In many respects, Costa Rica has been able to boast about serious accomplishments: curbing deforestation, democratic balance, foreign investment and trade freedom. However, while there has been success, there has also been increasing economic inequality and steady poverty rates. SDG 10 in Costa Rica is experiencing some setbacks. The U.N. created the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to bring attention and action to economic woes, along with environmental and social safeguards. Each SDG tackles a different issue; SDG 10 deals with inequality.
Inequality and Social Investment
Since the mid 20th century, Costa Rica has invested heavily in social programs. A 2016 World Bank report shows how Costa Rica’s abolition of the army freed up capital for “education, health and social security.” In the 2000s, investment in social and public services became more than 20% of the GDP.
Experts say these factors helped Costa Rica gradually improve the quality of life for many people. For example, according to a former Costa Rican president, Luis Guillermo Solís, “… the consolidation of social reforms allowed the construction of a society with a strong predominance of the middle class,” ReVista reports.
Despite these successes, poverty is not reducing at an ideal rate, and inequality is increasing. Although the poverty rate in Costa Rica is one of the lowest in Latin America, it has been steady “at around 20% for almost two decades.” Some attribute these problems to Costa Rica’s changing policies on social programs. The former president of the Inter-American Court of Justice, Elizabeth Odio, says, “The country has had improvements in the fiscal balance, but this has been done at the expense of social issues. We are deteriorating two fundamental pillars: health and education,” ReVista reports.
Workers
There have been less opportunities for less-educated workers in recent years, and an aging population puts pressure on households. Also, groups such as migrants, indigenous people, and single mothers are continuing to struggle. Meanwhile, educated workers are in an improving situation, and prices continue to rise. It seems that this dynamic is widening the disparity and worsening SDG 10 in Costa Rica.
One group that is being negatively affected by inequality is Nicaraguan refugees and migrants. This group makes 7% of the Costa Rican population. Sadly, “Nicaraguans in Costa Rica are overall poorer, tend to be less educated and earn less,” according to UNHCR. Also, they tend to work “informally,” resulting in them getting fewer social transfers than locals.
According to UNHCR, studies suggest that “improving employment conditions, social inclusion, and access to services” would help Costa Rica and Nicaraguan migrants. Many migrants could contribute more to Costa Rica if they were more included in the social system.
Crime
Costa Rica has also experienced an uptick in crime. This can be attributed to drug trafficking becoming a worse problem in recent years. Because of Costa Rica’s coastlines, it is an advantageous port for drug traffickers, and it has become the largest shipment point for cocaine going to the U.S. and Europe.
Murders have risen while the price of cocaine has dropped, causing an increase in addiction. These factors compounded with high inflation have perpetuated poverty and inequality. To make matters worse, drug trafficking has created violent gangs that strain the system even further, GlobalPost reports.
As a result of the pandemic and a lack of opportunities, many young people have dropped out of school and are joining gangs. Also, the rise in crime is deterring tourists from visiting, which is hurting the tourist industry; tourism is “7.1% of the country’s labor force.” This strains poor communities even further, contributes to inequality and weakens SDG 10 in Costa Rica.
In response to crime, the Costa Rican government hired 1,500 more police officers, and they have installed cargo drug scanners on the coasts. Also, “the Ministry of Public Security grew by $40 million,” according to The Costa Rican Times. The U.S. has contributed scanners and $40.5 million to fight crime and drug trafficking.
Solutions
Organizations like CEPIA are working to address issues like lack of education and lack of skills in the job market. CEPIA provides after-school programs, care for families living in vulnerable circumstances, professional training and employment, legal orientation and more.
CEPIA supports “over 1,000 children, teenagers and their families from poor backgrounds.” If a contributor to inequality is lack of education and opportunities for less skilled workers, CEPIA has many services to fill that gap. Hundreds of poor children receive school supplies. Those students can also participate in sports along with psychological counseling. In addition, 600 adults participate in the programs as well.
Along with CEPIA, SOS Children’s Villages is working to help children in need. They report that one in three children live in poverty in Costa Rica. As a result, this organization “has worked with other non-governmental organizations and companies to improve youth employability.” It also “created a digital platform called YouthLinks which connects young people with mentors in the country and region.”
SOS Children’s Village supports disadvantaged people around the world, and they have worked in Costa Rica Since 1972. It has schools, which strive to improve the lives of disadvantaged children. There are 190 children learning at their kindergartens, 300 children grow up in their care and 70 young people are given assistance as they work to become independent.
Although Costa Rica is a country moving on an upward trajectory, SDG 10 in Costa Rica has been struggling. Still, the country continues to fight for a better future.
– Michael Messina
Michael is based in Newburyport, MA, USA and focuses on Technology and Politics for The Borgen Project.
Photo: Flickr
Indigenous Poverty in Brazil: How Has it Improved?
Brazil and President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
According to 2022 data, Brazil is home to close to 1.7 million people of Indigenous descent, only making up 0.83% of the population. In recent years, the relationship between the government of Brazil and the Indigenous populations has become a topic of conversation. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is the current president of Brazil. He is also a past president of Brazil; he was Brazil’s president from 2003 to 2011.
President Lula’s current administration has the same goals as his previous administration. In the past, much of the focus of his presidency was that of reforming social security, enhancing educational opportunities, particularly for poor individuals, pension, tax policies and combating hunger and poverty. In his time as president before, he would combat poverty in Brazil through three main motions: providing aid to farmers, improving labour and reform pensions, and providing cash-transfer programs to the poor. Much of the work he did back then has been maintained.
Aid for farmers is as much of an issue now as it was in the early 2000s. According to the World Bank, as of November 2024, the World Bank Board of Directors approved the Transforming Brazil’s Agrifood System program. It aims to improve the national agriculture system by supporting farmers and increasing productivity, along with expanding access to markets. With a total budget of $1.6 billion, it could benefit close to 421,000 farmers and over 1.2 million people living in rural Brazil.
Bolsa Familia
Cash transfer programs are still in place in the country. The Brazilian Cash Transfer Program, known as Bolsa Família, is “the largest conditional cash-transfer program in the world” as of 2020. The program has a goal of eradicating poverty and stabilizing food accessibility. It assists 13 million families, totalling about 50 million people.
The program requires families to commit to keeping their children in school and providing them adequate health care, like regular health checks, to obtain the funds. The funds are equal to about $35. About 94% of the funds go to the poorest 40% of the population, according to the World Bank. Evidence shows that people use money for food, clothes and school supplies.
Indigenous Relations with the Brazilian Government
Since the beginning of President Lula’s administration in his previous presidency and now, he has focused on reducing Indigenous poverty in Brazil.
Relations between Indigenous peoples and the government of Brazil have improved since Lula’s creation of the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples. Sônia Guajajara became the minister of the program. Guajajara is currently leading the fight over land rights for Indigenous peoples in the country of Brazil. She came from poverty, just as President Lula himself did.
Guajajara has done extensive work trying to make sure that Indigenous voices are heard within the government. She is a member of four different organizations aimed at uplifting the Indigenous population within the country. In 2018, she was a candidate for vice president. TIME magazine named her one of the most influential people in the world in 2022.
Indigenous poverty in Brazil is being targeted through sustainable projects in villages throughout Brazil. As of 2022, the country has invested around R$30 million in rural production, agricultural machinery, technical training and fishing. Internet accessibility has also improved in Indigenous communities through the WI-Fi Brazil Program. The program has led to the installation of 197 internet points in Indigenous communities throughout the country.
Decreasing Steadily
Since 2005, Indigenous poverty in Brazil has decreased steadily, with a short uptick due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2005, the poverty rate was at nearly 50%. Currently, the poverty rate for Indigenous communities stands at 33.2%. Due to President Lula and his fervour to eradicate poverty within the country, that number is where it is.
– Maya Renfro
Photo: Flickr
Nauru Detention Center: An Example for the World?
UK’s Immigration Strategy
The United Kingdom’s (U.K.’s) 2021 Plan for Immigration highlights its commitment to future migration partnerships and amends sections 77 and 78 of the Nationality Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 to allow for the transfer of asylum seekers from the U.K. while their claims or appeals are pending. The plan also keeps options open for offshore asylum processing if needed in the future. This approach remains pertinent as, in July 2024, the Guardian reported British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s openness to processing refugees offshore.
Human Rights Concerns
Although the U.K. intends to follow international regulations, the Nauru Detention Center can serve as a warning to other nations seeking to implement similar standards, as Human Rights Watch and prominent media outlets have denounced the poor living conditions and reported human rights violations in these facilities. Since 2013, people held at the Nauru Processing Center have been subject to several human rights violations, living in substandard conditions and in a seemingly endless uncertainty of whether they will be able to find resettlement elsewhere.
Tragic Incidents and Living Conditions
In 2016, this situation gained major international attention when Omid Masoumali, a 23-year-old Iranian refugee who sought asylum in Australia, lit himself on fire in an act of protest against the country’s cruel detention policy. Detained for more than three years in Nauru, Omid died two days later.
In an interview for Amnesty International, Elham Arouni Hesari, Omid’s mother, said her son “loved Australia, but the way the country rejected and took his life will forever torture [her].” She elaborated on the wounds he acquired – internal bleeding and burns – and questioned why he was operated on in ill-equipped medical facilities. Refugees receive inhumane treatment, residing in moldy, overcrowded and unhygienic tents where they lack both safety and privacy. With little access to education and proper housing, children and parents often reported feeling unsafe due to the guards’ aggressive and threatening behavior.
Nauru’s Health Care Crisis
Dr. Nick Martin, along with other health care specialists and Nauruans, find the health care system on the island unsatisfactory and inadequate for the community’s needs. The Nauruan government struggles with a deepening health crisis, especially regarding refugee protection. For the past 11 years, patients frequently needed medical treatment overseas but were often denied transfer to Australian hospitals, leading to worsened health outcomes and sometimes fatal consequences.
Despite Australia investing significantly in Nauru’s health facilities—approximately A$865,000 annually per person—medical treatment remains insufficient. With a small community, Nauru is ill-equipped to meet the needs of its increasingly vulnerable population. Independent reviews by the Australian Medical Association have highlighted critical gaps, including a lack of access to essential items like glasses or medications for existing conditions.
Meghna Abraham, Director of Global Thematic Issues at Amnesty International, has strongly criticized these practices, stating, “Nauru has failed to provide refugees with the health care they desperately need. Denying them medical transfers is yet another blow and demonstrates just how far the human rights of refugees have slipped down Nauru and Australia’s agendas.”
Challenges Faced by Refugees
Refugees who have integrated into the Nauruan community face significant challenges, as highlighted in the latest report by the Asylum Seeker Resources Centre (ASRC). Despite promises of necessities upon release from closed detention, many still struggle to afford three meals a day, clothes, drinking water, towels and shoes.
An anonymous asylum-seeker explained the financial hardships to ASRC: “Everything on Nauru is very expensive and the financial allowance of $230 per fortnight is not enough. The phone and internet package is $100 and drinking water is $70, this leaves $60 for food and all other expenses. IHMS doctors told us to eat fruits and vegetables, but we cannot afford it and it is affecting our health.”
Accommodation also presents challenges, with more than 35 people residing in complexes similar to detention centers, sharing cramped spaces with inadequate facilities. Some report needing to walk two hours to reach a bus stop. Additionally, the cost of phone credit prevents many from keeping in touch with their families, exacerbating mental health issues in a ss=”yoast-text-mark”>ss=”yoast-text-mark”>ss=”yoast-text-mark”>ss=”yoast-text-mark”>ss=”yoast-text-mark”>f=”https://asrc.org.au/2024/10/17/people-held-on-nauru-moved-into-community-and-face-further-challenges/”>community where 22% already suffer from serious mental conditions.
Lessons from Nauru
The Nauru Detention Center serves as a cautionary tale against penalizing asylum-seekers. In the U.K., former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s goal of >stopping small boat crossings and perceived successes in Australia in reducing irregular arrivals have contributed to the belief that such systems work. However, beyond significant human rights concerns, the costs of maintaining the Nauru Detention Center are astronomical—approximately $573,000 per person each year, according to a 2019 report by Save the Children, Get Up!, and the ASRC. Current opinions and developments indicate a failure to learn from Australia’s mistakes, with scholars criticizing the government for “seeking to enact cruel policies for populist political gain.”
– Beatriz Cicci
Photo: Flickr
Marburg Virus Outbreak in Rwanda: The Progress
Animal Contagion
The Marburg outbreak in Rwanda was announced on September 27, 2024, according to Nature. Surrounding countries reported their outbreaks years before, with Tanzania and Equatorial Guinea having their outbreak just last year. At first, the virus’s origins were uncertain; researchers thought it came from an animal but had no proof. Rwanda started contract tracing and an epidemiological investigation to identify the first patients and to determine how they contracted the virus.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the animal of contact was possibly a Rousettus bat, a fruit bat found in mines or caves, because they carry the Marburg virus. “Initially, human Marburg virus infection results from prolonged exposure to mines or caves inhabited by Rousettus bat colonies,” said eMedicine Health.
Progress of the Marburg vaccine
The Marburg virus is a relative of the Ebola virus, both being part of the Filoviridae family. Both viruses have similar symptoms and transmission. According to eMedicineHealth, the Ebola virus has a higher fatality rate of 25%-90% compared to the Marburg virus fatality rate of 24%-88%. Ebola is more virulent but has two licensed vaccines, while the Marburg virus has none.
As of October 2024, the only vaccine for the Marburg virus is experimental. The scientists had the first trial of the experimental vaccine to fight the Marburg virus outbreak in early October. The Sabin Vaccine Institute sent out 700 vaccine doses to health care workers because they are the most at risk. The vaccine is currently in Phase 2, which means it is still undergoing testing. The Sabin Vaccine Institute still monitors people with previous outbreaks in surrounding countries.
“Interim results are expected next year, and Sabin also plans to launch a similar Phase 2 trial in the U.S. next year,” said the Sabin Vaccine Institute.
Outside Help
The people of Rwanda are not combating the Marburg virus outbreak alone. They have the support of many, some of which are WHO, Africa CDC and the United States, using a “governmental approach.” The CDC and WHO worked with Rwanda to begin a response to the outbreak and identify the public health needs. Rwanda’s supporters also sent scientists and researchers to help with the epidemiologic investigation and distribution of the vaccine.
The Marburg virus outbreak in Rwanda has reached level two for travelling which states “Practice Enhanced Precautions.” The WHO and the CDC have released statements about the outbreak and the risks people take if they travel to Rwanda. The supporters of Rwanda during the outbreak have helped create a response plan/program to assist in the public health of the people in Rwanda.
Conclusion
Since the announcement of the Marburg virus outbreak in Rwanda, the country has worked effortlessly to stop the virus. Many have come to Rwanda’s aid in their time of need. Their supporters have provided vaccines and plans to help support the public and the health officials/workers. Coming to Rwanda’s aid has allowed the progress of attaining an official and approved vaccine for the Marburg Virus that could prevent any more severe outbreaks in the future.
– Ashley Diaz
Photo: Flickr
Charities Fighting Child Mortality in Afghanistan
Afghanistan’s limited medical facilities exacerbate the issue. The country’s fragile health care system leaves mothers and young children particularly vulnerable to the spread of infectious diseases. With underdeveloped immune systems, children are especially susceptible to illnesses that claim the lives of thousands in Afghanistan each year. However, there are several charities fighting infant mortality in Afghanistan.
HealthProm
HealthProm, established in 1984, is a U.K.-based nonprofit organization focused on reducing child and maternal mortality. It started working in Afghanistan in 2008 and has significantly lowered the country’s high child mortality rate. The organization has achieved this by providing emergency transport for women in labor to health centers. It also encouraged the local communities to establish Women’s Safe Motherhoods Groups and Men’s Support Groups to create awareness of the risks associated with pregnancy and child birth.
Afghan Mother and Child Rescue
Afghan Mother and Child Rescue (AMCR) is another nongovernmental organization (NGO) dedicated to supporting women and children in Afghanistan. The organization focuses on constructing and maintaining health clinics and medical facilities to improve maternal and child health outcomes. The charity spends approximately $37,000 toward building and maintaining these essential facilities, ensuring greater access to health care for vulnerable populations.
UNICEF
Working alongside Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Health, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) facilitates the care of children, especially those in vulnerable regions. UNICEF supports Afghanistan’s children through initiatives focusing on health, nutrition, water sanitation and hygiene, all aimed at reducing child mortality. Nearly 1.2 million children younger than 12 months receive life-saving vaccines each year. These immunizations protect against nine diseases, significantly improving their chances of leading healthy lives.
Looking To the Future
Charities like HealthProm, AMCR and UNICEF are working to combat child mortality in regions with the highest rates. As child deaths in Afghanistan continue to decline, achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of ending preventable deaths among children younger than 5 by 2030 becomes increasingly attainable, thanks to the growing number of children surviving and thriving.
The efforts of these charities, alongside other projects, are making a difference in the child mortality rate in Afghanistan by improving access to medical care and providing appropriate life-saving treatments and vaccinations. Since 2020, the infant mortality rate per 1,000 live births has decreased by 5.4 deaths.
– Megan Hall
Photo: Flickr
Concern Worldwide in Malawi Takes Action
Poverty in Malawi
A variety of challenges cause poverty among Malawians, including extreme weather variations, difficulty accessing globally traded goods, inequalities in food production and low access to health facilities. These issues result in an increased cost of living that is disproportionately impacting women and rural communities. A study from the National Library of Health describes the connection between income and the health status of families in rural Malawi. Research reveals that by increasing the overall income level by 10%, the average health status and level of well-being of Malawians improves by up to 1.2%. Concern Worldwide understands the crucial role the economy plays in health and poverty levels and takes action from multiple angles.
Economic Impact
Research from the World Bank explains how economic growth directly affects mortality rates and life expectancy in developing countries. Additional factors such as income and income distribution, food prices, education and access to trading and transportation are primarily impacting the 80% of Malawians living in rural areas. Improving economic conditions requires changes in multiple areas of society by increasing the minimum wage, education and the household division of labor.
RAISE Program
Concern Worldwide has taken action to improve the economic stability of the country by educating community members. The Raising Assets and Income for a Sustainable Environment in Malawi (RAISE) program, funded by the EU and Irish Aid, provides individuals from four districts in Malawi with a Business Skills Training course to encourage small businesses. This training, offered in Chikwawa, Mwanza, Neno and Nsanje, focuses on business management, risk vs reward and budget organization. Despite navigating literacy barriers, participants claim to have learned valuable skills to increase stability in sales and organization. Not only are entrepreneurs provided the knowledge to start their businesses, but they are also provided with a capital-funded transfer to start their enterprise.
Health
In particular, rural Malawi’s low-income households, lacking access to medical resources or transportation to health centers, contribute to the lowest mortality rate. Researchers in the National Library of Medicine suggest public health and disease as the primary causes of decreasing mortality rates in struggling countries. Flooding furthers the spread of diseases and blocks roads, preventing access to centers.
To combat this, the organization is increasing the use of accessible technology to aid those who cannot make a trip to a clinic. Chipatala cha pa foni is a mobile hotline where young women and potential mothers can ask questions and hear advice from health care professionals. This program offers potentially life-saving opportunities to women struggling with their pregnancy or overall health. The organization is also implementing entertaining, educational methods to teach young girls about sexual health and reproduction. This helps younger populations be more aware of concerns such as AIDS, HIV, teen pregnancy and early marriage.
Environmental Relief
Malawi relies heavily on agriculture to support its economy and feed its population. This makes the country dependent on the stability and predictability of the weather. However, Malawi is among the top 10 countries in the world impacted the most by turbulent weather changes. For instance, periods of high rainfall increase the spread of malaria through mosquitoes and flooding makes access to clean water more difficult, increasing the spread of cholera. Concern Worldwide combats agricultural disturbances by implementing Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) techniques. CSA is a form of conservation agriculture that prioritizes the land and its sustainability in the future regardless of unpredictable weather concerns.
Specifically, Concern was one of the first organizations to respond to Cyclone Freddy in 2023. The storm damaged more than 50,000 homes, destroying crops, roads, powerlines and livestock. In response, Concern Worldwide provided 45 camps for displaced families throughout South Malawi and sent blankets, mosquito nets and other supplies to impacted areas. Emergency funds were allocated to 2,000 families forced to rebuild their lives.
Women
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has made commonly received goods unaffordable throughout Malawi. This increases the overall cost of living and contributes to poverty in an already struggling environment. Concern Worldwide analyzes the rising economic concerns through a gendered lens, considering how these challenges impact women. Malawian women especially lack access to financial responsibility, credit centers and household decision-making, which makes them vulnerable to inequalities in supplies and food production. By encouraging women to have a greater role in household decision-making and implementing a division of labor, families are better prepared to recover from disaster in the future.
A 2022 event featuring a panel discussion on the gendered impacts of the increasing cost of living in Malawi explains the economic and social issues women face and what is being done to address them. The discussion outlines the necessity of adopting a genderless approach to social protection systems to ensure women have equal access and support. The emphasis is on how prioritizing access to social protection programs for women in need can benefit the community long-term by reducing factors that contribute to poverty. In addition to encouraging women to enter the workforce, raising the minimum wage is considered an option to combat increasing costs. This would benefit the daily livelihoods of the workforce and boost the economy in life-changing ways.
Overall Impact
Despite various adversities, Malawi’s stability is gradually improving with the help of Concern Worldwide. This life-changing NGO offers aid and assists communities in protecting and rebuilding their livelihoods. By educating the workforce, supporting women, providing environmental and health care services and backing micro-businesses, Concern Worldwide empowers Malawi to support itself and require less aid in the future.
– Lauren Sellman
Photo: Flickr
Strengthening Education in Brazil
Brazil’s Education System and Socioeconomic Progress
Education in Brazil is a guaranteed social right under the Federal Constitution, providing free public access at all levels. The education system is divided into basic and higher education. Basic education encompasses early childhood, primary and lower secondary and upper secondary education. Compulsory education begins at age 4 with pre-school and continues for 14 years through the end of upper secondary education. Historically, Brazil’s economic growth has benefited from favorable demographics and robust commodity prices. This growth, coupled with specific policies, has significantly improved living standards. Between 2003 and 2014, these efforts lifted more than 29 million people out of poverty, reduced child mortality by 73% from 1990 to 2011 and broadened access to basic education.
OECD’s 5 Steps to Strengthen Brazil’s Education System
Looking Ahead
Brazil’s commitment to advancing its education system reflects the country’s efforts to prepare for future socioeconomic challenges. Prioritizing innovation, equity and effective resource allocation can potentially address long-standing disparities in education. By fostering collaborative partnerships and emphasizing strategic improvements in education, Brazil aims to create opportunities for all students, supporting both national development and individual growth.
– Indira Smith
Photo: Flickr
Overcoming Obstacles After Migration to New Zealand
New Zealand hosts 1,500 refugees and asylum seekers annually, predominantly from Asia, the Middle East, the Pacific. and South America. Migrants experience challenges, such as the language barrier between migrants and locals and discrimination, when adjusting to a foreign country. Here is more information about the challenges pertaining to migration to New Zealand.
Language Barrier Between Refugees and Locals
Due to the language barrier, some retired migrants cannot comfortably interact socially with the locals, which disables them from forging new relationships and connections. Moreover, social support and health services are difficult to access because they need to speak English in New Zealand.
Such healthcare services include consulting medical doctors when ill or providing emergency services in critical situations. The inability to convey their health issues can lead to complications in the future.
Discrimination from Locals
Discrimination is prevalent in New Zealand; however, it is more common for migrants and foreigners to experience racial prejudice. Due to physical appearances or the inability to speak English, migrants may get harassed in public places by locals.
“As stated in the 2016 General Social Survey (GSS), about 26% of recent migrants said they’d felt discriminated against in the previous 12 months, compared with about 16 percent for both long-term migrants and people born in New Zealand.” This affirms that racial discrimination does occur for migrants regardless of the duration they have lived in New Zealand. Furthermore, discrimination effects poverty via:
Unemployment Among Migrant Workers in New Zealand
There have been numerous accounts where multiple Chinese migrant workers are left jobless due to their employers firing them. “Three Chinese migrant workers who were sacked within a month of each other by the same Auckland employer are the latest among at least 100 workers who are unemployed after paying thousands of dollars for their accredited employer work visas (AEWV).” Many have paid thousands of dollars for accredited work visas yet cannot earn a steady income or afford living costs.
Existing Poverty Among Migrants in New Zealand
Despite initiatives from independent organizations to address the challenges of migration to New Zealand, poverty among migrants in New Zealand is still prevalent. According to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, 16% of migrants could not afford to live in their previous country. In contrast, almost a third of all migrants do not have sufficient funds to pay for their living costs in New Zealand.
The New Zealand Red Cross
In 1944, during World War 2, the New Zealand Red Cross welcomed New Zealand’s first refugees – more than 700 Polish children displaced in the war. The New Zealand Red Cross has assisted more than 7,000 people to start a new life in New Zealand for the last 20 years.
For the first six months, volunteers will help former refugees with logistical arrangements, such as purchasing groceries, setting up an online bank account, heading to the local school for English lessons, and familiarizing themselves with the local neighborhood.
The Human Rights Commission
If refugees experience racial discrimination, they can approach the Human Rights Commission (Te Kähui Tika Tangata) for details and help. Specific types of racism are illegal, and the Human Rights Act safeguards refugees from racial discrimination and harassment in some public areas: government services and grocery stores.
New Zealand Immigration ensures that former refugees and their families are included in the local community while staying mentally and physically healthy, having a place to call home, learning English, and staying independent with a job.
A Path Forward for Migration to New Zealand
While migrants may encounter these issues, government-initiated plans and organizations provide effective solutions for a smoother transition from impoverished countries to New Zealand. With a wide range of support, migrants can join communities to live comfortably with others without the burden of poverty.
– Nalini Vijayakumar
Photo: Flickr
Radio Begum: A Lifeline for Afghan girls
The “Gender Apartheid” in Afghanistan
The Taliban are “methodically and intentionally‘” enforcing a system of gender-based segregation – which Afghan activists, like Dr Sima Samar, describe as a “gender apartheid.”
Dr Samar, who witnessed the collapse of the Taliban’s previous regime in 2001, never imagined seeing such extreme violations of women’s rights reoccur just two decades later. Yet, over the last three years, the Taliban have enacted numerous laws banning girls from going to secondary school, accessing employment, the justice system and even public spaces. Most recently, the oppression of women has reached a new extreme, with a ban prohibiting “women’s voices from being heard in public.”
A female teacher in Afghanistan said: “In my province, we had girls that could be singers, professors, athletes and politicians. Now we have nothing left. All of those talents are in jail, left the country or now live in hiding. Families rush to marry their daughters because they are afraid the Taliban may take them for marriage. Most girls are forced to marry. This is a nightmare I never imagined to happen.”
The Power of Radio to Educate
Radio is a powerful tool in resisting the Taliban’s oppression of women and girls. It provides one of the main sources of information for Afghans, with 72% of the population having access to a radio, as of 2015. This widespread accessibility allows the radio to serve as an important educational platform for Afghan girls.
Recognizing this, Radio Begum emerged in 2021 to support, empower and educate Afghan women and girls. Its daily radio broadcasts currently provide remote schooling and educational support to 5.9 million Afghan girls.
However, Radio Begum is just one part of the wider mission led by its founder, Hamida Aman. Her NGO, The Begum Organization for Women (BOW), brings together a network of social activists, health professionals and journalists who produce broadcasts from Paris to more than 19 provinces in Afghanistan. With support from UNESCO, BOW even extends its support beyond education, producing content dedicated to women’s mental health, gender-specific healthcare and domestic violence, according to UNESCO.
Additionally, with funding from the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC), BOW has further expanded its reach by integrating radio, satellite TV and internet broadcasting to ensure more girls across Afghanistan can access education for free. Whilst Radio Begum cannot put a stop to the oppression of women and girls, Hamida Aman emphasizes that “by keeping our radio on, by keeping our voices loud, we are resisting,” UNESCO reports.
The Need for International Support
Radio Begum offers a critical lifeline for Afghan women and girls. Despite significant obstacles, BOW’s work exemplifies Afghan women’s resilience and resistance to the Taliban, as they continue to develop innovative ways to support and empower Afghan girls. However, BOW must secure further international funding to ensure Radio Begum continues to provide Afghan women and girls with access to education, employment and leadership opportunities.
Yet, despite the severity of the situation, the international community has failed to take sufficient action. Indeed, Amnesty International and activists, like Sima Samar, continue to call for the establishment of an independent international accountability mechanism to hold the Taliban accountable for their crimes under international law.
– Georgia Wells
Photo: Flickr
Universal Health Care: Improving Diseases Impacting Togo
Health Care in Togo
In Togo, 45% of the population live below the poverty line, which means they face an economic barrier to accessing health care. Moreover, the health care system in Togo is heavily reliant on external funding and resources, so the current system cannot properly aid those suffering from various lethal diseases impacting Togo. This only furthers the need for a proper health care system. However, this need also increases the burden on the present system.
There is less than one doctor for every 10,000 Togolese compared to 36 doctors for every 10,000 Americans. Therefore, there needs to be improvements to access to health care in Togo. This lack of adequate health care coverage is why diseases impacting Togo are the leading causes of death.
Lower Respiratory Tract Infections
Lower respiratory tract infections make up 75 of every 100,000 deaths in Togo. As a result, they are the leading cause of death in Togo, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Lower respiratory tract infections occur when bacteria, viruses or fungi enter the lungs. Common lower respiratory tract infections include the flu, viral bronchiolitis and pneumonia. Anyone can develop a lower respiratory tract infection. However, young children, adults over 65 and people with weakened immune systems are most at risk of contracting these infections and dying from them.
Stroke
The second leading cause of death in Togo is stroke; making up 66 of every 100,000 deaths, according to WHO. Strokes occur when the blood supply to the brain begins decreasing. The reduction of blood supply prevents the brain from receiving nutrients and oxygen, resulting in brain cell death within minutes. Blood leaking also results in strokes and occurs when leaking blood in the brain increases pressure on brain cells and damages them.
Ischemic Heart Disease
Ischemic heart disease causes 45 of every 100,000 deaths in Togo, according to WHO. This heart disease occurs when there is a lack of blood flowing to heart muscles, often caused by fat and cholesterol collecting in coronary arteries. This disease therefore commonly causes chest pain, trouble breathing and heart attacks, which is why it is the third leading cause of death in Togo.
Improvements to Health Care
All of these diseases are preventable and or treatable. Yet, until there is adequate access to health care in Togo, these diseases could continue to be the top causes of death.
The Togolese government passed legislation in 2021 to begin developing universal health care and expects all resistance to have coverage by 2025. The program plans to provide health care for public and private sector employees, along with those on public assistance unable to pay. Employees will receive coverage through their and their employer’s contributions. While people unable to pay will revive funding through the government.
The health care program already has 800,000 people enrolled, which is 50% more than the previous 470,000 covered by the former program.
Investment in universal health care means investment in medical equipment, facilities and workers. Investing in these areas could increase the demand for workers. However, it could also increase the number of those seeking health care positions, which could lead to more health professionals able to help Togolese people.
Therefore, with universal health care, comes help for those suffering from the diseases impacting Togo.
– Nivea Walker
Photo: Flickr
SDG 10 in Costa Rica
Inequality and Social Investment
Since the mid 20th century, Costa Rica has invested heavily in social programs. A 2016 World Bank report shows how Costa Rica’s abolition of the army freed up capital for “education, health and social security.” In the 2000s, investment in social and public services became more than 20% of the GDP.
Experts say these factors helped Costa Rica gradually improve the quality of life for many people. For example, according to a former Costa Rican president, Luis Guillermo Solís, “… the consolidation of social reforms allowed the construction of a society with a strong predominance of the middle class,” ReVista reports.
Despite these successes, poverty is not reducing at an ideal rate, and inequality is increasing. Although the poverty rate in Costa Rica is one of the lowest in Latin America, it has been steady “at around 20% for almost two decades.” Some attribute these problems to Costa Rica’s changing policies on social programs. The former president of the Inter-American Court of Justice, Elizabeth Odio, says, “The country has had improvements in the fiscal balance, but this has been done at the expense of social issues. We are deteriorating two fundamental pillars: health and education,” ReVista reports.
Workers
There have been less opportunities for less-educated workers in recent years, and an aging population puts pressure on households. Also, groups such as migrants, indigenous people, and single mothers are continuing to struggle. Meanwhile, educated workers are in an improving situation, and prices continue to rise. It seems that this dynamic is widening the disparity and worsening SDG 10 in Costa Rica.
One group that is being negatively affected by inequality is Nicaraguan refugees and migrants. This group makes 7% of the Costa Rican population. Sadly, “Nicaraguans in Costa Rica are overall poorer, tend to be less educated and earn less,” according to UNHCR. Also, they tend to work “informally,” resulting in them getting fewer social transfers than locals.
According to UNHCR, studies suggest that “improving employment conditions, social inclusion, and access to services” would help Costa Rica and Nicaraguan migrants. Many migrants could contribute more to Costa Rica if they were more included in the social system.
Crime
Costa Rica has also experienced an uptick in crime. This can be attributed to drug trafficking becoming a worse problem in recent years. Because of Costa Rica’s coastlines, it is an advantageous port for drug traffickers, and it has become the largest shipment point for cocaine going to the U.S. and Europe.
Murders have risen while the price of cocaine has dropped, causing an increase in addiction. These factors compounded with high inflation have perpetuated poverty and inequality. To make matters worse, drug trafficking has created violent gangs that strain the system even further, GlobalPost reports.
As a result of the pandemic and a lack of opportunities, many young people have dropped out of school and are joining gangs. Also, the rise in crime is deterring tourists from visiting, which is hurting the tourist industry; tourism is “7.1% of the country’s labor force.” This strains poor communities even further, contributes to inequality and weakens SDG 10 in Costa Rica.
In response to crime, the Costa Rican government hired 1,500 more police officers, and they have installed cargo drug scanners on the coasts. Also, “the Ministry of Public Security grew by $40 million,” according to The Costa Rican Times. The U.S. has contributed scanners and $40.5 million to fight crime and drug trafficking.
Solutions
Organizations like CEPIA are working to address issues like lack of education and lack of skills in the job market. CEPIA provides after-school programs, care for families living in vulnerable circumstances, professional training and employment, legal orientation and more.
CEPIA supports “over 1,000 children, teenagers and their families from poor backgrounds.” If a contributor to inequality is lack of education and opportunities for less skilled workers, CEPIA has many services to fill that gap. Hundreds of poor children receive school supplies. Those students can also participate in sports along with psychological counseling. In addition, 600 adults participate in the programs as well.
Along with CEPIA, SOS Children’s Villages is working to help children in need. They report that one in three children live in poverty in Costa Rica. As a result, this organization “has worked with other non-governmental organizations and companies to improve youth employability.” It also “created a digital platform called YouthLinks which connects young people with mentors in the country and region.”
SOS Children’s Village supports disadvantaged people around the world, and they have worked in Costa Rica Since 1972. It has schools, which strive to improve the lives of disadvantaged children. There are 190 children learning at their kindergartens, 300 children grow up in their care and 70 young people are given assistance as they work to become independent.
Although Costa Rica is a country moving on an upward trajectory, SDG 10 in Costa Rica has been struggling. Still, the country continues to fight for a better future.
– Michael Messina
Photo: Flickr