Pastoralism, also known as animal husbandry, serves as a prime economic activity in Kenya, with 90% of the youth workforce involved in this venture. In fact, around 95% of families in rural locations earn their incomes from pastoral labor, which emphasizes the financial importance of this activity. However, a long-standing drought has displaced many pastoralists who rely on migrating with their animals seasonally. With the inability to migrate to new lands, coupled with the death of 439,400 livestock, Kenyan pastoralists have suffered from rising rates of food insecurity and lowered incomes.
In particular, Kenya’s Lake Turkana, which boasts a lively pastoralist population, now faces the threat of food insecurity more than ever, with 60% of the area’s people going without the standard three meals a day. Since the government only devotes 6% of its budget to health care, those experiencing food insecurity may not receive the proper aid and nourishment they need, leading to rising rates of sickness, especially for those in extreme poverty.
Recently, pastoralists have turned to commercial fishing — an entirely new line of work for them — to receive an income. As Lake Turkana pastoralists have embraced the fisherfolk lifestyle, however, they have struggled to securely adjust to this new venture. Keep IT Cool, a business based in Nairobi, entered this dire situation as a helpful hand, supplying tools, technology and financial advice to provide a solution for fisherfolk in Kenya.
Keep IT Cool’s Objective
This new business started its journey in 2019 and has received an award from the Good Food Innovation Fund, which celebrates efforts to revolutionize the food supply chain. With time, Keep IT Cool received a grant from The Rockefeller Foundation as well as Intellecorp.
The grants ultimately funded Keep IT Cool’s ventures on Lake Victoria and in Nairobi, where the team prioritized the expansion of the fish market. With a focus on this lucrative market, the business then moved its efforts to Kenya’s Lake Turkana, where food insecurity continues to grow at a high rate.
When the team arrived on Lake Turkana, they sought to revolutionize the ways in which the new fisherfolk in Kenya approach commercial fishing. Despite the arid climate, Lake Turkana is home to 52 species of fish, thus providing pastoralists with opportunities to begin this new business venture. Keep IT Cool’s efforts in directing the new fisherfolk’s attention toward the fish market served as a useful and transformative step that aided the financial growth of the region.
Keep IT Cool’s Work on Lake Turkana
To begin this new process, Keep IT Cool provided a technologically driven way to export the fish from Lake Turkana. Prior to Keep IT Cool’s involvement, the fisherfolk on Lake Turkana, lacking the technological tools to help simplify the production and transportation process, witnessed spoilage quite frequently. Additionally, the markets in Nairobi offered prices that did not support the lifestyle needs of the fisherfolk in Kenya lifestyles.
Keep IT Cool transformed this unfortunate scene. By providing the fisherfolk on Lake Turkana with higher offers than the general asking price, Keep IT Cool helped stabilize their incomes. With the ability to earn more money, fisherfolk can provide a steady source of food for their families, therefore limiting the extent of food insecurity in Lake Turkana.
Reliable Service
As Keep IT Cool revolutionized the fisherfolk’s wages, they also innovated the production and transportation of fish from Lake Turkana to external markets. The company provided truck drivers with coolers, an essential tool for keeping the fish fresh during the 425-mile ride from Lake Turkana to Nairobi.
Keep IT Cool further aids the fisherfolk during the intermediate step between transportation and delivery to consumers. The members of the factory team help prepare the fish for consumption seamlessly. Keep IT Cool’s drivers are in use once again for the delivery process, and as a further source of protection, the company provides local vendors with the ability to rent coolers to maintain the freshness of the fish.
Keep IT Cool ensures reliable service for fisherfolk in Kenya while also focusing on green alternatives. The organization has effectively limited waste with its cooled trucks, clean production process and supply of fresh fish. As a further incentive, Keep IT Cool uses solar-powered coolers as well as hybrid trucks for delivery.
Growth and Future Expansions
With great emphasis on the Lake Turkana region, Keep IT Cool has ensured the stabilization of pay and the delivery of fresh fish — with new technological tools to aid the process. As a further commitment to aiding the region and limiting food insecurity, Keep IT Cool created an ice manufacturing plant on Lake Turkana, an essential addition for the fisherfolk who need ice for transport and for additional endeavors, including selling beverages to earn extra money.
The development of a factory on Lake Turkana is especially useful, as this will save drivers the trip to the processing factories in Nairobi and also increase the amount of fish that can be transported for delivery.
Looking Ahead
Keep IT Cool’s investment in the Lake Turkana region has single-handedly expanded the commercial fishing market and provided fisherfolk in Kenya with a new, exciting and stable career path. As commercial fishing continues to serve as the main source of income for the fisherfolk, the growing rates of food insecurity will continue to decline, bringing families together for three meals a day.
– Maddy Grieco
Photo: Unsplash
Addressing Homelessness Through Architectural Design
Around the world, there are an estimated 150 million people homeless. Even more striking, 1.6 billion lack access to safe and secure housing. Exact rates of homelessness are difficult to pin down due to unstandardized definitions. This means that even more people may lack adequate housing than statistics show. Solving homelessness is a complex problem that requires a multi-faceted solution. Many think of building homes as a first measure and, though this can be a viable short-term solution, architecture has a much larger role to play. There are both negative and positive consequences of addressing homelessness through architectural design.
Architecture That Alienates
Park benches and city sidewalks are commonplace for most. However, for many, these communal spaces are isolating. Over the years, the terms “hostile,” “anti-homeless” and “defensive” architecture have become popular ways to describe architecture intended to prevent homeless populations from using items or spaces. Examples of hostile architecture include benches with multiple armrests or odd shapes and metal or concrete spikes on sidewalks.
These designs are used to prevent people from sleeping on the structures and many cities employ them as temporary solutions to homelessness. However, there is little evidence that these designs are helpful in the long run. It is actually less expensive to house the homeless. Homelessness is associated with greater health costs that can be reduced with adequate housing. Hostile architecture hides the problem of homelessness rather than addressing its root causes. These structures not only affect homeless populations but can also limit access for the elderly and disabled. In this way, addressing homelessness through architectural design only alienates the homeless from public spaces and makes communities less cohesive, as a whole.
Anti-Hostile Architecture
Still, architecture has the potential to be more inclusive. RainCity Housing tackles housing issues through a variety of programs. The organization, based in Vancouver, received attention for its bench campaign in which public benches were converted into temporary shelters with expandable roofs to protect sleepers from inclement weather.
The benches raise awareness against anti-homeless designs and provide temporary shelter for those in need. However, as evidenced by the inclusion of RainCity Housing’s address on the benches, the organization is also focused on more permanent solutions. Among its many programs are overdose prevention sites, peer witnessing programs and supportive housing shelters.
Across the ocean, the German Ulmer Nest team of designers launched a pilot project of solar-powered sleeping pods. Designed with the cold, winter months in mind, these pods provide a quick place to rest. They are waterproof and lock from the inside. Additionally, a social worker is alerted when the pods are used, allowing for cleaning after the person leaves. The pods are meant to be last-resort options for those who may not have access to shelters; a starting point to get people into real housing.
Inclusive Interiors
Interior design is not to be overlooked. Poverty and homelessness are strongly associated with mental health issues. Living without stable housing is correlated with greater psychological distress that can affect multiple generations. Research shows that interior designing such as lighting and decorations can have psychological effects. With this in mind, interior spaces can be designed to provide the homeless with a sense of dignity. Poorly designed shelters can exacerbate negative outcomes. Many express discomfort with sleeping in open rooms with groups of strangers and unsanitary conditions drive others away. Shelters should promote a sense of safety, conducive to recovery. This may include calming paint colors and lighting, incorporation of plant life and inclusive layouts.
Architects Building a Better Future
Chris Hildrey, architect and founder of ProxyAddress, says that “architects have a duty to use their skills to help solve societal problems even if it means thinking beyond designing buildings.” Shelters and emergency housing are useful short-term initiatives. However, architects have the power to contribute to more long-term solutions.
The “housing first” model focuses on providing stable housing as a first priority. Other models require people to qualify for housing by undergoing mental health programs or proving they can live independently. Housing is dispersed throughout neighborhoods, avoiding the overcrowding often associated with shelters. Results of this model show that it leads to greater retention of housing and reduced health costs. The model started in the United States but has since been implemented in other regions such as Europe where it is supporting homeless women and youth.
Yasmeen Lari is another architect addressing homelessness through architectural design. The 82-year-old Pakistani architect, who won the 2023 Royal Gold Medal for architecture, champions indigenous building methods to help marginalized populations. Her Barefoot Social Architecture (BASA) philosophy involves displaced people first-hand in the architectural process. It provides training programs to teach people to build sustainable and affordable housing. These skills can be used to gain income, helping communities become self-sustaining.
Addressing homelessness through architectural design does not stop at building houses. Architects can facilitate the creation of more inclusive private and public spaces while promoting financial independence.
– Yesenia Aguilera
Photo: Unsplash
A Closer Look at How Child Rights Are at Risk
Recent studies that UNICEF conducted have found that South Asian children — in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Maldives and Pakistan — are living above the normal high temperatures. These countries are experiencing enduring heatwaves and temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) for more than 83 days in a year, which experts consider “rare, once-a-century events.” UNICEF found that these heat exposures vulnerably impact 76% of South Asian children below the age of 18 in comparison to the rest of the world’s children (32%).
While all children in the region face vulnerability, it’s crucial to highlight that those belonging to the low socioeconomic status are at the greatest risk, which in turn jeopardizes their fundamental rights. The following are four key facts that underscore how child rights are at risk.
4 Facts About How Child Rights are at Risk
Early Responses
Recent studies have asserted that South Asian countries — such as Pakistan — have responded inadequately toward a heat action plan(s). In light of this, some cities in India have taken action to find solutions. The city of Ahmedabad, India, was one of the first to publish a government-led heatwave action plan in 2013. The plan consisted of implementing cool roofs in the city’s slum communities. In 2017, the program installed 3,000 roofs which successfully “lowered indoor temperatures.” As a result, the city of Ahmedabad launched a cool roof program in 2020 that went on to help more than 15,000 slum homes and 1,000 government buildings.
Looking Ahead
Child rights are at risk due to rising temperatures. However, innovative technologies and proactive measures are equipping children and families to better adjust and respond to these heat waves.
– Amy Contreras
Photo: Flickr
Rural Finance in Malawi and FARMSE’s Impact
Rural Finance in Malawi: Why Does It Matter?
Agriculture accounts for over 25% of Malawi’s total gross domestic product and most rural families rely on farming for their livelihoods. However, climate shocks like floods, droughts and cyclones pose major risks that poor farmers do not have the capital to shoulder. If they are to thrive, enhancing financial literacy, building market readiness and bolstering access to financial services will be imperative. With increased financial know-how and the capacity to work outside of the agricultural sector, many Malawians stand a better chance of breaking poverty’s shackles.
Unfortunately, financial service providers often shy away from rural areas where low population density, limited infrastructure and small average transaction amounts make operating more costly. Many poor Malawians must travel long distances just to open a bank account or apply for a loan, making it impossible to save for a family, never mind a successful business. Therefore, strengthening Malawi’s rural finance infrastructure is key to reducing poverty in the long term.
What is FARMSE?
FARMSE is a partnership between the government, private and nonprofit sectors aiming to revive rural finance in Malawi and boost rural households’ livelihoods and resilience. Spanning 2018 to 2025, FARMSE has three strategic branches: graduating ultra-poor households from poverty, strengthening community-based financial organizations and increasing financial service providers’ presence in rural areas.
Rural Finance in Malawi Going Forward
As the world grapples with global socio-political crises and an unpredictable climate, building a robust ecosystem for rural finance in Malawi becomes pivotal for long-term poverty alleviation. FARMSE is at the forefront of this change, addressing the educational and institutional needs of all Malawians. Through financial literacy, inclusive institutions and strategic partnerships, FARMSE is guiding rural communities to the resilient and prosperous future they deserve.
– Faye Crawford
Photo: Flickr
Passionate Youth Entrepreneurs Drive Fiji’s Sustainable Food Shifts
Fiji, a large archipelago in the South Pacific, has diverse landscapes and climate. Although a nation of complex ecosystems, the island’s food systems suffer to feed its own sustainably. The leading cause of death in Fiji is NCDs, a rising crisis affecting thousands. Furthermore, malnourishment afflicts more than 40% of Fijian children, “a condition caused when children (and adults) don’t eat enough food, don’t eat the right sort of food, or are unable to digest food.” The health of Fijians is at risk as the history of chronic mistreatment of the body stresses the demand for sustainable food systems to cure the nation’s health behaviors. In response, youth-led social entrepreneurship and innovation efforts aim to advocate for Fiji’s sustainable food shifts that promote positive human health needs.
The participation of the country’s passionate youth emerges in their drive to endorse and build sustainable approaches to deliver fresh, nutritional foods to local communities. Pulling from several studies and journals, the island parents established several programs and initiatives to champion Fiji’s youth to combat NCDs.
Poverty and Food in Fiji
Fiji, a Pacific nation scattered across 300 islands, flourishes with substantial natural resources and accessibility to rich freshwater resources and fertile land to grow crops. However, due to the country’s remote location, Fiji battles with changing weather patterns and disasters that continue to threaten communities and limit Fijians to fresh local foods (fruits, vegetables, fish, etc.).
Despite Fiji’s larger geographic size and favorable growing conditions, “High consumption of energy-dense foods is also considered a contributing factor to the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Fiji..” According to importation data, Fiji’s reliance is low at 22.46%, while exporting figures rest at 60.02%. Although these statistics materialize deceptions that food is accessible, 30% of Fijians live below the basic needs poverty line. This marks 14% of the population as experiencing moderate to severe levels of food insecurity.
Due to the island’s extreme sensitivity to disastrous natural disasters, higher food prices, seasonality and lifestyle choices, the stability of Fiji’s food system worsens, putting Fijian health at risk.
Pacific Youth Leadership
The message of healthy and sustainable foods and the ability to create them is the information that the young community of Fiji (which makes up more than half the population) needs to learn. Luckily, many people are starting to see these issues and are passionate about animating Fiji’s sustainable food shifts. The Participatory Action Research (PAR) of Talanoa is one example of a group excited to help make a difference in food systems. It is passionate about spreading the word about new ideas to young people to help build the future leaders of these big projects. Alongside this work, it aims to bring back the traditions of Fijian food, rooted in fish, vegetables and other nutritious foods.
Another group, the Young Entrepreneurs Council, is focused on changing the narrative around food in general. Taking a more psychological approach to the situation and working on education around the relationship between the body and food, rather than only explaining what food is bad for you, a tactic that has proven unsuccessful. Teaching people to love food and understand what healthy food is capable of can have groundbreaking results as opposed to previous methods, which can do the opposite.
In addition, the 2022-2027 Youth in Agriculture Policy notes young people as crucial agents for positive change, increasing its support in the 2023-2024 budget, supporting the “establishment of sustainable gardens for young people’s health and wellbeing.”
The Minister explains, “Under this policy, young people will be encouraged and supported through a 4-pronged approach of increasing access to land, finance and markets; improving agricultural education and training; increasing commercial agriculture opportunities and supporting sustainability.” Furthermore, the SDG Fund program, led by UNDP and in partnership with IFAD, envisions young people with employment opportunities in the agriculture sector. These initiatives strengthen public-private partnerships, meeting the needs of education and employment for Fiji’s youth within the agricultural sector, empowering self-sufficiency and local production of healthy food to advocate for resilient food systems.
Fiji’s Future
Overall, the hope is to bring down the rates of non-communicable diseases like diabetes, obesity and heart disease that have hurt the nation. Creating enough food sources locally to provide for the community is vital in bringing these numbers down and decreasing poverty significantly.
There is great hope that in the future, the children of Fiji will feast on the local fish, fruits and veggies that become so available on the island that the history of health issues is long in the past, but change must start now to invigorate Fiji’s sustainable food shifts. The Ministry sums up the integral participation of young Fijians, “We can create livelihoods without sacrificing our biodiversity. Rather than leave our children a world of lifeless deserts, we can pass on ecosystems that are rich with life and capable of supporting coming generations.”
– Emmalyn Meyer
Photo: Flickr
Messengers of Peace Tackle Educational Gap in Peru
The COVID-19 pandemic made children in Peru, a large South American nation, more vulnerable to many effects of poverty. Namely, many children have lost access to quality education. A nonprofit organization called Messengers of Peace Peru has recently developed a program to address the educational gap in Peru while providing nutritional and psychological support.
Poverty in Peru — Recent Struggles
A 2023 World Bank press release examines the detrimental effect of COVID-19 on poverty in Peru. Poverty remains a risk for those who have escaped it, as four in 10 Peruvians are at risk of falling victim to poverty, the highest proportion in 19 years. In total, seven out of 10 Peruvians are poor or at risk of becoming poor, highlighting COVID-19’s effect on nearly two decades of substantial progress in poverty reduction.
Peru’s Post-Pandemic Education Gap
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the educational gap in Peru was evident. A September 2022 news article by Global Issues explains that many Peruvian families could not afford access to the Internet at home, meaning that the transition to remote learning in 2020 spelled the end of education for nearly 250,000 children.
Messengers of Peace Peru — The Purpose
Before diving into their recent work, here is some background on a nonprofit organization that looks to help Peru’s children. Messengers of Peace Peru looks to provide basic care to the country’s most vulnerable populations. The organization’s website gives a basic overview of its purpose: helping to elevate the quality of life for children living in extreme poverty as well as the elderly.
The scope of Messengers of Peace Peru’s work extends to several poverty-stricken districts and towns south of the nation’s capital of Lima, including the Chorrillos District as well as Barranco and Surco. Here, using initiatives built on “training and human development and the improvement of family living conditions,” the organization reports on its website that it impacts more than 200 children ages 6 through 12 years.
Recent Project Alleviates Educational Gap in Peru
Messengers of Peace Peru has acted upon a negative trend in education. Mireille Rebaza Sologuren, executive director of Messengers of Peace Peru, recently spoke with The Borgen Project. She explained that the pandemic created an “educational gap” in Peru, which the organization is addressing through a new learning development initiative for school-aged children.
Sologuren is the project manager for Integral Program School Support, which provides hands-on aid with learning development as well as nutritional and psychological support. The project benefits 200 children in the Chorrillos district of Lima, as well as their families, according to Sologuren.
Learning Development
The learning development initiative within the program has three tenets: homework support, a math program and a reading comprehension program. According to Sologuren, each child who participates is able to do homework with the help of a teacher. To accomplish this, members of Messengers of Peace coordinate with parents and teachers in their children’s schools.
The math program provides children with foundational mathematical skills. They learn the four basic operations as well as “mental arithmetic” and the application of each operation to “solve everyday problems,” said Sologuren to The Borgen Project.
Meanwhile, the foundation of the reading comprehension program is “reading for pleasure.” This simple strategy is used to help children “read fluently and understand texts according to their developmental level,” said Sologuren. The program uses enjoyment as a means of addressing the educational gap in Peru.
Additional Benefits: Nutritional and Psychological Health
Messengers of Peace Peru’s program also targets two other byproducts of poverty: food insecurity and mental health complications. Peru’s residents are particularly vulnerable to food insecurity. According to a 2022 United Nations news release, 51% of Peru’s population is food insecure, meaning that the quality of their diet has been compromised or they are not eating enough.
Through the nutrition program offered by Messengers of Peace Peru, children are served the nutrients they need. “All food dishes provided daily to the children have the nutrients and components in the required amounts,” said Sologuren to The Borgen Project. The meals contain 50% fruits and vegetables and an equal 25% in both proteins and carbohydrates.
Poverty and the pandemic contribute to mental health issues in young people. A study published in 2021 shows results from an August-October 2020 phone survey of people ages 19-25 in several developing nations. The rates of mild anxiety and depression as well as moderate/severe anxiety and depression were highest in Peru. The study points to factors such as social distancing in poor living conditions as contributing to these high rates.
Messengers of Peace Peru looks to tackle these issues before they can develop in children. According to Sologuren, children in the new program are able to access social skills workshops as well as individual therapy and counseling on a basis that meets their individual needs.
While Messengers of Peace Peru’s school support program is not able to alleviate poverty at its source, it provides support for children in key areas such as quality of education, nutrition and mental health. The ultimate goal of the program is to free children from the effects of the educational gap that COVID-19 and preexisting poverty brought on in Peru.
– Noel Teter
Photo: Flickr
What Dignity Period Is Doing To Tackle Period Poverty in Ethiopia
In Ethiopia, many women of all ages suffer from improper hygiene during their periods. Here is how the organization Dignity Period is currently making a difference regarding period poverty in Ethiopia, both for the country and even worldwide.
What is Period Poverty?
For those who may be unfamiliar, period poverty is the lack of menstrual products for women, both tools and education alike. This includes (but is not limited to) washing, sanitization and waste management facilities. Due to the struggles that such a lack thereof causes, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) proved in 2014 that one out of 10 young women are prone to skipping school due to their inability to access proper treatment.
Ethiopia continues to suffer from this problem plenty nowadays, as only 16% of women residing in rural areas reportedly have access to such products, as the studies that the Ethiopian Ministry of Health completed have indicated. Many have since put their efforts forward to offer aid to the country but have been unsuccessful in making any long-term improvements. However, Dignity Period is making a difference.
What is Dignity Period?
Founded by Dr. Lewis Hall back in 2014, Dignity Period is an organization with strong ties to both Tigray and Afar within Ethiopia’s upper regions. Wracked by the effects of the pandemic over these past few years, many women in these areas go without what they need during their periods. Dignity Project provides many different services to fight back against this difficulty, ranging from delivering handmade products to raising awareness.
For example, in partnership with Ayder Hospital, Dignity Period provides pad kits for postpartum mothers who need them the most. This partnership has proven successful in supplying more than 3,500 individuals in need back in 2021. Along with this, Dignity Period has hosted a multitude of events and services to bring awareness to and gather interest, such as fundraisers and donation sites. One of these events includes the “Paint it Pink Gala,” which the organization held in September 2022 as a method of fundraising for breast cancer awareness through a vast selection of products, ranging from handmade art to wine.
Yet, this appreciation does not end with physical gifts, as this team has also offered much of its research efforts to Ethiopia during its time working there. By partnering with alternative sources, it has provided plenty of powerful pieces regarding period poverty, intending to give the most strengthened and accurate information possible. Such investigations include everything from statistics on female attendance in school to details on menstrual hygiene management and everything else in between.
As a result of the team’s continuous deeds, Dignity Period has proven successful in reaching more than 360,000 women experiencing period poverty in Ethiopia who need support the most. Should the organization continue to serve in this manner, it is more than likely that period poverty will be tackled for good in Ethiopia within the coming years.
– Nathan Bronk
Photo: Flickr
5 Charities Fighting Food Insecurity in Palestine
For nearly 80 years, Palestine has faced a complex humanitarian crisis connected to both internal and external political conflict that has caused unrest, instability and the loss of many lives. The exacerbation of the already dire situation — especially in the West Bank and in the Gaza Strip — has led to economic instability, the loss of homes, restricted trade and access to essential resources and high unemployment rates, all of which have resulted in rising poverty rates. Currently, achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2 regarding food security is the greatest challenge, giving rise to initiatives that focus on fighting food insecurity in Palestine.
Food Insecurity in Palestine in Numbers
As it stands, 33.6% of the population (about 1.8 million people) are moderately or severely food-insecure. However, this national average does not highlight the significant differences within the country, with 24% of the 1.8 million people residing on the West Bank and 75% in the Gaza Strip.
An overwhelming 51% of food-insecure people are children, while 49% are adults and 1% are elderly. An important fact to note is that 76% of food-insecure people are refugees, while 24% are non-refugees.
The Main Causes
While several factors are contributing to food insecurity in Palestine, here are some of the primary causes:
After decades of turbulence and violence, there are, fortunately, several organizations dedicated to fighting food insecurity in Palestine. Here is some information about them.
Action Against Hunger
Founded in 2002, Action Against Hunger is a global humanitarian organization taking action against the causes and effects of hunger. Currently, it is aiding Palestinian families by supporting small businesses as well as promoting economic empowerment for women and young people. This is primarily achieved through providing food, money and mental health services, whilst also improving access to clean water, good hygiene and safe sanitation. In 2022, the organization was able to help 525,314 people – 519,000 people were reached by the Water, Sanitation & Hygiene Programs and 6,000 people’s lives were improved due to the Food Security and Livelihoods Programs.
SKT Welfare
SKT Welfare, which provides urgent aid and sustainable relief to millions of disadvantaged people around the world, has been aiding Gaza in Palestine since the conflict in Gaza erupted in 2014. The Muslim charity is fighting food insecurity in Palestine through hand-delivering food packages to families in need. Each food parcel provides a family with enough food for an entire month and contains basmati rice, groats, red lentils, brown lentils, cooking oil, white bean, salt, salsa, jam, sugar; dates, olive oil, tea, feta cheese and soap. The majority of the food distributions are carried out in Khuza’a, a beautiful Palestinian community that the surrounding conflict has unfortunately hit very hard.
Muslim Hands
Originating in Nottingham, Muslim Hands is another Muslim international aid organization that has been running since 1993 and helping Palestine since 2007. It provides food, medical care and education to families and over the past 10 years, has raised more than £1 million for children in Gaza and reached 2,500 orphans in the region. Additionally, last year Muslim Hands provided Qurbani (the religious sacrifice of an animal during the Eid Al Adha) that fed nearly 315 Palestinian families. Also addressing the root of poverty in the region, Muslim Hands helped create 25 sustainable jobs and its agricultural production helped 100 families.
World Food Program USA
An American organization dedicated to tackling global hunger, World Food Program USA (WFP) has been fighting food insecurity in Palestine by providing life-saving food assistance to the most vulnerable and food-insecure non-refugee Palestinians. The organization places a large focus on starting projects that, in time, offer people some financial stability during turbulent times. For example, WFP carries out a range of resilience-building activities, such as vegetable farms, greenhouses, poultry and sheep, alongside technical and vocational training for young people and people with disabilities. In turn, these activities not only provide food sources, but they also generate an income for several people.
United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East
Finally, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestine Refugees in the Near East is also fighting food insecurity in Palestine during a crucial time of need. The UNRWA zakat program provides both food and money to Palestinian refugees, helping them get a meal on the table. In this time of crisis, access to not only food but also psychological and medical care and support are urgently needed and provided by UNRWA.
For as long as the conflict is prevalent in Palestine, hopefully, the innocent people affected continue to receive the help they so desperately need, and in turn, over time, the poverty rates will decrease.
– Sheherazade Al Shahry
Photo: Flickr
The Unprecedented Impact of Laos’ Economic Crisis
In Summer 2022, Laos’ economic crisis hit a breaking point. The national debt rose to more than 10% of the GDP of the country. Two-thirds of workers had their pay either decrease or remain the same. Food insecurity increased to dangerous levels, with 35% of households reporting regularly not eating a meal for an entire day. However, despite these worrying statistics, the economy has shown signs of rejuvenation in the past year; major international organizations have worked to aid the Asian nation. To grasp the scope of this issue affecting millions, a breakdown of the key issues, people and possibilities is necessary.
What Caused the Crisis?
Similar to much of the world’s economic shortcomings over the past three years, the main cause of this crisis is the COVID-19 pandemic. However, that is not the only cause of the issue. Laos relies heavily on trade with China which has also seen a slowdown in the growth of their economy. Also, the war in Ukraine has proved to be an additional factor that has severely affected worldwide trade and commerce.
Public and publicly guaranteed debt (PPG) is the main issue that Laos faces. Laos owes most of this debt to its main trading partner – China. As China has not had the GDP growth it would have wanted, the pressure to recoup some of the money owed from Laos increased. Public debt dwarfed government revenues in 2022, with 966% more debt than revenue. The Lao currency, the kip, has currently lost 90% of its value in comparison with the U.S. dollar.
As is the case with many developing countries, the economy is incredibly fragile and subject to the international climate. Increased global prices for items such as fuel have caused inflation to peak at around 23%, the highest rate in Laos since 2000 and almost three times larger than the global average.
In August 2022, Fitch, a New York-based capital company, rated Laos’ Foreign Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at a ‘CCC-’, meaning ‘substantial credit risk.’ Fitch has described this rating as a “very low margin for safety, default is a real possibility.” Laos’ economic crisis has caused the nation to receive a rank in the bottom 15 across the globe for financial security.
Who Does Laos’ Economic Crisis Affect?
The poorest in Laos are on the front lines of this crisis. A report by World Vision International (WVI) highlighted the precarious position of food security. Out of 217 households surveyed across 38 communities, 62% stated they experienced severe food insecurity, ranging from skipping meals to going over a day without eating.
Even more worrying, it was reported that 46% of households used personal savings to be able to afford food, 26% took out loans, and 14% had to take on additional daily labor. One in three households began to sell assets to be able to eat, such as livestock, transportation and mobile devices.
Fortunately, the citizens of Laos often rely on their own agriculture for their food production so the crisis has not impacted as many families as severely as first feared. However, some households in rural areas that were not adequately equipped to maintain agricultural production had to resort to growing their own food, resulting in a poorer diet and increased risks of health conditions.
Laos’ economic crisis caused a major decrease in public spending on crucial services and infrastructure. Low-income households had to reduce health care spending, and 7% of children dropped out of school due to not being able to afford to keep their children enrolled.
Laos’ citizens had to take drastic measures in an attempt to secure work. Farmers who could no longer afford fuel for their machinery abandoned their professions and homes and immigrated to other countries to seek out jobs, an incredible risk to their safety and stability.
What is the Hope for Laos?
Despite the hardships millions are currently facing there is hope for the future. The World Bank published ‘The Vital Five’, a five-step plan to secure macroeconomic stability. These goals are:
Laos was also one of the quickest developing economies in Southeast Asia before a slowdown caused firstly by natural disasters towards the end of the 2010s, and then the COVID-19 pandemic. The rate at which Laos’ economy was growing before 2018 is a good sign for future progression; the foundation was already laid out and saw great success.
Investments in newly constructed sectors such as hydropower are also great opportunities to boost trade and commerce in the nation. About 21% of the economy was directly contributed by hydropower and mining in 2021, despite only accounting for 1% of all jobs. Further expansion into these avenues will create sustained opportunities for job security for thousands of the Lao people.
The UNDP, the United Nations International Development Agency, stated that “The future of the country must be built of its current and future assets: its natural capital, its young population and its revitalized links to its neighbors and to the world. Now is the time to increase spending on health and education to establish a workforce that is ready for the future, and to pave a pathway for all Lao to prosper.”
Looking Ahead
Laos’ economic crisis is a matter that will continue to affect the most vulnerable for years to come. However, with the work of international organizations such as the World Bank and the UN, Laos has the structure in place to attain the goals set and ensure security and prosperity for its people. The government of Laos must adapt quickly and invest in its citizens to steer away from this crisis and towards a more equal, developed nation.
– Oliver Rayner
Photo: Flickr
The Economic Crisis in Haiti
Haiti is undergoing significant economic turmoil. The economic crisis in Haiti has posed challenges for families in affording essential items like food and has also affected their ability to sell crops in local markets. Political instability, natural disasters and social unrest have worsened these challenges, further affecting the country’s capacity to attain sustainable economic growth and improve the well-being of its impoverished population.
Haiti’s Turbulent Economic History
During the past few years, Haiti’s economy has been under pressure due to several factors such as natural disasters, diseases, political instability, mishandling of humanitarian assistance and the devaluation of its national currency. The country’s previously thriving tourism industry has declined as well. In contrast to the peak of 1.3 million tourists in 2018, which brought in $620 million in revenue, Haiti only received 938,000 visitors in 2019. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic also significantly curtailed travel and economic activity.
After an earthquake in 2010, international lenders canceled Haiti’s debt; however, its borrowing has increased to around $3.57 billion since then. Additional turmoil, such as the growing protest movement, the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, consecutive natural disasters in July and August of the same year and widespread gang-related violence, has further strained the nation’s economic circumstances.
In 2022, armed gangs fueled the economic crisis in Haiti with their actions, including blocking the southern entry to the nation’s capital, which isolated four departments from the rest of the country. These areas produce consumer goods supplied to Pourt-au-Prince, and the blockade affected the country’s economy during a severe nationwide fuel shortage. This also exacerbated the hunger crisis in Haiti, with a total of 4.9 million people in Haiti experiencing food insecurity.
Solutions
The United States is the largest contributor of humanitarian aid to Haiti. The U.S. prioritizes fostering economic growth, reducing poverty, upholding human rights and strengthening democratic institutions. To combat poverty and address persistent unemployment by creating jobs, the U.S. promotes bilateral trade and investment in Haiti. The substantial Haitian diaspora in the U.S. presents a potential influential partner in the endeavor to expand business prospects and capitalize on the numerous connections that bind Haitian and American communities.
The International Development Association (IDA) supports the government of Haiti to address the ongoing economic crisis in Haiti. They participate in supporting private secret actors and removing infrastructure barriers to market access. IDA’s support centers around enhancing human capital by expanding access to education in health care. Simultaneously, the IDA assists the government in enhancing transparency, accountability and efficacy in public investment This effort also involves strengthening institutional capabilities to generate crucial data, manage sectors, establish evidence-based policy priorities and cultivate fiscal sustainability.
Looking Ahead
According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), achieving lasting economic security will rely on increasing investment levels in both the public and private sectors to foster rapid and more inclusive growth. Developing infrastructure, enhancing productivity on farms, increasing manufacturing and ensuring the provision of fundamental services will have the potential to create connections that will establish are more lawful development cycle.
– Marisa Del Vecchio
Photo: Flickr
Keep IT Cool: A Solution for Fisherfolk in Kenya
In particular, Kenya’s Lake Turkana, which boasts a lively pastoralist population, now faces the threat of food insecurity more than ever, with 60% of the area’s people going without the standard three meals a day. Since the government only devotes 6% of its budget to health care, those experiencing food insecurity may not receive the proper aid and nourishment they need, leading to rising rates of sickness, especially for those in extreme poverty.
Recently, pastoralists have turned to commercial fishing — an entirely new line of work for them — to receive an income. As Lake Turkana pastoralists have embraced the fisherfolk lifestyle, however, they have struggled to securely adjust to this new venture. Keep IT Cool, a business based in Nairobi, entered this dire situation as a helpful hand, supplying tools, technology and financial advice to provide a solution for fisherfolk in Kenya.
Keep IT Cool’s Objective
This new business started its journey in 2019 and has received an award from the Good Food Innovation Fund, which celebrates efforts to revolutionize the food supply chain. With time, Keep IT Cool received a grant from The Rockefeller Foundation as well as Intellecorp.
The grants ultimately funded Keep IT Cool’s ventures on Lake Victoria and in Nairobi, where the team prioritized the expansion of the fish market. With a focus on this lucrative market, the business then moved its efforts to Kenya’s Lake Turkana, where food insecurity continues to grow at a high rate.
When the team arrived on Lake Turkana, they sought to revolutionize the ways in which the new fisherfolk in Kenya approach commercial fishing. Despite the arid climate, Lake Turkana is home to 52 species of fish, thus providing pastoralists with opportunities to begin this new business venture. Keep IT Cool’s efforts in directing the new fisherfolk’s attention toward the fish market served as a useful and transformative step that aided the financial growth of the region.
Keep IT Cool’s Work on Lake Turkana
To begin this new process, Keep IT Cool provided a technologically driven way to export the fish from Lake Turkana. Prior to Keep IT Cool’s involvement, the fisherfolk on Lake Turkana, lacking the technological tools to help simplify the production and transportation process, witnessed spoilage quite frequently. Additionally, the markets in Nairobi offered prices that did not support the lifestyle needs of the fisherfolk in Kenya lifestyles.
Keep IT Cool transformed this unfortunate scene. By providing the fisherfolk on Lake Turkana with higher offers than the general asking price, Keep IT Cool helped stabilize their incomes. With the ability to earn more money, fisherfolk can provide a steady source of food for their families, therefore limiting the extent of food insecurity in Lake Turkana.
Reliable Service
As Keep IT Cool revolutionized the fisherfolk’s wages, they also innovated the production and transportation of fish from Lake Turkana to external markets. The company provided truck drivers with coolers, an essential tool for keeping the fish fresh during the 425-mile ride from Lake Turkana to Nairobi.
Keep IT Cool further aids the fisherfolk during the intermediate step between transportation and delivery to consumers. The members of the factory team help prepare the fish for consumption seamlessly. Keep IT Cool’s drivers are in use once again for the delivery process, and as a further source of protection, the company provides local vendors with the ability to rent coolers to maintain the freshness of the fish.
Keep IT Cool ensures reliable service for fisherfolk in Kenya while also focusing on green alternatives. The organization has effectively limited waste with its cooled trucks, clean production process and supply of fresh fish. As a further incentive, Keep IT Cool uses solar-powered coolers as well as hybrid trucks for delivery.
Growth and Future Expansions
With great emphasis on the Lake Turkana region, Keep IT Cool has ensured the stabilization of pay and the delivery of fresh fish — with new technological tools to aid the process. As a further commitment to aiding the region and limiting food insecurity, Keep IT Cool created an ice manufacturing plant on Lake Turkana, an essential addition for the fisherfolk who need ice for transport and for additional endeavors, including selling beverages to earn extra money.
The development of a factory on Lake Turkana is especially useful, as this will save drivers the trip to the processing factories in Nairobi and also increase the amount of fish that can be transported for delivery.
Looking Ahead
Keep IT Cool’s investment in the Lake Turkana region has single-handedly expanded the commercial fishing market and provided fisherfolk in Kenya with a new, exciting and stable career path. As commercial fishing continues to serve as the main source of income for the fisherfolk, the growing rates of food insecurity will continue to decline, bringing families together for three meals a day.
– Maddy Grieco
Photo: Unsplash