Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

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Gender Inequality and Women’s Treatment in Somalia

Women’s Treatment in SomaliaSomalia is plagued with a fragile government, economic pressure and insecurity for its people. However, one of the most significant issues is children’s and women’s treatment in Somalia.

Current Picture

Somalia ranks fourth lowest in the gender equality index with one of the highest maternal and infant mortality rates in the world. The nation has a long history of gender inequality, male dominance, and mistreatment of women and children, which is brought up through generations. The reason why the country continues to see high levels of abuse in women and girls is because of society’s grip on the crisis. 

In Somalia, a staggering 98% of girls deal with abuse. Girls between the ages of 9 and 15 experience sexual violence, exploitation and physical abuse. Without any legal framework protecting girls’ rights, about 35% of girls undergo child marriage, which contributes to the alarming number of abuse cases. 

Most women and girls deal with genital mutilation, which is named the silent epidemic by Women of Concern Honouree, Ifrah Ahmed. She states, “Parents, communities, religious leaders, [and] elders still think that this is a tradition that should be kept and continued… There is no common understanding and awareness of the issue.” The main reason why there are still cases of this type of abuse is because of generational practice.

Maternal Health 

Somalia is also one of the worst countries to become a mother. One out of 12 mothers in Somalia die due to pregnancy complications. A study in 2017 found that many causes of maternal deaths are preventable. According to the study, 25 of the 30 women refused to seek care because they believed that staying away from the doctor keeps them healthy. The lack of education and basing decisions on superstition contribute to the high levels of maternal mortality rate alongside scarce medicine in more rural parts of the country.

Why are women dying preventable deaths? It is because Somali women are denied the right to an education. The 2022 USAID report found that only 35% of women have some years of school. Only 25% of girls attended primary education in formal schools. The lack of education leads to a lack of skills that can help women become independent and prevent deaths.

Women have limited access to the justice system, which leads to more unresolved cases of gender-based violence, and the government continues to leave legislation on the drawing board. For example, the Somaliland Sexual Offences Law of 2018, which proposed prohibiting sexual harassment, remains to be implemented. The government does not prioritize women’s rights, even with women in the Parliament. 

Organizations Improving Women’s Treatment in Somalia

Save the Children has urged the government of Somalia to prioritize the protection of women and children in response to the country’s ratification of many U.N. Human Rights Conventions, which led to the country committing to advance the rights of women and girls. 

Somali Women Empowerment Organization (SWEO) is an organization that aims to unite and promote women’s abilities and roles in Somali society. The Somali Women Empowerment Organization is a nonprofit organization established in 2010 that focuses on training girls and young women in Somalia on how to get involved in politics through seminars. The goal is to inspire the next generation of women to fight for a shift in women’s rights. 

U.N. Women is another organization that advocates for women’s rights, and its involvement in Somalia has it working extensively with the government and civil society to create programs, laws, and policies for women’s well-being. A crucial program U.N. Women are working towards is the Sustainable Development Goals, which advocates for girls and young women to aspire to participate in the fight for women’s rights. The program also helps create economic and social development, which is crucial when tackling gender inequality issues in the government. 

– Sebastian Llerena
Photo: Flickr

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3 Organizations Working Toward Poverty Reduction in Liberia

Poverty Reduction in LiberiaLiberia has implemented various poverty reduction initiatives, which are essential in regions where the extreme poverty line can fluctuate due to uncontrollable factors. These plans are aimed at bringing about positive change, not only within Liberia but also globally.

The Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development in Liberia is daring and has broad goals. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) outlined that Liberia seeks to eliminate poverty and hunger, bridge gender inequalities, provide comprehensive education and increase its people’s overall quality of health. 

In Liberia, the number of households below the extreme poverty line increased to more than 50% as of 2021. Half of Liberia’s families live on less than $2 a day. Countries have tried many ways to tackle the problem of poverty. Some have worked, some have not and some are still being studied. The following are organizations working toward poverty reduction in Liberia. 

3 Organizations Working Toward Poverty Reduction in Liberia

  1. GiveDirectly. GiveDirectly is a nonprofit organization that believes in universal basic income. It stands behind the idea that poverty reduction in Liberia is possible. A UBI is financial assistance awarded to people living in extreme poverty. As of December 2023, GiveDirectly reported that its UBI initiative in Liberia has dramatically improved the quality of life of Liberians, and it provides data for improving the structure of UBIs for future positive impact. GiveDirectly offers the UBI to all of Liberia’s people experiencing extreme poverty, regardless of outside factors like unemployment or disabilities. It engages in long-term studies to examine the impact of its efforts toward poverty reduction in Liberia. After three years of study, the company gathered positive and applicable results, including happiness, overall well-being and food security. The group is meticulous about its research and the information it gathers, even offering equations on its website showing its study’s positive and negative results.
  2. New Breed Tech Hub. New Breed Tech Hub offers a real-life Magic School Bus in their struggle against poverty reduction in Liberia. This startup engineered a mobile ground assault on digital illiteracy in Northern Liberia by building a computer lab into a bus. It offers education programs to women and children to help develop their skills for the 21st-century job market. Access to the internet and technological proficiency are increasingly regimented in this market. Founder Jeremiah Lloyd Cooper, a survivor of post-war Liberia, says he wants to give kids opportunities “he did not have” and “prepare them for the 21st Century workforce.” Technology bridges extreme poverty to the possibility of a brighter future. Online education programs for struggling adults help them learn new, marketable skills. There is detailed environmental information gathered from drones to help farmers maximize their crop output. In addition, there are digital currency routes for impoverished people to receive donations and payments for services rendered as just a few of the ways that technology boosts an economy. Technology is one of the critical factors affecting poverty reduction in Liberia. However, if the people of Liberia are not adept at using technology, all possibilities become moot points. That is why New Breed Tech Hub’s venture is such an important and novel idea. The company can build a more positive future with the skills learned from its mobile computer labs. 
  3. DE4A. Around 33% of Liberians are using the internet compared to 63% of people on the planet. Moreover, it costs an average of $2 for 1G of data. The average household under the extreme poverty line can expect to have only $2 for necessities like food, clean water and shelter. The Digital Economy for Africa (DE4A) is an initiative from the World Bank that proposes to bring affordable internet to households and businesses by the year 2030 at the latest and has already had a significant impact on the cost of data and the distribution of the internet. The initiative managed to increase the number of people who had access to the internet from 26% in 2019 to 36% in 2022. It also decreased the cost of data, lowering the price from 10% of a household’s income to 5%.

What’s Next?

Several initiatives and organizations are actively working to alleviate global poverty and support poverty reduction efforts in Liberia. While the examples mentioned above are just a few, there is hope for new opportunities that aim to create a safer and more equitable Liberia.

– Antonio Muhs
Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Human Trafficking in the Banks of Lake Volta

Human TraffickingLake Volta, located in the southeastern part of Ghana, is one of the largest artificial lakes in the world based on surface area. The lake is about 250 miles long and covers 3.6% of Ghana’s area and supplies most of Ghana’s electricity. Human Trafficking along Lake Volta shares links with fishing activities on the lake. To secure free labor, fishermen resort to exploiting child labor. Traffickers specifically target children due to their smaller stature. Once on the water, traffickers force these children to dive and untangle nets. Moreover, their compact size enables them to occupy less space on the boat and they are less likely to raise objections to working without compensation. While some of these children are given out by their parents, others are bought by traffickers or traded for a farm animal by relatives.

Trafficked children work rigorously, day and night, for their masters, with or without food. They often face the dangerous aspects of the work. During an interview with the Cable News Network (CNN), humanitarian photographer Lisa Kristine reported that every child she spoke to during a visit to the lake knew someone who had drowned. At that time, children who had died through trafficking were declared as dying from natural causes and policemen refused to initiate criminal charges against the culprits.

Risk Factors

Certain factors plunge young children, as young as 5 years old, into work. While for some parents, it is more about letting their children acquire important survival skills, for others, it is cultural. Certain ethnic groups, especially the ethnic groups closer to the sea, deem the involvement of children in fishing as a sociocultural activity.

The National Plan of Action for the Elimination of Human Trafficking in Ghana

Ghana has made certain efforts in its fight against trafficking. In March 2022, the 2022-2026 National Plan of Action (NPA) for the Elimination of Human Trafficking in Ghana was implemented to curb human trafficking through direct and indirect actions. According to the foreword of the plan, the NPA is a five-year strategic plan that serves as an interface and a guideline for all stakeholders working in the field of human trafficking. The NPA has 12 objectives: three for protection, prevention and partnership; two for prosecution and an objective for Monitoring, Evaluation and Research.

The Torkor Model to Curb Trafficking

A partnership agreement involving the General Agricultural Workers’ Union (GAWU) of Ghana, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Inland Canoe Fisher’s Association has been trailblazing in their effort to fight child labor prevalent in the fish supply chain in Torkor. Torkor is located on the eastern coast of Lake Volta. The Torkor model encompasses four key projects: the installation of a public address system that raises the community’s awareness and sensitivity to child labor; the establishment of ‘bridge’ schools to integrate child laborers; an efficient monitoring system to track the activities of children in and around the lake and the setup of women’s fish smoking and processing cooperatives that address the vital socioeconomic roles of women in society.

Help From Elsewhere

Apart from the government, nonprofit institutions like the International Justice Mission and Free the Slaves are actively contributing to the ongoing fight against child trafficking on the Lake in Ghana. Free the Slaves, through its Growing up Free Initiative, reorients survivors of trafficking on the Lake. The program encompasses strategies aimed at building the capacity of civil society organizations through training, education and community mobilization. The goal is to empower communities to recognize trafficked children, meet their basic needs and spearhead a change in attitudes within communities facing high rates of trafficking.

The IJM, on the other hand, advocates for trauma-informed justice in Ghana, collaborating with authorities and survivor-led groups to eradicate child trafficking through awareness and action. Ghana may not have made giant steps in its efforts to curb child trafficking on Lake Volta, but just like the ocean, these small drops of progress are pooling together to make a notable impact.

-Angela Agyeiwaa Darkwah
Photo: Flickr

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Hunger in The Bahamas: Everything You Need To Know

Hunger in the BahamasPicture The Bahamas and its beautiful sunshine coupled with exotic beaches. Listen to its unique music while embracing the culture of the island. The country feels and operates similarly to the United States (U.S.), even officially adopting the language and dollar, and offers everything a tourist could want on a tropical getaway. However, weaved among the festivities and similarities is an ongoing issue affecting nearly 13% of The Bahamas and those native to or living along the archipelago. Here is everything you need to know about hunger in The Bahamas.

The Facts

Surprising. The Bahamas is a country that is currently unable to produce enough food for its residents and relies heavily on imports. One out of every 10 Bahamians lives below the poverty line and experiences severe food insecurity. Many accessible foods are less healthy choices and often lead to early signs of hypertension and high blood pressure. A dozen eggs cost $7.50 on average. Meanwhile, residents who fall below the poverty line have less than $4 per day to spend on food. Agriculture lends no mercy to hunger in The Bahamas, as the country is covered in rock and limestone. Salty waters and soils make farming and growing crops difficult or impossible in some areas. The country grows many exotic fruits quite well and is in the process of improving farming practices and increasing produce overall.

The Fix

Education. Many people affected by hunger in The Bahamas are residents who lack formal education. Studies revealed that when the head of household has no formal education, the incidence of poverty is 25%. That number is almost cut in half when the head of household has a primary education. Families that have a head with some college and are living in poverty are less than 1%. Agricultural education is also essential to improving crop production within the country and lowering the need for imports and the overall cost of goods. Alternative farming techniques and improving irrigation are a few ways the region is looking to grow its food production. Other solutions include creating raised garden beds with imported soil and various hydroponic practices.

The Future

Promising. Numerous NGOs are working around the clock to help the fight against hunger and food insecurities. One major contributor to the success of the region is the Bahamas Feeding Network (BFN). Since 2013, the Bahamas Feeding Network has faithfully served the country and continues to make great strides in its fight against hunger in The Bahamas. Partnering with Fidelity Insurance, BFN has hosted two ‘Tee-Off for Hunger Golf Tournaments.’ The tournament raised enough money to provide 750,000 meals in 2023. Royal Caribbean International joined forces with the Bahamas Feeding Network in 2019 and has since raised more than $500,000 and fed countless families during the holidays. Educating residents and farmers are programs like Convoy of Hope. Convoy of Hope recently teamed with the University of Missouri College of Agriculture and together assisted local farmers with training sessions where specialists trained local growers on various practices for growing produce. Those growers then carry valuable new information and skills back to the region to teach others.

Looking Ahead

Many locals struggle to afford food and the agriculture of the region makes it difficult for sustainable produce to grow. Many practices are currently in place to alleviate the food insecurity issues Bahmaians are facing. Formal education is the most vital resource in combating hunger in The Bahamas. Teaching alternative farming practices and techniques also plays a significant role. Organizations like the Bahamas Feeding Network are critical in providing meals and assistance, while programs like Convoy of Hope help educate the future growers of the region with knowledge and advanced farming practices. These programs assist with the push toward The Bahamas being a more self-sustaining region and eliminating hunger in The Bahamas for good.

– Ryan Johnson
Photo: Pixabay

5 Facts About Poverty in Fiji

poverty in fijiFiji is a remote archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean that gained independence from Britain in 1970. Though famed for its tropical beauty and adoration for the rugby ball, Fiji has perennially struggled with poverty reduction and sustaining growth. Here are five facts about poverty in Fiji.

5 Facts About Poverty in Fiji

  1. Poverty rates: According to the Asia Development Bank’s (ADB) latest Household Income Expenditure Survey, from 2019-2020, about 29.9% of Fijians were under the national poverty line, equating to 258,053 of the total population. This was done using a basic needs poverty line (BNPL) of 2,179.39 (US$1,033.28) per adult equivalent (PAE) per year. Almost a third of the population is, therefore, trapped below the poverty line.
  2. Uneven growth: Poverty in Fiji is unequally dispersed across the island’s regions. The level of inequality is among the lowest in the wider East Asia Pacific region, as indicated by a Gini Coefficient of 30.1. Notably, poverty rates are higher in the more remote outer islands, where it affects 36.8% of the population, in contrast to the main island of Viti Levu, where 28.1% of citizens experience poverty. Fiji grapples with an urban-rural divide among its impoverished population. While 62% of the country’s population lives in rural areas, poverty indices in these regions are twice as high as those in urban areas.
  3. Poverty reduction faltering: In the past 15 years, Fiji’s attempts at poverty reduction have stagnated. Pacific News Service reported this was the case even before COVID-19. The poverty rate in 2014 was 28.1%, which was 1.7% lower than the rate recorded in 2020. Due to economic and social vulnerabilities, the nation has been unable to continuously drive economic growth and deliver on development and poverty targets.
  4. Vulnerable to shocks: Fiji is a small, developing nation. This makes it vulnerable to environmental and global events that aggravate poverty. COVID-19 saw border closures negatively impacting the country’s important tourism industry. More than 100,000 people are estimated to have become unemployed or faced reduced hours during the pandemic. Natural disasters are also quite common, a recent example being Cyclone Yasa. These events hinder growth in agriculture and consequently exacerbate food security and poverty in Fiji.
  5. Clean water and sanitation: According to Action on Poverty (AOP), Fiji faces significant challenges in terms of access to water and sanitation, particularly in remote and economically disadvantaged areas such as Lekutu. Promisingly, AOP and Partners for Community Development Fiji (PCDF) have provided workshops on the safety of water sources. This could help Fijians identify water supply problems and avoid water-borne diseases.

Looking Ahead

As a small island nation still recovering from a global pandemic, Fiji has obstacles to overcome on its path to poverty reduction, with its 2030 sustainability goals still at risk. A strong economic recovery may be essential, with a revitalization of the tourism and agricultural sector as a priority for the government. AOP’s initiatives and continued commitments from ADB, which pledged $150 million in 2022 for the Sustainable and Resilient Recovery Program, provide reason to be hopeful about the fight against poverty in Fiji.

– Sam Waterkeyn
Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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The Potential of the Sisal Plant in Addressing Period Poverty

Sisal PlantAccording to the World Bank, period poverty has affected 500 million women globally, leading women and girls in developing countries to miss out on their education and work. To combat the striking number of women plagued with inconveniences to their basic health necessities.

Three Stanford researchers, Anton Molina, Anesta Kothari and Manu Prakash, are working on a solution to these struggles by asking, “Can Plants Help End “Period Poverty?” and they found their answer: Sisal.

Sisal Plant, The Key to Ending Period Poverty

The sisal plant is an agave plant that is originally from Mexico. The sisal plant is grown for the fibers in its leaves to create ropes. While the main focus of the sisal plant has been on the production of ropes, Molina, Kothair and Prakash have found that the plant can be efficient in producing pads. The researchers used a chemical process to remove the plant cell walls from the sisal plant. They can blend the rest of the plant and create a fluffier, absorbent material.

The blended material is optimal in developing countries because the chemicals they use to remove the cell walls are local to various countries. The sisal plant can also grow in arid areas and does not need much upkeep to maintain its length. According to Communications Engineering, “Sisal can be harvested year-round across a variety of geographies, yielding over 200,000 tonnes globally in 2020.”

More Comfort and Absorption

These plant-based pads provide users with a more efficient pad for comfort and absorption than hemp and flex seed pads. According to Communications Engineering, “There is a clear difference in porosity between the two materials with flax-derived fluff pulp being much denser than the hemp-derived fluff pulp and both, in turn, being less dense than cotton-CMP.”

In an interview with Nature Journal, the Stanford team shared more about the sisal and its effectiveness. The sisal fibers could absorb liquids better than other cotton materials. “It has the right amount of cellulose that fibers…the part of the plant that holds the water, making it a viable center of the menstrual pad.”

How Can This Help End Period Poverty?

Period poverty is a global plight many organizations have tried to battle through donations of a supply of period products. However, because of the need for more awareness of the dire situation, those who donate do not think to add period products or present the correct products needed for particular countries. Period products are not as accessible in developing countries as many women cannot afford to buy them monthly because they are too expensive.

Culturing the sisal plant allows women to process and create their pads at a cheaper rate without worrying about monthly expenses. The Stanford researchers continue to spread information about their plant-based pads and, through their efforts, have developed an efficient and hopeful path to ending period poverty using a hardy plant.

– Jessica Jean-Baptiste
Photo: Flickr

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Envisioning the Future of Humanitarian Aid

Humanitarian AidHumanitarian aid, a crucial resource in the global fight against poverty and disease and the most prominent crisis response is at a turning point as many within the field of humanitarian assistance are advocating for a new future for global aid. Humanitarian aid is often serves to address immediate needs in a crisis, focusing on people rather than development sectors, with the direct goal of saving lives and alleviating suffering. This aid is typically possible through the saturation of crisis zones with basic necessities like structures, food and medical supplies.

While the goals of humanitarian aid appear to involve straightforward resource distribution, the implementation often presents unforeseen challenges. Foreign responses to crises have been criticized for their shortcomings in cultural competency and the lack of proper infrastructure to effectively distribute these important resources. Recent experts in the field have advocated for a new structure for humanitarian aid to address these challenges and create a more sustainable vision.

Expert Report on Humanitarian Aid

A technical expert in protection projects spoke with The Borgen Project on the growingly prominent discourse regarding humanitarian aid. The source, who spent more than a decade abroad working on-site at the United Nations (U.N.) refugee camps in Greece, Tunisia and Myanmar, wishes to remain anonymous due to the sensitive nature of the work. She explains, “The problem with humanitarian aid is that, essentially, it is a relatively new field. Basic standards were not really established until the nineties. Because of that, the humanitarian field takes a lot of time to catch up to where many other fields are in terms of adapting to the times.”

The Evolution of Foreign Aid

While foreign aid is a concept that began long before the ’90s, the system in use by developed nations today is relatively new. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the primary U.S. aid organization, was not established until the 1960s and evolved into its current form in the early 2000s. Foreign aid has undergone many changes throughout the years to adapt to emerging political ideologies and needs. This expert believes another period of transformation is ongoing. Since COVID-19 affected the global economy, the need for aid and multidimensional aid in particular has increased. 

The Potential Impact of Local Collaboration

The eighth Secretary-General of the U.N., Ban Ki-Moon, spoke of this issue in 2016, but there are no big changes yet. He explained that current conflict trends require a reimagining of future humanitarian action. “The starting point is a fundamental shift in our approach, away from crisis response and towards crisis prevention, by reducing vulnerabilities and managing risks,” he said. This can largely be accomplished by moving away from “individual projects with short term goals” and toward longer timelines that can be sustained within the community. He emphasized working with local actors and supporting existing support structures rather than replacing them amidst a crisis. 

Ki-Moon’s beliefs are echoed by the technical expert as she explains, “So one of the things that, for example, is talked about a lot is trying to shift to needs-based and more tailored assistance based on what are the specific needs of the population rather than a blanket just assuming that, oh, everyone wants X, Y, Z, but in reality that is not the case.” Tailoring needs to a specific population can make a rapid response more complex, but it can also be the difference between effective and ineffective aid. If a larger organization adopts a ‘one size fits all’ approach to aid, it assumes the world is homogeneous. Understanding cultural differences and norms is crucial for respecting communities and ensuring that aid does more good than harm.

Comparing Long-term and Short-term Aid

By collaborating with local communities, it becomes possible to establish a longer-term support system. The technical expert points out that current humanitarian funding typically spans just one or two years, prompting discussions about the need for sustainable, extended programs. This entails adopting a more integrated approach, where humanitarian and development aid, two historically separate sectors, can be combined to create a more enduring vision. Instead of solely relying on reactive humanitarian assistance, humanitarian aid can be used to lay the foundation for the distribution of basic necessities. This approach enhances the effectiveness of reactive aid by integrating infrastructure and involving community members experienced in aid distribution from the outset.

Furthermore, short-term aid has limitations in its ability to support vulnerable populations. The expert explains, “When you have one year of funding, that does not really create long-term change when we are talking about soft sectors. So that is when I am talking about protection as a soft sector because it is making sure that you reduce the amount of gender-based violence or child abuse and you increase awareness of people’s rights and increase awareness about their land rights and stuff like that. So those things take a much longer time to be able to see that difference.” Crisis response can go beyond survival if the focus shifts to a more sustainable vision. 

An interesting tool to establish these longer-term, local-based visions of aid is cash rather than resources. In the same address, Ki-Moon stated that the U.N. must add “cash payments based on risk analysis to the traditional mix.” Over the last decade, cash has increased and shown to be effective in the correct settings. It is handed directly to local populations who understand the exact needs of the community and do not need to be trained in cultural competency. 

Looking Ahead

The transition toward cash is beneficial. She elaborates, “With cash, there is a lot of struggle between how to manage that to make sure that it is not causing harm and that it is not being exploited by different staff organizations or even the women and people who are vulnerable get it being able to access it if there is a head of household. So that is still being figured out, which is good, but it is not commonplace yet.” The shift to local, sustainable and cash-based aid endeavors may be challenging, but many argue it is the necessary step for the longevity of foreign aid programs. 

-Nikki Bayat
Photo: Flickr

NRC Reshaping Education in Venezuela

NRCVenezuela’s vastly underfunded education department reflects the backwardness of the country’s primary and secondary education. In recent decades, nationwide political and economic turmoil has allowed unstable education policy to occur, causing 85% of public schools to lack internet access, 69% to suffer constant electrical shortages and 45% to go without running water. A generation of young Venezuelans are left out of the education system and these academic deficiencies could result in further pulling the population into poverty. To ensure this dismal future does not befall the nation, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), a humanitarian, nongovernmental organization based in Norway, has set up an intricate program to structurally redefine the education system in Venezuela for the good of incoming generations of Venezuelans.

NRC’s Role in Venezuela

The NRC had already identified the beginnings of a protracted crisis in Venezuela when it established its presence in 2005. In 2019, it installed an independent office in Caracas to efficiently deal with the consequences of the worsening political and economic crisis. Such steadfast commitment has made it one of the most prominent NGOs in Venezuela, with an annual budget of $10 million, which helps provide various humanitarian resources to impoverished Venezuelans.

Education Efforts

Educational possibilities are some of the prime resources the NRC provides to the Venezuelan population. The NGO’s concern with education stems from the belief that it bestows a generation of Venezuelans with productive skills that allow them to lift their entire community out of poverty. The NRC education program focuses on returning students to school after lengthy absences. Students often drop out of school due to their inability to afford education, deteriorating school infrastructure, lack of capable teachers and child labor. The NRC individually addresses these issues to ensure that the Venezuelan education system achieves progress in the right direction.

To foster a more welcoming and hygienic environment, the NRC improves the infrastructure in public schools by conducting repairs and introducing innovations that reduce overcrowding, among other things. Teachers receive training to handle high capacity classes and higher academic requirements, enriching the educational experience for Venezuelan students. Educational materials such as stationery supplies, textbooks and field trips are also provided to teachers and students alike, further improving the quality of education and making it more affordable for Venezuelans from impoverished households.

Political Collaboration and Impact

The NRC also works at a political level, collaborating with the Ministry of Education to establish a long term plan to reform primary and secondary education and to ensure student displacement challenges are addressed in Venezuela. Additionally, the NRC provides humanitarian resources such as food, water and livelihoods to the people of Venezuela alongside educational opportunities. Its WASH program has provided water security to more than 37,000 Venezuelans in both private and public spaces, particularly public schools. 

Ultimately, the NRC educational program has helped more than 11,000 Venezuelan children return to school. However, that is only about a fraction of the 1.5 million out-of-school children in the country. Since their work has been so productive in such a short period, NGOs like the NRC deserve more funding from states like the United States (U.S.) to bolster their efforts at reforming education in Venezuela, allowing even more children to learn skills that can lift them out of burgeoning poverty.

Looking Forward

The NRC has been persistent in its efforts, as evidenced by an increase in its funding to $10 million in November 2023. While its path forward has been slow and incremental at times, the organization’s commitment to lifting Venezuelans out of poverty serves as a humanitarian model for similar NGOs.

– Parth Mishra
Photo: Flickr

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Human Traffickers Thrive Amid Global Conflict

Human TraffickersThere are several reasons why people flee their home countries. War, persecution, climate disaster, hunger and extreme poverty all create circumstances that encourage people to seek out a better, more stable life. UNHCR noted more than 110 million forcibly displaced persons by the end of 2023. Human traffickers thrive amid global conflict, preying on displaced and vulnerable refugees. In a new host country, refugees may not be familiar with the legal system or language and are unlikely to have stable housing or income. The overwhelming majority of refugees reside within camps, with limited educational or job opportunities. Many are unable to gain legal status in their host country and are therefore unable to make an income.

Human Traffickers’ Tactics

Traffickers take advantage of vulnerabilities, particularly situations of poverty, using deceptive tactics to lure refugees into fraudulent travel and employment arrangements. For example, women and girls are commonly presented with vague job opportunities, with the promise of financial stability, only to be sold, trafficked and abused. Smugglers who promise refugees a safe journey and admittance into host countries, often turn around and demand more money. With little to no money to give, it is not uncommon for smugglers to exploit displaced individuals through sex trafficking.

Women and Children at Risk

Displaced children become vulnerable to child marriage and sex trafficking in exchange for food or clothes. Syrian children are often subject to child marriage, including to members of various terrorist organizations. These arrangements can lead to sexual slavery and forced labor. Similar reports of Afghan girls forced into arranged marriages have existed since the Taliban takeover. It is not uncommon for Afghan girls to face further exploitation in sex trafficking by their new husbands.

Romania has received more than 80,000 Ukrainian refugees since February 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine. In a World Vision survey in Romania, 97% of participants had heard of instances of human trafficking. Over half of these people have identified women as the most at-risk population.

According to the International Rescue Committee, by the end of 2022, 52% of all global refugees came from three countries; Syria, Ukraine and Afghanistan. All three of these countries are struggling with conflicts and authoritarianism. Conflict weakens a country’s political stability, hence increasing economic vulnerabilities. To properly address and shut down human traffickers thriving amidst global conflict, greater awareness surrounding authoritarian government structures is necessary.

Taking Action Against Human Trafficking

The Global Protection Cluster (GPC) is a “network of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), international organizations and U.N. agencies, engaged in protection work in humanitarian crises including armed conflict and disasters.”

The GPC, in terms of human trafficking, aims to ensure that partners and governments tasked with protecting people from trafficking are well-equipped to handle the task. It created the Task Team on Anti-Trafficking in Humanitarian Action in 2017. The Task Team is co-led by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and UNHCR.  Task Team members include InterAction, the International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) and other major humanitarian organizations.

– Sophia Loizos
Photo: Flickr

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Everything You Need to Know About Poverty in Azerbaijan 

Poverty in AzerbaijanAzerbaijan’s economic landscape, which it’s energy sector significantly shaped, stands at the crossroads of prosperity and disparity. In order to delve into the intricacies of poverty in Azerbaijan, it is crucial to understand the broader context of its political economy and the role it plays regionally. This article combines insights into poverty issues with a comprehensive overview of Azerbaijan’s economic sectors and regional significance, as well as successes in alleviating poverty in Azerbaijan through government initiatives.

Background on Poverty and Inequality in Azerbaijan

In Azerbaijan, as of 2021, 5.9% of the population lived below the National Poverty Line, and the total unemployment rate stood at 6%. While absolute poverty has decreased in the country over successive decades, concerns persist regarding relative poverty and perceived inequality. Rural-urban disparities contribute significantly. It was reported that in 2009, there were notable gaps in access to gas supply and sanitation between urban and rural areas.

Gender disparities and a rigid political landscape further complicate Azerbaijan’s social fabric, as women bear the burden of unpaid care work and face higher unemployment rates. The political elite’s focus on energy and security issues, rather than democratic values, poses challenges to broader societal inclusion. These complex challenges highlight the need for comprehensive strategies addressing economic and social dimensions of poverty in Azerbaijan.

The Resource Dilemma

Baku’s architectural grandeur echoes the wealth derived from the oil and gas sector, constituting 91% of total exports in 2022. The PSA (Production-Sharing Agreement) of 1994, known as the “Contract of the Century,” has been pivotal in Azerbaijan’s economic trajectory. However, this wealth has not seamlessly trickled down, leaving citizens outside Baku grappling with financial challenges and underscoring the need for equitable wealth distribution. Notably, as of 2022, the top 10% of earners commanded 674 manats per month, while the bottom 10% struggled with an income of 183.4 manats per month, illustrating stark economic disparities.

Consumer Confidence and Economic Sentiments

While urban-rural disparities persist, a deeper analysis of the Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) reveals pessimism among respondents about the country’s economic trajectory. Negative sentiments and a lack of transparency result in calls for policy reforms to restore confidence in government economic strategies. Results from a study with 500 participants in 2022 indicate that 44% mentioned worsening financial circumstances in the past 12 months, 80% believed the country’s economy deteriorated and 96% observed an increase in prices. Regarding future expectations, 28% predicted worse financial conditions in the next 12 months, 61% thought the country’s economic state would worsen and 81% anticipated rising prices.

Regional Economic Dynamics

Looking at the broader picture, Azerbaijan’s economic influence transcends its territorial confines. The transformative deal of 1994, focusing on oil resources,  catapulted Azerbaijan into a regional economic powerhouse, leaving an enduring impact on key sectors like transportation and energy infrastructure. In the wake of this ground-breaking agreement, defining regions and skillfully managing relationships became even more critical, adding layers of complexity to the quest for sustained economic stability.

Azerbaijan’s strategic alliances, notably with Turkey, play a pivotal role in its economic narrative. Potential threats arise from political challenges in pipeline transportation routes, making it crucial to balance mutual dependence while managing socio-economic relations for sustainable economic routes and regional leadership.

Positive Progress in Poverty Alleviation

Azerbaijan’s robust state initiatives, including the ‘National Programme on Women’s Issues‘ and the ‘State Strategy on the Development of Education,’ have yielded substantial progress in poverty alleviation. The ASAN Service, recognized with the UN Public Service Award, significantly streamlined public services.

Notable successes include Azerbaijan being considered a high human development nation since 2010, and from 2003 to 2015, the country saw a decline in women’s unemployment from 12.7% to 5.9%; a 100% literacy rate among 15-24 year-olds; and a reduction in the absolute poverty rate from 49% to 4.9%. The State Statistical Committee reported a significant decrease in the poverty rate from 61.5% in 1995 to 4.8% in 2019, highlighting the nation’s commitment to addressing poverty challenges.

Looking Ahead

As poverty in Azerbaijan continues to pose problems, the state simultaneously grapples with its role as a regional economic powerhouse. The PSA’s impact on the energy sector, while monumental, necessitates economic diversification and a move toward a comprehensive modern economy.

Turkey’s economic transformation could serve as a source of inspiration for Azerbaijan. The call to diversify sectors, import technologies and exchange expertise sets the stage for long-term economic trends. The transition to a knowledge-based economy, geopolitical savvy, and societal inclusivity could unlock a future where Azerbaijan thrives as a model of economic resilience and regional cooperation.

–Arshiya Eslamdoust
Photo: Flickr