Over the last few centuries, many Western political philosophers, such as John Stuart Mill, have argued that property security is essential for humankind to maximize its potential for liberty and productivity. While almost all land and property are now legally protected in the Global North, only 30% of the world’s population has a legally registered title to their land and property, stifling economic growth and perpetuating poverty and marginalization. This is where Seattle-based organization Landesa comes in. To learn more about the organization’s work, The Borgen Project was privileged to speak with Tyler Roush, the Communications Director at Landesa.
About Landesa
Established as the “Rural Development Institute,” Landesa is a unique nongovernmental organization (NGO) aiming to tackle poverty through the power of formally and legally recognized Land Rights for individuals in the Global South. Worldwide, its valued work has helped to secure land rights for hundreds of millions of families. The NGO is a true inspiration, setting exceptionally high standards for working with and understanding the regional contexts in which it operates.
Landesa in Liberia: Land Rights Act 2018
One case highlighting the lengthiness and success of Landesa’s work is Liberia and the Land Rights Act, described as “one of the most progressive pieces of land rights legislation on the African continent.” Landesa began work in 2010 and, eight years later, had helped garner support for the Act through approval and ratification, “working alongside Liberian civil society, NGOs and the government.”
The significance of the Act was multidimensional, granting land rights to all Liberians for the first time and including strong provisions for women’s land rights. This was hugely significant since Landesa finds that “when women have stronger rights to land, they have more access to household resources, the family budget and decision making both within the household and in their local community.”
Furthermore, “women have unique insights into how land can be sustainably managed based on the types of responsibilities that they have in farming and growing food.” A large body of literature from credible organizations worldwide supports the idea that more land rights provisions for women specifically lead to increased gender equality, improved living conditions, food security, economic empowerment and reduced rates of domestic violence.
Landesa in Liberia: Post-Reform Work
Landesa’s work does not end with the successful passing of groundbreaking legislation. In fact, “after the passage of the Land Rights bill, even more work begins because now the law is in place, it needs to be implemented.” In many developing countries, a lack of education and low literacy rates can hinder land rights. So, Landesa’s next task in Liberia was to raise awareness about the new law. The Amplio Talking Books program does exactly that.
The talking book is a “durable, handheld audio device technology, developed by a Seattle-based partner, that has pre-recorded messages in local languages,” containing information about the newly found land rights and how individuals can utilize these. Community members will use and share these devices for several weeks before Landesa returns to assess what individuals have learned and answer questions. The Talking Books are then collected and taken to the next community. They have become “a really successful way to educate communities about their new rights.”
Landesa’s comprehensive education and support methods help promote peace, stability and sustainable economic development that will benefit all Liberians. Beyond the Talking Books, the organization is “supporting community land formalization, offering ongoing technical assistance for law and policy reform, strengthening government and community implementation capacity and building an evidence base to disseminate lessons to broader stakeholders.”
Projects for the Future
Roush explained to The Borgen Project that Landesa is an optimistic and bold organization that goes above and beyond in multiple regions. Another exciting effort is the Coastal Livelihoods and Mangroves Project, which “strengthens coastal land rights and promotes policies in six countries to reduce overuse of mangrove resources and protect both community livelihoods and ecosystems indispensable to confronting climate change.”
The significance of these mangrove forests is clear for both locals and non-locals, with more than 120 million individuals depending on the highly productive ecosystems for their livelihoods. Additionally, the ecosystems act as natural carbon sinks and shoreline protection from natural disasters. Landesa’s initiative is building momentum, with the organization working alongside “six countries, as well as with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), on improving law and policy around coastal access, coastal use rights for communities and helping to conserve and restore mangrove forests.”
Conclusion
Landesa is setting the standards of cultural understanding and sensitivity toward potentially divisive issues with a wholehearted commitment to the demanding work. The organization has assisted “720 million people in just the past five years.” With continued patience, hard work and long-term planning, there is no reason why the organization can’t help many more in the next five years.
– Arshiya Eslamdoust
Photo: Flickr
Child Soldiers in Sudan
Across Sudanese conflicts, child soldiers are a consistent humanitarian concern, with most nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) emphasizing their recruitment in the South. However, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), approximately 6,500 children served in armed groups in northern Sudan during the civil war, with around 70% serving in Darfur alone. This trend continued with armed groups recruiting more than 400 children between 2011 and 2020 and an 11% increase in recruitment just in 2023.
The Multi-Faceted Reality of Child Soldiers in Sudan
Children become soldiers for a variety of reasons. While some are forced into service by armed groups, many, especially those separated from their parents, do so “voluntarily.” Sudan’s conflict has caused extreme poverty and widespread violence, leaving children with few alternatives than to turn to the armed forces simply out of a need for their resources and protection.
Though some children may become soldiers consensually, such activity is still a violation of international humanitarian law. It can have severe long-term consequences on child soldiers, ranging from physical to psychological illness. The experiences of child soldiers, which are often the drivers of such trauma, are characterized by violence during an age when development is most vulnerable.
Child soldiers are not only combatants but may, in fact, serve a variety of roles. Recruitment may mean a child is utilized in the armed forces as a cook, porter, messenger or spy; many sexually exploit children, too. Limiting the scope of what a child soldier is to exclude these distinct forms of abuse can leave certain victims out of the reintegration process.
Understanding this nuance is crucial not only for grasping how child soldiers in Sudan serve but also for pinpointing where they serve. Though initially conscripted in areas like Darfur, many armed groups train child soldiers in Sudan for the sole purpose of being sent to combat zones elsewhere. Several reports indicate that dangerous conflicts ranging from Yemen to Libya may employ child soldiers from Sudan.
Solutions
Several organizations have played key roles in aiding child soldiers in Sudan and Darfur. In 2007, the United Nations (U.N.) initiated the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) to mediate hostilities, aiding child soldiers’ transition back into society through a process known as Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR). UNAMID oversaw several releases of child soldiers for reintegration. In 2011, The Sudan Liberation Army / Historical Leadership (SLA/HL) released 70 child soldiers, of which 24 were girls. Similarly, the Sudanese government released 21 child soldiers in 2016. Following the 2020 peace agreement, UNAMID ended its operations.
Subsequently, the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission (UNITAMS) was created to uphold the peace agreement and oversee Sudan’s transition to democratic rule. Continuing much of UNAMID’s goals, UNITAMS had “a strong child protection mandate,” which allowed for the monitoring of any human rights violations against children and the further facilitation of DDR. However, a military coup stopped the democratic transition in 2021, preventing UNITAMS from fulfilling this mandate. UNITAMS ultimately ended its operations on Feb. 29, 2024.
NGOs have also been essential to ending the recruitment of child soldiers in Sudan, with one of them being War Child. War Child is known for many campaigns, but in 2019, it launched its Can’t Wait to Learn program in Sudan, intervening in children’s education as early as possible to dissuade them from becoming soldiers. This targets the issue of recruitment at its source, bringing quality education to an impoverished population. War Child reached 2,667 children in 2019 alone but ended its operations following the resumption of conflict.
Final Remark
Despite the challenges, supporting organizations working toward ending poverty and the recruitment of child soldiers remains one of the best strategies to ensure the future of reintegration and demobilization in Sudan.
– Jacob Rampino
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Landesa: Breaking the Poverty Cycle Through Land Rights
About Landesa
Established as the “Rural Development Institute,” Landesa is a unique nongovernmental organization (NGO) aiming to tackle poverty through the power of formally and legally recognized Land Rights for individuals in the Global South. Worldwide, its valued work has helped to secure land rights for hundreds of millions of families. The NGO is a true inspiration, setting exceptionally high standards for working with and understanding the regional contexts in which it operates.
Landesa in Liberia: Land Rights Act 2018
One case highlighting the lengthiness and success of Landesa’s work is Liberia and the Land Rights Act, described as “one of the most progressive pieces of land rights legislation on the African continent.” Landesa began work in 2010 and, eight years later, had helped garner support for the Act through approval and ratification, “working alongside Liberian civil society, NGOs and the government.”
The significance of the Act was multidimensional, granting land rights to all Liberians for the first time and including strong provisions for women’s land rights. This was hugely significant since Landesa finds that “when women have stronger rights to land, they have more access to household resources, the family budget and decision making both within the household and in their local community.”
Furthermore, “women have unique insights into how land can be sustainably managed based on the types of responsibilities that they have in farming and growing food.” A large body of literature from credible organizations worldwide supports the idea that more land rights provisions for women specifically lead to increased gender equality, improved living conditions, food security, economic empowerment and reduced rates of domestic violence.
Landesa in Liberia: Post-Reform Work
Landesa’s work does not end with the successful passing of groundbreaking legislation. In fact, “after the passage of the Land Rights bill, even more work begins because now the law is in place, it needs to be implemented.” In many developing countries, a lack of education and low literacy rates can hinder land rights. So, Landesa’s next task in Liberia was to raise awareness about the new law. The Amplio Talking Books program does exactly that.
The talking book is a “durable, handheld audio device technology, developed by a Seattle-based partner, that has pre-recorded messages in local languages,” containing information about the newly found land rights and how individuals can utilize these. Community members will use and share these devices for several weeks before Landesa returns to assess what individuals have learned and answer questions. The Talking Books are then collected and taken to the next community. They have become “a really successful way to educate communities about their new rights.”
Landesa’s comprehensive education and support methods help promote peace, stability and sustainable economic development that will benefit all Liberians. Beyond the Talking Books, the organization is “supporting community land formalization, offering ongoing technical assistance for law and policy reform, strengthening government and community implementation capacity and building an evidence base to disseminate lessons to broader stakeholders.”
Projects for the Future
Roush explained to The Borgen Project that Landesa is an optimistic and bold organization that goes above and beyond in multiple regions. Another exciting effort is the Coastal Livelihoods and Mangroves Project, which “strengthens coastal land rights and promotes policies in six countries to reduce overuse of mangrove resources and protect both community livelihoods and ecosystems indispensable to confronting climate change.”
The significance of these mangrove forests is clear for both locals and non-locals, with more than 120 million individuals depending on the highly productive ecosystems for their livelihoods. Additionally, the ecosystems act as natural carbon sinks and shoreline protection from natural disasters. Landesa’s initiative is building momentum, with the organization working alongside “six countries, as well as with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), on improving law and policy around coastal access, coastal use rights for communities and helping to conserve and restore mangrove forests.”
Conclusion
Landesa is setting the standards of cultural understanding and sensitivity toward potentially divisive issues with a wholehearted commitment to the demanding work. The organization has assisted “720 million people in just the past five years.” With continued patience, hard work and long-term planning, there is no reason why the organization can’t help many more in the next five years.
– Arshiya Eslamdoust
Photo: Flickr
Educational Programs Combat Extreme Poverty
Educational Disparities
For many citizens, a lack of education could be the source of many factors, including marginalization and poverty. Inequalities arise according to an individual’s socioeconomic status and how far-developed a country is. In developing and developed countries, it varies whether or not the ruling government is stable enough to sustain an equitable education system for its citizens.
Poverty remains one of the more persistent barriers, a seemingly neverending cycle. Poverty perpetuates lower literacy rates and such limitations reap consequences. According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), more than “600 million children worldwide are unable to attain minimum proficiency levels in reading and mathematics, even though two-thirds of them are in school.” This is attributed to a need for more developed foundational skills, a direct result of poverty.
Educational Programs in Mitigating Extreme Poverty
Extensive measures from both government and community-based organizations are necessary to mitigate the direct effects of inadequate education on poverty. Such initiatives from the ground are critical because these communities work directly with those impacted by the effects of poverty. Nonprofit organizations provide educational materials and programs to the country’s most vulnerable and marginalized populations. That said, here are some educational initiatives working to end extreme poverty.
SEED Madagascar
Sustainable Environment, Education & Development (SEED) in Madagascar is a British nonprofit organization operating in Southeast Madagascar. According to its mission statement, this organization builds community and environmental resilience by focusing on critical elements, including education. One project the organization prioritizes is education infrastructure. In the Anosy Region, where the organization completes most of its projects, the chances of children completing primary school could be higher. Through its work, SEED Madagascar has already completed educational projects: repairing existing buildings, building new schools and providing facilities and furniture to schools that lack them.
What makes this organization stand out is the implementation of better health practices for the students who attend these schools. Students can expand and build their literacy skills while learning how to improve their health. According to a 2023 report conducted by the organization, “Programme Sekoly,” increased access to water, sanitation and hygiene resources and education for more than 400 students and more than 10 teachers in Sainte Luce Primary School. This action was taken to curb the spread of diseases and fatalities associated with inadequate access to water, sanitation and proper hygiene facilities, all of which are connected to poverty.
Pratham USA
This organization was founded in 1995 to provide education to Mumbai slums. It is recognized as one of India’s largest and most successful nongovernmental agencies. Pratham works extensively in developing initiatives that help bridge the gaps in the education system. Filling such gaps includes solutions based on technology, where children are experiencing increased access to digital learning options in their curriculum. According to an evaluation conducted by the program, around 80% of children could do basic arithmetic after six to eight weeks of instruction provided through a learning camp. Ultimately, the nonprofit has reached more than more than 75 million children and youth since its inception.
Looking Ahead
Government infrastructure is often severely limited in most underdeveloped countries. Recognizing and acknowledging organizations’ ground-level work in combating poverty may help increase awareness of education’s role in breaking poverty cycles. Just as a lack of education can cause poverty, education can also drastically change it. Education opens windows of opportunity related to achieving higher education and an increase in economic resources and jobs.
– Dominic Samaniego
Photo: Flickr
How Investments Are Improving Kenya’s Health Care System
Despite this achievement, Kenya’s health care system is still facing obstacles to meeting its goal of having Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines UHC as being able to provide people with access to quality and essential health services (treatment, prevention, rehabilitation etc.) without subjecting the user to financial hardship. Currently, investments play a crucial role in helping accomplish this goal.
U.S. Trade and Development Agency
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) study grant to the Kenya Hospital Association (KHA) will expand and improve Kenya’s health care infrastructure. The project will increase access to more than 96,000 patients annually. It will support the building of five medical centers with advanced equipment. Furthermore, it will expand cancer treatment services at the Nairobi Hospital and digitize its health care services and operations.
World Bank Vaccine Facility
The World Bank announced in February 2024 that it will be financing Kenya’s first vaccine production facility. The facility is expected to be built and operational in 2029 and will be able to meet Kenya’s growing vaccine demand. The population of Kenya is increasing steadily by approximately 2% a year. Currently, the vaccine demand is 16 million people. However, it is expected to reach upwards of 25 million people in the coming years.
This investment will help decrease the mortality rate from preventable diseases through immunizations. Finally, with this new facility, Kenya will be able to catch up with South Africa in producing vaccines and successfully avoid vaccine shortages by producing locally.
$215 million Resilient Health Systems Project
Kenyan citizens, refugees, the counties of Garissa and Turkana (host communities) and women and children who are considered low-income will be able to receive an improved quality of health care. This project will play a crucial role in furthering UHC and care. It will increase the capacity of people that they can care for, addressing geographical challenges, financing and worker shortages.
The financial management of Kenya’s Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), which provides health products and technology, will be improved by enhancing accountability and transparency. The lack of health care delivery and services will be addressed for about 1.8 million people in host communities. Additionally, this will aid 590,000 refugees living in Garissa and Turkana. It will support the transition and operation of the Social Health Authority (SHA). In collaboration with UHC, it will provide “efficient, affordable and non-discriminatory health care services to all Kenyans.”
Final Remark
With investments like these, Kenya’s health care system is set to make a transformative step toward achieving its dream of UHC. Increasing access to quality health care for rural, low-income individuals, refugees, mothers and children will help improve socioeconomic inequalities in Kenya. These investments help ensure that Kenya is able to maintain a leadership role in health care. They guarantee access to health care as a fundamental right, as defined in its constitution.
– Gabrielle Schwartz
Photo: Flickr
Addressing the Homeless Crisis in Slovakia
Understanding the Homeless Crisis in Slovakia
While it is easy to dismiss homelessness as a problem limited to urban centers, the issue is pervasive across various regions of Slovakia. The causes have layers, from economic downturns and job loss to mental health issues and lack of affordable housing. The data is disheartening, with numbers showing an upward trajectory in homelessness, particularly in urban areas. For example, the 2022 population census for Slovakia recorded 71,076 people without homes versus the 23,483 homeless population recorded in the 2011 census.
Exposing the Challenges
Life on the streets is an unimaginable struggle. The lack of a stable home is just the tip of the iceberg for those experiencing homelessness in Slovakia. Affordable housing is scarce, and the domino effect includes limited health care provisions and the perpetual struggle to access social services. For example, according to World Habitat, the limited access to affordable housing in Slovakia is largely due to the fact that there is a shortage of rental properties. Since buying homes is more common than renting in this nation, those who cannot afford to purchase a property are left with limited affordable renting options.
Not to mention, the stigma attached to being homeless exacerbates the challenges of reintegrating into society. Life is incredibly challenging for those living without a stable home, and the men, women and children have access to limited resources.
Government and Community Initiatives
Fortunately, the response to this crisis has been a mix of official and grassroots efforts. The Slovakian government has implemented certain policies aiming to provide shelter and support services to people without housing. Alongside these, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and community-led initiatives have sprung up to provide practical aid and reconnect people experiencing homelessness with society.
NGOs have led several campaigns to help bring awareness and improve the response to homelessness in Slovakia. For example, NGO volunteers have partnered with STOPA Slovensko to record the population consensus for Slovakia more accurately. A local campaign known as “We Are Not Invisible” also helped bring more awareness to the growing number of homeless individuals needing assistance housing.
Final Thoughts
Homelessness is not an intractable issue. Building a safety net for those who have fallen on hard times is possible with sustained effort. Addressing the homeless crisis in Slovakia has shown promising signs of a society willing to grapple with this crisis. The act of helping is not just about charity but also about justice and societal progress.
Brainstorming quality ideas can help this country, and others experiencing mass homelessness can help solve this issue more quickly. For example, they can build yurt communities for those without housing to live in. Yurts have a long lifespan and are relatively inexpensive shelters. Together, it is possible to create a home for all in Slovakia.
– Kelly Schoessling
Photo: Pexels
What Is Being Done To Alleviate the Gender Wage Gap in Austria
Action Plan on Gender Equality in the Labor Market
Published in 2010, the NAP outlined strategies for the period spanning from 2010 to 2013 with the goal of eliminating existing gender disparities in the workforce and promoting the strategic and coordinated implementation of diverse initiatives and policies. Notably, the NAP highlighted the fact that women who are not fully integrated into the labor market or are marginally employed face a heightened risk of poverty in their later years. Especially because, in 2007, more than 70% of women who received a net income from the widow’s pension received pensions that fell below the poverty risk threshold, set at 60% of the median income.
During the period spanning 2019 to 2020, the EU-co-funded initiative known as “TRAPEZ – transparent pension future – securing women’s economic independence in old age” conducted an in-depth investigation into Austria’s Gender Gap in Pensions (GGP). The project’s objective was to thoroughly analyze the GGP and recommend practical strategies to mitigate its effects, ultimately bolstering the financial independence of older women.
The strategies outlined in the NAP likely provided important insights and data that informed the direction and focus of the TRAPEZ project. Additionally, the NAP’s emphasis on coordinated implementation of initiatives and policies to address gender disparities in the workforce would have fostered a collaborative approach among stakeholders, including governmental bodies, research institutions and advocacy groups. Overall, by recognizing the heightened risk of poverty faced by women with limited labor market integration or marginal employment, it seems that the NAP laid the groundwork for subsequent initiatives aimed at enhancing women’s financial security and narrowing the gender wage gap in Austria.
The Austrian Pay Transparency Law
Introduced in 2011, the transparency law ensures that if a company has more than 1000 employees, they are required to publish an annual income report detailing information about men’s wages and women’s wages as well as a clear statement of the minimum wage in job vacancy advertisements. Fortunately, there was a more significant wage increase among newly hired women in large firms following the reform compared to newly hired men, indicating a narrowing of the gender wage gap among recent hires.
However, according to results from a regression discontinuity design, the transparency law did not alter wages or the gender wage gap because the law’s impact on employment growth or turnover was small and lacked statistical significance. Notably, for larger firms, the transparency law correlated with a decreased percentage of women employed in treated firms. It seems that the implications for the gender wage gap in Austria, based on the transparency law, are mixed. On the one hand, the transparency law’s requirement for larger companies to disclose wage disparities and minimum wage information in job advertisements has potentially contributed to a reduction in the gender wage gap among recent hires. However, the overall impact of the law on income inequality is limited, as it did not significantly alter wages or the gender wage gap across the board.
Concerns
Transparency law advocates assert that disclosing pay information is crucial in closing the gender pay gap in Austria, as it enables women to confront discriminatory wage practices. However, skeptics express concerns regarding potential administrative burdens and fear that men might capitalize on the disclosed information more effectively than women. Some suggest that the policy’s ineffectiveness could be attributed to the fact that it does not require firms to act upon revealed wage differences. Additionally, the policy’s limited scope, which does not address factors such as firm sorting, may have contributed to its lack of effectiveness.
However, the transparency policy did result in a reduction in the rate at which individuals leave their employment at a treated firm within a given period. This suggests that the policy may have alleviated concerns about unfair pay schedules among workers, leading to higher job satisfaction and reduced turnover.
Final Remark
Currently, the gender wage gap in Austria has reduced from 23.5% to 18.8% from 2011 to 2021. Although this gap remains above the EU average, it is clear that progress has been made in reducing the wage gap over the past decade. Further initiatives focusing on transparency, equitable pay practices and broader gender equality measures will be crucial in achieving lasting change.
– Avery Fuller
Photo: Pexels
How Japan is Helping to Alleviate Poverty in the East
Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction
The Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction (JFPR), founded in 2000, provides grants to the poorest nations and most vulnerable groups, particularly the Asia-Pacific region. Such countries include India, Nepal, the Philippines and Malaysia. It aims to foster sustainable socioeconomic development. The grants target poverty reduction initiatives with the direct participation of nongovernment organizations, community groups and civil society. Eastern countries received $612.4 million from Japan as of 2013.
Nepal
From 2001 to 2011, JFPR helped Nepal with 10 projects and more than $17 million worth of aid. These projects include agriculture, governance and social sectors. At the moment, JFPR is supporting Nepal’s efforts to reduce anemia and other vitamin and mineral deficiency-related conditions. In addition, it assists the Nepal Police in inventing a new and improved system for the treatment of victims of crime against women and children in five districts.
Marginalized groups in Nepal such as Dalit, Majhi, Kumal and Bhote, have been helped by raising awareness about their social rights, organizing campaigns for social awareness and other workshops. Japan aims to integrate them fully into Nepalese society. There are also efforts to increase the number of Nepalese with legal identity documents, especially among the poor and vulnerable groups.
The ODA programs
Japan is also a major donor to countries in East Asia and other regions. In 2021, $10.7 billion was allocated to Asia. Through its ODA programs, areas such as health care, education, infrastructure development and agriculture are aided. Notable improvement has been seen in East Asia and Southeast Asia. In 1990, approximately 21% of people were living in poverty in Southeast Asia, as opposed to 6.8% in 2004.
ODA –India
India has been one of the biggest receivers of Japan’s ODA loan over the last few decades. The Delhi Metro presents itself as a success story as a result of Japan’s contributions. The country introduced its Shinkansen System to India to build high-speed railways, the staple project of the Japan-India partnership. In 2022, India received 567.5 billion yen in loans from Japan and 4.7 billion yen in grants. Japan continues its support through the “Act East” policy and “Partnership for Quality Infrastructure” which help to support strategic connectivity.
Looking Ahead
Japan’s commitment to alleviating poverty in neighboring Eastern countries is making a significant impact, providing vulnerable communities with the tools needed for sustainable development. Through targeted grants and development projects, Japan is fostering economic growth, enhancing social welfare and improving the living standards of millions. The success stories emerging from these efforts highlight the powerful role of international collaboration in tackling global poverty. Looking ahead, Japan’s innovative programs promise to continue supporting the fight against poverty, driving progress and prosperity in the East.
– Sepy Akbarian
Photo: Unsplash
How ShelterBox is Aiding Nigeria
However, since 2018 ShelterBox has been aiding Nigeria by saving and protecting the lives of thousands affected by Boko Haram, as well as providing general support as a result of climate-driven scarcity worsened by conflict in the Lake Chad Basin.
Improving Food and Water Insecurity
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Nigeria faces a humanitarian emergency. More than 8.3 million Nigerians require emergency assistance, 80% of whom are women and children. Around 314,000 Nigerians have died from food insecurity due to the decline of agricultural production, which is a major catalyst affecting public health in Nigeria and has been worsened by conflict in the Lake Chad Basin, flooding and extreme weather. This has resulted in the displacement of 3.2 million and leaves 10.6 million Nigerians in need of humanitarian assistance as the majority of the Lake Chad population depends on agriculture, livestock, fishing and manual labor for survival, according to Refugee International.
ShelterBox and their partner ACTED are aiding Nigeria by providing lifesaving items such as kitchen sets, water containers and purification equipment to reduce food and water insecurity, enabling Nigerians to rebuild their lives, according to its website. Because of the effects of flooding, extreme weather and military-enforced movements, Nigerians are prevented from effectively growing and harvesting crops to support their livelihood. However, by providing kitchen sets, water containers and purification equipment, food and water insecurity is decreasing as ShelterBox and ACTED have successfully helped over 7,300 families from 2018 to 2022, according to its website. Additionally, water purification equipment has enabled Nigerians to access safe and clean water, significantly reducing the chances of disease from dirty water.
Providing Shelter and Security
With no choice but to flee their homes in search of safety away from conflict and food insecurity, more than 2 million Nigerians remain displaced from homes in the northeast of Nigeria, as of 2019. Thousands have no choice but to live in overcrowded displacement sites which are significantly below international minimum standards. Although some Nigerians choose to build improvised shelters with sticks and ripped fabric, it does not provide efficient shelter from extreme weather and provides no privacy or security, making women and children in particular even more susceptible to intrusions and attacks.
There are 9.7 million people in urgent need of humanitarian assistance in the Lake Chad region, according to ShelterBox. In partnership with other charities, ShelterBox has been aiding Nigeria by providing tents, shelter kits, rope, tarpaulins, mosquito nets, solar lights, blankets and other lifesaving necessities to increase the security and health of Nigerians amid the humanitarian crisis.
From 2018 to 2022 in partnership with IEDA, ShelterBox has been successfully aiding more than 100,000 refugees and displaced Nigerians. Additionally, ShelterBox has provided a type of shelter known as the Bama shelter to more than 30,000 Nigerians in the epicenter of the crisis in partnership with ACTED.
The Bama shelter is large enough for a family of five; it has a timber-framed structure with tarpaulin material for the wall and the roofing structure, ShelterBox reports. Windows provide natural sunlight and ventilation and for extra safety, the shelter has a secure lockable door to prevent intrusions and attacks. ShelterBox also provides sleeping mats, blankets and mosquito nets, allowing Nigerians to start again with a safe and comfortable lifestyle.
Aiding Nigeria Through the Crisis
After many years of instability, ShelterBox and other charities have worked tirelessly to aid Nigerians through the humanitarian crisis which remains an ongoing issue after ten years since the conflict began. Overall, Boko Haram seems to be at its final stages of conflict, however, aiding Nigeria remains vital. Other factors such as extreme weather patterns and flooding have resulted in food and water instability amongst Nigerian communities which continues to worsen as years go by.
– Emily Whatley
Photo: Flickr
5 Charities Operating in Costa Rica
SOS Children’s Villages
Children are an at-risk group in Costa Rica. In 2020, UNICEF found that “nearly 32% of all children and adolescents live in monetary poverty, of which 12% live in extreme poverty.”
SOS Children’s Village is helping some of the most vulnerable kids in society right now who struggle with poverty, child labor and violence and has been doing it since 1972. Currently, 190 kids attend the organization’s schools and kindergartens and 300 live in its care. The organization also created the YouthLinks program. This digital platform “connects young people with mentors in the country.” The mentors teach employable skills and job market advice to young people.
Cruz Roja
Cruz Roja operates in Costa Rica and is a part of the international Red Cross community. The organization has more than 5,000 volunteers throughout the country and has responded to an incident every minute in 2023.
The organization provides key medical services to Costa Ricans and has a fleet of around 600 ambulances operating in 122 communities around the country. Cruz Roja is also ready to provide humanitarian assistance in cases of natural disasters and has specialized units prepared to provide support in different environments and situations.
Hope Partners International
Hope Partners is a Christian organization that operates in Costa Rica. Its goal is to break the cycle of poverty and improve the lives of young people there.
Recently, the organization opened its first purpose-built facility in the Pavas neighborhoods in the capital San Jose. Pavas is one of the most deprived areas in San Jose where only 20% of residents have a high school diploma. The new facility will impact the lives of over 600 kids and it will provide a hub for Hope Partners to deliver their food and education programs.
Rahab Foundation
The U.S. Department of State recognizes Costa Rica as a Tier 2 country regarding its efforts to eliminate human trafficking, stating that the country “does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so.”
Founded in 1997, the Rahab Foundation helps victims of human trafficking and the sex trade. It provides many different forms of help for the victims including job training, legal advice and psychological care. The foundation provides care and various classes to victims and their children. Women are also offered “offered vocational training in micro-enterprise administration, baking, sewing, jewelry making, quilting and cosmetology.”
Sex trade victims and their families often find themselves in the cycle of poverty. The Rahab Foundation helps these victims recover and create a healthy lifestyle for themselves and their children.
Hogar Siembra
As of 2023, Costa Rica registered more than “30,000 domestic violence complaints over the past four years, with an alarming 10,000 cases reported in 2023 alone.” Founded in 1983, Hogar Siembra is an organization providing shelter to girls aged 12 to 18 who have suffered from abuse or domestic violence.
The organization provides various kinds of training to these girls, teaching them simple habits such as hygiene and providing English language courses. It also provides regular therapy and mental health check-ups, alongside work opportunities and academic education, ensuring to prepare young girls for their adulthood.
Hogar Siembra allows young women to not be defined by their abuse. It is helping these victims restart their lives and create a prosperous future for themselves.
Costa Rica is struggling with poverty and its effects. The work of these five charities operating in Costa Rica is helping at-risk groups create a poverty-free future for themselves.
– Richard Sartor
Photo: Flickr
Guardians of Everest: Poverty Amongst Sherpas
A Legacy of Mountaineering Excellence
For generations, Sherpas have served as the unsung heroes of Himalayan expeditions, guiding climbers through treacherous terrain and shouldering the burdens of the ascent. Renowned for their unparalleled strength, resilience and intimate knowledge of the mountains, Sherpas play an indispensable role in facilitating the conquest of some of the world’s highest peaks.
Moreover, Mount Everest, known as Sagarmatha in Nepal, has become a bucket-list expedition for some and often requires a Sherpa guide to navigate the tough terrain. As a result, the central Sherpa community has undergone a lasting alteration of its cultural practices and means of sustenance. According to The Kathmandu Post, tourism employs 11.5% of the Nepals workforce— about 370,000 people. The majority of Sherpas work within this industry.
Disparity in Compensation
Despite their indispensable contributions, Sherpas often find themselves at the short end of the economic stick. While expedition leaders and adventure companies reap substantial financial rewards from high-priced mountaineering expeditions, Sherpas receive meager wages for their laborious work. This vast disparity in compensation underscores the exploitative dynamics within the adventure industry, where Sherpa labor is undervalued and under-compensated. According to National Geographic, a guided hike to Everest can cost anywhere between $30,000 and $120,000.
We Are Reckless reported that on average, Sherpa guides only make around $4000 for the whole climbing season. Furthermore, it noted that guides with Western backgrounds make around $50,000 comparatively. In fact, the wage gap between Western guides and Sherpa guides emphasizes the lack of regard for Sherpa’s lives that the tourism industry has and brings to light the reality of poverty among Sherpas.
Occupational Hazards and Lack of Protection
Mountaineering expeditions, fraught with altitude sickness, avalanches and extreme weather, pose inherent risks. Sherpas, pivotal to these ventures, often face these dangers without adequate protection, insurance, or compensation for injuries or fatalities. Their safety and well-being frequently take a backseat in the quest for summit achievements. Unfortunately, a tragic event occurred in 2014 when at least 13 Sherpa guides perished in an avalanche on Everest, trapped in a ‘human traffic jam’ while carrying equipment for clients. Nonetheless, Sherpas routinely navigate these hazardous zones to facilitate climbers, and this highlights the perilous conditions they endure to support expeditions.
Environmental Degradation and Cultural Erosion
The commodification of Everest and other Himalayan peaks has led to environmental degradation and the erosion of traditional Sherpa culture. Commercial mountaineering has transformed once-pristine landscapes into overcrowded tourist hubs, straining fragile ecosystems and diminishing the spiritual significance of sacred mountains. Depali Rai, writing for Protocol Mag, describes the gentrification of Everest’s base camp, claiming the “once remote misty villages some 3440 meters above sea level now host Irish pubs, import Korean Ramyun and serve Nepalese and Western fare in equal measure.”
Sherpas, deeply reverent of the natural world and profoundly connected to their ancestral homeland, are grappling with the loss of traditional livelihoods and cultural identity amid unchecked commercialization.
Looking Forward
As awareness of poverty amongst Sherpas grows, there is an increasing call for equitable treatment, fair wages and safer working conditions in the mountaineering industry. Moreso, concerted efforts to address these issues can lead to a more sustainable and respectful approach to Himalayan expeditions, ensuring the Sherpas are honored not just for their skill but also for their indispensable contribution to the adventure tourism economy.
– Lauren McKenna
Photo: Flickr