Archive for category: Development

Information and stories on development news.

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How Access to Haircuts Empowers the Vulnerable

Access to HaircutsIn the complex landscape of socioeconomic disparities, the simple act of getting a haircut might seem inconsequential to many. However, for vulnerable populations in Brazil and beyond, access to haircuts can be a transformative tool in breaking down barriers and fostering empowerment. This article explores how initiatives providing haircuts to the vulnerable not only enhance physical well-being but also contribute to improved mental health, self-esteem and social integration. 

The Power of a Haircut

Beyond the aesthetic aspects, self-grooming practices contribute significantly to a person’s overall well-being and sense of identity. Maintaining personal hygiene and appearance can boost self-esteem, fostering a positive self-image and confidence in one’s abilities. Personal hygiene and grooming, including haircuts, can significantly impact a homeless person’s ability to secure employment. In the competitive job market, first impressions matter, and a clean, well-groomed appearance signals professionalism and self-care. 

Maintaining good personal hygiene demonstrates to potential employers that individuals value themselves and respect the workplace environment. Unfortunately, for those experiencing homelessness, access to regular grooming facilities may be limited, making it challenging to present themselves in the best light during job interviews. The lack of proper grooming can reinforce negative stereotypes and prejudices, potentially hindering their chances of employment.

Access to Haircuts and Mental Health

Homelessness often exacerbates mental health challenges, as the harsh realities of life on the streets or in unstable living conditions can lead to increased stress, anxiety and depression. The lack of a stable home environment and support systems can further impede access to mental health resources, creating a cycle that underscores the intricate relationship between homelessness and mental well-being. 

The connection between appearance and mental health is also well-documented. For vulnerable individuals, the ability to maintain personal grooming routines, including regular haircuts, can have a profound impact on mental well-being. Feeling clean and presentable contributes to a positive self-image, boosting confidence and self-esteem.

Community-Based Initiatives in Brazil

Brazil has seen the emergence of several community-based initiatives addressing the grooming needs of vulnerable populations. One such initiative is run by Henrique Campos, a local barber co-owner of The Great Barber Shop, in São Paulo, who provides free haircuts to men with scheduled job interviews. Inspired by a friend’s need for a haircut before an interview, owner Henrique Campos decided to extend the offer to others in need. To avail themselves of the service, individuals only need to email evidence of their upcoming job interview. 

Leandro Matias, a hairstylist from Votorantim, São Paulo, has also gained attention for offering free makeovers to boost the confidence of homeless individuals. He has helped over 30 homeless people by offering free makeover services. 

This includes Bruno Henrique Cassimiro Ramos, 33. Leandro, who himself has been helping homeless people for over five years, emphasizes the emotional impact of the makeovers, often bringing clients to tears with gratitude. Bruno’s dramatic transformation, shared on social media, not only led to job offers for him but also garnered support from a dentist and local residents offering clothes and donations, indicating a positive turn in his life.

Access to haircuts might seem like a small step, but for vulnerable populations in Brazil, it can have an enormously transformative impact on empowerment and social inclusion. Initiatives providing grooming services go beyond the superficial, addressing fundamental aspects of well-being and identity.

– Genevieve Martin
Photo: Flickr

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David Sengeh’s Innovations in Sierra Leone

Innovations in Sierra LeoneDr. David Moinina Sengeh is Sierra Leone’s Chief Innovation Officer and the Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education. During his time in office, he has led the innovation effort in Sierra Leone through education reform and medical advancements. 

Who Is Dr. David Moinina Sengeh?

Born in Sierra Leone, Sengeh attended Harvard University for his bachelor’s degree in 2010. At Harvard, Sengeh researched “aerosolized vaccines for tuberculosis.” After Harvard, Sengeh went to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to complete his doctoral degree. Sengeh’s research at MIT was focused on “inventions and technology for human augmentation designing comfortable prosthetic interfaces.” The latter would be an integral piece of Sengeh’s innovations in Sierra Leone. 

Some of Sengeh’s achievements so far include: 

Sierra Leone’s President, Julius Maada Bio, asked Sengeh to return to Sierra Leone in 2019. The roles of Chief Innovation Officer and Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education were added to the Sierra Leone government, with Sengeh as the first officeholder. At the center of Sengeh’s role is the goal to “halve learning poverty in seven years.” The Multidimensional Poverty Index shows 59.2% of Sierra Leone’s population is multidimensionally poor.

Education Reform 

One innovation in Sierra Leone is using digital transformation to improve the country’s education systems. Sengeh’s background, before becoming an education minister, was in technology, and he continues to use that background to improve education in Sierra Leone. 

Sierra Leone’s investment in #TechOnOurTerms is part of this education reform. Sengeh implemented the #TechOnOurTerms project in July 2023. Through this project, the investment is solely in the technologies that will support Sierra Leone’s learning objectives. One such technology is a Geographic Information System (GIS) tool that uses geospatial data to visualize and identify where the blind spots are in access to education. With investment in GIS tools, the government of Sierra Leone can reform education policy more efficiently and reduce learning poverty. Sierra Leone is currently in a learning crisis, with 8% of third-graders able to read. 

Prosthetics for Civil War Amputees

From 1991 to 2002, Sierra Leone found itself amid a brutal civil war. As a consequence of the civil war, over 8,000 people were left with amputated limbs. Sengeh grew up in this atmosphere and, during this time, noticed that many of the people around him were not wearing their prostheses. This common practice could be attributed to the prosthesis either causing more pain or not fitting around the amputated limb properly.

During TED2023, Sengeh told AfroTech journalist Ngozi Nwanji: “Before I left for college, I had these conversations with amputees because a lot of people always said amputees just wanted a beg on the street side. They didn’t want to use their prosthesis, and I learned that it wasn’t just because they wanted to beg, but the majority did not use their [prosthetics] because it was painful.”

At MIT, Sengeh researched methods to make comfortable and affordable prosthetics. Sengeh’s goals were made possible with a combination of MRI imaging, 3D printing, soft tissue modeling and collaboration from various fields. With this combination, Sengeh and the team he worked with at MIT could build precise prosthetic sockets that could work regardless of where the amputee resides or who they are. These limbs can also be produced quickly and at a decent cost.  

Concluding Remarks

David Sengeh continues his work on innovations in Sierra Leone as a Minister of Education and the Chief Innovation Officer. Constantly innovating and looking at how technology can be integrated within Sierra Leone, Sengeh is leading the government in taking steps toward poverty reduction. Education reforms spearheaded by Sengeh can reduce learning poverty by providing access to schools and a quality education geared towards Sierra Leone’s learning objectives. 

Sengeh’s work on prosthetics provides a possibility for civil war amputees to not suffer from their injuries and not be forced to beg on the streets. As innovations in Sierra Leone continue to increase, the hope for achieving Sengeh’s goal of halving learning poverty also grows.

– Komalpreet Kaur
Photo: Flickr

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3 Strategies In Place To Address Poverty in Nepal

Poverty in NepalIn recent years within Nepal, strategies addressing the issues of poverty and food insecurity, focussing especially on innovations in agriculture engineering and education, are witnessing significant achievements. Such innovations are the focus of this article. The Economic Survey reports that 15.1% of Nepal’s population currently lies below the poverty line and earns less than $1.90 daily. However, this represents a reduction from 30.1% in 2014 with 3.1 million people overcoming poverty. There remains a disparity in the poverty rate between urban and rural dwellers in the country. 

More than 12% of poverty in Nepal is in its urban population, remains in poverty, whereas 28% of Nepal’s rural population lies below the poverty line. According to the United Nations (U.N.), Nepal is set to transition from its current position as among the world’s least developed nations by 2026. The country benefits from certain schemes operating to mitigate the impacts of nationwide poverty, such schemes that possibly contribute to this growth in Nepal’s economic development.

Agriculture

The Nepal Economic Forum reports that the majority of Nepalese farmers continue to rely upon conventional farming methods, including the use of livestock to clear the land and livestock waste as manure for the crops. Consequently, 25% of farmland in Nepal remains uncultivated. In September 2023, the World Bank sanctioned a $20 million grant to assist the Nepalese government’s Food and Nutrition Security Enhancement Project (FANSEP).

FANSEP serves to promote climate durability and agricultural fertility across regions of Nepal. This includes those within vulnerable locations at risk from natural disasters such as Earthquakes. It also includes those struggling with food insecurity. Food insecurity continues to afflict 3.86 million people in Nepal according to surveys from 2022. FANSEP provides more efficient plant and animal genetic resources and actively assists farmers with developing their ability to master and implement improved farming practices.

The intention behind this investment is to support more than 55,000 small-holder farmers in 16 rural municipalities. Around 80% of Nepal’s households currently rely upon the agricultural sector as their main source of income. By combining enhanced productivity and nutritional practices with climate-friendly technologies, the project intends to increase income generation and the overall livelihood of workers within Nepal’s agricultural sector. Furthermore, this investment also intends to ‘‘help build the resilience of marginalized communities in food insecure and disaster-affected areas of Nepal,” according to Karishma Wasti, World Bank’s Project Task Team Leader.

Road Expansion

Sources estimate that around 80% of Nepal’s population remains working within agriculture due to substandard road infrastructure, increasing the danger of road transportation and the prices of necessities along with it. The Rural Access Programme (RAP), a U.K. government-funded aid program, operates to improve road accessibility for over 800,000 people in rural Western Nepal. It intends to reduce poverty in Nepal by 20,000. Over six years, this scheme has led to the development of 100 kilometers worth of roads across Nepal and the maintenance of roughly 2,000 kilometers of roads connecting rural communities to markets, health care and education facilities. It also employs more than 9,000 people. 

By increasing the ease of accessibility between the rural and urban areas of Nepal, the RAP hopes to increase employment opportunities and mitigate the danger of transportation for the most vulnerable portion of Nepal’s population.

Knowledge Hub

Aasaman Nepal (ASN) was established in Janakpur, Nepal in 1999 and has been devoted to promoting and preserving children’s rights in Nepal within 17 districts. In 2022, the Knowledge Hub for Uplifting Socio-economically Marginalized Children and Families through Actions in Education and Economic Empowerment (KHUSEE) in the Bara District arose through charity. The basis of this project is to provide standard education and, by extension, access to career opportunities. This project is scheduled to last for a period of three years from 2022-2025.

Thus far, the progress made by this project includes identifying impoverished, alienated households within the Bara District for income-generating opportunities. The project places such households into groups and provides them with support concerning vegetable farming, including production input and irrigation support. These accomplishments took place within the previous year.

The project receives funding from partners such as Save The Children International. It also maintains and works towards outcomes including improved education, consistent learning opportunities for children from neglected families and improved governance. The KHUSEE program aims to elevate the lives of all children from poorer families across the municipalities of Karaiya Mai, Devtal and Mahagadhimai, all within the Bara district of Nepal.

Overview

By targeting different elements of Nepal’s infrastructure, these strategies seek to incorporate both technological innovations and increased investment towards poorer communities for the sake of creating a better, long-lasting future for those struggling with poverty.

– Thomas Perry
Photo: Flickr

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Reggaeton’s Global Impact Empowering Latin America

More Than Music: Reggaeton's Global Impact Empowering Latin AmericaIn a world increasingly interconnected by media, few genres have reshaped the cultural and economic landscape as dynamically as reggaeton’s global impact on music. At the forefront stands Bad Bunny, a Puerto Rican artist who rose from bagging groceries in 2016 to becoming the second-most streamed artist globally in 2023. His journey mirrors the genre’s significant influence on societies, particularly in Latin America. Beyond musical rhythms, reggaeton has become a catalyst for economic growth and an amplifier for social change in the region.

Economic Impact

The surge of reggaeton, Latin rap, Latin trap, or música urbana, has elevated Latin music to unparalleled financial heights. Latin music revenue in the U.S. soared to $1.1 billion in 2022, with a remarkable 24% annual increase, outpacing other markets. Major labels and artists are bridging language barriers to engage global audiences, reflecting the genre’s booming popularity. Streaming revenues, accounting for 97% of Latin music earnings, showcase the genre’s dominance, fueled significantly by Bad Bunny’s chart-topping albums. The importance of this revenue lies outside of the United States, where artists and fans in Latin America are fueling economic growth.

Reggaeton has generated a higher demand for popular live experiences in Latin America. Festivals like Estereo Picnic in Bogota and Lollapalooza in Argentina and Chile have seen surging attendance due to these popular artists and the genre’s appeal, turning Latin American countries into exporters of musical talent and generating substantial revenue within these economies.

Social Impact

Beyond economic effectiveness, reggaeton has emerged as a powerful social platform, shedding light on pressing issues. Bad Bunny’s music video for “El Apagón” didn’t merely entertain but served as a voice for Puerto Ricans amid crises like Hurricane Fiona. The video highlighted long-standing injustices, resonating deeply with audiences. Many even became aware of these issues in Puerto Rico thanks to Bad Bunny’s platform.

Notably, artists like Bad Bunny have used their influence to address socio-political matters. When Bad Bunny confronted hate speech from political figures, his stance echoed across continents, demonstrating reggaeton’s global impact. The capacity for stars to leverage their platforms to address millions regarding injustices across governments, within developing nations, or in their home countries, elevates these issues onto a global stage, holding immense significance in raising awareness, mobilizing action and potentially mitigating the effects. 

Global Revolution

Reggaeton’s rise signals a shift in global music dynamics. Artists like J Balvin have paved the way for Spanish-singing artists to resonate internationally without compromising their cultural identity. Balvin’s unprecedented success on streaming platforms showcases the growing acceptance and integration of Latin American music into mainstream culture, without having to adapt to English-speaking audiences.

This global recognition isn’t limited to music alone. Influential figures such as Colombian reggaeton artist J Balvin or Spain’s innovative flamenco fusion singer Rosalía serve as prime examples. Their impact goes beyond music; they’re influencing young people daily on social media, boasting millions of followers. For instance, the cover of the Rolling Stone magazine dedicated to Bad Bunny and J Balvin in June highlighted not just their musical prowess, but also their influence as cultural icons. 

This global recognition isn’t limited to music alone. Investment in Latin American creators across various media, including television, has soared. “Money Heist,” a Spanish series, has become Netflix’s most-watched non-English show, captivating audiences across Argentina, Brazil,and Chile, signifying the expanding influence of Latin American narratives beyond music.

Again, supporting Latin American creators, and Spanish media, is stimulating investment in these markets, increasing the economy and exports.

Future Facing

Reggaeton’s global impact, beyond its contagious beats, represents a shift in global culture and commerce. From empowering Latin American economies to amplifying voices on social issues, the genre and its artists serve as catalysts for change. The journey from bagging groceries to topping global charts isn’t just Bad Bunny’s story; it’s a testament to the genre’s transformative power, paving the way for a more inclusive global cultural landscape.

In essence, the global embrace of reggaeton’s global impact isn’t just a musical phenomenon; it’s a revolution, shaping economies, fostering unity and amplifying voices for change in Latin America and beyond. This outlook emphasizes reggaeton’s global impact on cultural shifts and societal change.

– Kailey Schwinghammer
Photo: Flickr

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4 Organizations Assisting with Poverty Reduction in Lebanon

Four Organizations Assisting with Poverty Reduction in LebanonFollowing the lockdown, 59-nine-year-old Youssef Bitar lost his house, and 16-year-old Chadi dropped out of school. Nadine, a 40-year-old blind mother, can hardly manage to feed her three children, and Jamile resorts to taking loans from friends and neighbors to pay rent. Lastly, Nour’s grandmother can only provide for the family by collecting tins and selling them by weight. Featured in CARE Lebanon’s ten-minute documentary about dire humanitarian conditions in the country, these five individuals are among the 59% of Lebanese people living below the poverty line. Thankfully, they are not helpless, as organizations like ESSN and the World Bank, the World Food Programme, Lebanon’s Financing Facility and UN-Habitat intend to provide relief to the country’s poor. 

The Basics

Due to the absence of household income and expenditure surveys, the available data on poverty in Lebanon is lacking. However, one thing is certain: it is a growing problem. In part imputed to the pandemic and Beirut port explosion in 2020, Lebanon has witnessed a sharp increase in poverty since 2019, with the proportion of the poor skyrocketing from between only 17.2% and 21.5% in 2016 to, at worst, 75.9% in 2022. Analysis reveals that under the most optimistic scenario, at least three out of five Lebanese people live in poverty. 

According to the World Bank, Lebanon’s crisis is among the “most severe [crisis] episodes globally since the mid-nineteenth century.” The crisis is multifaceted and can be divided into at least four parts. Firstly, in June 2023, Lebanon’s parliament, for the twelfth time, failed to elect a president. This stalls any measures to alleviate the crisis. Secondly, the banking sector has stopped lending to customers and adopted strict capital control, which ceased to attract deposits. Thirdly, due to the economic crisis, the percentage of unemployed citizens soared from 11.4% in 2018–19 to 29.6% in 2022. Lastly, the port explosion worsened Lebanon’s structural vulnerabilities, including a dysfunctional electricity sector, poor waste management and water supply shortages.

The World Bank and ESSN

Fortunately, however, the crisis has inspired some organizations and partnerships to assist in poverty reduction in Lebanon. In May 2023, the World Bank’s board of executive directors approved sending $300 million to the Emergency Crisis and COVID-19 Response Social Safety Net Project (ESSN), which will assist vulnerable Lebanese households and help unify a social safety net delivery system in Lebanon. This is the second time the World Bank has agreed to aid the country. In 2021, it financed $246 million to help Lebanon fight the economic crisis and the impact of COVID on its poor. The second package intends to aid Lebanon in protecting its population from future crises and continue taking poverty reduction measures.

The financing will be especially handy because “on the sectoral level, Lebanon lacks a comprehensive and inclusive social protection system that provides its citizens equal access and opportunity.” The previous SSN program was inadequate. Approved in January 2021, the new ESSN program has effectively provided cash to 82,000 households, established an efficient call center and strengthened security. According to a survey, 99% of beneficiary households reported improved living conditions after the transfers. More households who meet the poverty criteria will receive assistance. 

The World Bank’s financing will also provide cash for the education of a total of 92,000 students. Moreover, it will support access to quality social services. Jean-Christophe Carret, the Country Director of the World Bank Middle East, agrees that the financing will allow the government to respond to the growing needs of the vulnerable. 

World Food Programme

An estimated 37% of the population in Lebanon faced acute food insecurity in 2022. The World Food Programme (WFP) reached 2 million Lebanese residents and Syrian refugees as part of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2, Zero Hunger. 

Through partnerships, WFP increased the value of cash transfers in April 2022. Although the increase of people’s purchasing power could not offset price increases and currency depreciation, the program contributed to the improvement of schoolchildren’s nutrition. WFP also helped implement the ESSN. A WFP analysis reveals that due to the launch of the ESSN and the bolstering of the National Poverty Targeting Programme (NPTP), “the number of Lebanese households receiving assistance through national social safety nets, with WFP-implemented cash transfers, increased fourfold in 2022 compared to 2021.”

WFP’s plan from 2023 to 2025 is to strengthen Lebanon’s crisis response, provide safety nets, assist poverty reduction programs and extend school meals. The program also intends to work with the government to improve existing social protection services and strategy and achieve food security.

Lebanon’s Financing Facility

Established shortly after the explosion, the Lebanon Financing Facility (LFF) “provides an important means to pool grant resources and strengthen the coherence and coordination of financing.” Its goal is to bring about socioeconomic and business recovery and prepare for social sector reforms.

The trust fund, which was established by the World Bank, follows the Reform, Recovery and Reconstruction Framework (3RF), which addresses Lebanon’s immediate needs. The 3RF outlines actions that require priority to support recovery and reconstruction in Lebanon.

In 2023, the LFF plans to continue supporting 3RF priorities. It will offer both financial and technical assistance to facilitate the execution of priorities outlined by sector working groups and overseen by government representatives. Furthermore, discussions will continue, and state institutions will present their proposals and challenges to poverty reduction in Lebanon. 

UN-Habitat

Mandated by the U.N. General Assembly, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) helps establish socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities. The organization works with partners and operates in over 90 countries to enact positive changes in cities and human settlements. 

Between 2019 and 2022, UN-Habitat greatly assisted Lebanon. The program upgraded 164 building facades’ connections to water and electricity and rehabilitated neighboring streets. It also restored five public community health care centers, repaired 125 individual housing units, rehabilitated 44 full residential buildings, provided 816 households with rent assistance and assessed 113 schools for damage. UN-Habitat will collaborate with other municipalities to continue improving the lives of people in Lebanon. 

What Does the Future Hold?

Poverty reduction in Lebanon will not be easy. In the short-term, Lebanon “needs to adopt and implement a credible, comprehensive and coordinated macro-financial stability strategy within a medium-term, macro-fiscal framework.” This strategy should achieve debt sustainability, reconstruct the financial sector, introduce a new monetary framework that regains the people’s confidence in its stability, adjust fiscal policy, enhance reforms and improve social protection. In the long term, Lebanon must build better institutions, including governance and business sectors. 

In the absence of a good banking system and foreign exchange reserves, international aid and assistance from organizations remain necessary. 

– Mariam Jawhar
Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Updates on SDG 15 in Rwanda

Updates on SDG 15 in Rwanda Are Increasing Community and Wildlife Welfare Rwanda is in the process of healing the deep scars that genocide, a lacking international response and associated conflict has left in their wake. As a country, it is making significant strides toward higher levels of equity and poverty reduction. To tackle these major issues, emphasis has been placed on addressing the drivers of suffering, namely the protection of natural resources, support of industry and food security. Updates on SDG 15 in Rwanda, which encourages the protection, restoration and management of the species and habitats in terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems, have been key to contributing to Rwandan welfare. 

What Are the SDG 15 Activities Taking Place in Rwanda?

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and the United Nations Human Settlement Programme (UNHSP) have partnered with several on-the-ground partners like the Rwanda Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, African Development Bank and Rwanda Environment Management Authority to implement initiatives that support SDG 15 across the country.

Several of these initiatives began in 2018 and ended this year, making it an ideal time to reflect on the updates on SDG 15 in Rwanda. These activities have supported scientific studies and enhanced natural resource sustainability and community resilience. They have also undertaken ecosystem restoration and reduced poverty. 

The National Strategy for Transformation (NST) is a program that will run from 2017–2024, working toward the first targets in the country’s Vision 2050 plan. It focuses on poverty alleviation through economic and social transformation and transformation of governance. Activities like the multi-sectoral Green Growth and Climate Resilient Strategy (GGCRS) prioritize welfare by focusing on the environment. This translates to direct, tangible benefits. Rwanda’s GDP per capita has grown to $1,030 USD, a national GDP growth of 6.2%. 

Rwanda’s government has pledged two million hectares of forest restoration by 2030. It has already reached its target of covering 30% of the country with forests. This is a key step for the welfare of Rwandan communities since forest resources are widely used. In fact, more than 94% of Rwandans rely on wood as a main source of energy. Many also generate income through the country’s forests. Freshwater ecosystems are being systematically managed, and nationwide campaigns encourage people to use and manage freshwater resources more sustainably.

The Protection of Natural Resources and All Life on Rwandan Land

Natural resource health is a defining factor of welfare across the world. The ability to generate income, access the mental health benefits of nature and directly benefit from resource use are all fundamental reasons to properly manage and care for the natural environment. 

Rwanda is home to roughly 40% of all species of African mammals—more than a thousand species of birds, hundreds of reptiles and amphibians and nearly 6,000 species of plants. Some of these, like the charismatic mountain gorilla, are only found in two other countries: the DRC and Uganda. The survival of these plants and animals also depends on the welfare of Rwanda’s terrestrial habitats. 

From chimpanzees to leopards and forests to savannahs, the updates on SDG 15 in Rwanda have protected many species and habitats against several compounding pressures that currently threaten their existence and health. In one case, the mountain gorilla has made a promising conservation come-back. The population has grown from only a few hundred individuals in 2010 to more than a thousand today. This has directly impacted the communities in Rwanda. Community-based tourism programs depend on the health of mountain gorilla populations and other captivating species. These programs further improve the welfare of local communities by funding development projects and supporting the development of sustainable incomes.

How SDG 15 Supports Rwandan Industry and Food Security 

The industries that SDG 15 supports—namely agriculture, forestry and fisheries—account for 29% of Rwanda’s total GDP, which reached record profit levels in 2019. About 47% of Rwanda’s land is suitable for agriculture, and 66.5% of the population works in agriculture. This makes it a popular choice for income generation. 

Roughly 3.9 million Rwandan farmers and their families depend on the health and proper management of land for their survival. These individuals and communities consistently confront issues addressed by SDG 15, including habitat degradation, land stakeholdership issues and soil erosion. 

As of 2022, 82% of Rwanda’s population is recorded as living rurally. An enormous 80% of these individuals also participate in subsistence farming. These farmers and their families are wholly dependent on the health of the country’s land. By maintaining and protecting land, the government of Rwanda can address the needs of its farmers and agricultural sector. It can also support the food security of its subsistence communities and simultaneously improve individual poverty levels.

Looking Forward

Through the management of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems, the Rwandan government ensures the survival of its major economies and the well-being of its citizens. The health and utility of Rwandan land are so integral to the future of the country that agriculture, linked to the generation of wealth, has been named a pillar in Rwanda’s national development strategy: Vision 2050. 

Future work on the SDGs in Rwanda will likely have profound effects on both wildlife and community welfare. As a land-locked country, the well-being and management of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems are imperative to ensuring the survival and resilience of all life.

– Mirali Shukla
Photo: Pixabay

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El Salvador’s Water Crisis

El Salvador's water crisisEl Salvador is Central America’s most densely populated nation and water is crucial to more than 6 million people who call El Salvador home. However, diminishing supplies and high water pollution levels have plunged El Salvador’s into a deep crisis over water access.

El Salvador’s Water Crisis

More than 1.6 million El Salvadorians have no access to clean water at home, with 90% of surface water unsafe for drinking, some are forced to make trips to communal water sources up to 20 times a day. El Salvador’s extraordinarily high water pollution levels can be attributed to sources such as industrial and agricultural runoff, where poor state infrastructure means that water is often left untreated. Without clean water, diseases such as dysentery can impact education and household income, as children and adults are too ill to attend school or work. According to U.N. estimates, at least 27% of Salvadorans live in poverty. Many lack the means to afford proper treatment, meaning that diseases can be fatal up to 50% of the time.

Capacity Building

While the severity of El Salvador’s water crisis cannot be denied, various solutions offer hope for those most affected. Strengthening the capacity of El Salvador’s water infrastructure is being implemented in several key ways. After decades of inaction, the Salvadoran government passed the Water Resources Law in 2022, which established a local water regulation authority and requires government approval for industrial or agricultural water usage. Regulating the usage of El Salvador’s water should aid the government in ensuring wastewater is treated and reducing overall pollution. The World Bank has dedicated $100 million to improving water quality in El Salvador with a project that aims to benefit the health and well-being of the most vulnerable groups. A further $100 million was pledged by the Inter-American Development Bank to improve water access for around 120,000 households. El Salvador has also recently banned mining for metal, a leading cause of water pollution in the country.

Water Purification

El Salvador’s water crisis is also being addressed by water purification initiatives, which allow vulnerable residents to access clean water while waiting for infrastructure to be strengthened. More than 2,500 rural families now benefit from solar-powered wells. In areas with insufficient electrical grid capacity, solar power drives clean water from wells into storage tanks. Where clean water is unavailable, sand filtration technology can be used to remove impurities and toxins in water, giving communities access to clean water while removing the need to travel. El Salvador’s water crisis severely threatens its most vulnerable citizens. Pollution and poor infrastructure have left millions without safe water sources. However, capacity building, investment and water purification technology provide a crucial lifeline to El Salvador’s most impoverished citizens.

– Jamie Paterson
Photo: Flickr

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A Conversation on Foreign Aid and Development

foreign aid and developmentIn a recent interview, The Borgen Project spoke to social and economic historian Dr. Richard Sheldon and Tessa Munt, former MP and current Liberal Democrat counselor, about foreign aid and development.

Foreign Aid

The British public is divided on foreign aid and development. There are those who celebrate the humanitarian achievements of foreign aid packages, there are some who decry foreign aid as “neo-colonial extraction” and there are others who consider it a waste on outsiders. Generally, the support trumps the critique. In fact, support is strengthened when one considers and reviews critique.

Tessa Munt and the Public Debate

ODA, or Official Developmental Assistance, is the vehicle for aid delivery in the U.K. ODA typically takes the form of all-in-one packages — funds, manpower and organizational assistance. The U.K. government is not currently meeting the U.N. target of 0.7% of GDP allocated for foreign aid. Set at 0.5%, the British government says it has no intention to restore foreign aid spending to the pre-pandemic levels of 0.7% until at least 2027/28. Tessa Munt and the Liberal Democrats are strong supporters of foreign aid and overseas development. Munt says, “the Liberal Democrats are the government of foreign aid” and the foreign aid target will return to 0.7% when the Liberal Democrats are in power.

Although public support of foreign aid is strong and sustained, public concerns over immigration and notions of free-riding may draw funds away from positive ODA programs toward initiatives designed to keep migration low. The Bibby Stockholm barge is one such example. Using foreign aid budgets, the U.K. has procured the engineless barge from the Netherlands at the cost of an estimated £18 million. The Bibby Stockholm is one of a number of sites the U.K. government is trying to set up to provide an alternative to housing migrants in hotels. The barge will house asylum seekers who are awaiting the outcome of their asylum applications. Its use has been criticized as inhumane and its ultimate purpose serves to deter asylum seekers from seeking illegal migration routes to safety in the U.K.

Stories like this and the recent attack on a hotel housing asylum seekers in Knowsley, Merseyside, dominate the headlines. As a result, foreign aid can be appropriated and its aims misunderstood. Munt offered a solution, arguing that the positive deployment of ODA programs weakens “the push factor that brings asylum-seekers to our shores.” Munt succinctly finishes the discussion on the xenophobic pushback to foreign aid with this: “Foreign aid is, or should be, at 0.7% – that leaves us with 99.3% to spend however we wish.”

Critique with Dr. Richard Sheldon

Dr. Sheldon explains to The Borgen Project his thoughts on whether or not foreign aid is beneficial and effective. “‘Generally, yes… I think it does work.” Not only does foreign aid work, according to Dr. Sheldon, but it is “very much in our interests to do it.” ODA and foreign aid hope to slow asylum channels by creating stability and reducing poverty in troubled regions and enabling opportunities for investment and trade. Dr. Sheldon goes further, by arguing that”‘we have an obligation and a duty” toward the poor across the globe and that there are “all sorts of places where advancement isn’t possible without some kind of external aid.”

The numbers appear to support Dr. Sheldon’s case. According to a Global Citizen article published in 2018, foreign aid and development financing has saved 700 million lives over the last 25 years. U.K. foreign aid, in particular, saved more than 990,000 lives between January 2015 and December 2017 by immunizing more than 56 million children across the world, according to Results.org.

In Syria, for example, the U.K. has provided a total of £3.8 billion worth of official development assistance from 2011 to 2022. Food aid and emergency assistance in Syria through U.K. aid “alleviated suffering and allowed recipients to use their own resources on housing and health care. It had enabled some families to send their children back to school. There was also evidence of positive outcomes at the community level, in the form of reduced incidence of local crime, fewer disputes and families having a more optimistic outlook about the future,” according to the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). Through foreign aid, the U.K. has saved the lives of thousands and averted much greater burdens of asylum.

Foreign Aid Issues

Foreign aid is not without its issues, however. Charges laid at the sector surround questions of power and wealth extraction. According to research in 2017 by a coalition of U.K. and African social justice campaigners, more than $40 billion leaves Africa each year through multinational corporations “repatriating profits and illegally moving money into tax havens.” Further still, countries have faced accusations of using foreign aid “as a weapon to boost trade and further political aims.”

Take the series of structural adjustments implemented in the 1980s by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), for example. During this period, the IMF placed conditions on aid packages that required the restructuring of a nation’s economic life. These conditions directed a reduction in state expenditure, and, state assets, like water gas and coal repositories, were to be privatized and bought by multinationals in the West. As a result, millions of people suffered unemployment and impoverishment at the same time social security systems weakened due to requirements to reduce state expenditure.

But, as Dr. Sheldon argues, the situation was complex. The IMF required governments to reduce state expenditures because of eye-watering levels of debt in the Global South and the risk of widespread defaulting.

Dr. Sheldon comments, “Yes, I think there were a lot of very harsh ideologically driven set of conditions [that] very much reflects the [late] Cold War and the triumphalism [of] the Reagan and Thatcher years.” Dr. Sheldon goes on to say that these issues “do matter – more rather than less,” but they need not diminish aid in its entirety. Foreign aid also “pushe[s] for political reform, accountability, democracy and human rights… [I’ve] been studying this for quite some time, and the time scale (for the 700 million lives saved) isn’t in the most generous time period,” Dr. Sheldon highlights.

Looking Ahead

If one looks at the reduction in extreme poverty from the 20th century, progress is remarkable. The percentage of those living in extreme poverty stood at 53% in the 1950s  — this percentage reduced to 9% in 2018. Dr. Sheldon argues that “capitalism, international aid, transport and humanitarianism have all [contributed] toward this.”

Ultimately, the emotive nature of this topic means that when individuals hear stories of misuse and misinformation about refugees and asylum seekers, they’re inclined to negatively perceive foreign aid as a whole. Dr. Sheldon argues that this is not correct; foreign aid is “part of the positive picture.” Despite the world population growing at a “rapid rate,” by most measures, poverty and extreme poverty have declined. As a result of this, the threat of global instability and concurrent issues of asylum have decreased. And, because of foreign aid, the U.K. has benefited from increased trade and increased stability.

– James Durbin
Photo: Flickr

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Strengthening Civil Society Through Bottom-Up Development

Bottom-Up Development“Bottom-up” development is an approach to international development that places local communities at the center of the process. It empowers communities to identify their own development priorities, make decisions about how to allocate resources and implement projects that meet their specific needs. Bottom-up development builds the capacity of local actors to drive development in their own communities and nations. This approach stands in contrast to traditional “top-down” development, which is driven by outside actors such as governments, aid agencies or large multinational corporations, who typically dictate development agendas and priorities to local communities. Bottom-up development recognizes that local communities best understand their own needs and have valuable knowledge about the challenges and opportunities they face.

Available evidence suggests that when development involves local adaptation and ownership, it is more likely to lead to sustainable differences. According to reports, strengthening civil society is a vital aspect of bottom-up development because civil society organizations (CSOs) can act as intermediaries between communities and external actors such as international aid agencies or government institutions. Civil society comprises a diverse range of organizations that are independent of the government. This may include schools and universities, advocacy groups, professional associations, churches and cultural institutions.

Civil Society Organizations

CSOs play a critical role in promoting sustainable development and addressing social, economic and environmental challenges, often filling in where the government and the private sector fail to act. These organizations are well-positioned to represent the needs and interests of marginalized communities and are a foundational piece for sustainable development and national unity.

Typically, CSOs work in the following ways:

  1. Providing services and support to marginalized communities, including education, health care and economic empowerment programs.
  2. Advocating for policy reforms and increased transparency and accountability from governments and other stakeholders.
  3. Raising public awareness and mobilizing public support for development issues.
  4. Fostering social innovation and collaboration among stakeholders to identify and address development challenges.
  5. Supporting the capacity-building of local organizations and communities to drive development from the bottom up.
  6. Promoting the peaceful and fair resolution of local disputes.
  7. Increasing involvement in civic and public services by women, girls and other excluded groups.

It is not all talk or theory, as CSOs have made notable impacts around the world. Select examples include supporting vulnerable citizens following civil war in Uganda, helping in the global AIDs and malaria crises, sustaining democracy in Nigeria and reducing corruption in India.

Barriers to Civil Society Development

  1. Lack of funding: CSOs face a host of issues, such as a lack of funding and resources, limited capacity and government restrictions. Often, CSOs lack direct funding from donor organizations, with as little as 1% of bilateral aid going directly to CSO funding. Donors also tend to use CSOs as implementers instead of providing core funding for the organizations. For instance, out of the United States foreign aid budget, only about 15% went to funding CSO development objectives. Moreover, using local CSOs merely as implementers reinforces a paternalistic vision of development that prioritizes Western expertise over local expertise.
  2. Lack of required skills: CSOs may lack the required skills and capacity to carry out their work effectively. This can include skills in areas such as fundraising, program design and management, monitoring and evaluation and advocacy. Historically, CSOs have emphasized setting goals, defining objectives and acquiring the resources needed for growth and sustainability.
  3. Government threats: CSOs in numerous countries encounter government threats that impede operational effectiveness and autonomy. These threats encompass a range of obstacles, including legal constraints such as burdensome registration procedures, onerous reporting obligations and restrictions on foreign funding. Additionally, political pressures like harassment, intimidation, defamation and physical violence targeting CSO members and activists further compound the challenges. Moreover, economic hardships such as inadequate financial assistance, burdensome taxation, and asset seizures exacerbate the situation. Consequently, these threats foster an inhospitable environment for civil society, undermining its potential to contribute to democratic progress and social equity.

Breaking Through the Barriers

Key ways the international community can strengthen civil society to break through the barriers include:

  1. Providing financial and technical support to CSOs to enhance their capacity, sustainability, and advocacy skills
  2. Engaging in dialogue and partnership with CSOs to amplify their voice and influence in policymaking and implementation
  3. Promoting an enabling legal and regulatory environment for CSOs to operate freely and independently
  4. Protecting and defending CSOs from harassment, intimidation, and violence by governments or other actors
  5. Raising awareness and mobilizing public support for the role and value of civil society in development and democracy

What’s Next?

By prioritizing local communities and empowering them to drive their own development, the bottom-up approach holds promise for sustainable change. And CSOs play a vital role in promoting development, addressing challenges and advocating for marginalized communities. Increased financial and technical support, among other efforts, are crucial steps toward strengthening civil society and unlocking its full potential in driving positive change.

– Andrew Giganti
Photo: Flickr

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The Green Cities Initiative: Building Urban Resilience

Green Cities InitiativeIn September 2020, the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) launched the Green Cities Initiative, a program that aims to build more resilient urban and peri-urban communities throughout the world. The FAO is aiming for this initiative to improve social, economic and environmental resilience in 1,000 cities by 2030.

The Urban Boom

The World Bank reports that 4.4 billion people, more than half of the world’s population, currently live in cities, a number on track to more than double by 2050. In the coming years, urban and peri-urban areas will need to respond to increased pressures on infrastructure, affordable housing and transportation systems. These areas will also need to create employment opportunities for a broadening pool of job seekers. With conscious investments in green infrastructure, reforestation and sustainable food systems, cities can increase their resilience in the face of extreme weather while also creating jobs in the process.

An Airborne Warning

The COVID-19 pandemic has made clear the already grim relationship between health and poverty in urban areas. The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (U.N.-Habitat) reports that health risks are already high for urban populations without access to basic necessities like clean air and water, adequate housing and waste management. These conditions aggravate existing inequalities, resulting in inequitable health and economic outcomes.

Globally, the pandemic and its associated economic devastation are increasing inequality and eroding the progress made on numerous Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). According to the FAO, supply chain disruptions, particularly in food systems, and unprecedented demands on hygiene-related resources and services expose the need for city stakeholders to reimagine and rethink the future of their urban systems.

Building Urban Resilience

The Green Cities Initiative is a unique opportunity to take action on hard lessons learned from these ongoing health and environmental crises. Through site-specific strategies that ensure access to green spaces and nutritious foods, strengthen urban and rural connectivity and provide investments in green infrastructure, the Green Cities Initiative takes a holistic approach to human and planetary wellness.

As of November 2022, 80 cities are participating in the Initiative, including Tunisia’s capital of Tunis, Italy’s Bologna, Kenya’s Nairobi and Sri Lanka’s Colombo city. Here are three examples of programs FAO implemented alongside non-governmental and governmental groups in partnership with the Green Cities Initiative:

  • The Initiative helped reforest at least 1.6 hectares of mangrove forests in Quelimane, Mozambique, a project that mitigated flooding risk in the coastal city.
  • In Nairobi, Kenya, an initiative tackled the city’s prevalent food waste, lowering the amount of rotten and unsold produce that vendors leave behind or that people otherwise lose between production and consumption. Some measures included introducing technology and techniques for composting and “biogas digesters,” which turn produce into fuel.
  • Training for women working as street food vendors in Kisumu, Kenya, gave participants business-generating skills and created a ripple effect of positive hygiene and business practices in the city.

A Focus on Poverty

While the Green Cities Initiative is most obviously environmentally focused, the Initiative works to address poverty in a few unique ways, including:

  • Strengthening urban and rural connectivity. Though most of the world’s impoverished populations reside in rural areas, the FAO focuses on the fact that the majority do not live far from a city. By strengthening connections between rural and urban communities, (particularly via food processing and distribution industries) the FAO aims to create jobs and bolster the overall economy of a given region, thereby reducing poverty and poverty-induced migration.
  • Mitigating environmental catastrophe. Environmental risks associated with extreme weather are elevated in high-density urban areas, manifesting in loss of life and economic shocks. Creating resiliency through green spaces and green infrastructure mitigates such risks and their disproportionate impacts on impoverished residents.
  • Building healthy, sustainable food systems. Impoverished residents of urban areas, particularly those living in congested areas or informal settlements, often lack access to clean air, running water and healthy, affordable food. To curb the resulting prevalence of “nutrition-related and non-communicable diseases,” the Initiative aims to increase the availability and affordability of nutritious and urban-grown foods. Tackling food, water and agricultural waste is also a focus, with the Initiative pushing for circular economies overall.

Supporting Local Governments

In February 2020, the World Economic Forum reported that Africa was home to the 15 fastest-growing cities in the world. Across many regions of the continent, the climate crisis already applies particular pressure, namely in the form of an influx of climate migrants in search of stable incomes. In the coming years, urban communities of all sizes will need systems in place to adapt to, prepare for and respond to economic, social and environmental shocks. The Green Cities Initiative, by supporting “local governments in mainstreaming agriculture, food systems and green spaces in local policy, planning and actions,” offers one pathway toward global stability and sustainability.

– Hannah Carrigan
Photo: Flickr