Nearly 20% of children under 5 in Mauritania suffer from chronic malnutrition. According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), 80,227 children experienced acute malnutrition in 2022. Some of the reasons include pervasive poverty; reliance on farming, fishing, mining and livestock, which face threats from climate change and non-optimal food practices. In response, organizations like GRET, Red Crescent, ALIMA, UNICEF and the World Food Programme (WFP) are working with mothers and other caregivers to fight against child malnutrition in Mauritania.
Keeping Mothers in the Know
In 2020, GRET partnered with the Rim Anje Project to launch a three-year project in 11 municipalities and 30 health care systems based in Gorgol and Branka. The project sought to assist health care providers in offering services for infant and young child feeding (IYCF) and teach pregnant and breastfeeding women IYCF practices. The project concluded on February 21, 2023.
During the process, GRET helped close to one hundred community contact individuals in overseeing and instructing Mauritanians, most of whom were women living in villages. They worked alongside breastfeeding and pregnant women in groups such as GASPA (Infant and Young Child Feeding Best Practice Monitoring and Learning Groups). GRET frequently hosted community discussions to guarantee that the mothers remain committed to abiding by healthy feeding practices. In addition to empowering mothers, it included other family members and people in the community.
In the future, GRET plans to work on two new projects: Rim Health and Amal, two organizations that are supported by Monegasque Cooperation for Development and UNICEF respectively. These projects will cover more topics such as sexual and reproductive health, ensuring good hygiene and providing access to food, drinking water and sanitation to young children.
The Special Bracelet
In 2023, the Red Crescent volunteers in Mauritania took steps to fight child malnutrition. They trained mothers to identify signs of malnutrition in their children using a special bracelet. Facilitator Rakia Salem, from a mother’s club established by the Red Crescent, explained the bracelet’s function: “[My role involves training mothers to screen children for malnutrition using the MUAC (mid-upper arm circumference) bracelet. It’s a simple, easy-to-use tool that can help prevent a deterioration in their health condition.]”
According to The World Health Organization (WHO), if a child’s upper arm measures under 11.5cm, they suffer from acute malnutrition. The bracelet is a unique yet not altogether uncommon instrument to assess malnutrition. In addition to Red Crescent, The Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA) trained 47,141 Mauritanians to use the bracelet since 2019. The project proved effective, as out of the 2,567 malnourished children under 5 that the alliance treated, 95% recovered in 2022.
Class Is in Session
On top of making use of the bracelet, Red Crescent taught mothers how to recognize signs of malnutrition and earn money. The mothers’ club turned out to be an effective place to diagnose children quickly, since, as Food Security and Livelihoods Manager Mohamed Abdallahi explained, mothers are around their children every day and are thus most likely to detect early signs of malnutrition. Currently, there are 10 mothers’ clubs in Barkeol, and the place affords women an opportunity to discuss maternal and child health, hygiene, sanitation and nutrition.
In Mauritania, 56.9% of the population lives in poverty. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that most families cannot afford to meet minimum daily food needs for their children. As a result, the Mauritanian Red Crescent also taught mothers to establish their own income-generating initiatives. Due to a grant from the organization, one of the clubs opened a relatively cheap food store in the village.
Stories From the Field
GRET’s results point to a positive trajectory. Aissata Ndongo, a midwife at the Mbagne health care center, assured that the training benefitted citizens considerably and helped combat child malnutrition in Mauritania. She added that the community contact persons raised awareness, and women now consult health care organizations to monitor their pregnancy and their babies instead of giving birth at home. Another woman who participated in the GASPA group spoke of the impact of GRET’s actions, “The GASPAs enabled several children to fall ill less often, thanks to the messages conveyed by the community contact person, and also by the health care organizations.”
Regarding UNICEF’s efforts to combat child malnutrition in Mauritania by admitting 27,829 children for treatment in 2022 and educating women, Hasseniya, a 16-year-old victim of early marriage, expressed gratitude for GASPA, “The community dialogue sessions helped me a lot. I was made aware of the importance of having prenatal consultations every three months and breastfeeding my baby immediately after birth.” Khadidiatou Mohamed Abdallahi, President of the mothers’ club, also appeared thankful for the Mauritanian Red Crescent, saying, “We used to have a lot of difficulties, but thanks to the support of the Mauritanian Red Crescent, we are now able to improve our families’ food security and diversify our children’s diets.”
Beyond “On the Ground” Work
In December 2022, WFP provided food and cash assistance to 54,000 freshly resettled refugees in Mauritania. To treat malnutrition in the Mbera camp, the organization offered specialized food and fortified oil to 600 children aged 6-59 months and 220 pregnant and lactating women and girls; and to prevent malnutrition, the organization provided nearly 3,500 children aged 6-23 months and 1,700 pregnant and lactating women and girls with food. In six other regions, 99 percent of children undergoing treatment for moderate acute malnutrition recovered.
Furthermore, the WFP assisted 400 schools in three regions with school meals. It also launched the Food Assistance for Assets (FFA) program, which offered insurance to Mauritanians who may be affected by climate change. Lastly, the WFP and ANGMV (National Agency of the Great Green Wall) implemented a mission in Timbedra and Djiguéni to assist communities dealing with food insecurity in the southern and eastern parts of the country through a debt-swap initiative between Mauritania and Spain.
– Mariam Jawhar
Photo: Flickr
Addressing Challenges Accessing Education in Sudan
“Sudan is on the brink of becoming home to the worst education crisis in the world…children have been exposed to the horrors of war for nearly half a year. Now, forced away from their classrooms, teachers and friends, they are at risk of falling into a void that will threaten the future of an entire generation,” said Mandeep O’Brien, the Sudan United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Country Representative. Here is information about what some are doing to address access to education in Sudan.
The History of Violence in Sudan
Since the 1980s, Sudan has experienced extreme violence at the hands of a militant government. For 30 years, al-Bashir ruled as Sudan’s dictator. In 2011, after years of civil disobedience, civil wars and public protests, South Sudan gained independence from the remainder of the country. In 2019, a military coup displaced al-Bashir and its leaders announced a move toward democracy. However, the two leaders of the coup began fighting each other on April 15, 2023, derailing Sudan’s democratic revolution and starting the current civil war.
Some schools are struggling to reopen and at least 171 schools became emergency shelters for the millions who this war displaced. Even those children who fled Sudan and are attending schools in other nearby countries struggle to focus on studies, as the violence they witnessed at home haunts them.
The Impact of Poverty in Sudan on Child Slavery and Education
As of 2020, 85% of Sudanese children are living in abject poverty. These conditions make the future of Sudan’s rising generation look bleak. With school closures depriving children of socialization with their peers and access to critical resources, they are much more likely to join militant groups actively recruiting displaced youth. This leaves them vulnerable to the influence of extremist beliefs, setting them on a potential path of more violence. Additionally, Sudanese girls are being abducted and forced into sex slavery and trafficking.
As of October 27, 2023, this war has led to the deaths of up to 9,000 people and injured thousands more, according to the UN. A recent analysis shows that the earning loss from the conflict so far may result in a lifetime loss of up to $26 billion for the younger Sudanese generation.
UNICEF and Save the Children are working hard to bridge the widening education gap, including encouraging the reopening of schools and rehiring of teachers. Areas where it is unsafe to reopen schools are exploring alternative learning methods. Save the Children is working with 200 schools, providing educational resources and safe play spaces for school-age children.
Looking Ahead
Resistance committees in Sudan are working within their communities to improve infrastructure. Originally formed to non-violently organize against the two militant groups causing the civil war, they are now attempting to reconnect energy grids, create and staff medical clinics and meet other community needs. This collective is also creating a larger political roadmap, with the hope of ending the conflict and making Sudan a stable democracy.
– Casey Pratt
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
10 NGOs Transforming Lives in Ghana
1. Action Aid
Action Aid started operations in Ghana in 1990. It was the first country program to become an Associate of ActionAid International with a local Board membership of 13. It partners with communities to eradicate the problem of poverty by providing for the needs of the indigenous people and supporting their rights. Its work includes improving agriculture in communities by educating farmers in modern agronomic practices, providing potable water by constructing mini dams and wells and providing grain banks to store excess produce.
2. VisionFund Ghana
VisionFund Ghana is a Christian relief agency that aims to promote development in local communities in developing countries by working with impoverished communities to provide soft, micro-loans, micro-insurance and financial literacy services to individuals. Most of the NGO’s clientele comprises women living in agricultural (primarily rural) and peri-urban areas. The agency directly supports the agricultural, commerce, service and production sectors by lending capital to its clients through either groups or capital.
3. Free the Slaves Ghana
Along the coasts of Ghana, impoverished families sometimes sell their children into slavery on ships. Free the Slaves Ghana stalls this process by stepping in to rescue trafficked children who others use as sexual slaves and free labor on these ships. Free the Slaves Ghana has four objectives: influencing policymakers and advocating for change, engaging local communities, movement building and continuous learning, thus effecting much-needed change in lives in Ghana.
4. Care Ghana
Care Ghana works predominantly with women to improve their livelihoods, increase access to basic education and quality health care and provide opportunities. Its work includes providing help in times of crisis, providing food and water, supporting local health systems and community-based organizations, education and promoting climate justice and equality. In 1994, when it started operations, Care Ghana helped sensitize mining areas about sexual health and the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. Now, it partners with local and civil society organizations, the government and the private sector to bring about long-lasting change in lives in Ghana.
5. World Vision Ghana
Since 1979, World Vision Ghana has been working in Ghana to improve the lives of families, children and whole communities through collaboration with governments, faith leaders, communities, like-minded organizations and parents. It has been engaged in a series of works comprising the provision of clean water, household sanitation facilities, sensitization of families on nutrition, basic hygiene and sanitation practices and training of district teacher support teams (DTSTs) to help lower primary teachers navigate literacy instructional methodologies, among others.
6. The Alliance for African Women Initiative
The Alliance for African Women Initiative is an organization aimed at improving women’s and children’s lives by reducing the existing gender gap. The NGO has organized the Livelihood Project, the ECCACHILD Project, the Empowering GIRLS-WASH Project and the Community Outreach Project to carry out its objectives of creating a safe environment for the women and children in the society.
7. Catholic Relief Services
The Catholic Bishops of the United States founded Catholic Relief Services in 1943 to help survivors of World War II in Europe. In 1958, when it established itself in Ghana, the service impacted health care, education, maternal care, sanitation, agriculture and essential services. Though the organization does not operate through a set of specific, organized programs, it uses internal or external initiatives to accomplish its goals and transform lives in Ghana.
8. Hen Mpoano
Hen Mpoano is a nonprofit organization in Sekondi, Takoradi, in Ghana. Established in 2013, this organization has gone on to ensure that coastal and marine ecosystems benefit the people and nature. It has reached 116 communities, planted 99,000 mangrove seedlings and engaged 702 volunteers to help with implementation. It has partnered with local and international partners to solve food insecurity, changing weather patterns, over-fishing, poverty and gender inequality.
9. Star Ghana Foundation
Star Ghana Foundation strengthens civil society capacity by facilitating alliances, providing integrated capacity-building support to partners and promoting dialogue on critical and sensitive national issues. Founded in 2010, it has helped citizens convey their concerns to the government, which has brought about lasting change and impact in policy, services and practice.
10. Plan International Ghana
Plan International Ghana has three main priorities; it aims to create violence-free communities for children, provide opportunities to children in the area of quality education and youth skills training and ensure families earn enough money to enhance the lives of children. It has been working for 30 years in Ghana and aims to do more to transform lives in Ghana.
NGOs have made remarkable progress in contributing to the health and development of the average Ghanaian, something for which people do not commend them enough. Perhaps, if governments were to take a cue from their operations, Ghana would have been a better place.
– Angela Agyeiwaa Darkwah
Photo: Unsplash
Being poor in North Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea)
Following the Soviet Union’s collapse in 1991, North Korea experienced a significant economic decline, mainly due to a reduction in foreign aid. Poverty in North Korea is widespread, and its people have become one of the most isolated and marginalized groups. This economic downturn has contributed to the challenges faced by the population.
What Is Poverty Like in North Korea?
Poverty is prevalent in North Korea. Around 60% of the total population is believed to live below the poverty line, equating to 15 million people. According to the remote-sensed luminosity data, the economic status of North Korea forecasts a downturn even though there is a lack of credible information regarding the poverty figures. Furthermore, due to agricultural mismanagement of the state as well as an increasing economic inequality between regions, North Koreans are suffering from food shortages, leading to malnutrition. Aside from economic problems, there is a lack of infrastructure in education and health care, making the quality of life much poorer.
When Have They Been So Poor?
Being poor in North Korea has been an ongoing issue. From 1994 to 1998, there was a severe famine in North Korea, which resulted in nearly two to three million deaths, more than 10% of North Korea’s population. All the natural disasters, such as hailstorms in 1994, flooding from 1995 to 1996 and droughts in 1997, pushed the whole country into a more grievous economic crisis. Despite starvation during the 1990s, the regime has maintained a failed economic model, which put the country’s food security in danger. Throughout the global pandemic coronavirus disease, starting in early 2020, North Korea closed its borders, which aggravated the scarcity of food. Day by day, North Koreans face increasing repression and danger, threatening the welfare of their lives.
Why Is Poverty Rampant in North Korea?
Undeniably, being poor in North Korea stems from the poor governance of the totalitarian regime of the Kim family. They adopted the “Juche” ideology, having these three elements: the spirit of independence, self-reliance in the economy and self-defense in the military sector, which paved the way for the dictatorship by isolating the country in the name of independence. This ideology led the leadership to take on a command economy, also known as a planned economy, in which they controlled the production and distribution of goods and services.
This economic model severely limits freedom in the domestic market setting, hindering economic growth due to the absence of competition. All the regulations on international trade exacerbate the country’s economy. Furthermore, the regime violated the right to life and freedom, and in particular, women and children are poorly treated among all vulnerable groups.
Hope in Action
Helping Hands Korea(HHK) is a non-governmental organization based on the Korean peninsula that has actively supported North Koreans since 1996. It provides necessities, including food, medicine and clothing, to North Korean people as well as escapees in China.
LiNK, Liberty in North Korea, is an international non-government organization that aims to rescue North Korean refugees who have to travel a 3,000-mile secret route and empower them by offering resettlement programs. The organization also strives to change the narrative on North Korea by creating media content. More than 150,000 people engage with North Korean storytellers on social media, and in 2019, this project reached over 5.7 million people online.
The what, when and why of being poor in North Korea reflects that its political and economic stance has made North Korea a hermit kingdom. However, despite the extreme poverty in North Korea, they have a hopeful future ahead as there are international supporters who are acting in full hope to ensure they are well-fed, clothed and sheltered.
– Grace Mun
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
How the Fashion Industry Can Reduce Poverty in Southern Africa
Poverty in Southern Africa
Parallels between countries such as Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe display a larger picture of poverty in Southern Africa, wherein the populations are getting younger but are simultaneously becoming further entrenched in poverty cycles. A UNESCO report published in 2023 identified that the limited accessibility of training and skill development programs prevents aspiring individuals in Southern Africa from attaining the knowledge and funding that would allow them the same opportunities as those living in the Global North.
Despite the classification of Namibia as an upper-middle income country by The World Bank, the country continues to endure elevated levels of poverty, especially regarding its degree of development. Accordingly, unemployment is rife and sits at 21%, a reality that mainly affects the younger population of Namibia. Comparatively, Zambia saw 61% of its population earn less than the international poverty line ($2.15 a day). Zambia, identified as one of the world’s youngest countries by median age, faces ongoing challenges in providing its youth with education, skill development, employment opportunities and breaking the cycle of poverty.
In 2019, 49% of the population of Zimbabwe lived in extreme poverty; similar to Namibia and Zambia, the country is characterized by a young demographic, with 42% of inhabitants between the ages of 10 – 29.
The Fashion Sector: Insufficient Education and Investment
Poverty in Southern Africa frequently prevents people from accessing high-quality education, depriving ambitious fashion designers and artisans of the information and abilities needed to compete in the global market successfully. People with creative talents find it difficult to live sustainably in the fashion industry without the proper education and training.
The widespread problem of poverty in Southern Africa is thus exacerbated by the underfunding of the countries’ fashion industries and educational systems. The development of these businesses is significantly hampered by poverty, creating a vicious cycle that limits investment opportunities, impedes the expansion of infrastructure and limits access to education.
While traditional craftsmanship continues to prosper in Namibia, the lack of educational programs hinders the fashion industry’s ability to grow and modernize.
In a similar vein, Zambia’s fashion scene showcases dynamic regional styles, but its ability to compete internationally is limited by a lack of significant expenditures in infrastructure and talent development. Simultaneously, the fashion sector in Zimbabwe, which is renowned for its inventive designs, has obstacles in expanding its influence because of restricted access to high-quality education and funding.
Ending Poverty Cycles: An Opportunity for Skill Development and Job Creation
To fight against poverty in Southern Africa and support the inclusive and sustainable development of its creative sector, UNESCO has started several initiatives whereby the main goals are to increase public awareness of the importance of the creative industries, produce data to aid in advocacy efforts, encourage change by disseminating examples of successful programs and establish new alliances. Encouraging entrepreneurship with accessible capital and mentorship helps build brands and creates jobs in local communities. Empowered people can use their skills and creativity to turn the fashion industry into a source of hope and break the cycle of poverty in Southern Africa. Examples of this can already be seen across Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The 2013-founded Fashion Council of Namibia (FCN) addresses the absence of venues and organizes instruction for local talent by offering vital courses and programs for up-and-coming designers. By providing artists with platforms and industry information, FCN supports the development of Southern Africa’s fashion ecosystem. FCN is converting creative potential into economic prospects through empowerment and education to alleviate poverty within Namibia’s fashion community.
Fashion Programs in Zambia and Zimbabwe
In 2023, young people in Zambia welcomed more opportunities from leaders such as Chisoma Lombe and Chola Chilufya Lungu, who use fashion as a vehicle for change. By fostering talents in fashion design and production, they enable people economically through ChizÍ and “My Zambia, My Responsibility” and encourage young people in Zambia to develop a sense of ownership. These activities seek to break the cycle of poverty by tackling societal challenges and transforming mindsets through fashion-driven projects. They also provide a road for economic empowerment within Zambia’s fashion community.
Zimbabwe Fashion Week and the Creative Accelerator Programme (CAP) aim to transform fashion education in Zimbabwe. From 2023 to 2028, this five-year project hopes to modernize the university’s infrastructure and curriculum, raising education to international levels through collaboration with foreign universities, technological advancements, scholarship programs and long-term sustainability. Through this strategic reorganization, a new generation of designers is equipped with the abilities and entrepreneurial spirit that will help Zimbabwe’s fashion industry gain international recognition.
Looking Ahead
Despite continuous confrontation with poor education and minimal investment opportunities, these initiatives capture the fashion industry’s potential to be a force for good in the world, encouraging economic development and social change and ultimately reducing poverty in Southern Africa.
–Zara Brown
Photo: Pixabay
Key Technologies in the Fight Against Hunger in Brazil
The Landscape
With its gigantic population and diverse socio-economic landscape, Brazil has been grappling with the challenges of hunger and poverty for many years. According to the World Bank, approximately 21.4% of the population in Brazil lives below the national poverty line. This alarming figure underscores the pressing need for comprehensive initiatives to address the multifaceted issues of hunger and poverty.
The Technologies
A notable initiative that has gained traction is the use of advanced data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) to identify and target areas with the highest prevalence of hunger. By analyzing various socio-economic indicators, such as income levels, employment rates and access to education, organizations can strategically deploy resources where they are needed most. The implementation of such technologies has already shown promising results, with a 15% reduction in hunger rates reported in targeted regions.
Another key technology is the development of sustainable agriculture practices. Brazil’s vast agricultural sector plays a crucial role in the nation’s economy, but traditional farming methods often contribute to environmental degradation and intensify poverty. Through the integration of precision farming techniques and the use of eco-friendly fertilizers, initiatives have managed to increase crop yields while minimizing environmental impact. As a result, more than 200,000 farmers have experienced improved livelihoods, marking a significant step toward sustainable development.
In addition to these advancements, the implementation of blockchain technology has streamlined the distribution of aid and resources to fight hunger in Brazil. By creating transparent and tamper-proof ledgers, organizations can ensure that assistance reaches its intended recipients efficiently. This has led to a 30% reduction in logistical inefficiencies, allowing aid organizations to allocate resources more effectively.
Brazil has also seen the integration of solar-powered technologies to address energy poverty in rural areas. Access to electricity is a critical factor in improving living conditions and supporting economic activities. Solar-powered solutions, such as portable solar lamps and solar-powered water pumps, have brought light and clean water to more than 500,000 people in remote regions, contributing to a substantial improvement in their overall well-being.
Innovations in biotechnology have played a pivotal role in enhancing the nutritional value of staple crops. Recent advancements in biofortification, the process of enhancing the nutrient content of crops through breeding or genetic modification, have resulted in crops with higher levels of essential vitamins and minerals. This approach has had a direct impact on addressing malnutrition, with an estimated 25% decrease in vitamin deficiencies reported in targeted populations.
The Impact
To dig into the impact of these technologies, it is crucial to emphasize the importance of metrics and measurable outcomes. The success of these initiatives can be quantified by the tangible improvements experienced by the communities they serve. For instance, the data-driven approach using AI has directly contributed to a 20% increase in school attendance among children in targeted areas, breaking the cycle of poverty through access to education.
In sustainable agriculture, there was a 15% increase in income reported by farmers who adopted the new precision farming practices. This not only lifts individuals out of poverty but also creates a ripple effect within communities, fostering economic growth and resilience.
The impact of implementing blockchain is evident not only in efficiency gains but also in the increased trust and accountability it brings to aid distribution. By ensuring that aid reaches its intended recipients, organizations have witnessed a 25% rise in community engagement and participation in local development initiatives.
These transformative technologies are not only making significant strides in the fight against hunger in Brazil, but they are also providing a blueprint for scalable and sustainable solutions. The convergence of data analytics, AI, sustainable agriculture, blockchain, solar power and biotechnology showcases the power of innovation in driving positive change.
Hope for the Future
Reflecting on the measurable outcomes and the impact these technologies have had on communities across Brazil, it is evident that the path to a hunger-free nation is not an insurmountable challenge. By embracing these innovative solutions and continually refining approaches, there’s hope for creating a future where hunger and poverty are relegated to the annals of history.
The journey toward a hunger-free Brazil is ongoing, pushed by the concerted efforts of organizations and initiatives that leverage transformative technologies. The measurable outcomes of these efforts serve as a testament to the power of innovation in addressing complex societal challenges.
– Osvaldo Bugelli Neto
Photo: Flickr
5 Organizations Helping People Through Alcohol Abuse in Uganda
The severe nature of alcohol abuse in Uganda highlights the need for measures that aim to reduce harm and prevent more people from becoming addicted to alcohol. Many organizations recognize this and are actively helping those in need.
Uganda Youth Development Link
Uganda Youth Development Link (UYDEL) was founded in 1993 to lift Ugandan youth out of poverty and build life skills. It focuses on addressing several issues faced by vulnerable young people, such as child trafficking, HIV prevention and alcohol and substance abuse.
UYDEL is one of the leading organizations addressing alcohol abuse in Uganda, with efforts focusing on lobbying for stricter alcohol regulations. Key areas UYDEL lobbies for include banning plastic sachets of alcohol, restricting advertisements for alcohol, limiting alcohol sale hours and preventing the sale of alcohol to minors. Additionally, UYDEL also organizes community outreaches, film screenings and seminars to prevent alcohol abuse.
Hands For Hope
Hands for Hope began in 2008 after its founder, Joe Cummiskey, relocated to Uganda from the U.K. to help vulnerable children. The organization aims to alleviate extreme poverty for children living in Uganda’s most deprived areas through health and social care and education.
Parental alcohol abuse has caused extreme hardship for some of the 350 children Hands for Hope works with. 16-year-old Jane and her siblings were raised by a single mother who abused alcohol to cope with the stress of living in a slum. During their childhood, their mother would regularly physically use them when drunk. Cases similar to this highlight how severe alcohol abuse in Uganda is and how it impacts entire families.
Hands for Hope tried to support Jane’s mother through her alcohol abuse by enrolling her in Alcoholics Anonymous. While this did work for a time, ultimately, it was unsuccessful. However, Hands for Hope arranged places for the children at a boarding school, allowing them to access education in a safe and stable environment. Without this intervention, the children would still be suffering from their mother’s alcohol abuse and would have a much lower quality of life.
Hope and Beyond
Hope and Beyond is “Uganda’s leading treatment center for alcohol and substance abuse disorders.” Those suffering from alcohol abuse in Uganda are taken through detoxification, allowing the body time to remove alcohol and other toxins to start the recovery process. Due to the relationship between alcohol abuse and other illnesses such as schizophrenia or depression, Hope and Beyond also offer comprehensive care to allow for a complete recovery. Vocational skills training and guidance are also provided, allowing those affected to feel supported and build a career to sustain themselves after recovery.
Uganda Alcohol Policy Alliance
Uganda Alcohol Policy Alliance (UAPA) is a collection of organizations coming together to fight for a more effective alcohol policy in Uganda. By advocating for stronger legislation based on evidence, UAPA aims to reduce the negative impact of alcohol abuse in Uganda. Uganda’s alcohol legislation also receives support through technical expertise and resources provided by UAPA and encouragement to enact efficient regulations to protect citizens’ health. While UAPA’s efforts may not have a direct impact on people’s lives in the way some other organizations would, alcohol can be linked to many diseases, such as cancer and liver disease. By promoting a stronger alcohol policy, many Ugandans will also see an improvement in their health.
The World Health Organization
Efforts to address alcohol abuse in Uganda don’t stop on a local scale. In 2018, the WHO launched its SAFER initiative to help Uganda regulate alcohol consumption. With Uganda’s per capita alcohol consumption of 12.2 liters nearly double the global average of 6.18 liters, the strain placed on health and economic factors is evident.
The SAFER initiative supports Uganda’s Ministry of Health to enforce strict alcohol legislation, tackle drunk driving and implement treatment programs across the country. Uganda’s own attempts to curb alcohol abuse such as the 2022 Alcohol Control Bill and restrictions on selling alcohol to under-18s are strengthened by the WHO through a widespread campaign and monitoring system. The WHO has also been present at policy briefings regarding alcohol abuse in Uganda, in addition to creating a risk factor survey in 2013 and in 2023, as well as improving Ugandans’ access to treatment for alcohol-related health issues.
A Look Ahead
Pressure caused by extreme poverty has been a significant factor contributing to alcohol abuse in Uganda over the years. Many turn to alcohol as an escape from the suffering of their daily lives, but this only leads to poor economic outcomes and health issues and can cause suffering for whole families. With the support offered by organizations like these, Ugandans can benefit from direct intervention and broader campaigns to heighten awareness of the dangers of alcohol and prevent even more people from taking the path of alcohol abuse.
–Jamie Paterson
Photo: Flickr
USAID Programs in Cuba
Grassroots Groups Stepping In
Cubans, unsatisfied with the response from their government, led grassroots movements after a tornado ripped through Havana in 2019. These grassroots movements leveraged social media to reach out to Cuban donors and donors abroad. After one day, these movements received “over 20,000 Cuban pesos ($833), two packs of medicines, and more than 100 masks.” Cuba’s government could not step in to assist its citizens. As a result, its citizens created their USAID program in Cuba.
Through solidarity, Cuban citizens receive much-needed aid through social media channels and money used to purchase food and medicine. Addressing the more severe issues requires external funds from foreign countries since small donations are a short-term solution. The U.S. is one of many other nations that work to solve root issues of hunger, poverty and malnutrition. The nation hopes their actions will result in prosperity and develop each other’s economy.
USAID’s Ongoing Efforts
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) meshed existing foreign assistance organizations and programs on November 3, 1961, to consolidate resources and agencies. While the U.S. has set sanctions toward Cuba, USAID provides continuous humanitarian assistance through “nutritional food items, vitamins, over-the-counter medicines, and toiletries.” The Biden administration announced $2 million in funding for emergency relief in addition to USAID’s continued assistance.
This funding will assist Cuba in addressing the lack of necessities, especially tobacco production. Estimates show that nearly “9,000 hectares of crops [bananas, cassava, rice and corn] were affected, leading to malnourishment and a lack of diverse food. The country’s government has received criticism after suppressing political activism instead of listening to the demands of its citizens. The Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA) recognizes the need for U.S. humanitarian aid and international aid from other nations.
While the U.S. continues its sanctions toward Cuba, USAID programs in Cuba are working to create stability and cooperation with other nations as well. Another organization is Sweden’s government agency, Sida, which “strives to reduce poverty and oppression around the world.”
Sweden’s Ongoing Efforts
Based on the 2022 analytics provided by Openaid, Sweden has contributed around $3.23 million, with most funds going to various projects and programs in the country. The funding goes to three different sectors in Cuba, in order of importance: human rights, gender equality and democratic development; environment, climate and sustainable use of natural resources; and better living conditions and livelihoods. Spending is focused on three areas, the two most important to reducing global poverty being the second and third items.
With Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza (CATIE) cooperation, Sida educates municipalities and smallholders in biodiversity conservation and sustainable agriculture. Currently, Cuba dominates large-scale monocultures, where only one crop is grown. “Half of the farmland is used to grow sugar cane,” which impairs biodiversity and, in the event of natural disasters, destroys food security and a more varied diet.
Most of the food Cubans consume is imported, with estimates showing up to 80%. In 2022, Cuba made great efforts to recover from its high dependence on food imports, receiving aid through the World Food Programme (WPF) and seeing a slight economic recovery. The WFP and Sida work to reduce the losses from natural disasters. The organization educates, assists and provides tools to farmers to minimize Cuban food insecurities, increase the yields from diverse crops and improve the quality to ensure a varied diet. Farmers, women and the youth are working with USAID programs in Cuba to provide education and methodology persists through natural disasters, poverty and a repressive government.
Ongoing Solutions
Despite Cuba’s ongoing obstacles, various groups and organizations are stepping in to provide the humanitarian aid it desperately needs. From Openaid, the three sectors that receive the majority of funding are government and civil society, general environmental protection, and banking and financial services. The other sectors, like water supply and sanitation, receive about $12,000 or around .38% of the $3.23 million.
There is a need for systems and infrastructure to continue developing to ensure women and youth receive proper nourishment. Grassroots movements continue to receive primary and minor donations for medicine. USAID provides further funding to educate farmers on appropriate maintenance, with other nations providing additional assistance. The inclusion of social media further encourages people from all over to draw awareness to global issues and help enact change to reduce extreme poverty.
– Luis Lujano-Garcia
Photo: Unsplash
The Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation: Alleviating Poverty in Cambodia
The Maddox Jolie-Pitt (MJP) Foundation
The Maddox Jolie-Pitt (MJP) Foundation is an organization founded by Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt in 2003 that provides support to communities living in extreme poverty in Cambodia to improve living conditions and works to protect the environment. The foundation is named after Jolie’s first adopted son, Maddox Jolie-Pitt, whom she adopted from Cambodia in 2002. Angelina Jolie was in Cambodia filming the movie Tomb Raider when she had the idea for the foundation after being inspired by the resilience of the country’s people. The organization’s team consists of Cambodian people, most of whom live in the local villages and have an understanding of the issues of extreme poverty in Cambodia plaguing communities. The foundation has divided its poverty alleviation goal into six main focal areas.
Conservation
In Cambodia, deforestation is a pressing issue. The MJP Foundation identifies lack of resources as the main reason that illegal logging and poaching continues- and the project aims to educate and encourage locals to preserve the natural habitat. The foundation’s website highlights that “In partnership with the Battambang Forestry Administration and local authorities, MJP has established 11 Community Forestry schemes in 4 communes in Samlout District.” This includes four community-run nurseries. In 2017, the foundation planted “more than 10,000 new trees using the seedlings grown in the community nurseries,” the website says.
Agriculture
The foundation’s work also centers on strengthening agriculture in Cambodia. Due to the level of extreme poverty in Cambodia, access to nutritious food is an issue. The MJP Foundation provides practical training for farmers in order to ensure that they are able to make the best use of their land and livestock. This is extremely important due to the fact that 80% of the entire Cambodian population works in agriculture. By increasing yields and productivity, the MJP Foundation helps people to raise their incomes and feed their families.
Education
A huge focus of the MJP project is providing access to trained educators, facilities, and libraries. Gradually, the literacy rate in Cambodia has improved. According to the World Bank, the adult literacy rate (15 and older) rose from 67% in 1998 to 81% in 2015 and then 84% in 2022.
The foundation works with 82 Cambodian school teachers and 10 schools in hopes of substantial improvement. The project provides books for the community and has organized literacy classes and after-school programs to support literacy in Cambodia. It has also provided support for local school sports teams including uniforms and training for coaches. The project also created the Shiloh scholarship, which provides support for children in extreme need.
Women’s Empowerment
The MJP works to increase female involvement in sports, health care and education. Out of 16 MJP health care workers, seven are female, along with 38 females out of 85 educators. MJP founded the Women’s Prosperity Center. The purpose of the center is to organize women-led empowerment activities. The MJP gender coordinator works with more than 30 women in surrounding villages to promote ideas about women’s rights.
Economic Growth
MJP supports economic growth by providing financial assistance to fight against extreme poverty in Cambodia. The organization aims to encourage locals to manage their finances and learn to save.
Health
The MJP health project works to provide sanitation in schools and works with mothers and children on healthy habits, advice, and support. MJP runs two health care clinics out of Cambodia that assist an average of 11,000 people yearly. As part of their approach, the MJP Foundation built two pump wells in schools and incorporated water filters in seven. The MJP also spreads awareness in schools on the importance of proper hygiene.
A Look Ahead
The Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation aims to alleviate extreme poverty in Cambodia through a six-program approach. Through numerous partnerships in local communities and attention to the environment as well as availability of resources, the Jolie-Pitt foundation has provided relief for communities across Cambodia.
– Aubrey Acord
Photo: Flickr
Empowering Mothers in Mauritania to Combat Child Malnutrition
Keeping Mothers in the Know
In 2020, GRET partnered with the Rim Anje Project to launch a three-year project in 11 municipalities and 30 health care systems based in Gorgol and Branka. The project sought to assist health care providers in offering services for infant and young child feeding (IYCF) and teach pregnant and breastfeeding women IYCF practices. The project concluded on February 21, 2023.
During the process, GRET helped close to one hundred community contact individuals in overseeing and instructing Mauritanians, most of whom were women living in villages. They worked alongside breastfeeding and pregnant women in groups such as GASPA (Infant and Young Child Feeding Best Practice Monitoring and Learning Groups). GRET frequently hosted community discussions to guarantee that the mothers remain committed to abiding by healthy feeding practices. In addition to empowering mothers, it included other family members and people in the community.
In the future, GRET plans to work on two new projects: Rim Health and Amal, two organizations that are supported by Monegasque Cooperation for Development and UNICEF respectively. These projects will cover more topics such as sexual and reproductive health, ensuring good hygiene and providing access to food, drinking water and sanitation to young children.
The Special Bracelet
In 2023, the Red Crescent volunteers in Mauritania took steps to fight child malnutrition. They trained mothers to identify signs of malnutrition in their children using a special bracelet. Facilitator Rakia Salem, from a mother’s club established by the Red Crescent, explained the bracelet’s function: “[My role involves training mothers to screen children for malnutrition using the MUAC (mid-upper arm circumference) bracelet. It’s a simple, easy-to-use tool that can help prevent a deterioration in their health condition.]”
According to The World Health Organization (WHO), if a child’s upper arm measures under 11.5cm, they suffer from acute malnutrition. The bracelet is a unique yet not altogether uncommon instrument to assess malnutrition. In addition to Red Crescent, The Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA) trained 47,141 Mauritanians to use the bracelet since 2019. The project proved effective, as out of the 2,567 malnourished children under 5 that the alliance treated, 95% recovered in 2022.
Class Is in Session
On top of making use of the bracelet, Red Crescent taught mothers how to recognize signs of malnutrition and earn money. The mothers’ club turned out to be an effective place to diagnose children quickly, since, as Food Security and Livelihoods Manager Mohamed Abdallahi explained, mothers are around their children every day and are thus most likely to detect early signs of malnutrition. Currently, there are 10 mothers’ clubs in Barkeol, and the place affords women an opportunity to discuss maternal and child health, hygiene, sanitation and nutrition.
In Mauritania, 56.9% of the population lives in poverty. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that most families cannot afford to meet minimum daily food needs for their children. As a result, the Mauritanian Red Crescent also taught mothers to establish their own income-generating initiatives. Due to a grant from the organization, one of the clubs opened a relatively cheap food store in the village.
Stories From the Field
GRET’s results point to a positive trajectory. Aissata Ndongo, a midwife at the Mbagne health care center, assured that the training benefitted citizens considerably and helped combat child malnutrition in Mauritania. She added that the community contact persons raised awareness, and women now consult health care organizations to monitor their pregnancy and their babies instead of giving birth at home. Another woman who participated in the GASPA group spoke of the impact of GRET’s actions, “The GASPAs enabled several children to fall ill less often, thanks to the messages conveyed by the community contact person, and also by the health care organizations.”
Regarding UNICEF’s efforts to combat child malnutrition in Mauritania by admitting 27,829 children for treatment in 2022 and educating women, Hasseniya, a 16-year-old victim of early marriage, expressed gratitude for GASPA, “The community dialogue sessions helped me a lot. I was made aware of the importance of having prenatal consultations every three months and breastfeeding my baby immediately after birth.” Khadidiatou Mohamed Abdallahi, President of the mothers’ club, also appeared thankful for the Mauritanian Red Crescent, saying, “We used to have a lot of difficulties, but thanks to the support of the Mauritanian Red Crescent, we are now able to improve our families’ food security and diversify our children’s diets.”
Beyond “On the Ground” Work
In December 2022, WFP provided food and cash assistance to 54,000 freshly resettled refugees in Mauritania. To treat malnutrition in the Mbera camp, the organization offered specialized food and fortified oil to 600 children aged 6-59 months and 220 pregnant and lactating women and girls; and to prevent malnutrition, the organization provided nearly 3,500 children aged 6-23 months and 1,700 pregnant and lactating women and girls with food. In six other regions, 99 percent of children undergoing treatment for moderate acute malnutrition recovered.
Furthermore, the WFP assisted 400 schools in three regions with school meals. It also launched the Food Assistance for Assets (FFA) program, which offered insurance to Mauritanians who may be affected by climate change. Lastly, the WFP and ANGMV (National Agency of the Great Green Wall) implemented a mission in Timbedra and Djiguéni to assist communities dealing with food insecurity in the southern and eastern parts of the country through a debt-swap initiative between Mauritania and Spain.
– Mariam Jawhar
Photo: Flickr
US Treasury Licenses to Reduce Poverty in Venezuela
Venezuela’s Economy and Politics
Ongoing economic collapse since the mid-2010s resulted in Venezuela losing 80% of its GDP, and the Venezuelan bolivar is a currency that is now worthless. The current crisis in Venezuela can be reduced to two causes: the authoritarian Maduro government and the consequent U.S. sanctions imposed with the hope of restoring democracy in the country.
Such sanctions limit American trading with Venezuela, particularly in natural resources, of which petroleum, natural gas and gold are leading components. The properties of the natural site once qualified Venezuela as the richest nation in South America. Now, more than 50% of households live in extreme poverty and humanitarian awareness is shifting toward reducing poverty in Venezuela.
Migration and Poverty Venezuela
An estimated 5 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance in the South American nation. In addition, 11 million are suffering from malnourishment, 4 million do not have access to regular meals, 4 million lack access to clean drinking water and close to 1.5 million do not have basic sanitation.
Living conditions in Venezuela depend upon the investments in natural resources. As they reduce, so, too, are economic opportunities. Consequently, the nation continues to undergo the largest refugee crisis in South American history, as nearly 8 million Venezuelans flee their home nation.
The U.S. recently recognized the association between Venezuela’s humanitarian and migration crisis, and the nation’s government and economy. Spotting this was the first step toward reducing poverty in Venezuela.
New US Policy to Combat Poverty in Venezuela
Since 2017, the U.S. has offered $2.5 billion in humanitarian assistance to Venezuela, including $407 million pledged in 2021 to provide relief to the regional crisis and $171 million provided to the same cause in March 2023. Extending out of this are three licenses that the U.S. Treasury passed on October 18, 2023.
The first license ensures a six-month relief of restrictions placed on Venezuela’s oil and gas sector. The second lifts similar restrictions on the nation’s gold sector. Additionally, the third opens up secondary market investments in Venezuela’s leading petroleum company, Petróleos de Venezuela (PdVSA).
Many believe the suspension signifies a step toward restoring democracy in Venezuela, though one must consider the relief a humanitarian act as much as a political one — reviving the economy and thereby providing jobs serves as a hopeful attempt by the U.S. to reduce poverty in Venezuela.
December Agreement: Political Change
A December agreement informed the licenses, as a further attempt to restore democracy in Venezuela. Maria Corina Machado, a political opponent of Maduro who was previously barred from the 2024 election, won the Venezuelan primaries held on October 20, 2023, two days after the U.S. Treasury announcement.
On December 1, 2023, the Venezuelan government and opposition party agreed to an appeal process allowing banned candidates to run, which supports the hope that Machado, with U.S. backing, will be able to take office without further roadblocks.
A Pivotal 2024
The new U.S. licenses carry the potential to directly reduce poverty through the reopening of sectors, improving rates of employment and foreign investment and providing Venezuelans with better wages. As the licenses were passed alongside political support of Machado, the democratic resolutions have the potential to reduce poverty in Venezuela by introducing the free market, which Machado supports. It seems 2024 will be a pivotal year in Venezuelan history. Additionally, with the $54 million requested by the Biden administration in the new year’s budget, America’s continued efforts to reduce poverty in Venezuela may soon yield fruit.
– Joseph Wray
Photo: Flickr