Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

, , ,

Recognizing the Legal Right to Food

righttofood
Food is necessary to survival and proper nutrition. We all need it. It’s that simple. But despite its importance, access to food is still not universally viewed as a human right. The United Nations (UN) wants to change that.

According to Food Navigator, UN expert Oliver De Schutter believes that the right to food should be legally binding. Human rights currently recognized by the UN include the right to be free from slavery and servitude, the right to be free from cruel and inhuman punishment, the right to freedom of movement between countries, and the right to be recognized as a person. De Schutter wants the right to food added to that list.

De Schutter recently released a report in support of his position, entitled, “Assessing a decade of right to food progress.” In his report, De Schutter states, “Often, we labour under the misconception that the right to food is not like political rights, such as freedom of speech. But economic and social rights — to food, water, housing, social protection — are just as real, just as binding, and can be upheld just as legitimately in court.” South Africa, Kenya, Mexico, and Niger have already included the right to food in their constitutions.

By making the right to food a priority, countries can eventually begin to see long-lasting changes in the political, economic, and environmental sectors, De Schutter suggests. Eventually, these changes can help serve as permanent safeguards against widespread hunger. De Schutter believes countries should revise their laws, incorporating nutrition policies that attempt to take responsibility for the food supply.

India’s recent food policy is an example of how policy changes can help ensure the legal right to food. The north eastern Indian states of Assum, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura are expected to begin implementing the country’s National Food Security Act around the middle of 2014.

According to First Post India, state food ministers have taken the first steps toward the construction of an administration building for the state-run Food Corporation of India. The food law, passed by Parliament last year, will give 67% of the population the right to subsidized food grains. India will need 62 million tons of food grain annually in order to implement its food law.

– Cavarrio Carter

Sources: The Daily Meal, Food Navigator, First Post India, United Nations, Mail Online India
Photo: Web Governments

5 Way to Reduce Food Waste

food_waste
The average American throws away around 25% of his purchased food and beverages. For a family of four, this percentage of waste can amount anywhere from $1,365-$2,275 every year. With food expenses ranking as the third biggest expense for American households, it is important to practice food conservation, especially when there are countries around the world struggling to feed their people. Below are five things that you can do to reduce the amount of food waste in your life.

1. Plan meals on a weekly basis
While it may not be the easiest thing to do every week, it is important to have some kind of organization for your weekly meals. This way when you go to the grocery store you know exactly what to buy and you end up wasting less throughout the week because you know what every food item is going to be used for.

2. Pick the produce that may not be the prettiest
In some places such as Kenya, strict guidelines are being enforced regarding the aesthetic appearance of produce. Because we are bombarded with images of the perfect apple, tomato, or other forms of produce we naturally seek lookalikes while shopping. The demand for “pretty” produce is causing vegetable exporters in Kenya to dispose of 40% of their produce. Buy the misshapen potato, it may not look like the rest, but it will taste just fine.

3. Rotate the items in your pantry
When you come home with a new load of groceries don’t just stick it in front of what’s already in the fridge or pantry. Rotate the old food to the front so you have a better chance of using it before it gets old.

4. Use small serving sizes
It is easy to look at a big meal and let our eyes decide how much to serve rather than our stomachs. Start with small servings, if people are still hungry they can always get seconds. Oftentimes we eat a lot less than we expect when we’re hungry. With smaller portions you can wrap up the leftovers and store them in the fridge for next time.

5. Let your senses do the deciding, not the label
Expiration dates on food are a huge reason why Americans throw away so much food. We abide by the date, assuming that the food or beverage instantly goes bad the minute it turns the date labeled on the box. In many cases, the food or beverage is still edible well after the expiration date, just use your senses to make sure. We could eliminate up to 20% of food waste if there was a clearer labeling system in place for expiration dates.

– Chante Owens

Sources: The Cultureist, US News
Photo: National Geographic

,

SoulShine Colombia: The Yoga Clean Water Project

soulshine_waves_for_water
Patti Quintero and Michelle Frohlich-Klinger, creators of SoulShine, are proud to join forces with Waves For Water on a new effort to eradicate poverty in rural communities. This year, they have chosen to help women and children have better standards of living, food and water in one of the most impoverished communities in Colombia. Their goal is to eradicate poverty in Colombia’s rural communities. According to SoulShine’s official statement, the project “will be hosted at CNN Hero Catalina Escobar’s JUANFE, a non-profit organization that addresses the high rates of infant mortality and teen pregnancy in Colombia.” In addition, SoulShine Colombia will focus on providing water filters to over 100 women and families. “We will also work to empower the community by sharing a simple philosophy that we can all tap into our inner strength, wisdom, and joy through the practice of yoga, meditation, and mindfulness,” said Patti Quintero.

Moreover, SoulShine Colombia, also seeks to empower women in these communities. According to Quintero, “SoulShine Colombia will be traveling to Cartagena, Colombia to work with one of the most impoverished communities in Colombia. This journey will involve teaching the young mothers and pregnant women yoga, meditation, and mindfulness helping them tap into their inner strength and life force. Manduka was happy to donate yoga mats for the participants to use.”

Clean water will be created through new filters provided by the Waves for Water organization. According to Waves for Water “these filtration systems are portable, easy to use, easy to pack and effective. One filter can provide 100 people with clean water for up to 5 years. With these filters, dirty water becomes instantly clean – and drinkable.” Together with Waves for Water, SoulShine Colombia will provide a new, health focused method to keep Colombian women happy, and healthy and help rural communities gain access to clean water. The project is expected to launch this month.

– Stephanie Olaya

Sources: Waves for Water, Manduka

, ,

5 Celebrities Who Help Fight Poverty

Ellen_Degeneres_Celebrities_Who_Help_Fight_Poverty
In the fight against global poverty, having the resources to fund projects and the public platform to advocate for change can help effectively implement programs and bring much needed awareness to the cause. For many celebrities, ending global poverty has been a cause worth fighting for. Many have used their fame and wealth to help those in need. These five celebrities have helped the global effort to end poverty and reduce the suffering of the world’s poor.

When it comes to public personalities who capture our attention with their art, Lady Gaga tops any list of performers. Lady Gaga is an active philanthropist whose support of human rights concerns and vocal support of the LGBTQIA community has allowed her to become a legitimate voice for those who cannot speak for themselves. Gaga has partnered with Virgin Mobile to benefit homeless youth and has also partnered with The National Alliance to End Homelessness and Re*Generation. Gaga has also donated generously to survivors of the Haiti Earthquake and has utilized her live tours to advocate for social justice.

Angelina Jolie is not only a celebrity, but a global ambassador who actively fights for those impoverished, disenfranchised, and vulnerable to humanitarian crisis. Jolie regularly works with refugees around the world and makes frequent visits to victims of natural disasters. The Jolie-Pitt Foundation, which she started with Brad Pitt, aims to eradicate extreme rural poverty. She has been recognized by the United Nations as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, and has received numerous awards for her efforts.

Jay-Z may be known more for his rhymes and success as a music executive; however the rapper is also a philanthropist. He has worked to help raise awareness of the global water shortage. He met with Kofi Annan in 2006 to use his tour to bring public exposure to the cause. He went on site to produce a documentary on the topic of the global water shortage – Jay-Z: Water for Life. In addition to his efforts bringing awareness to issues of security and poverty, Jay-Z has also generously donated to the relief efforts after Hurricane Katrina.

Leonardo Dicaprio is a well-known advocate of humanitarian and environmental issues, and frequently utilizes his celebrity to help those in need. The actor is actively involved in a variety of causes and organizations, ranging from blood diamonds to conservation. Dicaprio’s celebrity and generosity have taken up issues of poverty and those related to it. He supports several charities and nonprofits including Feeding America, SOS Children’s Villages, and the Leonardo Dicaprio Foundation.

Funny-lady, popular TV show host, and comedienne Ellen DeGeneres has also joined the cause of fighting global poverty. She is well known for her warmth and generosity to her fans, and this extends to those in need as well. DeGeneres has worked to benefit Feeding America and supports the Red Cross. She has received numerous awards for her efforts and has partnered with other celebrities, such as Ben Affleck, to help those in need.

– Nina Verfaillie
Feature Writer

Sources: Look to the Stars, The Borgen Project
Photo: Blog Spot

Imagine There’s No Hunger Campaign

Imagine_Theres_No_Hunger_Yoko_Ono_John_Lennon_opt
The Imagine There’s No Hunger campaign is in its sixth year this year. The goal of the campaign is to help children in impoverished regions who suffer from hunger and poverty related issues. The campaign was inspired by John Lennon’s vision for a world at peace and without hunger; it teaches children all over the world to recognize their own power in making a difference in their living conditions and food scarcity. The campaign encourages rural families in impoverished communities to grow their own food, offering sustainable agricultural programs and training in 34 grassroots organizations. Spearheaded by Hard Rock International and WhyHunger, the campaign has accomplished huge gains in the war on poverty. This year, Yoko Ono Lennon has teamed up with Hard Rock International and is advocating for widespread support for the campaign.  Thus far, the Imagine There’s No Hunger campaign has provided enough food in communities to ensure 5.5 million meals for children in 22 countries.

In the months of November and December, the campaign receives special media attention as they encourage the public to get involved in their mission and make donations to help end world hunger for children. A number of musicians have joined the Imagine There’s No Hunger campaign, and participate in fundraising concerts and visits to grassroots organizations. The musicians involved in the campaign use their star power to help bring fans on board with Imagine There’s No Hunger.

By working with grassroots organizations across the world, Imagine There’s No Hunger helps to develop agricultural systems in places that have a weak agricultural condition. The campaign encourages healthy eating and homegrown food; they have helped launch programs that feed children farm-fresh food and teach farmers the proper methods of farming. Imagine There’s No Hunger doesn’t just want to supply a quick order of food for starving countries, but help implement systems and training programs so that countries can subsist on their own and receive income well into the future.

This year, the Imagine There’s No Hunger campaign wishes to make a greater impact than ever before on children living in poverty. With the help of teammate Yoko Ono Lennon, the campaign has received an increase in public attention and advocacy. Ono is scheduled to make an appearance in December in Tokyo to continue her goal of rallying support for the campaign.

– Chante Owens

Sources: Imagine Peace, Why Hunger
Photo: Daily Mail

Shakira’s Philanthropy Doesn’t Lie

Pies_Descalzos_Foundation_Shakira_Helping_Kids
Over the course of her career, Colombian recording artist Shakira has been nominated for five American Grammys and eight Latin Grammys, both of which are among the highest honors in the music industry, and has amassed an estimated net worth of a staggering $200 million. However, despite her international fame and incredible fortune, Shakira remains an avid humanitarian, having initiated and participated in many charity organizations, particularly those that target her home country of Colombia.

After solidifying her position as a true Latin American music star with the release of her critically-successful breakthrough album, Pies Descalzos, Shakira founded the Pies Descalzos Foundation (Barefoot Foundation) in efforts to aid the impoverished children of Colombia. While growing up in her native country, Shakira made it a mission to serve the country’s poor after watching children make homes out of park benches and street corners.

The extent to which early experiences impacted Shakira’s humanitarian motives is manifested in the name of the non-profit, non-governmental charity organization. Pies Descalzos not only pays homage to the album that launched Shakira’s musical career but also recognizes the thousands of children who are far too destitute to even afford shoes

One of the overarching goals of Pies Descalzos is improvements in international education quality – an opportunity that can enable needy children to break out of the confines of squalor. Pies Descalzos provides children with the opportunity for attaining an education and necessary tools for survival, such as food, that they otherwise would have been unable to access.

Since 2003, the foundation has launched six schools in Colombia that provide support to impoverished children and their families by providing education, food, and financial support. Also founded by Shakira, the Barefoot Foundation in America, rather than focusing its efforts solely on Colombia, takes its aid worldwide, promoting universal education.

After receiving honors from the United Nations in 2006, Shakira reinforced the urgency and importance of Pies Descalzos and other charity foundations by stating, “Let’s not forget at the end of this day when we go home, 960 children will have died in Latin America.” With her adamant support of global education and passionate efforts towards eradicating hunger and poverty, Shakira has demonstrated that the power of music can travel far beyond entertainment purposes to serve inspiring humanitarian purposes.

– Phoebe Pradhan

Sources: Ace Show Biz, Celebrity Net Worth, People
Photo: People

,

Pope Francis: Champion of the Poor

pope_francis_blessing
Forbes Magazine has released its annual “World’s Most Powerful People” list, ranking the leaders of nations, intergovernmental agencies and businesses in relation to global influence. In the year 2013, the fourth most influential person in the world is the newly elected leader of the Roman Catholic Church, who has been drawing a lot of positive attention to the office.

As the leader of a church membership of over 1 billion people, Pope Francis has been dedicated to taking the papacy to the poor and the downtrodden. In Latin America, he has recently been nicknamed the Slum Pope because of his frequent visits to the more dangerous and impoverished neighborhoods in the region. His visits to the more destitute areas have given hope that the Catholic Church will do more to help those who cannot help themselves.

After his election in March, Pope Francis called for the church and its followers to return to helping the poor. In the papal tradition of taking on a new name after election, he purposely chose the name of Francis, after Saint Francis d’Assisi. The saint is widely known and recognized as the son of a wealthy man who left his riches to help the poor as a member of the clergy. In Pope Francis’ speeches, he has often championed the themes of poverty, hope and social justice which are the interests of the poor. Helping the poor is the constant theme of his papacy which has been warmly received wherever he has visited.

In his short ministry, he has visited the Italian Island of Lampedusa which is the frequent destination of fleeing African Immigrants seeking better economic and social opportunities in Europe. Every year many Africans unsuccessfully embark to the island with the hopes of ending their poverty but, instead, drown in the Mediterranean before reaching their goal. In his visit to the island, the Pope wept for those that had died and suggested repurposing church resources to accommodate African migrants.

As one of the most admired figures in the world, the Pope has always had a tremendous impact on not only his religious followers but leaders of nations across the world. The Pope is trying to use his office as a worldwide leader to be an advocate for improving the livelihood of the poor. His admirable example is one that should be emulated by leaders throughout the world.

– Travis Whinery

Sources: CNN, CNN Blog, Time, BBC News, Fox News, Forbes
Photo: The Times

,

JP Morgan Chase Historic Settlement

JP_Morgan_Record_Settlement_opt
On November 17, 2013, the megabank JP Morgan Chase reached a record civil settlement of $13 billion and still could face criminal charges. The vast majority of the settlement, $9 billion, will go to State and Federal agencies that insured and backed the many bad mortgages the bank doled out from 2006-2009, including a $2 billion fine received by federal prosecutors. Consumers of the bad-faith mortgages will receive the benefit of the remaining $4 billion through a reduction in interest rates, temporary payment deferment, the removal of abandoned homes from low-income neighborhoods and other measures designed to offer relief to those hit hardest by the bank’s improper practices. There is no mention of the bank buying back any of the sour loans, and those who have already foreclosed are out of luck.

As a whole, the settlement stands to make little impact on the banking giant despite the historic figure. JP Morgan Chase revealed they had put aside $23 billion some time earlier just to pay for expected damages. Last year alone the company recorded over $20 billion in profits, and, despite the current litigation, the company’s stock is increasing as the housing market stabilizes. Last year, the US government budgeted just $42 billion in foreign aid and $11.2 billion in war-related aid to Afghanistan and Iraq. Sequestered litigation funds from JP Morgan Chase alone could have paid almost half of that budget.

Syria is embroiled in an incredibly costly war that has left many homeless as they flee the fighting or watch as their homes are destroyed by shelling. With the total number of refugees expected to hit 3 million by the end of this year, the UN has appealed for $5 billion in aid to house and care for these victims. Right now, they are about $2 billion short of that request. Before the US Justice Department transfers their imposed fine to the treasury, think of the millions of Syrians lacking food, healthcare, water and shelter.

Typhoon Haiyan has destroyed or damaged over 240,000 homes in the Philippines and over 800,000 people have been displaced from the storm. Though aid efforts have been swift and generous, rebuilding destruction of that magnitude will not come quickly. Hurricane survivors will need temporary shelter for months while debris is cleared, utility lines are restored and, eventually, homes are rebuilt. Estimates say the country suffered a total of $15 billion in physical damages. Federal and State investors could donate their $7 billion to the recently homeless of the Philippines and easily cover the cost of returning them to shelter.

$13 billion is a massive sum, why not think big? As of July of this year, the UN estimated a need for $12.84 billion to assist the entire world’s crises. One settlement that only represents a little more than half of JPMorgan Chase’s 2012 profits could provide adequate humanitarian relief to the entire world for the year. One company’s misdeeds resulting in relief for millions across over 25 countries; that would be historic.

– Tyson Watkins

Sources: NY Times, USA Today, Reuters, Reuters, NY Times, USAID, Yahoo News
Photo: Business Week

, ,

The Impact of Poverty on Life Expectancy

Laotian_Kids_in_Village_Poverty_Inequality_Poor_opt
The numbers on poverty are stunning.

One in three people do not have access to electricity. One in three children and one in seven adults suffer from malnutrition. One in five people do not have access to safe drinking water.

The experience of inequality and poverty based suffering is reported again and again in reports issued by international organizations ranging from the UN to the World Bank to the FAO. Poverty robs people of dignity and health to the point that life expectancy falls along with security and quality of life. When the basic rights and needs of people are not met and they are trapped in the cycle of poverty there is an accrued toll on human life. Poverty is so threatening and destabilizing to individual safety and health that it robs people of years of life because the cost and cumulative damage is so great.

The numbers of life lessened by poverty add up each and every day. Every five seconds a child dies of hunger; Every five minutes 19 children under five years of age die of pneumonia; Due to inadequate and substandard medical care, 500,000 mothers every year die in childbirth; five million children every year do not survive to celebrate their fifth birthday.

These numbers imply that there is an inherent cost of life for those who are not privileged and wealthy. In our globalized society, access and participation – which are fundamental aspects of human rights – are not truly guaranteed and protected. One in five, or almost 20 percent of the global population, face barriers to access to food and are unable to participate in the global economy.  Just over 300 million people worldwide have a life expectancy of less than 60 years, partially due to nutrient deficient and incomplete diets as well as the array of maladies and disease that stem from malnutrition and systemic poverty.

Thirty- five percent of the world population does not receive enough protein, and therefore not enough physical energy to function and work normally. Globally, there are 2 billion people who are anemic, including 5.5 million people who reside in countries of wealthy western capitalism.

In the United States, poverty is concentrated along the southern poverty belt stretching from New Mexico, across the deep south and Tennessee and Kentucky, to the Carolinas and Georgia.

A new CDC study recently revealed that states where more than 1 in 3 people live in high poverty areas reported the lowest life expectancy. In regions of poverty like this, burdens such as limited health care, higher crime rates, and poor schools and housing can keep people trapped in poverty and rob them of potential years of life.

Not just being poor, but living in areas blighted by poverty can mean a shorter life span and a stolen future for many people. Underperforming schools, few job opportunities, higher crime rates, poor nutrition and food access, lack of health care and housing all add up to shorter, unhealthier, impoverished lives.

This is no longer an issue of individual security, but larger issues of development, human rights, and economic stability. In order to truly tackle poverty we have to tackle the root causes of inequality, conflict and government corruption. Only when equal access to food and equal enjoyment are obtained can we reach the level of global security where poverty and malnutrition no longer threaten entire countries and limit chances for development and justice.

– Nina Verfaillie
Feature Writer

Sources: Mission Allende, Pravda

Romania Struggles with Poverty

romania_poverty.jpg
Romania, the small country in southeastern Europe, has struggled with poverty throughout its history.  The traditionally agricultural country has floundered since ceasing to be a communist state in 1989.  Poverty is most pronounced in rural areas, which are home to 44% of Romania’s population.

Low agricultural production is a large problem for the rural poor.  Additionally, there are few opportunities for formal employment or higher education outside of urban areas of Romania. Remote mountainous areas receive little support from the government, and suffer from a lack of social services, infrastructure, sanitation and opportunity.

Poor Romanians often leave in search of better opportunities overseas, sometimes at rates of hundreds of thousands per year.  The earnings sent home by these emigrants have made up as much as 6% of Romania’s GDP.  While poverty is a clear and large scale problem in Romania, the government has no formal policy to help raise the employment rate or improve conditions in rural areas.  In fact, there is a marked absence of government initiatives to reduce poverty.

One ethnic group in particular is plagued by poverty, illiteracy, squalid living conditions as well as government discrimination and social persecution.  The Romani people, known negatively around Europe as ‘gypsies’, were held as slaves around Europe until the mid-eighteen hundreds.  They were exterminated by the Nazis on a large scale, and continue to be mistreated around Europe.  Romania is home to as many as two million Roma people, and they are five times as likely as other groups to live in poverty.

Frequently, Roma, like other Romanians, leave to find work and better fortunes in more affluent parts of Europe.  Many Europeans discriminate against the Romani, however, and an influx of Roma people in France has contributed to the recreation of racist, fascist groups from the 1940s.

Romani people often live in segregated neighborhoods, or in their own villages entirely.  One such village, in a rural region of Romania, is generally ignored by the authorities and does not even appear on maps despite its population of over 500 people.  The citizens of Ponorata live without electricity, in handmade wooden homes and frequently in conditions that have been described as ‘medieval’.  Illiteracy and unemployment are rampant.

The plight of Ponorata is a symptom of a wider problem in rural Romania, which is the lack of initiative taken by the government to solve the poverty of these areas. While some non-governmental organizations run schools and health centers, there is a desperate need for a more widespread and coordinated strategy to improve the quality of life of Romanians, especially the Roma.

– Abigail Hanson

Sources: Daily Mail, Rural Poverty Portal, Euractiv