Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

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Milky Way Program Transforms the Dairy Sector and Poverty

Milky Way ProgramNepal faces tough circumstances considering the living standards of the common population. Reported as of February 2024, Nepal currently sees a “less than expected decline in poverty” falling from 25% in 2011 to “just over 20% in 2023.” While it is unfortunate that a country with such warm people faces a tough time, recent poverty alleviation initiatives have helped boost living standards by strategically centring around the Bangladeshi dairy sector. The Milky Way program is a prime example of this. Supplying cattle to households in a Nepalese village has encouraged dairy farming in poverty-stricken village households, even resulting in farmers finally being able to send their children to school.

Milky Way Program

The Milky Way program is supported by Heifer International – a development organization working to end hunger and poverty around the world through the provisions of livestock to supplement dairy farming endeavors – in addition to local and Korean partners to upscale the dairy sector in Nepal.

The initiative supplies high-quality Korean Holstein cattle to households in Nepalese villages to engender better-quality output in the dairy sector. For instance, it supplied 100 cows and eight bulls from Korea to the Kamamalai municipality in the Sindhuli district of Nepal. Farmers received training to help them make the most of these cows and learn to produce milk for money thereby increasing their living standards and income while having the ancillary effect of improving their vocational skillsets.

Bishnu Chopai and Heifer International

Aside from the Milky Way program, the main sponsor – Heifer International – has played a crucial role in improving the quality of life in Nepal. Residing in Phalebas, Nepal, Bishnu recounts the trying days when her husband worked as an expatriate in India, and money was still scarce. She was the primary caretaker for the family during the time and worked on raising their goats to earn more money, but only merely survived on that income. She states “I wished for a time when we could all be together as a family… and we could create a better life for ourselves” until Heifer International supplied their family with cows to raise, alongside training for handling those cows. They recognized dairy farming as a legitimate chance to change the fate of their family, and “transitioned from raising goats to cows.”

Raising cows that Heifer provided proved to be life-changing for Bishnu. Their income increased exponentially, and with that so did their living conditions. It also enabled them to break generational poverty by bestowing a guaranteed better future for their children. Both of their children, aged 12 and 14, are now able to receive an education there in Phalebas, thanks to the newfound income. Bishnu and her husband now operate a full-fledged dairy farm, being able to afford to educate their children and cover health expenses, according to Heifer.

Reinforcing These Initiatives

Initiatives like the Milky Way program in Kamamalai, and the provision of cows in Phalebas, have been instrumental in encouraging the growth of the dairy sector and engendering increased dairy farming interest in struggling households. Considering that the extreme poverty rate could rise from 4.9% to 5.1% in the 2024 fiscal year, it is more important than ever to ensure that the progress seen by the country is not undone.

– Disheta Anand

Disheta is based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Ekti Bari Ekti Khamar: How Enterprise is Transforming Bangladesh

Ekti Bari Ekti KhamarBangladesh has unfortunately lived through a tumultuous history – fighting for its independence and undertaking a long road to recovery which persists. This resulted in 80% of people living below the low-income level in Bangladesh just after independence in 1971. Thankfully, the poverty rate has halved in the last three decades, since 1990. This is remarkable and displays the efforts made by this resilient nation towards improving the living standards of its people. A pivotal government scheme that contributed to this decrease is Ekti Bari Ekti Khamar (One House One Farm). It is a Bangladeshi government social welfare program that focuses on using and encouraging enterprises to make a difference in a highly agrarian society.

Ekti Bari Ekti Khamar

Ekti Bari Ekti Khamar focuses on encouraging farming and welfare practices in rural Bangladesh as a means of alleviating poverty. This focus on enterprise has changed the lives of 470,556 people since its inception in 2009.

Agriculture is naturally one of the largest producing sectors in Bangladesh, with approximately 13.31% of its GDP being dependent on it. Furthermore, 43% of the total Bangladeshi labor force are agricultural employees. This has rendered the sector appropriate to focus on for a poverty alleviation program. With this program, the government grants small sums in the form of loans to poor Bangladeshi people to encourage enterprise and improve their living standards.

The Story of Selina

A prime example of the success of Ekti Bari Ekti Khamar is Selina. The job of Selina’s husband was not well-paying, which rendered living a normal life “tough.” They could not maintain their family and expenses, which changed with Ekti Bari Ekti Khamar. Selina, alongside seven other women, decided to change their lives by purchasing a sewing machine and beginning to sell clothes, according to The Daily Messenger. After this, they opened a shop and took a loan from Palli Sanchay Bank as a means of funding the shop and investing in its growth.

Palli Sanchay Bank is the bank responsible for running Ekti Bari Ekti Khamar, and its role is to provide low-interest loans per this initiative. She was soon able to repay the initial loan and sought another one with the hopes of expanding and operating her business on a much larger scale, The Daily Messenger reports. Eventually, her business expanded immeasurably, and her clothes store was found to have changed the lives of Selina and her husband. This was, of course, in addition to the several other women involved with Selina’s store, as she also helped increase employment opportunities for the impoverished in her community by providing them with jobs.

These helpers earned “250 to 300 Taka each day” and Selina’s monthly income now stands at “Taka 50,000 to 60,000 each day.” In addition to the salary by her husband, Selina and the women in her store are now able to lead more comfortable lives.

Tackling Poverty in Bangladesh

Enterprise has been effective in tackling poverty in Bangladesh. Ekti Bari Ekti Khamar has improved the lives of many impoverished people in the country. Furthermore, it has proved that enterprise-focused initiatives can help with the development and prosperity of a nation. Taking small, positive steps in the right direction involves advocacy and amplifying the aims/results of great initiatives like these, to ensure greater visibility and eventually more parity on the global stage.

– Disheta Anand

Disheta is based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Impact of AI on Agriculture in Kenya and Nigeria

Impact of AI on AgricultureArtificial intelligence (AI) holds considerable promise for redefining agriculture in Kenya and Nigeria, two of Africa’s leading tech hubs. Recent estimates suggest AI could markedly improve Africa’s economy, potentially adding up to $2.9 trillion by 2030. In 2023, African tech startups attracted approximately $4 billion in investments, with Kenya’s AI sector receiving $15 million and Nigeria’s $2.9 million, making them two of the leading recipients. A substantial portion of these funds is being directed to the agricultural sector.

Kenya

Kenya, with a population of about 55 million, has enjoyed relative economic and political stability recently, with a projected growth rate of 5.2% from 2024 to 2026. Despite these positivities, the country faces ongoing issues such as poverty, inequality and natural disasters.

Agriculture, which employs more than 40% of Kenya’s workforce and contributes 33% to GDP, is central to the economy. Smallholder farmers, making up more than 70% of the farming population, are essential for both economic stability and food supply. However, farmers battle unpredictable weather, limited access to information and insufficient resources to cope with the effects of natural disasters.

In 2023, approximately 4.4 million Kenyans experienced severe food insecurity, reflecting the sector’s difficulties with financing, quality inputs and crucial information such as weather forecasts and market prices, according to the 2024 GSMA report.

Nigeria

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation with more than 220 million people, is experiencing rapid growth at an annual rate of more than 2.6%. Despite this, the nation faces substantial economic and social challenges, including stagnant GDP per capita, high poverty rates, and inadequate infrastructure. Agriculture, which employs 40% of the workforce and contributes 24% to GDP, is critical to the economy, yet only 35% of arable land is actively farmed.

Nigerian farmers deal with erratic weather, security issues, poor infrastructure as well as problems like poor seeds, labour shortages, and the loss of farmland to urbanisation, according to ICT Works.

In July 2023, Nigeria declared a food insecurity emergency, forecasting that 26.5 million people could face acute hunger in 2024 due to frequent droughts and floods impacting food production.

The Impact of AI on Agriculture in Kenya

Launched in 2023, Digital Green’s Farmer Chat improves farming advice by offering personalized support to extension workers. It uses information from videos, call logs and factsheets to provide real-time assistance, having already sent more than 134,000 messages in Swahili and English, according to the 2024 GSMA report. Plans are underway to expand its coverage to more crops and regions.

Founded in 2023, Amini addresses the lack of environmental data – such as soil quality and rainfall patterns – which the World Bank identified in 2022. Amino’s platform uses AI and satellite technology for crop monitoring, yield predictions and risk assessments.

Partnering with TensorFlow technology, PlantVillage U.S. nonprofit has developed an AI-powered app to identify plant diseases. The app detects issues on plant leaves such as and recognizes patterns indicating disease outbreaks, helping to combat the 33% crop loss Kenyan farmers face each year due to pests and diseases. The app has attracted more than 10,000 users, who have reported an average 40% increase in crop yields.

The Impact of AI on Agriculture in Nigeria

Crop2Cash offers FarmAdvice, a hotline that gives farming advice via a toll-free number. Since its launch in July 2024, FarmAdvice has provided personalized recommendations in local languages to more than 500,000 farmers across 13 states, helping them increase their incomes and crop yields, according to the 2024 GSMA report.

AirSmart provides AI-driven solutions by collecting and analyzing data from drones, satellites, soil sensors and loT devices. The insights help manage water, fertilizer, and pesticide usage, predict yields and offer data-driven farm management recommendations, according to ICT Works.

The World Food Program (WFP) has developed a predictive model that forecasts food shortages up to 30 days in advance, according to the 2024 GSMA report. By looking at past food consumption data alongside market prices and weather conditions, this tool helps provide early warnings of potential food shortages.

Staying on Track

The impact of AI on agriculture is already being felt in Kenya and Nigeria, but keeping an eye on persistent issues is essential to fully realize its potential. AI is advancing especially in data-driven advisory and financial services, but the high costs of precision tools like loT sensors and drones are problematic. Making these technologies more accessible is important for maximizing the impact of AI on agriculture. While generative AI could assist farmers with low literacy or disabilities, improving digital literacy and ensuring AI services are accessible on affordable mobile devices will enable wider adoption of new agricultural practices among smallholder farmers.

– Georgia O’Keeffe

Georgia is based in Wiltshire, UK and focuses on Technology and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The UN Early Childhood and Sustainable Development Program

The Early Childhood and Sustainable Development ProgramThe United Nations’ (U.N.) joint program, the Early Childhood and Sustainable Development Program, was a key part of the COVID-19 recovery plan, running from March 2020 to February 2022. With an investment of $2.6 million for more than 24 months, the program aimed to address significant challenges in early childhood care. The pandemic exacerbated existing disparities in access to early child care services across different regions and income levels in Argentina, highlighting the urgent need for targeted interventions to support the most vulnerable communities.

Overview

The goal and impact of the Early Childhood and Sustainable Development Program are noteworthy since it has worked toward breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty and inequalities for the most vulnerable groups: women, children, girls, people with disabilities, Indigenous groups and migrants. Promoting access to equitable childhood care services would provide an opportunity for children to get the proper intervention and education needed for their development, leading to a higher possibility of economic mobility. Additionally, child care services could allow parents to work or continue their education, enhancing the families’ economic stability.

In collaboration with the International Labor Organization (ILO), the United Nations Resident Coordinator Office (RCO), the United Nations Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (U.N. ECLAC), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Early Childhood and Sustainable Development Program has benefited 5.2 million children aged 0-6, including 2.7 million from low-income backgrounds. The program aimed to reduce inequality gaps through strategies such as policy enforcement, funding and training for child care workers.

Impact in Argentina

The program supported the Argentine government to initiate the national early childhood strategy (ENPI) at regional and national levels. The government’s ongoing commitment is anticipated to guarantee that child care services remain well-distributed and accessible across the country, even beyond the duration of the U.N.’s joint program.

Another initiative of the U.N.’s Early Childhood and Sustainable Development Program in Argentina was the creation of the Federal Care Map. This tool collects and monitors data on child care services using geo-referenced information. It helps assess which regions require funding most urgently. It also ensures the effective allocation of resources, particularly for Indigenous children in rural areas.

Lastly, the Early Childhood and Sustainable Development Program trained 3,000 early childhood education and service care workers across Argentina. The program provided tools to address the psychosocial effects and developmental issues in children caused by the pandemic. It also supported the implementation of a new curriculum that emphasizes child care centers as places of belonging, care and comfort.

Moving Forward

The U.N.’s Early Childhood and Sustainable Development Program in Argentina is a remarkable example of an effort to confront the root cause of continued poverty. It is anticipated that the long-lasting poverty can be overcome with national and sub-national efforts and active participation from the residents.

– Sein Kim

Sein is based in Bellevue, WA, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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An Unusual Cookery Show is Supporting Refugees in Algeria

Refugees in AlgeriaAmid the rising tide of global crises, an unusual cookery show provides hope to Sahrawi refugees living in Algeria’s remote desert region of Tindouf. Many refugees in Algeria are in dire straits as a result of increased food and fuel prices brought on by the conflict in Ukraine, the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and food shortages. However, a fellow Sahrawi refugee named Haha is hosting a cookery show to help these displaced individuals create nutritious meals with limited resources.

Refugees in Algeria

Sahrawi refugees, who have lived in camps around Tindouf for decades, are now struggling more than ever to access food for their families. With food rations reduced to less than five kilograms per person per month, many are receiving far below the minimum caloric intake needed to maintain health.

Abdel Halim Elfaki, acting representative for the UNHCR in Algeria, expressed concern over the situation. According to UNHCR, this reduction has forced refugees like Muna Hamid, a 35-year-old single mother of two, to make heartbreaking decisions as she watches her children skip meals due to the lack of affordable food.

A Creative Response

In response to the escalating food crisis in the Sahrawi refugee camps, Haha’s cookery show, Min chway nadal chi zayn (translated as “With few ingredients, we make meals”), has become a vital resource for many struggling families. The show, which has been on air since 2012, started as part of a broader initiative from the Italian NGO CISP in collaboration with the Sahrawi Red Crescent and the World Food Programme (WFP). The initiative aims to strengthen food security by raising awareness about nutrition and making the most of the food distributed in the camps.

Haha’s show provides practical lessons on how to create nutritious meals from the limited and often unconventional ingredients available in the desert environment of Tindouf. By creatively blending traditional Sahrawi recipes with new ideas, the show empowers families to maximize their reduced rations. In addition to recipe demonstrations, the show educates viewers on the nutritional benefits of these meals, helping them understand how to combat malnutrition with the resources they have.

The program is filmed in a fully equipped television studio and is part of a broader effort to improve food practices among the refugees in Algeria, according to CISP. It also includes post-distribution monitoring of food availability, access and consumption, as well as training sessions on cooking techniques that enhance the nutritional value of distributed food items.

A Lifeline for Refugees in Algeria

The impact of the cookery show is felt deeply among the refugee community. For instance, Deheba, a 55-year-old grandmother, credits the show with helping her find new ways to provide essential nutrition to her family despite the food shortages, UNHCR reports. The show has introduced her to new recipes that incorporate available vegetables, helping her grandchildren maintain their health.

Deheba mentioned that what she has learned from Haha’s cooking show has been very helpful and has contributed to her family’s well-being, even with the food shortages they face.

Another refugee, Mohamed, a 65-year-old widower and father of six, also relies on the show’s advice. According to UNHCR, after losing his herd of goats during the pandemic, Mohamed has struggled to provide for his children. Yet, thanks to Haha’s guidance, he finds creative ways to use the little he has to keep his family fed.

Empowering Families Through Knowledge

Haha, began her journey as a TV chef driven by the desire to help her community in the Tindouf camps, where she has lived for decades. Despite starting with a simple goal, the show gained popularity and expanded its reach. She invites doctors and nutritionists to her show to educate people about healthy diets.

Haha began collaborating with the WFP to extend her efforts beyond the television screen, taking her knowledge to local schools. She worked with WFP to incorporate her recipes into school feeding programs, which could improve the nutrition of young students.

Looking to the future, Haha hopes that her show will continue to expand, not only providing practical cooking tips but also fostering a greater sense of resilience and hope within the refugee community. She envisions the show as a long-term platform that can inspire healthier eating habits, improve nutrition and perhaps even offer a model for other refugee communities facing similar challenges.

– Sumaiya Sultana

Sumaiya is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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4 Charities Fighting Poverty in Honduras

Charities Fighting Poverty in HondurasHonduras, located in South America, faces significant challenges related to poverty, inequality and social unrest. According to the World Bank, half of the country’s population is impoverished, with a rate of 51.3% as of 2023. Poverty has left many Hondurans struggling to meet basic needs such as food, education and health care. In response, several charities are fighting against poverty in Honduras, providing essential services and support to the most vulnerable populations.

CEPUDO Honduras

CEPUDO Honduras, one of the charities fighting poverty in Honduras, has empowered communities by providing them with the tools they need to succeed. With a mission to develop communities and eradicate extreme poverty, CEPUDO works closely to provide shelter for those in need> Furthermore, they reduce hunger through monthly aid. The organization also focuses on improving access to education and health care. By working with a network of volunteers and donor organizations (such as Food for the Poor), CEPUDO has created long-lasting change in the communities it serves.

Additionally, CEPUDO Honduras has been involved in numerous projects to cultivate integral communities nationwide. These initiatives focus on essential aspects of basic living, including agriculture, infrastructure, education and access to clean water. The organization has established 26 communities nationwide, building approximately 20 schools and 45 water wells annually. Its mission also extends to health care, where it helps construct clinics and provides medical supplies to hospitals and health centers in Honduras through its partnership with Food for the Poor.

Feed the Children

Feed the Children is an international nonprofit organization that has been active in Honduras for several years, focusing on alleviating child hunger and malnutrition. The organization’s work in Honduras is part of a broader global effort to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry. Feed the Children’s approach in Honduras involves a combination of direct food distribution, educational support and community development programs designed to address the underlying causes of hunger.

In Honduras, Feed the Children operates feeding programs that provide nutritious meals to children in schools and community centers. These meals are often the only reliable source of nutrition for many children, helping to improve their health, concentration and academic performance. Beyond feeding programs, the organization also works to empower 10 different communities in the country by teaching parents and caregivers about ways to generate income and save money, along with providing vocational training. By focusing on the well-being of children, Feed the Children is not only addressing immediate hunger but also contributing to the long-term development of communities in Honduras.

Honduras Hope

New Hampshire-based Honduras Hope is a grassroots organization dedicated to improving people’s lives in rural Honduras through health care, education and community development. Endorsed by the United Federal GiveDirect Campaign as one of America’s best charities, the organization operates in some of the country’s most impoverished and remote areas, where access to essential services is limited or nonexistent. Honduras Hope’s mission is to empower these communities by providing the resources and support needed to overcome the challenges of poverty.

One of the core components of Honduras Hope’s work is its health care initiative. The organization provides a weekly nutrition program for San Jose and Plan Grande young children. In addition to health care, Honduras Hope is deeply involved in education, providing uniforms, school supplies, scholarship support, tutoring and a supervised boarding house for students attending school via long-distance travel. Through the approach above, the organization is helping to lift entire communities out of poverty and create a brighter future for the next generation.

Action Against Hunger

In Honduras, Action Against Hunger implements programs that address acute and chronic malnutrition, ensuring that children and families have the nutrition they need to survive and thrive. The organization also responds to emergencies, such as natural disasters and food crises, by providing food aid, clean water and other essential resources. Additionally, Action Against Hunger is actively involved in advocacy, raising awareness about the root causes of Hunger and pushing for policy changes to help reduce poverty and improve food security in Honduras. Last year, the organization helped more than 150,000 people in Honduras, demonstrating its commitment to eradicating global hunger.

Conclusion

The fight against poverty in Honduras is a strenuous process. However, organizations like CEPUDO Honduras, Feed the Children, Honduras Hope and Action Against Hunger significantly improve the lives of those in need. Through their combined efforts in education, health care, nutrition and community development, these charities provide hope and opportunity to the most vulnerable populations in Honduras.

– Christian Core

Christian is based in Princeville, HI, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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4 Charities Combating Child Poverty in Brazil

Child Poverty in BrazilBrazil has the second-highest economy in the Americas. Despite the country having a whopping gross domestic product (GDP) range of $2.17 trillion as of 2023, it is also home to millions of children living in poverty. Vast disparities in wealth and access to essential resources persist, leaving many children and teenagers alike impoverished. Fortunately, several charities are working tirelessly to address these challenges and improve the lives of the most vulnerable children in Brazil. 

ChildFund

Since 1966, ChildFund has been helping impoverished children in Brazil, focusing on improving the lives of children and families in disadvantaged areas. The organization’s efforts center on education, health care and protecting children from violence and exploitation. ChildFund also aims to train community members to monitor water quality and has partnered with multiple programs to implement measures that promote safe water drinking—one of these partnerships accomplished providing clean water to more than 24,000 people in Brazil’s Jequitinhonha Valley.

One of ChildFund’s key initiatives in Brazil is its focus on education and skills training. The organization provides educational support to children, ensuring access to quality schooling and essential resources for success. This includes reducing violence in classrooms and socioeducational activities promoting leadership. Additionally, ChildFund Brazil empowered 8,200 children through its “Taking Care of the First Years of Life” program.

Children of Bahia

Children of Bahia is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting children in one of Brazil’s most impoverished regions, the state of Bahia. Established in 2005, the organization provides food, education and health care to children living in extreme poverty. By working directly with local communities, Children of Bahia addresses the needs of the children it serves and provides targeted support where needed most.

The organization also supports projects where children receive meals, access necessary health care and participate in extracurricular activities like the Wednesday Club. In addition to providing direct support, Children of Bahia strengthens families and communities by offering workshops and community development programs. This approach ensures children get the support they need to thrive at home and within their communities.

GlobalGiving

GlobalGiving is an international crowdfunding platform connecting donors with grassroots projects worldwide, including Brazil. The platform supports various initiatives to combat child poverty in Brazil through its platform. These projects are run by local organizations that deeply understand the communities they serve, ensuring that donations are used effectively to create lasting change.

In Brazil, GlobalGiving supports projects that provide education, health care and necessities to needy children. For example, some projects focus on improving rural communities’ access to clean water and sanitation. In contrast, others provide scholarships and educational resources to children who would otherwise be unable to attend school. The organization’s model allows donors to choose specific projects they want to support, providing transparency and ensuring that their contributions make a direct impact.

Compassion International

Compassion International is a well-known organization that works to alleviate child poverty through its child sponsorship programs. The organization provides children access to education, health care and spiritual guidance in Brazil. Compassion’s sponsorship programs connect donors with individual children. It provides them with the financial support needed to attend school, receive medical care and participate in extracurricular activities.

The organization has also served 223 churches to create safe and nurturing environments for the children, for which approximately 69,000 have received aid. In addition to meeting basic needs, Compassion’s programs emphasize the importance of emotional and spiritual well-being. They offer counseling and support to help children overcome the challenges they face.

Conclusion on Charities in Brazil

The work of charities such as ChildFund, Children of Bahia, GlobalGiving and Compassion International demonstrates that the power of collective action. These organizations have sufficiently reduced child poverty in Brazil via education, health care, food and water supply and sponsoring.

– Christian Core

Christian is based in Princeville, HI, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Battling Diseases in El Salvador

Diseases in El Salvador
El Salvador is a country in the west of Central America. The country is the smallest and most densely populated of the seven Central American countries. Countries with dense populations tend to have more problems with disease. The dense population, among other factors, has led to the rise of diseases in El Salvador.

The Impact of Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes tend to spread diseases in El Salvador, similar to many Central and South American countries. This is partly due to the hot climate. The CDC has warned against several diseases that mosquitos pass when traveling to El Salvador. One of these diseases is Zika. For most, Zika is a minor inconvenience. Some of the symptoms include fever, rash, headache, joint pain, red eyes and muscle pain. Although uncommon, it is possible for zika to cause Guillain-Barre syndrome, which causes one’s immune system to attack their nerve cells. The people most at risk with Zika are pregnant women. Zika can cause serious birth defects in the child and other pregnancy problems.

Although mosquitoes are dangerous, they are not the only insects that can cause problems. Leishmaniasis is spread from the bite of a sand fly. Sand flies are present in many areas, including Central America. There are three forms of the disease. The first is cutaneous, which causes skin sores, the second is mucosal, which causes sores in the nose, mouth and throat and visceral, which impacts internal organs. The first two forms can lead to lifelong disability if left untreated. Meanwhile, the last one has a 90% mortality rate without treatment, making it one of the most dangerous diseases in El Salvador.

Leptospirosis

Bug bites and other diseased animals are a very common vector for disease, but far from the only ones. Leptospirosis is spread through urine, body fluids and contaminated water. Leptospirosis is not as common in Latin America as the other diseases, but El Salvador still has 4.65 cases per 100,000 people. Some symptoms include high temperature, headache, body aches and pains, stomach ache, diarrhea and yellowing of the skin. The survival rate depends on the severity of the disease, but in severe cases, the mortality rate is around 40%. Unfortunately, El Salvador has some of the most polluted water in Latin America. Some causes for the issue are considered poor waste management and overexploitation from companies. One can attribute both of these to the country’s poverty. The poverty rate in El Salvador is higher than the Latin American and Caribbean average.

Tuberculosis

Although one can take precautions to avoid bugs and contaminated water, prevention is more difficult when a disease is airborne. One example is tuberculosis. The disease is not  as common in El Salvador as it is in other countries, as there are 49 cases per 100,000 people. However, it is still on the watchlist for traveling to El Salvador. Some symptoms of tuberculosis are an extended cough, chest pain, coughing up blood, weakness or fatigue, weight loss, loss of appetite, chills, fever and sweating at night. Tuberculosis can be fatal without treatment.

Bill S.288

Bill S.288 aims to refocus U.S. actions on prevention, address virulent drug-resistant TB strains and provide support for the best practices and technologies in TB diagnosis and treatment. The bill establishes new goals for U.S. efforts and employs prevention and treatment suggestions based on the latest scientific data while also increasing accountability and transparency. The last action on the bill was that it was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Although fighting these diseases can be hard for governments it is not impossible. In 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) certified El Salvador as malaria-free. This was the final result of a 50 year commitment by the government to fight Malaria, making them the first country in Central America to be malaria-free. This was accomplished through vector control, early detection, rapid treatment, community engagement and education, international funding and overall government commitment to the cause.  

The World Mosquito Program

Some organizations like the World Mosquito program are helping to fight diseases spread by mosquitos all over the world. In 2022, El Salvador’s Ministry of Public Health announced they would collaborate with the World Mosquito program for the Wolbachia project. The Wolbachia project is releasing non biting male mosquitos into areas with high disease rates. These mosquitoes hold a bacteria which prevents eggs they produce with females from hatching.

Looking Ahead

In conclusion, the dense population and tropical climate of El Salvador create a challenging environment for controlling the spread of various diseases. Mosquito-borne illnesses like Zika and Leishmaniasis, as well as rodent-transmitted diseases such as hantavirus, pose significant health risks. Additionally, diseases like leptospirosis and tuberculosis highlight the complexity of the health landscape. Despite these challenges, El Salvador’s achievement of being declared malaria-free by the WHO demonstrates that with sustained effort and effective public health strategies, progress is possible. Continued support from global organizations and comprehensive health initiatives are essential to further reduce the burden of infectious diseases and improve public health in El Salvador.

– Matthew Mendives

Matthew  is based in Colonia, NJ and focuses on Global Health and Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Challenge of Sustaining Ukraine’s Agricultural Sector

Ukraine’s Agricultural SectorUkraine’s agricultural sector underpins its national economy and global food security. Therefore, the support of the United States (U.S.) for Ukrainian agriculture is a strategic priority. The European Union (EU), meanwhile, has balanced supporting Ukraine with protecting EU agricultural markets.

The Importance of Ukraine’s Agricultural Sector

Ukraine’s agricultural sector employs 14% of its population. Ukraine was the largest global producer of sunflower, the second largest producer of sunflower oil and meal, the sixth for rapeseed and corn and the seventh for wheat. Following an Association Agreement with the EU, agriculture’s share of Ukraine’s exports increased from 27% in 2013 to 41% by 2021, with agricultural exports to the EU accounting for $7.7 billion out of a total of $27.8 billion.

The war in Ukraine has worsened food price inflation and acute global food insecurity, particularly in the Middle East and Africa. An estimated 400 million people in 36 of the 55 food-insecure countries rely on Ukrainian food products. Previously, half of the World Food Programme’s (WFP) grain stock came from Ukraine. The country also supplied a third of the cereal imported into the Middle East and North Africa. Nations like Libya, Pakistan, Yemen and Lebanon import 30% of their wheat from Ukraine, while 45% of wheat imports to East Africa come from the country.

Global food prices and acute food insecurity reached record highs in 2022, partly due to the war’s disruptions of supply chains and the price of fertilizer, food commodities and fuel. This also raises humanitarian assistance costs.

The Extent of Damage Inflicted

Russia has strategically destroyed, damaged and seized farms, food storage facilities, agricultural machinery and irrigation systems. This allows Russia to diminish Ukraine’s income and ability to resist, acquire the nation’s exports and create pressure by provoking food crises. Russia inflicted $10.3 billion in damages to the agricultural sector and $69.8 billion in losses by the end of 2023. Agricultural machinery accounts for 56.7 % of lost value.

Among the seized or lost products are 2.8 million tonnes of grain, 1.2 million tonnes of oilseeds, 124,000 tonnes of fertilizer and 11.6 million liters of fuel. The conflict caused seven million Ukrainians to experience moderate or severe acute food insecurity in September 2023. The regions of Zaporizhya, Kherson and Luhansk suffered the most, with 65% of the total damages. An estimated 7.5% of Ukrainian cropland has been abandoned.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates that harvested area is down from 2021 levels for wheat, corn and barley for 2023 are down 32%, 27% and 37%, respectively. Nearly 20% of Ukraine’s storage capacity on its territory is lost.

Global Support

Following Russia’s capture of key ports by May 2022, exports went through Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and Romania by land and river through EU Solidarity Lanes and later via a corridor with Turkey. The high weight-to-value ratio of agricultural products renders transportation by land expensive, reducing the level of grain exported and making sea routes crucial. The U.N.-brokered Black Sea Grain Initiative enabled the export of nearly 33 million metric tons of grains and other agricultural products from July 2022 to July 2023. To further alleviate food security pressures, international sanctions against Russia (and Belarus) exempted agricultural products, including fertilizer.

The EU has also been crucial in supporting Ukraine’s agricultural sector, with 50% of Ukrainian wheat exports going to Europe in February 2022. However, opposition from EU farmers led to restricted grain sales from May 2022 to September 2023. Now, the EU has implemented quotas for Ukrainian agricultural products and emergency breaks for certain products to protect their farmers while also re-exporting grain.

Similarly, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Agriculture Resilience Initiative (AGRI-Ukraine) supported the production and export of seeds, fertilizers and agricultural equipment. Investment totaled $350 million in its first year. In July, USAID announced it secured $510 million in private sector and donor investments for Ukraine’s agricultural sector. The program helped 32% of Ukraine’s registered farmers access seeds, fertilizers, crop protection, storage and financing.

Conclusion

Ukraine’s agricultural sector benefited from global economic support, trade reconfiguration and the recovery of some ports. Despite increased production and exports, recovering Ukraine’s agricultural output and income is challenging amid hostilities. However, it is crucial in tempering global food crises and sustaining Ukraine’s resistance effort. The biggest challenges include extensive infrastructure damage, landmine prevalence, trade costs and disruptions and coordination between Ukraine’s government, international actors and the private sector.

– Luke Ravetto

Luke is based in Boston, MA and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Making Space for Menstruation: Key to Girls’ Participation in School

Girls’ Participation in SchoolFor many girls and women, their first period is often accompanied by feelings of embarrassment, fear and even shame—emotions that are vividly remembered. These feelings, however, don’t fade with time but instead, continue to shape their experience of menstruation. The advent of this first period then, a moment supposedly marking the onset of womanhood, quickly becomes a monthly obstacle to education for many girls and women globally who must navigate a context in which their periods are shamed. To increase girls’ participation in school, addressing menstruation and dismantling the taboo surrounding it has to become part of the educational system. This is the focus of the Paris School of Economics (PSE) research project in Madagascar. The research aims to create space for menstruation in education and foster an environment where it is no longer stigmatized.

Periods as an Obstacle to Education

In Bangladesh, 32% of girls were unaware of what menstruation was before they got their first period. One in five girls in rural Ethiopia has no access to materials to manage their menstruation. With 1.5 billion people lacking basic sanitation facilities, many women and girls do not have a private space to menstruate. As a result of the period taboo, period poverty and the lack of hygiene facilities, many girls see their periods not as “a natural and healthy process” but as a significant interruption to everyday life. This interruption is felt most fully in the context of school.

Take the mundane and everyday experience of leaking. Accidental leaking is made all the more likely for girls in developing countries as a result of reduced access to materials to manage menstruation and extended journeys to school. The lack of sanitation and clean water facilities limits girls’ ability to deal with leaking in privacy. Finally, often left without support from family or teachers, girls can be subjected to ridicule from peers. It is clear to see how periods may dissuade girls from attending school. One in 10 girls in Africa will miss school when menstruating: 3-5 days every month of lost schooling.

In Madagascar, menstruation has been aptly identified as a lead cause of absenteeism for girls. In some cases, menstruation is also a catalyst for them dropping out altogether. This not only limits their future economic opportunities, drawing them away from the productive labor market, but also increases their risks of child marriage and pregnancy.

Talking Periods: Peer-To-Peer Conversation

Funded by the Fund for Innovation in Development (FID), the PSE is pursuing a research project with periods in mind: the “Young Girls Leaders” program. Its research goal is to determine whether promoting healthy and productive discussions between girls to reduce the stigma around menstruation at the forefront can increase girls’ participation in school. The program is being run in three districts in Amoron’i Mania, Madagascar. Between three and six girls will be chosen and educated in menstrual management. The girls will be encouraged to converse with their female peers without the discomfort that often accompanies these exchanges.

To determine the benefits of the Young Girls Leaders program, 70 schools will receive both the U.N. Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) intervention and the Young Girls Leaders program. An additional 35 schools will only receive the WASH program. In comparison, another 35 schools will serve as a control group, receiving neither intervention. The research program predicts that healthy conversations surrounding periods will cause a “social norm shift.” Furthermore, when used with the WASH intervention, significantly increases the likelihood of girls staying in schools during their menstrual cycles.

Conclusion

The research conducted by the PSE is not focused on the direct implementation of long-term programs to address period poverty. Instead, it aims to produce evidence that can be used to develop broader, large-scale interventions globally, ensuring that girls remain in school while menstruating. By supporting this research, the FID highlights the importance of international funding in driving innovation with a development-centered outlook.

– Tilly Phillips

Tilly is based in Surrey, UK and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr