At the beginning of May 2023, heavy rainfall across East Africa led to flash flooding across the region, most destructively in Rwanda and Uganda. At least 130 people died because of extreme weather in Rwanda, while the chaos displaced entire villages. As a small but mountainous and landlocked region, Rwanda has a very dense population, increasing the number of those affected by the disaster.
Extreme Weather Changes
Rwanda and surrounding nations frequently suffer from the consequences of extreme weather changes. In 2019, 265 people died and tens of thousands had to leave their homes after two months of continuous rainfall. This event affected 2 million people across Kenya, Somalia, Burundi, Tanzania, South Sudan, Uganda, Djibouti and Ethiopia.
Then in May 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic was tearing through communities across the world, Rwanda suffered 65 deaths and Kenya at least 194 after yet another period of heavy rainfall. More recently, in April 2023, at least 14 people died in southern Ethiopia, when a similar pattern of heavy rain triggered floods and landslides. Alongside fatalities, this destroyed crucial livestock and devastated numerous homes. Now, only a month later, a climate disaster once again struck Rwanda and its neighbors.
Damage in the Region
Damage by the extreme rainfall and consequential flash-flooding has not only led to the loss of lives but also the destruction of more than 5,000 homes, 17 roads, 26 bridges and an entire hospital, according to DW. West Africa experienced similar levels of rainfall, with several storms occurring across parts of Sierra Leone. The flash flooding that followed washed numerous cars and tore buildings apart. A collapsing wall killed six people and another 10 died when a house collapsed during a landslide.
The loss of crops and livestock completely disrupted livelihoods because many people rely on farming to provide food for their families. In an agricultural-based economy that employs 65% of the population, the erosion of land is hugely consequential for the Rwandan people. Extreme weather in Rwanda is not only responsible for the destruction of the environment but also the biodiversity. According to DW, every year, torrential rain causes a loss of almost 600 million tons of soil with the impact being most severe on sloping croplands, which can lead to famine.
The Role of Climate Change
The increasing “frequency and intensity” of extreme weather in Rwanda and across Africa is one of the reasons for a breakdown of the climate, most notably the rate at which the planet is getting hotter, according to The Guardian. Deputy regional director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Africa, Richard Munang agreed, stating that rising temperatures are causing the number of natural disasters to rapidly increase. According to Munang, the planet has warmed to 1.1 degrees Celsius. But even worse, Africa is warming up at double the speed of the rest of the world, DW reports.
In a UNDP report, disasters brought about as a direct result of climate change between 2000 and 2023 have increased by 134%. As a region vulnerable to floods and landslides, Rwanda is a country particularly susceptible to the consequences of the planet getting alarmingly warmer. Because of its inability to adapt to these extreme weather conditions, recovery from such events is even more challenging.
Described as “one of the most climate-impacted nations on Earth,” according to DW, Rwanda has suffered significant fatalities and hundreds of people have been displaced because of flooding and landslides. There is a direct link, therefore, between the rate of global warming and the increasing frequency of extreme weather in Rwanda. Some have proposed relocating vulnerable communities to areas less prone to floods, but whilst this may help in the short term, it does not address the severe issue of climate change, which is only getting worse with time.
Relief Efforts Within Rwanda
After the most recent episode of rainfall and flooding, the Government of Rwanda has implemented a major relief effort, with provisions for temporary shelter, emergency supplies, clean water and health care services. Rwandan Prime Minister, Edouard Ngirente, led a delegation comprising several cabinet ministers and the Inspector General of Police, with which he visited affected regions. In doing so, he reassured residents of government support and relief efforts. In the immediate aftermath, the government established a command center in an attempt to coordinate the response effort and distribute household items such as bedding and clothes.
According to Rwanda’s minister in charge of emergency management, Marie-Solange Kayisire, relief efforts began straight away where volunteers helped bury victims and provided supplies to those who lost their homes, The Guardian reports.
Green Gicumbi Project and the Red Cross
Located in the highlands of Northern Rwanda, the Green Gicumbi Project works among communities to put flood and drought resistance measures in place. In doing so, it has built terraces and storage for water during periods of drought, and this is “rapidly transforming the landscape,” according to DW. Moreover, after funding from the Paris Climate Agreement’s Green Climate Fund, the Rwandan Government was able to transform an arid wasteland into a climate-resilient agricultural region.
The Red Cross also aided relief efforts following the floods, with photographs showing local farmers perched on steep hillsides digging through the mud in an attempt to find those buried in their homes.
Looking forward
Despite the devastating impact of extreme weather events in Rwanda and East Africa, there are positive signs of resilience and relief efforts. The Rwandan government has swiftly responded with a major relief effort, providing temporary shelter, emergency supplies, clean water and health care services to affected communities. Projects like the Green Gicumbi Project, focusing on flood and drought resistance measures, and the support from organizations like the Red Cross are also making a difference in building climate resilience and aiding recovery efforts. While there is still room for progress and additional alleviatory measure, these initiatives highlight the determination and resourcefulness of the Rwandan people in the face of climate-related challenges.
– Bethan Marsden
Photo: flickr
BlueOrchard: Transforming lives Through Impact Investing
Impact Investing
Impact investing is a form of investing that seeks to create measurable social and environmental impact and financial profit. While traditional forms of investing often focus only on increasing profits, impact investing strives to inspire positive change in the world while also producing financial returns for investors. Impact investing takes many different forms. These include investing in microfinance institutions that provide small loans to entrepreneurs in developing countries, investing in renewable energy projects to fight climate change, investing in affordable housing companies, investing in education providers and much more.
Making a Difference
BlueOrchard’s mission is to promote financial inclusion for neglected communities and environments while simultaneously providing financial returns for investors by linking them to entrepreneurs around the world. One of the major impacts of this goal is poverty alleviation. BlueOrchard invests in a wide range of projects including providing loans to small businesses, renewable energy projects and educational centers.
BlueOrchard’s primary impact investments focus on supporting microfinance institutions (MFIs) that provide small loans to entrepreneurs in developing countries. These loans can help people
kickstart or expand their businesses, which can create a sustainable livelihood for those living in abject poverty. BlueOrchard has invested in many MFIs around the world, including the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) microfinance program which targets reducing poverty and water sanitation projects and FINCA Impact Finance which focuses on helping women in Central and South America, sub-Saharan Africa and Eurasia.
Investments
It has also invested in MFIs that target diminishing gender disparities such as Japan’s ASEAN Women’s Empowerment Fund and Sonata Finance in India. This initiative provides loans to disadvantaged women across India. BlueOrchard also invests in education projects, and one example is the Regional Education Finance Fund for Africa (REFFA) which aims to improve access to primary, secondary and higher education across Africa.
Climate finance is another target area for BlueOrchard. It has created a climate insurance fund called InsuResilience Investment Fund (IIF) that has benefitted impoverished populations most vulnerable to weather volatility and climate change in developing countries. The organization also invests in renewable energy projects in India, helping to provide clean and affordable energy products, such as solar-powered sustainable lighting, that can stimulate social and economic development in the country.
By covering such a vast array of investment projects, BlueOrchard contributes to helping the United Nations meet 16 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Impact of BlueOrchard’s Investments
BlueOrchard’s impact investments have had a monumental impact on global poverty reduction. As of June 2021, the organization had provided financial services to more than 39 million people around the world. It has helped create and sustain more than 156 million jobs and has provided climate insurance to 25 million people. The organization has impacted some of the world’s most vulnerable populations including impoverished people, displaced people and refugees.
BlueOrchard is a leading global impact investment firm that is making a remarkable difference in the fight against poverty around the world. Through its investments in multiple sustainable development sectors including agriculture, gender inequality and renewable energy, it continues to demonstrate that financial profit and global change are not mutually exclusive ideas and can merge to create lasting change.
– Aemal Nafis
Photo: Flickr
Renewable Energy in the Fight Against Poverty in Finland
Finland’s Energy Sources
The predominance of renewable energy in Finland has its roots in the country’s lack of available fossil fuels. Of the energy sources used in 2021, coal made up just 6.2% of Finland’s energy consumption and 4.5% of its electricity production. By contrast, Finland had 19.5% of its electricity production in bioenergy while wood-based fuels accounted for 29.7% of the country’s consumption.
Finland also has an extensive reserve of nuclear energy, which provides 32.9% of the country’s electricity production. This led to Finland having a total renewable energy consumption of 45.76% in 2019. This percentage for Finland is impressive when compared to the 10.42% for the U.S. in the same year.
Finland’s national climate policy aims to reduce the national usage of carbon fuels and make the country carbon-neutral by 2035, with emission reduction targets planned well into 2050. Though Finland has had energy relations with Russia for a long time, the war in Ukraine has forced Finland to consider other alternatives and invest in renewable energy sources such as wind power.
Increasing Energy Efficiency in Finland
As of 2020, 733 million people across the world did not have electricity, and 2.4 billion still use cooking systems that contribute to environmental pollution. The lack of modern energy affordability, noted as energy poverty by the U.N.’s 7th Sustainable Development Goal, affects many low-income countries. Though Finland has an energy poverty rate of 1.9%, and an energy surplus initiated a drop in the price of electricity by 75% in April, the issue of energy poverty is one Finland has taken the initiative to combat. One such recent movement is the Finnish Energy Observatory (FEnO) established in September 2022. FEnO focuses on climate change-related energy issues, with the goal of making a transition to clean energy for all. To do this, it focuses on monitoring key resources on energy challenges in the country, having open discussions with experts in the field and assisting the public and private sectors in Finland.
Another initiative was the ASSIST Project, which started in 2017 and finished in 2020. ASSIST focused its efforts on incorporating consumers into the energy market and designing policies to push against energy issues. A major focus of this was training Home Energy Advisers to provide energy partners and consumers with advice on better energy efficiency. ASSIST has also pushed for efforts to put more vulnerable consumers at ease with the costs of energy efficiency. Within ASSIST’s pilot phase, Finland’s energy savings increased by 3.9%.
In addition, Finland’s recent developments in the field of wind power resulted in the building of 437 wind turbines over the course of 2022. The recent constructions have provided €2.9 billion in investments for Finland, a huge benefit for the country’s economy.
Where Finland Can Go Next
Given the ongoing efforts, renewable energy is on a fast track to being the most prominent energy source in Finland. There are still problems to address, such as issues keeping people from living above the poverty line. However, Finland continues to show that it has the resources and dedication to tackle these issues head-on.
– Kenneth Berends
Photo: Flickr
Extreme Weather in Rwanda: Floods and Landslides Affect the Region
Extreme Weather Changes
Rwanda and surrounding nations frequently suffer from the consequences of extreme weather changes. In 2019, 265 people died and tens of thousands had to leave their homes after two months of continuous rainfall. This event affected 2 million people across Kenya, Somalia, Burundi, Tanzania, South Sudan, Uganda, Djibouti and Ethiopia.
Then in May 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic was tearing through communities across the world, Rwanda suffered 65 deaths and Kenya at least 194 after yet another period of heavy rainfall. More recently, in April 2023, at least 14 people died in southern Ethiopia, when a similar pattern of heavy rain triggered floods and landslides. Alongside fatalities, this destroyed crucial livestock and devastated numerous homes. Now, only a month later, a climate disaster once again struck Rwanda and its neighbors.
Damage in the Region
Damage by the extreme rainfall and consequential flash-flooding has not only led to the loss of lives but also the destruction of more than 5,000 homes, 17 roads, 26 bridges and an entire hospital, according to DW. West Africa experienced similar levels of rainfall, with several storms occurring across parts of Sierra Leone. The flash flooding that followed washed numerous cars and tore buildings apart. A collapsing wall killed six people and another 10 died when a house collapsed during a landslide.
The loss of crops and livestock completely disrupted livelihoods because many people rely on farming to provide food for their families. In an agricultural-based economy that employs 65% of the population, the erosion of land is hugely consequential for the Rwandan people. Extreme weather in Rwanda is not only responsible for the destruction of the environment but also the biodiversity. According to DW, every year, torrential rain causes a loss of almost 600 million tons of soil with the impact being most severe on sloping croplands, which can lead to famine.
The Role of Climate Change
The increasing “frequency and intensity” of extreme weather in Rwanda and across Africa is one of the reasons for a breakdown of the climate, most notably the rate at which the planet is getting hotter, according to The Guardian. Deputy regional director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Africa, Richard Munang agreed, stating that rising temperatures are causing the number of natural disasters to rapidly increase. According to Munang, the planet has warmed to 1.1 degrees Celsius. But even worse, Africa is warming up at double the speed of the rest of the world, DW reports.
In a UNDP report, disasters brought about as a direct result of climate change between 2000 and 2023 have increased by 134%. As a region vulnerable to floods and landslides, Rwanda is a country particularly susceptible to the consequences of the planet getting alarmingly warmer. Because of its inability to adapt to these extreme weather conditions, recovery from such events is even more challenging.
Described as “one of the most climate-impacted nations on Earth,” according to DW, Rwanda has suffered significant fatalities and hundreds of people have been displaced because of flooding and landslides. There is a direct link, therefore, between the rate of global warming and the increasing frequency of extreme weather in Rwanda. Some have proposed relocating vulnerable communities to areas less prone to floods, but whilst this may help in the short term, it does not address the severe issue of climate change, which is only getting worse with time.
Relief Efforts Within Rwanda
After the most recent episode of rainfall and flooding, the Government of Rwanda has implemented a major relief effort, with provisions for temporary shelter, emergency supplies, clean water and health care services. Rwandan Prime Minister, Edouard Ngirente, led a delegation comprising several cabinet ministers and the Inspector General of Police, with which he visited affected regions. In doing so, he reassured residents of government support and relief efforts. In the immediate aftermath, the government established a command center in an attempt to coordinate the response effort and distribute household items such as bedding and clothes.
According to Rwanda’s minister in charge of emergency management, Marie-Solange Kayisire, relief efforts began straight away where volunteers helped bury victims and provided supplies to those who lost their homes, The Guardian reports.
Green Gicumbi Project and the Red Cross
Located in the highlands of Northern Rwanda, the Green Gicumbi Project works among communities to put flood and drought resistance measures in place. In doing so, it has built terraces and storage for water during periods of drought, and this is “rapidly transforming the landscape,” according to DW. Moreover, after funding from the Paris Climate Agreement’s Green Climate Fund, the Rwandan Government was able to transform an arid wasteland into a climate-resilient agricultural region.
The Red Cross also aided relief efforts following the floods, with photographs showing local farmers perched on steep hillsides digging through the mud in an attempt to find those buried in their homes.
Looking forward
Despite the devastating impact of extreme weather events in Rwanda and East Africa, there are positive signs of resilience and relief efforts. The Rwandan government has swiftly responded with a major relief effort, providing temporary shelter, emergency supplies, clean water and health care services to affected communities. Projects like the Green Gicumbi Project, focusing on flood and drought resistance measures, and the support from organizations like the Red Cross are also making a difference in building climate resilience and aiding recovery efforts. While there is still room for progress and additional alleviatory measure, these initiatives highlight the determination and resourcefulness of the Rwandan people in the face of climate-related challenges.
– Bethan Marsden
Photo: flickr
Improving Children’s Learning in Ghana
In 1970, Ghana’s educational system was among the most highly developed in Africa. The Ministry of Education (MOE) predicted that all untrained teachers would be removed from the educational system by 1975. Gross enrollment ratios increased significantly, as 60% of primary school teachers received training. However, the country’s economy declined dramatically in the late 1970s, leading to a near collapse of the educational system. The following is an overview of children’s learning in Ghana.
Education in Ghana
The quality of education in Ghana faces significant challenges that impact children’s learning. Almost 80% of children lack basic literacy and numeracy skills. A particularly negative issue is the poor delivery of education across the nation, impacting mostly public schools in rural areas. New research urges immediate action to increase access for all children and improve the reading, writing and math skills of primary school pupils.
Solutions for Improving Children’s Learning
In October 2020, the MOE launched a report that offered an in-depth analysis of fundamental learning in Ghana’s primary education. The report, titled “Spotlight on Basic Education Completion and Foundational Learning: Ghana,” is one of five reports and a continental report in Africa. It was produced in collaboration with the Global Education Monitoring Report of UNESCO and the Association for the Development of Education in Africa. This project offers an analysis of the current state of fundamental education and identifies important solutions for improving children’s learning in Ghana, including:
Looking Ahead
The report has made significant progress in providing accessible and high-quality education in Ghana. Estimates show that 77% of children now complete primary school. The country implemented ambitious reforms, such as making senior high school free for all students. It also introduced the “One Teacher, One Laptop” initiative, where school staff received laptops from the government. In 2003, more than $500 million of donor funding went to Ghana’s educational system. From 1986 to 1994, the World Bank helped fund school infrastructure and the provision of textbooks. It also provided additional funding to cover expenses for head teachers’ housing. Despite the challenges that Ghanaian students face in their education, the Ministry of Education commits to prioritizing the aforementioned five main policy areas to improve children’s learning in Ghana.
– Lilit Natalia Manoukian
Photo: Flickr
HIV/AIDS in the Philippines is continuing to spread
Reasons for the spread of HIV/AIDS in the Philippines
On the Road
The Government of the Philippines has had mixed results in controlling HIV. On the positive side, in December 2022, the Philippine Department of Health launched the 7th AIDS Medium Term Plan (AMTP) to contribute to the global goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. With the aim of reducing the inequalities that lead to the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the Philippines by 2025, the strategy will take urgent actions to provide more basic HIV services to the public, including reproductive health services, free HIV testing, treatment centers and education campaigns about HIV. On the other hand, the Philippines government has received criticism for some policies and regulations that have hampered efforts to control the spread of the disease.
Many international development agencies and NGOs actively participate in this fight. Among these organizations are the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). These organizations continue to enhance the skills and knowledge of Filipino medical workers and improve treatment services to better serve people living with HIV. In December 2020, the United States pledged Php875 million within two years to aid HIV prevention and treatment. USAID will execute this program with the goal of assisting the Philippines government in achieving the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets. These targets include ensuring that 95% of HIV patients are aware of their status, 95% of those individuals receive treatment and 95% of those receiving treatment attain viral suppression. Nevertheless, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, funding for the UNAIDS response has stalled, with an expected shortfall of $8 billion which could result in a serious impact on the Asia-Pacific region, especially the Philippines.
Looking Ahead
Efforts are underway in the Philippines to combat the alarming rise in HIV cases, with both government initiatives and support from international organizations. The launch of the 7th AIDS Medium Term Plan (AMTP) by the Philippine Department of Health demonstrates a commitment to reducing inequalities and providing crucial HIV services to the public. Additionally, international development agencies like UNAIDS and USAID are actively involved in enhancing medical workers’ skills, improving treatment services, and providing financial support. While challenges remain, these collaborative efforts offer hope for a future where the spread of HIV/AIDS is under control and the well-being of affected individuals is prioritized.
– Mingjun Hou
Photo: Unsplash
Soil Erosion’s Threat to Indian Agriculture
Though a natural phenomenon to some extent, soil erosion has drastically increased as a result of activities that involve intensive agriculture, land use changes and deforestation. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), such activities have accelerated the rate of soil erosion by as much as 1,000-fold. Integral to the health of global ecosystems, soil supports all life, facilitating the growth of plants, providing vital nutrients and housing billions of microorganisms upon which all humans and environments rely. The consequences of soil erosion include reduced agricultural productivity, degraded ecosystems and reduced biodiversity. Furthermore, it can contribute to landslides, floods and other natural disasters and, ultimately, displace human populations.
Causes of Soil Erosion in India
In India, areas with steep slopes and heavy rainfall are particularly prone to soil erosion, as are areas with strong and persistent winds. Such factors heighten the risk of rapidly losing large amounts of soil. Since the start of the 20th century, increased demand for food production in India has resulted in the widespread use of intensive farming practices that do not prioritize soil health and conservation. Although intensive agriculture produces the highest possible yields for the lowest cost while maximizing profits and reducing the price of food products, it is not sustainable. Large amounts of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides not only pollute water and air but also degrade the soil. Additionally, intensive agriculture applies crop irrigation practices that account for some 70% of global human consumption of freshwater.
Possible Solutions
With around 58% of the population employed in the agricultural sector, agriculture is the leading source of livelihood in India. The Indian Government has recognized the need to prevent soil erosion and protect the country’s remaining soils by encouraging sustainable farming practices. For example, crop rotation can help soils remain fertile because different plants drain the soil of different nutrients. Also, planting certain crops can also help heavily degraded soils recover, facilitating the restoration of healthy soils with sufficient nutrient levels.
Looking Forward
While it is clear that there is still room for work with respect to protecting India’s soils and ensuring the sustainability of its key industry, the country continues to make steps toward progress. In the 1950s, the Indian Government began introducing regulations and projects to address the growing concern of soil loss. More recently, Soil Health Card Schemes is promoting the use of appropriate amounts of fertilizer to reduce soil harm and educate farmers on sustainable soil practices. In 2022, the Indian Prime Minister also reinforced the “Save Soil Movement,” which focuses on making the soil chemical-free, saving its living organisms, maintaining its moisture, reversing the damage caused by a decrease in groundwater and stopping soil erosion due to deforestation. Despite the severity of the situation, a continuation of the current strategies and ongoing efforts to identify other innovative strategies could minimize the threat that soil erosion poses to Indian agriculture.
– Hannah Naylor
Photo: Flickr
Why are Albanian Migrants Leaving Albania?
According to a 2022 report, approximately 70% of Albanian asylum seekers chose the U.K. or France as their destination. In just five months, from May to September, over 11,000 Albanians braved the perilous journey across the English Channel in small boats, with almost all hailing from Albania’s impoverished northern highland region.
Who Are the Albanians Leaving?
The exodus from Albania is diverse, comprising economic migrants seeking employment and asylum seekers fleeing from trafficking and modern slavery. Typically, men lead the way in this migration, with their partners and children joining them later. It is worth noting that most Albanian migrants who travel to the U.K. in small boats are young men, and while many apply for asylum, the U.K. Home Office has thus far rejected 86% of male asylum claims. Of note, there is a substantial backlog of asylum applications that remain unprocessed.
On the other hand, the U.K. approves approximately 90% of asylum claims made by women and children. Madeleine Sumption, Director of The Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford, notes that most of the Albanians who receive a positive decision are female, possibly due to their status as victims of trafficking. As such, these individuals are eligible for asylum in the U.K.
Why Have They Left?
A recent survey conducted by the Regional Cooperation Council called the Balkan Barometer revealed that approximately 83% of Albanians expressed their desire to leave the country, citing the high cost of living as the most common reason.
Dr. Andi Hoxha of University College London has said that in the last three years, a huge earthquake and COVID-19 have exacerbated poverty and unemployment in Albania. Dr. Hoxha also noted that the government had offered little help to the most affected people.
According to the World Bank, an estimated one-fifth of Albanians fell into poverty during the pandemic. The organization reports that the rising food costs and inflation in Albania are major issues in a country where citizens spend around 42% of their income on food.
In addition to poverty and lack of opportunities, many Albanian young men and boys are being groomed by criminal gangs. A study by the organization: Asylos, which studies asylum claims, suggests that threats of violence compel many young Albanian men into criminal activity, modern slavery and sexual exploitation.
Albania-originated crime networks aim to recruit such vulnerable young males to work illegally in the U.K., notably on cannabis farms. Some young men have also fled to escape violent fallouts from local blood feuds, which are still common in Albania.
Why Now?
Except for the earthquake in 2019, Albania has not been subject to any of the usual factors that precipitate a surge in emigration. Rather, the country’s problems, including poverty, unemployment, corruption and political instability, are chronic. Since 1991 and the fall of communism, more than 40% of Albanians have emigrated. In recent years, there has been a sharp increase in Albanian migrants. Dan O’Mahoney, the Clandestine Channel Threat Commander for the U.K. Home Office, attributes the increase to the activities of smugglers.
The two most significant factors behind the increase in Albanian migrants to the U.K. are the intensified activity of criminal gangs and the heightened ability of smugglers to lure people into coming to the U.K. Organized crime networks target young men in impoverished parts of Albania, while adverts on Tiktok are used by smugglers to attract potential migrants. It has lately become cheaper to be smuggled on a small boat across the English Channel. Fatjona Mejdini of the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime told the BBC that whereas migrants would previously have to pay up to £25,000 to be smuggled in a truck, now they can pay only £3,000 to £4000 to be transported by boat or dinghy.
What Does the Future Hold for Albania?
Albania is emptying out, especially in its northern highlands, settlements are turning into “ghost towns” as their young people leave. In the town of Kukësiin in northern Albania, for instance, 53% of its inhabitants have emigrated. Fortunately, foreign investment, significant seasonal tourism and support from the World Bank aim to improve Albania’s economy. For example, the U.K. injected £6 million into Tirana, Albania’s capital city, while the World Bank has partnered with the Albanian government to support its agricultural industry, which employs 36% of the country’s population.
Looking Ahead
The number of Albanian migrants has declined in 2023. Last summer, they accounted for more than half of all arrivals to the U.K., but according to the most recent reports, the number is fewer than 10%. This may be because many of the Albanians who wanted to make the journey already have. Additional factors include worsening weather conditions and a pledge by the U.K. government to fast-track the deportation of illegal migrants. On the bright side, however, continued support from international organizations and countries like the U.K. could help Albania in its effort to address the root causes of emigration.
– Samuel Chambers
Photo: Pixabay
Pregnancy Malnutrition is on the rise in developing countries
UNICEF has urged the international community to promote food security and support ineffective nutrition programs to combat child malnutrition. The organization emphasized the negative impact malnutrition has on children’s health.
UNICEF Report
A recent UNICEF report reveals that one billion undernourished women and adolescent girls worldwide are “underweight and of short stature.” The highest incidence of the nutrition crisis among adolescent girls and women is found in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, where 68% of women and teenage girls are underweight and 60% are anemic.
Poverty and its Effect on Pregnancy Malnutrition
In the 12 countries experiencing food crises, the number of pregnant or nursing women suffering from acute malnutrition increased from 5.5 million to 6.9 million between 2020 and 2022. UNICEF urges the enactment of legal measures to expand food fortification and prevent micronutrient deficiencies and anemia. These countries include Afghanistan, Chad, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Kenya, Nigeria, Mali, Niger, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan and Yemen
The CEO of UNICEF, Catherine Russell, warned that the consequences could continue for future generations if the international community does not take quick action to assist in preventing micronutrient deficiencies and anemia in girls and women. “To prevent undernutrition in children, we must also address malnutrition in adolescent girls and women,” she said.
NGO and Government Initiatives to Combat Malnutrition Among Pregnant Women
Several NGOs and governments are making efforts toward resolving the issue of malnutrition among pregnant women worldwide. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has launched the Nutrition Innovation Lab in Bangladesh. This initiative focuses on improving maternal and child nutrition.
The World Food Programme (WFP) has initiated the Integrated Food Security Project in Ethiopia, which provides food assistance, nutrition education and health services to pregnant and lactating women to significantly reduce malnutrition rates among women and children.
In India, the government has launched the National Nutrition Mission (NNM) to reduce malnutrition among pregnant women and children under 5 years old. The program provides nutritional supplements, health services and other resources to improve the health of the population.
Looking Ahead
Despite the concerning rise in undernourishment among pregnant women and girls, there are promising initiatives underway to address this global issue. Organizations like UNICEF, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the World Food Programme are taking action to combat malnutrition and improve the health of vulnerable populations. Through programs focusing on food security, nutrition education and access to healthcare, these efforts aim to break the cycle of malnutrition and ensure a healthier future for both women and children worldwide.
– Dalia Hasan
Photo: Pixabay
Cancer Care in Mauritius
Cancer in LMICs
While cancer deaths are falling in high-income countries due to successful funding of prevention programs and modern health care technologies, the number of people dying from cancer in LMICs is on the rise. Around 60% of new cancer cases globally are diagnosed in LMICs. Furthermore, where less than half of cancer patients in high-income nations die from the disease, 66% of those diagnosed in LMICs do not survive it.
Challenges when trying to reduce cancer-related deaths in LMICs include the cost of cancer medication and relevant medical technologies, a dearth of oncology specialists and the perception that it is not a major public health issue. Across Africa, only 23 countries possess radiation therapy centers. Radiation, the most common cancer treatment, is not available to those in 29 African nations unless they can travel abroad. In the last 20 years, cancer cases have doubled in the continent.
Cancer Care in Mauritius
In May 2021, the Mauritian government announced to establish two new hospitals, designed to specialize in cancer care by late 2022. These are the now-operational and internationally recognized cancer centers, Coromandel Hospital and the St. Helene Clinic. Groupe Filatex, an energy company based in Madagascar funded the project. The company provided the estimated funding of $50 million to PolyClinique De L’Ouest Ltee to execute the project. The new centers have provided 230 beds dedicated to cancer patients and their treatment. Prior to this intervention, cancer care in Mauritius struggled to meet demand, with only one radiotherapy and oncology center available.
In 2019, cancer was the third most common cause of death for Mauritians, accounting for approximately 12.8% of mortalities that year. In recent years, the Mauritius National Cancer Registry has recorded an increase in cancer diagnoses for both men and women. The five most common types of cancer in Mauritian men are prostate, colorectal, lung, stomach and lymphoma. Among the nation’s women, the most common types of cancer are breast, uterus, colorectal, ovary and cervix uteri.
The Mauritian government has announced more projects to build on the success of the existing cancer centers. In 2022, the government decided to invest in another state-of-the-art cancer hospital, this time in Solferino. The new center will provide treatment with the use of technologies such as 3-D conformal Radiotherapy, Image-Guided Radiation Therapy and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy. The radiology unit will have X-ray, CT-scan, MRI, echography and mammography machines and the hospital will include stem cell and bone marrow transplant units.
Looking Ahead
Mauritius has already made considerable progress in improving cancer prevention and care. It has significantly reduced the number of cervical cancer cases through efforts like its HPV vaccination and screening program. The nation has also created a National Cancer Control Program (operating from 2022 to 2025) to support improvements in early diagnoses, research, treatment and palliative care. These efforts and trends offer hope for even more progress in the fight against cancer in Mauritius.
– Martha Probert
Photo: Wikimedia
The Work of the China Foundation for Rural Development
Malnutrition in Rural China
Although China has made significant progress in improving the standard of living across some regions, there are still remote communities, particularly in mountainous areas, where great income disparities remain. Responsible for managing 95% of the cultivated land, more than 200 million smallholder farmers work across this vast rural landscape, producing most of the food consumed across China.
In 2014, UNICEF reported that 20 million Chinese children lived in poverty, based on the official poverty standard of $1.80 per person per day. Furthermore, just 10 years ago, 13 million children in China went unregistered and were unable to access basic but vital social services.
Malnutrition poses a significant threat to children growing up in rural communities. For almost half of them, three meals a day is a “luxury” and most have no choice but to survive on starch-based diets with little to no meat or vegetables. This results in deficiencies in energy, protein, calcium and vitamin A. Due to the enormous population size of China, statistics on child nutrition are nationally substantial.
The Work of the China Foundation for Rural Development
Having adopted the slogan “Persistence Brings Change,” the CFRD has the mission of helping “resource-deficient poor communities enhance their capacity for self-sustainability.” The organization aims to do this by improving basic conditions and standards of primary social service.
The CFRD has implemented numerous programs that address the issue of childhood malnutrition in rural communities across China. One of these is the Nutritious Meals Program, which improves nutrition in three stages: the production of nutritious meals, the establishment of “Love Kitchens” within rural schools and education in underdeveloped areas around the importance of nutrition.
The initiative includes a daily nutritional supplement for children during school hours, including one egg and one carton of milk. The standard Love Kitchen equipment is installed in schools and includes electric stoves, rice steamers, disinfection cabinets and exhaust fans. In addition, the program provides nutrition training and education regarding malnutrition.
The Nutritious Meals Program operates in 17 provinces across China, including Sichuan, Yunnan and Hubei. The program has also had an international influence, with similar food programs running in Cambodia and Ghana to aid students.
Impact of the China Foundation for Rural Development
Since 2008, the CFRD has provided more than 1 million students with around 57 million nutritious meals. The organization has also established 2,172 Love Kitchens in many provinces across China. Moreover, it has provided 762,000 nutritious meal packages for 605,000 people in 20 provinces.
The Give2Asia website tells the story of Alimunisa, one of the children who have benefited from the work of the organization. The fourth grader from Aktau County comes from a low-income household (yearly income equating to about $775) that is registered as one of the “poor households in China.” Alimunisa says the household meals rarely contain meat or vegetables. She, therefore, “looks forward to school where she eats meals she wouldn’t normally get at home. Her favorites are the marinated chicken eggs and milk donated by the Nutritious Meals Program.” The nutritious meals have made “school more enjoyable” and also improved Alimunisa’s academic performance.
Looking Ahead
In 2004, the CFRD began expanding its work to include other countries. In these nations, its work includes responses to natural disasters or extreme weather events. With CFRD programs, children across China and other nations have a better chance of escaping poverty and living a higher quality of life.
– Bethan Marsden
Photo: Flickr