Romania has had a turbulent past with its role as a close ally of the Soviet Union, and its own revolution which led to the collapse of communism in 1989. As a new era dawned upon the country, the democratization process began. Over the decades, efforts toward gender equality have improved women’s rights in Romania but issues still exist, especially among marginalized groups like the Romani.
The Economy and Unemployment
Despite increased prospects and economic development, progress was plodding, and the 2009 financial crisis deepened issues for the Romanian government. This resulted in legislation concerning women’s rights facing relegation to the backbench as politicians scrambled to rescue the country from financial catastrophe.
While there have been continuous changes in legislative provisions, the dissolution of the National Agency for Equal Opportunities between women and men in July 2010 exposed the inequalities between men and women within the professional sector. The agency had been the national gender equality machine, committed to improving the position of women within the workforce. Austerity measures because of the 2009 financial crisis led to its dissolution.
Between 2008 and 2012, the increase in long-term unemployment was higher for women by 5%.
Minority Discrimination
The education rates drop among girls in the Romani community, an ethnic minority who make up 8.32% of Romania’s population. It is important to note that Romani women are not the same as Romanians- the Romani are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group who traditionally lived a nomadic lifestyle.
Education highlights the inequality between provisions available with only 68% of girls receiving secondary education in urban cities, dropping to a staggering 42% in rural areas. Roma boys spend on average, 6.71 years in education while Roma girls spend around 5.66 years. When compared with their non-Roma counterparts who spent 10.95 and 10.7 years respectively, the difference is apparent.
It is common knowledge that Romani women suffer from increased discrimination due to prejudice against the ethnic minority group. Almost a quarter of Romani women in Romania have had no formal education and most of the group have stated that they are discriminated against by employers. As much as 39% of Romani women had not earned any income in the last year and 54% worked informally in jobs that provided no benefits or work agreements.
Gender-Based Violence
There have been increased calls on the Romanian government to protect women from the high rates of sex trafficking and domestic violence. The country has been listed by the U.N. as one of the greatest hotspots for human trafficking.
According to Valentina Rujoiu, a professor at the University of Bucharest’s Faculty of Sociology and Social Assistance, Romania is “stuck in the middle ages” regarding domestic violence. The shame and dishonor surrounding victims of domestic abuse often prevent them from speaking out. Rujoiu also argues that the laws in Romania are not working. On average, it takes 33 days for a restraining order to come into effect, and for many, this is too late.
In a report released by the U.N.’s Human Rights Office, the working group recommended that “the [Romanian] government should also take all the necessary measures to prevent early marriage and drop out of schoolgirls and to ensure human rights-based sexuality education in schools”.
The report also highlighted the issue of forced marriage and teen pregnancies. There is little access to prenatal care and the breastfeeding rate is three times lower than in the European Union (EU), further emphasizing the ongoing problem of early years development.
Hope and Empowerment
Smaller NGOs are operating in Romania to combat gender inequality. Centrul Filia is a feminist NGO from Bucharest, active in the field of gender equality research. The organization aims to build a society in Romania whereby women’s rights and diverse needs are respected and equal opportunities are available to all.
The organization’s direct community work, advocacy activism and research analysis help to build a more accurate image of gender inequality in Romania, as well as supporting women through increasing public awareness on reproductive and sexual rights. Its work with the Romanian government in improving the legislative framework and effective implementation of public policies has also transformed the organization into a powerful pressure group.
According to the U.N., there is a need for more improvements to empower women in Romania, ensuring that they can reach their full potential within professional and personal spheres. Currently, ongoing efforts by NGOs similar to Centrul Filia represent positive steps in the right direction to improve women’s rights in Romania.
– Maryam Rana
Photo: Flickr
Rohingya Refugees Receive Food Rations in Bangladesh
Who Are the Rohingya?
The Rohingya people are an ethnic minority group from Myanmar and the world’s most persecuted minority group. Despite living in the country for hundreds of years, the Rohingya are not recognized as an official ethnic group, rendering them stateless after being denied citizenship by Myanmar’s government. After suffering years of discrimination and lack of basic rights, the Rohingya were subjected to a targeted campaign of violence by Myanmar authorities in the country’s Rakhine state in August 2017. Ever since, nearly a million Rohingya have settled in two of the most populated refugee camps in the world – Kutupalong and Nayapara in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh.
The Crisis
Although the Rohingya found refuge away from persecution, they faced many challenges while making a home in the camps. Given that many lack access to basic health care and vaccination regiments in Myanmar, a majority of the refugees are more susceptible to preventable diseases and poor sanitation. While the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) played an active role in providing aid to the Rohingya, cuts were made in 2023 due to a lack of funding. Food rations were reduced to $8 a month as opposed to the previous $12, resulting in an increased risk of malnutrition, infant mortality and disease among the refugees.
Further harsh measures taken by the Bangladeshi government have imposed pressure on many refugees to consider returning to life in Myanmar rather than face hunger in the camps. Bangladesh has a history of bad blood with the Rohingya, as evidenced in 1978 when the government restricted food rations in the camps to force refugees back to Myanmar. As of March 1979, more than 11,900 refugees had lost their lives due to inadequate conditions in the camps, leading to the departure of more than 107,000 Rohingya from Bangladesh.
The UN’s New Rations
The situation in Cox’s Bazar revealed a rapid decline in nutrition among camp members as malnutrition rates reached 15%, exceeding the World Health Organization’s emergency threshold. Nearly 40% of children under the age of five were chronically malnourished, a further 12% suffering from acute malnutrition.
The deterioration spurred action among donors, with the United States leading the pack with an increased contribution to WFP. The influx in donations has allowed WFP to increase food rations to $10 a month in 2024, with the addition of locally fortified rice newly added to the food assistance package received by refugees.
Moving Forward
Despite the push to restore food rations in the refugee camps, WFP suffers from a funding shortfall of $61 million, a goal they must reach to restore rations to $12 a month. The meager food vouchers only provide enough to purchase essential items such as rice, garlic, spices and potatoes, a diet lacking protein and meat that are essential to upkeep good nutrition.
Abu Toha MR Bhuiyan, a chief refugee health coordinator in Cox’s Bazar, has disclosed that WFP plans to introduce genetically modified rice. This initiative aims to provide refugees with multivitamins to address malnutrition and prevent diseases such as marasmus and nyctalopia. A.K. Abdul Momen, Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister, echoes sentiments that an increase in funding for more food rations will only serve to benefit the camp and prevent violence among its members. Aid efforts must be refocused on the deteriorating situation in Cox’s Bazar to ensure the health and safety of the Rohingya people.
– Megha Gupta
Photo: Flickr
The Potential of Sports in Nigeria to Reduce Poverty
In Nigeria, sports often serve as a pathway to escape poverty for numerous individuals. This underscores the significance of initiatives that foster the development of sports programs and the need to increase awareness about poverty within the nation. The following is an overview of the various methods through which sports in Nigeria contribute to alleviating poverty-related challenges for many people.
Sports in Nigeria: Reducing Poverty by Increasing Productivity
A 2015 study by Wilfred Eze states that physical education can collectively benefit Nigerian people and the nation. For instance, sports in Nigeria facilitate “physical growth and development, mental development, emotional development and social development.” On a broad scale, getting many children and adults into physical education allows them to develop essential life skills. Physical education is not solely a path to becoming an athlete; it can also instil vital life skills, such as hard work and dedication. The study reveals that this could have a wider effect on the nation by fostering a collective identity and reducing poverty via increased productivity. Nigeria has implemented a “Training and Retraining of Physical Education Teachers” scheme to achieve this aim, providing training for people to become physical education teachers and funding better sports facilities.
Statistical information on the applicability of the program is currently scarce. However, a 2021 study demonstrates the system’s benefits by showing that better training allows teachers to provide better education to children, increasing their interest in sports. Children had increased positive “attitudes and practices regarding participation in physical activity. Students also spent more time doing school-based physical activity.” This highlights the role of rewarding learning as a potential key to engaging children and influencing future generations who will grow into adults.
Sports in Nigeria: Aiding the Economy
Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA) reports that as of 2021, the impact of sports in Nigeria on the Nigerian economy is vast. A quick analysis shows that it contributes to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), aiding employment opportunities, and it has an indirect multiplier effect that pertains to improvements in “public health” and “reduction in crime rates.” This is of particular significance as it sheds light on the interplay between sports and economic development and, thus, how it aids in formulating policies to promote sustainable economic growth.
For instance, sports have contributed “0.19%, 0.31% and 0.33% to the Nigerian GDP in 2019, 2020 and 2021” respectively and this trend shows no signs of slowing down as the sports market in Nigeria is increasing.
Based on data from the World Bank, Nigeria’s economy is gradually recovering and stabilizing. Since 2019, there has been a steady increase in GDP growth, with a recorded growth rate of 2.9% in 2023 and a projected growth rate of 4.1% in 2026. These figures indicate a positive trend in the country’s economy, attributed to the government’s efforts to implement economic policies that promote growth and development. The sustained growth in GDP is an encouraging sign for businesses and investors looking to enter or expand their operations in Nigeria.
Sports in Nigeria: Helping People With Disabilities
Nigeria has implemented programs aimed at assisting individuals with disabilities to lead productive lives. One such initiative is the 2008 Sport for Development and Peace International Working Group, which established legislation to secure the rights of disabled persons in the sports sector. The legislation guarantees safety and assurance to those who previously felt excluded, consequently increasing inclusion. It has allowed disabled individuals to access “low-cost” sporting activities, ensuring that poverty is no longer a barrier to participation. Furthermore, the legislation recognizes that sports in Nigeria are a catalyst “that can facilitate sustainable development” by encouraging individuals from all levels of society to partake in communal spaces. Through sports, Nigeria aspires to become more inclusive and better equipped to combat “poverty in all its forms.” The study showed that “59.32% of participants strongly agreed, and 27.27% agreed that participation in sports influences their economic wellness positively.”
Vital Contributors
In Nigeria, the sports sector has experienced rapid growth and now plays a vital role in various entrepreneurial activities. It has become a crucial component of Nigeria’s economy, generating substantial revenue and employment opportunities. It provides a significant platform for entrepreneurship, driving economic growth within the country. The sports industry is poised for further expansion, which will create additional avenues for entrepreneurship, employment and economic development in Nigeria.
– Jordan Cunningham
Photo: Flickr
Spreading Joy With Shoe Boxes
This is where Team Hope steps in to make a difference. Collaborating with schools throughout Ireland, this initiative calls upon volunteers to bring joy by assembling and sending gift-filled shoeboxes to underprivileged children in Africa and Eastern Europe. These shoeboxes are a lifeline, delivering Christmas gifts that these children might otherwise never receive.
Each donated shoebox has the power to brighten the life of a single child, transforming not only their holiday season but also making a lasting impact on their families. It’s an effort that proves that even small acts of kindness can bring about meaningful change in the lives of vulnerable children.
Team Hope: The Shoe Boxes Appeal
Team Hope has a reputation for collaborating with primary and secondary schools across Ireland to spread joy each Christmas. Since 2010, Team Hope has sent at least 2.5 million shoe boxes to vulnerable children worldwide. In 2022, Ireland sent 173,563 shoe boxes to happy children in Romania, Ukraine, Malawi and Kenya. By sending clothes, hairbrushes, toothbrushes, soap and fun toys, the initiative makes a positive difference to every child’s life. These boxes undergo careful checks before they make their journey across the world. The boxes offer children important essentials and a delightful gift to bring happiness to every child’s life.
School Volunteers
A lot of the volunteers come from primary and secondary schools, as children work together to create the perfect gifts. Team Hope collaborates with teachers, students and parents from preschool through to third level in order to spread joy across the world.
Teachers Ms. Lauren Scanlan and Mrs. Grace Cart explained that the appeal also helps Irish students learn about and understand poverty. Ms. Scanlon shares that she has worked with Team Hope for many years with the Shoe Box Appeal in primary schools around Waterford, and Mrs. Carty, who teaches in a primary school in County Galway, states that “the shoe boxes are great! Once the children start putting their boxes together they truly start to understand about poverty and the importance of giving.” She notes that “it gives the children a proper realization that not everyone in the world has what they have, and the children are eager to help and are excited at the idea of their present reaching a friend across the world and giving them a happy Christmas.”
The initiative not only helps those living in poverty, but it teaches children in Ireland that a little bit of kindness can go a long way.
Looking Ahead
Many of the shoeboxes for this appeal come from schools, but anyone can participate. The process is straightforward. After decorating and wrapping the shoebox, the volunteer selects the age group and gender of the recipient. They then choose a mix of practical and fun gifts to fill the box, ensuring the recipient has a special Christmas. Once the gifts are dispatched, people can track their destination on Team Hope’s website. This initiative has made a positive impact worldwide and continues to bring holiday cheer each Christmas season.
– Éadaoin O’Leary
Photo: Unsplash
BYD’s EV Hub in Brazil Offers Hope Against Poverty
BYD’s Vision and Strategic Location
BYD’s EV Hub investment choice takes on added importance within the context of Camaçari’s well-established industrial framework, notably highlighted by BYD’s acquisition and revitalization of a Ford plant that ceased operations in 2021. The proposed facility will house three state-of-the-art factories, each playing a pivotal role in the production cycle.
The first factory is dedicated to processing locally sourced lithium and iron phosphate, critical components essential for the batteries that power electric vehicles. Simultaneously, the remaining two facilities will lead in the production of hybrid and electric vehicles, encompassing cars, trucks and buses. The envisioned complex not only aligns with BYD’s global strategy but also positions Camaçari as a hub for cutting-edge EV technology, furthering Brazil’s role in the international electric mobility landscape.
A Dual Triumph Through the EV Hub
The economic implications of BYD’s EV hub investment are underscored by recent data released by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). Poverty in Brazil, which reached a record level of 36.7% in 2021, witnessed a notable decline to 31.6% in 2022. In absolute terms, this positive trend translates into a reduction from 78 million people considered poor in 2021 to 67.8 million in 2022.
This promising trend is further reinforced by an additional upward revision of Bolsa Familia’s benefits, suggesting that the poverty rate is anticipated to revert to a seemingly pre-pandemic trajectory, settling at 24.3% according to the World Bank’s projections for 2023. The BYD initiative perfectly aligns with Brazil’s growth, boosting its economy. The creation of a manufacturing hub not only brings job opportunities directly associated with the EV industry but also stimulates related sectors, fostering a ripple effect of economic growth that extends beyond the plant gates.
Lula’s Vision and Global Collaboration
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s vision of closer Sino-Brazilian ties finds concrete expression in BYD’s investment. Lula’s emphasis on transitioning from fossil fuels aligns with China’s commitment to sustainable practices. Beyond strengthening economic ties, this collaboration positions Brazil as a key player in the global shift towards clean energy. As BYD opens its doors in Camaçari, the transformation is not limited to the industrial sector. The EV hub promises to be a beacon of hope for Bahia residents, offering not just jobs but opportunities for skills development and community growth.
The convergence of Chinese innovation and Brazilian ambition is positioned to redefine the narrative, demonstrating that economic progress and environmental responsibility can coexist harmoniously. Furthermore, the anticipated creation of 5,000 domestic jobs underscores the tangible and immediate impact of BYD’s investment on the local workforce, contributing to the realization of Lula’s vision for a prosperous, sustainable and interconnected future.
Final Remark
BYD’s EV hub investment marks a transformative moment for Brazil, both economically and socially. As the EV hub takes shape, it promises a prosperous future for the nation, simultaneously contributing to the impressive strides already made in reducing poverty. This collaboration between China and Brazil serves as a model for joint efforts addressing a sustainable future and the economic challenges associated with poverty in Brazil.
– Quinn Higby
Photo: Pixabay
AI Takes on Health Care Inequalities in Nigeria
Noncommunicable Diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa
Diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular diseases are the prime cause of mortality across sub-Saharan Africa today. Between 2000 and 2019, the number of deaths from such NCDs has increased from 24% to 37%.
Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, said, “The growing burden of noncommunicable diseases poses a grave threat to the health and lives of millions of people in Africa: over a third of deaths in the region are due to these illnesses”.
“What is particularly concerning is that that premature deaths from noncommunicable diseases are rising among people younger than 70 years,” Dr Moeti added.
Each year close to 17 million lives are lost prematurely, and about 86% of these are from developing countries lacking critical care infrastructure. However, a majority of these lives can be saved by early diagnosis and preventative measures.
Role of AI in Early Intervention
The round-the-clock availability of Kem, the chatbot, on mobile phones and its ability to answer in simple terms makes the application an effective solution for remote communities for primary health advice at any time of the day or night.
L. Nneka Mobisson, Co-founder and CEO of mDoc, said, “We recognized that by investing in preventative care and focusing on behavior change and nudges, we’d be able to stop what happened to my father from happening to other families.” Mobisson’s father suffered a massive stroke and succumbed prematurely after a brief period of paralysis and psychosis.
Dr Aldo Faisal of the UKRI Centre for Doctoral Training in AI for Healthcare at Imperial College London said that deploying AI can “improve the cost of care and improve outcomes” by enhancing the efficiency of diagnostic methods.
AI is currently being used in health care ecosystems to assist during surgeries, develop pharmaceuticals, automate outbreak response, transcribe medical records and promote communication between patients and doctors. The market for AI-assisted health care is estimated to grow from $11 billion in 2021 to $187 billion by 2030.
AI in Health Care To Ensure Equality
AI technology can potentially promote equality in health care in low- and middle-income countries by reducing the cost of medical treatment. However, the bulk of the research on such technologies is largely limited to developed, wealthy nations.
Philanthropist and co-founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates, has said, “The world needs to make sure that everyone—and not just people who are well-off—benefits from artificial intelligence. Governments and philanthropy will need to play a major role in ensuring that it reduces inequity and doesn’t contribute to it.”
The Way Forward for Nigeria
mDoc Healthcare received funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in July 2023 to onboard the LLM of ChatGPT into their virtual self-care assistant Kem. Integration with artificial intelligence has allowed Kem to solve a wide range of queries with evidence-based precision. It has interpreted user behaviors to evolve into a culturally relevant product. Mobisson’s team is running a community trial to escape the loop of human bias that LLMs are often prone to. Further developing such systems can greatly strengthen the AI-enabled health care infrastructure in Nigeria and minimize inequalities in health care outcomes.
– Soham Mitra
Photo: Flickr
Women’s Rights in Romania
The Economy and Unemployment
Despite increased prospects and economic development, progress was plodding, and the 2009 financial crisis deepened issues for the Romanian government. This resulted in legislation concerning women’s rights facing relegation to the backbench as politicians scrambled to rescue the country from financial catastrophe.
While there have been continuous changes in legislative provisions, the dissolution of the National Agency for Equal Opportunities between women and men in July 2010 exposed the inequalities between men and women within the professional sector. The agency had been the national gender equality machine, committed to improving the position of women within the workforce. Austerity measures because of the 2009 financial crisis led to its dissolution.
Between 2008 and 2012, the increase in long-term unemployment was higher for women by 5%.
Minority Discrimination
The education rates drop among girls in the Romani community, an ethnic minority who make up 8.32% of Romania’s population. It is important to note that Romani women are not the same as Romanians- the Romani are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group who traditionally lived a nomadic lifestyle.
Education highlights the inequality between provisions available with only 68% of girls receiving secondary education in urban cities, dropping to a staggering 42% in rural areas. Roma boys spend on average, 6.71 years in education while Roma girls spend around 5.66 years. When compared with their non-Roma counterparts who spent 10.95 and 10.7 years respectively, the difference is apparent.
It is common knowledge that Romani women suffer from increased discrimination due to prejudice against the ethnic minority group. Almost a quarter of Romani women in Romania have had no formal education and most of the group have stated that they are discriminated against by employers. As much as 39% of Romani women had not earned any income in the last year and 54% worked informally in jobs that provided no benefits or work agreements.
Gender-Based Violence
There have been increased calls on the Romanian government to protect women from the high rates of sex trafficking and domestic violence. The country has been listed by the U.N. as one of the greatest hotspots for human trafficking.
According to Valentina Rujoiu, a professor at the University of Bucharest’s Faculty of Sociology and Social Assistance, Romania is “stuck in the middle ages” regarding domestic violence. The shame and dishonor surrounding victims of domestic abuse often prevent them from speaking out. Rujoiu also argues that the laws in Romania are not working. On average, it takes 33 days for a restraining order to come into effect, and for many, this is too late.
In a report released by the U.N.’s Human Rights Office, the working group recommended that “the [Romanian] government should also take all the necessary measures to prevent early marriage and drop out of schoolgirls and to ensure human rights-based sexuality education in schools”.
The report also highlighted the issue of forced marriage and teen pregnancies. There is little access to prenatal care and the breastfeeding rate is three times lower than in the European Union (EU), further emphasizing the ongoing problem of early years development.
Hope and Empowerment
Smaller NGOs are operating in Romania to combat gender inequality. Centrul Filia is a feminist NGO from Bucharest, active in the field of gender equality research. The organization aims to build a society in Romania whereby women’s rights and diverse needs are respected and equal opportunities are available to all.
The organization’s direct community work, advocacy activism and research analysis help to build a more accurate image of gender inequality in Romania, as well as supporting women through increasing public awareness on reproductive and sexual rights. Its work with the Romanian government in improving the legislative framework and effective implementation of public policies has also transformed the organization into a powerful pressure group.
According to the U.N., there is a need for more improvements to empower women in Romania, ensuring that they can reach their full potential within professional and personal spheres. Currently, ongoing efforts by NGOs similar to Centrul Filia represent positive steps in the right direction to improve women’s rights in Romania.
– Maryam Rana
Photo: Flickr
Gender-Based Violence in the DRC
Domestic Violence
Issues such as child marriage and lack of education are both detrimental to women and girls in the DRC. Other issues like female genital mutilation also contribute to gender-based violence, as it sets the precedent from a young age that girls are undervalued and exploited. According to estimates, at least 52% of Congolese women and girls over the age of 15 have experienced physical violence in their lifetimes, with the number only increasing as the girls become women. However, countless organizations aim to reduce these high rates of violence against women and girls throughout the nation.
Nevertheless, countless organizations aim to reduce these high rates of violence against women and girls throughout the nation. They achieve this by providing women and girls with access to opportunity and education and making the government aware of these gender-based issues. Specifically, some organizations build schools and offer scholarships to help girls access education and escape child marriage. Others provide job training and microloans to help women gain financial independence. Campaigns also pressure the government to strengthen laws protecting women and harshly punish violence and discrimination.
Disease and Illness
In addition to gender-based violence, the DRC struggles with health challenges such as Ebola. Millions of individuals have faced displacement while seeking food and secure accommodations. The frustration and anger people feel regarding these issues could easily affect women, as anger often manifests as violence against them. Organizations have also been mobilized in the Congo to aid those displaced and who suffer from illness as a result.
Preventative Methods in the DRC
Different organizations and programs have been launched both by the Congolese government and international bodies to prevent gender-based violence in the central African country. Specifically, the DRC’s government has “developed an accountability framework to address gender-based violence, including national protocols for case management and a database of incidents.”
The United Kingdom (U.K.), one of the countries offering the Congo support against gender-based violence, has played a pivotal role in reducing domestic violence against women and girls in the nation. In two years, the “What Works To Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls” program implemented by the U.K. in the DRC has successfully decreased domestic violence against women from 69% to 29%. Furthermore, U.K. aid intervention has led to a significant decline in violent sexual crimes committed by non-partners, dropping from 24% to 4% within the same timeframe.
Looking Ahead
Efforts to address violence against women and girls, both within the Congo and through external organizations, have significantly improved the well-being of Congolese women and girls. However, opportunities for further enhancements in safety and well-being persist. Recent trends suggest that as long as missions aimed at empowering women through education, financial independence and legal safeguards continue, there is a sustained reduction in violence rates and an increase in opportunities for Congolese women and girls. Advocates and activists work tirelessly toward a future where women and girls in the Congo can live free from violence and discrimination.
– Lily Thornhill
Photo: Unsplash
How To Fight Hunger: The HelloFresh Answer
HelloFresh Mission
In a November 2023 interview with The Borgen Project, HelloFresh emphasized that addressing “food insecurity is an important part of our mission.” Recognizing that more than 700 million people globally struggle with hunger, the company adopts a comprehensive and diverse approach to combat this pervasive issue.
HelloFresh extends its broad perspective beyond its employees and customers, recognizing its potential for global impact and actively engages in significant humanitarian efforts worldwide. In 2023, HelloFresh sent donations to assist those affected by the massive earthquake in Syria and Turkey. Additionally, in 2022, the company initiated a sustained campaign to offer aid to the 11 million Ukrainians facing food insecurity since the outbreak of war.
The assistance to Ukraine from HelloFresh involves the delivery of “more than 1,285 tons of food” from its “production facilities to the Polish Food Bank Federation in Krakow and Poznan and the Red Cross in Lublin, from where the food will be distributed among refugee families and across the border of Ukraine.”
Additionally, the initiative continues to provide free meal kits to families in Germany who have generously opened their homes to Ukrainian refugees. HelloFresh has also created programs to allow refugees’ seamless engagement with potential job opportunities within the company.
HelloFresh Principles
Donations are not just limited to “surplus food, ingredients” and “meal kits” (though plenty of these are included) but also incorporate “employee volunteer hours and monetary contributions” to organizations that are working towards similar goals.
HelloFresh operates on four simple principles that guide and govern its global actions against hunger. These principles serve as the foundation for keeping compassion at the core of all its operations. The company aims to:
HelloFresh will continue to fight hunger for years to come. The years ahead hold the promise of more food donations, more beneficiaries and more impact. “We are always looking for new ways to give back,” the company shared with The Borgen Project, expressing anticipation for “much more to come in 2024.”
– Peggy Hughes
Photo: Flickr
CAFOD Ensuring Sustainable Housing
The initial goal of these volunteers was to raise funds for the people of the Caribbean Island Dominica, specifically to support starving children and establish a mother-and-baby clinic. The scheme also aimed at helping people survive and make a living for themselves through the provision of a clean water initiative and teaching them how to cultivate water gardens. The campaign organizers achieved success by raising £6,000, equivalent to £96,000 today.
CAFOD has grown significantly since its inception in Dominica and now operates in more than 40 countries across Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America. The organization is actively involved in campaigns and fundraising efforts aimed at promoting sustainable housing, accessible education, clean water and food security in each of these regions.
CAFOD in Brazil
CAFOD estimates that 50 million Brazilians currently live in poverty. Many of these individuals include indigenous communities who are vulnerable to large-scale mining, farming and timber projects that have even escalated to violence against the indigenous Brazilians looking to defend their rights to the land.
CAFOD has been operating in the country for more than 50 years, partnering with local experts on different projects. The organization’s efforts extend beyond assisting homeless families in crowded Sao Paulo favelas; it is also heavily engaged in lobbying the government to provide basic welfare for the impoverished. Additionally, CAFOD actively supports indigenous communities by improving their conditions and ensuring basic access to health and education.
World Cities Day
On Oct. 31, 2023, CAFOD celebrated World Cities Day, demonstrating solidarity with the people of Sao Paulo. The focus was on the city’s poorest families, as CAFOD remains determined to provide them with safe and affordable housing. This underscores the initiative’s commitment to addressing urban challenges and improving living conditions. World Cities Day, observed annually on Oct. 31, serves as a global platform promoting campaigns for sustainable urban development. CAFOD strategically leverages this event to highlight the need for urban development and the progress it has made in providing affordable housing for Sao Paulo’s poorest demographic.
“They called us vagabonds. I bowed my head, but deep down, I knew I wasn’t a vagabond,” said a resident of Sao Paulo who, along with hundreds of other families, spent five years occupying the now-abandoned Hotel Lord. They campaigned tirelessly to ensure safe and affordable housing for the city’s poorest communities. Through the collaborative efforts of CAFOD, particularly its charitable partner Semeando and other housing groups, the once-abandoned hotel, now named the “Elza Soares Residence” after the Samba singer, serves as a home for 176 of Sao Paulo’s most vulnerable families.
Present Day Sao Paulo
According to Brazil Reports, homelessness in Sao Paulo exceeded 200,000 in 2023. However, CAFOD, in collaboration with its partners in Brazil, continues to be actively involved in addressing this city-wide issue. The organization and its partners in the nation are advocating for affordable living spaces and essential amenities on behalf of Sao Paulo’s poorest demographic.
– Tom Perry
Photo: Flickr
Technology in Vietnam: How Vietnam Made Progress on Poverty
Supporting Entrepreneurs
Despite significant progress, the effects of poverty continue to disproportionately affect individuals belonging to “Ethnic Minority” groups in Vietnam, highlighting this as a crucial area for development in the ongoing fight against poverty. The United Nations Development Program (UNDP), an agency of the United Nations dedicated to assisting countries with their efforts to combat poverty, initiated a project called the 4M (Meet, Match, Mentor, Move) Solution to help female Vietnamese ethnic-minority micro-entrepreneurs expand their business through match up with e-commerce partners. This program has yielded positive results, with about 100 cooperatives experiencing a minimum 30% increase in revenue, benefitting more than 13,000 women.
Betting on Production
Vietnam, despite having a relatively low urban population proportion (38% as of 2021), has achieved impressive technology adoption with a remarkable 70.3% internet penetration rate. This achievement can be attributed, in part, to affordable data plans that keep costs low. However, one challenge remains: limited internet coverage for individuals living in extreme poverty.
These advancements align with the country’s pursuit of an “Industrial Revolution 4.0,” driven by a wholehearted embrace of modern technology and its economic potential. Strategic policies and tax incentives have positioned Vietnam as a regional hub for technology and semiconductor manufacturing. As a result, several major global corporations have relocated their production facilities to the country, contributing to significant GDP growth. With an expanding GDP, living standards are on the rise, and workers are securing higher productivity jobs, leading to improved income levels.
Insuring Infrastructure
Agriculturally, Vietnam heavily relies on the abundant production of rice crops, exposing farmers to the uncertainties of changing climate conditions and fluctuating government policies. The reliability of produce is further threatened by water scarcity issues, opening the way to solutions such as the Mekong Delta Smart Irrigation Project.
Through the utilization of high-tech sensors and water pumps that provide real-time feedback directly to smartphones, farmers can instantly check water levels and experiment with techniques to ration their resources.
In one notable farming cooperative, ‘Phu Can,’ the implementation of supportive monitoring hardware has yielded positive outcomes, allowing a similar produce of rice with 20% less water usage. This technological intervention serves to fortify the rice industry against the challenges posed by the evolving world.
Looking Ahead
Vietnam has borne the brunt of its economic downturn for decades, making the turning of its fortune largely carried on the winds of developing technologies and modern conveniences an inspiring narrative. The examples of successful implementation of modern technology in Vietnam stand as a testament to the broadening of opportunities for various minority classes. This approach has helped empower the underprivileged and safeguarded crucial agricultural produce from the unpredictable impacts of changing circumstances.
Vietnam has made significant progress in its fight against poverty, with the Multidimensional Poverty Index reaching a low of 4% in 2021. However, recent data from early 2023 suggests a rise to 9%. Nevertheless, the nation has a strong track record of commitment to systemic improvement over the past 30 years. This dedication spurs hope for continued progress in the ongoing struggle against poverty.
– Brandon Murphy
Photo: Unsplash