Archive for category: Developing Countries

Information and stories about developing countries.

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Disability and Poverty in Cuba

Disability and Poverty in CubaCuba is a developing country in the Caribbean, with a population of 10.9. Cuba’s economy relied heavily on the Soviet Union, which started in 1960. However, during the early ’90s, the Soviet Union fell and Cuba’s economy suffered. Since 2018, the Cuban economy has been severely impacted by international blockade and sanctions. The COVID-19 pandemic has also hindered Cuba’s economic growth. In 2020, Cuban gross domestic product (GDP) decreased by 11% and only increased by 0.4% in 2021 and 1.8% in 2022. Moreover, Cuba’s economy has recently experienced inflation and the population has had limited access to essential resources like food and health products. The nation’s fuel supply has also struggled to meet the needs of citizens, causing periodic energy and transport crises.

In 2023, more than 360,000 people with disabilities lived in Cuba and they were all impacted by these economic challenges. The Data Disability Initiative published that women with physical disabilities experience a higher level of multidimensional poverty than women without physical disabilities. Despite these challenges, the Cuban government has made efforts to develop education policies that better cater to children with disabilities. International organizations like the United Nations Children’s Fund and Humanity and Inclusion (HI) have been helping improve the quality of life for people living with disability and poverty in Cuba.

Challenges

According to Human Rights Watch (HRW), Cuba has not established its domestic laws in agreement with the United Nations (U.N.) Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities, nor has the nation’s government developed effective disability rights policies related to accessibility, legal capacity, education, independent living and employment. As of 2022, Cuban law suggests that public buildings, health services and transportation services should all accommodate people with disabilities. However, the government generally has not enforced this law effectively, resulting in the needed facilities and accommodations being rarely available for people with disabilities.

According to the 2019 Multiple Indicator Survey 6 results, 10% of women ages 18 to 49 with much functional difficulty have less than primary school as their highest level of education received, while only 1% of women with some functional difficulty and 0% of women with no functional difficulty have less than primary school as their highest level of schooling. Significant differences exist in the number of women with adequate housing and asset ownership. Women who have some functional difficulty are less likely to have these resources and women with much difficulty have even lower rates of access to these resources. Women with some functional difficulty and much functional difficulty were also more likely to report being discriminated against or harassed based on any ground, with rates of 3% and 15%, respectively.

Government Support for Education

Cuba’s 2012 Population and Housing Census took note of 41,374 children and adolescents with disabilities and many live in rural areas. About 57% of this total are visually impaired children and children with intellectual disabilities. Cuba has 355 schools for children who have disabilities, with 33,975 children and students enrolled in these schools in the 2017-2018 school year. Also, 1,978 mainstream schools at all levels educate 11,037 students with disabilities.

Education is state policy in Cuba. The government puts much effort into financing education, resulting in residual illiteracy of 0.2%, an average of 10.1 years of schooling and 10% of the GDP being used for school funding since 2004. Cuba has special and inclusive schools that work together to educate children with disabilities. In 2019, out of 10,598 schools, 342 (3%) of the total schools in the country were special schools. Special schools use the same teaching materials and curriculum as mainstream schools. However, they are flexible so that they can adapt to the specific needs of each student.

Special schools were established as resource centers with exit strategies that help students with disabilities smoothly transition into mainstream schools. In 2019, the number of students attending different centers was 102,477 in mainstream schools, 33,639 in special schools, 1,070 in technical and professional education and 180 in higher education. According to data collected from UNICEF Cuba in 2020, 15% of the students who attended trade schools were graduates of special schools.

Nonprofit Aid

HI is an international nonprofit that focuses on helping vulnerable populations, especially people with disabilities. It has been working in 60 countries around the world, including Cuba. This nonprofit helps Cubans with disabilities, especially women and young people, find employment by giving them kits with the necessary tools to become economically self-sufficient. HI’s teams also raise awareness about disability issues for local employers and help develop new adapted activities and jobs. In 2016, HI’s project helped more than 1,400 people with disabilities in Cuba. The organization’s project partnered with 800 health professionals and community officers, further assisting people with a disability and reducing poverty in Cuba.

Similarly, in 2019, UNICEF helped train 548 specialists across all 16 provinces of Cuba to provide the necessary care for students with disabilities who attend mainstream schools. UNICEF has been working on improving the capacities of teachers, principals and families in rural areas to ensure that students with intellectual disabilities attending mainstream schools receive the educational services they need. UNICEF also uses a communication-for-development strategy to encourage social and academic inclusion for children with disabilities.

Summary

While there seems to be further work to do to strengthen the country’s policies on transportation, employment and independent living for people with disabilities, progress has been made in addressing the needs of children and adolescents through institutions like special schools. International organizations like UNICEF and HI have also been helping to fill the gaps in providing the resources citizens living with disability and poverty in Cuba need.

UNICEF is improving education for children with disabilities by training teachers, principals and families in rural areas to understand intellectual disabilities better. HI’s program in Cuba supports people with disabilities by helping them find employment and providing materials for economic self-sufficiency. Overall, progress is being made in supporting people with disabilities in Cuba and continued support will be crucial for sustaining this advancement.

– Elisabeth Nwasokwa

Elisabeth is based in Bellerose, NY, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Addressing Poverty in Madagascar

Poverty in MadagascarSituated in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Southern Africa, Madagascar has one of the worst poverty rates, exacerbated by recurring natural disasters. According to Global Finance Magazine, Madagascar is ranked the ninth poorest country in the world, with a gross domestic product (GDP) per capita of $1,979. With a population of 29.61 million, its residents face the threat of losing their livelihoods due to rising deforestation and adverse climatic conditions across the island nation.

As a result of these factors, poverty remains a consistent problem within Madagascar. Marks Jacobs, managing director of SEED Madagascar, weighs in his knowledge on the effects of poverty within the nation and its people. “Poverty is a highly complex issue and there can be many types of poverty. It encompasses various deprivations beyond income, including education, health, living standards and access to services,” Jacobs said, “it’s most evident in Madagascar; people are monetarily incredibly poor.”

The Causes of Poverty in Madagascar

Homelessness is one of the major causes of poverty in Madagascar. The nation has a housing shortage of approximately two million. Homelessness exacerbates poverty by eliminating access to stable employment opportunities and essential services, thereby trapping individuals in a cycle of economic instability. Without a permanent address, securing jobs, health care and other critical resources becomes increasingly difficult, perpetuating the cycle of poverty.

The biggest issue is food security. In the past 35 years, more than 50 natural disasters have struck the island nation and, in their wake, have left major food shortages. Responses to food shortages target the most vulnerable and undernourished communities by creating income opportunities for rural households. However, only some households are lucky. “Most recently, this monetary poverty has played into dire food security, particularly in the South,” Jacobs said, “This (year) has seen mashed to the edge of famine in some areas where families lack financial resilience to compensate for poor agricultural outcomes,” he further added.

The effect of poor agriculture is mainly due to much of Madagascar’s infertile soil and scarce water resources. Government and road services are inadequate and access by humanitarian agencies to communities in need is extremely difficult.

The Long-Term Solutions

However, organizations such as the World Bank believe the country can break the vicious cycle of poverty by receiving a sustained period of robust economic growth spanning multiple years. Jacobs, however, believes there is more to this theory. “Though extremely poor and low on the human development index, Madagascar does have a democratic government,” Jacobs added, “and a relatively stable currency with strong elements of international trade, which could argue that Madagascar was already, in fact, stable but poor.”

Madagascar needs to build a pro-growth coalition that prioritizes a strong institutional framework to foster a competitive sector. Addressing the urgent need for robust economic growth has long been a focus and to effectively reduce poverty, the country has to implement a strategic approach to development. Organizations trying to induce growth in Madagascar have attempted to implement a stable, reliable and effective public administration that can provide infrastructure and services that meet regulatory requirements. Some of these organizations include the International Organization for Migration (IOM), which helps the country slowly recover from a political crisis. However, the development challenges remain vast.

International Organization for Migration

A solution from IOM is careful migration, which can help explore possible employment opportunities and gain new resources. A base of operation in Antananarivo provides programs to channel the provision of capacity-building and advisory for those seeking to grow their communities with safe economics. IOM advocates for careful migration, which can help individuals explore employment opportunities and acquire new resources. With a base of operations in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, IOM offers programs that provide capacity-building and advisory services to support community growth through safe and sustainable economic practices.

On the other hand, another nonprofit organization, GlobalGiving, believes that a holistic approach to poverty can transform the lives of local inhabitants. In partnership with SEED Madagascar, it is working toward a $250,000 goal to fund product development and market access projects. This initiative aims to enhance the resilience of local flora and fauna suffering from poverty. By addressing these issues, the long-term impact will help people in Southeast Madagascar rise out of poverty and improve the quality of life for both the people and the vulnerable ecosystems they depend on.

Final Remark

Madagascar is a country in need of extensive support as it recovers from decades of adversity, including natural disasters and infertile soil that hindered crop growth. Despite these challenges, global organizations are committed to helping the country rebuild and create new opportunities for its inhabitants.

– Jacob Barker

Jacob is based in Ames, IA, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Everything You Need to Know about Health Care in Bangladesh

Health Care in BangladeshAs of March 2024, Bangladesh has committed to transforming into a Smart-Bangladesh High-Income Country by 2041, with health care identified as a key priority in this plan. A collaboration between the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Bangladeshi government has been established to advance health care. As of 2022, Bangladesh had only 13 doctors, nurses and midwives per 10,000 people, compared to the global median of 49. This partnership aims to improve these figures and enhance health care access for millions.

Life Expectancy in Bangladesh

Life expectancy in Bangladesh has increased significantly, from 65.6 years in 2000 to 73.1 years in 2021. This compares favorably to Southeast Asia’s overall life expectancy, which rose by 5.01 years from 63.4 years to 68.4 years in the same period. Bangladesh has improved the accessibility of health care, but there is more to be done.

Smiling Sun Clinics 

Smiling Sun Clinics has been a prominent part of health care in Bangladesh since 1997. It is the world’s largest nongovernmental organization (NGO) network of maternal and child health clinics globally. The NGO Health Services Delivery Project supports the Smiling Sun network, allowing millions of Bangladeshis to access health care. This network is composed of 25 NGOs and 399 clinics that are located in both urban and rural areas.

The services provided include emergency obstetric care and maternity care. More than 10,000 part-time clinics also operate and refer clients to full-time clinics if they believe more care is required. This allows community health workers to offer personal health care to their communities and helps to ensure universal health coverage.

The World Bank and USAID’s Roles in Health Care in Bangladesh

By 2025, one in every 10 people in Bangladesh will be 60 or older and this figure is expected to rise to one in five by 2050. In response, the World Bank organized a workshop in August 2023 to bring together health experts, stakeholders and policymakers. The goal is to foster progress in shaping health care to better address the needs of an aging population in Bangladesh.

Additionally, in August 2023, the World Bank approved $200 million to support primary health care in the country. This pledge benefited the Urban Health, Nutrition and Population Project, which will help 2.5 million children and provide 250,000 pregnant women with at least four antenatal checkups. Furthermore, in 2019, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) programs in Bangladesh provided more than 46 million health service consultations. Technological improvements included developing solutions to detect deadly drug-resistant TB within two hours and digitizing national health information.

UNICEF’s Role

UNICEF’s immunization programs in Bangladesh have reached 3.5 million newborns with the Measles and rubella vaccine (MR1). Additionally, its nutrition interventions have improved the health and growth of countless children. The organization also helps strengthen health care infrastructure and train health workers to enhance service delivery for vulnerable populations.

– Amy Fox

Amy is based in Birmingham, UK and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Togolese-German Program: Togo’s Path to Development

The Togolese-German ProgramTogo’s political history has impeded the country’s democratic aspirations. The recent parliamentary approval to extend President Faure Gnassingbé’s term, following his father’s 38-year rule, has heightened tensions. However, the government is transitioning from a presidential to a parliamentary system. This promises an end to decades of dictatorship and fosters opportunities for progress.

According to the United Nations Human Development Index (HDI), Togo is one of the most impoverished countries globally. Years of autocratic rule have exacerbated corruption and hindered development. Amid these challenges, Togo’s move toward democratization is reflected in its new partnership with the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation (BMZ).

The Togolese-German Program

This collaboration aims to achieve food security and provide job opportunities. Initiatives include loan programs, infrastructure funding for rural roads and vocational training programs, such as motor vehicle mechanics courses. The aim is to attract private investment and boost the economy.

The Togolese-German program focuses on creating jobs suited to the local market and attracting private investors. Vocational training, including motor vehicle mechanics courses, equips young people with skills to repair motorcycles and engines. Recognizing agriculture’s economic potential, the BMZ program supports the sector with school-based and industry-based training in six cities, enhancing skills nationwide.

Ensuring Food Security While Expanding Opportunities

Agriculture is vital to Togo’s economy. However, it remains largely traditional, with widespread poverty in rural areas driving youth to cities due to limited job prospects. To address this, Germany supports improving key agricultural value chains like coffee, cocoa and fruit through tailored farmer training, which boosts yields, reduces costs and creates income opportunities.

Efforts also include developing financial products for smallholders, improving rural infrastructure and enhancing national food security under the “Transformation of Agricultural and Food Systems” initiative. From 2012 to 2020, more than 80,000 farmers received training, leading to increased incomes for most, the creation of thousands of jobs and significant improvements in food security and rural infrastructure.

Enhancing Local Infrastructure and Services

Germany is focused on strengthening local infrastructure and services in Togo by enhancing public service delivery, increasing municipal revenues and promoting civic participation. Efforts include supporting the construction of markets, town halls and citizens’ affairs offices, modernizing civil registration and training municipal workers.

These initiatives empower local communities, ensure more responsive governance and provide citizens with better access to essential services. As a result, millions of Togolese now benefit from improved public services, active participation in community development and greater access to education through streamlined civil registration processes.

Final Remark

Germany is committed to empowering local communities in Togo by improving infrastructure, enhancing public services and promoting civic participation. These efforts ensure better governance, increased municipal revenue and greater access to essential services, benefiting millions of citizens nationwide.

– Lydie Udofia

Lydie is based in London, UK and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Girl Generation: Organization Helping FGM Survivors in Kenya

The Girl GenerationFemale Genital Mutilation (FGM) carries many risks, perhaps the most unspoken one being the psychological impacts of the often traumatic procedure. Though there is little research on the mental effects on survivors of FGM, it is widely accepted that many women suffer from conditions like depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress syndrome.

In Kenya, where prevalence rates of FGM are high, various forms of therapy are being used to help girls and women deal with the lasting consequences of FGM on their mental health. Art therapy has been proven to be an effective way of processing the trauma survivors of FGM in Kenya have experienced.

What Is It?

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines FGM as “all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for nonmedical reasons.” There are many serious risks to these procedures, including short-term issues like shock, infection and serious bleeding. Furthermore, long-term issues include urinary problems, complications in childbirth (increasing the likelihood of newborn death) and psychological trauma.

FGM is considered a violation of human rights. It is most often performed on girls and so can also be a violation of the rights of the child. More than 200 million girls and women alive today are survivors of FGM. It is estimated that around 3 million people are at risk annually. In Kenya, FGM remains a significant issue, with a prevalence rate of 15%. While this marks progress from 21% in 2014 to 38% in 1998, more work is needed to reduce the rates further. In the meantime, it is crucial to support survivors of FGM in Kenya.

Lasting Impacts

After undergoing “the cut,” many girls leave education to marry, meaning the number of girls who remain in education is very low. Out of 80.8% of girls in rural areas who attend primary school, only 14.3% enroll in secondary school. FGM perpetuates poverty for girls by obstructing their access to education and pathways out of poverty.

With one-third of Kenyans living below the national poverty line, FGM exacerbates education gaps, excludes women from the workforce and imposes health care costs due to the procedure’s immediate and long-term effects. This prevents the country from achieving full prosperity.

Support for Survivors

The Girl Generation, in partnership with the U.K. Aid, is providing counseling services for survivors of FGM in Kenya. This initiative helps survivors cope with trauma and rebuild their lives. Since 2022, the organization has helped more than 500 survivors in Kenya. The Girl Generation also supports girls who dropped out of school to continue their education. Indeed, this allows them to escape the cycle of poverty.

Summary

Many girls and women remain silenced after experiencing FGM, with their suffering often ignored or dismissed. Art therapy and counseling provide a platform for these women to express their struggles and receive the support they need. The Girl Generation is one organization delivering these services to FGM survivors in Kenya.

– Eryn Greenaway

Eryn is based in East Sussex, UK and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Slum Art Form: Rap in Dharavi, Mumbai

Slum Art FormsThere are diverse ways in which we, as spectators, characterize poverty. However, it is worth asking how those living in abject poverty themselves view their situations. People in different parts of the world are not just passive recipients of their circumstances and our interventions. They have active ways to cope with, speak up about and change their realities, including art and creativity. In Dharavi, Mumbai, India, the rap culture constitutes a unique kind of slum art form, expressing anger, aspiration and ambition all at once.

Dharavi’s Living Conditions

Dharavi is situated in front of Mumbai’s upscale and prosperous central business district, the Bandra-Kurla Complex. However, its material conditions render it nearly unlivable. The cramped quarters of its estimated 1 million residents line its dim, narrow alleyways, some of the most densely populated in the world. Close to 3,000 people share every single toilet here. The open sewers drain into the heavily polluted Mahim Creek adjacent to the slum. This creates fertile grounds for the rampant spread of contagious diseases.

Rap as Dharavi’s Slum Art Form

Hip-hop and rap music come from the streets or “gullies” – starting from The Bronx in New York City in the ’70s, it is the creation of people whose everyday struggles are not reflected in mainstream art forms. And indeed, far away from the romantic balladry and opulent consumerism of nearby Bollywood lies the heart of Dharavi’s music, its slum art form. Every beat brings catharsis and individual expression to its people.

Dharavi is dotted with many such musicians, from individual acts to crews. Such artists have been around for very long – but they were smaller in number, scattered and lacked access to streaming and production platforms. Rap culture truly took off around 2010, when some artists started releasing music albums independently, thanks to YouTube.

It has also created local employment. The acclaimed group SlumGods, for example, quickly expanded from two to 40-50 core members in four years. It also regularly organizes tours of Dharavi that highlight the resilience and entrepreneurial spirit of its people, thus bringing recognition to the community.

The songs, written in peculiar Mumbai slang, potently combine frustration at piercing social realities with hope for a better tomorrow. DIVINE’s 38 million views-strong collaborative track “Mere Gully Mein” (In My Gully) highlights widespread political corruption and hypocrisy. However, it also focuses on Dharavi’s secular attitude and its residents’ generosity and sense of community. Bombay Lokal sings about the “darkness” of deprivation but also the “sunshine” experienced by those who take the risk of “standing beneath the clouds” and fighting for change.

Artists like these two are immensely popular now, performing in metropolitan venues across the country. However, what they still have in common with Dharavi’s smaller up-and-coming acts is a strong attachment to their grassroots identities and willingness to speak up about socioeconomic woes.

Taking the Slum’s Art Form to Its Children

Many nonprofits also encourage skill development and recreation among Dharavi’s children by teaching them the art of rap and breakdance. These safe spaces help them deal with their immediate circumstances and find their voices. Dharavi Rocks is a percussion band operated by the ACORN Foundation, aiming to enhance waste collection and management. Its 20 young members, all drawn from Dharavi, make music out of junk and clutter, earning the appreciation of India’s most well-known production companies. Additionally, the Dharavi Dream Project, established in 2014, offers free after-school hip-hop classes to more than 150 students and has trained more than 1,500 children in total.

– Shiveka Bakshi

Shiveka is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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How BOMA Is Building Climate Resilience in Africa’s Drylands

BOMAIn the Samburu region of Kenya, Pamela Lenolnyenje is one of the thousands of nomadic people living in/around the Kirisia Forest. Many such people live in extreme poverty partly due to rising temperatures and the collapse of fragile local ecosystems. However, due to financial training and a $175 grant provided by BOMA, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending poverty and mitigating the effects of adverse weather, Lenolnyenje has since gained an income from managing a tree nursery while setting up her shop to sell produce. Likewise, due to intervention by BOMA, destructive land management practices have fallen considerably among the local community.

This is just one example of the work BOMA is doing to combat both environmental degradation and extreme poverty in Africa’s drylands. By combining education with access to capital, BOMA has sought to help vulnerable people escape the trap of climate-induced poverty by improving climate resilience. Refugees, in particular, have formed a primary target group, with sub-Saharan Africa hosting more than a quarter of the world’s refugee population.

The Rural Entrepreneur Access Project

The organization’s Rural Entrepreneur Access Project (REAP) strategy has been key to helping vulnerable populations in this way. Through this strategy, BOMA maps the key barriers to overcoming extreme poverty for pastoral families before implementing a series of interventions, including conditional cash transfers and financial training, for two years. However, due to the unique challenges facing Africa’s drylands, a more specialized “Green REAP” strategy is now used to tackle the twin crises of environmental collapse and extreme poverty.

The Green Reap Project

While environmental issues may appear of secondary concern to those facing extreme poverty, the sustainable management of scarce resources and fragile ecosystems can, in fact, considerably reduce poverty levels. Improving communities’ resilience to the impacts of changing climatic conditions, flood control, water filtration and other issues is crucial for sustainable development. Thus, BOMA, alongside its partners, provides funding and training to help people set up small, environmentally-friendly enterprises, which also help to conserve local ecosystems, such as the tree nursery discussed earlier.

One example of this Green REAP approach in action is the LIFT project in Northern Kenya, established in 2023. The project aims to improve opportunities for 15,600 women, young people and refugees by helping these people build and sustain 3,650 small enterprises. Of these 15,600 LIFT participants, approximately 30% of them come from in and around the Kakuma Refugee Camp and Kalobeyei Refugee Settlement, thus underlining BOMA’s commitment to refugees.

Impact

A 2016 study found that BOMA’s model resulted in a 147% increase in income for participants, alongside a 14,000% increase in savings and a 63% decrease in the number of children going to bed hungry. The Green REAP pilot scheme similarly indicated that 60% of participants shifted away from destructive practices such as charcoal harvesting, demonstrating Green REAP’s impact on climate resilience.

Final Remark

Ultimately, BOMA’s estimates indicate that more than 93,000 people in Kenya will benefit directly or indirectly from the LIFT project in the next two years. However, as the earth’s average temperature continues to ravage the drylands of Africa and trap many in positions of extreme poverty, the need for programs like this remains as high as ever. Thus, only through the incredible work of charities like BOMA can extreme poverty truly be eliminated from the African continent.

– Ben Evans

Ben is based in Abbots Langley, Hertfordshire, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Indian Premier League Improving the Economy

Indian Premier LeagueRecent cricket tournaments, such as the Twenty20 (T20) World Cup and the Indian Premier League, have significantly benefitted the economies of developing nations through the beloved sport.

Poverty in India

India, home to approximately 1.4 billion people, faces significant wealth inequality, with 63 million individuals living in poverty. According to Oxfam, chronic under-investment is leading to difficulties accessing substantial education and health care. Despite this, India has one of the fastest-growing economies, with 77% of the world’s total national wealth being present in the top 10% of the Indian population.

Despite these reports of massive wealth inequality, poverty rates in India have been slashed. The University of Oxford conducted a report that found that the multidimensional poverty index (MPI) in India decreased hugely from 55% to 16% in the span of 15 years.

Indian Premier League

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is the world’s largest T20 cricket tournament. The tournament is still in its early years, starting as a franchise in 2008 and has built a strong global fan base. In 2024, the IPL consisted of 10 teams playing a total of 74 matches. A report by the Mastercard Economics Institute found that not only has the sport and tournament unified people in India and globally, it has had a ripple effect on local economies.

The report found that Mastercard transactions increased by 25% on match days. This was attributed to an increase in spending in bars and restaurants during the game. In addition to this, Mastercard saw a higher spend in cities where matches were taking place. The IPL is driving huge amounts of tourism into and around the nation, including increased investments in hotels and hospitality. In 2019, the Indian Premier League generated $68 million in the hospitality industry.

The Economist reported that the tournament drove $6.2 billion in 2022. The game has led to India being branded as the “dominant economic power in cricket” by the Economist. Additionally, it has opened up tourist experiences and jobs for residents. Similarly, other tournaments have been observed to alleviate poverty through various sports. The 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa had a significant impact on the country’s economy. According to a study by the South African government, the tournament created 415,000 jobs. Additionally, it contributed approximately $3 billion to South Africa’s economy.

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup

The International Cricket Council Men’s T20 World Cup wrapped in June 2024. The World Cup was hosted by the West Indies and the United States of America teams. Due to this, games were held in six venues in the West Indies, in nations such as Guyana and Saint Lucia.

Guyana currently has one of the highest poverty rates in the Caribbean, with poverty rates of 48.4% in 2019, according to the World Bank. This includes issues regarding limited access to basic services in the nation for those living in poverty. However, due to the T20 World Cup, we may see an alleviation of this, following in the footsteps of the IPL.

– Ella Turner

Ella is based in St Helens, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Poverty Reduction Scheme in Liberia

The Poverty Reduction Scheme in LiberiaUrban Liberia has seen a steady decrease in poverty rates, with only three in 10 people living below the poverty line in its capital city, Monrovia, as of 2016. However, in rural areas of Liberia, this figure stands much higher, with eight in 10 living below the poverty line. During his inauguration speech on January 22, 2024, President Joseph Boakai outlined his plans for a poverty reduction scheme in Liberia, known as the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID). Set to operate from 2025 to 2029, with a launch scheduled for November 30, 2024, the ARREST agenda focuses on six key areas.

How Does the AAID Poverty Reduction Scheme in Liberia Work?

  1. Agriculture: Currently, Liberia’s economy relies on agriculture and the export of natural resources like gold. In his inauguration speech, Boakai emphasized agriculture’s crucial role in the country. Boakai noted that it provides jobs to 50% of the population, either directly in agriculture or in related industries. Boakai identified agriculture as “a key driver” in the Liberian economy. Furthermore, the agriculture sector could provide a stable income and food security to many, whilst reducing poverty in Liberia.
  2. Roads: Existing roads in Liberia are among the least developed in West Africa. The country spans 111,370 square kilometers, but the road network covers only about 10,600 kilometers. The majority of these roads are unpaved. Boakai recognized the need for roads to connect citizens. Furthermore, he stated the need for significant spending on roads as a “critical intervention for economic growth and national development.” By connecting more rural areas to big cities, such as Monrovia, people in rural areas are able to reach higher-paying jobs.
  3. Rule of Law: Following two civil wars and accusations of the previous government being corrupt, with the United States treasury having to sanction three of George Weah’s government officials for corruption, Boakai made sure to highlight the urgency for transparency and accountability within his government. This campaign against corruption is likely to ensure that government spending is in the best interest of citizens.
  4. Education: In order to reduce poverty in Liberia, Boakai has stated that he will “rethink” the education system in such a way that provides students with vocational skills and more subjects within the curriculum. This will then better prepare students for higher-paying jobs in a wider array of sectors, helping to boost development.
  5. Sanitation: Currently, in Liberia, around a quarter of citizens do not have access to clean water and drinking facilities and 40% of the population is forced to practice open defecation without access to well-equipped sanitation services. This then exposes people to diseases closely linked with unclean water, such as cholera. Improving sanitation increases the ability of people to work without the impact of disease. Furthermore, this ensures a steady stream of income and allows children to stay in school. Without prolonged absence, the chances of a life affected by poverty are greatly reduced.
  6. Tourism: After two civil wars, Liberia’s tourism industry was incredibly damaged. In 2014, the Liberian Tourism Association was established, a nonprofit organization partnering with companies to unite the Liberian tourism industry. In his inauguration speech, Boakai expressed a desire to “unlock the potential of the tourism sector.” The aim would be to create further contributions to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), reducing poverty in Liberia.

Final Remark

This poverty reduction scheme established by Boakai will enable the development of Liberia. Additionally, this will allow for the reduction of poverty among Liberian citizens, removing the economic divide that currently exists between those in urban and rural areas of the country.

– Freyja Stone

Freyja is based in Manchester, UK and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Targeting Poverty and the Environment in South Africa

Environment in South AfricaUnemployment has been a persistent concern in South Africa. At the same time, South Africa is a water-scarce nation facing inconsistent rainfall, which disproportionately affects the country’s impoverished population. To address poverty and the environment in South Africa, the nation launched the Working for Water (WfW) program in 1995. This has expanded to larger environmental and social employment programs that are still effective today.

Impacts of the WfW Program

The WfW program hires unemployed persons to remove invasive plant species, thereby providing income while targeting pressing environmental concerns. These plant species deplete water resources in an already water-scare nation, limiting water supply for health and economic needs. In addition to water, the invasive plant species also threaten biodiversity and ecosystems. They contribute to soil erosion and obstruct grasslands used for livestock grazing. The program also has social targets, seeking to hire at least 5% disabled persons, 20% youth and 60% women, with baby chrèches provided for mothers with young children.

The program has successfully targeted poverty and the environment in South Africa. According to the South African government, 20,000 jobs have been created through the WfW program. Furthermore, 52% of participants were women. It has removed more than one million hectares of invasive plant species, which, as of 2010, has helped the nation retain more than 46 million cubic meters of water and prevent $22.7 billion of national income from being lost.

The Working for Energy Program

With the success of the WfW program, the government has rolled out additional “Working for” programs to target poverty and the environment in South Africa. One notable example is the Working for Energy program, which was inspired by the leftover biomass from the WfW program. This program focuses on providing low-income families with electricity generated from renewable sources.

The initiative is projected to generate 720 megawatts (MW) of electricity and create 50,000 jobs, demonstrating a sustainable approach to both energy production and economic development. In addition to Working for Energy, programs have been implemented targeting wetlands, fire, the coast and waste. In total, these programs are expected to create 230,000 public employment opportunities by 2025.

The Expanded Public Works Program

With the success of the “Working for” programs, the South African government established the Expanded Public Works Program (EPWP) following the Growth and Development Summit in 2003. This initiative continues to create employment opportunities under the summit’s goal of “more jobs, better jobs, decent work for all.” The EPWP targets additional sectors of the environment, which now runs the “Working for” programs, including Infrastructure, Social and Nonstate. The EPWP continues to be successful, having achieved its goal of the creation of one million jobs ahead of schedule in 2008.

Looking Ahead

Despite such successes, challenges lay ahead. Though the EPWP presents employment opportunities, larger structural concerns are at play. Unemployment rates have been rising in the last 20 years, currently sitting at 32.9%. Water shortages are also becoming increasingly common. Furthermore, though the expansion of EPWP can create some permanent employment, most of the jobs it provides for the unemployed are temporary.

The United Nations Development Programme claims that the program can benefit from additional skills training to help its beneficiaries switch into employment outside of the EPWP. However, the “Working for” programs and its continued development as the EPWP remains an innovative measure. It is frequently cited as one of the leading examples globally of simultaneously targeting poverty and environmental concerns.

– Imme Koolenbrander

Imme is based in Beijing, China and focuses on Business and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr