Archive for category: Developing Countries

Information and stories about developing countries.

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5 Strategies for Combating Poverty in India

Combating Poverty in IndiaPoverty remains a pressing issue in India, with more than 12.92% living below the national poverty line of $2.15 a day as of 2021 – a number that, with global support, is steadily declining year by year. Here are five strategies aimed at combating poverty and fostering inclusive development in India.

Education and Skill Development

According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), if all students in low-income countries could be provided basic reading skills, an estimated 171 million people would be able to lift themselves out of extreme poverty. If all adults in low-income countries completed secondary school education, it would be possible to cut the global poverty rate by at least half. Hence, access to education and skill development is crucial in combating poverty in India.

Out of all the G20 nations, India has the highest percentage of adults who have not completed primary education. About 46% of 25-64-year-olds have not completed primary education and 71% have not completed secondary education. The average for all G20 countries is 36%. However, several nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are dedicated to improving the quality of education in India, one of which is Pratham. Pratham focuses on “high-quality, low-cost and replicable interventions to address gaps in the education system” and its programs reach millions every year.

Pratham offers a number of initiatives, from Early Childhood Education to Second Chances, for those who have previously left school without completing their education and is committed to its mission of “every child in school and learning well.”

Health Care Access and Infrastructure

According to a study conducted in 2011, India has an average of 20 health workers per 10,000 people, with most of them opting to work in areas that have better infrastructure and facilities for family life and growth. This leaves poorer areas with a lower density of health workers. As a result of this, only 37% were able to reach in-patient facilities within a 5km distance. There is an understanding that the further one lives from towns, the greater the risk of disease, malnourishment, weakness and premature death.

Furthermore, a 2012 study of six states in India revealed that many of the primary health centers lacked basic infrastructure such as beds, wards, toilets, drinking water, clean labor rooms for delivery and regular electricity. In response to these statistics, the Reliance Foundation, an organization with the motto “Health for All,” is working toward providing access to quality and affordable health care in India. The organization is doing this through community health initiatives, health outreach to vulnerable communities and the provision of quality health care to all.

The Reliance Foundation’s Health Outreach Programme has provided more than 8.1 million consultations to vulnerable patients. Health camps offer specialist care for various non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, as well as communicable diseases like HIV/AIDS and TB. Through these health camps, as well as hospitals in Lodhivali, Jamnagar and Hazira, the Reliance Foundation has been able to support more than 8,000 people with HIV, including children.

Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality

Gender discrimination fuels women’s poverty in the workplace with limited access to resources and financial assets and deep-rooted stereotypes that limit women’s ability to participate in education and employment. Consequently, 10% of women globally are trapped in a cycle of extreme poverty – something that is clear in India, with 45 million women in poverty compared to 38 million men.

Furthermore, there are risks and vulnerabilities directly linked to political, social and cultural disadvantages for Indian women. These risks expose girls to the possibility of child marriage, teenage pregnancy, poor education and health, sexual abuse, exploitation and violence. By empowering women and increasing the value of women in India, the cycle of extreme poverty can be broken and women can be enabled to fully develop and contribute to India’s growth, as well as combat poverty in India.

Access To Clean Water and Sanitation

Out of a 1.4 billion population, 35 million people lack access to safe water and 678 million lack access to a safe toilet. There are a number of factors contributing to these statistics, such as extreme water stress, lack of access to piped water supplies and changing weather patterns that result in droughts.

While the Indian government’s goal of providing tap water connections to every household by 2024 is positive, this has created an unprecedented urgency to increase access to safe water and sanitation services. However, since 2004, the organization Water.org has played a significant part in improving water and sanitation in India.

The nonprofit is providing access to safe water to more than 25.7 million people through its WaterCredit Initiative, microfinancing disadvantaged regions and providing affordable loans as well as the connections and resources to put a tap or toilet in homes.

Advocacy and Policy Reforms

Regarding policy reforms to combat poverty in India, the Centre for Policy Research (CPR) has been one of India’s leading public policy think tanks since 1973. CPR is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, independent institution. It aims to conduct research that can be used to create better policies and high-quality scholarship while also contributing greatly to the public discourse about combating poverty in India.

Similarly, PRS Legislative Research is an organization seeking to provide information on the work of Members of Parliament (MPs) and Parliament to citizens in accessible formats. Furthermore, it partners with the media and civil society groups to help them engage more with various governmental issues.

This is crucial as the Indian government itself does not provide its legislators with research personnel. Therefore, PRS Legislative Research helps legislators understand various problems and use data and evidence to aid decisions in multiple policies. This results in more researched and educated legislation and policies being passed.

Final Remark

In conclusion, combating poverty in India requires a multifaceted approach encompassing education, health care and policy advocacy. By implementing and maintaining these strategies and fostering collaboration with stakeholders, it is possible to combat poverty in India and create a more equitable and prosperous future for its population in the journey toward inclusive development.

– Emily Weir

Emily is based in Bath, UK and focuses on Global Health and Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Aquapreneurs Address Water Scarcity

AquapreneursAccess to clean water is a critical issue worldwide, especially in low-income countries located in the Horn of Africa and the Sahel region, such as Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia. The state of global freshwater is under threat due to the changing climate and anthropogenic activities. Globally, the world’s largest freshwater withdrawals come from agriculture (70%), industry (just less than 20%) and domestic use (approximately 12%). However, aquapreneurs are addressing water scarcity by creating innovative solutions to manage and distribute water resources efficiently.

The surge in demand for freshwater stems primarily from a combination of socioeconomic development, industrial growth and consumption patterns. The high demand stems from cities, urban areas and regions experiencing fast economic growth. The consequences of this high demand and withdrawal of water leave approximately 50% of the global population with water scarcity for at least one month a year. This can put areas under water stress, which creates a decrease in social stability, an increase in migration and a decrease in work, as 80% of jobs in low-income countries are water-dependent. More than 33% of African countries are considered to be “water-insecure” as the changing climate increases temperatures and precipitation.

The United Nations (U.N.) warns that a global water crisis is imminent and poses severe risks to food security, diseases and livelihoods. Global warming exacerbates the water crisis by amplifying the water cycle, resulting in higher amounts of water vapor. This directly impacts Earth’s weather patterns, heating (temperature) and precipitation levels (creates excessive flooding and droughts). In response to these challenges, Aquapreneurs are creating innovative solutions to conserve and manage water resources.

Aquapreneurs and the Global Freshwater Challenge

The World Economic Forum collaborated with UpLink to help solve some of the world’s most difficult challenges, such as water scarcity. The Global Freshwater Challenge was launched in 2022. It is a five-year Innovation Initiative that seeks to make freshwater ecosystems healthier and more resilient. This challenge was the first of five parts and out of 198 submissions, 10 winners were chosen. Here are three of the winning innovations for the Horn of Africa and the Sahel Region:

Wateroam Pte Ltd

The company Wateroam created a portable (weighing about five kg) filtration pump to bring safe drinking water to disaster zones and rural communities. The manual pump has an ultrafiltration chamber that can remove 99.99% of bacteria and viruses, including E. Coli and salmonella microbes. The water is ready to drink immediately after filtering and is cheap and easy to use. It is currently used in more than 40 countries, including South Africa. It is helping more than 200,000 people worldwide.

Openversum

Openversum has developed a water filtration system that is currently being used in Somalia and Uganda. The filter can be locally manufactured. It is capable of removing contaminants such as pathogens, heavy metals, pesticides and micropollutants from water. This is an important development, as poor sanitation and inadequate wastewater treatment can increase the risk of diarrheal disease. The manufacturing costs of the filter are low and create job opportunities in affected areas.

Majik Water Technologies

Majik Water is a women-led organization that uses technology to produce water from the air in arid and semi-arid regions in Kenya. Extraction of fresh water from the air is safer than groundwater extraction because groundwater contains high levels of arsenic and fluoride. The technology acts as a dehumidifier. It draws air into the machine through an electrostatic filter, passes over refrigerated coils and then builds moisture on the coils.

Finally, the water is deposited into a holding tank. Currently, 90% of Kenya’s water sources are depleted, which increases malnutrition and the risk of disease. Yet, with this technology, more than 200,000 liters of clean drinking water is being produced each month cost-effectively and efficiently using solar thermal energy.

Conclusion

Water is an essential part of sustaining life. The Global Freshwater Challenge empowers Aquapreneurs to address water scarcity by developing innovative solutions to help ensure access to clean drinking water. UpLink continues to feature innovation challenges to provide Aquapreneurs the opportunity to showcase their work for increased exposure and the potential for financial rewards. 

– Gabrielle Schwartz

Gabrielle is based in Tallahassee, FL, USA and focuses on Technology and Solutions and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Child Poverty in Georgia

Child Poverty in GeorgiaNestled between Turkey and Russia, Georgia beckons with its rich history, vibrant culture and breathtaking landscapes. Yet beneath the surface of this picturesque landscape lies the stark reality of child poverty in Georgia.

The Challenge

Children in Georgia are disproportionately more susceptible to poverty than any other demographic group. Georgia continues to grapple with the absence of a comprehensive social protection system tailored to the needs of children, failing to support families and bolster their capacity to withstand adversity adequately. Deficiencies persist in legislation and policies geared towards prioritizing children and providing financial assistance and access to essential social services.

Consequently, numerous vulnerable families and children, including those with disabilities, victims of violence, minorities, and those from impoverished backgrounds, continue to be marginalized and underserved. In 2020, while the absolute poverty rate for the total population is 21.3%, this rate is higher for children at 26.4%, according to UNICEF.

The March 2020 declaration of a state emergency inflicted severe consequences on individuals in Georgia, exacerbating the plight of numerous families. Those already living in overcrowded households faced heightened vulnerability, pushing them deeper into poverty. Around 146,000 children aged 0 to 17 had a lower capacity to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, UNICEF reports. However, strong economic recovery in 2021 and 2022 translated into poverty reductions, with an estimated 15.6% of the population below the poverty line.

Targeted Social Assistance (TSA)

Georgia invests 7% of its GDP in social protection initiatives, according to UNICEF. The country implemented three main cash transfer programs in the last 15 years, the most prominent being the Targeted Social Assistance (TSA) program. As of October 2018, approximately 11.2% of the population in Georgia was receiving TSA cash benefits. Around 12% of children ages 0 to 15 live in a household with at least one member who receives TSA cash benefits. In addition, 14.2% of children of that same age group live in a household where a family member receives transfers from the Child Benefit Programme (CBP).

To help alleviate child poverty in Georgia, UNICEF has continuously worked with the Georgia government to improve the TSA program. It advocates for the enhancement and oversight of legislation and policies aimed at rendering the social protection system more conducive to the needs of children. Its efforts entail aiding the government in comprehending the underlying patterns and catalysts of exclusion, thereby influencing policy discourse and the allocation of public finances.

In addition, UNICEF collaborates in the development, adaptation, piloting and potential scaling-up of child-sensitive cash transfer programs, including child benefits, to further diminish child poverty in Georgia. Its ultimate goal is to ensure that the most vulnerable families with children possess the means to navigate economic upheavals and cultivate a nurturing and supportive environment for their children.

Childcare and Social Protection Services

Moreover, UNICEF strives to establish connections between childcare and social protection services, drawing upon recent achievements and insights gleaned from reforms in childcare and targeted social assistance. To highlight some of the success, UNICEF reports that since 2017, the revised TSA program has significantly improved the identification of poor families with children. In addition, the new child benefit contributes to reducing child poverty in Georgia. While commendable, past successes in reducing child poverty in Georgia underscore the ongoing need for further efforts. Despite remaining challenges, Georgia remains committed to reform and endeavors to steer its economic trajectory toward sustained prosperity in the future.

Reflecting on the successes achieved in reducing child poverty in Georgia, it is evident that UNICEF’s collaborative efforts with the government have been instrumental. UNICEF has made significant progress in supporting vulnerable families with children through initiatives such as the enhanced TSA program and the implementation of child-sensitive cash transfer programs.

However, despite these achievements, the persistent existence of child poverty in Georgia highlights the ongoing need for further action. As socioeconomic landscapes evolve and new challenges emerge, the Georgian government and UNICEF must continue their commitment to addressing child poverty. With continued dedication and collaboration, Georgia’s vision of a poverty-free future for its children can be realized. By addressing systemic barriers, enhancing program effectiveness, and prioritizing the needs of children and families, they can build upon past successes and pave a path toward a future where every child in Georgia has the opportunity to thrive.

– Maya DaSilva

Maya is based in Seattle, WA, USA and focuses on Global Health and World News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Charities Operating in Guyana

Charities in GuyanaGuyana has made positive impacts in reducing poverty within the country; however, it was once one of the poorest in South America. Due to the discovery of oil production in 2019, Guyana’s GDP per capita is quickly increasing and the country could continue as one of the countries with the fastest economic growth as new oil production begins. The country is rich in natural resources and in addition to abundant rainforests and agricultural land, the country’s natural reserves also include gold and diamonds. Guyana’s proud decline in poverty shows a change from 60.9% of the country’s population living in poverty in 2006 to 48.4% in 2019, according to the World Bank. Accessibility to education and health care still needs improvements since COVID-19 additionally worsened conditions in these sectors. These five charities are operating in Guyana to make positive changes for the people living in Guyana.

Friends of Guyana (FROG)

In an interview with The Borgen Project, founder Scott Stadum shared more about Friends of Guyana. Returned Peace Corps Volunteers, Kati Ringer and Scott Stadum founded FROG in 2007. Their original idea was to give microgrants to Peace Corps Volunteers. They wanted to fund smaller projects in Guyana, which was not available when they started. Eventually, the organization extended microgrants to anyone who wanted to start a project in or about Guyana, Stadum explained. The charity also funds projects focusing on education and health. A notable project that FROG funded was a short film called ‘The Seawall’ which was filmed and directed by Guyanese-born Mason Richards. The movie went on to show at the Cannes Film Festival a decade later, Richard Mason is now the president and chairman of FROG.

The Guyana Foundation

Supriya Singh-Bodden founded The Guyana Foundation in 2013. The charity’s focus is to provide skills training and counseling to those in need in Guyana. The charity has worked on many projects and has remarkably collaborated with the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives to build an innovative bakery in Capoey costing $15 million. The charity teaches catering, business, sewing and IT skills which people can use to start micro-businesses. The Guyana Foundation also works to teach these skills to refugees from Venezuela who have migrated to Guyana. Additionally, it provided water and solar-panelled lights to towns and villages and essentials such as blankets and curtains to schools. The charity also provides support for farmers by providing wellness classes, private counseling and informative workshops.

Food for the Poor

Food for the Poor began its work in Guyana in 1991. The charity’s goal is to transform the lives of underprivileged citizens of Guyana. The charity has a religious background and works closely with churches. Food for the Poor has carried out multiple projects within Guyana, these projects have helped fund medical care for adults and children who do not have the funds to pay for non-life-threatening medical procedures. In 2022, the charity constructed 92 houses for families and provided shelter for 552 people. The homes were partially furnished and had access to clean water and facilities. Families who did not have access to electricity were also given solar panel systems. The charity has also provided hot meals, breakfast hampers, clothing, school supplies and assistance to schools.

Save Abee Foundation

Save Abee Foundation’s goal is to build centers around the whole of Guyana that provide education to children in poverty. Save Abee provides free education in math, computer technology and English. It also provides grants for scholarships so that children can continue further education. The charity not only provides vital education for Guyanese children but also provides remote medical care. In Guyana, it can take hours for people to travel to get medical, dental and vision care. Save Abee travels to people in need to provide them with the health care that they need.

On top of this, the charity provides food, clothing and toys to those in more unfortunate communities. The Borgen Project corresponded with the Save Abee Foundation’s founder, Sham Tilak, who was born in Berbice Guyana. Impressively, the Save Abee Foundation has helped an estimated 25,000 people, the founder explained. Sham Tilak founded the foundation in 2011 and the charity is still going strong. Save Abee Foundation’s tremendous efforts have not gone unnoticed, and it has many supporters backing its cause. Starbucks, which runs The Starbucks Foundation, opened its first store in Guyana, in 2023 and donated a grant of $10,000 to Save Abee Foundation. The grant will help the foundation reach its target of educating 200 Guyanese youths on computer technology skills.

Mothers’ Union

Mothers’ Union works with people globally, and it started its charity work in Guyana in 1926. The charity has 2,300 members supporting the organization’s generous operations in Guyana. Mothers’ Union provides child day centers and parenting programs, to support families and better their relationships. The organization provides food for families in need and nutrition programs, they also opened a community shop in Annai village.

Mothers’ Union works in some of the most indigenous parts of Guyana and has supplied reusable sanitary towels for girls and provided support to women and teenagers, both male and female. The charity also runs sewing centers, where it provides school uniforms and mosquito nets, which has improved the rates of diseases spread by mosquitoes. Mothers’ Union has a religious background, and it provides prison ministry and church communities. The charity also works to educate people on gender-based violence.

Wrap Up

These five charities operating in Guyana are only a few of many helping to end poverty for Guyanese people. Guyana has made extraordinary efforts to build itself up and make positive impacts for its nationals. Access to education has risen and Guyana attained 91% and 103% enrolment at nursery and primary school levels, according to the World Bank. The World Bank also reports that an estimated 76% of Guyanese people can access health care services. The organizations listed today are a few of many charities operating in Guyana to secure a better future for its citizens.

– Raquel Smith

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

Photo: Flickr

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Elderly Poverty in Zimbabwe

Elderly Poverty in ZimbabweIn commemoration of the U.N. International Day of Older Persons (IDOP) in 2014, a gathering of elderly individuals convened at the African Unity Square in Zimbabwe, sharing constant accounts of their struggles. They recounted the hurdles encountered in accessing health care services, the instability of their livelihoods, the inadequacies of social security support and the injustices faced, particularly regarding the rights of older women to inheritance. Ten years later, the challenges are still present. In the latest report on the level of poverty in older age in Zimbabwe, the elderly poverty rate stood at 80%, as of 2021.

The absence of an insurance plan is among the existing reasons for old age poverty, particularly affecting elderly women in Zimbabwe. Despite a 9.1% unemployment rate, this factor deprives elderly women, this factor significantly contributes to the deprivation of elderly women, compelling them to care for children and adults in their households.

Social Insurance Schemes

In 1989, Zimbabwe established the National Social Security Authority (NSSA), which now manages the Zimbabwean social insurance programs. This program has begun issuing pensions aligned “with the foreign exchange auction rate every month.” This was evident in the pension payout during the second quarter of 2022, as the minimum pension given was equivalent to $70.

Although Zimbabwe has experienced a positive reform in its social insurance programs, it is notable that the program is only applicable to the formal sector. This is particularly ironic considering Zimbabwe is widely recognized for having one of the largest informal economies globally. Informal employment in Zimbabwe accounts for approximately 75% of its total employment, according to the World Bank report.

Harmonized Social Cash Transfer (HSCT)

The HSCT is a social protection program that focuses on households struggling with labour and food poverty. According to the World Bank, it is “an unconditional cash transfer,” the amount of which is determined by the size of the family. Elderly people benefit from this program, as the majority of them do not have a job due to their age or health. 

However, despite the presence of this program, the elderly people continue to endure the consequences of the country’s socio-economic state. Established in 2011, this program has only managed to reach about 75,677 households in 26 districts out of the total 65 districts in Zimbabwe, the World Bank reports. This illustrates the low coverage rate of the program, primarily due to inadequate funding from the national budget.

Assisted Medical Treatment Orders (AMTO)

According to the World Bank, the AMTO program aims to enhance health care access for the poor and vulnerable by facilitating direct payment of medical bills to public and mission hospitals. In this program, beneficiaries apply directly to the program and are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Although in the first quarter of 2022 about 9,540 beneficiaries benefited from AMTO, with 29 people receiving specialized treatment, the eligibility criteria for AMTO is vague, the World Bank reports.

Humanitarian Assistance Programs in Zimbabwe

Aside from the government-implemented program, the U.N. and other NGOs also have several humanitarian assistance initiatives. Among these programs is Lean Season Assistance (LSA), which aims to address food insecurity among vulnerable households affected by natural disasters, economic crises and the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the World Bank. By the end of the 2020/2021 season, approximately 1.5 million food-insecure households had received assistance, including both unconditional in-kind food and cash transfers.

UNICEF supports another humanitarian assistance program, the Emergency Social Cash Transfer (ESCT), which shares a similar mission with HSCT. Introduced in 2020, the program has reached over 113,500 people in 25,000 households, including older individuals. 

Despite the positive effects of these programs on poverty, the World Bank highlights challenges such as low coverage, inadequate benefits and inefficient targeting hindered the impact of poverty reduction in Zimbabwe.

– Teniola Yusuf

Teniola is based in Norwich, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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5 Facts About Poverty in Indonesia Papua

5 Facts About Poverty in Indonesia PapuaIndonesia is the world’s fourth most populous country and boasts the 10th largest economy.  Over the past few years, Indonesia has made great strides in economic growth. Nationwide poverty level has decreased steadily. In fact, between 1999 and 2019, the poverty rate was reduced by more than half and now only 9.5% of the country lives under the poverty line. Despite overall positive trends in poverty alleviation across Indonesia, province-based inequalities are still rampant.

Poverty Disparities in Indonesia

Papua and West Papua, which make up Indonesian New Guinea, have the highest poverty rates in Indonesia. More than 28% of residents in these provinces live below the poverty line, significantly higher than the national average. Moreover, factors contributing to this disparity include educational gaps, limited food resources, natural disasters and conflicts. Here are five key facts about poverty in Indonesian New Guinea.

Facts About Poverty in Indonesia

  1. Papuans are a minority ethnic group. Indonesia is home to a diverse array of ethnic groups. Nearly 2 million Papuans, who are distinct in ethnicity, language and religion from the majority of Indonesians, live in Indonesian Papua and West Papua. Migration from other parts of Indonesia is increasing the ethnic diversity in these regions, with other indigenous groups becoming a significant part of the population. This diversity often subjects Papuans to discrimination and marginalization.
  2. Current conflict. Political tensions between Papuans and the Indonesian government are currently high. Some Papuans are pushing for independence, prompting retaliation from the government. This conflict is the primary source of tension between Indonesia and pro-Papuan independence forces. Civilians often find themselves caught in the crossfire, leading to internal displacement and targeting by combatants, which exacerbates the hardship faced by many in Indonesian Papua.
  3. Food insecurity in West Papua. West Papua has one of the highest rates of food insecurity in Indonesia. To improve this, authorities are encouraging West Papuans to revert to their traditional diets, which rely heavily on food harvested from native forest systems. By promoting traditional dietary habits and the use of local resources, the government aims to reduce food insecurity throughout the province.
  4. Rural and remote education initiatives. The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has launched initiatives in Indonesia’s Papua region to address educational equity gaps among indigenous populations. In collaboration with the governments of Indonesia and Australia, UNICEF targets children in remote areas of the Papuan provinces, focusing on 120 schools. This effort aims to reach more underprivileged students and boost literacy and education rates in these areas.
  5. Multiple natural disasters. The Papuan region of Indonesia is prone to natural disasters such as earthquakes and flooding. In 2022, heavy rainfall triggered floods and landslides across Indonesia, including Papua. That fall, several earthquakes struck parts of Indonesia, causing extensive damage. Additionally, at the end of 2023, another earthquake damaged buildings and houses in Indonesian Papua, resulting in several fatalities. The frequency of these natural disasters complicates efforts to rebuild infrastructure, as the challenges persist.

Looking Forward

Indonesia’s targeted initiatives in Papua and West Papua promise to bridge the gap in poverty and inequality. Continued focus on educational enhancements, traditional agricultural practices and resilient infrastructure development could be crucial to sustaining progress and improving lives across all provinces.

– Adrita Quabili

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

Photo: Unsplash

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Innovations in Poverty Eradication in Mozambique

Innovations in poverty eradication in MozambiqueMozambique is a land of contrasts where poverty and plenty coexist. While the continent is home to untapped natural resources, it also remains home to a very large poor population. Mozambique currently ranks sixth from the bottom on the UN’s Human Development Index. Approximately 68% of its population lives in extreme levels of poverty. Moreover, Mozambique is one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries, facing significant environmental challenges and the rapid population growth of the country, ranking third highest in Africa, is increasingly straining public services. However, GiveDirectly is working to change this by employing innovations in poverty eradication in Mozambique through direct cash transfers.

What Is GiveDirectly?

GiveDirectly is a non-profit organization that sends money to the world’s poorest households. By sending money by direct cash transfer, GiveDirectly immediately eliminates the need for intermediaries and significantly impacts global poverty.  

While GiveDirectly currently operates to alleviate poverty around the world; its work in Mozambique has seen them delivering cash to families on the frontline of climate disasters since 2021 and has placed GiveDirectly at the forefront of innovative poverty eradication in Mozambique. 

Innovations in Poverty Eradication in Mozambique

GiveDirectly is alleviating poverty in Mozambique by giving no-strings-attached cash to people living in extreme poverty across the country. In the last decade, GiveDirectly has delivered $900M+ to more than 1.48 million people across nine African countries. It is clear how cash transfers play a significant role in moving the needle of people living in poverty from one point to another. 

In Mozambique, GiveDirectly has made a significant impact, raising over $7.4 million. This funding has been directed towards crucial programs like Cash+ Resilient Agriculture and Livelihoods. These initiatives aim to reduce poverty by empowering households to invest in their farms, thereby improving their economic stability. Moreover, the Climate Disaster Recovery and Food Security program further aids poverty alleviation by enabling families to invest in their homes, businesses, education, and health. 

Benefits of Cash Transfer

Many individuals may be skeptical of a “no-strings-attached” cash, believing that unconditional cash is spent on “temptation goods” such as drugs and alcohol. In fact, there is little evidence to suggest better outcomes come with conditionality. Actually, there are many benefits to alleviating poverty through cash transfers. The main benefit is that a cash transfer enables people to achieve their own, personal goals. 

For instance, GiveDirectly points out how cash transfers to individuals in Mozambique allowed kids to go back to school, individuals to reinforce their houses and people moving away from elephant crop raids. What is innovative about the way GiveDirectly alleviates poverty is that they empower recipients to make their own decisions. 

GiveDirectly stands out in innovatively alleviating poverty in Mozambique through its evidence-based approach and its rigorous standards of evaluation when it comes to implementing its programs. GiveDirectly is a standout NGO that effectively combats poverty through its innovative and highly scalable approach. By utilizing mobile money, GiveDirectly can swiftly provide cash assistance to tens or even hundreds of thousands of people. This means the charity can deliver aid rapidly and efficiently, making a significant impact in eradicating poverty. 

– Lara Inglis-Jones
Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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High Rates of Unemployment Among Youths in Sudan

Unemployment in SudanIn 2022, the youth unemployment rate in Sudan remained nearly unchanged at around 34.45%. However, according to the data provided by the International Labor Organization (ILO), the unemployment rate in Sudan has increased to 20.80% in 2023, up from 17.60% in 2022. This means that a larger percentage of the labor force in Sudan is currently unemployed or actively seeking employment.

The data also shows that the unemployment rate in Sudan has averaged 16.02% from 1991 until 2023, with the highest rate recorded in 2023 and the lowest recorded in 2009 at 13.00%. These fluctuations in the unemployment rate over the years indicate the varying economic conditions and job opportunities in Sudan.

The high rates of unemployment among youths in Sudan are a pressing economic and social issue. They are garnering attention from both local and international media outlets, particularly given the country’s current difficult financial situation resulting from the secession of South Sudan and ongoing armed conflicts. This means that not only are there limited job opportunities available, but the overall instability and insecurity in the country exacerbate the problem of unemployment.

Contributing Factors

Several contributing factors to this issue exist. However, one key issue is a lack of access to quality education and vocational programs. Many young people in Sudan do not have the skills or qualifications needed to secure employment in a competitive job market. More than 70% of the population in South Sudan is younger than 30, with half of them lacking basic literacy skills.

Further, South Sudan has one of the lowest literacy rates globally and a significant number of children, about 2.8 million, do not attend school. Various factors such as ongoing violence, poverty, lack of leadership and insufficient investment in education contribute to the limited access to quality education for many children in the country.

Girls, in particular, face significant challenges such as child marriage, which often results in them being unable to pursue their education. This has resulted in a high illiteracy rate among girls, with very few of them enrolled in secondary school.

Another factor is lack of experience. In South Sudan, the lack of experience is a major barrier to employment for many individuals. Due to the country’s limited job market and economic opportunities, employers often seek candidates with relevant industry experience to fill positions. This can pose a challenge for recent graduates or individuals entering the workforce for the first time, as they may not have the necessary experience to compete with more seasoned job applicants.

Additionally, the ongoing conflict and instability in South Sudan have contributed to the limited job opportunities available, making it even more difficult for inexperienced individuals to secure employment. This lack of experience can create a cycle of unemployment and poverty as individuals struggle to gain the necessary skills and expertise needed to access better job prospects.

To combat youth unemployment, the Sudanese government implemented initiatives to support young people in entering the workforce.

YEEP

Youth Employment and Empowerment Through Private Sector and Value Chain Development (YEEP) is a four-year initiative (December 2018-December 2022) that focuses on empowering youth in specific locations in South Sudan, including Bor, Jubek, Rumbek, Torit and Yambio. The project, a collaboration between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Ministry of Labor, is financially supported by the Kingdom of the Netherlands and UNDP.

The main objective of YEEP is to empower youth by nurturing their entrepreneurial mindset and providing them with market-relevant skills that will enhance their employability and enable them to participate actively in economic activities. By doing so, the project aims to contribute to the socioeconomic transformation of South Sudan, promoting durable peace and sustainable development.

YEEP’s implementation is guided by various frameworks and strategic plans, including the United Nations Cooperation Framework (UNCF), the Partnership for Recovery and Resilience (PfRR), UNDP’s strategic plan of 2019-2021 and the UNDP Country Programme Document 2019-2021, (CPD), which focuses on inclusive and risk-informed economic development.

YEEP aims to support livelihood training, infrastructure renovations and the establishment of institutions that can effectively serve the youth population of South Sudan. Through these efforts, the project seeks to create a conducive environment for youth empowerment and sustainable development in the country. As a result, more than 1400 young people, including 553 females, signed up for vocational skills training in various trades.

The diverse range of trades offered in the program highlights the efforts to cater to the varied interests and career aspirations of the participants. The high enrollment numbers and the inclusion of female participants demonstrate the program’s success in promoting skills development and vocational training among youth.

ENABLE Youth Sudan

ENABLE Youth Sudan is part of the African Development Bank’s (AfDB) Enable Youth Initiatives, which are part of the Bank’s strategic focus on transforming Africa’s agriculture. The program’s main goal is to provide young women and men in Sudan with the chance to start businesses and access decent employment opportunities within key agricultural value chains in the country. The program specifically targets individuals younger than 35. It requires participants to be graduates with at least a postgraduate degree. By directly benefiting selected young people, the ENABLE Youth Sudan program aims to contribute to the overall transformation and growth of Sudan’s agricultural sector while providing a pathway to sustainable livelihoods for the country’s youth population.

The allocation of beneficiaries for the program will be determined by the proportion of the total youth population in each area, taking into consideration both urban and rural demographics as well as the level of education. The goal of the program is to train and empower 2,000 agripreneurs in five specific target states. Each agripreneur is expected to hire five support workers, resulting in a total of 12,000 new jobs being generated, with 6,000 of those jobs specifically earmarked for women for the first five years. This strategy aims to strategically distribute opportunities across various regions and demographics, ultimately contributing to job creation and empowerment within the agriculture sector.

Final Remark

The Sudanese government is taking necessary steps to address the issue of youth unemployment by implementing these initiatives. By promoting private sector engagement and value chain development, empowering young individuals and promoting sustainable agricultural practices, young people are empowered to achieve economic independence and contribute to the overall development of their communities.

– Oyinkansola Adewumi
Photo: Flickr

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Make in India: The End of Indian Poverty?

Make in IndiaAs the fastest-growing country in the world, India has been making massive strides in improving areas of underdevelopment. From working on renewable energy projects to sustainable agriculture, the Government of India has made notable advancements through the use of government-funded projects. However, one initiative in particular has and will continue to bring a tremendous amount of change not only in the way that India runs but in how it combats poverty.

The Make in India Campaign

The Make in India campaign is a series of initiatives meant to boost national innovation, manufacturing, the economy and Indians’ livelihoods. The initiative has four major pillars: new processes, new infrastructure, new sectors and new mindsets. These four pillars serve as the foundation for policies and ideas and all individuals work to combat severe poverty.

Poverty plagued India during the early 2010s, with nearly a billion people facing significant economic challenges. Despite efforts, the country could only generate roughly 1.2 million jobs annually, leaving the majority struggling to secure employment, often resorting to low-paying agricultural work. Although there was a gradual increase to five million jobs by 2015, it paled in comparison to the 12 million entering the workforce that same year.

Recognizing the urgency, it became evident that cohesive government intervention was imperative. Hence, in 2014, the Make In India campaign was unveiled as a comprehensive solution aimed at alleviating poverty and reforming the nation’s economy.

Interview With the Borgen Project

The Borgen Project spoke with a source who lives on the outskirts of Delhi, one of the most populated cities in India, about how Make In India has caused change in the job market and opportunities around them. The source has asked to be kept anonymous. During the interview, the source describes how, originally, work in the city was scarce. Often, people without education couldn’t work in anything besides minimum wage jobs, such as maids, sewage pipe management and taxi drivers.

With many of these jobs being unappealing, most people attempt to work in the factories and travel great distances to either work in factories or shift back to agricultural work. Since 2014, our source tells us that not only have there been more government jobs but also more private sector jobs that provide a basic income and good working conditions. The source also explains that the technology sector has seen rapid growth, especially with new infrastructure requiring massive amounts of labor, which reduces the population without jobs. The numbers agree, with India having created nearly 192 million new jobs in the past 10 years.

The massive creation of jobs and the focus on boosting the economy have left India in the amazing position of eliminating extreme poverty. Overall, while India still has much potential to improve and work on removing pay inequality and other societal issues, it has demonstrated that the Make In India campaign was a success.

– Aman Chaudhary
Photo: Pexels

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Bolivians Without Disabilities: Helping Poor Amputees in Bolivia

Bolivians Without DisabilitiesBolivia has seen a reduction in poverty. However, current statistics suggest that 11% of people live in extreme poverty and 36.3% live in moderate poverty. This may be due to the fact that Bolivia suffers from 160 major weather conditions, which result in food shortages and lower amounts of drinkable water. Yet, conditions are worse for people with disabilities in Bolivia. The Borgen Project spoke with Matthew Pepe, the founder and president of Bolivians Without Disabilities, about the life of amputees in Bolivia and explained the help the organization provides to these people.

The Bolivians Without Disabilities

“Our main focus is to work with nonprofit Bolivian prosthetic organizations that provide prostheses to low-income Bolivian amputees,” says Pepe. The Bolivians Without Disabilities accomplish this by collaborating with Bolivian companies that physically construct artificial limbs and provide these to amputees.

Bolivians Without Disabilities gives monetary support and teaching resources to associations that help people with disabilities in Bolivia. This greatly enhances those with disabilities in a physical and mental sense by:

  • Having the opportunities to help their relatives and their local communities.
  • Improving their self-confidence and job prospects.

Why Are They Important

Pepe describes the life of an amputee in Bolivia, stating, “Living with a disability in Bolivia is not easy, especially if you are poor. Streets and sidewalks are often crowded and very narrow with lots of dips and broken concrete, making walking, even with two good legs, very difficult.” If this is not bad enough, experiencing an amputation can cause despair and unhappiness due to the sense of loss of autonomy and self-perception.

Furthermore, when asked if the Bolivian government was doing enough to help amputees, Pepe answered, “Definitely not, but I am not sure that I can fault them very much since the issue is largely financial.” Indeed, Bolivia is one of the poorest countries in the world. Additionally, the Bolivian government has failed to pass adequate legislation that identifies discrimination based on disability.

Disability is a critical problem since people who have gone through an amputation suffer terrible financial issues and poverty as they encounter more hurdles to health care. This is unsurprising since Pepe explains that “Social stigma is also a serious concern. Disabled people suffer serious discrimination.” In comparison with the general population, amputees are more likely to experience inadequate access to health care.

Furthermore, people with an amputation are more likely to be unemployed. As stated by Our World in Data, in 2022 in Bolivia, the unemployment rate is 5.16% among amputees, in comparison with 3.81% among the general population. Pepe explained this by saying, “It is also very difficult to get a job if you are disabled. Many jobs are very physical and you need all your hands, feet and abilities to work at most jobs.”

The Impact on Poverty

According to Pepe, “The government also does very little to provide prosthetic limbs.” Pepe continues, “I think that I fairly believe that the little prosthetic clinic that I created provides far more prosthetic limbs than the practically non-existent government attempts to provide limbs.” With the Bolivians Without Disabilities intervening and providing low-income amputees a prosthetic limb, this will create a positive change and will improve their well-being while decreasing their chances of falling into the poverty cycle. This is because they will be encouraged to participate in education and employment activities.

The Bolivians Without Disabilities has shared many personal stories. Here are two examples:

  1. Pabio is a Bolivian man and while he was working, he accidentally inserted his left arm into a mechanical machine. As a result, his arm was amputated because it was severely crushed. After the incident, Pabio was unable to work and he felt depressed. After Bolivians Without Disabilities provided the financial means to construct an artificial arm and hand for Pabio, his job prospects improved.
  2. A woman named Mariana had a job accident while working at a sawmill. One day, she accidentally cut off her hand since there were no safety precautions. After this incident, Mariana was miserable and dependent on others on a day-to-day basis. After receiving an artificial arm from Bolivians Without Disabilities, Mariana’s self-confidence improved. She hoped to study petrochemistry and find a job.

Looking Ahead

The interview with Pepe provided a snapshot of the life of an amputee in Bolivia. Stigma and discrimination are felt more by disabled people and they find it harder to live in Bolivia due to the little help provided by the government. The work done by Bolivians Without Disabilities is vital to help people with disabilities so they can avoid the poverty cycle by improving their job prospects and self-confidence.

– James McAlinden

James is based in Rosehearty, Scotland and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons