In 2019, over 60,000 people in Belize had employment in the country’s tourism industry. The country’s relatively small economy is primarily dependent on tourism, which accounts for 40% of the country’s GDP and 70% of export proceeds. When the COVID-19 pandemic crossed borders into Central America, unemployment levels rose dramatically with the swift restrictions that were placed on international travel and other major industries. This growth in unemployment was coupled with a simultaneous growth in unemployment inequality in Belize, as the women of Belize found themselves more at risk of unemployment than men.
Unemployment on the Rise
Toward the end of 2019, unemployment began to rise in Belize. Reports indicated a jump from 7.7% to 10.4% in the last quarter. Some suggested that this increase in the unemployment rate was due to an unprecedented growth of the labor force and an insufficient job market. Specifically, women found themselves out of employment more than their male counterparts. Figures indicated that an increase in women entering the workforce effectively flooded the labor market, where there were not enough available jobs.
In all the districts of Belize, unemployment rose significantly in 2019. Research indicates that around 6,200 people found themselves unemployed from April 2019 to September of the same year alone. A staggering three-quarters of this demographic were women.
As COVID-19 crept into the country the following year, it became apparent this pattern was set to continue. COVID-19 created the biggest contraction within Belize’s economy to date, which was already in a precarious way prior to the pandemic. ‘Substantial declines’ in vital industries such as tourism, led to a further increase in unemployment inequality in Belize, which continued from 2020 to 2021.
Impacts of Unemployment
Food Insecurity: The rising unemployment rate in Belize had many profound impacts on affected households. Notably, COVID-19 and unemployment directly correlated with an increase in food insecurity and hunger for Belizeans. 25% of households reported that they were skipping meals as a result of economic struggles from the pandemic, and many children who had main meals at school found their access to food restricted as school closures were imposed across the country.
Gender Inequality: The intersection of gender and unemployment in Belize resulted in a widening gap in unemployment inequality. Micro and small enterprises were hit particularly hard by the pandemic, resulting in many closing down and workers finding themselves unemployed. The majority of business owners within these micro and small enterprises were women, making them particularly vulnerable to unemployment.
On job recovery since COVID-19, this pattern of unemployment inequality continued. 21% of jobs held by men were not recovered after the pandemic, yet 38% of jobs held by women were not recovered. This has led to an increase in unemployment inequality in Belize as more women are finding themselves unemployed than men.
The Solution
However, despite this staggering widening of unemployment inequality in Belize, the government has implemented measures which are proving to be relatively effective so far. Executive Secretary Alicia Bárcena for the Economic Commission for Latin America and Caribbean (ECLAC) has identified that in order to reduce the prevalent poverty and hunger rates in Belize, employment policy must be at the center of government policy making. In response, the government has built on the Horizon 2030 Vision Project, which has been running since 2010 to support long term development in Belize.
The Horizon 2030 Vision is focusing on increasing employment opportunities in the Northern Triangle and Southern Region of Belize, for all Belizeans, including women and indigenous people. These two priority areas are seeing investment and protection of small and medium enterprises, and an increase in trade agreements such as the Belize-Guatemala border, in the aim of job creation.
Results
Since Belize implemented this in 2021, a steady decrease in unemployment has been seen as the country begins to reverse the negative impacts of COVID-19. Between 2021 and 2022, unemployment decreased by over half from 10.2% to 5%. This was coupled with a significant increase in the country’s GDP as economic performance and productivity was boosted, which is expected to continue.
To tackle the inequality amongst unemployed persons in Belize, the government increased funding for targeted social spending, such as BOOST, a cash transfer program designed to support families in sending their children to school. This program has been successful in increasing enrolment figures which has directly resulted in increasing the female labor force participation in Belize. As of October 2022, female participation in the labor market stands at 44%. This is a positive result which is indicative of a continuing trend of tackling unemployment inequality in Belize.
– Ariana Mortazavi
Photo: Flickr
Educational Support for Orphans in Lesotho
Disadvantages of Orphans in Lesotho
Many orphaned children take the roles of their parents in heading households and finding a source of food to survive rather than studying. Also, due to the absence of parental care, some orphans develop behavioral problems.
Orphans, when taken to live with other people often end up in poor living conditions such as poor hygiene, poor nutrition and lack of school materials. This ends up impacting negatively their education and calls for concern.
Although orphans may find it difficult to enroll themselves in school, basic education is necessary. Pre-primary education can yield high returns but despite this fact, little funding from the national budget goes toward education in some countries. In Lesotho, the educational budget was less than 1% some years back.
Educational Initiatives for Orphans in Lesotho
Free access to pre-primary education for every child is Sustainable Development Goal 4.2. In Lesotho, primary education was made free and compulsory in 2010 for all children 6 to 13 years of age. Also, a number of programs aimed at protecting the rights of orphans and vulnerable children in Lesotho emerged. These programs have undergone implementation and are now producing positive outcomes. The programs target educational support, psychological assistance, home support and food security.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Orphan and Vulnerable Children (OVC) program through the U.S President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) provides funding for girls’ education to improve access to education from the early stage of education to completion. They further help to improve financial skills and connect them to employment opportunities. This program focuses on orphans, children or caregivers living with HIV and those at risk of contracting HIV. They also collaborate with other USAID-supported initiatives in the area of education, health and economic strength to enhance the resilience of young people.
The Better Early Learning and Development at Scale Initiative
An initiative, the Better Early Learning and Development at Scale initiative (BELDS) in Lesotho focused on improving the delivery of early childhood educational environment and services.
The Global Partnership for Education and UNICEF have partnered with the BELDS initiative to ensure proper planning, financing and implementation of the early childhood education program.
The Roger Foundation School Readiness Initiative started in June 2020 and should last until December 2025 aims to ensure that vulnerable children in Lesotho have access to pre-primary education and early childhood development. It is expected to reach at least 60,000 children in 800 schools. In addition, the Roger Federer Foundation developed a tablet for offline use. This tablet, called the early learning kiosk, helps teachers in early childhood education to access beginner topics.
Looking Ahead
HIV/AIDS has turned a lot of children into orphans and also made them attain adult roles. However, various organizations have made education more easily accessible to them, even when it may have become the last priority. These initiatives not only focus on education for orphans but also on supporting them psychologically and financially in their communities and homes.
– Chidinma Nwoha
Photo: Pixabay
Grassroot Campaigns Combat Disability and Poverty in Russia
In Russia, achieving financial stability has been a challenge for people with disabilities for a long time. Approximately 13 million individuals out of an estimated population of 146 million are classified as having some degree of disability. However, in the absence of strong government action, local, volunteer and advocacy groups are taking the lead in fighting disability and poverty in Russia.
Government Benefits and Challenges
The Russian government classifies those with disabilities into three groups: Group 1 to Group 3, with Group 1 being the most severe cases. People in this group are typically unable to function without aid. On the other end of the scale is Group 3, which is for people who need only some assistance to function. The basic government benefit ranges from up to 14,948.71 rubles for people with three dependents down to just 4,982.90 rubles for those with no dependents.
Despite the improvements and official recognition of social and economic issues that children and people with disabilities face, state policies often worsen existing problems and set up disabled people for failure. A 2014 report discovered that parents abandoned nearly 30% of children with disabilities in orphanages after state officials convinced their parents that they would be unable to raise them. These children frequently suffer from neglect and mistreatment at poorly funded and under-equipped institutions.
Young people with disabilities in Russia often face numerous challenges, including limited access to education and social isolation. Without proper education and social interactions, they may struggle to engage with others and are ill-prepared to support themselves economically. Moreover, after turning 18, many are coerced into giving up their legal independence and are placed in adult institutions for the disabled. These institutions often fail to provide adequate education and support, leaving young people trapped in a system that does not prioritize their needs or interests. These challenges highlight the need for greater government action and support for people with disabilities in Russia.
Advocacy Groups
Perspektiva and other advocacy groups are working to alleviate the issues surrounding disability and poverty in Russia. The groups aim to prepare young people with disabilities for future success through a variety of methods, including fun and creative exercises like sports, art and theater classes. These activities develop children both cognitively and physically while providing a platform for socialization with the wider public. Additionally, some programs focus on educational initiatives like funding for disabled children in public schools.
These organizations also support adults by offering technical job training and help with coordinating employment or housing for those who wish to live independently. Many adults who seek legal guidance, access to their legal financial benefits or protection turn to these organizations for support.
Looking Ahead
The lack of acceptance and support from the general public is a significant obstacle that disabled people in Russia face today. It presents challenges for parents raising children perceived as “different” and hinders disabled adults from realizing their full potential as economic and social equals. Despite the ongoing struggle with disability and poverty in Russia, activists and disability rights organizations are making progress through advocacy and support programs.
– Paul Phelan
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Unemployment Inequality in Belize
In 2019, over 60,000 people in Belize had employment in the country’s tourism industry. The country’s relatively small economy is primarily dependent on tourism, which accounts for 40% of the country’s GDP and 70% of export proceeds. When the COVID-19 pandemic crossed borders into Central America, unemployment levels rose dramatically with the swift restrictions that were placed on international travel and other major industries. This growth in unemployment was coupled with a simultaneous growth in unemployment inequality in Belize, as the women of Belize found themselves more at risk of unemployment than men.
Unemployment on the Rise
Toward the end of 2019, unemployment began to rise in Belize. Reports indicated a jump from 7.7% to 10.4% in the last quarter. Some suggested that this increase in the unemployment rate was due to an unprecedented growth of the labor force and an insufficient job market. Specifically, women found themselves out of employment more than their male counterparts. Figures indicated that an increase in women entering the workforce effectively flooded the labor market, where there were not enough available jobs.
In all the districts of Belize, unemployment rose significantly in 2019. Research indicates that around 6,200 people found themselves unemployed from April 2019 to September of the same year alone. A staggering three-quarters of this demographic were women.
As COVID-19 crept into the country the following year, it became apparent this pattern was set to continue. COVID-19 created the biggest contraction within Belize’s economy to date, which was already in a precarious way prior to the pandemic. ‘Substantial declines’ in vital industries such as tourism, led to a further increase in unemployment inequality in Belize, which continued from 2020 to 2021.
Impacts of Unemployment
Food Insecurity: The rising unemployment rate in Belize had many profound impacts on affected households. Notably, COVID-19 and unemployment directly correlated with an increase in food insecurity and hunger for Belizeans. 25% of households reported that they were skipping meals as a result of economic struggles from the pandemic, and many children who had main meals at school found their access to food restricted as school closures were imposed across the country.
Gender Inequality: The intersection of gender and unemployment in Belize resulted in a widening gap in unemployment inequality. Micro and small enterprises were hit particularly hard by the pandemic, resulting in many closing down and workers finding themselves unemployed. The majority of business owners within these micro and small enterprises were women, making them particularly vulnerable to unemployment.
On job recovery since COVID-19, this pattern of unemployment inequality continued. 21% of jobs held by men were not recovered after the pandemic, yet 38% of jobs held by women were not recovered. This has led to an increase in unemployment inequality in Belize as more women are finding themselves unemployed than men.
The Solution
However, despite this staggering widening of unemployment inequality in Belize, the government has implemented measures which are proving to be relatively effective so far. Executive Secretary Alicia Bárcena for the Economic Commission for Latin America and Caribbean (ECLAC) has identified that in order to reduce the prevalent poverty and hunger rates in Belize, employment policy must be at the center of government policy making. In response, the government has built on the Horizon 2030 Vision Project, which has been running since 2010 to support long term development in Belize.
The Horizon 2030 Vision is focusing on increasing employment opportunities in the Northern Triangle and Southern Region of Belize, for all Belizeans, including women and indigenous people. These two priority areas are seeing investment and protection of small and medium enterprises, and an increase in trade agreements such as the Belize-Guatemala border, in the aim of job creation.
Results
Since Belize implemented this in 2021, a steady decrease in unemployment has been seen as the country begins to reverse the negative impacts of COVID-19. Between 2021 and 2022, unemployment decreased by over half from 10.2% to 5%. This was coupled with a significant increase in the country’s GDP as economic performance and productivity was boosted, which is expected to continue.
To tackle the inequality amongst unemployed persons in Belize, the government increased funding for targeted social spending, such as BOOST, a cash transfer program designed to support families in sending their children to school. This program has been successful in increasing enrolment figures which has directly resulted in increasing the female labor force participation in Belize. As of October 2022, female participation in the labor market stands at 44%. This is a positive result which is indicative of a continuing trend of tackling unemployment inequality in Belize.
– Ariana Mortazavi
Photo: Flickr
Sanna Marin’s Defeat and Finland’s Foreign Aid Budget
On Monday, April 3, 2023, Finland’s Prime Minister and the world’s former youngest state leader Sanna Marin conceded electoral defeat after her Social Democratic Party (SDP) came in third place to the center-right National Coalition Party (NCP) and the nationalist Finns Party. NCP leader Petteri Orpo is set to be the next prime minister and state leader, as Marin steps aside from her role as party leader. Under her, Finland had a steadfast commitment to the U.N.’s 2030 agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) that aim to end global poverty and create a safer and fairer world. Here is some information about Marin’s record on international development, the fallout from this recent election and what it might mean for Finland’s foreign aid budget.
Foreign Aid Under Marin
Marin has governed as prime minister since 2019 as the leader of the SDP. During this time, she has overseen an increase in the amount Finland spends on fighting poverty in developing nations. In 2018, Finland spent 0.36% of its gross national income (GNI) on Official Development Assistance (ODA). This had increased to 0.47% of GNI by 2021.
A core priority of Finland’s foreign aid is to promote the rights of girls and women worldwide. This is in line with the U.N.’s SDG number 5. Finland has historically been at the forefront of political gender equality. It was the first European country to grant women voting rights. It was also the first in the world to allow them to stand as candidates.
Finland’s proud history of championing women’s rights manifests in its support for women and girls around the world facing extreme poverty. In 2020 Finland spent more than $220 million to promote gender equality and female empowerment in developing nations. As the U.N.’s SDG number 5 has decried, the empowerment of women is not just a basic human right – it is also an incredible catalyst for economic growth and development.
Party Positions
Despite the progress made under Marin, the SDP’s opponents have shown less enthusiasm toward Finland’s humanitarian commitments.
The campaign of the center-right NCP won 20.6% of the vote. It was fought on the promise of reducing government spending and debt. In second place, with 20.1% of the vote, was the nationalist Finns Party. They had previously stated their desire to cut Finland’s foreign aid spending by at least €200 million.
The last time the NCP and the Finns Party were in government together, from 2015 to 2019, they reduced Finland’s spending on foreign aid. However, during the administration’s final year, they began to reverse their cuts to ODA. The Social Democrats embraced this trend.
The third-placed SDP remained committed to increasing the amount Finland spends on international development, campaigning on a promise to keep Finland on the path toward spending 0.7% of GNI on ODA.
Hope for the Future
There remains uncertainty as to whether the far-right Finns Party will constitute the government. The SDP may have come in third place but with 19.9% of the vote, their popularity remains high. It is not unforeseeable that they enter into a coalition government with Orpo’s NCP.
As the biggest party, the NCP will take the lead in attempting to form a new coalition government. They may not share the same enthusiasm for ODA as the SDP, but their party platform confirms its commitment to assisting developing nations and lifting people out of extreme poverty.
In the wake of Marin’s departure, there remains hope that Finland’s history of supporting the world’s poorest will continue. Marin’s time as prime minister reinforced Finland’s global reputation as a leading light in the fight for gender equality and the mission to end global poverty.
– Henry Jones
Photo: Flickr
Hunger and Food Systems in North Korea
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un convened an emergency meeting to discuss agriculture in February 2023, as the country faces growing concerns about food insecurity. Kim only holds these meetings once or twice a year, but it had only been two months since the previous one. Though the regime refutes such claims, the recurrent meetings may point to pressing circumstances concerning the food systems in North Korea.
Persistent Effects of a Devastating 1990s Famine
A famine in the mid-1990s killed more than 3% of the population. The effects of this famine still persist within food systems in North Korea today. Additionally, according to media reports, the situation has only worsened since the COVID-19 pandemic, with the enforcement of more border closures. The regime resorted to reserving available resources for only military developments.
North Korea also suffers from a lack of agricultural infrastructure, including fuel and fertilizers, which have become more expensive as a result of the pandemic. Chemical fertilizers, especially, appear to be in shortage in the country as the sowing season approaches.
In December 2022, the South Korean development agency estimated a 3.8% decrease in the North’s crop production since 2021. The South’s Unification Ministry commented on the current food crisis as “seemed to have deteriorated,” although North Korea’s regime refuses any claims that infer its incapacity to provide enough food for the population.
The country’s lack of arable land is partly responsible for its food insecurity crisis. The Brookings Institution in Washington, DC reports that only 20% of the land appears to be suitable for agricultural production. The extreme weather and constant flooding may have also destroyed some of the existing plantations.
International Humanitarian Aid in North Korea
Despite the food insecurity problem in North Korea, the country’s regime refuses international aid. A local newspaper Rodong Sinmun even described foreign aid as “poisoned candy.” However, China, a long-standing ally, has agreed to restart a small portion of railway transport of various goods, including medicine, fertilizers and food between the two countries. One of North Korea’s only options is to restart the whole railway trade, but the Chinese government seems reluctant.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the living conditions of North Koreans appear to have worsened significantly. The economic isolation greatly limits the chances of international humanitarian aid, and the border closures have only affected the country negatively. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), North Korea only accepted about $2.3 million in aid from international organizations in 2022. Most of the aid came from European countries, with $1.6 million from Switzerland, $510,000 and $200,000 from the Swedish and Norwegian Red Cross respectively.
Hope for Economic Relief in North Korea
The hope for the current food systems in North Korea lies in lifting the economic sanctions imposed on the country. Ongoing tensions between North Korea and the U.S., along with its allies, are due to the country’s possession of nuclear weapons and political clashes. The dissolution of this tension could partially address the country’s food insecurity. If North Korea can trade with countries other than China and Russia, it would have access to resources that could solve some of the problems related to food scarcity, although the country has shown no such effort.
Organizations like Liberty in North Korea and World Food Programme (WFP) are working towards helping the country’s population through various initiatives. For example, WFP is operating the DPRK Interim Country Strategic Plan (2019-2023) that proposed a plan to improve nutrition for children under 7 years of age, pregnant and lactating women and tuberculosis patients by 2025. While it is difficult to predict the outcome at this stage, sustained humanitarian assistance in North Korea can lead to positive outcomes.
– Amber Kim
Photo: Flickr
Fighting Water Scarcity in India
Leading alcoholic beverage production company Diageo India is making sustainability a core part of its values. Using innovative technology that turns air into water, Diageo will become the first company of its kind to use sustainably sourced water in its products. Considering the current crisis of water scarcity in India, such practices and others could serve as a necessary model for manufacturing in water-stressed countries.
Water Scarcity in India
India is currently experiencing its worst water crisis to date. A report that the Government of India released this past June revealed that changes to the country’s typical monsoon season and surging exploitation of groundwater are increasing water scarcity at an alarming rate.
The policy commission responsible for the report, the National Institution for Transforming India, estimated 600 million Indians to be living in high to extreme water stress. But this number will likely only grow. By 2030, millions more will face water scarcity in India as the demand for water doubles the actual amount available.
The Indian state of Rajasthan in particular is witnessing the early effects of these recent trends. Of the state’s 302 blocks, 219 are overexploiting their groundwater, according to a usage report that the government released in 2022.
Initiatives such as the National Groundwater Management Improvement Program, or Atal Bhujal Yojana, hope to educate those in the agriculture sector responsible for much of the overuse. The World Bank is supporting the plan, which focuses in part on incentivizing farmers to reduce their use of irrigation systems through equivalent compensation for the energy saved.
SOURCE® Hydropanels
The SOURCE® Hydropanels that Diageo is installing in Rajasthan will operate without electricity, and create water rather than take it. Using patented SOURCE® Hydropanels, fans powered by solar energy draw in air and trap the water vapor within. The condensed water then accumulates in a reservoir to await the addition of minerals that make it ready to drink.
This innovative technology by SOURCE Global, PBC is unlike any the world has seen before. Although invented less than 10 years ago in 2014, Hydropanels are now producing water across the globe in locations like South Africa, the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates. These installations provide water for schools, communities and resorts. SOURCE’s collaboration with Diageo India, however, is the first of its kind.
Diageo India
On November 30, 2022, Diageo India announced its partnership with SOURCE Global. The stewardship initiative aims to install 200 Hydropanels in Alwar, Rajasthan, on a farm of their own building. Within six months of installation, the panels should generate 9,000 liters of water. After a year, that amount should triple to 27,000 liters per month. The water produced will then go into the production of Diageo India’s premium malt whiskey, Godawan.
The partnership is part of Diageo’s Society 2030: Spirit of Progress program. Created just last year, the program exists to ensure the company’s practices align with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By 2026, it aims to replenish more water than water-stressed regions use. Additionally, in 2030, it hopes to use 30% less water in every drink it makes.
Considering Diageo PLC is responsible for the distribution of top alcohol brands including Smirnoff, Ketel One and Captain Morgan, this sustainable mindset has the potential to serve as a model in the production industry. As summarized by SOURCE Global Brand President, Neil Grimmer, “…Diageo India is serving the growing demand for premium, sustainable products in an incredibly unique and powerful way.”
– Rachel Smith
Photo: Pixabay
The Fight Against Human Trafficking in Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso is a landlocked West African country with an estimated population of 22 million people as of 2021. The country identifies as a hotspot for human trafficking but the government and organizations are taking action to reduce the prevalence of human trafficking in Burkina Faso.
Leading Causes and Issues
The U.S. Department of State classifies Burkina Faso as a Tier 2 nation in its 2022 Trafficking in Persons Report. This indicates that despite not yet entirely meeting the requirements for eradicating trafficking, the Burkinabe government is putting much effort into doing so. However, the government is struggling in certain areas, such as providing services to trafficking victims and holding offenders accountable.
Social issues such as poverty, gender inequality and a lack of education contribute to the prevalence of human trafficking in Burkina Faso. In addition, Burkina Faso has a large population of vulnerable people, with more than 40% living below the poverty line. Women and girls are particularly vulnerable to trafficking for purposes of sexual exploitation and involuntary work, while children are targeted for forced labor in industries such as mining and agriculture.
In its 2022 Trafficking in Persons Report, the U.S. Department of State says that “an international organization estimates between 200,000 to 300,000 children work in artisanal mining sites, some of whom may be trafficking victims. Traffickers exploit girls in sex trafficking in Ouagadougou and in mining towns.”
The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated poverty and heightened economic desperation, increasing the risk of people falling for the lures of traffickers. In addition, school closures exposed out-of-class children to higher risks of exploitation.
Anti-Trafficking Measures
According to the 2022 report, Burkina Faso’s government has implemented some alleviatory measures against human trafficking. For instance, “establishing child protection units in law enforcement offices throughout the country, identifying potential trafficking victims and continuing its program with Quranic teachers to prevent child forced begging.” Burkina Faso’s government also partnered with international groups and foreign donors to introduce a “humanitarian response plan to assist vulnerable people in conflict-affected areas, including potential trafficking victims.”
The government also strengthened law enforcement and judicial capacities, with Articles 511-1 to 511-5 of the penal code criminalizing sex trafficking and labor trafficking. The penalties included up to 10 years of jail time and up to 5 million West African CFA francs (FCFA) ($8,790) for offenses on victims older than 15 years. A fine of up to 10 million FCFA is applicable for offenses involving victims 15 and younger.
Terre des Hommes
In 2002, Terre des Hommes, an international children’s rights organization, committed efforts toward fighting human trafficking in Burkina Faso in relation to child trafficking and labor exploitation. At the core, the organization strives to safeguard children from exploitation and maltreatment. The organization works with the local communities in Burkina Faso to spread awareness about human trafficking risks and share tips on how to prevent the recruitment of children. The charity also offers shelter and medical care to victims of trafficking.
According to the 2020 Terre des Hommes International Federation’s annual report, the organization’s African programs successfully supported 11 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, including Burkina Faso. These programs reached more than 3.5 million children and other community members, including those at risk of trafficking and exploitation.
Burkina Faso received support in the following programs: mother and child health, migration, access to justice humanitarian aid and transversal protection. The support included providing access to education, health care and protection services alongside raising awareness about children’s rights and trafficking-related issues. These efforts reached more than 1.9 million beneficiaries.
The Bright Side
Although human trafficking remains a major issue in Burkina Faso, a number of human rights groups and programs continue working to bring it to an end. The Burkinabe government and organizations like Terre des Hommes aim to further the progress in the fight against human trafficking and safeguard the rights of the most vulnerable people.
– Lorraine Lin
Photo: Pixabay
SOS NPO Educates to End Hunger
While food and water insecurity remain issues in many parts of South Africa, one nonprofit is taking a new approach to transforming the situation for the better. The Save Our Schools Non-Profit Organization (SOS NPO) engages local school students in projects that teach everything from agricultural skills to the science behind rainwater harvesting. Its initiatives are not only helping eliminate resource scarcity but also ensuring that coming generations have the necessary skills to remain employed and end hunger and reduce the poverty rate in South Africa.
Poverty in the Western Cape
Cape Town is a world-renowned tourist destination that has earned love and admiration for its picturesque beaches. Yet, it is located in a province that is still home to a high number of residents living in poverty. As of 2019, an estimated 46% of residents in the Western Cape earned less than 1,227 Rand (about $70 USD) per month.
Although the province has the lowest expanded unemployment rate in South Africa at 31.3% as of August 2022, the low wages lead to rising levels of food insecurity. The most recent data from the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES) found that more than 10 million South Africans experience moderate to severe food insecurity. In the Western Cape specifically, this number is expected to rise due to lowering dam levels.
The province gets its water supply via 44 dams, but low amounts of rainfall and an increasing population are keeping dam levels around 50%. Previous droughts led to restrictions on agricultural water use. Now, with less freshwater from the dams available to farmers, there are rising problems with food availability. Given this, SOS NPO considers the experiential education of the next generation as one of the effective ways of alleviating the issues.
SOS NPO
SOS NPO is dedicated to supporting impoverished schools in the Western Cape through initiatives that improve Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH). The nonprofit often provides resources that include non-potable water and transportation services to schools. It has also helped in installing rainwater harvesting systems throughout the province. However, the primary focus of its projects is sustainable education, particularly in the Bloekombos community.
One such initiative is the SOS Farming Academy, a program that provides agricultural education to young people in a bid to create employment opportunities. Students of the program live on the SOS NPO farm for a year, gaining valuable skills that guarantee them job placements upon leaving the program.
The organization also hosts the SOS Youth Club which was founded in 2020 and centered around the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). At each of the six schools in the Bloekombos area, students volunteer to be Goal Leaders for one of the SDGs. If elected, the Goal Leader is responsible for organizing a project related to their goal and getting other students involved. SOS NPO then provides resources and funding for each project.
Most recently, the nonprofit launched an initiative at Bloekombos High School that allows students to maintain vegetable gardens via rainwater harvesting.
How the Water in the Sky is Helping End Hunger
In March, SOS NPO recruited student volunteers to assist with the harvesting of a soccer-field-sized vegetable garden as part of its Water in the Sky initiative. The garden, planted near Bloekombos High School, uses a rainwater harvesting system installed earlier this year. In an interview with South African news outlet News24, SOS NPO spokesperson Amy Burrow announced that students who join the project “will be receiving agricultural training and education surrounding the maintenance of water-conscious vegetable gardens.”
With funding from brands like Nestlé, Puma and Hallmark, there is also the hope of expanding to other schools in the area. Additionally, the project could provide the community as a whole with a steady source of food and water.
The Mark of Progress
SOS NPO is doing work with the potential to end hunger and water insecurity situations in South Africa. It is also leaving a legacy that can transform the lives of the next generation of South Africans through its education and empowerment of young people.
– Rachel Smith
Photo: Pixabay
Initiatives Leading Africa’s COVID-19 Recovery Efforts
The global economy has felt the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic significantly, with developing countries, particularly in Africa, bearing the brunt of this crisis. The pandemic pushed millions of Africans into extreme poverty and further widened the gap between the rich and the poor. Africa’s COVID-19 recovery efforts aim to reverse the adverse effects of the pandemic on the continent.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Poverty in Developing Countries
Widening Inequality in Africa
Nigeria: Before the pandemic, 40% of the country’s population lived below the poverty line. The economic fallout from COVID-19 has further strained the country’s fragile health care system, with six out of 10 Nigerians struggling to access basic health care services.
Kenya: The pandemic has caused job losses and food insecurity in the country. The closure of businesses and disruption of global supply chains have hit the Kenyan economy hard, and the World Bank projects the country’s economic growth to slow down to 5% in 2023.
South Africa: The continent’s most industrialized nation has experienced rising unemployment and worsening poverty levels, exposing deep-rooted socioeconomic inequalities. At the end of 2022, there were approximately 500,000 fewer jobs in the country than in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic pushed millions into poverty, and by 2022, South Africa had a poverty rate of 63%. According to a World Bank report, South Africa is the world’s most unequal country, with just 10% of the population owning more than 80% of the wealth.
Solutions and Initiatives Driving Africa’s COVID-19 Recovery Efforts
To address these issues, governments, NGOs and international organizations are implementing various initiatives aimed at providing immediate relief and fostering long-term development.
The World Bank: In April 2020, the World Bank announced its $160 billion COVID-19 emergency response, planning to distribute the funds over a period of 15 months. Some of the countries that have received financial support include Nigeria, Ethiopia, Kenya and South Africa. The funds have been used to strengthen health care systems, support businesses and provide social safety nets for vulnerable populations. Specific projects include supplying medical equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE), increasing the number of health care workers and delivering cash transfers to affected households. The World Bank has also collaborated with other international organizations, such as the IMF, to provide debt relief to the poorest countries, enabling them to focus resources on fighting the pandemic. As of September 2021, the World Bank has provided COVID-19 emergency support to more than 100 countries, making this response the largest crisis response in the organization’s history.
The African Development Bank (ADB): In April 2020, the ADB launched its $10 billion COVID-19 Response Facility. This initiative has led to several measurable outcomes, including providing budget support to countries like Nigeria, which received a $288.5 million loan to strengthen its health care infrastructure and increase social spending. The facility has also enabled 1.3 million people across Africa to access electricity, created 1.8 million jobs and provided millions of people with agricultural technologies to improve food security. The ADB aims to continue supporting Africa’s COVID-19 recovery efforts by financing infrastructure projects, promoting regional economic integration and increasing access to quality health care and education.
Local Projects and Community-driven Efforts Donate Resources
Grassroots organizations, such as the Lagos Food Bank Initiative (LFBI) in Nigeria, the Solidarity Fund in South Africa and the Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO) in Kenya, are working to alleviate the impact of the pandemic on impoverished populations.
LFBI, founded in 2016, focuses on providing food assistance and nutrition education to vulnerable communities. The organization has reached more than 2,000,000 beneficiaries and provided more than 2 million meals since its inception. During the COVID-19 pandemic, LFBI increased food distribution efforts and launched a door-to-door delivery program to ensure families receive the support they need.
Established in March 2020, the Solidarity Fund aims to mobilize resources to combat the pandemic and support the nation’s health response. The organization has raised more than $200 million, which has been used to purchase PPE, ventilators and other essential medical equipment for health care facilities. Additionally, it has supported food relief programs, providing food parcels to vulnerable communities.
Launched in 2004, SHOFCO is a grassroots movement in Kenya that works to improve urban slums through community-led initiatives, including education, health care and economic empowerment programs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, SHOFCO provided more than 1.5 million liters of free water to communities through its water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) program. The organization has also set up handwashing stations and distributed hygiene products, such as soap and sanitizer. Through its education program, SHOFCO has reached more than 700,000 individuals with COVID-19 prevention information and awareness campaigns.
Africa Takes Steps Toward COVID-19 Recovery
– Eden Asipov
Photo: Flickr
Human Trafficking in Saint Lucia
Trafficking Profile
Sexual and labor exploitation in Saint Lucia’s human trafficking industry affects both locals and foreigners. Women commonly coerce teenage migrants and foreign victims, typically hailing from South Asia, Haiti and Jamaica, into the illicit trade. Business proprietors are frequently the culprits. Furthermore, there is a growing trend of older trafficking survivors recruiting younger victims.
Saint Lucia’s human trafficking rating, according to the Global Organized Crime Index, is four out of 5.13. The report reveals that parents and guardians frequently coerce or pressure victims into trafficking situations. Economic vulnerability is a key factor driving such exploitation, with children and rural women from low-income households at a heightened risk of succumbing to commercial sexual exploitation in exchange for goods and services.
Limitations Within the Legislation
The 2022 TIP report for Saint Lucia assesses the country’s human trafficking landscape in three domains: prosecution, prevention and protection, acknowledging the progress and shortcomings in each. For instance, the report states that the 2010 Counter-Trafficking Act, which criminalized sex trafficking in Saint Lucia, is sufficiently stringent but allows for a fine instead of imprisonment; thus, mitigating its efficiency in contrast to tackling other serious crimes.
The report also identifies the government’s failure to decrease demand for commercial sex as a concern. Saint Lucia’s government only identified “two child trafficking victims in 2019, zero victims between 2016 and 2018 and ten victims in 2015,” according to the report. The State Department also highlights inadequate legal, health and advocacy services for human trafficking victims, including shelters for trafficked individuals and weak enforcement of prevention laws. Moreover, the report notes that the COVID-19 pandemic contributed significantly to hampering the legislation’s implementation.
Ongoing Efforts
Lawmakers continue to introduce new policies against human trafficking in Saint Lucia. Some of these policies involve amendments to existing trafficking laws to further make certain that penalties are stringent or “commensurate with penalties of other serious crimes.”
Alongside these measures, the government of Saint Lucia launched a national action plan to enhance victim identification techniques, ensure rigorous investigation and conviction of traffickers and train officials in the latest procedures. Policymakers have also prioritized funding anti-trafficking prevention campaigns in their efforts to eliminate human trafficking in the country.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM), a United Nations agency, has also been helping the government in building capacity to address human trafficking in Saint Lucia. Its week-long project in 2018 included workshops to support frontline workers in the identification, referral and protection of trafficking victims. IOM’s Senior Regional Thematic Specialist Rosilyne Borland explains: “Sensitizing and training frontline partners, like health professionals, diplomatic personnel and civil society is a necessary first step to being able to find people who need help.”
There has been ongoing support from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Saint Lucia’s fight against human trafficking. In collaboration with the Centre of Excellence in Statistical Information on Government, Crime, Victimization and Justice (ESCoE), the UNODC is assisting the country in generating data on victimization and safety. The improved quality and availability of crime statistics are vital in understanding the trafficking phenomenon, including changes within reporting periods and victim/perpetrator patterns. It also enables the monitoring of progress and facilitates evidence-based decision-making in the country.
Looking Ahead
Despite the several and varied human trafficking issues affecting Saint Lucia, its government continues to make efforts toward alleviation. The latest projects with IOM and UNODC as well as the ongoing legislative measures are indications of several attempts to address a complicated social issue. Even amid the unanticipated COVID-19 pandemic and other national concerns, the Saint Lucian authorities continued to support victims and raise awareness about the issue. Moving forward, community work on existing action plans can potentially increase the pace and likelihood of change, while ensuring culturally relevant progress.
– Kasvi Sehgal
Photo: Pxfuel