In the Philippines, poverty has been prevalent in the lives of millions, with 22.4% of its population living below the national poverty line and 9.79 million Filipinos unable to meet their basic food needs. However, due to the efforts of poverty reduction in the Philippines, there has been a notable decrease from 2021, which saw a poverty rate of 23.7%.
With increasing urbanization and a growing middle class, poverty reduction in the Philippines is a crucial pathway toward understanding development goals and uncovering opportunities for advancement. This article will delve into the multifaceted approaches in the Philippines’ poverty reduction, analyze the strategies put in place so far and identify challenges to achieving President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s plan to bring poverty in the Philippines down to 9% by 2028.
Current State
As evidenced by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the current state of poverty in the Philippines is one of slow but resilient progress. According to the PSA, the Proportion of Poor among families has fallen from 18% to 16.4% between 2021 and 2023, highlighting some initial progress in poverty reduction efforts.
However, the PSA’s data also indicates that urban areas, such as Manila, which has a Poverty Incidence of 5.7%, have much lower levels of poverty than rural areas, such as Leyte, which has a Poverty Incidence of 31.3%, indicating a significant urban-rural gap. By addressing factors such as access to education, health care and employment opportunities and recognizing these disparities between urban and rural areas, we can implement effective policies to foster inclusive poverty reduction in the Philippines.
Government Initiatives
Regarding government initiatives, the Philippines’ Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has implemented a program known as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). This program promises to provide conditional cash grants to poorer households to improve the health and education of children living below the national poverty line. As of August 2015, program recipients received P27.15 billion ($0.48 billion) in cash grants.
Meanwhile, another government initiative, the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), started in 2011. This program generated employment among poor households and moved highly vulnerable households into more sustainable livelihoods, intending to expand poverty reduction in the Philippines. The program has grown from serving 46,000 families in 2011 to serving 166,000 families in 2017. Despite these efforts, challenges such as limited resources persist. However, sustainable poverty reduction is possible through monitoring and evaluating program performance and fostering transparency.
Nongovernmental Efforts
In addition to government initiatives, several nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) play a crucial role in poverty reduction in the Philippines. Organizations such as the Zero Extreme Poverty PH 2030 (ZEP) are actively involved in addressing the root causes of poverty, focusing on eight themes: Health, Education, Environment, Livelihood and Employment, Agriculture and Fisheries, Housing and Shelter, Peace and Human Security and Social Justice.
Zero Poverty PH has achieved many notable accomplishments in poverty reduction efforts. It installed a water system in Tayabasan, benefiting more than 215 families by giving them clean drinking water. Moreover, its goal to have two million Opportunity Youth in employment or self-employment by 2030 is already in progress. For example, Jonalyn, age 17, who had to drop out of school to support her family, is now receiving support from ZEP to continue her education at Hilamonan Elementary School, along with 300 other students. By working closely with communities, nongovernmental organizations can implement targeted goals that address specific needs and challenges.
Economic Challenges and Future Directions
However, alongside socioeconomic disparities, the Philippines also faces several environmental challenges from changing weather patterns, like typhoons and floods. These disasters have tragic consequences for people experiencing poverty, resulting in loss of livelihoods or homes and further deprivation. Furthermore, environmental factors such as pollution and deforestation threaten food security and create health risks.
As the lead plastic polluter in 2019, the Philippines is responsible for 36.38% of global oceanic plastic waste. Undoubtedly, this is having dire effects on those in poverty. Whether through water-transmitted illnesses or threats to livestock due to the endocrine-disrupting chemicals in the plastic, which are linked to several issues such as infertility, cancer, diabetes and increased risk of cardiovascular disease and strokes.
Moreover, government initiatives such as the Extended Producer Responsibility Act (EPRA), introduced in 2022, which requires companies to create EPR programs for plastic waste reduction, recovery and diversion, have set an expectation for an 80% decline in their plastic product footprint. Furthermore, the Philippine government has implemented a National Plan of Action for the Prevention, Reduction and Management of Marine Litter to achieve zero waste in Philippine waters by 2040. This plan will create a wide range of policies, such as improving public awareness about marine pollution and participating in international coastal clean-ups, highlighting a wide approach towards their goal.
This is important for poverty reduction as plastic pollution can affect health through cancer, cardiovascular disease and more. Furthermore, plastic pollution affects farm animals and fish through choking or entanglement, which affects not only the amount of food around but also causes a massive dip in income for those who rely on this livelihood and fishing for income.
Final Remark
Poverty reduction in the Philippines requires multifaceted approaches that cover social, economic and environmental angles. While progress is being made through government and NGO initiatives, challenges continue to persevere. By prioritizing inclusive and sustainable policies, there is a strong chance that the Philippines will continue striving toward a prosperous future.
– Emily Weir
Photo: Flickr
Everything You Need To Know about Child Poverty in Palau
Palau’s Economic Landscape
Palau’s economic landscape predominantly revolves around tourism, supported by agriculture and fishing. Palau is an upper-middle-income country with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita of US$13,230 in 2023. However, extreme poverty persists, particularly in rural regions with limited access to resources. The causes of family and subsequent child poverty in Palau are multifaceted and volatile. Palau also faces challenges similar to those of other PICTs. Theses include limited access to global markets, fragile resource bases, limited economies of scale, vulnerability to global economic changes and natural disasters that cause economic shocks.
The Extent of Child Poverty in Palau
The United Nations (U.N.) finds approximately 30% of children aged less than 14 living below the basic needs poverty line as of 2006. This is a huge indicator of child poverty in Palau. Children who grow up in poverty lack the necessities of life, such as food, cleanliness, shelter, health care and education. Globally, around one billion children are “multidimensionally” impoverished, which means they lack basic requirements such as nutritious food and safe water.
There is an absence of comprehensive data on childhood wasting and stunting, which is hindering efforts to address malnutrition and its adverse effects on child development. Equally concerning is the prevalence of obesity among Palauan youth, with a staggering 35% of them being classified as overweight or obese. These statistics prove that there is an urgent need for action to address not only material deprivation but also nutritional provision in food and underlying health disparities among Palau’s children.
Efforts to Combat Child Poverty in Palau
In response to these challenges, in collaboration with governmental and nongovernmental entities, the National Youth Council (NYC) of Palau plays an imperative role in advocating for youth empowerment and social inclusion. In the long run, this can be seen as a benefit to upskilling the youth. It provides them with better employment opportunities and, hence, leaves them less vulnerable.
NYC Palau, established in 2004, is dedicated to empowering youth by collaborating with government and NGOs to offer various services and activities. Through extensive research and database management, it monitors youth engagement in various sectors, assesses their well-being and addresses issues such as substance abuse, unemployment and conflicts with the law. Using this data, NYC Palau formulates policy mandates to achieve youth empowerment goals, setting targets for partner organizations.
President Tommy Remengesau also declared 2016 the “Year of the Youth” to prioritize youth welfare and enable an environment for their development. The declaration aims to implement a comprehensive youth strategy through the council that promotes all organizations to better identify and serve the interests of Palau’s youth. Additionally, NYC Palau implements career counseling programs, school-specific initiatives and schemes to enhance Palau’s labor market, which are often supported by grants.
Palau’s Commitment to Child Rights
Palau’s commitment to combating child labor, a grave reality and consequence of child poverty, is also displayed by its ratification of Convention No. 182 by the International Labour Organization (ILO). The 182nd Convention of ILO addresses the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor. This includi slavery, sexual exploitation, the involvement of children in armed conflict, prostitution, pornography and drug trafficking that endanger children’s health, morality or psychological well-being.
In 2019, Palau took significant steps to protect children from the worst forms of child labor by enacting a new Penal Code. This legislation specifically targets child pornography and the trafficking of children for labor exploitation, underscoring Palau’s commitment to safeguarding children’s rights and welfare. This is in addition to its impressive Realization of Children’s Rights Index score of 8.17 out of 10.
Final Remark
Child poverty in Palau is a multifaceted issue that demands nuanced solutions and collaborative efforts across sectors. Palau can chart a path toward sustainable development and social justice by continuing to address the underlying determinants of poverty, investing in education and health care and prioritizing youth empowerment.
– Malaikah Niyazi
Photo: Flickr
Hunger in Tokelau
Life on the Remote Atolls
About 1,500 people live on the coast of the three atolls: Atafu, Nukunonu and Fakaofo. The remote islands depend on boats and planes for transportation and trade. This makes it hard for them to get food from other places and limits their economic opportunities. Most people rely on fishing and subsistence farming for their livelihoods. However, these are threatened by changing weather patterns and environmental degradation.
Nutritional Challenges in Tokelau
Shifting weather patterns, a grim consequence of the changing climate, dramatically reshape Tokelau’s once-predictable island life. Rising sea levels fueled by warming waters threaten coastal areas with erosion and flooding. Droughts and storms, once infrequent visitors, have become unwelcome regulars, disrupting freshwater supplies and agricultural practices. Saltwater intrusion, a silent invader, contaminates freshwater sources and soils, jeopardizing food security and traditional livelihoods.
Addressing the impact of changing weather patterns on Tokelau’s small atolls requires a multifaceted approach, including a shift in community mindsets and behavior. The island needs adaptation measures for essential service provision and increased capital investment to strengthen infrastructure against the changing climate.
Further, recent decades have witnessed a cultural shift that has contributed to hunger in Tokelau. Increased access to imported, processed foods has led to the gradual loss of traditional knowledge and skills for growing and preparing local fare. While often cheaper and more convenient, these imported options are laden with sugar, fat and salt, lacking essential vitamins and minerals.
This shift has fueled a rise in diet-related diseases like obesity, diabetes and heart problems, with children most susceptible due to their critical need for proper nutrition for growth and development. A United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) situation analysis of children in Tokelau found that obesity and related non-communicable diseases are major public health concerns. Data from 2010 suggests that 74% of the population aged more than 16 and 33% of children aged 0-15 were obese.
Initiatives To Fight Hunger in Tokelau
Despite the challenges, there is hope for Tokelau to overcome hunger and achieve food security. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) initiatives and programs address the problem from different angles. FAO has been partnering with Tokelau since 2011 as an Associate Member. The organization’s assistance to Tekolau has helped sustain natural resources and food security in the past few years.
FAO tailors its aid to Tokelau through the 2013-2017 Country Programming Framework. This framework addresses the regional needs of 14 Pacific Island Countries, including Tokelau, while focusing on five key areas:
In Tokelau specifically, FAO prioritizes building food security and climate resilience through two outcomes. The organization works to integrate environmental sustainability and adaptation to the changing climate into policies. Also, it wants to enhance environmental sustainability and resilience through improved coastal area management and sustainable land-use planning.
Tokelau’s Land Management Challenges and FAO’s Support
Tokelau’s low-lying atolls (three to five meters above sea level) face significant challenges due to coastal erosion. The limited land fertility and few natural resources further complicate food security and sustainable development.
Recognizing these challenges, FAO provided technical assistance to develop Tokelau’s first land-use plan. This plan, informed by land resource assessments and alternative scenarios, outlines sustainable land management practices and designates specific areas for various purposes, including tree planting, agriculture, infrastructure, housing, protected reserves and coastal development.
The Future of Tokelau
Tokelau’s struggle with hunger exemplifies the global need to achieve SDG 2. By working towards this goal, the international community can support vulnerable communities like Tokelau in building a future free from hunger and malnutrition, ensuring a healthy and sustainable future for all.
– Adewumi Adewale
Photo: Flickr
Being Poor in Georgia
The government aims to reduce poverty despite harsh circumstances by combining targeted social assistance, fiscal policy measures and collaboration with the United Nations (U.N.) to eradicate extreme poverty as part of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Specific attention is paid to vulnerable population segments, such as women and children.
Poverty in Georgia
In 2022, Georgia’s poverty headcount ratio reached 15.6% of its population at the national poverty line, its lowest in history. As a middle-upper-income country, Georgia has made huge strides in reducing its poverty rate in recent years. The nation, however, faces some structural deficiencies. The World Bank reports that limited high-quality job creation persists. At the same time, a third of the population still relies on low-productivity agriculture for income.
Education in Georgia
Part of these structural issues stems from the state of education in Georgia. As a country, Georgia spends less than countries with similar Gross domestic product (GDP) on education. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) pointed out that on top of low spending, bad resource allocation and low quality of teaching impair students’ ability to reach their full potential.
This is particularly true for students from rural and poor backgrounds, where completing upper secondary school is reported at 50% for rural students and 43% for students from poor backgrounds. Being poor in Georgia or from a rural area of the country means fewer chances of income growth through education. Thus, it is ostracizing already marginalized population segments from education-led social mobility.
Women and Poverty
Being poor in Georgia is not a condition equal across both sexes. Although poverty rates are similar among men and women, other sets of factors render women much more vulnerable to precarious situations. A U.N. report pointed out the large share of women who perform unpaid household work. About 49% of women cite unpaid care work as the principal reason for not having formal employment. This lack of revenue, specifically for poor women, exacerbates extreme risks of poverty as dependent upon the husband’s income.
Moreover, lack of formal work experience often leads to precarious job situations with a 14.7% hourly pay gap between men and women. In all, households headed by women are 20% more likely to face absolute poverty compared to male-headed households. This gender disparity also affects future generations; as the U.N. points out, children of poor households are more likely to remain in poverty; thus, gendered poverty undermines poverty reduction efforts.
SDGs 2030 and Georgia
Georgia, in 2015, committed to implementing the 2030 SDGs, setting 95 national targets to reach the 17 SDGs. Starting in 2015, Georgia identified its national strategy with the joint help of the U.N., producing numerous reports on the country’s growth and sectoral weaknesses. In particular, reports pointed out the prevalence of rural-to-urban income inequalities and the importance of social assistance to vulnerable population segments. These reports allowed targeted initiatives to accomplish SDG 1 on reducing extreme poverty.
For instance, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the European Union (EU), Georgia has implemented national strategies to render small to medium-sized businesses more sustainable and productive in rural areas. One of these success stories comes in the tea production area. The EU’s Innovative Action for Private Sector Competitiveness in Georgia, implemented with the help of the UNDP, has invested up to €5.7 million (approximately $6 million) in sustainable tea culture in the northern part of the country. This initiative has helped Georgian tea companies export to countries like Germany, growing income in rural parts of the country.
CARE International, an NGO working in Georgia
CARE International began its work in Georgia in 1992, supporting economic growth and civil society development amid the Soviet Union’s collapse. In 2008, CARE played a crucial role in supporting displaced persons as armed conflicts broke out in the region. The organization has since tailored its involvement to economic growth and implementing the 2030 SDGs in Georgia.
It emphasizes women’s empowerment in leadership and economic opportunities and support for rural households at risk of falling or already below the poverty line. CARE International has successfully reached 24,233 people, 57% of whom are women. The organization estimates its direct impact on implementing the 2030 SDGs since 2015 to have reached more than 100,000 people, reducing the likelihood of being poor in Georgia.
Looking Ahead
Georgia’s dedication to fighting poverty has shown encouraging results in the last decade. Although a range of structural issues related to education or women’s rights remain salient, the government’s commitment to improving the country’s population’s living standards sets it on the right track.
In December 2023, following an application to enter the EU, Georgia was granted candidate status, meaning the country meets the requirements and is eligible. This strengthening of EU relationships has prompted numerous cooperations in areas such as health care and economic partnership. With the ongoing process, Georgia’s decision to apply for EU membership is already bearing its fruits and helping eradicate extreme poverty.
– Felix Stephens
Photo: Flickr
Malta’s Foreign Aid
Mainly, foreign aid assists in times of need. It has multiple benefits for both the receiving country and the country assisting. A key benefit can stimulate economic growth and help fight poverty in the developing country through the support of education and health care, as well as the funding of infrastructure, which can create jobs and improve living standards. Another benefit is that the country providing foreign aid improves its security, as it helps cultivate relationships between the countries – this can lead to the possibilities of investment and trade.
Foreign aid is a key way countries are helping to fight poverty in developing countries. Malta is one of those countries helping. Malta’s foreign aid exhibits its commitment to international solidarity and humanitarianism.
Malta’s Foreign Aid
The Order of Malta uses the Foreign Aid Service (FAS) to raise funds for those in need abroad. It focuses on humanitarian aid and missions run around the world. It raises money to support the disadvantaged, such as the elderly and disabled people, the homeless and refugees. Also, it helps countries that have gone through disasters and emergencies.
Some types of foreign aid Malta provides include:
A subsection of the Order of Malta called Malteser International is a humanitarian aid organization dedicated to working on the frontlines, providing relief and rehabilitation for those who need it after disasters. Its mission is to “serve the poor and the sick.”
Example of Malta’s Foreign Aid
Most recently, the Order of Malta has raised funds for the earthquake in Syria and Turkey, one of the region’s worst earthquakes in years. More than 15 million people were impacted by the quake, with around 130,000 people injured and 55,000 people dead. In response, Malteser International provided immediate aid, as a team was already working on a regional project. An emergency relief team was organized to bring supplies to the people affected by the earthquake.
Malteser International and How It Helps
Most of Malta’s foreign aid consists of services Malteser International carries out. The organization provides support on many continents, including Africa and Asia. One of Malteser International’s African initiatives involves fighting AIDS and tuberculosis in Kenya. Since 2001, Malteser International has been working in the health field to educate the residents of the slums in Nairobi about diseases, improving diagnosis, treatment and prevention. More than 60% of the population of Nairobi lives in the slums, with low and irregular incomes from day labor.
Due to AIDS being a common disease in the slums of Nairobi, many of the residents have weakened immune systems. They are very vulnerable to diseases like tuberculosis, which spread quickly in the overcrowded slums. Some measures Malteser International is undertaking to help residents include creating awareness by educating the residents about tuberculosis and giving health and nutrition advice to tuberculosis patients.
In Asia, Malteser International has been providing support to people in the Thar Desert since 2010. The nonprofit partnered with UNNATI, an Indian organization for Development Education, to improve food security in 50 villages.
Many women and children in areas with poor hygiene conditions are malnourished. Not only is there a water scarcity in the Thar Desert due to low rainfall and high temperatures, but the lack of access to clean water, which is often contaminated and the unsanitary conditions lead to an increased risk of malnourishment.
Malteser International and UNNATI are working to improve healthy nutrition and hygiene, especially for women and younger girls, to prevent malnourishment. They also work with farmers to improve cultivation methods to adapt to climate change.
Final Remark
Foreign aid is essential for addressing global challenges, like reducing poverty and promoting sustainable/economic development. Malta’s foreign aid contribution provides vital assistance in countries’ times of crisis. It supports long-term development projects that help countries reduce their poverty levels and allow them to develop economically. Malta’s foreign aid efforts are a reminder of the importance of international solidarity and humanitarianism in the fight to provide a more sustainable future for all.
– Isabella Green
Photo: Flickr
3 Projects Advancing Women’s Rights in Grenada
Though the country has made significant strides towards gender parity, such disparities extend to women’s political representation. Additionally, women in Grenada are more vulnerable than men to financial loss from natural disasters and domestic violence. In response to these women’s rights issues in Grenada, the government and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are confronting gender-based oppression head-on. Here are three key projects advancing gender equality and women’s rights in Grenada today.
Gender Equality Policy and Action Plan
GEPAP is one of the Grenadian government’s most comprehensive efforts to improve women’s rights thus far. As the project completes its final year, GEPAP strives to invite the participation of women in every aspect of “all political, economic, social, cultural and environmental [programs] and projects.”
In January 2023, GEPAP took a focus on gender-based budgeting. Prepared by the Ministry of Finance, the Gender Budget Statement expressed the government’s continued commitment to women’s rights in Grenada by ratifying numerous anti-discrimination conventions. The document underlines the importance of gender-responsive budgeting, as the government is allocating financial resources to “address gender gaps in all sectors and at all levels.”
With GEPAP, more women have also taken on leadership positions, particularly in politics, schools and courts. In the 2018 elections, women made up 47% of Parliamentary representatives. In the same year, women held the titles of Head of State, Head of Public Service and the Head of the Treasury.
EnGenDER
Led by multiple organizations such as the United Nations (U.N.) Women, Enabling Gender-Responsive Disaster Recovery, Climate and Environmental Resilience in the Caribbean (EnGenDER) is a collaborative effort confronting the disproportionate effects of natural disaster risk on women in Grenada. In the program, food security within the agriculture sector and health and disaster management are highlighted by the National Decision-Making Mechanism for Grenada. Public health crises generally affect women’s food security more than men’s. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic in February 2022, the CARICOM Food Security & Livelihoods Survey found that 69% of men “had no difficulties eating” compared to 45% of women.
Changing weather patterns and natural disasters impact Grenadian women similarly, as they are often expected to take on greater household responsibilities. For example, many female farmers accounted for the need to provide for their families when they reported “having less money to spend on climate risk insurance.” The initiative found that this was less of a consideration for male farmers. Single Grenadian women face the impacts of changing weather patterns and natural disasters alongside poverty, making up the “largest segment of the poorest quintile of the population in the country.”
In addition, EnGenDER examines disparities in the medical system in Grenada, as women seek less medical attention but face more reproductive and menstrual health concerns. With its analysis across these sectors, EnGenDER has contributed necessary context to the government’s work on climate resilience for women, encouraging recent developments such as the National Climate Change Policy and the National Adaptation Plan that work in tandem with GEPAP.
GrenadaInfoSPACE
In 2018, a national survey showed that 29% of Grenadian women would experience gender-based violence during their life. The survey was one of few at the time exploring domestic violence but revealed a prevalent struggle among Grenadian women. The Spotlight Initiative to End Violence Against Women and Girls launched GrenadaInfoSAFE in June 2023 to help combat this issue. A digital data system, GrenadaInfoSAFE, is working to gather more information about domestic violence experiences throughout the country.
The platform’s surveys and statistics that follow will help quantify the gravity of the problem. By analyzing the collected data, the project hopes to put a spotlight on domestic violence, which is underreported and neglected in the Caribbean. With more tangible evidence of the specific types of gender-based violence occurring, leaders are better equipped to understand and address the domestic violence challenges undermining women’s rights in Grenada.
As efforts such as GEPAP, EnGenDER and GrenadaInfoSPACE work to bolster women’s rights in Grenada, they empower women everywhere, creating a world and future of greater gender equality.
– Estelle Lee
Photo: Pixabay
Understanding Poverty Reduction in the Philippines
With increasing urbanization and a growing middle class, poverty reduction in the Philippines is a crucial pathway toward understanding development goals and uncovering opportunities for advancement. This article will delve into the multifaceted approaches in the Philippines’ poverty reduction, analyze the strategies put in place so far and identify challenges to achieving President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s plan to bring poverty in the Philippines down to 9% by 2028.
Current State
As evidenced by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the current state of poverty in the Philippines is one of slow but resilient progress. According to the PSA, the Proportion of Poor among families has fallen from 18% to 16.4% between 2021 and 2023, highlighting some initial progress in poverty reduction efforts.
However, the PSA’s data also indicates that urban areas, such as Manila, which has a Poverty Incidence of 5.7%, have much lower levels of poverty than rural areas, such as Leyte, which has a Poverty Incidence of 31.3%, indicating a significant urban-rural gap. By addressing factors such as access to education, health care and employment opportunities and recognizing these disparities between urban and rural areas, we can implement effective policies to foster inclusive poverty reduction in the Philippines.
Government Initiatives
Regarding government initiatives, the Philippines’ Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has implemented a program known as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). This program promises to provide conditional cash grants to poorer households to improve the health and education of children living below the national poverty line. As of August 2015, program recipients received P27.15 billion ($0.48 billion) in cash grants.
Meanwhile, another government initiative, the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), started in 2011. This program generated employment among poor households and moved highly vulnerable households into more sustainable livelihoods, intending to expand poverty reduction in the Philippines. The program has grown from serving 46,000 families in 2011 to serving 166,000 families in 2017. Despite these efforts, challenges such as limited resources persist. However, sustainable poverty reduction is possible through monitoring and evaluating program performance and fostering transparency.
Nongovernmental Efforts
In addition to government initiatives, several nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) play a crucial role in poverty reduction in the Philippines. Organizations such as the Zero Extreme Poverty PH 2030 (ZEP) are actively involved in addressing the root causes of poverty, focusing on eight themes: Health, Education, Environment, Livelihood and Employment, Agriculture and Fisheries, Housing and Shelter, Peace and Human Security and Social Justice.
Zero Poverty PH has achieved many notable accomplishments in poverty reduction efforts. It installed a water system in Tayabasan, benefiting more than 215 families by giving them clean drinking water. Moreover, its goal to have two million Opportunity Youth in employment or self-employment by 2030 is already in progress. For example, Jonalyn, age 17, who had to drop out of school to support her family, is now receiving support from ZEP to continue her education at Hilamonan Elementary School, along with 300 other students. By working closely with communities, nongovernmental organizations can implement targeted goals that address specific needs and challenges.
Economic Challenges and Future Directions
However, alongside socioeconomic disparities, the Philippines also faces several environmental challenges from changing weather patterns, like typhoons and floods. These disasters have tragic consequences for people experiencing poverty, resulting in loss of livelihoods or homes and further deprivation. Furthermore, environmental factors such as pollution and deforestation threaten food security and create health risks.
As the lead plastic polluter in 2019, the Philippines is responsible for 36.38% of global oceanic plastic waste. Undoubtedly, this is having dire effects on those in poverty. Whether through water-transmitted illnesses or threats to livestock due to the endocrine-disrupting chemicals in the plastic, which are linked to several issues such as infertility, cancer, diabetes and increased risk of cardiovascular disease and strokes.
Moreover, government initiatives such as the Extended Producer Responsibility Act (EPRA), introduced in 2022, which requires companies to create EPR programs for plastic waste reduction, recovery and diversion, have set an expectation for an 80% decline in their plastic product footprint. Furthermore, the Philippine government has implemented a National Plan of Action for the Prevention, Reduction and Management of Marine Litter to achieve zero waste in Philippine waters by 2040. This plan will create a wide range of policies, such as improving public awareness about marine pollution and participating in international coastal clean-ups, highlighting a wide approach towards their goal.
This is important for poverty reduction as plastic pollution can affect health through cancer, cardiovascular disease and more. Furthermore, plastic pollution affects farm animals and fish through choking or entanglement, which affects not only the amount of food around but also causes a massive dip in income for those who rely on this livelihood and fishing for income.
Final Remark
Poverty reduction in the Philippines requires multifaceted approaches that cover social, economic and environmental angles. While progress is being made through government and NGO initiatives, challenges continue to persevere. By prioritizing inclusive and sustainable policies, there is a strong chance that the Philippines will continue striving toward a prosperous future.
– Emily Weir
Photo: Flickr
A Music Tour Reducing Poverty in Africa
Poverty in Rwanda
Despite significant efforts and successes in reducing poverty in Rwanda, the challenges for children and their families remain substantial. Of 1,000 children born in Rwanda, 50 do not survive to 5 years old. Moreover, 75% of these deaths come in the first months of life. While chronic malnutrition has declined, poor water quality and access to hygiene facilities still leave children suffering from stunting and low birth weight. This challenge is compounded by the fact that only 64% of households have their own latrine and 5% have hand-washing facilities with soap and water.
In terms of education, 13% of children are enrolled in early education, with a large disparity weighted against children living in rural areas compared to urban ones–a common trend when analyzing child poverty rates globally. Despite these challenges, poverty reduction efforts in Rwanda merit celebrating and supporting further. Hence, the American creative communications company pgLang, in partnership with Grammy Award winner Kendrick Lamar, the Rwanda Development Board and Global Citizen, imagined an original music event for the region.
Move Afrika: Rwanda
“Move Afrika: Rwanda” supports an advocacy campaign that urged world leaders to make bold pledges on significant issues, aiming to reduce poverty in Africa. The campaign focused on key areas such as increasing resources for health campaigns that particularly benefit women and young girls, addressing food scarcity within the continent and providing greater access to economic opportunities. During the event, local communities were supported with training to support the concert. This included stage management and security skills training. Furthermore, Rwandan culture was front and center, with traditional Agaseke peace baskets a focal point on the stage. These were crafted by 20 artisans from the Nyamirambo Women’s Centre.
In celebrating those people fighting to reduce poverty in Rwanda, the works of nonprofits and civil society workers who came together in nationwide community service to plant more than 1,000 trees on Mount Rebero were recognized. In attendance also were 30 health care workers who were allowed to highlight their work in health equity and access. Move Afrika has also made a lasting pledge to continue to support local entrepreneurs and help them access longer-term job opportunities in the future. By giving internationally recognizable performers such as Kendrick Lamar a platform, Move Afrika is exposing countries like Rwanda to fighting poverty with international support.
The Future of Move Afrika?
“The Move Afrika: Rwanda” music tour was a success. So much so that it will be repeated next year; this time, it will be held in Ghana. Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo said, “Global Citizen is known for leveraging live music events to engage youth while creating social and economic impact. Today, we celebrate this milestone for Ghana.”
“We look forward to future announcements on this growing cohort of Move Afrika destinations,” he added. With Move Afrika at the beginning of its journey to reduce poverty in Africa, there is no telling where this innovative and engaging project will end up.
– Thomas Field
Photo: Flickr
The Life You Can Save: Charities in Bangladesh
The Life You Can Save
The Life You Can Save, established in 2013, champions effective charitable giving to combat poverty. This organization rigorously evaluates and endorses high-impact charities, ensuring donors contribute to the most effective causes. To date, it has facilitated more than $100 million in donations. Furthermore, The Life You Can Save supports several charities in Bangladesh, each addressing poverty in diverse and impactful ways. The following are some of the charities:
Fistula Foundation
The Maternal Morbidity Validation Study (MMVS) revealed that in Bangladesh, the adjusted prevalence rate of obstetric fistulas among women aged 15 to 49 is 38 per 100,000. The study revealed that 4,081 women aged 50 to 64 suffer from this condition, totaling 17,457 affected women between ages 15 and 64. This data underscores the significant health challenge obstetric fistula poses to women in Bangladesh. The Fistula Foundation leads in treating obstetric fistula worldwide. A fistula is a severe birth injury that often leads to incontinence and social ostracization for women. Beyond covering surgery costs, the foundation supports surgeon training, provides facility equipment, engages in grassroots community initiatives and ensures comprehensive post-surgery recovery. Annually, it facilitates more than 10,000 surgeries to repair childbirth injuries, highlighting its significant impact in restoring dignity and health to affected women.
Malaria Consortium
In the late 1990s, Bangladesh reported up to 70,000 laboratory-confirmed malaria cases, 900,000 clinical cases and more than 500 deaths annually, with suspected unreported cases possibly exceeding 250,000 annually. A 2007 survey in the 13 endemic districts revealed a 4% crude prevalence, with Plasmodium falciparum responsible for more than 90% of the cases. The Chittagong Hill Tracts showed the highest infection rates. This highlights the significant public health challenge malaria poses, necessitating targeted interventions to reduce transmission and fatalities.
The Malaria Consortium provides initiatives that shield the most vulnerable and impoverished children in Asia and Africa from a variety of fatal illnesses, such as pneumonia and malaria. In addition, the Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) project is an incredibly economical and scientifically supported method of preventing malaria in children under the age of 5. Moreover, its annual demonstrated impact includes delivering seasonal malaria chemoprevention to 24 million children, significantly more than 20 million in the previous year.
Helen Keller Intl.
Vitamin A deficiency poses a serious health risk to Bangladesh’s children, leading to blindness and increased mortality among those under 6 years of age. Annually, around 30,000 children may become blind from this deficiency, with many dying shortly thereafter. Helen Keller Intl. addresses this through its annual global vitamin A supplementation programs, benefiting 32 million children under the age of 5 each year and supporting 388,000 families with resources to grow and sell vitamin A-rich foods. In addition, this approach significantly improves child health and nutrition, highlighting the need for ongoing nutritional interventions.
Life You Can Save: Charities Research and Evaluation
The Life You Can Save supports several charities in Bangladesh, including the Fred Hollows Foundation, Seva Foundation, Oxfam and Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA). The organization ensures aid reaches those most in need in the most effective ways. It rigorously analyzes data to identify the best interventions for various aspects of poverty, focusing on the highest-impact charities. The rigorous research and continuous assessments equips donors with detailed information to enhance their philanthropic impact. Moreover, the process involves evaluating donor interventions based on their evidence, reach, depth and lasting effects while assessing charities by their evidence quality, reporting, track record, cost-effectiveness, transparency, community understanding and commitment to upholding the dignity of its beneficiaries.
Looking Ahead
Bangladesh continues to forge a path toward a brighter future, bolstered by the crucial support of impactful charities and organizations like The Life You Can Save. Above all, the collaborative endeavors of local and international partners signify a beacon of hope for the millions striving for a life free from poverty and disease in Bangladesh.
– AuiCha Conley
Photo: Unsplash
The Impact of Inadequate WASH Conditions on Poverty
The Public Health Crisis
A number of factors known as the social determinants of health influence the well-being of a community; these factors include socioeconomic status, environment conditions, access to health care, education and cultural factors. Each of these components play a significant role in the health of a community, and it is important to take them into consideration when dealing with critical issues like inadequate WASH conditions.
Socioeconomic status, such as race and income, play a huge role in the access to clean water. Unfortunately, although clean water is a basic human right, it continues to be a major issue particularly in low income communities. In these areas, lack of access to clean water is responsible for a significant percentage of deaths, particularly among children under the age of five.
The Link Between Clean Water and Health
About 2 million people around the world lack access to clean drinking water, while 3.6 billion people lack access to proper sanitation, and 2.3 lacking basic hygiene services. Germs, parasites or harmful chemicals, which may come from a variety of sources, including human or animal waste, chemicals and other substances, may contaminate unsafe water. Poor access to clean water has a close correlation to the spread of illnesses such as cholera, typhoid and polio. Contaminated water is responsible for more than 500,000 deaths annually in low income communities, with 300,000 of fatalities being children under 5. In regions with insufficient WASH conditions, it is important to understand that this crisis has a huge impact on their well-being and overall quality of life.
A nation that faces severe challenges related to WASH conditions is Pakistan, making it among the most affected nations in the world. Although Pakistan has 79% water supply coverage, water quality remains a major problem, causing extreme health dangers such as fecal contamination. Drinking water quality has typically gotten less attention in Pakistan, with inadequate organizational structures, as well as a lack of legislation and regulations addressing water quality issues. According to a community health study, low-quality drinking water causes 40% of deaths and 50% of diseases in Pakistan.
Solutions
Although there is no overnight solution to this crisis, there are policies and interventions that can be implemented to aid in mitigating it. Implementing measures that involve providing stable sanitation and clean drinking water, as well as adopting basic hygiene practices can potentially save the lives of 1.4 million people worldwide. For example, in Pakistan, some policies are in place to mitigate these issues. For instance, schools in Pakistan have implemented school-specific WASH policies aimed at achieving a variety of goals, including raising awareness, providing suitable sanitation centers and ensuring adequate drinking water access. Furthermore, UNICEF and its partners are actively involved in the implementation of policies designed to mitigate the negative consequences of inadequate WASH conditions.
This crisis demands attention and resources that will aid in breaking the cycle of poverty and poor health. The silent crisis of inadequate water access requires global attention, resources and consistent efforts in order to break the cycle. Join the movement for global change by advocating for the advancement of WASH conditions in lower income communities, by raising awareness, supporting organizations working towards this cause and urging policymakers to take this issue into consideration. Together, everyone can make a difference in improving lives and ensuring a better future for all.
– Retaj Kamal Elghanai
Photo: Flickr
Disability and Poverty in Russia
History
Historically, the Russian government has treated its disabled citizens with disregard for their well-being. The current Russian Federation’s former governing state, the Soviet Union, outright denied their existence in the country, infamously declining to participate in the first iteration of the Paralympic Games in 1980, claiming that no disabled people existed in the country.
Before this, the Soviet government assigned disabled World War II veterans to low-paying jobs upon their return from war, thus relegated to poverty. These new jobs assigned to the now-disabled Russian veterans often disregarded their previous careers and skill sets. They reduced them to being defined by their disability.
This practice of job reassignment created an association between poverty and disability in Russia and disabled citizens were given little opportunity to better their conditions beyond their low-wage occupations.
Modern Problems
In addition to the higher rates of poverty among disabled Russians, discrimination against people with disabilities is still pervasive in the country. In 1995, the Russian Federation passed a law outlining a federal definition of disability, a step forward from the Soviet Union’s denial of disabled Russians.
Despite the federal acknowledgment of disabled citizens, the country still lacks adequate resources for them. Disabled people in Russia, particularly children with disabilities, are mistreated. For example, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW), Russian orphanages have been caught transferring their disabled residents to state-run institutions without their consent once they have turned 18 when they instead should be transitioned into living independently.
This comes in tandem with allegations of abuse inside Russian orphanages, where an estimated 30% of disabled Russian children live. These orphanages hold children for extended periods despite being intended only for temporary stays. Former residents have accused these children’s homes of tying patients to beds, sedating them and temporarily transferring them to mental institutions against their will as punishment.
Solutions
The violence and adversity faced by disabled people are still pervasive. However, some organizations are working to alleviate the issues that come from disability and poverty in Russia. To combat the adversity faced by disabled Russians, some citizens have started their own charities and nonprofits to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities and give support to their families.
For example, Perspektiva is a Russian nonprofit that works to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities, including helping them find employment to diminish the number of people living with both disability and poverty in Russia. Perspektiva has helped Russians with disabilities complete internships with international companies, such as Ernst and Young, L’Oreal and SAP and it lists hundreds of jobs on its employment portal for disabled job applicants.
Final Remark
The social acknowledgment of disabled Russians and the work of charities like Perspektiva have helped improve the status of disabled Russians living in poverty. However, this vulnerable demographic still needs assistance and advocacy to improve further.
– Elizabeth Nelms
Photo: Wikimedia Commons