that efforts abroad continue. Foreign aid has proved to be an essential part of America’s diplomatic and security relationships, and the U.S. truly does benefit from such assistance.
– McCall Robison
Photo: Flickr
Energy Infrastructure in Tanzania Must Meet Growing Needs
Tanzania, located just below the equator in East Africa, is rich in natural resources, has a vibrant, diverse culture, and is making positive leaps in economic development. The global consulting firm PricewaterhouseCooper published reports stating that if infrastructure in Tanzania improves, the nation has the potential to be a leader of development in East Africa.
The energy sector in Tanzania is currently under expansion, and aims to meet the growing power needs of its citizens. According to a World Bank report in 2011, only 15.5 percent of the 55.5 million people that make up Tanzania’s population had access to reliable power sources; since then, the country has made serious progress in developing its energy sector. Listed below are three of the growing sources of energy infrastructure in Tanzania.
1. Natural Gas
As of 2016, 49.8 percent of energy produced in Tanzania comes from natural gas infrastructure. The Tanzanian government continues to expand its natural gas projects in an attempt to ensure reliable power to its citizens. For instance, in 2016, repair of three gas turbine plants and construction of a new gas plant at the Songo Songo gas fields near the country’s largest city, Dar Es Salaam, contributed to a 30 percent growth of natural gas production in country.
Overall, natural gas expansion is increasing electricity access to urban civilian populations within the country.
2. Hydroelectric Power
Approximately 34.2 percent of power generated in Tanzania is created using hydropower. Multiple hydroelectric dam expansion projects were approved in 2017 by Tanzanian president Jon Magufuli to help provide power to Tanzanian communities in serious need.
These infrastructure projects also have a history of creating joint energy production throughout the East African community. In 2013, the World Bank approved a $340 million dam project in the Lake Victoria region that boosted the electrical power grids of Burundi, Rwanda and Tanzania.
While they do reduce greenhouse gas emissions, hydroelectric dams are at times extremely unreliable. During a drought year, major cities in Tanzania endure severe rolling blackouts, as the lack of water prevents the expected amount of electrical generation. For now, hydroelectric dams serve as a relatively effective way to provide Tanzanians’ power, while simultaneously capitalizing off of resources available in the country.
3. Solar Power
According to a Rural Energy Agency of Tanzania report in 2016, 65 percent of rural communities with access to electricity utilize some form of solar generation. One NGO in particular has been seriously successful in improving the solar energy infrastructure in Tanzania — Energy 4 Impact is a Sub-Saharan non-profit, that provides technological and financial solutions to improve solar infrastructure in rural parts of the country.
With the help of NGOs such as Energy 4 Impact, rural communities as well as some urban Tanzanians are becoming more energy independent over a shorter period of time, skipping the formal procedure of connecting to the nationalized power grids. This technological leapfrogging is not only connecting rural Tanzania to communities within the country, but also the rest of the world.
Electricity, Energy and Tanzania
Overall, electricity is vitally important to economic development and global access will continue to open up some of the last untapped markets on Earth. Energy infrastructure and access to reliable energy will benefit Tanzania greatly, as an estimated 28.2 percent of the country is “below basic poverty needs,” by the World Bank’s standard.
Given that status, researchers have determined that increased access to energy and technology will continue to bring economic growth and social hope to the continent. It is clear that Tanzania has infrastructural obstacles to overcome before it can reach its potential as the leader in East African development, but in spite of these obstacles, there are significant and interesting energy sector projects currently underway within the country.
– Danny Levy
Photo: Flickr
Development of Infrastructure in the Solomon Islands
Although the infrastructure in the Solomon Islands has improved with financial support gained from minor tourism and the help of other countries invested in the islands, there is still much more that can be done.
The country lies on the Pacific’s “Ring of Fire.” Frequent volcanic and tectonic activity produce earthquakes and tsunamis plague the islands, and destructive events like these mean that the infrastructure in the Solomon Islands often requires maintenance and rebuilding.
Boat and Road Networks
Since the country is composed of many islands, the main transportation used in the Solomon Islands is by boat, but there is a small road network throughout much of the islands as well. Much of this road system is unpaved and often requires maintenance and rebuilding due to both heavy rainfall and natural disasters. Although the building and maintenance of this road system are controlled by the government, much of its funding comes from foreign support.
As of 2012, the road network on the Solomon Islands is moving towards a more weatherproof system. Funded by the country’s government as well as foreign aid from countries such as Australia and New Zealand, some roads have been paved and bridges made from material that can better withstand the rainy climate and extreme weather conditions. In addition, the rebuilding of road infrastructure also provides the people of the Solomon Islands with many jobs.
Structural Instability
Much of the structures on the Solomon Islands are minimal and basic. Homes and buildings are also threatened by the frequent natural disasters that hit the island.The towns where these homes and structures reside often lack any form of electricity. Only major towns such as the capital, Honiara, have access to power; even then, electricity is minimal and mainly provided by diesel generators.
Lack of electricity also means that the many of the people living in the Solomon Islands do not have access to what other countries would consider necessities i.e. communication via telephone and cellphone, and the ability to use the internet, watch television or even listen to a radio.
Electrical Need
Having one of the lowest access rates to electricity in the world, power has been something the Solomon Islands has been trying to implement in their communities for many years. Often, the only way the Solomon Islands are able to improve access considerably is with the aid of other countries.
Many improvements to the small power grids in the country have been made through foreign investment. A notable instance of this occurred in 2014 when the U.S.-based organization, the World Bank, financed $13 million for electricity improvement in Honiara. This money was given to the Solomon Islands Sustainable Energy Project (SISEP) to help improve the efficiency and reliability of the already existing power grid, as well as expand its reach.
Essential and Impactful Foreign Aid
With the support and investment of other countries, the infrastructure in the Solomon Islands is slowly improving and persevering against harsh natural conditions. Not only does financing infrastructure on the islands help its people by improving their living conditions, but it also provides them with jobs and more stable incomes.
As the infrastructure of the islands improves, it also allows the country to become more open to tourism. Receiving profit from tourism means that the island can continue to grow and aid both its people and many other investor countries.
– Keegan Struble
Photo: Flickr