Ukraine has been suffering since Feb. 24, 2022, due to Vladimir Putin’s attack. Despite the ongoing conflict, it can be seen how foreign aid is helping Ukraine, with record-breaking support from all over the world.
Humanitarian Aid
There was a 13.1% increase in Official Development Assistance (ODA) following the Ukraine attack, as developed countries began offering aid. It is one of the biggest increases ever in ODA. That’s a total of $16.1 billion in comparison to 2021’s $918 million. Humanitarian aid has been donated in many ways from many countries, an example of which can be admired through the organisation British Ukrainian Aid.
British Ukrainian Aid is a grassroots charity that sees 100% of its donations go towards supplying essential equipment and support to “emergency and relief operations” in Ukraine. All employees are volunteers who surrender their free time to the projects of British Ukrainian Aid. A £100 donation will purchase a First Aid Kit, while £8,000 buys an ambulance. Donations can be put towards other pieces of equipment including tourniquets, portable generators, and ready-heat blankets (with temperatures dropping below freezing, cold weather equipment is growing more critical). So far, the charity has inspired enough donations to provide Ukraine with 26,086 First Aid Kits, 108 ambulances, 26,583 tourniquets, 11 portable generators and 1,038 ready-heat blankets.
Military Support
The United States has donated $46.6 billion in military aid to Ukraine since February 2022, making it the country that has pledged the most military aid to Ukraine. The United Kingdom comes in second with £5.1 billion, however, both donations amount to approximately 0.2% of each country’s Global Domestic Product (GDP). Relatively, it can be argued that Ukraine’s neighbours, though smaller in size and sum, have provided more military assistance. Estonia donated 1.1% of its GDP and Latvia 0.9% of its GDP. An example of how these countries are offering their aid can be conveyed through a training programme created by the UK: Operation Interflex.
Operation Interflex provides a five-week training course for Ukrainian military personnel at a secret location in England. The goal is to equip 30,000 Ukrainian soldiers with the basics of British infantry skills. So far, around 7,400 have undergone training, with another 1,900 currently in the midst of it. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced on Nov. 9, 2022 that returning Ukrainian soldiers would be provided with the following:
– Extreme cold weather kits and clothing
– Heavy duty sleeping bags
– Insulated tents
– Combat clothing, body armour and ear defence
– First aid kits
Shelter To Ukrainians
Since the war began, thousands of Ukrainians have fled into the welcoming arms of developed countries. Italy has taken in over 100,000 refugees, finding space through the sufficient strategy of “seizing over 40,000 properties from the Mafia, as part of their anti-corruption campaign.” Alice Parma, mayor of Santarcangelo, shares her belief that providing shelter for refugees in such houses would redeem their violent history. She stated, “By giving them social value, we are also helping resolve darker elements of our town’s past.”
The top three countries housing the most refugees are:
– Poland: 2,451,342
– Romania: 643,058
– Republic of Moldova: 394,740
Russian Anti-War Committee
Ask the majority of Russians and they would disagree with the statement they are at war with Ukraine. It is their belief that the attack on Ukraine is Vladimir Putin’s alone. In opposition to the war started by Putin, the Russian Anti-War Committee was formed. The committee primarily shows their support for Ukraine through continuous protests against their president. Recently, tens of thousands of Russians took part in a protest on February 2023. The Russian Anti-War Committee website states, “It was not the Russians who started this war, but a mad dictator. But it is our civic duty to do everything we can to stop it.”
Conclusion
As Ukraine continues to suffer under Vladimir Putin’s attack, it is comforting to acknowledge how foreign aid is helping Ukraine. Aid from around the world was quick to kick into action. The only hope now is that it continues to grow.
– Jenny Boxall
Photo: Flickr
Polio Outbreak in Burundi
Public Health Emergency
The polio outbreak in Burundi constitutes a national health emergency, as poliovirus is extremely contagious. Since its first detection, health authorities have also confirmed five environmental samples of poliovirus type 2 in the wastewater.
Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, praises Burundi health authorities’ fast virus detection in a WHO press release. “The detection of the circulating poliovirus type 2 shows the effectiveness of the country’s disease surveillance. Polio is highly infectious and timely action is critical in protecting children through effective vaccination,” said Dr. Moeti.
How It Started
Poliovirus is transmitted through contaminated water and food. The virus lives in a person’s throat and intestines and spreads through fecal contamination. Early detection of cases is imperative to prevent the viral disease from spreading, as it is extremely contagious.
There are three types of wild poliovirus (WPV): types 1, 2 and 3. The symptoms of poliovirus often look similar to the flu and usually, last two to five days, though symptoms can be worse. Paralysis is associated with the most severe cases.
According to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), and echoed in the WHO’s press release, the cases detected from the polio outbreak in Burundi are “circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2).”
The GPEI explains cVDPVs as variants of the poliovirus that can occur as a result of low vaccination rates among children. GPEI informs that areas with poor sanitation and low immunization rates can develop cVDPVs.
According to GPEI, the prevention of cVDPVs outbreaks is possible through immunization campaigns and the immunization of all eligible children. Previous efficient vaccination campaigns have alleviated the outbreak. The GPEI states “the vaccine continues to be a safe, effective tool for outbreak response across the continent.”
Addressing the Outbreak
Since the Burundian government declared a state of public health emergency on March 17, they’re aiming to provide and administer vaccines to as many children under age seven as possible. The vaccine campaign is a necessary step in stopping the outbreak.
According to the CDC, the oral polio vaccine (OPV) and inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) prevent poliovirus infections. OPV contains a weakened version of one of the three types of poliovirus: IPV protects against all three poliovirus types, and contains no live virus.
Both the WHO and GPEI are assisting the Burundi health authorities in contact tracing and risk assessment to prevent a further outbreak in Burundi and nearby nations. Early detection of the virus is essential in containing the illness before it can spread. Burundi health authorities’ quick detection of the outbreak allowed the WHO and GPEI to begin contact tracing and rolling out vaccines efficiently. This efficiency since its first detection means that Burundi, the WHO and GPEI are in a great position to address the outbreak before it worsens.
Curbing the outbreak of polio before it spreads could save the lives of countless people in the country. And with the help of vaccines and other organizations intent on mitigating polio’s effects, those experiencing poverty in Burundi can look to the future with hope.
– Maya Steele
Photo: Flickr
Tackling Mental Health In Singapore
Social Media and Mental Health
The correlation between social media usage and poor mental health predictors traditionally found general agreement in the idea that too much social media could lead to anxiety and/or depression. However, recent research from Harvard University indicates that our collective perception of social media as “all bad” may be false. Rather, the study argues that it has to do more with how you use social media and the way you perceive your interactions on and off the platforms. While many have commented on the widespread de-stigmatization of mental health issues as real and equally as important and valid as physical health issues, the Asian stereotype of mental health issues as unimportant or irrelevant still poses a problem for this new generation of Singaporeans.
Singapore and Mental Health
In 2020, “‘The Samaritans of Singapore (SOS), a suicide prevention organization, received over 39,000 calls for help – an 18% increase from the year before.” This indicates a rising need for mental health support in Singapore as a result of concerted efforts to isolate during the pandemic. In addition, The Straits Times reported in a 2021 article that seven out of 10 mental health organizations experienced a 20-60% increase in queries and mental health crises due to the COVID-19 pandemic. What’s more, Singapore’s labor force is exhausted. In a study for Milieu Insight, in partnership with Intellect, they found that though Singaporeans tend to work less, they also report the lowest levels of engagement and job satisfaction than their regional counterparts. Beyond engagement and job satisfaction, Singaporeans also rank the highest for negative reports on the average quality of sleep and overall enjoyment of life.
Many of these issues have contributed significantly to the persistent wage gap in Singapore, as they arise before an individual has the chance to establish themselves academically or in a vocation. In Singapore, many of those who suffer from mental illness do not have mental health care from the insurance plan Medishield, and “rely solely on Medifund (a default support mechanism).” Unfortunately, Medifund does not receive adequate funding from taxpayers who are fearful of those with mental illness. Facing discrimination and limited access to health care, those with mental health issues and low income exist in a situation that perpetuates. Additionally, those who suffer from mental health issues can quickly devolve into poverty without adequate support and/or funding.
Singapore Wellness Hub
To combat this, TikTok launched a new Singapore Wellness Hub in honor of World Mental Health Month, which aims to combat anxiety and uncertainty through education and action-oriented solutions. In essence, its focus is on creating safe spaces that allow for community building and the sharing of personal experiences. Launched in October 2021, the platform offers three distinct offerings. Under its ‘Wellness Matters’ section, users can access techniques grounded in positive psychology principles, like breathing or body awareness exercises, relaxation techniques and tips for visualizing safe spaces. Under its ‘Stories’ section, users have the opportunity to share their experiences through the platform’s short-form video capability.
Lastly, under the app’s ‘Support Helpline’ section, users can reach out to various nonprofit organizations, and various helplines like SOS that are easily accessible through the hub. Its impact has been huge and many influencers like Skincarebyhyram, Lewis Howes and Dr. Alex George have found their niches within the Wellness space on TikTok as well, making it a great place for users and content creators alike.
Looking Forward
While it may be too soon to determine the effect that TikTok’s new Wellness Hub may have on the status of mental health in Singapore, it is a good first step. As high-traffic platforms like TikTok begin to create spaces on their apps where people find accurate information about mental health and well-being, there exists a collective de-stigmatization of mental health and a fostering of community and belonging. These improve mental health and subsequently lower global poverty rates. Therefore, while there is more work to be done, a coming-together of organizations is a great first step in educating communities where mental health is heavily stigmatized and stereotyped. Addressing the link between mental health and poverty is necessary in combating global poverty rates across the world.
– Julia Shanta
Photo: Flickr
Countries with blue economy strategies
The blue economy sits at the nexus of people and the environment. Although people have lived in coastal environments and utilized ocean resources for millennia, the blue economy represents a consolidated and conscious sustainable development strategy that aims to incorporate the ocean into all levels of the economy – from local to national.
10 Countries Incorporating the Blue Economy into Their Development Strategies
Realizing the Potential
These 10 countries provide only a tiny cross-section of the blue economy landscape emerging across the world. Countries are realizing the ocean’s potential to alleviate coastal poverty and lift overall economic performance. Strategies already in place and being developed will help pave the way to better global ocean management with benefits for both people and the environment.
– Amy McAlpine
Photo: Flickr
Fetal Monitoring Prevents Neonatal Deaths in Developing Countries
AI has seen a particular rise in the technology sector with Elon Musk’s self driving Tesla vehicles and programs such as ChatGPT, which boasts its conversations can sound human-like.
Now, with the help of PeriGen, Inc, Baylor College of Medicine and the Area 25 Community Hospital, artificial intelligence has developed a new skill: saving lives with AI-powered fetal monitoring.
Malawians Need Change in Prenatal Health Care
One in every 200 Malawian women dies when delivering a baby, and 2-6% of babies die during delivery both inside and outside of the womb. This is said to be due to a low nurse-to-patient ratio, with midwives struggling to continuously monitor babies within the womb and manage full labor wards.
The nurse-to-patient ratio within Malawi was, as of 2015, just one third of the WHO’s recommended 10 nurses for every 10,000 people. In the same 2015 study, Malawian nurses cited a lack of resources and high workloads as a challenge.
Malawi and other developing countries often do not have access to scanning technology and rely on physical methods of monitoring development, such as physical examination. This can sometimes give incorrect measurements. If these measurements are incorrect and a baby is not developing correctly, this increases the risk of stillbirth or neonatal death.
With the help of AI, however, these struggles may become a thing of the past.
Fetal Monitoring Results in Decreased Stillbirths
PeriGen’s fetal monitoring software continuously scans vitals and notifies clinicians immediately if there is any change in the patterns. This allows for timely treatment. In addition to giving details on labor progression, it monitors vitals for both mother and child.
The software tracks hundreds of patients at a time, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Currently in place in the Area 25 Community Hospital in Malawi, the monitoring works by capturing patient data at the bedside, and then transmitting this data to PeriGen’s Houston headquarters. There, it is assessed before being transferred back to Malawi in an instant. PeriGen’s software allows for care to extend across many hospital sites at once, and reaches many patients.
Results of the software appear promising. Head nurse at the hospital, Dziwenji Makombe, says that the AI monitoring tool is “the best … strategy” to prevent stillbirths. The hospital saw a 75% reduction in stillbirths and early neonatal deaths.
There is hope that this software can be used across other developing countries with similarly promising results. Not only will this fetal monitoring tool reduce neonatal deaths, but it will help to decrease poverty.
When people live in areas where child mortality rates are low and the child can survive, they have fewer children. Less overpopulation means less poverty.
If this software continues to be effective, it will become a beacon of hope to other developing countries besides Malawi. It can save the lives of newborn children and expectant mothers residing there.
– Chloe Jenkins
Photo: Flickr
Law and Fragility in Yemen
Explaining the Civil War
The civil war, which is still ongoing, reflects years of religious insurgency, revolution and divide between the north and south of the country. Houthi Rebels took over the capital city of Sanaa in 2014 in the north and have been driving into southern provinces since 2015, with support from the Iranian Government. Although there has been no direct Iranian intervention, Tehran has been able to extend its influence within Yemen as a result of the civil war, leading to the international community seeing the conflict as a microcosm of Saudi-Iranian tension. In response to the usurpation of then-Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi in 2015, a Saudi-led international coalition launched military operations in order to restore the Yemeni government, utilizing air strikes in the country’s northern territories.
Collateral Damage
From this period onwards life for Yemeni civilians hangs in the balance. Sieges and blockades from both sides of the war have resulted in mass loss of life, as territory and victory have trumped local communities, families and children. Yet this story which began in 2014 and is without end even today, has not rang loud enough in the international community: The civil war in Yemen still bears the name “The Forgotten War.”
U.N. estimates have calculated over 130,000 deaths as a result of shortages of food, health services and a lack of authority and law in the country, all the indirect causes of war. UNFPA has labeled this civilian struggle as “one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises,” yet it seems that NGOs have little effect on the ongoing situation. Sky’s Alex Crawford reported on the law and fragility in Yemen, showing civilians having to sell foreign aid goods to starving crowds, none of which can afford the illegally enforced prices.
Progress
In April 2022 the U.N. brokered a truce which allowed fuel imports into Houthi-held areas as well as the re-opening of some commercial flights from the capital’s airport. However, by October Houthi representatives refused U.N. proposals to extend the truce and march further towards more concrete peace talks.
With more than 20 million people in need of humanitarian assistance and millions of civilians displaced, things were -and are still- looking bleak. Law and fragility remain the key concern of international cohorts. Yet there are people on the ground addressing poverty-stricken communities in Yemen, with national charities taking the initiative to provide necessary funds to lift people’s living conditions.
In January 2023, Qatar Charity announced its plans to donate rapid financial assistance to vulnerable households in Yemen. Qatar Charity will provide the International Organization for Migration with $500,000 to help more than 10,000 poverty-stricken Yemenis.
Furthermore, there may be promising diplomatic events unfolding: In March 2023, Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to reopen their respective embassies within two months and re-establish diplomatic relations. This is good news. It remains to be seen how good, yet there is unquestionably renewed momentum on both sides, as the United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg, told at the U.N. Security Council Meeting: “We are currently witnessing renewed regional diplomatic momentum, as well as a step change in the scope and depth of the discussions.” Economic decline drives humanitarian disaster, if the renewed Saudi-Iranian detente can produce anything resembling peace, if talks between Saudis and Houthis could take place, then Yemen’s economy may react positively, allowing for NGOs like the U.N to operate safely and help Yemen’s poor, driving the change that the country so desperately needs.
The Future
The Yemeni Civil War has largely been neglected by the international community, blocking off NGOs’ routes to the country’s poor. The civil war is largely man-made, meaning the international community could do more to tackle poverty and food insecurity. The renewal of Iran-Saudi relations marks a decisive step in the restoration of law, as well as progress in tackling economic and political fragility in Yemen. Islamic Relief provides food aid to 2 million Yemenis a month, progress in Iran-Saudi relations will only boost the efficacy of organizations such as this.
– George Somper
Photo: Flickr
Health Care in Sri Lanka Calls on International Aid
Sri Lanka imports 85% of its medical supplies. With the foreign currency reserves running low, essentials are becoming hard to obtain.
As the health care system is “nearing collapse,” patients are at risk due to shortages in equipment, medication and power. The United Nations News gave readers a first-hand experience from Ruchika, a pregnant Sri Lankan who has to scavenge for essentials. In her story, she explains what it is like to try to obtain fuel for a trip to the hospital and the possibility of her having to search for supplies to have a safe birth.
Exacerbating Health Crisis in Sri Lanka
The health crisis in Sri Lanka is draining doctors, leaving them to prepare for the worst. Without international help, they fear a health catastrophe is approaching soon.
The largest doctor’s union on the island, the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA), calls on international outlets to donate supplies and places the blame for the health crisis in Sri Lanka on poor economic and financial management. The GMOA published a list of items the country’s health sector desperately needed, such as antibiotics, antidepressants, paracetamol and blood pressure medicine.
As supply numbers drop, medical staff in Sri Lanka are involuntarily suspending non-essential procedures. Low supplies force medical staff to reuse and ration equipment, which can raise sanitary concerns, placing many at risk.
Response to the Crisis
This health crisis in Sri Lanka has forced tens of thousands to protest as food and fuel prices skyrocket. Doctors, nurses and medical students are joining in these demonstrations as they are also frustrated with the government stating that they can’t speak openly to the media about the situation.
To respond to the escalating health crisis in Sri Lanka, the World Health Organization (WHO) is working to help the health care system. The WHO supports the delivery of essentials to “sustain the availability of critical lifesaving medical care for all.” This support is accomplished through financial assistance and donations of medications and supplies worth $7.1 million in 2022. The organization also provided an additional $1.5 million with assistance from the U.S. Department of State. The funding helps strengthen the Sri Lankan health care system.
Sri Lanka still faces a pressing demand to import essential medicine and supplies as well as help from partners.
Sri Lanka has a long way to go before it can reobtain its title as a role model for health and development. However, it is possible if international aid continues to help.
– Brianna Green
Photo: Flickr
Digital Innovation in the Philippines
In 2020, when COVID-19 hit the Philippines, it highlighted the need for improved digital infrastructure across the country to aid in its economic recovery. However, it was evident that many individuals and businesses had poor internet connectivity and usage. To recover from the financial impact of COVID-19 and work toward a vision of a poverty-free society by 2040, the Philippines aimed to harness the potential of an efficient digital infrastructure that would transform how the country conducted business.
The Digital Divide
In the Philippines, over half of the population is considered internet-poor due to the Digital Divide. This factors in their ability to afford the minimum mobile phone package, which means that more than 58 million Filipinos cannot purchase one gigabyte of mobile data per month.
The Philippines aimed to initiate a new era of digital innovation, which required connecting most rural households to the internet and promoting its use to achieve an inclusive, productive digital economy. This would also support the country’s goal of significantly reducing poverty.
Policies to Facilitate the Digital Economy
In a bid to provide internet connectivity throughout the country, the government focused on creating an affordable, efficient and accessible digital infrastructure for both businesses and individuals. These policies aimed to make the use of digital markets accessible and cost-effective. Also, the government had to encourage the adoption of digital platforms in a country that had traditionally relied on analog methods of doing business. The following are strategies the government implemented to achieve the digital economy goals.
Impacts so Far
Looking at the everyday lives of Filipinos can offer some insights into the impact of Digital Innovation in the Philippines. For decades, the Digital Divide caused significant inequalities in access to social and economic services. In recent times, however, there have been hopes of minimizing or alleviating such inequalities through ongoing efforts.
For many of the country’s citizens, better internet access opens up the paths to socio-economic opportunities in the online world. And this also applies to those living in rural areas.
The economic significance of improved digital infrastructure is also evident in the steady increase of the Digital Economy’s GDP share value. Digital innovation in the Philippines has led to more inclusive and productive growth, encouraging greater participation from previously excluded individuals. Additionally, opening new markets for people and SMEs has increased cash flows, pushing the country closer to its goal of reducing poverty.
Google services, specifically Google Pay and Google Ads, have also played a significant role in digital innovation in the Philippines by providing businesses and workers with IT training and safe internet practices. Their services have been said to have had a prominent influence on the country’s financial economy post-pandemic.
The Future of Digitalization
Digital innovation in the Philippines continues to positively impact the country’s economy by equipping individuals and businesses with digital capabilities while connecting different regions to broader international markets. It is also promoting the use of e-commerce platforms, leading to higher productivity and inclusivity. While it is yet to fulfill the goal of creating a poverty-free Filipino society, the results so far signal hope for the future.
– Ariana Mortazavi
Photo: Flickr
How Foreign Aid Is Helping Ukraine
Humanitarian Aid
There was a 13.1% increase in Official Development Assistance (ODA) following the Ukraine attack, as developed countries began offering aid. It is one of the biggest increases ever in ODA. That’s a total of $16.1 billion in comparison to 2021’s $918 million. Humanitarian aid has been donated in many ways from many countries, an example of which can be admired through the organisation British Ukrainian Aid.
British Ukrainian Aid is a grassroots charity that sees 100% of its donations go towards supplying essential equipment and support to “emergency and relief operations” in Ukraine. All employees are volunteers who surrender their free time to the projects of British Ukrainian Aid. A £100 donation will purchase a First Aid Kit, while £8,000 buys an ambulance. Donations can be put towards other pieces of equipment including tourniquets, portable generators, and ready-heat blankets (with temperatures dropping below freezing, cold weather equipment is growing more critical). So far, the charity has inspired enough donations to provide Ukraine with 26,086 First Aid Kits, 108 ambulances, 26,583 tourniquets, 11 portable generators and 1,038 ready-heat blankets.
Military Support
The United States has donated $46.6 billion in military aid to Ukraine since February 2022, making it the country that has pledged the most military aid to Ukraine. The United Kingdom comes in second with £5.1 billion, however, both donations amount to approximately 0.2% of each country’s Global Domestic Product (GDP). Relatively, it can be argued that Ukraine’s neighbours, though smaller in size and sum, have provided more military assistance. Estonia donated 1.1% of its GDP and Latvia 0.9% of its GDP. An example of how these countries are offering their aid can be conveyed through a training programme created by the UK: Operation Interflex.
Operation Interflex provides a five-week training course for Ukrainian military personnel at a secret location in England. The goal is to equip 30,000 Ukrainian soldiers with the basics of British infantry skills. So far, around 7,400 have undergone training, with another 1,900 currently in the midst of it. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced on Nov. 9, 2022 that returning Ukrainian soldiers would be provided with the following:
– Extreme cold weather kits and clothing
– Heavy duty sleeping bags
– Insulated tents
– Combat clothing, body armour and ear defence
– First aid kits
Shelter To Ukrainians
Since the war began, thousands of Ukrainians have fled into the welcoming arms of developed countries. Italy has taken in over 100,000 refugees, finding space through the sufficient strategy of “seizing over 40,000 properties from the Mafia, as part of their anti-corruption campaign.” Alice Parma, mayor of Santarcangelo, shares her belief that providing shelter for refugees in such houses would redeem their violent history. She stated, “By giving them social value, we are also helping resolve darker elements of our town’s past.”
The top three countries housing the most refugees are:
– Poland: 2,451,342
– Romania: 643,058
– Republic of Moldova: 394,740
Russian Anti-War Committee
Ask the majority of Russians and they would disagree with the statement they are at war with Ukraine. It is their belief that the attack on Ukraine is Vladimir Putin’s alone. In opposition to the war started by Putin, the Russian Anti-War Committee was formed. The committee primarily shows their support for Ukraine through continuous protests against their president. Recently, tens of thousands of Russians took part in a protest on February 2023. The Russian Anti-War Committee website states, “It was not the Russians who started this war, but a mad dictator. But it is our civic duty to do everything we can to stop it.”
Conclusion
As Ukraine continues to suffer under Vladimir Putin’s attack, it is comforting to acknowledge how foreign aid is helping Ukraine. Aid from around the world was quick to kick into action. The only hope now is that it continues to grow.
– Jenny Boxall
Photo: Flickr
Addressing Homelessness in South Africa
Unemployment Rates in South Africa
Unemployment rates in South Africa have increased in recent years, rising from 24.3% in 2020 to 28.8% in 2021. With scarce employment opportunities to secure an income, people are plunged into poverty. This, in turn, leads to higher rates of homelessness in South Africa at large. A survey conducted by the Unit for Street Homelessness at the University of Pretoria in collaboration with the Tshwane Homelessness Forum and the City of Tshwane in October 2022 found that unemployment was the primary reason for the high number of homeless people in the City of Tshwane, Pretoria.
The Role of Apartheid
The apartheid era plays a significant role in the issues of homelessness and landlessness that have been affecting South Africans. During apartheid, the government forcibly removed non-whites from their lands and pushed them into subpar neighborhoods known as “townships.”
But, decades since the abolishment of apartheid, “land distribution and economic inequity remain unresolved,” Africanews reports. Since 1994, the end of the apartheid era and the beginning of the first democratic elections, the South African government has been trying to address the housing crisis by providing low-income families with homes funded by the state. The government has constructed more than 3 million low-cost houses since the end of apartheid to address the need for housing, but the affordable housing shortage still amounts to about 3.7 million houses.
Close to 13% of South Africans live in shacks or informal settlements, according to 2019 data from the government. People from rural areas have migrated to urban city centers for better job opportunities and access to quality schooling and health care services. But, the infrastructure in these cities has struggled to keep up with increasing population numbers.
Homelessness in South Africa’s Two Wealthiest Cities
South Africa is a country of great economic disparity. Johannesburg, located in the North East of the country, is the country’s wealthiest city. Cape Town, nestled on the West Coast, is the country’s second-richest city. Together, the cities share a private wealth of more than $400 billion.
Despite their wealth, rates of homelessness in Johannesburg and Cape Town are high. Johannesburg has an estimated 15,000 rough sleepers, according to local media outlet GroundUp, and Cape Town has more than 5,000 homeless people. Unemployment rates and a lack of adequate and affordable housing for the poor in these cities contribute to the unequal distribution of wealth, made visible on the streets. South Africa has the largest gap between rich and poor in the world. According to TIME magazine in 2021, 85% of the country’s wealth is owned by the wealthiest 10% of the population, a result of apartheid as “the world’s most egregious racial divide has turned into its most extreme economic disparity.”
Taking Action
A remedy to homelessness in South Africa is affordable housing and accessible shelters, particularly in Johannesburg and Cape Town. The Johannesburg Homelessness Network is a charity that offers a space to stay for homeless people in the city. The organization takes a multidimensional approach to helping the homeless, providing mental health support and medical care as well as shelter.
Launched in 2018, Cape Town’s program, Safe Spaces, also offers low-cost, secure shelter for the homeless and access to basic health services and amenities. The City of Cape Town plans to commit R77 million in 2023 and R230 million for the next three years, totaling a 62% increase in funding, toward the Safe Spaces program to help homeless residents, according to Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.
Considering the facts, consistent government efforts could prove vital in alleviating poverty and homelessness in South Africa and enable affected citizens to access better living standards.
– Eloïse Jones
Photo: Flickr
SCOPE Cards for Success
How the Cards Work
To receive a SCOPE card, individuals are required to provide basic personal information such as name, age, gender and biometric data in the form of a fingerprint. This helps the WFP keep track of recipients, prevent fraudulent activities like duplicate cards or false identities and ensure that resources reach the intended parties. When collecting monthly allowances using the SCOPE card, recipients use their fingerprints and personal codes for verification. The cards work for withdrawals in the form of cash or digital vouchers and beneficiaries can also use mobile phones to complete transactions.
Every time a beneficiary makes a purchase in a store using a SCOPE card, the system establishes an electronic connection to verify the individual’s identity, records the transaction and deducts the cost from the balance. This process also provides the WFP with valuable feedback on the purchased foods and products, enabling them to adapt and respond to needs and deliver consistent support efficiently.
SCOPE in Somalia
In response to ongoing severe droughts in Somalia, which displaced almost one million individuals and left more than three million people seeking humanitarian aid, the European Union (EU) and its Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Department (ECHO) gave the WFP almost €18 million to use as financial aid in 2017.
Initially, over 40,000 families received support through e-vouchers for food. The subsequent introduction of SCOPE cards and monthly cash withdrawals has given individuals more freedom in choosing how they spend and provided new investment opportunities in areas like education and healthcare.
The WFP shares success stories such as Habiba’s, who struggled to earn $8 a month from occasional washing jobs she found after being forced to move to Mogadishu. However, the $80 a month she receives from ECHO is now a “lifeline” for her. Moreover, the “added value of supporting and stimulating local trade in areas where markets continue to function” offers promise for individuals, families and communities.
SCOPE in Iraq
SCOPE has also been implemented in Iraq to support the over three million conflict-displaced citizens alongside thousands of Syrian refugees. With more than $32 million in funding from ECHO, the project launched in the northern Kurdish region of Akre, a hotspot of Syrian and Iraqi families seeking shelter. Iraq’s WFP Country Director hailed the program as a “turning point.”
WFP’s SCOPE cards, cash and vouchers and food collection points have made significant progress in alleviating food insecurity and enabling families to prioritize other needs during times of crisis. Currently, 70,000 Syrian refugees and nearly half of all displaced Iraqis are receiving WFP assistance.
Looking Ahead
SCOPE cards show how new technologies and innovative systems can constantly improve the reach and efficiency of efforts that aim to alleviate hunger and poverty. The WFP continues to roll out initiatives in refugee camps and other places around the world, giving underserved populations access to the support they need.
– Helene Schlichter
Photo: Flickr