Archive for category: Development

Information and stories on development news.

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5 Facts About Infectious Diseases in Madagascar

Infectious Diseases in Madagascar
Madagascar is an island country off the southeastern coast of Africa. It is famous for its unique climate, vibrant ecosystems and a Disney movie bearing its namesake. However, despite its colorful outward appearance Madagascar is not only a country that has been struggling with the burdens of extreme poverty. It is also a country that has strived to respond to the constant risks of infectious diseases in Madagascar that are rampant throughout its population.

5 Facts About Infectious Diseases in Madagascar

  1. Of the top 10 leading causes of death in Madagascar, four are infectious diseases. Compared to the United States, which only has one infectious disease in its top 10 causes of death, Madagascar’s rate of death due to these largely preventable illnesses is staggering. These four killers are diarrheal diseases, lower respiratory infections, malaria and tuberculosis. Diarrheal diseases and lower respiratory infections, the top two leading causes of death in Madagascar, are not on the lists of countries such as the United States. Easily preventable simply through clean water and relatively basic medical equipment and treatment, these infectious diseases are just one of many lethal circumstances stemming from poverty.
  2. More than 60% of the population of Madagascar lives far from health centers. Additionally, the methods of travel are dangerous and difficult. Underdeveloped and often undermanaged roads and means of travel are when coupled with the scarcity of adequate care, literally a hard road to health. All four of the leading causes of death by infectious diseases are prevalent in Madagascar are preventable and treatable given adequate recovery time, proper equipment, medication and access to proper nutrition. However, if travel is expensive and exhausting those in need will not have the time or resources to spare to travel to one of these remote health care facilities.
  3. Diarrheal diseases are the leading cause of death in Madagascar. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2018, diarrheal diseases were responsible for 10,832 deaths or 7.88% of deaths in Madagascar. These diseases are particularly deadly due to the high rates of malnutrition in the population. Diarrheal diseases are especially draining and resource-heavy upon one’s body and for those without healthy and consistent diets coupled with the lack of potable water and adequate hygiene that may have caused the disease in the first place. Although attention for this issue is very minimal, there are efforts to help the people of Madagascar prevent these diseases through the allocation of health hygiene products and the spread of health information. Project WASH Madagascar provides information to children and adults about the importance of cleaning their hands and drinking clean water. It has been distributing WASH kits that contain additional information as well as cleaning products.
  4. Malaria rates have been steadily climbing since 2009. Deaths due to malaria in Madagascar increased by 7.5%, between 2009 and 2019. The United Nations OCHA reported an increase of malaria cases from 402,385 in 2019 to 663,558 in 2020. This may be partly due to the decrease in incoming aid and available health services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Malaria is an infectious disease that, with the proper resources, is entirely preventable and treatable. However, just as with these other infectious diseases, circumstances from poverty block the road to health and kill thousands.
  5. After a measles outbreak in 2018 – 2019, infection and death rates are almost completely down. Madagascar has been struggling to address these issues even amidst the hectic state of the world. However, it is important to acknowledge the successes that Madagascar has seen through coordination between The Ministry of Public Health and WHO and partners in combating these infectious diseases. The distribution of vaccines led to vaccine information, education and free emergency care to those in critical condition, helping control the outbreak. Between January and April of 2019, 46,187 people became infected with measles and 800 dead during a widespread measles outbreak. Medical science and collective human effort contained the measles outbreak with only 34 cases since January 2020, according to Outbreak News Today.

Looking Ahead

As the world collectively becomes intimately aware of the threats of infectious diseases, especially in cases where there is no supporting health infrastructure, the circumstances of people like those in Madagascar become plainly dire. There are measures to take and aid to disperse that would solve many of these problems. While there is a long way to go, Madagascar continues to work in the hopes of preserving its people and ensuring their safety.

– John J. Lee
Photo: Fickr

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5 Facts About Child Homelessness in India

Child Homelessness in India
Economic growth and expansion over the past few decades are responsible for India’s rank as one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. India’s strong democracy coupled with its expanding international relationships places the nation in the top three economies that the world projects to possess the most economic power in 10-15 years’ time. Ironically, India also leads the world in high rates of child homelessness. Although current data in this regard is unavailable, a 1994 report by UNICEF estimates 11 million children on India’s streets. The Indian Embassy estimates that “in Delhi alone,” at least 100,000 children live on the streets. Given the population increase of 945.6 million to 1.39 billion from 1994 to 2021, one can widely presume that the prevalence of child homelessness in India has also grown substantially.

5 Facts About Child Homelessness in India

Although many recognize child homelessness as an issue that greatly impacts India, few know why these numbers are so high and the consequences that stem from it. In order to better comprehend the epidemic of child homelessness in India, it is important to first understand the factors contributing to this continued rise and the impacts stemming from this issue.

  1. The majority of children living on the streets of India are escaping abuse. India’s rates of child abuse are some of the highest globally. A study from 2020 notes that children younger than 18 make up 37% of India’s population. Roughly 53% of these children reported experiencing various types of abuse. Many children in India already lack access to proper nutrition, education and medical services. These conditions in tandem with family violence urge children to seek better lives for themselves, often away from home and on the streets of large nearby cities.
  2. Most homeless children in India work street jobs to provide for themselves. Young boys and girls can typically find work doing small jobs. “A former street kid,” Satender Sharma, who now serves as a tourist guide for the Salaam Baalak Trust, tells NPR that common jobs consist of working at fruit stands, shining shoes, cleaning cars and selling miscellaneous items. Sharma considers actions like pick-pocketing and begging as a form of work sometimes essential for the survival of boys living on the streets.
  3. Children living on the streets face a plethora of safety concerns. While leaving home is often the last resort in escaping an abusive household, homeless children still encounter many hazards on the streets. On a daily basis, children fight for their survival, facing “poverty, abuse and exploitation.” Girls living on the street are particularly vulnerable to human trafficking and prostitution rings. Although the money children earn can certainly add up over time, most spend it immediately, fearing that others will steal the money. Because children are often able to seek meals at local shelters and temples, they often spend this money on “drugs or other expenses” that drive them deeper into the cycle of poverty.
  4. Rates of death on the streets of India average more than 10 per day in large cities like Delhi. A 2010 study reports an average of 306.25 deaths a month on the streets of Delhi alone — mostly women and children. Factors contributing to this high death toll include extreme weather patterns, malnutrition and a lack of proper sanitation. Most often, these factors impact young children most harshly. These statistics, although high, do not account for homeless people who friends and other acquaintances bury or cremate.
  5. Railway Children addresses child homelessness in India. Railway Children is a United Kingdom-based organization that operates with the belief that no child should have to endure life on the streets. In India, the organization visits railway stations, aiming “to reach vulnerable children as soon as they arrive on the platform and intervene before an abuser can.” The organization “provide[s] food, shelter, safety and support” but also commits to long-term solutions “so children never go back to the streets.” Railway Children aims for transformation by working with communities to raise awareness of the issues street children face and garner community support in protecting them. The organization also lobby’s the government to create change on a legislative level, ensuring policies protect the rights of all children, especially street children. In 2018 alone, Railway Children was able to reach and support 8,338 children in India. The donations to Railway Children go toward efforts on “outreach, shelter, reintegration, influencing and raising more funds.”

Moving Forward

As the population continues to grow, the rate of child homelessness in India can expect to grow too. However, while it is important to recognize the severity of child homelessness in the country, it is just as crucial to understand the ways in which varying groups are already mobilizing to tackle this issue. These five facts stand as a first step in educating people on the issue of child homelessness in India with the hopes that a broader awareness will lead to expanded interest and a desire to respond.

– Chloe D’Hers
Photo: Flickr

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Action Against Rising Child Labor in Jordan

Child Labor in Jordan
After years of combined government and NGO measures to eliminate child labor in Jordan, the country noted a rise in child labor during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2016, Jordan’s National Child Labour Survey revealed that about 76,000 children were involved in some form of economic activity. About 60% of these children performed dangerous labor including mining, blacksmithing and repairing automobiles. Jordan Labor Watch finds that the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular, has led to an increase in child laborers, mostly due to the increased economic hardships of families.

How COVID-19 Contributes to Child Labor in Jordan

The World Bank predicts that poverty rates in Jordan would reach as much as 27% due to the onset of COVID-19. As with other countries, COVID-19 has led to widespread job losses and reductions in income as some businesses shut down and others struggle to stay afloat. Due to a lack of robust social programs and safety nets, Jordanians struggle with little means to provide for their families. Jordan Labor Watch explains that “As the unmet financial needs of families in Jordan rises, the chances of children working to contribute to their family’s income also rises —  no matter how modest this added income might be.”

In April 2020, a UNICEF assessment found that 23% of “vulnerable households in Jordan” lack internet access. Amid pandemic-induced school closures, children who cannot transition to remote learning are more susceptible to child labor. Parents often push children who are not receiving an education into child labor to add to the household income. This is a common reality in spite of children facing exploitation with low wages, hazardous job conditions and possible sexual and physical violence.

The Characteristics of Child Labor in Jordan

The 2016 National Child Labour Survey reveals specifics on child labor in Jordan. About 43.2% of the 70,000 child laborers ages 5 to 17 work in the agricultural industry while 42.6% work in the services sector and 14.2% work in industry roles. Jordanian children account for about 80% of all these child laborers while Syrian children account for 15%. The latter mostly consists of refugees with few protective barriers guarding them and limited access to education. Furthermore, almost 90% of these child laborers are boys.

Within the services sector, many children engage in hazardous labor such as repairing vehicles and “scavenging scrap metal.” Other children working in this sector wash vehicles, care for animals that transport tourists and complete domestic duties. Child labor within the industry sector primarily consists of mining, quarrying, carpentry, blacksmithing, manufacturing and construction.

Though Jordan has made moderate efforts to eradicate the worst forms of child labor, extreme forms of child labor still exist within the country. The two worst forms of child labor in Jordan are forced begging and soliciting minors for paid sexual activity, sometimes a result of human trafficking.

Efforts to Eliminate Child Labor

Over the last decade, Jordan’s government has taken a variety of measures to end child labor within its borders. By 2016, the country established a database on child labor within the Ministry of Labor. The nation also adopted the National Framework to Combat Child Labor in 2011, a comprehensive child labor policy that “aims to tackle the issue throughout the Kingdom through systematic monitoring of child labor and collective action by key stakeholders, mainly the ministries of Labour, Education and Social Development.” Additionally, Jordan established apprenticeship programs for youths, a training manual for school counselors and more anti-child labor efforts targeting Syrian refugees.

How UNICEF Has Taken Action

UNICEF began a 2021 program to tackle child labor in Jordan in partnership with the Rowad Al Khair organization. The Jordanian government and authorities support the program, which intends to assist “families who are vulnerable to economic shocks, including the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.” Qualified social workers will “work directly with families and communities to identify, prevent and manage the risks of child labor and tailor a response specific to their needs.”

According to UNICEF, “400 of the most vulnerable child laborers, boys and girls, of all nationalities, aged 6-18 years will receive psychosocial support and help to access education, life skills, entrepreneurship opportunities and training.” Vulnerable households will receive “specialized support,” such as cash assistance and education on the detrimental consequences of child labor.

Tamkeen is a local organization within Jordan taking a stand against child labor, among other issues. This NGO is dedicated to raising legal awareness on labor issues while promoting human rights and fighting human trafficking with particular emphasis on the rights of migrants and refugees. Tamkeen also publishes papers on issues like child labor, workplace safety and the working conditions of migrant workers in Jordan.

The Future of Jordan’s Vulnerable Youths

Though child labor is rising in Jordan, the government and NGOs are taking action to quell the illegal practice, improving the lives of children. The nation may feel the impact of COVID-19 for years to come, but Jordan’s ongoing efforts to combat child labor will eventually lead to a decline in the number of child workers.

– Nate Ritchie
Photo: Flickr

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LEGO Encourages Learning Through Play

learning through play
As the world grapples with COVID-19, countless indirect consequences and equally urgent issues have gone unnoticed amid the panic and chaos of the pandemic. Although these other aspects of quality of life are not as attention-grabbing as a death count or an infection total, they are still important to recognize. COVID-19 significantly impacts the education of children across the globe, disproportionately affecting underprivileged children. LEGO encourages learning through play to “[empower] children to become creative, engaged, lifelong learners,” especially amid global challenges.

Pandemic-Induced School Closures

UNESCO estimates that, at the peak of the pandemic in March 2020, more than 180 countries imposed nationwide school closures, impacting 87% of the global student population. These closures occurred suddenly, and without adequate funding and infrastructure to transition to different forms of learning while still preserving quality, education systems in low-income nations faced significant challenges.

Even before the pandemic hit, in 2018, UNESCO reported roughly “258 million children and youth” out of school. In 2019, a UNHCR report indicated that 3.7 million refugee children were out of school globally. The World Bank reports that just “63% of refugee children are enrolled in primary school” in comparison “to 91% globally.” Furthermore, just “24% of refugee adolescents are enrolled in secondary schools compared to 84% globally.” In addition, a mere “3% of refugee youth have access to higher education compared to 37% globally.”

Education as a Pathway out of Poverty

For people suffering poverty and crises beyond their control, education is key. Capabilities such as literacy, basic arithmetic skills and writing proficiency serve as stepping stones to success. These skills grant impoverished people access to higher-paying, skilled jobs, creating a pathway out of poverty. The Global Partnership for Education estimates that “171 million people could be lifted out of extreme poverty” if all children had basic reading proficiencies. The way to effectively, efficiently and permanently eliminate poverty is by investing in children’s education.

The LEGO Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the LEGOs brand, is stepping up to combat barriers to education. A nation’s most valuable resources are its people, and therefore, there exists a distinct link between a country’s education system and the general economic and social well-being of the nation’s citizens. Recognizing the far-reaching effects of education and the importance of play in learning, LEGO Foundation began incorporating the concept of learning through play to enrich education systems, mindsets and resources throughout the world.

Learning Through Play

Research finds that “learning through play supports the development of early literacy and numeracy skills in an integrated approach, while also cultivating children’s social, emotional, physical and creative skills.” Studies also find that many traditional forms of education, involving more creatively restricted, socially inflexible and generally unenjoyable training and subsequent assessment, fail to optimally develop and teach children.

However, simply accusing existing education systems of overly didactic and stiflingly structured teaching methods is not enough to encourage change, especially in areas where resources are scarce and change is too expensive. Considering the research of many scientists, engineers, educators, creatives and experts, the LEGO team came together to create engaging play-full activities.

LEGO’s Let’s Build Together initiative is an online experience with games and constructive education activities developed to stimulate development through play. For children and classrooms unable to access this content online, the LEGO Foundation donates Play Boxes to organizations caring for vulnerable children. The boxes promote learning through play with a “variety of elements which are valuable as teaching and learning tools in any curriculum, from early childhood to adulthood.”

Partnering with UNICEF

Beginning in 2015, LEGO chose to partner with UNICEF to support education through play, with a special focus on children in impoverished nations. In 2020, the LEGO Foundation provided $28 million worth of funding to UNICEF to support the education of children, for instance, by supplying LEGO Play Boxes to countries such as “Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria and Turkey.” In Rwanda and South Africa, teacher training curriculums now incorporate learning through play.

Through research, action and play, LEGO has found ways to ensure children receive an education, regardless of their economic and social backgrounds. In the face of the effects of COVID-19 and other humanitarian crises, it is important to prioritize children’s education, recognizing that education provides a pathway out of poverty.

– John J. Lee
Photo: Flickr

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Ghana Tech Lab: The Next Generation of Innovators

Ghana Tech Lab
The Ghana Tech Lab, a collaborative tech-centric company, has now connected 7,000 youths with digital and technical education as part of its Ghana Startup Ecosystem program. The goal is to build the next generation of tech entrepreneurs in Africa.

About the Ghana Tech Lab

The Ghana Tech lab is a company building a launch platform for young tech talent in Ghana. Headquartered in Accra, the lab takes a multi-stage approach to launch startups. First, trainees complete a three-month intensive training program to develop technical and digital skills. The top talents from this program then move to the incubation program, where trainees build a business model and receive mentorship.

Finally, the company connects the new startups with seed funding through grants and a network of venture capitalists. By supporting entrepreneurs, the company hopes to fight poverty through innovation, economic development and job creation. Since its founding in 2018, the base program alone has trained 3,933 Ghanaians and incubated 68 startups.

Once a founder begins a startup, it joins the Ghana Startup Ecosystem, a program and database run by The Ghana Tech Lab. Its goal is to act as a central hub for tracking and supporting Ghanian startup ventures. The Ecosystem tracks human capital, market and financial data across Ghana. The database serves to contextualize ventures and produce market trends to substantiate ventures. This system legitimizes startups and encourages global investment.  

In fact, 50% of the startups within the system secure funding. The adjunct of the Startup Ecosystem has led to the launch and funding of 100 startups in Ghana, according to AllAfrica. Data-driven innovation has become a central tenant of the Ghana Tech Lab, as a way to promote long-term success. Rather than focus on the symptoms of poverty in Ghana, the company hopes to use economic revitalization as a way to target poverty at the source.

About the State of Poverty in Ghana

In order to understand why tech plays a role in poverty reduction, it is important to contextualize poverty in Ghana. As of 2021, Ghana has a poverty rate of 11.3%. It means that 3.57 million people live on or under $1.90 a day. The country experienced a decrease in poverty from 52.6% to 21.4% between 1991 and 2012. However, the rate of decline has become stagnant over recent years. At the same time, economic development has steadily improved over the last decade. The combination of economic growth and poverty maintenance has led to an increasing rate of economic inequality.

Because of these conditions, the World Bank in Ghana has determined that developing human capital, growing the job market and improving economic resiliency are the best strategies for decreasing poverty and economic inequality. The Ghana Tech Lab has created a business model that targets all three strategies.

The Way Building Tech Startups Fights Poverty

By directly increasing access to education and skill development, the Ghana Tech Lab removes barriers of entry for skilled work. Sourcing funding for startups benefits job production and improves long-term job security. The innovations that startups spur on also improve economic resilience. Often, the startups that come out of the Ghana Tech Lab target poverty directly. For example, Farminista Africa is a woman-led company that helps smallscale female farmers grow their businesses. By 2030, the Ghana Tech Lab expects to produce 30 million new jobs through technical education and economic development, according to AllAfrica.

By increasing accessibility to digital skills, the Ghana Tech Lab is building a new path forward. The company shows that poverty reduction is a natural byproduct of community empowerment.

– Aiden Smith
Photo: Unsplash

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How Improving Financial Literacy Helps Reduce Poverty

Improving Financial Literacy
Financial literacy plays a significant role in reducing poverty and improving financial well-being. The low financial literacy rate in developing countries means cycles of poverty continue, often intergenerationally. However, improving financial literacy rates in developing countries through education can help create pathways out of poverty, improving the financial standing and economic stability of low-income individuals.

What is Financial Literacy?

The Asian Development Bank Institute defines financial literacy as “people’s understanding of financial concepts as well as their skills and ability to manage money and make informed financial decisions.” The financial literacy level of an individual typically influences their financial judgment and resulting actions. Thus, the stability of one’s finances is often dependent upon one’s financial literacy level.

Why Financial Literacy Matters

Financial literacy offers many benefits to a consumer regardless of their level of income. For example, if an individual is financially well-informed, the individual is less likely to make decisions that will harm their finances rather than improve them.

Furthermore, financial literacy encourages people to pay bills on time, increases preparedness for economic difficulties and allows people to avert significant debt. Those who are well-educated on financial concepts are also very likely to set aside savings and pass on financial knowledge to their children.

Poverty-stricken individuals may benefit the most from financial literacy as their economic standing makes them less likely to successfully recover from an economic setback without adequate financial knowledge. This makes smart financial decisions especially important for this population in order to proactively combat any avoidable financial crises. However, despite financial knowledge holding more significance for those with a lower economic status, individuals within this group are less likely to be financially literate.

Financial Literacy in Developing Countries

Financial illiteracy disproportionately affects impoverished developing nations, likely due to a lack of adequate education systems in many of these countries. Data indicates that just 54% of people residing in developing nations have the capability or knowledge to open a bank account and also lack access to banking institutions.

Indonesia provides an example of this concern as a developing nation where financial literacy is a scarcity, and therefore, stands as one of the main barriers to financial inclusion. Data from an Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) study indicates that most Indonesians with a low socioeconomic status only have enough financial savings to last seven days in the case of an emergency.

Another example of a country with inadequate financial literacy is Zambia, where approximately half of the population does not utilize any financial services. A survey conducted in South Africa suggests that approximately 60% of respondents lack comprehension of important financial terms such as “interest.” From these statistics, it is apparent that financial literacy is insufficient in several developing countries.

Solutions

As developing nations strive for economic growth and financial products become increasingly complicated, it is imperative to equip people with the knowledge to make economic decisions that are in their best interests. Ultimately, a financially literate population will help stabilize economies in developing countries and contribute to reducing poverty.

The improvement of financial literacy in developing countries will require participation from policymakers, stakeholders, organizations and other important figures. Several of these actors are taking action to support financial literacy in developing nations.

For example, in Indonesia, the Indonesian tech company Tokopedia created the “Rabu Nabung” campaign in 2020, which translates to “Savings Wednesdays.” Purchasing mutual funds through Tokopedia on Wednesdays allows people to amass gift cards and even access cashback rewards for investing in gold. This campaign acts as an incentive for Indonesians to save their money and make investments, thus increasing both financial standing and financial literacy. A study by the University of Indonesia (UI) indicates that roughly “78% of all Tokopedia users surveyed said the program helped them understand the importance of investment.”

Other nations are taking action by implementing financial education programs that target groups with high rates of financial illiteracy. The Bank of Uganda created the second Strategy for Financial Literacy in Uganda 2019-2024, focusing on five major groups: women, the working class, youth, those that reside in rural areas and special interest groups. This program will give individuals a better understanding of savings, investments, managing their money and other important financial components.

Moving Forward

A person’s ability to understand and apply financial concepts plays a key role in their economic decisions. Financial literacy benefits the individual while contributing to long-term economic stability. Thus, improving financial literacy in developing nations is crucial to achieving growth in the financial sector. By enacting various programs and campaigns to empower individuals to make financially sound choices, developing nations should see economic advancement in the future.

– River Simpson
Photo: Unsplash

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Domestic Violence Against Women in Venezuela

Domestic Violence Against Women in Venezuela
The fight to reduce domestic violence against women in Venezuela still needs improvement. In the past few decades, the country has faced severe political turmoil. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated the violence women in Venezuela face. In most cases, women still have to rely on their domestic abusers for financial support. Currently, the country still presents many challenges and obstacles for women to obtain justice against their attackers. Recognizing the dire need for changes, domestic and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are working hard to protect Venezuelan women’s rights and safety. Here are some NGOs leading the fight for reducing domestic violence against women in Venezuela.

Centro de Justicio y Paz (Cepaz)

Cepaz is a nongovernmental organization that works to promote democratic values, human rights and the culture of peace in Venezuela. The idea was born in a context that a great institutional crisis and generalized violence characterized. Cepaz focuses on the empowerment of citizens and women, activism networks and promotion of the culture of peace in the country. The organization aims to reduce violence against Venezuelan women by developing specialized work for vulnerable demographics. With its combined program in Human Rights and Humanitarian Action, the organization serves women victims of gender violence.

It accompanies grassroots women in impoverished areas to boost their leadership and awareness of rights. Cepaz is also supporting them in the generation of organizational processes that generate well-being. It provides assistance in the community in areas such as water, food, violence, sexual and reproductive health, among others. Through these works, Cepaz hopes to educate the country to recognize the immense danger Venezuelan women are facing due to domestic violence and gender inequality.

Prepara Familia

Prepara Familia is a nongovernmental organization committed to serving women and families. It is contributing to the construction of a solidary and a fairer society, as well as accompanying the defense and awareness of women’s rights. It began as a grassroots organization, working hand in hand with doctors, family members and children hospitalized at the J.M de los Ríos Hospital. Since its foundation, Prepara Familia has worked intensively for the rights of mothers, children and teenagers. The organization develops training and empowerment programs for Women Caregivers in the hospital and assists women who have suffered domestic violence. Through their works, the organization hopes to reduce violence against Venezuelan women and aid those in need.

Tinta Violeta

Tinta Violeta is a feminist nongovernmental organization that aims to use artistic expressions, such as the media and cinema, as mobilization tools. The organization seeks to mainstream feminism in all communication content and cultural discourses in Venezuela. Tinta Violeta wants to create a Venezuela with gender equality and free of domestic violence against women. Providing psychological and legal help the organization also accompanies the victim to the police station or the Prosecutor’s Office to file the complaint. Volunteers from Tinta Violeta have offered their own homes as safe houses and often listened to all those Venezuelan women that get in touch with them through their website, as well as their Facebook and Instagram accounts.

FundaMujer

FundaMujer is a nongovernmental organization that seeks to create a safe space for feminist leaders to discuss and advocate for gender equality and reducing violence against women in Venezuela. Created when the aggravated situation regarding violence affecting women in Venezuela has escalated, FundaMujer supports the protection of women’s rights defenders. It is monitoring any threat against feminist organizations or women’s groups and providing security for any individual who is at risk. The organization also promotes the right of women to a life free of domestic violence. It mobilizes national and international resources to support women. FundaMujer holds local, regional and national authorities accountable for any violation of women’s rights.

Together, these four NGOs are all fighting for reducing domestic violence against women in Venezuela in addition to efforts made by the government. Through these combined efforts, domestic violence against women in Venezuela has substantially declined and women’s rights have continued to strengthen.

– Tri Truong
Photo: Flickr

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COVID-19’s Impact on Sierra Leone

COVID-19's Impact on Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone is a nation in recovery. As with many countries throughout the globe, COVID-19 has left a lasting mark on the West African nation. In a June to October 2020 survey that Innovations for Poverty Action in Sierra Leone implemented, nearly 50% of respondents reported income reductions and about 60% of respondents reported depleting their savings to secure food for the household. However, in the wake of COVID-19’s impact on Sierra Leone, some sectors are regaining strength.

The After-Effects of COVID-19

Sierra Leone went into lockdown quickly in response to the initial outbreak of the novel coronavirus within its borders in March 2020, declaring a state of emergency prior to any confirmation of infection. Rapid policy changes followed, restricting travel and putting into place extensive testing programs which, coupled with a high level of social compliance, brought the infection and death rates to an early plateau. This impressive effort in containment came at a great economic cost, however, with the nation’s GDP contracting around 3.1% in 2020.

Revitalizing the Economy

Forecasts predict that Sierra Leone’s GDP will grow roughly 4% by the end of 2021, eclipsing the contraction of 2020, with further acceleration predictions in 2022. This projected growth links to a renewed demand for exports, particularly in the country’s mining sector.

World Bank experts state that sustaining this growth will require structural reform, strong monetary policy and a robust vaccination program, allowing businesses and employees alike to return to full-capacity operations both quickly and safely.

To that end, “the World Bank approved an $8.5 million grant” in June 2021 to further vaccination efforts in Sierra Leone, building upon an earlier $7.5 million monetary injection provided by the International Development Association in 2020 to shore up economic deficits resulting from COVID-19’s impact on Sierra Leone. Additionally, The Sierra Leone Central Bank announced a redenomination of the national currency in an effort to combat inflation. However, not all efforts for economic regrowth fall within the confines of the financial sector.

US Assistance

Sierra Leone saw a marked increase in poverty as a result of wage depression and job loss stemming from the pandemic, particularly in urban areas. The remediation of economic damages in these areas is an important step in breathing new life into the Sierra Leonean economy.

The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a U.S. government-funded agency dedicating efforts to international growth and development, is working to do just that. The MCC completed a $44.4 million project “to improve the water and electrical services in and around Freetown,” Sierra Leone’s capital and largest urban center, in March 2021. The MCC has recently begun talks with government representatives and the private sector to make further, larger investments in the nation’s growth in the form of an economic compact.

Further Help for Citizens in Need

In August 2021, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) announced a new program specifically focusing on aiding women and youth affected by COVID’s impact on Sierra Leone. The program will provide grants of $60,000 to $140,000 for distribution by NGOs to women and youth-operated businesses in both rural and urban areas that were forced to scale down or cease operations during the pandemic. The aim is to bring these businesses back into the marketplace and stimulate the local economy. These efforts work in concert with Sierra Leone’s internal efforts to help the nation get back onto its feet in the post-pandemic environment.

Mining Sector Leads Growth

With a return to pre-pandemic GDP levels in sight, Sierra Leone hopes to continue growth in 2022. Forecasts predict the nation’s GDP to grow by as much as 5% by 2022, outpacing its sub-Saharan neighbors, which could grow to 1% to 2% less over the same period. The country’s mining sector is a strong driver of the national economy accounting for 3% of national employment in 2018 as well as “65% of export earnings.” The mining sector is on track for a 34% overall increase, led by a predicted 850% increase in demand for iron ore over 2020.

With such a major market component leading the way, other economic areas may expect revitalization as well. In the agricultural sector, employing about two-thirds of Sierra Leone’s workforce, the government encourages mining companies’ investment in communities local to their operations, furthering citizens’ access to food as well as gainful employment. Predictions estimate that the domestic construction and energy industries, both with close links to mining infrastructure, may see growth as well. This combined push for economic renewal assures better days to come for the sub-Saharan nation.

A Bright Future Ahead

Through ongoing foreign support and careful economic measures, Sierra Leone hopes to breathe new life into industries ravaged by COVID-19. With a renewed encouragement of domestic business, the nation looks to bring its citizens forward into a thriving economy and a safer, healthier society. The culmination of these efforts is proving clear less than two years after the nation’s first lockdown with a strong reemergence from the trials of COVID-19’s impact on Sierra Leone, promising a brighter tomorrow for the Sierra Leonean people.

– Alexander Diaz
Photo: Wikipedia Commons

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Global Supply Chain Issues in the Developing World

developing world
More than half of the global population has received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The world is slowly recovering from the devastating effects of the virus. However, a serious post-pandemic symptom has emerged: the global supply chain is struggling. While the supply chain affects the whole planet, there is ample evidence of how global supply chain issues are burdening the developing world.

COVID-19 Measures Slow Down the Supply Chain

COVID-19 prevention measures across the globe have shut down processing plants and restricted transportation. They have included export bans or tight quotas to control supplies and prevent the spread of the virus. These measures have all contributed to disruptions in the global supply chain, which have impacted the developing world in a number of ways. Here are a few examples:

  1. Price volatility puts certain countries in jeopardy. Export bans and other restrictions cause prices to spike and drop unpredictably. That is creating price instability in countries that depend heavily on imports. For example, small pacific islands, such as Kiribati, that rely on imports but had grounded all flights have seen the cost of rice increase by 50%.
  2. There is massive food insecurity in the developing world. As Time reported, the World Food Program (WFP) estimated that the number of people who will starve has effectively doubled due to the pandemic. However, evidence suggests that there is not really a food shortage. Instead, transportation restrictions and protectionist trade policies are disrupting the flow of foods such as wheat and rice. Therefore, there may not be a food shortage problem but rather a food access problem.
  3. Humanitarian agencies have also warned of how global supply chain issues are burdening the developing world. They have expressed concerns that disruptions in the global supply chain may affect their abilities to provide commercial aid to developing countries in need. These agencies and nonprofit groups have experienced trouble acquiring necessary inventory and transporting that inventory to target nations. However, such hardship has not gone unnoticed. The IMF recently issued $650 billion in emergency currency reserves. In addition, it urged developed nations to use this money toward developing nations.
  4. There is also a cyclical relationship between global supply chains and poverty. Global supply chain issues exacerbate poverty and deepen inequality. However, the same poverty begets more disorder in the supply chain. For instance, if unable to profit from crop production, younger generations are likely to abandon traditional farming methods, threatening the smooth flow of the supply chain altogether.

Potential Benefits

Supply chain issues have not entirely punished developing nations. Some developing countries are benefitting, as the prices of their exports continue to skyrocket. For example, major oil exporters in the Middle East have benefitted from rising oil prices, according to The New York Times.

Leaders Look to the Future

Post-pandemic growth can be slow. However, government and private sector world leaders are actively working to speed it up. On October 31, 2021, international leaders met to discuss ways that they could improve the supply chain and make it more resilient in the future.

U.S. President Joe Biden urged for fair labor conditions, the end of trade restrictions and communication.“Now that we have seen how vulnerable these lines of global commerce can be, we cannot go back to business as usual,” the President told Reuters.

– Richard J. Vieira
Photo: Flickr

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The “Great Green Wall” Refugee Camp in Cameroon

Great Green Wall
Refugees in Northern Cameroon have “planted 360,000 seedlings” since 2018 to combat desertification in the Minawao refugee camp. The refugees grew the “Great Green Wall” with help from their host communities, the U.N. and the Lutheran World Federation (LWF). The Dutch Postcode Lottery funded the project with $2.7 million as part of an initiative to plant a continent-wide, 8,000-kilometer barrier of trees to prevent desertification, land degradation and drought. The Great Green Wall now provides ample shade to refugee families in Minawao, allowing them to grow crops and support themselves with a sustainable food supply.

Education and Execution

The Great Green Wall project began with educating the refugees in Minawao on how to plant seedlings using “cocoon technology,” which Land Life Company developed to protect seedlings against harsh environments. Cocoon technology functions by burying water tanks made of recycled cartons in donut shapes around plants’ roots. As a result, the plants have steady access to water, which the plants receive through a string that connects to the water tank. Knowledge of how to plant and sustain seedlings allowed the refugees in Minawao to plant trees in the area without relying too heavily on outside coordinators for help. With the assistance of LWF and the United Nations, the Cameroonian refugees were able to plant a thriving forest to support crops and life in an area that was once bare and dry.

The Wall’s Impact

More than 70,000 refugees have fled to Minawao since 2014 to escape violence from the militant group, Boko Haram, in Nigeria. When the large groups of refugees first arrived in Minawao, the area’s desertification worsened, largely because refugees cut down the few remaining trees in order to survive. The Great Green Wall project committed to addressing deforestation, desertification and land degradation in the area by planting more than 100 hectares, the equivalent of 250 football fields, of trees. Trees from the Great Green Wall project now provide shade, improve soil quality and attract water, all of which improve the quality of life for the refugees living in Minawao.

Development and Sustainability

The next step in the Great Green Wall project is to expand upon its growth and sustainability. The U.N. and LWF are working together to address challenges that arise, in part through reforestation and raising awareness about how the project and planting processes work. LWF has also created a strategy to promote more sustainable energy sources, including eco-friendly briquettes. Briquettes are energy-efficient and pollution-reducing alternatives to firewood. Many women have found new sources of income because of the eco-friendly charcoal, which they sell to refugees and surrounding communities.

The Great Green Wall project is still in progress, but so far, it has provided better living conditions to thousands of refugees in Minawao, Cameroon. Other countries may look to the project as an example of the benefits that arise from addressing desertification in refugee camps. Sustainable reforestation does not only benefit the environment — it can transform communities, offer economic opportunities and improve quality of life.

– Cleo Hudson
Photo: Flickr