Morocco is working to create an equitable society that is inclusive of people living with disability and poverty. The king and ministers of government in recent years have expressed concerns regarding the connection between disability and poverty in Morocco and have set out to address those concerns. The Moroccan government in conjunction with international nonprofit and aid organizations has made significant progress toward reaching reform goals.
The King’s Decree
King Mohammed VI decreed in 2022 that social protections for citizens experiencing disability and poverty in Morocco would be a top priority moving forward. That year, the king set a 2025 goal for finalizing initial reforms to Morocco’s social protection programs.
The Arab Reform Initiative has called King Mohammed VI’s decree to focus on health care and social reforms, “one of the most significant decisions since the nation’s independence.”
The Relationship: Poverty and Disability
According to 2023 statistics from the United Nations Development Program, 5.5% of Morocco’s population (727,833 people) have a disability. UNICEF statistics from 2022 show that one in seven children in The Middle East and North Africa live with a disability. Children with disabilities in the region are often marginalized from society due to social stigmas and lack of access to health care and social protection services.
People with disabilities, both visible and invisible, are more likely to experience multidimensional poverty than their peers without disability. One can attribute this to several interrelated factors which cause people with disabilities to experience more barriers when attempting to access education, employment, transportation and health care.
Assistive devices give people with disabilities the opportunity to hear and be heard, to communicate, be mobile and access services. However, these devices, hearing aids and wheelchairs for example, are often costly.
Social stigma and lack of access to services create prohibitive barriers to social and economic inclusion for people experiencing poverty and disability in Morocco. The Moroccan government hopes to reduce those barriers and stigma with its new social reforms.
Urgent Reforms
By the end of 2023, Morocco had already made significant progress towards its goals by working with international organizations and nonprofits. In 2023, the World Bank contributed $350 million USD to social protection initiatives in Morocco.
Dalal Moosa, Senior Economist and Program Co-Leader at the World Bank commended Morocco’s reforms, saying, “The implementation of [social protection programs] will be critical to protecting vulnerable populations such as women, children, people with disabilities and isolated populations in rural or remote areas against health risks.”
Reforms supportive of those living with disability and poverty in Morocco continued to progress when the government introduced its 2024 budget plan. The 2024 budget specifically allocates funding to programs for children with disabilities.
About $36.6 million USD of the 2024 Moroccan governmental budget is going to programs and initiatives supporting children with disabilities in Morocco. Minister Naima Ben Yahya estimated that programs funded by the 2024 budget would reach and support 27,500 children living with disabilities.
First Steps
Morocco took its first step toward its goal of providing its citizens with universal health care by merging the private and public health care sectors in 2022. Since then, access to private health care options has reduced the stress on the public health care sector.
In an added push towards its goal of universal health care, Morocco is funding initiatives to support telehealth options for its citizens. The positive impact of the telehealth initiatives is especially noticeable in rural areas of Morocco where health care facilities can be few and far between.
Human Rights and Autonomy
Social stigma is a significant barrier to inclusion and fulfilment for people living at the crossroad of disability and poverty in Morocco. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is focused on breaking down those barriers by upholding and strengthening the human rights and autonomy of people with disability.
UNDP projects in Morocco include the standardization of sign language within the nation, improvements to the disability certification process and increasing the accessibility of buildings and restrooms. Additional projects that the UNDP is managing in Morocco aim to reduce social stigma by actively dismantling prejudice, spreading awareness and information and promoting social inclusion of people with disability.
The United Nations Development Programme has expressed optimism about Morocco’s reforms, saying, “Imagine a world where every person, regardless of their disability, can thrive, actively participate, and fully contribute to society. In Morocco, this paradigm is becoming a reality.”
– Caitlyn Erwin
Caitlyn is based in Asheville, NC, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Elderly Poverty in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Pension System Struggles
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s pension system consists of two different pension funds, The Federation (FBiH) and Republika Srpska (RS). However, The International Journals of Integrated Care (IJIC) reports that nearly 60% of the elderly population lacks access to pension benefits and social care. Due to the financial consequences of the Bosnian war, a proper pension system became necessary for the people of Bosnia. In 2011, Republika Srpska (RS) launched a pension reform to reduce pension contribution arrears. In 2018, The Federation (FBiH) took on a similar reform in hope for a better pension system for Bosnians. According to a 2021 weekly briefing by the China-CEE institute, both pension systems will be stable for the next decade. However, for future sustainability both systems would need further reformation such as labor incentive policies and making these systems administrative friendly.
A Need for Long-Term Health Care
Without a universal healthcare system, the large elderly population of Bosnia has had unequal access to health care. Those who do have access to health care have to spend an undesirable amount on health care and “almost entirely consisting of out-of-pocket payments which are mainly spent on medicines and therapeutic appliances” according to the European Observatory. Bosnian citizens spend twice as much for health care than European Union citizens.
The Bosnian War, which physically and emotionally scarred many citizens, has made access to adequate health care vital. According to the World Bank, the Bosnian government spends only 9% of its GDP on health care, which is three times lower than any other country in the EU. As a result, Bosnia and Herzegovina has one of the lowest-quality healthcare systems in Europe. The COVID-19 pandemic only set back years of positive work done for health care in Bosnia however, with humanitarian groups like World Bank, many Bosnians will likely have more adequate health care in the years to come.
Positive Change Incoming
Humanitarian groups such as the World Bank, have made strides to tackle elderly poverty in Bosnia and Herzegovina through projects like the Strengthening Transparency and Accountability of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Health Systems Project. The Project, which started in 2022, focuses on improving the transparency and efficiency of Bosnian health systems. One goal of the project is to ensure better health care for all citizens with an emphasis on the elderly individuals who are disproportionately effected. Other groups such as the United Kingdom Agency for International Development (UKAID) and the UK Good Governance Fund (GGF) have been working closely with specifically health ministries in Bosnia for health care reformation. With the BiH working in partner with these groups, elderly Bosnians can have hope once again.
Looking Ahead
Elderly poverty in Bosnia and Herzegovina has continued to overwhelm the BiH for more than 30 years, failing to provide adequate social support and healthcare systems. However, with current social system reforms and outside humanitarian groups, Bosnians have hope. While conditions are improving, sustained collaboration between the government and other outside groups is vital for reducing elderly poverty in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
– Naseem Rahman
Photo: Flickr
Diseases Impacting Lesotho
Lesotho is a tiny country totally encircled by South Africa. It has a land mass more than 11,000 square miles. With the country sitting within the mountain range of Maloti, Lesotho is frequently called the “Kingdom in the Sky.” While nature-made peaks and valleys provide the country with a beautiful landscape, the population struggles under an ineffective health care system that is challenged with managing several diseases impacting Lesotho.
3 Diseases Impacting Lesotho
Optimism in Lesotho
The good news is that the country is making progress in addressing the diseases impacting Lesotho. Lesotho’s Ministry of Health (MOH) is working jointly with the Center for Disease Control (CDC) on several projects focused on improving the country’s health care system. Some of these changes include:
With support from the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the CDC and Lesotho’s MOH also made improvements with testing, diagnosing and treating, specifically for HIV and TB.
Addressing TB in Lesotho
Regarding TB, the partnership between the World Health Organization (WHO) and MOH is focusing on identifying individuals with TB in a much quicker fashion. With many of the population living in difficult-to-reach areas, local health facilities are making an effort to screen and test individuals who seek care. This cost-effective practice is helping to identify TB positive individuals sooner and get them started on medication treatment quicker. In doing so, a higher survival rate is being achieved along with decreasing the risk for spreading the disease.
Although the burden of TB is still high in Lesotho, the country is seeing success. As of spring of 2024, approximately 77% of positive TB individuals were on medication treatment. Many of the partnered organizations are confident that Lesotho will achieve WHO’s established goals for ending TB by 2030.
Lesotho and the 90-90-90 Goals
As for HIV/AIDS, the country met the United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDs (UNAIDS) 90-90-90 goals. These goals roughly defined are:
Lesotho achieved these goals impart through partnerships between the MOH, CDC and PEPFAR. The joint efforts created a survey tool called the Lesotho Population-based HIV Impact Assessments (LePHIA). The purpose of this tool was to identify how the country was managing HIV disease. Data collection involved trained surveyors making home visits to evaluate people’s risks for contracting HIV. The surveyors also provided preventive education and performed HIV testing and counseling. These same surveyors also helped to ensure HIV positive individuals were receiving medication treatment.
Although rates continue to be high, additional data finds Lesotho improving with addressing HIV disease. Data collected from a second survey (LePHIA 2020) found the rate of new HIV infections dropped more than 50%. Furthermore, the data indicates that more HIV positive individuals are being appropriately treated for maintaining viral suppression. Similar to TB, improvements with the management of HIV are leading to higher survival rates and lower disease transmission rates.
The HPV Vaccine
To address cervical cancer, Lesotho’s MOH and the CDC jointly implemented a nation-wide vaccination program. This program focused on immunizing young girls with the HPV vaccine. The program effectively immunized 93% of young girls with the HPV vaccine. With an efficacy rate more than 98%, the program is a strong effort towards decreasing the occurrence of cervical cancer.
Looking Ahead
In a country where more than 40% of the population lives in the remote areas of the mountain and foothills, controlling diseases country-wide is crucial. Especially when access to care is challenging. With meaningful changes to the health system, the health of the population will improve and with new processes in place for TB, HIV and cervical cancer, individuals will have much healthier lives. The life expectancy rates which averaged around 48 and 54 years of age for men and women respectively in 2021, will rise. With longer life expectancies, family life will improve. Besides providing loving and nurturing environments for children, having parents living longer will also help to ensure the education and personal growth of children. These are crucial elements for a population to retain its identity and to feel of value. These changes in the health system will go far for addressing the diseases impacting Lesotho and its population.
– Kelly Chalupnik
Photo: Flickr
Disability and Poverty in Barbados
The eastern Caribbean island of Barbados is a popular tourist destination, but despite its foreign allure the country struggles severely with poverty, specifically amongst the disabled community. Here is some information about disability and poverty in Barbados.
Disabilities in Barbados
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities defines a person with a disability as “someone with a long-term or short-term impairment that affects their physical, mental, intellectual, developmental or sensory abilities.” Barbados follows this definition.
People with a disability are more likely to live in poverty due to social, cultural and economic hindrances. About 85 million persons with disabilities in Latin America and the Caribbean face vulnerability in education, the labor market and health care.
According to the Barbados Survey of Living Conditions, the rate of poverty increased from 15.1 % in 2010 to 17.2 % in 2016 and as of 2010. Additionally, 7% of the total population live with a disability.
The Barbados Council for the Disabled includes a section on common disabilities in the country which include autism, deafness, down syndrome, intellectual challenges, visual impairment and muscular dystrophy. The council works to spread awareness about these disabilities.
The Good News
On June 14th, 2024, The Minister of Home Affairs in Barbados, Edmund Gregory Hinkson, wrote to the United Nations a statement on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Convention. Hinkson states that “Our Government is ensuring that persons with disabilities are provided with the essential opportunities, including accessibility to decent housing and to benefits such as access to State trust loans for entrepreneurial ventures, leading to their increased meaningful participation and inclusion in all aspects of Barbadian life.”
A recent accomplishment of the Barbados Council for the Disabled is the Fully Accessible Barbados (FAB) Programme. The program focuses on services like accessible transportation and inclusive education, as well as making structural changes to tourist attractions and all public spaces in order to provide accessibility for persons with disabilities.
Living With Disability
The Barbados Council for the Disabled also recognizes achievements of those with disabilities. In December 2024, the council celebrated Swanye Brown and Kimberly Puckering. Swanye Brown, a Barbadian with cerebral palsy, received the Harambee Award for Leadership Development. Brown is known for speaking out about challenges that the disabled community faces, such as employment and accessibility. Kimberly Puckering, a Barbadian with a hearing impairment, received the Harambee Award for Entrepreneurship for her business. In 2024, Puckering launched Kim’s Delight which has had significant success in the community.
Moving Forward
Barbados is implementing a seven year plan to improve conditions for the disabled community referred to as The 2023-2030 National Policy for Persons with Disabilities. The goal for disability and poverty in Barbados is to “promote, advance, and protect the full human rights and fundamental freedoms of all persons with disabilities in Barbados.” The policy received approval on September 21, 2023 and includes the following categories:
Since the establishment of the policy, 10% of new state housing has been designated to those with disabilities including the blind, deaf or hard of hearing, and those with mobility challenges. Barbados has also seen a 40% increase in funding to non-government organizations supporting conditions for persons with disabilities.
Disability and poverty in Barbados are still daunting to address. The Awareness Raising and Accessibility programs like the Fully Accessible Barbados program and The Barbados Council for the Disabled strive to initiate support and representation for the community.
– Cora Andreoli
Photo: Pixabay
USAID in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a country rich in natural resources yet long-suffered by instability and authoritarian rule, has received humanitarian assistance from multiple international organizations and single-nation funding sources. Here is some information about the work of USAID in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
USAID in the DRC
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has supported the DRC since 1990 through various programs designed to improve food security, health and sanitation and access to clean water, and respond to conflicts and emergencies. As the largest bilateral donor to the DRC, USAID stands to make the biggest impact in meeting the needs of Congolese citizens and delivering essential services.
Poverty in the DRC
The DRC is the fourth-largest country in Africa with a population of 109 million. Due to civil conflict and the displacement of large portions of the population, the DRC remains one of the five poorest countries in the world, and the World Bank estimates that 73.5% of Congolese people live on less than $2.15 a day.
The DRC particularly struggles with disease prevention, including but not limited to Ebola, malaria, HIV and measles. This is largely a result of inadequate funding for vaccines, bed nets and other preventative measures. Ongoing civil conflicts and governmental fractures make this particularly difficult for the government of the DRC to address, which is why USAID in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is essential to safeguard the public health and safety of millions of Congolese citizens.
How USAID Is Helping the DRC
USAID in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has increased its level of funding in U.S. dollars every year since 2001. Programs have focused on two particular sectors— emergency response and basic health. In 2023, USAID disbursed $935.77 million of development aid to the DRC, making it the fourth-largest recipient of USAID assistance. Below are the largest programs under USAID in the Democratic Republic of the Congo which assist in development and emergency response in the DRC.
The Title II Emergency Program
The largest USAID activity in the DRC is the Title II Emergency Program, which provides U.S.-grown food to those suffering from food insecurity in foreign countries. In 2023, USAID allocated $120.8 million to the DRC, providing critical food assistance to those most vulnerable to starvation.
With the World Food Program (WFP), USAID was able to reach approximately 4.4 million people to help them meet basic food needs in 2023.
The Integrated Health Program
The Integrated Health Program (IHP) works to improve the quality and availability of health services in the DRC, through providing technology and training. USAID partnered with other health organizations to provide $38.53 million to the DRC in 2023, supporting areas including child health, immunizations, nutrition and sanitation. USAID was able to reach 26.7 million children for nutrition programming and assistance from October 2021 to September 2022, alongside other vaccination, family planning and newborn assistance.
USAID’s End Malaria Project
The End Malaria Project works to provide mass distribution of insecticide-treated bed nets to prevent the spread of malaria. In 2023, USAID provided $15.88 million to support the DRC’s National Malaria Control Program, helping to provide bed nets to more than 28 million people.
As the leading cause of death in the DRC, malaria stands as one of the biggest challenges for the U.S. and DRC governments to address. Through the providing of bed nets and vaccines, USAID, through the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), can reach more than 45 million people to prevent or treat malaria each year.
Additionally, USAID donated 50,000 doses of an mpox— a cousin to smallpox— vaccine to the DRC in September 2024 in collaboration with the CDC. USAID has already committed more than $10 million for research and prevention.
Looking Ahead
USAID in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has provided life-saving humanitarian assistance, particularly to marginalized groups and those living in conflict zones. By investing in the health and security of Congolese people, the U.S. may assist the DRC in achieving stability and prosperity within the near future.
– Sadie Claps
Photo: Unsplash
Renewable Energy in Bulgaria
Bulgaria stands at a pivotal moment in its energy transition, with renewable energy playing an increasingly vital role alongside its traditional reliance on nuclear power and coal. Solar generation represents a key driver in the country’s pursuit of the EU renewable energy target of 27% by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050. Backed by international investments and streamlined energy legislation, Bulgaria is accelerating the development of renewable infrastructure while modernizing its power grid. The country is positioning itself as a regional leader in sustainable energy production with a decentralized energy system set to help reduce energy poverty in the country.
The Current Energy Landscape of Bulgaria
The two major energy sources for Bulgaria’s domestic energy consumption are nuclear power and coal. Nuclear power accounts for around 40% of energy supply and has been a major energy source for Bulgaria since the 1950s. Additionally, in 2023/24, there was a steadily growing use of solar generation contributing almost 13% of total electricity generation.
Renewable Energy Investments
Renewable energy in Bulgaria aims to account for 27% of domestic production by 2030, contributing to the EU renewable energy target for 2030. The country is also aiming at a net zero emissions target for 2050. A large portion of this is currently being exploited via solar generation.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is a major leader in climate finance and one of the primary investors in renewable energy in Bulgaria. In late-2024, the EBRD announced that it would lend €50 million to Bulgaria to build a 237 MW solar plant, a huge step for its renewable energy agenda. The investment is part of a wider pledge to further UN Women’s Empowerment Principles in the Bulgarian energy sector. The shift away from fossil fuel use is beneficial in the Bulgaria’s plans to reduce energy poverty. This topic has been high on the country’s agenda since 2022 when the war in Ukraine increased import prices of Russian natural gas and coal. More than a quarter of Bulgarians in 2022 were unable to adequately heat their homes due to energy poverty.
Simplification of Administrative Frameworks
The past year has hailed a stream of new investment in renewable energy in Bulgaria – not just because of a push for EU climate goals. The country simplified the administrative frameworks required for renewable energy infrastructure in 2023, making projects easier to plan and implement. Other changes to the country’s energy legislation enabled clarity on investing in renewable energy plants with batteries for energy storage during off-peak production periods.
Bulgaria also clarified steps to establish a more interconnected power grid which should decentralize energy and reduce the country’s state of energy poverty. This would be enabled through the empowerment of households and democratizing of the energy system coming as a result of more energy suppliers and better energy infrastructure. A more robust domestic energy supply divested away from fossil fuels would help shield the Bulgarian energy sector from fossil fuel import fluctuations and over-reliance on Russian imports of coal and natural gas. This shift to renewable energy infrastructure in turn aids households through the stabilization and lowering prices of energy.
Following the 2023 changes, 2024 saw €65 million investment from the EU Modernization Fund in Bulgaria’s GREENABLER project to modernize the country’s power grid for the integration of renewable energy. Further, calls by the Bulgarian Ministry for Energy for renewable energy plants with energy storage (crucial to divest reliance away from fossil fuels) have stipulated project deadlines for March 2026. This push in funding programs has allowed for the development of 249 renewable energy projects in Bulgaria. Such short project deadlines and investment flows are positive news for massively accelerating renewable energy infrastructure in the country to meet 2030 energy targets.
The Future of Nuclear Supply
Bulgaria does seem to be expanding outside renewables into nuclear energy – a low carbon energy solution. Though not renewable, nuclear power production in Bulgaria has merits over traditional fossil fuels, such as curbing reliance on countries such as Russia for fossil fuel imports. Contracts have been entered between Hyundai Engineering (South Korea) and Westinghouse (U.S.) to develop additional capacity and replace the aging reactor units at the Kozloduy nuclear power plant in Bulgaria. As domestic demand for energy has remained stable over the decades, it is likely an expansion of energy production would be a bid to increase energy exports to neighboring countries. Alongside a growing industry of renewable energy in Bulgaria, nuclear investment could boost Bulgaria’s economy as well as create new jobs and opportunities for its population.
– Autumn Joseph
Photo: Flickr
Biofortification to Minimize Hunger in Panama
Current Statistics
Panama has made significant progress towards decreasing poverty, hunger and malnutrition and achieving SDG 1 and SDG 2.
Combating Hunger and Malnutrition with Everyday Foods
Panama’s success has been made possible because of the government’s dedication to combatting inequalities, hunger and malnutrition through various food fortification and nutritional programs. Some of these programs are mentioned here.
Through these initiatives, Panama is bridging disparities in its population and aims to elevate the quality of life for its citizens.
– Maria Waleed
Photo: Flickr
Sierra Leone Launches Successful Ebola Vaccination Campaign
In an interview with The Borgen Project, Francisco Luquero, Gavi’s Head of High-Impact Outbreaks, highlighted the importance of the initiative. “The campaign’s impact will be significant to strengthen the country’s preparedness for future outbreaks by protecting frontline workers.”
Campaign Successes
The nationwide campaign targeted various at-risk communities, including health care professionals and first responders such as ambulance and motorcycle drivers. Village hunters were also vaccinated to prevent the spread of the Ebola virus from animals to humans. Luquero told The Borgen Project that Gavi achieved 94% coverage among the target group of 20,000 frontline workers.
“Health care workers expressed satisfaction with the campaign, recognizing its importance in protecting themselves and their communities from future outbreaks,” says Luquero. He also stated that vaccine confidence and awareness also improved due to information provided about the vaccine’s benefits and side effects, as well as guidance on what to do in case of Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI). Gavi noted that these information dissemination efforts, along with “robust logistical support” from WHO and UNICEF, were crucial to the campaign’s successful rollout.
Ebola 2014 – 2016 Outbreak
The 2014 Ebola virus epidemic began in Guinea. It spread to at least 10 other countries, firstly through neighboring Liberia and Sierra Leone. With no vaccine available at the time of the outbreak, health care workers were limited in their response capacities. The epidemic resulted in 28,000 confirmed infections and approximately 11,000 deaths, making the outbreak “the deadliest in history.” Sierra Leone was the hardest-hit country, accounting for an estimated 36% of recorded deaths and losing 7% of its medical personnel.
Ebola Vaccinations
Gavi funded a stockpile of half a million doses of Ervebo in 2021, just three years after WHO and the European Medicines Agency approved the vaccine. The majority of the vaccines are allocated for preventive Ebola vaccination campaigns similar to the one in Sierra Leone, targeting at-risk communities. About 5% of the remaining stockpile is reserved for emergency outbreaks. This distribution is due to Ebola outbreaks being relatively uncommon and not having a large enough stockpile to cover entire populations.
WHO defines at-risk persons through a ring vaccination strategy, which “captures a social network of individuals and locations” comprising around 150 people per vaccination ring. To be included in a preventive Ebola vaccination campaign, one must either be a frontline worker or have in the last 21 days:
For the Future
Following the campaign in Sierra Leone, Luquero shared that Gavi plans to improve several aspects of its vaccination efforts. “Key lessons include enhancing vaccine confidence, strengthening case management protocols for adverse events, and improving supply chain and data management.” Indeed, a total of 18 countries are eligible for a preventive Ebola vaccination campaign, with the Central African Republic expected to be the next to participate.
Although the likelihood of Ebola epidemics is low, vaccinated persons must continue to take precautions to protect themselves from infection. This includes avoiding direct contact with the bodies, bodily fluids and clothing of infected individuals. Additionally, Sierra Leone would also need to improve its population’s access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) to help mitigate the risk of the virus spreading.
While the vaccine does not eliminate the threat of an Ebola virus outbreak, these preventive vaccination campaigns can fortify health care systems and enhance community preparedness in case the virus spreads in endemic regions.
– Nesreen Yousfi
Photo: Flickr
Everything to Know About Poverty in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone is a small, deeply impoverished country on the southwest coast of Africa. According to most recent data, almost 60% of the country lives below the national poverty line, while 43% of Sierra Leone’s nearly nine million residents live in extreme poverty, which is defined as less than $1.90 a day. The country is one of the poorest in the world, ranking 184th out of 193 countries according to the Human Development Index, which measures countries based on their life expectancy, education level and standard of living. Here is everything you need to know about poverty in Sierra Leone.
The COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war have negatively impacted Sierra Leone’s poverty reduction efforts. Almost 60% of families have reported a decline in their income. At the same time, widespread inflation has reduced people’s purchasing power and increased poverty. These crises have also worsened food security in the already incredibly food insecure country. Surging prices of staple foods have led to an increase in malnutrition and food insecurity among the population.
Food Insecurity and Access to Clean Water
Food Insecurity is a widespread problem in Sierra Leone. The World Food Programme (WFP) estimates that 82% of the population is food insecure and that 26% of children are stunted, experiencing impaired growth due to malnutrition. Despite agriculture being an essential part of the country’s economy, it is underdeveloped forcing it to be dependent on food imports. The country is prone to food crises and malnutrition, a problem likely to increase due to the effects of changing weather patterns.
Progress in Reducing Poverty in Sierra Leone
Since an 11-year civil war ending in 2002, Sierra Leone has seen continued economic growth. The country has seen its GDP more than triple and experienced a reduction in extreme poverty from 55% in 2011 to 43% today. The main driver in this recent poverty reduction has been growth in urban areas, where poverty is far less prevalent. In rural areas, 60% of the population lives in poverty, as compared to only 20% of the urban population. Today, an estimated 44% of people in Sierra Leone live in urban areas.
A number of nonprofits, governmental and international organizations provide vital assistance to Sierra Leone. One of these organizations is The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). UNICEF works with the government of Sierra Leone to strengthen social programs and provide services children rely on. They improve access to quality health services, support training for health workers, provide essential vaccination services and provide nutrition support to children. In 2023 alone, UNICEF provided more than one million children with Vitamin A tablets, which play a vital role in improving children’s health and well-being.
Looking Ahead
Sierra Leone has had a troubled past, marked by a decade long civil war that ended in 2002 as well as by widespread poverty and food insecurity that persist today. However, in the past two decades, the country has seen improvements in various health indicators and has reduced poverty. While much more work is necessary, Sierra Leone has the opportunity to overcome many of its current challenges. With continued investment towards addressing poverty from both the international community and the national government, Sierra Leone has the ability to work towards a brighter future.
– Matthew Wornom
Photo: Flickr
Disability and Poverty in Morocco
The King’s Decree
King Mohammed VI decreed in 2022 that social protections for citizens experiencing disability and poverty in Morocco would be a top priority moving forward. That year, the king set a 2025 goal for finalizing initial reforms to Morocco’s social protection programs.
The Arab Reform Initiative has called King Mohammed VI’s decree to focus on health care and social reforms, “one of the most significant decisions since the nation’s independence.”
The Relationship: Poverty and Disability
According to 2023 statistics from the United Nations Development Program, 5.5% of Morocco’s population (727,833 people) have a disability. UNICEF statistics from 2022 show that one in seven children in The Middle East and North Africa live with a disability. Children with disabilities in the region are often marginalized from society due to social stigmas and lack of access to health care and social protection services.
People with disabilities, both visible and invisible, are more likely to experience multidimensional poverty than their peers without disability. One can attribute this to several interrelated factors which cause people with disabilities to experience more barriers when attempting to access education, employment, transportation and health care.
Assistive devices give people with disabilities the opportunity to hear and be heard, to communicate, be mobile and access services. However, these devices, hearing aids and wheelchairs for example, are often costly.
Social stigma and lack of access to services create prohibitive barriers to social and economic inclusion for people experiencing poverty and disability in Morocco. The Moroccan government hopes to reduce those barriers and stigma with its new social reforms.
Urgent Reforms
By the end of 2023, Morocco had already made significant progress towards its goals by working with international organizations and nonprofits. In 2023, the World Bank contributed $350 million USD to social protection initiatives in Morocco.
Dalal Moosa, Senior Economist and Program Co-Leader at the World Bank commended Morocco’s reforms, saying, “The implementation of [social protection programs] will be critical to protecting vulnerable populations such as women, children, people with disabilities and isolated populations in rural or remote areas against health risks.”
Reforms supportive of those living with disability and poverty in Morocco continued to progress when the government introduced its 2024 budget plan. The 2024 budget specifically allocates funding to programs for children with disabilities.
About $36.6 million USD of the 2024 Moroccan governmental budget is going to programs and initiatives supporting children with disabilities in Morocco. Minister Naima Ben Yahya estimated that programs funded by the 2024 budget would reach and support 27,500 children living with disabilities.
First Steps
Morocco took its first step toward its goal of providing its citizens with universal health care by merging the private and public health care sectors in 2022. Since then, access to private health care options has reduced the stress on the public health care sector.
In an added push towards its goal of universal health care, Morocco is funding initiatives to support telehealth options for its citizens. The positive impact of the telehealth initiatives is especially noticeable in rural areas of Morocco where health care facilities can be few and far between.
Human Rights and Autonomy
Social stigma is a significant barrier to inclusion and fulfilment for people living at the crossroad of disability and poverty in Morocco. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is focused on breaking down those barriers by upholding and strengthening the human rights and autonomy of people with disability.
UNDP projects in Morocco include the standardization of sign language within the nation, improvements to the disability certification process and increasing the accessibility of buildings and restrooms. Additional projects that the UNDP is managing in Morocco aim to reduce social stigma by actively dismantling prejudice, spreading awareness and information and promoting social inclusion of people with disability.
The United Nations Development Programme has expressed optimism about Morocco’s reforms, saying, “Imagine a world where every person, regardless of their disability, can thrive, actively participate, and fully contribute to society. In Morocco, this paradigm is becoming a reality.”
– Caitlyn Erwin
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Sunny Days: Renewable Energy in Zimbabwe
How Renewable Energy in Zimbabwe Can Address Hunger
The fight against the looming hunger and poverty crisis begins with the calculated cultivation and preservation of integral crops. FAO reports the most recent drought has shown a 77% reduction in cereal crops; 26% in soybeans, 74% in cotton and 89% in sunflowers. Stover, a primary source of livestock diet, is also suffering a sharp dip in growth thanks to the dry El Niño season. To combat the challenges that the drought brought on, Zimbabwe is focusing on a renewable energy-reliant future, which offers a hopeful solution for long-term success.
The plans took shape in March 2024 when the United Nations announced a partnership with the Zimbabwean government, focusing resources on renewable energy solutions and establishing the Renewable Energy Fund. Mr. Edward Kallon, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator associated with the program, observed that putting resources into renewable energy in Zimbabwe would not only protect the environment, but it would also create jobs and instigate economic development. With an initial investment of $45 million USD, the country set the precedent that it is serious about being proactive in improving its economic and environmental future. As the partnership moves forward, one area of focus seems to stand above the rest: solar power.
Solar Power Initiatives in Zimbabwe
According to the Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF), Zimbabwe receives plenty of solar irradiation each day and 3,000 hours of sunshine per year. Solar grids running off of this energy accumulation will allow for refrigeration, lighting, device charging and more. This will not only allow the extended storage of cultivated crops, but it will also provide opportunities for ongoing education, which then compounds the improvement of the agricultural system. Improvements have already occurred in many areas across the country.
Ongoing efforts in the town of Gwanda exemplify solar power as a tangible solution in the dilemma of crop loss. Prior to current initiatives, defunct irrigation systems were not being maintained, leaving them inoperable. To make matters worse, the farmers were not educated in the storage and distribution of water for crop management. Practical Action, an international development organization working in Zimbabwe since 2011, found success through an active project that involves installing solar-powered water pumps. This new tool has allowed farmers to cultivate more land, effectively stabilizing the food supply.
With extra cultivation capabilities, the farmers are able to produce enough crops to feed themselves as well as selling the excess. Along with training farmers in water conservation techniques, Practical Action also provides education on maintenance processes, allowing them to keep the solar-powered water pumps working well into the future. An added bonus is that a solar-powered mini-grid, that can also provide electricity for schools, hospitals and businesses as the community develops, energizes these water pumps.
Looking Ahead
Though the future seems straightforward, there are still obstacles to overcome. According to the AECF, projects similar to these tend to lack the project financing needed to get the ball rolling. When they do make it past this first hurdle, their steam tends to dissipate due to improperly focused investments paired with minimal skills in maintenance.
However, with Zimbabwe’s newly refocused emphasis on energy stability and allocated funds dedicated to long-term success, the country has the opportunity to truly shine in its agricultural and economic progress. With broad opportunities for renewable energy in Zimbabwe including solar, wind and biomass power, this developing country has ample resources and the definitive tools that will allow it to overcome its agricultural obstacles and enter a brighter future.
– Jacob Christopher
Photo: Flickr