Recent statistics published by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that 25% or more of the global population lacks immediate access to clean drinking water, and almost 50% of the global population lives without safe sanitation at home. In light of this, Water For People, a U.S.-based international aid agency, aims to make clean water accessible to every person on the planet. Founded in 1991, the organization celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2021. In that time, the organization has made remarkable progress and changed millions of lives around the world.
How Does Water For People Work?
Since 2011, Water For People’s strategy has centered on the concept of “Everyone Forever.” Recognizing the limitations of short-term solutions to the problem of water insecurity, the organization emphasizes developing secure, sustainable water supplies and equipping communities with the knowledge and resources necessary to maintain their water infrastructure over time. Its goal is to ensure that “every family, clinic and school in a district” has reliable access to clean drinking water and sanitation services forever: the progress continues rather than fading away in a couple of decades.
The organization concentrates on several core priorities. The number one priority is clean water. Working with local authorities, the organization manages water systems, arranges water supply chains and builds new facilities. It also works to implement safe sanitation and hygiene. In addition to helping families access affordable toilets, Water For People supports the development of local sanitation businesses and waste management systems and educates communities on safe sanitation and hygiene practices. In 2019 alone, the organization educated 269,361 people about safe hygiene, which included providing menstrual hygiene training and resources to help keep girls in school.
Where Does Water For People Help?
Since 1991, the organization has aided communities in more than 40 countries around the world. In 2011, the organization decided to narrow its focus to provide optimal support. Currently, Water For People operates in nine countries: Guatemala, Honduras, Peru, Bolivia, Uganda, Rwanda, Malawi, Tanzania and India.
In each of these countries, the organization targets districts most in need. While it is actively adding new districts within these countries, the organization’s largest presence is currently in India, where its work in 10 districts has provided more than 1.5 billion people with continuous access to drinking water. In Bolivia, the organization has secured the water supply for 82,706 people across eight districts, and, in Guatemala, for 102,607 people across four districts. With three districts each in Honduras and Peru, it has helped guarantee reliable access to clean water for 55,216 Hondurans and 40,000 Peruvians, respectively.
In Africa, the organization operates in four countries. It has established reliable water services for more than a million people in Rwanda, which has five districts. In Malawi, the organization operates in three districts, providing water for 1,435,599 people. Its work in Uganda has secured clean water for almost half a million people across two districts. Water For People is having a growing impact in Tanzania, where it has been working to improve water access for rural communities in Mpwapwa and began adding new districts in 2022.
What Are the Prospects?
In 2015, the United Nations set a sixth Sustainable Development Goal (SDG): Clean Water and Sanitation. The goal is to ensure access to safe drinking water and sanitation services for everyone around the world by 2030. Water For People, in collaboration with the International Rescue Committee (IRC), developed the “Destination 2030” plan to help achieve SDG 6 on time. The joint initiative aims to speed progress toward universal safe water access and sanitation services by helping at least 200 million people in 20 countries.
The organization’s Three Year Strategic Plan for 2022-2024 is a stepping stone in this plan. Focusing on subgoals grouped under Purpose and Foundation, it outlines the immediate strategy to impact at least 12 countries, reach 25 million people nationally and help six million people locally.
During its 30 years of operation, Water For People has achieved concrete results. Working for both quality and quantity, the organization continues to set specific, achievable goals and move toward them.
– Anna Konovalenko
Photo: Flickr
National Training Week for Vocational Education in Malaysia
In April 2023, the Malaysian government announced that it would be organizing its first National Training Week (NTW) from May 22 to May 28, 2023, a week-long series of vocational courses aiming to upskill 125,000 participants.
What is the National Training Week?
The Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp), which is in charge of the initiatives, aims to attract over 5,000 educators who will deliver over 5,000 training courses, each designed to address a specific vocational skill. All courses are cost-free, so Malaysians from all walks of life have access to this vocational education. This includes pre-school children, teenagers, young adults, new graduates and senior citizens, alongside established professionals.
NTW has three main objectives: to “make lifelong learning a culture for Malaysians,” “increase strategic inter-government cooperation” and to “equip Malaysian talents with future work skills and knowledge.”
As of May 2023, Malaysia’s first-ever NTW has opened over 1,400 courses in 37 skill areas, with the participation of 700 course providers. The course’s directors will feature key government ministry and industry players.
How Will This Help Malaysia’s Poor?
According to the World Bank, 40% of jobs are linked to Malaysia’s significant export activities, which were disrupted by the global pandemic. As such, Malaysia’s unemployment rate has been at its highest since 1991, at 4.61% in 2021. This is also the sixth-worst unemployment rate in East and Southeast Asia. In 2015, the Gini coefficient – a measure of income inequality – for Malaysia was 0.41; for comparison, the USA had a Gini coefficient of 0.42 in 2019.
The government has traditionally used cash transfers to low-income households to address this issue, according to the World Bank. Although this appears to be an effective strategy in the short term; in the long term, it could deplete government resources.
In contrast to cash transfers, making vocational education in Malaysia more accessible to the entire population could allow the government and the private sector to benefit in the long run, as better-skilled individuals boost the productivity of the industries they go into. Apart from increasing the flow of output and raising average incomes for Malaysians, the government is also optimistic that this will attract foreign investment. All of these factors will create overall economic growth in the long term, according to NTW’s official website.
Improving the Availability of Vocational Training in Malaysia
By improving the availability of vocational education in Malaysia, the country could unlock its human potential from all sectors of society. Creating a more skilled workforce has traditionally been part of the Malaysian government’s development plans. The country aims to achieve reach up to a 35% skilled workforce by 2025.
The Malaysian government’s investment in this venture for its citizens’ vocational education could ultimately be beneficial for all levels of society, from the unemployed and low-income groups to the private-sector companies (through access to more skilled employees), setting the stage for developing a more prosperous Malaysia.
– Tiffany Chan
Photo: Flickr
Improving Electricity Access in Africa
A New Study
Led by PhD candidate Nathan Ratledge, the research relied on innovative techniques, developed at Stanford, that combine satellite imagery and AI to measure and study poverty in countries where data collection has traditionally posed a challenge. The researchers’ findings demonstrate that Machine Learning (ML) techniques can provide more reliable estimates of the causative impact of electricity access in Africa.
The Findings
Based on the findings, the electrical grid encompassed 41% of Uganda in 2019, marking a significant increase from just 12% in 2010. Furthermore, increased access to electricity correlated with substantial improvements in financial conditions and quality of life, as measured by increases in home construction, appliance use and other tangible markers of growing wealth. Overall, the data showed that the rate of wealth accumulation roughly doubled in Ugandan communities that gained electricity access, as compared with communities that lacked it.
Encountered Problems
Until now, one of the primary problems encountered in measuring electricity access and its relation to poverty in Africa has been a lack of data. As Ratledge stated, “It’s hard in many low-income countries to get any reliable data. It just doesn’t exist.” A model for overcoming this obstacle, the recent Stanford study presents a new way to measure progress in the fight against global poverty.
A Promise of Future Growth
Due to the Stanford research, “we now have this technique to give local-level measurements of key economic outcomes at a broad, spatial scale and over time,” said Marshall Burke, the study’s co-author. Perhaps the most inspiring aspect of the researchers’ work is that all evidence points to an exponential proliferation of understanding. Ongoing technological advancements are expected to make such techniques widely affordable and accessible, allowing researchers to carry out similar work to better understand and combat poverty around the world.
Photo: Flickr
Sustainable Sanitation Solutions for Communities in Kenya
Approximately 4 billion individuals, which is equivalent to half the global population, reside in conditions where their waste is released into their surroundings. This has fatal consequences. It leads to the deaths of 2 million children yearly and damages water systems and the environment. It also hinders economic growth by 1-3%. This problem is especially critical in urban areas, which are densely populated, extensively constructed and expanding at an extremely rapid pace.
A team of three social entrepreneurs from MIT recognized this problem and co-founded Sanergy in 2011 to address it. Sanergy is a social enterprise that provides sustainable sanitation solutions for communities in Kenya.
The Sanergy Model
The Sanergy model is based on a simple concept: building and maintaining high-quality, low-cost toilets in densely populated urban areas while also creating a business model to collect and process waste. The waste is converted into organic fertilizer and sold to farmers, creating a closed-loop system that benefits both urban and rural communities.
Sanergy’s toilets, called Fresh Life Toilets, are designed with user experience in mind. They are clean, well-lit, and ventilated, and come equipped with hand sanitizer and toilet paper. Users pay a small fee to use the toilet, ensuring they are well-maintained and creating a revenue stream for Sanergy.
On the other hand, the real innovation of Sanergy’s model is in the waste management system. Sanergy employs a network of franchise operators who own and operate Fresh Life Toilets in their communities. They also collect the waste from the toilets and bring it to central processing facilities, where it is converted into organic fertilizer.
The franchise operators are trained in business management and sanitation and are given access to financing to start their businesses. This creates economic opportunities for local entrepreneurs while also providing sanitation solutions for communities in Kenya.
Sanergy’s waste processing system is also environmentally sustainable. The waste is treated using a process called anaerobic digestion, which produces biogas that can be used for cooking and electricity generation. The remaining waste is converted into high-quality organic fertilizer, which is sold to farmers at a lower cost than chemical fertilizers.
Impact of Sanergy
Sanergy has had a significant impact on creating sanitation solutions for communities in Kenya. The organization has built over 3,500 Fresh Life Toilets, providing access to sanitation for over 130,000 people a day. The franchise operators have created over 2,000 jobs, and the fertilizer produced from the waste has increased crop yields for farmers.
However, Sanergy’s work is far from complete. The organization continues to expand its operations, but it also faces challenges, including scaling its model to new communities. The organization also has a challenge in ensuring the franchise operators are able to maintain toilets and collect waste consistently.
Nevertheless, Sanergy’s work is a model for sustainable, scalable and socially responsible business solutions. By providing access to sanitation in low-income urban communities, Sanergy is improving health outcomes, creating economic opportunities and promoting environmental sustainability.
–Nino Basaria
Photo: Flickr
Everything You Need To Know About Poverty In Bolivia
The State of Education in Bolivia
Despite completing primary education, the majority of Bolivian students do not continue to secondary education. Increasing poverty rates have also affected children’s access to education. In 2014, the country passed legislation permitting child labor for children up to 10 years old and above. This led some families to prioritize their children’s work over their education.
In March 2023, 140,000 public school teachers participated in Bolivia’s largest strike since 2019. Outrage over a new curriculum that requires teachers to work additional unpaid hours prompted the strikes. Teachers are demanding an increase in the education budget, wages, and staff. With strikes becoming more common, students often have no one to teach them. This, in turn, impacts the education of Bolivian children negatively.
Malnutrition in Bolivia
Approximately 16% of children in Bolivia experience chronic malnutrition. Also, more than one in four children under 5 years old suffer from growth stunting due to chronic malnutrition, representing the highest rate in any Latin American nation. The country’s agricultural production has been stagnant, causing food insecurity among families, with 30% of households experiencing food shortages for more than three months a year. As a result, children are affected physically and academically, with many having to walk long distances to school on empty stomachs. Going through such levels of physical stress often impacts concentration levels among affected children.
Unemployment in Bolivia
In 2019, the unemployment rate in Bolivia was 3.7%, but it increased to 7.9% in 2020. The World Bank reported a drop to 5.1% in 2021. The low productivity of small-scale farming, droughts and decreasing product quality have caused a shrinkage in revenue generation in this sector. Poor infrastructure has also negatively affected the transportation of goods. Bolivia’s human development index ranking was 118 in 2021, indicating a lack of equal human development and underscoring the country’s poor economic state. According to the World Bank, Bolivia’s GDP per capita was $3,345 in 2021.
Poverty Alleviation Efforts
Sustainable Development Goals Fund (SDGF), an independent organization, partnered with the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), World Health Education (WHO) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to implement the “Bolivian Government’s Zero Malnutrition Multi-sectoral Programme (PMD-C)” in the Andean region of Cochabamba. The program had three components: integrating nutritional activities into communities, educating and strengthening agricultural capabilities and improving the nutritional status of families. Following this intervention, reports indicate that 21,489 children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding women gained better access to food of increased quality and quantity, there was a 50% reduction in anemia among children, and chronic malnutrition in children aged 6-23 months decreased by 30%.
In 2013, the World Bank supported the La Paz municipality in improving access to secondary education (as well as retention) for more than 10,000 at-risk students. It constructed and renovated approximately 240 classrooms, supplied learning equipment, supported staff and strengthened education management for primary and secondary schools in the area.
The Secondary Education Transformation Project financed an incentive program for students at risk of dropping out to help improve retention rates in secondary education levels. Collaboration with the Bolivian Salesian University led to the development and implementation of a postgraduate degree program. The partnership led to the construction of 19 buildings, benefiting more than 10,000 students and 11,000 staff members who were fully equipped and supported. These educational buildings are still in use as of April 2023. The aim is to reduce poverty in Bolivia for future generations.
Brighter Future for Bolivia
Bolivia has struggled with poverty due to inadequate and unequal education, chronic malnutrition, and persistently high unemployment rates even after the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, ongoing efforts are underway to improve Bolivia’s current situation. Organizations like UNICEF, WHO and UNIDO have implemented programs that aim to reduce malnutrition in the country. Also, the World Bank has been providing financial support to Bolivia’s education system. Local and humanitarian organizations are working to strengthen communities, promote a more sustainable economy and create a brighter future for Bolivia.
– Joshua Rogers
Photo: Flickr
Poverty and Agriculture in Zimbabwe
Poverty and Agriculture in Zimbabwe
The World Bank reports that Zimbabwe currently faces a poverty headcount ratio of 39.8% at the national poverty lines, with numerous rural households relying on subsistence farming as their main source of income. Despite these circumstances, the country has the potential to emerge as a significant food producer due to its fertile land and favorable climate conditions.
One of the most prominent challenges for agriculture in Zimbabwe is the limited access to credit and technical assistance. Many small-scale farmers lack the necessary resources and knowledge to invest in their farms and improve productivity. A study published in the Journal of Economic and International Finance reveals that Zimbabwean banks have consistently maintained relatively small agricultural loan portfolios, representing merely 10% to 25% of the total loan books since the country’s current multi-currency system kicked off in 2009. Consequently, this limited access to credit curtails the farmers’ ability to invest in agricultural endeavors and enhance yields.
Additionally, climate change presents barriers for Zimbabwean farmers. Droughts and floods are increasingly afflicting the country, leaving farmers ill-equipped to adapt to these shifting conditions due to limited resources and knowledge. As a result, many farmers have to abandon their crops and rely on food aid for survival.
Efforts to End Poverty in Zimbabwean Agriculture
Despite the many challenges, there are ongoing efforts aiming to address the issue of poverty in the Zimbabwean agricultural sector. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) actively contributes to the Zimbabwe United Nations Development Assistance Framework (ZUNDAF) by focusing on three priority areas aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These priorities encompass strengthening policy and institutional frameworks, enhancing agricultural productivity and competitiveness, bolstering resilience and the adoption of climate-smart agriculture.
The FAO supports these efforts through several initiatives, including policy formulation, capacity development, irrigation schemes, livestock programs, reduction of post-harvest losses, ensuring food safety, managing climate risks, natural resource management and establishing early warning systems. Collaborations with public and private sectors, non-governmental organizations, community-based organizations and donors further promote community resilience and advocate climate-smart agriculture.
Another example is the Zimbabwe Pfumvudza Programme. Under the leadership of the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, the Zimbabwe Pfumvudza Programme aims to assist vulnerable households in maize, sunflower, small grains and soya bean production. The program supplies standardized input packages, such as 3kg of seed, 50kg of basal fertilizers and 50kg of top dressing fertilizers, sufficient for a 0.125 ha plot. Also, it actively promotes Conservation Agriculture Principles (CA) to address climate-related challenges.
Looking Ahead
Agriculture currently accounts for a substantial portion of the Zimbabwean GDP (17%) and employs a significant percentage of the population (60-70%). By investing in agriculture, Zimbabwe has the potential to generate employment opportunities and stimulate economic growth in both rural and urban areas.
Despite the challenges facing Zimbabwean farmers, there are reasons to be optimistic about the future. For example, efforts to promote agricultural development are gaining momentum, and there is growing recognition of the importance of agriculture in promoting economic growth and reducing poverty.
– Amber Kim
Photo: Flickr
The Nonprofit That May Have Found the Answer to Effective Foreign Aid
GiveDirectly, which four MIT and Harvard students founded in 2012, was donned potentially “the most economically efficient charity ever” by the online magazine The Atlantic. The organization champions unconditional and direct economic investment into the world’s poorest areas, having the potential to alleviate whole areas from poverty within years as well as promote effective foreign aid.
How Does it Work?
In its simplest form, GiveDirectly allows the public to send cash directly to the poorest individuals through bank transfers via mobile phones that they receive from those on the ground. So far, more than $650 million has been donated to 1.4 million people living in poverty. Donors are then able to stay informed about the progress of the individuals they have donated to, with GiveDirectly averaging a 99% follow-up rate from every recipient. The method of this highly effective foreign aid rests on the simple idea that people see a greater improvement in their overall quality of life when they have a say in how recipients spend the money.
Obstacles
GiveDirectly has been battling with the unproven notion that it is not a good idea to give money to those who are poor. This led the organization to conduct its own research into the matter. The research revealed how the extensive benefits of cash transfers often reach beyond a program’s core objectives, facilitating effective foreign aid. The research also found that monetary poverty, education, health and employment all improved as a result of direct injection of cash into poor areas.
Rory Stewart, president of GiveDirectly and former U.K. Secretary of State for International Development, initially had his reservations about GiveDirectly. He stated he thought the best way to approach foreign aid was by “teaching people to fish rather than giving them fish.” However, after his appointment as the president in 2022, he stated on BBC World News that “a relatively small amount of money from Western standards can transform people’s lives so much more rapidly and efficiently than many traditional aid programs.”
Projects for the Future
GiveDirectly functions on an optimistic outlook of human nature and individualism. Individual cash donations allow people to make their own investments, giving dignity to the receiver. Tarkok, a subsistence farmer in Kenya, has been the recipient of $180 over the last 11 days. He “intend[s] to use [the money] to buy at least three bags of 90 kg maize grains that [will] last … for at least six months.” The rest of the money will go toward the purchase of goats. This is just one example of the impact small donations can have on the world’s poor.
Looking Ahead
Rory Stewart’s appointment as president of GiveDirectly last year marks a shift in the world of international development. More than 180 governments have implemented cash programs during COVID-19, marking a decisive step forward to meeting the U.N.’s goal to end global poverty by 2030. GiveDirectly is now the world’s fastest-growing nonprofit, with more than $1 billion raised so far, showing the impact that its new approach is having on foreign aid, alongside alleviating poverty.
– George Somper
Photo: Flickr
3 Countries Suffering From Generational Poverty
The NCCP studied this lasting impact on children by examining the social and economic status of several families. The study revealed that individuals who grow up in poverty tend to remain poor in early adulthood. Breaking this cycle is nearly impossible without proper resources and education, and families in low-income countries continue to suffer the impacts of this issue. The following are three such countries suffering from generational poverty.
3 Countries Suffering From Generational Poverty
Looking Ahead
Although many citizens in the aforementioned countries are still dealing with the challenges posed by generational poverty, there are ongoing initiatives that provide the required support to help them break the chain and create better opportunities for their children.
– Olivia Maillet
Photo: Flickr
Child Marriage in Egypt: A Harmful Practice
Child Protection Law in Egypt and Loopholes in the Legal Age of Marriage
The Persons and Family Law No. 126 of 2008 mandates a legal marriage age of at least 18 years old for both men and women. Unfortunately, since there are no criminal penalties for families conducting child marriages through religious ceremonies, girls in rural areas become three times more likely to marry before 18.
Some religious and cultural traditions support early marriage, legally registering the marriage only when the bride turns 18. Underage girls may also enter unofficial customary marriages called “urfi.”
Risks and Consequences of Child Marriage
World Bank statistics show that 46 of every 1,000 girls aged 15 to 19 gave birth in Egypt in 2020. Early marriage often leads to girls dropping out of school, which limits their future opportunities and increases their vulnerability to poverty. Furthermore, they are more likely to experience complications during pregnancy and childbirth.
Government Efforts to Ban Child Marriage in Egypt
The Egyptian government has committed to eliminating child marriage in Egypt by 2030, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goal target 5.3. Various actions are in progress, including the establishment of Equal Opportunities Units within ministries, the launch of initiatives to increase women’s participation in the economy and partnerships with the United Nations (U.N.) agencies for women’s empowerment.
The Egyptian government has launched a comprehensive National Strategy for the Empowerment of Women 2030 aimed at empowering women across various spheres of life, focusing on six key pillars. In addition to this, the government has also endorsed Egypt’s National Strategy for the Prevention of Early Marriage 2015-2020, demonstrating its commitment to promoting the rights of women in the country. Since 2019, the Egyptian government has been making recommendations to prevent child marriage in Egypt and intensify awareness-raising campaigns.
Local and International Non-Governmental Organizations Efforts
Organizations such as the Tadwein Center for Gender Studies and Plan International work to address the root causes of child marriage, like poverty and lack of access to education. The Tadwein Center for Gender Studies, established in 2014, promotes gender awareness, empowers women and fights against violence against women and girls in Egypt. The center initiated the #HerDreamIsMoreImportant social media campaign in 2020, addressing child marriage consequences. The campaign started during the global event Sixteen Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
Plan International, working in Egypt since 1981, aims to improve children’s lives through education and gender equity. Its program offers psychosocial support to over 4,000 vulnerable Syrian refugee and Egyptian children, providing safe spaces and fostering resilience. This approach empowers girls to resist early marriage and raises community awareness about gender equality and children’s rights.
Declining Rates of Child Marriage in Egypt
UNICEF statistics show a decline in child marriage rates, as the percentage of women marrying before the age of 15 dropped from 3.9% in 2000 to 2.0% in 2014. Various factors contribute to this positive trend, including government partnerships with the National Council for Women and U.N. Women Egypt Country Office and prioritizing the 2030 National Women’s Empowerment Strategy.
Consequently, women’s unemployment rate dropped from 21.7% in 2019 to 17.7% in 2020. Furthermore, educated girls with improved societal status marry later, contributing to inclusive economic development.
In the Works for Egypt
The Association of the Egyptian Female Lawyers launched a campaign called #1000جمعية#, or #1000Associations#, to urge President Abd El Fattah El Sisi and parliamentarians to criminalize child marriage in Egypt. While the Egyptian government has achieved progress in fighting child marriage, implementing further action to strengthen enforcement and tackle the root causes of this harmful practice could deliver more desired results. With the continued commitment of the Egyptian government, NGOs and international partners, there is hope for a future that is free of child marriage.
– Tanya Hamad
Photo: Flickr
The Impact of USAID Programs in Syria
Response to the Türkiye-Syria Earthquake
As of March 2023, the number of confirmed deaths from the Türkiye-Syria earthquake was 7,259 people in Syria, and the estimated economic impact is more than $5.2 billion. The earthquake also hit the vulnerable population hardest, as northwest Syria was home to nearly three million internally displaced Syrians who were already struggling economically.
On March 20, 2023, the United States authorized an additional $50 million through USAID to help the earthquake-affected communities in Türkiye and Syria, bringing the total amount of Türkiye-Syria earthquake-related U.S. humanitarian aid to $235 million. This newly announced funding is intended to support the work of USAID partner organizations in northwest and central Syria. On the ground, USAID’s Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) is “working closely with the Government of Türkiye, the U.N., [and] NGO partner organizations to closely coordinate response efforts, report needs and conditions on the ground and prioritize the delivery of assistance to the hardest-hit communities,” according to USAID’s official website.
Addressing Food Insecurity in Syria
Food insecurity in Syria is a serious, complex issue with many different causes. The Syrian civil war that broke out in 2011 caused significant destruction of infrastructure and displacement of over 14 million Syrians. In addition, the global food shortage caused by COVID-19 and the Russian invasion of Ukraine further worsened the food insecurity in Syria. Approximately 12.1 million Syrians are considered food-insecure, accounting for more than half of Syria’s total population. Out of 113 countries, Syria ranked at the very bottom of the Global Food Security Index in 2022. Syria’s food insecurity is especially damaging to children because their growth and well-being are closely linked to nutrition. Approximately 609,900 Syrian children under 5 years old are suffering from stunted growth because of malnutrition.
USAID is working with various partners, including the U.N. Children’s Fund and the World Food Program (WFP), to provide food assistance to Syria. Over 6.6 million Syrians are receiving monthly aid from USAID in the forms of cash transfers, food vouchers and monthly food rations. In addition, USAID programs are also providing food security to displaced Syrians in neighboring countries. On March 8, 2023, the U.S. pledged $55 million to provide food assistance to over 460,000 Syrian refugees in Jordan.
Water and Sanitation in Syria
The destruction of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities caused by the Syrian conflict led to an acute water crisis for the people of Syria, and approximately 7.6 million people are in urgent need of WASH services. Syria’s shortage of WASH capacity is also responsible for the nation’s vulnerability to waterborne diseases, such as the recent cholera outbreak centered around northwestern Syria where numerous refugee camps are located.
USAID is working with UNICEF and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to provide WASH assistance to Syrians. The operational strategies range from water trucking and distributing essential hygiene items to installing small-scale sanitation facilities like handwashing stations and latrines. Currently, a total of 15 USAID-partnered NGOs are operating in Syria and are providing critical aid to communities and refugee camps.
Employment Aid in Syria
The prolonged armed conflict and widespread displacement severely damaged the economy of Syria, with a total loss in GDP from 2011 to 2016 estimated at around $226 billion. Currently, 90% of the population in Syria lives below the poverty line, and the value of the Syrian pound (SYP) has dropped by 97% from 2013 to 2023. Also, from 2019 to 2021, the prices for basic food items soared by 800%.
USAID’s Syria Livelihoods Program is helping Syrians find stable job opportunities and improve their financial security. The main goal of the program is to “expand viable economic opportunities for Syrians and help communities build resilience against extremist influences and economic shocks”, according to USAID’s website.
What Lies Ahead
There is still much work that needs to be done in order to resolve Syria’s massive humanitarian crisis. The ongoing civil war continues to cost lives and drive Syrians out of their homes, while food insecurity remains a major obstacle to improving the quality of life in Syria.
Nonetheless, USAID programs in Syria are playing a crucial role in supporting millions of Syrians through difficult times, while also showing the importance of continuous foreign aid in maintaining long-term stability.
– Junoh Seo
Photo: USAID
Water For People: 30 Years in Progress
How Does Water For People Work?
Since 2011, Water For People’s strategy has centered on the concept of “Everyone Forever.” Recognizing the limitations of short-term solutions to the problem of water insecurity, the organization emphasizes developing secure, sustainable water supplies and equipping communities with the knowledge and resources necessary to maintain their water infrastructure over time. Its goal is to ensure that “every family, clinic and school in a district” has reliable access to clean drinking water and sanitation services forever: the progress continues rather than fading away in a couple of decades.
The organization concentrates on several core priorities. The number one priority is clean water. Working with local authorities, the organization manages water systems, arranges water supply chains and builds new facilities. It also works to implement safe sanitation and hygiene. In addition to helping families access affordable toilets, Water For People supports the development of local sanitation businesses and waste management systems and educates communities on safe sanitation and hygiene practices. In 2019 alone, the organization educated 269,361 people about safe hygiene, which included providing menstrual hygiene training and resources to help keep girls in school.
Where Does Water For People Help?
Since 1991, the organization has aided communities in more than 40 countries around the world. In 2011, the organization decided to narrow its focus to provide optimal support. Currently, Water For People operates in nine countries: Guatemala, Honduras, Peru, Bolivia, Uganda, Rwanda, Malawi, Tanzania and India.
In each of these countries, the organization targets districts most in need. While it is actively adding new districts within these countries, the organization’s largest presence is currently in India, where its work in 10 districts has provided more than 1.5 billion people with continuous access to drinking water. In Bolivia, the organization has secured the water supply for 82,706 people across eight districts, and, in Guatemala, for 102,607 people across four districts. With three districts each in Honduras and Peru, it has helped guarantee reliable access to clean water for 55,216 Hondurans and 40,000 Peruvians, respectively.
In Africa, the organization operates in four countries. It has established reliable water services for more than a million people in Rwanda, which has five districts. In Malawi, the organization operates in three districts, providing water for 1,435,599 people. Its work in Uganda has secured clean water for almost half a million people across two districts. Water For People is having a growing impact in Tanzania, where it has been working to improve water access for rural communities in Mpwapwa and began adding new districts in 2022.
What Are the Prospects?
In 2015, the United Nations set a sixth Sustainable Development Goal (SDG): Clean Water and Sanitation. The goal is to ensure access to safe drinking water and sanitation services for everyone around the world by 2030. Water For People, in collaboration with the International Rescue Committee (IRC), developed the “Destination 2030” plan to help achieve SDG 6 on time. The joint initiative aims to speed progress toward universal safe water access and sanitation services by helping at least 200 million people in 20 countries.
The organization’s Three Year Strategic Plan for 2022-2024 is a stepping stone in this plan. Focusing on subgoals grouped under Purpose and Foundation, it outlines the immediate strategy to impact at least 12 countries, reach 25 million people nationally and help six million people locally.
During its 30 years of operation, Water For People has achieved concrete results. Working for both quality and quantity, the organization continues to set specific, achievable goals and move toward them.
– Anna Konovalenko
Photo: Flickr