Since the initial Russian invasion of Ukraine in late February 2022, the Eastern European country has continued to struggle with hardship and new obstacles. The harsh effects of war have had a significant impact on poverty in Ukraine, with an estimated 23,000 civilian casualties in the first six months of intense conflict. Additionally, the conflict has destroyed vital infrastructures and social services such as schools and hospitals, leading to a scarcity of food, water and essential medical supplies.
The Impacts of Poverty in Ukraine
As of February 2023, 8.1 million Ukrainians have fled as refugees to other European countries, with an additional 5.4 million Ukrainians internally displaced due to the conflict. The catastrophic effect of the Russia-Ukraine conflict has resulted in a significant increase in Ukraine’s poverty rate, rising from 5.5% to 24.1% in 2022, pushing about 7.1 million more Ukrainians into poverty. This increase in the poverty rate has fundamentally reverted 15 years’ worth of the nation’s efforts against poverty.
So far, the war in Ukraine has not only had economic impacts on the country but also around the world. Russia, in particular, has suffered a significant and direct impact from its invasion of Ukraine. As of 2023, the economic strains of military operations and the subsequent crisis in the Russian economy have resulted in more than 9% of children in Russia experiencing poverty. In 2022, there was an increase in the number of the Russian population suffering from poverty, with 4.8% of adults and 9.2% of children falling into poverty due to the ongoing economic crisis in the nation.
Global Impacts of the Crisis in Ukraine
Further, the blockade of Ukrainian grain exports has had far-reaching consequences on East African nations like Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia, leading to a surge in famine. In 2022, an estimated 20 million people in the region found themselves in poverty and lacked access to food. Although these three nations constitute only 2% of the world’s population, they account for 70% of the global population severely affected by food insecurity.
The conflict in Ukraine has led to a decrease in grain exports, which has contributed to famine in East Africa. This conflict has also caused an increase in poverty. However, there are ongoing efforts to improve living conditions in Ukraine. The ongoing efforts include initiatives by individuals, nonprofit organizations and support from various governments. These actions have played a valuable role in addressing the economic challenges in the country.
Humanitarian Aid to Ukraine
As of 2023, the World Bank has allocated $38 million as an emergency fund to address the situation in Ukraine. In collaboration with various world governments, including the U.S., U.K., Canada, the European Union (EU) and Japan, the World Bank aims to combat poverty in Ukraine through reconstruction efforts and providing emergency supplies of food, water and essential services.
In September 2023, during Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy’s visit to Canada, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced $650 million worth of aid to Ukraine. This allocation comes in addition to the existing $4.85 billion loan assistance to revitalize and stabilize the nation’s economy. Additionally, Canada has contributed $352.5 million in humanitarian assistance, focusing on providing essential needs such as water, shelter and food to address the escalating requirements in war-torn Ukraine.
The Importance of Individual Efforts
While the efforts of world governments and private organizations have made a tremendous difference in reducing poverty in Ukraine, numerous individual initiatives around the globe have also left a lasting impact. One notable individual initiative was spearheaded by Nils Laacks in Toronto, Canada. Moved by the war in Ukraine and its devastating effects on the local population, Laacks, who had close friends in the country, began a fundraising campaign. His approach involved selling artwork created by Maria, the 7-year-old niece of his close friend Maksim, who had unfortunately become internally displaced due to the ongoing conflict.
“I was looking for different ways to help my friend and soon had the idea of starting an online shop with his 7-year-old niece’s cute drawings,” Laacks told The Borgen Project. “I definitely was surprised how little money Ukrainians were making. The average annual income in Ukraine was between $5,000 and $6,000, around $500 per month. The war led to a dramatic increase in the inflation rate in the country, so many items became unaffordable for the average Ukrainian citizen. Especially in the first year of the war, the shelves of many stores were empty, which further exacerbated the situation,” stated Laacks.
By establishing his fundraising initiative on Etsy, Laacks has accumulated a remarkable 529 sales of Maria’s drawings, featuring vibrant depictions of animals and heart-shaped Ukrainian flags. His intention was straightforward – he aimed to financially support his friend Maksim’s family through the adorable artwork of his niece, Maria. The funds raised by Laacks not only facilitated the payment of rent for a new apartment for Maria’s family in Ukraine but also played a crucial role in aiding other Ukrainians in desperate need.
Laacks has also spent a vast amount of time raising awareness of the situation in Ukraine on social media. “I spent three months promoting this around the clock. I sent hundreds of DMs on Twitter targeting influencers with a large following. I also emailed numerous media outlets to raise awareness of Maria and the precarious situation of many Ukrainians,” He stated.
Further, Laacks believes that each individual can initiate a substantial social change and that the actions of individuals are crucial when attempting to tackle obstacles such as poverty. “I believe that we can all make a change. Before this effort, I was actually skeptical of the impact that one person can have. But due to the viral nature of social media, I learned that everyone can make a difference,” he told The Borgen Project.
Conclusion
While reducing poverty in Ukraine remains a difficult task, Laacks’ story illustrates the importance of individual initiatives in making a meaningful impact. By actively advocating for social change, raising awareness and supporting those in need, individuals can offer practical solutions to pressing problems.
– Remigius Kim
Photo: Flickr
Renewable Energy in Namibia Brings Light to Those in Poverty
Lack of Access to Electricity
For an upper middle-income country, Namibia has a high population of those who are multidimensionally poor: 43.3% of the country’s population in 2021. Lack of access to electricity is one factor keeping Namibians in poverty, and this is particularly evident in rural areas. In fact, less than 10% of rural residents have access to electricity, often because of the high cost of connecting to the country’s electrical grid. Rural areas are also where the highest concentration of Namibians in poverty live: 59.3% of Namibia’s rural population is considered multidimensionally poor, in comparison with 25.3% of the urban population, according to the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI). Access to electricity in rural areas is an important step in helping to alleviate poverty in Namibia’s rural areas.
Energy Consumption and Production
Namibia has a complex relationship with energy consumption and production. Most of the country’s energy consumption does not come from domestic sources– more than 50% of Namibia’s energy supply is imported from neighboring countries like South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), in 2020 Namibia relied on fossil fuels for 62% of its energy consumption, while renewable energy in Namibia accounted for 38% of its energy consumption.
The Namibian government has taken large steps in recent years to increase the country’s renewable energy production. As a strategic goal, the Namibian government and NamPower are taking steps for 70% of the country’s energy production to come from renewable energy sources by 2030. Currently, bioenergy is the most common source of renewable energy in Namibia, but the country has also built both hydroelectric and solar plants. Solar and wind energy are promising industries, due to the country’s desert environment and windy coast.
The government has also partnered with a German energy group to develop large green hydrogen capacities (i.e. utilizing renewable energy sources, like solar and wind, to split water into hydrogen and oxygen) in the coming years.
The Benefits
The benefits of these steps toward increased renewable energy production in alleviating poverty in Namibia are multifaceted. Firstly, these expansions could take advantage of local renewable resources to create energy at a local level. This means that rural Namibians, who are more likely to experience poverty, can have access to electricity without having to connect to Namibia’s electrical grid, which can be prohibitively expensive.
Additionally, as local renewable energy production expands, so could the job markets in those areas, creating more jobs in solar, wind, green hydrogen and bioenergy production. This is especially important in Namibia, where high unemployment (33.4% of the working population in 2018) is a large factor in keeping much of the population in poverty.
Finally, as the entire country relies less on energy imports from other countries and even increases its own exports of energy, the entire Namibian economy could benefit, leading to more resources available to further address poverty in both urban and rural areas.
– Lyle Seeligson
Photo: Unsplash
The New Reform Benefiting Mental Health in Panama
Mental health in Panama took a toll after COVID-19 and the 2020 pandemic; according to a poll of 480 adults living in Panama, 65.2% agreed the pandemic affected them and 62.9% agreed that mental health declined. In the same poll, 80.8% of participants were women and 37.3% checked off as unemployed. In 2021, the OECD published that the poverty rate jumped 3% in 2020 from 14.6% to 17.8%, and extreme poverty dropped 0.2%.
A Law for the People
The new law 364 in Panama from Feb. 4, 2023, established the human right to mental health assistance nationally. This legislation means Panama recognizes mental health as a human right for every person, with no discrimination against medical backgrounds or income. In this new law, there are 15 articles.
According to Article 1, “insurance companies may not discriminate against people who have mental health conditions when they are contracting a life or health insurance policy.” Article 2 states that “Private health centers providing care for people with mental, behavioral or neurodevelopment disorders may not refuse medical/psychological assistance to a person experiencing a mental health crisis.”
These two articles within the legislation could prove vital in the goals to provide national mental health assistance. Since public health care systems do not cover mental health in Panama, many would have needed private health care even to get coverage to attend a facility. Though citizens still do not get coverage through the new law, it allows private facilities in Panama to treat residents with little to no health care coverage. It also allows citizens with mental health disorders or other medical problems to acquire insurance more easily.
The Right Mindset
The legislation passed aims to promote awareness of mental health in Panama and encourage the public to seek help. A couple of essential objectives; “to guarantee access to quality services for mental health care services, reduce suicide rates and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health,” according to Icaza, González-Ruiz & Alemán. These objectives are essential to the goals set out in this new law. Panama also plans to create an educational program for all schools, private or public. That promotes mental well-being, prevention of mental decline, and signs to be aware of when dealing with someone who has a mental health condition.
Determination to Do Good
Panama rose, determined to do good for the citizens. When this legislation passed in February 2023, the executive branch had six months to regulate it and there has been no report of it since. The plan is to battle mental health in Panama and insurance issues for the citizens so everyone, regardless of income or history, has an equal chance of acquiring better health.
– Liam E. McGrenaghan
Photo: Unsplash
Driving Positive Change: The Madagascar Development Fund
Empowering Communities
Community empowerment is at the core of the MDF’s mission. The organization recognizes that sustainable development must start at the grassroots level. By engaging with local communities, the MDF works collaboratively to identify needs and implement projects that address critical issues such as education, health care and infrastructure. This approach ensures that initiatives are not imposed from the outside but are instead driven by the needs and aspirations of the communities themselves.
A noteworthy initiative is the MDF’s commitment to education. In Madagascar, 40% of children have no access to education and 70% of students drop out before the final grade of primary school. According to UNICEF’s October 2020 summary, children born to mothers with no education are nearly five times more likely to experience extreme poverty, with a rate of 42%. In contrast, children whose mothers have received at least secondary or higher education exhibit a significantly lower likelihood, standing at 8.5%. Recognizing education as a crucial driver of change, the MDF has played a pivotal role in establishing schools, providing resources and fostering a supportive learning environment.
Funding
According to the MDF 2021 report, it has successfully renovated and/or extended 166 state primary schools. The key to MDF’s success lies in its strong partnerships and a particularly instrumental collaboration has been with the Belfast-based Adsum Foundation since 2011. Together, they have constructed and equipped 191 new classrooms across 60 primary schools, installing latrines and boys’ urinals at each location. Additionally, they have erected three school canteens, offering occasional essential meals to students.
The collaborative effort extends to the provision of books, school kits, footballs and skipping ropes to enhance the educational experience in each school. This not only provides essential skills for young people but also helps to break the cycle of poverty. Most of MDF’s funding comes from both organizations and individuals. For instance, a young girl in North London opted to forgo traditional gifts for her bar mitzvah, urging her friends to donate to MDF instead. The funds gathered from her initiative enabled MDF to undertake critical renovations on a deteriorating water project and provide a waterproof roof for a primary school.
Health Care Access for All
Access to health care is a fundamental human right, yet many communities in Madagascar lack adequate medical facilities and resources. More than 60% of Madagascar citizens usually walk more than five kilometers to receive treatment. “Since there is no government-funded health care system, medical services have to be paid in advance even if the patient’s life is in danger,” states the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The MDF addresses this disparity by investing in health care infrastructure and promoting health education. Mobile clinics, community health programs and the establishment of 17 health care centers are just a few examples of MDF’s impactful interventions. By improving health care access, the organization not only enhances the wellbeing of individuals but also strengthens the overall resilience of communities.
Sustainable Economic Development
Economic empowerment is a key pillar of MDF’s strategy. The initiative enables local entrepreneurs to build sustainable livelihoods through the creation of community craft workshops and training programs. This approach not only lifts individuals out of poverty but also fosters economic resilience, ensuring that communities can withstand external shocks.
Global Collaboration for Lasting Impact
The MDF understands the importance of global collaboration in tackling complex issues. By fostering partnerships with international organizations, governments and NGOs, the MDF amplifies its impact and leverages resources to address multifaceted challenges. Through these collaborations, the fund gains access to expertise, technology and funding, enhancing its ability to implement large-scale projects. The continual expansion of its network of contacts and partnerships is a strategic move that ensures the ripple effect of positive change initiated by the MDF extends well beyond the confines of the island.
Looking Ahead
The MDF’s commitment to community empowerment, environmental conservation, health care access and economic development has exemplified how a focused and collaborative approach can bring about lasting positive change. The strides made by the MDF suggest that driving positive change requires collective efforts that aim to shape a better future for all.
– Sophie Higham
Photo: Unsplash
Is CGIAR the Answer to Solving Global Hunger?
Major Causes of Global Food Insecurity
Conflict remains the largest factor contributing to global food insecurity, affecting 60% of the world’s food-deprived population, particularly in war-stricken areas. Notably, 8 out of the 10 most severe food insecurity crises have been a result of war and conflict.
Global warming is another notable factor contributing to the interruption of crop growth and the destruction of fertilized lands. In fact, According to the World Bank’s “Food Security Update” released on Nov. 9, 2023, the dry conditions in the southern hemisphere, attributed to global warming, will cause a drop in average wheat yields in Argentina and Australia in the upcoming years.
About CGIAR
The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) is a global partnership of scientific research centers. Established in 1971 in response to the widespread concerns about the growing potential for famine in the mid-20th century, the program aimed to “coordinate international agricultural research efforts aimed at reducing poverty and achieving food security in developing countries.”
CGIAR’s Answers To Solving Global Hunger
In its 52 year history, it has created several innovative farming solutions to ensure food security and mitigate problems caused by climate change. Some of these include:
Final Remark
The CGIAR’s research, particularly in crop genetics, pesticides and climate adaptation, has resulted in large profits and remarkable benefits for farmers in low-income countries. By improving the crop yields in countries affected by the key drivers of food insecurity, the organization has ensured food security for millions. The organization’s commitment to climate adaptation and technological innovations will allow farmers to become more resilient to climate challenges, thereby minimizing the adverse effects of global warming.
CGIAR’s vision to “Lower greenhouse gas emissions from the agricultural sector by 1Gt per year by 2030” further proves that its goal of alleviating global food insecurity is within reach. By creating long-term solutions through advanced technological innovations, researchers have enabled the creation of farmers capable of adapting to the changing climate.
– Elizabeth Keith
Photo: Flickr
Taliban Refusing Women NGO Workers: What is Being Done
Afghanistan girls as young as 12 years old have been largely forbidden to attend classes. These policies have made it harder for Western governments to acknowledge the Taliban as the legitimate governing body in Afghanistan. More recently, on December 22, 2022, the Taliban began refusing aid from women working with Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs), essentially cutting the staff of aid workers in Afghanistan by a third.
Refusing Women NGO Workers
The Taliban’s refusal to allow women to work for NGOs extends beyond nonprofit organizations and charities to also include their participation in U.N. initiatives. According to the National Public Radio (NPR), this move by the Taliban is the latest in a line of maneuvers to cut off aid during what is being labeled as “the world’s largest humanitarian crisis” by U.N. Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan Ramiz Alabaro.
The ban on female NGO workers comes at a time when Afghanistan desperately needs humanitarian aid. According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), as many as 19.9 million people in the country faced acute food insecurity in the winter of 2022-2023. The winter also saw the deaths of more than 200 people and 200,000 livestock. With so many humanitarian issues arising in Afghanistan, NGOs are faced with a difficult choice as the Taliban refusing women NGO workers strikes at their principles while rescinding aid leaves those in need vulnerable.
Organizations Finding Solutions
Despite the increasingly challenging conditions in Afghanistan, organizations are actively seeking alternative approaches to ensure the continued delivery of aid to those in need. The New Humanitarian reports that it has interviewed numerous women employed by NGOs in Afghanistan who, despite the sensitive nature of the situation, have managed to come to agreements with the Taliban to continue their work. Although they have requested to remain anonymous due to the volatile nature of the issue, these women have been able to come to some level of understanding with the Taliban and continue their work.
Many women heading local NGOs in Afghanistan have met and confirmed that they have been able to maintain their operations in five provinces by making concessions with the Taliban. The New Humanitarian reports that while the Taliban have banned most women from office buildings, they are permitted to leave their homes to distribution centers/sites. Other groups headed by women have reported appointing male proxies to handle matters that require a physical presence to oversee administrative and/or financial matters.
Wrap up
The Taliban’s refusal to allow women NGO workers to participate in humanitarian operations has significantly complicated the execution of aid efforts. As reported by PBS Frontline, this ban has made it more difficult to get fundraising approval as only 5.5% of the U.N. ‘s requested $4.6 billion aid for Afghanistan has been fulfilled. As organizations continue to make their best efforts to provide aid while fighting to keep their female workers involved, time will tell if circumstances improve for the better.
– Beau Sansom
Photo: Flickr
Breaking the Silence: Tackling Period Poverty in the Middle East
Period Poverty
ActionAid attributes stigma, shame and financial limitations to be at the center of period poverty. Although it manifests itself in other ways too; cultural and environmental circumstances further victimize those who already suffer the devastating consequences of period poverty.
In 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) called for global recognition of menstrual health to be acknowledged as no longer solely a hygiene concern but also a matter of human and health rights. WHO announced the vitality of those who menstruate to have access to educational resources and readily available sanitation products. The panel concluded that these critical means should be a part of budgets and local and national governments should monitor them.
Inadequate access to menstrual products and sexual health education across the Middle East inhibits the opportunities given to women and girls and drastic wealth inequalities further worsen the situation.
Potentially most potent are the cultural views of women and unrelenting gender inequalities that mean challenges to their menstrual health are often persistent and almost always pervasive to their well-being. Reduced period poverty is vital for the wider reduction of gender inequalities and sexual violence, as well as the promotion of female empowerment.
Cultural Taboos About Periods
Women and girls in the Middle East face systematic oppression under the “male guardianship system,” which further exacerbates gender inequality. Menstruation is considered a culturally sensitive topic in conservative societies such as this.
Period poverty therefore amplifies the already compounded silencing of women across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, and those who stand against discrimination are often subject to harassment or intimidation.
United Nations Population Fund Association (UNPFA) conducted a study involving 69 participants in the Arab States region. As many as 54 participants reporting feeling ashamed, embarrassed or anxious when getting their first menstrual cycle.
One participant said to UNPFA, “I told my mother. She forbade me from eating dinner that night. She gave me soup that I ate alone. I felt I was an outcast. My period every month became an unbearable hell.”
Cultural taboos of menstruation mean women and girls do not have adequate educational opportunities to understand the menstrual cycle fully. In Saudi Arabia, 61% of students believe their teachers talk about sexual health only in a negative way.
This stigma means girls in MENA often feel unable to go to school or have safe conversations about menstruation. One woman told UNPFA: “My mother got married at an early age, and even now she does not even know the basics of the cycle and does not want to learn.”
Displacement Camps in the Middle East
In 2020, displacement camps comprised 3% of MENA’s total population. Period poverty is often more prevalent in these camps due to especially scarce resources. Often, women and girls in these camps have no other choice but to rely on “dirty rags, leaves or even sand” to manage their periods, according to Arab News.
The lack of privacy means women frequently seek out more isolated places to deal with menstruation. However, this presents a new vulnerability – often exposing them to the risk of sexual violence.
In 2019, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) found only 55% of demand for menstrual products in displacement camps was sufficiently met.
With MENA suffering the largest water shortage worldwide, UNICEF recognises the important need for adequate WASH facilities as well as sanitary items, so women and girls can manage their periods safely and with dignity.
Making Progress Through Positive Initiatives
While period poverty in Saudi Arabia and MENA remains prevalent and there is still a lot to do, international bodies and organizations are working on the ground to address it.
UNFPA has been improving access to information and education about menstruation, raising awareness to tackle cultural taboos. As well as this, the organization is distributing “dignity kits” in displacement camps, containing sanitary items, underwear and other female hygiene items to those impacted by humanitarian crises in MENA, according to its website.
A 2016 article by ReliefWeb describes the aid efforts of the humanitarian organization Loving Humanity in Jordan. The organization delivered 12 low-cost sanitary pad machines to Jordan’s Zaatari Camp, which accommodates 80,000 displaced refugees. Each machine can produce 60 pads at a time for only $1. Measures such as these mean women and girls in this camp will have access to clean and safe menstrual products at a low cost.
While there remains much to do, the current trajectory to eradicate period poverty in the Middle East is promising. With ongoing charitable efforts, it is possible to significantly alleviate the barriers that women and girls face during menstruation.
– Sapphire Hope
Photo: Unsplash
2 Streaming Platforms Aiding the Global Poverty Crisis
However, apart from the entertainment prowess, these streaming platforms also make a major difference in global issues. These platforms have collaborated with nonprofits, charities and other organizations, as well as established vigorous company guidelines to aid in downsizing the world’s most formidable challenges. Among all these global issues, poverty has been a critical focus. Below are two streaming platforms that have made various prolific efforts against poverty.
Netflix
Netflix, the top streaming platform, prioritizes poverty awareness. Through its Employee Giving Program, it doubles employee donations to global charities, reinforcing its commitment to address and alleviate social issues. Additionally, in 2022, Netflix implemented a policy allowing employees to donate time by volunteering. As a result, Netflix donated a total of $34 million to more than 5,000 charities across the globe.
Disney Plus
Disney+, under The Walt Disney Company, contributes to the global poverty crisis. Investing in the Wildlife Conservation Society, Disney supports Cambodia’s Keo Seima forest, preserving cultural heritage for 2,500 Bunong households, ensuring access to essentials and improving water quality for more than 4,000 residents.
In 2020-2021, Disney provided funding to the FIRST initiative that helped the STEM program provide education to 318,000 underrepresented students globally. Additionally, its 2021 First Book donation program distributed 4.5 million books to children facing poverty. Disney’s commitment to energy efficiency is evident through initiatives like the Castaway Cay solar array, powering 70% of the island and Hong Kong Disneyland, the city’s largest solar panel site with more than 5,000 panels. Disney Parks’ $24 million investment in renewable energy over the last 15 years is also an example of the Group’s commitment to making energy more affordable and sustainable.
Disney and UNICEF
Nevertheless, Disney’s greatest impact on poverty lies in its perennial partnership with the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF). The partnership, which was formalized in 1990, is dedicated to creating a brighter future for underprivileged children worldwide. Over the years, Disney and UNICEF have successfully planned and executed many projects in light of this cause.
In 2014, these groups partnered with Entertainment and Sports Programming Network (ESPN) Brazil and Instituto Esporte and Educação (IEE) to support the Sports Caravan program in Brazil. This program allows underprivileged children and adolescents to get access to education and sports through the aid of coaches, athletes and local institutes/organizations. Disney donated more than $1.9 million over three years for 15 Brazilian communities to operate this program. Further, collaborative initiatives in countries like Vietnam, Bangladesh, Haiti and Mexico demonstrate Disney and UNICEF’s shared mission in uplifting impoverished children globally.
Join the Fight
Disney Plus and Netflix, along with other streaming platforms, go beyond entertainment. They are organizations with a mission to address global issues like poverty. While these companies alone cannot eliminate poverty, with the support of more parties, there is hope for achieving more progress.
– Sai Sidharth Kanyaboena
Photo: Unsplash
London Restaurants Fighting Global Poverty
HAWKSMOOR
Founded in 2006, Hawksmoor is an award-winning steakhouse with eight branches across London. The restaurant has made significant contributions to charity through various ongoing schemes and events, raising money for those living in hunger and poverty worldwide. Hawksmoor has partnered with the global charity Action Against Hunger. This charity operates in 51 countries and aims to fight severe acute hunger and malnutrition, especially among children under the age of five. Their goal is to address the root causes of hunger, support communities in their efforts to combat hunger and provide treatment to those who are suffering.
In September and October 2022, as part of Action Against Hungers’ “Love Food Give Food” campaign, Hawksmoor added an optional £1 to every bill, raising a total of £50,000 for the charity. Further, for every chocolate-based dessert purchased, 50p is directly donated to Action Against Hunger, as well as 100% of the profits made when purchasing the Hawksmoor cookbook.
In addition to providing a continuous donation to Action Against Hunger, for the past 11 years, Hawksmoor has held an annual charity dinner for the organization. The event tends to feature dinner cooked by Michelin Star chefs, such as Angela Hartnett OBE and with all proceeds going directly to Action Against Hunger, almost £1 million has been raised since the event first took place. In total, Hawksmoor has raised more than £1.5 million for the charity and is said to be an “incredibly valued supporter” by Action Against Hunger themselves.
DISHOOM
Founded in 2010 by cousins Kavi and Shamil Thakrar, Dishoom serves authentic Bombay comfort food at 10 different locations across the U.K., seven of which are in London. The original Irani cafes in India were said to “break down barriers” of class, religion, race and culture, welcoming everyone to their cafes no matter their background.
Dishoom maintains these principles and intends to break down the barriers faced by people living in poverty across the globe. Hunger can inhibit a child’s ability to have a formal education, particularly for women and children in developing countries such as India, where nearly 19% of all children live in hunger.
Since 2015, Dishoom has partnered with two charities that fight food insecurity: Magic Breakfast U.K. and The Akshaya Patra Foundation in India. These charities provide free meals to children living in poverty. For every meal purchased in Dishoom, another is donated to a child in poverty. Dishoom has donated a total of 15 million meals so far. With donations like those from Dishoom, the Akshaya Patra Foundation is able to provide meals to four million children across India every year.
215 HACKNEY
In 2015, friends Ali and Cemal opened 215 Hackney, an independent, local cafe/restaurant in North London. The restaurant serves Middle Eastern-style breakfast and lunch dishes, combining traditional flavors from places such as Israel and Iraq with British comfort food. Influenced by their heritage, with both co-owners originally being from the Kurdistan region in the Middle East, 215 Hackney is partnered with WarChild U.K., an organization supporting children living in poverty caused by war and conflict in areas across the Middle East, Africa and Asia. About 20% of all profits generated at the restaurant are directly donated to WarChild U.K. 215 Hackney also sells a £5 cookbook of Middle Eastern recipes and 100% of all proceeds are donated to the charity organization.
JKS Restaurants
The JKS Restaurant group was established in 2008 and currently owns 15 different restaurants across London, all of which donate to one of the 25 charities JKS supports each year. In 2022 alone, the JKS group raised more than £185,000 for various charities fighting poverty worldwide. Firstly, 25% of all JKS restaurants are in partnership with Belu Water, a beverage company that donates 100% of its net profits to WaterAid, a global charity that provides clean water and sanitation to those living in poverty.
However, one restaurant in particular, Hoppers, makes considerable charitable efforts every year. Nodding toward its Sri Lankan and South Indian-inspired menu, Hoppers, who have three restaurants in Central London, managed to raise almost £83,000 in 2023 alone as part of their “Feeding the Future” initiative which provides support to impoverished communities in Sri Lanka. The donated funds have supported more than 1,000 children in rural Sri Lanka, predominantly through the provision of food packages.
In November 2023, Hoppers opened their first preschool in rural Sri Lanka for local children who otherwise would likely lack access to education. Once a month, Hoppers create a new dish whose proceeds also go toward the initiative, as well as donating all profits sold from their make-it-at-home meal kits. Similarly to Hawksmoor, three of the JKS restaurants took part in Action Against Hunger’s “Love Food Give Food” campaign, adding £1 to every food bill, raising more than £9000, which was directly donated to the charity, adding to the assistance given from London restaurants fighting global poverty.
– Lucy Jacks
Photo: Flickr
Urban Farming: A Fresh Approach to Fighting Hunger
Cities such as Bogotá and Lima have been at the forefront of this movement, implementing innovative initiatives that have transformed urban landscapes. Through programs like Bogotá’s Green Roofs Program and Lima’s BioHuerto Project, these cities have leveraged the power of urban agriculture to improve the quality of life for their residents.
Bogotá and Lima: Pioneers in Urban Farming
Bogotá’s Green Roofs Program is a unique approach to urban greening that involves converting rooftops into lush gardens. This initiative has helped improve the city’s skyline and also to regulate temperature, purifying the air. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, these green spaces also serve as community hubs where residents can learn about sustainable agriculture and the importance of local food production. In addition to providing fresh produce for the community, these green roofs mitigate the effects of urban heat islands, reduce energy consumption and improve air quality. They also contribute to the social and environmental well-being of the city.
Similarly, Lima’s BioHuerto Project has transformed vacant lots and barren land into productive vegetable gardens. These biohuertos, managed by local communities primarily in low-income neighborhoods, have become a symbol of resilience, showcasing the community’s ability to cultivate nourishment from limited resources. The project has helped provide fresh produce to families who might otherwise struggle with food security, contributing to the city’s social and economic development. In addition to promoting food security, these biohuertos promote biodiversity, provide habitats for pollinators and contribute to carbon sequestration.
Impacts and Challenges of Urban Farming
Urban agriculture has several benefits. It enhances food security for urban families by providing access to fresh, locally grown produce, especially in areas with limited affordable, healthy food options. Moreover, these gardens foster community engagement, uniting residents in a common goal and nurturing a sense of belonging and pride. Urban gardens also contribute to biodiversity, attract pollinators and help in carbon sequestration. They mitigate the effects of urban heat islands, thereby playing a crucial role in adapting to climate change.
Despite the benefits of urban agriculture, these initiatives face challenges such as limited space, resource constraints and regulatory hurdles. Nevertheless, they offer valuable insights for other cities facing similar issues. The lessons learned in Bogotá and Lima show that urban agriculture can be a sustainable solution to environmental, social and health challenges in urban settings, contributing to the creation of more liveable and sustainable cities worldwide.
Looking Ahead
Urban agriculture has enormous potential to transform cities into more liveable, sustainable and equitable places. By leveraging the power of urban spaces, cities can address critical issues such as food insecurity, climate change and social exclusion. More cities could follow the example of Bogotá and Lima and embrace the transformative power of urban agriculture.
– Hana Al-Khodairi
Photo: Unsplash
Poverty in Ukraine: The Significant Impacts of Individual Efforts
The Impacts of Poverty in Ukraine
As of February 2023, 8.1 million Ukrainians have fled as refugees to other European countries, with an additional 5.4 million Ukrainians internally displaced due to the conflict. The catastrophic effect of the Russia-Ukraine conflict has resulted in a significant increase in Ukraine’s poverty rate, rising from 5.5% to 24.1% in 2022, pushing about 7.1 million more Ukrainians into poverty. This increase in the poverty rate has fundamentally reverted 15 years’ worth of the nation’s efforts against poverty.
So far, the war in Ukraine has not only had economic impacts on the country but also around the world. Russia, in particular, has suffered a significant and direct impact from its invasion of Ukraine. As of 2023, the economic strains of military operations and the subsequent crisis in the Russian economy have resulted in more than 9% of children in Russia experiencing poverty. In 2022, there was an increase in the number of the Russian population suffering from poverty, with 4.8% of adults and 9.2% of children falling into poverty due to the ongoing economic crisis in the nation.
Global Impacts of the Crisis in Ukraine
Further, the blockade of Ukrainian grain exports has had far-reaching consequences on East African nations like Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia, leading to a surge in famine. In 2022, an estimated 20 million people in the region found themselves in poverty and lacked access to food. Although these three nations constitute only 2% of the world’s population, they account for 70% of the global population severely affected by food insecurity.
The conflict in Ukraine has led to a decrease in grain exports, which has contributed to famine in East Africa. This conflict has also caused an increase in poverty. However, there are ongoing efforts to improve living conditions in Ukraine. The ongoing efforts include initiatives by individuals, nonprofit organizations and support from various governments. These actions have played a valuable role in addressing the economic challenges in the country.
Humanitarian Aid to Ukraine
As of 2023, the World Bank has allocated $38 million as an emergency fund to address the situation in Ukraine. In collaboration with various world governments, including the U.S., U.K., Canada, the European Union (EU) and Japan, the World Bank aims to combat poverty in Ukraine through reconstruction efforts and providing emergency supplies of food, water and essential services.
In September 2023, during Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy’s visit to Canada, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced $650 million worth of aid to Ukraine. This allocation comes in addition to the existing $4.85 billion loan assistance to revitalize and stabilize the nation’s economy. Additionally, Canada has contributed $352.5 million in humanitarian assistance, focusing on providing essential needs such as water, shelter and food to address the escalating requirements in war-torn Ukraine.
The Importance of Individual Efforts
While the efforts of world governments and private organizations have made a tremendous difference in reducing poverty in Ukraine, numerous individual initiatives around the globe have also left a lasting impact. One notable individual initiative was spearheaded by Nils Laacks in Toronto, Canada. Moved by the war in Ukraine and its devastating effects on the local population, Laacks, who had close friends in the country, began a fundraising campaign. His approach involved selling artwork created by Maria, the 7-year-old niece of his close friend Maksim, who had unfortunately become internally displaced due to the ongoing conflict.
“I was looking for different ways to help my friend and soon had the idea of starting an online shop with his 7-year-old niece’s cute drawings,” Laacks told The Borgen Project. “I definitely was surprised how little money Ukrainians were making. The average annual income in Ukraine was between $5,000 and $6,000, around $500 per month. The war led to a dramatic increase in the inflation rate in the country, so many items became unaffordable for the average Ukrainian citizen. Especially in the first year of the war, the shelves of many stores were empty, which further exacerbated the situation,” stated Laacks.
By establishing his fundraising initiative on Etsy, Laacks has accumulated a remarkable 529 sales of Maria’s drawings, featuring vibrant depictions of animals and heart-shaped Ukrainian flags. His intention was straightforward – he aimed to financially support his friend Maksim’s family through the adorable artwork of his niece, Maria. The funds raised by Laacks not only facilitated the payment of rent for a new apartment for Maria’s family in Ukraine but also played a crucial role in aiding other Ukrainians in desperate need.
Laacks has also spent a vast amount of time raising awareness of the situation in Ukraine on social media. “I spent three months promoting this around the clock. I sent hundreds of DMs on Twitter targeting influencers with a large following. I also emailed numerous media outlets to raise awareness of Maria and the precarious situation of many Ukrainians,” He stated.
Further, Laacks believes that each individual can initiate a substantial social change and that the actions of individuals are crucial when attempting to tackle obstacles such as poverty. “I believe that we can all make a change. Before this effort, I was actually skeptical of the impact that one person can have. But due to the viral nature of social media, I learned that everyone can make a difference,” he told The Borgen Project.
Conclusion
While reducing poverty in Ukraine remains a difficult task, Laacks’ story illustrates the importance of individual initiatives in making a meaningful impact. By actively advocating for social change, raising awareness and supporting those in need, individuals can offer practical solutions to pressing problems.
– Remigius Kim
Photo: Flickr