Archive for category: Education

Information and stories on education.

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Latest Ebola Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Comes to an End

Ebola Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the CongoOn July 4, 2022, the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Ministry of Health announced the conclusion of the Ebola virus outbreak that impacted the Mbandaka and Wangata health zones. The Ministry of Health officially declared the outbreak on April 23, 2022, after establishing the presence of the Ebola virus in a 31-year-old male who died on April 21, 2022. The Ministry of Health partnered with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other organizations to control the outbreak and prevent further spread, measures that seem to have curbed the impact of the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Ebola outbreak.

Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Taking into account this most recent outbreak, the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Ebola outbreak count has reached 14 since 1976, with six of those outbreaks taking place from 2018 onward. While this number is staggering, it does not necessarily stand out among the numbers reported by fellow African nations. The United Nations, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the WHO have long been involved in fighting Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the rest of Africa. The recording of a large number of outbreaks means that these organizations and countries are able to deploy well-researched methods of treatment and containment.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Ebola Outbreak in 2022

This latest Ebola outbreak in the Equateur Province of the country is the province’s third outbreak since 2018. Health authorities immediately sent a shipment of vaccines to the province from the city of Goma, which undoubtedly helped in the short nature of this outbreak, with it lasting just a few months. The experience of national emergency teams backed by the WHO resulted in a quick response and the deployment of counteractive measures including testing, vaccinations and contact tracing.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Ebola outbreak claimed five lives out of five cases reported with a fatality rate of 100%. These statistics are much lower than the country’s previous outbreak, lasting from June 2020 to November 2020, which saw 130 cases and 55 deaths.

Next Steps

As the country recovers from yet another outbreak of the Ebola virus, the thought of an additional epidemic soon looms overhead. While the number of outbreaks is no cause for celebration, the experience gained from a large number of recent outbreaks better prepares the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the U.N. and the WHO for future epidemics. The development of vaccines, treatments, contact tracing and other preventive measures will lead to a decreased number of future cases and deaths. The country’s partnership with critical health organizations will ensure better disease response and more resilient health care systems.

All in all, as treatment options and medication develops, the state of the recurring Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo appears to be more manageable. The Democratic Republic of Congo controlled this latest outbreak quickly and efficiently, a standard that the country is primed to replicate. While another outbreak is not completely preventable, the country can mitigate the impacts.

– Thomas Schneider
Photo: Flickr

 

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Remembering Eva Perón: Champion for Equality in Argentina

Equality in ArgentinaOn July 26, 2022, Argentina commemorated the 70th anniversary of the life of former actress and First Lady Eva Perón, a leading figure for her contributions to social justice in Argentina. She is especially revered for the passage of the women’s suffrage law which has furthered women’s rights and equality in Argentina.

The Life of Eva Perón

Maria Eva Duarte de Perón was born on May 7, 1919, in the province of Los Toldos, Argentina. Despite her father hailing from a prominent and successful conservative family, Perón, unlike her older siblings, did not enjoy her father’s era of economic prosperity. Instead, she experienced times of hardship and poverty. After her father died in 1926, Perón’s mother relocated the family to the neighboring province of Junin, the town where Perón would realize her calling. Nearly a decade later, she decided to move to Buenos Aires to pursue acting.

In the capital city, Perón was a lead actress for the Argentine Comedy Company and appeared for the first time on the big screen in 1937. The 1930s were a difficult period for Argentina as it was a time of diversification, anxiety, recession and famine. By the early 1940s, the nation fell into political turmoil amid the coming elections.

After the earthquake of 1944, Perón met her husband Juan Perón, a colonel, government official and future president, at a relief effort he coordinated to collect donations for citizens affected by the earthquake. They were married the following year and in 1946, Juan Perón became President of Argentina.

First Lady of Argentina

Upon becoming First Lady of Argentina in 1946, Eva Perón, or “Evita” as she became fondly known, jumped straight into the political arena; she primarily worked out of the Central Post and Telecommunications Office, where she met with workers to solve labor disputes and wage issues. As First Lady, Perón took on the role of being a strong liaison between the president and his people. She used her status and resources to help women’s suffrage, laborers, the marginalized and the poor.

Throughout her short but impactful career as First Lady, Perón worked tirelessly to bring about real change for Argentinians. In the Perón family’s first moments in office, the First Lady actively participated in campaigns to aid Argentina’s poor. She liaised and distributed government allowances to construct clinics and give needy families food and other essential items. Perón also championed a policy that gave impoverished citizens access to reliable housing, social welfare and health care services.

Fight for Women’s Rights and Equality in Argentina

In addition to being a leading advocate for the underprivileged, Perón was a prominent figure in Argentina’s women’s suffrage movement. The suffrage movement in Argentina began at the start of the 20th century but would not gain full traction until 1946 during the campaign and election of Juan Perón for president when Eva Perón’s support helped to shine a spotlight on the importance of gender equality.

As part of her efforts, Perón created a mobilizing campaign, transmitting a weekly speech urging women to fight twice as hard to secure women’s rights in Argentina. On September 23, 1947, the women of Argentina would triumph, gaining their equal right to vote. After the victory, the Perónista party would restructure to create the Partido Perónista Feminino (PPF), an exclusively female party that Perón would spearhead. The PPF would be a central hub of political activities and social work.

Legacy

The height of Evita’s influence and accomplishments in the years before her death in 1952 came through the formation of the Maria Eva Duarte de Perón Foundation in 1948. The foundation aimed to be a strong beacon of social justice that would match the country’s ongoing progress. Through the foundation, Perón would build homes for the elderly and implement a plan to construct educational institutions, agricultural schools, nurseries and housing spaces for students coming to Buenos Aires to study. The foundation would also provide juvenile medical examinations, temporary lodging for working women and donate essential medical equipment to hospitals.

The accomplishments of Eva Perón during her short career as a first lady and social warrior cemented her as an icon in the hearts and minds of the Argentine people. When she died on July 26, 1952, she received a funeral exclusive to heads of state and the title of “Spiritual Leader of the Nation.” Perón will continue to be honored for her selfless devotion to her people and social rights in Argentina.

– Ricardo Silva
Photo: Pixabay

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3 Organizations Combating Poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa

Combating poverty in Sub-Saharan AfricaThe region of sub-Saharan Africa encompasses an aggregate of nations with diverse geographies, histories and cultures. Furthermore, the countries composing sub-Saharan Africa have diverse needs. From unaffordable health care to regional conflict, the issues besetting sub-Saharan Africa have left many of its inhabitants in poverty. Fortunately, philanthropic organizations have stepped up to the plate to remedy the many challenges affecting sub-Saharan Africa. Three organizations, in particular, have shown that there is not a universal methodology for combating poverty in sub-Saharan Africa.

Poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa

According to the World Bank, in 2017, two-thirds of the “global extreme poor population” lived in sub-Saharan Africa. While poverty is actually slowly declining in the region, a rapid rise in population growth is stalling a reduction in the number of impoverished people in sub-Saharan Africa.

However, there are differences among sub-Saharan Africa’s constituent countries. According to the World Bank’s 2018 data, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, 73% of people lived on less than $1.90 per day, the international poverty line. Additionally, the World Bank predicted that 27% of Ethiopians lived below the international poverty line in 2019. Finally, a 2020 U.N. report indicates that 18.9% of South Africans live on less than $1.90 a day.

Agrarian Communities “Grow Together” with Nanmo

Nanmo is an Arabic word meaning “growing together.” This word is the spirit of the partnership between the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Qatar Fund for Development’s $200 million investment in sub-Saharan Africa.

Nanmo’s goal is to provide adaptive ways for rural farmers, especially women, to respond to climate-related difficulties. Mark Suzman, CEO of the Gates Foundation, told the Gulf Times that a “Majority of the poorest living in sub-Saharan Africa are the rural folk. They depend on agriculture…in parts of the world that are seeing much greater temperature fluctuation with frequent floods or frequent droughts.” The collaborative organization gives agrarian communities innovative technologies that can bolster their pathway to food security.

Suzman said that Nanmo was not confined to one country. However, a pilot program in Nigeria and Ethiopia showed an auspicious sign for the future of Nanmo in combating poverty in sub-Saharan Africa.

Efficiency for Access: Ameliorating Poverty through Clean Energy Solutions

In sub-Saharan Africa, more than 600 million people lack a connection to their country’s energy grid. Efficiency for Access, a coalition coordinated by CLASP and Energy Saving Trust, is working to bring life-changing, clean-energy appliances to vulnerable communities.

Bridging the gap between those on and off the energy grid could lead to improved agricultural productivity and thus poverty alleviation. Mike Maina from CLASP told FairPlanet that “In sub-Saharan Africa, 60% to 70% of the population is involved in agricultural livelihoods with the least mechanization in the world. This is a region where using renewable energy can have a big impact, especially on low-income populations.”

In addition to agricultural appliances like solar water pumps, Efficiency for Access also supplies products such as solar-powered refrigerators, electric pressure cookers and fans. As CLASP conveyed to FairPlanet, its theory is to provide people with a livelihood and not just a light bulb.

Zoetis Provides Veterinary Care to Farmers’ Livestock

Despite sub-Saharan Africa’s sizable livestock population, it has the “lowest productivity per animal” of any region. According to Poultry World, Zoetis, an animal health company, is improving the health of livestock through its A.L.P.H.A. initiative. Inaugurated in 2017, this program provides accessible veterinary services to farmers across the region.

Throughout its five years in operation, Zoetis has worked with 128 million animals and educated 26,000 individuals, according to Poultry World. By supplying inoculations and medical training to communities in sub-Saharan Africa, the African Livestock Health and Productivity Advancement program has been a boon for food security in sub-Saharan Africa.

Zoetis’s activity in the region has enabled African communities to produce safer food while reducing the economic burden of raising livestock. Thus, the A.L.P.H.A. initiative has been successfully combating poverty in sub-Saharan Africa.

A Glimpse into the Region’s Future

These three organizations are just some of the numerous charitable entities working on combating poverty in sub-Saharan Africa. While these organizations exemplify a propitious future for the region, it still requires more work.

Governments and NGOs alike need to work in harmony to ensure that the region’s sundry needs are met. However, these three organizations demonstrate that there is no “one size fits all” approach to combating poverty in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite the need for more concerted and adaptable action on behalf of the world’s poor, these three organizations provide a bright glimpse into the future for sub-Saharan Africa.

– Alexander Portner
Photo: Flickr

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Poverty Reduction in Chile

Poverty Reduction in ChileWith the highest GDP per capita in South America in 2020, Chile’s growth in the last few decades has been viewed as a model for Latin American development. Adopting a laissez-faire approach, the government shied away from significant spending on welfare, with the few existing programs geared toward middle and upper-class Chileans. However, recent administrations have made combating poverty a central theme of their campaigns, with presidents like Sebastián Piñera and Gabriel Boric both committing to the elimination of extreme poverty. Poverty reduction in Chile and the challenges the country faces serve as an inspiration and a warning for other developing nations.

Chile’s Approach to Poverty Reduction

Chile’s approach to poverty reduction is based upon a series of programs that focus on short-term income support and long-term economic security. During the 1990s, the Aylwin administration invested in hospitals and schools while also increasing the minimum wage. These reforms halved the number of Chileans living in poverty while contributing to the country’s steady growth throughout the decade. However, the highly centralized and inefficient public services system, coupled with strikes from teachers and health workers, meant Chile required a new solution for the new millennium.

Chile Solidario

With a new presidential administration and the need for change amid stagnating results, the government introduced ‘Chile Solidario’ as the country’s newest front in reducing poverty. Conceived in 2002, the program aimed to help low-income Chileans on an individual level while simplifying the arcane bureaucracy behind the country’s welfare system. Chile Solidario provided those in extreme poverty with cash stimuli and “psycho-social support” from social workers, assisting with immediate needs and future plans. In addition, the program synthesized many smaller financial assistance programs into a cohesive system, aiming to make aid more accessible to low-income citizens.

The program showed some successes with poverty reduction in Chile, albeit with limitations. The clearest evidence supporting Chile Solidario is the rapid decline of the percentage of people living in poverty in the years after the program’s introduction in 2002, from 29% to 8.6% by 2017.

Furthermore, attendance in schools and hospitals rose significantly, suggesting health and educational benefits in the future. A significant drawback of Chile Solidario is that while many in the program leave poverty, the rates of exit from the program are not as high. A study during Chile Solidario’s early years also found that household income per capita among recipients did not significantly increase.

The administration of Piñera further modified Chile Solidario. In 2012, President Piñera replaced Chile Solidario with the Ingreso Ético Familiar (Ethical Family Income). As part of his broader promise to end extreme poverty in Chile, IEF focuses primarily on conditional cash transfers to eligible Chileans, requiring school attendance and regular health checkups.

Looking Ahead

Unfortunately, the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic and Chile’s strict lockdown has challenged the nearly continual progress of poverty reduction in Chile, with the poverty rate increasing from the 2017 low of 8.6% to 10.8% in 2020. Chile’s new president Boric promised $3.7 billion in aid in April 2022, undertaking to create new jobs while raising the minimum wage.

The ongoing debate over Chile’s draft constitution offers hope in the fight against poverty, promising to end job insecurity and institute a universal basic income. However, it also risks undermining the gradual, albeit successful progress of the last four decades in its radical rejection of the blueprint of the 1980 constitution.

Poverty reduction in Chile stands at a crossroads, able to embrace more direct government involvement in reducing the poverty rate or continue to let economic growth naturally spread to its poorest citizens. President Boric’s government seems to firmly favor the former, but in September, it is up to Chileans to decide whether they agree with his vision for the country.

– Samuel Bowles
Photo: Pixabay

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Rising Income in Japan During Hyperinflation

Rising Income in JapanWith inflation leading to soaring prices, effective government intervention is crucial to solving people’s hardships. Recent reports suggest that Japan may be able to teach the world a lesson in this regard. Japan’s economy has maintained a mild deflationary state for decades and overall prices have been relatively stable. However, this year, the island nation has rarely ushered in 2% inflation against the backdrop of rising prices around the world. While Japan’s price hikes are nothing compared to many other countries, unchanged wages are making life more stressful for consumers caught off guard by inflation. Fortunately, the Japanese government has introduced some effective measures against the wage issue, which have improved the lives of ordinary Japanese people. This article will briefly explore the topic of rising income in Japan recently.

Increasing Minimum Wages

Japan’s Central Minimum Wage Council recently issued a new policy, which is to raise the minimum wage standard across Japan by ¥30 per hour. This is the largest minimum wage increase ever issued by the Japanese government. Rising domestic prices stimulated this policy in Japan due to the sluggish yen and the Russian-Ukrainian war. The policy ensures the rights and purchasing power of ordinary Japanese workers.

Senior officials of the Japanese government have also attached great importance to basic wages and livelihood issues. In an interview with reporters, Deputy chief cabinet secretary Seiji Kihara said that raising the minimum wage is an investment in the people and he hopes that the rising trend of basic wages can keep up with the development of new capitalism.

Rising Total Income in Japan

In addition to setting requirements for basic wages, the Japanese government not long ago encouraged Japan’s major companies to raise workers’ wages on the premise of rising prices. In fact, the government wants companies to raise wages to the same extent as prices rise. This major move came with the support of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s economic policy. In fact, it was he who promised to bring New Capitalism to voters, which requires “a virtuous cycle of growth and redistribution driven by investment into people,” according to Japan Times.

Many Japanese companies have followed suit, including major car companies such as Toyota and Hitachi. They heeded the government’s call, even though their business was hurt by soaring oil and wheat prices as a result of the Russia-Ukraine war. In February 2022, Labor unions of major electronics and car manufacturing industries planned to raise workers’ wages by around ¥3,000.

The rising income in Japan during hyperinflation is the result of the government’s efforts to ensure a virtuous circle of the economy, as well as maintain the normal living standards and purchasing power of the people. Although the world economy in 2022 could cause difficulties for many countries, the Japanese government’s practical actions tell us that every government may have a role in caring for the needs of the people.

– Ella Li
Photo: Flickr

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6 Facts about Mental Health in North Korea

Mental Health in North KoreaAs one of the most secluded nations on earth, it is no surprise that many aspects of North Korean life remain a mystery to outsiders. However, the lack of psychiatric help for mental health in North Korea is well documented and corroborated by defectors. According to a 2014 South Korean study published in the National Library of Medicine, 76.3% of North Korean defectors suffered from mental illnesses that typically went untreated in their homeland. As opposed to the Western view of mental health as a health problem that should be treated by medical professionals, North Korean society sees mental health issues as a byproduct of the individual’s lack of support for the nation’s “revolutionary” ideology.

5 Facts About Mental Health in North Korea

  1. A medical problem misdiagnosed as political. Among both elites and those in poverty, mental health conditions in North Korea tend to go untreated and there are no counselors and psychotherapists. Instead of clinically treating mental health in North Korea with counseling, compatriots view those who have mental health issues as dissidents who are disloyal to North Korean ideology. As a result of this stigmatization, mental health is a very taboo topic in North Korean society.
  2. Number 49 Hospitals. Although North Korea does not utilize psychiatry or counseling to treat mental illness, those deemed mentally ill are placed in “Number 49 Hospitals” upon their family’s request. These facilities practice antiquated techniques such as insulin-coma therapy, where staff members inject “subjects” with high doses of insulin in order to create a coma-like state that lasts for days. The stigmas surrounding “49” inhabitants also cause North Korean society to brand these individuals as outcasts. As a result of this, families with relatives in “49” facilities often lose sociopolitical status due to stigmas.
  3. Defector’s Trauma. According to Dankook University professor Jin-Won Noh and National Medical Center psychiatrist So Hee Lee’s October 2020 study “Trauma History and Mental Health of North Korean Defectors,” only 5% of adult North Korean defectors did not have exposure to trauma when in North Korea. Out of the 95% who dealt with traumatic events in the North, the most common types of trauma stemmed from witnessing government executions, enduring starvation, starvation-related deaths of family and friends, witnessing extreme physical assaults and “escaping arrest following defection.” North Korean defectors also struggle with assimilating into South Korean society due to cultural and linguistic differences.
  4. Long-Term Effects of the Arduous March. North Korea’s famine in the 1990s caused catastrophic death tolls, with millions of citizens dying from hunger. The international aid given to North Koreans during the Arduous March also directly undermined the North Korean government’s claims of self-reliance and complete isolation. However, its effects on mental health are long-term, with these traumatic experiences linked to drug addiction and mental illness among North Koreans. For example, Lee Kwan-Hyung, a researcher from the Seoul-based Database Center for North Korean Human Rights, estimated that 30% of North Koreans used drugs as of 2016, with methamphetamine and opioids the most common. Due to its appetite-suppressing properties, methamphetamine usage spiked during North Korea’s 1990s famine.
  5. Malnourishment’s effect on the brain. Between 2018 and 2020, 42% of North Koreans experienced malnourishment. This extreme food insecurity also has extremely damaging effects on mental health and brain development. For example, malnourishment is linked to mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and concentration difficulties.
  6. Organizations that Aim to Help. Due to its isolationist nature, organizations outside of North Korea cannot provide mental health counseling to North Korean citizens living in North Korea. However, there are groups such as Crossing Borders that give assistance to North Korean defectors that cross into China. Although Crossing Borders is a faith-based group, they also perform secular duties such as providing medical support, shelter, counseling and safety for refugees at risk of trafficking or abuse.

Looking Ahead

North Korea’s failure to properly diagnose and treat mental illnesses with psychiatric care has caused the problem to fester over time. Historical traumas dating back to the nation’s strict rule and history of famine have made the problem endemic in North Korean society. However, other issues connected to mental health in North Korea, such as stigmatization of those in need of help, are not necessarily unique to North Korean society, with similar problems occurring in Western countries as well.

– Salvatore Brancato
Photo: Flickr

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2022 Sees a Rise in Public Giving

Rise in Public GivingU.S. inflation reached 9.1% in June 2022, the highest inflation rate in nearly 40 years. An alarming rise in the cost of goods and services paired with stock market volatility reflects ongoing concerns of a burgeoning economic recession. Economists’ forecasts grow bleaker as the government races to tackle historic inflation rates. Even so, 2022 sees a rise in public giving despite mounting economic hardship.

2022 Fidelity Charitable Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs)

According to Fidelity Charitable, the largest grantmaker in the United States, Americans donated a record-high $4.8 billion to Fidelity Charitable accounts within the first six months of 2022. Approximately $128 million of these donations went to Ukrainian relief efforts, providing aid to alleviate the many crises Russia’s invasion of Ukraine caused. Donations to prominent NGOs such as Jose Andres’s Central World Kitchen and the International Medical Corps also increased significantly when compared to previous years.

Fidelity Charitable’s 11% increase in donations is a significant divergence from the norm, as charitable giving is generally the first thing cut from the budget during times of financial duress. The 2008 financial crisis, for example, caused donation rates to plummet by approximately 12%, according to Fast Company.

Recent changes in America’s charitable activity can be attributed to the emerging prominence of Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs). DAFs allow individuals and corporations alike to deposit assets for donations to charity over time. Donors invest their charitable donations in advance, allowing them to tap into these funds later down the road when a crisis unfolds. DAFs are essentially donation reserves that allow donors to access funds that have been already been set aside, thus enabling a steady rise in public giving despite mounting economic hardship.

DAFs Bolster Americans Capacity to Give

DAFs are quite new and have grown in popularity since the financial crisis of 2008. Because DAFs create a ready supply of donations over time, they bolster donors and charities alike against future economic hardships. Rapid economic expansion in the decade since the 2008 market crash boosted general economic confidence and encouraged expansive investment in DAFs, which is translating into elevated levels of giving during times of crisis, according to Fast Company.

The purpose of DAFs is to increase the amount that individuals and corporations are able to give. They are incredibly flexible, allowing individuals to invest cash donations as well as assets such as stocks, bonds, cryptocurrencies, life insurance and retirement funds, according to Nerd Wallet. The versatility of DAFs is part of what makes them so successful, as they provide a plethora of investment options that appeal to everyone from the wealthy elite to the average middle-class American family.

Once an individual invests assets in a DAF, they cannot retrieve their contribution from the fund. This works to prevent individuals or companies from abusing DAFs for their tax-deduction qualities. Sponsoring organization controls DAFs, which controls the assets within DAFs as well as the investment options available to donors, according to Nerd Wallet. Once invested, DAF assets mature or appreciate tax-free until they are donated.

Some sponsor organizations do not have a mandatory distribution date, meaning that a donor can allow their funds to grow as long as they wish before donating. Other sponsor organizations require donors to contribute a portion of their funds to charity regularly in order to avoid fraudulent activity.

DAFs offer various tax benefits, permitting donors to receive tax deductions for their DAF contributions. Tax-related donor benefits contributed to the expansive rise in DAF investment in the past decade, fostering the current rise in public giving despite mounting economic hardship. The tax deductions attributed to DAFs faced criticism in the past as they provide a possible tax shelter for the wealthy. Despite these concerns, DAFs have proven a vital funding source for charities during times of economic volatility by bolstering Americans’ capacity to give.

An Evolution in How Americans Give

Although it is America’s largest DAF sponsor organization, expanding DAF investment is not unique to Fidelity Charitable. The 15th annual DAF report by the National Philanthropic Trust of 2021 analyzes data from 976 charitable DAF sponsor organizations from 2020. The report found that DAF donor grants reached approximately $34.67 billion in 2021, an astonishing 27% increase since 2019.

Additionally, the number of individual DAF accounts within the U.S. reached 1 million for the first time in history. This encouraging increase in charitable investment and DAF donations seems counterintuitive considering the economic austerity imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The success of DAFs in 2020 and 2021 reflects the current rise in public giving despite mounting economic hardship.

Experts are confident that donation rates will continue to rise as 2022 persists, surpassing all previous records. Historically, Americans tend to give more during the fourth quarter of the financial year. The President of Fidelity Charitable, Jacob Pruitt, expects this trend to continue, with hopes of surpassing 2021’s year-end record of $10.3 billion, Fast Company reports. These donations will be a pertinent source of aid for low-income nations that are most vulnerable to high inflation rates.

Most DAF sponsor organizations do not have a minimum initial contribution, meaning anyone is welcome to open an account, according to Nerd Wallet. A small initial investment followed by regular deposits will appreciate over time, allowing one to mature their donation reserve at a pace that fits their financial situation. DAFs are an investment, so starting one now will not reap immediate results nor will it provide instant gratification.

If the past few years have taught us anything, it is that the course of life is unpredictable and that there will always be someone, somewhere in need of assistance. DAFs were designed with this reality in mind, enabling charitable individuals to plan ahead and prepare a ready reserve that can be tapped into when the need arises. A small DAF contribution today could translate into a major impact in the future, so there really is no better time to start investing than the present.

– Mollie Lund
Photo: Flickr

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Food, Fuel and Finance Crisis in Sri Lanka

Crisis in Sri LankaSri Lanka is experiencing an economic crisis of massive proportions.  The U.N. has dubbed it a “food, fuel and finance crisis” that is endangering millions of people. This economic crisis has been building since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it has recently culminated in a massive fuel shortage that has paralyzed the economy. The food, fuel and finance crisis in Sri Lanka is an indicator of a worldwide trend of rising prices, resource shortages and civil unrest.

Desperation and Unrest in Sri Lanka

Countries all over the world, both developed and developing have experienced the economic and social shocks of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine. Many nations are fearing a looming recession, poor health care resources amidst the pandemic and a slowing job market. For developing countries, this means a nearly complete depletion of food, energy, economic stability and COVID-19 response.

The U.N. found that three months of consistent heightened inflation have caused around 71 million people to fall into poverty. The citizens of many developing countries, including Sri Lanka are turning to public political turmoil out of desperation.

Since the end of June, Sri Lanka has been experiencing one of the worst fuel shortages in history. The demand for fuel is so high and the supply is so low that people often have to wait in line for over two days to fill their tanks. One woman said that she spends more than half of her income on fuel.

The Sri Lankan government has demanded that anyone who can must work remotely, schools have been shut down and public transportation services are almost completely stopped, according to The Business Standard. The country has essentially come to a complete standstill.

This fuel crisis comes alongside a prolonged economic catastrophe in Sri Lanka, in which citizens have been facing severe shortages of medicine and inflation that has skyrocketed to 55%. Sri Lankans are also experiencing governmental uncertainty, as their president resigned after a series of protests. The food, fuel and finance crisis in Sri Lanka also comes from a history of debt defaulting and account deficits. Sri Lanka’s economy and exports have been unstable since the 1980s and they are now crumbling as a result of the war in Ukraine, The Business Standard reports.

The Crisis in Sri Lanka is Apart from a Larger Trend

The crisis in Sri Lanka is an indicator of a more widespread food, fuel, and financial crisis that is seriously harming many low-income countries. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is claiming that the war in Ukraine is causing a wave of rising prices for essential commodities – food, fuel, medicine and energy – that are plunging millions into a standard of living crisis. The crisis put in danger about 1.6 billion people in 94 countries.

In the Middle East and North Africa, the livelihoods of 2.8 million people are threatened by this crisis and over 500 million people in Asia are exposed to the food and finance crisis, according to the U.N.

International Organizations Attempt to Break the Cycle of Crisis

International organizations like the U.N. and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are not ignoring the crisis in Sri Lanka and other countries, but they are not doing enough to help either. In order to avoid further civil unrest and slow the growing numbers of people experiencing extreme poverty, international organizations could focus on multilateral investments that pay more in capital and are focused specifically on targeted lending and crisis response measures, the U.N. reports.

The U.N. has employed its Global Crisis Response Group to administer targeted cash transfers directly to the affected countries as a form of direct aid.

Going Forward Amidst a Global Crisis

There has been widespread suffering globally due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine.  However, low-income and developing countries are experiencing record-breaking levels of hunger and lack of resources. The Secretary General of the U.N. believes that solving the global crisis is not possible without first paying attention to the economic crisis in developing countries.

People in low-income countries are in desperate need of food, economic support, fuel and adequate health care. Hopefully, international organizations and high-income countries can step in and help.

– Ella DeVries
Photo: Flickr

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International Student Scholarships in the United Kingdom

Student Scholarships in the United KingdomNowadays, many universities look to promote cultural diversity and provide opportunities for high-achieving disadvantaged students who face challenges in accessing higher education in a foreign country. Through international student scholarships in the United Kingdom, British universities are able to provide disadvantaged international students opportunities to study abroad. The number of fully funded scholarships that British universities have given has increased in recent years. For example, the available scholarships went from 2,840 for the 2021-22 academic year to 3,310 for the 2022-23 academic year. This article will provide an overview of student scholarships in the United Kingdom while providing some examples.

Overview of International Student Scholarships in the United Kingdom

In 2022, more than 3,000 opportunities for student scholarships in the United Kingdom covered multiple levels of higher education degrees, supporting students from bachelor’s degrees up to master’s degrees and doctoral degrees. Many of those fully funded scholarships are open to students from all over the globe, without any discrimination and exclusion, which could give the British universities a diverse, global academic environment and help more people from varying cultural backgrounds reach for a better life.

Some scholarships in the U.K. aim to help those most in need and are specifically for students from low-income backgrounds. The British government provides some of those scholarships, like the Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships. Meanwhile, individual universities, like the UCL (University College London) Global Masters Scholarship, provide others.

Special Scholarships For Indian Students

In June 2022, the U.K., cooperating with businesses in India, announced 75 fully-funded one-year master’s program scholarships awarded to talented Indian students. It is worth noting that the year 2022 happens to be the 75th anniversary of India’s independence from the United Kingdom after shedding its colonial status. The scholarship covers the university’s tuition fees, the cost of transportation and the students’ daily expenses.

Chevening, the British government’s international awards scheme that provides many student scholarships in the U.K., has partnered with Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) India to sponsor 15 of those 75 scholarships. HSBC India CEO Hitendra Dave believes that students receiving the money all have the potential to become leading stars in different fields.

Special Scholarships to Assist Ukrainian Students

The armed conflicts between Ukraine and Russia has severely affected the learning process of many university students in Ukraine. Under such circumstances, the University of Edinburgh has generously started implementing a pilot program for a sanctuary scholarship scheme that aims to aid students during conflicts.

The pilot program directly helps Ukrainian doctoral students whose study activities cannot carry on normally due to the war. The program “will enable students to study in Edinburgh, make short visits to the city, or receive support and mentoring to continue their research studies in their own country.”

In 2021, the U.K. ranked 10th on the list of countries providing financial support for international students. Through international student scholarships in the United Kingdom, disadvantaged students across the world have the opportunity to study at renowned institutions. With this high-quality tertiary education, these students are able to secure skilled jobs that pay well and enable them to improve their living standards.

– Ella Li
Photo: Flickr

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The Health Crisis in Ukraine

Health Crisis in UkraineMonths of war leaves a health crisis in Ukraine and its healthcare system strained to provide proper healthcare to the citizens. As many healthcare facilities are destroyed and many more are overwhelmed with the number of patients, healthcare workers work long hours treating patients with short-term to long-term illnesses like HIV, tuberculosis and polio.

World Health Organization Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that “this war has gone on for 100 days too many,” as the war in Ukraine is “shattering lives and communities and imperiling the short- and long-term health of Ukraine’s people”.

HIV

The HIV virus affects the immune system and leads to AIDS if untreated. Even before the war started, Ukraine suffered an epidemic of HIV, with an estimated 250,000 people diagnosed and many more not realizing they have the virus. HIV is more common among people who struggle with drug addiction and sex workers, in other words, people living on the marginalized side of society.

USAID provides support and services to treat people with HIV. However, with the ongoing war and the health crisis in Ukraine, it is hard for patients to get tested for HIV or receive the proper treatment.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is a bacterial disease in the lungs with about 33% of cases connected with drug use. Meanwhile, only 76% of patients receive successful treatment for the disease, with the remaining 24% not completing or receiving their treatment too late. Additionally, some TB victims are asymptomatic, causing the disease to spread rapidly.

Because of the war and the COVID-19 pandemic, the rate of detecting TB dropped. TB is one of the leading causes of death of HIV patients, and because of the health crisis in Ukraine, TB can spread easily and cause more deaths.

Polio

Similar to HIV, Ukraine experienced an outbreak of polio before the Russian invasion. Polio is a virus that affects the spinal cord that can lead to paralysis or even death. Children under the age of five are especially vulnerable to the virus.

Vaccination is possible, but the Russian invasion interrupted a campaign to vaccinate children against the virus. Even so, vaccination rates for polio are under 50% in Ukraine. Areas similar to Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, have struggled to combat polio due to a lack of vaccination.

World Health Organization Increases Its Presence

Before the war started, Ukraine was on a path of progress with health care. In 2014, the Ministry of Health implemented the National Strategy on Health to help improve the quality of health. However, the ongoing war halted progress as hospitals and health care services were destroyed.

Because of the health crisis in Ukraine, WHO increased its presence in Ukraine and in countries with refugees. Since the start of the war, Ukraine confirmed over 260 attacks on their healthcare system as of June 2.

“WHO is doing everything we can to support Ukraine’s Ministry of Health and deliver essential medical supplies and equipment,” Ghebreyesus said. “But the one medicine that Ukraine needs most is the one that WHO can’t deliver – peace. We call on the Russian Federation to end the war.”

To meet the needs of the health crisis in Ukraine, WHO appealed to the U.S. for $147.5 million. WHO wants to use $80 million to provide support to the people still in Ukraine and an additional $67.5 million to support countries with refugees.

A Look Ahead

Even though Ukraine is experiencing a health crisis as a result of the Russian invasion, international organizations similar to the WHO provide medical support while also advocating for monetary support to the U.S. government.

– Chris Karenbauer
Photo: Flickr