Pakistan currently faces severe economic challenges, including low foreign reserves, a depreciating currency and high inflation of 38% as of June 2023. These issues have significant implications for poverty in the country. Aid to Pakistan has played a crucial role in addressing these economic difficulties and reducing poverty in the past. According to a congressional research service report from last month, Pakistan is experiencing a “[poly-crisis]” that encompasses politics, economy and security. These economic challenges not only hinder Pakistan’s development but also contribute to deepening poverty levels.
US Aid and its Impact on Poverty Alleviation in Pakistan
Historically, U.S. aid has alleviated poverty in Pakistan through various sectors such as health care, infrastructure development and agriculture. For instance, U.S. economic assistance in the 1960s supported the implementation of the “Green Revolution,” leading to higher-yielding varieties of crops like wheat and rice and improved agricultural productivity. This aid contributed to increased agricultural productivity, improved livelihoods and a subsequent reduction in poverty. GDP rate increased to 10.4 in 1965.
From 2002-2010, the U.S. provided significant financial assistance to Pakistan, primarily addressing terrorist threats and security concerns. This aid not only contributes to poverty reduction but also helps create jobs, stimulate economic growth and alleviate food insecurity.
Between 2001 and 2018, the poverty rate in Pakistan saw a significant decline, with more than 47 million Pakistanis lifting themselves out of poverty due to the expansion of off-farm economic opportunities and increased remittances. Aid to Pakistan has been a key driver of this positive change, contributing to poverty reduction and sustainable development. By increasing aid to Pakistan, the U.S. can fulfill its humanitarian obligations while also assisting in alleviating the deepening crisis within the country by fulfilling its commitment to goal 1 of U.N. SDGs like ‘Zero Poverty.’
The Borgen Project sought the expertise of Dr. Farhat Asif, an international affairs expert and founder of the Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies (IPDS), Islamabad. Dr. Asif highlighted how supporting an economically stable Pakistan aligns with U.S. foreign policy interests, particularly in terms of poverty alleviation and humanitarian commitments.
Supporting Pakistan aligns with American values of promoting economies on the brink of default and fostering democratic communities. Aid contributes to improving well-being, reducing poverty and enhancing access to health care, education and basic services.
Counter-Terrorism
One significant aspect Dr. Asif mentioned is that economic stability enables Pakistan to invest in modernizing its security infrastructure, enhancing intelligence capabilities and improving counter-terrorism capabilities. This not only counters extremist groups operating within Pakistan but also ensures regional stability. Counter-terrorism is a mutual interest between the U.S. and Pakistan and sustained U.S. support becomes crucial, especially when Pakistan lacks the financial stability to fund new security projects. A prosperous Pakistan indirectly helps the U.S. achieve its counter-terrorism goals and provides a secure environment for businesses.
Increase in FDI
A thriving economy fosters a safe business environment and attracts foreign direct investment (FDI). As per Dr Farhat, ‘’As Pakistan’s economic stability improves, it becomes an increasingly attractive market for U.S. businesses seeking to invest, benefiting both countries. FDI not only improves bilateral trade but also leads to job creation and contributes to poverty reduction. Aid plays a vital role in revitalizing economic stability and bringing certainty to the market.’’
Regional Stability
The stability of Pakistan is crucial for regional security, considering its location in a volatile region with borders shared by Afghanistan, Iran and India. Instability within Pakistan could have spillover effects on neighboring countries and negatively impact regional security. By promoting economic stability through aid, internal conflicts can be reduced, peace can be fostered and overall regional stability can be achieved. Dr. Farhat explained that this is a significant concern for the U.S., as a stable Pakistan reduces the risk of conflicts escalating, provides a favorable environment for diplomatic engagement and negotiations and helps the U.S. address terrorism proliferation and critical regional issues such as border-fencing and the Afghan peace process.
Moral Imperative
Additionally, supporting Pakistan aligns with American liberal values of supporting economies on the brink of default and fostering democratic communities of peaceful coexistence. Aid can help stabilize and strengthen Pakistan’s economy, improving the well-being of its people, reducing poverty and enhancing access to health care, education and basic services. Aid becomes a moral imperative to assist Pakistan, considering its status as a foremost victim of terrorism. Supporting Pakistan’s development aligns with the United States’ commitment to SDGs like zero poverty.
History of US Aid to Pakistan
Throughout history, the U.S. has provided significant financial and military aid to Pakistan. The Kerry-Lugar-Berman Act passed in 2009 aimed to provide a long-term, civilian-focused assistance package of $7.5 billion to Pakistan, supporting economic development, education, health care and governance reforms. While security assistance was suspended in 2018 due to concerns, recent years have seen renewed engagement and assistance between the U.S. and Pakistan, particularly in economic cooperation, energy projects and education through organizations like USIP and USAID.
Notably, recent USAID programs like the Pakistan Reading Project (PRP), the Pakistan Agricultural Technology Transfer Activity (PATTA) and the Pakistan Regional Economic Integration Activity (PREIA) have aimed to improve education, agricultural productivity and trade competitiveness, respectively, contributing to Pakistan’s economic growth and stability.
The PRP, worth 164.7 million dollars was initiated in 2013 and ending in 2023, aims to improve the reading skills of 1.3 million children in grades one and two across Pakistan. It also supports teacher training, curriculum development, community engagement and policy reform to enhance the quality of early-grade education.
The PATTA program, an 8.2 million dollar project which started in 2017 and ended in 2021, aimed to increase smallholder farmers’ access to affordable, appropriate and effective agricultural technologies that could boost productivity and incomes. It also facilitated partnerships between local technology manufacturers, distributors and service providers to create a sustainable market for agricultural innovations. It helped 147,910 small farmers to adopt new technologies.
In addition, the PREIA program, implemented from 2015 to 2020, focused on enhancing Pakistan’s trade competitiveness and integration into regional and international markets. It supported policy reforms, trade facilitation, private sector engagement and women’s economic empowerment to foster economic growth and stability.
Lastly, since the 1950s through USAID to Pakistan, the Fulbright program, initiated in the 1950s, continues to offer fully funded opportunities for unprivileged Pakistani students to study in the U.S. The program has created a network of around 37,000 Fulbright Alumni working in various sectors in Pakistan.
Way Forward
Overall, aid to Pakistan plays a vital role in addressing economic challenges, reducing poverty and promoting sustainable development. By increasing aid, the U.S. can fulfill its humanitarian obligations, contribute to poverty alleviation and potentially advance its own strategic interests related to counter-terrorism, regional stability and promoting democratic values. The continued support of the U.S. through aid programs is crucial in helping Pakistan overcome its economic challenges, stimulate growth and improve the well-being of its people.
– Sarmad Wali Khan
Photo: Unsplash
Prince William’s Fight Against Homelessness
Types of Homelessness in the UK
Homelessness in the UK
There are several causes of homelessness, ranging from social reasons, such as unaffordable rent and unemployment, to circumstances like leaving prison or care with no home to return to forcing people into being homeless. Women in particular can find themselves homeless after escaping physically abusive relationships.
Homelessness can have a severe effect on both physical and mental health. Not only is the average death rate for people experiencing homelessness 46% for men and 42% for women, but homeless people are also nine times more likely to take their own life than the general population. Homelessness also increases the risk of violence — more than one in three homeless people who are rough sleeping are deliberately kicked or hit. Seven in 10 people believe society should pay more attention to homelessness, and six in 10 believe there are several ways in which people can contribute to the fight against homelessness.
Homewards
Prince William and The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales have recently launched Homewards: a locally led, five-year program aiming to end homelessness by forming local coalitions of committed people, organizations and businesses. Six flagship locations across the UK will be supported by Homewards in this endeavor: Aberdeen, Sheffield, Newport, Lambeth, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole and Northern Ireland.
The support provided includes up to £500,000 of flexible funding, a local lead to drive action and, finally, a research partner to evaluate success.
Prince William said that he “first visited a homelessness shelter when [he] was eleven, with [his] mother,” and that he has been inspired to follow in her footsteps, continuing the humanitarian work his mother started.
In 2009, Prince William also chose to spend a night sleeping in an alleyway under Blackfriars Bridge in below-freezing conditions, with his only companions being his private secretary and Seyi Obakin, the chief executive of British homeless charity Centrepoint. At the time, the Prince said he hoped that by “deepening [his] understanding of the issue,” he can “do [his] bit” to help fight homelessness.
Homewards is the first major project the Prince of Wales has launched since his father, King Charles III, ascended the throne. Prince William has described Homewards as his ‘lifelong mission.’ Hopefully, with Prince William leading this new initiative, the very serious issue of homelessness in the U.K. can draw more attention and encourage more help and financial aid in the fight against homelessness.
– Sheherazade Al Shahry
Photo: Unsplash
Health Care in Rwanda: Everything You Need to Know
Rwanda’s Healthcare History
The story of health care in Rwanda has not always been one of high quality and success. The brutal genocide against the Tutsi people in 1994 caused a collapse in the health care system. This led to the destruction of hospitals, with doctors fleeing the country amid the emergence of several cases of HIV/AIDS.
The situation was dire and required drastic action. To make things even more challenging, 83% of the Rwandan population lived in rural areas. This meant that the government could not simply focus its attention on building hospitals in urban areas, as this would leave the majority of the population without a local health center. Instead, the government had to focus on spreading its health care efforts across the country to ensure that everyone had adequate access to medical care in Rwanda.
The Transformation of Health Care in Rwanda
The Rwandan government has recognized the importance of rural health coverage and has adopted a community-based health care approach. To achieve this, the government initiated the training of health care professionals in each of Rwanda’s 15,000 rural villages.
In these villages, the health care professionals mainly functioned as information providers to offer preventative healthcare services. The information they shared with community members played a vital role in preventing unnecessary hospital visits, thereby preventing overwhelming the health care system.
During the post-genocide reconstruction period, Rwanda partnered with the World Health Organization (WHO) to enhance health care access by constructing health centers.
Despite the significant improvement due to the health centers, there was still a need for more effort. Prior to 2020, the average citizen had to walk for 95 minutes to reach the nearest health center. To address this challenge, the government built health posts between rural communities and health centers, reducing the walk time to 47 minutes.
Health posts play a crucial role in improving health care access in Rwanda. These posts enable patients to consult with health care professionals, receive primary care and if necessary, get referrals to specialists at health centers or hospitals. The Rwandan government aims to further reduce the walk time to 25 minutes by 2024, and it has already made promising progress, constructing 1,179 posts since 2021.
The Benefits of Rwanda’s Health Care Policies
Healthcare improvements in Rwanda have significantly transformed the lives of its people. One such example is Musanabera, a mother whose baby needed medical attention due to a cough and fever. Fortunately, a nearby health post was recently established in her community. Due to its proximity, she only had to take a short walk to get the necessary help for her baby.
Musanabera recalls past experiences where medical assistance was necessary, but the almost 2-hour walk meant that by the time a person reached a health center, their health had already deteriorated and the situation had become much more dangerous.
Musanabera’s story is not unique, and there are many others whose lives have seen drastic improvement as a result of the government’s healthcare policy. Additionally, 91% of Rwandans have universal health coverage, which has several benefits. For example, vaccination rates increased from 30% to 90% between 1994 and 2015. Universal health coverage has also enabled a substantial improvement in living standards and life expectancy.
A Blueprint for Others?
The case study of health care in Rwanda is useful, as it provides a powerful lesson for other countries scarred by conflict. By developing a community-based approach to health care, the Rwandan government was able to improve access to high-quality medical care for its citizens.
– Tom Eccles
Photo: Unsplash
Addressing Period Poverty in Belize
UNICEF Menstrual Health Management Study
Period poverty in Belize has far-reaching effects on women beyond their use of sanitary pads. In 2018, UNICEF Belize and the national WASH technical working group conducted interviews with school girls aged 10-14 years to understand the challenges they face during menstruation. The study identified five factors affecting school girls in Belize: biological, personal, interpersonal, environmental and societal.
The study also debunked many misconceptions the school girls had about menstruation. Some believed there were specific foods they couldn’t eat during their period, while others thought menstruation was linked to HIV/AIDS. Several girls falsely believed that women were possessed by demons during menstruation and that they could get pregnant just by touching a boy. Consequently, many girls reported feeling anxiety and shame while menstruating.
Furthermore, the study revealed that Belizean girls experienced regular bullying and different treatment from boys once they started menstruating. Many also reported that their mothers allowed them less playtime and assigned more chores while repeatedly warning them to avoid boys.
The prevalent misconceptions and stigmas in Belizean cultures have a profound negative impact on women of all ages who menstruate. Due to a lack of access to proper education about menstruation, many women in Belize are likely to develop insecurities and face mental health issues.
Accessibility to Basic Period Services
Period poverty in Belize has both internal and external effects on women. UNICEF’s findings revealed that 30% of female bathrooms lacked soap, and 40% of them lacked toilet paper. Even fewer bathrooms provided proper menstrual product disposal options. Additionally, 30% of Belizean schools have one toilet per 25 girls, meeting just the international standard.
The inadequate restroom facilities contribute to improper menstrual hygiene management, leading to health issues like reproductive and urinary tract infections, as reported by the World Bank.
Furthermore, Belizean restroom facilities often lack basic menstrual products, and stores in certain regions sell them at unaffordable prices. Due to this price inflation and limited access to menstrual products, period poverty in Belize continues to persist.
Making Progress
UNICEF Belize continues its advocacy efforts for improved restroom facilities, safer menstrual disposal systems and hygiene awareness among menstruating girls and women. In Jan. 2023, Seidi Quetzal, a 28-year-old Belizean student, initiated the “Don’t Tax My Femininity Campaign.” She lobbied against the 20% importation tax, 3% environmental tax and 12.5% Goods and Services Tax on female sanitary products, arguing that these taxes pose financial barriers to women, both employed and unemployed, making basic sanitary products unaffordable.
Responding to public pressure, on March 10, 2023, Belizean Prime Minister, Hon. John Briceño, announced the removal of all taxes on female sanitary products, effective from April 1, 2023. This marked a significant step in the fight to end period poverty in Belize.
While period poverty remains a concern in Belize, local activists and organizations are working diligently to address the issue and prioritize the well-being of girls and women in the country.
– Marina Blatt
Photo: Unsplash
Cyclone Freddy: 3 Organizations Aiding Africa After the Devastation
The cyclone caused dangerous flash flooding that destroyed land, homes and powerlines, according to the World Meteorology Organization.
UNICEF says that the already impoverished communities of Malawi and Mozambique are facing even more health adversities after the cyclone. Citizens do not have access to clean water or adequate health and sanitation systems. As a result, Malawi children are at higher risk of cholera and disease.
Aside from health and sanitation resources, affected people also need new infrastructure, after the destruction of many hospitals and living spaces.
Three Organizations Aiding the Victims Recovering From Cyclone Freddy
Malawi and Mozambique were already at high risk for cholera, and that risk has only risen since the Cyclone. Adding to health concerns, around a fifth of Malawi’s population was already facing food insecurity, and after Freddy, which destroyed 297,000 acres of farmland, that number is bound to increase, according to AP news.
In the aftermath of such extreme devastation, aid and support are the only way forward. These three organizations are just a few out of many global aid agencies assisting the survivors of Cyclone Freddy.
– Alex Hasenkamp
Photo: Flickr
The Impacts of the Ongoing War in Yemen
In 2023, the United Nations (U.N.) estimated that 24.1 million people in Yemen are at risk of hunger and around 14 million Yemenis are in need of acute assistance. Poverty has worsened in recent years, affecting approximately 71% to 78% of the Yemeni population.
The Water Crisis
Yemen is facing one of the most severe water crises globally, as reported by USAID. Basic human necessities, including water and sanitation, are not reaching the Yemeni people due to the ongoing war in the country.
Since 2018, USAID has taken significant steps to address this crisis, aiding over 1.5 million Yemenis lacking access to water, sanitation and hygiene facilities. Through these efforts, 505,000 Yemenis now have access to clean sewage systems and handwashing facilities, improving sanitary conditions. Additionally, USAID’s education initiatives have made a substantial impact, benefiting the people of Yemen in need. The organization has successfully increased access to clean water for 650,000 Yemenis since 2018.
Access to Health Care
The ongoing war in Yemen has had a significant impact on the health care system. According to the World Bank, only 50% of health facilities are completely functional and more than 80% of the population in Yemen has significant trouble accessing basic health care.
Organizations like Doctors Without Borders play a crucial role in providing health care services to the Yemeni people. The organization’s website displays its efforts to improve the quality of life for those in Yemen. Doctors Without Borders runs a mother-and-child hospital in Yemen. This hospital was established in 2016 and is located in Taiz Houban. It offers a wide variety of services, including trauma care, neonatal care and therapeutic feeding.
For people living in conflict-riddled countries, the mental health impacts are severe due to the ongoing trauma, violence and struggle for survival. For this reason, Doctors Without Borders established a mental health clinic located in Al-Jomhouri Authority Hospital where the team provides mental health services, including counseling.
Malnutrition
Children under the age of 5 are particularly vulnerable to malnutrition due to the civil war. In 2022, UNICEF reported that 2.2 million children in this age group are facing acute malnutrition, along with 1.3 million pregnant individuals. According to the U.N., 7 million people are food insecure in Yemen, with 17 million people needing humanitarian assistance.
Doctors Without Borders noticed an increase in malnutrition cases in its hospitals in Amran governorate since May of 2022. With the availability of clinics and hospitals, there may be ways to combat malnutrition, especially in children.
Food insecurity levels in Yemen have worsened, with an increase from 31,000 to 161,000 people facing extreme hunger. Rising food prices and the inability to afford nutritious items have contributed to the crisis. In 2022, flour increased by 38%, canned beans increased by 38% and eggs increased by 35%. These price increases have made it very difficult for many people in Yemen to afford food.
Looking Forward
The Yemeni population still faces dire consequences from the ongoing war, including malnutrition, limited access to clean water, and deteriorating mental health. The U.N. stresses the urgent requirement for aid as the conflict endures. Humanitarian access and donor cooperation remain crucial in supporting Yemen’s people. In April 2023, China played a role in mediating talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia to seek a political resolution and bring an end to the conflict. These discussions include plans to reopen embassies and restore diplomatic relations.
– Abigail DiCarlo
Photo: Unsplash
3 Nonprofits Helping Turkey and Syria’s Recovery
Continuing the devastation, March brought on heavy rainfall and flooding within areas affected by the earthquake according to USAID. An estimated 3 million people are experiencing displacement in Turkey, as reported by USAID in June 2023.
Further damage from such environmental shocks has strained the stability of shelter centers and water supply for millions. According to the UN and USAID, 1.6 million people in Turkey are now residing in “informal temporary settlements” with inadequate treatment infrastructure.
GlobalGiving
This charity organization, based in Washington D.C. since 2002, has raised almost $7 million in five months for its Turkey and Syria earthquake relief fund, which is public for online donations. GlobalGiving has made two rounds of 12 emergency grants to its nonprofit partners in response to the earthquake.
According to the organization’s website, donations initially went toward directly supplying “immediate needs” of fuel, water, food, medication and shelter; however, the organization later directed the fund toward aiding local organizations leading rehabilitation initiatives throughout the region. Other efforts and aid for earthquake survivors on the website include mental health support, economic relief and temporary housing from GlobalGiving’s donations.
Having provided relief programs and emergency aid to disasters since 2004, GlobalGiving relief funds have been mentioned by NPR, The New York Times, The Washington Post and the U.S. State Department. GlobalGiving currently maintains a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator with a score of 100 out of 100 for accountability and transparency.
Direct Relief
Financial assistance from Direct Relief’s donations has been facilitating emergency responses, transportation and the supply of oxygen concentrators, field medic packs and other necessary supplies. At least $2.6 million has gone to organizations servicing emergency responses, and a three-month update reports that a total of $14 million has been raised and donated by 48,826 Direct Relief contributors including businesses, foundations and individuals.
For Turkey and Syria’s recovery from the earthquake and aftershocks, Direct Relief provided support with medical, financial and informational assistance as it aided the Ministry of Health in Turkey and several local organizations. Its website states that “longstanding relationships” with groups active in Syria for many years have helped channel generous aid efforts.
Additionally, over the past three months, Direct Relief has supplied three charter flights that delivered medical aid containing diabetes medications, antibiotics, water purification supplies, prenatal vitamins and more medical goods. The Syrian American Medical Society, Syrian Relief and Development and the Independent Doctors Association have all received medical supplies from Direct Relief donations, according to their website.
Syrian American Medical Society Foundation (SAMS)
A global medical and relief organization, SAMS is a nonprofit that was established in 1998 by Syrian-American physicians. SAMS has presently raised $2.2 million of a $2.5 million goal from 9,986 donors. Medical personnel have cared for patients of all ages as SAMS aims to include “extensive follow-up medical care and rehabilitation” for survivors, as reported on its website.
Despite facing displacement due to the earthquake, the 2,400 staff members of SAMS continued to work tirelessly, providing urgent medical care and delivering supplies to their clinics and hospitals. As per the organization’s website, at least four SAMS medical facilities suffered damage, leaving three of them out of service. Despite the challenges, SAMS has supported 36 medical clinics in the affected regions of northwest Syria.
This non-religious and non-political organization has carried out heroic work, including rescuing a newborn baby from the rubble and treating a three-month-old with a fractured skull. The dedicated SAMS medical team has provided treatment to more than 2,000 earthquake victims since the beginning of the disaster.
– Lucy Cosme Vera
Photo: Flickr
USAID Programs in Indonesia
Strengthening Democracy
Among the USAID programs in Indonesia that aim to strengthen their democracy, is the Indonesia Civil Society Forum (ICSF). In 2023, the fourth annual ICSF ran from June 14 through June 15. The USAID-MADANI Project, a project that spans 32 Indonesian districts and cities and strives to keep the government accountable and bolster civil service organizations (CSOs), primarily organized the forum. The importance of CSOs and citizen involvement to maintain a thriving democracy cannot be understated as democracy positively impacts poverty. According to the World Bank, 9.5% of the Indonesian population lived under the national poverty line in March 2022.
While citizen support for Indonesia’s democratic government remains strong, it is not immune to challenges such as increasing social intolerance regarding religion or politics, misinformation and the changing role of CSOs. ICSF allows Indonesia’s civil society leaders to convene and discuss how to tackle these issues. The forum was especially relevant this year with the impending 2024 presidential election.
Coffee and Sustainability
In line with Indonesia’s goals of economic growth and improving environmental sustainability, USAID launched the Landscape Approach to Sustainable and Climate Change Resilient Cocoa and Coffee Agroforestry (LASCARCOCO). The initiative is in partnership with Olam Food Ingredients (OFI), Rikolto, Hershey’s and the Indonesian government. It involves a $8.2 million investment in Indonesia’s coca and coffee industry and the training of 6,500 farmers in North Sumatra, South Sulawesi and East Nusa Tenggara; districts where coca and coffee production has been on a sharp decline due to climate change.
Farmers will receive training in sustainable agroforestry, a technique where other income-generating crops are integrated with cocoa and coffee plants.
In 2021, Indonesia was the world’s 13th largest exporter of cocoa beans, which means several countries are dependent on them for exports. The country exported $72.9 million in cocoa beans in 2021, with central markets in Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and Japan. The U.S. continues to make up its largest export market. The citizens of Indonesia are also heavily reliant on the coffee and cocoa market; 1 million farm households in Indonesia rely on coca farming to support their families and make a living.
Unfortunately, a lack of farmland, a shortage of reliable infrastructure and extreme weather conditions have driven up the cost of coffee production. Production could decline by 18% in the 2023-2024 market year, while exports could decline by 33%.
LASCARCOCO will increase production, build economic sustainability, support farmers’ livelihoods and meet demands in the international market. One U.S.-based company that will benefit from this initiative is Hershey’s, which will purchase cocoa butter from Indonesia for its own chocolate production.
Digital Access
TALENTA is another one of the USAID programs in Indonesia that positively benefits poverty and the economy. The program will focus on building Indonesia’s digital capabilities and economy through TALENTA. Organizations involved in the initiative are Amazon Web Services and Elitery, an IT management company located in South Jakarta, Indonesia.
TALENTA’s collective goal is to equip 60,000 graduates from 20 different universities with the skills necessary for this changing workforce, especially with Cloud technology. The initiative also aims to establish 100 startups, all of which will strengthen Indonesia’s economy.
Indonesia’s digital economy has been on the rise since 2017 and it could increase by 62% in the 2021-2025 period and will continue growing well into 2030. The expansion of their digital sector has the potential to contribute 4,434 trillion in rupiahs to Indonesia’s GDP by 2030, which is also why the GOI has been encouraging digital literacy among younger generations.
– Jianna Choi
Photo: Unsplash
A Communist Mayor Fights Systemic Poverty in France’s Banlieues
Take the poorest of France’s banlieues, Grigny. It is only 21.8 km (13.5 miles) south of Paris’s center. As of November 2020, Grigny’s poverty rate was 45%, compared to the nationwide average of 14.6%. Nearly 10% of Grigny’s population lived below the income threshold that triggers state support.
Historical Context of France’s Banlieues
The economic stagnation in France’s banlieues reflects the dual historical legacy of working-class gentrification and colonial ventures. In the 19th century, Napoleon III appointed Georges-Eugene Haussmann to initiate a series of public works projects. The goal was to modernize Paris — then a den of unsightly buildings, overpopulation and disease — by widening the avenues, building parks, replacing the sewers, and more.
Haussmann’s renovations gentrified the city center and displaced the poor urban proletariat to the city periphery, which naturally became a hotbed for Communist, socialist and anarchist political agitation. These radical movements influenced the 1871 Paris Commune, made the banlieues à ceinture rouge (“red belt”) for the French Communist Party in the 1920s and affect banlieue politics to this day.
Another historical influence on the banlieues was France’s colonial rule over Algeria from 1830–1962. The turmoil of the Franco-Algerian War (1954–62) for Algeria’s independence forced many Algerian Arabs to flee to France. Without much financial or social capital, they were relegated to the already-existing poor districts of Paris’s periphery. By the 1980s, around 25% of Paris’s population was Algerian. That figure is roughly how it stands today, too.
After decolonization in the 1950s, a large number of working-class black immigrants from the former French colonies of Western and Northern Africa (mainly Mali, Senegal and Mauritania) arrived to fulfill France’s need for cheap labor.
Thus, the histories of class conflict, colonization and ethnic migration have all shaped the modern demographics and political culture of France’s banlieues.
How Mayor Philippe Rio and Other Local Leaders Are Addressing Banlieue Poverty
In 2021, London-based thinktank The City Mayors Foundation declared Philippe Rio, the French Communist Party mayor of Grigny since 2014, to be “the best mayor in the world” for his progressive social policies, especially during the COVID crisis. Among them included the issuing of 38,000 emergency food vouchers and daily check-up calls to the town’s 2,000 retired elderly people. Rio has always been adamant about addressing the structural causes of the Parisian banlieues’ poverty: lack of educational resources, lack of affordable housing and job discrimination.
“In the ‘land of human rights,’ the fifth largest economy in the world, we must denounce, understand and challenge these phenomena of spatial and social segregation that undermine people’s right to the city,” said the Communist mayor in a statement to the U.N.’s Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
In 2021, many local leaders, especially in working-class districts, believed that President Macron’s government was not doing enough for France’s banlieues. So Rio, along with 180 other mayors, signed a petition called Appel de Grigny (“Call of Grigny”) to urge Macron’s government to invest more in the banlieues and include them more thoroughly in the COVID recovery plan, as it had diverted only 1% of its €1 billion budget toward impoverished suburbs. Anne Hidalgo, the Socialist Party mayor of Paris since 2014, endorsed the petition. In the end, they successfully convinced the government to divert another €2 billion towards “urban renewal.”
Within the community, Rio’s administration is working to make Grigny’s housing more affordable. 17,000 of Grigny’s 38,000 inhabitants live in a housing trust called Grigny 2. Due to the severity of their poverty, many cannot afford to pay their bills. This once led to a crisis of “over-indebtedness” that forced landlords to shut off residents’ heating, hot water and natural gas. In response to this, Rio began an initiative for a “100% publicly owned” housing complex powered by geothermal energy. In his interview with Jacobin, he claimed that the project cut bills by 25% and saved 15,000 tons of CO2 emissions in a single year.
Grigny has partnered with nine public bodies — including the regional health agency and Ministry of Education — in a joint “task force against poverty.” Their policies include the free distribution of nutritious breakfasts to children in schools as well as a vocational training center that teaches adults French and job skills. To solidify the right of all residents to have affordable housing, Grigny has created a unit to inspect apartments and take action against predatory landlords who provide “substandard accommodation.”
What’s Next
Philippe Rio is a talented local leader continuing France’s long tradition of “municipal communism” in working-class towns and setting a positive example for other banlieue mayors. This generation of municipal leaders is providing a check against the French State, making sure that it gives necessary attention to France’s banlieues. They recognize that realizing ‘liberté, égalité and fraternité’ requires addressing the historical legacy of a time when these, quite clearly, did not exist for all.
– Eric Huang
Photo: Unsplash
Trafficking in Thailand’s Indigenous Communities
Poverty
The high poverty rates among Thai rural indigenous communities create a vulnerable environment for child trafficking to thrive. The 2017 Safe Child Thailand Report concluded that 64% of the hill tribe families in Mae Hong Son province live below the poverty line, earning less than $2 a day. Among them, 23% live in extreme poverty, earning less than $1 a day.
The combination of poverty and the struggle to provide for their families makes the hill tribe communities particularly susceptible to the manipulations of child and sex traffickers and brokers. Traffickers and brokers entice children from these tribes with promises of higher wages and improved living conditions, exploiting their vulnerability and desperation to escape poverty. In some cases, traffickers convince families from the hill tribes to sell their children, convincing them that doing so will provide them with a brighter future.
Limited Education
Limited access to education heightens vulnerability to child trafficking in Thailand’s indigenous communities. According to the 2017 Safe Child Thailand Report, only 51% of hill tribe children enroll in primary school — significantly lower than the national average of 87%. The situation worsens at the secondary level, with only 35.6% of boys and 29% of girls continuing their education. Consequently, 25% of hill tribe people are functionally illiterate, compared to a national average of just 2%.
The Istituto Internazionale Maria Ausiliatrice and the International Volunteerism Organization for Women, Education and Development name poverty as the primary driver pushing children into prostitution and forced labor. Children from indigenous communities in northern Thailand, often lacking Thai citizenship and facing limited opportunities for schooling, are compelled to work at a young age, making them prime targets for child trafficking.
Lack of Employment Opportunities
The restricted movement imposed by current legislation on hill tribe people in Thailand contributes to their vulnerability to trafficking and exploitation. Many individuals within hill tribe communities lack basic identification and official documentation, hindering their ability to travel outside their home areas and seek better work opportunities.
Due to the limited freedom of movement, hill tribe populations often require assistance or guidance to feel more secure when leaving their areas. Brokers offer to facilitate the illegal movement, smuggling and trafficking of Thai indigenous men, women and children. Brokers take advantage of the desperate circumstances and restricted mobility of hill tribe individuals and exploit them through trafficking and forced labor.
UNESCO recognizes statelessness as a significant risk factor for the hill tribe people to be trafficked and exploited. They cannot obtain certificates that validate their educational qualifications, acquire land titles or secure legitimate employment outside their immediate communities. As a result, sex and child traffickers hoodwink members of the hill tribes into exploitative informal labor arrangements.
Civil Society Organizations
Civil society organizations are taking action to address the lack of legal protections and social welfare support for Thailand’s hill tribes.
For example, the Green Horizon Project (GHP), launched by Plan International and GE Thailand, provides vocational and entrepreneurial training to women, empowering them with skills for starting businesses. GE Thailand volunteers support local schools and students, repairing infrastructure and donating supplies. From repairing school playgrounds and fences to school supply donations, these initiatives reflect the positive changes in the lives of hill tribe people in Thailand, providing them with more opportunities and options for a better future.
Moreover, the Karen Hilltribes Trust (KHT) focuses on improving health and well-being through projects such as water and sanitation initiatives, agricultural support and education access for rural Karen children. KHT ensures that children staying in school dormitories receive three nutritious meals daily, fostering their educational development.
The work of community non-profit organizations is actively addressing these issues and fostering sustainable development. Overall, these efforts aim to empower hill tribe members, provide them with better opportunities and raise awareness about their rights and well-being.
– Freya Ngo
Photo: Unsplash
How Aid to Pakistan Could Serve US Interests
US Aid and its Impact on Poverty Alleviation in Pakistan
Historically, U.S. aid has alleviated poverty in Pakistan through various sectors such as health care, infrastructure development and agriculture. For instance, U.S. economic assistance in the 1960s supported the implementation of the “Green Revolution,” leading to higher-yielding varieties of crops like wheat and rice and improved agricultural productivity. This aid contributed to increased agricultural productivity, improved livelihoods and a subsequent reduction in poverty. GDP rate increased to 10.4 in 1965.
From 2002-2010, the U.S. provided significant financial assistance to Pakistan, primarily addressing terrorist threats and security concerns. This aid not only contributes to poverty reduction but also helps create jobs, stimulate economic growth and alleviate food insecurity.
Between 2001 and 2018, the poverty rate in Pakistan saw a significant decline, with more than 47 million Pakistanis lifting themselves out of poverty due to the expansion of off-farm economic opportunities and increased remittances. Aid to Pakistan has been a key driver of this positive change, contributing to poverty reduction and sustainable development. By increasing aid to Pakistan, the U.S. can fulfill its humanitarian obligations while also assisting in alleviating the deepening crisis within the country by fulfilling its commitment to goal 1 of U.N. SDGs like ‘Zero Poverty.’
The Borgen Project sought the expertise of Dr. Farhat Asif, an international affairs expert and founder of the Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies (IPDS), Islamabad. Dr. Asif highlighted how supporting an economically stable Pakistan aligns with U.S. foreign policy interests, particularly in terms of poverty alleviation and humanitarian commitments.
Supporting Pakistan aligns with American values of promoting economies on the brink of default and fostering democratic communities. Aid contributes to improving well-being, reducing poverty and enhancing access to health care, education and basic services.
Counter-Terrorism
One significant aspect Dr. Asif mentioned is that economic stability enables Pakistan to invest in modernizing its security infrastructure, enhancing intelligence capabilities and improving counter-terrorism capabilities. This not only counters extremist groups operating within Pakistan but also ensures regional stability. Counter-terrorism is a mutual interest between the U.S. and Pakistan and sustained U.S. support becomes crucial, especially when Pakistan lacks the financial stability to fund new security projects. A prosperous Pakistan indirectly helps the U.S. achieve its counter-terrorism goals and provides a secure environment for businesses.
Increase in FDI
A thriving economy fosters a safe business environment and attracts foreign direct investment (FDI). As per Dr Farhat, ‘’As Pakistan’s economic stability improves, it becomes an increasingly attractive market for U.S. businesses seeking to invest, benefiting both countries. FDI not only improves bilateral trade but also leads to job creation and contributes to poverty reduction. Aid plays a vital role in revitalizing economic stability and bringing certainty to the market.’’
Regional Stability
The stability of Pakistan is crucial for regional security, considering its location in a volatile region with borders shared by Afghanistan, Iran and India. Instability within Pakistan could have spillover effects on neighboring countries and negatively impact regional security. By promoting economic stability through aid, internal conflicts can be reduced, peace can be fostered and overall regional stability can be achieved. Dr. Farhat explained that this is a significant concern for the U.S., as a stable Pakistan reduces the risk of conflicts escalating, provides a favorable environment for diplomatic engagement and negotiations and helps the U.S. address terrorism proliferation and critical regional issues such as border-fencing and the Afghan peace process.
Moral Imperative
Additionally, supporting Pakistan aligns with American liberal values of supporting economies on the brink of default and fostering democratic communities of peaceful coexistence. Aid can help stabilize and strengthen Pakistan’s economy, improving the well-being of its people, reducing poverty and enhancing access to health care, education and basic services. Aid becomes a moral imperative to assist Pakistan, considering its status as a foremost victim of terrorism. Supporting Pakistan’s development aligns with the United States’ commitment to SDGs like zero poverty.
History of US Aid to Pakistan
Throughout history, the U.S. has provided significant financial and military aid to Pakistan. The Kerry-Lugar-Berman Act passed in 2009 aimed to provide a long-term, civilian-focused assistance package of $7.5 billion to Pakistan, supporting economic development, education, health care and governance reforms. While security assistance was suspended in 2018 due to concerns, recent years have seen renewed engagement and assistance between the U.S. and Pakistan, particularly in economic cooperation, energy projects and education through organizations like USIP and USAID.
Notably, recent USAID programs like the Pakistan Reading Project (PRP), the Pakistan Agricultural Technology Transfer Activity (PATTA) and the Pakistan Regional Economic Integration Activity (PREIA) have aimed to improve education, agricultural productivity and trade competitiveness, respectively, contributing to Pakistan’s economic growth and stability.
The PRP, worth 164.7 million dollars was initiated in 2013 and ending in 2023, aims to improve the reading skills of 1.3 million children in grades one and two across Pakistan. It also supports teacher training, curriculum development, community engagement and policy reform to enhance the quality of early-grade education.
The PATTA program, an 8.2 million dollar project which started in 2017 and ended in 2021, aimed to increase smallholder farmers’ access to affordable, appropriate and effective agricultural technologies that could boost productivity and incomes. It also facilitated partnerships between local technology manufacturers, distributors and service providers to create a sustainable market for agricultural innovations. It helped 147,910 small farmers to adopt new technologies.
In addition, the PREIA program, implemented from 2015 to 2020, focused on enhancing Pakistan’s trade competitiveness and integration into regional and international markets. It supported policy reforms, trade facilitation, private sector engagement and women’s economic empowerment to foster economic growth and stability.
Lastly, since the 1950s through USAID to Pakistan, the Fulbright program, initiated in the 1950s, continues to offer fully funded opportunities for unprivileged Pakistani students to study in the U.S. The program has created a network of around 37,000 Fulbright Alumni working in various sectors in Pakistan.
Way Forward
Overall, aid to Pakistan plays a vital role in addressing economic challenges, reducing poverty and promoting sustainable development. By increasing aid, the U.S. can fulfill its humanitarian obligations, contribute to poverty alleviation and potentially advance its own strategic interests related to counter-terrorism, regional stability and promoting democratic values. The continued support of the U.S. through aid programs is crucial in helping Pakistan overcome its economic challenges, stimulate growth and improve the well-being of its people.
– Sarmad Wali Khan
Photo: Unsplash