The World Health Organization (WHO) has determined Jordan’s mental health system needs significant restructuring, estimating that more than 25% of Jordanians experience mental health symptoms. Increased poverty rates due to conflicts in neighboring countries impacting the social climate have affected Jordan’s ability to cope with mental health in Jordan. Out of 100,000, only 305 Jordanians seek help for mental health symptoms, a problem needing a resolution.
The Current State of Mental Health in Jordan
When discussing the challenges the Jordanian government must address, there are preexisting strengths to build on. The fact that the Jordanian government has acknowledged the problem is a small leap in the right direction, especially in a predominantly Muslim country.
As of 2020, the WHO observed that Jordan’s mental health care system had a solid psychiatry program, a community that wants reform and affordable mental health that is free or inexpensive. The Jordanian Ministry of Health supports implementing the WHO’s mental health action program (mhGAP).
Aside from programs and affordability, mental health in Jordan has a low budget designated for facilitating mental health programs. In 2021, the annual budget reserved 6.1% for health services, and there needs to be more information on how that funding impacts mental health care. Known usages of Jordan’s health funding supported long-stay psychiatric facilities.
Psychiatrists and medication availability are scarce. Before the expansion of mental health in Jordan, there was less than one psychiatrist per 100,000 Jordanians, an unbalanced ratio showing a shortage of resources. In addition, medications, even for common disorders such as depression and anxiety, are sparse, and regulations make it harder to receive medication if available.
Possible Setbacks
The coronavirus pandemic has increased stress levels and poor mental health among adolescents, especially those living in poverty. In an international survey that UNICEF conducted, one in five young people between 15-24 said they had feelings of depression. Therefore, creating an environment where youth can learn about mental health and feel comfortable seeking help is vital.
Many Syrian refugees are in Jordan, with 86% living below the poverty line. Amman, Irbid and Zarqa are the governorates with high refugee populations most vulnerable to poverty, mental health issues and lack of resources.
The traumatic and stressful experiences endured when escaping from a country with political or social instability put many Syrians at risk of contracting mental health conditions. Including Syrians in the conversation is essential to ensure all Jordanians and its refugees have access to effective mental health care.
Potential Progress with the mhGAP Program
Jordan is the first of six countries that the WHO chose to participate in the mental health action program. The mhGAP program works to introduce mental health care into public health care. The introduction would strengthen early detection, diagnosis, pharmaceutical treatment, therapist interventions and recurring follow-ups.
Eighty new primary healthcare clinics and centers are necessary to meet the goal of improving the state of mental health in Jordan. The country has also introduced new small-scale mental health inpatient units in general hospitals and universities, further increasing accessibility to resources.
In Amman, Irbid and Zarqa, three of the most vulnerable, impoverished areas in Jordan, healthcare practitioners received training and supervision on proper mental healthcare procedures. As a result, three new outpatient centers focused on mental health in Jordan have opened in Amman, Irbid and Zarqa to ensure bountiful resources are available to the public.
The Jordanian Ministry of Health must rework the National Mental Health and Substance Use Action Plan for 2022 to 2025 to ensure the government makes life-saving changes. Developing and finalizing mhGAP plans for mental health in Jordan are the next steps to creating a well-rounded healthcare system.
– Mikada Green
Photo: Flickr
Human Trafficking in Chad
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) defines human trafficking as “the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of people through force, fraud or deception, with the aim of exploiting them for profit.” Incidents of human trafficking are more prevalent in areas enduring high rates of poverty as poverty makes people more susceptible to the lure of trafficking. Human trafficking in Chad, in particular, is a cause of concern due to Chad’s ranking as a Tier 2 Watch List country.
Human Trafficking in Chad
The U.S. Department of State ranks Chad as a Tier 2 Watch List country in 2021 as the nation “does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so.” Due to conflict and instability in surrounding countries, the Department of State said that Chad hosted “approximately 930,000 refugees, internally displaced persons, returnees and asylum seekers as of February 2021.” These groups are particularly susceptible to becoming trafficking victims “based on their economic instability and lack of access to support systems.”
Human trafficking in Chad disproportionately affects women and children. Girls are the most susceptible as some girls are “forced to marry against their will,” making them vulnerable to situations of sexual abuse and “exploitative domestic work.” Human trafficking commonly affects most children in the form of child labor despite government policies attempting to restrict this practice. Based on data from 2019, the Bureau of International Labor Affairs recorded that approximately 45.8% of children ages 5 to 14 engage in child labor in Chad.
Efforts to End Human Trafficking
In 2020, Chad made advancements to end the worst forms of human trafficking. The Government of Chad created a country-wide anti-human trafficking committee to prioritize human trafficking cases. To raise awareness of the issue, the government utilized social media and radio campaigns. The Ministry of Women, Family and National Solidarity, in collaboration with local organizations and a global group, ran “transit centers that served as temporary shelters throughout the country.” These temporary shelters gave “housing, food and education to victims of gender-based violence and other crimes, including potential victims of trafficking,” the Department of State reported.
However, the U.S. State Department reports that the Chadian government “did not report investigating, prosecuting or convicting any confirmed trafficking cases.” The government also did not designate members of the national anti-trafficking committee, leaving the group potentially without authority.
Existing Solutions
Because there are links between human trafficking and poverty, the prevalence of human trafficking in Chad could reduce with efforts to minimize the country’s poverty rate. According to the World Bank, about 43% of Chad’s population lived under the national poverty line in 2018.
Despite a lack of advocacy-based organizations and NGOs, Chad has developed legislation to eliminate human trafficking. The U.S. Department of State reported that “Law 006/PR/2018 on Combatting Trafficking in Persons criminalized sex trafficking and labor trafficking.” Furthermore, “Article 7 of Law 006/PR/2018 prescribed penalties of four to [30]years imprisonment and a fine of 250,000 to 5 million Central African francs.”
Looking Ahead
Chad, weakened by poverty and ineffective government policies, is facing several difficulties when attempting to reduce the presence of human trafficking. Despite this, there is still hope. Through international funding, the government of Chad can receive assistance to take action against human trafficking violations and develop an effective refugee camp system. Overall, Chad has the ability to fight against poverty and human trafficking.
– Sania Patel
Photo: Flickr
How the MySDG Foundation and Trust Fund are Leading Malaysia Out of Poverty
The United Nations in Malaysia and the Malaysian government have launched the MySDG Foundation and MySDG Trust Fund to combat poverty and further the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Poverty in Malaysia
The need for the government and other agencies to step up against poverty may be because of the step back Malaysia faced recently. This need is not only from normal obstacles that tend to cause economic hardship. The COVID-19 pandemic has also been one of the main struggles for Malaysia recently.
In 2019, the incidence of absolute poverty in Malaysia was 5.6%, recovering from 7.6% in 2016. However, the devastation and hardship from the pandemic caused it to increase to 8.4% in 2020.
Malaysia’s Partnership
Malaysia’s partnership with MySDG Foundation and MySDG Trust Fund has shown its commitment to the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030 which is stated as a “collective blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.” The SDG agenda could also be a strategy that changes or helps many different sectors. The agenda aims to work towards improving health care, education, security and many other topics, while also improving the environment and promoting eco-friendliness.
This new coordination showcases the “whole-of-nation,” approach among the U.N.’s great contributions to many countries and their work toward sustainable development for them. The global goal for the U.N. is for people everywhere to have peace and for poverty to end while still protecting the earth’s environment.
The Malaysian government’s work with the MySDG Foundation and other groups to combat poverty shows how cooperation and partnerships can go a long way to resolving issues.
The Formation of the MySDG Foundation and MySDG Trust Fund
Because of the need to further the agenda, the government formed the MySDG Foundation. The aim was for the Foundation was to help the government work on improving the economy and preserving the environment and the sustainability of Malaysia’s people.
One way the MySDG Foundation aims to provide aid is through the MySDG Trust Fund. Funds will go through the Trust Fund and then undergo dispersal between the government’s SDG projects/programs. The money will also go to other participating nonprofits, civil society organizations and U.N. agencies, which also have the same SDG agenda or partnerships as the Malaysian government.
The starting funds were RM 20 Million ($4,319,187.99), kicking off this cooperation in 2021. However, the initial start date of the foundation was January 27 and listed the founder as Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
Summarized Goals by the Ministry of Finance
The Malaysian Ministry of Finance was able to summarize the objectives of the fund as targeting struggling sectors first. The Ministry stated that “It also aims to fulfill financing gaps and facilitate joint initiatives by various stakeholders to translate SDG aspirations into practical actions through effective multi-stakeholder collaboration.” The Ministry also commented on supporting the SDG agenda and not making decisions until having consultations from many levels and parts of different sectors that they are working on.
The official portal of Malaysia’s Ministry of Finance also lists those involved with the project like the Board of Trustees, explanations about the experts for the different sectors, the founders, the U.N. agency segments in the collaboration, the committees and a donation fund link that is coming soon.
Future Outlook
The ultimate goal is to revive the Malaysian economy by having the MySDG Foundation and funds to combat poverty. The showcase of the U.N. collaboration and the opportunity for other private and public companies to help towards a common good radiates hope for the people of Malaysia and elsewhere. The sustainability the workers of this fund want for the Malaysian people will bring them out of poverty but they hope that they will be able to continue to protect the earth’s environment too.
– Marynette Holmes
Photo: Unsplash
Priyanka Chopra’s Activism in Kenya
What is Happening in Kenya
Kenya is currently experiencing the worst drought in 40 years. Four consecutive seasons of inadequate rain have plagued areas of the country.
Besides, with the support of UNICEF and USAID, the Ministry of Health and the Kenya Red Cross Society conducted an outreach clinic to assess children under 5 for malnutrition and immunize them.
Chopra’s Activism
Priyanka Chopra’s activism in Kenya included a trip to Turkana County, one of the 15 areas affected by the droughts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, where one out of three children suffers from severe malnutrition.
“In the Horn of Africa children are starving to death and millions more are on the brink of starvation right now. Most of the families I met are living on less than $1 a day, and some had not eaten for three days,” Chopra said to UNICEF. “UNICEF’s life-saving efforts on the ground are helping to curb this hunger crisis, which includes distribution of nutrient-packed therapeutic foods that can save a child’s life,” continued Chopra.
Raising Awareness
The actress has also documented her visit to the Lodwar Pediatric Stabilization Center where health workers treat most severe cases of malnutrition in children. In her post, Chopra said she hoped she would never have to do such a thing again but knows she will and encouraged her followers to donate to help solve the crisis.
The videos of encouragement and report shared on her Instagram pages have gained reactions from hundreds of thousands of individuals, raising awareness of the harsh situation that Kenya and its people are currently going through.
Following the birth of her first child, the celebrity said that this situation affected her differently. “What I especially saw when I went to the Ghana region was that it was very difficult for me especially as a new mother to see so many children suffering the way they were,” said Chopra. “To see those women standing by their children and not eating for days to make sure their children eat just goes to show that there is so much strength in human beings and especially in women,” she added.
Priyanka Chopra’s activism in Kenya comes immediately after another of her humanitarian works. The Matrix Resurrection star has recently made the news for her support of Iranian women who have been protesting the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, praising their courage in fighting to defend their rights, Outlook India reports.
Priyanka Chopra’s activism in Kenya is a source of hope, as demonstrated on her Instagram account, where the actress has expressed faith that, with the money, resources, and help required, Kenya will see a better future. “What you think is small, is the small that I don’t have,” the actress wrote quoting a teacher struggling to fund the school he runs in Sopel village with UNICEF. She concluded her post by encouraging the public to donate.
– Caterina Rossi
Photo: Flickr
Poverty Reduction in Latvia
The COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 have presented challenges to poverty reduction in Latvia. Due to these factors, Latvia suffered from a high unemployment rate in 2020 and an increasing inflation rate in 2022. Because of this, growth in the Latvian economy has slowed, prompting the government and organizations to take action to ensure Latvia is still on track to meet the 2030 U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Impacts of the Pandemic
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the unemployment rate in Latvia had significantly lowered, standing at 6.3% in 2019, the lowest percentage visible over a decade. After the onset of the pandemic, the unemployment rate increased to 8.1% in 2020. Women faced the disproportionate impacts of unemployment at the onset of the pandemic. In 2020, Latvia’s GDP saw contracted by 3.9% but expanded by 4.5% in 2021, according to the World Bank. The World Bank reports that the number of people in Latvia living under the national poverty line stood at 21.6% in 2019 but increased rapidly to 23.4% by 2020.
Growing Inflation Due to the Russia-Ukraine War
Another economic instability happened when the impacts of the Russia-Ukraine war touched international trade in Europe. In Latvia, inflation became an issue. As a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, “food, energy, and other raw material” costs have risen. Inflation in Latvia rose beyond 10%, the highest rate visible since 2008.
By March 2022, inflation in Latvia reached 11.5%. “Housing-related goods and services” rose by 14.5% on average while “transport-related goods and services increased by 22.9%, driven by a 43.3% increase in fuel prices,” according to the Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia.
The growing inflation rates are most harshly affecting impoverished families, but pensioners are most at risk of poverty amid the rising prices, with many unable to afford their heating bills.
Efforts Toward Poverty Reduction in Latvia
In May 2022 the Latvian government adopted the second Voluntary National Review (VNR), which “evaluates progress, challenges and presents new initiatives to accelerate the achievement” of the SDGs, according to the U.N. These SDGs include No Poverty (SDG 1) and Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8).
In a 2022 report assessing Latvia’s SDG progress, Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš said that “We are helping those most in need and promoting equal opportunities for all in Latvia.” He explained further that the government is prioritizing housing and mobility initiatives to expand economic growth and promote decent work out of Riga, Latvia’s capital city. Furthermore, Latvia is “improving access to health care, including significantly increasing salaries for the lowest paid medical practitioners.” The government is also raising the minimum income threshold for individuals most vulnerable to poverty. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Latvian government provided support to people and businesses impacted by economic stagnation and lockdowns.
The Latvian Platform for Development Cooperation (LAPAS) came about in 2004 to bring Latvian non-governmental organizations together in order to promote development in Latvia. LAPAS works toward the achievement of the U.N. SDGs through advocacy efforts, global education priorities, the promotion of local organizations and educating and updating the public on developmental issues via workshops, social media, lectures and more.
Through ongoing commitments toward achieving the U.N. SDGs, the Latvian government and organizations can reduce poverty in Latvia while igniting economic growth and improving the quality of life in Latvia overall.
– Olga Petrovska
Photo: Unsplash
Mental Health in Jordan
The World Health Organization (WHO) has determined Jordan’s mental health system needs significant restructuring, estimating that more than 25% of Jordanians experience mental health symptoms. Increased poverty rates due to conflicts in neighboring countries impacting the social climate have affected Jordan’s ability to cope with mental health in Jordan. Out of 100,000, only 305 Jordanians seek help for mental health symptoms, a problem needing a resolution.
The Current State of Mental Health in Jordan
When discussing the challenges the Jordanian government must address, there are preexisting strengths to build on. The fact that the Jordanian government has acknowledged the problem is a small leap in the right direction, especially in a predominantly Muslim country.
As of 2020, the WHO observed that Jordan’s mental health care system had a solid psychiatry program, a community that wants reform and affordable mental health that is free or inexpensive. The Jordanian Ministry of Health supports implementing the WHO’s mental health action program (mhGAP).
Aside from programs and affordability, mental health in Jordan has a low budget designated for facilitating mental health programs. In 2021, the annual budget reserved 6.1% for health services, and there needs to be more information on how that funding impacts mental health care. Known usages of Jordan’s health funding supported long-stay psychiatric facilities.
Psychiatrists and medication availability are scarce. Before the expansion of mental health in Jordan, there was less than one psychiatrist per 100,000 Jordanians, an unbalanced ratio showing a shortage of resources. In addition, medications, even for common disorders such as depression and anxiety, are sparse, and regulations make it harder to receive medication if available.
Possible Setbacks
The coronavirus pandemic has increased stress levels and poor mental health among adolescents, especially those living in poverty. In an international survey that UNICEF conducted, one in five young people between 15-24 said they had feelings of depression. Therefore, creating an environment where youth can learn about mental health and feel comfortable seeking help is vital.
Many Syrian refugees are in Jordan, with 86% living below the poverty line. Amman, Irbid and Zarqa are the governorates with high refugee populations most vulnerable to poverty, mental health issues and lack of resources.
The traumatic and stressful experiences endured when escaping from a country with political or social instability put many Syrians at risk of contracting mental health conditions. Including Syrians in the conversation is essential to ensure all Jordanians and its refugees have access to effective mental health care.
Potential Progress with the mhGAP Program
Jordan is the first of six countries that the WHO chose to participate in the mental health action program. The mhGAP program works to introduce mental health care into public health care. The introduction would strengthen early detection, diagnosis, pharmaceutical treatment, therapist interventions and recurring follow-ups.
Eighty new primary healthcare clinics and centers are necessary to meet the goal of improving the state of mental health in Jordan. The country has also introduced new small-scale mental health inpatient units in general hospitals and universities, further increasing accessibility to resources.
In Amman, Irbid and Zarqa, three of the most vulnerable, impoverished areas in Jordan, healthcare practitioners received training and supervision on proper mental healthcare procedures. As a result, three new outpatient centers focused on mental health in Jordan have opened in Amman, Irbid and Zarqa to ensure bountiful resources are available to the public.
The Jordanian Ministry of Health must rework the National Mental Health and Substance Use Action Plan for 2022 to 2025 to ensure the government makes life-saving changes. Developing and finalizing mhGAP plans for mental health in Jordan are the next steps to creating a well-rounded healthcare system.
– Mikada Green
Photo: Flickr
Somalia’s Debt Relief With the IMF’s Assistance
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff voted in October 2022 to put a vote through to the executive board that, if approved, will grant $10 million to Somalia for debt relief. The new IMF vote is not Somalia’s first time receiving debt relief, but it represents foreign investment expectations for the East-African country. The IMF staff-level agreement combined with other recent foreign debt relief aid can help Somalia’s burdensome debt drop from $5.2 billion to $550 million by the end of 2023.
Somalia’s Economic Strife
Countless factors stress Somalia’s need for debt relief. Somalia’s government and politics fractured in 1991, with an ensuing civil war, leaving Somalia with a government representative of a non-unified nation. Somalia had no proper representation of the various political and regional differences, meaning the nation fell behind the rest of the world in economic development. The issues surrounding Somalia’s critical workforce and agriculture exports represent the financial struggles best.
A secondary key issue is Somalia’s reliance on agriculture. As of 2020, about 80% of the workforce was in agriculture, but seven out of 10 Somalians live in poverty. The high poverty rate of the agrarian-based Somalians partially stems from the intense droughts beginning in the 2018 rain season and locust outbreaks destroying crops. The agricultural difficulties resulted in the intense starvation of more than 213,000 Somalians. The food shortage Somalians are navigating worsened when the war in Ukraine broke out and caused food prices to skyrocket worldwide. The soaring food prices are exacerbating Somalia’s strained food supply further.
Despite the constant changes in Somalia for three decades, Somalia’s debt relief has become an attainable goal as Somalia’s government changed and moved towards new economic policies. The new policies helped Somalia return to the global stage and become a viable partner and economically reliable international force.
The Way Somalia’s Economy Has Recovered So Far
Somalia’s debt relief path truly began when Somalia implemented its Provisional Constitution of 2011, formed an internationally recognized Federal government and created five Federal Member States. The member states recognize the regional differences and political expectations that vary from region to region, creating partial unity towards a common goal. The new government drafted a series of economic reforms that created local economic flow. Economic reforms throughout Somalia provided the government with the framework to maintain financial stability and begin international operations once more.
Since the new government came into power, Somalia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has steadily improved. Despite factors like the food shortage and agricultural struggles, Somalia’s GDP has held firm but quickly drained. About 96% of Somalia’s GDP goes towards paying off its $5.2 billion national debt. Thankfully, the remarkable economic improvements by Somalia reached the decision point for the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative. The World Bank and IMF are the driving forces behind the HIPC, and both recognize the efforts of Somalia’s government, thus beginning the process of qualification for the HIPC in March 2020. The HIPC helps numerous nations pair debt. Decreasing debt is pertinent for reducing poverty rates because the freedom from debt allows for spending on social services that support the most vulnerable citizens.
A country is qualified for the initiative’s assistance after a multi-step process. The country in question must be eligible for loans from the World Bank and IMF, have a track record of economic-reform policies, and have a Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP). The nation in question then must meet the completion point. The HIPC grants additional economic relief that pares down debt without providing other loans to pay back. Somalia’s debt relief has not been easy to achieve. However, Somalia should reach the completion point soon, decreasing its debt from $5.2 billion to $500 million.
The IMF’s Staff-Level Agreement and Its Assistance
The IMF’s staff-level agreement for Somalia’s debt relief is another crucial step towards a more stable economy with decreased poverty rates. The next step is an agreement by the IMF’s executive board that authorizes releasing the $10 million to Somalia. The IMF’s mission chief Laura Jaramillo expressed the IMF’s confidence in Somalia and that the IMF is impressed by the continued economic recovery that Somalia has managed to accomplish. The new deal might not seem like much compared to the hopeful debt paring by the HIPC, but that relief will not likely reach Somalia until the end of 2023.
Assistance for Somalia’s debt relief would mean that Somalia can decrease the amount of its GDP that pays off the country’s debt, which is overwhelming. Spending so much on Somalia’s debt means the government has limited resources to tackle everyday problems, and $10 million from the IMF can be incredibly handy. The IMF’s new debt relief plan for Somalia indicates the growing confidence foreign investors have in Somalia, meaning more economic stability and debt relief might be on their way.
– Clara Mulvihill
Photo: Flickr
Urgent Need to Help Victims of Flooding in Nigeria
The 2022 floods are the worst in a decade and come at an already distressing time for Nigeria as its northern states have been experiencing widespread violence, forcing 3 million from their homes. An article appearing in The Guardian in 2020 highlights the dire state of drainage and infrastructure which exacerbates the problem. The article states “From Lagos Island to the mainland, the absence of a good drainage system is evident in the many roads that the floods have washed away…” The Nigerian government has also accused neighboring Cameroon of sending extra water from its annual release of the Lagdo dam, according to AP News.
Flooding Exacerbates Food Insecurity in Nigeria
Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country and has seen rapid urbanization in recent years, with over 211 million residents in 2021. As the country continues to expand, more economic potential is possible, though the wounds of colonial oppression still exist.
In addition to loss of life and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people, the floods have also disrupted food supplies. Roads blocked by the river have halted trucks bringing in supplies to communities affected by the disaster. Thankfully, President Muhammadu Buhari announced that 12,000 metric tons of grain will be distributed among victims of flooding, though much more will be needed to provide adequate aid to victims of flooding in Nigeria.
“In the same region, more than 4 million people are projected to continue experiencing acute food insecurity amid the worsening global food crisis,” according to the U.S. Mission in Nigeria.
There is also an increased risk of waterborne illnesses and diseases including cholera. Cholera outbreaks were already declared in August and September across the Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe states, where at least 7,750 cases were recorded.
Aid to the Country
During 2020 and 2021, the U.S. sent more than $500 million in relief to the country. In October 2022, the U.S. approved $1 million in immediate aid to the country, which will greatly help the situation by providing organizations on the ground to set up temporary housing and gain access to more relief commodities.
The EU is another donor, sending €58 million to Nigeria to fund food assistance and food rations for families in 2022.
Organizations like the Internation Rescue Committee, also help to bridge the gap by delivering clean water and food, as well as providing health and education services across the country.
Though much more funding will be necessary to adequately resolve the crisis flooding has caused, this is a huge help to those in need. The health and growth of developing nations such as Nigeria are essential to the development of the global economy.
– Shane Chase
Photo: Flickr
Providing COVID-19 Vaccines to Madagascar
Madagascar, like much of the world, has dealt with disinformation, confusion, disrupted supply chains and health crises from the pandemic. Additionally, like much of the developing world, Madagascar remains largely unvaccinated. In fact, the country has administered only enough doses to vaccinate between 4-5% of the population. However, international organizations are working to provide COVID-19 vaccines to Madagascar.
An Inside Voice
In an interview with The Borgen Project, Pierre Ranjakamanana, a 21-year-old student from Antananarivo, stated that the pandemic “badly affected the country in many ways, especially people from poor backgrounds.” The government-imposed lockdowns and curfew impacted Antananarivo’s many independent vendors, who often rely on daily income to make ends meet. Ranjakamanana recalled that “people were desperate due to the fact that they had to stay at home for two weeks.”
“All of us were panicking because we heard on the news that COVID-19 had killed many people in China. Then, we started thinking of ways not to get the virus, so we drank hot water tea with ginger and lemon in it, washed our hands every single time, and decided not to go outside.” He also remembered that while some took the virus very seriously, others “did not really believe in the virus because they believed that COVID-19 is like a normal disease like headache, fever and all that, so there is no point in panicking.”
Debunking the “Tea”
One of the biggest challenges during the pandemic was overcoming misinformation and acquiring COVID-19 vaccines for Madagascar. Madagascar’s President Rajoelina has promoted an herbal tea that the Malagasy Institute of Applied Research developed as a COVID-19 cure. Called “Covid-Organics,” it is based on the artemisia plant, an important source of anti-malarial drugs. However, there is no evidence that tea has any effect on COVID-19. Still, the country has shipped thousands of doses to different countries, tried to develop an injectable version, and distributed the tea to schools, threatening students with expulsion if they did not drink it.
Efforts to Vaccinate Madagascar
Thankfully, international organizations are distributing vaccines and medical equipment to Madagascar. COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) and the African Vaccine Acquisition Trust (AVAT) are organizations that acquire, organize and distribute COVID-19 vaccines to the developing world and Africa, respectively. The U.S. State Department has given 1.7 million doses to these organizations, 74% of Madagascar’s total so far.
In 2021, the World Bank gave $100 million to Madagascar to help the country acquire and distribute more vaccines. If implemented smoothly, the initiative should vaccinate about 5.6 million people, as well as support the infrastructure that will continue to vaccinate the population. Some COVID-19 vaccines must be kept on ice, which vastly increases the logistics of distribution.
UNICEF is also working to provide COVID-19 vaccines to Madagascar, supporting the government’s goal of vaccinating 9 million people before the end of 2022. UNICEF’s main work is buying vaccines and supporting and setting up clinics and distribution centers.
Though very little of the Malagasy population has received vaccines, it is encouraging to see the country overcoming previous hurdles in fighting the disease and finally gaining access to precious vaccines.
– Shiloh Harrill
Photo: Flickr
The Electric Vehicle Movement in India
In the densely populated country of India, the World Bank explained that the “road network is increasingly insufficient to support rapid growth in the economy.” Furthermore, “Most roads are generally in poor condition, urban traffic is clogged, public transport is unreliable and unsafe and intra-regional connectivity is inadequate.” Yet, the population requires affordable transportation to get to jobs, schools and businesses and access resources and services. The electric vehicle movement in India could be part of the solution to India’s transportation needs.
Electric Vehicles Growing in Popularity
The United Nations Development Programme reported that, in 2020, 16.4% of the population in India lived in multidimensional poverty and 18.7% of the population faced risks of falling into multidimensional poverty. In a country with a high population density and many people enduring conditions of poverty, electric vehicles present an affordable transport solution. With a median income of $2,400 for the average family in India, conventional cars are financially out of reach for many households.
In India specifically, two and three-wheel electric vehicles are most popular due to their low cost and ability to easily navigate the country’s congested streets. According to the New York Times, in India, one can purchase an electric scooter or three-wheel rickshaw for just $1,000.
The FAME Program
The main way the Indian government is trying to get the electric vehicle movement in India going is through a subsidy program. In 2015, India launched the first phase of the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME) scheme to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles in India. The first phase of FAME came to an end in 2019. The second phase then began and will end in 2024.
Under the first phase of FAME, 285,000 purchasers of electric/hybrid vehicles received 360 billion rupees worth of subsidies to make these purchases more accessible. The government redesigned phase two of FAME for the “faster proliferation of electric vehicles by lowering the upfront costs.” The second phase of the program has budgetary support of 10,000 crores.
In 2013, India announced the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP), a strategy to move toward fuel security “by promoting hybrid and electric vehicles in the country.” As part of this strategy, India launched the FAME program to accelerate the manufacturing and adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles across India.
Other Benefits of the Electric Vehicle Movement in India
Other than just economic benefits, electric vehicles also present an “environment-friendly public transportation option for the masses.” Because air pollution is a significant issue in India, lower emissions from electric vehicles will contribute to better air quality. The FAME program will lead to the establishment of an electric charging infrastructure, which will make electric charging stations more accessible to users. Through FAME, the government sanctioned 520 charging stations in the first phase. In the second phase, by February 2022, the government sanctioned 2,877 charging stations across 68 cities.
Business Perks for Others
Along with the country’s economy, businesses are benefiting from the electric vehicle movement in India. With the Indian government taking a lead in the movement, others are taking action too. Small companies and startups have turned to the subsidy program and are also gearing their businesses toward e-vehicle transportation or services.
One example is SMV Green Solutions, which Naveen Krishna started “to provide affordable, clean and safe mobility means for both drivers and commuters in the last mile transportation.”
Looking to the Future
The movement goes further than just electrifying vehicles — it boosts many people’s livelihoods by providing business opportunities and improving mobility. The idea is spreading through the example of India’s government and other startup companies that are making way for electric vehicles. Electric vehicles may be an effective solution for addressing transportation needs in growing nations.
– Marynette Holmes
Photo: Wikipedia Commons
New USAID Program Seeks to Combat Food Insecurity in Haiti
Background on Food Insecurity in Haiti
Haiti has grappled with a growing need for humanitarian assistance in recent years. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) reported many key drivers of food insecurity, including the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that shook the island nation in August 2021. Reduced rainfall and harvests in 2021 led to income loss among farmers, while insufficient government assistance and a general economic decline in the country due to rising inflation rates, depreciation of the Haitian gourde against the U.S. dollar and the economic blowback of the COVID-19 pandemic have only compounded the issue.
These factors left an estimated 4.3 million people facing crisis levels of food security by the end of 2021, according to the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET).
In 2022, conditions only worsened with rising costs attributed to the conflict in Ukraine. Haiti is particularly vulnerable to shocks in the global food and fuel markets due to its heavy reliance on imports. Furthermore, the threat of the ongoing Atlantic hurricane season looms over the economically fragile nation.
A Stronger Haiti
At the International Event for the Financing of the Reconstruction of the Southern Peninsula of Haiti, USAID Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman revealed their 5-year plan to combat Haiti’s struggle with food insecurity. The conference’s objective was to expand international attention and support to Haiti in response to the 2021 earthquake that caused close to $2 billion in damages across the nation. The project, Ayiti Pi Djanm, initially titled in Haitian Creole, translates to “A Stronger Haiti.”
The USAID program in Haiti is projected to reach nearly 90,000 Haitians across the Nord-Est and Sud departments with integral support. The efforts will include:
USAID will partner with international NGO Catholic Relief Services (CRS) to bring this program to fruition. Led by CRS, the project will focus on private sector investments to support local production of food crops, both to reduce food insecurity and foster opportunities for agricultural livelihood.
USAID and Earthquakes
Since the devastating magnitude 7.0 earthquake in 2010, USAID has been Haiti’s top donor, contributing around $5 billion in aid. Relief, recovery and long-term reconstruction assistance in 2010 included search and rescue efforts, the launch of emergency shelters and the construction of educational facilities. These past USAID programs in Haiti have been integral to the nation’s disaster response and economic stability in the face of new challenges.
In 2021, the U.S. Government provided almost $105 million towards disaster response and risk reduction, including over $92 million from USAID.
CRS has partnered with USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) since its outset in 1954, supporting BHA growth through advocacy to Congress and the White House. Together, these organizations have been successful in implementing emergency and ongoing efforts to tackle food insecurity in Haiti as well as other nations across the globe.
– Carly Ryan Brister
Photo: Unsplash
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