Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

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Renewable Energy in Mauritania

Renewable Energy in MauritaniaThe consequences of natural disasters can exacerbate poverty, yet poverty alleviation efforts, such as economic development and industrialization, can also have negative environmental impacts. However, in Mauritania, a coastal country along the Sahel strip, the transition towards green economies presents unique opportunities. The Mauritanian government, under the 2016-2030 Accelerated Growth and Shared Prosperity Strategy, aims to enhance the energy sector, with a strong focus on renewable energy. Bilateral agreements and international aid initiatives support this effort. Both domestic and global actors recognize the pertinence of renewable energy in Mauritania for development.

Conditions in Mauritania

Monetary poverty in Mauritania is falling. In 2023, according to the UNDP, 6.5% of the population lives below the income poverty line. However, the UNDP also reports that the nation’s standard of living indicators are lower than in similar economies. Electricity access, for example, is low for rural populations at 4%.

Mauritania is chiefly a “traditional subsistence economy,” with agriculture and livestock raising being its largest sector. Mining and fishing are the nation’s major exports. At the same time, Mauritania has remarkable potential for renewable energy production. Straddling both the Sahara desert and the Atlantic Ocean, the nation has more than 700,000 square kilometres of space for solar and wind energy generation. The nation is leveraging this potential for development and economic growth.

Opportunities for Development

Renewable energy technology is offering new opportunities for development initiatives. One example is solar energy-powered water drilling, which has been effective in expanding access to clean water in Mauritania’s most isolated communities. UNICEF, which supports the initiative, has found solar energy to be the most cost-effective power source when compared to other, non-renewable sources. As of 2018, solar energy supplies the majority of drinking water drills, a rise to 60% from 20% in 2015.

Investments in renewable energy in Mauritania have also expanded the power grid capacity of the nation. More than 40% of the country’s energy is now generated from renewable sources, according to the International Trade Administration (ITA). This effort is continuing to grow, with $289.5 million invested in two projects to increase solar energy production and connectivity, both to rural regions and neighboring nations.

Center of International Cooperation

Export potential has made the renewable energy sector a focus for international cooperation. Under its Power Africa initiative, USAID has worked with the nation to increase electricity connection, including helping create 8,436 solar lamp connections. The development of renewable energy production and technologies has also been a key area of interest for the ITA as well as the U.S. Department of Energy. The latter signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the COP28 to support Mauritanian clean energy technologies and low-carbon exports including steel and green hydrogen.

Green hydrogen in particular is at the forefront of clean energy development, piquing the interest of large energy firms. With this, the nation has signed four MoUs with multinational energy corporations for green hydrogen production and development, including one with CWP Global to create the largest green hydrogen production facility in the world, according to ITA.

Much of the pledged development remains in the early stages, although the growing share of renewables in Mauritania’s energy supply is promising. Renewable energy in Mauritania and green hydrogen, in particular, presents opportunities to add value to the nation’s exports and economy, as well as efforts to elevate standards of living. As the world begins to transition to green economies, Mauritania represents a nation where this effort and economic development intersect.

– Imme Koolenbrander

Imme is based in Beijing, China and focuses on Business and Technologyfor The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Health Care in Palestine

Health Care in PalestineRecent violence in Palestine has had serious consequences for civilians living in the Gaza Strip. As of June 29, 2024, “at least 37,834 Palestinians had been killed and 86,858 wounded in Israel’s war on Gaza since October 7,” according to Aljazeera. With the rise of violence in the Gaza Strip, an area that measures just 141 square miles, the necessity of health care in Palestine has also risen in importance.

Health Care Difficulties

Even before the most recent conflict, the health care system in Palestine could not always provide satisfactory health services to all of its residents. Limitations have been imposed on items coming into Palestine, most notably the Gaza Strip, making it difficult for the health care sector in the region to get access to the supplies it needs to treat everyone properly.

Deficits of water, electricity and staff have also further created problems for the health care industry in Palestine. On top of this, many Palestinians live in refugee camps, which not only produces more health risks, but these camps do not often receive the health care that they need.

Israel’s Impact

However, activity coming from Israel has amplified these health care limitations as the Israeli military has destroyed hospitals and has been attacking patients and workers in the Gaza Strip. Beyond just health care, the Israeli military has prevented Palestinians from receiving “water, food, electricity and fuel,” as evidenced by the Institute for Palestinian Studies and this certainly creates its own set of problems. In the West Bank as well, roads that ambulances utilize have been blocked by Israeli forces.

As far as aid goes, only certain entrances to the country have been made accessible by Israel to allow relief to come into the country. Israeli forces have been accused of killing many individuals hoping to provide aid to the Gazan people.

Limitations of Aid

On top of these issues, robberies on deliveries of aid are further extrapolating the difficulties of getting assistance to the Palestinian people. Some argue that Israel needs to institute stronger levels of security to ensure that aid can actually make it into the country and be utilized to help the Palestinians. Aid in other forms, such as food, has also been limited in entering the country which has certainly created repercussions for the welfare of Palestinians. Malnutrition has become a widespread problem across the region.

Doctors Without Borders has identified how slow the process of moving aid into the country has been, which has created the problem of less than sufficient medical care resources being available. In fact, the organization has reported that “it has been unable to bring any medical supplies into Gaza since the end of April.”

Providing Aid

However, Doctors Without Borders has still been able to help thousands of people in the state of Palestine in the past couple of months. Thousands of wounds have been bandaged, tens of thousands of health appointments have been administered to Palestinians and surgeries have been able to take place as a result of Doctors Without Borders’ efforts.

 Another organization, Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP), has also completed enormous amounts of work in the region. This group has provisioned Gaza with millions of dollars worth of medical necessities, such as antibiotics, bandages and medicines, while simultaneously working to limit the impacts of malnutrition. MAP has worked in both Gaza and the West Bank.

– Brendan Sheehan

Brendan is based in San Rafael, CA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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WFP Pushing for Poverty Relief in Togo

Poverty Relief in TogoTogo, also known as the Togolese Republic, is the smallest country in Africa and home to roughly 8.8 million people. The Togo economy is mainly reliant on commercial subsistence agriculture as it is 60% of the labor force. COVID-19 has destroyed Togo’s well being and economy. In the Savanes region of Togo, 32% of the population are battling crisis or emergency level food insecurity. Furthermore, 23.8% of children from ages 6 to 59 months are at risk of chronic malnutrition. The surrounding landlocked countries struggling with the same issues as Togo, receive the aid they need from the Port of Lome in Togo. The Port of Lome acts as the center of control for the distribution of resources for the landlocked countries such as Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali. The World Food Programme’s (WFP) initiatives broadened to other activities such as poverty relief in Togo after pairing with the African CDC to distribute COVID-19 vaccines.

WFP Provides Poverty Relief in Togo

Out of 71,991 total beneficiaries, 33,392 are male and female, from ages 5-11 years old. WFP has not given up on the nation of Togo. There is still room for improvement in WFP’s poverty relief initiative, including but not limited to cash-based transfers, asset creation and livelihood, additional resource transfers and overall beneficiaries over the age of 12. The cash-based transfers are meant to directly affect the pockets of impoverished Togo residents as well as refugees residing in the nation. In addition to the projects that the World Bank financed, with the age group of 5-11 years seeing the most beneficiaries, age groups more than 12 years old are receiving less than 45% of the expected amount.

The latest report from the World Food Programme, published May 13, 2024, displays WFP’s progress in the poverty relief of the Togolese Republic. WFP has distributed a total of 77,554 school meals, reaching 14,207 children in 50 different schools supported by WFP in northern Togo. The World Food Programme is also appealing to the United Nations for a sum of $12.5 million in order to reach more beneficiaries in Togo. WFP, along with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are aiming to assist vulnerable parts of Togo damaged by flooding in the Northern region with 185.5 metric tons of food. Furthermore, a warehouse has been established in Kara to support the humanitarian operations in the Northern Region of Togo. However, there has been some struggle in WFP’s efforts to rehabilitate Togo’s infrastructure.

Rainfall

Food security has deteriorated in 2024 due to the Sahel crisis, the inflation of food and agricultural impacts due to the Ukrainian crisis and the extreme climate crisis occurring in Northern Togo. There has been a steady decrease in rainfall in West African countries. This disproportionately affects the population since the economy is heavily reliant on agriculture. Several studies have reported that on average in a 30 year scale (1968-1997) rainfall was 15%-40% lower than the earlier 30 year margin (1931-1960).

Looking Ahead

WFP has made immense progress in bolstering fiscal policy and debt management, business employment opportunities, the energy and digital sector, as well as agricultural productivity, health resources and food security. The budget that WFP provided to Togo and donations are financing these efforts. Donors to WFP’s efforts include the European Commission, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Government of Togo, the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance and more.

The European Commission is supporting poverty relief in Togo not just by donating to WFP, but through the Togolese government in the “Togo 25” roadmap for a total of 145 million euros to Togo. The strengthening of the internal infrastructure of Togo has led to immense social, political and economic growth in the struggling nation. These efforts have received support not just from the World Food Programme, but also from several other organizations and countries, pushing for humanitarian relief in the Togolese Republic.

– Petralyn Yeboah-Manson

Petralyn is based in New Jersey, USA and focuses on World News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How USAID Programs in South Africa Are Fighting HIV

USAID Programs in South AfricaDespite decades of efforts to reduce poverty, South Africa’s levels of income inequality still rank “amongst the world’s most extreme.” As the country struggles against colonial and apartheid legacies and a lack of economic growth, the 2014 World Bank data suggested that approximately 55% of the South African population was living below the poverty line.

E-International Relations article has identified an undeniable and inextricable link between poverty and ill health, with poverty preventing access to hospital treatment, and ill health preventing the ability to carry out labor. It may be unsurprising, then, that HIV in the country is not just widespread, but at the epicenter of the wider HIV epidemic. Despite this, USAID programs in South Africa aim to change this reality and recent developments in their work suggest a brighter future for the health of the population.

HIV Prevalence in South Africa

In 2022, the South African government estimated that 8.45 million people were living with HIV in the country, and as of 2019, 20% of all new HIV cases occurred there. The concentration of cases in the 15-49 age group, where individuals are of reproductive age further exacerbates the crisis. Combined with conditions such as low condom use in the 15-24 age group, and young men debuting sexually at earlier ages (before age 15), HIV continues to wage its war on the South African population, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

USAID’s Response

USAID is doing critical work in the health sector. The agency’s work in the region is facilitated through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a scheme through which the U.S. government has contributed more than $110 billion to the global HIV/AIDS response. PEPFAR’s funding allows USAID to work effectively against the HIV crisis in South Africa, ultimately aiming to strengthen the country’s overall health system.

Though the South African government finances almost 80% of its HIV response, according to the CSIS, USAID has also been instrumental. The agency has been able to provide more than 1.4 million antiretroviral treatments (ART) in South Africa, a treatment that prolongs the lives of those already infected with HIV. Furthermore, according to its website, it has supported the South African National TB Program in expanding its treatment capacity, an essential strategy in fighting the public health threat posed by HIV and AIDS-related tuberculosis.

A Future of Prevention

In September 2023, USAID announced that it had partnered with the South African Medical Research Council, contracting them for research and development of an HIV vaccine. This development in USAID programs in South Africa marks a notable shift from a focus on treating HIV infection, to preventing it, and fittingly accompanies PEPFAR’s plan to focus on sustainable prevention of HIV throughout the next five years, according to USAID’s website. The search for an HIV vaccine has been ongoing for 40 years, and this localized initiative will now allow South African scientists to be at the forefront of healing their country from crisis.

In USAID’s official press release for this contract, Deputy Administrator Paloma Adams-Allen emphasized that, in South Africa, “the scientific community is on the cusp of developing a vaccine to prevent HIV.” This hopeful suggestion, and the clear shift from treatment towards prevention, points to a brighter future for South Africa and is a significant step towards USAID and PEPFAR’s goal to end HIV as a public health threat by 2030.

– Maeve Relihan

Maeve is based in Birmingham, UK and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How Francis Ngannou is Fighting Poverty in Cameroon

Francis NgannouPoverty is a global issue. It is present in every country and continent. This is a story about Francis Ngannou, an MMA fighter and cross-over elite boxer, who runs a foundation to help improve access to education and opportunities for thousands in Cameroon.

Poverty in Cameroon and Sub-Saharan Africa

According to the World Bank, in 2019, 57% of the world’s poor lived in sub-Saharan Africa. This means that more than half of the families in the subcontinent experience poverty and consequently have challenges accessing necessities like food, water, clothing and shelter.

In Cameroon, 43.6% of people live in multidimensional poverty. Multidimensional poverty is a World Bank index that measures the percentage of households that experience poverty in “health, education and standard of living.”

Francis Ngannou escaped poverty in Cameroon by traveling a dangerous route to Europe, in the process getting jailed and becoming homeless. Luckily, he found fortune as an MMA fighter initially in France, later in the U.S., and also crossed over to global elite boxing.

Life in Cameroon

Francis Ngannou was born on September 5, 1986, in the village of Batié in Western Cameroon, the fourth of five children. He struggled to get an education as the system in the country did not embrace the needs of diverse young learners like him. He became a child laborer for meager wages in the sand mines to support his poor family at the age of 10. In 2012, at the age of  25, his relentless spirit for success led him to undertake a dangerous odyssey to leave Cameroon and try to reach Europe. His dream was to become a professional boxer.

His ordeal became further complicated when he arrived in Spain by boat as an undocumented immigrant and was jailed for two months for illegally crossing the border. In the same year, he made it to France, where he was homeless for many months before his fortune changed.

Francis Ngannou’s career as a mixed martial artist began in France, where he achieved initial success, which allowed him to catch the attention of American mixed martial artists’ biggest company, the Ultimate Fighting Champion (UFC), where he became Heavy Champion of the World in 2021.

Ngannou was able to leave Cameroon, however, millions who live in the country, face challenges like child labor, poverty and low wages. 

The Francis Ngannou Foudation

Founded in 2018, the Francis Ngannou Foundation was his way to give back to his community and country. According to the foundation’s website, its mission is to “reach highly low-income, underserved and vulnerable populations, marginalized communities, causes and geographical locations often overlooked by mainstream philanthropy in Cameroon and Africa.” The foundation focuses its work on core areas: education, sports and arts, health, mental health and drug addiction and Emergency Relier.

Notable achievements of the foundation include renovating, modernizing, and expanding dozens of schools across Cameroon.  The foundation provided school materials to thousands of children and students with quality supplies so that they could start their academic year well-equipped and motivated. During the COVID-19 crisis, the foundation distributed groceries and financial aid to 1,050 families. The organization has also built the first and second MMA-certified gyms in Cameroon and Central Africa in Douala.

– Jonathan Ajah

Jonathan is based in London, UK and focuses on World News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Addressing Child Poverty In Kiribati 

Child Poverty in Kiribati
As a country that is geographically isolated, fragmented, environmentally vulnerable and economically challenged, Kiribati struggles with degraded soil, and challenges with education access, along with overpopulation. This trickles down to the children–the heart and bulk of its society. About 21.9% of the country lives below the poverty line, living off of subsistence farming, sea-faring industries or opportunities in the urban center of South Tarawa. Child poverty in Kiribati results in a lifestyle for those who must fend for themselves.

The Current State

Kiribati is a youthful country. About 36% of the population is under the age of 15. The under-5 mortality rate sits at 48 per 1,000 live births and has one of the highest neonatal rates of mortality in the Pacific—39 per 1,000 live births. In comparison, Australia sits at three per 1,000 live births.

About 22% of people live in poverty. However, this varies based on the region, education and labor market characteristics of certain households. Kiribati’s remote, decentralized structure, makes it hard to obtain an accurate sense of the situation amongst these islands. However, there seem to be two groups of poor existing in Kiribati: those in South Tarawa, the capital, and those who live in the southern and northern divisions of the country.

Those who live in South Tarawa—a rapidly growing urban center—have access to more services, human capital and opportunities for employment and education, according to the SPC Statistics for Development Division. Those in other regions may not have access to basic needs or the possibility of economic mobility.

Geography

Kiribati is vulnerable to sudden weather changes. None of the islands rises above eight meters, the highest being Banaba (285 feet). Lower levels leave the land at risk of floods, as well as droughts, according to Britannica. In 2022, an extended drought created a scarcity of quality drinking water, putting people at risk for waterborne disease.

The bulk of Kiribati’s economy comes from the capital of South Tarawa, where tourism, agriculture and fishing provide jobs.

Overpopulation and Waste Management

Though the increasing population makes for a larger workforce, the lack of economic diversity, its remote location and reliance on imports create a situation where much of the population still lives in poverty.

South Tarawa is devastatingly overcrowded, holding upwards of 69,000 people with a density that resembles Tokyo or Hong Kong. People who live a subsistence lifestyle on the outer islands aim to move to the urban sectors. This migration to the main islands puts pressure on the structural systems of the city, leaving multitudes of citizens struggling and unemployed.

Waste and sewage management is an issue that puts freshwater sources at risk. The city holds just over half the total population of Kiribati, contributing to the water crisis. The Country holds the highest infant mortality rates in the Pacific, the deaths inevitably linked to diarrhoea, dysentery and gastroenteritis.

Education

Primary education is free for children ages six through 15. Eight out of 10 children complete lower-level secondary education, but the rate dips to two out of 10 for upper-level secondary education. Though many teachers have certification up to year 11 of secondary primary school, there have been reports of inaccurate qualifications and certifications.

Those who can send their children to secondary school do so in Tarawa, swelling the overpopulation issue. Children attending school in urban centers are isolated from their parents. This leaves them more vulnerable to different forms of neglect and abuse. In the home, corporal punishment is an accepted form of discipline, a practice that is embedded in social and cultural norms.

By law, children under the age of 14 cannot work in Kiribati and those under 16 are not allowed to work industry jobs or on sea-faring ships. As a result, many children work unofficially after mandatory school hours, producing funds by selling small items such as brooms, combs, etc.

The lack of status, education and money exacerbates child poverty in Kiribati. Many are at risk of sexual exploitation and violence. These issues have been linked to fishing vessels coming to sell food and other items. According to the U.S. Department of State, Kiribati is a “source country” for sex trafficking.

Food Poverty and Malnutrition

The malnutrition crisis is the leading cause of death for children under 5. Poor soil quality makes agriculture challenging. As a result, people rely on imported, processed foods that fail to provide adequate nutrition needs. The intake of more unhealthy food intensifies the problem, increasing levels of anaemia, malnutrition and overweight/obesity issues.

Food poverty affects many developing countries living under adverse conditions. As of 2022, one in three children (200 million globally) consume food from less than two food categories a day, as opposed to the recommended eight. Half of East Asian and Pacific children eat under four food groups, according to Global Citizen.

As for Kiribati, the situation is dire. A recent study from UNICEF found that “upwards of 90% of children live in food poverty,” Global Citizen reports. The situation could only get worse with the stagnation of the efforts to improve food security in the East Pacific.

Improving Child Poverty in Kiribati

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) began providing maternal and neonatal health care in Kiribati in 2022, focusing on Tarawa and the Gilbert Islands. It aims to reduce pregnancy-related illnesses and mortality by training local health care workers and offering clinical support. In 2022, MSF assisted 520 births and conducted 87 parental consultations.

The Child Fund helps impoverished children and their communities build self-reliance. In the Pacific, it focuses on Kiribati, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. The organization addressed the water crisis in Kiribati by installing solar water distillation units in schools and communities and educating about sanitation and hygiene, according to its website.

– Jonathan McCloud

Jonathan is based in Royse City, TX, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Challenging Poverty in The Solomon Islands

Navigating Post-Conflict Challenges in the Solomon IslandsFor five years, from 1998 to 2003, violent civil conflict battered the Solomon Islands, leaving deep scars. Islanders still working to rebuild and rehabilitate their communities bear the burdens of social, political and economic instability. The challenges are stark: nearly 200,000 people live below the poverty line, a significant portion of the population relies on subsistence farming and 16.5% are undernourished. In response to these pressing issues, the United Nations (U.N.) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) are actively addressing gender inequality, food insecurity, disease and poverty in the Solomon Islands.

Advancing Gender Equality and Women’s Rights

The Solomon Islands is a deeply patriarchal and conservative society, but it is making significant progress toward female empowerment. The U.N. General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women on 18 Dec. 1979. It advances the roles of women and girls in all spheres of life, from agriculture to government. The Solomon Islands enacted its first Family Protection Act 35 years later, a landmark piece of legislation that outlawed domestic violence and significantly stepped toward protecting women from physical and sexual assault. According to the U.N. Women, the government advances women’s equity by implementing fee-free education and enacting targeted measures to increase primary and secondary education enrollment rates, enabling girls to start and stay in school.

Economic Competitiveness through Agriculture

Solomon Islanders primarily work in agriculture, mining, forestry, fishing and tourism. Their main exports—fish and timber—have been depleted. This has led to widespread underemployment and left thousands unable to provide for their families. To enhance the Solomon Islands’ economic competitiveness, USAID partnered with the largest cocoa buyer in the Solomon Islands to promote farmers’ education, develop nurseries, renew family plantations and improve processing techniques. This collaboration has significantly impacted agribusiness by increasing farmers’ productivity and income. These interventions have also improved the governance of natural resources through partnerships with national, provincial and community partners.

Enhancing Health Care and Disease Prevention

The U.N. and USAID have played critical roles in advancing health care in the Solomon Islands. Each organization has significantly protected islanders from disease outbreaks and combated endemic strains of malaria, tuberculosis and dengue. Under its Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, the U.N. is upgrading the Islands’ Public Health Laboratory and enhancing access to clean water through its Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) program. Similarly, USAID has been supporting the Solomon Islands in combating COVID-19. This is being achieved by enhanced data collection, promoting vaccination campaigns, training health workers and procuring emergency equipment. During the pandemic’s peak, USAID worked with civil society organizations to establish quarantine facilities. Additionally, they supported case tracking and assisted in repatriating Solomon Islanders stranded overseas.

Looking Ahead

The Solomon Islands are steadily overcoming the aftermath of years of civil conflict through targeted efforts by the U.N. and USAID. These organizations are focusing on advancing gender equality, improving food security and enhancing health care services. By promoting women’s rights, boosting agricultural productivity and strengthening public health systems, the foundations for reducing poverty in the Solomon Islands are being set. A brighter and more resilient future for the Solomon Islands are being established.

– Natalie Kaufman

Natalie is based in Orlando, FL, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Initiatives in Benin Combating Poverty

Initiatives in BeninBenin, a small West African nation bordering Togo, Burkina Faso, Niger and Nigeria, has seen improvements in quality of life but still ranks low on the Human Development Index (HDI), particularly in life expectancy at birth and average years of schooling. In response, recent initiatives in Benin aim to enhance these metrics. Companies like the Hunger Project and GoMedical have launched projects designed to support economic relief and community improvement, reducing poverty in Benin.

The Hunger Project

Since its establishment in Benin in 1997, the Hunger Project has assisted more than 300,000 people in rural areas. In 2023, the organization launched new initiatives aimed at expanding its support to central and northern parts of the country, with programs set to continue until 2027. These initiatives focus on enhancing food and nutritional security in these regions. Additionally, the Hunger Project is dedicated to empowering younger generations and women, who are among the more vulnerable populations in these areas.

The Hunger Project in Benin has partnered with the Hunger Project in Australia to support the community of Bouanri. This initiative aims to enhance the community’s sustainability and strengthen various aspects of life, including food security, health, nutrition, as well as access to clean water, hygiene and sanitation.

GoMedical

Open SI has developed a new app, GoMedical, to enhance health care access in Benin. Since its 2017 launch, GoMedical has significantly expanded the country’s digital health care network. The app provides lists of doctors and enables users to schedule appointments, offering easy access to various features and facilitating communication with health care professionals. Despite nearly half of Benin’s population living below the poverty line, which complicates funding for emergency visits and general doctor access, many Beninese people utilize mobile money accounts to pay for appointments via GoMedical.

GoMedical benefits both patients and health care professionals in Benin. Patients easily access their medical history, manage appointments and handle cancellations or rescheduling directly through the app. Professionals can quickly retrieve patient information and manage mobile files with just a few taps on their devices. Since launching this initiative, GoMedical has seen a 60% increase in customer base, a 150% rise in usage and a 40% growth in the number of doctors adopting the system. These figures are expected to continue rising as the country increasingly embraces this technology.

Looking Ahead

Efforts to reduce poverty in Benin and improve life expectancy and education levels show promise through initiatives by The Hunger Project and GoMedical. The Hunger Project’s programs aim to enhance food security and empower women and youth, particularly in central and northern regions. GoMedical’s digital health care app is revolutionizing access to medical services, benefiting both patients and health care providers. These initiatives collectively contribute to advancing Benin’s human development metrics and improving the quality of life for its citizens.

– Dorothy Howard

Dorothy is based in Greensboro, NC, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Poverty Eradication in Taiwan

Poverty Eradication in TaiwanTaiwan has undergone dramatic economic progress over the years. Despite the island’s success, in 2021 it was reported that at least 1.3% of the island’s population fell below the poverty line (around 300,000 people), a figure which some groups claim to be under-representative of the real issue. Nonetheless, there is hope that through the Public Assistance Act, the government can achieve its goal of poverty eradication in Taiwan.

The Public Assistance Act

Taiwan has transformed itself into a “highly developed market economy” which places highly on numerous rankings such as the global Human Development Index and the Gender Inequality Index. According to BTI, Taiwan has one of the “most comprehensive, well-developed welfare regimes in Asia” which can be attributed to its Public Assistance Act which was first announced in 1980 and was most recently amended in 2015.

The act focuses on those living in low and middle-income households, along with individuals who find themselves in need following a natural disaster or emergency. It gives clear guidelines as to who falls into these categories and how they can access aid.

According to Taiwan’s Ministry of Justice, Articles 10-17 of the Public Assistance Act detail how low-income households can apply for living support from their local authorities. If an individual is eligible for the scheme, they will receive assistance in the form of a monetary stipend, vocational training and employment services, all to alleviate poverty and help them to become self-sufficient.

The act also outlines how it gives aid in the form of medical subsidies and emergency aid, as well as through the construction of public assistance institutions. All of these approaches combine to provide a comprehensive strategy for poverty eradication in Taiwan.

Future Amendments

While the act has been successful in providing aid for countless Taiwanese people facing poverty, some call for amendments to ensure that as many people as possible receive appropriate aid. In 2023, The Taiwan Social Welfare League issued results from a survey that illustrated that due to a gap in government reporting, it is likely that the actual number of those in poverty in Taiwan is around 2.6% of the island’s population or roughly 600,000 households.

One suggestion is that the Act amendments should account for the fact that although many people may appear financially independent on paper, in reality, they are living in poverty, according to the Taipei Times. This would allow people whose registered household does not match their current living conditions to get the support they need.

Another concern is that some individuals are not finding employment because this would disqualify them from the aid that the act provides. A potential solution to this is gradually reducing the aid given to individuals once they start earning more money to allow them to become independent over time.

With these amendments, an additional 2 million individuals who are currently ineligible for aid, according to the BTI, could benefit from the act’s assistance, making vital progress towards poverty eradication in Taiwan.

– Carla Messinger

Carla is based in Oxford, UK and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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3 Sisters Raise More than $700K to Help Tackle Global Poverty

Tackle Global PovertyKhadeejah, 8; Haziqah, 13; and Leya, 20, have raised more than $700,000 to help tackle global poverty and are eager to continue their work. Known as Team H&K, these young girls have been raising money for poverty-stricken families in Pakistan for nearly five years.

What Do They Do?

The kind-hearted family raised more than $90,000 (£75,000) during this past Ramadan for those experiencing the hardship of the 2022 Pakistan floods. From collecting mosque buckets to university sales, these sisters have done everything they can to ensure people have access to a good and safe life. They set up regular food drives and also ran health awareness campaigns focusing on hygiene and nutrition. The money that team H&K has raised will support the Jigsaw charity, whose mission is to change the world for the better.

They have regular fundraisers that are partnered with Jigsaw charity, which range from food appeals to cake auctions to educational and health programs. However, the sisters aren’t the only generous ones in the family. Their Father, Yuser, not only balances his home life and his job but also visits countries where he helps others distribute aid. Specifically, Yuser “has recently visited the Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Neelum Valley districts of Pakistan to supervise humanitarian efforts.” He also helps set up and support projects and programs that ensure people can start small businesses and support their families.

Moving Forward

Currently, they have many fundraising projects aimed at combating food insecurity and providing essential nutritional support to families. One such initiative is the “Just Feed” project, which aims to provide regular, fresh, hot meals to families of 5-7. This project is dedicated to ensuring that no family goes hungry by delivering nutritious hot meals daily. The initiative seeks to make a substantial impact on the well-being of families, reducing the stress and health issues associated with food insecurity.

In addition to their food support programs, they also have an initiative focused on education, social welfare and livelihood support. This appeal aims to alleviate the burdens of those experiencing poverty in Hajira, a small town in the Poonch District of Azad Kashmir, Pakistan, by providing them with essential educational infrastructure, health care and livelihood assistance.

Final Remark

Overall, their story is a testament to the power of community action. Their innovative approach and endless dedication inspire many, proving that whether you are young or old, you can help tackle global poverty, even with the smallest of actions. Through their various initiatives, they have shown that collective effort and compassion can lead to meaningful improvements in people’s lives. Their work not only addresses immediate needs but also lays the foundation for long-term positive change.

– Alice Davies

Alice is based in Bristol, UK and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash