Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

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Cash Transfer Program Empowers Women and Children in Sudan

Cash Transfer Program Empowers Women and Children in SudanSevere conflict in Sudan, erupting in 2023, has displaced millions of Sudanese in the past year. Reports from the International Rescue Committee indicate that the recent conflict displaced a total of 12 million people in Sudan, with 10 million of those remaining in the country. With only 2 million of the total 12 million displaced externally, the situation in Sudan represents one of the largest internal displacements in the world. Humanitarian crises such as the situation in Sudan require special consideration for groups like women and children who are more vulnerable. Maternal and infant mortality rates in Sudan have grown and become increasingly concerning as trends continue to stagnate or even decline. Promoting and supporting mothers and children in developing countries like Sudan is the central goal of the Mother and Child Cash Transfer Plus Program.

Maternal and Infant Mortality Rates in Sudan

The United Nations (U.N.) Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), a set of priorities for progressive global development by 2030, identifies maternal and infant mortality under SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being. The goal set forth by the U.N. states that by the year 2030, the global maternal mortality ratio will be less than 70 for every 100,000 live births.

A 2020 study by the World Health Organization revealed that the maternal mortality ratio in Sudan is 270.40 for every 100,000 births, highlighting a serious concern for the country. Considerable obstacles hinder progress in achieving this SDG target. The stagnating trends over the past five years also indicate major challenges in promoting good health and well-being. These rates reflect a lack of proper health care, sanitation and clean water in Sudan, necessitating a multifaceted approach to achieve progress.

The infant mortality rate in Sudan, as an indicator of SDG 3, is the probability, per 1,000 live births, that a newborn baby will live past the age of 5 and stands at 51.56 per 1,000 live births, according to the 2022 study by the U.N. Interagency Group for Child Mortality Estimation. Similar to its maternal mortality rate, Sudan has major challenges left concerning these rates with the long-term objective for this indicator being 2.6 out of every 1,000 live births. In contrast to maternal mortality rates, infant mortality rates have been steadily decreasing since the year 2000 providing hope for Sudan’s future.

The Mother and Child Cash Transfers Plus

The Ministry of Social Development, along with UNICEF and its partners invest in and value the importance of the first 1,000 days of a human life. The first 1,000 days of life hold invaluable periods of neurodevelopment, health and opportunity making the protection of this time critical. In April of 2021, under the consideration of the first 1,000 days of life, the Commission on Social Safety and Poverty Reduction under the Ministry of Social Development created the Mother and Child Cash Transfer Plus (MCCT+) program to support and empower women and children in developing countries.

The MCCT+ program first launched in eastern Sudan, targeting areas with the highest levels of malnutrition and the greatest need for aid. In Sudan, the flagship program actively supports those in need with cash transfers, sharing important information and the overall care of women and children. The program has supported 50,000 pregnant women in just the first phase of the program.

UNICEF shares the story of Mahasin Mohamed Al-Rayih, a 26-year-old mother in Sudan who founded the MCCT+ program before the delivery of her firstborn child. Mahasin expressed that the program center aided her in creating a delivery plan for her upcoming birth and provided her with the funds to purchase necessities for lactation and raising her newborn child. 

During the first year of the program, 50,000 pregnant women, like Mahasin Mohamed Al-Rayih were helped through the Mother and Child Cash Transfer Plus program and another 13,000 recipients received cash entitlements. These numbers continue to climb exponentially as the program expands across Sudan and provides the much-needed support and resources for women and their children to have the greatest chances of success and survival.

Hope For the Future

Despite the current displacement crisis and the subsequent maternal and infant mortality rates in Sudan, programs and initiatives like the Mother and Child Cash Transfer Plus program prove that there are tangible strategies to support and empower women, mothers and children in meaningful and proactive ways.

– Juliana Granville

Juliana is based in Brooklyn, NY, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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3 Ways the IOM is Addressing Somalia’s Humanitarian Crisis

3 Ways the IOM is Addressing Humanitarian Crisis in SomaliaSomalia is a low-income country in the Horn of Africa. The country has suffered through four consecutive years of drought. This has caused the death of almost 4 million livestock between July 2021 and April 2022. A once-in-a-century flooding event during the latest rainy season worsened this grim situation. The paradoxical combination of drought and floods has resulted in failed harvests, decreased food security and displaced more than a million Somalians. Here are three ways the International Organization for Migration (IOM)—one of the largest humanitarian organizations in the country—is addressing Somalia’s humanitarian crisis.

3 Ways IOM Addresses Somalia’s Humanitarian Crisis

  1. New Mobile Clinics. In August 2023, IOM announced the opening of seven new mobile clinics in the city of Garowe, Somalia. The purpose of the clinics is to provide health and nutrition services to individuals affected by the drought. The clinics offer free malnutrition screenings, nutrition assistance, child immunizations and medical consultations to those in need, among other services. Despite receiving just 34% of the requested funding, IOM has impressively managed to reach 73% of Somalians targeted for health and nutrition assistance by the organization.
  2. Emergency Shelter. While plastic sheets may not seem like much in the way of shelter, they can be effective for temporarily patching roof holes in times of heavy rainfall and are a far cry better than no shelter at all. Recognizing this, IOM supplied 100,000 plastic sheets to flood-impacted regions of the country in Aug. 2023. Additionally, IOM provided more than 5,000 Somalian households with crucial emergency shelter materials in the same month. This program was subsequently scaled up to cover more than 7,000 households in the following month.
  3. Solar-Powered Wells. The prolonged drought in Somalia has resulted in many shallow wells and small reservoirs drying up, forcing thousands of rural Somalians to flee to urban areas or refugee camps. To combat this trend and improve access to clean water and sanitation, IOM is working on rehabilitating seven wells in the city of Baidoa, Somalia. While still in progress, the last two boreholes for the wells were completed in Aug. 2023. IOM is outfitting the wells with solar generators to guarantee their sustainability. In addition, the organization has cumulatively provided more than two million Somalians with water, sanitation and hygiene assistance as of Aug. 2023.

Looking Ahead

The IOM continues to play a critical role in addressing Somalia’s ongoing humanitarian crisis. Through the establishment of mobile clinics, the provision of emergency shelter materials and the rehabilitation of solar-powered wells, IOM has provided essential aid to millions of Somalians affected by drought and flooding. These ongoing efforts aim to improve health services, enhance living conditions and secure access to clean water, all of which are crucial in mitigating the severe impacts of the country’s climate challenges.

– Kipling Newman

Kipling is based in Denver, CO, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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A New Hope for Health Care in Guinea

A New Hope for Health Care in Guinea Guinea is a country in West Africa bordered by the Atlantic Ocean. It is home to nature reserves that hold a forested mountain range rich with native plants and animals. However, despite this preserved nature, the people of Guinea lack basic living standards.  About three-quarters of the Guinea population experience extreme poverty. They have a lack of education, health care and hygiene. This lack of adequate health care has made Guinea home to many diseases. These diseases, specifically lower-respiratory infections are the cause of 99.9% of deaths in the country. The prices of health care and the low amounts of health professionals per population are the main causes of the lack of adequate health care. However, significant improvements have been made through initiatives by the USAID to improve the quality of health care.

Disease Prevalence in Guinea

Guinea hosts all kinds of diseases, both communicable and noncommunicable and some endemic diseases. The most prevalent diseases within Guinea are Malaria, HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Neglected Tropical diseases. There are 4.5 million cases of Malaria a year which caused 9,439 deaths in 2021. Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS affect every 175 in 10,000 people. Though they have treatments and detection systems it is hard for these to operate in Guinea due to the low coverage of Tuberculosis services, human resources shortages and lack of follow-ups among patients. Many Neglected Tropical Diseases such as Leprosy, Rabies, Buruli ulcer, foodborne trematodes and many more are also prevalent within the region. 

Immunization Challenges and Systematic Issues

Another area besides diseases that cause poor health practices for the Guinean people is the lack of immunization. Many children are zero-dose children meaning they have never had a vaccine in their life. Only 24% of the 192,000 children born each year receive a complete cycle of vaccinations. This leads to the furtherance of these preventable diseases and causes endemics.

Evolution of Guinea’s Health Care System

Between 1986 and 1989, the privatization of health care began to grow in Guinea, ultimately raising the cost of care and making it inaccessible to the majority of the population. Currently, health care remains expensive and the quality of care is unsatisfactory. As of 2008, only 5% of the population had coverage under public health insurance. Guinea’s health care system has a pyramidal structure, featuring three national hospitals, one regional hospital in each of the seven regions and a prefectural hospital in each of the 33 prefectures. Despite the seemingly comprehensive system, there is a critical shortage of health care workers. The distribution of these workers is also uneven: 60% of health care workers are located in Conakry, the capital, which is home to only 20% of the population. Consequently, Guinea’s health care system suffers from a severe lack of accessible care and health care professionals.

Launch of Notre Sante Initiative by USAID

Notre Sante or “Our Health”, is a USAID initiative launched in June 2023 to provide accessible, affordable and high-quality health care in Guinea. The project aims to operate across 15 prefectures in the regions of Labé, Boké and Kindia, as well as the six communes of Conakry. It plans to collaborate with the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene and engage both private and public sectors. Notre Sante focuses on improving provider behavior and delivering care in a culturally sensitive manner that involves community members and builds on best practices. The launch of this initiative marks significant progress toward enhancing health care for the people of Guinea.

Future Prospects for Health Care in Guinea

Guinea’s health care system has struggled with inadequate services and a shortage of health care professionals. However, the introduction of the Notre Sante initiative offers hope for improving the quality of life for the people of Guinea. Notre Sante aims to make health care affordable, accessible and high-quality, signaling a hopeful future for the trajectory of Guinea’s health care system.

– Ellie Buss

Ellie is based in Vancouver, WA, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Women’s Rights in Nauru

Women's Rights in NauruGender inequality/equality is not solely a women’s or girls’ issue.  It is an issue that affects everyone, including the economy and the community. Actions of gender-based discrimination obstruct women’s rights and the freedom to exercise their inherent human rights. Expectations based on a woman’s sex have become confused within tradition, cultural norms and present-day needs.

The U.N. Women published 14 Country Gender Equality Briefs. Nauru’s report educated both males and females by identifying examples of gender-based discrimination and their effects. Each report goes along with “the SDG gender indicators and targets.”

Aspiring Leaders

The Honorable Charmaine Eraidinomo made history by being the second woman to be elected as a member of parliament and has been serving in parliament since 2013. Isabella Dageago is serving her second term in parliament as the Minister of Health and Home Affairs. They occupy two of the 19 seats of the Nauruan Parliament.

The cultural and traditional norms of Nauru have affected gender equality. Having been a matrilineal society throughout history, today male-dominated family groups are replacing lands where women were the custodians of their family lands.

According to the 2017 Asian Development Bank (ADB) report, Nauruan officials need to ensure the effective and meaningful participation of women when making decisions about land use. These actions would include public consultations that would confirm the meaningful participation of women.

Poverty, Employment and Education

Nauru has the “worst poverty index of all Pacific nations,” according to ADB. One in every four people is living below the basic needs poverty line. Also, Nauruans have a limited capacity for food production and depend on foreign aid and the import of goods. Of the 35% of the Nauruan households headed by women 17.7% were categorized to be extremely vulnerable.

Women have faced discrimination in the areas of employment and wages because the government has failed to enforce labour laws and regulations. In addition, “societal pressures, lower wages and Nauru’s general situation of poverty have limited employment opportunities for women.”

Economy, culture and social norms affect education in Nauru. School attendance is mandatory (ages 6 to 15), but only 31% of students complete the fifth year. The high rate of teenage pregnancies (ages 15 to 19) has an impact on the drop-out rate of girls enrolled in secondary education, according to the U.N. Women Brief.

Domestic Violence

“Domestic violence and sexual offences constitute a significant portion of reported crimes in Nauru,” the UNDP reports. “Since 2021, we have received 79 cases, with 53 completed and 23 closed due to insufficient evidence. It is crucial to recognize that these numbers do not necessarily reflect a low prevalence of family and sexual violence. As we all know, victims of such violence often do not come forward due to fear, stigma and various other barriers,” said Deputy Commissioner Simpson Deidanang during his opening remarks.

Advocates for Women’s Rights

An extensive number of organizations advocate gender equality for women’s rights in Nauru. Each of the following organizations supports Nauruan women from a different perspective.

  • The WENA focuses on “promoting women’s empowerment and advocating for gender equality,” according to UNDP.
  • The U.N. Women “is the global champion for gender equality, working to develop and uphold standards and create an environment in which every woman and girl can exercise her human rights and live up to her full potential.”
  • The Pacific Islands Forum aims “to achieve our Vision for a resilient Pacific Region of peace, harmony, security, social inclusion and prosperity, that ensures that all Pacific peoples can lead free, healthy, and productive lives.”

Reflecting on Women’s Rights in Nauru

In April 2024, the Micronesian Ministers for Women Conference in Nauru addressed the progress of gender equality and women’s rights in Nauru. Rakuita clearly expresses how gender equality affects women’s rights and the need for the voices of Pacific women to be heard.

The principal speaker for Pacific women and girls, Mereseini Rakuita stated, “We have been treating gender equality as a women’s issue only far too long. Gender equality is about national development, human rights, sustainable economies and peaceful societies. It’s about recognizing that half of our Pacific population are women and girls and as such, their voices, interests, concerns, aspirations and leadership are needed, if we are to unleash our full potential as a region.”

– Pam Fenton

Pam is based in Wall Township, NJ, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project

Photo: Flickr

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Enhancing WASH Services in Yemen

WASH Services in YemenThe people of Yemen, a country devastated by conflict, struggle with the lack of access to sanitation services and clean water, also known as Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Services (WASH). According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), more than 16 million Yemenis urgently need WASH services.

One of the main factors that increase the need for WASH services in Yemen is displacement as a result of conflict, natural disasters and epidemic outbreaks. Another factor is the disruption of public services in Yemen, which left only one-third of the Yemen population connected to a piped water network. Therefore, countries and international organizations have been working together to provide and facilitate access to WASH services.

Saudi Arabia-WHO WASH Services in Yemen

On July 30, 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSRelief), Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian aid agency, announced a $3.75 million project to enhance WASH services in Yemen to help the most vulnerable populations across the country.

The project will upgrade WASH infrastructure in two hospitals, enabling 10 health facilities to sustain water and water services in 60 other facilities. An estimated 580,231 internally displaced people and vulnerable groups will benefit from this project, which will also improve maternal health and disease prevention. This project aligns with the United Nations’ (U.N.) “Yemen Humanitarian Response Plan 2024,” which seeks to provide more relief and assistance to vulnerable groups in Yemen.

KSRelief’s Efforts to Support WASH Services in Yemen

Before the announcement of this joint project with WHO, Saudi Arabia provided support for enhancing WASH services in Yemen. On December 22, 2023, KSRelief pumped more than 39 million liters of water for the people in the Hajjah and Sa’adah governorates in Yemen to support WASH services in the country. In Hajjah, 3.443 million liters of the 39 million liters were used as potable water and 35.013 million were used as usable water.

Furthermore, in Hajjah, KSRelief provided 308 waste transportation services and conducted nine insecticide spraying campaigns. In Sa’adah, 300,000 liters of water were used as both portable and usable water, benefiting 30,100 people. Although these efforts were large in scale, Saudi Arabia also required collaboration with international organizations with the resources to expand its support for WASH services.

International Organizations’ Key Role in WASH Services

Enhancing WASH services in Yemen requires the collective power of international humanitarian organizations such as WHO and UNICEF, which have a record of facilitating Yemenis’ access to WASH services. For example, in 2021, UNICEF managed to help primary health care facilities (PHCF) and schools in Yemen rehabilitate and upgrade their water and sanitation systems with funding from the World Bank. The total number of PHCFs supported was 496 and the number of schools supported was 118 as of October 2021.

Similarly, from 2017-2021, the WHO conducted WASH rehabilitation in 70 hospitals across Yemen and provided 1,100 million liters of chlorinated water to 42 governorate hospitals, district hospitals and inner-district hospitals. All of this has benefitted 5.5 million Yemenis, highlighting the necessity for countries to work with international organizations to provide greater access to WASH services to more vulnerable individuals.

Access to Water and Hygiene Services

Enhancing WASH services in Yemen is important because it helps prevent global disease outbreaks, given the existing epidemics in Yemen, such as Cholera. Therefore, seeing countries like Saudi Arabia and organizations such as WHO work together on large-scale projects aimed at rehabilitating and facilitating access to WASH services is proof that there are good people to protect public health globally. However, given the numerous issues in Yemen, more has to be done to support WASH services.

– Abdullah Dowaihy

Abdullah is based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Strengthening Children’s Education in Jordan

Education in JordanCurrently, 3.8 million children live in Jordan, and only 70% are actually Jordanian. Globally, Jordan holds the second highest number of refugees per capita, typically coming from Iraq, Sudan, Somalia, Yemen, and notably, Syria. Approximately 1.3 million Syrian refugees reside in Jordan. According to UNICEF, 97% of children in Jordan attend school. While gender parity exists, the education system in Jordan is still ripe for improvement. Only 30% of second- and third-graders can fully comprehend what they are reading, which indicates subpar teaching quality. However, several initiatives are focusing on improving education in Jordan.

UNICEF Improving Education in Jordan

The strong partnership between UNICEF and the Jordanian Government has enabled 4,000 children with disabilities to enroll in public schools. In addition, UNICEF opened two more schools and provided 1,600 Ministry of Education teachers with specific training to teach students of all abilities.

Another outcome of the UNICEF and Jordanian Government’s collaboration is regarding kindergarten (KG). In Jordan, 87% of 3–4-year-olds do not attend KG 1 and 41% of 5-6-year-olds do not attend KG 2, which is concerningly low. Kindergarten education is fundamental to the rest of children’s educational careers. Without a strong foundation, continuing their education is a challenge. For this reason, the quality of preschools is being improved, and teachers are being provided better training. Besides that, UNICEF is opening classrooms in “refugee camps and community-based centres across Jordan,” increasing the number of children that can attend kindergarten, according to its website.

Drop Out and Catch Up Programs

Since November 2015, UNICEF has supported the Drop Out program, which helped 12,000 children (12 years old or younger) who have either never experienced or missed three or more years to return to school, according to its website. This propels children into their educational careers, opening more opportunities to build a future for themselves.

Similarly, since 2016, UNICEF has supported the Catch Up program, which has encouraged nearly 5,000 children, who have never attended or missed three and more years to return to school. Already, 1,700 children have officially returned and continue their educational careers, UNICEF reports.

Local Heroes

Locally, schools face the brunt of the refugee situation. In these dire times, local heroes have taken it upon themselves to lighten the situation. A prime example of this is Ms. Maha Al Ashqar, the principal of the Khawla Bint Tha’alaba Primary Girls’ School. At her school, she observed that “the Jordanian students already filled the school’s capacity.” However, this did not stop Syrian parents from reaching out and attempting to find a spot for their children.

Ms. Maha, seeing the desperation of Syrian families, struggling to find an education for their kids, agreed to allow these children in, so long as they bring a chair. She states that Syrian parents “did nothing wrong to lose the chance of educating their daughters,” believing everyone has the right to an education, regardless of their circumstances, USAID reports.

Now, the classrooms of Ms. Maha’s school are decorated with small, colorful chairs, brought in by Syrian refugee students. Each little chair represents the opportunity these children will have in the future, thanks to the education they are receiving.

– Lakshya Anand

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

Photo: Flickr

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The Hidden Dimensions of Poverty  

Hidden Dimensions of PovertyIn February 2024, the “Addressing the Hidden Dimensions of Poverty in Knowledge and Policies” Conference took place at the World Bank headquarters in Washington, D.C. and online. To better understand the key dimensions and relationships of poverty, the conference brought together various groups including practitioners, academics and people with first-hand poverty experience to join together in research.

The Agenda

The conference’s Keynote speech “Evaluating the Impact of Anti-Poverty Policies: The Value of Multiple Approaches” set the tone for the event by introducing the idea that multiple perspectives are key when discussing issues of poverty, particularly those from people who have lived experience.

The conference then drew on the findings of two significant research projects that illustrate poverty’s hidden dimensions and how to incorporate them into the fight against global poverty. Both of these projects were conducted in collaboration with ATD Fourth World, a non-profit organisation founded in 1957.

After a series of workshops which explored the applicability of these projects to poverty research in specific countries including Bolivia, Tanzania and the U.K., according to the World Bank, the conference concluded with a roundtable discussion from leaders of the World Bank, ATD Fourth World, International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the U.N.

The Hidden Dimensions of Poverty

The ‘Hidden Dimensions of Poverty’ was a multi-year participatory research project from ATD Fourth World and Oxford University published in 2019. The project aimed to complement “top-down” definitions of poverty with direct experiences to develop future research methodologies. Researchers hope that these research methodologies can enable people in poverty to engage in global policy-making, hold governments accountable and fulfil their human rights obligations.

The project concluded that poverty may be defined as having nine dimensions that each fall into one of three larger categories. For each individual, the dimensions within these three categories (core experience of poverty, lack of resources and relational dynamics) are caused by external modifying factors such as location and identity which combine to create an experience of poverty that is unique to the person. This framework can not only define poverty but also help understand the contributing factors at play which could shape local and global policy, according to the research.

ATD Fourth World views current measures of extreme poverty such as the $1.90 a day indicator to be deeply flawed and inadequate. Instead, it believes that extreme poverty is a multidimensional phenomenon and policymakers should treat it as such. ATD Fourth World continues to work with people living in poverty, researchers and international organisations and governments to work on the question of how best to measure poverty.

The IDEEP

The Tool for the Inclusive and Deliberative Elaboration & Evaluation of Policies (IDEEP) is a document that ATD Fourth World and Olivier De Schutter, the U.N. Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, created and published in February 2024.

The IDEEP aims to guide policymakers to ensure that the design, implementation and assessment of policies and projects has strong participation from people in poverty. This aims to ensure the addressing and inclusion of various dimensions of poverty, including the “hidden” ones. While not explicitly mentioned, the IDEEP draws on the findings of the Hidden Dimensions of Poverty to provide a framework which is inclusive and deeply participatory.

This tool does not intend to replace existing policy assessment tools such as those which rely on the normative framework of human rights, rather it aims to complement them to offer a more nuanced perspective. Furthermore, by using the IDEEP, decision-makers could capture the lived experiences of people in poverty to create improved policies and projects.

Changing the Perception of Poverty

Put simply, poverty is something that society has created, knowingly or unknowingly, according to ATD Fourth World. The findings put forth in this conference demonstrate that the best way to solve this issue is through open collaboration between researchers, people with lived experience and international institutions and governments. It is only through understanding the hidden dimensions of poverty that one can constructively combat this global issue.

– 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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Solar-Powered Water Desalination: A Solution to Water Scarcity

Solar-Powered Water DesalinationWater scarcity is a pressing issue affecting millions of people worldwide. This is particularly the case in coastal regions where seawater is abundant but fresh water is scarce. As populations grow and adverse climatic conditions intensify, the demand for freshwater continues to rise, exacerbating this challenge. One promising solution to this problem is solar-powered water desalination, which harnesses renewable energy to produce clean drinking water from seawater.

The Basics of Desalination

Desalination is the process of removing salt and other impurities from seawater to produce fresh water. There are several methods of desalination, but the most common are reverse osmosis and thermal desalination. Reverse osmosis involves forcing seawater through a semipermeable membrane that filters out salt and other impurities. In contrast, thermal desalination involves heating seawater to produce steam, which is then condensed into fresh water.

Integrating solar power into desalination processes can significantly reduce the environmental impact and operating costs associated with traditional desalination methods, which often rely on fossil fuels. Solar energy can be used to power the pumps and membranes in reverse osmosis systems or to provide the heat needed for thermal desalination.

Kenya and Bangladesh

In the coastal region of Kenya, the solar-powered desalination plant in the town of Kiunga has been providing clean drinking water to thousands of residents. This project, initiated by the nonprofit organization GivePower, uses solar panels to generate electricity for reverse osmosis desalination. The project is capable of producing up to 35,000 liters of fresh water daily.

In Bangladesh, where freshwater scarcity is a critical issue in coastal areas, a solar-powered desalination plant was established on the remote island of Kutubdia. This plant, supported by the World Bank and local nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), provides fresh water to the island’s inhabitants each day. The project showcases the feasibility of using renewable energy to address water scarcity in vulnerable regions, significantly improving the quality of life for local communities.

Environmental Benefits of Solar-Powered Desalination

Utilizing solar energy for desalination offers numerous environmental benefits compared to traditional methods that depend on fossil fuels. One of the most significant advantages is the reduction of carbon emissions. Solar-powered desalination plants emit little to no greenhouse gasses, contributing to the fight against the rise in the average earth’s surface temperature.

Additionally, solar energy is a renewable resource, which means it can provide a sustainable and long-term solution to water scarcity without depleting natural resources. Moreover, the ecological footprint of solar-powered desalination is smaller than that of conventional desalination. By minimizing the use of fossil fuels, solar desalination reduces the pollution and environmental degradation associated with fossil fuel extraction and combustion.

Challenges and Limitations

Despite its potential, solar-powered desalination faces several challenges and limitations. The initial setup costs for solar desalination plants can be high, which may deter investment in developing countries with limited financial resources. Maintenance and operation of these systems also require technical expertise, which might not be readily available in remote or impoverished areas.

However, these challenges are not insurmountable. Advances in technology and economies of scale can reduce the costs of solar panels and desalination equipment over time. Additionally, capacity-building initiatives and international cooperation can help develop the necessary technical skills and infrastructure to support the widespread adoption of solar-powered desalination.

Final Remark

The successful implementation of solar-powered desalination projects in Kenya and Bangladesh illustrates the technology’s potential to provide a sustainable solution to water scarcity in coastal regions. By investing in and supporting the deployment of these innovations, policymakers and international organizations can help combat global water shortages and improve the quality of life for millions of people.

To ensure the scalability and adaptability of this promising technology, it is crucial to continue researching and developing cost-effective solutions, fostering international collaboration and prioritizing the needs of vulnerable communities. With concerted efforts, solar-powered desalination can play a vital role in securing a sustainable water future for coastal regions worldwide.

– Chelsea Rasool

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

Photo: Flickr

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Empowering Girls, One Uniform at a Time: Impact of SHE in Togo

SHE in TogoAround 129 million girls worldwide are not enrolled in school. In Togo, girls spend an average of 2-3 years in school and only 33% attend junior high school. Tuition fees, school supplies and mandated school uniforms are the largest financial barriers preventing impoverished families from sending their girls to receive an education. Studies have shown that providing free uniforms can reduce dropout rates by 16% and absences by more than 35%. In response, the nonprofit organization Style Her Empowered (SHE) has committed to offering free uniforms to support students’ educational outcomes.

How SHE Began With Just a Uniform

Payton Mc Griff, the founder of SHE, was a sophomore at the University of Idaho, United States (U.S.). After reading the novel “Half the Sky,” McGriff learned the shocking truth of the daily oppression women in developing countries face. Hence, she resolved to join the effort to empower young women and break the cycle. In 2017, as part of a class project for her marketing major, she went to Nôtse, Togo, to do field research. Togo was the perfect launchpad for SHE because, though it ranks low on the Human Development Index, the government had reduced tuition rates for girls to incentivize education. Also, most entrepreneurs there are women eager to welcome new programs for girls’ education – Togo had both the need and potential for change.

While there, she saw the reality for many girls, including Elolo, whose family’s financial struggles forced her to quit school so that her brothers could continue. Every girl she interviewed agreed that a required uniform was the greatest obstacle preventing them from attending school. That was where her idea for a uniform that grows was born. With $35,000 in seed money and the help of local sewists and students, the uniform that grows was made a possibility. The dress is designed to fit a girl for up to three years, adjusting six sizes, with adjustable cords along the side and a foot of extra fabric hemmed underneath.

SHE’s Mission and Vision

Today, SHE operates in 20 rural villages in Southern Togo, including Nôtse. In these areas, girls are more likely to drop out of school, with 69% of households living below the poverty line. SHE strives to remove as many financial barriers for young girls as possible to create a world where every girl and woman can survive and flourish. The nongovernmental organization (NGO) focuses on three main areas:

Girls’ Education

SHE’s Holistic Girls’ Education Program provides every student with:

  • SHE uniform that grows
  • Full-tuition scholarship
  • A year’s worth of school supplies
  • Year-round tutoring from SHE’s local team
  • Reusable menstrual health kit
  • Durable, waterproof backpack

The program serves 1,500 girls annually from kindergarten to high school and has helped 6,095 girls since 2017. In 2023, SHE’s students achieved the highest success rates in the NGO’s history, with a 99.1% student pass rate, 40% higher than the national average in 2022.

Women’s Employment

Togo has one of the highest rates of gender inequality in the world and only 20% of Togolese women have completed primary school, leaving 1.6 million women without an education. Seamstress training is one of the most popular careers for women in Togo. However, there are no opportunities for support or growth and laborers are often exploited.

SHE’s Paid-To-Learn Employment Model creates dignified jobs for women employed in Togo. SHE guarantees its 33 Togolese women employees:

  • Salaries 75% above Togo’s minimum wage
  • 10% of the work week devoted to adult learning programs
  • Unlimited paid sick leave, social security benefits, national health care and retirement enrollment
  • Three months of fully paid maternity leave
  • Free child care
  • No more than 40 hour work weeks

Sustainability

Alongside the growing uniform, SHE has developed more sustainable products that help girls, women and the planet. These include:

  1. Reusable Menstrual Pads: Period poverty prevents millions of girls from attending school. Only 35% of girls in Togo continue beyond elementary education, most dropping out when they reach puberty. Hence, 100% of fabric scraps from SHE factories are recycled into reusable menstrual pads crafted by SHE sewists for students who were previously forced to miss school during their period due to a lack of sanitary supplies. In 2021, SHE produced more than 5,000 reusable menstrual pads.
  2. Recycled Plastic Backpacks: SHE’s latest development in 2022 includes the collection of single-use plastic bags fused to make durable, waterproof backpacks for girls, provided through its education program.

Final Remark

SHE demonstrates how effective grassroots organizations are at improving people’s lives in developing countries. The female-founded and female-led charity is an inspiring testament to women coming together to uplift and empower one another.

– Fatima Naqavi

Fatima is from London, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: PickPik

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South Africa’s Water Safety Issue

South Africa’s Water Safety IssueSouth Africa’s central water infrastructure is deteriorating below acceptable levels–its negative effects threatening the health and wellbeing of the nation’s poor.

The Hammanskraal Cholera Outbreak

In May 2023, 29 people died from contracting cholera in the region of Hammanskraal in South Africa. Cholera outbreaks have happened before in the country, but they usually occur in rural areas, not in city centers. Hammanskraal is only 20 miles away from South Africa’s capital Pretoria and is part of the Gauteng province that is known for its high level of urbanisation.

Piped water had the reputation for being the safest form of water compared to other improved water sources (public taps, protected boreholes/springs, rainwater) and surface water sources (rivers, ponds, irrigation channels) in South Africa.

The singular fact that a devastating cholera outbreak occurred in South Africa’s urban center indicated that the country’s water treatment infrastructure had deteriorated to a level that made it unreliable–signaling a scarcity of safe drinking water throughout the nation. The poor of South Africa, lacking the economic ability to access costly clean water, therefore face a serious health threat.

The Mismanaged South African Water System

The 2023 BlueDrop investigation found that 46% of the country’s water supply systems failed to prevent contamination of pathogens and bacteria. Many researchers find fault in the fact that 90% of the wastewater plants in South Africa are dysfunctional, unable to treat incoming wastewater and tragically releasing back “raw or partially treated sewage directly into the country’s already scarce water resource.”

The rural and poorest demographic relies on surface water for their drinking needs and therefore faces critical health threats. Even the demographic living in areas with piped water coverage faces similar health concerns due to the dysfunctional central water system of South Africa which has 47% of its distributed water leaking, providing opportunities for contamination, according to The Conversation.  Contaminated water can lead to outbreaks of diarrheal diseases that are especially lethal to the poor demographic who has limited access to appropriate medical services.

Professor Anja du Plessis writes in The Conversation, “Reactive management, lack of political will, transparency and unaccountability over the past two decades have contributed to the current state of affairs.” Expert opinion on South Africa’s water safety crisis is that it was a preventable crisis. More than technological limits or economic incapacities, South Africa’s water issue arises from management mishandling.

The Conversation reports that 67% of workers in the water treatment facilities did not receive appropriate training. There was also a significant underinvestment of governmental funds in the repair and maintenance of the water infrastructure. Out of 257 Municipalities, 151 reported being “close to collapse.” The Conversation also reports that there were no appropriate water quality monitoring systems that alerted consumers of detected contamination in the water distribution systems.

The Solution – Decentralized Water

Decentralized water systems are water systems that are smaller in scale, delivered by non-governmental organizations and often utilize local water sources for decentralized water harvest units. While centralized water systems are an efficient way to distribute water to plenty of individuals, their massive scale and complexity require costly investments and high-level expertise within the management to facilitate the system safely.

Murendeni Mafumo, CEO of Kusini Water, notes that municipal organizations do not have the financial ability to build new infrastructures, especially considering that they are even struggling to maintain the system for 5-6 million people in urban cities. He reflects that the best way to improve the water infrastructure is “through commercial companies.”

Commercial companies like Kusini Water are utilizing the relatively low cost of decentralized water treatment units and they can be run through off-grid renewable energy to independently install water treatment plants across vulnerable communities in South Africa. The rise of decentralized water technology is enabling innovative social entrepreneurs to make a lasting impact and improve South Africa’s water safety.

Mafumo explained to AfricaX that a decentralized treatment unit that supplies 300 Households may cost around $8,000 to install. Kusini Water subsidizes its operation by establishing business deals with large companies such as Red Bull or high-income households. It offers decentralized, clean water treatment units for office buildings and corporate events and subsidizes 20 liters of water for vulnerable communities for each liter of water it sells under the deal. This effectively “trickles down money” from high-income communities to low-income communities. The company uses a 3D-printed main body and sources the filtration modules locally to lower its costs. It also creates carbon filters through local macadamia nut shells and uses its nanofibers from a local university.

Conclusion

The mismanagement of the central water system of South Africa is threatening the health of poor communities. Central water systems being very large and complex makes management difficult and building new infrastructure in water-scarce areas challenging. The development of decentralized water system technology is enabling social entrepreneurs like Kusini Water to provide clean drinking water to communities that cannot afford it, holding a bright future for gradually solving South Africa’s water safety issue.

– Siwon Kim

Siwon is based in Boston, MA, USA and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr