Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

CAFOD Ensuring Sustainable Housing

CAFODThe Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD) was established in 1960 by volunteers Jacquie Stuyt, Evelyn White, Nora Warmington and Elspeth Orchard. They convened with others from the National Board of Catholic Women, the Catholic Women’s League and the Union of Catholic Mothers to arrange the first Family Fast Day in 1960. As a result of the large number of collections taking place across the dioceses, the Bishop’s Conference of England and Wales registered CAFOD as an official charity in 1962.

The initial goal of these volunteers was to raise funds for the people of the Caribbean Island Dominica, specifically to support starving children and establish a mother-and-baby clinic. The scheme also aimed at helping people survive and make a living for themselves through the provision of a clean water initiative and teaching them how to cultivate water gardens. The campaign organizers achieved success by raising £6,000, equivalent to £96,000 today.

CAFOD has grown significantly since its inception in Dominica and now operates in more than 40 countries across Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America. The organization is actively involved in campaigns and fundraising efforts aimed at promoting sustainable housing, accessible education, clean water and food security in each of these regions.

CAFOD in Brazil

CAFOD estimates that 50 million Brazilians currently live in poverty. Many of these individuals include indigenous communities who are vulnerable to large-scale mining, farming and timber projects that have even escalated to violence against the indigenous Brazilians looking to defend their rights to the land. 

CAFOD has been operating in the country for more than 50 years, partnering with local experts on different projects. The organization’s efforts extend beyond assisting homeless families in crowded Sao Paulo favelas; it is also heavily engaged in lobbying the government to provide basic welfare for the impoverished. Additionally, CAFOD actively supports indigenous communities by improving their conditions and ensuring basic access to health and education.

World Cities Day

On Oct. 31, 2023, CAFOD celebrated World Cities Day, demonstrating solidarity with the people of Sao Paulo. The focus was on the city’s poorest families, as CAFOD remains determined to provide them with safe and affordable housing. This underscores the initiative’s commitment to addressing urban challenges and improving living conditions. World Cities Day, observed annually on Oct. 31, serves as a global platform promoting campaigns for sustainable urban development. CAFOD strategically leverages this event to highlight the need for urban development and the progress it has made in providing affordable housing for Sao Paulo’s poorest demographic.

“They called us vagabonds. I bowed my head, but deep down, I knew I wasn’t a vagabond,” said a resident of Sao Paulo who, along with hundreds of other families, spent five years occupying the now-abandoned Hotel Lord. They campaigned tirelessly to ensure safe and affordable housing for the city’s poorest communities. Through the collaborative efforts of CAFOD, particularly its charitable partner Semeando and other housing groups, the once-abandoned hotel, now named the “Elza Soares Residence” after the Samba singer, serves as a home for 176 of Sao Paulo’s most vulnerable families.

Present Day Sao Paulo

According to Brazil Reports, homelessness in Sao Paulo exceeded 200,000 in 2023. However, CAFOD, in collaboration with its partners in Brazil, continues to be actively involved in addressing this city-wide issue. The organization and its partners in the nation are advocating for affordable living spaces and essential amenities on behalf of Sao Paulo’s poorest demographic.

– Tom Perry
Photo: Flickr

,

Technology in Vietnam: How Vietnam Made Progress on Poverty

Technology in VietnamFollowing a 20-year war that decimated Vietnam’s economy, the country has dedicated the past 30 years to economic recovery. In 2021, through reforms, innovation and placing technology as a core element, Vietnam managed to directly whittle down the percentage of its population classified as living in “Extreme Poverty” under the Multidimensional Poverty Index from 49% to 4%. Here are some ways Vietnam is utilizing the modern world to address poverty.

Supporting Entrepreneurs

Despite significant progress, the effects of poverty continue to disproportionately affect individuals belonging to “Ethnic Minority” groups in Vietnam, highlighting this as a crucial area for development in the ongoing fight against poverty. The United Nations Development Program (UNDP), an agency of the United Nations dedicated to assisting countries with their efforts to combat poverty, initiated a project called the 4M (Meet, Match, Mentor, Move) Solution to help female Vietnamese ethnic-minority micro-entrepreneurs expand their business through match up with e-commerce partners. This program has yielded positive results, with about 100 cooperatives experiencing a minimum 30% increase in revenue, benefitting more than 13,000 women.

Betting on Production

Vietnam, despite having a relatively low urban population proportion (38% as of 2021), has achieved impressive technology adoption with a remarkable 70.3% internet penetration rate. This achievement can be attributed, in part, to affordable data plans that keep costs low. However, one challenge remains: limited internet coverage for individuals living in extreme poverty.

These advancements align with the country’s pursuit of an “Industrial Revolution 4.0,” driven by a wholehearted embrace of modern technology and its economic potential. Strategic policies and tax incentives have positioned Vietnam as a regional hub for technology and semiconductor manufacturing. As a result, several major global corporations have relocated their production facilities to the country, contributing to significant GDP growth. With an expanding GDP, living standards are on the rise, and workers are securing higher productivity jobs, leading to improved income levels.

Insuring Infrastructure

Agriculturally, Vietnam heavily relies on the abundant production of rice crops, exposing farmers to the uncertainties of changing climate conditions and fluctuating government policies. The reliability of produce is further threatened by water scarcity issues, opening the way to solutions such as the Mekong Delta Smart Irrigation Project.

Through the utilization of high-tech sensors and water pumps that provide real-time feedback directly to smartphones, farmers can instantly check water levels and experiment with techniques to ration their resources. 

In one notable farming cooperative, ‘Phu Can,’ the implementation of supportive monitoring hardware has yielded positive outcomes,  allowing a similar produce of rice with 20% less water usage. This technological intervention serves to fortify the rice industry against the challenges posed by the evolving world.

Looking Ahead

Vietnam has borne the brunt of its economic downturn for decades, making the turning of its fortune largely carried on the winds of developing technologies and modern conveniences an inspiring narrative. The examples of successful implementation of modern technology in Vietnam stand as a testament to the broadening of opportunities for various minority classes. This approach has helped empower the underprivileged and safeguarded crucial agricultural produce from the unpredictable impacts of changing circumstances.

Vietnam has made significant progress in its fight against poverty, with the Multidimensional Poverty Index reaching a low of 4% in 2021. However, recent data from early 2023 suggests a rise to 9%. Nevertheless, the nation has a strong track record of commitment to systemic improvement over the past 30 years. This dedication spurs hope for continued progress in the ongoing struggle against poverty.

– Brandon Murphy
Photo: Unsplash

,

5 Charities Operating in Scotland 

Charities Operating in Scotland Poverty levels in Scotland have been in a state of flux for many years. From the late 1990s to the mid 2000s child poverty levels were stable until around 2013 when stability gave way to an increased number of people affected. There are more than 1 million people currently living in poverty in Scotland.

In 2017, the Scottish parliament unanimously voted for the Child Poverty Act hoping to set a goal of reducing relative child poverty in Scotland to no more than 10% and reducing absolute child poverty to no more than 5%. Now in 2023, the fight against poverty continues in Scotland, where several charities and independent organizations have taken to the frontlines to stand in defense of their disadvantaged countrymen. Here are 5 charities operating in Scotland.

Charities at Work in Scotland

  1. Smart Works – Established in 2013, Smart Works is a charity that supplies out-of-work women in Scotland with the means to re-enter the workforce and start on the road to an improved life. Smart Works not only supplies out-of-work women with the apparel they need to help secure employment, but they also offer career coaching for women struggling to land a job interview. According to Greater Govanhill, 71% of clients can find a job within a month of completing the program. Smart Works has helped more than 30,000 women across 11 centers throughout the U.K.
  2. Homeless Project Scotland – Colin McInnes and Fraser Riddell founded Homeless Project Scotland in 2019 and have provided more than 130,000 meals to the disadvantaged people of Scotland. The charity runs a soup kitchen as well as other services, including the deployment of street cycle teams who deliver food, water, clothing and other essentials to those in need.
  3. The Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) Scotland – Founded in 1965, the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) is a voice supporting children suffering from the ravages of poverty. Since its foundation, CPAG has worked to secure futures for children and families in Scotland and the U.K. at large through lobbying and ensuring those who qualify for aid receive it without delay.
  4. The Robertson Trust – Elspeth, Agnes and Ethel Robertson founded the Robertson Trust in 1961, which has been contributing to and funding charities operating in Scotland for more than 60 years. The Robertson Trust identifies the two largest issues in Scotland to be poverty and trauma, the trust aims to tackle these issues by working directly with organizations receiving their support on the ground level. Since 1961, the Robertson Trust awarded more than £300 million to organizations across Scotland.
  5.  Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) – Joseph Rowntree started the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) more than a century ago in 1904 to provide quality-of-life improvements for the community around him. Currently, JRF makes donations to organizations battling poverty, researches solutions to poverty and lobbies for government reform on policies dealing with the alleviation of poverty for those affected by it in any capacity. JRF is assisting in taking action against poverty by funding organizations it believes to be making a difference, referring to these groups and businesses as “pathfinders.”

Wrap Up

With more than a million people still living in poverty in Scotland as of 2023, the Scottish government’s goal of seeing poverty levels reduced to or below 10% is a mounting challenge. However, the charities operating in Scotland and many more like them continue to wage a war on poverty. With the continued work and support from these organizations and the communities around them, there is growing hope for progress.

– Beau Sansom
Photo: Flickr

South African Company Revolutionizes HIV Prevention with Injectable PrEP

South African Company Revolutionizes HIV Prevention with Injectable PrEP: A Game-Changer in the Fight Against AIDSIn a groundbreaking stride against HIV/AIDS, a South African company is spearheading a revolutionary approach to prevention with an injectable drug, Cabotegravir long-acting (CAB LA). This World AIDS Day brought hope as trials showed promising results, particularly in a nation facing one of the world’s highest HIV rates. This development is a potential game-changer, offering a discreet and user-friendly alternative to conventional oral PrEP.

The HIV Landscape in South Africa

South Africa has been at the forefront of the global battle against HIV, with more than seven million people currently living with the virus. Despite substantial progress in treatment, the country witnessed around 160,000 new infections last year, highlighting the persistent challenges. The introduction of an injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) represents a beacon of hope, especially for those at high risk.

The Injectable PrEP Advantage

CAB LA, the injectable PrEP, demonstrates a paradigm shift in HIV prevention. Unlike its daily oral counterpart, this variant lasts for two months, offering a discreet and user-friendly option. Linda-Gail Bekker, CEO of the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation, emphasizes an 89% reduction in HIV infections among women in Africa using injectable PrEP compared to oral PrEP, underlining its superiority.

Affordability and Accessibility Challenges

While approved for use in South Africa, the injectable’s cost remains a significant hurdle, priced at several thousand dollars per shot. The company producing it has shared licenses to address this concern. However, challenges persist in affordability and manufacturing capacity that need concerted efforts for widespread accessibility.

International Collaboration for Progress

International collaboration is pivotal in introducing CAB LA in South Africa, especially with the United States (U.S.). Dr. John Nkengasong, the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, acknowledges the evolving landscape in the fight against HIV, highlighting the innovation brought by long-acting PrEP injectables.

South Africa is gearing up for a pilot project in early 2024 to evaluate the implementation of injectable PrEP, specifically targeting adolescent girls and young women. Initially slated for 2023, as per VOA reports, these projects experienced delays, pushing the launch to early 2024. Spearheaded by Unitaid, this pivotal demonstration project addresses the intricacies of introducing this innovative prevention method from clinical settings into local communities. Despite the setbacks, Chief Investigator Pontiano Kaleebu emphasizes the importance of developing an HIV vaccine for Africa.

Implementation Challenges and Future Outlook

Implementing injectable PrEP beyond clinical settings presents challenges. Trained nurses will likely administer the injections, requiring additional training. However, the larger question revolves around decentralized delivery models and community acceptance. Community ‘shot clinics’ are proposed, offering a potential solution for administering injectable PrEP in a more accessible and user-friendly manner.

Dr. Francois Venter, divisional director of the research institute Ezintsha, remarks, “There needs to be a bit of a stock-taking before we do that. But our patients are going to be pushing us to go very fast.”

The Impact on the Ground 

Amidst the groundbreaking developments in HIV prevention, NGOs like the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) continue to play a crucial role in South Africa. TAC, a key advocate for access to HIV treatment, is poised to adapt its strategies with the anticipated launch of injectable PrEP in early 2024. This innovative preventive method aligns with TAC’s mission, providing an opportunity to enhance outreach and education efforts. The longer-acting and user-friendly nature of injectable PrEP could empower NGOs like TAC to strengthen their campaigns, offering additional tools in the ongoing fight against HIV/AIDS. Overall, these advancements present NGOs with new avenues to contribute effectively to eradicating HIV in South Africa.

Tracking and Measuring Success

Monitoring the usage patterns of oral and injectable PrEP presents a significant challenge because these preventive methods are constantly evolving. Therefore, developing more effective metrics to assess the impact of PrEP on a population level could be necessary.

Additionally, the effectiveness of injectable PrEP depends on its integration with extensive sexual and reproductive health services. It is crucial to educate communities about the various options available for HIV prevention, thereby linking injectable PrEP with empowering messages about wellness.

South Africa Taking the Lead

South Africa’s leading role in the development and implementation of injectable PrEP marks a pivotal moment in the fight against HIV. As the nation gears up for pilot projects, the prospect of a discreet, user-friendly, and more effective prevention method brings renewed hope for a future where HIV is no longer a pervasive threat. The collaboration between local initiatives and global support underscores the collective commitment to eradicating HIV and creating a healthier world.

– Ed Santana

Photo: unsplash

, , ,

RISING Uganda: Quality & Inclusive Learning For All

Rising UgandaIn the summer of 2023, the RISING Uganda project, a scheme established to provide Ugandan children with access to education, unveiled its plans to construct and/or refurbish more than 67 classrooms and 53 WASH facilities within nine districts across the country. The charity estimates that the value of this project will be in excess of 3 billion Ugandan shillings.

The Rising Uganda Project

The RISING Uganda project emerged in 2022 through the Stromme Foundation East Africa. The project intends to cover four years and its purpose is to collaborate with households, communities and political leaders to dismantle barriers preventing children from receiving quality education. These barriers include classroom shortages and learning gaps.

The East Africa initiative is a branch of the wider Stromme Foundation. This NGO traces its origins to 1976 through the efforts of Reverend Olav Kristian Strømme of Kristiansand Cathedral in Norway to raise money for the less fortunate. It has since grown into the largest NGO in Norway. Following the reverend’s death, his nephew Gunnar Strømme built upon his uncle’s work by establishing the Strømme Memorial Foundation in support of less fortunate individuals on a global scale. Today, the organization maintains regional offices in Mali, Uganda and Sri Lanka along with headquarters in Norway. The organization also maintains partnerships with 11 different countries, exclusively within Asia and Africa.

Within Uganda itself, the Stromme Foundation estimates that the percentage of Ugandans currently living in poverty stands at 42% and that 23.5% of the population above the age of 15 are illiterate. 

Programs

Intervention schemes to address these statistics include the Bonga Adolescent Empowerment Programme. Bonga is a life skills training program that utilizes “a dialogue process to build confidence among the out-of-school illiterate adolescent girls and boys (13- 19 years) to develop their analytical capacity through life skills and vocational skills,” the Stromme Foundation website says.

Similarly, the foundation’s Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) program is an outreach project to provide young Ugandans with the transferable skills necessary to succeed in the employment market through apprenticeship models to provide them with a means of contributing to both their household income and the economy of their wider community.

With the RISING Uganda program, a collaborative effort will be maintained between the Stromme Foundation East Africa and district education officers, teachers and community leaders to incentivize such communities to enrol more children in schools erect new classrooms, refurbish existing ones and supply vulnerable school children with the necessary resources to learn. 

Upon the announcement of the construction of 67 new classrooms and 53 WASH facilities by the Stromme Foundation, Carron Beaumont, head of Program Implementation at Plan International Uganda, highlighted at the initiating event that “Investing in basic school infrastructure is crucial for better learning outcomes, especially at this time where enrolment into education is needed for millions of children who have been affected by ongoing and past conflicts as well as crises and gender inequalities.’’

First Lady Janet Kataaha Museveni also attended the initiating event and laid out a foundation stone to mark the occasion. 

The Power of Collaboration

The RISING Uganda scheme is currently being implemented as a consortium involving not only the Stromme Foundation but also Plan International Uganda, a charity similarly devoted to the empowerment of Uganda’s youth since 1992. This collaborative effort is operating in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Sports while receiving funding from Educate A Child in Uganda. Similarly, Educate A Child is a global charity devoted to providing school children across the world with a quality education for children afflicted with circumstances such as poverty, discrimination and conflict. Its reach encompasses 53 countries, including Uganda.

Through the efforts of humanitarian organizations, quality and inclusive learning for all may be a possibility.

– Thomas Perry
Photo: Flickr

Addressing Period Poverty in Somalia

Period Poverty in Somalia“No woman in Somalia is happy to be a woman because, from the cradle to the grave, woman is a victim” remarks Nadia Sufi Abdi, a human rights documentation officer at the Somali Women Development Centre in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu.

Period Poverty as a Result of the Economic Situation in Somalia

After 25 years of internal conflict, Somalia faces significant challenges, with half of its population living in poverty. Nearly a third of Somalians endure extreme poverty. In this context, women confront an additional challenge: period poverty. This term refers to the inability to afford basic sanitary products. Sanitary pads, costing $3 per pack, are unaffordable for many, forcing them to use unsanitary alternatives like dried cow dung and leaves.

Period poverty in Somalia has its roots in widespread gender discrimination, evident in the country’s patriarchal society. Somalia’s Gender Inequality Index score is 0.776, with 1 indicating absolute gender inequality. This score places Somalia among the countries with the most significant challenges in women’s rights. The Somali Women Development Centre in Mogadishu reports that Somalia has the highest levels of violence against women in Africa. Such deep-seated gender discrimination worsens period poverty, creating an environment where women’s health and voices receive little priority.

How is Somalia not Supporting Women’s Health?

Around two decades of political instability coupled with extreme droughts has forced Somalia into severe food insecurity. Unable to afford essentials, most notably period products, some poor Somali women, as young as 10, offer sex in exchange for food and other basic necessities. By being sexually exploited, usually by older men, women are at a higher risk of unwanted pregnancies, worsening their financial situation and pushing them into a life of poverty. Adding to this crisis is the fact that women cannot access safe and hygienic spaces, which is so essential during menstruation. A lack of privacy in the form of gender-segregated toilets and mostly absent toilet doors only increases the risk of violence against women.

Period poverty in Somalia is additionally worsened by the shocking lack of health care for women, which results in a lack of awareness about healthy menstrual care practices. One Somali woman claimed, in a study based on focus group interviews, that “Somali women never go to the doctor, because we go and the doctor believes we are crazy or psychotic, and we say that makes us more crazy so we don’t go.” A former obstetrician and gynecologist living in Somalia has commented that “there are no hospitals, no health care.” 

Regressive Practices Contributing to the Problem

Furthermore, women would be more vulnerable to infections if they have been subject to female genital mutilation, a practice common in Somalia and other African countries. Around 98% of girls, between the ages of 9 and 15, living in Somalia endure female genital mutilation. This is a widely accepted social practice that seeks to improve a girl’s matrimonial prospects. This exposes the gender-discriminatory structure of Somalia, where women are forced to put their health at risk since they are reliant on men financially if they want to access menstrual products. WHO has stated that female genital mutilation increases the risk of dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation) and causes a host of other health issues. 

Effect on Women’s Education and Financial Situation

These deplorable conditions deter women from participating in Somali society. Only 25% of girls have attended formal schools for education and only 35 percent of women, between the ages of 20 to 25, have at least some years of education in their background. Additionally, more than 10% of female students miss an estimated three to four days per month during their periods. This highlights a lack of adequate sanitary toilets and products that leave a significant number of girls deprived of basic education. A lack of education in turn means that women miss out on learning essential skills including basic hygiene and healthy menstrual care, heightening the risk of neglect or infection. It also results in women being underqualified for jobs and therefore left out of the workforce.

Ongoing Efforts 

In 2020, GBV Area of Responsibility provided 12,816 people with dignity kits, in 17 coordination hubs across Somalia, which included sanitary products and rape kits. Such measures help counter period poverty by providing free access to essential health care products, reducing the spread of infection.

In the same year, UNFPA, a reproductive health agency, distributed 10,000 reusable sanitary pads and an additional 20,000 in 2021. To further counter period poverty in Somalia, the organization supported and educated community health workers, helping them provide care and information surrounding safe menstrual health practices. UNFPA also aimed to provide safe environments for women to help them prioritize their health by working with camp officials to distribute flashlights and install lights in their bathrooms. 

Concern Worldwide, a humanitarian organization, works toward gender equality in Somalia to improve the condition of women there. To date, it has supported 13 fixed and 15 mobile health centers in Somalia, additionally establishing self-help groups for women, striving for economic and social empowerment through loan systems. By supporting women’s finances and health, Concern Worldwide is fighting against period poverty.

Looking Ahead

Somalia remains an unsafe country for women owing to extreme poverty and gender inequality, actively putting women at risk from their unhygienic environments and inaccessibility of period products, heightening the issue of period poverty. Independent organizations have attempted to support Somali women in terms of finances and health care needs. However, the Somalian government has been largely criticized for its apathy in this matter. For instance, laws preventing gender-based violence have remained as drafts, unprioritized, meaning women continue to fear leaving their houses and avoid going outside to access health care or education. As a result, period poverty in Somalia has remained a major issue, depriving scores of women and girls of a life of dignity.

– Anna McDonald
Photo: ri.org

Responsible Tourism in Mongolia

Responsible TourismMongolia, the birthplace of Genghis Khan and home to a sweeping landscape of plains and nomadic traditions, transferred to a market economy in the ’90s, resulting in privatization and, unfortunately, increased poverty. More than 6% of the population lived in poverty in 2018 and it has become significantly worse since COVID-19.

Responsible tourism is a way to address this and experience a once-in-a-lifetime trip. Responsible or ethical tourism, refers to holidaymakers and travelers spending their money respectfully and consciously. This can include staying in local accommodations, residing with families from the respective countries, or opting for package deals that support excavations without exploiting the culture, environment or people.

According to the World Bank, tourism and hospitality is the third largest sector in the country. Here are some ways in which to be a responsible tourist.

Sleeping Like a Local

Poverty is more prevalent in urban areas than in rural areas and traditional nomads are experiencing the most significant impact. An effective way to support them is by actively engaging with their communities, such as by sleeping among them. More than half of the Mongolian population resides in portable homesteads known as “gers,” a round open structure without walls that symbolizes the country’s nomadic history.

Choosing to stay with nomadic families in their homesteads or “gers,” not only offers an authentic experience of traditional life but also benefits the local population. This choice provides income to herders and families while fostering cultural exchange. Furthermore, visitors can contribute financially and through labor, as specific travel organizations like Projects Abroad offer working holidays where tourists actively participate in the daily workload.

Support Local Communities

By purchasing local food, produce and locally crafted souvenirs, individuals actively support local businesses and contribute to the income of rural families. This practice also aids in reducing urban migration and fostering business growth. Numerous tour operators collaborate with community-driven projects, ensuring that a portion of their profits is invested in the community through health care, education or infrastructure development in remote regions.

For instance, “Tour Mongolia” operates a “nomad library,” supplying books to rural children who may not otherwise have access to education. Another example is “Mongolian Travel and Tours,” which directly and fully compensates families providing services for tourists.

Stay Green

Incorporating a green agenda into tourism is possible and the two concepts complement each other. For instance, in the Khovsgol province, a joint effort between the local government and nongovernment organizations has led to a community-based ecotourism initiative. This initiative offers accommodations, such as staying in a ger with a local family and extends to actively contributing to the preservation of the area’s distinctive ecosystem.

Similarly, in Ulaanbaatar, the capital, investment and initiative in green infrastructure have resulted in the installation of solar panels and green roofs. This initiative is worth exploring for those seeking an education on sustainable living.

Whether through choosing an ethical tour operator or making a conscious decision to be a responsible tourist, it is possible for a once-in-a-lifetime trip not only to bring happiness to the traveler but also to impact the communities visited positively.

– Jack Timmins
Photo: Pixabay

Poverty Reduction in Croatia

Poverty Reduction in CroatiaThe Croatian War of Independence, which took place in the early 1990s, damaged the country’s economic infrastructure and displaced large numbers of people. The following years saw a growing disparity in wealth and higher numbers of people at risk of poverty. In 2013, after a 10-year-long application, Croatia joined the European Union (EU) and began to see its economic growth reignited.

According to the World Bank, Croatia is currently ahead of its targets of poverty reduction – the percentage of people at risk of poverty is “firmly on a downward path but remains above the EU average.” Its unemployment rate is dropping but remains persistently higher than other EU countries; according to Project World Impact, the estimated number of people below the poverty line in Croatia is 19.3%.

Many organizations are working toward poverty reduction in Croatia and reducing inequality among the country’s most vulnerable. The following is a spotlight on the active ones.

Caritas Croatia

Officially founded in 1992 in response to the humanitarian needs of the people affected by the Croatian Homeland War of the early 1990s, Caritas Croatia works toward poverty reduction in Croatia and the promotion of solidarity and social justice.

Caritas’s efforts branch out across Croatia. For example, the organization maintains a presence at Hotel Porin – a large socialist-style hotel on the outskirts of Zagreb that serves as a reception center for asylum seekers. More than 600 people live here, receiving support from Caritas to integrate into Croatian life through language classes and assistance finding work.

The charity has also raised significant amounts of money to provide safe and dignified living conditions to people made homeless by the 2020 earthquake that struck 30 miles south of Zagreb. Over a period of eight months, Caritas helped up to 200 households affected over a 2,000 square kilometer radius, providing accommodation as well as financial and technical help for those repairing their homes.

SOS Children’s Villages

SOS Children’s Villages was founded in 1949 to care for the children of a post-World War 2 world. In the 70 years since then, the organization has helped nearly 4 million children in more than 130 countries. The organization turned its attention to Croatia in 1992, working to improve the conditions of children living there ever since.

SOS Children’s Villages report that, of the 700,00 children in Croatia, one in five are at risk of poverty and 2,500 are in care. With poverty and unemployment cited as key drivers of these figures (Croatia’s young people are twice as likely to be unemployed, at a rate of around 15%), poverty reduction becomes a key focus of the charity’s work.

SOS Children’s Villages take a five-pronged approach to poverty reduction in Croatia: prevention, protection, emergency relief advocacy and safeguarding.

The charity employs a multifaceted approach to support children and families. Through workshops, counseling and educational initiatives, it strengthens families, aiming to maintain stable homes for children. Additionally, it makes provisions for mental health support. To protect children, the charity offers mentoring, training and career coaching, addressing youth unemployment. Alternative care is available for displaced or parentless children. Emergency relief efforts, including response to events like the 2020 earthquake, are in place. The organization advocates for children’s rights and sustainable futures. Lastly, it ensures the well-being of children who have lost parental care.

Domine

Addressing poverty reduction in Croatia involves acknowledging gender inequality. Disparities in wages, unpaid care work, educational access and health care contribute to women being overrepresented among the economically disadvantaged across the globe. Tackling these gender-related challenges is crucial for comprehensive poverty alleviation efforts.

Gender equality organization Domine is well aware of this, and is working hard to promote women’s rights, poverty reduction, social inclusion and an increase in economic status for women in Croatia. Founded in 2002, it runs three main programs to enable the following:

  • Economic and Political Empowerment: Domine creates more opportunities for women to get involved in the labor market, for example, starting their own businesses. It also works with female politicians, providing enlightening research for law-making.
  • Youth Inclusion: Domine develops programs for students that convey knowledge about gender equality, human rights and democracy, thus actively including young people in civil society and the fight for women’s rights.
  • Educational Research: Since 2007, Domine has conducted research on violence against women with a focus on Dalmatia, with a goal to improve its monitoring and educate people on how to recognize it.

The Croatian Red Cross

The Croatian Red Cross was founded in the 1800s and is part of the IFRC, the world’s largest humanitarian network. The organization works to provide first aid, assistance to migrants, health protection, community programs and more.

A branch of the Croatian Red Cross focuses its efforts on the eastern region of Slavonia, one of the poorest regions in the EU. It has the lowest GDP, the highest unemployment rate and the lowest average salaries in Croatia; as a result, the region has one of the highest poverty levels.

Here, the Red Cross provides material help, distributing food parcels and basic material assistance to some of the country’s most disadvantaged and vulnerable people. According to estimates,  project activities have impacted more than 22,000 people.

Overall, the work of charitable organizations in Croatia is positively contributing to improving the quality of life in the country’s most impoverished areas.

– Peggy Hughes
Photo: flickr

Renewable Energy in Lithuania

Renewable Energy in LithuaniaLithuania ranks second among European countries in energy poverty, yet it’s making strides toward being energy independent by 2030. Developing renewable energy sources positions Lithuania to achieve energy autonomy and could help alleviate poverty within the country.

As of 2021, 22.5% of the population endured energy poverty. Currently, the country is pursuing both energy independence and sources of renewable energy within its borders in efforts to reduce the prevalence of poverty. In 2022, Lithuania ceased importing energy from Russia, marking a necessary step toward energy independence. The country remains committed to an ambitious objective of fulfilling its entire domestic electricity needs through renewable sources by 2030, according to its National Energy Independence Strategy. Lithuania also aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.

Exploring Other Energy Sources

In an intensive effort to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, Lithuania is making a transformative shift toward renewable energy sources such as wind. In May 2023, the Lithuanian National Energy Regulatory Council began constructing an offshore wind farm that is projected to produce nearly a quarter of the country’s electricity.

Solid biofuel — fuel derived from firewood, plants and agricultural waste — provides perhaps the greatest potential for sustainable energy production in Lithuania. In 2021, the country utilized 54.4% of it to create electricity and centralized heat, while households used 33.1%. Lithuania’s National Energy and Climate Action Plan expects that biofuel will contribute to 9% of electricity production by 2030.

With ambitious targets set to harness reliable, clean energy, the country is making significant strides in its renewable energy sector, marking a pivotal moment in its journey toward a greener future.

Alleviating Poverty Through Renewable Energy Production

In addition to reducing its reliance on other countries, increasing renewable energy production in Lithuania could result in poverty reduction through job creation, boosting economic growth, lowering the cost of living and increasing access to energy in underserved areas.

The effects of Russia’s continued assault on Ukraine, combined with the recent economic slowdown and fewer companies seeking expansion, have reduced employment opportunities in Lithuania. However, internal investment in renewable energy is combatting this loss. In 2022, the UK Energy Research Centre reported that renewable energy creates three times as many jobs per million pounds invested, compared to the fossil fuel industry. The development and expansion of renewable energy infrastructure could therefore greatly contribute to reducing unemployment and alleviating poverty in Lithuania. In just one year of working toward energy production autonomy, the unemployment rate in Lithuania dropped from more than 15% to 9%.

Investments in renewable energy projects stimulate economic growth. The renewable energy sector attracts investments, promotes technological innovation and supports local industries, encouraging economic development that can improve living standards and mitigate poverty rates.

Cost-saving Potential

The widespread availability of renewable energy could also reduce the cost of energy, helping lower the cost of living in Lithuania. According to the Minister of the Environment, Simonas Gentvilas, prior to 2022, Lithuania regularly spent about €3 billion per year on electricity, oil and gas from Russia. Transitioning to self-reliant, renewable energy sources could retain this money in Lithuania, as well as create lower energy costs in the long term. As a result, families will have increased financial resources, providing opportunities to escape poverty or financial strain.

Renewable energy projects could also expand access to reliable electricity, especially in rural or underserved areas. Bringing sustainable energy sources to these communities enhances quality of life, enables increased economic activities, improves educational opportunities and contributes to poverty reduction by facilitating access to essential resources and services.

Looking Ahead

While these examples of renewable energy in Lithuania represent crucial steps on the road toward poverty reduction and energy independence, addressing poverty in Lithuania appears to require a multifaceted approach. Combining renewable energy efforts with broader strategies that focus on education, health care, social welfare programs and employment opportunities could lead to lasting impact on reducing poverty and fostering sustainable development in the country.

– Bella Simokaitis
Photo: Pixabay

How MFIs Contribute to Alleviating Poverty Among Indian Farmers

MFIs in IndiaIn India, where 52% of the population engages in agriculture, a significant number of the rural population depends significantly on this sector for their livelihoods. As reported by the Hindustan Times, about 20% of this agricultural population lives below the poverty line, forcing a majority of them to seek loans from informal sources to sustain their businesses. As poverty increasingly affects Indian farmers, microfinance institutions (MFIs) play a crucial role by providing small, formal loans to empower them in their struggle. In a country where sociocultural factors hinder economic growth for small farmers, MFIs in India endeavor to overcome these barriers by facilitating quicker access to capital, especially for those who do not qualify for traditional bank financing.

Casteism: A Deep-Rooted Cultural Issue

Casteism, a cultural community hierarchy in India, although outlawed in the 1950s, still has clear implications in today’s Indian societies. About 82% of Indian farmers belong to marginalized communities and classes. Caste-based discrimination in India also extends to the financing sector, where members of the lower caste are forced to take out loans from informal sources. The risks and often high collateral from these informal sources lead to a perpetual spiral into poverty for these low-caste individuals.

The establishment of MFIs in India streamlines the process of receiving small loans for individuals facing caste-based discrimination. Microfinancing groups like Annapurna Finance and Fusion Microfinance play a crucial role in alleviating the financial challenges of these small, underserved farming communities in India. By specifically targeting these marginalized groups, these groups bring more formal and legitimate loan opportunities for these farmers. Access to formal loans reduces the risks associated with regulatory oversights and legal issues, enabling marginalized farmers to repay these MFIs in a much more relaxed manner.

Empowering Disadvantaged Women Farmers

Some MFIs in India not only make it a priority to provide microloans to women but also educate them on agricultural development. The Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP) in the South Indian state of Andhra Pradesh focuses on underprivileged women, establishing self-help groups through the provision of microloans and imparting market knowledge. The market knowledge provided by SERP includes understanding how third-party groups can exploit their profits and how to spend less money on seeds, fertilizers and pesticides. This knowledge has helped several female farmers to break “from the shackles of money lenders and traders.”

Many rural women in India are often rejected loans from banks due to their illiteracy or even asked to provide collateral even if they have no assets in their name. This proves to be a major problem, leading them to face local debt collectors and loaners who often have high-interest rates. When organizations like SERP started offering legitimate microloans and financial knowledge, individuals no longer needed to resort to loan sharks. This alleviates the stress associated with informal sources of loans, empowering them to pursue their livelihood as farmers. Simultaneously, it provides them with opportunities that can contribute to lifting them out of poverty.

Key Notes

Microfinance institutions in India are making strides in empowering marginalized farmers, particularly those affected by caste-based discrimination. By providing formal and legitimate loans, such as those offered by Annapurna Finance and Fusion Microfinance, these organizations help break the cycle of poverty perpetuated by informal sources. Moreover, initiatives like the SERP focus on educating and financially empowering disadvantaged women farmers, offering them an alternative to exploitative moneylenders and contributing to their economic independence. Overall, these efforts signal a positive shift toward sustainable rural development in India.

– Aswath Jaiprakash
Photo: Flickr