Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

Lasting Effects of Acid Attacks

acid attacks
Around the world, acid attacks affect the futures of around 1,500 people every year. The majority of these crimes take place in India, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal and Uganda.

The attacks are mostly used as punishments or revenge for slights against the perpetrator. Some women are attacked because of their beauty, particularly if their beauty draws unwanted glances. One-third of women do not even know why their attacks occur.

Children are often second-hand victims to attacks on their mothers. One woman was attacked while breastfeeding her infant and both suffered severe burns.

Men are also victims. In Uganda, 45 percent of the attacks are against men.

Administrations typically downplay these attacks. Many countries have passed new laws to increase punishments, but these are not always enforced. In Cambodia, acid attacks are punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

There are also laws regulating the sale of acid, which is currently available in many places for a few cents per bottle. After the regulation was passed, there were fewer attacks, but it is hard to completely regulate the intent for the purchases.

Most perpetrators are never prosecuted for their crimes.

Their victims suffer from gruesome deformities. Acid destroys skin, clothing, and hair, and in high concentrations, it can melt bone. In some cases, victims are tricked into drinking acid and suffer from internal damage. Victims must deal with perpetual health issues, even after the attacks.

Recovery is elaborate and expensive. The multitude of surgeries is often unaffordable for victims.

The physical and mental suffering attached to these crimes prevents many victims from living their lives. Many end up blaming themselves. One mother lamented how her appearance scared her own children.

Even if they are willing to go back into society, victims are often ostracized. One mother said that her in-laws show pictures of her to her children and tell them she has turned into a monster. Her husband was her attacker.

The combined lack of self-worth and societal support makes it difficult for these victims to find employment after their attacks. Many attacks are perpetrated by men against their wives, and when they cast them out, these women often have no source of income.

Most places will not hire victims with their deformities and it is often foreign charities that provide any work at all. Many women attempt to cover their scars with burkas, but this often does not hide the crime.

Some victims do work to rise from their past. This is often done with encouragement from supportive family or friends. One woman is pursuing a degree in finance after her husband attacked her.

Recently, a group of female victims were given the opportunity to act as models for Rupa Designs. They were wearing designer clothes, and it provided a way for them to still feel wanted by society. The goal of the photo shoot was to motivate women to move past their attacks and recognize that they can still realize their dreams. The shoot was organized by Stop Acid Attacks, an organization that works with survivors.

Other organizations, like the Cambodian Acid Survivors Charity and the Acid Survivors Foundation also offer services for victims. Some groups offer free surgical care, physiotherapy, counseling and financial support to survivors. They also educate communities about the realities of acid attacks and the needs of victims afterwards.

 The lives of both men and women are affected by these attacks, and it causes irreparable damage to their lives.  Countries and organizations are working to end the violence, but there is still work to be done.

– Monica Roth

Sources: New York Daily News, Post Magazine, Daily Mail, DW, Huffington Post
Photo: flickr

, , ,

Inner Mongolia: Changing China’s Views on Women

Inner Mongolia
In the northern Chinese province of Inner Mongolia, a recent conference was held by the Inner Mongolia Women’s Federation in the provincial capital. The topic of conversation was the role of women in the family and maintaining harmonious ties.

With the discussion taking place at a psychology center, psychologists provided an open dialogue about household relationships and engaged the women to openly discuss some problems and provide insight.

Though there are many who are considered homemaking women, the goal of the meeting was to provide insight, assistance and discussion around topics that previously had not been adequately discussed.

In recent months, Inner Mongolia has been in the forefront of equalizing opportunities for women. Along with having open dialogues about women’s interests in the capital, other events have focused on the professional development of women.

Though much of the Chinese agricultural business is dominated by men, women are becoming farming agents and spreading their professional wisdom with others. By including women in the conversation, the Chinese government is hoping to expand the potential of the agricultural business by accessing a greater population.

Though many of these local conferences are supported by women’s interest groups in the region, to improve domestic and professional conditions for women, Inner Mongolia is not alone. The dialogue in Inner Mongolia is reflective of a greater conversation in China as more women are entering the workforce and developing professional careers

With more conferences happening in large cities across China including Beijing, the recognition of women as resources for growth and development has influenced the way they are being acknowledged. While the dichotomy of women working professionally or staying home is still strong other ventures are emphasizing both roles.

These women’s interest groups are maximizing the opportunities of every day women both in Inner Mongolia and the rest of China. The projected goal of these endeavors is to help better economic conditions for women and enable greater social equality both in the home and in their professions.

– Kristin Ronzi

Sources: Women of China, Catalyst
Photo: Little Star

 

10 Facts about Poverty in China

 

ARAHA: Alleviating Suffering in the Horn of Africa

ARAHA
The Horn of Africa is considered to be one of the poorest regions in the world. The United Nations recently estimated that nearly 16 million people in this area are in urgent need of food and other assistance. The American Relief Agency for the Horn of Africa (ARAHA) is an organization working to alleviate suffering from hunger, illiteracy, diseases and poverty—targeting this troubled region.

The region known as the Horn of Africa makes up the eastern part of the continent. The countries of focus include Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya. In order to accomplish their goals the ARAHA divides up their work into the following categories: food, water, disaster relief, education, self-reliance, orphans and repatriation.

The Horn of Africa faces a number of challenges that contribute to and exacerbate the extreme poverty, malnutrition and disease in the region. Drought continues to affect the region’s ability to successfully grow crops and obtain clean water. High levels of famine are a result of drought within the region, claiming hundreds of thousands of lives.

Somalia experienced a famine between the years 2010-2012 that claimed 260,000 lives—half of these deaths were children under the age of five. Since August of this year, there has been yet another famine that is creeping its way through the country.

Long wars and ethnic conflicts make it difficult for countries to progress and for economies to grow. In conflict areas within the Horn, 1.1 million people are currently internally displaced.

ARAHA works to track situations such as the current famine in Somalia. More than 500 families have received food baskets due to the efforts of the ARAHA. The organization builds hand-dug water wells. Emergency water distributions and  water harvesting systems are also implemented in areas of need. Water wells are important in that they provide an opportunity for individuals to seek employment – fetching clean water can take the entire day.

With a donation of $500, the ARAHA is able to grant a dairy cow to a family in need. The purpose of this project is to provide the family a source of income by selling and drinking the milk. A family can expect an average income to be $100 a month with this new pet.

In addition to providing food and access to water, ARAHA provides tools to the struggling region in order to promote sustainable assistance. For example, the solar stove cooks virtually any food using natural light as its source of power. ARAHA has partnered with Shajee Solar International in order to send 200 of these stoves to Sudan.

One of ARAHA’s longest-running programs is the Orphan Sponsorship Program. A $40 sponsorship every month covers the basic needs of orphans such as school fees, basic healthcare and food.

Headquartered in Minneapolis, ARAHA is implementing newer strategies to downsize hunger, poverty, disease and illiteracy–while creating sustainable practices while doing so.

– Caroline Logan

Sources: American Relief Agency for the Horn of Africa, Razoo, Faqs
Photo: flickr

,

Africa Gathering and Sustainable Collaboration

Africa Gathering
In the African savannah, the baobab tree is a symbol of life, a sign of positivity in a dry landscape where very little other life can survive. The baobab tree is also a place where people come to share knowledge, discuss their thoughts and learn from one another; it is the meeting point for people from different walks of Africa.

The Africa Gathering movement draws its inspiration from the baobab tree, and brings together individuals with very different career focuses.

From writers to activists, techies to artists, the organization creates a place where passionate innovators can share their ideas and celebrate their dreams for a positive Africa. It provides a network for creative individuals to collaborate and share ideas on how technology can transform the continent on both small and large scales.

In its sixth year, Africa Gathering draws on inspiration from change from within its own country through the methods of planting seeds of innovation in the continent’s young men and women. By increasing visibility and allowing anyone who has an idea to share it, the organization hopes to mobilize people for change and create a sustainable Africa.

Africa Gathering frequently hosts events to engage supporters and allow African thinkers to share their ideas on technology and sustainable development. In celebration of its five-year anniversary in 2013, the movement hosted a conference with BBC Africa that focused on the increasing number of African women in the technology sector.

The conference focused on how women taking the lead in developing technological solutions could solve problems. While there was no anniversary party this year, leaders from Africa Gathering traveled to Geneva, Switzerland for the Africa CEO 2014. The group debated on the increasingly competitive nature of Africa and the delocation of foods from where they are manufactured.

“In my short but very entertaining life, there have been the few moments that have created great change – Having a child at a young age, discovering my life’s purpose, and attending the Africa Gathering last year,” said Tonisha Tagoe, a film producer and artist. “My reason for attending was as simple as a Tweet, but the results have been life changing. Africa has got a lot to offer to the world, but most importantly to Africans. It is beautiful to see such focus, determination, and family spirit fused into one space at this event.”

– Julia Thomas

Sources: The Tree of Life, Africa Gathering, The Guardian
Photo: National Geographic

Plastic Trade Transforms China

Global plastic waste has turned cities in China from natural wonders into chasms of poverty and sickness.

In 2010, author and Shanghai correspondent Adam Minter went undercover to explore the inner workings of the plastic business in China, and he discovered the frightening realities of recycling plastic scraps. Minter visited Wen’an, a Chinese city that has become a global hub of the scrap plastic trade, to see the effects of the recycling industry.

According to locals, Wen’an was once well known for its beautiful landscape and the natural bounty that came from the streams, peach trees and fertile soil. However, the lush nature of Wen’an quickly disappeared when its citizens began to realize that there was money to be made in the plastic recycling business.

By 2006, one third of the 60,000 Chinese Plastics Processing Association’s workshops were located in Wen’an.

When Minter traveled to Wen’an he noticed that the streets are “bustling, crowded and incomprehensibly dirty.” What used to be a green paradise is now a dead zone where children play in dried puddles of melted plastic instead of on the grass. The common health problems of the citizens of Wen’an have shifted from poverty related ailments to still more dangerous conditions caused by pollution.

Before the plastic waste factories sprung up across China, people suffered from stomach problems and diarrhea due to a lack of nutrition and clean water. These sicknesses disappeared when cities could pay to dig wells for uncontaminated water. However, the money for these wells came from plastic factories that polluted the streets, air and laborers’ lungs.

“Since the ’80s, high blood pressure has exploded,” a doctor from Wen’an warned. “In the past nobody had it. Now 40 percent of the adults in this village have it. People have it in their 30s so badly that they can’t move anymore. They’re paralyzed.”

In addition to the environmental impact, the economic reality in the region is grim. Although the plastic industry brought employment to the citizens of Wen’an, the wages are pitiful and the working conditions are astonishingly poor.

During his undercover visit to a plastic factory, Minter noticed that although the owner was well fed and sharply dressed, his employees are “scrawny and bug eyed.” Men breathe in melted plastic fumes from the machinery, while teenage boys work shirtless under the sun, picking rubbish from shredded piles of plastic.

Since Minter’s visit to Wen’an in 2010, the Chinese government imposed new regulations and shut down the scrap plastic trade in parts of the country. Despite the modest improvements, the Bureau of International Recycling estimates that the global plastic scrap trade will grow from the 15 million tons consumed in 2007 to about 45 million tons by 2014.

Although the scrap plastic trade creates employment in cities like Wen’an, it is disheartening to watch the disintegration, not only of the wellbeing of the workers, but also the natural beauty of nations worldwide.

– Grace Flaherty

Sources: The Guardian, Great Lakes Trade Adjustment Assistance Center
Photo: The Guardian

, , ,

#GirlWithABook

Last month, the creators of #GirlWithABook, a project advocating for girl’s education, had the opportunity to meet Malala Yousafzai, their inspiration. #GirlWithABook, the hashtag coined by college students Olivia Curl and Lena Shareef, has caught the attention of leaders and advocates worldwide.

Students at American University in Washington, D.C., Curl and Shareef shared the world’s reaction of astonishment and disgust after 14-year-old Pakistani Yousafzai was attacked on her way home from school in October 2012.

Malala Yousafzai survived after she was shot in the head by the Taliban, and when United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon admonished the Taliban in an address to the world, his words stuck with the two American girls. Ki-moon explained that what frightens terrorists the most is “a girl with a book.”

Curl and Shareef decided to start a campaign based on those words. They sent out a call to action, asking their female friends and family to pose for photos with books and flood social media with the pictures accompanied by the hashtag #GirlWithABook.

“Stand with Malala Yousafzai and show the Taliban that there’s no way they can stop us girls from getting an education,” their website reads. “Post a picture of yourself reading a book or holding a sign of support.”

Just a month after the project had begun, hundreds of photos flooded in from notable figures around the world. Ki-moon is pictured reading to his granddaughter, violinist Midori sent in a photo and even scientist Jane Goodall participated in the campaign.

The overwhelming response from women’s education supporters worldwide prompted Curl and Shareef to compile all the photos into a book. The Secretary-General presented Yousafzai with the book on her 16th birthday, when she visited the United Nations headquarters in New York.

A year has passed since #GirlWithABook was published, but the excitement over the movement continues.

Recently, Curl and Shareef were invited to participate in a conversation about the Millennium Development Goals as a part of the U.N.’s 500 days of action. On August 18, the girls spent the day at United Nations headquarters, along with 500 other young people.

They had the opportunity to meet face to face with Yousafzai and her father, who showered the girls with words of encouragement to continue their advocacy efforts.

Lena Shareef speaks on behalf of her partner when she describes the future of #GirlWithABook: “If Malala wants us to keep going, then there’s no question that we will.”

– Grace Flaherty

Sources: UN
Photo: UN

,

How Carbon Can Power Solar Energy

According to the World Bank, renewable and efficient energy are key to overcoming global poverty. Researchers have recently found that carbon-based materials can offer some of the most effective sources of renewable solar energy.

The first source is an all-carbon solar cell developed by researchers at Stanford University. As the name suggests, the cell uses carbon to replace traditional silver and indium tin oxide, which are far more expensive.

What proves most beneficial about the cell is the consistency. The prototype is a thin film, and because of this, it can be placed on top of existing equipment to gather energy. This means new windows or panes do not need to be retrofitted to the new design. Instead the film can simply be placed on top and the energy will generate.

The product is still in the developmental stages, thus not yet reaching the levels of silicon solar panels. This is partially because the carbon-based material needs infrared light to function. While this is problematic, researchers are confident that they can adjust the material to make it a potent form of energy that can be used around the world.

Another carbon-based material has also been found as an excellent steam generator. Solar-powered steam is effective for electricity, but there are other uses that make it ideal for areas of the world whose only natural resource is sunlight. These include refrigeration, sterilization, chemical purification and waste treatment.

Despite its many beneficial uses, it will be hard to pass these on at a commercial level. While it might take a while, it seems that the researchers at MIT are confident about solar energy.

The verdict on both of these carbon-based materials seems to be similar: they can be quite effective but are still in nascent stages. However, the research that has happened up to this point has proven to be very promising. Researchers have looked into several different solutions to each of the unique problems posed.  The big incentive backing it should be enough cause to act.

– Andrew Rywak

Sources: The Economist, Scientific American, Gizmag
Photo: Gizmag

, , ,

Corruption Kills Millions, Steals Trillions

In a report released by ONE, an anti-poverty organization, it is estimated that corruption causes 3.6 million unnecessary deaths and costs poor countries $1 trillion each year.

Using three different methodologies to calculate the cost of corruption, all three measures indicated that the loss was either $1 trillion or $2 trillion.

In what is called a “trillion dollar scandal,” corrupt business practices, “anonymous shell companies, money laundering and illegal tax evasion” all serve to severely reduce the effectiveness of poverty relief efforts.

While extreme poverty has been reduced to half its original level over the past 20 years and has the potential to be completely eradicated by 2030, corruption is putting much of that progress at risk.

While corruption is damaging in almost all countries, it is especially dangerous in poorer and developing countries and mostly affects children. It is estimated that millions of deaths could be avoided if corruption was combated and recovered funds were reinvested in essential fields.

Furthermore, the money that is siphoned out of poor countries is not from international development aid, which has helped make a considerable improvement, but rather directly from businesses in these countries. The money is generated by domestic businesses and illegally extracted out of the country. The largest source of financial drain is the illegal manipulation of cross-border trade.

The organization found that even recovering a small amount of the money lost to corruption could dramatically affect development. In Sub-Saharan Africa, a small amount of recovered funds could provide an education to an additional 10 million children each year; pay for an additional 500,000 primary school teachers; provide antiretroviral drugs for more 11 million people with HIV/AIDS and buy nearly 165 million vaccines.

The report stresses action that serves to end the secrecy that allows corruption to thrive. If specific policies were implemented that increased transparency and combated corruption in the four areas of “natural resource deals, the use of phantom firms, tax evasion and money laundering,” developing countries could considerably stem the financial drain.

Natural resources in particular can provide a vital source of funds that could greatly increase economic growth in many developing countries. Corruption concerning natural resources is particularly bad, with approximately 20 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa rich in natural resources but receiving few benefits from these reserves.

Specifically, One calls for mandatory reporting laws for the natural resource sectors and publish open data so citizens are able to track where travels from and to, ensuring that the funds are not lost to corruption.

Published in anticipation of the G20 meeting in Brisbane, Australia in November, the organization stresses the importance for the G20 nations to address the issue. Now that the cost of corruption has been defined in real terms, the fight against corruption can become more directed and effective.

— William Ying

Sources: ONE 1, ONE 2, ONE 3, BBC, The Guardian, ABC News, Yahoo News
Photo: Blogspot

,

Helping Hand for Relief and Development in Action

Helping Hand for Relief and Development
Ninety percent of the Helping Hand for Relief and Development’s (HHRD) funds are spent on the programs and services it delivers. HHRD is a nonprofit based out of Detroit, Michigan and prides itself on being known as a group of “Muslims for Humanity.”

The organization responds to emergencies and disasters all over the world with a focus on those living in poverty. Apart from disaster relief programs, HHRD also works on long term projects including economic empowerment, livelihood, orphan and widow support and skills development.

Founded in 2005, the HHRD believes in the Islamic principle of helping those who are in need. The organization works to strengthen the human condition regardless of gender, religion or ethnicity. Their core values seek to recognize the innate worth of all people, ensure equity and justice, increase transparency and advocate mutual respect.

In the event of a natural disaster, HHRD provides food, clothing and medical relief to the troubled area. It does not simply come in to provide relief and then leave once the chaos of the disaster has been subdued. Following a catastrophe, the nonprofit supports physiotherapy and donates artificial limbs for victims in need. It rebuilds homes and schools in affected areas, as well.

It also sponsors rehabilitation centers, supports home construction and contributes to career programs. The organization has scholarships available for students in need. Apart from direct contributions, HHRD also raises awareness through campaigns such as its walk for tuberculosis.

Partnering with organizations ranging from small community support groups to international relief programs, HHRD is funded predominately by private donors. In addition, it receives funding from big names including the World Food Program and the World Health Organization. Corporations such as Microsoft serve as match partners, agreeing to match HHRD’s private donor gifts.

This nonprofit works all over the globe—particularly in areas considered under the poverty line, such as Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

With the current events surrounding ISIS and other terrorist organizations, the religion of Islam often gets unfairly labeled as a violent religion. HHRD’s mission and life-altering work is the perfect example to prove the negative stereotype wrong.

– Caroline Logan

Sources: HHRD, Charity Navigator

Photo: Helping-hand-online

,

The Benefits of the LifeStraw

In the United States, the LifeStraw is a popular tool for those interested in backpacking and hiking. But while these uses might be popular, it was never intended to be the primary function of the plastic device.

For those unaware, the LifeStraw is a plastic personal water filter designed by a company of the same name. The product allows an individual to take contaminated water and clean it. According to studies, the device removes a minimum of 99.9999 percent of waterborne bacteria and can fit into a pocket. Additionally, the LifeStraw contains no moving parts or batteries, which increases its longevity.

In addition to the regular LifeStraw, there is a LifeStraw Family. The latter is capable of filtering up to 18,000 liters of water, an amount that would be able to sustain a four-person family for three years. The individual product can filter 1,000 liters, and can sustain an individual for one year.

The LifeStraw was introduced and field-tested in 2005 as an on-the-ground relief for humanitarian crises. Feedback was positive and it is now available in the United States since it passed EPA standards for clean water.  Shortly after the test period ended, the product was honored with the TIME magazine invention of the year award.

The LifeStraw is hailed as one of the most cost-effective and eco-friendly ways to bring water to the 884 million people who do not have access to a clean water supply, but is not meant to supplant other, more traditional humanitarian solutions.

One LifeStraw success story comes from an island nation of Kiribati, located in the central tropical Pacific Ocean. Around one in 20 infants do not survive due to malnutrition that is often caused by dehydration.  In a response to this, Carol Armstrong started the Island Rescue Project. While the campaign has traditional, large-scale methods of curbing this high death rate, it also encourages the use of low-tech simple solutions.

To no surprise, the LifeStraw is among the highest rated of these. Armstrong commented on the ability of the device to sustain an individual for up to a year. It was especially promising compared to the other solution—the “sodi method.” This method involves putting water into an empty plastic bottle and letting UV rays hit it. After seven hours, the water should be clean to drink.  However, the water will only be clean for a few days and it will not clean the water to the standard that the LifeStraw does. But it’s a solution that anyone can do, and at virtually no cost.

– Andrew Rywak

Sources: ABC, Men’s Journal, Digital Journal, Hills News
Photo: Future of Cities