Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

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Homelessness in Zambia: The Negative Side of Urbanization

Homelessness in ZambiaZambia is quickly becoming one of sub-Saharan Africa’s most urbanized countries, but homelessness in Zambia is becoming increasingly prevalent. Zambia’s housing stock has a national deficit of 1.3 million units, which is projected to double by 2025. More than 60% of the Zambian population is under the poverty line, living on $2 a day; 40% are considered to be facing extreme poverty, with $1.25 a day. Roughly 70% of people living in urban areas do not have access to proper housing. They live in informal settlements that often have inadequate access to clean water or sanitation.

Urbanization Spurs Zambia’s Housing Crisis

High-income jobs are typically found in urban areas, making the urbanization rate nearly double the population growth rate. Increased urbanization increases the demand for jobs, stagnates wage growth and raises the price of housing. According to a 2010 estimate, when you compare purchasing power, the cost of living in Lusaka is higher than in Washington, D.C. In 1996, Zambia’s National Housing Policy was put into place. This policy recommended that 15% of the country’s budget every year be designated for housing developments. This policy was awarded the 1996 “HABITAT Scroll of Honor” by the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements, commending the policy’s focus on involving community participation.

Zambia’s Homeless and Poor People’s Federation was founded to raise awareness and offer possible solutions to Zambia’s housing crisis. It opened a house model during Lusaka’s 83rd Agricultural and Commercial Show. The Federation aimed to demonstrate the power and intelligence that the homeless community can leverage in finding solutions to the problems they face. It wanted to raise awareness around the concept of building incrementally and using low-cost building materials.

Child Homelessness & Solutions

Roughly 1.5 million Zambian children live on the streets, either due to being orphaned or due to extreme poverty. There are roughly 1.4 million orphans under the age of 15 in Zambia, and roughly 750,000 of these children were orphaned due to HIV/AIDS. This has led to a crisis in Zambia, as many street children are being exploited for child prostitution.

What’s being done to address child homelessness? First, approximately 75% of all Zambian households care for at least one orphan. The Zambian Ministry of Sport, Youth, and Child Development partnered with the Ministry of Defense to create youth rehabilitation and reintegration programs. Since the start of these programs in 2006, roughly 1,200 children have completed the rehabilitation program, with mixed results.

Other organizations are working to protect the rights of vulnerable children in Zambia. SOS Children’s Villages, established in 1996, helps provide safe housing for disadvantaged youth in Zambia. It also provides accessible education and medical treatment. To date, over 4,700 Zambian children have received education from SOS Children’s Villages, and over 7,000 have been enrolled in the Family Strengthening Program. Additionally, over 688 Zambian children have been provided with alternative care. Meanwhile, UNICEF works with the Zambian government to improve policies surrounding social services and the protection of Zambia’s orphans.

Land Policies Aim to Address Homelessness in Zambia

Several groups are working to improve housing conditions for Zambia’s homeless population. Habitat for Humanity raises awareness around land rights and focuses on empowering Zambian community members to advocate for the issues important to them. In 2018, 1,965 people volunteered with Habitat to help improve the housing available for people living in Zambia. The Internally Displaced Peoples’ Voice (Zambia) likewise promotes housing rights for vulnerable populations.

The Zambia Land Alliance promotes pro-poor land policy, criticizing past Zambian land rights policies for being too narrow and allowing abuse by public officials. For example, the Zambian Land Acts of 1995 state that “conversion of rights from customary tenure to leasehold tenure shall have effect only after the approval of the chief and the local authorities,” which can become problematic when local officials are not acting in the best interest of the affected communities. The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources has revealed that some public officials have been selling land to foreign investors, specifically commercial farmers, who then push out small, local farmers. There are currently land policies being drafted that emphasize the importance of improving land delivery mechanisms in Zambia.

Conclusion

When thinking about Zambian homelessness, it is important to look at the nation’s history. Many members of the United Nations have emphasized the impact of colonialism in spurring global homelessness, calling for greater support from developed nations. Dennis Chiwele of Zambia suggested that homelessness is often incited by urbanization and a lack of governmental safety nets. Countries like the United States should help nations like Zambia cope with these more complex side effects of urbanization.

– Danielle Forrey
Photo: Flickr

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7 Facts About Hunger in Côte d’Ivoire

Hunger in Côte d'IvoireThe West African nation of Côte d’Ivoire, also known as the Ivory Coast, is located on the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean, bordered by five other countries: Liberia, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso and Ghana. It is a country of almost 30 million people. Following the conclusion of a civil war in 2011, Côte d’Ivoire experienced economic growth rates averaging almost 7% per year—6.5% in 2023. Despite this growth, however, the country still struggles with endemic poverty and hunger. It ranks 166 out of 193 countries in the U.N.’s Human Development Index which ranks achievement of a long and healthy life, access to knowledge and a decent standard of living. This HDI rank of 166 is “Low,” but Côte d’Ivoire has been steadily, if slowly, improving over the past three decades. 

Under President Alassane Ouattara, Côte d’Ivoire has focused on the economy and the middle class, launching its ambitious first National Development Plan (2016-2020) in December 2015 in order to transform the country into a middle-income economy by 2020. The 2021-2025 plan aims to achieve upper middle-income status, with attention to the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals, regional and international development priorities and the African Union’s 2063 vision. As with other countries, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and COVID-19 slowed progress.

7 Facts About Hunger in Côte d’Ivoire

  1. Côte d’Ivoire’s Global Hunger Index is “Serious.” Côte d’Ivoire ranks 86 out of the 125 countries with sufficient data for the GHI’s peer-reviewed assessment, based on population undernourishment, child (under age 5) stunting, child wasting and child mortality. This is a 42.8% improvement in its ranking over the past 15 years, moving it out of the “Alarming” classification to “Serious.” The most serious indicator is child stunting at over 20%, but that has declined from almost 40% during the same time period. All the other indicators are currently under 10%. 
  2. GRFC sees acute food insecurity. For the first time in its history, the 2024 Global Report on Food Crises classified Côte d’Ivoire as a major food crisis because of food access being hindered by the high cost of living. While a high level of food insecurity was not projected, it was estimated that more than a million people would be so classified, although good harvests were expected to improve the situation. 
  3. Hunger in Côte d’Ivoire is significantly impacted by the fact that 37.5% of people in Côte d’Ivoire live below the National Poverty Line; almost 10% are below the International Poverty Line of $2.15/day (2021). Extreme poverty, reflected by the International Poverty Line was expected to have risen to 11% in 2023 but to stabilize in 2024 at 10.2%, continuing to fall to 9.6% by 2026. Economic growth and increased employment are countered by inflation in affecting the extent of poverty.
  4. The Sahel region crises have impacted Côte d’Ivoire. Armed violence, human rights violations, and climate change have led to significant displacements in the region that includes Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. The crisis escalated in early 2023, with over 61,000 asylum seekers estimated to have migrated to northern Côte d’Ivoire. Over half are children and over half are women. Needless to say, this has had a significant impact on communities that were already vulnerable. 
  5. The World Food Programme (WFP) has worked with the Ivoirian government and partners since 1968. WFP has concentrated its support in Côte d’Ivoire’s north, west and northeast rural areas identified as having more food insecure and vulnerable people. WFP activities include attention to malnutrition, school feeding and food system improvements. 
  6. Action Against Hunger has worked in Côte d’Ivoire since 2002. Action Against Hunger estimates that there are over three million people facing hunger in Côte d’Ivoire and that they helped 325,778 last year. Food scarcity, especially during the “lean season,” is impacted by conflict disruptions, trade embargoes, crop deficits and widespread poverty. Action Against Hunger’s approach is to prevent, detect and treat hunger, which they have done by partnering with local community members to provide and strengthen health services and the health system. The organization’s work with young people includes a mobile application to facilitate access to information and care in sexual and reproductive health, as well as mental health support. 
  7. Climate resilience can lead to agricultural improvements. Côte d’Ivoire is the largest producer of cocoa in the world, and a successful harvest is vital for Ivoirians to feed their families. Since 2022, the U.N.’s Food and Agricultural Organization, financed by the Green Climate Fund, has worked with Côte d’Ivoire to implement project PROMIRE, Promoting Deforestation-Free Cocoa Production to Reduce Emissions. PROMIRE has restored forest areas and converted conventional cocoa plots to agroecosystems or agroforestry. The European Union, which imports half of the country’s cocoa, will put deforestation regulations in place at the end of the year, so these improvements are critical to the country’s economy. 

– Staff Reports
Photo: Flickr
Updated: September 23, 2024

Broadening the Scope: Healthcare for Indigenous Canadians

Healthcare for Indigenous CanadiansIn Canada, indigenous people face many struggles. One of the most prominent ones is navigating the healthcare system. In the wake of a recent scandal in British Columbia, where hospital workers would guess indigenous patients’ blood alcohol level and the pressures faced by the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada has had to reckon with how its healthcare system treats First Nations and other indigenous peoples.

Policy Background

Canada has implemented some policies such as Aboriginal patient navigators in hospitals to help Indigenous Canadians get access to healthcare resources and make them feel more comfortable while in the hospital. However, some Indigenous patients are too nervous or were never informed of the navigators.

Bias in the system has contributed to issues such as a stroke experienced by an Indigenous patient being confused for alcohol intoxication, leading to his death. Furthermore, information on healthcare distributed by the government isn’t as accessible in Indigenous communities. One notable example of how racism affects health is in the high Indigenous infant mortality rate in Canada. The rate for Indigenous infants is around two to four times higher than those of non-Indigenous descent.

Kind Faces Sharing Places Initiative

A government program has emerged aimed at fighting this statistic called Kind Faces Sharing Places. It has researchers based in Toronto. The main possible solution the program has suggested for implementation is more access to basic needs that both parents and infants will need. Housing, adequate nutritious food and safety are all high on the list.

The reason why Indigenous parents and their children do not have access to these basic needs in the first place is the inequality that has persisted in Canada for centuries. In 2006, it was found that Indigenous Canadians earn about 30% less than the average Canadian. It was also estimated that it would take another 63 years for this gap to close.

More Inclusivity Needed

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared wealth as the “single largest determinant of health.” With less wealth, Indigenous Canadians live in “poorer” areas; areas that generally have worse education and environmental problems. These considerations make it continually difficult to break the cycle of inequality.

Overall, while Canada has been heralded by many for its universal healthcare system that system seems to ostracize and ignore Indigenous and First Nations communities that need it the most. There have been efforts to try and increase access to these communities through Aboriginal patient navigators and Kind Faces Sharing Places, but as evidenced by the recent British Columbia scandal, Canada has a long way to go before it can say it provides adequate health care for all of its people.

– Tara Suter
Photo: Flickr

Disability Services in India

Disability Services in IndiaThe fight for the rights of the disabled has been a long and treacherous road. Even today, many regard disabilities as the karmic result of the disabled person’s sins from a previous life and shame them for it. Here is a brief summary of the movement for rights and disability services in India.

History

People with disabilities largely lived as societal “outcasts” until and even throughout the 1970s. Individuals began to advocate for rights and disability services in the 1970s, but the movement itself did not really take off until the 1980s. Throughout the 1980s, the Indian welfare system became more of a developmental system, shifting the stigma surrounding the disabled as being charity cases. People also began focusing on disability services in India within the medical system by the end of the 1980s.

The Rehabilitation Council of India was set up in 1986, which regulated and standardized rehabilitation programs for the disabled. This was followed by the Mental Health Act, which was passed in 1987 and focused on regulating standards in mental health institutions. The People With Disabilities Act (PWDA) was passed in 1995, which reserved 3% of governmental positions for people with disabilities.

Current Legislation

Employer requirements in India have been expanded over the past few decades to provide accessibility and equality to disabled employees. These include providing training, benefits and accessible environments for disabled people. Businesses also are required to conform to governmental accessibility requirements on all new builds and must frame and publish an Equal Opportunities Policy that shows posts and vacancies in the company suitable for people with disabilities. Employers are not allowed to fire an employee because of any disability sustained while employed.

Disability Services in India Today

The 2011 national census in India reported that 26.8 million people, or 2.21% of the population, suffer from some kind of disability. However, disabilities in India are ill-defined vastly underreported. If a citizen is educated and/or working, it is likely that the census taker will not report them as disabled, no matter what their condition is. Because of this, the global census estimates that the disabled population in India is closer to 15%.

Without accurate data, the Indian government cannot accurately allocate funds for disability services, which includes inclusive education, medical support and construction of accessible infrastructure.

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO’s) are a major source of disability rehabilitation in India but are starved for resources. There are about 1,600 voluntary disability service organizations in India, and they all compete for a small amount of government funding. Because of this, the staff members are grossly underpaid,  the conditions are poor and there is a lack of organization.

While changes are being made to create and expand disability services in India, there is little to no awareness about these changes or the issues themselves. For example, the government created a line of wheelchair-accessible buses but neglected to advertise for them or release the schedule for the buses. After several months of low wheelchair-user ridership, the buses discontinued services.

Despite this, more successful organizations have been able to provide services and raise awareness, such as the National Association for the Deaf and peer counselors in Mumbai offering services to people with disabilities living independently. Disability services in India have come a long way over the past 50 years, but raising awareness about the issues and changes that have already been made is the next step on the road to equal rights for those living with disabilities in India.

– Caroline Warrick-Schkolnik
Photo: Flickr

Homelessness in Lebanon: Bridging the Gap

Homelessness in LebanonLebanon has struggled economically for years, with troubles only worsening with the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. Over the past 40 years, the country has experienced spillover from the Syrian civil war, its own civil war, gaps in political leadership and a garbage crisis. Now, the pandemic is threatening to plunge more Lebanese people into poverty and possibly without adequate shelter.

Background

Homelessness in Lebanon has been an issue for decades. Lebanon’s civil war, lasting from 1975 to the early 1990s, displaced an estimated 1 million people and resulted in about $25 million in damaged property. Then, a war from July to August of 2006 displaced another million people. Habitat for Humanity reports that the second war destroyed more than 100,000 homes.

The fallout of these wars left Lebanon in significant debt. Reconstruction has been costly and on top of that, Lebanon’s political unrest prevented the completion of the country’s recovery.

Refugee Crisis and COVID-19

Since the Syrian civil war has made Lebanon host to 1.5 million refugees as of 2019. This has put an enormous strain on the country and the housing industry. On top of an existing poverty problem, the influx of refugees has made homelessness in Lebanon more of a threat, as they have contributed to pre-existing issues such as poor access to water sanitation and the garbage crisis.

Additionally, the pandemic may be a key factor in increasing the number of homeless Lebanese. Nearly half of Lebanon’s population currently lives below the poverty line according to the World Bank, as opposed to 33% just last September. It’s estimated that, with the addition of the coronavirus, this number could climb to over 75%. Housing is a basic need. However, when families are experiencing extreme poverty, they may have to make decisions like choosing food or medicine over shelter, leaving them in an extremely vulnerable position.

Shelter Partners Addressing Homelessness in Lebanon

Habitat for Humanity has worked to help improve housing poverty in Lebanon by providing microloans to those whose homes are in dire need of renovation such as lack of toilets and damaged roofs. They are also providing financial literacy training and partner with NGOs to provide home repairs to vulnerable families.

Another organization aiming to help homelessness in Lebanon is the Shelter Working Group, a coordination group that helps increase, improve and provide shelter to refugees and vulnerable persons. Oxfam reports that in February 2014, the Shelter Working Group provided 344,000 people in Lebanon with shelter assistance, including 264,000 Syrian refugees, 57,000 PRS (Palestine Refugees from Syria) and 23,000 vulnerable host families. Between January and June of 2019, shelter partners in Lebanon had reached 69,216 people.

While these numbers are encouraging and provide hope for the future, it is important to remember that the coronavirus is leading to a rise in poverty that could directly relate to a rise in homelessness. It is possible Lebanon will need these resources more than ever.

– Sophie Grieser
Photo: Flickr

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USAID Saves Thousands of Babies

USAID Saves Thousands of BabiesRoughly 2.76 million newborns die each year, with preventable infections causing at least 15% of those deaths. For instance, a baby’s cut umbilical cord could allow bacteria to enter their body, leading to life-threatening newborn sepsis. To avoid neonatal deaths like this, cord stump care at birth is critical, particularly in settings with poor hygiene. Thankfully, with national assistance, USAID saves thousands of babies in Nepal and other countries around the world.

There is a low-cost, easily manufactured and easily distributed life-saving solution that the World Health Organization (WHO) recognized in 1998 as a suitable antiseptic for cord care. Commonly found in mouth wash and hand sanitizers, chlorhexidine is an antiseptic gel that USAID helped produce for nations with the greatest need since 2002. Nepal was the first nation to adopt chlorhexidine on a large scale. USAID’s efforts, as well as cooperation with the Government of Nepal and its private sector, are responsible for lowering the infant mortality rate significantly. USAID saves thousands of babies around the world.

Chlorhexidine “Navi” Care Program

USAID’s Chlorhexidine “Navi” Care Program, implemented by John Snow Inc. (JSI), provides technical assistance to the Government of Nepal to scale up the use of chlorhexidine through resources and education. The six-year, $3.9 million program had two phases. The first phase occurred from October 2011 to September 2014 in 49 out of 75 of Nepal’s districts. Phase two started in October 2014 and brought chlorhexidine to all districts. The program found funding as a part of USAID’s “Saving Lives at Birth: A Grand Challenge for Development.”

The Nepali government strongly advocated for this scale-up. The administration incorporated single-use chlorhexidine tubes into its maternal and child health packages. In addition, it also trained health care workers for use of the antiseptic. Nurses began to use chlorhexidine at birthing centers across the country. They apply the antiseptic to the umbilical stump immediately after the cut. Its use in Nepal decreased newborn infections by 68% and decreased newborn deaths by 24%. Chlorhexidine for cord care thus became an integral part of maternal and infant health programs. Through the implementation of its new programs like this, USAID saves thousands of babies.

According to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Dalberg Global Development Advisors and the Boston Consulting Group, it usually takes more than a decade for global health innovations to develop in low and middle-income nations. In Nepal, it took around five years.

The success of USAID’s Navi Care Program is attributed to its partnering with the Government of Nepal and various organizations. USAID’s partners include MoHP, Save the Children, Plan International, Health For Life (USAID), UNICEF, One Heart Worldwide and PSI. Future initiatives should replicate USAID’s coordinated effort due to this program’s monumental success.

Nepal’s Success Serves as a Model for Others

Other nations have taken notice of Nepal’s health improvements and how USAID saves thousands of babies. Many nations sent their leaders and officials to speak with those who worked on the program to expand the use of chlorhexidine in their own countries. Following Nepal as a model, these nations have planned trials with the antiseptic gel. All program-related materials are public, supporting the global trend. As a result, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Pakistan and the Democratic Republic of Congo have begun the process of scaling up chlorhexidine to reduce newborn death rates. In particular, Nigeria has made substantial progress.

USAID’s efforts to lower infant mortality rates yielded fruitful results from a single and simple solution. As a result, it inspired efficient innovation elsewhere. This program was a tremendous global success, as USAID saves thousands of babies and makes the world a healthier place. USAID’s programs will hopefully continue to work with the governments and organizations in low- and middle-income nations to achieve the optimal adoption of healthcare initiatives.

– Mia McKnight
Photo: Wikimedia Commons

 

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Everything You Need To Know About Homelessness In Norway

Homelessness in NorwayNordic countries have been historically renowned for their social security and high living standards. They are seen as a safe haven and an aspirational goal among the international community. Norway is no exception, and a prime example of the exceptional Norwegian welfare state is the condition of homelessness. Here is everything you need to know about homelessness in Norway.

How Norway Defines “Homelessness”

The Norwegian government has defined homelessness as an individual or family that is unable to independently maintain a safe, consistent and appropriate housing arrangement. Norway has one of the smallest homeless populations in the world, with only 0.07% of the total population being homeless as of 2016. This proportion is less than half of that found in the United States where 0.17% of the population is homeless.

Causes

While only 0.07% of the Norwegian population is homeless, certain groups are at greater risk than others. Four key causes of homelessness in Norway include insecure housing markets, economic hardship, addiction and mental illness. According to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, 54% of homeless people are reportedly drug dependent, 38% suffer from mental illness and 23% are under the age of 25. Additionally, migration poses a challenge to homelessness in Norway, with 20% of the homeless population being immigrants.

Government Initiatives to Fight Homelessness

Norway’s success in regards to having a low homeless population is not random or coincidental. Instead, it is thanks to targeted, effective and long-term policy initiatives. One of the first major policies announced to combat homelessness in Norway was Project Homeless. Project Homeless was launched from 2001 to 2004 and led a collaborative effort among multiple government departments to develop effective methods for combatting homelessness. After Project Homelessness ended, the Strategy Against Homelessness was announced in 2005 and ran until 2007. This strategy built upon the success of Project Homelessness and aimed to:

  • Reduce eviction petitions by 50% and eviction itself by 30%
  • Prevent individuals recently released from prison or a treatment institution from requiring temporary housing
  • Improve the quality of overnight shelters
  • Limit temporary housing stays to less than three months

Most recently, the Norwegian government launched a strategy in 2014 that in many ways furthers the work of the Strategy Against Homelessness. This new strategy specifically targets families with children and young people up to the age of 25. This is a long-term strategy that will last through 2020 and aims to:

  • Ensure safe rental housing for families with children
  • Limit temporary housing to exceptional circumstances, with these arrangements not exceeding three months
  • Reduce and prevent homelessness among families with children and young people

The 2014 strategy plans to achieve these goals by providing assistance to individuals shifting from temporary to permanent housing, assistance in obtaining a suitable home within an insecure housing market, preventing evictions and social innovation.

Repeated reassessment of needs and continued support has been key to Norway’s success in reducing poverty through effective policy. These methods are not unique to Norway, they can be seen across the globe in countries with similarly low homeless populations. Thus, it is reasonable to conclude that the insights gained from Norway can be used to inform policies and initiatives against homelessness in countries that are currently struggling.

– Lily Jones
Photo: Pixabay

Ethics of Human Hair Trade

Ethics of Human Hair Trade

The growing market for wigs and hair extensions is projected to reach $10 billion in revenue by 2023. Many consumers covet real human hair, as opposed to cheaper synthetic alternatives, because of its natural appearance and resilience to styling. However, harvesting and selling products of the human body make the hair trade rather unique. Many consumers are justifiably curious about how manufacturers source their products. The human hair industry has less regulation, and the ethics of human hair trade can be complex. Although the voluntary sale of hair can be lucrative to many impoverished women, ethical issues often arise when products of the human body are treated as capital.

Where the Hair Comes From

Most commercial hair comes from Russia, Ukraine, China, Peru, and India, with China being the largest hair exporter. Most American hair extension companies source their products from Indian Temples, capitalizing on a ritual head shaving ceremony called Tonsure. Hair manufacturers collect the hair of millions of devotees from temple floors.

Turning Hair Into a Micro-Economy

Hair can be one of the most lucrative commodities that women in extreme poverty have access to. When individuals in developing countries sell their hair, fair compensation can dwarf their monthly earnings. This participation in the global marketplace increases the sellers’ spending power, feeds local economies and allows struggling populations to provide for their families.

Consent versus Exploitation

Paying struggling women for such a personal commodity can easily cross the line into exploitation. The ethics of human hair trade become more questionable when sellers are desperate, and participate as a last resort. Venezuela’s economic crisis has seen an influx of women in need selling bundles of hair to help provide for their families. Rapid hyperinflation has made salaries nearly useless, forcing many Venezuelans to look for supplemental income in the hair trade. Vulnerable and impoverished women are not always able to barter with brokers and receive reimbursement at market prices. In Cambodia, 39-year-old Sreyvy regrets chopping her waist-length locks for just $15. The traders left her remaining hair uneven and patchy.

“I feel regret for cutting my hair off. I don’t feel made up,”  said Sreyvy.

Hair Theft

As with other in-demand sources of capital, human hair can be vulnerable to theft and forcible hair cutting. During these attacks, thieves ambush long-haired women, clipping off victims’ ponytailed hair at gun or knifepoint. The thieves are then able to sell stolen hair to manufacturers for quick money. Hair theft has become a chronic offense during Venezuela’s economic decline. A Venezuelan gang called The Piranhas ambushes victims in shopping malls and populated city streets, forcibly cutting and selling ponytails.

Dreadlocks can take many years to grow, and sew-in ready locks are in demand. The market for dreadlocks has instigated a string of hair thefts in South Africa. Johannesburg gangs have become known for their ‘cut and runs’. By selling shoulder-length dreadlocks, hair thieves can earn between $23 and $58, while longer locks can be sold for as much as $230.

Ethical Alternatives

Although the ethics of human hair trade can be tricky to navigate as a consumer, brands like Great Lengths are sourced by consenting and fairly reimbursed individuals. Human hair is a luxury item, and ethically sourced wigs and extensions will inevitably be expensive.

Inexpensive and natural-looking, synthetic hair is also an option. However, the non-recyclable plastic fibers pose an additional set of environmental concerns. Some companies have found innovative ways to improve the sustainability of their synthetic hair. Raw Society Hair has begun using fibers from banana trees to create coarse, braidable hair. The hair is biodegradable, and a natural byproduct of the banana crop, which could increase farmers’ earnings.

The ethics of human hair trade can be complex. While some impoverished women may use it as a source of income, others are exploited for their long locks. A company called Great Lengths works to make sure that any hair the company sells is bought from people who consent and are paid fairly. Other organizations use synthetic hair as an alternative. Either way, hair trade is not simple. However, when organizations source their hair ethically it can be used as a resource for people in poverty to gain income.

– Stefanie Grodman
Photo: Flickr

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How a Website Has Helped Refugees During the Pandemic

signpostAs of last year, there were almost 80 million “forcibly displaced people worldwide.” This figure includes refugees, asylum-seekers and others. As refugee communities are in crucial need of proper medical aid to withstand the COVID-19 pandemic, global powers are devising plans to help them. During the early stages of worldwide lockdown, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) proposed a $33 million pandemic-response plan for improving refugee settlements. Objectives include increasing health service availability, spreading reliable and medical-oriented information throughout refugee communities and implementing efficient surveillance systems. 

Although these efforts were a step in the right direction, they are not enough to assist every displaced refugee in the world. Groups like the United Nations (UN) and World Health Organization (WHO) are certainly championing refugees’ needs. However, it does not take a global superpower to make a positive impact on refugee communities; one website has helped refugees during the pandemic through access to information.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Refugees

COVID-19 has impacted refugees and other forcibly displaced people in three major ways:

  • Health: Constantly sanitizing, maintaining social distance and obtaining medical information are luxuries that many refugees do not have access to. As such, a refugee’s health is in constant jeopardy.
  • Income: Refugees working in informal jobs are likely to have been laid off due to the pandemic, and losing work means losing the only financial safety net for a refugee.
  • Protection: Hostile xenophobic and racist sentiments have been directed at asylum-seekers during the pandemic, which makes those seeking refuge in foreign countries targets for violence.

While these three obstacles are preventing many refugees from securing safety, they can be solved with one essential tool—information. Reliable information regarding health, income and protection can help many refugees.

Signpost as Virtual Back-up

Signpost is a non-governmental organization (NGO) and a virtual project that utilizes digital platforms to spread critical information throughout vulnerable communities. The organization has made a large impression since its founding in 2015. It has positively impacted almost two million people. Signpost has effectively helped and communicated with people across eight different countries, which demands fluency in several languages. Accurately conveying information regarding public health services and other needs to refugees using their native tongue has saved thousands of lives.

Everywhere, refugees are struggling to find trustworthy information about COVID-19. In response, Signpost has been reaching out and providing valuable, potentially life-saving, information to refugees. In particular, Signpost has supported the most vulnerable communities in countries like Greece, Italy, El Salvador and Honduras.

  • Signpost in Greece: Signpost has developed an app that has numerous services listed for refugee use such as medical services, transportation and housing. Also, the organization is scheduled to put out a website for current COVID-19 information throughout the country.
  • Signpost in Italy: The organization has given asylum-seekers information about essential services through Facebook, an established panel where users could ask questions and share key information regarding COVID-19. In Italy, Signpost focused specifically on informing refugees about Italy’s healthcare services and policies.
  • Signpost in El Salvador and Honduras: Signpost developed CuentaNos. It is a virtual platform that not only provides vulnerable people with information about housing or protective services, but also about COVID-19 and locations for medical assistance. Signpost also bundled its online resources efficiently to allow refugees accessibility through WhatsApp.

Everyone has been affected by the pandemic, but asylum-seekers and refugee communities are especially disadvantaged since they are displaced from their home country. Signpost, a website, has helped refugees by providing access to important information about dealing with COVID-19. Although Signpost is just one example, technology-based organizations are mobilizing to provide some type of digital support for refugees. Whether help comes via the Internet or in-person, any outstretched hand toward refugees anywhere is a glimmering sign of hope for a better future.

– Maxwell Karibian
Photo: Flickr

5 Challenges to Mental Health in Africa

Mental Health in Africa
Africa still has a long way to go in terms of mental health awareness and care. Mental health is highly stigmatized and there are not enough mental health facilities or resources for the people. In Africa, the average number of psychiatrists is 0.05/100,000 population, while in Europe it is 9/100,000 population. Here are five challenges to mental health in Africa.

5 Challenges to Mental Health in Africa

  1. Poverty: There is a strong correlation between different mental illnesses and the socioeconomic status of patients. According to The Conversation, when people are stressed about searching for basic resources for survival like food and stable sources of income, this stress affects their mental health. Furthermore, the healthcare expenses are high, making them inaccessible to some. People with mental health problems may also have more trouble with functioning effectively which can harm their financial resources as well.
  2. War and Conflict: Various African countries endure tribal wars and terrorist groups. These wars affect the population’s mental health — especially the victims. Commonwealth Health reported that more than half “of refugees have mental health problems from post-traumatic stress disorder to chronic mental illness.”
  3. Insufficient Resources: Most African countries spend less than 1% of their budget on mental health. Additionally, mental health is not a popular subject; therefore, there are few higher education facilities teaching about it. The stigma around it prevents graduates from enrolling in mental health-related programs. As a result of this shortage, the Mental Health Innovation Network states that “90% of people with mental illnesses have no access to treatment, especially in poor and in rural areas.”
  4. Lack of Awareness: Mental illness is a taboo topic in some African cultures. A study done by BioMed Central in Northern Nigeria found that at least 34.3% of respondents believed that drug and alcohol abuse was “a major cause of mental illness.” Commonwealth Health reports that the widespread stigma makes families hide their members who are suffering from mental illness because of the discrimination they have to endure.
  5. Other Diseases: Many African countries are still fighting a number of deadly communicable diseases such as HIV/AIDS, cholera, malaria and tuberculosis. As a result, the governments of these nations prioritize helping people survive these illnesses. A mere 3% of Nigeria’s health budget is invested in mental health: the other 97% goes to other health departments. This means that people with functional mental disorders are usually unnoticed and have difficulties accessing appropriate professional help.

Despite all the issues, progress is steadily being made. In Burundi, lay community counselors started screening people and encouraging dialogue about mental health. They emphasized educating parents about better ways to discipline children without causing trauma. Additionally, cognitive behavioral therapy has been helping people in Sub-Saharan Africa to deal with depression. Crisis assistance hotlines were also put in place to help those struggling with suicidal thoughts and other urgent crises. All these intervention alternatives highly depend on the community counselors to integrate the strategies with their respective cultures in order to provide relevant solutions.

Many African nations are trying to invest more in mental health and encourage people to seek professional help. Moving forward, countries must continue to support mental health research and intervention measures, prioritizing both the mental and physical health of Africans.

– Renova Uwingabire
Photo: Flickr