The Pacific Islands are composed of 12 countries, including Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Samoa, each with its own vibrant culture and environment. However, according to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, a quarter of Pacific Islanders cannot attain basic needs, especially as natural disasters drastically destroy livelihoods and food security. Nonetheless, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) programs in the Pacific Islands address development, illegal fishing and adverse weather conditions.
Protecting Biodiversity: OurFish OurFuture
Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing threatens the livelihoods of coastal communities and ocean ecosystems. It costs the global economy between $26 and $50 billion annually, harming local and international economies. In the tuna industry in the Pacific Islands, commercially caught Pacific tuna generated $22 billion in 2012 and 2014, while IUU fishing generated $616 million a year. IUU fishing affects more than the economy; it also affects fish populations and oceanic biodiversity, as it accounts for one out of every five fish caught.
The OurFish Our Future program works to combat IUU fishing. It is five years long, spanning from 2021 to 2026 and provides $15 million to address the factors of IUU fishing that degrade coastal biodiversity and impact food stability. This program focuses on the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.
The program brings together communities, providing opportunities for all ages and genders to participate in the design and implementation of security programming. Its ecosystem approach to fisheries management (EAFM) contributes to policies that will “improve coastal fisheries data systems, improve enforcement capacities and strengthen collaboration of enforcement authorities.”
Fostering Development: Pacific American Fund
As a result of the Pacific Island Countries’ (PICs) geography, they are vulnerable to environmental disasters perpetuated by changing climatic conditions, instability in government and present gender inequities, all while maintaining a critical role in the global economy. PICs are small and isolated, which leaves them prone to tsunamis, floods, earthquakes, droughts and volcanic activity that destroys their buildings and crops. PICs also suffer from unsafe living conditions, including unclean water, pollution and harmful chemicals, which lead to a rate of 70% of deaths related to noncommunicable diseases such as cancer and chronic respiratory diseases.
The Pacific American Fund (PAF) is a “five-year grant facility that addresses critical development challenges.” It supports the countries of the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, the Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. The PAF aims to “improve the quality of life in vulnerable communities and improve access to services for remote communities in the region” through increased preparation for natural disasters and climate change, economic development and access to health care and education. One of its programs is small-scale construction in the Malita Province to improve and adapt the environment for increased trade and expansion into agribusiness.
Agribusiness in the Solomon Islands
The Solomon Islands are prone to natural disasters that affect their economy, requiring their communities to seek agribusiness advancements to protect and revive their economy. In October 2023, tropical cyclone Lola caused severe damage, affecting more than 22,000 people and 100 buildings and damaging water sources. Furthermore, many of the crops were destroyed, including breadfruit trees, which are one of the Solomon Islands’ main sources of carbohydrates. This left locals scared of starvation as they relied on their local agriculture for sustenance.
USAID programs in the Pacific Islands include the Solomon Islands Strengthening Competitiveness, Agriculture, Livelihoods and Environment (SCALE) plan. SCALE is a five-year, $25 million project focused on developing the agribusiness sector in the Solomon Islands. Additionally, SCALE Trade and Investment (T&I) “focuses on reducing the cost and steps of obtaining business permits and licenses; strengthening trade and investment facilitation; and improving agribusiness value chain growth.”
SCALE engages community members in its program through its T&I plan. It aims to increase its exports and the role of women in trade. SCALE T&I oversaw the creation of the Advisory Committee for Agribusiness in Malaita Province, which will work with the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce. USAID programs in the Pacific Islands, such as SCALE, improve conditions of poverty by providing funding and opportunities for locals to work, innovate and protect against environmental factors.
Impact of USAID Programs in the Pacific Islands
USAID programs in the Pacific Islands strengthen their economic and environmental resilience through advancing policies and funds. Through USAID help, PICs have accessed more than $500 million in climate financing to prepare for adverse climatic conditions and natural disasters. USAID programming supports local development, marine ecosystems and access to affordable energy. Its work in the Pacific Islands will continue through these long-term programs to ensure stability.
One success story from USAID’s programs for Pacific Islanders came through its partnership with Aquaculture Technologies of the Marshall Islands. USAID provided a $1.7 million grant to allow the company to manufacture its own fish feed and to train individuals such as Sonya. Sonya remained in the Solomon Islands after her family moved because she wanted to pursue aquaculture and secure a stable future in her home country.
Sonya now manages the fish hatchery and nursery, inspiring more women to become trained as independent aqua farmers and fish feed manufacturers. The Marshall Islands now produce 400 pounds of moi fish per week, which supplies local businesses and is exported.
– Astrid Burns
Astrid is based in Roseland, NJ, USA and focuses on Technology and Politics for The Borgen Project.
Photo: Flickr
$150 Million for Primary Health Care in Sri Lanka
The World Bank recognizes the hard work and dedication of Sri Lanka’s primary health care workers and aims to create a more responsive and accessible health care infrastructure. With one of the world’s fastest aging populations, this project is crucial for enabling the health care system to adapt and respond effectively to new and emerging challenges.
Sri Lanka in Context
Sri Lanka urgently needs more health care resources due to capacity challenges and the lack of formal referral mechanisms. These ongoing issues have resulted in the underutilization of primary health care facilities and overcrowding at tertiary care centers, leading to poor service and long wait times. Longstanding structural weaknesses, worsened by an economic crisis, have compromised the quality of the country’s health care. Additionally, fiscal indiscipline in Sri Lanka has led to high fiscal deficits and substantial gross financing needs, creating significant financial debt and causing severe shortages of goods in 2022.
Noncommunicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and cervical cancer are the leading causes of death and illness in Sri Lanka, responsible for 80% of all deaths. Effectively controlling and managing these diseases requires robust screening, early diagnosis, treatment and follow-up—services that primary health care can adequately provide. The Sri Lanka Primary Health Care System Enhancing Project focuses on these ongoing evolving health priorities, investing in preventive care and promoting primary care facilities as the first point of contact for health care services.
Sri Lanka Primary Health Care System Enhancing Project
The newly approved funds will establish the Sri Lanka Primary Health Care System Enhancing Project, which aims to improve the quality of care and increase the utilization of primary medical care institutions. This project is designed to provide essential health care services to local communities that currently lack access to quality health care. It includes several key components:
Looking Ahead
The $150 million financing from the World Bank aims to bolster Sri Lanka’s primary health care system by addressing critical capacity issues and enhancing service delivery. This funding can potentially increase access to essential medical supplies, strengthen the health care workforce and expand services for the aging population and those with disabilities. By focusing on primary health care, Sri Lanka seeks to improve disease management and meet the growing health needs of its population.
– Mathieu Paré
Photo: Flickr
Good Neighbors Tackles Global Poverty
Good Neighbors Korea
Good Neighbors actively supports the well-being of young adults. The organization provides 31,550 girls with feminine products, educational materials about the menstrual cycle and personal development. Additionally, it offers mentoring and therapy sessions to teach young adults how to express their emotions healthily. Between 2017 and 2023, Good Neighbors helped a total of 77,774 girls, supplying them with essential food and appliances.
In Busan, Good Neighbors has partnered with the City of Busan and other nonprofit organizations to offer a “self-reliance kit”. These kits assist young adults as they transition out of orphanage programs. These kits include bedding, cooking sets, heaters and more to facilitate a smoother move to independence. The project also provides career mentoring, driver’s license assistance and financial aid for post-secondary education. Overall, Good Neighbors has significantly improved the nutrition, education, housing and self-reliance of young adults.
Gugah Nurani Indonesia
In 2023, Gugah Nurani Indonesia (Good Neighbors Indonesia) and the Manggarai Barat Community Development Project (CDP) collaborated with the Golo Pua Village Government to enhance agricultural productivity and product availability through horticultural farming. The project implemented a drip irrigation system to increase water efficiency and boost chili production. This advancement has led to higher-quality crops, enabling farmers to earn more income. Additionally, it has provided consumers with greater access to agricultural products. Overall, this initiative fosters environmental sustainability and improves the socio-economic well-being of the village community.
From March 20 to 22, 2024, Gugah Nurani Indonesia and the Manggarai Barat Community Development Project (CDP) hosted a training session on seed breeding and pest management for Farmer Groups and Women Farmer Groups in Golo Pua Village. This training aimed to enhance seed quality and educate participants about effective pest management, improving productivity and environmental sustainability. With Gugah Nurani Indonesia’s support, the village is poised to withstand pest attacks and advance toward more productive and sustainable agriculture.
Philippines
Typhoon Rolly in 2020 severely limited water supplies from natural resources and disrupted water supply chains, primarily because residents relied on untreated water from deep wells and hand pumps. The challenging terrain requires residents to climb mountains and cross rivers just to fetch a gallon of water and adverse conditions further restrict access to these sources.
Good Neighbors International Philippines launched the “Securing Access to Flourish Empowerment for Water” (SAFE) Project. This initiative led to the construction of a water tank and reservoir, ensuring water delivery to every household and public school in the area. Additionally, the Barangay Water and Sanitation Association (BAWASA) was established, involving health care workers and community leaders from nine villages. As a result, the SAFE Project has benefited a total of 4,475 community members, significantly improving their daily lives, safety, health and overall well-being by securing access to one of life’s most important necessities: clean water.
Good Neighbors México
Xocoapa is struggling with poverty, economic adversity and a lack of health services, challenges that intensified following Hurricane Otis. In 2024, Good Neighbors Mexico responded by delivering food pantries stocked with basic foods, personal hygiene products and cleaning supplies to families in the community of Xocoapa, located in the municipality of Tlaocoapa, Guerrero. By supporting rural communities, Good Neighbors plays a crucial role in combating poverty and enhancing quality of life through sustainable development in the region.
Bangladesh
Since 2018, Good Neighbors Bangladesh has been implementing the ‘Building Resilience to Achieve Zero Hunger (BRAZH)’ project, funded by the U.N. World Food Program, in the Kurigra district. The project focuses on three main activities: Forecast Actions, Seasonal Livelihood Programming and Climate Risk Insurance. It has enhanced the capabilities of Seasonal Livelihood Programming beneficiaries by providing Entrepreneurship Development Training and practical training in various Income Generation Activities at the field level. A key goal of the training is to boost women’s participation in income-generating activities, fostering self-dependence and economic stability. So far, 2,852 people have participated, with increasing numbers receiving training. Through these ongoing efforts, Good Neighbors aims to reduce hunger and promote lasting self-reliance.
Looking Ahead
Good Neighbors’ initiatives across various countries demonstrate a commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable communities. From enhancing agricultural productivity in Indonesia to securing clean water access in the Philippines and addressing food insecurity in Mexico and Bangladesh, the organization continues to make significant strides. These ongoing efforts highlight the importance of sustainable development and empowerment in fostering resilience and self-reliance among affected populations.
– Sein Kim
Photo: Flickr
Smartphone Farmers
The development of agricultural apps for smallholders is part of an “ongoing digital agriculture revolution” in Africa. Nearly 94% of small-scale farmers in developing countries own mobile phones. While smartphone ownership lags behind basic phones, it’s growing rapidly, opening up new possibilities for agricultural innovation. Following are some of the agricultural applications at the forefront of changes.
Maano
Maano translates to “intelligent” in Tonga, one of the local languages spoken in Zambia. Developed by the World Food Programme (WFP), Maano is a virtual farmers’ market app that connects smallholder farmers directly with buyers. It eliminates middlemen, ensuring farmers get fair prices for their produce. The app was launched in May 2017 and initially targeted 2,500 Zambian farmers.
In a pilot run between June and October 2017, more than 1,000 smallholder farmers from 29 rural communities in Zambia’s Southern and Central Provinces participated, selling more than 150 metric tons of produce worth more than $50,000. By the end of 2018, WFP aimed to reach 5,000 smallholder farmers in Africa and transact approximately $200,000 through the Maano App.
Farm Drive
The app is designed to close the critical data gap that prevents financial institutions from lending to creditworthy smallholder farmers in Africa. The app collects various types of data, including financial transactions, agronomic data, environmental data and satellite data. This data is analyzed to generate credit scores that accurately capture farmers’ risk profiles. It then enables financial institutions to offer loans to smallholder farmers who were previously considered too risky. Farm Drive was selected as a World Summit Award Winner in the Business and Commerce category, highlighting its innovative approach to addressing financial inclusion for farmers.
PANNAR Sprouts
The PANNAR Sprout mobile app, launched in 2015, serves as a crucial technical support tool for grain crop farmers in Africa. Developed by PANNAR Seed, the app provides farmers with essential agronomic information and support, helping them optimize their farming practices and improve crop yields. The app is designed to be user-friendly and accessible, offering features such as crop management advice, pest and disease identification and weather forecasts.
The Impact: Beyond the Field
The benefits of these mobile innovations extend far beyond increased crop yields. Farmers are making more informed decisions, saving time and money on transportation and improving their overall production and marketing strategies. Moreover, these digital tools enhance food security and improve livelihoods. By connecting farmers directly to markets and providing access to financial services, they help lift entire communities out of poverty.
Challenges
Despite the promise, challenges remain. The digital gender gap means that women farmers often have less access to smartphones and apps. Additionally, many farmers still use basic phones, necessitating the development of SMS-based services alongside smartphone apps. Another hurdle is the affordability of smartphones and mobile services. However, as prices continue to fall and coverage expands, more farmers are expected to join the digital agriculture revolution.
– Sakshi Pillai
Photo: Flickr
Anera: Providing Relief in Gaza
Anera’s Mission and Scope
Anera was established to address the pressing needs of those affected by conflict in the Middle East. With a particular focus on Palestinians and residents of East Jerusalem, Anera provides humanitarian relief through various programs aimed at health, education and economic development. The organization’s holistic approach ensures that immediate needs are met while also paving the way for long-term improvements.
Providing Vital Medical Supplies
In conflict zones like Gaza, medical supplies are often scarce and health care facilities are overwhelmed. Anera’s intervention is critical in this context. According to its website, a donation of $30 can supply the Central Blood Bank Society in Gaza with 16 blood bags. This seemingly small contribution can have a significant impact, as it supports the health care system in handling emergencies and routine medical needs. Blood bags are essential for surgeries, trauma care and treating chronic conditions, making them a vital resource in any medical facility.
Hygiene and sanitation are fundamental to preventing the spread of diseases, particularly in areas with high population density and inadequate infrastructure. Anera’s hygiene kits, costing $80 each, can support two displaced families. These kits typically include items such as soap, disinfectants, sanitary pads and other essentials. By providing these kits, Anera helps maintain the health and dignity of displaced individuals, reducing the risk of outbreaks of illnesses that can thrive in unsanitary conditions.
Food Aid for Families
Food security is a significant concern in Gaza and the West Bank, where economic instability and blockades have severely limited access to necessities. Anera’s food assistance programs are a lifeline for many families. A donation of $100 can provide enough food for a displaced family to last seven to 10 days, ensuring that they have access to nutritious meals. For $200, Anera can supply food to two families, doubling the impact. These food parcels often include staples such as rice, lentils, canned goods and cooking oil, offering a balanced diet to those in need.
Impact on Gaza and the West Bank
Anera’s efforts in Gaza and the West Bank have been particularly impactful. In Gaza, where the blockade has created severe shortages of almost everything, Anera’s provision of medical supplies, food and hygiene kits has alleviated some of the immediate suffering. In the West Bank, Anera’s projects support not only refugees but also residents facing economic hardships. The organization’s work in these regions addresses both the symptoms and the root causes of poverty and hunger.
Beyond Gaza and the West Bank, Anera’s work extends to Lebanon and Jordan, where many Palestinian refugees reside. In Lebanon, the economic crisis and political instability have exacerbated the challenges faced by refugees. Anera’s programs in Lebanon include education, vocational training and health care services, aimed at improving the quality of life and fostering self-reliance among refugees. In Jordan, Anera supports Palestinian and Syrian refugees through similar initiatives. The organization’s comprehensive approach ensures that the assistance provided is relevant and effective, addressing the unique needs of each community.
Looking Ahead
Anera’s comprehensive aid efforts in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon and Jordan address the immediate humanitarian needs of refugees and civilians affected by conflict. By providing essential medical supplies, hygiene kits and food assistance, Anera helps to improve the quality of life for vulnerable populations. These ongoing efforts not only offer relief from current hardships but could contribute to long-term stability and development in the region.
– Sakshi Bhagat
Photo: Flickr
Protecting the Future: USAID Programs in the Pacific Islands
Protecting Biodiversity: OurFish OurFuture
Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing threatens the livelihoods of coastal communities and ocean ecosystems. It costs the global economy between $26 and $50 billion annually, harming local and international economies. In the tuna industry in the Pacific Islands, commercially caught Pacific tuna generated $22 billion in 2012 and 2014, while IUU fishing generated $616 million a year. IUU fishing affects more than the economy; it also affects fish populations and oceanic biodiversity, as it accounts for one out of every five fish caught.
The OurFish Our Future program works to combat IUU fishing. It is five years long, spanning from 2021 to 2026 and provides $15 million to address the factors of IUU fishing that degrade coastal biodiversity and impact food stability. This program focuses on the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.
The program brings together communities, providing opportunities for all ages and genders to participate in the design and implementation of security programming. Its ecosystem approach to fisheries management (EAFM) contributes to policies that will “improve coastal fisheries data systems, improve enforcement capacities and strengthen collaboration of enforcement authorities.”
Fostering Development: Pacific American Fund
As a result of the Pacific Island Countries’ (PICs) geography, they are vulnerable to environmental disasters perpetuated by changing climatic conditions, instability in government and present gender inequities, all while maintaining a critical role in the global economy. PICs are small and isolated, which leaves them prone to tsunamis, floods, earthquakes, droughts and volcanic activity that destroys their buildings and crops. PICs also suffer from unsafe living conditions, including unclean water, pollution and harmful chemicals, which lead to a rate of 70% of deaths related to noncommunicable diseases such as cancer and chronic respiratory diseases.
The Pacific American Fund (PAF) is a “five-year grant facility that addresses critical development challenges.” It supports the countries of the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, the Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. The PAF aims to “improve the quality of life in vulnerable communities and improve access to services for remote communities in the region” through increased preparation for natural disasters and climate change, economic development and access to health care and education. One of its programs is small-scale construction in the Malita Province to improve and adapt the environment for increased trade and expansion into agribusiness.
Agribusiness in the Solomon Islands
The Solomon Islands are prone to natural disasters that affect their economy, requiring their communities to seek agribusiness advancements to protect and revive their economy. In October 2023, tropical cyclone Lola caused severe damage, affecting more than 22,000 people and 100 buildings and damaging water sources. Furthermore, many of the crops were destroyed, including breadfruit trees, which are one of the Solomon Islands’ main sources of carbohydrates. This left locals scared of starvation as they relied on their local agriculture for sustenance.
USAID programs in the Pacific Islands include the Solomon Islands Strengthening Competitiveness, Agriculture, Livelihoods and Environment (SCALE) plan. SCALE is a five-year, $25 million project focused on developing the agribusiness sector in the Solomon Islands. Additionally, SCALE Trade and Investment (T&I) “focuses on reducing the cost and steps of obtaining business permits and licenses; strengthening trade and investment facilitation; and improving agribusiness value chain growth.”
SCALE engages community members in its program through its T&I plan. It aims to increase its exports and the role of women in trade. SCALE T&I oversaw the creation of the Advisory Committee for Agribusiness in Malaita Province, which will work with the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce. USAID programs in the Pacific Islands, such as SCALE, improve conditions of poverty by providing funding and opportunities for locals to work, innovate and protect against environmental factors.
Impact of USAID Programs in the Pacific Islands
USAID programs in the Pacific Islands strengthen their economic and environmental resilience through advancing policies and funds. Through USAID help, PICs have accessed more than $500 million in climate financing to prepare for adverse climatic conditions and natural disasters. USAID programming supports local development, marine ecosystems and access to affordable energy. Its work in the Pacific Islands will continue through these long-term programs to ensure stability.
One success story from USAID’s programs for Pacific Islanders came through its partnership with Aquaculture Technologies of the Marshall Islands. USAID provided a $1.7 million grant to allow the company to manufacture its own fish feed and to train individuals such as Sonya. Sonya remained in the Solomon Islands after her family moved because she wanted to pursue aquaculture and secure a stable future in her home country.
Sonya now manages the fish hatchery and nursery, inspiring more women to become trained as independent aqua farmers and fish feed manufacturers. The Marshall Islands now produce 400 pounds of moi fish per week, which supplies local businesses and is exported.
– Astrid Burns
Photo: Flickr
3 Initiatives Tackling Child Poverty in Suriname
In 1993 and again in 2014, government-led solutions sought to combat child poverty in Suriname by reinforcing children’s right to education and decreasing the likelihood of child exploitation. Suriname’s Human Development Index figure of 0.690 in 2022, as opposed to the earliest recording of 0.667 in 2004, indicates a steady increase in child poverty alleviation, a positive achievement compared to neighboring countries. However, work remains to tackle the challenges faced by the young demographic. Therefore, here are some key initiatives working to tackle child poverty in Suriname:
Move Forward Suriname
The Move Forward Organization is a nonprofit organization based in the Netherlands, with efforts extending abroad to Suriname. In 2017, it kick-started a project in the neighborhood of Sunny Side, a suburb outside the capital Paramaribo. Move Forward Suriname offers an opportunity for greatly disadvantaged children to foster a sense of community through a program of lessons in music, dance and sport.
Between 2017-2018 and again in 2023, the initiative proved successful in providing these children with facilities, coaching and, crucially, a positive environment that prioritizes their well-being. The initiative is free and accessible, with bus transport provided for the weekly events.
The organization launched a new funding target of $3,000 with the ambition of returning to Sunny Side and providing the local children with these benefits once again. Currently, this round of funding aims to use its growing team of coaches to grant these children a robust skill set for employment opportunities as they move into adulthood. These skills include filming, photography and social media creation.
School Meals Coalition
According to the World Factbook, around 6.7% of children younger than the age of 5 in Suriname were underweight in 2018. This level of malnourishment often leads to multifaceted issues for young, growing children. These include diseases such as anemia, stunting during critical stages of growth and a general lack of concentration in day-to-day life. All of these issues pose a threat to these children’s well-being and future.
School Meals Coalition is an organization that focuses on policy change and works both in Suriname and internationally. Its initiative ensures that school children are entitled to meals that are equally nutritious and sustainable. Accordingly, it works closely with local producers and farmers to monitor and ensure the quality of the products fueling children as they learn and play.
In September 2023, the Surinamese government joined its scheme, supported by the Minister of Education, H.E. Henri Ori. Currently, 15,000 children are recipients of these life-altering meals and the Minister’s goal is to have all Surinamese children across the country benefit from this initiative by the end of the decade.
UNICEF and Telesur Partnership
For Suriname’s youth, mental health decline relating to living in deprived conditions presents an urgent issue. According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), around 36% of young Surinamese people have thought about committing suicide and 76% have recorded feeling anxiety and depression in their day-to-day lives.
In March 2024, UNICEF Suriname announced a cooperative effort with the Latin American news service Telesur to help improve the well-being and prosperity of all Surinamese children. The new partnership seeks to incorporate awareness programs to support children’s mental health. More specifically, it is concerned with developing assertiveness, self-confidence and self-sufficiency in the underprivileged Surinamese youth.
At the signing of this partnership, the UNICEF representative for Guyana and Suriname, Nicolas Pron, argued that private “partnerships are at the heart of how we deliver results for children” and that the devised programs will be stimulated by private equity. The partnership also targets private companies wielding influence in the region. It aims to rally their corporate responsibility to pursue aid for Surinamese children.
Final Thoughts
For Suriname, alarming figures surrounding malnourishment, mental health and lack of opportunity jeopardize hope for prosperity among the country’s youth. However, nongovernmental initiatives intend to turn those statistics on their head, tackling child poverty in Suriname by improving immediate conditions and fostering wider, long-term social development.
– Ramiro Ruiz Martinez
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
The Child Nutrition Fund
Launch of the Child Nutrition Fund
UNICEF launched the CNF as one of its initiatives. The CNF, led by UNICEF, serves as a financing mechanism to address malnutrition in children and women sustainably through policies, programs, practices and supplies. It has brought together countries, donors, partners and civil society organizations to collaborate on this critical issue.
CNF Governance Structure
The governance structure of the CNF was formally established in Nov. 2023 with three distinct members: financial partners, government partners and operational partners. Financial partners contribute to the cause by donating financial resources and participating in a funding agreement with the CNF(via UNICEF). Government partners are national governments collaborating with the CNF to access its funds for child nutrition issues through partnership agreements. Operational partners are nonstate entities that implement child nutrition programs using funds from the CNF and operational partners’ agreements with UNICEF.
Strategic Actions and Goals
The CNF is actively supporting 23 countries that are implementing operational plans under the United Nations Secretary-General’s Global Action Plan on Child Wasting. These countries are taking steps that include promoting breastfeeding during the first two years of life, enhancing nutritious complementary food with micronutrient powders, monitoring weight gain and providing nutrition counseling, using mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) measurements and ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTF) for early detection of child wasting and distributing food supplements. The Global Action Plan on Child Wasting sets a goal to reduce wasting, which is low weight-for-height, to less than 5% by 2025 and less than 3% by 2030.
Impact and Future Goals of the CNF
Despite the fact that the history of the CNF is short, with this structure and vision, the CNF has been making a meaningful contribution to child nutrition. The CNF has funded $25 million in country programs in Kenya, Malawi, Pakistan and the Philippines. These funds work towards the prevention, detection and treatment of child wasting. In addition, partnerships are formed for many projects including a $30 million project with Gavi in Ethiopia. Additionally, the CNF has matched $15 million in domestic resources in 14 countries. The CNF also increased access to RUTF by providing funding to RUTF suppliers. Between its launch in Dec. 2022 and 30 Sept. 2023, the RUTF Advance Payment Facility has financed $89 million to RUTF suppliers, which resulted in more than 4.8 million cartons of RUTF available to children in need. RUTF is useful in treating waste because of its high nutrition and digestibility.
The history of the CNF demonstrates its lasting impact on improving children’s lives and their health. By 2025, the CNF expects to expand its reach to 33 countries. The CNF will continue to work to end child wasting and malnourishment with a current goal of impacting 368,116,890 children and women.
– Sein Kim
Photo: Flickr
Nuclear Solutions to Angola’s Rural Poverty
Rural Reliance on Subsistence Agriculture
In this region, families primarily earn their income from informal work in an unregulated agricultural sector. Although the unemployment rate stood at 15% in 2022, 80% of the labor force is self-employed. Agricultural productivity frequently suffers due to the high instability of crops and the fact that families own about 80% of all cattle in southwestern Angola.
These figures of low income and limited opportunities reflect an overreliance on subsistence agriculture to sustain impoverished families. Essentially, the nutrition of these Angolan families depends entirely on the success of seasonal harvests, with virtually no social safety nets in place for farmers facing poor yields. Additionally, the war in Ukraine has led to skyrocketing prices for basic imported foodstuffs, further limiting access to alternative food sources.
Multi-Year Drought Affects Livestock
According to the Red Cross, over the last four harvest seasons, this region of Angola has experienced its most severe drought since the 1980s. This drought has worsened the region’s semi-arid conditions, already challenging livestock pasture grazing and crop harvesting. Increasing desertification due to lack of rainfall has caused agricultural production to falter. By the end of 2023, Huìla’s water reserves were completely depleted. Farmers can no longer feed their cattle as green pastures have turned arid and unusable. Consequently, harvest success is declining because oxen, which plow the crop fields, are also dying off. To find viable grazing areas, farmers often have to travel long distances with the remaining members of their herds.
IAEA Partnerships
In June 2021, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) initiated its ‘Nuclear Saves’ partnerships series, aimed at enhancing the prosperity of disadvantaged communities amid severe climate change. Employing nuclear energy as a solution also bolsters public confidence in this technology. Specifically, the Animal Production and Health Subprogram of these partnerships focuses on improving the nutritional value of indigenous pasture grasses and other feed to ensure food security for local populations.
Nuclear Solution to Angola’s Rural Poverty
The Angolan government has partnered with the IAEA to reduce rural hunger and poverty in its southwestern communities. This partnership aims to estimate cattle pasture intake and identify sustainable, weather-resistant pasture grasses. Angola is setting up a nutrition laboratory to pinpoint nutritious grasses for widespread use, replacing current cattle feed. The technical operation adopts a nuclear solution, using stable isotopes to analyze key nutrients in cattle feed and excrement. These nonradioactive isotopes are commonly used to measure nutrient concentrations. Victor Tsuma, project leader at the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, asserts that this solution will help “design a balanced diet for cattle with a mix of natural pastures and feed supplements.” This strategy aims to enhance animal production accordingly.
Fending Off Future Droughts
This initiative also aligns with ecological goals. By isolating and producing more nutrient-dense feeds, it can reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cattle in the region, which helps mitigate the irregular climate conditions that cause events like droughts in southwestern Angola. This approach not only prioritizes climate by aiming to lower carbon emissions through the feed that cattle consume but also enhances cattle productivity, which is linked to the health of pastures. Additionally, as the risk of overgrazing diminishes, it further protects the environment, improving the quality of grazing for farmers’ herds.
Looking Ahead
The partnership between Angola and the IAEA aims to alleviate Angola’s rural poverty and hunger by improving cattle nutrition through nuclear techniques. By identifying sustainable and nutritious pasture grasses, this initiative seeks to enhance livestock productivity and food security. Additionally, it addresses ecological concerns by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting the environment from overgrazing, offering a comprehensive solution to the challenges faced by Angola’s southwestern rural provinces.
– Ramiro Ruiz Martinez
Photo: Flickr
Education in Latin America: Social Development through Football
Foundation of the Digital Education Program
FIFA Foundation Digital Education Program is a three-year initiative that seeks to implement computer science and robotics into the curriculum of primary schools. The program aims to help 10,000 children from vulnerable communities. The FIFA Foundation founded the campaigns in collaboration with the United Nations (U.N.) Sustainable Development Goals, aim to enhance the lives of disadvantaged children and youth globally, with a focus on education. The initiative aims to enhance education in Latin America to break the cycle of poverty and stimulate sustainable development in local and regional communities.
The collaboration of football, technology and education closes the digital gap in modern curriculums. As the digital world has grown since COVID-19, employment rates and economic development depend on digital literacy, which requires technological proficiency. So, in addressing socioeconomic barriers and modern learning, the FIFA Foundation introduces programming and robotics education in the classroom.
It integrates digital education with soccer through “play-based learning.” For example, participants can apply digital creativity skills to create “robotic prototypes” that can call penalties, pass and shoot balls. Due to FIFA’s humanitarian efforts, soccer has become a fundamental element of computation thinking, problem-solving and creativity.
FIFA’s Launch in Belize
From April 22 to 26, 2024, computer science and robotics workshops were delivered across Belize, marking the official launch of the program. In July 2023, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology (MOECST) and the Football Federation of Belize (FFB). This memorandum outlines the effort to enhance education with soccer. The program involves 40 primary schools and equips students aged 8 to 11 with Chromebooks, robotics kits, projectors and more tools essential to digital learning. Moreover, the program will train up to 300 teachers in computer science.
With the help of the FIFA foundation, improving resources and expertise results in Belize’s educational innovation. The President of the FFB, Sergio Chuc, reflects that the “domestic market is too small to contemplate industrialization.” He considers this partnership with the Ministry of Education as “a leap into the future with digital education.”
FIFA’s Launch in Paraguay
In June 2024, Paraguay signed this memorandum, hoping to benefit 10,000 children in Paraguayan public schools. To achieve this goal, Paraguay must ensure the “distribution and utilization of technological resources” and “the support and training for teachers.” Student engagement is another significant component of the program’s success. Fortunately, soccer’s popularity is leveraged under this initiative and it can only attract students’ entertainment and attention.
The launch of the FIFA Foundation Digital Education Program in Paraguay commences an education transformation within the country. FIFA demonstrates how soccer brings together people from different social and economic backgrounds and improves education in Latin America.
– Caroline Albright
Photo: Pexels
The World Bank’s Education Reform in Africa
Rwanda: Quality Basic Education
Rwanda has made substantial strides in education reform through the Quality Basic Education for Human Capital Development (QBE) project. The World Bank has supported Rwanda’s vision of expanding and improving basic education to develop its human capital. Here are the key achievements:
The Rwandan government, with support from the World Bank, has signed a $200 million agreement to further advance human capital development. This investment emphasizes the nongovernmental organization’s (NGO) commitment to education reform in Africa so that underprivileged communities can access quality schooling.
Kenya: Enhancing Secondary Education Quality
Kenya has seen remarkable progress in programs such as the Secondary Education Quality Improvement Project (SEQIP) and the Primary Education Equity in Learning Project. Key achievements include:
The World Bank’s $200 million boost to Kenya’s education sector has been pivotal in driving these reforms.
The DRC: Empowering Girls
The DRC faces unique educational challenges, but the World Bank’s initiatives have brought about notable improvements, particularly in equity and girls’ empowerment.
The World Bank’s $900 million investment in the DRC is a testament to its commitment to supporting girls’ learning and empowerment, which will ultimately contribute to the country’s long-term stability and growth.
Summary
The World Bank’s initiatives in Rwanda, Kenya and the DRC highlight the significant progress in education reform in Africa. Expanding access, improving quality and promoting equity have transformed educational systems. The initiatives have contributed to broader economic development to reduce poverty levels. The successes in these countries serve as a model for other regions. They demonstrate the transformative power of strategic investments in education.
– Asiya Siddiqui
Photo: Pixabay