Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

6 Global Health Internships in Seattle

global health internshipsAs we wait for the last of leaves to fall there comes a rise of new opportunities for young people to get involved with issues that matter. In wake of midterm elections, it’s important to get a grasp on topics such as global health to know exactly where your candidates stand on the issue and what they are going to do about it.

These global health internships are not only an opportunity to learn, they’re also an opportunity for you to make change locally and reach globally. Here are six global health internships in Seattle to make these upcoming winter months feel better:

1. The Borgen Project

The Borgen Project works at the political level to bring greater attention to global health. View the organizations latest ops.

2. Washington Global Health Alliance

Since 2007, WGHA has activated every sector in the region to advance global health equity. WGHA makes an impact through mobilizing the dynamic global health sector, advocating and educating lawmakers about its vital role in our economy and cultivating global health leaders through innovative partnerships. These are the core objectives that make WGHA one of the world’s most dynamic centers for global health innovation.

 

3. Global Partnerships

GP is a 501(c)3 nonprofit impact investor that strives to pioneer and invest in sustainable solutions that help impoverished people earn a living. They are currently invested in 46 microfinance institutions, social businesses and cooperatives in Latin America and the Caribbean with a focus surrounding four impact areas: health services, rural livelihoods, green technology and micro-entrepreneurship. Across these impact areas, women comprise 77 percent of the people GP’s partners serve as they continue to empower women to improve their livelihoods.

 

4. Community Alliance for Global Justice

This grassroots, community-based organization calls for global justice everywhere, seeking to educate and mobilize individuals who want to strengthen local economies. The CAGJ consists of three programs: the Food Justice Project, AGRA Watch and Trade Justice. Here volunteers can harness their skills to transform unjust trade and agricultural policies imposed by corporations and to build solidarity across diverse movements that embody social justice and sustainability.

5. One By One

One by One is committed to restoring the health and dignity of women with obstetric fistula by helping to create safe conditions needed for women to give birth. In addition to providing preventative measures that lead to safe childbirth choices for families through education and advocacy, One by One partners with local organizations to develop community-based outreach efforts, surgical repair services and rehabilitation/training programs that allow women who have suffered with fistula to fully heal and to fully reintegrate back into their community.

6. Global Health Internship at the Seattle Biomedical Research Institute

This is a competitive internship that provides an opportunity for three highly qualified undergraduates to spend the summer working alongside some of the best scientists in the world. For a period of 10 weeks, interns will aid in specific research projects in their designated SBRI scientific program. Training with chemicals, biological materials and scientific equipment will be given prior to working in the laboratory. This internship is a great opportunity for students interested in biosciences as a career to get their foot in the door and to network with some of the best in the field. You must be an undergraduate junior or senior in the following academic school year to be eligible.

– Chelsee Yee

Sources: PATH, Washington Global Health Alliance, Global Partnerships, Seattle Global Justice, Fight Fistula, Haverford University, Global Health Washington
Photo: Flickr

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The 20 Most Impoverished Countries

Impoverished Countries
The term “Third World” is often used to describe the impoverished nations across the globe. According to Business Insider, the following list represents the 20 most impoverished developing countries from lowest to highest by GDP per capita:

  1. Democratic Republic of Congo
  2. Republic of Zimbabwe
  3. Republic of Burundi
  4. Republic of Liberia
  5. State of Eritrea
  6. Republic of Niger
  7. Central African Republic
  8. Republic of Sierra Leone
  9. Togolese Republic (Togo)
  10. Republic of Malawi
  11. Republic of Madagascar
  12. Republic of Mozambique
  13. Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
  14. Republic of Guinea
  15. Republic of Rwanda
  16. Republic of Mali
  17. Republic of Uganda
  18. Federal Republic of Nepal
  19. Burkina Faso
  20. Republic of Haiti

Eighteen of these countries are in Africa. The widespread famine and war that have plagued the continent for decades, along with the hardships resulting from several nations’ recent independence from colonial European powers have all contributed to the poverty endured in the country.

Of the numerous conditions that perpetuate poverty within the countries listed above, three factors dominate: drought, political instability and failure to harness resources.

What Creates Impoverished Countries

Water shortage has long been cited as one of the leading contributors to poverty. Severe droughts afflict nearly every third world nation on this list, causing a domino effect of failed crops, health concerns and further impoverishment.

Governmental instability prolongs poverty by fragmenting nations. Lack of political security and centrality undermine every inferior structure within the national hierarchy. Corruption, dictatorships and military rule impede economic development by institutionalizing instability and failing to address the issues that arise from poverty.

Although some of these countries contain valuable resources, few third world nations possess the capital to develop proper infrastructure. This results in an inability to exploit these assets or yield any profit from them.

The three poorest countries in the world, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe and Burundi, all have a GDP per capita of $400 or less, according to Business Insider. This is less than one one-hundredth of the United States’ GDP per capita.

So what’s the good news? There are tangible solutions to these three problems, and several developing countries are already beginning to pursue them.

Rwanda, rich with minerals and having received external aid after the genocide, shows signs of hope. Guinea and the Central African Republic show promise as well, if they can advance their industries and attain political stability. The Togolese Republic, working to repair its relationship with the international community and improve productivity through market privatization and foreign donor support, is experiencing some economic progress.

External contributors, such as the United Nations and non-governmental organizations, are supporting industry development and helping lay the groundwork for business in third world countries. Local governments are slowly shifting from military leadership to democracy. The progression of technology is creating more efficient ways to grow crops and utilize existing water sources.

The third world countries listed above are still far from escaping the bondage of poverty. Their greatest setbacks are their limited means for improving their conditions. But with the intervention and assistance of external powers, the improvement of infrastructure and the development of autonomous governments, there is potential for progress.

– Zoe Smith

Sources: Business Insider, One World Nations, The World Bank
Photo: World Knowing

Poverty in Ghana’s Largest City

Poverty-in-Accra-Ghana
Ghana is the only country in Sub-Saharan Africa that has met the Millennium Development Goal of reducing extreme poverty in half by 2015, and it is also among the most developed countries in the region.

According to the World Bank Group, 24.3 percent of Ghana’s population is living below the poverty line, down from 31.9 percent in 2005. Even with substantial developments, there still remain certain challenges that hinder progress in Ghana. Similar to many nations in the developing world, poverty in Ghana is largely due to social and economic inequalities among its citizens. Ghana’s economic growth has also slowed down significantly over the past few years, affecting many cities across the region including the capital of Accra. According to the World Bank Group, the gross domestic product (GDP) declined from 7.3 percent in 2013 to an estimated 4.2 percent in 2014. The slowed growth was a result of inflation and a fall in currency, which has also impacted many areas in the region such as Accra.

Accra, the capital of Ghana, is considered one of the largest cities in the country. The country has an estimated population of more than 2 million people and holds approximately 10 percent of Ghana’s entire population. Although Ghana’s economic progress has slowed down, its capital is still a leading force in the nation. For example, Accra has among the lowest poverty rates in the country when compared to other cities in the region.

The city serves as the focal point for the region’s economic development, with the service industry employing over 530,000 people. However, the city also has a high unemployment rate with approximately 12.2 percent of the population, amounting to 114,198 people, reportedly unemployed. This is a contributing factor to Ghana’s urban poverty. The population dwelling within the city relies heavily on employment and income, both of which are critical sources for sufficient livelihoods. In turn, high food prices and income inequalities further impact urban poverty in Accra.

Apart from city dwellers, poverty permeates a significant amount of rural areas in Accra. There are 79 communities within Accra including Ga Mashie, James Town, Chorkor and Nima, identified as three of the most high poverty communities in the region. The indigenous populations found throughout Accra are some of the most vulnerable. For example, communities in areas like Ga, which had initially derived its livelihood from farming and fishing, are now considered to be among the poorest in the region. Additionally, households headed by women within these communities experience significantly higher poverty rates.

The reason why Accra still has a large percentage of the population living below the poverty line is partly due to the lack of information provided about these communities. It is difficult to focus on an area with need when not enough information or knowledge is being conveyed; as a result, progress in the area has been hindered.

Even with all the challenges Ghana has been facing, it is still one of the most developed countries in the region. Urban and rural poverty resulting from social and political inequalities are reason enough for concern, even as Accra remains one of the more stable and developed cities in the region. With a more focused post-2015 development framework that addresses the social and economic inequalities in Ghana, the region can continue progressing.

– Nada Sewidan

Sources: World Bank, IPA, UNICEF, Action 2015
Photo: Two Years in Ghana

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Malnutrition in Malaysia

Malnutrition-in-Malaysia
Malnutrition in Malaysia is two-fold: there are many children who are underweight and suffer from malnutrition, while a good percentage of the population is obese.

Malaysia has seen significant economic progress and continues to develop substantially. According to the World Bank Group, the country’s economic growth is estimated to progress by seven percent every 25 years, and has virtually succeeded in eliminating poverty in the region. The amount of households living beneath poverty lines decreased from 50 percent to less than 1.0 percent since the 1960s. Currently, the country is under a program called the New Economic Model, launched years prior, which aims to achieve the goal of high income status by 2020. The program also ensures that the progress made during this period is sustainable.

Although Malaysia is experiencing a great deal of prosperity, there still seems to be a prevailing concern regarding malnutrition in the country. There still remain pockets of places and people living below poverty lines with high income inequalities. These pockets contribute to the malnutrition issue in Malaysia.

There are currently 30 million people living in Malaysia, and of those 30 million, 9.5 million are children. Among the population, 17. 2 percent or approximately 400,000 children are stunted, while 12.5 percent are underweight. On the other hand, 44 percent of the population is overweight, while an estimated 15 percent is considered obese, according to the National Heath ad Morbidity Survey. The total number of people with obesity exceeds that of any other country in Southeast Asia. These two issues are causing a significant divide in the realm of malnutrition within the country.

In regards to undernourishment in Malaysia, there has been a slight decrease in mortality rates among children under five years of age. According to National Health Statistics, the mortality rate dropped in 2010 from 8.4 per 1,000 people to 8.1 in 2013. Rural areas in Malaysia continue to have a high rate of malnourished children, especially in indigenous regions. More specifically, malnutrition in Orang Asli is among the more prevalent areas, according to a recent status report by the Children’s Rights Coalition in Malaysia.

In indigenous regions, lack of access to clean water, land and food contribute to malnutrition. Additionally, communicable diseases passed on as a result of poor sanitation also cause underweight and malnourished children.

The problem of malnutrition in Malaysia has been previously addressed in a failed attempt to rehabilitate malnourished children. The project did not reach its target in the allotted time because of corruption by officials. The program was essentially launched to provide baskets filled with vitamins and essential food items to households living under the poverty line.

Malnutrition in Asia, especially in Malaysia, is among one of the biggest problems the region is facing. Despite Malaysia’s economic prosperity and affluent resources, there is still a high percentage of malnourished households suffering from food insecurity. The high obesity rate along with the amount of malnourished people living in Malaysia sheds light on the inequalities that exist within the country, inequalities that reflect the great divide between the rich and poor.

– Nada Sewidan

Sources: WHO, UNICEF, The World Bank 1, The World Bank 2
Photo: Southeast Asia Globe

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Poverty in Lahore, Pakistan

Poverty-in-Lahore-Pakistan
Pakistan is among the nations in the developing world that has made substantial progress in poverty reduction. The amount of people living in extreme poverty has gone down considerably over the years and continues to decrease today. What drives poverty reduction in Pakistan, especially in large areas such as Lahore, is income growth. Through a combination of support programs and reforms, as well as income equality, Pakistan was able to translate income growth to poverty reduction.

According to the World Bank Group, there are over 50 million less people living in poverty in present day Pakistan than there were in 1991. Additionally, the percent of people living on less than a dollar and a quarter a day fell from 66.5 percent to 12.7 percent. However, although extreme poverty in the region has been reduced, there is still over half of the population living under two dollars a day. Despite progress made in Pakistan, there still remains a high number of Pakistanis in poverty and many more who are vulnerable to falling back into poverty, especially in large cities such as Lahore.

Lahore, a large region in Pakistan, is considered to be one of the most populated urban areas in the world and is one of the largest cities in the Islamic world. According to Index Mundi, as of January 2015, Lahore has an estimated 10 million people living in the region. The size of the region poses a bilateral problem; on the one hand, Lahore’s population and size contributes to its wealth and prosperity, while on the other hand, with a large city comes overpopulation and underdevelopment. Large cities such as Lahore often have another side to their urban development: the underdevelopment of parts of the region called the slums. Similar to the slums in various parts of India, Indonesia and Kenya, slums in Lahore are densely populated with areas lacking in basic necessities such as clean water, electricity, security and health care.

In Lahore, 30 percent of the region is considered to fall into the category of slums; however, the percentage does not take into account the amount of unregistered slum neighborhoods in the city. These slums are formed by low income communities that do not have the means to live in proper housing in the city, and they are a byproduct of over population, economic, political and social inequalities as well government intervention. Slums in Lahore are also a consequence of people moving from rural areas around Pakistan to the city in hopes of attaining a better life. The reality, however, reveals that many who move into the city have a difficult time securing employment, and eventually settle in the slum communities as a result. Health care, education, and basics such as sanitation and electricity, are extremely limited in the slums of Lahore and further contribute to low living conditions.

A solution that can bring poverty rates down in Lahore is to have more government involvement through political laws and reforms that pay special attention to these areas. More government interference and aid to counteract inequalities can be the beginning of reducing poverty in the slums of Lahore.

– Nada Sewidan

Sources: The World Bank, TribuneAcademia.edu
Photo: Pakistan Defence

Bill Clinton Stresses Need for Healthcare Infrastructure

Bill-Clinton-Healthcare-Infrastructurejpg
This week, President Bill Clinton stressed the need for greater investment in healthcare infrastructure throughout the developing world following the Ebola outbreak.

It will be an uphill battle, requiring the combined effort of governments and healthcare organizations.

According to the United Nations Press Centre, Mr. Clinton said he has been repeatedly asked to help build healthcare capability in the developing world.

Investment in healthcare infrastructure is sustainable and effective, the former president said in a keynote address. “They have to have health systems or we’ll be back here four or five years from now – not in these countries but in some other countries,” he said. “It is the most economically sensible thing to do.”

Mr. Clinton was addressing the United Nations Economic and Social Council, where healthcare officials were gathered to discuss the importance of healthcare partnerships around the world.

His comments were echoed by UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson, who stated, “One thing is clear: No single entity – no single nation or organization, can solve the problems alone.”

The Ebola outbreak reveals serious shortcomings in healthcare infrastructure in West Africa. Qualified personnel and satisfactory facilities are in short supply; at the height of the epidemic, the disease almost brought systems in Liberia and Sierra Leone to the breaking point.

Shortages in personnel are also severe. According to the BBC and Afri-Dev.Info, Liberia has a population of 4.2 million, but has only 51 doctors. Sierra Leone, with a population of 6 million, has 136 doctors.

Problems are worsened by a lack of adequate facilities: hospitals, treatment centers and clinics. Funding is a constant concern.

Infrastructure can be further strained by civil unrest caused by epidemics. In Monrovia, the capital of Liberia, one man set fire to the Ministry of Health in protest. Al Jazeera reported the man to be allegedly angry over the ministry’s handling of Ebola after he lost a family member to the disease.

With so few resources, an epidemic like Ebola can have a rippling effect on an already fragile system. Doctors may refuse or be unable to treat patients who suffer from diseases with symptoms similar to Ebola.

This leaves a gap which is currently filled by outside emergency relief. Dozens of organizations can be found in areas affected by Ebola. Global health and aid agencies working tirelessly to contain the disease have saved countless lives.

But emergency relief, even when effective, should not mask structural concerns in healthcare systems.

– Kevin McLaughlin

Sources: Al Jazeera, BBC United Nations
Photo: Washington Times

 

Myanmar Launches Vaccination Campaign

vaccination_campaign
In January 2015, the Myanmar government launched the first stage of the largest national campaign to eradicate and control Measles and Rubella by the year 2020.

The second stage took place in February 2015. Initially, these beginning stages were concentrated on Measles, but from May 2015 onward, the national campaign will offer the Measles and Rubella vaccine jointly.

The campaign is supported by the WHO, GAVI, American Red Cross, the U.N. Foundation, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and UNICEF. The goal is to reach 94 percent of the population through vaccination teams of 12,000 health care professionals. The aim is to reach 17 million children between nine months and 15 years in 65,000 villages and 45,000 schools.

Myanmar has remained committed to vaccinating its population against fatal and debilitating diseases. In 2013, a polio immunization campaign was launched and 370,00 children under five years were vaccinated using the oral drops method. In early 2014, Myanmar, along with many other states in Southeast Asia, was declared polio-free.

Health care is reported to be expensive, of a poor quality and has difficulty in providing attentive care toward patients in Myanmar.

This vaccination campaign is also incredibly important because the population has been neglected in terms of health care due to the ongoing conflict and political issues. There are 587,000 internally displaced persons. There are 800,000 living in the western state, Rakhine state, who are stateless and 140,000 who have fled from their homes. Nevertheless, this campaign is attempting to reach those living in Rakhine state, which has been in an increasingly violent conflict-ridden state since 2012 as there are numerous clashes between Muslims and Buddhists. The vaccination campaign aims to reach populations in this region at a higher rate to match the national level.

While there are political hurdles to achieving an overall better health care system, the coordination of efforts between the state, local and international bodies in regard to vaccination is successful. This vaccination campaign is a major stride for Myanmar investing in the betterment of its people.

– Courteney Leinonen

Sources: Global Polio Eradication Initiative, Reliefweb, WHO, BBC, Salon
Photo: Measles & Rubella Initiative

Poverty in Sudan

Poverty in Sudan
Poverty in Sudan is widespread and varies according to region, with ducxisting conflicts as well as economic and social inequalities contributing to the large number of impoverished people. Inequality in education and limited access to health care, clean water, sanitation, resources and income has also impacted poverty in the country, especially in North Sudan.

Although Sudan still ranks among the poorest countries in the world, it has also seen great economic progress. Since 1990, Sudan’s extreme poverty rate declined from 85 percent to 46 percent and continues to be on the decline today, according to the results from the Millennium Development Goals.

The reality, however, is that one out of two people living in Sudan is impacted by poverty; meaning, he or she does not have the means to buy food or the ability to properly care for him or herself. Results from the MDGs reveal that an estimated 15 million people all over Sudan are considered poor.

 

Causes of Poverty in Sudan

 

Currently in North Sudan, an estimated 44.8 percent of the population lives beneath poverty lines, with poverty rates higher in rural areas (55 percent) than in urban areas (28 percent). High unemployment rates (17 percent) as well as low employment opportunities contribute to the economic disparity found in many regions of Sudan.

Additionally, the expanding population along with climate change have affected the agricultural sector, which in turn impacts food security and the livelihoods of people living in Sudan. For rural populations, unreliable rainfall, low productivity and small landholdings are major contributors to poverty in the area. These factors have also impacted malnutrition and children who are underweight. One third or 32 percent of children who are under the age of five is underweight as a result of chronic malnutrition.

Areas that are considered to be most vulnerable to poverty are regions that have been affected by isolation. A large majority of settlements in Sudan exist far away from main urban cities and have limited access to social services. Additionally, isolated territories are harder to track in terms of poverty and progress. The amount of people living in poverty in isolated regions is not completely known and is difficult to estimate as well.

However, what is known, is that there is a substantial amount of people living in those territories that suffer from hunger and disease. The poorest areas that are largely impacted by isolation include Southern Sudan, Southern Darfur, White Nile and Blue Nile.

Although there are many factors contributing to poverty in Sudan, internal conflicts are further fueling the volatile state of the region. Sudan has had over 20 years of internal conflict that cost an estimated 1.5 million people their lives and devastated the population as a whole. The civil conflict emerged from social and political inequalities and a neglect of the rural regions. Unfair distribution of land and land reforms, as well as misguided resources for urban and rural developments, have caused conflicts in the country. Despite signing a peace treaty a few years ago, the country is still suffering from the devastation the conflict caused to its citizens.

However, overall, poverty in Sudan has been on the mend as reforms and aid targeted through the MDGs have helped improve poverty rates in the region.

– Nada Sewidan

Sources: World Bank 1, World Bank 2, UNDP, Rural Poverty Portal
Photo: Penn State

Organ Trafficking and the Poor

organ_trafficking
The organ trade is the trade of human organs; in particular, the heart, liver and kidneys, all of which are the most commonly used organs for transplants. Selling organs is illegal in almost every country; yet, organ trafficking is thriving in the global market and occurs all over the world. The continuing demand for organs fuels the need for more supply, and people in need of organ transplants are taking advantage of the poor who are selling their organs.

Organ brokers interested in trafficking organs find communities where individuals have little to no opportunity to escape from poverty. They strategically approach individuals that appear relatively healthy who are willing to sell their kidneys, lungs or livers for money. Despite the risk of infection, a lack of qualified medical staff executing the organ extraction and a lack of follow-up treatment, poverty-stricken individuals sell their organs for as little as $60. Often, there are waiting lists of sellers willing and ready to sell their organs.

For those living in extreme poverty, economic opportunities are scarce and they are at the mercy of several disadvantages, such as little to no access to health care, education and other important services. The poorest individuals in communities are often marginalized from society and have little to no representation or voice. These factors make it even harder to escape poverty.

Organ trafficking statistics indicate that organ trafficking is on the rise globally, in tandem with the number of transplant surgeries.

In the United States, 4,000 people who need kidney transplants die each year. As of 2013, 121,272 Americans waited for an organ. It is estimated that 28,954 people received an organ and 14,257 others donated organs. Based upon these factors, unless some of these donors had given up two or more organs, half of the recipients must have obtained their organs illegally. Low rates of donation present limited options other than the black market. Research indicates that people who go overseas for organ transplants have an increased risk of injury, organ failure and death.

Over 114,000 organ transplants are done annually in over 100 countries. Due to the economic exploitation of global poverty, organ trafficking continues to exist. Nations must work together to find an end to organ trafficking.

– Erika Wright

Sources: Global Issues, PBS, UN.Gift
Photo: Flickr

The Fight for Vaccination

vaccination
In some of the most rural areas of the world, people suffer from preventable diseases due to exposer to unsanitary drinking water and poor living conditions. While organizations continue the fight to bring clean water and food to these areas, it is also important that rural populations have access to vaccinations to help them combat these diseases. According to UNICEF, immunizations have the potential to save up to three million children yearly. However, there has been a decline in the progress of maintaining the spread of vaccinations.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is working to improve the distribution of immunizations in developing countries. According to the WHO, all of the 194 member states belonging to the WHO endorsed the Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP) in 2012. Moreover, member states have set goals to eliminate six diseases by the end of 2015. Although there continues to be a gap with one in five children missing vaccines, WHO hopes to see a world free of preventable diseases by 2020.

The goal to spread vaccination around the world by 2020 is also known as the Decade of Vaccines– implemented in 2011 and already eliciting substantial progress. The Gates Foundation has invested in vaccines and immunizations to help achieve the goals of the Decade of Vaccines. The Foundation understands the restrictions that keep vaccinations from people in rural areas, especially since some vaccines need refrigeration which is lacking in these places.  The Gates Foundation  continues to “support the innovation needed to develop new vaccines and new delivery technologies and approaches.”

The Center of Disease Control (CDC) also continues to take action against vaccine-preventable diseases, disability and death. It is important “to protect the health of Americans and global citizens by preventing disease, disability, and death through immunization,” says the CDC, as stated in their Global Immunization Strategic Framework for 2011-2015. Organizations like these provide hope that the world will some day be free of preventable diseases. Although there are many places that continue to be hard to reach, the fight to vaccinate the world by 2020 continues in full force.

– Kimberly Quitzon

Sources: UNICEF, WHO, The Gates Foundation, CDC
Photo: Flickr