Ukraine has been suffering since Feb. 24, 2022, due to Vladimir Putin’s attack. Despite the ongoing conflict, it can be seen how foreign aid is helping Ukraine, with record-breaking support from all over the world.
Humanitarian Aid
There was a 13.1% increase in Official Development Assistance (ODA) following the Ukraine attack, as developed countries began offering aid. It is one of the biggest increases ever in ODA. That’s a total of $16.1 billion in comparison to 2021’s $918 million. Humanitarian aid has been donated in many ways from many countries, an example of which can be admired through the organisation British Ukrainian Aid.
British Ukrainian Aid is a grassroots charity that sees 100% of its donations go towards supplying essential equipment and support to “emergency and relief operations” in Ukraine. All employees are volunteers who surrender their free time to the projects of British Ukrainian Aid. A £100 donation will purchase a First Aid Kit, while £8,000 buys an ambulance. Donations can be put towards other pieces of equipment including tourniquets, portable generators, and ready-heat blankets (with temperatures dropping below freezing, cold weather equipment is growing more critical). So far, the charity has inspired enough donations to provide Ukraine with 26,086 First Aid Kits, 108 ambulances, 26,583 tourniquets, 11 portable generators and 1,038 ready-heat blankets.
Military Support
The United States has donated $46.6 billion in military aid to Ukraine since February 2022, making it the country that has pledged the most military aid to Ukraine. The United Kingdom comes in second with £5.1 billion, however, both donations amount to approximately 0.2% of each country’s Global Domestic Product (GDP). Relatively, it can be argued that Ukraine’s neighbours, though smaller in size and sum, have provided more military assistance. Estonia donated 1.1% of its GDP and Latvia 0.9% of its GDP. An example of how these countries are offering their aid can be conveyed through a training programme created by the UK: Operation Interflex.
Operation Interflex provides a five-week training course for Ukrainian military personnel at a secret location in England. The goal is to equip 30,000 Ukrainian soldiers with the basics of British infantry skills. So far, around 7,400 have undergone training, with another 1,900 currently in the midst of it. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced on Nov. 9, 2022 that returning Ukrainian soldiers would be provided with the following:
– Extreme cold weather kits and clothing
– Heavy duty sleeping bags
– Insulated tents
– Combat clothing, body armour and ear defence
– First aid kits
Shelter To Ukrainians
Since the war began, thousands of Ukrainians have fled into the welcoming arms of developed countries. Italy has taken in over 100,000 refugees, finding space through the sufficient strategy of “seizing over 40,000 properties from the Mafia, as part of their anti-corruption campaign.” Alice Parma, mayor of Santarcangelo, shares her belief that providing shelter for refugees in such houses would redeem their violent history. She stated, “By giving them social value, we are also helping resolve darker elements of our town’s past.”
The top three countries housing the most refugees are:
– Poland: 2,451,342
– Romania: 643,058
– Republic of Moldova: 394,740
Russian Anti-War Committee
Ask the majority of Russians and they would disagree with the statement they are at war with Ukraine. It is their belief that the attack on Ukraine is Vladimir Putin’s alone. In opposition to the war started by Putin, the Russian Anti-War Committee was formed. The committee primarily shows their support for Ukraine through continuous protests against their president. Recently, tens of thousands of Russians took part in a protest on February 2023. The Russian Anti-War Committee website states, “It was not the Russians who started this war, but a mad dictator. But it is our civic duty to do everything we can to stop it.”
Conclusion
As Ukraine continues to suffer under Vladimir Putin’s attack, it is comforting to acknowledge how foreign aid is helping Ukraine. Aid from around the world was quick to kick into action. The only hope now is that it continues to grow.
– Jenny Boxall
Photo: Flickr
Health Care in Sri Lanka Calls on International Aid
Sri Lanka imports 85% of its medical supplies. With the foreign currency reserves running low, essentials are becoming hard to obtain.
As the health care system is “nearing collapse,” patients are at risk due to shortages in equipment, medication and power. The United Nations News gave readers a first-hand experience from Ruchika, a pregnant Sri Lankan who has to scavenge for essentials. In her story, she explains what it is like to try to obtain fuel for a trip to the hospital and the possibility of her having to search for supplies to have a safe birth.
Exacerbating Health Crisis in Sri Lanka
The health crisis in Sri Lanka is draining doctors, leaving them to prepare for the worst. Without international help, they fear a health catastrophe is approaching soon.
The largest doctor’s union on the island, the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA), calls on international outlets to donate supplies and places the blame for the health crisis in Sri Lanka on poor economic and financial management. The GMOA published a list of items the country’s health sector desperately needed, such as antibiotics, antidepressants, paracetamol and blood pressure medicine.
As supply numbers drop, medical staff in Sri Lanka are involuntarily suspending non-essential procedures. Low supplies force medical staff to reuse and ration equipment, which can raise sanitary concerns, placing many at risk.
Response to the Crisis
This health crisis in Sri Lanka has forced tens of thousands to protest as food and fuel prices skyrocket. Doctors, nurses and medical students are joining in these demonstrations as they are also frustrated with the government stating that they can’t speak openly to the media about the situation.
To respond to the escalating health crisis in Sri Lanka, the World Health Organization (WHO) is working to help the health care system. The WHO supports the delivery of essentials to “sustain the availability of critical lifesaving medical care for all.” This support is accomplished through financial assistance and donations of medications and supplies worth $7.1 million in 2022. The organization also provided an additional $1.5 million with assistance from the U.S. Department of State. The funding helps strengthen the Sri Lankan health care system.
Sri Lanka still faces a pressing demand to import essential medicine and supplies as well as help from partners.
Sri Lanka has a long way to go before it can reobtain its title as a role model for health and development. However, it is possible if international aid continues to help.
– Brianna Green
Photo: Flickr
Digital Innovation in the Philippines
In 2020, when COVID-19 hit the Philippines, it highlighted the need for improved digital infrastructure across the country to aid in its economic recovery. However, it was evident that many individuals and businesses had poor internet connectivity and usage. To recover from the financial impact of COVID-19 and work toward a vision of a poverty-free society by 2040, the Philippines aimed to harness the potential of an efficient digital infrastructure that would transform how the country conducted business.
The Digital Divide
In the Philippines, over half of the population is considered internet-poor due to the Digital Divide. This factors in their ability to afford the minimum mobile phone package, which means that more than 58 million Filipinos cannot purchase one gigabyte of mobile data per month.
The Philippines aimed to initiate a new era of digital innovation, which required connecting most rural households to the internet and promoting its use to achieve an inclusive, productive digital economy. This would also support the country’s goal of significantly reducing poverty.
Policies to Facilitate the Digital Economy
In a bid to provide internet connectivity throughout the country, the government focused on creating an affordable, efficient and accessible digital infrastructure for both businesses and individuals. These policies aimed to make the use of digital markets accessible and cost-effective. Also, the government had to encourage the adoption of digital platforms in a country that had traditionally relied on analog methods of doing business. The following are strategies the government implemented to achieve the digital economy goals.
Impacts so Far
Looking at the everyday lives of Filipinos can offer some insights into the impact of Digital Innovation in the Philippines. For decades, the Digital Divide caused significant inequalities in access to social and economic services. In recent times, however, there have been hopes of minimizing or alleviating such inequalities through ongoing efforts.
For many of the country’s citizens, better internet access opens up the paths to socio-economic opportunities in the online world. And this also applies to those living in rural areas.
The economic significance of improved digital infrastructure is also evident in the steady increase of the Digital Economy’s GDP share value. Digital innovation in the Philippines has led to more inclusive and productive growth, encouraging greater participation from previously excluded individuals. Additionally, opening new markets for people and SMEs has increased cash flows, pushing the country closer to its goal of reducing poverty.
Google services, specifically Google Pay and Google Ads, have also played a significant role in digital innovation in the Philippines by providing businesses and workers with IT training and safe internet practices. Their services have been said to have had a prominent influence on the country’s financial economy post-pandemic.
The Future of Digitalization
Digital innovation in the Philippines continues to positively impact the country’s economy by equipping individuals and businesses with digital capabilities while connecting different regions to broader international markets. It is also promoting the use of e-commerce platforms, leading to higher productivity and inclusivity. While it is yet to fulfill the goal of creating a poverty-free Filipino society, the results so far signal hope for the future.
– Ariana Mortazavi
Photo: Flickr
How Foreign Aid Is Helping Ukraine
Humanitarian Aid
There was a 13.1% increase in Official Development Assistance (ODA) following the Ukraine attack, as developed countries began offering aid. It is one of the biggest increases ever in ODA. That’s a total of $16.1 billion in comparison to 2021’s $918 million. Humanitarian aid has been donated in many ways from many countries, an example of which can be admired through the organisation British Ukrainian Aid.
British Ukrainian Aid is a grassroots charity that sees 100% of its donations go towards supplying essential equipment and support to “emergency and relief operations” in Ukraine. All employees are volunteers who surrender their free time to the projects of British Ukrainian Aid. A £100 donation will purchase a First Aid Kit, while £8,000 buys an ambulance. Donations can be put towards other pieces of equipment including tourniquets, portable generators, and ready-heat blankets (with temperatures dropping below freezing, cold weather equipment is growing more critical). So far, the charity has inspired enough donations to provide Ukraine with 26,086 First Aid Kits, 108 ambulances, 26,583 tourniquets, 11 portable generators and 1,038 ready-heat blankets.
Military Support
The United States has donated $46.6 billion in military aid to Ukraine since February 2022, making it the country that has pledged the most military aid to Ukraine. The United Kingdom comes in second with £5.1 billion, however, both donations amount to approximately 0.2% of each country’s Global Domestic Product (GDP). Relatively, it can be argued that Ukraine’s neighbours, though smaller in size and sum, have provided more military assistance. Estonia donated 1.1% of its GDP and Latvia 0.9% of its GDP. An example of how these countries are offering their aid can be conveyed through a training programme created by the UK: Operation Interflex.
Operation Interflex provides a five-week training course for Ukrainian military personnel at a secret location in England. The goal is to equip 30,000 Ukrainian soldiers with the basics of British infantry skills. So far, around 7,400 have undergone training, with another 1,900 currently in the midst of it. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced on Nov. 9, 2022 that returning Ukrainian soldiers would be provided with the following:
– Extreme cold weather kits and clothing
– Heavy duty sleeping bags
– Insulated tents
– Combat clothing, body armour and ear defence
– First aid kits
Shelter To Ukrainians
Since the war began, thousands of Ukrainians have fled into the welcoming arms of developed countries. Italy has taken in over 100,000 refugees, finding space through the sufficient strategy of “seizing over 40,000 properties from the Mafia, as part of their anti-corruption campaign.” Alice Parma, mayor of Santarcangelo, shares her belief that providing shelter for refugees in such houses would redeem their violent history. She stated, “By giving them social value, we are also helping resolve darker elements of our town’s past.”
The top three countries housing the most refugees are:
– Poland: 2,451,342
– Romania: 643,058
– Republic of Moldova: 394,740
Russian Anti-War Committee
Ask the majority of Russians and they would disagree with the statement they are at war with Ukraine. It is their belief that the attack on Ukraine is Vladimir Putin’s alone. In opposition to the war started by Putin, the Russian Anti-War Committee was formed. The committee primarily shows their support for Ukraine through continuous protests against their president. Recently, tens of thousands of Russians took part in a protest on February 2023. The Russian Anti-War Committee website states, “It was not the Russians who started this war, but a mad dictator. But it is our civic duty to do everything we can to stop it.”
Conclusion
As Ukraine continues to suffer under Vladimir Putin’s attack, it is comforting to acknowledge how foreign aid is helping Ukraine. Aid from around the world was quick to kick into action. The only hope now is that it continues to grow.
– Jenny Boxall
Photo: Flickr
Addressing Homelessness in South Africa
Unemployment Rates in South Africa
Unemployment rates in South Africa have increased in recent years, rising from 24.3% in 2020 to 28.8% in 2021. With scarce employment opportunities to secure an income, people are plunged into poverty. This, in turn, leads to higher rates of homelessness in South Africa at large. A survey conducted by the Unit for Street Homelessness at the University of Pretoria in collaboration with the Tshwane Homelessness Forum and the City of Tshwane in October 2022 found that unemployment was the primary reason for the high number of homeless people in the City of Tshwane, Pretoria.
The Role of Apartheid
The apartheid era plays a significant role in the issues of homelessness and landlessness that have been affecting South Africans. During apartheid, the government forcibly removed non-whites from their lands and pushed them into subpar neighborhoods known as “townships.”
But, decades since the abolishment of apartheid, “land distribution and economic inequity remain unresolved,” Africanews reports. Since 1994, the end of the apartheid era and the beginning of the first democratic elections, the South African government has been trying to address the housing crisis by providing low-income families with homes funded by the state. The government has constructed more than 3 million low-cost houses since the end of apartheid to address the need for housing, but the affordable housing shortage still amounts to about 3.7 million houses.
Close to 13% of South Africans live in shacks or informal settlements, according to 2019 data from the government. People from rural areas have migrated to urban city centers for better job opportunities and access to quality schooling and health care services. But, the infrastructure in these cities has struggled to keep up with increasing population numbers.
Homelessness in South Africa’s Two Wealthiest Cities
South Africa is a country of great economic disparity. Johannesburg, located in the North East of the country, is the country’s wealthiest city. Cape Town, nestled on the West Coast, is the country’s second-richest city. Together, the cities share a private wealth of more than $400 billion.
Despite their wealth, rates of homelessness in Johannesburg and Cape Town are high. Johannesburg has an estimated 15,000 rough sleepers, according to local media outlet GroundUp, and Cape Town has more than 5,000 homeless people. Unemployment rates and a lack of adequate and affordable housing for the poor in these cities contribute to the unequal distribution of wealth, made visible on the streets. South Africa has the largest gap between rich and poor in the world. According to TIME magazine in 2021, 85% of the country’s wealth is owned by the wealthiest 10% of the population, a result of apartheid as “the world’s most egregious racial divide has turned into its most extreme economic disparity.”
Taking Action
A remedy to homelessness in South Africa is affordable housing and accessible shelters, particularly in Johannesburg and Cape Town. The Johannesburg Homelessness Network is a charity that offers a space to stay for homeless people in the city. The organization takes a multidimensional approach to helping the homeless, providing mental health support and medical care as well as shelter.
Launched in 2018, Cape Town’s program, Safe Spaces, also offers low-cost, secure shelter for the homeless and access to basic health services and amenities. The City of Cape Town plans to commit R77 million in 2023 and R230 million for the next three years, totaling a 62% increase in funding, toward the Safe Spaces program to help homeless residents, according to Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.
Considering the facts, consistent government efforts could prove vital in alleviating poverty and homelessness in South Africa and enable affected citizens to access better living standards.
– Eloïse Jones
Photo: Flickr
SCOPE Cards for Success
How the Cards Work
To receive a SCOPE card, individuals are required to provide basic personal information such as name, age, gender and biometric data in the form of a fingerprint. This helps the WFP keep track of recipients, prevent fraudulent activities like duplicate cards or false identities and ensure that resources reach the intended parties. When collecting monthly allowances using the SCOPE card, recipients use their fingerprints and personal codes for verification. The cards work for withdrawals in the form of cash or digital vouchers and beneficiaries can also use mobile phones to complete transactions.
Every time a beneficiary makes a purchase in a store using a SCOPE card, the system establishes an electronic connection to verify the individual’s identity, records the transaction and deducts the cost from the balance. This process also provides the WFP with valuable feedback on the purchased foods and products, enabling them to adapt and respond to needs and deliver consistent support efficiently.
SCOPE in Somalia
In response to ongoing severe droughts in Somalia, which displaced almost one million individuals and left more than three million people seeking humanitarian aid, the European Union (EU) and its Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Department (ECHO) gave the WFP almost €18 million to use as financial aid in 2017.
Initially, over 40,000 families received support through e-vouchers for food. The subsequent introduction of SCOPE cards and monthly cash withdrawals has given individuals more freedom in choosing how they spend and provided new investment opportunities in areas like education and healthcare.
The WFP shares success stories such as Habiba’s, who struggled to earn $8 a month from occasional washing jobs she found after being forced to move to Mogadishu. However, the $80 a month she receives from ECHO is now a “lifeline” for her. Moreover, the “added value of supporting and stimulating local trade in areas where markets continue to function” offers promise for individuals, families and communities.
SCOPE in Iraq
SCOPE has also been implemented in Iraq to support the over three million conflict-displaced citizens alongside thousands of Syrian refugees. With more than $32 million in funding from ECHO, the project launched in the northern Kurdish region of Akre, a hotspot of Syrian and Iraqi families seeking shelter. Iraq’s WFP Country Director hailed the program as a “turning point.”
WFP’s SCOPE cards, cash and vouchers and food collection points have made significant progress in alleviating food insecurity and enabling families to prioritize other needs during times of crisis. Currently, 70,000 Syrian refugees and nearly half of all displaced Iraqis are receiving WFP assistance.
Looking Ahead
SCOPE cards show how new technologies and innovative systems can constantly improve the reach and efficiency of efforts that aim to alleviate hunger and poverty. The WFP continues to roll out initiatives in refugee camps and other places around the world, giving underserved populations access to the support they need.
– Helene Schlichter
Photo: Flickr
Renewable Energy in Singapore: ESS
What Is An ESS?
The Energy Storage System (ESS) stores renewable energy in Singapore so that it wouldn’t go to waste. It provides a relatively reliable source of energy from renewable sources when environmental conditions prevent its immediate generation. Typically the energy is stored in batteries, which run on charge and discharge cycles so that eco-friendly energy is released during times of peak electricity demand. Sembcorp’s ESS comprises of more than 800 lithium iron phosphate batteries, which have high energy density, fast response time and high round-trip efficiency, making them perfect for efficient energy storage and release on demand. A central control station controls the charge and discharge times of the hundreds of batteries, responding to peak times of supply and demand in Singapore. This means that eco-friendly energy is powering people’s daily lives, even when renewable energy in Singapore is not being actively generated.
Why Is It So Valuable For Singapore?
Singapore has traditionally found it hard to establish reliable sources of renewable energy due to its tropical climate. Wind speeds are not high enough for wind turbines to operate productively and it lacks a fast-flowing river or sufficient sea space that can be used to generate hydroelectric power. In 2021, nonrenewable sources of energy, namely oil, coal and gas made up 99.6% of the nation’s consumption. Therefore, the Sembcorp ESS represents a major advancement in the search for sustainable renewable energy in Singapore. Even in the face of mostly bad weather year-round, the ESS will ensure that eco-friendly sources of energy are at hand, even if only temporarily.
The Sembcorp ESS has a maximum storage capacity of 285 Megawatt hour (MWh). It claims that it is able to provide one full day’s worth of electricity to 24,000 Housing & Development Board (HDB) households in a single discharge. This equates to around 2% of total HDB households and 1.7% of total households in Singapore. While this number may not seem significant, Singapore’s ESS, Southeast Asia’s largest, is a sign of its commitment to tackling global issues like changing weather patterns and poverty.
How This Helps Singapore’s Poor
Singapore’s efforts to increase the general availability of renewable energy can help to address its low-income population’s struggles to meet the increasing costs of living. Very little is known about Singapore’s poor because the government is yet to implement an official poverty line. MP Janus Lim of the Singapore Workers’ Party brought up this problem in Parliament on April 17 this year, noting the lack of attention given to low-income Singaporeans precisely because of the dearth of information about them. Notably, in bringing the hardships of Singapore’s poor to light, Mr Lim focused on their difficulty to meet increasing necessity costs in a society still recovering from the effects of Covid-19. He stated that inflation “continues to eat away at incomes” and that the lowest-income workers’ expenses have grown nearly five and a half times faster than their salaries.
Rising energy costs worldwide in recent years are at the heart of Singapore’s inflationary problems. As the cost of energy goes up, the costs of production of many items have also increased. Consumers are more often than not forced to bear the burden of these increased costs. In Singapore, this is clearly happening without a proportionate rise in wages at all levels of the economy. Singapore’s ESS may alleviate energy costs in the long term. As renewable energy becomes a larger source of energy consumption in Singapore, the country will begin to decrease its historically complete reliance on oil and gas, much of which it imports. This means that over time, Singapore’s dependence on the global market for oil will go down, leading to stabilized energy costs and costs of living.
Singapore As a Role Model
While Singapore’s ESS is yet to bear statistical fruit, its investment in this significant project will alleviate poverty and improve the country’s sustainability. While energy prices worldwide are finally starting to deflate after the global crises of the late 2010s and early 2020s, they will remain too high for many of the world’s poor. Mr Lim’s comments show this to be true of Singapore, despite it being a country which most outsiders regard as one of the wealthiest in the world.
Improving access to renewable energy may be an expensive solution that may not yield immediate results, however, this is precisely why wealthy trend-setter countries like the U.S. and U.K. should invest more in these projects. By leading a potential global movement to increase worldwide access to and usage of renewable energy, future generations of global citizens will no longer have to worry about price fluctuations when the dominant energy sources of today, non-renewables, become scarce. If anything, Singapore’s success over time is proof that change does not have to come immediately.
– Tiffany Chan
Photo: Flickr
Agricultural Investment in Uganda
Despite the high agricultural activities in Uganda, the country uses only 35% of its arable land for cultivation. Under conditions of maximum utility, the U.N.’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that Uganda’s agricultural sector could feed 200 million people.
The following are five ways that agricultural investment in Uganda is bringing about economic growth and poverty reduction.
Looking Ahead
Agricultural investment in Uganda has become a key point of focus for the EU and U.N. and these five initiatives evidence a specific interest in maximizing Uganda’s agropastoral capabilities. Improving Uganda’s capacity to aid agropastoral households and SMEs could serve as an impactful poverty reduction measure that also stimulates economic growth and alleviates food insecurity.
– Jennifer Preece
Photo: Flickr
COVID-19’s Impact on Poverty in Estonia
Poverty Before and After COVID-19
In 2018, before the pandemic, Estonia’s poverty rate was at its lowest, with only 20% of the country’s population living in poverty. When the pandemic hit in 2019, this number rose to about 60%.
Although Estonia initially had a strong COVID-19 rebound, it eventually encountered a quick and rapid decline in monetary aspects. It experienced a decline in the labor market, which contributed to an increase in poverty. The labor shortage issues have been causing steady price inflation since 2021.
Approximately 75% of Estonians aged 65 or older live in relative poverty, while the poverty rate for women has surged by around 10%. In 2021, 22.8% of Estonians were at risk of poverty. And the number of individuals who were already living in poverty escalated by approximately 2.2% after 2020.
The absolute poverty rate in Estonia is up to 5% as of 2021. The majority of those in absolute poverty are between the age range of 18 to 24 years old.
The heightened poverty rates in Estonia stem directly from the rise in unemployment rates. In 2020, job availability declined, causing many Estonians to lose their employment. Furthermore, certain industries, including social affairs, health care and education, faced difficulty in hiring qualified personnel to fill open positions.
Recovery Efforts
One positive aspect of Estonia’s situation is its existing digital infrastructure, which allowed the country to adapt more seamlessly to the rapid shift toward technology during the COVID-19 pandemic. The country’s advanced technological landscape has facilitated significant improvements in the areas of health and education.
By virtue of digital advancements, Estonia’s public services were able to continue operating without significant disruption during the pandemic. The country launched its e-Cabinet initiative in 2000, transitioning decision-making processes from paper-based documents to digital systems. This initiative was further strengthened in 2020, with minimal negative effects on Estonians, who were already familiar with these technological innovations.
Additionally, Estonia improved its healthcare system by utilizing its expertise in technological innovations. The country developed apps like the ViVeo Health app, which allowed Estonians to connect with health care professionals through video calls.
Measures that Aided Estonians During COVID-19
Between March 2020 and December 2021, the European Commission approved millions of euros on multiple occasions toward schemes that aim to help Estonia recover from the impact of the pandemic.
In addition to the European Commission’s donations, the Estonian government authorized a budget support package that was applied across several agencies and sectors. This support budget resulted in a 9% boost to the gross domestic product from 2018.
Estonia also preordered vaccines from various suppliers to ensure securing enough for its entire population.
Looking Ahead
Overall, COVID-19’s impact on poverty in Estonia has been far-reaching. COVID-19 caused an increase in unemployment and a decrease in job availability, ultimately leading to a rise in poverty rates. However, despite these negative impacts, Estonia continues to make progress in recovering from COVID-19. The country is benefitting from aid from the European Commission, improved fiscal support systems and strong digital advancements.
– Merlis Burgos-Ramos
Photo: Flickr
Vocational Education and Training in Palestine
United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA)
The UNRWA is a U.N. agency that supports Palestinian refugees. The agency offers its support through vocational training and education offered to young Palestinian refugees. It manages eight training centers with semi-professional, trade and short-term courses in a variety of specializations that aim to prepare students for local employment. The region’s economic and social stability benefits from the specializations which include construction, nursing, hairdressing and fashion. The program has recorded significant success, reaching more than 123,000 graduates as of 2020. Even more, graduates of the program enjoy high success rates in finding employment or self-employment.
The UNRWA also supports young women through its training program. Out of the 7,930 trainees who graduated from the program in 2021, more than 3,500 were female.
Lutheran World Federation Vocational Training Program
The Lutheran World Federation in Jerusalem runs another initiative tagged the Vocational Training Program (VTP). This initiative has served as one path for Palestinians to receive vocational training, even through programs specifically designed for blind students, since 1949.
The VTP works actively to strengthen gender equity in the region by providing culturally accepted training to young women. One such example is training in electronics and telecommunication. The graduating class in 2015, which had 227 students, was 20% female.
With two training centers in Ramallah and Beit Hanina, the VTP is able to train about 210 students every year in fields such as carpentry, auto mechanics and telecommunications. There are even on-site boarding options available for students who have difficulty accessing the schools due to checkpoints and the Separation Wall. Short courses are also available in villages and refugee camps.
East Jerusalem YMCA
The YMCA operates a Vocational Training Center in East Jerusalem that aims to reduce poverty and provide Palestinian youth with opportunities for personal and professional growth. In addition to vocational courses, the center offers career counseling, dormitory space and a daycare nursery. These amenities are particularly beneficial for young women seeking enrollment in the program.
Graduates of Vocational Education and Training in Palestine have improved expectations for their future. In fact, 82% of graduates expect a better chance of finding employment while a higher 88% expect to start earning income after completing their programs.
These high expectations happen to be evident in employment rates too. While roughly 30% of Palestinian youth are employed or seeking employment, the number is 90% for Vocational Education and Training graduates.
Hope for Palestinians
Providing individuals with access to education and training could help in reducing poverty, as it presents an opportunity for personal and professional growth. In Palestine, education and vocational training play a vital role in providing youth with the means to build a better future. The region boasts several vocational training centers that offer equal opportunities for young Palestinians of any economic, disability or gender status to become qualified for employment within their communities.
– Christina Albrecht
Photo: Flickr
MobileODT: Cervical Cancer Screening Technologies
The Global Context of Cervical Cancer
In 2020, it is estimated that there were 604,000 new cases and 342,000 deaths from cervical cancer globally. Of those, 90% were thought to have been from low-and-middle-income countries. The highest mortality rates are seen in African countries, where rates can be as much as 10 times higher than those of higher-income countries.
Those in low-and-middle-income countries often face limited access to cervical cancer preventative measures, such as vaccinations and early detection screening programs. They also face a reduced availability of treatment options.
To achieve reduced cervical cancer instances, the WHO wants to screen 70% of women by age 35 and again by age 45. The organization aims to have 90% of girls vaccinated with the HPV vaccine by 15 years of age. To complete this by 2023, screening services in low-resource settings need to be addressed.
Cervical Cancer: Early Detection
A colposcopy is a procedure utilized by gynecologists to visualize the cervix. The colposcope acts as a microscope and, by using various stains, the gynecologist will assess the extent of any abnormality. This aids with diagnosis and treatment.
Colposcopy services are scarce in low-and-middle-income countries. One reason for this is the cost of the equipment. Traditional colposcopes can cost up to $15,000, making availability limited for the equipment required for screening.
MobileODT Innovations
MobileODT is a FemTech company revolutionizing the approach to cervical cancer screening by delivering affordable and practical health care innovations. The company has implemented its technology in over 50 countries to successfully screen more than 400,000 women.
The company has developed a smart colposcope – the EVAPro – which acts as a medical-grade case that can affix to a mobile phone. The case comes equipped with a light source and magnifying lens that enhances the ability of the phone camera, enabling it to act as a colposcope. This allows it to capture detailed images of cervical tissues.
The device is considerably cheaper than a traditional colposcope. At around $1,800, its use is widely accessible, particularly in low-resource settings. Furthermore, in countries with a shortage of trained gynecologists, nurses and midwives can easily use the device.
Innovations in women’s health technologies are vital to meet the World Health Organization’s targets. With devices like the EVAPro from MobileODT, women in low-resource settings are receiving essential screening.
– Jess Steward
Photo: Flickr