Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

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5 Charities Operating in Rwanda

Charities in RwandaRwanda has made significant progress in tackling poverty over the years, with five charities playing a vital role in contributing to poverty reduction efforts in the country. According to the World Bank, Rwanda’s poverty rate decreased from 75.2% to 53.5% from 2000 to 2013. In 2016, the poverty rate decreased to 52%. According to a survey, the top four causes of poverty were a shortage of land, soil deficiency, unforeseeable weather patterns and a shortage of farm animals.

In Rwanda, 45% of people depend on small-scale farming and there is a limited electricity supply, leading to women and children gathering water and firewood for multiple hours daily. However, there is more that needs to be done. Here are five charities operating in Rwanda that are tackling poverty. Of these charities, three focus on education in Rwanda because primary school children perform poorly on literacy and numerical tests.

Forward Africa Education Trust

The Forward Africa Education Trust aims to educate deprived children in Rwanda. This Trust focuses explicitly on the educational attainment among girls rather than boys and children who are orphans. The charity has many sessions focusing on various topics, such as conflict management, mental well-being and transferable skills. By completing these workshops, the children will improve their job prospects.

Under this Trust, six students gained exam grades, placing them in the top quadrant. Additionally, another 15 disadvantaged students continued in school and did not withdraw. The Trust provides academic qualifications and a road to higher education and employment for the youth in Rwanda. This will help people escape poverty and have a secure future.

Children like Christella are success stories. Her mother passed away in August 2018 and with her father being very unwell, her family had very little money. When Christella received funding from the Forward Africa Education Trust, she was able to finish school. Afterward, she wished to receive training to become a nurse to help his local area.

Education Development Trust

In 2001, the Education Development Trust began working with government officials to improve Rwanda’s education quality. This organization had implemented a five-year scheme called the “Building Learning Foundations.” This scheme aimed to improve all primary school children’s English and mathematics skills in Rwanda. This included training teachers to deliver English and mathematics lessons.

This scheme has been successful, given the statistics:

  • 90% of mathematics teachers were competent in 2023. In 2018, it was 27%.
  • 69% of English teachers were competent in 2023. In 2018, it was 22%.

Consequently, 59% of primary three school children were age-level competent in their English skills and 46% were competent in mathematics in 2023.

Solace Ministries

Solace Ministries is a Christian organization that supports people impacted by negative experiences. It aims to improve resilience and promote a feeling of belonging and inclusiveness. The initiative offers many programs, one of which is called the “Child-care and Development” program. This program aims to help children within the education system, from nursery school to higher education.

The drop-out level among students has been increasing in recent years in Rwanda. For example, the drop-out level among primary school children was 7.8% in 2018/2019. This increased to 9.5% in 2019/2020. To combat this problem, Solace Ministries offers free school fees to children from deprived backgrounds to avoid the poverty cycle. The organization provides $109.51 to primary school children and $273.76 to secondary school children per year.

Gardens for Health International

Founded by Julie Carney, Emma Clippinger and Dr. Emily Morell, the Gardens for Health International aims to eliminate malnourishment and promote thriving communities in Rwanda. The mission of this organization is to train Rwandan families with important facts, knowledge and agricultural strategies to ensure their nutritional requirements are met.

In 2020, 33% of children in Rwanda were deemed malnourished. To address this problem, the Gardens for Health International has expanded its coalition. In 2016, the nonprofit partnered with 675 organizations, which increased to 93,046 in 2020. As a result, 22,000 children and 4,300 families were fed, according to its 2022 impact brief. 

Health Builders

From 2015 to 2021, Rwanda witnessed an improvement in the survival rates of children. However, as of August 2023, Rwanda is off track in achieving its Sustainable Development Goal on the survival rates of children aged less than 5. Health Builders works with the Rwandan government to create and maintain effective health care services. This is so everyone has access to adequate medical care.

This organization has sufficient technology and equipment to provide timely medical care to Rwandans. As a result, the nonprofit has been able to:

  • Perform 5,900 sonograms yearly in Rwanda.
  • Provide access to clean water to 280,000 Rwandans. 

Rwanda has made great progress over the years. However, as mentioned, the poverty rate in Rwanda is still high, according to the World Bank. The efforts of these five charities operating in Rwanda have made significant differences. Altogether, this will promote a better future for Rwandans and the chance for the country to eliminate poverty. 

– James McAlinden
Photo: Unsplash

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Everything You Need To Know about Child Poverty in Palau

Child Poverty in PalauPalau, an archipelago, emerges as a tiny island nation spanning a mere 458 square kilometers in the vast expanse of Oceania. The country’s population, estimated at approximately 21,779 in 2023, harbors a notable proportion of vulnerable young individuals, with around 21.6% below 18. While Palau boasts commendable achievements in health care, evidenced by its low child mortality rates compared to other Pacific Islands Countries and Territories (PICTs) groups, with the “Under 5 Mortality” rate (Per 1,000) being 13.3%, it still confronts issues of poverty that afflict its youngest inhabitants.

Palau’s Economic Landscape

Palau’s economic landscape predominantly revolves around tourism, supported by agriculture and fishing. Palau is an upper-middle-income country with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita of US$13,230 in 2023. However, extreme poverty persists, particularly in rural regions with limited access to resources. The causes of family and subsequent child poverty in Palau are multifaceted and volatile. Palau also faces challenges similar to those of other PICTs. Theses include limited access to global markets, fragile resource bases, limited economies of scale, vulnerability to global economic changes and natural disasters that cause economic shocks.

The Extent of Child Poverty in Palau

The United Nations (U.N.) finds approximately 30% of children aged less than 14 living below the basic needs poverty line as of 2006. This is a huge indicator of child poverty in Palau. Children who grow up in poverty lack the necessities of life, such as food, cleanliness, shelter, health care and education. Globally, around one billion children are “multidimensionally” impoverished, which means they lack basic requirements such as nutritious food and safe water.

There is an absence of comprehensive data on childhood wasting and stunting, which is hindering efforts to address malnutrition and its adverse effects on child development. Equally concerning is the prevalence of obesity among Palauan youth, with a staggering 35% of them being classified as overweight or obese. These statistics prove that there is an urgent need for action to address not only material deprivation but also nutritional provision in food and underlying health disparities among Palau’s children.

Efforts to Combat Child Poverty in Palau

In response to these challenges, in collaboration with governmental and nongovernmental entities, the National Youth Council (NYC) of Palau plays an imperative role in advocating for youth empowerment and social inclusion. In the long run, this can be seen as a benefit to upskilling the youth. It provides them with better employment opportunities and, hence, leaves them less vulnerable.

NYC Palau, established in 2004, is dedicated to empowering youth by collaborating with government and NGOs to offer various services and activities. Through extensive research and database management, it monitors youth engagement in various sectors, assesses their well-being and addresses issues such as substance abuse, unemployment and conflicts with the law. Using this data, NYC Palau formulates policy mandates to achieve youth empowerment goals, setting targets for partner organizations.

President Tommy Remengesau also declared 2016 the “Year of the Youth” to prioritize youth welfare and enable an environment for their development. The declaration aims to implement a comprehensive youth strategy through the council that promotes all organizations to better identify and serve the interests of Palau’s youth. Additionally, NYC Palau implements career counseling programs, school-specific initiatives and schemes to enhance Palau’s labor market, which are often supported by grants.

Palau’s Commitment to Child Rights

Palau’s commitment to combating child labor, a grave reality and consequence of child poverty, is also displayed by its ratification of Convention No. 182 by the International Labour Organization (ILO). The 182nd Convention of ILO addresses the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor. This includi slavery, sexual exploitation, the involvement of children in armed conflict, prostitution, pornography and drug trafficking that endanger children’s health, morality or psychological well-being.

In 2019, Palau took significant steps to protect children from the worst forms of child labor by enacting a new Penal Code. This legislation specifically targets child pornography and the trafficking of children for labor exploitation, underscoring Palau’s commitment to safeguarding children’s rights and welfare. This is in addition to its impressive Realization of Children’s Rights Index score of 8.17 out of 10.

Final Remark

Child poverty in Palau is a multifaceted issue that demands nuanced solutions and collaborative efforts across sectors. Palau can chart a path toward sustainable development and social justice by continuing to address the underlying determinants of poverty, investing in education and health care and prioritizing youth empowerment.

– Malaikah Niyazi
Photo: Flickr

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Hunger in Tokelau

Hunger in TokelauTokelau, a Polynesian territory of New Zealand, boasts three small atolls fringed by crystal-clear waters and vibrant coral reefs. Despite this idyllic image, a hidden struggle with food security persists for many residents. While official reports indicate neither extreme poverty nor hunger on the island nation (data from 2014 shows no Tokelauans living below the basic needs poverty line), a 2016 census revealed a different story. About 22% of households reported feeling they have insufficient income. This discrepancy in hunger in Tokelau highlights the limitations of traditional poverty metrics. It underscores the importance of Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG 2): Zero Hunger.

Life on the Remote Atolls

About 1,500 people live on the coast of the three atolls: Atafu, Nukunonu and Fakaofo. The remote islands depend on boats and planes for transportation and trade. This makes it hard for them to get food from other places and limits their economic opportunities. Most people rely on fishing and subsistence farming for their livelihoods. However, these are threatened by changing weather patterns and environmental degradation.

Nutritional Challenges in Tokelau

Shifting weather patterns, a grim consequence of the changing climate, dramatically reshape Tokelau’s once-predictable island life. Rising sea levels fueled by warming waters threaten coastal areas with erosion and flooding. Droughts and storms, once infrequent visitors, have become unwelcome regulars, disrupting freshwater supplies and agricultural practices. Saltwater intrusion, a silent invader, contaminates freshwater sources and soils, jeopardizing food security and traditional livelihoods. 

Addressing the impact of changing weather patterns on Tokelau’s small atolls requires a multifaceted approach, including a shift in community mindsets and behavior. The island needs adaptation measures for essential service provision and increased capital investment to strengthen infrastructure against the changing climate.

Further, recent decades have witnessed a cultural shift that has contributed to hunger in Tokelau. Increased access to imported, processed foods has led to the gradual loss of traditional knowledge and skills for growing and preparing local fare. While often cheaper and more convenient, these imported options are laden with sugar, fat and salt, lacking essential vitamins and minerals.

This shift has fueled a rise in diet-related diseases like obesity, diabetes and heart problems, with children most susceptible due to their critical need for proper nutrition for growth and development. A United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) situation analysis of children in Tokelau found that obesity and related non-communicable diseases are major public health concerns. Data from 2010 suggests that 74% of the population aged more than 16 and 33% of children aged 0-15 were obese.

Initiatives To Fight Hunger in Tokelau

Despite the challenges, there is hope for Tokelau to overcome hunger and achieve food security. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) initiatives and programs address the problem from different angles. FAO has been partnering with Tokelau since 2011 as an Associate Member. The organization’s assistance to Tekolau has helped sustain natural resources and food security in the past few years.

FAO tailors its aid to Tokelau through the 2013-2017 Country Programming Framework. This framework addresses the regional needs of 14 Pacific Island Countries, including Tokelau, while focusing on five key areas: 

  • Strengthening policies and legislation 
  • Fostering sustainable agriculture 
  • Ensuring food safety
  • Boosting production and marketing
  • Protecting biodiversity 

In Tokelau specifically, FAO prioritizes building food security and climate resilience through two outcomes. The organization works to integrate environmental sustainability and adaptation to the changing climate into policies. Also, it wants to enhance environmental sustainability and resilience through improved coastal area management and sustainable land-use planning.

Tokelau’s Land Management Challenges and FAO’s Support

Tokelau’s low-lying atolls (three to five meters above sea level) face significant challenges due to coastal erosion. The limited land fertility and few natural resources further complicate food security and sustainable development.

Recognizing these challenges, FAO provided technical assistance to develop Tokelau’s first land-use plan. This plan, informed by land resource assessments and alternative scenarios, outlines sustainable land management practices and designates specific areas for various purposes, including tree planting, agriculture, infrastructure, housing, protected reserves and coastal development. 

The Future of Tokelau

Tokelau’s struggle with hunger exemplifies the global need to achieve SDG 2. By working towards this goal, the international community can support vulnerable communities like Tokelau in building a future free from hunger and malnutrition, ensuring a healthy and sustainable future for all.

– Adewumi Adewale
Photo: Flickr

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Being Poor in Georgia

Being Poor in GeorgiaGeorgia, a country in the South Caucasus region, borders Russia, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Armenia. Major structural reforms mark its recent history since its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The country’s transition to a free-market economy allowed for persistent growth between 2010 and 2015 and a considerable reduction in poverty rates. However, being poor in Georgia means facing an uncertain future, the invasion of Ukraine and the impact of COVID-19, which are risks undermining the progress made by the country in recent years.

The government aims to reduce poverty despite harsh circumstances by combining targeted social assistance, fiscal policy measures and collaboration with the United Nations (U.N.) to eradicate extreme poverty as part of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Specific attention is paid to vulnerable population segments, such as women and children.

Poverty in Georgia

In 2022, Georgia’s poverty headcount ratio reached 15.6% of its population at the national poverty line, its lowest in history. As a middle-upper-income country, Georgia has made huge strides in reducing its poverty rate in recent years. The nation, however, faces some structural deficiencies. The World Bank reports that limited high-quality job creation persists. At the same time, a third of the population still relies on low-productivity agriculture for income.

Education in Georgia

Part of these structural issues stems from the state of education in Georgia. As a country, Georgia spends less than countries with similar Gross domestic product (GDP) on education. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) pointed out that on top of low spending, bad resource allocation and low quality of teaching impair students’ ability to reach their full potential.

This is particularly true for students from rural and poor backgrounds, where completing upper secondary school is reported at 50% for rural students and 43% for students from poor backgrounds. Being poor in Georgia or from a rural area of the country means fewer chances of income growth through education. Thus, it is ostracizing already marginalized population segments from education-led social mobility.

Women and Poverty

Being poor in Georgia is not a condition equal across both sexes. Although poverty rates are similar among men and women, other sets of factors render women much more vulnerable to precarious situations. A U.N. report pointed out the large share of women who perform unpaid household work. About 49% of women cite unpaid care work as the principal reason for not having formal employment. This lack of revenue, specifically for poor women, exacerbates extreme risks of poverty as dependent upon the husband’s income.

Moreover, lack of formal work experience often leads to precarious job situations with a 14.7% hourly pay gap between men and women. In all, households headed by women are 20% more likely to face absolute poverty compared to male-headed households. This gender disparity also affects future generations; as the U.N. points out, children of poor households are more likely to remain in poverty; thus, gendered poverty undermines poverty reduction efforts.

SDGs 2030 and Georgia

Georgia, in 2015, committed to implementing the 2030 SDGs, setting 95 national targets to reach the 17 SDGs. Starting in 2015, Georgia identified its national strategy with the joint help of the U.N., producing numerous reports on the country’s growth and sectoral weaknesses. In particular, reports pointed out the prevalence of rural-to-urban income inequalities and the importance of social assistance to vulnerable population segments. These reports allowed targeted initiatives to accomplish SDG 1 on reducing extreme poverty.

For instance, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the European Union (EU), Georgia has implemented national strategies to render small to medium-sized businesses more sustainable and productive in rural areas. One of these success stories comes in the tea production area. The EU’s Innovative Action for Private Sector Competitiveness in Georgia, implemented with the help of the UNDP, has invested up to €5.7 million (approximately $6 million) in sustainable tea culture in the northern part of the country. This initiative has helped Georgian tea companies export to countries like Germany, growing income in rural parts of the country.

CARE International, an NGO working in Georgia

CARE International began its work in Georgia in 1992, supporting economic growth and civil society development amid the Soviet Union’s collapse. In 2008, CARE played a crucial role in supporting displaced persons as armed conflicts broke out in the region. The organization has since tailored its involvement to economic growth and implementing the 2030 SDGs in Georgia.

It emphasizes women’s empowerment in leadership and economic opportunities and support for rural households at risk of falling or already below the poverty line. CARE International has successfully reached 24,233 people, 57% of whom are women. The organization estimates its direct impact on implementing the 2030 SDGs since 2015 to have reached more than 100,000 people, reducing the likelihood of being poor in Georgia.

Looking Ahead

Georgia’s dedication to fighting poverty has shown encouraging results in the last decade. Although a range of structural issues related to education or women’s rights remain salient, the government’s commitment to improving the country’s population’s living standards sets it on the right track.

In December 2023, following an application to enter the EU, Georgia was granted candidate status, meaning the country meets the requirements and is eligible. This strengthening of EU relationships has prompted numerous cooperations in areas such as health care and economic partnership. With the ongoing process, Georgia’s decision to apply for EU membership is already bearing its fruits and helping eradicate extreme poverty.

– Felix Stephens
Photo: Flickr

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Malta’s Foreign Aid

Malta’s Foreign AidForeign aid is money, supplies or services given or lent to a developing country by a developed country. It is the assistance provided during conflict (military aid), an economic crisis (economic aid) or after a natural disaster (humanitarian aid). Some types of foreign aid include supplies like food and military equipment, as well as services such as humanitarian aid, military assistance, training and assistance with infrastructure.

Mainly, foreign aid assists in times of need. It has multiple benefits for both the receiving country and the country assisting. A key benefit can stimulate economic growth and help fight poverty in the developing country through the support of education and health care, as well as the funding of infrastructure, which can create jobs and improve living standards. Another benefit is that the country providing foreign aid improves its security, as it helps cultivate relationships between the countries – this can lead to the possibilities of investment and trade.

Foreign aid is a key way countries are helping to fight poverty in developing countries. Malta is one of those countries helping. Malta’s foreign aid exhibits its commitment to international solidarity and humanitarianism.

Malta’s Foreign Aid

The Order of Malta uses the Foreign Aid Service (FAS) to raise funds for those in need abroad. It focuses on humanitarian aid and missions run around the world. It raises money to support the disadvantaged, such as the elderly and disabled people, the homeless and refugees. Also, it helps countries that have gone through disasters and emergencies.

Some types of foreign aid Malta provides include:

  • Food 
  • Clean water
  • Shelter 
  • Protection
  • Sanitation 
  • Hygiene 
  • Medical and mental health support

A subsection of the Order of Malta called Malteser International is a humanitarian aid organization dedicated to working on the frontlines, providing relief and rehabilitation for those who need it after disasters. Its mission is to “serve the poor and the sick.”

Example of Malta’s Foreign Aid

Most recently, the Order of Malta has raised funds for the earthquake in Syria and Turkey, one of the region’s worst earthquakes in years. More than 15 million people were impacted by the quake, with around 130,000 people injured and 55,000 people dead. In response, Malteser International provided immediate aid, as a team was already working on a regional project. An emergency relief team was organized to bring supplies to the people affected by the earthquake.

Malteser International and How It Helps

Most of Malta’s foreign aid consists of services Malteser International carries out. The organization provides support on many continents, including Africa and Asia. One of Malteser International’s African initiatives involves fighting AIDS and tuberculosis in Kenya. Since 2001, Malteser International has been working in the health field to educate the residents of the slums in Nairobi about diseases, improving diagnosis, treatment and prevention. More than 60% of the population of Nairobi lives in the slums, with low and irregular incomes from day labor.

Due to AIDS being a common disease in the slums of Nairobi, many of the residents have weakened immune systems. They are very vulnerable to diseases like tuberculosis, which spread quickly in the overcrowded slums. Some measures Malteser International is undertaking to help residents include creating awareness by educating the residents about tuberculosis and giving health and nutrition advice to tuberculosis patients.

In Asia, Malteser International has been providing support to people in the Thar Desert since 2010. The nonprofit partnered with UNNATI, an Indian organization for Development Education, to improve food security in 50 villages.

Many women and children in areas with poor hygiene conditions are malnourished. Not only is there a water scarcity in the Thar Desert due to low rainfall and high temperatures, but the lack of access to clean water, which is often contaminated and the unsanitary conditions lead to an increased risk of malnourishment.

Malteser International and UNNATI are working to improve healthy nutrition and hygiene, especially for women and younger girls, to prevent malnourishment. They also work with farmers to improve cultivation methods to adapt to climate change.

Final Remark

Foreign aid is essential for addressing global challenges, like reducing poverty and promoting sustainable/economic development. Malta’s foreign aid contribution provides vital assistance in countries’ times of crisis. It supports long-term development projects that help countries reduce their poverty levels and allow them to develop economically. Malta’s foreign aid efforts are a reminder of the importance of international solidarity and humanitarianism in the fight to provide a more sustainable future for all.

– Isabella Green
Photo: Flickr

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