Humanitarian aid, a crucial resource in the global fight against poverty and disease and the most prominent crisis response is at a turning point as many within the field of humanitarian assistance are advocating for a new future for global aid. Humanitarian aid is often serves to address immediate needs in a crisis, focusing on people rather than development sectors, with the direct goal of saving lives and alleviating suffering. This aid is typically possible through the saturation of crisis zones with basic necessities like structures, food and medical supplies.
While the goals of humanitarian aid appear to involve straightforward resource distribution, the implementation often presents unforeseen challenges. Foreign responses to crises have been criticized for their shortcomings in cultural competency and the lack of proper infrastructure to effectively distribute these important resources. Recent experts in the field have advocated for a new structure for humanitarian aid to address these challenges and create a more sustainable vision.
Expert Report on Humanitarian Aid
A technical expert in protection projects spoke with The Borgen Project on the growingly prominent discourse regarding humanitarian aid. The source, who spent more than a decade abroad working on-site at the United Nations (U.N.) refugee camps in Greece, Tunisia and Myanmar, wishes to remain anonymous due to the sensitive nature of the work. She explains, “The problem with humanitarian aid is that, essentially, it is a relatively new field. Basic standards were not really established until the nineties. Because of that, the humanitarian field takes a lot of time to catch up to where many other fields are in terms of adapting to the times.”
The Evolution of Foreign Aid
While foreign aid is a concept that began long before the ’90s, the system in use by developed nations today is relatively new. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the primary U.S. aid organization, was not established until the 1960s and evolved into its current form in the early 2000s. Foreign aid has undergone many changes throughout the years to adapt to emerging political ideologies and needs. This expert believes another period of transformation is ongoing. Since COVID-19 affected the global economy, the need for aid and multidimensional aid in particular has increased.
The Potential Impact of Local Collaboration
The eighth Secretary-General of the U.N., Ban Ki-Moon, spoke of this issue in 2016, but there are no big changes yet. He explained that current conflict trends require a reimagining of future humanitarian action. “The starting point is a fundamental shift in our approach, away from crisis response and towards crisis prevention, by reducing vulnerabilities and managing risks,” he said. This can largely be accomplished by moving away from “individual projects with short term goals” and toward longer timelines that can be sustained within the community. He emphasized working with local actors and supporting existing support structures rather than replacing them amidst a crisis.
Ki-Moon’s beliefs are echoed by the technical expert as she explains, “So one of the things that, for example, is talked about a lot is trying to shift to needs-based and more tailored assistance based on what are the specific needs of the population rather than a blanket just assuming that, oh, everyone wants X, Y, Z, but in reality that is not the case.” Tailoring needs to a specific population can make a rapid response more complex, but it can also be the difference between effective and ineffective aid. If a larger organization adopts a ‘one size fits all’ approach to aid, it assumes the world is homogeneous. Understanding cultural differences and norms is crucial for respecting communities and ensuring that aid does more good than harm.
Comparing Long-term and Short-term Aid
By collaborating with local communities, it becomes possible to establish a longer-term support system. The technical expert points out that current humanitarian funding typically spans just one or two years, prompting discussions about the need for sustainable, extended programs. This entails adopting a more integrated approach, where humanitarian and development aid, two historically separate sectors, can be combined to create a more enduring vision. Instead of solely relying on reactive humanitarian assistance, humanitarian aid can be used to lay the foundation for the distribution of basic necessities. This approach enhances the effectiveness of reactive aid by integrating infrastructure and involving community members experienced in aid distribution from the outset.
Furthermore, short-term aid has limitations in its ability to support vulnerable populations. The expert explains, “When you have one year of funding, that does not really create long-term change when we are talking about soft sectors. So that is when I am talking about protection as a soft sector because it is making sure that you reduce the amount of gender-based violence or child abuse and you increase awareness of people’s rights and increase awareness about their land rights and stuff like that. So those things take a much longer time to be able to see that difference.” Crisis response can go beyond survival if the focus shifts to a more sustainable vision.
An interesting tool to establish these longer-term, local-based visions of aid is cash rather than resources. In the same address, Ki-Moon stated that the U.N. must add “cash payments based on risk analysis to the traditional mix.” Over the last decade, cash has increased and shown to be effective in the correct settings. It is handed directly to local populations who understand the exact needs of the community and do not need to be trained in cultural competency.
Looking Ahead
The transition toward cash is beneficial. She elaborates, “With cash, there is a lot of struggle between how to manage that to make sure that it is not causing harm and that it is not being exploited by different staff organizations or even the women and people who are vulnerable get it being able to access it if there is a head of household. So that is still being figured out, which is good, but it is not commonplace yet.” The shift to local, sustainable and cash-based aid endeavors may be challenging, but many argue it is the necessary step for the longevity of foreign aid programs.
-Nikki Bayat
Photo: Flickr
Human Trafficking in the Banks of Lake Volta
Trafficked children work rigorously, day and night, for their masters, with or without food. They often face the dangerous aspects of the work. During an interview with the Cable News Network (CNN), humanitarian photographer Lisa Kristine reported that every child she spoke to during a visit to the lake knew someone who had drowned. At that time, children who had died through trafficking were declared as dying from natural causes and policemen refused to initiate criminal charges against the culprits.
Risk Factors
Certain factors plunge young children, as young as 5 years old, into work. While for some parents, it is more about letting their children acquire important survival skills, for others, it is cultural. Certain ethnic groups, especially the ethnic groups closer to the sea, deem the involvement of children in fishing as a sociocultural activity.
The National Plan of Action for the Elimination of Human Trafficking in Ghana
Ghana has made certain efforts in its fight against trafficking. In March 2022, the 2022-2026 National Plan of Action (NPA) for the Elimination of Human Trafficking in Ghana was implemented to curb human trafficking through direct and indirect actions. According to the foreword of the plan, the NPA is a five-year strategic plan that serves as an interface and a guideline for all stakeholders working in the field of human trafficking. The NPA has 12 objectives: three for protection, prevention and partnership; two for prosecution and an objective for Monitoring, Evaluation and Research.
The Torkor Model to Curb Trafficking
A partnership agreement involving the General Agricultural Workers’ Union (GAWU) of Ghana, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Inland Canoe Fisher’s Association has been trailblazing in their effort to fight child labor prevalent in the fish supply chain in Torkor. Torkor is located on the eastern coast of Lake Volta. The Torkor model encompasses four key projects: the installation of a public address system that raises the community’s awareness and sensitivity to child labor; the establishment of ‘bridge’ schools to integrate child laborers; an efficient monitoring system to track the activities of children in and around the lake and the setup of women’s fish smoking and processing cooperatives that address the vital socioeconomic roles of women in society.
Help From Elsewhere
Apart from the government, nonprofit institutions like the International Justice Mission and Free the Slaves are actively contributing to the ongoing fight against child trafficking on the Lake in Ghana. Free the Slaves, through its Growing up Free Initiative, reorients survivors of trafficking on the Lake. The program encompasses strategies aimed at building the capacity of civil society organizations through training, education and community mobilization. The goal is to empower communities to recognize trafficked children, meet their basic needs and spearhead a change in attitudes within communities facing high rates of trafficking.
The IJM, on the other hand, advocates for trauma-informed justice in Ghana, collaborating with authorities and survivor-led groups to eradicate child trafficking through awareness and action. Ghana may not have made giant steps in its efforts to curb child trafficking on Lake Volta, but just like the ocean, these small drops of progress are pooling together to make a notable impact.
-Angela Agyeiwaa Darkwah
Photo: Flickr
Hunger in The Bahamas: Everything You Need To Know
The Facts
Surprising. The Bahamas is a country that is currently unable to produce enough food for its residents and relies heavily on imports. One out of every 10 Bahamians lives below the poverty line and experiences severe food insecurity. Many accessible foods are less healthy choices and often lead to early signs of hypertension and high blood pressure. A dozen eggs cost $7.50 on average. Meanwhile, residents who fall below the poverty line have less than $4 per day to spend on food. Agriculture lends no mercy to hunger in The Bahamas, as the country is covered in rock and limestone. Salty waters and soils make farming and growing crops difficult or impossible in some areas. The country grows many exotic fruits quite well and is in the process of improving farming practices and increasing produce overall.
The Fix
Education. Many people affected by hunger in The Bahamas are residents who lack formal education. Studies revealed that when the head of household has no formal education, the incidence of poverty is 25%. That number is almost cut in half when the head of household has a primary education. Families that have a head with some college and are living in poverty are less than 1%. Agricultural education is also essential to improving crop production within the country and lowering the need for imports and the overall cost of goods. Alternative farming techniques and improving irrigation are a few ways the region is looking to grow its food production. Other solutions include creating raised garden beds with imported soil and various hydroponic practices.
The Future
Promising. Numerous NGOs are working around the clock to help the fight against hunger and food insecurities. One major contributor to the success of the region is the Bahamas Feeding Network (BFN). Since 2013, the Bahamas Feeding Network has faithfully served the country and continues to make great strides in its fight against hunger in The Bahamas. Partnering with Fidelity Insurance, BFN has hosted two ‘Tee-Off for Hunger Golf Tournaments.’ The tournament raised enough money to provide 750,000 meals in 2023. Royal Caribbean International joined forces with the Bahamas Feeding Network in 2019 and has since raised more than $500,000 and fed countless families during the holidays. Educating residents and farmers are programs like Convoy of Hope. Convoy of Hope recently teamed with the University of Missouri College of Agriculture and together assisted local farmers with training sessions where specialists trained local growers on various practices for growing produce. Those growers then carry valuable new information and skills back to the region to teach others.
Looking Ahead
Many locals struggle to afford food and the agriculture of the region makes it difficult for sustainable produce to grow. Many practices are currently in place to alleviate the food insecurity issues Bahmaians are facing. Formal education is the most vital resource in combating hunger in The Bahamas. Teaching alternative farming practices and techniques also plays a significant role. Organizations like the Bahamas Feeding Network are critical in providing meals and assistance, while programs like Convoy of Hope help educate the future growers of the region with knowledge and advanced farming practices. These programs assist with the push toward The Bahamas being a more self-sustaining region and eliminating hunger in The Bahamas for good.
– Ryan Johnson
Photo: Pixabay
5 Facts About Poverty in Fiji
5 Facts About Poverty in Fiji
Looking Ahead
As a small island nation still recovering from a global pandemic, Fiji has obstacles to overcome on its path to poverty reduction, with its 2030 sustainability goals still at risk. A strong economic recovery may be essential, with a revitalization of the tourism and agricultural sector as a priority for the government. AOP’s initiatives and continued commitments from ADB, which pledged $150 million in 2022 for the Sustainable and Resilient Recovery Program, provide reason to be hopeful about the fight against poverty in Fiji.
– Sam Waterkeyn
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
The Potential of the Sisal Plant in Addressing Period Poverty
Three Stanford researchers, Anton Molina, Anesta Kothari and Manu Prakash, are working on a solution to these struggles by asking, “Can Plants Help End “Period Poverty?” and they found their answer: Sisal.
Sisal Plant, The Key to Ending Period Poverty
The sisal plant is an agave plant that is originally from Mexico. The sisal plant is grown for the fibers in its leaves to create ropes. While the main focus of the sisal plant has been on the production of ropes, Molina, Kothair and Prakash have found that the plant can be efficient in producing pads. The researchers used a chemical process to remove the plant cell walls from the sisal plant. They can blend the rest of the plant and create a fluffier, absorbent material.
The blended material is optimal in developing countries because the chemicals they use to remove the cell walls are local to various countries. The sisal plant can also grow in arid areas and does not need much upkeep to maintain its length. According to Communications Engineering, “Sisal can be harvested year-round across a variety of geographies, yielding over 200,000 tonnes globally in 2020.”
More Comfort and Absorption
These plant-based pads provide users with a more efficient pad for comfort and absorption than hemp and flex seed pads. According to Communications Engineering, “There is a clear difference in porosity between the two materials with flax-derived fluff pulp being much denser than the hemp-derived fluff pulp and both, in turn, being less dense than cotton-CMP.”
In an interview with Nature Journal, the Stanford team shared more about the sisal and its effectiveness. The sisal fibers could absorb liquids better than other cotton materials. “It has the right amount of cellulose that fibers…the part of the plant that holds the water, making it a viable center of the menstrual pad.”
How Can This Help End Period Poverty?
Period poverty is a global plight many organizations have tried to battle through donations of a supply of period products. However, because of the need for more awareness of the dire situation, those who donate do not think to add period products or present the correct products needed for particular countries. Period products are not as accessible in developing countries as many women cannot afford to buy them monthly because they are too expensive.
Culturing the sisal plant allows women to process and create their pads at a cheaper rate without worrying about monthly expenses. The Stanford researchers continue to spread information about their plant-based pads and, through their efforts, have developed an efficient and hopeful path to ending period poverty using a hardy plant.
– Jessica Jean-Baptiste
Photo: Flickr
Envisioning the Future of Humanitarian Aid
While the goals of humanitarian aid appear to involve straightforward resource distribution, the implementation often presents unforeseen challenges. Foreign responses to crises have been criticized for their shortcomings in cultural competency and the lack of proper infrastructure to effectively distribute these important resources. Recent experts in the field have advocated for a new structure for humanitarian aid to address these challenges and create a more sustainable vision.
Expert Report on Humanitarian Aid
A technical expert in protection projects spoke with The Borgen Project on the growingly prominent discourse regarding humanitarian aid. The source, who spent more than a decade abroad working on-site at the United Nations (U.N.) refugee camps in Greece, Tunisia and Myanmar, wishes to remain anonymous due to the sensitive nature of the work. She explains, “The problem with humanitarian aid is that, essentially, it is a relatively new field. Basic standards were not really established until the nineties. Because of that, the humanitarian field takes a lot of time to catch up to where many other fields are in terms of adapting to the times.”
The Evolution of Foreign Aid
While foreign aid is a concept that began long before the ’90s, the system in use by developed nations today is relatively new. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the primary U.S. aid organization, was not established until the 1960s and evolved into its current form in the early 2000s. Foreign aid has undergone many changes throughout the years to adapt to emerging political ideologies and needs. This expert believes another period of transformation is ongoing. Since COVID-19 affected the global economy, the need for aid and multidimensional aid in particular has increased.
The Potential Impact of Local Collaboration
The eighth Secretary-General of the U.N., Ban Ki-Moon, spoke of this issue in 2016, but there are no big changes yet. He explained that current conflict trends require a reimagining of future humanitarian action. “The starting point is a fundamental shift in our approach, away from crisis response and towards crisis prevention, by reducing vulnerabilities and managing risks,” he said. This can largely be accomplished by moving away from “individual projects with short term goals” and toward longer timelines that can be sustained within the community. He emphasized working with local actors and supporting existing support structures rather than replacing them amidst a crisis.
Ki-Moon’s beliefs are echoed by the technical expert as she explains, “So one of the things that, for example, is talked about a lot is trying to shift to needs-based and more tailored assistance based on what are the specific needs of the population rather than a blanket just assuming that, oh, everyone wants X, Y, Z, but in reality that is not the case.” Tailoring needs to a specific population can make a rapid response more complex, but it can also be the difference between effective and ineffective aid. If a larger organization adopts a ‘one size fits all’ approach to aid, it assumes the world is homogeneous. Understanding cultural differences and norms is crucial for respecting communities and ensuring that aid does more good than harm.
Comparing Long-term and Short-term Aid
By collaborating with local communities, it becomes possible to establish a longer-term support system. The technical expert points out that current humanitarian funding typically spans just one or two years, prompting discussions about the need for sustainable, extended programs. This entails adopting a more integrated approach, where humanitarian and development aid, two historically separate sectors, can be combined to create a more enduring vision. Instead of solely relying on reactive humanitarian assistance, humanitarian aid can be used to lay the foundation for the distribution of basic necessities. This approach enhances the effectiveness of reactive aid by integrating infrastructure and involving community members experienced in aid distribution from the outset.
Furthermore, short-term aid has limitations in its ability to support vulnerable populations. The expert explains, “When you have one year of funding, that does not really create long-term change when we are talking about soft sectors. So that is when I am talking about protection as a soft sector because it is making sure that you reduce the amount of gender-based violence or child abuse and you increase awareness of people’s rights and increase awareness about their land rights and stuff like that. So those things take a much longer time to be able to see that difference.” Crisis response can go beyond survival if the focus shifts to a more sustainable vision.
An interesting tool to establish these longer-term, local-based visions of aid is cash rather than resources. In the same address, Ki-Moon stated that the U.N. must add “cash payments based on risk analysis to the traditional mix.” Over the last decade, cash has increased and shown to be effective in the correct settings. It is handed directly to local populations who understand the exact needs of the community and do not need to be trained in cultural competency.
Looking Ahead
The transition toward cash is beneficial. She elaborates, “With cash, there is a lot of struggle between how to manage that to make sure that it is not causing harm and that it is not being exploited by different staff organizations or even the women and people who are vulnerable get it being able to access it if there is a head of household. So that is still being figured out, which is good, but it is not commonplace yet.” The shift to local, sustainable and cash-based aid endeavors may be challenging, but many argue it is the necessary step for the longevity of foreign aid programs.
-Nikki Bayat
Photo: Flickr
NRC Reshaping Education in Venezuela
NRC’s Role in Venezuela
The NRC had already identified the beginnings of a protracted crisis in Venezuela when it established its presence in 2005. In 2019, it installed an independent office in Caracas to efficiently deal with the consequences of the worsening political and economic crisis. Such steadfast commitment has made it one of the most prominent NGOs in Venezuela, with an annual budget of $10 million, which helps provide various humanitarian resources to impoverished Venezuelans.
Education Efforts
Educational possibilities are some of the prime resources the NRC provides to the Venezuelan population. The NGO’s concern with education stems from the belief that it bestows a generation of Venezuelans with productive skills that allow them to lift their entire community out of poverty. The NRC education program focuses on returning students to school after lengthy absences. Students often drop out of school due to their inability to afford education, deteriorating school infrastructure, lack of capable teachers and child labor. The NRC individually addresses these issues to ensure that the Venezuelan education system achieves progress in the right direction.
To foster a more welcoming and hygienic environment, the NRC improves the infrastructure in public schools by conducting repairs and introducing innovations that reduce overcrowding, among other things. Teachers receive training to handle high capacity classes and higher academic requirements, enriching the educational experience for Venezuelan students. Educational materials such as stationery supplies, textbooks and field trips are also provided to teachers and students alike, further improving the quality of education and making it more affordable for Venezuelans from impoverished households.
Political Collaboration and Impact
The NRC also works at a political level, collaborating with the Ministry of Education to establish a long term plan to reform primary and secondary education and to ensure student displacement challenges are addressed in Venezuela. Additionally, the NRC provides humanitarian resources such as food, water and livelihoods to the people of Venezuela alongside educational opportunities. Its WASH program has provided water security to more than 37,000 Venezuelans in both private and public spaces, particularly public schools.
Ultimately, the NRC educational program has helped more than 11,000 Venezuelan children return to school. However, that is only about a fraction of the 1.5 million out-of-school children in the country. Since their work has been so productive in such a short period, NGOs like the NRC deserve more funding from states like the United States (U.S.) to bolster their efforts at reforming education in Venezuela, allowing even more children to learn skills that can lift them out of burgeoning poverty.
Looking Forward
The NRC has been persistent in its efforts, as evidenced by an increase in its funding to $10 million in November 2023. While its path forward has been slow and incremental at times, the organization’s commitment to lifting Venezuelans out of poverty serves as a humanitarian model for similar NGOs.
– Parth Mishra
Photo: Flickr
Human Traffickers Thrive Amid Global Conflict
Human Traffickers’ Tactics
Traffickers take advantage of vulnerabilities, particularly situations of poverty, using deceptive tactics to lure refugees into fraudulent travel and employment arrangements. For example, women and girls are commonly presented with vague job opportunities, with the promise of financial stability, only to be sold, trafficked and abused. Smugglers who promise refugees a safe journey and admittance into host countries, often turn around and demand more money. With little to no money to give, it is not uncommon for smugglers to exploit displaced individuals through sex trafficking.
Women and Children at Risk
Displaced children become vulnerable to child marriage and sex trafficking in exchange for food or clothes. Syrian children are often subject to child marriage, including to members of various terrorist organizations. These arrangements can lead to sexual slavery and forced labor. Similar reports of Afghan girls forced into arranged marriages have existed since the Taliban takeover. It is not uncommon for Afghan girls to face further exploitation in sex trafficking by their new husbands.
Romania has received more than 80,000 Ukrainian refugees since February 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine. In a World Vision survey in Romania, 97% of participants had heard of instances of human trafficking. Over half of these people have identified women as the most at-risk population.
According to the International Rescue Committee, by the end of 2022, 52% of all global refugees came from three countries; Syria, Ukraine and Afghanistan. All three of these countries are struggling with conflicts and authoritarianism. Conflict weakens a country’s political stability, hence increasing economic vulnerabilities. To properly address and shut down human traffickers thriving amidst global conflict, greater awareness surrounding authoritarian government structures is necessary.
Taking Action Against Human Trafficking
The Global Protection Cluster (GPC) is a “network of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), international organizations and U.N. agencies, engaged in protection work in humanitarian crises including armed conflict and disasters.”
The GPC, in terms of human trafficking, aims to ensure that partners and governments tasked with protecting people from trafficking are well-equipped to handle the task. It created the Task Team on Anti-Trafficking in Humanitarian Action in 2017. The Task Team is co-led by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and UNHCR. Task Team members include InterAction, the International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) and other major humanitarian organizations.
– Sophia Loizos
Photo: Flickr
Everything You Need to Know About Poverty in Azerbaijan
Background on Poverty and Inequality in Azerbaijan
In Azerbaijan, as of 2021, 5.9% of the population lived below the National Poverty Line, and the total unemployment rate stood at 6%. While absolute poverty has decreased in the country over successive decades, concerns persist regarding relative poverty and perceived inequality. Rural-urban disparities contribute significantly. It was reported that in 2009, there were notable gaps in access to gas supply and sanitation between urban and rural areas.
Gender disparities and a rigid political landscape further complicate Azerbaijan’s social fabric, as women bear the burden of unpaid care work and face higher unemployment rates. The political elite’s focus on energy and security issues, rather than democratic values, poses challenges to broader societal inclusion. These complex challenges highlight the need for comprehensive strategies addressing economic and social dimensions of poverty in Azerbaijan.
The Resource Dilemma
Baku’s architectural grandeur echoes the wealth derived from the oil and gas sector, constituting 91% of total exports in 2022. The PSA (Production-Sharing Agreement) of 1994, known as the “Contract of the Century,” has been pivotal in Azerbaijan’s economic trajectory. However, this wealth has not seamlessly trickled down, leaving citizens outside Baku grappling with financial challenges and underscoring the need for equitable wealth distribution. Notably, as of 2022, the top 10% of earners commanded 674 manats per month, while the bottom 10% struggled with an income of 183.4 manats per month, illustrating stark economic disparities.
Consumer Confidence and Economic Sentiments
While urban-rural disparities persist, a deeper analysis of the Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) reveals pessimism among respondents about the country’s economic trajectory. Negative sentiments and a lack of transparency result in calls for policy reforms to restore confidence in government economic strategies. Results from a study with 500 participants in 2022 indicate that 44% mentioned worsening financial circumstances in the past 12 months, 80% believed the country’s economy deteriorated and 96% observed an increase in prices. Regarding future expectations, 28% predicted worse financial conditions in the next 12 months, 61% thought the country’s economic state would worsen and 81% anticipated rising prices.
Regional Economic Dynamics
Looking at the broader picture, Azerbaijan’s economic influence transcends its territorial confines. The transformative deal of 1994, focusing on oil resources, catapulted Azerbaijan into a regional economic powerhouse, leaving an enduring impact on key sectors like transportation and energy infrastructure. In the wake of this ground-breaking agreement, defining regions and skillfully managing relationships became even more critical, adding layers of complexity to the quest for sustained economic stability.
Azerbaijan’s strategic alliances, notably with Turkey, play a pivotal role in its economic narrative. Potential threats arise from political challenges in pipeline transportation routes, making it crucial to balance mutual dependence while managing socio-economic relations for sustainable economic routes and regional leadership.
Positive Progress in Poverty Alleviation
Azerbaijan’s robust state initiatives, including the ‘National Programme on Women’s Issues‘ and the ‘State Strategy on the Development of Education,’ have yielded substantial progress in poverty alleviation. The ASAN Service, recognized with the UN Public Service Award, significantly streamlined public services.
Notable successes include Azerbaijan being considered a high human development nation since 2010, and from 2003 to 2015, the country saw a decline in women’s unemployment from 12.7% to 5.9%; a 100% literacy rate among 15-24 year-olds; and a reduction in the absolute poverty rate from 49% to 4.9%. The State Statistical Committee reported a significant decrease in the poverty rate from 61.5% in 1995 to 4.8% in 2019, highlighting the nation’s commitment to addressing poverty challenges.
Looking Ahead
As poverty in Azerbaijan continues to pose problems, the state simultaneously grapples with its role as a regional economic powerhouse. The PSA’s impact on the energy sector, while monumental, necessitates economic diversification and a move toward a comprehensive modern economy.
Turkey’s economic transformation could serve as a source of inspiration for Azerbaijan. The call to diversify sectors, import technologies and exchange expertise sets the stage for long-term economic trends. The transition to a knowledge-based economy, geopolitical savvy, and societal inclusivity could unlock a future where Azerbaijan thrives as a model of economic resilience and regional cooperation.
–Arshiya Eslamdoust
Photo: Flickr
Menstruation and Misery in Africa’s Mozambique
Notably, poverty has a more significant impact on women in Mozambique compared to men. Women face distinct challenges, with one of the most pressing issues being the management of menstruation due to their limited incomes.
The international poverty line is set at $2.15 per person per day, implying that a large part of the world is unable to fulfill basic needs related to nutritional and health security. Many women in developing countries find it exceedingly difficult to allocate their income to period management in the face of dietary and familial needs. In such a situation, the health and well-being of countless women are jeopardized due to an inability to access underwear, sanitary pads and soap. Menstruation in Mozambique continues to remain a severe challenge for poor women and young girls.
Need for Improvement
According to a 2021 research paper, less than 20% of schools across Africa (including Mozambique) provide basic services such as sex-separate facilities, water supply, doors with a lock and waste disposal bins, indicating the severe need for improvement.
The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated the problems associated with menstruation in Mozambique. Because of falling income and output, many women could no longer practice safe and hygienic menstrual management. The government supplied “dignity kits” in response to the problem. Such kits include washable menstruation pads, underwear, whistles and lights that help women suffering from period poverty.
“Fátima Hassan, a 16-year-old teenager, fled…to Pemba City with her mother to escape from violent attacks. Now living in a safe place, she was one of 300 women and girls who took part in a COVID-19 prevention and control session and received a female ‘dignity kit,’” UNFPA reports.
Between April 2019 and May 2020, the government of Mozambique and UNFPA distributed more than 16,500 dignity kits. Recent data from refugee camps in several low-income countries show a more satisfactory level in terms of performance. Most women reported being satisfied with the menstrual services and physical facilities in Mozambique and Iraq. At the same time, less than half of the females in refugee camps in Cameroon, Malawi and South Sudan could say the same.
However, the divides between women and men still loom large in the nation’s fight against poverty.
For example, The National District Development Fund in Niassa was an important source for financing and investment in rural projects and initiatives. In allocating the funds, the project prioritized “agriculture rather than businesses, women rather than men and associations rather than individuals.” However, with time authorities were directing the scheme toward men and businesses, losing the rural and female-oriented focus.
Helvetas Mozambique
Helvetas Mozambique has been operating in Mozambique since 1979. Its focus has been on the northern region with a special focus on rural issues. The organization’s work includes building wells and increasing access to potable clean water for the local communities as well as improving agricultural efficiency and output.
The IDP Wash Project began through the efforts of Helvetas Mozambique. With support from UNICEF, the IDP Wash project spans across 11 communities in Cabo Delgado’s Ancuabe district, focusing on enhancing access to safe water, and sanitation and promoting hygiene in the well-being of the population.
In late 2021, the Marrupa host community witnessed the establishment of its first-ever water infrastructure—a concrete tower housing a 10,000-liter tank, powered by solar panels. This significant development, benefiting more than two thousand families, marks a collaborative effort toward sustainability, with the community pledging to maintain the system through contributions determined in upcoming Water Supply Committee meetings.
Looking Ahead
Menstruation in Mozambique is still a taboo subject. Continuing government efforts to provide dignity kits alongside more awareness could reduce the stigma surrounding menstruation in the country.
– Udyan Negi
Photo: Pixabay
US Solar Collaboration to Power the Developing World
This crucial shift could transform many nations where access to electricity is greatly underdeveloped. Nations like Cambodia where 75% of the population lives in rural areas could have their livelihoods transformed through American solar collaborative efforts.
Global Solar Expansion and US Opportunity
Developing countries present immense opportunities for U.S. solar collaboration. Since CarbonBrief indicates that developing countries have new driving potential in solar energy output, communities are more open to seeking affordable and sustainable energy sources. As leaders in innovation and technology, U.S. solar companies are in the most strategic position to contribute to this global paradigm shift. Solar Energy International, an organization numerous U.S.-based solar companies attend, is an example of one of the newest trends by U.S. companies, taking advantage of the increasing affordability of solar technology and the growing demand for alternative energy sources. Consequently, U.S. companies have acquired new opportunities to engage with the developing world in this project.
Examples of Successful Collaboration
USAID lists a notable instance of U.S. solar collaboration leading development efforts as partners within the private sector that the agency works with to power Africa. Several U.S. companies have partnered with USAID to support energy growth in Africa, “committing toward more than $40 billion in investments into African energy markets,” including energy grids within sub-Saharan Africa.
Additionally, 60Hertz Energy is a U.S.-based startup that implemented computerized maintenance management software systems to streamline operations and maintenance for solar infrastructure that can withstand extreme environments. As it works to establish itself in sub-Saharan Africa, it has developed a presence in Benin, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Uganda, according to USAID. The work that 60Hertz Energy commits itself to would improve the quality of life for residents and could position the U.S. solar industry as a key player within the emerging alternative fuel paradigm.
In another instance, Acumen, a U.S.-based nonprofit impact investment fund, has invested $88 million into 82 different companies that provide “agricultural inputs, quality education, clean energy, health care services, formal housing, safe drinking water and sanitation services to low-income” recipients in East Africa, West Africa and Latin America, according to USAID. This strategic effort by the U.S.-based fund to finance various companies could make a direct impact by providing a multifaceted approach that can harness results favorable to the African solar power industry and showcase the benefits of cooperation by multiple firms.
Economic Growth and Sustainable Development
Beyond the numerous advantages for U.S. companies, solar infrastructure that originates from the U.S. to assist developing nations can potentially contribute to economic growth and sustainability in other ways. As part of the World Bank’s commitment, recipient nations that achieve affordable, reliable and modern energy services, including alternative energy sources to achieve that objective, could provide a catalyst that improves the living and working conditions for all of humanity. The most vulnerable demographics, particularly those most affected in developing countries without access to modern energy sources, will be most served by transitioning to a net-zero-emissions energy system. Therefore, a sustainable energy grid substantiated by U.S. solar could provide these benefits. In doing so, sustainable communities could create stability across the continent to empower communities and foster entrepreneurship. The U.S. would have a crucial role in building upon its geopolitical status if it were to commit itself to these arrangements.
By embracing the symbiotic framework between the U.S. and its private sector with the opportunities offered by the developing world, U.S. solar could become the forefront of sustainable growth, leading to the global prosperity many of the world’s poor need.
– Arman Ahmed
Photo: Wikimedia