, ,

How the Global Oxygen Alliance Continues a Crucial Mission

Global Oxygen Alliance
On May 24, Unitaid, a global health agency that fundraises to support novel treatments for major diseases in the developing world, and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria both published press releases officially announcing the commencement of the Global Oxygen Alliance (GO2AL). 

Additionally, backed by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, GO2AL was first established in April as an initiative that seeks to bridge the gaps in medical oxygen access that continue to exist in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, GO2AL aims to ensure that advancements made in oxygen supply and distribution during the height of the virus are maintained and expanded to even more regions, as medical oxygen is a key treatment tool that health care workers use in hospitals worldwide.

Building Blocks

Although the WHO refers to oxygen as an “essential medicine,” necessary for almost all aspects of many standard hospital procedures, rarely do people consider the supply of medical oxygen when identifying indicators to help analyze the performance of countries’ health systems. 

A scarcity of medical oxygen in the vast majority of LMICs (Lower or Middle-Income Countries), then, has gone overlooked for years, only gaining relevance in the face of devastating shortages during the pandemic. On top of often lacking an oxygen source, many hospitals in LMICs also lack pulse oximeters, a piece of medical equipment that measures the amount of oxygen in a person’s red blood cells and is therefore crucial in the proper administration of oxygen to patients suffering from hypoxemia, or a low level of arterial oxygen. 

February of 2021 saw the creation of the Oxygen Emergency Taskforce of the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator (ACT-A), a multilateral coalition founded to respond to these shortages. ACT-A was able to achieve a number of successes in expanding access to medical oxygen in LMICs, raising $1 billion to increase oxygen production and reduce its cost, distributing equipment like pulse oximeters to hospitals in need and providing support to governments in the implementation of improved oxygen systems. 

The Global Oxygen Alliance aims to be a successor of ACT-A, hoping to maintain the advancements that have occurred and extend them ever further, especially as oxygen shortages have faded out of public perception after the pandemic. Furthermore, GO2AL is also partnering with the Lancet Global Health Commission on Medical Oxygen Security, formed in September of last year, to address data gaps in the supply of oxygen in LMICs and utilize that new research to find solutions to the oxygen insecurity that still exists in many health systems across the globe. 

Preventable Deaths

The work of GO2AL is critical since medical oxygen is also frequently used in the treatment of the elderly, infants and pregnant women, all of whom are vulnerable populations. Developing countries have long struggled to acquire enough medical oxygen for their needs; before the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, 90% of hospitals in LMICs did not have access to sufficient amounts of oxygen for their patients, which led to a preventable death toll of 800,000 annually. 

Though COVID-19 may no longer officially be a global emergency, the havoc it wreaked on health systems around the world was a wake-up call for more investment to be directed towards future pandemic preparedness. One year into the pandemic, 60% of hospitals in LMICs did not have a sufficient supply of medical oxygen. Should there be another virus similar to COVID-19, every country will need the resources to adequately care for any and all patients who may need oxygen during their treatment. 

There are also plenty of non-COVID-19 patients who suffer from the lack of access to medical oxygen, with diseases common in LMICs like pneumonia, malaria and meningitis causing hypoxemia and requiring immediate care. The Clinton Health Access Initiative estimates that more than 15% of children under 5 admitted into hospitals suffer from hypoxemia, in addition to 20% of all admitted infants. 

An inadequate supply of oxygen affects pneumonia patients in particular, as 7.2 million children with the condition end up in hospitals every year. Without access to oxygen therapy, around 148,000 annual child pneumonia cases are preventable. Research suggests that installing and upgrading oxygen systems in pediatric wards can lower the number of deaths due to child pneumonia by 46%, in addition to lowering all deaths in children under 5 by 40%. GO2AL’s stated commitment to increasing medical oxygen access, then, is one that is sure to save millions of lives in years to come. 

Hope for the Future

ACT-A successfully brought medical oxygen to LMICs desperately in need of it and worked through logistical obstacles to make sure these countries have the infrastructure to continue accessing the oxygen they require. On the part of those organizations that were a part of ACT-A and are now supporting the Global Oxygen Alliance, they are offering an extremely important example of what dedication to bettering the lives of those who are less fortunate should look like. Not only will GO2AL continue filling the oxygen gap that exists in many LMICs, but it will also fill the data gap that made the lack of medical oxygen in many developing countries a sorely underappreciated issue before the pandemic.

– Sofia Oliver
Photo: Wikipedia Commons

From Ashes to Hope: Fires in Greece

Fires in GreeceThe 2023 fires in Greece have wreaked havoc on communities across the country, with impoverished areas bearing the brunt of the devastation in the largest recorded fire in E.U. history. These communities, already facing economic hardships and limited resources, are now grappling with the aftermath of the fires. These impoverished areas within Greece are also facing the loss of both wildlife and vegetation, and the destruction of these natural areas can have a long-lasting impact on the ecosystem and biodiversity. However, amidst the challenges, there are also stories of resilience and hope emerging from these communities, with efforts going towards rebuilding homes, volunteering and implementing measures for habitat restoration and conservation.

The Impact on Impoverished Areas

The fires have exacerbated the challenges faced by impoverished areas in Greece, which have been disproportionately affected by the destruction of homes, access to resources and inadequate infrastructure, resulting in these communities being particularly vulnerable during this time of crisis. These areas often lack proper fire prevention measures and may have inadequate firefighting capabilities. As a result, it is more challenging to contain and extinguish fires within these communities, leading to greater damage, loss and strain on communities of already fragile conditions. Similarly, their access to health care, housing and basic necessities has become even more critical in these communities.

Support and Aid

Despite the challenges, there has been an outpouring of support and aid for the affected communities. The fires have highlighted the importance of support and assistance needed to rebuild and strengthen these vulnerable areas. Local and international organizations, volunteers and individuals have come together to provide assistance, including emergency supplies, fire-fighting equipment, financial aid and resources for rebuilding. So far, volunteers have joined local communities in firefighting, hoping to reduce the destruction and spread of the fire. Additionally, other good news is that since 2019, the E.U. has developed rescEU, a fully funded program whereby if a member state requests aid and support, the rescEU force must respond, allowing Greece to receive an abundance of international support during this time of crisis.

Community Resilience

In the face of adversity, stories of resilience and unity have emerged from these impoverished areas. Communities have come together, supporting one another and demonstrating the strength and determination to rebuild their lives and neighborhoods. The unity and solidarity shown by communities within Greece during these fires continue to inspire people worldwide, aiding efforts in the donation of supplies, offerings of shelter through the use of their own homes, and helping with the cleanup and rebuilding process, particularly when it comes to the natural restoration of vegetation and forests as many people residing in the lower classes within Greece rely on pine trees to fund their livelihood and agricultural work. 

This is shown in this first-hand account regarding the burning of pine trees in wildfires from 2022 due to lack of government intervention in fire prevention: “Because they did nothing to protect the forest. They let it burn. They let us burn,” said resident Giorgos Anagnostou. Since the 2022 fires and thousands of accounts similar to the one above, Greece has developed plans to monitor wildfires with drones, along with temperature sensors in high-risk forests so that future wildfires are more contained and cause less destruction.

Rebuilding Efforts

The rebuilding efforts in these impoverished areas are crucial for long-term recovery. With the support of organizations and volunteers, damaged homes are being reconstructed, infrastructure is being restored and plans are being made to help communities regain their livelihoods. Current efforts from volunteers both locally and internationally have been instrumental in providing support to those who have lost their homes and in helping communities recover from the devastation caused by the fires.

Creating Sustainable Solutions

Due to the fact that Southern European countries often have scorching and dry summers, they are often prone to wildfires, with European Union officials acknowledging that the severity of the situation will only increase as the years go on due to the alarming rate at which climate change is occurring, with higher temperatures igniting more fires across the globe. The fires in Greece have particularly shed light on the need for sustainable solutions in these surrounding areas, especially within impoverished areas, to limit the damage caused by any possible future fire. Efforts are being made to address the underlying issues contributing to impoverished communities’ vulnerability, such as improving access to education, health care and economic opportunities.

Hope for the Future

While the fires have caused immense devastation, there is hope for a brighter future. Through collective efforts, these communities can rebuild more robust and more resilient than before. It is an opportunity to address the inequalities and create a more inclusive and supportive society. With mass destruction came the acknowledgment from the European Union of a more immediate and decisive plan to be ready to deploy and fund forces when needed, with the current response aiding Greece with special programs, aircraft, equipment and hundreds of firefighters, resulting in around one-fifth of firefighters fighting against the fires in Greece being from the E.U. force.

The fires in Greece have significantly impacted impoverished areas, but there is also hope amidst the challenges. The support and aid received, coupled with the resilience of these communities, are driving efforts to rebuild and create a better future. Together, we can make a difference and help these communities thrive again.

– Ellis Nicoll
Photo: Flickr

UNESCO and Prada Partner To Educate African Girls

UNESCO and PradaIn March 2021, luxury brand, Prada united with UNESCO to provide young girls with education in Africa. They developed the joint campaign Keeping Girls Connected to ensure that a new generation of women has access to learning and a secure return to school. It was directed not only to give an in-class education but also to provide online learning opportunities. UNESCO and Prada together aim to create an equitable learning space for girls. This was another successful venture for the two organizations, as UNESCO and Prada had previously partnered to improve ocean literacy and preservation.

The number of girls not attending school was high in Africa even before the COVID-19 pandemic. According to UNESCO, 128 million female students did not attend any academic institution in 2020 before the coronavirus. However, COVID-19 became the reason that even more girls ceased their studies in school. Approximately 24 million additional students will now not go back to academic establishments. Moreover, around 450 million learners cannot access online materials for individual studying. 

Keeping Girls in the Picture

A previous joint project of Prada and UNESCO, Keeping Girls in the Picture, reached up to 360 million people around the world. Prada devoted the profit from the Tools of Memory auction to sponsor UNESCO’s COVID-19 Global Education Coalition’s work on girls’ learning. 

In August 2023, UNESCO and Prada launched boot camps to develop new skills for girls in Kenya. Over 200 young ladies participated in a joint campaign. Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and information and communication technology (ICT) were the main focus of the training provided by UNESCO and Prada. The goal of it was to demonstrate gender equity to the girls and to advocate psychosocial aspects associated with STEM subjects. Young learners obtained a chance to create apps, use 3D printing for their designs and acquire artificial intelligence, coding and robotics. Along with technical opportunities presented for Kenyans, they received the honor of meeting female mentors. This event was helpful to develop stronger confidence and provide a new generation of girls with experience in a male-dominated field. 

Keeping Girls in the Picture helps to equal the rights of males and females in society. Teaching STEM and ICT to a new age group of girls will help eliminate the evident gender gap in this area. 

A Look Ahead

The consequences of Prada’s joint projects with UNESCO helped to improve education for girls in Africa and contributed to narrowing the gap between historically male and female-oriented professions. Eventually, more women will have access to academic resources, which will provide the continent with an opportunity to fight poverty and gain financial independence from the Western world.

–Stephanie Len

Photo: Flickr

,

Education for Native Hawaiians

Education for Native Hawaiians 
Indigenous Hawaiians face a history of educational disparities. According to the 2019 U.S. Census Bureau, only 10.6% of Native Hawaiians or part-Hawaiians earn an associate degree or higher. Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander students only made up 0.3% of all associate degrees. Social factors such as homelessness, substance abuse, degradation of cultural values and the government not funding education for Native Hawaiians can explain the educational disparities. Different legislations and NGOs have taken action which recognize the unique need for education for Native Hawaiians.

Native Hawaiian Education Act

In 1981, the Office of Education submitted a comprehensive report, stating that Hawaiians score below parity in education, directly related to cultural factors. The passing of the Native Hawaiian Education Act in 1988 was a piece of legislation that was the start of recognizing the unique educational needs that Native Hawaiians require. The purpose of the Native Hawaiian Education Act is to develop and expand on various educational programs that aim to assist education for Native Hawaiians. These programs include early educational care, beginning literacy programs and professional development for educators. These programs focus on the idea that Native Hawaiians are a unique cultural group that requires a culturally appropriate curriculum to thrive. 

Due to the Native Hawaiian Education Act, Congress has consistently provided funding to address the educational gap between Native Hawaiians and other racial groups. In 2020, only 35% of Native Hawaiians enrolled in college upon graduation. The Native Hawaiian Education Act provides scholarship and college transition opportunities. 

Native Hawaiian Education Council

Recognizing that education for Native Hawaiians requires more support, the act called for the establishment of a council in 1994, known as the Native Hawaiian Education Council. The purpose of the Native Hawaiian Education Council is to “coordinate the educational and related services and programs available to Native Hawaiians, … assess the extent to which such services and programs meet the needs of Native Hawaiians; and provide direction and guidance, through the issuance of reports and recommendation, to appropriate Federal, State and local agencies in order to focus and improve the use of resources… on Native Hawaiian education.” In 2022, the council was able to give funding for Hawaiian language instruction, a cultural-based curriculum and address mental health needs for Native Hawaiian students. 

Lumina Foundation Donates to the University of Hawai’i

Only 10.6% of Native Hawaiians over the age of 25 have earned an associate’s degree. To aid the effort to provide education for Hawaiians, the Lumina Foundation donated $575,000 to the University of Hawai’i in 2022. Lumina Foundation announced that the funding was dedicated to increasing the share of Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders and Filipinos earning college credentials in Hawaii. The University of Hawai’i is set to raise attainment rates by 5% for these ethnic minorities in the next four years. The university will also use part of the funding to expand professional development to professors so they are capable of teaching Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders and Filipinos in a culturally inclusive way. 

– Yana Gupta
Photo: Flickr

,

5 Safety Risks That Child Poverty in Paraguay Causes

Child Poverty in Paraguay
The child population in Paraguay is 2.5 million, making it 35% of the total population. Paraguay has a population of 7.3 million, with nearly 63% living in urban areas and 37% living in rural areas. Child poverty in Paraguay creates an entry point of multiple issues that risk the safety and well-being of Paraguayan children. Here are five safety risks that child poverty in Paraguay causes.

1. Child Labor

According to the Encuesta Permanente de Hogares Continua (EPHC), in 2020, 53% of children living in rural areas worked as child laborers in farmlands. Children in Paraguay experience the worst forms of labor. According to the United States Department of Labor, in rural areas, children work as child laborers on farms against their will to produce corn, beans, manioc, peanuts, peppers, sesame, sugarcane, tomatoes, lettuce, melons, sweet potato, onions, carrots, cabbages and many more crops. 

On top of producing and picking crops, children raise cattle, poultry, hogs, sheep and goats and are responsible for milk production. Children also fish using hooks and harpoons and prepare bait, exposing themselves to multiple diseases and harsh weather. 

In rural areas, children work on construction sites, exposing them to hazardous materials without any protection and dangerous conditions. Employers order children to handle heavy loads of materials and equipment, even in producing bricks.

2. Street Children

In more populated areas like the capital city, Asunción, there is a different type of child labor in street children. Impoverished children tend not to complete their education because they must provide for their families. In 2021, 75% of children enrolled in primary school and 60% enrolled in middle school, according to UNICEF and the Ministry of Education. With only 54% of students enrolled in upper secondary school. 

The children who do not attend school are working on the streets as street vendors or street performers. Parents or family members exploit their children to make money. Other street work includes sanitation, shoe shinning, newspaper vendor and begging. 

3. Child Marriages

Children of Paraguay are often subject to child marriages, which the high levels of child poverty cause. In 2020, 4% of girls 15 or younger experienced marriage or a union, according to GirlsNotBrides. 

Marriage at such a young age has severe physical and mental health issues because children are unprepared for such a commitment. Paraguay has no national plan or security in place to prevent child marriages. The main drive of child marriages is gender inequality and wealth. About 37% of women living in poor households marry at a young age. 

4. Child Exploitation

The main reason children enter marriage is the sexual exploitation of girls. In 2021, UNICEF recorded about 1,500 cases of sexual abuse. Both boys and girls are victims of sex tourism and they are often sold or given away and exploited for sexual, domestic and commercial services. 

According to UNICEF, data from Fono Ayuda 147 calculated almost 7,400 calls for cases of sexual and physical abuse from children. The organization does not know if the calls are from exploited children. Child exploitation occurs mainly through traffickers’ use of social media to recruit victims who end up on boats where others exploit them for prostitution and child pornography. 

5. Children Trafficking

Paraguay is a big contributor to child trafficking in the continent. Paraguay is a transit and destination country in the Tri-Border Area, comprising Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. Children from rural-impoverished areas are often trafficked to cities and other countries. 

The U.S. Department of State recorded 166 trafficked victims, in the 2022 Trafficking in Persons Report. The report found  72 women, 46 girls, nine men and 33 boys in the victim group. Of that number, 74 victims reported being trafficked for sexual purposes and another 86 reported others forcing them into labor. 

Solutions

Ultimately, it would seem that the safety of children in Paraguay is severely lacking. However, programs and legislation are being enforced to slow down and protect the children of Paraguay. The program, Dispositivo de Respuesta Inmediata, responds to tips from a hotline and provides support for children on the streets. The program employs social workers and authorities to call for sexual abuse, sexual exploitation and routes of street employment in children. 

The government also passed the National Plan for Childhood and Adolescence 2022-2024, which will foresee the protection of children’s rights and highlight child labor as a violation of those rights. Paraguay is a member of the Organization of American States. As a member, Paraguay is working to strengthen its response to sexual and physical violence and the obliteration of early marriage in children. This means there is support and answers to the security of children in Paraguay.

– Sebastian Llerena
Photo: Flickr

,

The Mona Foundation: Education and Opportunities for Women

The Mona FoundationEducation is a proven pathway out of poverty, which is why several organizations center their missions around helping disadvantaged children attain access to quality education. The Mona Foundation is one of many organizations that realize the value of education as a tool for poverty reduction. This work is essential considering that after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 700 million people lived in extreme poverty in 2020.

The Mona Foundation

The Mona Foundation is an organization that believes “Education is key to alleviating poverty, hunger, inequality, and most other social ills.” The Mona Foundation supports grassroots organizations worldwide in their efforts to educate children, focusing on empowering girls and women to transform communities. The president and founder of the organization, Mahnaz Aflatooni Javid, is based out of the United States. The Mona Foundation has operated since 1999 and has donated over $17 million to its 53 partner organizations. The foundation has the support of famous American celebrity Rainn Wilson or Dwight Schrute from the American version of the series “The Office”. The story of Mona Mahmudnizhad, a young Iranian female human rights activist, inspired the organization’s name. Mona was arrested by Iranian authorities in 1983 for her outspoken nature and support for fundamental human rights and for being a member of the minority Baháʼí faith. Nine months later, at the age of 17, she was executed.

Arriba Las Manos

One of the education organizations the Mona Foundation supports is the Arriba Las Manos organization based out of Colombia. Arabia Las Manos allows children to access educational tools like toys, Legos and other things. According to the OECD, 37% of Columbian adults aged 25-64 who attended school up to upper secondary school earned less than half the average earnings in 2019. Hence, education at an early age is so important. Both organizations work to increase access to education.

The focus on education, and girls’ education in particular, is essential, considering that more than 100 million girls are out of school worldwide, according to UNICEF. Access to education can provide girls and women with the skills and knowledge required to rise out of poverty, uplift their families and empower their communities. With girls and women being a marginalized group, it is vital for all humanitarian efforts to keep girls and women at the center of their aid efforts. 

 A report was published in 2020 by the ERIC Institute on Education Sciences on education development in the Huaping Girls High School in Yunnan Province in China. Establishing the High School itself was a way to help the women living there leave one of the poorest areas in the Yunnan Province. By providing girls from that area in extreme poverty a chance to get an easily accessible education, over 1,800 girls from that school attended universities across China, helping them realize their dreams of getting out of poverty and into the world. Giving these struggling women opportunities to thrive and lift themselves out of poverty through education helped them leave one of the poorest regions in China. The School shows that giving access to education to those who otherwise would not have it can lead to success. In this case, women end up at university, thus underscoring the importance of education access to ending poverty.

Women’s Empowerment

The Mona Foundation’s efforts have had a significant impact so far. The organization’s sponsorship programs in 2023 have supported over 2,000 children. Its teacher training programs in 2022 trained over 8,000 teachers and its women’s empowerment program teaches women to think critically about their upbringing and develop skills to help them lift themselves out of poverty. In 2022, over 100,000 girls were empowered through the Mona Foundation. This organization has a significant impact on women and children in need. 

The Mona Foundation has helped many people through its programs and partnerships. Through sponsorships and teaching drills to partnering with organizations that share their values and goals, this organization plays an essential role in the fight against poverty.

– Calder Miller
Photo: Flickr

Broadening Internet Connectivity in Kenya

Internet Connectivity in KenyaKenya’s government is set to begin constructing 100,000km of fiber-optic cable throughout the country as part of a nationwide project to broaden internet connectivity in Kenya. Their approach implements a unique blend of private- and public-sector construction that has caught the eye of many experts in the field.

Internet Access in Kenya

According to the World Bank, less than a third of Kenyans had internet access in 2021. The largest data service provider in Kenya, Safaricom, still remains largely inactive in most rural areas. Internet connectivity in Kenya is strongest in Nairobi.  
 

To address Kenya’s internet deficiency, the government has begun Phase 1 of the multi-phase Kenya Digital Economy Acceleration Project, a plan to broaden internet connectivity in Kenya. From this year to 2028, 100,000km of fiber-optic cable will be built across all 1450 wards in the country, targeting areas outside major cities. Furthermore, this cable network will be connected to 25,000 public “Digital Village Smart Hubs,” ensuring more citizens living in rural communities can access internet services. 

Rather than working alongside the private sector in a joint national venture The ITC, Kenya’s Ministry of Technology and Communication, has commissioned private-sector companies like Safaricom to construct about half of the cable network itself, while the government oversees construction of the remaining 50%. Though structurally complex, experts believe this approach could speed up construction, lower costs and create over 1.5 million jobs. Additionally, the fiber-optic cable uses quartz fiber, which is lightweight, resilient and loses 100 million times less transmit power than traditional cables. 

Safaricom has already completed 27% of its share of the construction. Moreover, the World Bank has committed nearly $400 million of the $600 million needed to complete the network. 

All Africa Digital Economy Moonshot (Bigger Plans for Africa)

A broader conduit for funding is the joint All Africa Digital Economy Moonshot of the World Bank and African Union. This is a broad goal of bringing Africa online, as well as a digital overhaul of African financial and public services by 2030. 

Phase 2 of the KDEAP will run from 2026–2030 and involve building the infrastructure and digital environments to digitize government services. By 2030, the Kenyan government should be able to offer e-services like 3-minute digital credit lines and digitized fingerprint/photo records of citizens, enabling secure, speedy access to thousands of planned public services. 

Economic Benefits

About a quarter of Kenya’s population currently lives in extreme poverty. Increasing internet connectivity in Kenya could reduce poverty by improving education and expanding job opportunities. Furthermore, many African leaders note that there is a strong desire amongst African countries to strengthen trade between each other, not just internationally. However, the lack of digital payment systems, credit lines, speedy internet connection and other information technologies has hampered efforts to build trade networks on the continent. Hopefully, as more countries are brought online this decade, they will be able to reap the economic benefits of improved trade and production.

The push for greater internet connectivity in Kenya looks to be going well. Hopefully, the government and its private-sector partners will continue to be successful in the future.

– Finneas Sensiba
Photo: Pixabay

Fog Nets Capture Hope

Fog NetsOne of the biggest challenges that many remote and impoverished communities face is access to food and water. Fog nets, in some places, have become the solution to both of those problems. Strung up across hillsides, these nets collect water for crops and people in places like Peru, Morocco, Bolivia, Columbia, Mexico and the South African Kalahari Desert, among others. 

The Nets

Fog nets are made out of a dense mesh material and put in the air between two poles. They collect the microscopic water droplets that are in fog and condense them. They drip down the net and are siphoned into pipes, which all usually congregate into one large container for all of the nets in an area. Depending on the climate and net type, each fog net can catch up to 400 liters of fresh water per day. 

Some nets are less durable than others, and there has been some struggle to find affordable and durable nets. Many have used nets made of grocery packaging, but they break easily in extreme weather and do not collect as much water as more expensive ones. However, there is academic work being done to increase the strength and productivity of fog nets. A net called the Kirigami fog net is a perfect balance between affordable and strong, and produces optimal water from low-hanging fog. 

The Communities

Different communities are able to use this water for different purposes. Many use it for crops and animals. In Lima, Peru, which has dry land but high fog coverage, these nets are used for people who live on the outskirts of the city, who would otherwise need water driven to them in trucks. However, the water that they are able to get from the nets is not fit for human consumption, as Lima is one of the capitals of pollution. Because of that, Lima is one of the cities that uses fog nets to water their crops, but does not drink it. With only slightly over half of Peru’s population having access to clean drinking water as of 2018, this new way of collecting water for crops frees up resources to transport more potable water to communities that need it.

In Morocco, a remote Amazigh community has begun using fog nets. At first, the women were wary of this new method. As it was the women’s responsibility in this community to collect and watch over the water and its distribution, it seemed like the water coming from fog nets might take away some of their power. They also feared that it would eliminate time that was essential to the young Amazigh girls; time for women to talk about ways of life, and teach each other. Despite their misgivings, the wells were far away and drying up. Now, though, they are able to take advantage of their extra time, and they still have the power over water distribution and taking care of the nets. The nets have empowered local women, and the water can now be used in schools and agriculture.

These fog nets are used extensively for drinking water and agriculture, producing many crops in areas across the world that would otherwise be devoid of fruit. One in four people in the world does not have access to clean drinking water, but these nets could help to change that for many communities. In a time when potable water is becoming harder to come by, and weather is becoming more extreme, this adaptation is a hopeful sign for many.

– Ren Pratt
Photo: Unsplash

The Diabetes Epidemic in India

The Diabetes Epidemic in IndiaLike many low-income countries, India has struggled to battle its diabetes epidemic, particularly over the last decade, with some areas in India such as Goa having an alarming prevalence of 26.4% in 2021. 

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 77 million people are suffering from diabetes. About 12.1 million of these individuals are 65 or younger, which should rise to a figure of 27.5 million by 2045. Therefore, meaning India has the second highest prevalence of diabetes, lagging just behind China. 

As its population continues to grow, the diabetes epidemic across India’s 1.42 billion population remains a concern. With this in mind, the government of India and other organizations have developed initiatives to alleviate the diabetes epidemic in India and create better health outcomes in the country. 

Defining Diabetes

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), diabetes is defined as a chronic, metabolic disease, which is characterized by higher levels of blood sugar. Diabetes prevents or restricts the pancreas from producing the hormone insulin. 

Insulin maintains the human body’s blood sugar level, which is important for human processes, such as metabolism, to ensure the body has enough energy. The pancreas produces insulin to regulate the amount of sugar, or glucose, the body requires; the body stores the remaining amounts of glucose.  

Without the pancreas producing insulin or becoming resistant to insulin, excess amounts of glucose remain in the bloodstream. This can lead to significant damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys and nerves over time. 

Diabetes in India

According to a 2017 report by the Indian Council for Medical Research, diabetes prevalence has rocketed by 64% over the last 25 years. The cause for this diabetes epidemic in India may be perhaps due to a lack of awareness surrounding lifestyle choices and optimal diets. 

The increase in diabetes incidence is not only indicative of an aging population, it also represents lifestyle changes that are linked to increased wealth which impacts every age group. Those on higher incomes have more accessibility in terms of incorporating processed food, containing high levels of salt into their diets. 

A 2023 report published by Nature highlights that diabetes prevalence significantly increased in richer areas, such as Goa with a 26.4% prevalence, in comparison to poorer states like Uttar Pradesh with a 4.8% prevalence. 

The article also touches on increased prevalence when going from those without formal education to those with higher levels of education; those from urban areas are more likely to have diabetes than those from rural areas.

An analysis reveals that awareness, treatment and control of diabetes are lower among the impoverished and less educated people in India. For those living with diabetes, access to affordable treatment and health care is essential to manage the disease. Logistics issues, lack of diabetic medications and sub-optimal public health care systems can also contribute to the unknown diabetes ratio in rural areas. 

Those from lower-income backgrounds also have trouble controlling and managing diabetes, due to a lack of awareness surrounding symptoms linked to diabetes, notes leading diabetologist V Mohan in an interview from July 2017.

“Before knowledge and awareness levels improve across India, the disease is likely to spread across these communities,” he said.

Furthermore, the current trends in India show that the diabetes epidemic will continue to grow, however, this is preventable through dietary adaptations and education. Treatments such as insulin and other anti-diabetic medications are costly, therefore it is crucial that emphasis is placed on prevention. 

The Impact of Diabetes Continues Across Generations 

Studies have recognized that Indians have higher insulin resistance due to an inherent genetic predisposition, increased disease incidence and lower body mass index. Despite healthier behaviors in terms of smoking and exercise, a higher prevalence of diabetes is reported among Indians living in the United States due to higher levels of obesity. 

A 20-year longitudinal study based in the United Kingdom notes that diabetes prevalence is three times higher in Indians compared to their European counterparts. Likewise, a high prevalence of diabetes in immigrant Indians was reported in a study investigating diabetes among communities living in Singapore.  

These studies suggest a growing challenge and represent a public health challenge to tackle insulin resistance and the diabetes epidemic in many Indians globally.

Organizations Addressing Diabetes in India

One organization helping alleviate the diabetes epidemic in India is the Nityaasha Foundation. The organization was established in 2013 and focuses on individuals from lower-income backgrounds who are suffering from diabetes. Most families they provide support to are illiterate and daily wage workers. 

The Niytaasha Foundation has a mission to “bestow healthy life by fulfilling the medical needs of the underprivileged through holistic support.” One way the Foundation meets this mission is by providing free medical aid, such as insulin and glucose meters, along with diet and social counseling. They also monitor health on a regular basis as well as aiming to provide educational sessions. 

Currently, the Niytaasha Foundation helps 130 type 1 children, of which 70% of children come from rural areas. 

Diabetes in India is a persistent, ongoing issue impacting many Indians around the globe. Despite there being a need for better public health care systems in India, organizations such as the Niytaasha Foundation aim to improve the health outcomes for many patients suffering from diabetes in India.

– Rupinder Kaur
Photo: Rawpixel

AI for Development? That is What the UK thinks

AI for Development
At the latest meeting of the United Nations General Assembly, the U.K. Foreign Secretary announced a partnership with Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC), to launch a programme called ‘AI for Development’. The goal of the program is to build local skills in AI, initially in Africa, to help combat the causes and symptoms of poverty. The program will launch around the U.K.-hosted AI Safety Summit in November.

A Credible Record

The IDRC has already enjoyed significant success in using AI for Development in Africa. In 2020, it launched the Artificial Intelligence for Development in Africa (AI4D Africa) program in partnership with Sweden’s government agency for development cooperation (Sida). This four-year, $20 million CAD partnership has dedicated itself to a future where Africans across all regions create and use AI to lead healthier and happier lives. The program promotes excellence in applied research and using AI technologies to solve development challenges and improve the livelihoods of those living in poverty. It invests in Africa’s existing science and policy communities to enable them to maximize their research and development opportunities in the AI field. Its track record in this area makes it an excellent partner for the U.K. government’s new project. 

It has already run six calls for funding and invested in several organizations, including the African Centre for Technology Studies, Research ICT Africa and Strathmore University.

One of the main challenges that those below the global poverty line face is poor access to health care. For example, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), annual out-of-pocket health care expenditure is only $15. 

To respond to this challenge, the IDRC launched ‘Artificial Intelligence for Global Health,’ an $15.5 million CAD investment to strengthen health care systems in the Global South. National health care systems in the Global South can work with Artificial Intelligence to identify threats and formulate effective responses, allowing them to use the limited resources they have more efficiently. 

Meeting Africa’s Needs

As the initial target of the project, Africa is an area where people will feel the benefits of this technology the most. Currently, its 33 million smallholder farms contribute up to 70% of the continent’s food supply. These farms are severely exposed to droughts and shortages. Experiences in Ghana by the nonprofit AGRI-WEB have shown that AI can model these fluctuations, allowing farmers to plan their seasons more effectively. This can reduce shortfalls in both farmers’ incomes and food for local populations, lifting both groups out of poverty. 

Lack of education in Africa is another cause of poverty, which artificial intelligence might be able to help. Currently, there are still countries in sub-Saharan Africa with literacy rates below 50% among their youth population. AI can help to change that. It can help translate educational programs into local languages, removing a key barrier in education. In Tanzania, ed-tech startup Mtabe is using AI to analyze students’ learning styles and progress, to generate personalized learning content that is tailored to each student’s individual needs. 

Looking Ahead

The U.K.’s Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, hopes to build on achievements of this kind with this new program. While AI is currently enjoying significant growth in high-income countries, Cleverly wants the project to ensure that “the fulfillment of (AI’s) enormous potential is shared globally.” That will start by bringing cutting-edge technologies to the regions of the world where they will have the biggest impact on the lives of people living in poverty.

– Jack Arrowsmith
Photo: Wikipedia Commons