The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is located in the Middle East in the north of the Arabian peninsula. Founded in 1946 following 28 years under British administration, Jordan is bordered by Syria and Iraq from the north, Saudi Arabia from the south and the West Bank to the west. Recently, having developed a reputation for relative stability, Jordan has become a safe haven for refugees, especially for those fleeing civil war in Syria. Despite a stable middle-income economy, growth remains slow, with youth unemployment estimated as exceeding 30% and traditional work, such as agriculture, stifled by arid conditions. As a result, continued development remains dependent on international aid and investment. The United States and Germany are the biggest national donors.
Poverty is also accentuated by the kingdom’s substantial dependence upon other nations for natural resources, such as food and energy, which add to the cost of living. Female-headed households and refugee households tend to be the most vulnerable.
Potential for Accessible Domestic Energy
In 2012, various reforms were enacted in order to provide investment opportunities by establishing standards to incentivize the use of renewable energy in Jordan. As part of a so-called Master Strategy to decrease energy costs and enhance security and accessibility, the Jordanian government sought investments in alternative energy sources, such as solar power, and diversification away from the three main fossil fuels conventionally used, oil, natural gas and fuel oil. These programs have successfully grown Jordan’s renewable energy sector over the course of the past decade, with the quantity of electricity produced from renewable sources growing over 17-fold.
This growth has also given vulnerable demographics, such as those living in refugee camps and those in rural areas not previously serviced, the opportunity to gain access to electricity. At the Zaatari and Azraq refugee camps, dominated by Syrian refugees, electricity is being provided for the first time at no cost to occupants via new solar panel fields. By 2018, the price of renewable energy in Jordan, in particular solar-derived electricity, cost less than half that of electricity produced from oil-derived production.
Challenges
While Jordan currently has the resources required to continue pursuing marked expansion in renewable energy, the rapid rate of growth has illustrated economic challenges in maintaining the government’s projected pace. Renewable energy remains a growing interest amongst nations with smaller developing economies, including the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the majority of businesses and those trained in the installation and design of equipment required for renewable energy use are concentrated in developed economies and larger nations, such as those found in the European Union, as well as the United States, China and Brazil.
In order to address this deficit, investments are needed to train those in the renewable energy sector for the assembly and operation of new energy infrastructure and to provide financial resources to allow electricity operators to invest in new energy resources. Ongoing efforts include the training of young professionals in handling infrastructure for electric cars, new power grids for energy distribution and farms for wind and solar power can help to address long-standing worker shortages.
NEPCO, Jordan’s largest electricity utility services, has received long-term assistance from both the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in addressing substantial debts owed by the government-owned power generation company and improving efficiency to allow more resources to be directed towards expanding renewable, domestic energy.
Looking Forward
In sum, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has sought to address both structural issues related to poverty, economic opportunity and a transition towards more affordable domestic energy supplies. The ability of renewable energy in Jordan to provide disadvantaged populations, such as those in poverty and refugees, resources like inexpensive electricity and to strengthen economic potential has produced results over the prior decade, with exponential growth evidence of progress towards the government goal of 31% of all electricity.
However, long-term goals of being capable of continued growth without international aid, both from multinational organizations such as the International Monetary Fund and or aid provided by nations such as Germany and the United States, have not yet been achieved, with continued international investment in opportunity to lower youth unemployment, public debt and other challenges still projected as essential for continued progress in reducing poverty.
– Cormac Sullivan
Photo: Wikimedia
How the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy is Helping Developing Nations
When the European Union was formed, all the countries that joined it collaborated on an extensive, detailed farm policy. The countries enacted this policy, known as the Common Agricultural Policy, in 1962. The policy aimed to create a cohesive market within the EU, where agricultural goods would move freely, and all members would have standardized prices. It also aimed to prioritize products from within the internal market over foreign imports by implementing shared customs tariffs and fostering financial cooperation through joint funding for agricultural initiatives. The European Union has found great success with this policy, especially in its recent efforts to support small rural farmers and implement initiatives that promote sustainable farming practices and resource management.
The implementation of this policy in the European Union has had an exponentially positive impact. However, past versions of the Common Agricultural Policy, which focused solely on domestic initiatives, did not provide assistance to developing nations. Recently, the Common Agricultural Policy has started to yield beneficial effects on developing nations, along with recommendations for modifying this policy to offer even greater assistance to these countries.
Subsidies
Within the framework of the Common Agricultural Policy, the European Union has taken a concrete step to generate positive impacts for developing nations. The step involves the gradual reduction of import barriers to access EU markets. Prior to 2017, the European Union maintained skewed trade policies that exclusively favored its own interests. Subsequently, these subsidies were eliminated to facilitate affordable access to the European Market for developing countries, including those in Africa. This shift is of particular significance as Europe serves as the primary market for numerous crops originating from Africa, such as coffee or peanuts.
A year after removing these subsidies, the European Union conducted a study on the global impact of the Common Agricultural Policy, which led to the conclusion that “In recent years, progress has been observed in better aligning agriculture with international development goals.” It becomes clear that the reduction of barriers for developing countries to enter the European agricultural market benefits both these nations and the global economy. This instance represents merely one example of the barriers the European Union has eliminated. Many more barriers remain in place to ensure the policy’s benefits for European farmers, while also safeguarding developing countries and their populations from exploitation. With achievements like this, further progress can be achieved in enhancing the inclusivity of this policy, promoting international development and simultaneously maintaining a thriving European Union.
Green Practices
While more indirect, the Common Agricultural Policy is benefiting developing nations through innovations and the adoption of green practices. European farmers receive numerous supports under the policy, but these often come with requirements for implementing green practices. This alignment ensures that initiatives within the Common Agricultural Policy adhere to environmental and climate regulations. Consequently, this arrangement proves advantageous for developing nations. Green farming practices, including those addressing environmental degradation, can be trialed within a supportive platform. Once their efficacy is established, these practices can be replicated in these nations, facilitating sustainable agricultural development.
Pre-Accession Assistance
Lastly, the Common Agricultural Policy has expanded its assistance to developing nations by offering pre-accession support in the agricultural sector. Strengthening their competitiveness, promoting sustainable practices and enhancing resilience against climate challenges constitute the core objectives of these forms of aid. These measures not only facilitate their prospective membership in the European Union but also enhance their stability and economies. Pre-accession assistance embodies practical international development.
Although these elements may appear modest within the context of the Common Agricultural Policy, the policy itself has progressed significantly from its earlier focus on international development. Nonetheless, substantial room for improvement remains to better serve developing nations, particularly within the agricultural sector. The 2018 study assessing the impact of the Common Agricultural Policy on developing nations underscores this point, pinpointing areas ripe for enhancement. Expanding this policy poses various challenges, yet the initial stride taken by the European Union in acknowledging its responsibility and influence is evident. The Union’s consideration of the study’s recommendations and its deliberation on the optimal approach to their implementation stand as indicative of this recognition.
– Ada Rose Wagar
Photo: Flickr
Food Systems in Singapore
Food Security Through Innovation
With limited land for agriculture, Singapore has historically relied on imports, with more than 90% of food coming from various outside sources. However, such a system leaves the country highly vulnerable to disruptions in the supply chain, leading the government to seek alternative solutions that not only secure the nation’s food supply but also greatly benefit the poor.
Some of the newly instituted food systems in Singapore include a vertical growth system, allowing for maximized use of resources within a controlled environment. Another example is the 30 x 30 goal, which aims to produce 30% of food locally by the year 2030. The government is leaving no stone unturned in attempting to fulfill this initiative, investing in cutting-edge technologies like hydroponics and aeroponics that work to optimize production.
Poverty Alleviation and the Job Industry
Ultimately, these food systems in Singapore are working toward the global goal of alleviating poverty. In the case of a supply chain disruption, the poor would likely be affected the most. The Food Bank Singapore found that 10.4% of surveyed households had experienced food insecurity in a 12-month period between 2018 and 2019. By securing the country’s food supply, the government ensures that those in poverty can feel safer knowing that food will continue to be accessible at all times and as affordable as possible.
Low-income individuals can gain skills and knowledge by participating in the urban farming industry and related sectors. For those struggling with poverty, being part of a farming project can provide a sense of purpose, skill development and access to healthy food. Not only can the food initiative provide a wealth of jobs for those who need them most, but it also plants the seeds for a pathway out of poverty through hard work and determination.
Education plays a vital role in sustainable food practices and poverty reduction. Singapore has embraced this by implementing educational programs that raise awareness about nutrition, waste reduction and responsible consumption. By equipping residents with knowledge about healthy food choices and reducing food waste, these programs contribute to healthier and more economically stable communities.
Looking Ahead
By developing sustainable farming initiatives and new food systems in Singapore, the government is creating a sense of social engagement and empowerment for marginalized communities and individuals. Despite its relatively low levels of poverty to start with, Singapore takes the issue seriously, providing an example for the rest of the world — by working to end poverty, it takes another crucial step in the path toward becoming a truly inclusive and equitable society.
– Namit Agrawal
Photo: Unsplash
How the Russian Invasion Has Impacted Mental Health in Ukraine
According to a UN survey, the biggest concern people in Ukraine have due to the Russian invasion is their mental health. Mental health in Ukraine was already low due to Russia’s previous invasion and the impact of COVID-19. But with the effects of the February 2022 Russian invasion, mental health in Ukraine has only declined further. A reported 70% of the population is experiencing mental health problems due to the war. Here is how the war in Ukraine has affected its people’s mental health.
Poverty in Ukraine
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has had a significant impact on the country’s economic and social conditions, as well as its general livelihood. The poverty rate in Ukraine increased from 5% to 24.2% in 2022, meaning almost a quarter of Ukrainians were living on less than $2.15 a day These poor living conditions have had a number of effects that have affected mental health in Ukraine.
Impact of the War
The fallout of the invasion has included:
All these effects have impacted the mental health and general well-being of the Ukrainian people in ways detailed in the Heal Ukraine Trauma report.
Mental Health Concerns
The Heal Ukraine Trauma report from April 2023 stated this about the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: “The invasion has stripped civilians of their sense of identity. Their world was turned upside down overnight, allowing for little preparation and increasing cases of depression, anxiety, and PTSD.”
The report goes on to detail the main mental health concerns in Ukraine due to the war, including a fear of death, loss of freedom, grief, separation of families, social dislocation, social disruption, forced migration and more.
Further, there are mental health issues in Ukraine due to the war that are specific to certain demographics; for example, women in Ukraine are fearful of gender-based violence such as rape and sexual torture. Many women have reported taking measures to avoid this violence such as constantly staying indoors, which has impacted their mental health significantly. Another example includes mothers and fathers, who may feel pressure to care for their families, taking on the burden of caring for their children and partners both emotionally and physically.
How Poverty and Mental Health Interact
The widespread increase in poverty due to the invasion is another cause of mental health issues. As mentioned earlier in this article, the poverty rate in Ukraine shot up from 5% to 24.2% due to the war, indicating a serious decline in the country’s situation.
In an interview with The Guardian, a church pastor in charge of giving out free bread to Ukrainian people stated that people who use the service talk about how “hard” it is dealing with the failing economy and how younger people who have lost their jobs will greatly “suffer.” Another resident told the Guardian that she “never imagined we would be living like this. Before the war, we managed everything. It’s very difficult and everyone is suffering the same.”
What Some are Doing to Help
The BMJ report states that funding is being placed into trauma training in order to help Ukrainian people process their mental health struggles. Upon fleeing from Ukraine to Berlin, Vitalii Panok, the director of Ukraine’s Scientific and Methodological Centre of Applied Psychology and Social Work, gathered 40 different Ukrainian psychologists with assistance from the Psychologische Hochschule to help people in Ukraine deal with trauma from the war.
– Jess Wilkinson
Photo: Flickr
USAID Programs in Liberia
The Ebola Crisis
One of USAID’s most important programs in Liberia in recent years was leading the global effort to combat the outbreak of the Ebola virus in the country in 2014-15. Ebola was particularly devastating in Liberia, with over 10,600 confirmed, or probable, cases during this period and 4,810 deaths. With an overwhelming lack of health care infrastructure, Liberia was unable to tackle the containment of the disease without support from USAID. For Liberia’s poorest, particularly those based in the capital city, Monrovia, Ebola proved a particularly deadly disease, with little support available for those who became infected and little protection from the disease’s rapid spread.
USAID programs in Liberia worked in partnership with other international organizations, leading a U.S. Government effort to contain the spread of the disease and eventually bring the number of cases down to zero. Contact tracing was implemented in all 15 of Liberia’s counties. In West Point, Monrovia, one of the worst affected areas, an Incident Management System was installed, allowing for rapid diagnosis, treatment and prevention of further spread of the virus.
Since USAID’s involvement in combating Ebola in 2014-15, it has continued to work with the country to ensure that Liberia is not only better prepared for outbreaks of deadly diseases in the future, but is able to implement robust health care infrastructure for all manner of contagious diseases and health issues. Between 2015 and 2021, USAID supported the Government of Liberia’s Investment Plan for Building a Resilient Health System in Liberia.
Other Infectious Diseases
Other infectious diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, neonatal and diarrheal diseases continue to be a major problem for Liberia as some of the leading causes of death, often affecting the country’s poorest the worst. The prevalence of these diseases among Liberia’s poor has been attributed in large part to a lack of access to water sanitation and hygiene (WASH). USAID programs in Liberia have played an important role in supporting high-impact WASH interventions in Liberia. For example, USAID programs in Liberia are providing key support to the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation to provide an improved water supply to 90% of the population of three country capitals in Liberia: Robertsport, Sanniquellie and Voinjama, reaching an estimated 30,000 Liberians.
Successes
Aid programs in Liberia, such as those provided by USAID, have had other considerable positive impacts on the country and for Liberia’s poor:
Looking Forward
However, despite significant improvements, there is still much work to be done. Liberia remains among the world’s worst-ranked in terms of maternal mortality rate, due to a lack of family planning services, the frequency of childbearing before the age of 25 (at around 60%) and the low proportion of births attended to by medical professionals. Furthermore, female mortality in general remains high due to the prevalence of female genital cutting, affecting more than two-thirds of Liberia’s women and girls. But with the work being done by American governmental bodies such as USAID and their programs in Liberia, the future for Liberia’s poorest looks much brighter.
– Eleanor Lomas
Photo: Flickr
Access to Nutrition in India
India is one of the world’s poorest countries. Because of its weak economy, inadequate food distribution and high poverty rates, most citizens do not have the means to buy healthy foods or have access to nutrition in general. This has caused high rates of stunting, anemia and a high underweight average in Indian citizens. This problem continues to be devastating for several families and is only growing with time. However, there are some efforts in place to improve nutrition in India.
Statistics and Medical Outcomes
According to Business Today, around 37% of all food-insecure people live in India.
Within the country, 40.6% of the population is suffering from acute food insecurity. These statistics have grown within the past few years due to COVID-19 consequences decreasing access to nutrition even more.
The increasing food insecurity has elevated poor mental health conditions including depression, anxiety, poorer cognitive functions and sleep disorders. These situations set many citizens of India up for trouble when they try to perform strong in school and maintain a high work ethic.
The scarcity of nutrition has also created high rates of physical disabilities such as hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, physical frailty, joint/muscle pain and general functional limitations. Having one or more of these conditions decreases the amount of activities and events one is able to undertake.
Although India is ranked second worldwide in farm output, the country is still ranked 101 out of 116 countries suffering from food insecurity. This battle of nutrition is an ongoing and increasing problem. Here are some nonprofits that are helping improve nutrition in India.
Nonprofits
Luckily, the government of India is aware of the decreasing access to nutrition dilemma and has been trying to create new initiatives to eradicate it. Organizations like the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojona (PM-GKAY) have been sending India healthy and hearty foods to have in stock for distribution. PM-GKAY has doubled the monthly foodgrain entitlements to India since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Other organizations such as the National Nutrition Mission (NNM), the National Food Security Mission and the Zero Hunger Programme are making efforts to eradicate hunger and malnutrition by making sure the government properly administers food enrichment programs.
India lacks a strong mechanism to get nutritious foods out to its less wealthy areas. Because of this, the country suffers from chronic malnutrition causing impediments to physical and mental health throughout the population. Fortunately, organizations and nonprofits are helping to improve nutrition in India. However, efforts must remain high and continue to grow if India wants to see significant change anytime soon.
– Nina Donlin
Photo: Flickr
An Endemic Resolved: Trachoma in Mali
The disease spreads more in areas with poor sanitation and overpopulation. It is most commonly found in the larger areas of Africa, previously affecting Mali significantly. It is spread from person to person, originating from an infection in the eye. Trachoma in Mali has not been a quickly fixed battle. Data from the 1980s shows the former prevalence of the disease in the country and the dire need for a solution.
The SAFE Strategy
Adopted by the WHO in 1993, the SAFE strategy helped supply countries with the resources needed to prevent the spread of trachoma.
SAFE stands for surgery, antibiotics, facial cleanliness and environmental improvements. The strategy aimed to increase the number of surgical operations performed on those infected with trachoma as well as provide antibiotics to entire communities for the benefit of public health. Because of how easily trachoma can be spread, it was essential to promote facial cleanliness and understand that the infection rate is linked to overcrowded living conditions and unsanitary water. The SAFE strategy has been used in many different countries that suffer from a trachoma endemic, and Mali, among other countries, has finally overcome the public health problem.
Trachoma in Mali
Political violence in Mali made it very difficult for the country to overcome this endemic problem. When the WHO created the SAFE strategy, the program slowly gained trust and developed a partnership with the Malian government. Diseases like trachoma affect the poorest communities and only lead countries to greater poverty rates.
Trachoma is the first of the WHO’s neglected tropical diseases that Mali has eliminated, and Mali is the sixth country out of 29 in Africa that has successfully eliminated the disease.
The WHO has several partners including The Carter Center and Sightsavers which all worked together to assist Mali in combating the disease. Through donations and medical training, trachoma is no longer a public health concern in Mali. It is important to note that several different organizations working alongside the WHO and the Malian government worked together to make this happen and improve the health and poverty rates of the people of Mali.
The World Health Organization recognized Mali for overcoming the trachoma endemic. Today, less than 5% of children suffer from inadequate access to antibiotics to treat trachoma, and the presence of trachoma in adults is nearly zero. On April 27, 2023, the World Health Organization announced that trachoma in Mali was no longer considered a public health problem.
– Alesandra Cowardin
Photo: Flickr
Disability and Poverty in Malaysia
A social disability model is where “people are viewed as being disabled by society rather than their bodies.”
People with disabilities are more vulnerable to negative social and economic factors than those without. More than 1 billion people worldwide have some form of disability. This prevents them from accessing essential services including education, health care and employment opportunities. As a result, they are less likely to participate in the economy, which in turn drives them to poverty.
Approaching disability and poverty in Malaysia through this lens helps unveil its powerful influence in shaping the country’s growth.
Disability and Poverty in Malaysia in a Post-COVID Era
Many regard Malaysia as a wealthy and economically stable nation. However, since the COVID-19 pandemic, poverty rates have risen. As of 2022, 5.6% of the Malaysian population lived in absolute poverty.
As per the National Health and Morbidity Survey as of 2019, about 11.1% of adults in Malaysia have disabilities. Since the pandemic, the average income of houses led by people with disabilities lowered by 36%. Consequently, this spiked the poverty rate to about 55% in those households.
Impactful Challenges to People with Disabilities in Malaysia
Toward Recovery and Growth
Malaysia continues to prioritize the social well-being of the economically vulnerable. Several initiatives are underway to promote disability inclusion. There is a clear framework for pivotal improvements in the lives of people with disabilities. The government will continue to address disability and poverty in Malaysia as the country accelerates toward becoming a developed economy by 2030.
– Sudha Krishnaswami
Photo: Flickr
A Foreign Aid Success Story: Armenia’s Journey from Recipient to Donor
Barack Obama sent the message that “Development isn’t charity” when he signed off on the 2016 Global Food Security Act. It was accompanied by the sentiment that should the international community invest in a developing nation, they may see a return on their investment.
On April 10, less than a decade after graduating from being a recipient of the World Bank’s IDA fund, Armenia became an official contributor. Bringing with it a $1 million paid-in contribution, Armenia’s development is a foreign aid success story worth knowing about.
Armenia’s Humanitarian Crisis
Prior to IDA funding in 1993, Armenia’s humanitarian situation was grave. Newly independent and grappling with soaring inflation, Armenia was suffering from an acute food and energy shortage. On top of this, the war over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh put a major drain on resources, disrupted trade routes and occupied government attention. Armenians found themselves displaced, unemployed and without their basic needs met when the IDA offered its assistance — the precedence for foreign aid was clear.
The Impact of Global Emergencies
In spite of Armenia’s progressive development, aid as an international priority has taken a backseat. A deluge of global crises, from the COVID-19 pandemic to rising energy prices, has led governments to rethink their aid commitments. The U.K. government, for example, has reduced its pledge to spend 0.7% of its gross national income on Official Development Assistance. The new aim is 0.5% as a “temporary measure,” and the 0.7% U.N. recommendation has no set date for reimplementation. The abstract promise of a return “when the fiscal situation allows” is the only suggestion of intent.
The COVID-19 pandemic laid bare that aid is the first thing to leave a country’s agenda when the going gets tough. Cuts to foreign aid budgets without warning seem to stem from aid being perceived as mere philanthropy by states and citizens alike.
Armenia’s foreign aid success suggests otherwise. It has brought Obama’s “invest now, benefit later” mentality to fruition and illuminates the mutual benefit of aid for all to see. Armenia’s development has brought improvements to health care, the market and international relations. Here is information about Armenia’s foreign aid success.
1. Improvements in Health Care
Statistics that the World Bank published show clear improvements in the overall health of the Armenian population. In 2000, Armenia’s life expectancy at birth was 71 years. As of 2019, Armenia’s life expectancy has improved to 75 years.
A look at rates of survival in children tells a similarly positive story. Armenia’s infant mortality rate was 27 per 1,000 live births in 2000. By 2020, this figure had reduced to just 10 per 1,000.
Of course, one cannot wholly attribute improvements in Armenian health to foreign aid. However, World Bank and IDA payments to Armenia since membership total $2.6 billion, spanning 78 projects. One should not understate the positive impact of humanitarian work on today’s narrative.
2. Expanding the Consumer Market
Ricardo Michel, Director of the Center for Transformational Partnerships at USAID, explained that increasing the number of consumers spurs economic growth both domestically and overseas. This theory is tried and tested; 11 of the U.S.’s top 15 trading partners have received U.S. aid. When faced with the reality that only 5% of the world’s consumers live in the U.S., investing in foreign aid enables U.S. companies valuable access to an expanded consumer market. By this logic, Armenians are stimulating economic growth at home and abroad as a result of past aid from the IDA.
3. Strengthening International Ties
Representatives of the World Bank have emphasized the significance of foreign aid to Armenia in strengthening multilateral ties with the international community. Akihiko Nishio and Antonella Bassani, Vice Presidents at the World Bank, welcomed Armenia as a new donor in April, stressing that “the world is in dire need of international solidarity.” With crises coming thick and fast, foreign aid builds the bonds required for global responses and subsequent recoveries — ones that leave no nation behind.
Looking Forward
As the world watches Armenia repay the international community for its assistance, it becomes clear that foreign aid does not need to come from a place of philanthropy, but actually functions as an economic investment for developed countries.
– Imogen Townsend
Photo: Unsplash
Food Insecurity and Mental Health Around the Globe
In 2023, 9.2% of the world’s population faced chronic hunger, mostly in the developing world. Tragically, nearly one in five people in Africa are undernourished, compared to less than 3% in North America and Europe.
Many may be familiar with the physical cost of hunger. However, they might not know the crippling psychological harms that food insecurity imposes. The interplay between food insecurity and mental health is one more reason why addressing global hunger has never been more urgent.
The State of Food Insecurity and Mental Health
Food insecurity is the lack of consistent access to nutritious food, often due to economic constraints. It raises the risk of chronic hunger, preventing people from leading active and healthy lives. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, the world has witnessed inflation and scarcity, plunging 122 million more people into hunger in 2023 compared to 2019.
Worrying about securing food, or living in perpetual fear of hunger, subjects low-income people to constant stress with serious potential consequences for their mental well-being. A Canadian study found that those grappling with food insecurity are three times more likely to report adverse mental health outcomes. Similarly, research in the U.S. estimated that food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic had three times the negative impact on mental health that pandemic job loss did.
The Hidden Cost of Living with Hunger
Food insecurity itself inflicts psychological harm. However, some coping strategies can also breed anxiety or shame, particularly if social stigma marks them. This is another way food insecurity and mental health are tragically connected.
Here are several common strategies for coping with food insecurity:
In South Africa, where more than 20% of households experience food insecurity, researchers estimate that as many as one in five households have resorted to begging for food. This has an association with a higher risk of psychological harm compared to other coping strategies because of the uncertainty, danger and stigma that surrounds begging.
The Path to Progress
Improving food assistance mechanisms like government food banks or charitable programs may not provide a comprehensive solution when taking food insecurity and mental health into account. Especially when individuals risk being seen receiving food aid, seeking help often triggers embarrassment or stress. That means going to a local food bank is not enough to truly free people from the harms of hunger.
Meaningful and sensitive improvements to tackle food insecurity could prove effective in combating mental health crises around the world. One promising initiative is Feed the Future, a program that the U.S. government funds and manages. In its 20 countries of operation, Feed the Future employs a three-part strategy including developing agriculture, building community resilience and working towards whole-population nourishment. Notably, this initiative builds systems for long-term food security, rather than short-term relief.
From 2011-2021, Feed the Future secured $4.8 billion in funding for global food security and generated nearly four times that amount in global agricultural sales. The program estimates that 23.4 million more people are above the poverty line due to its work around the world.
The connection between food insecurity and mental health provides just another reason why combating global hunger is of the utmost importance. With compassionate, awareness-driven food aid, it is possible to alleviate hunger and benefit the physical and mental health of millions around the world.
– Faye Crawford
Photo: Flickr
Renewable Energy in Jordan Provides Jobs and Opportunity
Poverty is also accentuated by the kingdom’s substantial dependence upon other nations for natural resources, such as food and energy, which add to the cost of living. Female-headed households and refugee households tend to be the most vulnerable.
Potential for Accessible Domestic Energy
In 2012, various reforms were enacted in order to provide investment opportunities by establishing standards to incentivize the use of renewable energy in Jordan. As part of a so-called Master Strategy to decrease energy costs and enhance security and accessibility, the Jordanian government sought investments in alternative energy sources, such as solar power, and diversification away from the three main fossil fuels conventionally used, oil, natural gas and fuel oil. These programs have successfully grown Jordan’s renewable energy sector over the course of the past decade, with the quantity of electricity produced from renewable sources growing over 17-fold.
This growth has also given vulnerable demographics, such as those living in refugee camps and those in rural areas not previously serviced, the opportunity to gain access to electricity. At the Zaatari and Azraq refugee camps, dominated by Syrian refugees, electricity is being provided for the first time at no cost to occupants via new solar panel fields. By 2018, the price of renewable energy in Jordan, in particular solar-derived electricity, cost less than half that of electricity produced from oil-derived production.
Challenges
While Jordan currently has the resources required to continue pursuing marked expansion in renewable energy, the rapid rate of growth has illustrated economic challenges in maintaining the government’s projected pace. Renewable energy remains a growing interest amongst nations with smaller developing economies, including the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the majority of businesses and those trained in the installation and design of equipment required for renewable energy use are concentrated in developed economies and larger nations, such as those found in the European Union, as well as the United States, China and Brazil.
In order to address this deficit, investments are needed to train those in the renewable energy sector for the assembly and operation of new energy infrastructure and to provide financial resources to allow electricity operators to invest in new energy resources. Ongoing efforts include the training of young professionals in handling infrastructure for electric cars, new power grids for energy distribution and farms for wind and solar power can help to address long-standing worker shortages.
NEPCO, Jordan’s largest electricity utility services, has received long-term assistance from both the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in addressing substantial debts owed by the government-owned power generation company and improving efficiency to allow more resources to be directed towards expanding renewable, domestic energy.
Looking Forward
In sum, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has sought to address both structural issues related to poverty, economic opportunity and a transition towards more affordable domestic energy supplies. The ability of renewable energy in Jordan to provide disadvantaged populations, such as those in poverty and refugees, resources like inexpensive electricity and to strengthen economic potential has produced results over the prior decade, with exponential growth evidence of progress towards the government goal of 31% of all electricity.
However, long-term goals of being capable of continued growth without international aid, both from multinational organizations such as the International Monetary Fund and or aid provided by nations such as Germany and the United States, have not yet been achieved, with continued international investment in opportunity to lower youth unemployment, public debt and other challenges still projected as essential for continued progress in reducing poverty.
– Cormac Sullivan
Photo: Wikimedia