Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, many countries and entities have placed sanctions on Russia in support of Ukraine. Beginning on February 22, 2022, the United States began placing sanctions on Russia in order to increase pressure on the country to end the war in Ukraine.
Since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, U.S. businesses opened up firms in Russia. The economy improved, especially in recent years. In 2018, Russia’s poverty rate according to the national poverty line stood at 12.6%, and it reduced slightly to 12.1% in 2020. The World Bank projects “that the poverty rate under the US$5.5 poverty line will decrease to 3.5[%] in 2021.”
But, with the sanctions in place, Vladimir Putin’s former chief of economics, Andrei Illarionov, predicts that the poverty level in Russia will increase. In April 2022, Illarionov said to the BBC, “We’ll probably see doubling on the number of those people, maybe even tripling.”
Companies Halting Business in Russia
In March 2022, U.S. companies like Coca-Cola and McDonald’s made decisions to temporarily stop business in Russia in response to increasing pressure on global companies to take a firm stance against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Business activities in Russia equated to about 2% of Coca-Cola’s “operating income and revenue.” Similarly, Coca-Cola’s rival, Pepsi, which has a bigger presence in Russia, announced it will “stop production and sale of Pepsi,” but it will continue to produce and sell essential products like milk and baby food.
Along with Coca-Cola and Pepsi, Starbucks announced a decision to halt business activities in Russia and stop shipments of Starbucks products to Russia, but it will continue to pay its employees.
The Impact on the Russian Economy
In 2018, Putin put in place a goal to reduce the national poverty rate by 50% over the following six years. However, due to the detrimental consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, in July 2020, Putin adjusted this target date to 2030.
However, recent events in Ukraine and the sanctions on Russia are expected to erase about 15 years of economic growth in Russia. The Institute for International Finance predicts that the Russian economy will plummet by about 15% in 2022.
Because of the sanctions on Russia, inflation in Russia could increase by 20% or more by the end of 2022. Meanwhile, inflation will increase between 5% and 8% in the West.
Impact on the Russian People
According to the World Bank, more than 17,000 Russian people live in poverty as of 2020. Due to the sanctions on Russia, the rate will only increase as more people lose their jobs. Illarionov explained to the BBC that it would be nearly impossible for Russia to look toward a positive future if the current situation continues.
Professor of economics and dean at the School of Business Administration at Cedarville University, Dr. Jeffrey Haymond, told The Borgen Project that “The sanctions in Russia will proportionally hurt Russia more than other countries, especially since Russia is a very unbalanced economy, producing very little outside of its expansive natural resources.”
Humanitarian Efforts
Chief Executive and Officer of Pepsi Ramon Laguarta told the BBC, “As a food and beverage company, now more than ever, we must stay true to the humanitarian aspect of our business. That means we have a responsibility to continue to offer our other products in Russia, including daily essentials such as milk and other dairy offerings, baby formula and baby food.”
Meanwhile, McDonald’s rival, Burger King, announced in March 2022 that it will keep its restaurants open in Russia. However, it allocated $3 million for the support of Ukrainian refugees, further stating that Ukrainian refugees in European nations can receive Whopper meal vouchers at no cost. Restaurant Brands International, the company that owns the Burger King brand, told the BBC that it would “redirect its profits from more than 800 franchised operations in Russia to humanitarian efforts.”
Despite the sanctions on Russia, brands like Pepsi and Burger King continue their humanitarian efforts to ensure that the Russian people do not suffer due to an invasion in which they play no part.
– Chris Karenbauer
Photo: Unsplash
Sanctions on Russia Increase the Poverty Rate
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, many countries and entities have placed sanctions on Russia in support of Ukraine. Beginning on February 22, 2022, the United States began placing sanctions on Russia in order to increase pressure on the country to end the war in Ukraine.
Since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, U.S. businesses opened up firms in Russia. The economy improved, especially in recent years. In 2018, Russia’s poverty rate according to the national poverty line stood at 12.6%, and it reduced slightly to 12.1% in 2020. The World Bank projects “that the poverty rate under the US$5.5 poverty line will decrease to 3.5[%] in 2021.”
But, with the sanctions in place, Vladimir Putin’s former chief of economics, Andrei Illarionov, predicts that the poverty level in Russia will increase. In April 2022, Illarionov said to the BBC, “We’ll probably see doubling on the number of those people, maybe even tripling.”
Companies Halting Business in Russia
In March 2022, U.S. companies like Coca-Cola and McDonald’s made decisions to temporarily stop business in Russia in response to increasing pressure on global companies to take a firm stance against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Business activities in Russia equated to about 2% of Coca-Cola’s “operating income and revenue.” Similarly, Coca-Cola’s rival, Pepsi, which has a bigger presence in Russia, announced it will “stop production and sale of Pepsi,” but it will continue to produce and sell essential products like milk and baby food.
Along with Coca-Cola and Pepsi, Starbucks announced a decision to halt business activities in Russia and stop shipments of Starbucks products to Russia, but it will continue to pay its employees.
The Impact on the Russian Economy
In 2018, Putin put in place a goal to reduce the national poverty rate by 50% over the following six years. However, due to the detrimental consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, in July 2020, Putin adjusted this target date to 2030.
However, recent events in Ukraine and the sanctions on Russia are expected to erase about 15 years of economic growth in Russia. The Institute for International Finance predicts that the Russian economy will plummet by about 15% in 2022.
Because of the sanctions on Russia, inflation in Russia could increase by 20% or more by the end of 2022. Meanwhile, inflation will increase between 5% and 8% in the West.
Impact on the Russian People
According to the World Bank, more than 17,000 Russian people live in poverty as of 2020. Due to the sanctions on Russia, the rate will only increase as more people lose their jobs. Illarionov explained to the BBC that it would be nearly impossible for Russia to look toward a positive future if the current situation continues.
Professor of economics and dean at the School of Business Administration at Cedarville University, Dr. Jeffrey Haymond, told The Borgen Project that “The sanctions in Russia will proportionally hurt Russia more than other countries, especially since Russia is a very unbalanced economy, producing very little outside of its expansive natural resources.”
Humanitarian Efforts
Chief Executive and Officer of Pepsi Ramon Laguarta told the BBC, “As a food and beverage company, now more than ever, we must stay true to the humanitarian aspect of our business. That means we have a responsibility to continue to offer our other products in Russia, including daily essentials such as milk and other dairy offerings, baby formula and baby food.”
Meanwhile, McDonald’s rival, Burger King, announced in March 2022 that it will keep its restaurants open in Russia. However, it allocated $3 million for the support of Ukrainian refugees, further stating that Ukrainian refugees in European nations can receive Whopper meal vouchers at no cost. Restaurant Brands International, the company that owns the Burger King brand, told the BBC that it would “redirect its profits from more than 800 franchised operations in Russia to humanitarian efforts.”
Despite the sanctions on Russia, brands like Pepsi and Burger King continue their humanitarian efforts to ensure that the Russian people do not suffer due to an invasion in which they play no part.
– Chris Karenbauer
Photo: Unsplash
Ghana’s Gold Purchasing To Counteract Devastating Inflation
On May 17, 2022, Ghana announced its new plan to counteract continuously increasing inflation rates by bulking up its gold reserves. Ghana’s government decided to begin purchasing gold domestically to maintain economic growth and flow by strengthening the currency’s backbone and slowing inflation rates.
Inflation and Currency Issues
Ghana’s overall inflation rate is at its highest since August 2009 and is likely to get worse before it gets better. The inflation rate has been increasing monthly for a year and peaked at 23.6% in April 2022. Food prices rose 26.6%, with other non-food-related prices inflating 21.3%, up an additional 4% from April 2022.
Ghana’s national currency, the cedi, exacerbates Ghana’s inflation issues. As Ghana is so heavily reliant on international operations, such as trade and imported goods, the country requires an excess of foreign currency in its reserves. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ghana’s currency exchange rate remained steady, making the cedi stable. However, there has been a growing demand for international services and exchanged goods worldwide. Ghana has not been able to keep pace with the demand or generate enough foreign currency to not deplete most of the country’s reserves. Thus, Ghana’s currency is depreciating rapidly while the inflation rate continues to impact all its citizens. Therefore, Ghana’s government must find solutions before the poverty rate rises with other economic problems.
Ghana’s Gold Purchasing is a Necessity
Ghana is one of the leading countries in gold mining and exportation. It is the seventh-largest gold producer globally and has been nicknamed “Africa’s Gold Coast” for decades. With all the gold that Ghana produces, it is impressive that its reserves have gotten so low. Still, it is also detrimental to the health of the economy. The lack of gold reserves means Ghana’s gold purchasing program is necessary to build the economy back up and give the cedi strength. Any gold-producing country has its economy at its healthiest when gold prices are higher because the value of gold exports is higher.
In 2021, Ghana’s Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, stated, “But gold has become the cornerstone of central banks’ modern reserve management. Central banks have become the third force behind jewelry and technology and investment sectors in the global gold demand in the past decade.” Plans for Ghana’s gold purchasing began in 2021 but started in earnest in 2022 to back the cedi and bring life back to the economy as gold solidified its place in the Ghana economy.
No central bank can fake or split gold as quickly as other flat values or currencies, and its value cannot inflate unless the gold markets and prices do. As Ghana produces an immense amount of gold, buying the gold locally saves the government millions of dollars that they do not have in foreign or local currencies.
What Makes Ghana’s Gold Purchasing So Important?
Ghana’s lackluster currency and high inflation rates could bring devastation to all its citizens, making the lives of those in poverty that much more challenging. Ghana, which has a poverty rate of 11.3%, will likely see this rate worsen if the government cannot halt the inflation rate or stabilize the currency. Ghana’s gold purchasing program must take effect quickly enough to counteract the damages done to families at risk of losing their homes and livelihoods.
Inflation of prices hits poorer households harder and faster than it does the more well-off households and families. Lower-income households in developing countries, such as Ghana, spend almost 50% of their income on food alone. As the prices inflate, households with higher incomes can switch to lower-quality goods that the lower-income families are already purchasing. Lower-income households cannot spend their money on lower-quality goods.
Furthermore, a weakened currency makes exports and incoming goods more expensive, causing the prices to increase and driving those in poverty to spend more than they have. Ghana’s gold purchasing will give the economy a chance to revitalize by stopping rising prices and allowing households in poverty to not spend as much. Without the help of Ghana’s gold purchasing program, the poverty rates could soar again. Thankfully, the sooner Ghana implements the program, the sooner economic flow can continue at a healthy pace without inflation causing mayhem on families’ wallets and income.
– Clara Mulvihill
Photo: Flickr
Human Trafficking in Guinea-Bissau
On a global scale, human trafficking impacts approximately 40.3 million people, as per a 2016 report from the International Labor Organization. It is a lucrative enterprise that has found a foothold, among other places in West Africa, in Guinea-Bissau. A staggering figure, more than 40% of the people living in Guinea-Bissau, are younger than the age of 15, according to statistics from 2019. Human trafficking in Guinea-Bissau exists in several ways including the transportation and indoctrination of male minors and the sexual exploitation of female minors. Regularly struck with political tumults and social unrest, the country’s populace faces a slew of safety concerns, many of them with roots in criminal activity, such as human trafficking, addictive substances and weapons.
Guinea-Bissau’s Government
The current government, headed by President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, has its hands full with various uprisings and insurrections. The most recent of these to make headlines occurred at the beginning of February 2022 when attackers made an assassination attempt on Embaló’s life. The coup takes place just shy of two years following his controversial inauguration.
Embaló himself is not exempt from accomodating criminals. Drug lord and rabble-rouser Antonio Indjai, for instance, made an appearance at Embaló’s inauguration. This came many years after Indjai’s illegal activity became the subject of international concern.
The persistence of narcoterrorism grew in recent decades, particularly concerning cocaine, as Latin American drug lords saw Guinea-Bissau as a quiet and lax stopover locale in their transport of goods to Europe. Though the drug trade is nothing to scoff at, it is an industry that is subject to trans-continental issues. Meanwhile, another kind of trafficking occurs in Guinea-Bissau on a regular basis and the perpetrators are in the country’s own backyard.
As in many other underdeveloped nations in the region, daily nutrition, general health and unsteady employment are ever-present concerns. Under such conditions, human trafficking in Guinea-Bissau has sprouted up. Boys, for example, often get roped into organized trafficking where they spend their time engaged in begging or other forms of forced labor.
The Different Kinds of Human Trafficking
Religion, which (along with ethnic varieties) affects national politics, also has a bearing on human trafficking in Guinea-Bissau. While approximately a fifth of the country’s population adheres to Christianity, about two-fifths of the country follow Islam. Traffickers often move some Muslim children stealthily and under the cover of night to the neighboring country of Senegal.
Subsequently, traffickers push children into money-making strategies under the guise of religious, Koranic-based education. In these situations, the children are called talibés and the schools are referred to as daaras. According to marabouts, begging is part of the daara curriculum.
The world of trafficking looks different for girls, who often face exposure to sexual exploitation. Otherwise, like many boys, they too must endure forced labor. A number of Guinea-Bissau’s government officials are accused of remaining complicit in human trafficking crimes, such as sex tourism programs operated in the Bijagós islands, just as some officials have been accused of comradery with those involved in the drug trade.
Taking Action Against Human Trafficking
Guinea-Bissau successfully passed an anti-trafficking law in 2011. However, since then, the country has done little to effectively enforce its ramifications. According to the 2020 Trafficking in Persons Report from the U.S. Department of State, the government should seek to multiply and bolster further resources for the Judicial Police and expand much-needed enforcement to places like the Bijagós.
And, according to the 2021 TIP report, Guinea-Bissau, which had maintained a Tier 2 status for several years, backslid into Tier 3, designated for countries that do not meet the bare “minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking.”
The citizens of Guinea-Bissau could benefit from better law enforcement. Guinea-Bissau is taking some measures for improvement. The establishment of the West African Police Information System (WAPIS) in 2015 and its ongoing endeavors to integrate police data systems affiliated with INTERPOL have the potential to aid criminal investigations. WAPIS, implemented by INTERPOL, receives funding from the European Union and “political and strategic support” from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). One of the countries benefiting from the program is Guinea-Bissau. Added national police measures could help crack down on human trafficking.
Local organizations like the Association of the Friends of Children (Associação dos Amigos da Criança or AMIC) and SOS Talibé Children (SOS Crianças Talibés) serve as beacons of hope. These organizations support children displaced and harmed by human trafficking in Guinea-Bissau and also advocate for policy decisions geared toward combating the destructive trade. With financial aid from the European Union, the AMIC has rescued more than 1,600 children since 2005.
With help from charity organizations and stronger law enforcement, Guinea-Bissau can better address its human trafficking epidemic.
– John Tuttle
Photo: Flickr
Reducing Human Trafficking in Ireland
Human trafficking in Ireland is higher than the official statistics report. In fact, Ireland stands as a Tier 2 Watch List country for a second year in relation to efforts to eliminate human trafficking, according to the U.S. Department of State. The U.S. Department of State compiles annual Trafficking in Persons Reports that rank governments in their efforts to end human trafficking.
The Tier 2 Watchlist country ranking means the government is not meeting the minimum standards of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA) but is actively working to meet those standards. The TVPA establishes “methods of prosecuting traffickers, preventing human trafficking and protecting victims and survivors of trafficking.”
Why is Ireland a Tier 2 Watch List Country?
The Ireland government has made many efforts to align with the TVPA, such as “designating an independent human trafficking national rapporteur and establishing a formal national anti-trafficking forum” and starting a “national anti-trafficking public awareness campaign.” The Irish government has also extended monetary support for victim assistance, awareness efforts and anti-trafficking training.
Despite these efforts, Ireland did not demonstrate an overall increase in growth from the previous 2020 Trafficking in Persons Report (TIP). The government continued to struggle with victim identification and assistance and lacked support services for victims. The 2021 TIP Report specifies that the Irish government “investigated and prosecuted fewer suspected traffickers, did not prosecute any labor traffickers and victim identification decreased for the fourth year in a row.”
Ireland’s Response to the 2021 TIP Report
“While there have been some positive efforts, including the appointment of the Commission as rapporteur, and in recent weeks, the first trafficking conviction since 2013, the reality today is that Ireland continues to fall below minimum standards compared to other developed nations,” Chief Commissioner of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Sinéad Gibney said in July 2021.
“It was very disappointing that the U.S. State Department did not acknowledge the significant progress made by Ireland over the past 12 months as sufficient to upgrade our ranking in the latest Trafficking in Persons Report, I am confident that the work we are doing should be reflected in the next TIP Report and that Ireland’s ranking should be upgraded accordingly,” Minister of State at the Department of Justice Hildegarde Naughton said in a September 2021 parliamentary discussion.
Is Human Trafficking in Ireland Improving?
From 2017 to 2019, Ireland detected 181 trafficking victims, while from 2019 to 2021, Ireland detected 124 victims, which equals about a 30% decrease. This decrease may link to the global COVID-19 travel restrictions.
The 2021 TIP Report said that authorities identified 38 victims in 2020, the lowest number of identified victims since 2013.
Overall, human trafficking in Ireland is reducing according to the numbers, but the 2021 TIP Report says that there are even more victims than official statistics say and does not provide conclusive insight as to why. The 2021 TIP Report stated that an “independent and comprehensive 2021 study found that from 2014-2019, the true number of trafficking victims was approximately 38[%] higher than the official national statistics.”
The 2021 TIP Report does indicate that traffickers traffic victims from other regions such as Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and South America, and recently, countries including Brazil, Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Romania.
Organizations Working to End Human Trafficking in Ireland
Ruhama is an Irish non-governmental organization that emerged in 1989 to provide “support to women impacted by prostitution, sex trafficking and other forms of commercial sexual exploitation.” Ruhama offers free services that differ depending on each woman’s circumstances and experiences, including a care plan, counseling and therapy, education and development programs, legal support, housing support, health and wellness support and more. In 2021, Ruhama helped 369 women, with 136 women victims of sex trafficking.
Doras is an anti-trafficking organization that has been helping those affected by human trafficking in Mid-West Ireland since 2011. Its priorities in anti-trafficking advocacy include rehabilitation programs for victims, improved identification and assisting of victims, “increased penalties and custodial sentences” for those benefiting from prostitution, “safe and appropriate gender-specific accommodation” for survivors and more.
As of now, the total victim count for human trafficking in Ireland is decreasing and the government and other organizations are continuing to accelerate efforts to reduce the prevalence of human trafficking in Ireland, prevent it and educate on it, while helping survivors, and identifying victims and accurately reporting information.
– Dylan Olive
Photo: Flickr
India’s Scorched Wheat Crops
An intense recent heatwave in India has scorched a multitude of wheat crops, in the second-largest wheat-growing country in the world. India’s scorched wheat crops have significantly reduced yields for growers and have shaken up the export requirements that they typically produce. This makes it an issue for the rest of the world that is attempting to alleviate a shortage across the globe.
Record High Temperatures
It all started in March 2022, when temperatures reached record highs of 104 degrees Fahrenheit since 1901. In April, the temperatures reached a high of 120 degrees Fahrenheit in some of India’s northern and central regions, where lots of wheat fields can be found in those areas. The damage to their growing cycle began during the winter when they received lots of unseasonable rain this year.
Expert Export Predictions Dropped
India’s scorched wheat crops discourage many as they rely heavily on their exports and shriveled and damaged grains depleted production levels. Last year, with the fiscal year ending in March 2022, India exported 8.7 million tons of wheat, according to CNBC. Its government predicted record-high production this year, amounting to approximately 122 million tons of wheat in 2022. However, the heatwave has caused record high temperatures that have occurred well into the country’s harvest time.
Wheat Becomes Unaffordable
This heatwave is causing an issue for many low-income individuals living in India. Wheat prices will shoot up and become unaffordable for many citizens to purchase. With everything currently going on in Ukraine, prices of Indian crops will also see a record high, as Ukraine and India account for almost a third of wheat exports globally. The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) has predicted that from 2022 to 2023, the number of undernourished individuals will increase by 8 to 13 million people with the largest increases in Asia-Pacific.
Record Low Yields
This event has caused major issues for local Indian farmers as yields reached record lows for a very long time. India’s scorched wheat crops also led to the government’s supplies dropping in quantity as well. Additionally, private traders hoarding wheat intensified the already existing issues, further driving up the prices of wheat and flour by an extra 40% recently, according to The Guardian. Many people who are malnourished face dramatic circumstances that can lead to health issues they cannot afford to control.
Making Changes Immediately
With India’s scorched wheat crops during the wheat’s crucial “grain filling” stage, which is critical for producing large yields, many are left wondering what may happen next. However, many cities in India have learned their lessons from previous heat waves and have created measures that they are taking during this time around. They are limiting office hours for working individuals and applying early warning systems. Schools are going into lock-downs, changing school hours, having annual summer vacations and bringing back the COVID-19 pandemic-era online classes. These measures aim to save the lives of students since fainting is prominent during these heat spells and air-conditioning is unaffordable.
Positive Outlook on the Future
Government officials have learned many lessons because of India’s scorched wheat crops this year. Going forward, they will follow precautions that may help lots of low-income individuals deal with such harsh weather patterns in the future.
– Christina Papas
Photo: Flickr
Mangrove Conservation in Indonesia Helps Reduce Poverty
Mangroves grow in salty water and thrive in conditions that most timbers cannot tolerate. The Indonesian government has set up a goal of rehabilitating 600,000 hectares (1.5 million acres) of mangroves by 2024. In 2021, the country had 10.1% of its population living below the national poverty line. Mangrove conservation in Indonesia plays an important role in improving the ecosystem as well as the economy.
Benefits of Mangrove Planting
Mangroves have several environmental benefits. These trees or shrubs provide habitats for different species such as fish, birds, reptiles and mollusks. Mangroves also act as shelters for hatchlings, providing both nutrition and safety.
In 2012, USAID and the Indonesian NGO Yayasan Gajah Sumatera (Yagasu) worked with Rusli, a local fisherman in Paluh Kurau in Langkat, North Sumatra, Indonesia, along with other fishermen. The aim was to create a “community-based mangrove forest restoration effort” and then research the ways coastal villages can derive advantages from mangroves.
Research indicates that mangroves can reduce poverty by generating income. Based on the data from USAID, coastal communities experienced a growth in income by 60% from 2009 to 2016 by means of conserving mangroves. The mangrove planting has led to an increase in the production of other species as well: “[seven] to 12 tons of crab, [three] to [five] tons of shrimp and 500 to 700 tons of fish per week.”
Mangroves provide natural resources to create products that individuals can later sell in the market. Individuals can use the branches and roots of mangroves for the natural coloring of fabrics. With these fabrics, locals can produce dresses and shirts. Furthermore, the fruits from mangroves “can be processed into flour” for baking.
Empowering Indonesian Women
A group of women from Tanjung Rejo and neighboring villages started utilizing natural coloring to create batik fabric and clothing. Yagasu and USAID assisted these women in establishing a business and gave training in “management, design technique and quality control.” Eventually, Yagasu, in partnership with the Livelihoods Fund, flew these women to an exhibition in Paris, France, to display their products. Purchasers for the luxury goods company Hermès liked the women’s colorful designs and signed a contract with the women to provide the company with “high-quality mangrove-colored fabrics.”
In 2014, Hamidah, a housewife in Tanjung Rejo, received USAID training to create batik material and food products using mangroves. She also received business management training to advance her small business and increase her family’s income while helping other community members to increase their business skills too.
MONMANG App for Monitoring Mangroves
The country of Indonesia has the largest mangrove ecosystem globally, with more than 3.5 million hectares of mangroves, which equates to about 23% of the world’s mangrove ecosystem.
The Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) developed the MONMANG smartphone app to monitor and track mangroves in Indonesia. Through monitoring via the app, data is collected, which researchers can then use to create a Mangrove Health Index (MHI).
The app can be used to “perform data input and analysis directly from the field site while monitoring mangroves.” In addition, the app “provides structural parameters of mangrove communities, such as density, morphological size, frequency [and] dominance.”
The data that MONMANG provided will help to ensure the process of mangrove conservation in Indonesia is on the right track. Therefore, the advent of this android-based app will ensure social and economic stability for communities relying on and living close to mangrove ecosystems. MONMANG plays an imperative role in protecting the coastal environment by collecting and summarizing thousands of data points to inform local and international research on mangroves.
Looking Ahead
Mangrove planting improves the living conditions in Indonesia by reducing poverty and providing natural resources. As the mangrove conservation in Indonesia continues, the nation will reach its 2024 rehabilitation goal and continue exploring the benefits mangroves can bring to the community.
– Jiaying Guo
Photo: Flickr
Poverty in the UAE and Sheikh Khalifa’s Death
The president of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, passed away on May 13, 2022, at the age of 73. The leader’s health had been declining since suffering a stroke in 2014. Many expect that his brother and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed, will step into the role of president. Mohammad served as the de facto leader of the UAE since Khalifa’s 2014 stroke, which limited his public appearances.
Khalifa led the UAE through a period of great technological and societal advancement. He strengthened the economy of the nation and secured its place among the other powerful nations of the world. Khalifa also leaned pro-West. He worked to strengthen the connection between the UAE and the U.S. and its allies, a bond that Biden promised to maintain following the leader’s death. The ensuing transition of leadership raises questions, most notably about future policy decisions and poverty in the UAE.
The Policy Impact of Khalifa’s Death
Sheikh Khalifa was a respected and well-liked leader, with many mourning his death in the UAE and around the world. Since the predecessor people expect spent the last eight years handling the majority of presidential matters, not much could change concerning foreign policy. However, the internal politics of the nation may look slightly different.
Being the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Mohammad’s presidency could strengthen the already empowered emirate. Abu Dhabi grew in influence under Khalifa and may grow even more so now. It is likely that Mohammad will not need to consult with the other emirates before coming to any important decisions. This development, though expected, could prove to be divisive.
Poverty in the UAE
Many hope that the new leadership will address the underrecognized prevalence of poverty in the UAE. While the UAE is indeed a very wealthy nation, it is a common misconception that no poverty exists there at all. It is estimated that around 19.5% of Emiratis live below the poverty line. This is an estimation because the UAE does not formally update these statistics themselves. Despite the underreported number of impoverished people in the nation, the government provided support to only 27.1% of Emiratis in 2011.
The high poverty rate derives in part from the nation’s high cost of living, which results from the wealthy stature of the upper class. According to the Beit Al Khair Society, around 17,000 families living in the UAE need help from the government. It is a sad reality that many ordinary people have experienced neglect in the nation’s pursuit of becoming a global powerhouse. UAE invested unprecedented amounts of money into its large cities, particularly Dubai, along with notable developments such as the construction of the Burj Khalifa and The Jumeirah Golf Estates.
The Positives
Poverty in the UAE is far from a lost cause. The government does issue help for those families in need. The government has also formed specialized foundations and ministries to aid with the effects of the high cost of living. Of those families in need of help, few live in completely unbearable conditions. Most just need help to support their families, with the average size of an Emirati family being six people. It is also possible that the poverty rate is lower than estimated because of the underreported statistics. All in all, the UAE is quickly rising up the ranks of world powers. The nation’s economy continues to grow, but people should not ignore the individuals living in poverty in the UAE.
– Thomas Schneider
Photo: Pixabay
Poverty Reduction in Indonesia
Indonesia is the world’s fourth most populated country, with growth expected to peak in 2065. Therefore, there will soon be a need to provide more food and job and market opportunities for Indonesia’s coming generations. It is imperative that poverty greatly reduce in order to meet these ends for Indonesia’s future population growth. While poverty reduction in Indonesia faces a myriad of challenges, there is also a pantheon of solutions to meeting this goal.
Poverty in Indonesia
Though Indonesia has a large population and is considered a middle-income country, most of the populace does not have adequate wealth. The richest four men in the country have more wealth than the poorest 100 million combined. This inequality, which includes gender inequality, brings great obstacles to improved infrastructure and economic stability for Indonesia’s future.
Impact of COVID-19
Indonesia had the second-highest number of COVID-19 cases in Southeast Asia (5.91 million), with the impact of the pandemic pushing nearly 5 million more people into poverty throughout Southeast Asia. This has complicated Indonesia’s goal of getting more people out of poverty alongside neighboring countries. The pandemic caused increased unemployment and lowered tourism rates across the region. However, Indonesia is still pressing forward with policy and economic changes to combat the pandemic’s ill effects.
Economic Change
Indonesia’s Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati is pushing for the World Bank to make major reforms in order to provide more investment into helping nations like Indonesia combat the effects of COVID-19 and climate change well into the future. Most notably, the desired change is the expansion of the forms of responses to monetary crises. These crises are issues ministers like Indrawati claim the World Bank is not currently equipped to handle. Indrawati also said that using mixed leverage of funds from multilateral funds, private investment and government revenue will help Indonesia and its blended finance in order to adequately cover the costs of combating its current issues and cementing institutions to help in future economic and health-related issues.
Environmental Change
Indonesia is a nation consisting of chains of flush forest islands and environmental diversity. This biodiversity has experienced deforestation in the past. The biodiversity is vital to reinforcing Indonesia’s natural infrastructure to counteract the effects of climate change and natural disasters. Therefore, Indonesia has recently experienced decreased deforestation and the integration of local indigenous groups into the maintenance of its forests. These efforts are ensuring natural resources and environments can aid poverty reduction in Indonesia. Efforts like the Green Growth Plan and the BioCarbon Fund Initiative for Sustainable Forest Landscapes are allowing more of the small impoverished communities, such as the Jambi province, to engage in new job and conservation opportunities, fortifying poverty reduction in Indonesia.
Indonesia’s Future
With Indonesia being one of the largest lending partners of the World Bank, there are plenty of opportunities and avenues for the development of future programs to reduce inequality and poverty. The World Bank notes that areas of gender, digitalization, improved infrastructure, human capital, natural asset management and environmental challenges will all be important factors in poverty reduction in Indonesia. However, if the World Bank makes reforms, alongside internal development and recovery, then Indonesia can eliminate poverty.
– Albert Vargas
Photo: Pixabay
Improving Mental Health in Vietnam
Increased stress levels over shortages of food, medical supplies and long periods of isolation have been rising due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to an August 2021 pandemic impact survey in Vietnam, 62% of surveyed people reported losing their jobs. Reduced work hours and online homeschooling have a significant impact on mental health in Vietnam.
History of Mental Health in Vietnam
Mental health in Vietnam carries a high level of stigma and taboo. In the Vietnamese culture, many believe that mental health is a misfortune. “Benh tam than” is the phrase that people use for mental illness in Vietnamese society and actually means madness or severe psychiatric disorder. Furthermore, psychiatrists in Vietnam are called “Bac si tam than,” which means “doctors who treat madness.”
This use of words shows that mental health carries a stigma — society considers individuals suffering from mental illness as “wild, unpredictable and dangerous people ” who are “daien” and “khung,” which translates to “crazy” and “nuts.” This stigma reflects the biases toward mental health in Vietnam and makes people suffering from mental health issues in Vietnam reluctant to seek help.
Vietnamese society often believes that negative circumstances, including illnesses, serve as punishments for previous sins. Many also believe that “angry ancestral spirits” possess people suffering from mental illness. Families often feel shame when a member of the family struggles with mental illness.
Statistics
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 100 million people suffer from mental health issues in the Western Pacific Region. In 2014, Vietnam noted 10 common mental disorders in the nation with prevalence rates between 4.2% and 2.45%, according to National Mental Hospital. Veterans who served in the war are most likely to have a higher rate of mental health issues, specifically post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
A 2018 article says government data indicates that around “15% of the population requires mental health care services.” However, independent research suggests that the rate is 20% to 30% of the population. To prevent and cure mental illnesses, mental health needs more attention within the public health area in Vietnam.
Some of the top mental health problems throughout communities in Vietnam are anxiety, depression and alcoholism. More severe mental disorders, such as schizophrenia, are also present in Vietnam, according to We Bloom.
We Bloom
We Bloom is a nonprofit organization based in Indianapolis, Indiana, that understands that communities can grow and develop with access to essential resources and services to address their particular needs. Before starting its adventure in Vietnam, the co-founders of We Bloom, Kevin Espirito and Beth Kreitl, worked with many NGOs in the U.S. Its goal is to support communities in Vietnam with training, networks and fundraising in the areas of public health and education.
When it comes to addressing mental health, We Bloom has three focus areas: prioritizing high-risk populations, “training and developing professionals” and implementing a national awareness campaign.
In order to improve mental health in Vietnam, We Bloom is implementing a community-based mental health project to train professionals in diagnosing mental conditions and providing counseling to patients. To improve the mental health of children, We Bloom is implementing a school-based counseling strategy.
In March 2020, the organization launched a COVID-19 Vietnam Response project raising more than $15,000 for the people affected most by the COVID-19 pandemic. In April 2021, We Bloom officially received its license to work in Vietnam and is hoping to launch more projects in 2022.
Vietnam’s mental health system is still evolving. With the help of current NGOs recognizing the need for change, people struggling with mental health issues in Vietnam will receive better support and resources.
– Alexis King
Photo: Unsplash
The Impact of COVID-19 on Poverty in Sudan
The African nation of Sudan has faced ongoing turbulence. The country has endured violent conflict, transfers of power and severe economic turmoil. For Sudanese citizens, one current and very dangerous threat is the impact of COVID-19 on poverty in Sudan.
Political and Economic Challenges in Sudan
In the last 70 years, Sudan has seen two civil wars. The first lasted from 1955 to 1972 and the second began in 1983 and ended in 2005. Six years later, in 2011, Sudan split in two as a portion of the country seceded and became the independently-governed South Sudan. However, the data this article presents is not applicable to South Sudan.
Most of Sudan’s society is tribal and many citizens live in rural nomadic communities. The economy is struggling and COVID-19 has worsened these circumstances. According to the latest available data from UNICEF’s 2018-2021 Country Programme document, about 36% of the population is currently impoverished and a quarter of all Sudanese citizens live in extreme poverty.
Before 2011, oil accounted for 95% of Sudan’s exported goods, but Sudan lost all that revenue when the country split, which damaged the already fragile economy even further. When the South Sudanese civil war broke out in 2013, refugees rushed north and Sudan saw a dramatic increase in refugees. As of September 2021, Sudan hosts more than 1.1 million refugees from other countries, adding to Sudan’s strain.
The Arrival of COVID-19 in Sudan
As is the case with many low-income countries, the arrival of COVID-19 in Sudan presented significant challenges. Limited resources make it difficult to stop outbreaks. Due to minimal resources, case reporting and testing lag behind and the vaccine rollout is small-scale. As of May 1, 2022, Sudan has administered slightly more than 7 million vaccine doses, which covers slightly more than 16% of the population.
April 2019 marked then-President of Sudan Omar al-Bashir’s removal from office, and the following September, a new system of government came into place. Thus, it is unsurprising that when the pandemic began, the new government was ill-equipped to deal with it. Many health services had no choice but to shut down due to high rates of mortality and infection among employees.
After the appearance of the first COVID-19 cases in March 2020, the Sudanese government imposed a lockdown that lasted from April 2020 to July 2020, although this proved ineffective due to community resistance and insufficient law enforcement.
Impact of COVID-19 on Poverty in Sudan
As the second wave of COVID-19 in Sudan hit in November 2020, mortality rates began to rise among citizens of all ages. At the highest mortality point, one out of every five intensive care patients died from COVID-19.
COVID-19 also threatens Sudanese food security. A “survey of 4,032 rural and urban households across the 18 states of Sudan” from June 16, 2020, to July 5, 2020, reveals “the socio-economic impact of COVID-19.” More than 50% of people in Sudan could not access main staple foods. Many people had to change their practices regarding food and almost half of the families surveyed reported food security concerns.
Most people have not received any type of aid from the government. At the time of the survey, around two-thirds of previously employed citizens had not returned to work.
USAID Assists Sudan
Fortunately, the United States is lending a hand, and as of February 2022, USAID has donated more than 1.2 million vaccine doses and $98 million to assist Sudan with COVID-19. Aside from vaccine rollout, USAID is also assisting with food and water distribution, sanitation, COVID-19 testing, clinical management and public information efforts. USAID mission director, Mervyn Farroe, said in a statement, “USAID/Sudan is committed to building back a better world, one that is better prepared to prevent, detect and respond to future biological threats, and where all people can live safe, prosperous and healthy lives.”
Overall, the impact of COVID-19 on poverty in Sudan has been hard-hitting. The country has endured significant stress for decades and recent political events compound issues and place grave strain on the economy. With more than a million refugees, a quarter of the population in extreme poverty and continuing impacts from the secession, COVID-19 in Sudan is the latest in a long list of reasons why Sudan is in dire need of international aid.
– Mia Sharpe
Photo: Flickr