Haiti has had major struggles with cholera since the devastating earthquake occurred in 2010, with minimal resources at the impoverished nation’s disposal. The cholera epidemic ended in January 2019, and by January 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Haiti free from cholera. But, in September 2022, Haiti saw a resurgence of cholera. As the cholera outbreak in Haiti continues, organizations like the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and Partners in Health (PIH) are working tirelessly, offering not just medical aid but also education, a tool to empower and establish resilience.
Background
Haiti is an unstable country, with social and political unrest, a weak economy, and a high rate of natural disasters. In 2021, Haiti had the lowest gross national income of all countries in the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region, standing at just $1,420 per capita. In 2021, Haiti ranked 163 out of 191 on the UN Human Development Index. Meanwhile, in 2021, an earthquake caused $1.6 billion in damage and losses, which equated to 11% of Haiti’s GDP. And, in the same region in 2016, Hurricane Matthew caused losses and damages estimated at 13% of the country’s 2015 GDP. The recurring natural disasters are constantly battering an already impoverished country.
This instability carries to Haiti’s health care system, which has faced numerous challenges, with health care workers leaving Haiti due to low wages. For the health workers remaining in the country, high fuel prices make it challenging to travel to work.
Haiti experiences shortages of essential medicine and a lack of access to facilities due to geographical and financial barriers. According to the World Bank, Haiti is the poorest country in the LAC region and one of the poorest countries in the world. As of 2023, 59% of Haitians live below the poverty line, according to UNICEF. As of 2020, about 50% of the country’s rural population lacked access to drinkable water, and about one-third of Haitians had access to basic sanitation. These statistics mean the country’s people are extremely vulnerable to experiencing outbreaks of cholera.
Haiti had been declared cholera-free on February 4th, 2022, but in October 2022, 12 years after their battle with cholera began and after three years of no reported cases, there was a new cholera outbreak in Haiti. It is currently unclear how this new wave of cholera began, but lack of health care infrastructure, lack of clean water, and extreme poverty are the primary culprits.
The Caseload
Based on the most recently published update from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in August 2023, there have been 3,696 confirmed cases, with 77% of the patients being younger than 10 years old. There are a suspected 58,230 cases in the whole of Haiti, which is almost 15 times more than the confirmed cases supply. Cholera is a disease with a high rate of survival, especially outside of the younger population, so that is likely why so many of the confirmed cases are so young- they are those who have to receive professional treatment.
Many patients have to walk long distances to access care, especially with gas prices on the island skyrocketing. As of 2017, there were seven hospital beds per 10,000 people in Haiti. They also have to walk long distances to get to clean water, with access points ever-changing. People fight over water on busier days, and bottled water is not very affordable for most as a primary water source. Unclean water that has microscopic amounts of feces of a cholera carrier is how cholera spreads, and Haitians who are unable to afford bottled water, which is a majority of the extremely impoverished country, have to struggle to find water, which is largely unclean due to lack of funding for water infrastructure or reliable plumbing within Haiti.
Taking Action
Current strategies are varied. Largely, the challenge is in strengthening health infrastructure in a country facing rapid political changes. PAHO is working to provide an oral vaccination against the disease, as well as water purification tablets. The organization is attempting to teach improved hygiene practices in hospitals.
Partners in Health (PIH) is working diligently in Haiti as well. PIH opened University Hospital of Mirebalais in 2013, which has opened the door for more Haitians to get health care certifications, and 98% of the people who graduate from residency stay to work in Haiti instead of going to work abroad as Haitians with medical training often decide to do.
PAHO is training medical staff across Haiti on water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) procedures, as well as evaluating communities and 14 different prisons on their WASH policies. It has been and continues to distribute supplies that will support WASH in the communities that are most harmed by the cholera outbreak in Haiti. PAHO, in collaboration with WHO, had evaluated 68 cholera treatment centers, providing training to 126 service providers, when their last report was published in August 2023. About 916 residents had received vaccinations as well.
Ultimately, the cholera outbreak in Haiti has strong links to poverty as impoverished people lack access to potable water, proper sanitation and education. The long-term solution goes beyond providing clean water to meet immediate needs. Humanitarian organizations are working to garner lasting change and build a strong, resilient health care force in Haiti. This means that even when aid organizations leave the country, Haiti’s people will have the skills, knowledge and resources to properly manage disease outbreaks.
– Ren Pratt
Photo: Flickr
Implementing Renewable Energy in Nigeria
Nigeria has the largest GDP in Africa and a population of more than 200 million. At the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari announced that his country aims to be carbon neutral by 2060. In August 2022, it established an Energy Transition Plan (ETP), an Energy Transition Implementation working group (ETWG) and an Energy Transition Office (ETO) to achieve net-zero emissions. Renewable energy in Nigeria will help the country by strengthening the economy and combating the effects of changing weather patterns.
Changing Weather Patterns in Nigeria
Sequences of weather changes have increased the demand for plans toward clean energy. The floods from October to November of 2022 are an example of the devastation it has caused, with more than 600 deaths, thousands injured and 1.3 million people displaced from their homes. Green energy policies work to limit the effects of weather changes by working toward the goal of carbon neutrality by 2060.
Transitioning to Renewable Energy
The ETP website highlights that “the next couple of decades present a unique opportunity to merge these two priorities: economic development and climate action, and to achieve in Africa’s largest economy, one of the world’s first true just transitions.” The website claims that renewable energy in Nigeria will lift 100 million people out of poverty and create up to 340,000 jobs by 2030 and 840,000 jobs by 2060. The transition creates opportunities for economic growth in new industries such as hydrogen, solar energy and electric vehicles.
The Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), the Energy Transition Academy (ETA) and the Africa Energy Program strive to educate workers on the switch to renewable energy. They collaborate with the Global Fellowship Program, which provides Nigerians with “a demand-driven curriculum to underpin the deployment and scaling of distributed energy resources that could unlock jobs and electricity access.” The program provides knowledge through on-site examples, leadership development and capstone projects. Dismantling the fossil fuel industry creates unemployment, but training the local workers fills the jobs needed to transition to clean energy.
Another way to involve the local community is by including them in the economic benefits of the clean energy movement. Community-led projects can implement new management strategies and tailor the projects to local needs. For example, the Sharing the Power project allows locals to be a part of an ownership structure, motivating more of the community to get involved in energy initiatives. Another example is the Energizing Agriculture Program, which connects clean energy technologies to the agricultural industry, the third largest economic contributor in Nigeria.
Promoting Gender Equality
Transitioning to renewable energy in Nigeria will promote gender equality and economic growth. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) found that “only 32 percent of renewable energy jobs are held by women, who are among the most vulnerable to climate change.” In 2016, The Clinton Climate Initiative created the Women in Renewable Energy (WIRE) Network to combat the gender imbalance in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs. WIRE believes in educating women who desire personal and professional growth through mentorships and building connections in the energy sector.
Conclusion
Since 2021, Nigeria has made great progress toward achieving carbon neutrality. In those years, the country promoted community-led projects, initiatives for diverse populations and training for workers in transition. To meet its goal, Nigeria needs to continue investing in programs that direct the country away from fossil fuels and toward clean energy. Renewable energy technologies and countrywide economic growth are the answer to Nigeria’s growing socioeconomic needs.
– Diana Grant
Photo: Flickr
How Heart for Lebanon is Addressing the Economic Crisis in Lebanon
Since 2019, Lebanon has been in an ongoing struggle as a nation. What started as an economic crisis in Lebanon has now pushed more than 80% of the population into poverty. Of this population, poverty has most significantly impacted marginalized groups including migrant workers, children and the elderly. One of the many organizations fighting for the citizens living in poverty in Lebanon is Heart for Lebanon. Post-COVID-19, Heart for Lebanon continues to fight for its home country as its economic crisis continues.
Heart for Lebanon
Following the elections of new government officials, when the prime minister could not agree on the cabinet mandate, this, in turn, led to obstruction. They continued to obstruct the domestic investigation into the Beirut blast in 2020, which took 220 lives and injured more than 7,000. This blast disrupted electricity and these issues have continued to spiral as the country dealt with the COVID-19 virus.
The country is in a humanitarian crisis, deemed “the worst humanitarian crisis since World War II,” and organizations such as Heart for Lebanon have offered their aid. Heart for Lebanon’s new center is designed to lower these numbers of poverty, providing aid for families and children as well as Christian education. Located in the heart of Bekka Valley, their facility features a warehouse for packaging aid items, a chapel room, a clinic, a cafeteria and dormitories.
Hope on Wheels
One thing it has provided to the community is its mobile ministry truck, called “Hope on Wheels.” The truck travels to different parts of Lebanon, spreading biblical messages in the form of skits, games, songs and puppets. Hundreds of children gather around every week to stay for a few hours and distract themselves from the everyday terrors they face in their current situation; it lets them enjoy being children again. The Hope Ministry is equipped to handle and educate more than 12,000 refugees each year, and as it continues its efforts, it is helping children working through the current poverty crisis in Lebanon.
The H.O.P.E Program
The H.O.P.E program, Helping Overcome Poverty Through Education, provides a proper education to children in multiple communities in Lebanon struggling from poverty. Due to the poverty that has affected the majority of the population during the economic crisis in Lebanon, children have not had access to formal education, but the H.O.P.E program has offered informal education for children during this time. Children not only learn about biblical content, but the curriculum covers the essentials they need such as math, English, Arabic and art.
Looking Ahead
Though a few other reputable organizations are helping with the poverty crisis in Lebanon, Heart for Lebanon is actively helping to serve the vulnerable demographics of the population. From donations to offering educational material/lessons, it is helping many children across Lebanon to escape from the stress of their day-to-day lives.
More than one in 10 families have had to send their children to work to help with the inflation that has taken place in Lebanon. Alongside this fact, 15% of families have had to halt their children’s education as many can no longer afford it. With these facts in mind, it can be difficult to see a child undergoing these huge life changes but having something to look forward to whether it be school or fun puppet shows, is one of the simple ways to care for the children of Lebanon.
– Isabella Polo
Photo: Flickr
3 Innovations Utilizing Locally Available Resources to Fight Poverty
Across the globe, people live without access to electricity, sanitation and manufacturing resources. In turn, their households lack strong infrastructure and protection against extreme heat and environmental health concerns. Resourceful innovations are working to tackle these elements of poverty by utilizing readily available products and local capabilities. Here are three innovations using locally available resources to fight poverty.
1. Eco-Cooler
Bangladesh has one of the wettest climates in the world due to its summer monsoon season. To accommodate for the rain, more than 60% of Bangladesh’s population lives in tin huts rather than more vulnerable mud huts. Although tin provides protection from the rain, it exacerbates the extreme summer heat. Without access to electricity and, therefore, air conditioning, this heat is unbearable for those living in rural, low-income areas.
Through resourceful innovation, Ashis Paul created a cooling system that does not need electricity and utilizes commonly found items. The Eco-cooler comprises locally available resources like plastic bottles that are cut in half and mounted on a sheet of cardboard. The cardboard is then fitted to a window with the wider part of the bottles facing outward. The bottles catch passing wind, cool the air as it experiences a change in pressure, and then funnel the air into the building’s interior. It is estimated that this affordable and easy-to-build solution is able to reduce temperatures up to 5 degrees Celsius depending on the conditions.
2. Gjenge Makers
Nairobi, Kenya generates around 500 tons of plastic waste every day. Without proper decomposition methods, a majority of this waste ends up in garbage dumps located around low-income communities, further impacting the health and living conditions of impoverished people in Nairobi.
Nzambi Matee, founder of Gjenge Makers, discovered how to transform this plastic waste into a valuable resource: bricks that are seven times stronger than concrete. The bricks are formed with a mix of sand and polyethylene or polypropylene, which could otherwise not be recycled. Gjenge Maker bricks are half the weight of concrete, making transportation and building more efficient and affordable. Gjenge Makers’ aims to use its resourceful innovation to solve Kenya’s pollution problem, provide new job opportunities, produce healthier livelihoods and introduce young women to entrepreneurship and engineering.
3. White Roofs
The Mahila Housing Trust (MHT) originated to educate and strengthen impoverished women to improve their living conditions. One aim is to build resilience against unbearable temperatures. Temperatures in western India can reach up to 47.8C (118F) in the summer. This heat diminishes women’s ability to be productive and healthy in their homes. MHT is increasing women’s ability to tackle extreme temperatures without the need for hard-to-access resources such as electricity.
Mahila Housing Trust has distributed white solar-reflective paint to low-income communities in western India. Women living in these areas are able to apply the paint at no cost, reflecting sunlight away from their houses and reducing the internal temperature. This simple and resourceful innovation is estimated to reduce temperatures by 1 to 2 degrees Celsius. Even the slightest drop in temperature reduces women’s vulnerability to heat stroke, exhaustion and pregnancy complications, and allows women to remain productive in the summer.
Nzambi Matee, Ashis Paul and the Mahila Housing Trust are demonstrating how resourceful innovations using locally available resources can help battle the barrier of access to commodities, such as electricity and manufacturing tools. Determining the materials a community lacks and utilizing the resources they do have is creating unique inventions and fighting poverty.
– Aliya French
Photo: Flickr
WHO and UNICEF Respond to Hunger in the Horn of Africa
For the last 40 years, the greater Horn of Africa has borne the brunt of changing weather patterns and its knock-on effects. Extended periods of extreme heat and poor rainfall have led to conditions of drought in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia. This has affected crop growth and grazing land for animals, destabilizing already fragile subsistence farms and causing widespread hunger, thirst and desperation. Here is some information about what some are doing to address hunger in the Horn of Africa.
The Situation
Despite heavier rainfall during the wet season of 2023, the soil has become parched, damaged by severe and long-term drought and no longer able to absorb water. Floods have destroyed roads, washed away livestock and forced the closure of schools and medical facilities, on top of famine and water insecurity. More than 11 million people have become climate refugees, forced to leave their homes to seek pasture, food, water and medical treatment.
These factors have increased the risk of illness and disease. Contaminated water sources from flooding spread cholera, measles and other waterborne diseases. The nature of changing weather patterns means that extreme weather events such as these may occur more frequently and with more intensity. The resilience of these communities is reducing; many households are unable to bounce back before another onslaught of sickness, famine and financial loss.
Food Insecurity in the Horn of Africa
The number of people experiencing acute food insecurity has reached 45.8 million, with children among the most at risk. Four consecutive dry periods have killed crops and livestock, reducing the nutritious food available and food prices have inflated due to scarcity. The number of children under 5 years old suffering from malnutrition has skyrocketed to more than 7 million, with 1.9 million children at risk of death across seven countries.
UNICEF
UNICEF issued an appeal in 2022, calling for funding to provide critical, life-saving treatment such as ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF). Supported by donors, the organization addressed hunger in the Horn of Africa by assisting 30 million children and mothers at risk of malnutrition through education, nutrition, immunization and child protection services. Immediate actions also included addressing the water insecurity crisis by drilling water boreholes to improve community resilience to future climate emergencies. Investments in government child social schemes, in addition to nutrition and health systems, address the need for longer-term resilience.
The World Health Organization (WHO)
The World Health Organization (WHO) has been instrumental in coordinating efforts to treat diseases and provide food, water and sanitation. In Kenya, a rapid response team at county and sub-county levels was established to detect, report on and respond to drought early on. The government food and health emergency plan was revised in Ethiopia, as were the drought response activities. In Somalia, the WHO collaborated with UNICEF and 53 health partners to address the needs of internally displaced people. International cooperation between Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya will combat the cholera outbreak. In Uganda, the WHO is responding to the measles outbreak by assisting with vaccinations and donating equipment to manage the number of cases. Along with the Ministry of Health, the WHO is training health workers, including nutrition leads, to manage health complications in Djibouti.
Prompt responses to the effects of drought are crucial to the reduction of hunger in the Horn of Africa. Long-term damage to children’s well-being and devastation to livelihoods and the economy can be averted through a timely and well-coordinated course of action.
– Lydia Greene
Photo: Flickr
5 Active NGOs in Myanmar
Numerous non-governmental organizations (NGOs) fight against injustices including poverty, changing weather patterns and hunger all around the world. Human rights violations have increased dramatically in Myanmar, and homelessness is now becoming the standard. Around 40% of Myanmar’s population lives below the poverty line and is in desperate need of help. Here are five NGOs Active in Myanmar helping fight these horrific issues.
5 Active NGOs in Myanmar
Even though Myanmar is experiencing significant poverty, these five NGOs are making a difference. Through their continued aid, the quality of life in the country should only improve moving forward.
– Jake Marks
Photo: Flickr
Reducing The Gender Wage Gap in Venezuela
About the Gender Wage Gap in Venezuela
As of 2021, in Venezuela, women have a labor participation rate of 40%, while males have a rate of 65%. According to the NGO Centre for Justice and Peace (CEPAZ), 70%+ of Venezuelan women live in poverty. The gender wage gap in the U.S. has been stable for the past 20 years, while the gender wage gap in Venezuela has been slowly growing. The different reward systems for the worker’s characteristics, the tendency for men to have more education compared to women, and the state of the Venezuelan economy are suspected to be the main reasons for the wealth disparity.
Early education greatly influences Venezuelan men and women. In 2020, Venezuela scored 0.71 on the Gender Gap Index, meaning that women are approximately 29% less likely than men to have equal opportunities in education, the economy and politics. With the correlation between education and higher incomes being strong, it is evident why women tend to suffer from the gender wage gap in Venezuela.
The Gender Wage Gap and Poverty
Women in the country are shortchanged in other ways, especially regarding policy decision-making. With the Venezuelan crisis of corruption, uber-inflation, disease and high crime and mortality rates, the fact that 54% more women than men between the ages of 20 and 59 do not participate in the labor market for family reasons reveals how the gender wage gap in Venezuela is not only aiding in harmful gender stereotypes but also poverty for females in the country.
The lack of opportunities for decent work and foreign aid are key variables to the problem, which are complicated to fix overnight. Female poverty in Venezuela is so prevalent that people deemed it a crisis in 2020, with the pandemic exacerbating it. Venezuela’s decaying public health system has resulted in a lack of sexual and reproductive health services, which indirectly leads to large families with very little money to support them.
US Aid to Venezuela
The U.S. may have donated roughly $2.8 billion to the country since 2017, yet Venezuela is suffering one of the worst humanitarian crises in the history of the Western Hemisphere. On the surface, the gender wage gap in Venezuela is about the unrelenting problem of unequal incomes between females and males, in general, after all this time. But in a broad context, it proves how little foreign assistance and a poor economy can impact gender inequality. Many Americans say that the U.S. is doing enough when 4.5% of the budget for military affairs is allotted for foreign aid. Therefore, more can be done.
CEDAW’s Efforts
On fixing the gender wage gap in Venezuela, organizations like CEDAW (The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women) are overlooking the country’s progress in gender equality overall. The group originated in 1979 as a voice of advocacy for women’s rights worldwide. Its job is to ensure that the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women undergoes implementation. It checks that countries regularly instill human rights treaties. So far, the group has adopted a law on gender equality in Mongolia, a law in Rwanda prohibiting sex-based discrimination in access to land and much more.
In May 2023, the committee completed an in-depth review of Venezuela’s status. While it commended Venezuela for having more girls studying science subjects (which is a giant step for improving the gender wage gap there), it observed that more work is necessary in the country regarding gender equality. The Commission against Gender-based Violence of Universidad de Los Andes’s letter to CEDAW confirmed that the Venezuelan regime had not secured the human rights of women in different sectors such as politics, education and health care. The Committee focused on the lack of parity; only 19% of Venezuelan women are mayors of municipalities. Since then, CEDAW has advised civil society organizations to improve gender-based discrimination.
The Women’s Development
In 2001, the Women’s Development emerged to provide economic and non-economic relief to women in Venezuela. The bank, designed to serve women in poverty, has given more than 40,000 “microcredit” loans to groups of women aspiring to be entrepreneurs. It also offers training and workshops to women to become more self-sufficient.
– Bridelle Toumani
Photo: Flickr
Regenerative Solutions for Coffee in Colombia
With the perfect tropical climate and high mountain terrains, Colombia has the ideal soil for coffee to flourish and grow in. However, more than five decades of conflict and changing weather patterns have proven to be obstacles for Colombia’s coffee industry, and this has hurt the livelihoods and businesses of local farmers. Despite the many obstacles, regenerative coffee farming in Colombia protects, restores and enhances soil health, helping to alleviate poverty among coffee farmers.
Conflict in Colombia and Poverty Among Coffee Farmers
According to the Economist, the conflict in Colombia was “the longest-running domestic conflict in the western hemisphere, killing more than 200,000 people and displacing around 7 million.” This internal conflict has destabilized many regions all over the country, especially heavily forested regions in south Colombia, forcing coffee farmers to abandon their farms or switch to different crops.
In 2021, the poverty rate in Colombia reached 39.3%. The overall increase in poverty in Colombia has mostly affected rural areas, where agricultural practices like farming are essential in supporting the livelihoods of families and communities. For instance, less than 40% of coffee farmers earn a sustainable wage making them more susceptible to falling below the poverty line, being unable to make ends meet and in turn, failing to provide for their families.
Benefits of Regenerative Coffee Farming in Colombia
Regenerative coffee farming in Colombia has risen since the end of 2016. There have been several initiatives including regenerative solutions for coffee in the country to help the coffee industry become more sustainable and eco-friendly. Regenerative coffee farming benefits local farmers and lowers carbon emissions, in turn, benefitting local Colombian communities, saving money and strengthening the livelihoods of farmers across rural areas.
Helping Local Communities
To help coffee farmers revive their industry sustainably, the Colombian Coffee Grower’s Federation partnered with Nespresso and its AAA Sustainable Quality Programme to help and support farmers in producing quality coffee and gaining access to the global marketplace.
Moreover, to improve the economic and social lives of Indigenous and rural women living in Colombia, Mercedes Ruiz, a coffee planter, alongside another 600 other Indigenous and rural women founded the Association of Rural Women Almaguereñas (AMURA). The organization works to strengthen women’s access to economic resources, raise awareness amongst communities about women’s rights and combat gender-based violence. They plan to market their own coffee products to contribute to their communities.
Nespresso has also expanded its coffee sourcing operations to areas in Colombia that were once affected by conflict. It made a substantial investment of $50 million to support the cultivation of sustainable, high-quality coffee in these regions. This initiative aims to promote economic development and sustainable practices in Colombia’s coffee industry.
Looking Ahead
These solutions, projects and initiatives provide a sense of community to Colombian coffee farmers and local Indigenous communities to expand their coffee industry globally and support communities affected by internal conflict and increasing poverty rates. Hence, increased funding and support for regenerative coffee farming in Colombia are essential to address the challenges of shifting weather patterns and to alleviate poverty. In addition, more support can potentially contribute to sustaining the well-being of coffee farmers and the broader local communities throughout Colombia.
– Amber Hamed
Photo: Flickr
5 Facts About Global Access to Higher Education
Current Picture
Enrollment in higher education doubled between 2000 and 2018. This means that, though many aren’t actually graduating from college or trade school, they are gaining skill sets that will allow them to break the cycle. However, it is important to note that there still exists a large gap in access between the rich and poor, and many of the poorest countries have extremely limited access to higher education.
Sub-Saharan Africa and Central and Southern Asia have the lowest access to higher education. Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia are also the two poorest regions in the world, accounting for five of every six people in poverty around the world. These two facts are closely linked, as access to higher education is closely linked to poverty. Increasing access to higher education in those regions would help reduce the levels of poverty there as well.
Access to higher education is lower among the world’s refugees. In 2023, while rates of primary and secondary school education are 68% and 34%, higher education only has an enrollment of 5% among refugees. Because the world’s refugees have such low access to education compared to the global average, it can be difficult for refugees to escape poverty in the countries they move to.
Women have higher enrollment rates than men. Around the world, women have rates of enrollment in higher education 5% higher than men. While men only increased 17% over the last 20 years, women’s enrollment has increased 22%. However, there are many fields, specifically in the sciences and engineering, where women are still behind men. Increasing access in those fields will allow more women to contribute to other important parts of the world’s economy.
Global Learning Poverty
Global learning poverty increased as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to school closings, many students learned remotely or not at all throughout the pandemic. Poorer countries have been hit the hardest, and learning poverty jumped from 57% to 70% in those countries. While this has reversed many years of work to increase education access and literacy rates, as the world returns to normal, that rate will begin to drop again.
– John Rooney
Photo: Flickr
Unraveling Homelessness in Andorra: Challenges and Solutions
Andorra, a small European nation nestled in the Pyrenees, lacks specific homelessness regulations but is committed to providing social housing and assistance to those in need. While homelessness regulations remain rare in the country, thanks in part to its robust service-based economy, which helps keep poverty levels low, non-governmental organizations such as Caritas Andorrana extend their support to non-resident homeless individuals, offering counseling, information dissemination and direct assistance. Additionally, the government has unveiled an extensive COVID-19 recovery plan, comprising more than 100 initiatives spanning social welfare, economic recovery and innovation.
Although 8% of Andorra’s population reportedly lives below the poverty line, it is essential to distinguish between poverty and homelessness. Severe material deprivation affects 5.7% of the population, but this does not equate to homelessness. Overall, while homelessness is not a significant issue in Andorra, some individuals may be at risk of homelessness or living in poverty.
Nonprofits Supporting the Homeless
Caritas Andorra, a prominent nonprofit organization in Andorra, stands at the forefront of assisting homeless individuals and families. Its comprehensive services encompass counseling, information dissemination and direct aid for those navigating challenging social situations. Additionally, the organization provides critical legal and therapeutic support to those in need. Caritas Andorrana strongly emphasizes the essential role of such nonprofit organizations in addressing homelessness in Andorra.
Local–International NGO Partnerships
Local groups in Andorra, including the commendable Caritas Andorra, play a crucial role in assisting disadvantaged populations, notably non-resident homeless individuals. Such partnerships bolster local capacity, enhance access to resources and effectively augment interventions.
Successful Collaborations
Andorra has effectively forged collaborations both within its borders and on the international stage. These collaborations encompass diverse sectors, such as innovation and sustainability. Entrepreneurship and innovation are significant focal points of Andorra’s economic development, evidenced by the recent launch of a sport-tech startup program. The Andorran Women’s Association actively works to combat domestic abuse. Additionally, collaborations with Endesa, a Spanish energy firm, have resulted in sustainability initiatives tailored to the region’s unique needs. Notably, the Spain & Andorra Climate Resilience Leadership Initiative engages Spanish and Andorran citizens in confronting the climate crisis through various initiatives. This collaborative effort not only promotes climate resilience and sustainability but also strengthens bilateral relations and fosters community engagement.
Factors Contributing to Success
Several factors have contributed to the success of various projects within Andorra. Collaboration involving government agencies, non-governmental organizations and international entities has played a pivotal role in the successful implementation of various initiatives. Moreover, innovation, often resulting from partnerships with international centers and entities, has enhanced the competitiveness and sustainability of Andorra’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Collaborative projects, including those with Endesa, have yielded sustainability initiatives attuned to local needs. Engaging the community in initiatives like the Spain & Andorra Climate Resilience Leadership Initiative promotes climate resilience and sustainability. These efforts collectively address various challenges, including homelessness, through collaborative endeavors.
Empathizing with Andorran Homeless
While specific homelessness empathy campaigns are scantily documented, Andorra’s various initiatives demonstrate empathy toward vulnerable populations. Caritas Andorra’s provision of primary care, psychiatric support, legal counsel and clothing to homeless non-residents showcases a commitment to helping those in need. The Andorran Women’s Association actively aids domestic abuse victims, addressing the needs of marginalized groups with empathy and compassion. Furthermore, Andorra’s status as one of the safest countries, marked by its efficient police force and low crime rate, indirectly fosters empathy and community engagement, promoting a secure environment for all residents.
Andorran Campaigns and Initiatives
Andorra’s focus extends beyond homelessness, encompassing sustainability, social welfare and community engagement. Endesa’s collaboration with local stakeholders in developing community-specific sustainability projects underscores Andorra’s commitment to environmentally responsible growth. Caritas Andorrana plays a pivotal role in promoting dignity, growth and social welfare among vulnerable populations. The Spain & Andorra Climate Resilience Leadership Initiative exemplifies community engagement in addressing changing weather patterns. These initiatives collectively promote social, economic and environmental well-being, although specific homelessness-focused measures are lacking.
Andorran Sustainability Initiatives
Andorra actively promotes sustainability and environmental protection. The Sustainable Andorra Centre, a government platform, is dedicated to environmental education and promoting sustainability principles. Comprehensive recycling plans have been implemented to minimize waste and improve sustainability. Moreover, Andorra’s participation in global sustainable development accords, including the Paris Agreement to combat changing weather patterns and the Convention on Biological Diversity, underscores its commitment to global sustainability standards. These initiatives engage the community in environmental awareness and foster sustainability.
Conclusion
Andorra’s collaborative efforts and empathetic initiatives promote inclusivity, sustainability and a compassionate society.
– Robert Gaziano
Photo: Flickr
Addressing the Cholera Outbreak in Haiti
Haiti has had major struggles with cholera since the devastating earthquake occurred in 2010, with minimal resources at the impoverished nation’s disposal. The cholera epidemic ended in January 2019, and by January 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Haiti free from cholera. But, in September 2022, Haiti saw a resurgence of cholera. As the cholera outbreak in Haiti continues, organizations like the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and Partners in Health (PIH) are working tirelessly, offering not just medical aid but also education, a tool to empower and establish resilience.
Background
Haiti is an unstable country, with social and political unrest, a weak economy, and a high rate of natural disasters. In 2021, Haiti had the lowest gross national income of all countries in the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region, standing at just $1,420 per capita. In 2021, Haiti ranked 163 out of 191 on the UN Human Development Index. Meanwhile, in 2021, an earthquake caused $1.6 billion in damage and losses, which equated to 11% of Haiti’s GDP. And, in the same region in 2016, Hurricane Matthew caused losses and damages estimated at 13% of the country’s 2015 GDP. The recurring natural disasters are constantly battering an already impoverished country.
This instability carries to Haiti’s health care system, which has faced numerous challenges, with health care workers leaving Haiti due to low wages. For the health workers remaining in the country, high fuel prices make it challenging to travel to work.
Haiti experiences shortages of essential medicine and a lack of access to facilities due to geographical and financial barriers. According to the World Bank, Haiti is the poorest country in the LAC region and one of the poorest countries in the world. As of 2023, 59% of Haitians live below the poverty line, according to UNICEF. As of 2020, about 50% of the country’s rural population lacked access to drinkable water, and about one-third of Haitians had access to basic sanitation. These statistics mean the country’s people are extremely vulnerable to experiencing outbreaks of cholera.
Haiti had been declared cholera-free on February 4th, 2022, but in October 2022, 12 years after their battle with cholera began and after three years of no reported cases, there was a new cholera outbreak in Haiti. It is currently unclear how this new wave of cholera began, but lack of health care infrastructure, lack of clean water, and extreme poverty are the primary culprits.
The Caseload
Based on the most recently published update from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in August 2023, there have been 3,696 confirmed cases, with 77% of the patients being younger than 10 years old. There are a suspected 58,230 cases in the whole of Haiti, which is almost 15 times more than the confirmed cases supply. Cholera is a disease with a high rate of survival, especially outside of the younger population, so that is likely why so many of the confirmed cases are so young- they are those who have to receive professional treatment.
Many patients have to walk long distances to access care, especially with gas prices on the island skyrocketing. As of 2017, there were seven hospital beds per 10,000 people in Haiti. They also have to walk long distances to get to clean water, with access points ever-changing. People fight over water on busier days, and bottled water is not very affordable for most as a primary water source. Unclean water that has microscopic amounts of feces of a cholera carrier is how cholera spreads, and Haitians who are unable to afford bottled water, which is a majority of the extremely impoverished country, have to struggle to find water, which is largely unclean due to lack of funding for water infrastructure or reliable plumbing within Haiti.
Taking Action
Current strategies are varied. Largely, the challenge is in strengthening health infrastructure in a country facing rapid political changes. PAHO is working to provide an oral vaccination against the disease, as well as water purification tablets. The organization is attempting to teach improved hygiene practices in hospitals.
Partners in Health (PIH) is working diligently in Haiti as well. PIH opened University Hospital of Mirebalais in 2013, which has opened the door for more Haitians to get health care certifications, and 98% of the people who graduate from residency stay to work in Haiti instead of going to work abroad as Haitians with medical training often decide to do.
PAHO is training medical staff across Haiti on water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) procedures, as well as evaluating communities and 14 different prisons on their WASH policies. It has been and continues to distribute supplies that will support WASH in the communities that are most harmed by the cholera outbreak in Haiti. PAHO, in collaboration with WHO, had evaluated 68 cholera treatment centers, providing training to 126 service providers, when their last report was published in August 2023. About 916 residents had received vaccinations as well.
Ultimately, the cholera outbreak in Haiti has strong links to poverty as impoverished people lack access to potable water, proper sanitation and education. The long-term solution goes beyond providing clean water to meet immediate needs. Humanitarian organizations are working to garner lasting change and build a strong, resilient health care force in Haiti. This means that even when aid organizations leave the country, Haiti’s people will have the skills, knowledge and resources to properly manage disease outbreaks.
– Ren Pratt
Photo: Flickr