Burkina Faso, located in West Africa, has a population known as the Burkinabe. This former French colony declared its independence in 1960. Originally named Upper Volta, the country adopted its current name in 1984. Its population is estimated at 23.6 million.
Although Burkina Faso faces a severe humanitarian crisis, the country also boasts rich cultural diversity that deserves recognition. Home to more than 60 ethnic groups, each with its customs, languages and practices, Burkina Faso celebrates a vibrant cultural heritage anchored in traditional music and dance.
Burkina Faso Economic Challenges
Burkina Faso’s population is unevenly distributed, with half of its people living in the eastern and central regions. More than two-thirds of the Burkinabe reside in rural areas, primarily near the country’s center. Economic challenges, exacerbated by poor weather and severe droughts, have driven many residents to emigrate. As a result, Burkina Faso is considered one of the world’s poorest countries and heavily relies on humanitarian aid from foreign nations and NGOs. The country exports gold, livestock, sugar and fruit. Despite the generally poor state of public health, the government has achieved notable progress in preventing and treating HIV/AIDS since the early 2000s, with a declining rate of HIV/AIDS cases.
Educational and Social Welfare Issues
In Burkina Faso, only 33% of the population is literate. In response, the country has introduced after-school tutoring at community centers and offers adolescents training in mechanics, hairdressing, sewing, gardening and farm work. Public education in Burkina Faso is not freely provided and many parents struggle to afford schooling for their children. Additionally, a shortage of schools means that even families who can afford it often struggle to find available educational opportunities. As a result, only 81% of students advance to the 5th grade.
More than 40% of Burkina Faso’s population lives below the national poverty line, placing the country 184th out of 191 in the United Nations (U.N.) Development Programme’s 2021-2022 Human Development Index (HDI) report. Although extreme poverty decreased by 0.7% in 2023, about 2 million citizens remain displaced and face food insecurity.
Crisis and Humanitarian Aid for Burkina Faso
Since 2019, Burkina Faso has faced a severe refugee crisis. In the past year alone, an additional 707,000 citizens have become displaced and thousands have lost access to aid. By early 2023, more than 6,100 schools had closed, accounting for nearly half of all school closures in Central and West Africa. Additionally, up to 400 health facilities shut down, leaving 3.6 million people without access to health care—a 70% increase from 2022.
Emergency Aid and International Assistance
In May 2024, the US announced it would provide nearly $55 million to Burkina Faso to help address its ongoing humanitarian crisis. This aid is intended to meet the food and nutrition needs of the most vulnerable Burkinabe citizens. Within Burkina Faso, 20 locations home to half a million people are isolated from the rest of the country and in 2023, fewer than 5,000 of these residents received international aid from nongovernmental organizations. Only two-thirds of the funds allocated to Burkina Faso have been disbursed, mainly because high costs make it challenging to assist those in more isolated areas. Additionally, due to limited financial resources, organizations often prioritize helping those who are more accessible, leaving those in cut-off areas further deprived of sustainable living conditions and basic needs.
Impact of Climate and Economic Challenges
Burkina Faso’s location makes it highly susceptible to drought and climate change. The country is also struggling with ongoing economic challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, the USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance allocated $43 million to Burkina Faso to support food and nutrition assistance. This aid included food supplies, locally procured produce, and food vouchers.
European Union’s Commitment to Aid
Projected statistics for 2024 indicated that up to 27% of Burkina Faso’s population would need humanitarian aid. In 2023, the European Union (EU) allocated 44 million Euros to assist the country. These funds are targeting the food crisis and focusing on malnutrition, health, nutrition, shelter, water, sanitation, hygiene, education and rapid response to displacements. This aid aimed to support vulnerable, internally displaced people by providing them with food, shelter and essential items to meet their basic needs. Additionally, the EU provided educational support in areas where schools had closed. The EU offered guidance on preparing for climate-related issues tied to the country’s location.
Looking Ahead
The humanitarian crisis in Burkina Faso presents ongoing challenges, with significant portions of the population facing food insecurity, inadequate health care and educational disruptions. Recent international aid efforts, including substantial contributions from the U.S. and the EU, aim to address these critical needs. However, reaching isolated and vulnerable communities remains a significant hurdle. Continued and enhanced support can potentially improve living conditions and foster sustainable development in the region.
– Brogan Dickson
Brogan is based in Edinburgh, Scotland and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.
Photo: Flickr
USAID Pledges $176 Million to Combat Poverty in West Africa
In Northern Nigeria, about 31% of women aged 15 to 49 suffer from acute malnutrition. Additionally, predictions indicate that around 55 million people in West and Central Africa could experience food insecurity during the lean season from June to August 2024. Furthermore, in West Africa, eight out of 10 children between 6 to 23 months old do not receive the minimum required food intake for healthy growth and development. In response, countries worldwide are pledging aid and support to those struggling with poverty in West Africa.
The U.S. Provides Aid to West Africa
On May 28, 2024, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) announced it would provide an additional $176 million in humanitarian aid to West Africa. This funding aims to address the region’s severe security challenges and assist vulnerable communities. This contribution follows a previous allocation of $150 million on March 16, 2023. Funds were allocated to countries in West and Central Africa and the Sahel region. The funding supported refugees and internally displaced persons with health care and nutritional services through the State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM). USAID’s efforts in West Africa are coordinated with United Nations (U.N.) agencies, including the World Food Programme (WFP) and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), to facilitate USAID’s humanitarian assistance.
Details of USAID’s $176 Million Aid
USAID’s $176 million in foreign aid to West Africa encompasses food and nutritional support as well as health care services. In 2022, for example, USAID’s regional office in the Sahel provided emergency food assistance to about 1.8 million vulnerable individuals in Chad. Furthermore, they constructed 70 shelters for those displaced by local conflicts. Additionally, in Burkina Faso, this office facilitated pregnancy, natal and neonatal health care for roughly 405,000 mothers and their newborns. This support is crucial. More than 370 health care facilities in Burkina Faso were at risk of closure by February 2024 due to ongoing conflict between the government and armed rebels. This situation has left approximately 3.5 million people in urgent need of health care services. These ongoing efforts underscore the significance of the United States’ (U.S.) recent relief efforts in West Africa, where many countries face crises similar to those in Burkina Faso.
How U.N. Agencies Utilize Aid Funds
USAID’s $176 million foreign aid package to West Africa includes funding for U.N. agencies to help address critical issues like food insecurity and health care access in the region. For instance, between July 2022 and January 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) in Mali supported approximately 75,000 people in the Menaka region. The organization provided medical and nutritional assistance, including treating 1,034 malnourished children. Additionally, these funds enable the World Food Programme (WFP) to continue airlifting food to countries such as Burkina Faso. More than 1.2 million displaced individuals have benefited from these ongoing efforts. This underscores the vital role U.N. agencies play in ensuring that international aid is effectively utilized to support vulnerable populations.
Looking Ahead
West Africa faces ongoing challenges of food insecurity and economic instability, affecting millions of vulnerable people. USAID’s $176 million aid aims to reduce poverty in West Africa by providing essential food and health care support. Collaborating with U.N. agencies, this initiative strives to alleviate the severe conditions in the region, underscoring the necessity for continuous international assistance.
– Abdullah Dowaihy
Photo: Flickr
Understanding the Humanitarian Crisis in Burkina Faso
Although Burkina Faso faces a severe humanitarian crisis, the country also boasts rich cultural diversity that deserves recognition. Home to more than 60 ethnic groups, each with its customs, languages and practices, Burkina Faso celebrates a vibrant cultural heritage anchored in traditional music and dance.
Burkina Faso Economic Challenges
Burkina Faso’s population is unevenly distributed, with half of its people living in the eastern and central regions. More than two-thirds of the Burkinabe reside in rural areas, primarily near the country’s center. Economic challenges, exacerbated by poor weather and severe droughts, have driven many residents to emigrate. As a result, Burkina Faso is considered one of the world’s poorest countries and heavily relies on humanitarian aid from foreign nations and NGOs. The country exports gold, livestock, sugar and fruit. Despite the generally poor state of public health, the government has achieved notable progress in preventing and treating HIV/AIDS since the early 2000s, with a declining rate of HIV/AIDS cases.
Educational and Social Welfare Issues
In Burkina Faso, only 33% of the population is literate. In response, the country has introduced after-school tutoring at community centers and offers adolescents training in mechanics, hairdressing, sewing, gardening and farm work. Public education in Burkina Faso is not freely provided and many parents struggle to afford schooling for their children. Additionally, a shortage of schools means that even families who can afford it often struggle to find available educational opportunities. As a result, only 81% of students advance to the 5th grade.
More than 40% of Burkina Faso’s population lives below the national poverty line, placing the country 184th out of 191 in the United Nations (U.N.) Development Programme’s 2021-2022 Human Development Index (HDI) report. Although extreme poverty decreased by 0.7% in 2023, about 2 million citizens remain displaced and face food insecurity.
Crisis and Humanitarian Aid for Burkina Faso
Since 2019, Burkina Faso has faced a severe refugee crisis. In the past year alone, an additional 707,000 citizens have become displaced and thousands have lost access to aid. By early 2023, more than 6,100 schools had closed, accounting for nearly half of all school closures in Central and West Africa. Additionally, up to 400 health facilities shut down, leaving 3.6 million people without access to health care—a 70% increase from 2022.
Emergency Aid and International Assistance
In May 2024, the US announced it would provide nearly $55 million to Burkina Faso to help address its ongoing humanitarian crisis. This aid is intended to meet the food and nutrition needs of the most vulnerable Burkinabe citizens. Within Burkina Faso, 20 locations home to half a million people are isolated from the rest of the country and in 2023, fewer than 5,000 of these residents received international aid from nongovernmental organizations. Only two-thirds of the funds allocated to Burkina Faso have been disbursed, mainly because high costs make it challenging to assist those in more isolated areas. Additionally, due to limited financial resources, organizations often prioritize helping those who are more accessible, leaving those in cut-off areas further deprived of sustainable living conditions and basic needs.
Impact of Climate and Economic Challenges
Burkina Faso’s location makes it highly susceptible to drought and climate change. The country is also struggling with ongoing economic challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, the USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance allocated $43 million to Burkina Faso to support food and nutrition assistance. This aid included food supplies, locally procured produce, and food vouchers.
European Union’s Commitment to Aid
Projected statistics for 2024 indicated that up to 27% of Burkina Faso’s population would need humanitarian aid. In 2023, the European Union (EU) allocated 44 million Euros to assist the country. These funds are targeting the food crisis and focusing on malnutrition, health, nutrition, shelter, water, sanitation, hygiene, education and rapid response to displacements. This aid aimed to support vulnerable, internally displaced people by providing them with food, shelter and essential items to meet their basic needs. Additionally, the EU provided educational support in areas where schools had closed. The EU offered guidance on preparing for climate-related issues tied to the country’s location.
Looking Ahead
The humanitarian crisis in Burkina Faso presents ongoing challenges, with significant portions of the population facing food insecurity, inadequate health care and educational disruptions. Recent international aid efforts, including substantial contributions from the U.S. and the EU, aim to address these critical needs. However, reaching isolated and vulnerable communities remains a significant hurdle. Continued and enhanced support can potentially improve living conditions and foster sustainable development in the region.
– Brogan Dickson
Photo: Flickr
The Home-Grown School Feeding Program in Eswatini
Impact on Children and Food Security
The Home-Grown School Feeding Program, a joint initiative between the World Bank and the Eswatini government, enhances meal availability for schoolchildren, many of whom experience hunger. This program enables local farmers to provide food directly to schools and compensates them for their produce. Additionally, several schools have initiated their gardens to supplement the students’ food supply. The program ensures that children receive nutritious meals at school, offering stable and reliable food sources for those who might otherwise go hungry. This initiative not only bolsters food security for children but also alleviates the burden on families, who can be confident that their children are well-fed during the school day.
Supporting Local Farmers and the Economy
The Home-Grown School Feeding Program collaborates with local farmers to supply food and crops to schools, ensuring children receive nutritious meals. The program purchases these crops, offering farmers a reliable market and financial security. This arrangement significantly reduces the farmers’ transportation costs and emotional stress. According to the farmers participating in the program, they not only experience financial stability but also enjoy higher profits. They receive more favorable payments from the program compared to other buyers, such as the National Maize Corporation.
Empowering Women and Youth
The Home-Grown School Feeding Program also concentrates on creating jobs for youths and women, thereby enhancing the economy by introducing more skilled workers and increasing income through wages. Researchers have long studied the link between job creation and economic growth and Eswatini exemplifies this connection. In addition, the program has significantly benefited women farmers by collaborating with the Eswatini government to enhance support for female agricultural producers involved in the school feeding initiative. Facilitated by the Center for Financial Inclusion, this partnership has fostered a positive relationship between local women farmers and the government. Through this interaction, women farmers have received training in business and finance and have been equipped with various technologies. These tools help them navigate the challenging climate, boosting their farming productivity and efficiency.
Looking Ahead
The Home-Grown School Feeding Program in Eswatini represents a sustainable approach to enhancing food security and boosting local economies. By sourcing food from local farmers and involving women and youth in agricultural activities, the program fosters community resilience and economic growth. This collaboration between the World Food Programme and the Eswatini government continues to provide essential support for schoolchildren, farmers and the broader community.
– Paige Tamasi
Photo: Unsplash
SISRI: Preparing Island Nations for Natural Disaster Response
Global Impact of Natural Disasters on Poverty
Preventionweb reports that of the approximately 1.5 billion people worldwide at risk of or exposed to flooding, 89% reside in low to middle-income countries. Drought is one of the most severe causes of poverty globally, particularly in small island nations. Other significant risks include the previously mentioned flooding and tropical storms. These are among the deadliest and most severe natural disasters, posing the greatest threat and highest risk of poverty.
Loss of life is the primary consequence of these ongoing issues, but other risks include injuries, home damage, loss of livelihood, displacement, health implications and food insecurity, among others. The Small Island States Resilience Initiative addresses these challenges. This initiative responds to calls from small islands for more support in mitigating climate change and natural disaster risks that significantly affect their populations, assets, ecosystems and economies.
Goals and Strategies of SISRI
The primary goal of the SISRI is to alleviate the risks and reduce the burdens that natural disasters often impose. The project focuses on protecting coastal areas, establishing safety nets for citizens and providing expert assistance in assessing flood and landslide risks. SISRI also supports these nations in constructing safer infrastructure. Additionally, it fosters a global community where island practitioners can share and access worldwide knowledge on risk management.
Small island states are particularly vulnerable to natural disasters. For instance, countries experiencing the highest losses from these disasters include small island nations, which account for more than 60% of such cases. These losses can represent up to 9% of a small island nation’s GDP. Moreover, in the last 50 years, Pacific island nations have incurred more than $3 billion in damages from natural disasters. Despite these ongoing challenges, initiatives like the Small Island States Resilience Initiative, coupled with external support, can significantly impact these regions.
Implementation and Achievements of SISRI
SISRI is enhancing the resilience of small island nations by building larger pipelines for investments that can withstand climate change impacts. This initiative focuses on increasing these areas’ capacity to adapt to extreme weather events. There are three main goals SISRI aims to achieve: helping small island nations document climate finance assistance, increasing the scale and efficiency of investments and upscaling and consolidating support to shift from fragmented smaller projects to broader national initiatives that deliver more significant results.
SISRI leverages the expertise of a broader team from GFDRR and the World Bank to provide technical and operational advice. These experts address project bottlenecks and launch new investments that enhance flood and landslide risk assessments, develop safer infrastructure and strengthen social and financial safety nets. For example, in Jamaica, SISRI is protecting vulnerable coastal zones by integrating existing coastal defenses, such as seawalls and mangroves.
Using a practitioner network, SISRI connects practitioners to share knowledge and experience, enhancing resilience on small islands. Several meetings with support groups have already occurred, including the 2018 Understanding Risk Forum in Mexico City and the 2017 Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Cancun. These gatherings aim to better educate small island nations on optimal risk management strategies for natural disasters.
Through SISRI, the World Bank aims to enhance enabling environments and stakeholder capacity and to prepare proposals, projects and pipelines. While this initiative significantly supports small island nations in combating poverty and recovering from natural disasters, which often devastate economies and lives, more efforts are necessary to ensure these communities can recover and thrive after such events.
Looking Ahead
Currently, SISRI operates in East Asia, the Pacific and Sub-Saharan Africa, assisting about 37 countries. The Initiative plays a vital role in enhancing the resilience of vulnerable island nations against natural disasters. By focusing on protecting coastal areas, improving infrastructure and providing technical assistance, SISRI aims to mitigate the severe impacts of these events. Continued support and investment in these ongoing initiatives could safeguard communities and promote sustainable recovery and development.
– Lachlan Wellington
Photo: Unsplash
Investing in R&D for Diseases in Africa
The United States (U.S.), as a global leader, holds a key position in global health security. It can further strengthen this position by allocating investments in Africa, particularly in research and development (R&D) for these diseases. This strategic move will contribute to global health and boost the U.S. economy, creating new jobs and fostering innovation. Recent research published by the Global Health Technologies Coalition (GHTC) has proven that investment from the U.S. can impact not only global health but also boost the U.S. economy.
The US Investments in Health R&D in Africa
The U.S. investments are vital to supporting the development of new drugs for diseases like malaria, tuberculosis, HIV and Ebola, which are among the most pressing health challenges in Africa and globally. For instance, U.S. investment in the development of antiretroviral drugs has significantly reduced the mortality rate of HIV/AIDS in Africa, saving millions of lives. This is a testament to the potential impact of the U.S. investments in health R&D in Africa.
In the last two decades, the U.S. has invested $46 billion in R&D for neglected diseases like HIV, malaria, tuberculosis and other health issues. In 2022, this investment was 0.21% of its gross domestic product (GDP). The investment helped develop 12 products for tuberculosis and 11 for malaria. The development of Pretomanid has revolutionized tuberculosis treatment. It also works for drug-resistant cases, reducing the treatment duration from 18 months to 6 months. Using it for all drug-resistant cases can save up to $740 million annually.
Two drugs, Cabotegravir and Dapvirine, developed with U.S. investments, have the potential to revolutionize HIV prevention and treatment. Many other products against different diseases are in the pipeline, also developed with the country’s investment.
Boosting the US Economy
These investments have boosted the U.S. economy and benefited U.S. companies and people in more ways than one might think. Here are some key points describing how these investments have contributed to the growth of the U.S. economy:
These investments will result in future products worth $255 billion, further boosting the U.S. economy.
Final Thoughts
The U.S. has financial power and moral authority globally. More investment in R&D for diseases can improve life expectancy in Africa, strengthen the economies of partner countries, boost the U.S. economy and protect Americans’ health. The world has become a global village and diseases can spread quickly, creating a potential danger for everyone. Cases of malaria and leprosy have emerged in the U.S. in the recent past.
R&D of treatments and prevention products can help control the emergence of diseases in the U.S. and globally secure the financial future of thousands of Americans through jobs and boost a strong U.S. economy. In our current circumstances, allocating resources toward R&D for diseases in Africa is crucial. This investment can revitalize the U.S. economy during these challenging times.
– Maria Waleed
Photo: Pexels
Tackling Global Water Scarcity: Innovations and Challenges
Changing Climate and Water Scarcity
The changing climate intensifies water scarcity by increasing the frequency of extreme flooding and droughts. According to the U.N., extreme drought will likely expand its coverage across the land steadily. Water-related disasters cause nearly 70% of all deaths linked to natural disasters. In the last two decades, the occurrence of flood-related disasters has increased by 134%. Asia is particularly affected, suffering significant flood-related deaths and economic losses. Simultaneously, many countries facing challenges with safe sanitation and water access also suffer from these water-based disasters, leading to deaths, economic damages and health issues due to floods and droughts.
The Condon Hydrology Lab
Laura Condon, an assistant professor at the University of Arizona, is committed to developing water sustainability tools. Leading the Condon Hydrology Lab, her research group focuses on studying the availability and sustainability of freshwater resources. As a specialist in groundwater research, she understands that watershed behaviors in today’s changing climate could unlock new solutions to water scarcity.
Laura Condon co-leads “Hydroframe,” a project that works in tandem with the “Hydrogen” modeling platform to simulate watershed system forecasts. Condon is enthusiastic about developing new methods to enhance the speed and accuracy of seasonal forecasts. She notes that the pursuit of sustainable water management has been a long-standing concern and her team at the Hydrology Lab is at the forefront of this research. By testing these innovations in America, the project aims not only to address domestic water scarcity but also to expand its impact globally, helping to alleviate water scarcity worldwide.
Looking Ahead
Ensuring access to safe drinking water and proper sanitation for billions of people could address the global water scarcity crisis. Innovations in hydrological research, such as those pioneered by Laura Condon, aim to create sustainable water management solutions. By improving the accuracy of water resource forecasts and developing effective conservation strategies, these ongoing efforts can potentially combat water scarcity and enhance resilience against the changing climate, securing vital resources for future generations.
– Hailey Nurry
Photo: Flickr
The Svalbard Global Seed Vault: Protecting Crop Diversity
The Importance of Seed Banks
Crop diversification plays a crucial role in sustaining healthy ecosystems and enhancing agricultural resilience. It mitigates soil erosion, enriches soil health and fortifies crops against pests and diseases. By planting a variety of crops, farmers can potentially shield their livelihoods from extreme weather and other adversities, ensuring that if one crop falters, others may thrive to offset the loss. However, crop diversity has sharply declined over the last 50 years. TIME Magazine reports that merely about 30 crops now supply 95% of the nutritional needs of humans. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) adds that since 1900, there has been a staggering 95% loss in plant genetic diversity globally.
Natural disasters are the primary threat to crop diversity in developing countries. Flooding, drought, excessive heat and other unpredictable weather patterns, can wipe out entire fields of crops. The Svalbard Global Seed Vault protects crop diversity and prevents hunger by ensuring that crop species do not go extinct. The vault stores seeds and their duplicates, ensuring that agriculture can reintroduce them following catastrophic events, thus protecting global food security.
Marie Haga, executive director of the Crop Trust, an organization that operates the Svalbard Seed Vault in collaboration with the Norwegian government, emphasizes that crop diversity is essential to global livelihood: “Not too many think about crop diversity as being so fundamentally important, but it is. It is almost as important as water and air. Seeds generally as the basis for everything. Not only what we eat, but what we wear, nature all about us.”
Seed Banks Around the World
The Svalbard Global Seed Vault collaborates with more than a thousand regional seed banks worldwide. These banks collect, freeze and store seeds from various crop species. They send duplicates of these seeds to the Svalbard vault for secure, long-term storage. Operating much like an insurance policy, the organization protects these seeds against potential regional threats such as severe weather or conflict. Svalbard safely stores the duplicates should a regional seed bank’s supplies be compromised.
The Svalbard facility’s operations are important in war-ridden regions. In 2012, the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) had to move from its location just outside of Aleppo, Syria, in 2012 when the civil war threatened the facility’s security. In Afghanistan and Iran, violent conflict destroyed seed banks, compromising seeds that had not yet been sent to Svalbard.
Svalbard’s location in Northern Norway is optimal for the global seed vault due to its cold climate, which is essential for preserving seeds at -18° Celsius. The vault’s placement of 150 meters inside a mountain offers added protection against severe weather events, including extreme cold and avalanches. Apart from these natural conditions, Svalbard’s remoteness plays a crucial role in its security, making it unlikely to be affected by international conflicts. This combination of factors effectively safeguards the seeds, providing a critical backup for global agriculture.
Looking Forward
The Svalbard Global Seed Vault plays a pivotal role in preserving global crop diversity, acting as a vital insurance policy against environmental and man-made disasters. Securing more than a million seed samples from various regions ensures the continued availability of essential crops for future generations. The Svalbard Global Seed Vault continues to expand its collection and it can hold about 4.5 million seeds. This initiative can potentially maintain agricultural resilience and secure food supplies worldwide.
– Maren Fossum-Wernick
Photo: Flickr
Efforts for Improving Health Care in Nigeria
Malaria
Malaria is a life-threatening disease found in primarily tropical countries and is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes. In 2021, approximately 619,000 people died from malaria, with more than half of all malaria deaths worldwide occurring in four African countries. Nigeria’s health indicators are some of the worst in Africa. Nigeria continues to undertake the highest level of malaria cases globally, which is the leading cause of child illness and death. Professor Olubenga A. Mokuolu oversees all malaria work in the country.
In an interview, he gave one reason for Nigeria’s high malaria burden: the country’s environmental management. “In terms of environmental management, Nigeria leaves a lot to be desired. The country has open refuse sites and blocked drainage systems and because people lack piped water, they store water at home in containers. These all provide ideal sites for mosquitoes to breed.” While the number of malaria cases has gone down in recent years, they are not at a level where people can fully be at ease.
Lack of Access
Health care access in Nigeria is very limited due to factors within the health system. The Nigerian primary health care (PHC) system is the lowest level and entry point for Nigerians to receive health care services such as visitations, preventative, curative and rehabilitative services. Although initially, the PHC system was seen as a guiding policy for further health improvements, there were many flaws with its enactment.
Vivien O. Abah, a Nigerian health care researcher, stated that “The PHC system was deployed to the grassroots, but geographical access did not translate to access to health care as the populations did not utilize the majority (80%) of these facilities.” Not only was the lack of geographical access difficult but the quality of care in these primary health facilities was proven difficult for some as well.
What Is Being Done
The Nigerian health care industry has faced serious setbacks in recent years due to a lack of funding, as well as the mismanagement of creating accessible quality care for the population. This does not mean that the country has given up, as there have been various measures taken into consideration to improve the system.
In 2018, the government approved the second National Strategic Health Development Plan (SHDP), which sought to ensure all Nigerians have access to health care in the country, with a focus on preventing the trend of citizens traveling abroad for medical care. The Former President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, said that the SHDP will be a transparent and accountable mechanism implemented to ensure the health of all citizens and to forbid corruption from affecting funding.
The government has also focused on individual epidemics and issues that have affected Nigerians, as its preventative measures for malaria have saved tens of thousands of lives, most of them children. The country’s health care system provides more than 25 million children aged less than 5 with preventive chemotherapy for malaria, which has considerably reduced the children’s mortality rates.
Improving Health
Improvement of the Nigerian health care system will be a long and arduous process. and its efficiency highly depends on whether or not the government prioritizes high-quality care and population outcomes. In the past, people have had tremendous trouble seeking high-quality care, with some having to leave the country to receive treatment.
Health care in Nigeria has undergone significant changes and is moving in the right direction, but there is still progress to be made. With a growing population in a country known for diseases and limited medical access, the health care system cannot currently guarantee treatment for all its citizens.
– Oliver Martin
Photo: Pixabay
Nongovernmental Organizations Operating in Kiribati
Kiribati has made significant strides in its goal of graduating from this distinction and meeting the economic threshold. However, concerns exist regarding its ability to survive independently without the support of the U.N. Situations like this are when the efforts of NGOs become crucial. With volunteer efforts working within Kiribati on a daily basis to provide its citizens with critical, potentially life-saving information, Kiribati can, in turn, place a greater emphasis on not only meeting its goal of graduation but on progressing the country’s development in order to continue the positive strides it has already made.
Nongovernmental Organizations Operating in Kiribati
The impact of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) can be felt worldwide. In developing countries like Kiribati, homegrown efforts often arise to make drastic strides in the fight for good. Here are seven nongovernmental organizations operating in Kiribati.
KANGO
The Kiribati Association of NGOs (KANGO) helps to enact the Kiribati Vision 20 plan, a 20-year development program for the betterment of the islands. One way it does this is via one of the many workshops it holds on the island. In these workshops, participants are first educated about the Kiribati Vision 20 plan. The plan is a blueprint for the country’s long-term development goals and the U.N.’s sustainable development goals (SDGs) for Kiribati.
After the lecture, participants participated in activities, including weaving, sewing and making local handicrafts. Though it may seem pedestrian on the surface, learning to craft in this manner helps the community achieve Kiribati’s SDGs by allowing even the unemployed to contribute to the economy.
ICAAD
The International Center for Advocates Against Discrimination (ICAAD) is an advocacy group working within Kiribati to support marginalized communities on the islands. These include the indigenous peoples of Rabi island, the Banaban people. A primary goal of the ICAAD is to ensure that the voices of the native population are heard. Methods it uses to achieve this goal include artivism projects and interviews with members of the population. Highlighting and elevating the stories of these groups serves to pass on their memories and traditions to future generations, a value that can’t be calculated on a chart.
KFHA
The Kiribati Family Health Association (KFHA) works to provide crucial information and resources regarding family planning and sexual health. In addition to this, it advocates for social justice programs for marginalized groups across Kiribati. By hosting programs relating to reproductive health, critical information can be delivered to those in need of it. The most marginalized communities can receive the tools needed to thrive in times of crisis.
KTU
The Kiribati Teachers Union advocates on behalf of teachers across the islands. Providing a voice for a sector of society that is all too often overlooked, the KTU serves as an organization that can organize, negotiate and advocate on behalf of teachers across the islands. In addition, there are also separate wings of the union, including one dedicated to improving conditions for women teachers and one dedicated to those younger than 35.
Teitoiningaina
Teitoiningaina is a group dedicated to providing women on the island with crucial knowledge and resources regarding subsistence methods. Due to scarce water availability, many in Kiribati rely on water tanks for daily subsistence. In these workshops hosted by Teitoiningaina, composting techniques are among the methods taught to produce greater yields of crops. Attendees are given the ability and knowledge to better provide for their families.
KiriCAN
The Kiribati Climate Action Network (KiriCAN) is an NGO dedicated to raising awareness of the nation’s unique climate struggles. Given the Island’s location, climate and weather concerns are often crucial to its development. Mitigating the potential issues faced by its remoteness is key to the Island’s prosperity. Kirican has a long history of cleanup efforts and educational programs and its efforts to advocate for the planet are well appreciated.
Lifebox Foundation
The Lifebox Foundation, an NGO dedicated to distributing lifesaving medical equipment across the world, has a branch focused on Oceania that operates in Kiribati. Its initial goal was to distribute Pulse Oximeters to underserved communities. Though it has since expanded from this initial goal during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Lifebox Foundation demonstrated that this was still a crucial point of its operation.
Pulse oximeters are critical to COVID-19 relief efforts, as a potentially life-threatening symptom of the disease is Hypoxia or an absence of oxygen in the blood. The best tool to detect this lack of oxygen is a pulse oximeter. During the relief efforts, the Lifebox Foundation distributed more than 100 pulse oximeters to medical centers across Oceania, including Kiribati. The help of the Lifebox Foundation was key in such a critical time for Kiribati. Without it, many patients would have been left without this crucial piece of lifesaving kit.
Final Remark
These are just a few ways NGOs can impact the local Kiribati community by directly targeting key issues in the island nation. By addressing these issues on a community level, Kiribati can see its broader goals met in due time. Suppose the finish line is graduating from the LCD status. In that case, nongovernmental organizations operating in Kiribati will be the fuel needed to propel the country to its development goals.
– Malik Vega
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Affordable Eye Care: The Aravind Eye Care System
About Venkataswamy
Venkataswamy, fondly known as “Dr. V,” was born on October 1, 1918, in Vadamalapuram, Tamil Nadu In, India. After earning his medical degree from Stanley Medical College in 1944, he served in the Indian Army Medical Corps. However, Venkataswamy retired early due to severe rheumatoid arthritis. Undeterred, he specialized in Ophthalmology and went on to perform more than 100,000 successful eye surgeries. Additionally, Venkataswamy introduced innovative programs to combat blindness in India, including outreach camps and an ophthalmic assistants training program. In 1973, he was awarded the Padmashree by the Government of India for his contributions.
Aravind Eye Hospital
Aravind Eye Hospital was established by Venkataswamy without any initial capital, business plan or safety net, relying primarily on faith in its mission to eliminate needless blindness. Since its inception, Aravind has expanded to include seven tertiary centers, seven secondary centers, six community eye clinics, 80 vision centers and eye banks. The Postgraduate Institute of Ophthalmology and the Lions Aravind Institute of Community Ophthalmology provide essential training. At the same time, Aurolab manufactures affordable, high-quality ophthalmic consumables exported to more than 160 countries.
In the 2022-23 year, Aravind performed more than 704,000 surgeries and had more than 5.7 million outpatient visits. Remarkably, more than 50% of these surgeries were provided either free or at highly subsidized rates to people experiencing poverty. This is made possible via the earnings from paying patients. Aravind’s efficient service delivery and innovative practices, such as an “assembly line” system in operating rooms, enable doctors to perform a high volume of surgeries while maintaining exceptional quality.
Furthermore, Aravind’s outreach program, supported by organizations like Lions Clubs International and Rotary International, extends its services to villages lacking eye care facilities. The model, originally focused on cataract screenings, now provides comprehensive eye exams and necessary treatments, bringing those requiring surgery to the base hospital for free procedures.
Sustainability and Innovation
Aravind has optimized patient care practices to reduce its carbon footprint. Spectacle delivery times and transport emissions have been significantly reduced through an innovative online selection and central lab fitting process. The hospital’s energy-efficient buildings, solar plant and sustainable dining services further align its social, environmental and financial goals.
Enhancing Productivity
Recognizing the scarcity and cost of ophthalmologists, Aravind reassigned routine tasks to mid-level ophthalmic personnel, boosting the productivity of ophthalmologists by more than four times. Medical schools and business schools worldwide have replicated this innovative approach. Moreover, Aravind now provides consultancy services and training to eye hospitals and personnel globally.
Conclusion: A Model for Global Health
Aravind Eye Care System stands as a testament to the power of innovative, compassionate health care. By transforming how eye care is delivered, Aravind not only provides sight to millions but also serves as a model for sustainable health care worldwide. As Aravind continues to expand its reach, the foundation’s vision of eradicating needless blindness and fostering a healthier world becomes increasingly tangible.
– Sandeep Kaur
Photo: Flickr