Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

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6 Organizations Bringing Clean Water to Burundi

6 Organizations Bringing Clean Water to BurundiThe United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) budget analysis of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Burundi for 2022-2023 reports that access to clean drinking water in Burundi is improving, with a national average of 86% of Burundian households having access to an improved water source. In countries such as Burundi, where the average citizen lives on less than $1.90 a day, access to clean water has a noteworthy positive impact on mortality, equity, wellbeing and access to education. Here are six organizations bringing clean water to Burundi.

Water for Development 

Water for Development is a nonprofit led by Burundian youth, employing point-of-water chlorine dispensers to reduce the prevalence of diarrhea to less than 10% in operational areas. The dispenser design alleviates the need to build fires for water boiling, a responsibility that falls primarily on women and children. This task, along with water collection, can consume between 3-10 hours a day for populations located more than 30 minutes away from a water source. The nonprofit is based in the Cibitoke Province, where community-elected “promoters” refill the dispensers and teach others how to use them. This organization has been especially impactful for children in Burundi, a quarter of whom suffer from illnesses related to dirty water.

The Gazelle Foundation

The Gazelle Foundation is a nonprofit organization formed in response to the story of Gilbert Tuhbonye, a retired professional Burundi runner and a survivor of the Hutu/Tutsi civil upheaval in the ’80s and ’90s. The organization is dedicated to constructing clean water systems across Burundi using tanks and PVC pipelines. It also invests in the local economy by sourcing supplies locally and providing employment opportunities to residents in the communities where systems have been installed. Thanks to local Burundian programs and fundraising from “water runs” held in Austin, Texas – where the Foundation is headquartered – 125,000 more people in Burundi now have access to clean water.

Sanitation and Water for All

Sanitation and Water for All (SWA) is a multi-government-stakeholder partnership hosted by the United Nations (U.N.). It works with organizations from across the public and private sectors to garner political support for clean water and sanitation. Burundi joined the partnership in 2010 and with the support of SWA partners, the government developed National Water (PNEau) and National Sanitation Policies (NAP). These programs and policies led to a substantial increase in funding for water and sanitation in the country. Through this partnership, the Burundian Government established the objective of achieving universal access to safe drinking water by 2030.

Amazi Water

Amazi Water, founded by John Peake in 2015, is a Christ-centered organization headquartered in Burundi. The organization installs solar-powered, fully submersible pump systems with higher yields and lower labor costs when compared to hand-pump systems. The organization has installed more than 900 systems nationwide, providing clean drinking water to an estimated 2.5 million people. The organization also offers employment opportunities to locals and is one of the most impactful water projects in Burundi.

Beygood4burundi

BeyGood4Burundi is a collaborative program involving Beyoncé’s philanthropy arm, BeyGOOD and UNICEF. The organizations joined forces in 2017 to give women and girls in Burundi access to safe drinking water. Globally, women and girls spend 200 million hours daily collecting water, leading to them missing out on education. To address this, BeyGood4Burundi has aided in building and rehabilitating 80 water points, bringing water to 30,000 Burundians.

Join for Water

Join For Water is a nonprofit based in Belgium, operating in nine countries across Africa, Latin America and Europe. The organization has been active in Burundi since 1997, focusing mainly on the provinces of Bubanza and Isare. It collaborates with numerous local institutions to build more robust water systems, coordinating resources to provide support and training on how to manage existing systems. Join For Water also works to improve sanitation in Burundi, focusing on sanitation facilities in rural areas.

These are but a handful of the many organizations working to improve health and wellbeing outcomes in Burundi through buoyed access to clean drinking water. For a country with a large percentage of its population below the poverty line, organizations that provide clean water and employment opportunities can save lives. 

– Ava Johnson
Photo: Pexels

5 Charities Operating in Nepal

Charities Operating in NepalNepal is a landlocked country in South Asia with a population of around 30 million people. However, Nepal is one of Asia’s poorest countries, with 17.4% of its population living in poverty as of 2021. There are various factors contributing to Nepal’s high poverty levels and slow-growing economy such as high unemployment rates, a lack of accessible education, food shortages, civil war and government corruption. According to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), there are approximately 60,000 charities/ non-governmental organizations (NGOs) operating in Nepal. Here are five charities operating in Nepal that are making a difference in the lives of the country’s poorest.

The Small World

The Small World supports local development projects across Nepal, focusing on improving childhood education, enhancing women’s rights and empowerment and supporting health care facilities. For instance, The Small World has established female education centers in rural Nepal, where young girls who are born into poverty are often at risk of trafficking, child marriage, violence, poor health, and subsequent poverty.  In a country where more than 35% of women are illiterate, providing women with a formal education means they are more likely to acquire future employment and earn a living.

Other projects include a health care facility providing free services to 32,000 people living in rural Nepal and the Friends of Arhaus Children’s Home which acts as a safe home to orphaned children in the Everest region, who would otherwise be subject to a life in poverty.  Since its establishment, The Small World has built homes, classrooms and sanitation facilities, providing more than 300 families with clean water and educating more than 150 children.

Nepal Water For Health Foundation

In Nepal, “3.5 million people do not have access to basic water services” with a further 10.8 million people lacking access to adequate sanitation facilities. With more than 70% of all water facilities being contaminated with bacteria, water-related illness is a leading cause of death in Nepal.

The Nepal Water for Health Foundation (NEWAH) aims to provide WASH facilities to Nepal’s poorest communities, “irrespective of gender, caste, class, and belief.”

Since its establishment in 1992, NEWAH has provided WASH services to over 2.1 million people in Nepal through various projects such as community-led sanitation, improved menstrual hygiene and even helping communities adapt to natural disasters. As well as implementing clean water facilities in communities, NEWAH also educates Nepali citizens on proper hygiene and sanitation and researches developing new, innovative WASH technology to ensure sustainable water supplies in the future.

The Nepal Red Cross Society

As the largest humanitarian organization in Nepal, the Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) began its journey in 1963 and is an independent charity providing immediate relief to those who require it. The NRCS provides a wide range of short-term and long-term services such as emergency health care and immediate natural disaster relief, as well as supporting community development projects and fighting gender discrimination, poverty and inadequate health care services.

In 2023, Nepal suffered major natural disasters in the form of earthquakes which caused a significant amount of damage. The NRCS helped ensure communities have sufficient emergency preparedness to minimize human suffering in the event of future disasters. For example, following the 2023 earthquake, the NRCS implemented the Earthquake Response Operation which efficiently deployed emergency services to most affected areas.

Rural Women’s Network Nepal

Established in 2007, Rural Women’s Network Nepal (RUWON) is a non-profit organization focussing on improving the lives of women in Nepal’s rural and poorest regions. According to RUWON Nepal, Nepalese society is “deeply patriarchal” and women are significantly more likely to be poor as well as face other human rights issues, suffer discrimination and have poor education.

RUWON Nepal aims to reduce the size of such gender disparities and improve the status and rights of rural women across the country. RUWON Nepal has implemented means of providing rural women with education, such as funding and supporting the education of more than 300 girls in the Sindhuli district in Kathmandu. The organization is also providing financing for women to set up their self-sufficient businesses, allowing women to both make a living and be empowered through independence. Other projects include providing free English lessons, the provision of sanitary products and sewing lessons to rural women, allowing women to have the opportunity to develop skills, gain an education and earn a living.

Prayas Nepal

Established in 2003, Prayas Nepal aims to improve the lives of those living in poverty in Nepal, particularly focusing on the welfare of children, with the charity’s initial project being a home for disadvantaged or orphaned children. Since then, Prayas Nepal has extended the focus of its work to support underprivileged children, women and the elderly.

Since 2003, Prayas Nepal has provided education scholarships to more than 2,000 people as well as implemented a vast number of community development projects across the country. Such projects include a Women’s Empowerment Project, COVID-19 relief projects, free health care centers, childhood education and elderly education programs. Due to the threat of natural disasters, Prayas Nepal has also developed almost 1,400 disaster management projects that provide emergency relief and rehabilitation to regions most impacted.

Making a Change

Although Nepal still stands as a “Least Developed Country” the work of local, national and international charities operating in Nepal, such as the five discussed here, has meant that poverty is steadily declining, with many people being lifted out of poverty between 2014 and 2019.

Nepal now aims to graduate from this status by 2026, according to the World Bank. However, economic, social and environmental issues are ever-prevalent in Nepal making the possibility for poverty alleviation challenging.

– Lucy Jacks
Photo: Flickr

The Organization Advancing the Rights of Tamils in Sri Lanka

tamils in sri lankaTamil refers to both a language and two minority ethnic groups in Sri Lanka. The “Sri Lankan Tamils,” who migrated from South India as far back as the fifth century Before Common Era (BCE) and the “Indian Tamils,” who are descendants of laborers brought to the island by the British during colonial times. Both groups have formed communities primarily in the northern and eastern parts of the island.

At the fall of the British Empire, many Tamils found themselves stateless under the Citizenship Acts of 1948-49 and promises made by the Indian government to confer citizenship upon 600,000 Tamils were not fulfilled. Minority Rights Group, an NGO working with indigenous people around the world, states that, by the year 2000, about 300,000 Tamils were still stateless.

This situation and a desperation to be treated equally, both socially and politically, has resulted in severe conflict since the fall of the British Empire. The Sri Lankan Civil War was fought from 1983-2009 in which the political group Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam or the Tamil Tigers, fought to create an independent Tamil state but were defeated after thousands of deaths on both sides. The result has been the continued oppression and marginalization of Tamils in Sri Lanka.

What Is the Current Situation?

In September 2023, nine different human rights groups, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, published an open letter criticizing the Sri Lankan government’s proposed National Unity and Reconciliation Commission. They wrote that the commission was unlikely to achieve any meaningful change for minority groups, asking instead for the government to recognize the widespread discrimination and inequalities Tamils still face.

Human rights groups in recent years have deeply criticized the 1979 Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), with the Guardian calling it “a stain on Sri Lanka’s human rights record” as it enables the arrest, forced confessions and torture of anyone suspected of terrorism. In 2020, the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka reported widespread torture and excessive use of force by the police. Additionally, more than 130 Tamil politicians and activists were documented to be in detention despite government denials. The government argued that these individuals were imprisoned for violent crimes. In 2022, Amnesty International reported that Muslims and Tamils are disproportionately affected by the PTA in Sri Lanka. This situation highlights ongoing concerns regarding human rights issues, particularly about Tamils in Sri Lanka.

What Progress Is Being Made Today?

Despite this, various groups throughout Sri Lanka and the world have been fighting for Tamil rights and the Tamil Rights Group (TRG) is taking steps to hold the Sri Lankan government accountable for their actions against Tamil people. In December 2023, TRG engaged in in-person discussions with the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Netherlands. The discussions centered on crimes against humanity, particularly the persecution of Tamils and the role of the military, exploring potential legal actions.

A follow-up submission is currently being prepared to continue addressing these critical issues. In a statement about the meeting, TRG emphasizes its commitment to “pursuing all available legal avenues to hold the Sri Lankan state and individual perpetrators accountable.” This holds the promise of legal change for Tamils, shedding light on their plight and potentially advancing justice for the affected communities.

Final Remark

The end of 2023 saw a rise in global awareness and recognition of the crimes committed against Tamils. This will likely lead to tangible changes that may address the plight of those most affected.

– Alice Brayford 
Photo: Flickr

SDG 9 in Lebanon: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure 

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)The United Nations adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015, which replaced the previous Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that started an effort to tackle poverty in 2000. The SDGs have targets catered to ending poverty, hunger, AIDS and discrimination against women and girls. The ninth target tackles industry, innovation and infrastructure and Lebanon has updates on its SDG 9.

SDG 9 And Agricultural Infrastructure

The first update on SDG 9 in Lebanon is part of phase four of Lebanon’s Employment Intensive Infrastructure Programme (EIIP), which ran from January 2021 till December 2023, where the International Labor Organization (ILO) joined forces with the Ministry of Agriculture/Green Plan to enhance farm infrastructure through a collaborative effort. Lebanese Reforestation Initiative (LRI) agreed to provide support in identifying, designing and supervising farm infrastructure projects.

As of October 2023, the program resulted in the employment of 800 farmers, specifically displaced Syrian refugees and financially vulnerable Lebanese citizens, and tackled farms all over the country. According to ILO, the only region with 100% accomplishment is the Akkar one, but there are plans to accomplish the remaining areas by December 2025, which will constitute phase five of EIIP. Those areas are Baalbak-El Hermel, Bekaa, El Nabatieh, Mount Lebanon, North and South, according to the U.N.

Post-Explosion Reconstruction

Following the 2020 explosion in the port of Beirut, Lebanon’s capital, the country suffered the death of more than 200 people, the wounding of more than 6,000 and damage or destruction of approximately 70,000 apartments and 40,000 residential spaces, all within a 10 km distance from the scene of the bomb. Karantina, a neighborhood in Beirut, suffered the most in terms of physical destruction and human losses, with more than 700 households where migrant workers, refugees and impoverished Lebanese people lived. Subsequently, as of January 2023, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched a two-phased response strategy in Karantina as part of its “Leave No One Behind” report

Another update on SDG 9 in Lebanon is that an urgent six-month plan is underway to address the immediate aftermath of the explosion in Beirut, focusing on rehabilitating shelters, providing legal assistance, supporting small businesses and implementing energy-efficient solutions. Concurrently, a 12-month sustained response is formulated to meet ongoing needs, including economic empowerment and neighborhood enhancement. The UNDP’s infrastructure recovery plan for Karantina has set a completion date of March 2025.

SDG 9 And Energy Infrastructure

Since the end of 2019, Lebanon has struggled with the depreciation of its currency, the Lebanese Lira Pound (LLP). While before then, $1 had a value of 1,500 LLP, the exchange rate in 2023 is fixed at 15,000 LLP but continues to be traded at 100,000 LLP to the dollar. This economic downfall came with shortages in utilities like energy and water where people are currently relying on privately-owned generators for electricity, and paying anywhere between $50 and $70 every month for electricity.

Starting in 2020, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Ministry of Industry (MOI) and Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with the Association of Lebanese Industrialists (ALI) and the Association of North Metn Industrialists (ANMI) developed SwitchMed III MED TEST III, which sought resource-efficient and cleaner production (RECP) for electricity companies by 2023. MED TEST III has three goals. The project plans to help 10 companies in important industries by giving technical support in RECP, studying how to use whey effectively in the dairy sector and providing international expertise through training and analyzing gaps and creating a plan to make industrial areas more environmentally friendly.

There are still no results for this test since MED TEST III is ongoing till March 2024. However, there is a foreseeable success with this test as the previous MED TEST II, from 2013 to 2018, had successful results in water, CO2, solid waste and energy savings.

Innovations in Education

Another SDG 9 update in Lebanon is IDEAS, an organization that works on pushing innovation in Lebanon, which launched the Summer of Innovation (SOI) initiative, alongside Lebanon’s Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Office of Prime Minister Saad Hariri. It had four main goals for Lebanon’s youth: innovation, technology, entrepreneurship and creativity. This initiative launched startups and groups across Lebanon to promote their four goals. In 2018, its success was evident when the events under SOI expanded to the greater population, beyond just youth, which proved effective as 4,000 people participated in SOI events that year. Also in 2018, SOI spearheaded three more programs promoting innovation: IDEAS, Bawabat al Ibtikar and Startup Scouts. While Lebanon is four years into an economic deficit situation as of 2023 with a 12.8% GDP deficit, Summer of Innovation contributed to Lebanon’s 2018 economic growth of 0.2%.

Making Progress

Lebanon has made strides in its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) ranking 95th out of 166 countries in overall SDG performance, with the updates on SDG 9 maintaining achievement. As of 2021, Lebanon’s most successful aspects of SDG 9 are increasing the population using the internet to 86.6%, a population of 77.8 per 100 people on mobile broadband subscriptions and 0.8 per 1,000 population of articles published in academic journals. Overall, Lebanon is steadfast in completing its SDG 9 goals by 2030, with most of the initiatives as mentioned earlier and programs to be completed in 2025, according to the U.N.

– Lucciana Choueiry
Photo: Flickr

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Child Poverty in Benin  

Child Poverty in BeninLocated in West Africa, the Republic of Benin is one of the most economically challenged nations worldwide. With up to 45% of its population consisting of children under the age of 15, child poverty in Benin is a major concern.

Economic Factors

According to the World Food Program USA, Benin’s economy is primarily agrarian. Up to 70% of the population relies on agriculture as a core source of income. Vulnerable to weather fluctuations and changing weather patterns, the sector of rain-fed agriculture has been challenged by the success of consistent food crop production. In addition, the country is often exposed to droughts and floods that threaten the economic conditions of Benin’s population. This frequently leaves families in uncertain economic situations. As poverty rates among families increase, child poverty in Benin worsens due to insufficient resources to fulfill their essential needs.

Threatened Food Security

In addition to contributing to a lack of financial stability, the unstable nature of agribusiness in the nation has also led to an increase in food prices. As reported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), children in Benin are severely affected by malnutrition. Up to 50% of children up to 5 years of age have developmental issues as a result of nutritional deficiency. The World Food Program USA shows that up to 32% of Beninese children suffer from recurrent malnutrition.

Health Concerns

While improper nutrition has emerged as a significant health concern for children in Benin, the absence of proper health care has also affected the nation’s children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), malaria is the leading cause of death for children under 5 years old in Benin. USAID states that the COVID-19 pandemic posed a risk to ongoing efforts made to reduce the transmission of the disease. The U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative, created in 2005, has been working toward the reduction and treatment of the disease in African countries, including Benin.

Despite the pandemic’s impact on developmental progress, the initiative’s 2024 strategy outlines the introduction of the malaria vaccine in Benin within the initial quarter of the year.

Child Labor

A direct repercussion of child poverty in Benin is the educational deficit due to child labor. As Beninese families go through financial hardships, children quit their education and engage in varying work practices. Some of these include domestic work, working on cotton plantations and forced begging. Children exposed to child labor practices become vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. Work conditions can be hazardous, and children are at risk of becoming victims of human trafficking. Data published by UNICEF shows up to 25% of children in Benin are victims of child labor.

Aid Initiatives

Tackling child poverty in Benin requires a wide range approach, integrating economic development, health care, food security and education. Recent years have shown multiple attempts to improve Beninese children’s livelihoods. A report published by the U.S. Department of Labor states that social services inspections freed up to 400 children from child labor in 2021.

In 2022, the government maintained the Integrated National School Feeding Program, providing meals to up to 75% of Benin’s schools. That same year, UNICEF expanded its presence in the north of the nation. UNICEF also collaborated with the religious congregation known as the Salesians of Don Bosco to build a temporary residence for children living on the streets. The congregation runs the charity Foyer Don Bosco, with the mission to fulfill all basic human needs of children living in poverty in Benin. It heavily focuses on helping victims of child labor and human trafficking, striving to ensure that children receive quality education so they can have a better future.

Efforts by organizations like UNICEF and the Salesians of Don Bosco reflect a collective commitment to combat child poverty in Benin and serve as a source of optimism in the ongoing fight against it. 

– Paula Gibson
Photo: Flickr

Reducing Preterm Birth in Low-Income Countries

preterm birth in low-income countriesThere are stark differences between preterm births in low and high income countries. Although preterm birth happens worldwide, more than 90% of babies born before 28 weeks gestation in low-income countries die shortly after birth. In high-income countries, less than 10% of these babies die. South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa have the highest preterm birth rates.

Globally, preterm birth kills more children under 5 years old than any other cause. Disability is an additional outcome of preterm birth with grave consequences for families and communities. Preterm birth has multiple interconnected risk factors and initiatives to address preterm birth in low-income countries are underway.

Risk Factors for Preterm Birth

Humanitarian settings often expose expectant mothers to risk factors for early birth. These risk factors include infection, such as HIV and malaria, gender-based violence and unclean living conditions. Undernutrition, excess physical work, air pollution exposure, adolescent pregnancy and reduced time between pregnancies also contribute to preterm birth incidence.

In low-resource conditions, health care is often disrupted or inaccessible for mothers and preterm infants. Displacement can also create formidable language and monetary barriers to health care. Conflict also contributes to limited health care for women and newborns. About 90% of countries with the highest neonatal death rates are in high-conflict locations.

Initiatives To Improve Preterm Birth in Low-Income Countries

Many programs aim to reduce the incidence of preterm birth and improve outcomes in low-income countries. Since 2007, the Global Alliance to Prevent Prematurity and Stillbirth (GAPPS) has partnered with several organizations to improve birth outcomes. In 2011, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation funded a $20 million GAPPS program called the “Preventing Preterm Birth Initiative.”

The program develops ways to prevent preterm birth and gives priority to low-resource settings. The funded research projects include a study on the connection between infections and preterm birth and a search for biomarkers to predict preterm birth. Additionally, the program runs research sites in Bangladesh and Zambia, enrolling pregnant women in studies to gain insights into the causes of preterm birth in these nations.

In 2014 GAPPS initiated the Scaling, Catalyzing, Advocating, Learning and Evidence-driven (Every Preemie-SCALE) project with a $9 million U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Cooperative Agreement. From 2014 to 2019, this program widened the use of preterm birth interventions in two dozen Asian and African countries. In 2016, Every Preemie published an analysis to promote the global utilization of antenatal corticosteroids in cases of impending early birth to boost the survival of newborns. In Malawi, Every Preemie evaluated the Family-Led Care Model, a strategy designed to improve facility and home care for preterm infants.

Since 2017, Birth With Dignity has provided education and training to health care providers in Uganda, a low-income country with high preterm birth rates. The organization provides education on postpartum hemorrhage, preeclampsia and emergency communication. The nonprofit’s work at Mbale Regional Referral Hospital and St. Francis Nsambya Hospital enhances high-risk care for mothers and babies.

Going Forward

Preterm birth in low-income countries is a critical issue. There are multiple approaches to improving its incidence and outcomes. In a 2023 global report, the World Health Organization (WHO) detailed strategies to prevent early birth, including quality care during pregnancy, sufficient nutrition and effective education. The report also recommended quality neonatal care for infections and breathing and feeding difficulties to reduce newborn mortality and disability. These strategies provide a path forward to improve global preterm birth.

– Kelly Carroll
Photo: Flickr

Renewable Energy in Namibia Brings Light to Those in Poverty 

Renewable Energy in NamibiaRenewable energy is central in shifting the world’s economy toward relying less on carbon-intensive fuels as countries grapple with the effects of changing weather patterns. However, often left out of the conversation about renewable energy is how it can be a useful tool in alleviating global poverty. The changing state of renewable energy in Namibia, a country located on the southwestern coast of Africa, is a prime example of how these energy sources can help address poverty.

Lack of Access to Electricity

For an upper middle-income country, Namibia has a high population of those who are multidimensionally poor: 43.3% of the country’s population in 2021. Lack of access to electricity is one factor keeping Namibians in poverty, and this is particularly evident in rural areas. In fact, less than 10% of rural residents have access to electricity, often because of the high cost of connecting to the country’s electrical grid. Rural areas are also where the highest concentration of Namibians in poverty live: 59.3% of Namibia’s rural population is considered multidimensionally poor, in comparison with 25.3% of the urban population, according to the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI). Access to electricity in rural areas is an important step in helping to alleviate poverty in Namibia’s rural areas.

Energy Consumption and Production

Namibia has a complex relationship with energy consumption and production. Most of the country’s energy consumption does not come from domestic sources– more than 50% of Namibia’s energy supply is imported from neighboring countries like South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), in 2020 Namibia relied on fossil fuels for 62% of its energy consumption, while renewable energy in Namibia accounted for 38% of its energy consumption.

The Namibian government has taken large steps in recent years to increase the country’s renewable energy production. As a strategic goal, the Namibian government and NamPower are taking steps for 70% of the country’s energy production to come from renewable energy sources by 2030. Currently, bioenergy is the most common source of renewable energy in Namibia, but the country has also built both hydroelectric and solar plants. Solar and wind energy are promising industries, due to the country’s desert environment and windy coast.

The government has also partnered with a German energy group to develop large green hydrogen capacities (i.e. utilizing renewable energy sources, like solar and wind, to split water into hydrogen and oxygen) in the coming years.

The Benefits

The benefits of these steps toward increased renewable energy production in alleviating poverty in Namibia are multifaceted. Firstly, these expansions could take advantage of local renewable resources to create energy at a local level. This means that rural Namibians, who are more likely to experience poverty, can have access to electricity without having to connect to Namibia’s electrical grid, which can be prohibitively expensive.

Additionally, as local renewable energy production expands, so could the job markets in those areas, creating more jobs in solar, wind, green hydrogen and bioenergy production. This is especially important in Namibia, where high unemployment (33.4% of the working population in 2018) is a large factor in keeping much of the population in poverty.

Finally, as the entire country relies less on energy imports from other countries and even increases its own exports of energy, the entire Namibian economy could benefit, leading to more resources available to further address poverty in both urban and rural areas.

– Lyle Seeligson
Photo: Unsplash

The New Reform Benefiting Mental Health in Panama 

Mental Health in Panama The COVID-19 pandemic impacted mental health in Panama and quality of life in 2020. There has been a global spike in psychiatric illnesses and overall quality of life since the pandemic. This event has increased the number of laws worldwide for health care and improved living, especially for citizens with no health care, public health care or, in some places, universal health care.

Mental health in Panama took a toll after COVID-19 and the 2020 pandemic; according to a poll of 480 adults living in Panama, 65.2% agreed the pandemic affected them and 62.9% agreed that mental health declined. In the same poll, 80.8% of participants were women and 37.3% checked off as unemployed. In 2021, the OECD published that the poverty rate jumped 3% in 2020 from 14.6% to 17.8%, and extreme poverty dropped 0.2%.

A Law for the People

The new law 364 in Panama from Feb. 4, 2023, established the human right to mental health assistance nationally. This legislation means Panama recognizes mental health as a human right for every person, with no discrimination against medical backgrounds or income. In this new law, there are 15 articles.

According to Article 1, “insurance companies may not discriminate against people who have mental health conditions when they are contracting a life or health insurance policy.” Article 2 states that “Private health centers providing care for people with mental, behavioral or neurodevelopment disorders may not refuse medical/psychological assistance to a person experiencing a mental health crisis.”

These two articles within the legislation could prove vital in the goals to provide national mental health assistance. Since public health care systems do not cover mental health in Panama, many would have needed private health care even to get coverage to attend a facility. Though citizens still do not get coverage through the new law, it allows private facilities in Panama to treat residents with little to no health care coverage. It also allows citizens with mental health disorders or other medical problems to acquire insurance more easily.

The Right Mindset

The legislation passed aims to promote awareness of mental health in Panama and encourage the public to seek help. A couple of essential objectives; “to guarantee access to quality services for mental health care services, reduce suicide rates and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health,” according to Icaza, González-Ruiz & Alemán. These objectives are essential to the goals set out in this new law. Panama also plans to create an educational program for all schools, private or public. That promotes mental well-being, prevention of mental decline, and signs to be aware of when dealing with someone who has a mental health condition.

Determination to Do Good

Panama rose, determined to do good for the citizens. When this legislation passed in February 2023, the executive branch had six months to regulate it and there has been no report of it since. The plan is to battle mental health in Panama and insurance issues for the citizens so everyone, regardless of income or history, has an equal chance of acquiring better health.

– Liam E. McGrenaghan
Photo: Unsplash

Driving Positive Change: The Madagascar Development Fund

Madagascar Development FundIn the heart of the Indian Ocean lies an abundance of biodiversity and cultural richness—Madagascar. However, this island nation faces numerous challenges, ranging from environmental threats to socioeconomic disparities. Despite having gained independence from France for more than five decades, Madagascar continues to endure as one of the world’s poorest nations, with 78% of its population living in extreme poverty as of 2021. Amid these challenges, a radiant beacon of hope emerges—the Madagascar Development Fund (MDF). Former British Embassy employees in Antananarivo, Madagascar, founded the MDF in 2008 to replace a similar scheme funded by the U.K. Department for International Development (DFID). The original scheme concluded with the closure of the British Embassy in the country in 2005. 

Empowering Communities

Community empowerment is at the core of the MDF’s mission. The organization recognizes that sustainable development must start at the grassroots level. By engaging with local communities, the MDF works collaboratively to identify needs and implement projects that address critical issues such as education, health care and infrastructure. This approach ensures that initiatives are not imposed from the outside but are instead driven by the needs and aspirations of the communities themselves.

A noteworthy initiative is the MDF’s commitment to education. In Madagascar, 40% of children have no access to education and 70% of students drop out before the final grade of primary school. According to UNICEF’s October 2020 summary, children born to mothers with no education are nearly five times more likely to experience extreme poverty, with a rate of 42%. In contrast, children whose mothers have received at least secondary or higher education exhibit a significantly lower likelihood, standing at 8.5%. Recognizing education as a crucial driver of change, the MDF has played a pivotal role in establishing schools, providing resources and fostering a supportive learning environment.

Funding

According to the MDF 2021 report, it has successfully renovated and/or extended 166 state primary schools. The key to MDF’s success lies in its strong partnerships and a particularly instrumental collaboration has been with the Belfast-based Adsum Foundation since 2011. Together, they have constructed and equipped 191 new classrooms across 60 primary schools, installing latrines and boys’ urinals at each location. Additionally, they have erected three school canteens, offering occasional essential meals to students.

The collaborative effort extends to the provision of books, school kits, footballs and skipping ropes to enhance the educational experience in each school. This not only provides essential skills for young people but also helps to break the cycle of poverty. Most of MDF’s funding comes from both organizations and individuals. For instance, a young girl in North London opted to forgo traditional gifts for her bar mitzvah, urging her friends to donate to MDF instead. The funds gathered from her initiative enabled MDF to undertake critical renovations on a deteriorating water project and provide a waterproof roof for a primary school. 

Health Care Access for All

Access to health care is a fundamental human right, yet many communities in Madagascar lack adequate medical facilities and resources. More than 60% of Madagascar citizens usually walk more than five kilometers to receive treatment. “Since there is no government-funded health care system, medical services have to be paid in advance even if the patient’s life is in danger,” states the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The MDF addresses this disparity by investing in health care infrastructure and promoting health education. Mobile clinics, community health programs and the establishment of 17 health care centers are just a few examples of MDF’s impactful interventions. By improving health care access, the organization not only enhances the wellbeing of individuals but also strengthens the overall resilience of communities.

Sustainable Economic Development

Economic empowerment is a key pillar of MDF’s strategy. The initiative enables local entrepreneurs to build sustainable livelihoods through the creation of community craft workshops and training programs. This approach not only lifts individuals out of poverty but also fosters economic resilience, ensuring that communities can withstand external shocks.

Global Collaboration for Lasting Impact

The MDF understands the importance of global collaboration in tackling complex issues. By fostering partnerships with international organizations, governments and NGOs, the MDF amplifies its impact and leverages resources to address multifaceted challenges. Through these collaborations, the fund gains access to expertise, technology and funding, enhancing its ability to implement large-scale projects. The continual expansion of its network of contacts and partnerships is a strategic move that ensures the ripple effect of positive change initiated by the MDF extends well beyond the confines of the island.

Looking Ahead

The MDF’s commitment to community empowerment, environmental conservation, health care access and economic development has exemplified how a focused and collaborative approach can bring about lasting positive change. The strides made by the MDF suggest that driving positive change requires collective efforts that aim to shape a better future for all.

– Sophie Higham
Photo: Unsplash

Is CGIAR the Answer to Solving Global Hunger?

CGIARPresently, as many as 783 million people worldwide are facing chronic hunger. Action Against Hunger has identified three main drivers of food insecurity: conflict, climate and poverty. The global food crisis has been escalated by international conflict, with the Russia-Ukraine war resulting in 19 countries implementing 27 food export bans and nine nations implementing 18 export-limiting measures.

Major Causes of Global Food Insecurity

Conflict remains the largest factor contributing to global food insecurity, affecting 60% of the world’s food-deprived population, particularly in war-stricken areas. Notably, 8 out of the 10 most severe food insecurity crises have been a result of war and conflict.

Global warming is another notable factor contributing to the interruption of crop growth and the destruction of fertilized lands. In fact, According to the World Bank’s “Food Security Update” released on Nov. 9, 2023, the dry conditions in the southern hemisphere, attributed to global warming, will cause a drop in average wheat yields in Argentina and Australia in the upcoming years.

About CGIAR

The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) is a global partnership of scientific research centers. Established in 1971 in response to the widespread concerns about the growing potential for famine in the mid-20th century, the program aimed to “coordinate international agricultural research efforts aimed at reducing poverty and achieving food security in developing countries.”

CGIAR’s Answers To Solving Global Hunger

In its 52 year history, it has created several innovative farming solutions to ensure food security and mitigate problems caused by climate change. Some of these include:

  1. Climate-smart rice: CGIAR has released approximately 30 drought-tolerant varieties of rice in multiple countries. These varieties exhibit a yield advantage of around 0.8-1.2 tons per hectare compared to rice that lacks drought-resistant features.
  2. Rust-resistant wheat: In response to the 1974 outbreak of wheat stem rust fungus, which destroyed 40% of the U.S. wheat harvest, CGIAR developed rust-resistant varieties of wheat. These improved varieties now contribute an additional $1.12 billion to world wheat harvest annually at 2010 prices.
  3. Biocontrol for mealybug: In response to the 1970s mealybug invasion of Africa, which caused widespread famine affecting 200 million people, CGIAR introduced a specific parasitic wasp capable of locating and dispersing mealybugs. The effect resulted in a “ten-fold reduction of cassava mealybug densities and damage in 95% of all fields.” An economic study revealed that a total gain of $20 billion had been made across 27 countries.

Final Remark

The CGIAR’s research, particularly in crop genetics, pesticides and climate adaptation, has resulted in large profits and remarkable benefits for farmers in low-income countries. By improving the crop yields in countries affected by the key drivers of food insecurity, the organization has ensured food security for millions. The organization’s commitment to climate adaptation and technological innovations will allow farmers to become more resilient to climate challenges, thereby minimizing the adverse effects of global warming.

CGIAR’s vision to “Lower greenhouse gas emissions from the agricultural sector by 1Gt per year by 2030” further proves that its goal of alleviating global food insecurity is within reach. By creating long-term solutions through advanced technological innovations, researchers have enabled the creation of farmers capable of adapting to the changing climate.

– Elizabeth Keith
Photo: Flickr