With a population of only 6.3 million as of 2022, El Salvador is the smallest country in Central America. Despite this, it continues to face large economic problems, ranking as the second slowest economic growth rate in Central America.
Over the years, El Salvador has faced various fluctuations in economic stability. In 2020, the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) dropped from 2.5% to -7.9%, a result of the COVID-19 pandemic’s adverse effects on job opportunities and poverty rates.
Even after the GDP stabilized in 2022, El Salvador continues to face fiscal sustainability issues, increasing extreme poverty rates from 0.38% to 0.39%.
USAID in El Salvador
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) uses the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) to analyze how critical a nation’s food insecurity is. Nations are classified from Phase 1 to Phase 5, where Phase 1 is minimal and Phase 5 is famine.
Before the end of 2022, heavy rainfall and flooding caused an extreme humanitarian crisis, impacting millions of people in Central America. This led to an increase in food insecurity, changing the rankings of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras in an IPC Phase 3 Crisis or worse.
With the assistance of programs from USAID, positive strides have been made to provide economic and humanitarian growth in El Salvador. These programs provide support for gender-based violence, children’s education and increase funding for humanitarian needs, especially in extreme crises. With natural disaster initiatives, USAID has contributed approximately $400 million to the rehabilitation and rebuilding of damaged infrastructures in El Salvador.
Economic Competitiveness Project
According to USAID, providing ample job opportunities through job creation and placement is vital to preventing irregular migration, boosting trade and offering educational support.
The Economic Competitiveness Project, a $47.8 million program, aims to provide micro, small and medium enterprises with support to economically grow their businesses through competitive “innovation and technological development.” This not only encourages businesses to grow intellectually but to boost trade and raise income. With more programs to increase employment opportunities and thus reduce poverty, the inclination to engage in crime is greatly reduced.
Gloria de Kriete Foundation
USAID has also partnered with the Gloria de Kriete Foundation to provide $14.2 million to academically gifted children for increased access to educational support. This has been used to positively change more than 2,100 students’ lives via funding for scholarships, financial aid and other educational needs. With this partnership, young residents of El Salvador have become more prepared to pursue post-academic job opportunities.
Citizen Security
USAID programs in El Salvador also work to prevent violence by partnering with community organizations to establish after-school programs that educate and rehabilitate youth and provide them with a safe space to learn and grow.
While El Salvador recorded high crime rates with 103 homicides per 100,000 residents in 2015, police efforts have caused rates to rapidly decrease by 56.8% due to a “widespread crackdown on gang violence” in 2022.
USAID programs, such as Citizen Security Project and NIDO: Building Safe Communities, work to deter children from crime. With $43 million in support, the Citizen Security Project offers after-school programs for past criminal offenders. This helps rehabilitate, educate and offer support for youth. The NIDO project partners with Glasswing International to integrate youth into after-school programs that help provide citizen security through various training exercises.
These programs, along with the tireless efforts of the El Salvadorian government and police force, have resulted in a substantial decrease in homicide rates to 15 per 100,000 residents and an increased trust of security officials and policemen by 20%.
Humanitarian Assistance
El Salvadorans are at a 95.4% risk of natural disasters. USAID is now allocating $42.5 million to provide crisis support for El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras during natural disasters. These funds also include assisting in the prevention of food insecurity through donating food and providing shelters for protection against violence.
Through this aid, millions of people in Central America can also receive assistance for the restoration of crops and other needs. Allocating funds has worked to aid in disaster relief for years. During Tropical Storms 12-E in 2011 and Amanda in May 2020 USAID workers provided countless hours of assistance for “temporary shelters, water, hygiene kits and temporary educational and recreational activities in shelters.”
Looking Toward the Future
USAID has worked to help the people in El Salvador for decades and has only increased its support since COVID-19.
With various USAID programs in El Salvador committed to growing safe, sustainable communities, the future continues to brighten. Economic growth continues to rise with the investment into young academic futures. Violent crime rates are plummeting. While there is still room for economic growth, USAID programs continue to make strides in fostering a brighter tomorrow for the people of El Salvador.
– Kristina Gaffney
Photo: Flickr
Updates on SDG 1 in Brazil
World leaders adopted the Universal SDGs in 2015, with a primary focus on alleviating poverty for all by 2023. SDG 1 aims to eradicate extreme poverty, while other SDGs aim to promote sustainable economic, social and environmental growth.
The Peculiar Case of Brazil
Since 1998, global extreme poverty has generally declined, but the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted progress, leading to a global poverty increase from 8.3% to 9.2% in 2020. However, Brazil’s situation diverged from this trend. The UN’s annual report on SDG progress revealed that Brazil experienced a rise in poverty levels since the adoption of SDGs in 2015. The estimated percentage of the Brazilian population living below the poverty threshold, which is less than USD 2.15 a day, reached 6.28% in 2018. However, following years of an increase in extreme poverty from the 2014 figure of 4.02%, during the pandemic, Brazil recorded a significant decline in poverty. The proportion of Brazilians living below the poverty threshold dropped from 6.18% in 2019 to only 2.41% in 2020 and indicators for SDG 1 in Brazil continued to show a slight but continued decrease up to 2023.
Explaining the Numbers
The year 2014 marked the beginning of Brazil’s longest and most severe recession. The indicator for SDG 1 in Brazil, measuring the poverty headcount ratio at $2.15/day, reached its all-time low of the decade at 4.02. Political turmoil resulting from domestic macroeconomic mismanagement and corruption scandals exacerbated the crisis. In an effort to reduce the state budget deficit, the government implemented cuts in public expenditure on education and health care, which, in turn, led to a contracting GDP and real incomes, and a significant rise in unemployment and inflation rates. Although exact figures are uncertain, estimates suggest that extreme poverty increased from 5.2 million to 11.9 million between 2014 and 2017.
However, Brazil’s recovery in the subsequent years involved significant multifaceted reforms, including enhanced fiscal discipline, tax reform, improved labor rights and renewed spending on social assistance programs. A notable social initiative during this time was Bolsa Família, the world’s largest program providing cash payments to low-income individuals and families. Bolsa Família aims to reduce poverty, hunger and inequality, serving both as a layer of social security for the most vulnerable as well as a tool of wealth redistribution. The program annually benefits more than 46 million people directly, monitoring the health condition of nearly 10 million and the education of 15 million individuals. Estimates suggest that extreme poverty rates would have been one-third higher without Bolsa Família and it is credited with reducing the Gini coefficient by 15%.
The COVID-19 Pandemic
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Brazil faced the second-highest death toll, as concluded by the IMF. However, the country responded with a swift vaccination campaign and resilience in the face of accompanying economic shocks. Alongside a more robust social and macroeconomic framework established after 2016, Brazil boasts one of the strongest health care systems in Latin America, allowing it to maintain an improving figure on SDG 1 indicators despite the existing challenges. Additionally, the government’s pandemic policies focused on improving conditions for vulnerable segments through the expansion of Bolsa Família and the introduction of emergency aid for self-employed and unemployed workers.
What Brazil’s Experience Says About Poverty
Since 2018, Brazil has been incorporating SDGs into its sectoral action plans, including initiatives targeting education and health care, as well as efforts to enhance economic management. In 2023, the concerned U.N. authorities awarded Brazil an overall score of 73 out of 100 on the SDG index.
Brazil’s experience underscores the complex nature of poverty, shaped by a blend of economic, social and political factors. Consequently, the adoption of SDGs to address different aspects of a nation’s development and their promotion as a comprehensive set of measures appears to be vital in confronting the interrelated factors contributing to the endurance of poverty.
– Nadia Asaad
Photo: Flickr
How Renewable Energy in Czechia Will Aid its Roma Population
How Changing Weather Patterns Makes Conditions Worse for Roma People
Changing weather patterns bring extreme weather events like floods, wildfires, droughts and heat waves. In August 2010, flash floods left thousands of Czech citizens without electricity or gas. In 2021, a tornado in South Moravia left 70,000 households powerless and destroyed 1,600 homes. These events have been devastating to people living below the poverty line, leaving many homeless, including a Romani widow with six children. The tornado was an extremely rare occurrence and multiple studies have found that tornadoes from severe thunderstorms are more likely to form due to changing weather patterns.
Natural disasters such as floods, wildfires, and droughts have severe consequences for impoverished Roma communities. These events lead to population displacement, damage water and sanitation infrastructure and contaminate water sources with fecal bacteria. According to a survey conducted among Roma people living in EU countries, a staggering 80% continue to live below the at-risk-of-poverty threshold in their respective countries. Moreover, 52% of them reside in houses without proper sanitation facilities, and 22% have no access to tap water inside their homes.
The lack of proper sanitation facilities like running water and the challenges of poverty have resulted in alarming health disparities among Roma communities. Reports indicate that Roma women have an average life expectancy that is 11 years less than women in general, and Roma men have an average life expectancy of 9 years less than men overall. Furthermore, the changing weather patterns have become a significant threat to the lives of Roma people, particularly during and after extreme weather events. These challenges, combined with housing and employment instability, further exacerbate the vulnerabilities that members of the Roma community face.
New Renewable Energy Policies in Czechia and How They Aid Roma People in Poverty
The EU Cohesion Policy Commission has joined forces with Czechia to tackle its high natural gas emissions and climate-related disasters through a €21.4 billion agreement that focuses on renewable energy projects. This collaboration aims to support the green and digital transition of Czechia while promoting economic, social and territorial cohesion. The Just Transition Fund (JTF) will facilitate a New Circular Economy Plan, providing €1.5 billion to aid businesses in their shift to a low-carbon economy. The ultimate goal is to reduce Czechia’s GHG emissions by 30% by 2030.
Based on forecasts, the green and digital transition in Czechia could create more job opportunities, fostering employment and social inclusion. This will particularly benefit minority populations, including the Roma people. Moreover, the job market could become more gender-balanced, offering potential advantages for Roma women.
The new circular economy will both preserve and diversify jobs and improve the quality of education. It will also improve the integration of third-country nationals and the living standards of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion. The European Regional and Development Fund (ERDF) dedicates €3.4 billion to digitalize the economy and boost competitiveness in small and medium businesses. Additionally, environmental measures aim to reduce extreme weather events that impact the Roma people.
The clean urban and suburban transport funded by the ERDF and Cohesion Fund will reduce the number of diseases that would otherwise be spread to Czechia’s vulnerable populations via public transport, potentially addressing the health problems that disadvantaged Roma people face.
Additionally, a new program called “Environment” will directly address the environmental factor of the issue by helping Czechia restore its natural ecosystems and create more sustainable water management. This could create a cleaner and healthier environment while addressing the lack of clean water systems in many Roma homes.
The Progress So Far
According to the Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira, “Under the 2014-2020 programming period, the Cohesion Policy supported investments in 11,000 enterprises, creating or retaining 10,676 direct jobs.”
The new circular economy has begun to implement several new projects, such as modular buildings, smart waste systems and several forms of recycling. These projects have been cleaning up cities and suburbs, allowing flexibility in construction with relation to how many kids wish to attend school and reducing waste and global emissions.
Room for More Progress
Although there are many positive developments ahead for the implementation of renewable energy in Czechia, Roma people continue to face discrimination in education, housing, employment and interactions with the police. Such discriminatory practices are generally motivated by racist ideals. In addition to renewable energy projects that have the potential to protect Roma’s health and living conditions, there is a need for more political measures, such as the Anti-Discrimination Act and the new Social Inclusion Strategy, that focus on protecting the human rights of Roma people.
– Sophia Holub
Photo: Unsplash
Road Safety: How 100 Global Leaders Are Tackling It
Accident Rates in Developing Countries
While global road accident rates are already sky-high, there is a massive discrepancy between high-income and low and middle-income countries. Despite lower-income countries having a lesser concentration of vehicles globally, 93% of road accidents still occur in low and middle-income countries. Accident rates are highest in Africa, with road deaths taking up about 25% of the global total, while vehicles take up only 2% of the total number of vehicles worldwide. In January 2023, two bus crashes in Senegal claimed 62 lives. Deaths per day have risen to more than 40 in Côte d’Ivoire. These events, not the first of their kind, caused a severe public outcry. Conversely, European regions have the lowest rates of traffic injuries and deaths, with total fatalities falling at about ⅓ of those in the Sub-Saharan African region.
Socioeconomic status poses a significant risk for road injuries, even in high-income countries. Unsafe road infrastructure, vehicles, post-crash care and inadequate law enforcement contribute to and exacerbate this problem, perpetuating poverty. Beyond the loss of countless lives each year, traffic accidents also have substantial economic impacts. These incidents cost countries up to 3% of their GDP annually, impeding the growth and development of lower-income nations in particular. Addressing road safety incidents would tackle these issues and more. Improving infrastructure, for instance, would encourage eco-friendly transportation like walking and cycling, addressing inequalities in access to health care and work.
Solutions to Road Safety Mortality
Fortunately, the global community recognizes the gravity of the issue. Countries are presently operating under the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030, initiated in 2020. This comprehensive plan focuses on four key areas, with special attention to low and middle-income countries. The areas of emphasis include safer road infrastructure, vehicles, overall road use—particularly through law enforcement—and improved post-crash care. The plan provides concrete action steps and outlines the roles of government, civil society, the private sector, the U.N., funders and other relevant actors to effectively address the problem.
In June of 2023, leaders from 100 countries convened in Stockholm, Sweden, for a historic road safety summit—the first in-person meeting for this new leadership team. This gathering offered the Heads of Road Safety Agencies from each nation a unique opportunity to collaborate, sharing knowledge and experiences that have contributed to the reduction of traffic accidents. They discussed upcoming plans, responsibilities and progress related to the U.N. Decade of Action for Road Safety.
Looking Ahead
Events like the recent WHO summit play a crucial role in reminding global leaders of the importance of road safety. These meetings mobilize governments to continue their efforts in making improvements and serve as a powerful symbol of unity and solidarity within the global community.
– Jianna Choi
Photo: Unsplash
Cervical Cancer Rates Within the Underdeveloped World
The Stats
According to the National Library of Medicine, cervical cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide, with 80% of cases located in the developing world. Approximately 190,000 women in low-and-middle-income countries die from this illness each year. Poorer countries lack access to information and awareness about the risks and development of cervical cancer. Women can also encounter major cost barriers that block them from getting proper screenings. For example, in Zambia, cervical cancer is the most common cancer in the country, with 65.5 cases per 100,000 women. It accounts for 23% of all cancer cases. Another example of this phenomenon is in Tanzania. In 2020, 9,770 cervical cancer cases were reported for every 100,000 women. Of these cases, 6,695 were fatal.
Not only do many underdeveloped countries lack knowledge and screenings for cervical cancer, some do not have access to the HPV vaccine. Places such as Venezuela, Nicaragua and Cuba have yet to implement this vital inoculation process because of cost restrictions.
Missions to Help
Several organizations work with underdeveloped countries to find ways to diminish the barriers that create high cervical cancer rates. In 2020, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) came together to create a new plan for reducing cervical cancer numbers in impoverished places. The project’s goal is to heighten national support and awareness to mobilize and expand resources for prevention, research, diagnosis and treatments.
Also in 2020, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) created a three-pillar plan to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem by the end of 2099. PAHO strives to make every country reach the following targets by 2030: 90% of girls vaccinated with the HPV vaccine by age 15, 70% of women having two high-precision screenings between ages 35 and 45 and 90% of diagnosed women receiving treatment.
How Everyone Can Help
According to the World Health Organization’s 2020 Cervical Cancer Elimination Modeling Consortium, cervical cancer rates are presumed to decrease by one-third of the current rate by 2030 through proper execution and continuous commitment to helping poorer countries fight against the disease. Findings show that if girls in low-and-middle-income countries receive HPV vaccinations at a young age, as well as screenings for cancer twice in their lifetime, cervical cancer rates will decrease by 89% in those areas.
Fortunately, there are non-governmental organizations that help women suffering from cervical cancer, particularly in African countries. One example of this charity is the Elekta Foundation. Created in January of 2022, its main purpose is to educate and train professionals to build clinical capabilities in radiotherapy, develop tools to increase cancer care and create awareness and prevention tactics through local governments for African countries. Since the organization is fairly new, directors are still in the piloting process of their fundraising efforts in the sub-Saharan region of Africa. However, from the knowledge gained through this phase, the charity will be able to expand and give access to screenings, diagnostics and treatments all throughout Africa.
Ultimately, staying up to date with cancer-related news in developing countries can be potentially effective in amplifying their voices and addressing their challenges. Educating others about the situations in impoverished regions can also drive increased donations and potentially save lives. Therefore, advocating for the importance of cervical cancer prevention and raising awareness about ways to support the cause appears to be essential steps to actively participate in the cancer prevention movement.
– Nina Donlin
Photo: Unsplash
Successful Startup Kubik Expands Affordable Housing in Ethiopia
Housing poverty in Ethiopia exposes many citizens to unsafe and unsanitary living conditions. Habitat for Humanity reports that 43% of homes in the nation have pit latrines in the absence of a toilet, thus making sanitation hardly accessible. Currently, many homes are mainly built using wood and mud, often leading to inadequate coverage from natural disasters and unexpected events. Kubik, an Ethiopian startup, seeks to change these conditions by revolutionizing affordable housing in Ethiopia.
Kubik’s Mission
The startup owes its origins to the humanitarian vision of its founders, Kidus Asfaw, CEO, and Penda Marre, Chief Production Officer. Asfaw and Marre, who are “children of Africa,” according to Kubik’s website, use their own experiences to overturn the housing crisis that affects countless Ethiopians. With 35 million Ethiopians or 44% of the population living in extreme poverty, Kubik’s promise to provide access to affordable housing can alleviate the extent to which poverty impacts daily activities.
While Kubik’s overarching goal is to implement affordable housing in Ethiopia, it also remains committed to ensuring that its process is dignified, clean and sustainable. In doing so, it seeks to construct durable, long-lasting homes for Ethiopians while pioneering innovative practices and methods that help the country and the environment.
Kubik’s Revolutionary Process
Mainly, Kubik operates with a process that reinvents the ways that builders typically construct homes. Moving away from wood and mud materials, this company focuses on using low-carbon products. The mission-focused startup transforms plastic waste into low-carbon products that are suitable for construction and resistant to damage due to unpredictable natural disasters, for example. By turning waste into a useful tool, Kubik helps lower the emission of harmful gasses into the environment.
Using recycled waste is also significantly cheaper than using traditional construction materials. As a result, the final price of a home can be set at a reasonable figure, ultimately helping those who seek better conditions but cannot afford to purchase accommodating costs. The appeal of strong, environmentally-friendly materials coupled with the cost-effective prices attracts the attention of larger corporations that further Kubik’s success.
Kubik Gains Attention and Support
As Kubik entered the field with its revolutionary idea, companies and entrepreneurs immediately recognized the need to invest in this talent. The Global Startup Awards (GSA), which awards entrepreneurial efforts and promotes financial success via connection to stakeholders and investors, named Kubik as the 2023 Startup of the Year. This honor helped increase national and international acclaim for the company, which further expanded Kubik’s growth.
Kubik also earned a title as a prime ClimateTech Startup from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), an honor that furnished the company partnerships with large firms and investors. Romain Diaz, a founder of VC Satgana, a fellow ClimateTech Startup, expressed a commitment to join forces with Kubik and streamline the execution of its housing venture. Within the past year, Kubik has successfully raised more than $3.34 million.
Kubik’s Saving Grace
As Kubik provides affordable housing in Ethiopia, it also has a second goal of creating effective social change. The founders, along with staff members, will take control of the waste sector in Ethiopia to alleviate the unfair and unsafe conditions that women experience in this field. Traditionally, women sort through piles of plastic, without regulation, and earn little to no profit for their work. However, with Kubik’s help, female waste collectors can work in safe conditions and live in a specially-made home constructed by the company. This necessary change in the waste management sector will allow women to earn a steady income and receive financial autonomy.
Looking Ahead
As Kubik continues to expand affordable housing in Ethiopia and provide jobs to women waste collectors, the company will expand from its headquarters to other nations outside of its borders. With financial support from large companies and established investors, Kubik can implement significant change in developing nations. In time, there is hope that the Ethiopian-based startup, with its future-forward mission, will empower individuals and limit the extent of housing poverty with its cost-effective solutions.
– Maddy Grieco
Photo: Flickr
Innovations in Poverty Eradication in Finland
Decline in Homelessness
From 2006 to 2007, Finland experienced a spike in the number of homeless people, the first since 1998. This prompted a focus on addressing homelessness and led to innovations in poverty eradication. The main innovation Finland implemented was the Housing First policy. Enacted in 2008, the Housing First policy has dropped the number of homeless people from more than 8,000 to 3,686 in 2022. This correlates to a 50% reduction in the number of homeless people in Finland in 14 years. The Housing First policy works by granting homeless people access to long-term housing as opposed to the more common temporary shelters. These rental housing units are innovative as they are financially viable and provide the homeless with substantial social support, such as better employment opportunities.
As more homeless people acquired jobs, the unemployment rate dropped by 2.6% from 2015 to 2022. This has, in turn, stimulated Finland’s economy and compensated for the cost of these rental units, thereby highlighting the efficiency of the Housing First policy. Overall, the Housing First policy benefited more than 4,000 individuals through housing, and an additional 137,208 through job opportunities.
Stable Food Security
Food security has become a non-issue in Finland due to innovative approaches dominating the Food and Agriculture industry. One such innovation is the prevalence of vertical farms. Vertical farms have revolutionized food security within Finland as they maximize space (no need for arable land), are pesticide-free, decrease water usage by 90%, cultivate up to 2.5 times more yield and have rapid scaling potential (from 500 to 20,000 sq.m). Vertical farms have proven to be positively transformative as they have successfully increased access to cheaper and healthier foods. Each vertical farm, such as the one in Pirkkala, Finland, has the potential to feed more than 20,000 people.
Another innovation in Finland is the recent creation of Solein, a natural protein produced using air and electricity. The creation of Solein has the potential to increase food security in Finland as it exceeds the bounds of traditional proteins. Solein can be used in meat, cheese, dairy, bread, pasta, drinks, etc. Solein’s versatility makes it suitable for various food products, offering a cost-effective alternative for nutritious food seekers.
As a result of these food security innovations, Finland achieved a score of 83.7 on the Global Food Security Index (GFSI) in 2022, the highest among countries. As opposed to the world average of 11.7 % in 2022, Finland’s food insecurity rate remains relatively low at 2.5%. The country’s innovations have prevented 511,233 people from falling into poverty.
Effective Health Care
Finland is lauded for its health care system as it offers a variety of services at affordable prices. One way Finland achieves this is through the innovative Kela Card. In terms of health care, the Kela Card plays a key role, in reimbursing people for medical prescriptions, ill-related absences, travel and a portion of private health care expenses. The Kela Card is an integral component of Finland’s health care system because every citizen and permanent resident of Finland receives it. The Kela Card also provides social security and employment benefits. Its very design allows it to assist those who are struggling to maintain a stable income and provides them with social benefits. This has, in turn, benefitted more than 360,000 people in Finland each year.
Innovations in poverty eradication in Finland extend to medical hardware as well. Finnish tech company Sooma developed a portable medical device for depression treatment. This device is portable and requires no expertise to use, thus reducing the medical costs associated with depression. Another medical instrument, created by Optomed, captures retinal images and diagnoses diabetic retinopathy, a leading cause of blindness worldwide. This device is innovative as it is the most affordable camera of its kind. The efficiency of medical equipment in Finland has allowed people to avoid the excessive costs associated with modern health care.
What is Next?
Finland continues to pursue poverty eradication through ongoing innovation. These modern solutions have already contributed to a 1.4% drop in poverty rates between 2019 and 2020. Ultimately, the success of Finland’s innovations could serve as a model and inspiration for other countries looking to alleviate poverty.
– Manav Yarlagadda
Photo: Unsplash
Addressing Poverty Through Renewable Energy in Serbia
Many of these poor Serbians are also subject to energy poverty, meaning they cannot afford up-to-date dwellings and appliances or spend most of their income on energy bills. Introducing renewable energy in Serbia could be a solution to this issue, as it would help provide Serbians currently living in poverty with more efficient energy and a resulting higher standard of living, as well as create new jobs, foster economic growth and prevent further environmental damages associated with fossil fuels.
Energy Access
Currently, the state-owned Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPS) monopolized Serbia’s electricity market. According to Our World in Data, 100% of Serbia’s population has electricity access. However, this is not a particularly high benchmark to meet as it only requires that a source of electricity is capable of providing basic lighting and a few other services like charging a phone or powering a fan for a few hours per day.
While Serbia has complete electricity access, not everyone in the country can use clean sources of gas for cooking. The percentage of people who can procure clean and safe fuels is only around 80% as of 2020. The other 20% of the population must use sources such as charcoal and animal dung, bringing down the number of people who have complete access to energy.
Fossil Fuels
Renewable energy in Serbia is still developing and a substantial amount of Serbia’s energy continues to come from coal plants. As much as 70% of the nation’s energy comes from the burning of fossil fuels. Serbia’s heavy reliance on coal as its primary source of electricity has caused severe instability in the past. For example, floods, which have become more common with changing weather patterns, caused several coal mines in Serbia to become unusable in 2014. More recently, in 2021, two of Serbia’s largest coal plants suffered massive breakdowns, launching the country into a crisis and forcing the government to import electricity. Despite efforts, thousands were left without power as the coal plants struggled to meet their previous output potential.
Hydropower
Hydropower is the most popular form of renewable energy in Serbia, contributing 30% of the country’s energy. Serbia has built the most extensive hydropower infrastructure in the Balkan region, with a capacity of 2.935 MW currently operational. However, Serbia has not yet reached its full potential in harnessing this renewable energy, as an additional 7,000 GWh of hydropower remains unused. Locals have expressed concerns over the installation of hydropower plants due to environmental damage compared to the relatively low electricity generated.
Wind and Solar
Renewable energy from wind and solar sources is limited in Serbia. Several private renewable energy companies, such as Masdar, Fintel Energija, Nova Commodities, New Energy Solutions and CWP Renewables, focus on these forms of power.
There are 398 MW of wind power available in Serbia and the country is looking to generate even more. Due to its strong winds, projections show that Serbia is capable of producing 2.3 TWh of energy from wind farms.
According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Serbia has a solar power potential of 3.6 GW, and government officials hope to build on that potential. Along with an average of 270 sunny days per year, the average solar radiation in Serbia is 30% higher than that of Western Europe, making it a strong candidate for solar power plants. Unfortunately, by the end of 2021, only 52 MW of solar power were installed in Serbia, although the country recently opened its largest plant to date in April 2023, and it has a capacity of 10 MW alone.
Further Steps
In 2022, the World Bank granted Serbia a $50 million loan for its Scaling Up Residential Clean Energy (SURCE) Project. This initiative aims to provide clean and efficient heating solutions and rooftop solar panels to 25,000 households over five years.
In March 2023, Serbia updated its Law on the Use of Renewable Energy Sources. The new amendments allowed for the Serbian government to implement auctions to install more renewable energy plants, as well as helped provide solutions for overloads occurring when connecting wind and solar farms to the existing power system.
As a result of the updated law, the Serbian government introduced plans to launch its very first renewable energy auction in June, offering to support wind power projects with a capacity of 400 MW and solar PV projects with a capacity of 50 MW. The government hopes this auction will be the first round in a three-year cycle that will produce 1000 MW of wind power and 300 MW of solar power.
Looking Ahead
Serbia’s implementation of renewable energy brings extensive benefits, particularly for those facing energy poverty and struggling to afford clean and safe electricity and fuel. Although there is still room for progress in fully realizing its renewable energy potential, the country’s efforts demonstrate continuous growth, and the government is taking concrete steps in the right direction.
– Sofia Oliver
Photo: Unsplash
USAID Programs in El Salvador
Over the years, El Salvador has faced various fluctuations in economic stability. In 2020, the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) dropped from 2.5% to -7.9%, a result of the COVID-19 pandemic’s adverse effects on job opportunities and poverty rates.
Even after the GDP stabilized in 2022, El Salvador continues to face fiscal sustainability issues, increasing extreme poverty rates from 0.38% to 0.39%.
USAID in El Salvador
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) uses the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) to analyze how critical a nation’s food insecurity is. Nations are classified from Phase 1 to Phase 5, where Phase 1 is minimal and Phase 5 is famine.
Before the end of 2022, heavy rainfall and flooding caused an extreme humanitarian crisis, impacting millions of people in Central America. This led to an increase in food insecurity, changing the rankings of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras in an IPC Phase 3 Crisis or worse.
With the assistance of programs from USAID, positive strides have been made to provide economic and humanitarian growth in El Salvador. These programs provide support for gender-based violence, children’s education and increase funding for humanitarian needs, especially in extreme crises. With natural disaster initiatives, USAID has contributed approximately $400 million to the rehabilitation and rebuilding of damaged infrastructures in El Salvador.
Economic Competitiveness Project
According to USAID, providing ample job opportunities through job creation and placement is vital to preventing irregular migration, boosting trade and offering educational support.
The Economic Competitiveness Project, a $47.8 million program, aims to provide micro, small and medium enterprises with support to economically grow their businesses through competitive “innovation and technological development.” This not only encourages businesses to grow intellectually but to boost trade and raise income. With more programs to increase employment opportunities and thus reduce poverty, the inclination to engage in crime is greatly reduced.
Gloria de Kriete Foundation
USAID has also partnered with the Gloria de Kriete Foundation to provide $14.2 million to academically gifted children for increased access to educational support. This has been used to positively change more than 2,100 students’ lives via funding for scholarships, financial aid and other educational needs. With this partnership, young residents of El Salvador have become more prepared to pursue post-academic job opportunities.
Citizen Security
USAID programs in El Salvador also work to prevent violence by partnering with community organizations to establish after-school programs that educate and rehabilitate youth and provide them with a safe space to learn and grow.
While El Salvador recorded high crime rates with 103 homicides per 100,000 residents in 2015, police efforts have caused rates to rapidly decrease by 56.8% due to a “widespread crackdown on gang violence” in 2022.
USAID programs, such as Citizen Security Project and NIDO: Building Safe Communities, work to deter children from crime. With $43 million in support, the Citizen Security Project offers after-school programs for past criminal offenders. This helps rehabilitate, educate and offer support for youth. The NIDO project partners with Glasswing International to integrate youth into after-school programs that help provide citizen security through various training exercises.
These programs, along with the tireless efforts of the El Salvadorian government and police force, have resulted in a substantial decrease in homicide rates to 15 per 100,000 residents and an increased trust of security officials and policemen by 20%.
Humanitarian Assistance
El Salvadorans are at a 95.4% risk of natural disasters. USAID is now allocating $42.5 million to provide crisis support for El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras during natural disasters. These funds also include assisting in the prevention of food insecurity through donating food and providing shelters for protection against violence.
Through this aid, millions of people in Central America can also receive assistance for the restoration of crops and other needs. Allocating funds has worked to aid in disaster relief for years. During Tropical Storms 12-E in 2011 and Amanda in May 2020 USAID workers provided countless hours of assistance for “temporary shelters, water, hygiene kits and temporary educational and recreational activities in shelters.”
Looking Toward the Future
USAID has worked to help the people in El Salvador for decades and has only increased its support since COVID-19.
With various USAID programs in El Salvador committed to growing safe, sustainable communities, the future continues to brighten. Economic growth continues to rise with the investment into young academic futures. Violent crime rates are plummeting. While there is still room for economic growth, USAID programs continue to make strides in fostering a brighter tomorrow for the people of El Salvador.
– Kristina Gaffney
Photo: Flickr
Everything You Need to Know about Higher Education in Pakistan
The Importance of Improving Higher Education
Firstly, Pakistan is in an economically precarious situation. The floods in 2022 greatly reduced agricultural output, the main source of income for rural families. Hence, more people need an alternative source of income. This requires education to build skills so that more young people can enter the job market in a variety of sectors.
Pakistan has one of the largest youth populations in the world with nearly a third of the population between the ages of 15-29. The working-age population is expected to rise to 5 million by 2035. All these young people need jobs but currently, nearly 11% are unemployed. With this large working-age population, Pakistan has the potential to boost the economy.
Higher education provides young people with quality employment opportunities that are highly fulfilling, pay well and help to break free from the poverty cycle. The Pakistan National Human Development Report states that compared to the less educated youth, those with tertiary education secure higher earnings. Currently, 48% of the working population falls into the unskilled worker category. Higher education has the power to change that.
Barriers to Accessing Education
Primary and secondary schools have low retention rates and this disproportionately affects those in poverty. For example, in Sindh, 52% of impoverished children are out of school. Of note, 53% have never received formal education in their lives.
Parents and guardians are not able to guide or prepare children on how to complete applications for higher education. In fact, parents are more likely to discuss how children can follow in their footsteps in jobs that are like theirs, instead of breaking free of the poverty cycle. Parents’ perceptions of education for those living in poverty can drastically shape their children’s progress in education. Many young people are taken out of school to work in a variety of industries, from agriculture to hospitality.
Girls face even greater barriers. Due to the patriarchal norms, elderly members of the family regard their further education to be less of an investment than boys, which can even result in child marriage. Women living in rural areas often become victims sexual harassment while traveling to schools in cities.
Improvements
It seems that there are many successful schemes being put in place to improve access to higher education in Pakistan. With more young people furthering their education, Pakistan’s economy has the potential to grow exponentially. This change can also create a nation full of successful and fulfilled citizens.
– Sharvari Patil
Photo: Flickr
Addressing Plastic Pollution in the Global South Through Art
Global Plastic Pollution
Unlike noise, chemical and light pollution, the effect of human overconsumption is impossible to ignore because of its visual nature. The majority of plastic packaging ever produced still accumulates in landfills and bodies of water, with only 9% being recycled. In the past decade, This overabundance of plastic has reached a tipping point, disproportionately affecting the world’s poor. As a result, 218 million people are at a higher risk of flooding due to blocked waterways caused by plastic waste. This equates to 3% of the global population, surpassing the populations of the U.K., Germany and France combined.
Mismanaged plastic waste does not only degrade flood mitigation efforts; the blockage of drainage systems contributes to a higher prevalence of water-borne diseases in slums, coastal communities and small-island developing states.
Artists worldwide are drawing attention to the pressing issue of plastic pollution through their creative expressions, amplifying underrepresented opinions, showcasing skilled craftsmanship and supporting local economies.
Creative Criticism in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Congolese performance artist Junior Mungongu has gained international recognition for his bold statements at a recent exhibition during the KinAct Festival in Kinshasa. The capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to grapple with plastic waste management. The urban art display, established in 2015, aims to encourage social criticism and alternative forms of protest. Last year, Mungongu wore a full-body suit made entirely of plastic bottles and caps, urging passersby to twist the tops back on.
A Jamaican Perspective on the Impacts of Single-Use Plastic
In Jamaica, Travis Hunter has made a name for himself for making masterpieces from recycled plastic. Displayed in his front yard, Travis Hunter’s work has gained considerable notoriety in Gregory Park, Portmore. Hunter founded Travis Arts Jamaica in 2018, promoting an environmentally sustainable creative venture. A sculptor and painter by profession, he has managed to earn an income from building tables, benches and flower pots made out of plastic bottles, newspaper and styrofoam.
Kenyan Artistry for Environmental Stewardship
Vivian Oluoch founded Avianna Eco Arts and Decor Foundation to fight plastic pollution and empower female artists in Homa Bay. The home decor and handbag storefront uses old wine bottles and plastic trash to create marketable art. The effort is largely backed by women from the slums surrounding Shauri Yako Estate, who have profited from plastic crafts since 2020.
Vivian Oluoch established the Avianna Eco Arts and Decor Foundation in Homa Bay, Kenya, to combat plastic pollution and empower female artists. Its home decor and handbag storefront utilizes old wine bottles and plastic trash to create marketable art. This effort is primarily supported by women from the slums surrounding Shauri Yako Estate, who have been profiting from plastic crafts since 2020.
Catadores Clean Up Belo Horizonte Streets for a Cause
ASMARE is a collective of garbage collectors in Brazil that has established livelihoods for the homeless by selling art made of discarded plastics, tires and cardboard boxes for 33 years. It is comprised of almost 200 official employees. The group sells chairs, chandeliers and decorative figurines fashioned of what most would consider trash that litters nearby community spaces.
In the face of adversity, some of the world’s most marginalized populations have demonstrated remarkable resourcefulness. Plastic pollution in the Global South presents a significant untapped source of revenue, fostering sustainability and stimulating the creative economy.
– Avery Pearson
Photo: Unsplash