The Global Innovation Fund (GIF) is a not-for-profit organization based in the United Kingdom (U.K.). Since 2015, the organization has invested a massive $119 million in development projects in low- to middle-income countries. It expects to impact the lives of 156 million impoverished people by 2033. GIF focuses on empowering and investing in people by giving them financial backing to create meaningful and effective change within their communities.
The nonprofit seeks out innovative ideas, not just in business but also in endorsing positive social change, policy, products, services and “breakthrough solutions” that could change the lives of millions of impoverished people. Here are four programs the Global Innovation Fund has partnered with to address poverty in developing nations, especially sub-Saharan nations.
CityTaps
Access to clean, running water is a staple in poverty reduction. In developing countries, more than three billion people have limited access to the basic infrastructure for running water. Even for those with access to running water, many must endure elongated periods without it. Water companies can shut off access, usually because of late or a lack of payment, which in many cases is because of poor management and organization.
In response, GIF made a significant investment in CityTaps, a company committed to helping water utilities. This allowed the company to introduce a three-stage strategy to support water companies. First, it has developed a smart water meter that can accurately record and send water usage in real-time. Second, it has incorporated new software that monitors this data and communicates important information to the water companies and their customers. Finally, it has integrated a pre-paid service whereby the customers gain control over their water budget and usage.
Bandeberho (Role Model)
Gender-based violence (GBV) is an epidemic in Rwanda, with 43% of women who have been married having to endure violence inflicted by their male counterparts. Although the government of Rwanda has made considerable efforts toward combating GBV in the country, the issue persists.
Bandeberho, an initiative by the Rwanda Men’s Resource Center (RWAMREC), has recognized that issues within masculinity norms in Rwanda can manifest as violence toward women. Therefore, through a partnership with GIF, the center has developed a program where it can intervene early to educate young men with positive role models in hopes of addressing gender inequalities, recognizing females’ autonomy over their bodies and reducing GBV.
Studies that have reviewed the effectiveness of this program have praised male intervention and education. Additionally, they reported an increase in male participation in family life, a decrease in physical reprimand toward children and women having more authority in decision-making.
Educate
In Uganda, 30% to 36% of people of working age are unemployed. In sub-Saharan Africa, people aged between 15 and 25 are by far more likely to be without employment than any other age group. Access to education is slowly improving. However, many younger people are not prepared to deal with the realities of modern economics. They lack some essential skills to enter the workforce.
Educate is an initiative preparing African youths to thrive in this modern economy. It offers a “gender-blind” mentorship and training program that prepares young people for employment by investing and perpetuating them toward entrepreneurship and leadership. Through in-school and out-of-school solutions, mentors focus the program on the students themselves, which authentically creates a more catered experience, giving students more autonomy, choice and vision.
In 2015 and 2017, GIF invested $600,000 in Educate, enabling it to reach an additional 250 schools in Uganda. By the end of 2017, Educate had visited 502 schools in Uganda, impacting more than 19,000 students.
One Acre Fund
Smallholder farms produce all but 20% of food for the African continent. However, smallholder farmers are among the most impoverished in developing nations, with many living in absolute poverty. In sub-Saharan Africa, there are more than 50 million small farms, with their primary income coming from livestock, fishing and crops.
The One Acre Fund is an organization that invests in people and supports farmers by improving farming practices throughout Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Malawi and Uganda. The aim is to increase land productivity and crop yields by educating farmers and offering access to tools and products.
With a $15 million grant from the Global Innovation Fund, One Acre Fund has developed an innovative system to increase the income of smallholder farmers in rural sub-Saharan Africa. This innovation’s impact is multifaceted. It can directly improve the lives of farmers, invigorate local and national economies and give other impoverished people and communities access to more food. By the end of 2020, One Acre Fund reached one million farmers in Africa, increasing their annual profit by an average $96.
Conclusion
The global initiative fund, as well as all the other incredible organizations and businesses, is putting money where it matters, investing in people and innovations that innately understand the issues plaguing developing nations. They inject hope and resources into ideas that have the potential to change the world and bolster the lives of those living in poverty, not with handouts but with faith and trust in self-determination.
– Philip Mundy
Philip Mundy is based in Bristol, U.K. and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.
Photo: Unsplash
Renewable Energy in Papua New Guinea Forges a Brighter Future
Keeping the Lights on To Save Lives
According to the World Bank, about 85% of PNG’s citizens live in rural communities. For that populace, receiving medical treatment can often be a toil due to a lack of transport infrastructure or struggling health care facilities. This has led to plights such as low children vaccination rates and insufficient care for expecting mothers and as a consequence, PNG has one of the highest documented mortality rates for both groups in the Western Pacific region.
One solution to these problems is to supply clinics with their own energy sources, which is exactly what one hospital in the Nipa-Kutubu district located in the Southern Highlands province did. The Pimaga Rural Hospital frequently had to refer patients to the Mendi General Hospital, which was two hours away.
However, with help from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Santos, an international energy corporation, the Pimaga Rural Hospital installed 207 solar panels on its roof. With an uninterrupted flow of electricity, the hospital can now provide consistent treatments and care.
Solar Power for Equality
High maternal mortality rates are just one of the health issues that women living in provincial PNG face. Because women are often responsible for most household chores, they are at a higher risk of lung illnesses caused by air pollution from wood cooking stoves. Arduous domestic duties also mean that women don’t have as much time to partake in economic opportunities.
For women in PNG, the cycle of poverty can begin at a young age since daughters are usually their mothers’ helpers. Consequently, girls are excluded from education and have more limited prospects. Solar energy would provide a means to not only create safer and healthier living environments, but it could also cut labor for women and girls, leaving them to pursue educational or economic endeavors.
The organization Solar Buddy is part of the effort to electrify PNG and saw that solar panels could also help women who run small businesses from their homes, which mainly consist of selling homemade goods. According to Solar Buddy, “solar lighting access can allow women to draw in more customers and extend their working hours.” Having an income can give women financial freedom and lift them and their families out of poverty.
Conclusion
Harnessing the sun’s power isn’t the only renewable energy option in Papua New Guinea: hydropower, geothermal resources and wind turbines could also be utilized to reach PNG’s clean energy goals. During the development time of larger projects, mini-solar grids can provide easier access for impoverished regions to improve the quality of life of the people who inhabit them.
– Melissa Harper-France
Photo: Flickr
Balancing Prosperity and Income Inequality in Luxembourg
Economic Prosperity
Luxembourg has a very high economic potential, with a strong financial services industry, high-quality steel and a strategic position in geography. Its financial sector acts as the backbone of its economy. It attracts world corporations, investment funds and financial institutions who are looking for stability and fine regulatory frameworks.
Financial services are one industry that heavily contributes to Luxembourg’s gross domestic product (GDP). Luxembourg for Finance reports that “the financial sector accounts for approximately 26% of the GDP of the country, making it one of the greatest contributors to the economy.”
Although not quite as prosperous as in its heyday, Luxembourg’s steel industry remains another important sector of the country’s economy. Its location in the center of Europe makes it easy to trade and carry out commerce, making it a good place for international businesses to have their headquarters or regional offices.
Income Inequality in Luxembourg
Despite its prospering economy, Luxembourg is faced with sharp income inequality, a challenge pervading many aspects of society. According to a report by Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Watch Europe, the top 20% of earners in Luxembourg take home about five times what the bottom 20% earn.
Differences between the well-off and the underprivileged are reflected in the accessibility of basic services: education, health and housing. While the country is generally characterized by a high living standard, spots of poverty and social exclusion do remain, particularly among certain groups.
Government Response
The government of Luxembourg has implemented social welfare policies that try to alleviate poverty and enhance social mobility. At the very core of these lies a comprehensive social safety net. They include salient welfare programs in the form of unemployment allowances, housing subsidies and even health support schemes. These range from better education and training opportunities to job prospects that economically empower marginalized communities.
Conclusion
Of course, Luxembourg’s impressive economic success is praiseworthy. The government continues with new social welfare policies and programs intended to level the playing field in society. They aim to foster mobility and bring the nation closer to achieving its vision of an equitable society.
– Honorine Lanka Perera
Photo: Unsplash
Global Innovation Fund Addresses Poverty in Developing Countries
The nonprofit seeks out innovative ideas, not just in business but also in endorsing positive social change, policy, products, services and “breakthrough solutions” that could change the lives of millions of impoverished people. Here are four programs the Global Innovation Fund has partnered with to address poverty in developing nations, especially sub-Saharan nations.
CityTaps
Access to clean, running water is a staple in poverty reduction. In developing countries, more than three billion people have limited access to the basic infrastructure for running water. Even for those with access to running water, many must endure elongated periods without it. Water companies can shut off access, usually because of late or a lack of payment, which in many cases is because of poor management and organization.
In response, GIF made a significant investment in CityTaps, a company committed to helping water utilities. This allowed the company to introduce a three-stage strategy to support water companies. First, it has developed a smart water meter that can accurately record and send water usage in real-time. Second, it has incorporated new software that monitors this data and communicates important information to the water companies and their customers. Finally, it has integrated a pre-paid service whereby the customers gain control over their water budget and usage.
Bandeberho (Role Model)
Gender-based violence (GBV) is an epidemic in Rwanda, with 43% of women who have been married having to endure violence inflicted by their male counterparts. Although the government of Rwanda has made considerable efforts toward combating GBV in the country, the issue persists.
Bandeberho, an initiative by the Rwanda Men’s Resource Center (RWAMREC), has recognized that issues within masculinity norms in Rwanda can manifest as violence toward women. Therefore, through a partnership with GIF, the center has developed a program where it can intervene early to educate young men with positive role models in hopes of addressing gender inequalities, recognizing females’ autonomy over their bodies and reducing GBV.
Studies that have reviewed the effectiveness of this program have praised male intervention and education. Additionally, they reported an increase in male participation in family life, a decrease in physical reprimand toward children and women having more authority in decision-making.
Educate
In Uganda, 30% to 36% of people of working age are unemployed. In sub-Saharan Africa, people aged between 15 and 25 are by far more likely to be without employment than any other age group. Access to education is slowly improving. However, many younger people are not prepared to deal with the realities of modern economics. They lack some essential skills to enter the workforce.
Educate is an initiative preparing African youths to thrive in this modern economy. It offers a “gender-blind” mentorship and training program that prepares young people for employment by investing and perpetuating them toward entrepreneurship and leadership. Through in-school and out-of-school solutions, mentors focus the program on the students themselves, which authentically creates a more catered experience, giving students more autonomy, choice and vision.
In 2015 and 2017, GIF invested $600,000 in Educate, enabling it to reach an additional 250 schools in Uganda. By the end of 2017, Educate had visited 502 schools in Uganda, impacting more than 19,000 students.
One Acre Fund
Smallholder farms produce all but 20% of food for the African continent. However, smallholder farmers are among the most impoverished in developing nations, with many living in absolute poverty. In sub-Saharan Africa, there are more than 50 million small farms, with their primary income coming from livestock, fishing and crops.
The One Acre Fund is an organization that invests in people and supports farmers by improving farming practices throughout Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Malawi and Uganda. The aim is to increase land productivity and crop yields by educating farmers and offering access to tools and products.
With a $15 million grant from the Global Innovation Fund, One Acre Fund has developed an innovative system to increase the income of smallholder farmers in rural sub-Saharan Africa. This innovation’s impact is multifaceted. It can directly improve the lives of farmers, invigorate local and national economies and give other impoverished people and communities access to more food. By the end of 2020, One Acre Fund reached one million farmers in Africa, increasing their annual profit by an average $96.
Conclusion
The global initiative fund, as well as all the other incredible organizations and businesses, is putting money where it matters, investing in people and innovations that innately understand the issues plaguing developing nations. They inject hope and resources into ideas that have the potential to change the world and bolster the lives of those living in poverty, not with handouts but with faith and trust in self-determination.
– Philip Mundy
Photo: Unsplash
Poverty and Mental Health in Hong Kong
Even more concerning is the state of mental health of youth in the city: A 2023 survey estimates that about one in five participants experienced at least one mental health issue in the past 12 months, a rate significantly higher than the global average. In addition, more than half of the sufferers experience more than one mental disorder.
The Risk of a Vicious Cycle
Poverty and mental health in Hong Kong are deeply interconnected. Studies focusing on the city found that in comparison to their higher-income peers, working adults and children in low-income groups face poorer mental health and lower self-esteem. Research also suggests that poverty contributes to poor mental well-being by causing material deprivation. At the same time, income poverty does not directly correlate with mental health.
Besides the direct relationship between poverty, deprivation and mental disorders, lower-income individuals are also more vulnerable to other risk factors for mental disorders, such as the pressure to overwork. A 2016 survey found that workers in Hong Kong work an average of 50.1 hours per week, 35% higher than the global average among 71 other cities. As a result, 25% of Hong Kong workers suffer symptoms of depression and anxiety, 2.5 times above the global average. Another contributor to mental health problems is housing conditions and limited living space, an issue almost only faced by low-income individuals.
While low-income populations are more vulnerable to mental health problems, the symptoms of mental illnesses and the social stigma attached to them make it harder for sufferers to lift themselves out of poverty. Such a two-way relationship between poverty and mental health can lead to a self-perpetuating vicious cycle for low-income individuals, leading to chronic, intergenerational poverty.
Government Initiatives
In December 2023, in response to the city’s mental health crisis, the government launched a 24-hour mental health support hotline that coordinates the resources of about 20 related organizations. Earlier in the year, the Hospital Authority (HA) also promised to enhance support for patients with severe mental disorders by increasing the ratio between case manager and patient, exploring new treatments and reducing patient waiting time.
Grassroot Organizations
Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) also play a crucial role in addressing Hong Kong’s mental health crisis. Mind HK, for example, provides free talking therapies and check-in services for individuals with mild to moderate mental health problems. The organization also engages in campaigns and events to raise awareness of mental well-being, as well as training sessions that educate people on mental health literacy. In 2022 alone, more than 6000 participants joined the nonprofit’s training sessions.
KELLY support group, on the other hand, focuses on the mental health of youth and adolescents. The organization organizes programs that promote peer support around emotional well-being and provides referral services to match youth with partnering organizations for counseling services and other support.
Final Remark
While the interconnections of poverty and mental health in Hong Kong are associated with the risk of a vicious cycle for sufferers of mental disorders, from a positive perspective, addressing the mental health crisis in the city also contributes to poverty elimination in the long term. Hong Kong’s ongoing initiatives protect not only the mental wellness of its residents but also social equity and economic development.
– Wangruoxi Liang
Photo: Flickr
Fighting Diseases in Palestine
Political and economic instability–worsened by the blockade and fighting– has left the health care infrastructure in shambles, severely impacting the well-being of Palestinians. Both chronic and transferable illnesses, coupled with a rapid decline in mental health, have steadily worsened. However, international and local nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are working to combat the dire situation.
Crumbling Health Care System
The health care system in Palestine, particularly in Gaza, is on the brink of collapse. The conflict has led to severe shortages of medicines, fuel and medical supplies, making it nearly impossible for hospitals and clinics to function effectively. According to reports, there are around 350,000 patients in Gaza suffering from chronic conditions such as cancer and diabetes, alongside 50,000 pregnant women who are struggling to access necessary care.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that nearly two-thirds of health clinics in Gaza are nonfunctional. Furthermore, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestine Refugees in the Near East has indicated that fewer than half of its health centers can offer primary care to patients. This has left a sizable portion of the population without access to basic medical services, exacerbating the health crisis.
Sanitation and Water Crisis
The water and sanitation situation in Palestine is extremely dire. There is only one shower for 4,500 people and one toilet for more than 200 people. This has led to a significant increase in the spread of infectious diseases in Palestine. The situation is a result of the ongoing conflict, which has forced many Palestinians to seek refuge in overcrowded shelters or relocate to the south, where unsanitary conditions prevail.
Contaminated water supply and poor hygiene are leading to outbreaks of illnesses such as diarrhea, respiratory infections and chickenpox. Up to 70 people are crammed into single rooms, creating an environment ripe for disease transmission. Respiratory diseases in Palestine are particularly rampant, with more than 150,000 cases of upper respiratory infections reported, alongside numerous cases of meningitis, skin rashes, lice and chickenpox. The risk of cholera and other epidemics looms large as the health and sanitation infrastructure continues to deteriorate.
Efforts to Combat Disease
Despite the overwhelming challenges, various efforts and initiatives are underway to alleviate the health crisis in Palestine. NGOs are spearheading humanitarian aid to mitigate the ongoing situation.
WHO is improving health conditions by coordinating with local and international partners to enhance aid delivery and establish more supply routes. More than a dozen high-risk operations have been conducted to provide supplies to hospitals in Gaza. WHO helped establish two kitchens at Al-Shifa Hospital, which serve 1,200 meals a day. Its distribution of medical supplies currently supports treatment for 1,250 children with severe malnutrition.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) also plays a pivotal role in saving lives. In addition to first aid, it provides 600,000 vaccinations and nutritional supplements to children and expecting mothers. It also provides safe drinking water for 1.3 million people to curb infectious diseases.
While efforts to provide relief are ongoing, the situation remains precarious. However, the resilience and determination of health care workers combined with international support allow for much optimism. Sustained efforts and global solidarity offer hope in paving the way for a healthier future in Palestine.
– Asiya Siddiqui
Photo: Flickr
Elder Poverty in Czechia: What You Should Know
The age dependency ratio in the country, otherwise known as the number of children and elderly people to the number of people of working age, is 58%. This figure is higher than that of other countries such as Bosnia and Herzegovina and the United States, which have an age dependency ratio of 50% and 54% respectively. Therefore it is clear that the elderly make up a significant amount of the population.
Behind Elder Poverty in Czechia
The age dependency ratio in the country, otherwise known as the number of children and elderly people to the number of people of working age, is 58%. This figure is higher than that of other countries such as Bosnia and Herzegovina and the United States, which have an age dependency ratio of 50% and 54% respectively. Therefore it is clear that the elderly make up a significant amount of the population, and so the fact that so many people are experiencing poverty is concerning.
In 2016, nine out of 10 elderly Czech people living in poverty were female, placing Czechia on the higher end of the scale of the EU’s table of statistics on the number of elderly women living in or at risk of poverty by country. A possible cause of this is the fact that elderly Czech women tend to receive less pension money, with their average monthly pension in 2014 amounting to just 10,000 crowns, and men’s averaging at 12,200.
Organizations Helping
While these figures may make the situation seem bleak, organizations are helping reduce the rate of elderly poverty in Czechia. The Olga Havel Foundation has introduced a program that aims to support the ageing population of Czechia. It makes contributions towards the cost of nursing care that elderly people, provides crisis helplines, contributes a transport allowance for care services and much more.
Apart from the governmental funding, members of the public and non-profit organizations can also make contributions. The scheme improves the quality of life of elderly people by removing the pressure of having to pay to access nursing and allows them to maintain their independence by giving them the option to be cared for in their own homes instead of in a retirement facility.
The Caritas Czech Republic also aims to help elderly people and other vulnerable groups in Czechia. It provides health and social care to a total of nearly 150,000 people a year. One of its projects is the Brno Diocesan Charity Rescue Network, which aims to assist vulnerable populations by enabling them to access health care and fulfill other basic needs.
Closing Remarks
While elder poverty in Czechia is a significant problem, it is evident that efforts are being made to lessen the extent of the issue. The Olga Havel Foundation, for example, is especially instrumental in the effort to prevent elder poverty in Czechia, with its program to cover the costs of in-home nursing care and other allowances that reduce the financial burden the elderly have to shoulder to meet their daily needs. The Caritas Foundation also makes valuable contributions to help those affected by poverty of all ages access health care and other necessities that their own money may not sufficiently cover.
– Sue-Joyce Headon
Photo: Unsplash
Bicycle Relief Offers Opportunities for Women
The Way Society Moves
Transportation powers the way society moves, getting people from one place to another in a reasonable amount of time. It is this flexibility that not only provides freedom and convenience in daily life but also boosts development and economic growth. For many people living in rural areas, imited access to vehicles and high costs make it difficult to progress. World Bicycle Relief aims to bridge these barriers by targeting specific areas of this region offering a chance for women to expand their economic opportunities and provide them with a basic means of transportation.
World Bicycle Relief has distributed almost 786,000 bikes since 2005. Its “Buffalo Bike” is the nonprofit’s model, customized to withstand daily use such as handling rough terrain, long distances, and pulling cargo. The bike’s build is stronger than typical road bicycles that are more lightweight. It features steel tubing, heavy-duty spokes and rims, puncture-resistant tires, a rear rack capable of holding 100kg and a durable seat for comfort. After the distribution, locals within these rural areas get mechanics training, using basic tools and locally available spare parts, keeping riders on the move and continuing the program’s progress. There are now more than 3,000 mechanics available.
Gender Gaps and Poverty
Gender gaps put women and girls at a disadvantage early on in their lives trapping them into continuous poverty, limiting their productivity and potential. In sub-Saharan Africa, 37% of women were married or in a union before the age of 18 and girls are more likely to drop out of school than boys. More than half (56%) of urban women and girls live in slum conditions, where they lack access to clean water or suitable housing conditions. Approximately 980 million women do not have access to financial services walking long distances to work and school. Work inequalities also limit opportunities, as many women earn income by selling goods and produce.
Within the household women often take on the domestic role spending more on transport costs because they make more trips to and from their local markets to provide for their families. There are additional challenges for expecting mothers and mothers with young children as they face difficulties accessing health facilities in larger cities where they can receive medical services and child care resulting in missing or postponing appointments The maternal mortality ratio (MMR) in the region is 556 deaths per 100,000 births making it the highest at two thirds of all maternal deaths each year, according to the U.N. Women. Despite mobility being the most beneficial for women, men are the primary owners and operators of transportation. However, most of the trips they make outside their communities are for personal reasons.
Empowering Communities
At least 70% of bike recipients with World Bicycle Relief are women and girls, empowering them to focus on their education and growth opportunities and prioritize their well-being. The next big goal is to deliver 1 million bikes. In a world that is fast-moving, everyone should have a chance to move along with it.
– Tanita Love
Photo: Flickr
Cultivating Growth in Bangladesh with Floating Gardens
The transition from predominantly growing rice to cultivating more nutrient-dense foods like pumpkins, tomatoes, papayas and beans will be instrumental in promoting health and well-being across Bangladesh, a country with one of the highest malnutrition rates. Development charities like Practical Action and humanitarian organizations like Care International have helped bring an ancient farming practice to the country’s most at-risk areas, namely rural and impoverished communities.
Agricultural Progress and Environmental Setbacks
In the past few decades, Bangladesh has made significant strides toward reducing poverty and averting famine with incremental improvements in farming technologies. According to the World Bank, productive agricultural strategies facilitated a tripling of food grain production between 1972 and 2014, helping meet the needs of a rapidly expanding population. Still, salt intrusion, drought and flood threaten to hamper progress, which demands continued adaptability and innovation in the agricultural sector.
Revival of Ancient Agricultural Practices
Farmers in south-central Bangladesh, are turning to a historical gardening practice: floating vegetable gardens. These gardens, constructed on artificial islands in swampy wetlands and rivers, provide a lifeline during monsoon seasons. They also serve as shelters for livestock and double as fishing spots. The simplicity of this method makes it a viable alternative to traditional farming during periods of intense flooding. Farmers tend to their plants by paddling across the water in rafts fashioned from natural materials like water hyacinth. As the floating gardens rise and fall with rain patterns, farmers reap the rewards of their labor and nourish local villages.
Hydroponic Innovations to Resource-Poor Regions
While hydroponic gardening has shown promise in some parts of Bangladesh, it’s crucial not to overlook the areas with fewer resources. These regions, often in urgent need of intervention, could greatly benefit from the tools and support to convert their fields into floating gardens. The work of groups like Practical Action, which have set up floating gardens in the northern part of the country, enables and empowers farmers to grow food year-round, regardless of weather conditions.
Looking Ahead
Bangladesh’s adaptation of hydroponic floating gardens promises a resilient agricultural future, especially for regions perennially affected by flooding. As more communities embrace this innovative farming technique, it could significantly enhance food security and reduce malnutrition nationwide. Continued support from development charities and local innovation will be key to expanding these ongoing sustainable practices to ensure all regions can thrive despite environmental challenges.
– Natalie Kaufman
Photo: Flickr
Poverty and Wildlife Conservation in Cambodia
Community-Based Conservation Initiatives
The integration of sustainable livelihood activities into conservation programs is one promising approach. Empowering local communities through ecologically friendly income-generating activities, such as sustainable agriculture, ecotourism ventures and harvesting nontimber forest products, can alleviate poverty and reduce dependence on destructive practices. Central to these ongoing efforts is community-based conservation, which places local stakeholder involvement at the core of decision-making and resource management. In Cambodia, initiatives like the Community Protected Area concept have succeeded by granting communities rights and responsibilities over specific conservation areas. This approach not only protects biodiversity but also supports sustainable economic development in communities burdened by poverty.
KEO SEIMA REDD+ Project
The KEO SEIMA REDD+ project actively supports biodiversity and communities in the Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary, which is one of many forests that collectively make up 40% of Cambodia’s territory. The Wildlife Conservation Society describes REDD+ as an innovative approach designed to cut emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, thus decreasing CO₂ emissions that result from clearing and exploiting forests.
Since its founding in 1895, the Wildlife Conservation Society has partnered with the Royal Government of Cambodia’s Ministry of Environment. In Cambodia, 65% of the population relies on forest resources for their livelihoods. The Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary hosts more than 1,000 wild species, including 85 globally threatened ones and serves as both the ancestral and current home of the Indigenous Bunong people. Their unique culture and beliefs are deeply intertwined with the forest. With more than 13 years of protection and support, the program has safeguarded 166,000 hectares and prevented 21 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions.
Enhancing Conservation
New partnerships among conservation organizations, government agencies and private enterprises could enhance the scale and effectiveness of poverty-reduction efforts linked to conservation achievements. Projects like payment for ecosystem services and sustainable tourism enable various stakeholders to collaborate on solutions that benefit both people and wildlife. Moreover, adopting technologies such as remote sensing and data analytics can potentially bolster monitoring and enforcement efforts, thereby reducing illegal activities that threaten biodiversity and human well-being.
Supportive policy frameworks play a crucial role in promoting sustainable development and conservation outcomes. During the implementation of the Cooperation Framework, the United Nations and the Royal Government of Cambodia will engage in annual discussions, co-chaired by the U.N. Resident Coordinator and the Prime Minister of Cambodia. These discussions will provide a crucial platform for the United Nations and the Cambodian Government to identify areas for support and to enhance and broaden their collaboration, aiming to expedite progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
Looking Forward
Cambodia’s commitment to community-based conservation and sustainable development practices promises a brighter future for both its people and its rich biodiversity. Strengthening partnerships and adopting advanced technologies could enhance conservation efforts, including wildlife conservation in Cambodia and bolster economic growth. By aligning these ongoing initiatives with global sustainable development goals, Cambodia aims to achieve a balance between environmental protection and poverty alleviation.
– Honorine Lanka Perera
Photo: Flickr
Inequitable Asthma Deaths in Low-And-Middle-Income Countries
Disproportionate Asthma Deaths
Underdiagnosis and under-treatment remain a major hurdle in managing the disease effectively. A study published in the “Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology” revealed that only 10% of people with asthma symptoms in Uganda had a formal diagnosis. The effect of this is shown starkly as the “Ugandan asthma mortality rate of 19 deaths per 1000 person-years is 90 times that of the United Kingdom (U.K.).” This is not unique to Uganda, as 90% of asthma deaths occur in low-middle-income countries.
While it is believed that “there is no logical biological rationale for asthma to differ between countries according to their income alone,” the environment can have a drastic impact. A fetus exposed to factors such as smoke, air pollution and antibiotics in utero is more likely to experience asthma and these conditions are often found in urban, lower-income environments.
What Is Being Done?
The Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) has organized World Asthma Day since 1998. It advocates education as a partial solution to asthma. Since 2014, the organization has been funded entirely by people purchasing its resources. Some of the organization’s objectives include “increasing awareness of asthma and its public health consequences” and “improving availability and accessibility of effective asthma therapy.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) also advocates for empowering asthmatics (and those who live with them) through education. It believes that increased knowledge in areas such as symptom management, triggers and how to administer medicines will not only reduce health costs but also reduce absences from school and work, resulting in fewer hospitalizations and, ultimately, asthma deaths.
The Good News
The good news is that convenient treatments for asthma have been available since the invention of the inhaler in 1956. Additionally, in 2023, the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Airsupra inhalation aerosol “to reduce the risk of asthma attacks in patients with asthma 18 years of age” and above. However, while there is some difficulty with using inhalers in emergencies or with children, WHO has found that homemade spacers made from plastic bottles “can be as effective” as manufactured ones.
New treatments for asthma continue to be developed. The SHAMAL study in 2023 showed that the use of injected benralizumab every four to six weeks allows more than 90% of patients to decrease their use of steroids, thus reducing the prevalence of undesirable side effects. While the study needs to be corroborated, it may be the start of more “biologic” treatments for people living with asthma.
Final Remark
The fight against asthma is far from over. Yet, with the development of new treatments and hard work being done on the ground educating not only people with asthma but their families and health care professionals, we are working toward a future where asthma-related deaths are a thing of the past.
– Rachael Denton-Snape
Photo: Freepik