Archive for category: Developing Countries

Information and stories about developing countries.

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Food Systems in Myanmar

Food in MyanmarMyanmar continues to face severe food insecurity exacerbated by the 2021 coup, economic slowdown and natural disasters. Some pre-existing challenges have worsened, and the ongoing conflict and climate-related challenges have intensified the situation. Recent reports highlight soaring food prices and limited supplies. In response, UN agencies and the World Food Programme have provided crucial aid. Despite efforts, the crisis persists, demanding sustained international support for food systems in Myanmar.

Food Scarcity

Food scarcity is not new in Myanmar. Before the 2021 coup, 2.8 million people were considered food insecure in the country. In pre-pandemic Myanmar, the World Food Programme estimated that 4% of the country had poor food consumption, and an additional 21% were on the borderline. By April 2021, on the heels of the coup and economic slowdown, up to 3.4 million extra people were facing food insecurity.

There are several key factors driving food insecurity, as predicted by the World Food Programme in 2021:

  • Job losses: WFP assumes a more considerable loss in sectors worked by those in poverty. It was predicted that stalled foreign investment, protests, and strikes would significantly impact food insecurity for workers and their dependents.
  • Remittance losses: With the halting of services from most banks, remittance also halted. In 2021, remittances made up a significant amount of income.
  • Challenges to agriculture: The rippling effect of agriculture is palpable, with many unable to prepare for the upcoming crop season.
  • Economic concerns: WFP flagged major economic concerns from the downturn in foreign investment and predicted economic recession.

Conflict and Food Systems in Myanmar

Since 2021, Myanmar has endured ongoing conflict, climate-related blows such as Cyclone Mocha, and unprecedented flooding in October 2023, alongside the political crisis, exacerbating pre-existing poverty. The UN Humanitarian Needs Overview in 2022 estimated that “14 out of 15 states and regions [were] within the critical threshold for acute malnutrition.”

In an April 2024 update from OCHA, food insecurity was underlined as a significant concern. Ongoing fighting between the Myanmar Armed Forces and the Arakan Army combined with a deepening humanitarian crisis have caused soaring food prices and “limited market supplies in many locations.”

The UN and WFP have implemented crucial aid amid this increasing food insecurity crisis. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations provided 4,700 vulnerable farming households with emergency assistance by April 2022. Additionally, The FOA trained 1759 households in Chaungzon township in agriculture practices and provided fertilizer.

Severe floods, economic turmoil and food insecurity impacted U Ohn Myint, a 65-year-old smallholder farmer in Kalawt Kanai village. With the help of the UN FAO, he bought medicine, a rice bag, and cooking oil to address his and his family’s immediate hunger needs. He was also able to restore his livelihood and hope.

Food Assistance

The World Food Programme continues efforts, providing monthly assistance to 360,000 people in border areas who have been displaced. For thousands of people, the WFP has also launched emergency food and nutrition programs in harder-to-reach locations like Kayah State, Shan State and Bago Region. 

Despite the daunting challenges, international efforts offer hope for Myanmar’s food insecurity. Vulnerable communities receive vital aid through emergency assistance, training programs, and ongoing support. As seen through U Ohn Myint, livelihoods and renewed hope exemplify the impact of these efforts. While the road ahead remains challenging, these efforts demonstrate the power of solidarity and the effect of global action on complex humanitarian crises. 

– Lydia Young 

Lydia is based in Glasgow, Scotland and focuses on Global Health and World News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Impact of Mongolia’s Sovereign Wealth Fund

Mongolia's Sovereign Wealth FundMongolia is among the least densely populated countries in the Eastern world, with approximately 3.5 million people separated across close to 604,000 square miles. Of this population, 27% currently suffer from poverty. Like many nations, those most commonly affected are young and codependent people who struggle to afford a mortgage or bring food to the dinner table. Much of the land is uninhabitable and easy to mine. However, the lack of population concentration makes it difficult to spread resources across the country. Mongolia’s Sovereign Wealth Fund is aimed at improving the quality of life for its citizens.

The Sovereign Wealth Fund

In May 2024, Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai and the Central Bank of Mongolia passed a bill to enter Mongolia’s Sovereign Wealth Fund into legislation. The program allows profits from the mining industry, which accounts for around a third of the national annual budget, to contribute to three separate pots of funds: the future heritage fund, the development fund and the savings fund.

The savings fund is the most important for creating a more sustainable outlook for the economy. This initiative was formed in response to the main directions and aims established by the government in 2021 to combat the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic created a precarious job market and an even more precarious living situation for many residents.

Impact of the Fund

The Mongolian government has always been proactive in its efforts to fight poverty, but only now has its work resulted in problems being solved and, perhaps, eventually, resolved Erdenes Mongol LLC, which oversees government investment in mining enterprises, has taken advantage of its position as a country with one of the highest mineral resources per capita in the world and contributed to a promising program.

The money redistributed to the Mongolian central bank will be used to increase investment in health care, education and housing. The priority involves supporting the 10,000 families currently on the waiting list for the Housing Loan program, paving the way for greater financial equality in line with the United Nations (U.N.) 17 development goals.

The wealth fund is only in its early stages and will have more of a considerable impact with time. However, the Mongolian government could still take other routes to enhance its plans since mining resources are far from the only strength of the Mongolian economy. About 40% of employment comes from nomadic roles such as herding livestock, so using the money earned from exports in agriculture could further the benefits reaped by the wealth fund and lessen the burden on struggling civilian families.

Considering the initiative promises to improve prospects for many, Mongolia’s efforts could potentially lead neighboring countries like India and China to use a Robin Hood strategy. This strategy involves taking money from the most profitable areas of the economy and redistributing it to the most disadvantaged.

Final Remark

Mongolia needs to be prepared to adapt its plan to any future circumstances, as other countries may have different economic demands and leadership styles. Additionally, carbon emissions have a potentially detrimental impact on a large scale. Mongolia could solve one problem by contributing to another. However, its efforts so far have relied solely on using what the country already has and would have produced to address the obstacles to its ability to thrive.

There are debates over whether the fund justifies corruption and conglomeration. However, the long-term benefits of such an initiative could outweigh the short-term setbacks and eventually set Mongolia onto a more sustainable playing field.

– Lewis Eyre

Lewis is based in Bournemouth, UK and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Foreign Aid to Rwanda

Foreign Aid to RwandaRwanda is a small, hilly, landlocked country in sub-Saharan Africa with around 14 million people. The 1994 genocide against the Tutsi destroyed many essential government buildings and services, completely devastating the country. The international community largely regards the Rwandan government as an “effective development partner”. They see the country as one that employs international aid efficiently to implement its rebuilding and development strategies. Rwanda’s reputation stems from the government’s strong capacity to implement policies with minimal corruption. This ensures that no aid or natural resources are misused or wasted. Rwanda has a good history of aid going directly towards policies that benefit the population and foster sustainable development. Foreign aid to Rwanda showcases encouraging results and serves as an example for other countries.

Major Donors to Rwanda

The major foreign country donors to Rwanda are the U.S., Germany, France and Japan. As of 2021, Rwanda’s biggest donor was the U.S., donating $174 million. In total in 2021, Rwanda received $1.3 billion in foreign aid. The country receives some of the largest aid per capita compared to its regional neighbours. In 2021, Rwanda received $98 in aid per capita, greater than $55 for Uganda, $37 for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and $47 for Burundi during the same year.

Foreign aid to Rwanda has come under more scrutiny lately as international donors have expressed concern over the country’s role in supporting human rights abuses and conflict in the DRC with its reported support of the rebel military group M23. Rwanda’s reported involvement in the current conflict in the DRC. culminated in the U.S. suspending aid in 2012. Currently, Rwanda is still facing international pressure from countries like France to stop its support of M23 and is threatening to reduce foreign aid to Rwanda if it continues to support the conflict.

Health Care Aid

Most foreign aid to Rwanda from the U.S. goes to improving the population’s health by investing in preventative HIV/AIDS measures and basic health, such as malaria prevention. According to BMJ, “Rwanda was among the first African countries to document AIDS cases in 1983, and subsequent HIV/AIDS surveillance has confirmed that Rwanda’s HIV epidemic is longstanding and severe in many settings.”

There has always been a massive divide between the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in rural and urban settings. At its peak in 1986, the urban prevalence of HIV was 17.8%, while the rural prevalence was 1.3%, according to BMJ. The investment into preventative HIV/AIDS measures has resulted in a 56% reduction in new HIV infections over the last 15 years, a dramatic decrease among the population in the country that is on track to remove the HIV epidemic in the country.

U.S. supports Rwanda’s fight against HIV/AIDS through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). This program is a global initiative that aims to fight the HIV/AIDS epidemic in countries by funding antiretroviral therapy, supporting prevention programs, and investing in health care infrastructure.

Education

Another significant investment Rwanda makes using foreign aid is in primary education for children. The great priority the government has given to education has enabled Rwanda to sustain near-universal access to primary education for over a decade. The focus on education has allowed more children to get an early start to learning through schooling with gender parity. Early education is the first step for Rwanda to develop its economy, reduce poverty and increase its quality of life. Aid from foreign countries has been integral to Rwanda’s impressive economic development since the 1994 genocide. Rwanda has consistently had positive GDP growth, except for the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. However, Rwanda has seen a recovery in 2022 as the GDP grew by 8.2%.

Rwanda has an ambitious goal of being a middle-income country by 2035 and a high-income country by 2050. Policy decisions in Rwanda consider these goals and are highly influential in how it uses the foreign aid it receives. Foreign aid to Rwanda is necessary for its development to reach these goals, and it can not succeed by its production alone. Rwanda has positively utilized foreign aid to rebuild the country after the devastating 1994 genocide. In many respects, it is quite remarkable how much the country has developed after the genocide and how much it has exceeded people’s expectations for the country. While there are concerns about a decrease in future aid because of human rights concerns, foreign aid remains an essential source of support for Rwanda’s development goals and increasing the quality of life.

– Mathieu Paré

Mathieu is based in Toronto, Canada and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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5 Facts About Poverty and Disabilities in Nepal

Disabilities in NepalNepal is an Asian country locked between India and China. With more than 40% of the population living below the poverty line, Nepal is “one of the least developed” countries in the world. Despite the country’s hardships, Nepal is making great strides to improve its condition, which opens up possibilities to lower the poverty line. Here are five facts about poverty and disabilities in Nepal.

Disabilities Prevalence

UNICEF reported that in 2011, there were 1.9% of Nepali people with a disability, such as those with physical, vision, hearing, speech and mental disabilities. However, this number may be higher. UNICEF also states that the National Planning Commission (NPC) conducted a situation analysis in 2001 that suggested that 30.3% of those with disabilities were preventable and were a result of a lack of resources.

Handicap International (HI) reported that of all the people with disabilities, only 1% of them can find meaningful employment and 78% of children with disabilities are not in schools.

Poverty in Nepal

As stated in the beginning, 40% of the population is below the poverty line. The people of Nepal largely rely on agriculture as a means of work, while those who are disabled could be at an even greater disadvantage as they often cannot work.

Some factors linked to poverty in Nepal include natural disasters, complications in politics, lack of resources and inequality. Despite ongoing efforts to lower the poverty rates, it is a difficult task, one further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic pushed an estimated 70 million people in Nepal into poverty due to loss of income, according to Outreach International.

Poverty Rates Are Improving

Even with all the challenges, the poverty rate has decreased from 25% in 2011 to 3.6% in 2023, according to the World Bank. Furthermore, the economy could grow from 1.9% in 2023 to 3.3% in 2024, with more anticipated growth beyond this year. Some of these changes are due to changes in its federal, state and local government, and organizations helping aid the country along to a new and improved state.

Improving Conditions

Despite the high number of disabled children not in education, organizations such as HI are working to make education equitable for all children in Nepal, allowing Nepali children with disabilities the opportunity to learn. It is working to improve the quality of life for all Nepalese people with disabilities and provide access to rehabilitation and help them with social inclusion.

Some of these initiatives include early intervention for children with disabilities and adding inclusive sports and other extracurricular activities for these children. HI seeks to provide training for parents or guardians of these children with disabilities to help them better understand how to care for them.

HI works with the local government to implement policies to support education. It also works to increase access to rehabilitation centres and improve the services themselves, such as physical therapy, prosthetics and other medical aid.

Changing Government Can Lead to Lower Poverty Rates

Nepal as a country is undergoing a massive change, only recently shifting from a monarchy to a federal republic. This monumental change also encourages lowering the poverty rates and economic growth. In 2017, Nepal had an election and the new government began establishing itself in February 2018, the World Bank reports.

That same year, the World Bank sent the Country Partnership Framework (CPF) until 2023, to support the country’s growth, political stability, and inclusivity for the poverty-stricken areas and marginalized people, such as disabled Nepali people. The CPF also sought to support the country’s public services, job growth and better resilience against changing weather patterns among many other objectives.

It mainly prioritizes economic growth via jobs and “strengthening public institutions for effective economic management, service delivery and public investments not only at the national level but at sub-national levels,” according to the World Bank. It does, however, seek to encourage inclusivity and diversity for many of its marginalized groups and improve gender equity.

One of the results of the CPF is that in the 1950s, only one out of 1,000 children went to school, but due to these changes, nearly all children now have access to education.

Nepal is a country undergoing immense changes in government and poverty and disabilities in Nepal are making improvements as many organizations have stepped in to aid the Nepali people. While there’s still much work to do, Nepal is on its way to helping its people lead better quality lives.

– Sabrina Betterly

Sabrina is based in Drums, PA, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Impoverished and Disabled in Mongolia

Disabled in MongoliaLooking at the developing world on a global scale, persons with disabilities (PWD) show a higher likelihood of poverty and lower human development indicators. The resources allocated to PWD in impoverished nations- specifically Asian countries- are fragmented. Studies show that an increase in inclusivity and betterment of infrastructure can improve the statistics of disabled people living in poverty- specifically in countries such as Mongolia. 

Little Information Available

One can attribute an increasing amount of recognition of the rights of PWD to Conventions on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This convention has been a catalyst for change in terms of inclusive societies that allocate resources to helping PWD, specifically in Asian countries since there is little information available for analysis on behalf of how disabilities affect impoverished communities.  

It is hard to determine the progress because of deep-rooted stigmas and cultural stereotypes that hinder the acknowledgment of PWD. Mongolia specifically shows interesting statistics that show just how society deals with disabled people where the culture hinders the recognition of disabilities. Firstly, there is a decrease in reported disability in the ages of individuals who are legally allowed to receive pensions. Secondly, statistics show that it is more likely for men to have disabilities in these societies than women, who simultaneously also tend to live longer than their male counterparts, according to a 2019 Asian Development Bank (ADB) report.

With a reported 4% of Mongolian citizens living with a disability, the poverty incidence is “more than doubled” within these households. On top of this, “70% are not working compared to 36% of working-age people without disabilities,” ADB reports. Although specific classifications in Mongolia clarify what specifically qualifies as a disability, these classifications have historically recognized mainly adults. Children with disabilities are often never sent to aimags, or hospitals where the formal recognition of disabilities starts. Poverty and disability in Mongolia continue to grow because of a lack of recognition in the early stages of the affected demographics’ lives. 

Hard-To-Reach Populations

Because external and internal factors (increasing unregistered urbanization, internal migration and capacity and resource constraints) create hard-to-reach populations that have seen increased recognition of the rights of persons with disabilities, it’s a recognized struggle to provide social services to individuals with disabilities in these hard-to-reach populations, according to ADB. This manifests itself in the stunting of systematic delivery of social services, namely residential care settings, which are the primary type of services PWD get in Mongolia. It is through the inclusion of individuals who fall within these populations that progress starts. 

Development centers are a viable option for improving disability and poverty in Mongolia. The ADB and Mongolia’s Government have moved towards implementing centers for PWD. Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrau attended the openings of said developments, and it is with the intention that all 21 provinces and nine districts of Ulaanbaatar will have such centers in the future. Poverty and disability in Mongolia started to see remedies within the cause itself as authoritative figures brought attention to the cause.

Moving Towards Inclusion

Targeting aimags as places disabled people in Mongolia can go to to obtain resources and simply recognition for their disabilities is a common and effective example of how a change in infrastructure can help to tackle the 4% of Mongolia’s population of persons with disabilities that exist in poverty. 

While there are some recognized hindrances of disability outreaches in Asian countries such as Mongolia, this is not to say that there is no future of change. Although it is hard to change populations of people that their culture and stigma hold back, Mongolia is in a “phase of transition,” and moving towards a more inclusive social climate and progressive disability-centric infrastructure, according to ADB.

– Hailey Nurry

Hailey is based in Avondale, PA, USA and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay

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Poverty Reduction in Uzbekistan

Poverty Reduction in UzbekistanLocated in Central Asia with a population of 36.65 million, Uzbekistan has a poverty rate of approximately 11% as of 2023. Vast swathes of the country are very rural, some with limited access to services. These rural areas are home to almost 50% of the population whose source of income is derived primarily from informal sectors, leaving them vulnerable to economic insecurity. With the assistance of funding from Luxembourg and South Korea, the UNDP of Uzbekistan has developed a range of long-term poverty reduction schemes following SDG1. An integrated approach to poverty reduction in Uzbekistan has brought about major improvements to the quality of life for much of the population. One of the most effective approaches has been funding and economic support for local business startups; a strategy promoting sustainable economic diversification and long-term monetary self-reliance.

The Economy of Uzbekistan

Rich in natural resources with a fruitful agricultural industry, much of Uzbekistan’s economy relies on exports, leaving them vulnerable to fluctuations in international commodity prices. Additionally, the agriculture industry is particularly vulnerable to weather changes. The Aral Sea, an important source of water for agriculture in the region, has faced damages such as drought and salinization.

Foreign remittances also make up approximately 20% of the country’s GDP, which could become a source of economic insecurity if future generations become more distanced. The road to guaranteeing long-term economic security and reducing poverty must involve economic diversification and the improvement of quality of life. Recognizing this, the UNDP has sought to develop an approach which addresses poverty-related issues in a multi-faceted way.

Approach to Poverty Reduction in Uzbekistan

Bringing together a group of representatives for a roundtable discussion, the UNDP of Uzbekistan defined its approach to poverty reduction as one that tackles “the complexities and multiple dimensions of poverty beyond just income,” according to the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative. This involves the strengthening of social protection systems and the effective channeling and distribution of resources to those most in need. This approach recognizes poverty’s multiple dimensions and the importance of a sustainable and holistic approach to improving quality of life in the long term.

One particularly socially engaging scheme saw the UNDP working alongside the Westminster International University in Tashkent. This initiative encouraged university students to design practical poverty reduction strategies which they later pitched to experts. The two winning pitches designed schemes for improving Mentorship Support and Financial Literacy. This scheme is a highly effective example of how governments can engage the knowledge and work of young people in the service of national poverty reduction, improving the country’s quality of life.

Support for Small Businesses

One initiative that has proven particularly successful in improving both quality of life and economic diversity in the region is the provision of funds for local entrepreneurs and small-business startups. The provision of a $30 million loan to support local businesses from the OPEC Fund for International Development is one such initiative that recognizes the importance of SMEs in driving economic growth and boosting economic self-reliance. Recent support for local enterprises correlates with the overall direction of poverty reduction in Uzbekistan. According to Uzbekistan’s Center for Economic Research and Reforms, where the income from local small businesses has risen from 0.7% in 2021 to 2.9% in 2023, national poverty rates have fallen from 17% in 2021 to 11% in 2023.

Support for small and local businesses does not only benefit the country economically but can encourage social inclusion and improve quality of life at an individual scale. Investment and funding for SMEs can be channelled towards, say, sustainable and eco-friendly businesses, providing an incentive for the growth of future enterprises of this nature. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, for example, has directed funding to female entrepreneurs and female-run businesses. This initiative supports women in business and designs an effective model for long-term economic growth, assisting individuals in developing new professional skills that they can apply in different industries. These schemes are not only economically beneficial for the country, but can also be tailored to encourage inclusion and create opportunities, taking an integrated and sustainable approach to poverty reduction.

Multi-Dimensional Approach

An integrated and multi-dimensional approach, which concerns itself with both income and quality of life, has proven highly effective in aiding the process of poverty reduction in Uzbekistan. The UNDP’s approach emphasizes the importance of future-led planning to ensure the most effective resource distribution to address economic imbalances in the nation. By providing economic support and teaching people new skills, strategies such as funding business startups help to facilitate the reduction of poverty in both the immediate and long-term future.

– Aimee Masters

Aimee is based in London, UK and focuses on Business and Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Everything You Should Know About Poverty in the Philippines

Poverty in the PhilippinesThe Philippines is an archipelagic country in Southeast Asia, consisting of more than 7,000 islands. The South China Sea bounds it to the west, the Philippine Sea to the east and the Celebes Sea to the south. The country has made gains in poverty reduction but further reduction is necessary. The future of poverty in the Philippines rests on the country’s economic development and the work of government initiatives. Here is everything you need to know about poverty in the Philippines.

The Extent of Poverty in the Philippines

Poverty in the Philippines declined to 22.4% in 2023, down 1.3% from the same period in 2021. However, despite this decrease, the current state of poverty and inequality is startling. The poverty incidence was 22.4% in the first semester of 2023, affecting approximately 25.24 million Filipinos. The poverty incidence refers to the proportion of Filipinos whose per capita income is insufficient to meet their basic needs. On average, a family of five needs at least PhP 13,797 monthly to cover their basic needs, according to the Philippine News Agency. Additionally, the subsistence incidence or the proportion of Filipinos whose income is insufficient to buy basic food needs stood at 8.7%, meaning approximately 9.79 million Filipinos are unable to fulfil basic food needs.

These statistics demonstrate the extent of poverty in the Philippines and provoke the question of why the Philippines continues to struggle from poverty despite its growing economy. The Philippines struggles with a huge disparity in wealth equality. According to the World Bank, the Philippines holds one of the highest Gini Coefficients in the East Asian and Pacific region, sitting at 40.7% as of 2021. This means that, despite economic improvements, those most susceptible to poverty may not see the benefits of economic growth.

The Affected Population

Poverty affects the unemployed and underemployed and those who lack education most in the Philippines as they are unable to find opportunities or jobs which pay a sufficient wage. Environmental instability is also an issue, in regions most vulnerable to natural disasters schools have to shut down, disrupting education. In April 2024, hundreds of schools in the Philippines had to close due to extreme heat, an issue which annually rising global temperatures will exacerbate.

The World Bank estimates that 60% of the land in the Philippines is vulnerable to multiple natural hazards. This causes severe damage to homes and transport infrastructure, interrupting business and education and costing billions to repair. This has been an issue in Mindanao recently, where flooding caused more than 411,000 people to flee.

The State of the Economy

Despite the pessimism surrounding poverty in the Philippines, there is reason for optimism. The Philippine economy grew by 5.5% in 2023, making it one of the best-performing economies in Asia, according to the Philippine News Agency, but high inflation has offset the benefits of income growth on poverty reduction. To overcome inflation, growth must remain consistently high. Currently, economic growth for 2024-2025 could be at an average of 5.8% if growth in the domestic market is achieved. The World Bank expects this domestic market to grow due to the thriving tourism sector and the information technology-business process outsourcing industry. This indicates a bright future for the Philippine economy. For the poorest Filipinos to benefit from the projected growth in 2024, income gains from economic growth must be guided towards reducing inequality.

Positive Progress in Poverty Alleviation

The reduced poverty rate from 2021 to 2023 is a move in the right direction. The government achieved this through initiatives such as the fuel subsidy and the one-time rice allowance, according to the Philippine News Agency. However, greater income equality must still be strived for if President Marcos wants to reach his goal of a single-digit poverty rate by 2028. The Philippine Development Plan of 2023-2028 is one initiative which can help achieve this goal. This plan aims to bring economic and social transformation by reinvigorating job creation and accelerating poverty reduction. It aims to be the mechanism of implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and includes programmes to improve education and to upskill the workforce. If The Philippines achieves this plan, it can make further poverty reductions by addressing the key areas where inequality thrives.

To relieve the problem of environmental instability, the government is building new infrastructure under The Metro Manila Flood Management Project. This benefits the Metropolitan Manila area but fails to help other areas susceptible to flooding. This only furthers the issue of inequality, benefiting the city of Manila instead of reaching more deprived areas. More deprived areas struggle to recover from natural hazards, weakening their ability to become more prosperous and resistant to annually occurring hazards. Last year, Bulacan was placed under a state of calamity due to the damage that typhoons and subsequent flooding caused.

Looking Ahead

Despite projected economic growth and current initiatives being in place to address poverty, there remains a significant proportion of Filipinos who are vulnerable to poverty. While there is room for improvement, the country has great potential to reduce poverty further. The progress made in 2023 and the current economic growth projections are a testament to this. The persistence of inequality requires greater attention from the government in addressing areas of education and environmental relief. Initiatives to help those most vulnerable to poverty must be used to ensure more people can benefit from the coming economic growth. In this way, the Philippines can continue to progress in reducing poverty.

– Lauren Alkhalil

Lauren is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project

Photo: Unsplash

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Solutions in the Fight Against Child Marriage in Somalia

Child Marriage in SomaliaAbout 36% of girls in Somalia are married before the age of 18 and 17% are married before the age of 15. Child marriage is expected in a lot of underdeveloped countries and is often a direct product of poverty. Somalia’s government does not have a national strategy or action plan to help combat this issue.

Causes of Child Marriage

Girls Not Brides is a nongovernmental organization committed to action against child marriage by mobilizing communities and drafting solutions. According to the organization, high rates of child marriage can be attributed to many factors, including gender inequality. Somalian girls are often married young to protect family honor. The social norms in the country emphasize the protection of young girls before marriage.

These young women are married for increased protection measures, mitigating instances of sexual violence or abuse. However, gender inequality is only one small portion of a larger problem: poverty. Often, in times of crisis and disaster, families use child marriage as a solution to cope with severe economic hardship.

The European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, a commission that supports countries based on international humanitarian law, reports that at least 6.9 million individuals in Somalia need humanitarian aid this year alone. Nearly half of the population is in severe need. Child brides are one solution to cope with such hardship. Higher rates of child marriage are further exacerbated by food insecurity and droughts, among other significant issues that the county faces.

Government Action and Legislation

The Somali Ministry of Women and Family Affairs created legislation to protect children from marriage. One of these initiatives included the Child Rights Bill. The bill prohibits the marriage of young children and the abuse of children in any form.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Women and Human Rights Development has developed other laws currently in the drafting stage that aim to protect children and implement elements of the Convention on the Rights of the Child into Somalia’s national laws. Adopted in 1989, the Convention on the Rights of the Child is an expansive treaty on the social, political and cultural rights of children worldwide.

The Humanitarian Relief and Development Council

The Humanitarian Relief and Development Council is a nonprofit, woman-led organization in Somalia supporting women, children and other minority groups facing conflict, poverty, violence and injustice. The organization works directly on the ground to provide community-based mobilization campaigns to spread knowledge and awareness on the harmful effects of sexual gender-based violence and child marriage.

In addition, families also receive health insurance. The nonprofit prioritizes women and children, a vulnerable population, by mobilizing community members to raise their concerns to government officials.

Looking Ahead

According to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Somalia has committed to eradicating child marriage by 2030. According to Girls Not Brides, global progress varies by country. However, the practice continues to decline globally. The organization reports that around 68 million cases have been prevented in the last few years. Progress has been linked to socioeconomic status, meaning economic growth plays a key role in reducing rates of child marriage.

In conjunction with humanitarian aid organizations, government initiatives are one of the few solutions to stop this slowly but surely decreasing problem. Child marriage prevention in Somalia starts with ensuring the rights of children and supporting families in economic hardship.

– Dominic Samaniego

Dominic is based in Fullerton, CA, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Poverty in the Hindu Kush-Himalayas

Poverty in the Hindu Kush-HimalayasThe Hindu Kush-Himalayas (HKH) is a mountainous region spanning several countries and is home to more than 210 million people. The area is known for its gorgeous landscapes, rugged terrains and adventure-based tourism. It is also home to many ethnic minorities and indigenous groups. However, the Hindu Kush-Himalayas region is currently burdened with high rates of poverty.

ICMOD Study

The International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICMOD) has identified distinct patterns in poverty in the Hindu Kush-Himalayas region. ICMOD characterizes its analysis of poverty in the HKH region by looking at Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal and Pakistan, looking solely at the country’s mountainous regions and how poverty manifests in the mountainous areas. ICMOD studies identified that more than 60 million people live in poverty in the Hindu Kush-Himalayan region, noting that this figure did not include China and Myanmar due to insufficient data. Its examination showed that poverty in the mountains was higher than in the nonmountainous regions other than India.

Poverty in Mountainous Regions 

The ICMOD study looked at the different impacts that poverty has on people living in these mountainous regions. One significant finding was that one common determiner of mountain-specific poverty was limited access to resources due to physical determinants, such as access to resources up in the mountains. This can lead to inaccessibility to basic plumbing, adequate food resources and clean water.

The data also shows the region to have inadequate access to infrastructure such as markets, hospitals and bus stops. This lack of access makes it more difficult to address health issues, education and other institutional resources. These challenges have made it really difficult to assess different dimensions of poverty in mountainous regions. It’s not as simple as funding but rather accessibility to the resources themselves.

Combating These Issues

Several initiatives are being taken to combat these inequalities in access and difficulties for the population in the mountainous regions. The ICMOD has enacted an initiative called AdaptHimal, which aims to improve the livelihood of the rural poor in the HKH region through environmental and socioeconomic changes. It enables those living in these regions to integrate themselves into loan projects better and introduce institutions that can target their specific needs.

In addition, the organization has partnered with the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) to help developmental needs in this area by medicating risks attributed to environmental effects in the HKH. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has also provided funding and risk assessment to these regions to help them acclimate better and adapt their investments and networks to environmental changes.

Final Remark

Despite work being done to improve infrastructure and resources in the HKH region, there is still more to be done in terms of allocating adequate resources to hard-to-reach areas and mountainous regions in the HKH. This will aid in the decline of poverty and provide better living standards for those in the Hindu Kush-Himalayas.

– Adrita Quabili

Adrita is based in Atlanta, GA, USA and focuses on Politics and Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Hotel Con Corazón Has Heart for Latin America

Hotel Con CorazónHotel con Corazón opened its doors in 2008 after founders Onno Oostveen and Marcel Zuidhof agreed they wanted to impact the world. The pair decided to start their journey in Nicaragua, one of the poorest countries in Latin America.

Hotel Con Corazón’s Heartfelt Journey to Nicaragua

Oostveen and Zuidhof traveled to Nicaragua during a holiday in 2006. While there, they noted the lively potential for tourism and the lack of funding for education. By 2008, the pair had moved to Nicaragua and decided to support the local community by opening Hotel con Corazón. The pair now employs a fantastic team that supports the hotel and even employs teachers for schools.

Empowering Youths in Nicaragua, One Stay at a Time

Hotel con Corazón mission is to provide accessible education for children in need within Latin America. The World Bank has reported that 70% of 10-year-olds in Nicaragua cannot read or understand basic texts. The lack of education for children may result in a lack of earnings in the future. More than 60% of children in Nicaragua are living in educational poverty. Hotel con Corazón aims to give back the chance of a bright future for the youths of Nicaragua. It hopes that youths can stop the cycle of poverty for themselves and their families by doing this.

Since its first hotel opened to the public in Granada, Nicaragua, the hotel company has assisted 250 children annually through primary and higher levels of education. In 2024, the hotel group will have supported an estimated 4,000 children in completing their education. Hotel con Corazón invests 100% of its profits into local education. The hotel is aesthetically designed and boasts a swimming pool and a bar where guests can buy drinks and food. It also has two patios where visitors can relax and enjoy breakfast or lunch. Additionally, it provides free Wi-Fi and entertainment for guests.

Guest profits provide the hotel with funding to support extracurricular activities for youth and parental workshops. In addition to helping youth through education, Hotel con Corazón offers development and income opportunities to several Nicaraguans each year. It further supports the local economy by buying produce from the community and running a commercial business. The hotel group can support 22 employees in its Nicaraguan hotel, where it also offers development programs so that employees have access to further education for themselves or their children. The hotel has made several positive impacts on Nicaragua, supporting the country through poverty in as many ways as it can.

Outreach to Oaxaca

In 2018, the hotel group decided to expand its social impact. Therefore, it opened the first Hotel con Corazón in one of the poorest cities in Mexico. According to the World Bank, 26% of Mexican children are not enrolled in pre-primary education and only 57% of 10-year-olds can read. Oaxaca is rated the second lowest city in Mexico for its education levels. Hotel con Corazón’s Oaxaca branch continues a similar vision as it does in Nicaragua.

The company invests all profits from guest stays and purchases made in bars and its hotel shop into education at all levels in Oaxaca. The hotel supports the Oaxaca Learning Center, which runs a motivational program for 60-70 youths and funds educational costs for those who most need it. Hotel con Corazón is also partnered with Mundo de Talentos, a nonprofit organization that provides children with free occupational guidance. Mundo de Talentos originated in Chiapas, Mexico. In 2023, Hotel con Corazón funded the nonprofit to expand its reach to Oaxaca. This funding enabled the nonprofit to begin its annual program in Oaxaca with 40 students enrolled.

Additionally, Hotel con Corazón has created a learning space within Oaxaca, where young people can learn trading skills that they can use in hospitality work. It offers apprenticeships to unemployed youths who are also not in education and aims to help them find work they can enjoy. For the youths already in education, Hotel con Corazón offers apprenticeships where young people have the potential to train in its Oaxacan hotel.

The Final Resort

Hotel con Corazón has made impressive impacts in changing the lives of youths through education and supporting the countries it operates in through poverty. The hotel group’s latest mission is spreading love in Latin America. It plans to open 10 more hotels in the next 10 years. The aim is to regenerate its educational and motivational schemes for the poorest parts of Latin America that need the most help. It has already begun building three branches in Costa Rica and Mexico. By 2025, its newest branch will open for guests in Monteverde, Costa Rica.

– Raquel Smith

Raquel is based in London, UK and focuses on Business and Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Hotel Con Corazón