According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and backed by statistics from the World Bank, Africa’s electrification rate as of 2020 sat at 55%. As the continent’s economies continue to expand, IRENA suggests that renewable energy in African countries will be instrumental in meeting growing demand.
Potential for Renewable Energy in African Countries
From country to country, the story remains the same though the percentages shift around slightly. In Ghana, for example, where the electrification rate is up to 87% in urban areas, there still remains a 10% demand growth rate year on year putting pressure on infrastructure.
In rural areas, where the electrification rate is lower at 74%, Ghana’s former minister of power Kwabena Donkor expressed the government’s goal to implement small-scale renewable projects aimed at improving productivity and reducing poverty under the Sustainable Energy for All Action Plan. Several such plans are in place for numerous countries on the continent that promise to accelerate the development of renewable energy in Africa.
Across the continent, energy demand grows at more than twice the global average, and renewables seem to be a natural next step for developing economies. Over the past few decades, researchers have explored potential sites for solar, wind and hydropower plants in Ghana and many other African countries. Though some stakeholders and institutions need to ramp up their activity to meet fast-approaching electrification targets, there is visible interest and investment.
Renewable Energy in Mauritania
Though Mauritania has recovered well from the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the World Bank’s April 23 Macro Poverty Outlook report for the country, the recent war in Ukraine has caused major disruptions. The report cites Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as the cause of increasing food and energy costs as well as growing external debt.
Projections indicate a potential poverty increase to 28.8% by 2023 from 26.2% in 2022. Though the World Bank expects positive medium-term GDP growth, largely due to a joint oil and gas project in conjunction with the BP oil company and neighboring Senegal, there is real concern that volatile international markets for those commodities could render growth equally so.
Looking beyond current setbacks, renewable energy stands to transform Mauritania into one of Africa’s top economies. The AMAN project, a $40 billion renewable energy project in partnership with Australia’s CWP Global, will likely produce 110 TWh of electricity between solar and wind plants as well as 1.7 million tonnes per anum of green hydrogen or 10 million tonnes per annum of green ammonia for local use and export. In a statement, CWP cited estimates that the project could potentially increase Mauritania’s GDP by between 40% and 50% by 2030 and reduce unemployment across the country by about 33% by 2035.
Renewable Energy in Tanzania
A prolonged drought in 2022 led Tanzania’s government to begin rationing electricity in response to a drop in hydropower production. Despite its installed capacity of 1600 MW, the country faced a 300 to 350 MW shortage, according to Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited managing director Maharage Chande, in an article by Voice of America.
A reliable supply of energy has been crucial in reducing Tanzania’s poverty rate ($2.15 per person per day) from 84% in 2000 to 45% in 2018. Hydropower accounts for close to half of Tanzania’s energy mix at about 45%, a number that will grow with the completion of the Julius Nyerere hydroelectric dam. When the dam reaches completion, Tanzania’s energy output could more than double from about 1,600 MW to about 3,700 MW. Projections on electricity demand, however, indicate a fourfold increase by 2025 to about 4,000 MW.
While hydropower is promising and accounts for a large portion of Tanzania’s energy mix, the East African country is in a strong position for solar power. Tanzania receives 2,800 to 3,500 hours of sunshine per year, making it a prime candidate for developing grid-connected solar power. Off-grid solar power currently powers Tanzanian schools, hospitals, health centers and households.
Renewable Energy in Senegal
According to the World Food Programme (WFP), more than a third of Senegal’s population of 17 million lives in poverty while 75% of families endure chronic conditions of poverty. Though more than 95% of urban Senegal is estimated to be connected to the grid, access to electricity in rural areas remains limited at a little more than 47% in 2020. Agricultural exports, coming largely out of Senegal’s rural regions, account for about 17% of the nation’s GDP and employ 70% of its workers, according to a 2019 publication.
As recently as January 2023, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen visited the country as part of a trip to expand U.S.-Africa ties and launch a rural electrification initiative that will rely on renewables to bring electricity to 70 villages and 350,000 rural Senegalese people. Senegal is actively interested in a transition to renewable, with President Mackey Sall’s government pursuing universal energy access and 15% renewable energy targets by 2025.
The country’s dependence on agriculture tracks with its eagerness to transition to renewables. As extreme weather conditions continue to worsen agricultural prospects, a green and electrified Senegal could significantly propel the country toward self-sustainability and provide a chance to further expand the economy.
Looking Ahead
The transition to renewable energy in African countries has the potential to improve the quality of life across Africa while reducing poverty and ensuring sustainability. From Ghana to Mauritania, Tanzania to Senegal, various initiatives and partnerships are paving the way for a renewable energy transition. Despite challenges such as infrastructure pressure, disruptions from external factors and energy shortages, these countries are actively investing in solar, wind and hydropower projects to transform their economies, reduce poverty and increase access to electricity, particularly in rural areas. Overall, the pursuit of renewable energy offers a positive path toward increased energy stability across Africa.
– Nana Yaw Acheampong
Photo: Flickr
Why are Albanian Migrants Leaving Albania?
According to a 2022 report, approximately 70% of Albanian asylum seekers chose the U.K. or France as their destination. In just five months, from May to September, over 11,000 Albanians braved the perilous journey across the English Channel in small boats, with almost all hailing from Albania’s impoverished northern highland region.
Who Are the Albanians Leaving?
The exodus from Albania is diverse, comprising economic migrants seeking employment and asylum seekers fleeing from trafficking and modern slavery. Typically, men lead the way in this migration, with their partners and children joining them later. It is worth noting that most Albanian migrants who travel to the U.K. in small boats are young men, and while many apply for asylum, the U.K. Home Office has thus far rejected 86% of male asylum claims. Of note, there is a substantial backlog of asylum applications that remain unprocessed.
On the other hand, the U.K. approves approximately 90% of asylum claims made by women and children. Madeleine Sumption, Director of The Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford, notes that most of the Albanians who receive a positive decision are female, possibly due to their status as victims of trafficking. As such, these individuals are eligible for asylum in the U.K.
Why Have They Left?
A recent survey conducted by the Regional Cooperation Council called the Balkan Barometer revealed that approximately 83% of Albanians expressed their desire to leave the country, citing the high cost of living as the most common reason.
Dr. Andi Hoxha of University College London has said that in the last three years, a huge earthquake and COVID-19 have exacerbated poverty and unemployment in Albania. Dr. Hoxha also noted that the government had offered little help to the most affected people.
According to the World Bank, an estimated one-fifth of Albanians fell into poverty during the pandemic. The organization reports that the rising food costs and inflation in Albania are major issues in a country where citizens spend around 42% of their income on food.
In addition to poverty and lack of opportunities, many Albanian young men and boys are being groomed by criminal gangs. A study by the organization: Asylos, which studies asylum claims, suggests that threats of violence compel many young Albanian men into criminal activity, modern slavery and sexual exploitation.
Albania-originated crime networks aim to recruit such vulnerable young males to work illegally in the U.K., notably on cannabis farms. Some young men have also fled to escape violent fallouts from local blood feuds, which are still common in Albania.
Why Now?
Except for the earthquake in 2019, Albania has not been subject to any of the usual factors that precipitate a surge in emigration. Rather, the country’s problems, including poverty, unemployment, corruption and political instability, are chronic. Since 1991 and the fall of communism, more than 40% of Albanians have emigrated. In recent years, there has been a sharp increase in Albanian migrants. Dan O’Mahoney, the Clandestine Channel Threat Commander for the U.K. Home Office, attributes the increase to the activities of smugglers.
The two most significant factors behind the increase in Albanian migrants to the U.K. are the intensified activity of criminal gangs and the heightened ability of smugglers to lure people into coming to the U.K. Organized crime networks target young men in impoverished parts of Albania, while adverts on Tiktok are used by smugglers to attract potential migrants. It has lately become cheaper to be smuggled on a small boat across the English Channel. Fatjona Mejdini of the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime told the BBC that whereas migrants would previously have to pay up to £25,000 to be smuggled in a truck, now they can pay only £3,000 to £4000 to be transported by boat or dinghy.
What Does the Future Hold for Albania?
Albania is emptying out, especially in its northern highlands, settlements are turning into “ghost towns” as their young people leave. In the town of Kukësiin in northern Albania, for instance, 53% of its inhabitants have emigrated. Fortunately, foreign investment, significant seasonal tourism and support from the World Bank aim to improve Albania’s economy. For example, the U.K. injected £6 million into Tirana, Albania’s capital city, while the World Bank has partnered with the Albanian government to support its agricultural industry, which employs 36% of the country’s population.
Looking Ahead
The number of Albanian migrants has declined in 2023. Last summer, they accounted for more than half of all arrivals to the U.K., but according to the most recent reports, the number is fewer than 10%. This may be because many of the Albanians who wanted to make the journey already have. Additional factors include worsening weather conditions and a pledge by the U.K. government to fast-track the deportation of illegal migrants. On the bright side, however, continued support from international organizations and countries like the U.K. could help Albania in its effort to address the root causes of emigration.
– Samuel Chambers
Photo: Pixabay
Pregnancy Malnutrition is on the rise in developing countries
UNICEF has urged the international community to promote food security and support ineffective nutrition programs to combat child malnutrition. The organization emphasized the negative impact malnutrition has on children’s health.
UNICEF Report
A recent UNICEF report reveals that one billion undernourished women and adolescent girls worldwide are “underweight and of short stature.” The highest incidence of the nutrition crisis among adolescent girls and women is found in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, where 68% of women and teenage girls are underweight and 60% are anemic.
Poverty and its Effect on Pregnancy Malnutrition
In the 12 countries experiencing food crises, the number of pregnant or nursing women suffering from acute malnutrition increased from 5.5 million to 6.9 million between 2020 and 2022. UNICEF urges the enactment of legal measures to expand food fortification and prevent micronutrient deficiencies and anemia. These countries include Afghanistan, Chad, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Kenya, Nigeria, Mali, Niger, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan and Yemen
The CEO of UNICEF, Catherine Russell, warned that the consequences could continue for future generations if the international community does not take quick action to assist in preventing micronutrient deficiencies and anemia in girls and women. “To prevent undernutrition in children, we must also address malnutrition in adolescent girls and women,” she said.
NGO and Government Initiatives to Combat Malnutrition Among Pregnant Women
Several NGOs and governments are making efforts toward resolving the issue of malnutrition among pregnant women worldwide. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has launched the Nutrition Innovation Lab in Bangladesh. This initiative focuses on improving maternal and child nutrition.
The World Food Programme (WFP) has initiated the Integrated Food Security Project in Ethiopia, which provides food assistance, nutrition education and health services to pregnant and lactating women to significantly reduce malnutrition rates among women and children.
In India, the government has launched the National Nutrition Mission (NNM) to reduce malnutrition among pregnant women and children under 5 years old. The program provides nutritional supplements, health services and other resources to improve the health of the population.
Looking Ahead
Despite the concerning rise in undernourishment among pregnant women and girls, there are promising initiatives underway to address this global issue. Organizations like UNICEF, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the World Food Programme are taking action to combat malnutrition and improve the health of vulnerable populations. Through programs focusing on food security, nutrition education and access to healthcare, these efforts aim to break the cycle of malnutrition and ensure a healthier future for both women and children worldwide.
– Dalia Hasan
Photo: Pixabay
Cancer Care in Mauritius
Cancer in LMICs
While cancer deaths are falling in high-income countries due to successful funding of prevention programs and modern health care technologies, the number of people dying from cancer in LMICs is on the rise. Around 60% of new cancer cases globally are diagnosed in LMICs. Furthermore, where less than half of cancer patients in high-income nations die from the disease, 66% of those diagnosed in LMICs do not survive it.
Challenges when trying to reduce cancer-related deaths in LMICs include the cost of cancer medication and relevant medical technologies, a dearth of oncology specialists and the perception that it is not a major public health issue. Across Africa, only 23 countries possess radiation therapy centers. Radiation, the most common cancer treatment, is not available to those in 29 African nations unless they can travel abroad. In the last 20 years, cancer cases have doubled in the continent.
Cancer Care in Mauritius
In May 2021, the Mauritian government announced to establish two new hospitals, designed to specialize in cancer care by late 2022. These are the now-operational and internationally recognized cancer centers, Coromandel Hospital and the St. Helene Clinic. Groupe Filatex, an energy company based in Madagascar funded the project. The company provided the estimated funding of $50 million to PolyClinique De L’Ouest Ltee to execute the project. The new centers have provided 230 beds dedicated to cancer patients and their treatment. Prior to this intervention, cancer care in Mauritius struggled to meet demand, with only one radiotherapy and oncology center available.
In 2019, cancer was the third most common cause of death for Mauritians, accounting for approximately 12.8% of mortalities that year. In recent years, the Mauritius National Cancer Registry has recorded an increase in cancer diagnoses for both men and women. The five most common types of cancer in Mauritian men are prostate, colorectal, lung, stomach and lymphoma. Among the nation’s women, the most common types of cancer are breast, uterus, colorectal, ovary and cervix uteri.
The Mauritian government has announced more projects to build on the success of the existing cancer centers. In 2022, the government decided to invest in another state-of-the-art cancer hospital, this time in Solferino. The new center will provide treatment with the use of technologies such as 3-D conformal Radiotherapy, Image-Guided Radiation Therapy and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy. The radiology unit will have X-ray, CT-scan, MRI, echography and mammography machines and the hospital will include stem cell and bone marrow transplant units.
Looking Ahead
Mauritius has already made considerable progress in improving cancer prevention and care. It has significantly reduced the number of cervical cancer cases through efforts like its HPV vaccination and screening program. The nation has also created a National Cancer Control Program (operating from 2022 to 2025) to support improvements in early diagnoses, research, treatment and palliative care. These efforts and trends offer hope for even more progress in the fight against cancer in Mauritius.
– Martha Probert
Photo: Wikimedia
The Work of the China Foundation for Rural Development
Malnutrition in Rural China
Although China has made significant progress in improving the standard of living across some regions, there are still remote communities, particularly in mountainous areas, where great income disparities remain. Responsible for managing 95% of the cultivated land, more than 200 million smallholder farmers work across this vast rural landscape, producing most of the food consumed across China.
In 2014, UNICEF reported that 20 million Chinese children lived in poverty, based on the official poverty standard of $1.80 per person per day. Furthermore, just 10 years ago, 13 million children in China went unregistered and were unable to access basic but vital social services.
Malnutrition poses a significant threat to children growing up in rural communities. For almost half of them, three meals a day is a “luxury” and most have no choice but to survive on starch-based diets with little to no meat or vegetables. This results in deficiencies in energy, protein, calcium and vitamin A. Due to the enormous population size of China, statistics on child nutrition are nationally substantial.
The Work of the China Foundation for Rural Development
Having adopted the slogan “Persistence Brings Change,” the CFRD has the mission of helping “resource-deficient poor communities enhance their capacity for self-sustainability.” The organization aims to do this by improving basic conditions and standards of primary social service.
The CFRD has implemented numerous programs that address the issue of childhood malnutrition in rural communities across China. One of these is the Nutritious Meals Program, which improves nutrition in three stages: the production of nutritious meals, the establishment of “Love Kitchens” within rural schools and education in underdeveloped areas around the importance of nutrition.
The initiative includes a daily nutritional supplement for children during school hours, including one egg and one carton of milk. The standard Love Kitchen equipment is installed in schools and includes electric stoves, rice steamers, disinfection cabinets and exhaust fans. In addition, the program provides nutrition training and education regarding malnutrition.
The Nutritious Meals Program operates in 17 provinces across China, including Sichuan, Yunnan and Hubei. The program has also had an international influence, with similar food programs running in Cambodia and Ghana to aid students.
Impact of the China Foundation for Rural Development
Since 2008, the CFRD has provided more than 1 million students with around 57 million nutritious meals. The organization has also established 2,172 Love Kitchens in many provinces across China. Moreover, it has provided 762,000 nutritious meal packages for 605,000 people in 20 provinces.
The Give2Asia website tells the story of Alimunisa, one of the children who have benefited from the work of the organization. The fourth grader from Aktau County comes from a low-income household (yearly income equating to about $775) that is registered as one of the “poor households in China.” Alimunisa says the household meals rarely contain meat or vegetables. She, therefore, “looks forward to school where she eats meals she wouldn’t normally get at home. Her favorites are the marinated chicken eggs and milk donated by the Nutritious Meals Program.” The nutritious meals have made “school more enjoyable” and also improved Alimunisa’s academic performance.
Looking Ahead
In 2004, the CFRD began expanding its work to include other countries. In these nations, its work includes responses to natural disasters or extreme weather events. With CFRD programs, children across China and other nations have a better chance of escaping poverty and living a higher quality of life.
– Bethan Marsden
Photo: Flickr
Child Marriage in Vietnam
Causes of Child Marriage in Vietnam
Low income, low levels of education among young girls and outdated traditions are the leading causes of child marriage in Vietnam. And according to a Poverty Child article, “Poverty is one of the main causes of child marriage globally.”
Households with many occupants, especially in rural areas, do not have the funds to provide food and other necessities for all of their members. This creates a pressing situation that typically, according to the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), results in any of two outcomes:
Children between the ages of 5 to 17 years end up working in hazardous environments instead of going to school.
Young girls unwillingly go into marriages with older men in a bid to relieve their poor families from providing for them. Typically, the groom pays the bride’s family a dowry in exchange for her hand in marriage. For many households, the money from the dowry is a respite from the poverty-hunger cycle.
Traditionalism is a major part of Vietnamese culture, especially in lower-income areas where education is not a priority. Within some communities, the parents of young girls consent to child marriage. Traditional families are afraid of the stigma around pre-marital sex and fear pregnancy as an outcome of letting their daughters receive education or be independent. Additionally, many societies employ shame as a tool to coerce parents into marrying off their young daughters.
Fighting Child Marriage in Vietnam
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Vietnam customarily calls on the world to end child marriage on Valentine’s Day every year. In an article published on 14th February 2022, the UNFPA said, “Child marriage is a human rights violation that often ensnares the most vulnerable, impoverished and marginalized girls.”
The EMPoWR Project
The plea was a part of UNFPA’s promotional campaign for the EMPoWR Project, which is co-funded by the Delegation of the European Union and Plan International in Belgium. The project aims to enhance awareness of ethnic minority children and young people on human trafficking and child marriage through digital technology. The EMPoWR Project resulted from a collaboration between multiple organizations, including the Department of Children under the Ministry of Labor, Plan International Vietnam and the Institute for Social Development Studies (ISDS). The project commenced in 2020 and will run through 2023, with the aim of reaching the four provinces of Ha Giang, Lai Chau, Quang Binh and Quang Tri in Vietnam.
In September 2021, the EMPoWR project expanded to establish a digital platform called ‘Em Vui’ (meaning ‘I’m Happy’ in Vietnamese), aiming to provide support to vulnerable children and young people from ethnic minorities in Vietnam. The goal of this project is to prevent human trafficking and child marriage in the country. The platform is easily accessible via social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, making it convenient and readily available for marginalized Vietnamese youth.
Reinforcing the Legislation
In 2016, a representative from the National Committee for Ethnic Minorities informed the government of the gap in legislation around protecting vulnerable minors from child marriage in Vietnam.
In January 2018, the Vietnamese government enacted a new Criminal Code to protect young women from child marriage and trafficking. The legislation also stipulated doling out harsh sentences for offenders. Under the Marriage and Family Law in Vietnam, the minimum age for marriage across the country is now 18 years for girls and 20 years for boys.
Looking Ahead
Poverty and low levels of education have been the main causes of child marriage in Vietnam. However, initiatives such as Em Vui continue to make progress in bringing about positive change, with 60% of girls with access to education reporting that they were ready to reject forced marriages in an EMPoWR survey.
– Vahisté Sinor
Photo: Flickr
A Look at Renewable Energy in African Countries
According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and backed by statistics from the World Bank, Africa’s electrification rate as of 2020 sat at 55%. As the continent’s economies continue to expand, IRENA suggests that renewable energy in African countries will be instrumental in meeting growing demand.
Potential for Renewable Energy in African Countries
From country to country, the story remains the same though the percentages shift around slightly. In Ghana, for example, where the electrification rate is up to 87% in urban areas, there still remains a 10% demand growth rate year on year putting pressure on infrastructure.
In rural areas, where the electrification rate is lower at 74%, Ghana’s former minister of power Kwabena Donkor expressed the government’s goal to implement small-scale renewable projects aimed at improving productivity and reducing poverty under the Sustainable Energy for All Action Plan. Several such plans are in place for numerous countries on the continent that promise to accelerate the development of renewable energy in Africa.
Across the continent, energy demand grows at more than twice the global average, and renewables seem to be a natural next step for developing economies. Over the past few decades, researchers have explored potential sites for solar, wind and hydropower plants in Ghana and many other African countries. Though some stakeholders and institutions need to ramp up their activity to meet fast-approaching electrification targets, there is visible interest and investment.
Renewable Energy in Mauritania
Though Mauritania has recovered well from the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the World Bank’s April 23 Macro Poverty Outlook report for the country, the recent war in Ukraine has caused major disruptions. The report cites Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as the cause of increasing food and energy costs as well as growing external debt.
Projections indicate a potential poverty increase to 28.8% by 2023 from 26.2% in 2022. Though the World Bank expects positive medium-term GDP growth, largely due to a joint oil and gas project in conjunction with the BP oil company and neighboring Senegal, there is real concern that volatile international markets for those commodities could render growth equally so.
Looking beyond current setbacks, renewable energy stands to transform Mauritania into one of Africa’s top economies. The AMAN project, a $40 billion renewable energy project in partnership with Australia’s CWP Global, will likely produce 110 TWh of electricity between solar and wind plants as well as 1.7 million tonnes per anum of green hydrogen or 10 million tonnes per annum of green ammonia for local use and export. In a statement, CWP cited estimates that the project could potentially increase Mauritania’s GDP by between 40% and 50% by 2030 and reduce unemployment across the country by about 33% by 2035.
Renewable Energy in Tanzania
A prolonged drought in 2022 led Tanzania’s government to begin rationing electricity in response to a drop in hydropower production. Despite its installed capacity of 1600 MW, the country faced a 300 to 350 MW shortage, according to Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited managing director Maharage Chande, in an article by Voice of America.
A reliable supply of energy has been crucial in reducing Tanzania’s poverty rate ($2.15 per person per day) from 84% in 2000 to 45% in 2018. Hydropower accounts for close to half of Tanzania’s energy mix at about 45%, a number that will grow with the completion of the Julius Nyerere hydroelectric dam. When the dam reaches completion, Tanzania’s energy output could more than double from about 1,600 MW to about 3,700 MW. Projections on electricity demand, however, indicate a fourfold increase by 2025 to about 4,000 MW.
While hydropower is promising and accounts for a large portion of Tanzania’s energy mix, the East African country is in a strong position for solar power. Tanzania receives 2,800 to 3,500 hours of sunshine per year, making it a prime candidate for developing grid-connected solar power. Off-grid solar power currently powers Tanzanian schools, hospitals, health centers and households.
Renewable Energy in Senegal
According to the World Food Programme (WFP), more than a third of Senegal’s population of 17 million lives in poverty while 75% of families endure chronic conditions of poverty. Though more than 95% of urban Senegal is estimated to be connected to the grid, access to electricity in rural areas remains limited at a little more than 47% in 2020. Agricultural exports, coming largely out of Senegal’s rural regions, account for about 17% of the nation’s GDP and employ 70% of its workers, according to a 2019 publication.
As recently as January 2023, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen visited the country as part of a trip to expand U.S.-Africa ties and launch a rural electrification initiative that will rely on renewables to bring electricity to 70 villages and 350,000 rural Senegalese people. Senegal is actively interested in a transition to renewable, with President Mackey Sall’s government pursuing universal energy access and 15% renewable energy targets by 2025.
The country’s dependence on agriculture tracks with its eagerness to transition to renewables. As extreme weather conditions continue to worsen agricultural prospects, a green and electrified Senegal could significantly propel the country toward self-sustainability and provide a chance to further expand the economy.
Looking Ahead
The transition to renewable energy in African countries has the potential to improve the quality of life across Africa while reducing poverty and ensuring sustainability. From Ghana to Mauritania, Tanzania to Senegal, various initiatives and partnerships are paving the way for a renewable energy transition. Despite challenges such as infrastructure pressure, disruptions from external factors and energy shortages, these countries are actively investing in solar, wind and hydropower projects to transform their economies, reduce poverty and increase access to electricity, particularly in rural areas. Overall, the pursuit of renewable energy offers a positive path toward increased energy stability across Africa.
– Nana Yaw Acheampong
Photo: Flickr
Aid to Developing Countries Face Extreme Weather Conditions
Developing countries are set to receive $100 billion worth of funding from wealthy countries to combat extreme weather conditions. In 2009, wealthy countries pledged to commit $100 billion annually from 2020 onward to disadvantaged countries struggling with the impacts of changing weather patterns. However, only now, three years after the pledge, these countries are on track to fully meet this commitment. On May 2, 2023, more than 40 country representatives met in Berlin, Germany, to discuss effective ways to tackle harsh weather changes.
Severe Weather Changes
Currently, the change in weather patterns is affecting people worldwide, from dried-up lakes in California and rising sea levels in Venice to mega-droughts in Somalia and floods in South Sudan. Extreme weather conditions most harshly affect impoverished people due to their dependence on vulnerable sectors such as agriculture.
In sub-Saharan Africa, 65% of the labor force works in agriculture. Floods and droughts not only destroy their source of income but also their sources of food. Extreme weather events also increase the risk and transmission of diseases such as cholera and malaria, especially among impoverished populations with high exposure to these diseases and limited access to health care.
Furthermore, impoverished people struggle to recover from extreme weather events due to a lack of access to insurance and credit. A lack of education and lack of access to information also stand as barriers to achieving climatic resilience.
The Situation in Somalia and South Sudan
Recent reports show that Somalia’s last rainfall season (October to December 2022) consisted of below-average rainfall for the fifth consecutive year, depleting water sources in the country and increasing droughts. The country is one of the worst drought-affected countries in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2011, after three back-to-back seasons without sufficient rain, the country experienced a famine that led to the deaths of about 250,000 people, with children accounting for half of this number.
Due to continuing extreme weather conditions, in the first quarter of 2023, the World Food Programme (WFP) forecasted that 6.3 million Somalis will face crisis levels of food insecurity or worse and more than 320,000 people will face catastrophic levels of food insecurity (the highest insecurity level) out of Somalia’s 17.1 million population.
South Sudan is currently facing its worst humanitarian crisis since 2011. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that at least 7.7 million people are experiencing food insecurity due to the ongoing conflict in the nation coupled with severe weather conditions.
With the conflict putting people’s lives on hold and keeping them from conducting any type of work to get money and food, alongside the increase in temperatures making the land in South Sudan barren, there is a need for aid from foreign countries and organizations like the U.N. now more than ever.
The WFP Takes Action
In December 2022, the WFP served 4.7 million people in Somalia with life-saving assistance, which came in the form of cash-based aid or food supplies. The WFP also provided aid to nearly 352,000 vulnerable people facing the effects of droughts in the country under the expansion of the national safety net program, which aims to support the poorest and most vulnerable families.
In South Sudan, the WFP handed out more than 13,880 metric tonnes of food and $3.6 million worth of cash-based aid. In February 2023 alone, the WFP assisted 1.6 million people impacted by climate effects and the nation’s internal conflict.
The WFP South Sudan director Mary-Ellen McGroarty announced that the organization needs an additional $567 million to continue covering the most severe needs in South Sudan alone, excluding the effects of the current conflict.
The WFP funding for South Sudan goes to a number of great causes. For instance, in 2022, the organization built irrigation systems in rural towns and helped local farmers gain access to larger markets. WFP programs not only provide food and cash-based assistance but also teach people how to prepare for potential extreme weather patterns and establish resilience by creating climate-smart food systems.
The Way Forward
A European Union study on changing weather effects predicted that by 2050, increased temperatures and higher demand could leave as many as 150 million people in the world severely affected by water stress. The 2023 climate pledge reaching the designated amount of $100 billion is good news for organizations helping those in need in developing countries.
Funding is essential for tackling extreme weather conditions. Hence, the $100 billion provision from developed countries will help to advance resilience and sustainability goals and address the humanitarian issues that arise from changing weather patterns.
– Sam Kalantzis
Photo: Flickr
Sustainable Fishing in Sri Lanka
The sight of traditional stilt fishing in Sri Lanka is eye-catching and unique. Fishers sit delicately poised atop wooden beams high above the Indian Ocean. Patience, balance and finesse are required for fishers to successfully pluck their catch from the waters beneath. The tradition originated from the post-World War II food shortages, but healthier food supplies mean it is now mostly performative. For this island nation of 22 million, fishing is woven into the fabric of its national identity.
Fishing in Sri Lanka
Not only is fishing in Sri Lanka significant because of its contribution to the diet of Sri Lankans, with 50% of its animal protein intake coming from seafood, but it is also an important part of its economy. Fishing provides a lucrative export market, valued at over $290m in 2022. In total fishing supports the livelihoods of around 3.6 million Sri Lankans.
For many years, environmental factors have threatened the livelihoods of fishing communities. A combination of overfishing and ecosystem damage has caused a decline in fish stocks. Furthermore, climate change has meant that destructive extreme weather events are now happening with increased regularity in Sri Lanka. Evidence from 1974 to 2004 shows floods and droughts are occurring more frequently, and projections have warned that the severity and regularity of cyclones could increase.
These already vulnerable fishing villages have faced yet more strain in the previous few years. COVID-19 has dealt a heavy blow to the fishing industry. In 2020, fish harvests declined up to 20% and exports were down as much as 26%, according to the World Bank. This forced Sri Lanka to import $218 million of fish in 2020 just to satisfy national food demands. To make matters worse, a national crisis has followed the economic downturn of COVID-19.
Economic Crisis
A gradually deepening financial crisis, which COVID-19 had exacerbated, exploded in 2022. The result has been economic and political turmoil that has had dire humanitarian consequences. Deteriorating social conditions such as fuel, food and energy shortages and heightening inflation prompted mass anti-government protests in the spring of 2022.
All 26 cabinet members other than the President and Prime Minister resigned on April 3, 2022, and less than 10 days later, Sri Lanka defaulted on its $51 billion sovereign debt payments it owed to international creditors, The Guardian reports. Months of violent protests culminated on July 9, 2022, when protesters stormed President Rajapanka’s residence and set Prime Minister Wickremesinghe’s house ablaze. The President fled to the Maldives and resigned on July 13, 2022.
The stark reality of economic collapse in people’s lives is poverty. UNICEF estimated in June 2022 that 5,711,089 people were in need of humanitarian assistance in Sri Lanka. Figures from The World Bank show that between 2019 and 2022, poverty in Sri Lanka rose from 11.3% to 25%.
Sri Lankans are still struggling to access food. In September 2022, with food inflation at 94.9%, 30% of Sri Lankans faced acute food insecurity. Although beginning to ease, food inflation in April 2023 remained high at 30.6%. These numbers create more impetus to create efficient and sustainable fishing in Sri Lanka.
Growth Opportunities
In March 2023, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a $3 billion loan to support Sri Lanka’s economic policies and reforms, targeted at the most vulnerable. This gives renewed hope for economic and social recovery.
Spoilage is an obstacle to greater revenues, especially with yellowfin tuna, one of Sri Lanka’s most popular and lucrative fish. Half of all yellowfin tuna caught is spoiled before it reaches the shore and many catches do not meet export standards, according to the World Bank. Modernizing fishing vessels to improve their refrigeration capacity and redesigning fishing routes to reduce the time boats spend at sea could both reduce instances of spoilage. This could increase revenues without the need to catch any more fish.
Making Changes
Ensuring fish stocks remain healthy is also key to achieving sustainable fishing in Sri Lanka. Protecting vulnerable species, like the yellowfin tuna, could require a commitment to conserving and even regenerating coastal ecosystems. Community involvement in assessing stock statuses to protect against overfishing could also hold significance. Achieving sustainable fishing in Sri Lanka can potentially provide an example of the kind of community-focused investment required to put the nation back on a path of stability and progress.
– Henry Jones
Peru’s Indigenous Economy: Entrepreneurship is on the Rise
Supporting Indigenous Businesses
Businesses in Peru’s indigenous economy mainly focus on agriculture, tourism and the selling of cosmetics and handicrafts like jewelry, ceramics, textiles, etc. In recent years, the Peruvian government has increased its efforts to put indigenous businesses in the spotlight. This is significant since native-owned businesses tend to be overshadowed by non-indigenous ones. For instance, in 2022 the government hosted a training program in partnership with the Australian Embassy called “Growing Indigenous Businesses Through Trade.” It was funded by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, in partnership with Treasury and the National Indigenous Australians Agency. The program covered topics such as exports, identifying markets, intellectual property rights, innovative business models and business pitches.
Funding Women-Led Entrepreneurship
In November 2022, the Ministry of Agrarian Development and Irrigation financed 15 different female-led organizations as a part of the “Rural and Indigenous Women Entrepreneurship Strategy” (RIWES). The money spent on each organization ranged from £12,844 to £31,467, and it came from the Rural and Indigenous Women Entrepreneurship Fund, which has been approved to continue on for 2023. A few of the winning organizations include Santa Rosa Moquegache Japo Women’s Association for Dairy Produce, Native Community Palma Real’s Association of Female Artisans and the Esperanza del Bosque Cooperative. These organizations are able to boost Peru’s Indigenous Economy by providing sustainable business opportunities for producers to increase their income.
NGOs Supporting Entrepreneurs
Besides the funding of entrepreneurship, the RIWES will develop programs on business plans, technical assistance and agricultural technology management. It is estimated that 4,700 rural and indigenous female entrepreneurs will benefit from the RIWES’s continuation in 2023. Several NGOs support indigenous entrepreneurship as well. Additionally, Awamaki partnered with eight women-led, Andean artisan cooperatives to help them launch their products successfully in the global market. They offer these cooperatives training on quality control, product development, financial management and business leadership.
Peruvian NGO AIDER stresses the importance of entrepreneurship for Peru’s indigenous economy, stating that it leads to social inclusion, economic security and quality improvement. Besides, indigenous leadership can help ensure the preservation of the environment’s natural resources and sustainable development. Many communities such as Callería, Roya, Junín Pablo, Buenos Aires, Nuevo Loreto and Pueblo Nuevo have officially committed to environment-friendly practices and obtained certification from the Forest Stewardship Council. Finally, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is an organization focused on improving the economic conditions of small-scale producers located in Peru’s northern and southern highlands region. With a total of 12 projects and an investment of 244.36 million dollars, the IFAD is estimated to have a reach of over 180,000 Peruvian households.
What’s Next?
The sustained expansion of indigenous businesses could translate into a major source of economic progress for Peru’s indigenous communities. Also, the fact that both national and international organizations, from governments to non-profits, are working to provide the necessary resources to help indigenous entrepreneurship grow suggests hope for more positive things to come.
– Luciana Mena
Photo: Pixabay
Child Poverty in Papua New Guinea: Health care and Education
Education
Only 35% of students complete primary school due to factors such as poor teacher training, low enrollment levels as well as the long and dangerous journeys many children have to embark on to get to school. A 2010 report found that the PNG government was failing to educate around 2 million elementary and primary school-aged children. This also carries into adulthood, with an estimated half of the population unable to read or write.
Improving Education
Health Care
The lack of access to basic health care impacts child poverty in PNG. Infant mortality rates and childhood malnutrition have been the highest in that region of Asia. Statistics have revealed that nearly half of children between 6 to 59 months suffer from stunting and 16% of children under the age of 5 are too thin for their height.
Improving Health Care
PNG’s neighboring country, Australia, has played an important role in supporting the health care systems. Also, with the help of World Vision International, Australia is helping to address child health care issues in PNG through a variety of routes. One solution the country has implemented is to increase education on nutrition and encourage more healthy eating driven by locally available ingredients. Through investments in health care, around 28,628 people in PNG have been provided with access to essential medical treatments.
Looking Ahead
Despite the challenges that children in PNG face, efforts are underway to improve their education and health care conditions. Initiatives supported by Australia and organizations like World Vision International are helping to raise education levels, remove barriers to school attendance and provide better teacher training. Additionally, investments in health care are addressing child health issues, increasing access to essential medical treatments and promoting nutrition education. These endeavors offer hope for the alleviation of child poverty in Papua New Guinea.
Photo: Flickr