Malawi is a landlocked Southeast African country that borders Zambia, the United Republic of Tanzania and Mozambique. With an estimated population of 21,279,597 in 2023, the country is rife with poverty and has experienced stagnation in progress due to low education completion rates, slow infrastructure reform and the recurrent shocks of drought and flooding. High dependency on low-yield subsistence agriculture has resulted in high rates of food insecurity and limited the country’s potential for economic growth. Furthermore, limited investment in health care infrastructure, especially in isolated rural areas, has increased the population’s vulnerability to disease: in 2011, there were 1.3 hospital beds per 1,000 people and, as of 2020, Malawi’s health expenditure accounted for only 5.4% of its GDP.
Consequently, many in Malawi are at great risk of contracting and suffering from infectious diseases, including food and waterborne illnesses and diseases transmitted by animals. Malaria, typhoid and cholera are three of the most predominant diseases impacting Malawi. Fortunately, there has been ongoing progress in improving health care services in Malawi and reducing the spread of disease.
Malaria in Malawi
A life-threatening tropical disease, Malaria is caused by one of five species of parasites that can be transmitted to humans through infected mosquitos. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the primary symptoms include fevers and headaches. However, without fast and effective treatment, the disease can lead to more serious symptoms, including anemia, respiratory dysfunction and organ failure, resulting in death.
Difficulty in recognizing the primary symptoms of malaria has contributed to its fast spread. Like other countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Malawi is highly susceptible to malaria outbreaks because much of the population depends on agriculture for income, and farmland and irrigation systems can provide favorable breeding habitats for mosquitos. Climate change is exacerbating the threat of malaria as rising temperatures, rainfall and humidity enable mosquitos to breed in new areas. Additionally, anti-malarial drug resistance, alongside mosquito resistance to insecticides, continues to increase, making it exceedingly difficult to prevent and eradicate the disease.
According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), “in 2021, there were 247 million malaria cases globally that led to 619,000 deaths in total.” Highlighting the inordinate risk that malaria poses in Malawi, the World Bank recorded 219.2 malaria infections per every 1,000 Malawian people in 2021. More recently, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) clarified, in its 2023 Malaria Operational Plan for Malawi, that the country’s entire population is at risk, with a projected 9,692,000 malaria cases afflicting the country in 2023.
However, there have been growing efforts to tackle the threat. In addition to USAID’s initiatives, scientists from Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and Lancaster University are collaborating to fight the spread of malaria in Malawi using drones. By collecting aerial data, they are able to identify, predict and reduce mosquito breeding sites, thus reducing the number of malaria infections.
Typhoid Fever in Malawi
Typhoid fever is caused by ingesting the bacterium Salmonella Typhi, which multiplies in the human bloodstream. Easily contracted through contaminated food or water sources, the disease causes symptoms including chronic high fevers, headaches, nausea and diarrhea and, in severe cases, can be fatal. Poor sanitation and lack of access to safe water have made it prevalent in Malawi, recording an estimated 16,000 cases or more of typhoid each year. With children under the age of 15 accounting for about 64% of Malawi’s typhoid infections and 67% of its typhoid deaths as of 2017, increased drug resistance has made typhoid a growing concern in recent years.
A 2021 study found the WHO-prequalified Typbar-TCV vaccine to be not only longer-lasting and more effective than previous vaccines, but also 84% effective and safe for children that are six months and older. Accordingly, in 2022, the Malawian government launched a campaign to distribute the vaccine to all children between nine months and 15 years of age.
Cholera in Malawi
Cholera is another life-threatening disease that is transmitted by contaminated food or water, consequently posing a heightened threat to those who lack access to basic sanitation services and clean water supplies. While most infected people develop no or only mild symptoms, some become severely dehydrated due to vomiting and diarrhea, and this can cause death within hours if left untreated. Between March 3, 2022, and February 3, 2023, Malawi had 36,943 reported cases of cholera, with the outbreak causing a reported 1,210 deaths. Fortunately, oral rehydration solutions are effective for treating the disease, and improved hygiene and vaccinations can significantly reduce its spread. WHO and UNICEF have been supporting Malawi in the fight against cholera by promoting these and other forms of treatment and prevention.
For example, WHO has trained more than 800 health care workers to save lives and worked with Malawi’s Ministry of Health to increase surveillance of the disease, provide medical treatment and chlorinated water and improve community hygiene. UNICEF has provided water, sanitation and hygiene supplies and trained 480 Health Surveillance Assistants and community members to detect and report cases of cholera. Furthermore, the organization has supplied affected areas with cholera treatment kits. These include 25 Acute Watery Diarrhea kits, each of which can help treat over 2,000 cases. Working in conjunction with WHO and UNICEF, the Government of Malawi also initiated a national Oral Cholera Vaccination campaign that, as of August 2022, has helped provide life-saving vaccinations to around 1,136,643 people.
Looking Forward
These and other diseases impacting Malawi are placing pressure on the country’s limited health care services, with a lack of sanitation, clean water supplies and knowledge contributing to the escalation. While the situation urgently calls for further funding and support, WHO, UNICEF, the Malawian government and others are making steady progress in the fight to mitigate the spread of diseases in Malawi and alleviate the suffering of affected people.
– Isla Wright
Photo: Flickr
How War Impacts Education in Ukraine
The Impact of War on Education in Ukraine
The war has left children without the necessary education. During wartime, schools and other educational facilities became targets of Russian attacks. According to the official report of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, 3,246 educational institutions, including kindergartens and universities have been damaged. In Eastern Ukraine, the destruction is most significant. The most affected educational institutions are in the Zaporizhzhia region where Russians destroyed 175 institutions. Russian troops tore down 69 institutions in the Donetsk region, 52 in the Kharkiv region and 23 in the Kherson region.
Air raid sirens during the day force pupils to go to the basement and continue studying there. When classes are online there are problems with the Internet due to regular blackouts. The situation in the east of Ukraine is unstable. Russians force Ukrainian teachers to conduct classes in Russian language and narrative. As a result, parents preferably choose not to let their children go to classes.
Ongoing Efforts
As a part of a solution to help maintain an educational level in the country, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine launched an initiative that aims to support children and parents and ensure that every kid gets an opportunity to learn. UNICEF also made provisions for 1,000 schools across Ukraine and help each one get ready for the winter period.
Ukrainian volunteers together with the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine have launched SchoolToGo. The project is offering free online school classes to everyone from 1st to 11th grade. The lessons developed by the teachers and psychologists are fully accredited and comply with a basic school program. Also, SchoolToGo offers psychological support for children if they need it. SchoolToGo defines its mission as “so that every Ukrainian child, with the help of our platform, gets into a class with Ukrainian-speaking teachers and classmates again, and does not feel lonely.”
Looking Ahead
Despite the devastating impact of the war in Ukraine on education, ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Education, UNICEF, and volunteers aim to provide support and opportunities for children. Initiatives like “Together to Study” and SchoolToGo offer shelter goods, winter preparation and free online school classes to ensure access to education. These projects prioritize the well-being and academic development of Ukrainian children, striving to overcome the challenges posed by the conflict and promote a sense of community.
– Anna Konovalenko
Photo: Flickr
Women’s Rights in Chad
Outcomes for Women and Girls in Chad
Chad has the highest rates of child marriage in the world. 67% of girls in Chad were married before age 18 and 30% before age 15. As of 2013, the adolescent birth rate was 179.4 per 1,000 girls aged 15 years to 19 years. In 2018, 16.2% of women and girls (15 years to 49 years) were subject to physical and/or sexual violence and 34.1% of girls and women in the same age groups had undergone female genital mutilation.
Female genital mutilation or FGM is a widespread practice in Chad. Unfortunately, it is a practice that violates human rights, and is one that is carried out on infant and under-15-year-old girls. A nonprofit organization, 28 TOO MANY, works with communities in Chad with the highest number of cases. On the bright side, there has been some progress in alleviating the issue, with The Reproductive Health Law awaiting support from the office of the President. Efforts to reduce poverty have also yielded positive results. In addition, the in-work poverty rate dropped from 47 % in 2011 to 42 % in 2018. As of 2021, this figure stood at 41%. The figure continues to remain relatively high because women do not have access to dignified work. They engage in activities like procuring water, cooking meals and looking after husbands and children. Women rarely inherit properties, and they mostly depend on men for security and prosperity.
Ongoing Work
Various organizations work to help women and girls in their pursuit of security. CARE International, for example, seeks to provide economic justice to women through access to financial services. CARE International defines economic justice as the ‘right to economic resources’.
These resources target women entrepreneurs, who account for 31% to 38% of small to medium size enterprises in the global south. As a result of this program, 270,000 women in 11 countries have seen their average business earnings increase by 91%. The management of run-off water and the construction of weirs in Chad’s Sahel region is among ongoing efforts. The Sahel is a vast, semi-arid region in Africa. In times of low rainfall, the area becomes highly susceptible to famine. A weir is crucial in these circumstances, as it ensures effective water run-off and consistent water availability. Between 2012 and 2018, the project created 64 weirs. As a result, feed available for livestock has increased ‘significantly’ and grass now grows on arable land for ‘longer periods’. Millet yields have doubled and vegetable yields have risen 23%.
Looking Ahead
Through programs supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and UNICEF, efforts are underway to address gender-based violence and improve outcomes for women and girls in Chad. These initiatives aim to tackle issues such as child marriage, female genital mutilation and maternal deaths, providing girls with skills, information and services to challenge societal taboos and promote gender equality. Additionally, organizations like 28 TOO MANY and CARE International are working to combat practices like female genital mutilation and provide economic justice to women through access to financial services, contributing to positive changes in Chad.
– James Durbin
Photo: Flickr
The Fisherwomen Oyster Harvesting in Ghana
Fisherwomen in Ghana
Fisherwomen in Ghana traverse the estuarine habitats of marshes, mangrove swamps and tidal flats and gather the mangrove oysters that reside within their mud, sand and roots by hand. This manner of oyster harvesting is common in many West African countries, including Benin, Senegal and Guinea-Bissau. As most of the shore-based fishers who collect invertebrates like oysters are female — which is a global pattern — collection-based oyster fisheries are particularly important for the lives and livelihoods of women living in the coastal regions of developing countries. Therefore, the radical decline of Ghana’s oyster population, due to a combination of population growth, increased strain on resources and loss of habitats, has potentially devastating consequences.
Tackling the Problem
In response to the decline, the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID’s) Sustainable Fisheries Management Project (SFMP) has partnered with a local NGO, the Development Action Association, and the Ghana Fisheries Commission to tackle the problem. The initiative focuses on the communities of Tsokomey, Tetegu and Bortianor in the Densu Delta of the Greater Accra region, where much of Ghana’s oyster harvesting occurs. Providing on-the-ground support since 2016, the project has helped local harvesters establish the Densu Estuary Women’s Oyster Pickers Association (DOPA), an organization of more than 150 women who are working to restore oyster habitats and implement sustainable harvesting practices. By providing leadership training to DOPA members and educating them on oyster ecology, reproductive cycles and sustainable aquaculture management, the project is empowering fisherwomen in Ghana to protect the fisheries on which they depend.
Restoring Hope
Restoring local oyster fisheries is critical for sustaining Ghana’s coastal population. For instance, in the Greater Accra region, income from oyster harvesting accounts for an average of 45% of total household income. The harvested oysters are steamed and sold at the local market, and some even sell the shells for use in road construction, poultry grit and lime flour.
Furthermore, oysters are an important part of local diets, especially for women. For example, a 2022 study found that women in Ghana’s Bortianor/Tsokomey region consume up to 1,700 grams of oysters, which is equivalent to about 470 oysters, per month. High in iron, zinc, omega-3 and other fatty acids, oysters are a rich source of protein and nutrients. Their high iron content, specifically, has been shown to reduce the risk of developing anemia, a condition that is alarmingly prevalent in Ghana, especially among pregnant women. In fact, Ghana’s coastal regions have the lowest recorded rates of anemia in the country, with anemia afflicting 4% of the coastal population, as compared to 5% of the population in Ghana’s forest regions and 15% in its savannah regions.
While the loss of important oyster stocks poses a severe threat to both the health and livelihood of fisherwomen in Ghana, USAID and its partner organizations recognize the importance of protecting Ghana’s oyster fisheries and habitats. Its work to support local communities to bolster oyster harvesting in Ghana is also helping to restore hope for the future.
– Amy McAlpine
Photo: Flickr
7 facts about poverty in Kosovo
7 Facts about Poverty in Kosovo
NGO Efforts
There are NGOs working in Kosovo to help improve these poverty metrics. One example is Caritas, a Catholic humanitarian organization that provides various services to vulnerable groups, including the poor, elderly and children. The organization’s programs focus on education, health, social protection and emergency assistance. Originally becoming active in Kosovo in 1992 to help tackle one of Europe’s highest poverty rates, Caritas continued its commitment and now employs more than 600 people in the country.
Another NGO working in Kosovo is the Kosovar Gender Studies Center (KGSC). The KGSC’s work includes advocacy for gender-responsive policies, training and education on gender-related issues, and awareness-raising campaigns. KGSC collaborates with government institutions, civil society organizations and international partners to advance gender equality in Kosovo. Through its activities, KCGS aims to improve the status of women and girls, combat gender-based violence, increase women’s political participation and promote women’s economic empowerment. The KGSC advocates for paid maternity leave and increased child support, often providing those facilities themselves.
Looking Ahead
Despite the significant challenges Kosovo faces regarding poverty and economic instability, there are organizations like Caritas working tirelessly to make a positive impact. Its dedication, alongside other NGOs, offers a glimmer of hope for the future and the potential for positive change in the lives of those affected by poverty in Kosovo.
– John Cordner
Photo: Pixabay
A Look at Elderly Poverty in Portugal
The Problem
The older demographic faces problems that younger generations do not experience, including elderly poverty in Portugal. As of 2021, the nation saw 17% of elderly people at risk of poverty compared to its 16.4% national average. Older women tend to be more affected by poverty than men, but both carry extra and strenuous burdens.
Older citizens tend to be less engaged in social and cultural activities, and this can result in reduced life satisfaction. In 2021, more than a third of people in the country, aged 16 years or above, reported health problems that limited their participation in activities.
Poverty exacerbates this condition as those with limited resources have less access to basic needs like water, food and health care. Many live in a dependent state without any means to support themselves or provide an independent source of income. Based on data from the statistical office of the EU Eurostat, 37.2% of the elderly population was dependent in 2022.
Being dependent prevents elders from seeking new opportunities and keeps them sedentary.
When the family is impoverished, then the elderly has even less of a chance to get the help they need because care service costs increase with age.
Only 16.8% of Portugal’s elderly population said their health was good or very good. The majority reported their health as fair, bad or very bad with about a third in the latter categories.
According to a study by ScienceDirect, lower income in Portugal correlates with lower life, happiness and health. However, an interesting finding shows that elderly adults in Portugal have high satisfaction with life, even with poor health standards and diminished material wealth. Older Portuguese citizens went through dramatic socio-economic structural changes during the world wars and withstood the Estado Novo regime until 1974. These lifelong experiences contribute to the elderly population’s outlook that they have today, with higher living standards and incomes nationwide.
Future Outlook
Elderly poverty in Portugal will continue for future generations unless continued steps reverse it. Even though the citizenry is getting smaller, the elderly community will rise.
In 2011, Portugal addressed the United Nations (U.N.) under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, regarding “the rights of older persons.” The agency stood by its continued efforts to promote the safety, happiness and health of an aging country.
Senior programs make up a large share of government funding and are predicted to gain more support. As of 2021, old age made up 11.9% of total spending on social protection, which was the highest out of any other expenditure. This means more spending on pensions for the oldest citizens and attending to their special needs.
Portugal also has a financial support system for low-income recipients called Solidarity Supplement for the Elderly (CSI). Citizens are given financial assistance with incomes below the reference value of €488.21. The estimate paid to these recipients depends upon the difference between the reference value and the pensioner’s income. This allows for the most destitute people to receive more assistance.
More people are covered by the program than in past years. Previously, the reference value was lower at €438.21 which limits the scope of those covered. CSI now has a higher maximum and no longer considers children’s incomes when giving financial assistance.
Looking Ahead
There are challenges regarding elderly poverty in Portugal, but government programs and education on the problem aim to aid those in need. Recent improvements in the nation’s social assistance programs show a positive future for the elderly.
– Emma Ferschweiler
Photo: Flickr
Diseases Impacting Malawi
Consequently, many in Malawi are at great risk of contracting and suffering from infectious diseases, including food and waterborne illnesses and diseases transmitted by animals. Malaria, typhoid and cholera are three of the most predominant diseases impacting Malawi. Fortunately, there has been ongoing progress in improving health care services in Malawi and reducing the spread of disease.
Malaria in Malawi
A life-threatening tropical disease, Malaria is caused by one of five species of parasites that can be transmitted to humans through infected mosquitos. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the primary symptoms include fevers and headaches. However, without fast and effective treatment, the disease can lead to more serious symptoms, including anemia, respiratory dysfunction and organ failure, resulting in death.
Difficulty in recognizing the primary symptoms of malaria has contributed to its fast spread. Like other countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Malawi is highly susceptible to malaria outbreaks because much of the population depends on agriculture for income, and farmland and irrigation systems can provide favorable breeding habitats for mosquitos. Climate change is exacerbating the threat of malaria as rising temperatures, rainfall and humidity enable mosquitos to breed in new areas. Additionally, anti-malarial drug resistance, alongside mosquito resistance to insecticides, continues to increase, making it exceedingly difficult to prevent and eradicate the disease.
According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), “in 2021, there were 247 million malaria cases globally that led to 619,000 deaths in total.” Highlighting the inordinate risk that malaria poses in Malawi, the World Bank recorded 219.2 malaria infections per every 1,000 Malawian people in 2021. More recently, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) clarified, in its 2023 Malaria Operational Plan for Malawi, that the country’s entire population is at risk, with a projected 9,692,000 malaria cases afflicting the country in 2023.
However, there have been growing efforts to tackle the threat. In addition to USAID’s initiatives, scientists from Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and Lancaster University are collaborating to fight the spread of malaria in Malawi using drones. By collecting aerial data, they are able to identify, predict and reduce mosquito breeding sites, thus reducing the number of malaria infections.
Typhoid Fever in Malawi
Typhoid fever is caused by ingesting the bacterium Salmonella Typhi, which multiplies in the human bloodstream. Easily contracted through contaminated food or water sources, the disease causes symptoms including chronic high fevers, headaches, nausea and diarrhea and, in severe cases, can be fatal. Poor sanitation and lack of access to safe water have made it prevalent in Malawi, recording an estimated 16,000 cases or more of typhoid each year. With children under the age of 15 accounting for about 64% of Malawi’s typhoid infections and 67% of its typhoid deaths as of 2017, increased drug resistance has made typhoid a growing concern in recent years.
A 2021 study found the WHO-prequalified Typbar-TCV vaccine to be not only longer-lasting and more effective than previous vaccines, but also 84% effective and safe for children that are six months and older. Accordingly, in 2022, the Malawian government launched a campaign to distribute the vaccine to all children between nine months and 15 years of age.
Cholera in Malawi
Cholera is another life-threatening disease that is transmitted by contaminated food or water, consequently posing a heightened threat to those who lack access to basic sanitation services and clean water supplies. While most infected people develop no or only mild symptoms, some become severely dehydrated due to vomiting and diarrhea, and this can cause death within hours if left untreated. Between March 3, 2022, and February 3, 2023, Malawi had 36,943 reported cases of cholera, with the outbreak causing a reported 1,210 deaths. Fortunately, oral rehydration solutions are effective for treating the disease, and improved hygiene and vaccinations can significantly reduce its spread. WHO and UNICEF have been supporting Malawi in the fight against cholera by promoting these and other forms of treatment and prevention.
For example, WHO has trained more than 800 health care workers to save lives and worked with Malawi’s Ministry of Health to increase surveillance of the disease, provide medical treatment and chlorinated water and improve community hygiene. UNICEF has provided water, sanitation and hygiene supplies and trained 480 Health Surveillance Assistants and community members to detect and report cases of cholera. Furthermore, the organization has supplied affected areas with cholera treatment kits. These include 25 Acute Watery Diarrhea kits, each of which can help treat over 2,000 cases. Working in conjunction with WHO and UNICEF, the Government of Malawi also initiated a national Oral Cholera Vaccination campaign that, as of August 2022, has helped provide life-saving vaccinations to around 1,136,643 people.
Looking Forward
These and other diseases impacting Malawi are placing pressure on the country’s limited health care services, with a lack of sanitation, clean water supplies and knowledge contributing to the escalation. While the situation urgently calls for further funding and support, WHO, UNICEF, the Malawian government and others are making steady progress in the fight to mitigate the spread of diseases in Malawi and alleviate the suffering of affected people.
– Isla Wright
Photo: Flickr
Health care in El Salvador
National Health Strategy
In recent years, poverty and inequality rates have significantly decreased. From 2007 to 2019, the poverty rate fell by 17% and extreme poverty dropped by 11.5%, making El Salvador one of the most equitable countries in Latin America. A significant contribution to the decline was the launch of the National Health Strategy in 2009. This governmental initiative aims to enhance the quality of care, reduce inequalities in access to care and improve the Ministry of Health’s overall system management.
Strengthening Public Health Care System
In support of El Salvador’s health reforms, the World Bank created the Strengthening Public Health Care System project, which focused on responding to the evolving needs of the nation. The project poured investments into more than 51 primary care hospitals and 30 secondary and tertiary hospitals, and this allowed for greater maintenance of clinical infrastructure and medical equipment. Additionally, the funding strengthened the National Institute of Health and the National Reference Laboratory, both of which are responsible for conducting surveys and collecting data required for monitoring public health during outbreaks of infectious diseases.
Project Results
The project targeted 2.1 million people across 92 municipalities in El Salvador. In regards to strengthening the Ministry of Health’s institutional capacity, it was able to improve safety standards and environmental regulations surrounding biohazard waste disposal. With respect to vaccination rates, the goal was to immunize 92.8% of children with a pentavalent vaccine by 2016 and by 2014, the nation had reached 95%. Additionally, in terms of child delivery, the aim was to have 84% of births take place in health care facilities by 2018. By the end of 2017, 99.8% of births were occurring in a clinical environment. Due to improved neonatal care and hospitalized deliveries, the rate of maternal mortality massively decreased from 65.4 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2006 to only 31 deaths in 2017. Also, the rate of infant mortality declined from 26.9 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2000 to only 12.5 deaths in 2017.
Looking Ahead
El Salvador has made significant strides in poverty reduction and health care access through initiatives such as the National Health Strategy. With investments from the World Bank’s Strengthening Public Health Care System project, the country has improved infrastructure, increased vaccination rates and achieved high rates of facility-based childbirth. These efforts have resulted in a substantial decrease in maternal and infant mortality rates, demonstrating the positive impact of strengthened health care systems on the well-being of the population.
– Divya Swaminathan
Photo: Flickr
The Success of HIV Assisted Partner Services in Kenya
The program ensured the follow-up of index clients and their partners through on year with a 90% participation rate. The follow-up and eagerness of the candidates led to an increase in HIV care procedures as well as the suppression of viral HIV.
APS Methodology
Before commencing the trial, health care staff in the clinics got training on the subject, which was essential for the smooth flow of the trial. The focus of the trial was to “assess the impact of APS in reaching male individuals in sub-Saharan Africa, who have lower rates of HIV testing than female individuals.”
Women aged 18 and above as well as emancipated minors who tested positive for HIV in sub-Saharan Africa were eligible for HIV Assisted Partner Services. Females who participated in the trials consented to give the contact information of all their male sexual partners in the past three years and the staff informed those partners about their potential exposure to HIV. The staff offered the partners to choose between community-based or facility-based HIV testing. The former includes testing at home, at select venues, or as a part of a workplace campaign whereas the latter meant that all testing would be done at medical facilities.
All the candidates for the trial went through testing periodically at six weeks, six months and then 12 months after enrollment. It evaluated the success of the antiretroviral treatment that had been provided.
The Outcome of the Trial
Having a very high participation rate of 1,724 female candidates out of a total of 1,910 opting to take part, the trial was an enormous success. This targeted HIV Assisted Partner Service Methodology was twice as successful as any other randomized trial in Kenya. The trial found that 95% of all HIV-affected male candidates were virally suppressed — due to the positive effects of the medication. In addition, their viral load of HIV was so low that tests could not detect it.
Reported Success
Due to this trial, APS has been identified as a viable and efficient method by which people unaware of their HIV status can be tested and treated appropriately. Within a set of approximately three females diagnosed with HIV, at least one of their male partners tested positive for HIV as well.
Another reason that the trial was successful was that it did not rely on a client-driven approach and instead of asking the female clients to contact their sexual partners. Skilled staff contacted the potential candidates and inform them of the situation.
The anonymity of the entire operation was the key to its substantial success. The staff did not inform potential male candidates about the female index client the clinic staff was calling on behalf of. This led to fewer issues and altercations between the female index clients and the potential male candidates that took part in HIV Assisted Partner Services.
After the success of this trial, “APS has been fully integrated into the national HTS procurement and logistics systems,” according to the PLOS Global Public Health Journal. The HIV Assisted Partner Services has been noted to be a sustainable program to detect HIV on a larger scale and medical clinics that run the program have been set to receive a routine supply of HIV test kits and gloves. As a result, it helps further reduce the burden of HIV in Kenya and other countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
– Vahisté Sinor
Photo: Flickr
4 Local Startups Addressing Food Insecurity in Nigeria
Nigeria ranked 103rd out of 121 countries on the Global Hunger Index in 2022, and while overall trends from 2000 to 2022 show a notable decline in food insecurity over time, there’s still much work to do. This article will focus on four Nigeria-based startups addressing food insecurity in Nigeria through different approaches.
4 Local Startups Addressing Food Insecurity in Nigeria
Looking Ahead
In Nigeria, food insecurity remains a pressing issue with a significant amount of the population in need of assistance. However, these startups addressing food insecurity present excellent examples of innovative solutions for Nigeria.
– Junoh Seo
Photo: Flickr
Venezuelan Refugees and the Risk of Organized Crime
Many Venezuelan refugees lack primary health care, job opportunities and safe shelter, and this leaves them in the violent areas near refugee camps. Organized crime groups target and exploit the insecurities of the refugees in order to recruit them and lead them into a dangerous lifestyle. They face dangerous and deadly situations and face the risk of persecution and even deportation in order to make ends meet and survive.
Migrant Crisis
The Venezuelan migrant crisis started in 2013 after President Hugo Chavez died from cancer and his Vice President Nicolas Maduro replaced him Protests started due to allegations of election fraud. Years of political instability, recession and hyperinflation and deadly protests have pushed millions of Venezuelans out of their homes in order to find some security and stability.
Colombian Organized Crime
Organized crime has been rampant in Central and South America for years. Also, crime in Colombia is much higher than anywhere else and has recently seen a resurgence. There are multiple dissenting political militias and insurgencies, with Banda Criminales (BACRIM) being one of the leading organized crime groups dealing in “drug trafficking, violence and illegal mining,” alongside sex trafficking.
Organized crime in Colombia is so systemic because the wealth disparity is quite significant, thereby affecting every part of society. The rural areas tend to be poorer and face a lack of education and political disenfranchisement. Gangs and organized crime can easily overrun state control in these areas due to being in control of massive amounts of wealth.
Organized Crime’s Impact on Refugees
BACRIM and other organized crime groups are so powerful. These groups often replace state security forces in rural and poorer areas, becoming the strongest force in many of the border camps where Venezuelan refugees seek asylum.
Many refugees are undocumented and do not know the ins and outs of Colombia’s legal system and organized crime ring, making them vulnerable to crime and recruitment by gangs.
The gangs lure the Venezuelan refugees with promises of food, shelter and work opportunities. The refugees view working for the gang as a lucrative deal, as many of them are undocumented. They end up doing much of the dirty work and often end up as “street fighters, drug dealers and hit men,” while the women end up in forced sex work and suffer abuse, according to the International Crisis Group.
The Venezuelan refugees end up doing the more visible crime which makes them much more susceptible to discrimination and criminal charges. They face extreme amounts of xenophobia among the general public and are often the scapegoat for other unrelated economic or social issues.
Venezuelan refugees also fear deportation. The xenophobia has led to many anti-immigrant political movements and the easiest government response is through deportation, the International Crisis Group reports.
Ongoing Efforts
The economic issues that Colombia faces contribute to the prevalence of organized crime. Many international organizations have offered money as a resource to help with the migrant crisis. For instance, the World Bank has offered $1.6 billion. The World Bank’s support focuses on addressing needs at all levels of government in addition to providing a short-term to medium/long-term humanitarian response.
Other international organizations and groups have focused on providing better resources and equipment to properly house the migrants. The International Rescue Committee (IRC) launched its emergency response team in 2018 in the border city of Cúcuta in an effort to provide support and resources. The IRC is mainly focusing on providing support to women and children refugees through healthcare and maternal care. By 2020, over 87,000 Venezuelans in both Venezuela and Colombia received help.
UNHCR opened a “reception center” in early 2019 along the border between Venezuela and Colombia to provide some safe, temporary housing and other critical resources. The UNHCR has worked on providing documentation to children in addition to other child care and legal services.
Looking Ahead
Efforts from international organizations and groups are providing support and resources to address the challenges faced by Venezuelan refugees in Colombia. The World Bank’s financial assistance and the International Rescue Committee’s emergency response team are helping to meet the immediate needs of migrants, while UNHCR’s reception center offers temporary housing and critical services. These initiatives are aiming to improve access to healthcare, legal support and documentation, particularly for women and children, providing a glimmer of hope and stability for Venezuelan refugees seeking security and a better future in Colombia.
– Kathryn Kendrick
Photo: Flickr