Recent statistics published by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that 25% or more of the global population lacks immediate access to clean drinking water, and almost 50% of the global population lives without safe sanitation at home. In light of this, Water For People, a U.S.-based international aid agency, aims to make clean water accessible to every person on the planet. Founded in 1991, the organization celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2021. In that time, the organization has made remarkable progress and changed millions of lives around the world.
How Does Water For People Work?
Since 2011, Water For People’s strategy has centered on the concept of “Everyone Forever.” Recognizing the limitations of short-term solutions to the problem of water insecurity, the organization emphasizes developing secure, sustainable water supplies and equipping communities with the knowledge and resources necessary to maintain their water infrastructure over time. Its goal is to ensure that “every family, clinic and school in a district” has reliable access to clean drinking water and sanitation services forever: the progress continues rather than fading away in a couple of decades.
The organization concentrates on several core priorities. The number one priority is clean water. Working with local authorities, the organization manages water systems, arranges water supply chains and builds new facilities. It also works to implement safe sanitation and hygiene. In addition to helping families access affordable toilets, Water For People supports the development of local sanitation businesses and waste management systems and educates communities on safe sanitation and hygiene practices. In 2019 alone, the organization educated 269,361 people about safe hygiene, which included providing menstrual hygiene training and resources to help keep girls in school.
Where Does Water For People Help?
Since 1991, the organization has aided communities in more than 40 countries around the world. In 2011, the organization decided to narrow its focus to provide optimal support. Currently, Water For People operates in nine countries: Guatemala, Honduras, Peru, Bolivia, Uganda, Rwanda, Malawi, Tanzania and India.
In each of these countries, the organization targets districts most in need. While it is actively adding new districts within these countries, the organization’s largest presence is currently in India, where its work in 10 districts has provided more than 1.5 billion people with continuous access to drinking water. In Bolivia, the organization has secured the water supply for 82,706 people across eight districts, and, in Guatemala, for 102,607 people across four districts. With three districts each in Honduras and Peru, it has helped guarantee reliable access to clean water for 55,216 Hondurans and 40,000 Peruvians, respectively.
In Africa, the organization operates in four countries. It has established reliable water services for more than a million people in Rwanda, which has five districts. In Malawi, the organization operates in three districts, providing water for 1,435,599 people. Its work in Uganda has secured clean water for almost half a million people across two districts. Water For People is having a growing impact in Tanzania, where it has been working to improve water access for rural communities in Mpwapwa and began adding new districts in 2022.
What Are the Prospects?
In 2015, the United Nations set a sixth Sustainable Development Goal (SDG): Clean Water and Sanitation. The goal is to ensure access to safe drinking water and sanitation services for everyone around the world by 2030. Water For People, in collaboration with the International Rescue Committee (IRC), developed the “Destination 2030” plan to help achieve SDG 6 on time. The joint initiative aims to speed progress toward universal safe water access and sanitation services by helping at least 200 million people in 20 countries.
The organization’s Three Year Strategic Plan for 2022-2024 is a stepping stone in this plan. Focusing on subgoals grouped under Purpose and Foundation, it outlines the immediate strategy to impact at least 12 countries, reach 25 million people nationally and help six million people locally.
During its 30 years of operation, Water For People has achieved concrete results. Working for both quality and quantity, the organization continues to set specific, achievable goals and move toward them.
– Anna Konovalenko
Photo: Flickr
Poverty and Agriculture in Zimbabwe
Poverty and Agriculture in Zimbabwe
The World Bank reports that Zimbabwe currently faces a poverty headcount ratio of 39.8% at the national poverty lines, with numerous rural households relying on subsistence farming as their main source of income. Despite these circumstances, the country has the potential to emerge as a significant food producer due to its fertile land and favorable climate conditions.
One of the most prominent challenges for agriculture in Zimbabwe is the limited access to credit and technical assistance. Many small-scale farmers lack the necessary resources and knowledge to invest in their farms and improve productivity. A study published in the Journal of Economic and International Finance reveals that Zimbabwean banks have consistently maintained relatively small agricultural loan portfolios, representing merely 10% to 25% of the total loan books since the country’s current multi-currency system kicked off in 2009. Consequently, this limited access to credit curtails the farmers’ ability to invest in agricultural endeavors and enhance yields.
Additionally, climate change presents barriers for Zimbabwean farmers. Droughts and floods are increasingly afflicting the country, leaving farmers ill-equipped to adapt to these shifting conditions due to limited resources and knowledge. As a result, many farmers have to abandon their crops and rely on food aid for survival.
Efforts to End Poverty in Zimbabwean Agriculture
Despite the many challenges, there are ongoing efforts aiming to address the issue of poverty in the Zimbabwean agricultural sector. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) actively contributes to the Zimbabwe United Nations Development Assistance Framework (ZUNDAF) by focusing on three priority areas aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These priorities encompass strengthening policy and institutional frameworks, enhancing agricultural productivity and competitiveness, bolstering resilience and the adoption of climate-smart agriculture.
The FAO supports these efforts through several initiatives, including policy formulation, capacity development, irrigation schemes, livestock programs, reduction of post-harvest losses, ensuring food safety, managing climate risks, natural resource management and establishing early warning systems. Collaborations with public and private sectors, non-governmental organizations, community-based organizations and donors further promote community resilience and advocate climate-smart agriculture.
Another example is the Zimbabwe Pfumvudza Programme. Under the leadership of the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, the Zimbabwe Pfumvudza Programme aims to assist vulnerable households in maize, sunflower, small grains and soya bean production. The program supplies standardized input packages, such as 3kg of seed, 50kg of basal fertilizers and 50kg of top dressing fertilizers, sufficient for a 0.125 ha plot. Also, it actively promotes Conservation Agriculture Principles (CA) to address climate-related challenges.
Looking Ahead
Agriculture currently accounts for a substantial portion of the Zimbabwean GDP (17%) and employs a significant percentage of the population (60-70%). By investing in agriculture, Zimbabwe has the potential to generate employment opportunities and stimulate economic growth in both rural and urban areas.
Despite the challenges facing Zimbabwean farmers, there are reasons to be optimistic about the future. For example, efforts to promote agricultural development are gaining momentum, and there is growing recognition of the importance of agriculture in promoting economic growth and reducing poverty.
– Amber Kim
Photo: Flickr
The Nonprofit That May Have Found the Answer to Effective Foreign Aid
GiveDirectly, which four MIT and Harvard students founded in 2012, was donned potentially “the most economically efficient charity ever” by the online magazine The Atlantic. The organization champions unconditional and direct economic investment into the world’s poorest areas, having the potential to alleviate whole areas from poverty within years as well as promote effective foreign aid.
How Does it Work?
In its simplest form, GiveDirectly allows the public to send cash directly to the poorest individuals through bank transfers via mobile phones that they receive from those on the ground. So far, more than $650 million has been donated to 1.4 million people living in poverty. Donors are then able to stay informed about the progress of the individuals they have donated to, with GiveDirectly averaging a 99% follow-up rate from every recipient. The method of this highly effective foreign aid rests on the simple idea that people see a greater improvement in their overall quality of life when they have a say in how recipients spend the money.
Obstacles
GiveDirectly has been battling with the unproven notion that it is not a good idea to give money to those who are poor. This led the organization to conduct its own research into the matter. The research revealed how the extensive benefits of cash transfers often reach beyond a program’s core objectives, facilitating effective foreign aid. The research also found that monetary poverty, education, health and employment all improved as a result of direct injection of cash into poor areas.
Rory Stewart, president of GiveDirectly and former U.K. Secretary of State for International Development, initially had his reservations about GiveDirectly. He stated he thought the best way to approach foreign aid was by “teaching people to fish rather than giving them fish.” However, after his appointment as the president in 2022, he stated on BBC World News that “a relatively small amount of money from Western standards can transform people’s lives so much more rapidly and efficiently than many traditional aid programs.”
Projects for the Future
GiveDirectly functions on an optimistic outlook of human nature and individualism. Individual cash donations allow people to make their own investments, giving dignity to the receiver. Tarkok, a subsistence farmer in Kenya, has been the recipient of $180 over the last 11 days. He “intend[s] to use [the money] to buy at least three bags of 90 kg maize grains that [will] last … for at least six months.” The rest of the money will go toward the purchase of goats. This is just one example of the impact small donations can have on the world’s poor.
Looking Ahead
Rory Stewart’s appointment as president of GiveDirectly last year marks a shift in the world of international development. More than 180 governments have implemented cash programs during COVID-19, marking a decisive step forward to meeting the U.N.’s goal to end global poverty by 2030. GiveDirectly is now the world’s fastest-growing nonprofit, with more than $1 billion raised so far, showing the impact that its new approach is having on foreign aid, alongside alleviating poverty.
– George Somper
Photo: Flickr
3 Countries Suffering From Generational Poverty
The NCCP studied this lasting impact on children by examining the social and economic status of several families. The study revealed that individuals who grow up in poverty tend to remain poor in early adulthood. Breaking this cycle is nearly impossible without proper resources and education, and families in low-income countries continue to suffer the impacts of this issue. The following are three such countries suffering from generational poverty.
3 Countries Suffering From Generational Poverty
Looking Ahead
Although many citizens in the aforementioned countries are still dealing with the challenges posed by generational poverty, there are ongoing initiatives that provide the required support to help them break the chain and create better opportunities for their children.
– Olivia Maillet
Photo: Flickr
Child Marriage in Egypt: A Harmful Practice
Child Protection Law in Egypt and Loopholes in the Legal Age of Marriage
The Persons and Family Law No. 126 of 2008 mandates a legal marriage age of at least 18 years old for both men and women. Unfortunately, since there are no criminal penalties for families conducting child marriages through religious ceremonies, girls in rural areas become three times more likely to marry before 18.
Some religious and cultural traditions support early marriage, legally registering the marriage only when the bride turns 18. Underage girls may also enter unofficial customary marriages called “urfi.”
Risks and Consequences of Child Marriage
World Bank statistics show that 46 of every 1,000 girls aged 15 to 19 gave birth in Egypt in 2020. Early marriage often leads to girls dropping out of school, which limits their future opportunities and increases their vulnerability to poverty. Furthermore, they are more likely to experience complications during pregnancy and childbirth.
Government Efforts to Ban Child Marriage in Egypt
The Egyptian government has committed to eliminating child marriage in Egypt by 2030, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goal target 5.3. Various actions are in progress, including the establishment of Equal Opportunities Units within ministries, the launch of initiatives to increase women’s participation in the economy and partnerships with the United Nations (U.N.) agencies for women’s empowerment.
The Egyptian government has launched a comprehensive National Strategy for the Empowerment of Women 2030 aimed at empowering women across various spheres of life, focusing on six key pillars. In addition to this, the government has also endorsed Egypt’s National Strategy for the Prevention of Early Marriage 2015-2020, demonstrating its commitment to promoting the rights of women in the country. Since 2019, the Egyptian government has been making recommendations to prevent child marriage in Egypt and intensify awareness-raising campaigns.
Local and International Non-Governmental Organizations Efforts
Organizations such as the Tadwein Center for Gender Studies and Plan International work to address the root causes of child marriage, like poverty and lack of access to education. The Tadwein Center for Gender Studies, established in 2014, promotes gender awareness, empowers women and fights against violence against women and girls in Egypt. The center initiated the #HerDreamIsMoreImportant social media campaign in 2020, addressing child marriage consequences. The campaign started during the global event Sixteen Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
Plan International, working in Egypt since 1981, aims to improve children’s lives through education and gender equity. Its program offers psychosocial support to over 4,000 vulnerable Syrian refugee and Egyptian children, providing safe spaces and fostering resilience. This approach empowers girls to resist early marriage and raises community awareness about gender equality and children’s rights.
Declining Rates of Child Marriage in Egypt
UNICEF statistics show a decline in child marriage rates, as the percentage of women marrying before the age of 15 dropped from 3.9% in 2000 to 2.0% in 2014. Various factors contribute to this positive trend, including government partnerships with the National Council for Women and U.N. Women Egypt Country Office and prioritizing the 2030 National Women’s Empowerment Strategy.
Consequently, women’s unemployment rate dropped from 21.7% in 2019 to 17.7% in 2020. Furthermore, educated girls with improved societal status marry later, contributing to inclusive economic development.
In the Works for Egypt
The Association of the Egyptian Female Lawyers launched a campaign called #1000جمعية#, or #1000Associations#, to urge President Abd El Fattah El Sisi and parliamentarians to criminalize child marriage in Egypt. While the Egyptian government has achieved progress in fighting child marriage, implementing further action to strengthen enforcement and tackle the root causes of this harmful practice could deliver more desired results. With the continued commitment of the Egyptian government, NGOs and international partners, there is hope for a future that is free of child marriage.
– Tanya Hamad
Photo: Flickr
The Impact of USAID Programs in Syria
Response to the Türkiye-Syria Earthquake
As of March 2023, the number of confirmed deaths from the Türkiye-Syria earthquake was 7,259 people in Syria, and the estimated economic impact is more than $5.2 billion. The earthquake also hit the vulnerable population hardest, as northwest Syria was home to nearly three million internally displaced Syrians who were already struggling economically.
On March 20, 2023, the United States authorized an additional $50 million through USAID to help the earthquake-affected communities in Türkiye and Syria, bringing the total amount of Türkiye-Syria earthquake-related U.S. humanitarian aid to $235 million. This newly announced funding is intended to support the work of USAID partner organizations in northwest and central Syria. On the ground, USAID’s Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) is “working closely with the Government of Türkiye, the U.N., [and] NGO partner organizations to closely coordinate response efforts, report needs and conditions on the ground and prioritize the delivery of assistance to the hardest-hit communities,” according to USAID’s official website.
Addressing Food Insecurity in Syria
Food insecurity in Syria is a serious, complex issue with many different causes. The Syrian civil war that broke out in 2011 caused significant destruction of infrastructure and displacement of over 14 million Syrians. In addition, the global food shortage caused by COVID-19 and the Russian invasion of Ukraine further worsened the food insecurity in Syria. Approximately 12.1 million Syrians are considered food-insecure, accounting for more than half of Syria’s total population. Out of 113 countries, Syria ranked at the very bottom of the Global Food Security Index in 2022. Syria’s food insecurity is especially damaging to children because their growth and well-being are closely linked to nutrition. Approximately 609,900 Syrian children under 5 years old are suffering from stunted growth because of malnutrition.
USAID is working with various partners, including the U.N. Children’s Fund and the World Food Program (WFP), to provide food assistance to Syria. Over 6.6 million Syrians are receiving monthly aid from USAID in the forms of cash transfers, food vouchers and monthly food rations. In addition, USAID programs are also providing food security to displaced Syrians in neighboring countries. On March 8, 2023, the U.S. pledged $55 million to provide food assistance to over 460,000 Syrian refugees in Jordan.
Water and Sanitation in Syria
The destruction of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities caused by the Syrian conflict led to an acute water crisis for the people of Syria, and approximately 7.6 million people are in urgent need of WASH services. Syria’s shortage of WASH capacity is also responsible for the nation’s vulnerability to waterborne diseases, such as the recent cholera outbreak centered around northwestern Syria where numerous refugee camps are located.
USAID is working with UNICEF and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to provide WASH assistance to Syrians. The operational strategies range from water trucking and distributing essential hygiene items to installing small-scale sanitation facilities like handwashing stations and latrines. Currently, a total of 15 USAID-partnered NGOs are operating in Syria and are providing critical aid to communities and refugee camps.
Employment Aid in Syria
The prolonged armed conflict and widespread displacement severely damaged the economy of Syria, with a total loss in GDP from 2011 to 2016 estimated at around $226 billion. Currently, 90% of the population in Syria lives below the poverty line, and the value of the Syrian pound (SYP) has dropped by 97% from 2013 to 2023. Also, from 2019 to 2021, the prices for basic food items soared by 800%.
USAID’s Syria Livelihoods Program is helping Syrians find stable job opportunities and improve their financial security. The main goal of the program is to “expand viable economic opportunities for Syrians and help communities build resilience against extremist influences and economic shocks”, according to USAID’s website.
What Lies Ahead
There is still much work that needs to be done in order to resolve Syria’s massive humanitarian crisis. The ongoing civil war continues to cost lives and drive Syrians out of their homes, while food insecurity remains a major obstacle to improving the quality of life in Syria.
Nonetheless, USAID programs in Syria are playing a crucial role in supporting millions of Syrians through difficult times, while also showing the importance of continuous foreign aid in maintaining long-term stability.
– Junoh Seo
Photo: USAID
Water For People: 30 Years in Progress
How Does Water For People Work?
Since 2011, Water For People’s strategy has centered on the concept of “Everyone Forever.” Recognizing the limitations of short-term solutions to the problem of water insecurity, the organization emphasizes developing secure, sustainable water supplies and equipping communities with the knowledge and resources necessary to maintain their water infrastructure over time. Its goal is to ensure that “every family, clinic and school in a district” has reliable access to clean drinking water and sanitation services forever: the progress continues rather than fading away in a couple of decades.
The organization concentrates on several core priorities. The number one priority is clean water. Working with local authorities, the organization manages water systems, arranges water supply chains and builds new facilities. It also works to implement safe sanitation and hygiene. In addition to helping families access affordable toilets, Water For People supports the development of local sanitation businesses and waste management systems and educates communities on safe sanitation and hygiene practices. In 2019 alone, the organization educated 269,361 people about safe hygiene, which included providing menstrual hygiene training and resources to help keep girls in school.
Where Does Water For People Help?
Since 1991, the organization has aided communities in more than 40 countries around the world. In 2011, the organization decided to narrow its focus to provide optimal support. Currently, Water For People operates in nine countries: Guatemala, Honduras, Peru, Bolivia, Uganda, Rwanda, Malawi, Tanzania and India.
In each of these countries, the organization targets districts most in need. While it is actively adding new districts within these countries, the organization’s largest presence is currently in India, where its work in 10 districts has provided more than 1.5 billion people with continuous access to drinking water. In Bolivia, the organization has secured the water supply for 82,706 people across eight districts, and, in Guatemala, for 102,607 people across four districts. With three districts each in Honduras and Peru, it has helped guarantee reliable access to clean water for 55,216 Hondurans and 40,000 Peruvians, respectively.
In Africa, the organization operates in four countries. It has established reliable water services for more than a million people in Rwanda, which has five districts. In Malawi, the organization operates in three districts, providing water for 1,435,599 people. Its work in Uganda has secured clean water for almost half a million people across two districts. Water For People is having a growing impact in Tanzania, where it has been working to improve water access for rural communities in Mpwapwa and began adding new districts in 2022.
What Are the Prospects?
In 2015, the United Nations set a sixth Sustainable Development Goal (SDG): Clean Water and Sanitation. The goal is to ensure access to safe drinking water and sanitation services for everyone around the world by 2030. Water For People, in collaboration with the International Rescue Committee (IRC), developed the “Destination 2030” plan to help achieve SDG 6 on time. The joint initiative aims to speed progress toward universal safe water access and sanitation services by helping at least 200 million people in 20 countries.
The organization’s Three Year Strategic Plan for 2022-2024 is a stepping stone in this plan. Focusing on subgoals grouped under Purpose and Foundation, it outlines the immediate strategy to impact at least 12 countries, reach 25 million people nationally and help six million people locally.
During its 30 years of operation, Water For People has achieved concrete results. Working for both quality and quantity, the organization continues to set specific, achievable goals and move toward them.
– Anna Konovalenko
Photo: Flickr
A Success Story: Education Plan in Kenya
Government Spending
The Kenyan government has prioritized strategies and funding to increase access to education. In 2003, it introduced a policy that made primary education free for all pupils. The policy caused an immediate spike in the number of young Kenyans entering the education system, with statistics demonstrating that it “increased attendance by almost 40% within four years.” In 2008, the government followed up with a free secondary school policy, increasing students’ likelihood of successfully moving all the way through the system.
Significantly, these policies have helped equip millions of Kenyan children with the skills and agency necessary to lead better lives. Before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, 93% of Kenya’s children were enrolled in primary education, which the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) identifies as “the bedrock of development.” Furthermore, Kenya’s education reforms have reduced the childcare demands placed on families, especially women, and allowed families to devote more of their time to work.
Diversification
Access to free, uninterrupted education has also allowed children to maximize the benefits of education, increasing their chances of entering universities or other institutions of higher education. Rejecting the idea that focusing solely on enrollment numbers is sufficient, the Kenyan education plan has emphasized diversifying subjects and ensuring that children have a wide variety of choices in their learning. Early secondary school children “take as many as 13 subjects” before narrowing their focus to eight subjects. Among these are Mathematics, English and Kiswahili (the native language of the Swahili people), which are compulsory for all secondary school students.
Kenya is Reaping the Rewards of its Education Plan
As children who began primary school in or around 2003 are now graduating from universities or completing tertiary education, Kenya is reaping the rewards of its efforts. Its investment in education initiatives has created new opportunities for Kenyan youth, paved the way for their future success and diversified and strengthened the country’s economy as a whole. Despite the challenges that the pandemic and climate shocks have posed, the World Bank estimated a 1.3% drop in Kenya’s poverty rate in 2022 and an average GDP growth of 5.2% in 2023-2024.
Looking Ahead
Kenya’s commitment to education has proven to be a powerful tool in reducing poverty and driving economic growth. The government’s investment in free primary and secondary education policies has significantly increased enrollment rates and literacy levels. By equipping millions of children with skills and opportunities, Kenya is reaping the rewards with a more educated and prosperous population, leading to positive economic indicators such as a decline in poverty rates and steady GDP growth.
The success of Kenya’s education plan over the past two decades can serve as an inspiration to other societies. It provides a blueprint of how government investment in education can strengthen local economies, boost employment, alleviate poverty and improve living standards for all.
– Charlie Valentine
Photo: Flickr
The Taimaka Project Tackles Child Malnutrition in Nigeria
Post-Harvest Loans
The Taimaka Project’s first success was inspired by randomized controlled trials in Kenya and Tanzania. There, researchers found that post-harvest loans generated a 29% and 40% investment return respectively, making these loans around twice as effective as cash transfers for raising incomes in times of need and hunger. In northeastern Nigeria, where Taimaka operates, smallholder farmers frequently find themselves compelled to sell their produce shortly after the September harvest. This arises from their inability to cover expenses and the fear of potential crop losses. The resultant price spikes equally impact consumers, exacerbating food insecurity during this difficult season.
Crowdfunding success allowed Taimaka founders to raise $10,000 and provide post-harvest loans and Purdue Improved Crop (PICS) bags to 50 households in northeastern Nigeria. As a result, farmers could capitalize on the 55% rise in crop prices over subsequent months. Within the first three years of this program, more than 1,000 families benefitted from an estimated $50,000 in additional income.
Community Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM)
Of the more than 45 million children suffering from malnutrition worldwide, estimates suggest that less than a third receive treatment. Those who survive the approximately 10 times higher mortality rate for children with severe acute malnutrition often go on to suffer from persistent health problems. Typically, these problems include neurodevelopmental complications and disruptions to academic development. Gombe, a state in Nigeria where the Taimaka Project operates was recently named “Nigeria’s poverty capital”, with 70% of its citizens living in poverty. The state has one of the “highest rates of stunting and malnutrition for under-five children” worldwide. According to a Taimaka report, approximately 32,000 children under 5 years old in Gombe suffer from the condition.
The Taimaka Project tackles the problem of malnutrition through a two-pronged approach. The first approach involves Taimaka’s CMAM program. This program offers community-based treatment services that alleviate the burdens of caregivers’ transportation, travel and hospitalization costs. Additionally, it provides weekly food and medication packages, with partnerships established with nearby hospitals for severe cases. Secondly, the Taimaka Project emphasizes innovation by conducting feasibility studies that aim to enhance treatment methods and reduce expenses.
CMAM Program Solutions
Some of the strategies that Taimaka uses in its CMAM program are as follows:
The Taimaka Project hopes that the expansion and application of these innovations can result in the prevention of up to 1,000 statewide deaths annually.
Cost Efficiency
The intertwined nature of malnutrition and poverty, as outlined by a 2020 study, suggests that both are “cause and consequence of each other.” Often, poverty leads to malnutrition, which in turn, affects the economic potential of a population. The Taimaka Project’s emphasis on malnutrition, alongside cost-effectiveness, enables the organization to address both issues simultaneously. Having already reached the WHO standard of a “very cost-effective” treatment, Taimaka set a goal in 2020 to reduce the cost-per-life saved by a further 10% by 2025. According to the organization, a 1% reduction in treatment costs would “free up over $3.4 million currently spent globally on treatment. And this would also facilitate the treatment of an additional 50,000 children.”
Looking Ahead
In just a few years, the Taimaka Project has gone on to earn funding and acclaim from organizations like the Founders Pledge and USAID. It also won the D-prize in 2020 for its first project, pledging to “put ideas to the test and confidently share them with others.” These events inspire hope and suggest that Taimaka’s success can be replicated around the world and lead to more progress in the alleviation of malnutrition and poverty.
– Helene Schlichter
Photo: Flickr
Illegal Kidney Trade in Nepal: Disregard for Human Dignity
According to a CNN report, Nepal witnesses up to 7,000 illegal kidney transplant cases each year. Many of the individuals involved in these transactions come from low-income backgrounds, driven by the need to repay debts or earn a livelihood. In the village of Hokse, commonly referred to as Nepal’s “Kidney Valley,” more than 300 residents have sold their kidneys for as little as $500 to $3,000.
Reasons Behind the Illegal Kidney Trade in Nepal
The Lifelong Harm
The kidneys play a vital role in filtering and detoxifying the body. The absence of one kidney can profoundly affect the body, as the remaining kidney must shoulder an increased workload. Consequently, individuals who sell their kidneys face the risk of life-threatening conditions such as renal failure. Furthermore, illegal kidney transplants lack the presence of qualified medical personnel and sterile equipment, resulting in potential infections, blood loss and other irreparable health complications.
Ongoing Efforts
The Indian government has introduced Bipanna Nagarik Kosh, a program aimed at providing financial aid to individuals suffering from serious illnesses, including cancer, kidney failure and other diseases. According to the Department of Health Services, the government has allocated over Rs2 billion for this initiative, with kidney diseases accounting for more than 52% of the expenditure. In January 2023, the Prime Minister of India announced plans to enhance the capacity of the National Human Organ Transplant Center (HOTC). Additionally, the Health Ministry has partnered with more than 50 NGO-operated hospitals, nursing homes and dialysis centers nationwide to offer free dialysis services and financial support for transplants and treatments for patients with kidney ailments.
Despite these efforts, Nepal’s National Human Rights Commissioner has raised concerns about the lack of attention from the Nepalese government and international humanitarian agencies regarding this issue. This negligence continues to expose numerous innocent Nepalis to the perils of the illegal kidney trade, making them vulnerable victims.
Looking Ahead
The illegal kidney trade in Nepal is an ongoing issue. However, there is a glimmer of hope as dedicated efforts seek to address this pressing issue. These initiatives, backed by substantial funding, demonstrate a commitment to improving the lives of those affected. The hope is to create a safe and prosperous society where the people of Nepal never have to consider trading organs for survival.
– Mingjun Hou
Photo: Pixabay
Child Marriage in the Central African Republic
Child marriage rates in the Central African Republic are the second-highest globally. According to Girls Not Brides, among girls in the Central African Republic, 61% marry before their 18th birthday and 26% marry before they turn 15 years of age. As for young men or boys, 28% marry before the age of 18. There are several factors that contribute to this problem, and below is a look into some of them.
Factors Contributing to Child Marriage in the Central African Republic
Measures To Prevent Child Marriage
In the Central African Republic, children under the age of 18 have no legal permission to marry due to the 1992 Convention on the Rights of the Child. The government is responsible for ensuring that every person has the right to freely consent to marriage. The Central African Republic has also implemented additional laws to prevent early and forced marriages.
The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), an international agreement that prohibits discrimination against women, was signed in 1991 and requires all states to ensure free and full consent to marriage. This convention has established a legal framework for the protection of children’s rights in the Central African Republic, particularly in regard to marriage. Furthermore, CEDAW has aided in eradicating all types of discrimination against women in the country.
While the Central African Republic has committed to achieving Goal 5 of the Sustainable Development Goals, which calls for eliminating child marriage, forced marriage and female genital mutilation by 2030, High-level political forums are yet to provide updates on progress.
Conclusion
The Central African Republic’s ability to enforce laws protecting children appears to be weak due to a lack of resources, inadequate funding for initiatives and unstable economic conditions, leaving women and girls vulnerable to violence. Addressing gender inequality and harmful practices, such as child marriage, can be challenging in cultures where such practices are traditional.
It is much easier for girls who are married as children to become victims of physical and sexual violence from their partners because their lack of rights and power over their lives makes them more vulnerable to such violence. This vulnerability may lead to long-term psychological and physical effects. Hence, public awareness campaigns and education could play a major role in creating real and lasting change in the fight against child marriage in the Central African Republic.
– Simran Raghav
Photo: Flickr