Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

, , ,

Where Donald Trump Stands on Global Poverty

Donald Trump PovertyDonald Trump surprised America when he announced his candidacy in June 2015. Trump has been garnering public attention despite not having any “elective, appointive, or military public experience,” according to the Atlantic. The publication also states that every prior president has had experience in one or more of these areas.

In this presidential race, Trump has been focused on illegal immigration in the U.S., particularly Mexican and Muslim immigration. He continuously affirms his belief that illegal immigrants are a national security concern. He also continues to voice his disapproval of immigrants from Syria migrating to the U.S.

Other hallmarks of his candidacy have been his unapologetic rhetoric. Trump’s controversial appeals have become his greatest asset in acquiring votes. In addition to immigration, he has been particularly vocal about the Islamic State group and the threat he believes the terrorist organization poses.

In contrast to fellow presidential candidate Bernie Sanders’ humble beginnings and opposition to wealth inequality, Forbes identified Trump as one of the richest American billionaires. So given his wealth and his stance on immigration, where does Donald Trump stand when it comes to foreign aid?

“It is necessary that we invest in our infrastructure, stop sending foreign aid to countries that hate us and use that money to rebuild our tunnels, roads, bridges and schools—and nobody can do that better than me.”

– Donald Trump’s Presidential Announcement 2016

“Pakistan’s a real problem because they have nuclear weapons… I would say we don’t give them any money unless they get rid of their nuclear weapons.”

– Donald Trump speaking on Fox News, May 9, 2011

“Money should be spent in our country. We should rebuild our country and also by the way reduce our $16 trillion in debt.”

– Donald Trump speaking about Afghanistan, March 13, 2012

In addition to his opinions on foreign aid, Trump’s discourse on decreasing the poverty rate in the U.S., which currently stands at approximately 14 percent of the population, consists of diminishing public assistance and handing responsibility for the poor over to volunteer organizations.

The results of this presidential election will reveal whether Americans prefer a leader with proven experience or charismatic promises. Foreign aid plays an essential role in the lives of millions around the globe. The continued provision of this foreign aid from the U.S. depends on which leader Americans choose to elect.

– Mayra Vega

Sources: India Times, Talk Poverty, NPR, The Atlantic
Photo: NY Daily News

,

Open Society Foundations: Giving Countries Their Freedom

Open Society FoundationsBillionaire George Soros’s Open Society Foundations (OSF) is committed to building “vibrant and tolerant societies whose governments are accountable and open to the participation of all people,” according to the organization’s website. “We seek to strengthen the rule of law, respect for human rights, minorities and a diversity of opinions, democratically elected governments and a civil society that helps keep government power in check.”

Authoritarian governments, in which absolute power is held by a single dictator or ruling party, have been linked to an increase in poverty. To unveil the full impact of authoritarian government on poverty, the Human Development Report of the United Nations analyzed the condition of sub-Saharan Africa over the last 30 years. The study revealed authoritarian governments are more likely to become corrupted, have greater levels of violence than democracies and often favor the poverty of their citizens.

Conversely, open societies allow for freedom of belief, flexible social structure and availability of information. Citizens have a greater say in the running of their own countries and lives.

George Soros founded OSF in 1979 when he realized he had the funds and connections to make a real difference. By 1984, he had established his first foundation in Hungary, which involved the distribution of photocopiers in a bid to lessen the communist control on freedom of print. Within two decades, OSF had become active in all regions of the world.

Despite its positive aims, some countries have not welcomed OSF’s mission. In May 2015, Russia banned ‘undesirable’ foreign organizations that could compromise its constitutional order or national security. “The ‘undesirables’ law and its implementation have been a terrible blow for civic freedoms in Russia,” said Hugh Williamson, the Europe and Central Asia director of Human Rights Watch.

Despite resistance, OSF continues to grow by way of a two-part strategy. First, it operates the Central European University, where future political leaders can research and analyze new solutions to ensure that open societies remain stable. Students from more than 100 countries attend the university.

Second, current OSF president Christopher Stone created the New Executives Fund, a $2 million fund to start off nonprofit organizations that support education, social change and public health. Every year, two or three selected nonprofits receive two-year grants ranging from $25,000 to $250,000. This fund, as well as supporting worthy causes, has directed global attention toward OSF.

Making inroads to transforming authoritarian governments into open societies helps to reduce poverty and improve standards of living. OSF is committed to forming governments across the globe “where all people are free to participate fully in civic, economic and cultural life.”

– Sarah Prellwitz

Sources: Philanthropy, HRW, Open Society Foundations 1, Open Society Foundations 2, Tide Global Learning
Photo: Google Images

Dumsor in Ghana: Staying Connected

dumsorIf you were to ask any Ghanaian, whether local or in the diaspora, what Ghana’s biggest issue is, the response would undoubtedly be dumsor, pronounced “doom-sore.” This term refers to the continuous and unpredictable electric power outages in the country.

Though dumsor has been a problem for decades, it was not until 2012 that this issue worsened. Ghana now faces regular power outages which can last for about 12 hours per day.

The reasons for the outages are unclear. It has often been claimed that part of the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP) was cut by a ship’s anchor, which consequently halted the transmission of gas for electricity production. Other theories claim that the Akosombo Bui and Kpong Dam are not functioning properly because of low water causing mechanical problems with power plants. But whatever the cause, this crisis has yet to be solved.

In 2013, the World Bank Enterprise Survey on African countries, including Ghana and Nigeria, named “the ongoing rampant poor electricity supply as one of the biggest barriers to growth of the country’s economy and hindrance to many multinational investors.”

The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) was reported to have lost $100,000 in profits in 24 hours due to continuous power outages at the Tema Harbour site. Other manufacturing companies such as breweries, bakeries and clothing companies, businesses such as restaurants, salons and corporate offices, as well as important locations such as hospitals, airports and schools, are also being adversely affected.

Every working person in the country needs electricity. For the few who have generators, life is a bit more bearable. But a consequence that arises from this alternative is not only the noise that is created by these generators but the cost to maintain these devices. For those who can only afford candles, the use of this alternative can lead to fires.

The Ghanaian government, as well as the Volta River Authorities (VRA), Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCO), the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCO) and Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) have been looked to for answers. Although the president has made several promises, including a notable one that dumsor would be over by Christmas 2015, the problem still persists.

At this point, after several denials and broken promises by the Ghanaian government, it has been realized by most that the current energy crisis is not a result of inadequate installed capacity but rather a lack of financial resources to utilize the installed capacity. Ghana already owes billions of dollars in debt to electricity companies within and outside Ghana.

After four years, despite public marches, protests by local celebrities, the launch of a dumsor app and all of the promises by the government, no real progress has been made so far. Addressing this issue will tremendously help the country economically and contribute to its development.

– Vanessa Awanyo

Sources: My Joy Online, Modern Ghana, AllAfrica

,

UN World Food Programme Restores Food Rations to Syrians

UN Food Rations to SyriaThe United Nations World Food Programme recently announced that a record pledge of $675 million, made at the Supporting Syria and the Region conference, will restore full food rations for Syrians.

In early February 2016, world leaders gathered at the conference in London to plan the restoration, the U.N. News Centre reports. According to the New York Times, most of the new money for the pledge was provided by Germany. The World Food Programme had to make cuts in aiding Syrian civilians last year because its budget was severely underfunded. This new pledge has helped the budget immensely.

The rations will go to Syrians inside the country, as well as refugees in the region. According to the U.N., there are 4.5 million Syrians inside the country and 1.8 million refugees outside the country in Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Egypt who rely on the World Food Programme every day.

The executive director of the World Food Programme Ertharin Cousin said, “the pledge now fully meets the basic food assistance necessities for those in need.” The pledge will also support increased student meals and other in-kind activities that will help create a better future for those affected, World Food Programme News reports. According to the U.N., these funds will allow the World Food Programme to provide a full food basket to families between April and October 2016.

The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs also said that life-saving humanitarian assistance would be delivered by the U.N. and its partners to roughly 154,000 people living in besieged locations inside Syria. The assistance includes food, water, sanitation supplies, nutrition, household items, health and medical supplies.

Delivery trucks have already reached Moadimiyeh and more are expected to reach Madaya, Zabadani, Kefraya, Foah and East Ghouta. These deliveries will be in addition to regular operations delivering humanitarian aid to millions of Syrians, the U.N. reports.

According to Nonprofit Quarterly, the U.N. estimates that over 250,000 people have been killed and 12 million have been displaced due to the situation in Syria. The U.N. World Food Programme continues to do essential work to provide relief and assistance to the refugees and displaced persons.

– Kerri Whelan

Sources: WFP, United Nations, Nonprofit Quarterly, NY Times
Photo: United Nations

Kenyan Startup BRCK Works to Connect Africa

BRCKKenyan startup BRCK, which creates the BRCK wifi device, has recently secured $3 million in funding for their product, which could advance Internet connectivity in Africa.

The BRCK wifi device is a solar-powered modem designed to withstand harsh environments and work using limited sources of power and Internet connections. It is also unique in that it can hop between various types of connections including Ethernet, wifi and 3G or 4G.

The device has eight hours of battery life, which is crucial due to Africa’s frequent power outages. BRCK’s slogan is: “If it works in Africa, it will work anywhere,” according to TechCrunch.

“Most of the organizations working to increase access to the Internet in Africa are dealing with it at the infrastructure level, with satellites or undersea cable, with mobile phone towers — and even balloons and drones,” said BRCK CEO Erik Hersman to CNN. “BRCK deals with the last meter of Internet connectivity in the bus stops and kiosks, homes and schools of Africa.”

The African-led company has sold over 2,500 devices in 54 countries since 2013. Most of their sales have been in India. The $3 million the company has secured comes from the TED organization and former AOL executives Jean and Steve Case, CNN reports.

“A lot of this funding is earmarked to grow our footprint, distribution and team around BRCK Education across the continent and globally,” said Hersman to CNN.

The majority of the 410 million school children in Africa do not have access to the Internet, which is something that the startup hopes to solve with its education program. The initiative works to provide remote schools with digital materials. Its ‘Kio Kit’ includes 40 water-resistant tablets, 40 earphones and a plug to provide wireless charging.

Schoolmaster Pastor George Njenga, who uses BRCK Education in his classrooms, told CNN, “This technology is a great help not only for the teachers but also the students, who are really learning a lot.”

With continued innovation, funding and expansion, BRCK has the potential to increase Internet connectivity across Africa and other largely unconnected parts of the world.

– Kaitlyn Arford

Sources: Tech Crunch, CNN, BRCK
Photo: CNN

,

Progress Made in Containing the Ebola Outbreak

Containing the Ebola OutbreakIn addressing the progress made in containing the Ebola outbreak, the World Health Organization (WHO) argues that, since July 2014, “unparalleled progress has been made in establishing systems and tools that allowed rapid response.”

From the first report of this outbreak on Mar. 23, 2014, this disease became a devastating epidemic, which led to nearly 25,000 cases and more than 10,000 deaths. Most of the deaths occurred in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

According to the U.N. Foundation blog, “the past year of battling Ebola has exposed troubling weakness, both in the health systems of the affected countries and in the international community’s ability to respond to the health crises of this nature.”

However, this period has also shown the world both the power and potential of a coordinated, global response. WHO and its partners are now in phase three of the Ebola response, from August 2015 to mid-year 2016.

At the climax of the Ebola outbreak, it is reported that more than 800 new cases of Ebola were being reported on a weekly basis. However, in the past year, the number of reported cases has fallen in countries like Liberia — the country that has seen more Ebola deaths than any other nation.

On the ground level, WHO continues to deploy technical experts in the three most affected countries and engage not only in response but in early recovery and survivor support efforts.

A collaboration between WHO and the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) has led to about 4,000 technical experts as well as Ebola vaccination teams being deployed on the ground in more than 70 field sites in the three most affected countries.

Furthermore, WHO highlights that 45 laboratories have been installed since the start of the Ebola outbreak with WHO and the Emerging and Dangerous Pathogens Laboratory Network (EDPLN) supporting 29 of them. All of these laboratories have tested more than 200,000 patient samples.

The Ebola outbreak has shaken the world and caused many deaths. However, thanks to the diligence, dedication and support from volunteers, medical teams, scientists, researchers and many others who have made fighting this epidemic a mission, much progress has been made in containing the Ebola outbreak.

– Vanessa Awanyo

Sources: WHO, UN Foundation Blog
Photo: Flickr

,

Tackling Meningitis in Africa with MenAfriVac

MenAfriVacOn Feb. 22, 2016, vaccine experts from all over the world convened in Ethiopia with leaders from the 26 African “meningitis belt” countries to celebrate the success achieved by MenAfriVac, a vaccine created for use in Africa.

The vaccine was developed specifically for Africa and targets meningococcal A meningitis, a bacterial infection of the thin lining surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis is a highly-feared disease due to its capacity to kill its host within hours. Survivors often experience permanent hearing loss, paralysis or even mental retardation.

“We have achieved something truly historic with MenAfriVac®—creating an affordable, effective, tailor-made vaccine for Africa,” said Steve Davis, president and CEO of PATH, a nonprofit global health organization.

According to PATH, more than 90 percent of meningitis epidemics in Africa attacked mostly infants, children and young adults. To zero in on this specific cause of meningitis, PATH partnered with the Meningitis Vaccine Project and the World Health Organization (WHO).

In the five years that MenAfriVac has been in effect, 235 million children and adults have been vaccinated. From 250,000 cases during an epidemic from 1996 to 1997, to only 80 confirmed cases in 2015, the vaccine has effectively protected millions of people.

However, a resurgence is possible within 15 years if an immunization program is not implemented permanently. Several countries applied for funding to begin implementing MenAfriVac into their national childhood immunization programs. Gavi, a global health partnership that focuses on vaccines, has spent $367 million campaigning and stockpiling the vaccine since 2008 to support these countries.

“Meningitis A was a scourge across Africa’s meningitis belt for generations but today we can be proud that a safe, effective meningitis vaccine is protecting hundreds of millions of people from death and disability,” said Dr. Seth Berkley, Gavi CEO. “But we must not be complacent. It is critical that at-risk countries begin introducing this vaccine into their routine schedules and ensuring every child is reached and protected.”

This achievement could not have been possible without the vital partnerships that contributed to the development of the vaccine. U.S. agencies financially supported MenAfriVac, provided technical expertise and participated in clinical studies of the vaccine.

Continued partnerships could lead to solutions for other diseases around the world and have a positive impact on global health.

– Emily Ednoff

Sources: Gavi, PATH
Photo: Flickr

,

55th Anniversary Since JFK Established Peace Corps

Peace CorpsOn Mar. 1, 1961, President John F. Kennedy issued an executive order to establish a new “army” of civilians who would volunteer their time to help underdeveloped nations. This army, as JFK referred to it during his 1960 presidential campaign, was the Peace Corps.

According to Politico, Kennedy wrote a message to Congress stating that the people of underdeveloped nations were “struggling for economic and social progress.” He also went on to say, “Our own freedom and the future of freedom around the world, depend, in a very real sense, on their ability to build growing and independent nations where men can live in dignity, liberated from the bonds of hunger, ignorance and poverty.”

Congress, at first, was skeptical. In response, Representative Marguerite Sitt Church, who had traveled to sub-Saharan Africa, defended the bill by speaking about the importance of on-the-ground work in underdeveloped areas.

Representative Catherine May noted the impact of Church’s words: “You quite literally could see people who had been uncertain or perhaps who had already decided to vote against the Peace Corps sit there, listen to her very quietly and start to rethink.”

The House then approved the bill for the volunteer organization in a 288-97 vote and Kennedy issued the executive order to establish it.

Since its launch, the Peace Corps has done incredible work. Currently, the organization has 6,919 volunteers and trainees, with over 220,000 Americans serving since it was created.

Volunteers carry out work such as helping build sewer and water systems, constructing and teaching in schools, helping develop crops and teaching effective agricultural methods. A majority of the work is done in Africa but volunteers also assist nations in Latin America, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, the Caribbean, the Middle East and the Pacific Islands.

The Peace Corps celebrated its 55th anniversary at Georgia Gwinnett College, which was selected in 2014 as one of the six universities and colleges for the Peace Corps Prep Program, based on their demonstrated interest in promoting international learning and providing service opportunities to their students.

Students were invited to attend the event to celebrate the anniversary and learn about becoming Peace Corps volunteers, marking the next generation of Americans that will serve with the program and make a difference in countries in need around the world.

– Kerri Whelan

Sources: Politico, Peace Corps 1, Peace Corps 2, Peace Corps 3, Peace Corps 4, GGC

Local Montana Groups Support Refugee Resettlement

Refugee ResettlementAll over the U.S., citizens are beginning to stand up in support of refugee resettlement for those fleeing violence across the globe.

In Montana, it has been no different. On Mar. 1, rallies supporting refugees swept through the state in response to anti-refugee and anti-Muslim activity in the area.

The ‘Stand Together Against Violence, Fear and Hate’ event was hosted by the Montana Human Rights Network, along with a coalition of local organizations and churches who partnered together to host rallies in Bozeman, Missoula, Helena, Kalispell and Billings to “take a stand against hate, intimidation and violence.”

“So many people were emailing and calling and reaching out and saying we feel like we need to do more,” Rachel Carroll Rivas, co-director of the Montana Human Rights Network said to the Independent Record. “There are times when you can’t be quiet. This is a time to not be silent in our opposition to hate.”

Community groups in Missoula and Helena have been working to develop a refugee resettlement field office in Montana, in the hopes of bringing refugees fleeing from global conflicts to the area. One of these groups, Soft Landing Missoula, has been heavily involved in hosting the rallies.

Mary Poole, founder of the organization, hopes that the rally will be a positive response to the anti-refugee, anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim sentiment that has swirled throughout the Missoula community.

“We also want to make sure that we are really standing up for the values that Missoula believes in and we believe that those are values of compassion, love and opportunity for others. Having a strong showing of support for those values is why we are rallying tonight,” Poole said while preparing for the statewide rally against hate.

The Missoula County Board of Commissioners sent a letter to the U.S. Bureau of Population in January, formally supporting Soft Landing Missoula’s aim to resettle 100 refugees per year in the area through the International Committee’s Reception and Placement program, which spurred recent anti-refugee rallies across the state.

Anti-refugee activists have hosted their own rallies in recent weeks, with a handful showing up to protest the ‘March Against Hate’ event. Poole believes that many of the negative attitudes toward refugees are due to misinformation and a lack of education that people have on the topic.

“I think it’s a real challenge because it’s really hard right now to sift through what is true,” Poole said. “You know we aren’t claiming there aren’t going to be challenges and difficulties that refugees will face here in America, but educating ourselves to not just give into fear based on opinion is important.”

Missoula had a refugee resettlement office until its closure in 2008. The agency welcomed a large number of Vietnamese Hmong refugees into the area following the Vietnam War.

Global conflicts drove unprecedented numbers of people out of their homes in 2015. The number of forcibly displaced persons worldwide surpassed 60 million people last year, including 20 million refugees fleeing war and persecution, according to the United Nations.

“Never has there been a greater need for tolerance, compassion and solidarity with people who have lost everything,” U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres said in a statement on the UNHCR website. “Forced displacement is now profoundly affecting our times. It touches the lives of millions of our fellow human beings — both those forced to flee and those who provide them with shelter and protection.”

Before admission to the U.S., refugees must undergo extensive interviewing, screening and security clearance processes conducted by coordinators across the nation, as well as overseas, according to the American Immigration Council. If a refugee meets the strict requirements for entering the U.S., they must also pass medical examinations and thorough security checks. The entire process can take an average of 18 to 24 months or more to complete, according to the U.S. Department of State.

The processing times of U.S. refugee resettlement programs “can be quite prolonged, leaving some refugees stranded in dangerous locations or in difficult circumstances,” according to a report by Human Rights First, a nonprofit, nonpartisan, international human rights organization that accepts no government funding.

“All of these kinds of people, who through no fault of their own, have been displaced from their home, have lost their family members and their livelihoods,” Poole said. “We have so much to offer and so much to give to someone who has lost everything. Being a part of that is really important.”

– Lauren Lewis

Sources: American Immigration Council, Human Rights First, Independent Record, Interview, Mary Poole, March 1, 2016, KITV, Montana Public Radio, Missoulian, UNHCR, United Nations News Centre

, ,

The Bottom Billion: Causes and Solutions

The Bottom BillionAccording to Paul Collier, a professor of economics at Oxford University and the author of “The Bottom Billion,” a book about the poorest one billion people in the world, “the countries at the bottom billion coexist with the 21st century, but their reality is the 14th century: civil war, plague, ignorance.”

Countries and their citizens in the bottom billion find their conditions getting worse, not better. For instance, during the 90s, while globalization lifted millions out of poverty in China and India, the income of the bottom billion “actually fell by 5 percent.”

Most of the bottom billion live in 58 countries, 70 percent of which are in Africa and most of the rest, in Central Asia. These countries are among the poorest in the category of “developing countries or Third World countries.” Some of the countries in the bottom billion include Rwanda, Congo, Sudan, Chad, Somalia and Ethiopia.

So how does a country fall within the bottom billion group? The answer to this is multidimensional and lies in what Collier terms as “poverty traps.” According to Collier, these poverty traps include conflict, being landlocked, abundant natural resources and bad governance.

When it comes to war-torn countries, Rwanda, Congo, Somalia and Sudan are some examples that fall into this category. As a result of the conflict, the economy is destroyed, lives of innocent civilians are damaged and the political unrest also causes isolation and a lack of foreign investment.

Being landlocked with bad neighbors is also a disadvantage for developing countries. When we consider a country like Switzerland, a landlocked country in the developed world, its proximity to its surrounding countries does not compromise its security and it has the ability to trade with powerful and wealthy neighboring countries. This is not the case for developing countries, which are often surrounded by poor or unstable countries.

Having abundant resources may sound like a benefit rather than a disadvantage. However, with countries like Sudan and Somalia, even though natural resources such as copper and diamonds are abundant, corrupt politicians and other leading authorities within the country are able to seize power and divide the spoils, making their economies more vulnerable.

With the levels of corruption in developing countries, it is impossible for there to be sustainable growth. Accountability, transparency, monitoring and evaluation are needed to advance these countries and lift their citizens out of poverty.

To address these issues, Collier believes that aid should be increasingly concentrated in the most difficult environments and military intervention should be focused on “protecting democratic governments.” For instance, the British helping Sierra Leone is an example of productive military intervention.

Laws and charters have also been put forward as possible solutions. Collier suggests that international charters should be adopted for natural resources, budget transparency, post-conflict situations and investment.

Finally, Collier highlights that the bottom billion need to diversify their exports and are in need of temporary protection from Asia.

The situation faced by people in the bottom billion, though dire, can be addressed. While outside intervention may be necessary in some cases, change ultimately must come from within, with the end goal being for countries to prosper autonomously and independently.

– Vanessa Awanyo

Sources: The Guardian, The Economist, GSDRC
Photo: Flickr