Since the outbreak of war in 2011, millions of Syrians have been forced to flee their homes, creating one of the largest humanitarian crises in recent history. Natalie, a Syrian refugee in Lebanon and shared her challenges in an interview with The Borgen Project. She mentioned the support received from organizations like the U.N. Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the current circumstances of Syrian refugees in Lebanon.
The Impact of the Crisis
The Syrian refugee crisis was born out of the devastating war that ravaged the country. Lebanon, as a neighboring country, became a significant host country for Syrian refugees, including Natalie, as they sought safety and stability away from the conflict.
Natalie’s story provides a glimpse into the human side of the crisis, highlighting the strength and determination of Syrian refugees.
Arrival in Lebanon
Natalie embarked on a challenging journey that brought her to Lebanon, where she encountered various challenges. The devastating war inflicted widespread destruction, resulting in the displacement of families, the disruption of lives and a strain on resources. Like countless others, Natalie had to start anew, rebuilding her life from the ground up.
During the interview, Natalie shed light on the invaluable support she and her family received from the UNHCR. She expressed deep gratitude for the neighboring country, highlighting Lebanon’s generosity in opening its borders to all Syrian refugees.
Before Natalie sought refuge in Lebanon, she lived in Homs, a city bordering the northern town of Tripoli in Lebanon. This proximity enabled her to manage her escape somewhat more easily when the civil war escalated. She made the decision to leave Syria on June 29, 2012.
Undoubtedly, leaving behind friends and family in Syria was a difficult experience for Natalie. However, she found solace in the fact that Lebanon shares a border with her hometown, allowing certain family members to visit occasionally. Unfortunately, her friends have dispersed across various parts of the world in search of refuge, resulting in limited opportunities for them to reunite.
UNHCR’s Support
Amid the crisis, the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) played a vital role in coordinating the protection response for Syrian refugees in Lebanon. UNHCR provided assistance in various forms, including health care, shelter, education and addressing gender-based violence.
Upon their arrival in Lebanon, the UNHCR provided Natalie and her family with essential provisions. Before leaving Syria, her family had fallen into a state of extreme poverty, with nothing left but her mother’s gold jewelry, which proved inadequate for their survival.
Natalie expresses her gratitude for her fortunate circumstances. Her uncle, who worked as a professor at Kuwait University, sent them financial assistance to cover rent, food and basic necessities.
Natalie regarded herself as comparatively more fortunate than many other Syrian refugees due to her Lebanese heritage from her mother’s side. This meant she had a place to stay and her uncle continued to support her family until they regained stability. Furthermore, her father, a successful dentist in Syria, successfully secured a position at a dental clinic in Lebanon. It took the family approximately five months to regain their financial footing.
Notably, Natalie’s resilience and determination led her to accomplish remarkable achievements. She pursued and obtained a bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology from the Lebanese International University.
The Current Reality
Unfortunately, the situation for Syrian refugees in Lebanon has become increasingly difficult. Reports indicate rising incidents of deportation and harassment, casting a shadow of fear and insecurity over the Syrian community residing in Lebanon.
Natalie explained that while the ongoing economic crisis in Lebanon has significantly exacerbated the challenges faced by Syrian refugees, her family did not experience an exceptional amount of suffering. Her family encountered similar experiences to those of a typical Lebanese household. They lost their savings and, like many others, are now facing financial constraints due to hyperinflation.
The latest figures provided by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) highlight that Lebanon currently grapples with a complex and challenging situation concerning Syrian refugees. The country faces an overwhelming number of people in need of humanitarian assistance, with a staggering 3.9 million individuals requiring support. Among these, 2.1 million are Lebanese citizens, 1.5 million are Syrian refugees, 211,000 are Palestinian refugees and 81,000 are migrants.
The Economic Impact
The influx of Syrian refugees has strained Lebanon’s already limited resources and infrastructure, worsening existing socioeconomic issues. It has created an increased demand for public services such as health care, education and housing. Consequently, both the Lebanese population and Syrian refugees have experienced rising poverty rates, contributing to the challenging circumstances faced by these communities.
The economic repercussions of hosting a substantial refugee population have also affected employment opportunities, leading to higher unemployment rates for both the local population and refugees. Job scarcity has resulted in wage depression and exploitation in some instances, further compounding the difficulties experienced by both communities.
The strain on resources and the socio-economic situation have heightened tensions between host communities and the refugee population, posing challenges to social cohesion and integration.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the European Union (EU) has stepped forward to provide substantial funding for Lebanon’s support. In 2023 alone, the EU allocated €60 million in humanitarian aid. Since 2011, the EU has contributed a total of €2.7 billion, with nearly €860 million specifically designated for humanitarian aid. The primary objective of this generous support is to alleviate the burden on Lebanon and ensure the provision of essential services and assistance to both the local population and refugee communities.
Looking Ahead
Natalie’s story provides a glimpse into the lives of Syrian refugees in Lebanon, accentuating their struggles and resilience in the face of adversity. As the Syrian refugee crisis persists, sharing such stories can potentially nurture empathy and understanding, fostering greater support and compassion for those impacted by the crisis. Addressing the needs of Syrian refugees in Lebanon remains an urgent concern, demanding continuous attention and collaboration from both national and international stakeholders.
– Tanya Hamad
Photo: Flickr
How Fossil Fuels Worsen Poverty
Non-Renewable Energy in Numbers
According to a 2019 article by the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University, the developing world uses more than half the world’s fossil fuels. The demand for energy has doubled over the past 15 years and is presumed to keep increasing at a 30% rate. This upward trend is helping wealthier countries drive their global trade flows but is worsening the climate crisis.
The combustion of fossil fuels releases substantial amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, contributing to heat retention and ozone layer depletion. This triggers adverse effects worldwide, including heightened droughts, more intense weather events and elevated temperatures, showing how fossil fuels worsen poverty.
The 2022 Global Climate Report from the National Centers for Environmental Information confirms a steady temperature rise of 0.14°F (0.08°C) annually since 1981. According to Forbes Magazine, these extreme weather events could push 122 million more people into extreme poverty within the next few years.
Impacts on the People
As extreme weather becomes more common, communities in impoverished areas suffer the most. These communities do not have the resources or finances to bounce back from the impacts of extreme weather events and the destruction of their homes, health and livelihoods.
In Somalia, the last five rainy seasons have been below adequate for harvesting and caring for livestock. This has resulted in a significant lack of food, causing 5 million Somalians to go hungry and 200,000 Somalians to experience starvation. Unfortunately, there is no clear end in sight to the droughts plaguing Somalia.
In 2022, Pakistan experienced a “monsoon on steroids,” as described by U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres. This extreme weather event lasted from June to October and caused flooding and landslides at a rate 10 times greater than the 30-year national average. Overall, the monsoon-related events affected 33 million people and destroyed 4.4 million acres of agricultural land and 800,000 livestock. Because of this monsoon, the number of people going hungry in Pakistan today has nearly doubled, with about 14.6 million Pakistanis enduring severe hunger.
South Sudan is also one of the countries most impacted by extreme weather events. The temperatures in South Sudan are rapidly increasing at a rate 2.5 times faster than the global average. The weather has caused South Sudan to overflow with water in some parts and shrivel up in others. These factors have contributed to severe hunger, affecting 7.7 million people out of the 12 million population.
Active Solutions to Reduce Emissions
Greenpeace has worked to make the more environmentally sustainable since 1971. By investigating, documenting and exposing environmentally destructive activities, Greenpeace raises public awareness about these issues. By increasing awareness of how fossil fuels worsen poverty and impact the most marginalized and disadvantaged people, Greenpeace is helping to reduce the prevalence of extreme weather events in impoverished nations.
Developing nations are also taking steps. Morocco, for instance, is witnessing a shift from fossil-fuel-based products to solar, wind and hydro-powered alternatives. In June 2021, the country’s leaders pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 17-18% by 2030 and will substantially decrease government support for fossil fuels. With rising renewable electricity production, Morocco stands as a leading African country in the fight against extreme weather events.
Recognizing that global fossil fuel consumption contributes to extreme weather events that disproportionately affect the impoverished, affluent nations and impactful organizations must support the transition of developing countries to renewable energy.
– Nina Donlin
Photo: Unsplash
What to Know About HIV/AIDS in Greece
Between 2010 and 2011, the rate of HIV transmission in Greece increased by 60%, with data correlating the rise in HIV infections to the country’s declining GDP, decreased health care budget and increased national poverty. While Greece has seen a strong economic recovery in recent years, it continues to struggle with the aftermath of the recession-induced HIV/AIDS outbreak, which particularly affected its most vulnerable communities. However, there have been ongoing efforts to treat and prevent HIV/AIDS in Greece, support historically marginalized communities at higher risk of infection and educate the public to reduce stigma.
The Past and Present of HIV/AIDS in Greece
Prior to the recession, Greece had one of the lowest HIV infection rates in Europe. Yet, by 2010, the recession had left nearly a quarter of the country’s population at risk of poverty, living on incomes below 60% of the national median. The country’s worsening economic conditions and growing poverty levels had devastating effects on the prevalence of HIV/AIDS.
For instance, statistics reported by the Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention show that positive HIV results among people who inject drugs (PWID) increased 34-fold in Greece between 2010 and 2012. Furthermore, research has shown that lack of housing was “the most important predictor of HIV seropositivity” among PWIDs living in Athens during this period, with homelessness more than doubling their risk of HIV infection.
According to the World Bank, the overall prevalence of HIV among the Greek population aged 15 to 49 increased from 0.1% in 2011 to 0.2% in 2012, where it remained as of 2021. With an estimated 17,000 people living with HIV/AIDS, Greece is now among the top 10 European countries with the most HIV/AIDS-infected inhabitants, according to the CIA World Factbook.
The Good News
Fortunately, several organizations are making a positive impact by providing support and resources for people living with HIV/AIDS in Greece. One notable example is Positive Voice, the Greek “Association of people living with HIV/AIDS.” Founded in 2009, Positive Voice is funded by the Los Angeles-based AIDS Health Care Foundation (AHF). Together, AHF and Positive Voice develop targeted interventions, for both people living with HIV/AIDS and the greater population. Positive Voice works to safely monitor and treat HIV/AIDS in Greece, as well as to educate the public and reduce stigma. It especially targets vulnerable communities most at risk of infection, including men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, sex workers, refugees, Roma communities and people in prison.
In 2022, Greek lawmakers also approved the use of pre-exposure prophylactic drugs (PrEP). PrEP is an antiretroviral medication, most often prescribed in a daily oral dose. It is highly effective at preventing HIV among individuals who are HIV-negative but at risk of infection. In fact, a 2021 modeling study showed that, if officials had detected the 2010 HIV outbreak in Athens one to two years earlier and introduced interventions like PrEP, the country would have saved between €35.2 million and €53.2 million. Experts now widely support the use of antiretroviral drugs like PrEP as a safe, cost-effective intervention for managing HIV/AIDS in Greece.
The Future
Greek leaders and organizations like Positive Voice have made notable progress in the fight to treat, prevent and educate the public about HIV/AIDS in Greece. For example, in 2021, Positive Voice tested Greece’s former Prime Minister George Papandreou for AIDS in central Athens in a symbolic effort to reduce stigma and misconceptions surrounding the virus. In 2022, Positive Voice also, with Gilead Sciences and the Hellenic Society for the Study & Treatment of AIDS, held free HIV testing in Monastiraki Square, promoting the slogan, “If you want to learn, you put your finger.” The same year, Positive Voice met with current Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to discuss legislative action that the government is taking to prohibit workplace discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS in Greece.
While Greece has already seen new HIV diagnoses drop from 601 in 2020 to 402 in 2021, there is still room for progress. With continued efforts to target PrEP interventions at those most in need, provide support for the country’s most vulnerable and at-risk and eradicate stigma, Greece could improve the lives of those living with HIV/AIDS in the present and pave the way for a brighter, HIV/AIDS-free future.
– Ben Hofmann
Photo: Flickr
Working to Close the Wage Gap in South Africa
A 2016 study by Kollamparambil and Razak revealed that women in South Africa earn nearly 18% less than men for equivalent work, equating to about 80 cents per dollar that men earn on average. This unfortunate pattern is prevalent globally, with women often earning 20–30 cents less per dollar compared to men. Nevertheless, this gap has gradually reduced from the 40% disparity recorded in 1993.
Presidential Response
In his speech on International Women’s Day, the president of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, urged South Africans to support the closing of the wage gap. The president has been known to be a strong supporter of women’s rights and specifically emphasized ensuring that women receive proper education.
South Africa has made strides in education, with more women in higher education than men. According to a 2018 study, South African universities have more women, with 58% of students in higher education being female. Similarly, almost 86% of women move on to pursue a secondary form of education after primary school while only 80% of men do, despite women currently being less likely to attend primary school in the first place.
However, the country has a high number of unemployed women — an issue that the government is currently trying to solve. In that same speech, the president urged his citizens to eradicate the idea that women are meant to be homebodies rather than an important part of the workforce which they have the potential to be.
The Importance of Eliminating the Gender Wage Gap
Making sure that people of all genders are paid fairly and equally is important to securing equality on all grounds within all countries. Closing the wage gap in South Africa is a big step in improving the rights of women as a whole and ensuring that women are able to provide for themselves, support their families and reach their full potential as part of the workforce.
As of 2022, only around 66% of women in South Africa are employed, making the country very progressive considering that the percentage of employed men stands at 70%. Although, despite the similarity between their employment rates, women are much more likely to work fewer hours with a lower wage.
Women also face violence and discrimination due to the wage gap in South Africa. The gap results in women lacking many of the resources that men do, making providing for themselves much more difficult. This lack of economic opportunities causes women who find themselves in abusive or harmful situations more hesitant or even unable to escape those situations.
What Is Being Done in South Africa?
South Africa is actively taking steps to increase the representation of women in leadership positions and provide a platform for advocating the closure of the wage gap. In parallel, the country is witnessing a rising chorus of women’s voices, particularly among journalists, who are vocally addressing the issue of the wage gap. Their voices are resonating, and the government is collaborating with them. Initiatives like The Presidential Employment Stimulus are underway to create numerous job opportunities for women nationwide.
The introduction of The Presidential Employment Stimulus as a program was in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal was to create more jobs after the widespread unemployment which resulted from the lockdown. The program created almost a million jobs, most of which were in the education system.
The program achieved this by providing stimulus to households that had lost their primary income due to the pandemic. Additionally, it established various institutions that generated job opportunities, enabling these households to recover and explore new career paths. Notably, 62% of the beneficiaries were women.
Looking Ahead
Despite persistent challenges related to economic inequality and the gender wage gap in South Africa, the nation is actively working to address these issues. With a commitment to empowering women and promoting equal opportunities, South Africa’s progress could serve as an example for neighboring countries. Initiatives like The Presidential Employment Stimulus have contributed to creating job opportunities for women and increasing their representation in the labor force. The country’s efforts underscore the importance of closing the wage gap in achieving broader gender equality and economic empowerment.
– Allison Groves
Photo: Flickr
How TikTok’s African Creator Hub is Changing Lives
Creativity and Poverty
The African Creator Hub, born from the Rising Voices initiative, commits itself to fostering and empowering emerging African creators. Its mission is to enable these individuals to harness their creative expressions on the platform, paving the way for sustainable careers. In April 2023, the Hub proudly celebrated its inaugural cohort of 28 graduates.
In a strategic partnership with Wowzi, the African Creator Hub has emerged as a dynamic force against poverty in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The hub facilitates the monetization of social media, imparts technological skills tailored for the digital economy and enriches the content of African Creators for potential collaboration with global brands. As a result, it extends income-generating opportunities to those without formal education or conventional employable skills.
This is an inspiring narrative helping to set the precedent for young people in SSA that sustainable and enjoyable careers can be found regardless of education and experience. This new approach to breaking the cycle of poverty is aspirational and appears to be accessible in equal measure.
Opportunities such as brand collaborations also bring with them long-term economic benefits. Content creators open the door for global brands to put down roots in their home countries in SSA, as the buzz of sponsored content stimulates new markets and global trade.
This is mutually beneficial for brands and developing countries alike.
Transformative Talent
Creators enrolled in the African Creator Hub receive rigorous training in creating competitive, “algorithm-friendly” content, along with access to valuable resources and connections in industry and social media. Moreover, such resources and connections are the first steps in being able to create monetizable content and access the broad array of financial and social opportunities that such creation brings.
This toolkit empowers creators in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) to cultivate substantial and dynamic followings, attracting brand collaborations, sponsorships and other financial avenues. As a result, the African Creator Hub enables SSA creators to utilize their passions to rise above the poverty threshold.
The program’s remarkable success in creating life-changing career opportunities based on creative content has led to plans for expansion. Boniswa Sidwaba, TikTok’s head of content programming in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), emphasized in a statement to TikTok Newsroom in April 2023 that there are expectations for the initiative to extend its reach throughout SSA in the coming years.
Stories of Success
Success stories are rooted in individual narratives. One such example is Catherine Jepkemboi from Kenya, recognized by her social media alias ‘minicheps.’ Her unique approach to capturing Kenyan culture through photographs, such as braiding hair and cooking miniature-scale food, earned her a recent graduation from the African Creator Hub.
For Jepkemboi, this accomplishment marks just the beginning. In fact, her groundbreaking success in creating TikTok shorts with more than 19 million views has redefined strategies for addressing poverty and unemployment. These challenges are particularly acute in Kenya, where the Kenya Poverty Report classifies 2.8 million nationals as living in ‘hardcore/extreme’ poverty.
Despite never completing her education, Jepkemboi, along with her two children, managed to escape poverty’s grasp. A borrowed camera, a creative vision and unwavering determination transformed her life’s trajectory.
Elevated to the role of her family’s primary breadwinner through content creation, Jepkemboi’s success allowed her to send her son to school. Her influence has grown to the point where she received the prestigious 2022 Pulse Influencer Award and regularly engages with national media. Her process, however, remains a well-kept secret.
The Journey Forward
Overall, the success stories highlight where the African Creator Hub plays a crucial role. Beyond lifting creators from poverty, it equips them with the skills needed to innovate, connect and inspire others. The hub serves as a steady guide, steering creators toward paths of empowerment, connectivity and shared inspiration.
– Izzy Grout
Photo: Flickr
How Foreign Investment in Kazakhstan Fights Poverty
Although Kazakhstan is experiencing steady economic growth and paints itself as the most developed and reformed Central Asian country, corruption and an unorganized government exacerbate poverty. Foreign investment in Kazakhstan can alleviate these issues and potentially solidify its position as the strongest nation in the region.
Kazakhstan’s Economic Picture
As things stand, Kazakhstan holds a predominant position in the region. It connects the South Asian market to the markets of Russia and the EU with railways and ports. For Western producers, Kazakhstan opens access to “100 million consumers in Caspian Sea countries, 76 million in Central Asia and 350 million in Western China,” according to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA).
Furthermore, the ITA believes that it provides potential for US agricultural markets, as Kazakhstan’s growing middle class opens more opportunities for U.S. investment. In turn, this global financial involvement in Kazakhstan further expands the middle class and decreases poverty.
Most notably, Kazakhstan capitalizes on its natural resources to make 58% of all exports. Through the shipment of oil, natural gas, iron, copper and uranium, Kazakhstan trades with China, Italy, Russia, the Netherlands, Uzbekistan, India, Turkey and France. Trade with the United States (U.S.) accounts for just more than 1% of its exports.
Over the course of 2023, real GDP is expected to increase by almost 4%, an increase over the 3.2% growth in 2022.
International Involvement
Kazakhstan receives the most foreign direct investments in Central Asia, something both expected of and attributed to its relative economic strength in the region.
Kazakhstan established the Astana International Financing Center (AIFC) in 2018 to attract countries and companies to invest in the region. The AIFC offers financial and legal support to investors and promotes environmentally sustainable development. This initiative encourages green foreign investment in Kazakhstan, which can help boost the domestic economy and create more job opportunities, ultimately helping in the fight against poverty.
Furthermore, the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) is a U.S. organization that cooperates with businesses and universities to further integrate the U.S. and its mission with different countries in the world. Kazakhstan’s specific OSAC mission predominantly aims to establish U.S. security connections but also aims to strengthen financial involvement between the two nations. Specifically, it allows for the creation of the Special American Business Internship Training Program (SABIT).
The U.S. Department of Commerce labels SABIT as a program that endorses and facilitates fair economic trade between the U.S. and Kazakhstan. As of 2023, the program has enabled more than 470 Kazakhstani business leaders to gain first-hand experience with American business models. This training is highly individualized and specific to each business and creates connections between equivalent businesses in the two countries. Although mostly pertaining to private corporations, the governments occasionally interact to integrate the markets. Since the program’s inception in 1990, the total generated amount from the region is more than $1 billion. As of 2021, all SABIT interactions in Central Asia have focused on renewable energy. With this shift in focus and general improvement of business practices, SABIT helps improve the Kazakhstani economy and alleviates domestic poverty.
Resilience to Geopolitics
Kazakhstan is invested in geopolitical relationships but is structured to not face major influence from world events. The World Bank reports that Russia’s economic downturn as a result of the Ukraine War will in fact derail Kazakhstan’s supply chains and weaken trade. This is further exacerbated by the fact that Kazakhstan’s main oil pipeline (providing 80% of Kazakh oil) was damaged in the Russian Black Sea terminal. Nonetheless, rising oil costs have made oil exports more valuable and reduced Kazakhstan’s current account deficit by almost 1% as of 2021.
In response to sanctions surrounding Russia, Kazakhstan has expanded trade partners and sought out partnerships in East Asia, especially through China’s Belt and Road initiative. By cementing itself in intercontinental routes like the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route from South Asia to Europe, Kazakhstan ensures that it will forever benefit from global trade.
Foreign investment in Kazakhstan is becoming significantly more common and important as the country proves itself to be receptive to and valuable for international investors. With Kazakhstan’s increasing integration with the global economy, there will be a growth in the labor force and a potential decline in poverty levels.
– Sahib Singh
Photo: Wikimedia
Portugal’s Foreign Aid Contributing to the Fight Against Poverty
Portugal’s ODA in Post-Conflict Settings
Foreign aid that Portugal disbursed has enabled several countries to limit and recover from conflicts. In Mozambique, Portugal has been providing vital assistance in the context of the Cabo Delgado Province insurgency. Back in 2019, the Mozambique Recovery and Reconstruction Support Fund, which Portugal implemented, enabled civil society programs to receive direct funds from private and public sector organizations in Portugal. In cooperation with the EU, the country also set up the +Emprego program in 2020, which improved youth employment, prevented radicalization and delivered humanitarian assistance. By stabilizing the situation, Portugal’s foreign aid thus prevented many people’s living conditions from worsening.
Similarly, Portugal significantly helped in the East Timorese transition after 1999 by providing non-negligible humanitarian assistance. Timor-Leste, still considered a fragile state, cooperates closely with Portugal toward reducing poverty and bolstering development in this country.
Portugal’s Work in Social Infrastructures
Portugal, as part of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP), has approved the Strategy for Food and Nutritional Security. Structured around three core principles, this program strives to establish and bolster effective governance and policies related to food security. Simultaneously, it seeks to promptly enhance food accessibility for the most vulnerable populations while also fostering increased food availability. As a strategic component of this initiative, the CPLP has successfully instituted National Food and Nutritional Security Councils in São Tomé, Cape Verde and Guinea Bissau.
Moreover, the program involves a Family Farming Work Group tasked with drafting guidelines as part of the program’s objective to enhance food availability.
The country also participates in strengthening health systems in CPLP countries. Portugal has equipped Guinea-Bissau with laboratories to ensure its partner is prepared to face an Ebola crisis. In collaboration with the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), the Portuguese government played a crucial role in distributing medical supplies. It provided 5,000 medical masks and 200,000 masks in the Maputo Province of Mozambique. This essential donation not only ensured the protection of those in need but also sustained economic and social activities.
Portuguese ODA and the Environment
Out of its total bilateral allocable aid, Portugal spent 7.5% toward supporting the environment in 2020-2021. This can seem trivial compared to the DAC average (34.3%), but the country has made some important contributions to fighting climate change in developing countries. The OECD highlighted Portugal’s commitment to ocean protection, demonstrated when the country co-hosted the 2022 UN Ocean Conference.
Moreover, Portugal is supporting the Carbon Sustainability and Ecosystem Services Roadmap in the Principe Island of São Tomé and Principe, which is analyzing the island nation’s carbon emission and removal and making projections for possible reduction. The project will conclude with recommendations that aim to support decision-making concerning carbon emission mitigation.
In Guinea-Bissau, the Collective and Territorial Integrated Actions for the Valorisation of Agriculture (dubbed EU-ACTIVA) has the objective of enabling agricultural intensification while guaranteeing it remains sustainable. Approximately 4,000 families will receive training that enables them to teach others effective techniques for cultivating the local soil in accordance with climate patterns. By doing so, this initiative will ensure improved living conditions for the residents of Guinea-Bissau.
Room for Improvement
Despite all those significant contributions and achievements, there is still more Portugal’s foreign aid could do to improve the conditions of the world’s poor. The OECD points out that Portugal only invests 0.23% of its Gross National Income in ODA, and thus still has not reached the 0.7% ODA/GNI ratio that it has committed to, and still fares behind fellow DAC members. The organization also recommends that Portugal put more emphasis on long-term objectives and results to achieve more sustainable change in partnerships with other countries.
However, Portugal’s vital work toward developing LDCs and improving the lives of those that inhabit them demonstrates the country’s enthusiasm when it comes to tackling poverty, and is a positive sign indicating the potential implementation of more effort in the future.
– Kenza Oulammou
Photo: Unsplash
A Glimpse into the Lives of Syrian Refugees in Lebanon
The Impact of the Crisis
The Syrian refugee crisis was born out of the devastating war that ravaged the country. Lebanon, as a neighboring country, became a significant host country for Syrian refugees, including Natalie, as they sought safety and stability away from the conflict.
Natalie’s story provides a glimpse into the human side of the crisis, highlighting the strength and determination of Syrian refugees.
Arrival in Lebanon
Natalie embarked on a challenging journey that brought her to Lebanon, where she encountered various challenges. The devastating war inflicted widespread destruction, resulting in the displacement of families, the disruption of lives and a strain on resources. Like countless others, Natalie had to start anew, rebuilding her life from the ground up.
During the interview, Natalie shed light on the invaluable support she and her family received from the UNHCR. She expressed deep gratitude for the neighboring country, highlighting Lebanon’s generosity in opening its borders to all Syrian refugees.
Before Natalie sought refuge in Lebanon, she lived in Homs, a city bordering the northern town of Tripoli in Lebanon. This proximity enabled her to manage her escape somewhat more easily when the civil war escalated. She made the decision to leave Syria on June 29, 2012.
Undoubtedly, leaving behind friends and family in Syria was a difficult experience for Natalie. However, she found solace in the fact that Lebanon shares a border with her hometown, allowing certain family members to visit occasionally. Unfortunately, her friends have dispersed across various parts of the world in search of refuge, resulting in limited opportunities for them to reunite.
UNHCR’s Support
Amid the crisis, the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) played a vital role in coordinating the protection response for Syrian refugees in Lebanon. UNHCR provided assistance in various forms, including health care, shelter, education and addressing gender-based violence.
Upon their arrival in Lebanon, the UNHCR provided Natalie and her family with essential provisions. Before leaving Syria, her family had fallen into a state of extreme poverty, with nothing left but her mother’s gold jewelry, which proved inadequate for their survival.
Natalie expresses her gratitude for her fortunate circumstances. Her uncle, who worked as a professor at Kuwait University, sent them financial assistance to cover rent, food and basic necessities.
Natalie regarded herself as comparatively more fortunate than many other Syrian refugees due to her Lebanese heritage from her mother’s side. This meant she had a place to stay and her uncle continued to support her family until they regained stability. Furthermore, her father, a successful dentist in Syria, successfully secured a position at a dental clinic in Lebanon. It took the family approximately five months to regain their financial footing.
Notably, Natalie’s resilience and determination led her to accomplish remarkable achievements. She pursued and obtained a bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology from the Lebanese International University.
The Current Reality
Unfortunately, the situation for Syrian refugees in Lebanon has become increasingly difficult. Reports indicate rising incidents of deportation and harassment, casting a shadow of fear and insecurity over the Syrian community residing in Lebanon.
Natalie explained that while the ongoing economic crisis in Lebanon has significantly exacerbated the challenges faced by Syrian refugees, her family did not experience an exceptional amount of suffering. Her family encountered similar experiences to those of a typical Lebanese household. They lost their savings and, like many others, are now facing financial constraints due to hyperinflation.
The latest figures provided by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) highlight that Lebanon currently grapples with a complex and challenging situation concerning Syrian refugees. The country faces an overwhelming number of people in need of humanitarian assistance, with a staggering 3.9 million individuals requiring support. Among these, 2.1 million are Lebanese citizens, 1.5 million are Syrian refugees, 211,000 are Palestinian refugees and 81,000 are migrants.
The Economic Impact
The influx of Syrian refugees has strained Lebanon’s already limited resources and infrastructure, worsening existing socioeconomic issues. It has created an increased demand for public services such as health care, education and housing. Consequently, both the Lebanese population and Syrian refugees have experienced rising poverty rates, contributing to the challenging circumstances faced by these communities.
The economic repercussions of hosting a substantial refugee population have also affected employment opportunities, leading to higher unemployment rates for both the local population and refugees. Job scarcity has resulted in wage depression and exploitation in some instances, further compounding the difficulties experienced by both communities.
The strain on resources and the socio-economic situation have heightened tensions between host communities and the refugee population, posing challenges to social cohesion and integration.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the European Union (EU) has stepped forward to provide substantial funding for Lebanon’s support. In 2023 alone, the EU allocated €60 million in humanitarian aid. Since 2011, the EU has contributed a total of €2.7 billion, with nearly €860 million specifically designated for humanitarian aid. The primary objective of this generous support is to alleviate the burden on Lebanon and ensure the provision of essential services and assistance to both the local population and refugee communities.
Looking Ahead
Natalie’s story provides a glimpse into the lives of Syrian refugees in Lebanon, accentuating their struggles and resilience in the face of adversity. As the Syrian refugee crisis persists, sharing such stories can potentially nurture empathy and understanding, fostering greater support and compassion for those impacted by the crisis. Addressing the needs of Syrian refugees in Lebanon remains an urgent concern, demanding continuous attention and collaboration from both national and international stakeholders.
– Tanya Hamad
Photo: Flickr
House of Hope Helping Internally Displaced Ukrainians
Helping Food-Insecure IDPs
One in three families who are internally displaced in Ukraine do not have enough food to eat. To make matters worse, food prices have increased by 50% since 2022.
To help solve this food crisis, House of Hope has provided 40 tons of food in more than 120 trucks, to internally displaced Ukrainians in refugee shelters and active war zones. To ensure the food reaches its destination, House of Hope uses bullet-proof cars. They also distribute 25,000 loaves of bread every day to IDPs. They have also donated more than 15,000 ovens to them. House of Hope operates in Lviv, Ukraine. Currently, 350 shelters for internally displaced Ukrainians are located in Lviv.
Helping Internally Displaced Ukrainians Get Access to Medicine
Health care has been sabotaged over 1,000 times in Ukraine since the beginning of the war in Ukraine.
Studies reveal that one in three internally displaced people in Ukraine who reside in places that are occupied by the Russians or locations that are in active combat struggle to get medicine and health care services.
There are 12.1 million people in Ukraine who require treatment for issues caused by injuries they got from living in a war zone, as well as chronic health issues that treatment for has been neglected because of the war. To provide assistance to the people in Ukraine, House of Hope has provided 40 tons of medicine that are carried in more than 120 trucks to internally displaced people living in refugee shelters and places that are active war zones. They use bullet-proof cars to bring this medicine to those in need, every day.
Evacuating Ukrainians
House of Hope’s center of operations located in Lviv Ukraine, is on Poland’s border, as it is 80 kilometers from Poland. House of Hope has a total of 60 buses, ambulances and vans that are used to evacuate children and families. They have evacuated around 35,000 people. About 1.6 million refugees escaped Ukraine to reside in Poland, since May 9, 2023. Over 1.1 million Ukrainian children who are refugees have fled to Poland. Poland is home to 60% of the Ukrainian refugees. The main route that refugees in Ukraine evacuate on is a railroad that is in the small town of Pokrovsk, Ukraine, that travels to Dnipro and Lviv Ukraine. From either Dnipro or Lviv, refugees travel to Poland.
Equipment Donated to Internally Displaced Ukrainians
House of Hope has delivered 40 tons of equipment carried in more than 120 trucks, for internally displaced Ukrainians living in refugee shelters and places suffering from active war zones. They have also collaborated with Lviv’s governor to build a green corridor between Lviv and Poland. This green corridor ensures that aid can directly come into Ukraine. Lviv receives 80% of supplies used to help the Ukrainian people in need. These supplies are distributed all throughout Ukraine.
Looking Ahead
House of Hope will continue to provide food, medicine and equipment to internally displaced Ukrainians in active war zones and refugee shelters. They will also keep evacuating refugees out of Ukraine to safer countries. It is extremely critical House of Hope continues helping internally displaced Ukrainians because an estimated 17.6 million internally displaced people desperately need humanitarian assistance, as of 2023.
– Rachael Weiser
Photo: Flickr
Renewable Energy in Yemen
Energy Crisis
In 2020, Yemen’s big cities experienced up to 20 hours of blackouts per day while the poorest and most rural Yemenis suffered even more. Renewable energy in Yemen has not become widespread enough to entirely make up for oil and diesel-based energy, resulting in reduced agricultural productivity. Businesses struggle to operate without reliable power, hindering the country’s economic recovery.
Yemen’s electric grid is dependent upon expensive, imported oil that the country sources unreliably. For example, in September 2022, a Saudi refusal to allow oil tankers to enter Yemen’s Hodeidah port resulted in a severe energy crisis. Prices of electricity, foodstuffs and transportation soared, while economic activity ground to a halt. Rural farmers who relied on diesel to run their water pumps and irrigate their fields suffered greatly as the price of 20 liters of diesel rose from $4 in 2015 to $35 in 2022.
For those who do not want to rely on the public electricity grid, alternatives include subscribing to a private diesel-powered grid or using kerosene lamps, diesel generators, or personal solar panels to fill the gaps. But these systems are expensive and cheaper, low-quality versions often break down after just a few months, according to the World Bank.
Innovative Solutions
New innovations demonstrate the potential for addressing Yemen’s urgent need for more reliable and affordable energy. Yemen has access to a vast, untapped power source that can solve both of these problems: solar energy.
A significant portion of Yemen’s population has already adopted solar energy and its potential for further expansion is substantial. According to a 2018 analysis by the World Economic Forum, Yemen possesses the highest average solar energy potential among water-stressed countries due to the strength and concentration of sunlight.
International organizations like the World Bank have invested millions of dollars to finance the sustainable expansion of solar power.
The United Nations project “Enhanced Rural Resilience in Yemen” developed an innovative, affordable solar microgrid and funded its installation in three communities in 2020. As reported by the United Nations Development Programme, these microgrids significantly reduced the cost of energy, from 42 cents an hour to two cents an hour.
Solar microgrid projects have empowered young Yemeni women to set up infrastructure in their communities and increased school enrollment through solar-powered schools. Farmers have used solar power to pump water to keep their plants alive and health centers to power refrigerators.
The U.N. program also provided training to women and youth, allowing them to establish and maintain microgrid businesses to provide for their families, which had the added benefit of elevating their social status in their communities.
Broader Implications
This project is an example of development aid, which, in contrast to cash aid, builds sustainable self-reliance. It proves renewable energy in Yemen is a practical, important solution to many of Yemen’s electricity problems and shows how other countries and communities can follow in their footsteps.
Beyond benefiting the people of Yemen, more affordable renewable energy also contributes positively to the environment. As of August 2021, renewable energy in Yemen has already prevented 26,203 tons of carbon dioxide emissions from being released into the atmosphere and this figure continues to grow.
– Mitra Nourbakhsh
Photo: Flickr
4 Charities Operating in Panama
4 Charities Operating in Panama
These four prominent charities operating in Panama profoundly impact individuals and communities confronted with various challenges.
– Elizabeth Antenucci
Photo: Flickr