On February 24, 2022, Russian forces invaded several Ukrainian villages with missile attacks extending east to west, mostly targeting Ukraine’s capital city, Kyiv. The President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, exclaimed that he invaded Ukrainian territory to “demilitarize and denazify” the country. Putin used propaganda to explain to Russian citizens that by invading and creating Russian attacks on Ukraine, he is protecting them from more years of Ukranian bullying and genocide. Almost immediately, Ukraine began to fight back, rounding up the Armed Forces.
The Situation
Currently, statistics show 70,000 Ukrainians have died and 120,000 have become wounded since the attack on Ukraine in February. Officials estimate 120,000 Russian soldiers have died and 170,000 have been wounded since the invasion. Casualties on both sides round up to around 500,000.
At the beginning of the war in March of 2022, Russian attacks on Ukraine were able to take over five parts of Ukraine; Sumy, Kyiv, Kharkiv, Kherson and Mariupol. Later, in November 2022, Ukraine regained control of all regions and almost kicked Russia out of its borders. However, since June 2023, Russia has been able to regain control of Kherson, as well as Bakhmut, keeping the world on its toes as it continues to watch the back-and-forth battle between Russia versus Ukraine.
During an interview with ABC News, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy explained that he will not agree to give Russia any territory that was not initially theirs in February 2022. He will continue to counterattack Russian forces until justice is served.
How the Attacks in Ukraine are Affecting Citizens
As Zelenskyy continues to fight back for Ukrainian territory, many citizens of Ukraine are struggling to stay safe. As of early summer, 8.2 million Ukrainians ventured out of their borders to seek refuge somewhere more secure. Many have settled in bordering countries such as Poland, Romania and Hungary.
In big cities such as Krakow, several Ukrainian children and mothers flood train stations, hotels and apartments looking for somewhere to settle down. One of these mothers is Oksana, a Ukrainian engineer and a young mother of two.
Oksana did not intend to leave her home in Ukraine, but after hearing news stories about potential radiation leaks as well as seeing military vehicles pass her by each day, she decided it was time to find a safer place to raise kids. After a long and stressful trip to Krakow, she settled down with an acquaintance to house her children.
“I’m doing what I need to do,” Oksana said, “and I’m okay with it. Thousands of women like me were forced to leave Ukraine and now must find ways to feed their families. It’s not a problem for me. It’s the next step. We’ll see what comes later.” Oksana spoke to City Journal journalist, Tamar Jacoby.
How Polish People are Helping
Some are urging Polish citizens to help Ukrainian refugees by passing out food, water and other vital supplies. One woman in particular, Ula Kryszuk, is doing all she can at the Warsaw train station to help women and children get back on their feet.
Monika Kryszuk, Ula’s daughter, explained in an interview with The Borgen Project how her mother started helping at the station a month or two after the war started. She was in charge of giving Ukrainians directions to connecting transportation systems.
“As far as I know, people that she met were quite scared and shocked,” Kryszuk said. Meanwhile, citizens at home are struggling to find peace and safety in the comfort of their own cities due to
The Impact of Russian Attacks on Ukraine
Yulia Garbunova is a journalist for the Human Rights Watch association. Garbunova was able to interview Ukrainians still living at home and get inside information about what it was like living in Ukraine during the war.
One woman stated, “There is not a single family in Mariupol [Ukrainian city] who didn’t bury someone, or doesn’t know someone who did.” Others explain how many Russian attacks have broken into houses and beaten or raped family members.
“I lost everything,” another Ukrainian said.
While circumstances differ for every Ukrainian, most situations need similar aid. Nonprofits such as Razom for Ukraine are sponsoring Ukrainians at home and abroad with supplies such as food, clothes and medical aid. Founded in 2014, the organization delivered $62 million in aid in 2022.
One of its projects called Razom Relief focuses on helping NGOs in Ukraine that work directly with civilians and “supply aid to vulnerable communities.” In 2022, Razom provided $5 million in grants to 123 volunteer organizations in Ukraine, helping them to continue supporting the most vulnerable communities in the country.
Support for Ukraine is worldwide, and it continues to grow stronger as the war progresses. Supporting Ukrainian citizens and refugees in particular is a top priority for many people worldwide. Ukrainians continue to struggle with the atrocities the war has created for them and need as much awareness and support as they can get. Charities and allies are advocating for a stop to the violence between the two countries and a fair resolution.
– Nina Donlin
Photo: Flickr
Marginalization and Health Care Inequity: A Pressing Issue
The Problem Marginalization Poses
It is evident that marginalization excludes populations from more than just society — but it is not clear how it relates to health care. In reality, there is a domino effect of causes that marginalization can have that lead to an enormous disparity of health care between rich and poor populations. To understand this, it is important to acknowledge the history behind inequity in socioeconomic statuses.
The Past
Impoverished populations have long been treated unfairly for centuries across the world. Caste systems in place in multiple countries have forced people into poverty based on their lineage. War, colonization and natural disasters have also been prominent causes of poverty — but societally, discrimination reigns as one of the largest injustices that impoverished populations face.
Poorer groups are generally forced into cheaper, more rural neighborhoods. This results in a very obvious marginalization because adequate resources are not provided to them because they cannot pay for the upkeep of necessities. Furthermore, advanced hospitals and vital health care sources usually exist where there are more people, typically in urban areas.
According to the Center for Global Development, some developing countries can pay up to 30 times more than others for basic everyday medicines. Broken medication markets limit the effective distribution of drugs for the enormous populations in need in several countries across the globe.
Lack of Health Care Professionals
Because of the lack of education in marginalized poverty-stricken populations, it is extremely difficult to find native health care professionals, especially in the poorest countries. Additionally, with the lack of income equity to adequately pay these health care professionals, those with education often treat people elsewhere.
With so many grave factors fighting against poor populations, poor health and poverty can become a vicious cycle. When workers have poor health, it is nearly impossible to work properly — especially in the case of workers in agriculture. This results in high rates of unemployment that constantly plague marginalized populations.
Dealing with Health Care Inequity
Several organizations across the world advocate and fundraise to eradicate health care inequities in developing countries.
A significant organization tirelessly working for marginalized populations is The World Economic Forum, or WEF. Acknowledging the enormous losses of life and well-being due to a lack of health care, the Global Health Equity Network of the WEF aims to increase advocacy and awareness of health inequities across the globe. Through the network’s longstanding efforts, over 40 organizations in several countries have pledged to bridge the inequity gap by offering affordable health care and have inspired thousands of people to speak up.
Looking Ahead
With many people uniting as one for the cause, it is more than possible to speak up for marginalized populations that lack access to what they need, as well as to resources that will amplify their own voices. Marginalization cannot disappear in one day — it will involve a team effort of people who wish to spread awareness of the situation. With organizations such as the World Economic Forum working tirelessly to diffuse this crucial perspective, marginalization will gradually release its grip on innocent populations, and a brighter future will be in store for them.
– Divya Shankar
Photo: Pixabay
Transforming Generosity: One Day’s Wages, Endless Impact
The Process
One Day’s Wages’ mission centers around recognizing that local organizations often encounter resource limitations and constrained fundraising capabilities. To tackle this challenge, One Day’s Wages utilizes a rigorous vetting process to identify suitable organizations and furnishes them with essential funding to advance their ongoing work. Through this collaborative approach, One Day’s Wages has invested almost $10 million in over 280 projects with various organizations worldwide.
A notable facet of the organization is its emphasis on individual contributions. It encourages individuals to dedicate their birthdays or significant life events, such as weddings, as opportunities to rally their networks to donate to One Day’s Wages instead of traditional gifts. This collaborative endeavor underscores the organization’s fundamental message: that collective action can bring about substantial change in global poverty.
A pivotal element of One Day’s Wages model is the direct allocation of 100% of funds to its partner organizations. This approach ensures that every donated dollar directly aids communities in need. To cover operational costs, One Day’s Wages hosts an annual gala in Seattle, with the funds raised exclusively designated for administrative expenses. This mechanism guarantees that all other fundraising initiatives throughout the year contribute directly to the projects.
The Principles of One Day’s Wages
The Cho family’s steadfast belief in the prospect of eradicating extreme global poverty forms the bedrock of One Day’s Wages’ mission. They assert that while money is essential, it is not a standalone solution. “The greatest resources are people,” writes One Day’s Wages. “Our voices matter. Our donations do make an impact when invested properly through organizations that are transparent, efficient, and strategic in not creating dependency but rather, creating opportunities and empowerment.”
One Day’s Wages’ approach has significantly evolved with the inclusion of accepting Letters of Inquiry (LOIs) for matching grants. These grants support locally-led, community-based organizations that do not have a Western-based branch, board, or network of donors. Partners must raise a portion of the grant funds and One Day’s Wages matches these contributions dollar for dollar, primarily through a 1:1 matching system. This approach ensures that local organizations are recipients of support while they actively contribute to their projects.
One Day’s Wages has significantly impacted, investing around $9,781,234 in collaboration with grassroots partners to implement 285 projects to alleviate poverty. These initiatives have directly benefited 1,239,704 individuals through their partnerships.
Some of Their Projects
One Day’s Wages has joined hands with Heartline Ministries to support a holistic maternal and infant care model in Haiti. This project addresses the unique challenges faced by vulnerable Haitian women who often lack access to quality health care. The program’s features, such as weekly prenatal care, breastfeeding support, postpartum care, medical screenings and family planning services, have made a remarkable impact. Through this partnership, Haitian women have received increased quality health care while they are empowered to make informed choices about their families and pregnancies.
In Afghanistan, maternal and infant mortality rates are alarmingly high, primarily due to the lack of access to health care facilities and a shortage of female medical personnel. One Day’s Wages, in collaboration with Action for Development (AfD), has taken a significant step towards addressing this issue. By training midwives in Kabul, Logar, Wardak and Badakhshan provinces, the project nequips these health care professionals while also fostering community-based sustainability. The “skills-gap protocol” has proven to be an effective, cost-efficient and sustainable approach that empowers local midwives to play a pivotal role in preventing maternal and infant mortality and enhancing women’s participation in the workforce.
In Zambia, where a significant portion of the population lives below the international poverty line and faces issues like malnutrition and gender-based violence, One Day’s Wages, in collaboration with Alliance for Children Everywhere, has initiated the “Graduation Approach.” This comprehensive program provides coaching and mentorship while facilitating integration into Village Savings and Loan Associations, asset transfers for income-generating activities and referrals to support services. The results have been remarkable, with many women starting businesses and achieving financial independence, significantly improving food security and empowering vulnerable families.
Conclusion
One Day’s Wages is an organization that brings a fresh and innovative approach to addressing global poverty. By directing resources straight to grassroots organizations and promoting individual contributions, they highlight the potential of collective efforts and strategic investments to make a meaningful impact. The Chos’ unwavering belief in the fight against extreme global poverty, along with their transparent, efficient and empowering model, serves as a testament to the possibility of positive change on a worldwide scale.
– Caleb Picone
Photo: Flickr
How Semiconductor Manufacturing in Kenya Reduces Poverty
Semiconductor Technologies Limited
Although most semiconductors are made in the United States, China and other heavily industrialized nations, Kenya is beginning to enter the semiconductor manufacturing sphere through the startup company Semiconductor Technologies Limited.
Semiconductor Technologies Limited, or STL, is succeeding in its mission to be the leading organization for semiconductor manufacturing in Kenya. The company was founded by Anthony Githinji, who started work on semiconductors in the United States in 1997 before bringing his knowledge back to Kenya. Githinji also strives to integrate technology into his local community. For instance, he helped to establish a computer lab in a village near Mount Kenya in hopes that it would educate children and help their families.
STL also strives to promote the female workforce in semiconductor manufacturing in Kenya. Of the roughly 100 engineers employed at STL, 70% are women. The company inspires women in the STEM field, thanks partly to the STL’s strong human resource development program. STL hopes to cultivate new talent by encouraging internships and by collaborating with other universities in Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda in the future.
What Are Semiconductors?
Semiconductors are small materials that conduct electricity and are often found on circuit boards in electronics. As the “brain” of the electronic system, they are a necessary component in most electronic devices and related products. Semiconductors can be found in many consumer products, such as refrigerators, microwaves, laptops, mobile phones and video game consoles. Manufacturing semiconductors is in high demand, as the products made with those chips are near-essential in everyday modern life.
What Is Silicon Savannah?
Konza Technopolis, also known as “Africa’s Silicon Savannah,” is Kenya’s hub for technological innovation and development, located 60 miles southeast of Nairobi. Much like San Francisco’s Silicon Valley, the Kenyan government strives to use the Konza Technopolis project to make the country a technological powerhouse on the level of other industrialized nations. Semiconductor Technologies Limited is one of many successful projects in Silicon Savannah, but the company is especially unique in its potential role in fighting Kenyan poverty.
STL’s Impact on Poverty
Significant evidence is that semiconductor manufacturing in Kenya may impact the nation’s poverty level. Between 2011 and 2012, Kenyan Internet bandwidth per user increased from 4500 megabits per second to 24000 megabits per second. The African mobile phone boom of the 2010s resulted in more families having access to functioning mobile phones than clean water or electricity. This opportunity allowed development researchers such as the International Centre for Tax and Development to use mobile phone software for development in the country. In particular, several of Kenya’s impoverished communities benefited from convenient phone applications for texting, health care and banking. In 2014, 66% of non-cash-based transactions in Kenya were done through mobile money payment systems.
By manufacturing semiconductors in Africa, Semiconductor Technologies Limited has a golden opportunity to help develop Kenya and fight against poverty. Technology is proven to assist in developing impoverished communities in the country, and therefore, the investment in additional technological efforts can only lead to a brighter future for Kenya.
– Liam Kahan
Photo: Unsplash
3 US Initiatives Fighting Global Hunger
Despite the challenges posed by the Russo-Ukrainian war and the growing wave of nationalism, the United States continues to take initiatives aimed at reducing global hunger and improving food systems and nutrition security on a global scale.
What is the Global Hunger Index?
The Global Hunger Index (GHI) is responsible for calculating and tracking hunger at regional, national levels and global levels. GHI evaluation is done on the values of four component indicators: undernourishment, insufficient availability of food, shortfalls in the nutritional status of children and child mortality. The GHI score is measured on a 100-point scale reflecting the severity of hunger, where zero is the best score, indicating no hunger, and 100 is the worst.
According to the report, there are currently 46 countries experiencing “serious” or “alarming” levels of hunger. Unfortunately, without significant changes, both the global situation and approximately 46 specific countries are not expected to attain even a minimal level of hunger reduction, as the Global Hunger Index (GHI) measured, by the year 2030.
Some have said the reason to be the Russo-Ukrainian War, which has disturbed the supply chain. Before that, the COVID-19 pandemic worsened economic crises. Further climate change and civil disputes have increased the scale of global hunger. This has caused the need for the urgent scaling up of humanitarian and resilience-building responses.
The US Initiatives for Reducing Global Hunger
The U.S. is responding to these worrying details with three initiatives. The U.S. dollar has relatively high purchasing power, and the country is trying to contribute its fair share to end global hunger.
The following three initiatives have extended humanitarian assistance to the people who are facing hunger.
1. Feed the Future
The foundation of this initiative was laid down in 2010 by Barack Obama. The program has helped in the technological advancement of 9 million farmers and improved the diets of nearly 18 million children across the globe by working in a variety of sectors to reduce hunger and promote self-resilience. It is active in 19 countries including Ghana, Ethiopia, Uganda, etc.
The program focuses on the promotion of agriculture. For example, the program has helped farmers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to learn new techniques upon high prices of fertilizers. The Feed the Future DRC Fall Armyworm Activity program works with farmers to make them aware of new technology and methods of mitigating the Armyworm, an infectious pest.
Furthermore, Feed the Future catalyzes research in various fields. As an illustration, in 2023, Esther Achola conducted research aimed at combating groundnut rosette disease (GRD). This disease is especially harmful to peanut crops as it results in plant discoloration, stunting and distortion, leading to total loss of the crop. In April 2023, a five-year, USAID promised a $15 million investment in the Peanut Innovation Lab. This contribution will strengthen global food security and will prove a boon for farmers.
2. Food For Peace
Almost 60 years ago, President Dwight D. Eisenhower found a solution to the agricultural surplus going to waste in America. He signed the Agricultural Trade Development Assistance Act into law. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy expanded the program, naming it Food For Peace (FFP). The new program came under the purview of foreign policy and worked to provide food to people in need.
Through its emergency programs, the program can reach people in acute shortage of food, who natural disasters affect. The program also has a development-focused aspect which equips people to be less dependent on foreign assistance.
Yemen has the most concerning situation in terms of food security. FFP provided more than $361 million in life-saving emergency food assistance to Yemen in 2018.
In Guatemala, FFP trains people to farm in a way that helps the environment and makes more food at home. In the area where the project happened, more farmers started using good farming methods. These methods include using better seeds, taking care of the soil, using natural fertilizers, growing gardens at home, looking after fruit trees and growing local herbs. In 2013, only 50.1% of farmers used these methods, but by 2018, it went up to 63.8%.
3. The Global Food Security Act
The Global Food Security Act of 2016 was aimed at extending the U.S. commitment to eliminate global hunger. The success of the Feed the Future program prompted the passing of this act. On October 11, 2018, President Trump signed a law that reauthorized the Global Food Security Act and added five years to achieve better results. It emphasized reducing global hunger and poverty with attention to solving the problem of malnutrition in developing countries. Sustainable development aims to achieve the reduction.
The Global Food Security Act of 2016, or GFSA, made official the methods that Feed the Future uses to combat global hunger. It is a commitment to keep fighting hunger and making sure everyone knows about it. Through GFSA, the United States made Feed the Future even stronger by improving how it tracks progress and making different parts of the government work together.
Looking Ahead
Addressing global hunger is imperative for a more equitable and sustainable future. Despite the challenges that conflicts pose, such as pandemics and changing weather patterns, the United States is actively engaged in combating global hunger through initiatives like Feed the Future, Food For Peace and the Global Food Security Act. These efforts exemplify the nation’s commitment to making a positive impact on the global food security landscape, emphasizing the urgency of collective global action to achieve meaningful progress.
– Asra Mairaj
Photo: Flickr
How the Attacks on Ukraine Are Affecting Citizens
The Situation
Currently, statistics show 70,000 Ukrainians have died and 120,000 have become wounded since the attack on Ukraine in February. Officials estimate 120,000 Russian soldiers have died and 170,000 have been wounded since the invasion. Casualties on both sides round up to around 500,000.
At the beginning of the war in March of 2022, Russian attacks on Ukraine were able to take over five parts of Ukraine; Sumy, Kyiv, Kharkiv, Kherson and Mariupol. Later, in November 2022, Ukraine regained control of all regions and almost kicked Russia out of its borders. However, since June 2023, Russia has been able to regain control of Kherson, as well as Bakhmut, keeping the world on its toes as it continues to watch the back-and-forth battle between Russia versus Ukraine.
During an interview with ABC News, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy explained that he will not agree to give Russia any territory that was not initially theirs in February 2022. He will continue to counterattack Russian forces until justice is served.
How the Attacks in Ukraine are Affecting Citizens
As Zelenskyy continues to fight back for Ukrainian territory, many citizens of Ukraine are struggling to stay safe. As of early summer, 8.2 million Ukrainians ventured out of their borders to seek refuge somewhere more secure. Many have settled in bordering countries such as Poland, Romania and Hungary.
In big cities such as Krakow, several Ukrainian children and mothers flood train stations, hotels and apartments looking for somewhere to settle down. One of these mothers is Oksana, a Ukrainian engineer and a young mother of two.
Oksana did not intend to leave her home in Ukraine, but after hearing news stories about potential radiation leaks as well as seeing military vehicles pass her by each day, she decided it was time to find a safer place to raise kids. After a long and stressful trip to Krakow, she settled down with an acquaintance to house her children.
“I’m doing what I need to do,” Oksana said, “and I’m okay with it. Thousands of women like me were forced to leave Ukraine and now must find ways to feed their families. It’s not a problem for me. It’s the next step. We’ll see what comes later.” Oksana spoke to City Journal journalist, Tamar Jacoby.
How Polish People are Helping
Some are urging Polish citizens to help Ukrainian refugees by passing out food, water and other vital supplies. One woman in particular, Ula Kryszuk, is doing all she can at the Warsaw train station to help women and children get back on their feet.
Monika Kryszuk, Ula’s daughter, explained in an interview with The Borgen Project how her mother started helping at the station a month or two after the war started. She was in charge of giving Ukrainians directions to connecting transportation systems.
“As far as I know, people that she met were quite scared and shocked,” Kryszuk said. Meanwhile, citizens at home are struggling to find peace and safety in the comfort of their own cities due to
The Impact of Russian Attacks on Ukraine
Yulia Garbunova is a journalist for the Human Rights Watch association. Garbunova was able to interview Ukrainians still living at home and get inside information about what it was like living in Ukraine during the war.
One woman stated, “There is not a single family in Mariupol [Ukrainian city] who didn’t bury someone, or doesn’t know someone who did.” Others explain how many Russian attacks have broken into houses and beaten or raped family members.
“I lost everything,” another Ukrainian said.
While circumstances differ for every Ukrainian, most situations need similar aid. Nonprofits such as Razom for Ukraine are sponsoring Ukrainians at home and abroad with supplies such as food, clothes and medical aid. Founded in 2014, the organization delivered $62 million in aid in 2022.
One of its projects called Razom Relief focuses on helping NGOs in Ukraine that work directly with civilians and “supply aid to vulnerable communities.” In 2022, Razom provided $5 million in grants to 123 volunteer organizations in Ukraine, helping them to continue supporting the most vulnerable communities in the country.
Support for Ukraine is worldwide, and it continues to grow stronger as the war progresses. Supporting Ukrainian citizens and refugees in particular is a top priority for many people worldwide. Ukrainians continue to struggle with the atrocities the war has created for them and need as much awareness and support as they can get. Charities and allies are advocating for a stop to the violence between the two countries and a fair resolution.
– Nina Donlin
Photo: Flickr
Flash Flood in India
India’s Recent History of Natural Disasters
India experiences earthquakes frequently, being on a fault line along the Himalayas. However, of the 2.5 million internal displacements in India reported in 2022, most were displaced because of water-based natural disasters, like floods and cyclones. India reported 2,227 deaths due to extreme weather in 2022, which has devastatingly increased since 2020, when there were only 1,338 deaths reported. Natural disasters both cause poverty and also impact the impoverished more than any other group.
India loses about 2% of their GDP every year due to natural disasters. On top of socio-economic issues in most of India, almost every area in the country is in a hazard zone. It is challenging to assist communities after disasters in rural areas, where, as of 2012, only 37% of homes had inpatient facilities within a five-kilometer distance, and only 68% had access to outpatient facilities. It has been proposed that “the more rustic (rural) one’s existence… the greater are the odds of disease, malnourishment, weakness, and premature death” in India.
Sikkim sees many floods, but few are as extreme as this flood in India. Many have been worried about this flood in India since a dam was built six years ago. The area has many glacial lakes, and as the weather has been getting more extreme yearly, activists have been experiencing growing concern about the hydraulic power plant sitting high up the river. In 2019, Lhonak Lake was described in a government report as “highly vulnerable” to flooding. They stated that the flooding could breach dams and cause incredible damage to the area.
The Flood
The flood happened Wednesday morning, October 4, and was caused by a glacial outburst, when the water in a glacial lake rises too high or too much of the surrounding ice and land melt or fall away, causing the lake to “burst.” In this case, Lhonak lost 60% of its water content when it burst, which broke the dam downstream and came crashing into town with only 10 minutes of warning to the town Rangpo.
Despite many warnings about the risks Lhonak posed to the surrounding communities, it seems like scientists were ignored, and little was done to build preventative infrastructure in the area. In Rangpo, a Sikkim town, the mud is 15 feet high, covering entire houses. The flood carried tons of debris across cars and buildings, and with 101 people still missing, it is unclear how long it will take them to be found and how far away they could have been carried from their homes by the flood waters. This disaster has displaced so many and destroyed so much, with multiple universities and factories being impacted. It is difficult to know how Rangpo will bounce back from this and how many will face poverty. In the face of this calamity, the community has come together to create shelter spaces with food and water, and the army has come in to assist as well.
Prevention Measures
In April of 2023, there was a workshop in New Delhi organized by the Indian Water Partnership and the World Bank. The workshop was on the EPIC (Enable, Plan, Invest, Control) response framework, an idea published partially by the World Bank. This strategy states that floods and droughts do not have to be disasters but could be addressed so that they will cause minimal damage if approached thoughtfully. The preventative measures look like increased and more reliable drainage, more thought in building and a consciousness of the greenery of an area.
As of October 19, more than 2,000 citizens in the flooded area were moved to safer ground by the Indian Air Force, and 132,805 kg of relief materials were transported to Sikkim. The Indian Air Force and the state government were able to act quickly and in sync in reaction to this sudden disaster, which saved many lives.
In Sikkim, the government has a heavy focus on addressing poverty, with an initiative to make Sikkim completely poverty-free. This mission includes providing shelter and food to those who need it, focusing on those in rural areas, as rural poverty in India is much higher than urban poverty. This promise has led to Sikkim having one of the lowest poverty rates of any state in India at just below 4%.
India is still a country where many are struggling or displaced, but the government has worked hard to stabilize and gain wealth. In 2005, more than 50% of India was estimated to be experiencing poverty, whereas now, in less than twenty years, that number has dropped to only 16% of Indians. This flash flood in India displaced many families. It increased poverty in this community severely, but the World Bank seems confident that this could eventually be a thing of the past, and India seems to be more than capable of supporting those who were impacted by the flood.
– Ren Pratt
Photo: Flickr
How Air Pollution Affects the Impoverished
Lower-income communities often face significant disadvantages due to their location and economic circumstances. This can result in a range of issues that may persist for generations. According to Professor Robert Shorten, there is a notable relationship between poverty and environmental pollution, where poverty can lead to increased pollution, and environmental pollution can, in turn, exacerbate poverty. Here is how air pollution affects the impoverished.
The Way Air Pollution Affects the Impoverished
When pollution affects an area, it often leads to a decrease in house prices. This happens because fewer people want to live in polluted areas, so the demand for homes there is lower. As a result, individuals with limited financial resources may find it easier to afford housing in these areas due to the reduced property costs compared to less polluted regions.
While industrial areas and factories contribute significantly to air pollution, households also play a role. In many developing countries, impoverished families use inexpensive but harmful energy sources that pollute the air. Fossil fuels, in particular, are often to blame due to the unhealthy levels of nitrogen oxide emissions they produce.
The switch to less harmful energy sources, such as renewable energy sources, is difficult for impoverished households. Renewable energy infrastructure involves costs that people in poverty simply cannot afford.
The Effects of Air Pollution
Air pollution significantly impacts human health as the harmful particles damage the lungs and puts people at risk of cancer, heart disease and stroke. For people in impoverished communities, quality health care is scarce, meaning people struggle to access medical services when they need to.
The lack of proper health care facilities leads to delays in people returning to work when they are sick, resulting in reduced income. Even worse, air pollution can lead to serious health issues and, in some cases, premature death.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 7 million people, primarily in developing countries, die each year due to the effects of air pollution. Moreover, an alarming “nine in 10 people on the planet live with poor, even dangerous, air.”
Devastating Consequences
Children are the most vulnerable group in this situation. One study revealed that children from lower-income neighborhoods suffer from brain damage due to exposure to neurotoxic air pollutants. These pollutants negatively affect the development of their brains, hampering their cognitive growth. This is a significant issue because research indicates that children with impaired neurological development often face difficulties in school.
Children from lower-income backgrounds face educational disadvantages due to pollution, which can trap them in poverty. This situation can hinder their ability to complete their education or attend prestigious colleges, resulting in reduced income. Furthermore, neurotoxic air pollutants may also affect their offspring. Research from the Institute of Labor Economics supports this, which indicates that lower-income children living near industrial facilities releasing toxic chemicals experience, on average, 1.252 fewer years of education and a 13.9% reduced likelihood of graduating from high school. Additionally, forecasts suggest that about 9.3% of these children could develop cognitive disabilities as adults.
Ongoing Efforts
BreatheLife mobilizes communities to reduce the impact of air pollution on human health and the environment. In 2019, BreatheLife, a campaign by the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, WHO and the UN Environment, implemented initiatives in 55 cities and countries, positively impacting more than 153 million people. The campaign convinced 55,000 people to travel regularly via bike or on foot in order to reduce air pollution from vehicles. BreatheLife’s efforts continue to impact. The organization is active in 79 cities, regions and countries, reaching nearly 500 million people.
WHO has developed an entire guidebook on how countries can monitor their air quality. “The overall objective of the updated global guidelines is to offer quantitative health-based recommendations for air quality management, expressed as long or short-term concentrations for a number of key air pollutants.”
Hopes for the Future
While the fact that air pollution affects the impoverished is a concerning issue, there are ongoing efforts to address this problem. Initiatives like BreatheLife are making a positive impact by mobilizing communities to reduce air pollution’s effects on both human health and the environment. Additionally, WHO has provided guidance on how countries can monitor and manage air quality to protect their citizens. These efforts offer hope for a healthier and more equitable future, where the burden of air pollution on impoverished communities can be alleviated.
– Uzair Khan
Photo: Flickr
The Asani Napkin Project Targets Period Poverty in India
Asani’s Mission
In 2017, the Asani Napkin Project launched. Asani focuses on the regions of Valsad, Navsari, Tapi, Surat, Dang, Bharuch and Nanded but is working to expand further to regions such as Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh. This ever-expanding program transforms the response and access to menstruation products in these communities.
Asani takes a holistic approach to attacking period poverty in India. The lack of knowledge that women in these communities have about their hygiene has raised both physical and mental health challenges. Roughly 71% of girls in the regions that Asani has reached have no knowledge of menstruation before the arrival of their first cycle. Asani aims to destigmatize menstruation to help women attend school at the same rate as their male counterparts and, more importantly, overcome cultural barriers and gain full autonomy over their own health. Another element of Asani’s mission is to expand access to jobs. Currently, Asani reports that more than 2,900 women are working for the program. These women are employed to educate their communities on the proper usage of sanitary napkins.
Empowering Women and Girls
Made for women, by women, the Asani Project prides itself on this initiative. A huge part of the program is its goal to empower women and girls through developing a sense of self-worth and self-esteem. The program’s core mission is to cultivate dignity, opportunity and health. Its 2017 launch event illustrates this mission. During this event, reports indicated that more than 700 women and girls were holding signs celebrating their right to bleed. This was impactful in fighting against the cultural taboos around menstruation that are present in these communities of rural India.
Lack of accessibility and education on the usage of sanitary napkins may be two of the strongest leading causes of the perpetual issue of menstrual equity in India, however, another leading cause is harming women’s access to napkins too. The shame of purchasing sanitary napkins from a male shopkeeper plagues many women in these communities. Asani’s model of being a woman-to-woman-run project eliminates this shame as women can access menstrual resources while simultaneously unlearning the present stigma on periods.
The Impact of Asani
“Asani” translates to “with ease.” This speaks to the program’s overall message that women should be able to address their monthly cycle with ease, both physically and socially. As Asani has produced more than 3.5 million sanitary napkins to address period poverty in India, the future looks bright for both the company and the regions receiving these napkins. Asani’s website allows for community participation, where one can become a distribution partner or advocate for a new community to be reached. This community-based program is rewriting the way women and society as a whole view menstruation.
– Morgan Schriner
Photo: Flickr
Poverty Reduction in Pakistan
Basic Amenities
The root of many problems of poverty-stricken families is the lack of basic amenities. Many Pakistanis do not have access to essential equipment. For example, 79 million people don’t have a toilet. Access to basic amenities has been getting worse, with disasters such as the flood leaving 10 million people without water. This lack of clean water and proper toilets can be dangerous, as it causes diarrhea, which has led to the death of 19,400 children under the age of 5.
Pakistan has made some investments in this area, as solving this issue can be a big step for poverty reduction in Pakistan. For example, the World Bank contributed $442 million to help 16 districts in Punjab by improving access to clean water. This program was estimated to help around 2,000 villages, totaling 6 million people. These are small steps for establishing a healthy society.
General Education
Even if a family has access to clean resources, they may not have guaranteed education. The income of many Pakistanis has prevented them from sending their children to school. This has led to 22.8 million children not attending school. Education is a vital part of Pakistan, as it ensures jobs and careers for those who are knowledgeable in certain careers. Because there are not enough children in school, most industries in Pakistan are unemployed, causing a low output rate of certain companies. In 2023, it was found that Pakistan’s industrial production had decreased by 14.55%.
Increasing education in Pakistan could be beneficial in increasing productivity in various industries. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in particular has done a lot. Not only have they built/repaired 1,600 schools in Pakistan, but they have also improved oral reading fluency for 26% of young students. This improvement in education can help students use their knowledge to create better opportunities for themselves and their families.
Infrastructure
The third issue to address is Pakistan’s infrastructure. Infrastructure has always been a goal for Pakistan, but they have always been held back. The country has nearly 70% of its financial resources going towards paying off its debt, which has come from previous ventures in investing in agriculture. Thankfully, there are multiple projects in the works to ensure an improvement in the infrastructure.
For example, in terms of energy, Pakistan has made it financially attractive to switch to solar, with net metering, feed-in tariffs and tax incentives. By 2030, the government plans for solar and wind energy to make up around 30% of Pakistan’s overall energy. If Pakistan’s efforts in this area are an indication of their performance in other infrastructure fields, then they should be on a good path.
A Look Ahead
Pakistan may be a far way from ridding itself of poverty, but it has the potential to change itself. As long as poverty reduction in Pakistan remains a steady goal, the country has a chance to improve the lives of its people for the better.
–Uzair Khan
Photo: Wikimedia
5 Facts About Child Poverty in Kosovo
Kosovo remains one of the poorest countries in Europe, with an estimated 23% of the population living in poverty. The country struggles with widespread corruption and a low employment rate, with the unemployment rate in Kosovo predicted to reach 22% by the end of 2023.
Poverty in Kosovo has a big impact on children, mainly because many Kosovans had to leave their homes during the Kosovo War and couldn’t go back. The education system is also not doing well. Just 41% of kids in Kosovo have good reading skills, and only 42% are strong in math. For children from minority groups like Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian communities, the numbers are even lower—18% in reading and 13% in math. This makes it harder for them to succeed in the future.
The nation’s struggle to join the European Union (EU), mainly because of the Serbian deadlock, significantly contributes to its ongoing issue of high child poverty rates. This situation has lasting effects on the well-being of children in the country.
5 Important Facts About the Issue of Child Poverty in Kosovo
Looking to the Future
As Kosovo looks to the EU for guidance on its future, charities like AMC are tackling child poverty. This work is vital as the country navigates its path, waiting to see what its European future holds.
– Eleanor Lomas
Photo: Flickr