Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

The Way the Biden Administration is Assisting Ukraine

Biden AdministrationIn the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Biden administration and the U.S. Congress have spearheaded an unparalleled commitment, directing more than $75 billion in comprehensive assistance to Ukraine. This multifaceted aid, encompassing humanitarian, financial and military support, has been instrumental in addressing the Ukrainian people’s immediate needs and bolstering international security. As the Kiel Institute for the World Economy articulated, a prominent German research institute, this robust assistance reflects a strategic investment in preserving global security and promoting democratic values. President Zelenskyy’s compelling address before the U.S. Congress eloquently emphasized the symbiotic nature of the partnership and the benefits it serves for the global community. He described the Biden administration’s assistance of Ukraine as an “investment in global security and democracy.”

The Oval Office Address

On Oct. 19, 2023, President Biden, in a pivotal Oval Office address, reiterated unwavering U.S. support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. The Biden administration, echoing this commitment, implores Congress to fulfill its promise by approving supplementary funding to bolster Ukraine’s defense capabilities against Russia’s unwarranted aggression: “The Biden Administration calls on Congress to meet its commitment to the people of Ukraine by passing additional funding to ensure Ukraine continues to have what it needs to defend itself against Russia’s brutal war of choice,” reads the Pentagon’s press release. 

The Department of Defense Package

Following President Biden’s address on Oct. 26, 2023, the Department of Defense announced the newest package for the Biden administration’s assistance to Ukraine, which includes critical security and defense capabilities necessary for Ukraine to continue to counter Russian aggression, essential to ensuring Ukraine maintains its independence. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, the package is valued at up to $150 million, including additional air defense capabilities, artillery ammunition, anti-tank weapons and other necessary equipment.

The Biden Administration’s Goals

In expanding the Biden administration’s assistance to Ukraine in its ongoing war against Russia, President Biden hopes to strengthen relationships with Ukraine and other allies abroad while reinforcing the United State’s role as a reliable global partner. President Biden said Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023 “American alliances are what keep us, America, safe. American values are what make us a partner that other nations want to work with.” Continuing to support Ukraine through military and humanitarian aid shows a U.S. commitment to investing in and protecting its allied nations. 

President Biden stated that providing humanitarian assistance would be “a smart investment that’s going to pay dividends for American security for generations, help us keep American troops out of harm’s way, help us build a world that is safer, more peaceful and more prosperous for our children and grandchildren.” By characterizing this support as “a smart investment,” President Biden highlights the interconnectedness between humanitarian assistance and long-term national security. Aid to Ukraine not only addresses the immediate needs of the Ukrainian people but also fosters stability, contributing to a safer, more peaceful and more prosperous world.

Looking Ahead

The comprehensive assistance that the Biden administration provided to Ukraine, both in humanitarian and military support, underscores a strategic commitment to global security and democratic values. President Biden’s emphasis on alliances and the interconnectedness between aid, stability and long-term security showcases a diplomatic approach aimed at building a safer and more prosperous world. The substantial financial commitment reflects a shared vision between the U.S. and Ukraine, reinforcing the significance of international partnerships in the pursuit of peace and security.

– Marisa Kole
Photo: Flickr

How Botswana Has Avoided the Resource Curse

 

Resource CurseBotswana has successfully avoided the “resource curse,” something that many developing nations with abundant natural resources fall prey to. The resource curse is a paradox overshadowing countries rich in minerals and natural resources that tend to have the highest incidence of poverty, inequality, poor public services and stunted economic growth. Weak governments, lack of economic diversification and humanitarian instability contribute significantly to the resource curse. 

About the Resource Curse

“Private sector development and diversification is constrained by insecurity, political instability, weak institutions, inadequate infrastructure, widespread corruption and a difficult business environment,” said the World Bank in March 2021 when referring to countries with abundant natural resources and high poverty levels.

Kevin Morrison, an assistant professor of public policy and political science at the University of Pittsburgh, investigated the resource curse in his article “What Can We Learn about the “Resource Curse” from Foreign Aid?” published by The World Bank Research Observer in October 2010. Morrison observed that countries with competent, democratic governments effectively utilize their natural resources to avoid the resource curse entirely. Windfalls from a nation’s natural resources are shared with its citizens, supporting economic diversity and humanitarian stability.

Botswana Avoids the Resource Curse

Botswana is one of the few countries in sub-Saharan Africa that aspires to become a high-income country by 2036. According to the Organization for Economic Development and Cooperation, Botswana should graduate from developmental assistance by 2030.

After gaining independence from English rule in 1966, Botswana was one of the poorest countries in the world. In 1985, about twenty years after gaining independence, more than 83% of Botswana’s citizens lived in poverty. Since then, it has become one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, primarily due to its vast mineral wealth, mostly diamonds. 

The Way Botswana Has Avoided the Resource Curse

How did Botswana avoid the resource curse, given its immense mineral resources? Its politically stable democratic government adhered to prudent macroeconomic policies, creating robust economic institutions that have effectively managed the nation’s diamond wealth. Botswana’s government has improved the efficiency of its public spending, investing in its people to raise capital, create jobs and diversify the economy. On the other hand, much of Botswana’s progress today would not have been possible without foreign aid.

In 2002, Botswana “took advantage of national programs designed under the Africa Trade and Poverty Programme umbrella to promote a dialogue on trade and poverty issues among the public and private sectors as well as civil society.” The Botswana Trade and Poverty Programme (BTPP) began in 2003. This United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID) sponsored program had specific objectives for Botswana: 

  1. “Adopt and implement trade policies that positively impact the poor and contribute to environmentally sustainable development.”
  2. Encourage “increased participation by the private sector and civil society stakeholders in policy formulation and negotiation.” 

Foreign Aid and Collaboration

Utilizing foreign aid programs and collaborating with other nations to implement effective policies allowed Botswana to set up robust economic institutions, allowing their stable, democratic government to invest in its people and climb the ranks to an upper-middle class country. 

To date, more than 117,000 people have access to better water sources, and the local government is partnering with Namibia to develop a more sustainable livestock chain to improve food security. More than $186 million has been invested to public transportation systems that encourage further improvements to urban infrastructures and more than $250 million has been invested to the Programmatic Economic Resilience and Green Recovery Development Policy Loan I (DPO). The DPO program improves access to finances for small businesses and prioritizes low-carbon energy sources for Botswana citizens. 

Botswana’s poverty rate today is down to 63%. While there is still room to improve, Botswana showcases how responsible, democratic governments can utilize their resources to improve their economy and their citizens’ lives and avoid the resource curse entirely.

– Ann-Jinette Hess
Photo: Unsplash

The Quest to Conquer Cancer Campaign

Conquer CancerOn October 2, 2023, the video game “Warframe,” by Digital Extremes, began its now annual campaign “Quest to Conquer Cancer” with the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation. The event has taken place in October for four years now, coinciding with Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The event raises money that goes toward supporting the Princess Margaret Cancer Center in Canada. 

About the Princess Margaret Cancer Center in Canada

Forming part of the University Health Network, a network of public research, the Center contributes to scientific developments in cures and understanding diseases like cancer. This work is extremely important, especially for people in developing countries — in 2004, more than 70% of the 7.4 million deaths that cancer causes occurred in developing countries.

The Conquer Cancer Campaign

The campaign, created by the center alongside the developers of “Warframe,” Digital Extremes, incentivizes donations through a contribution aimed for the end of the month, with milestones that unlock various rewards in the game for their players. By donating to the campaign, players can unlock purchased rewards which are, with the profits going directly into the campaign. 

It also encourages content creators of various games to participate, further raising awareness of the event. Through the use of in-game purchases and the support of content creators, the “Quest to Conquer Cancer” ties in communities from the entertainment industry, using their shared interests to contribute to the greater good. The campaign has a fundraising goal of $100,000 each year, with a total of $185,000 smashing that figure during the 2023 campaign. 

Foreign Aid

This campaign, which has become a tradition for Digital Extremes, is only a facet of their humanitarian efforts. Following the outbreak of war in Ukraine in 2022, like many companies worldwide, Digital Extremes demonstrated their support for the citizens of the country by donating $100,000 in humanitarian aid. 

It was not the only company from the video game industry to do so — this section of the entertainment industry raised a total contribution of more than $88 million. These contributions included direct donations from companies and their employees but also in-game campaigns and purchasable bundles that incentivized their respective communities directly within the game. Public statements made on their social media accounts also helped to spread awareness and support, skyrocketing the scope of the issue in a variety of communities. With more than 13 million Ukrainians displaced from the war and tens of thousands of confirmed civilian deaths, the support that these industries provided goes a long way to aiding those the war affects. 

An Example to Follow

The amount that these companies raised demonstrates the capability of industries not traditionally connected to humanitarian campaigns to band together and provide significant foreign aid. The “Quest to Conquer Cancer” is one of many campaigns that shows this. Similarly, a variety of companies have employed many other campaigns to engage their player base in ideas of foreign aid and advocacy. 

The video game industry represents an unconventional manner of introducing people to humanitarian aid, one that is likely to stick as it has in Digital Extremes with its yearly campaign. By tying important issues to passionate hobbies, a variety of people can more easily accept the call for aid.

Video Games Without Borders

The sense of community that these games have created has also been developed in other ways. The nonprofit organization Video Games Without Borders focuses on the use of the games themselves as forms of aid; one of its games “Antura and the Letters” focuses on giving refugees the education they might be lacking. 

More than 2 million Syrian children were left out of an education due to ongoing conflict; however, through the colorful and bright game, a refuge for immersive learning has been developed for these children. In the game, children can customize the titular character, Antura, while developing their literacy in the Arabic language. This has recently expanded to aid refugees from Ukraine and Afghanistan but also to help them integrate with the inclusion of European languages like English.

An example of the work NGOs can and continue to do for the less fortunate, Video Games Without Borders originates from and is registered in Spain, but the organization prides itself on its international members and its desire to further expand its membership and scope of projects to the global scale, as one can see with the developments made to “Antura and the Letters.”   

Constant Development

The unique nature of constant innovation and development that is so key to success in the entertainment industry has affected companies’ philosophies outside of catching and retaining the attention of their consumers. The gargantuan support shown to Ukraine by various video game companies showed a level of developer responsibility that has hitherto been nonexistent. This sense of duty shown by them encourages their communities to share the humanitarian values that can and continue to contribute to some of the biggest wins against poverty and strife in the world. 

– Chinua Ebereonwu
Photo: Flickr

Poverty in the Banana Industry in the Philippines

Banana Industry in the Philippines
In 2022, the Philippines exported more than 2.2 million metric tons of bananas, placing them as the third largest exporter of bananas globally in the Global Banana Export Ranking. Even as one of the country’s most valued export commodities, the banana trade has always been one of inequality, trouble and turmoil, where many banana farmers experience poverty in the Philippines.

The Island of Mindanao

Ironically referred to as the “Land of Promise,” Mindanao has always been known for flourishing agriculture, severe poverty and civil unrest. Approximately 84% of the Philippines’ bananas originate from the island of Mindanao, home to around 25% of the country’s population. Yet upon this flourishing island lives over 35% of the country’s poorest.

Mindanao’s rural and indigenous farming communities suffer from poverty, poor road infrastructure and a lack of access to basic services such as electricity and water. This is a dire contrast to the richness of natural resources and opportunities it holds.

The History of the Banana Industry in the Philippines

With a tragic and torn colonial history, Filipinos have suffered for generations under colonial rule. With greed for the natural richness and potential the Philippines has always offered, the country fell to the exploitation of U.S. and Spanish rule, and poverty in the Philippines increased significantly.

When global internationalization and major food corporations infiltrated the banana industry of the Philippines, farmers became landless and suffered hunger from feeding everyone but themselves. As they no longer owned the farms, these banana farmers also found themselves imprisoned by unfair wages and poverty.

It was not until just over 30 years ago that the farmers began to claim back this land through the Philippines’ Land Reform Law. Challenging the corporations that had held them enslaved for so long and forming the cooperative FARMCOOP to continue spreading autonomy among Filipino farmers in Mindanao.

The FARMCOOP Foundation has now spread throughout Mindanao and much of the Philippines as a grassroots NFP Organization working alongside rural and indigenous communities to support growth and opportunity. Since 1995, it has supported more than 6,000 farmers, empowering them to further the potential of their farms and yields sustainably and reduce poverty across the Philippines.

The Impact of Natural Disasters & Panama Disease

Natural disasters and various crop diseases now threaten bananas, among much of global food production. There has been a significant drop in Filipino banana production and export, which has knocked it to third on the Global Banana Export Ranking.

Specifically, severe weather changes, including increased periods of rainfall, flooding and droughts, have impacted farming in the Philippines. Multiple typhoons have severely cost the Philippines over the past decade and in July, devastating landslides ripped through the country.

Banana farming in the Philippines has also struggled due to the increase in resistant crop diseases, such as Panama Disease. The use of fertilizers & pesticides has dramatically increased crop yields. However, one can see the prevalence and potential of massive crop loss to disease with a drop in decrease year on year. 

Hope for the Banana Growing Industry in the Philippines

As of May 26, the World Bank has invested in a $100 million project to support Mindanao Farmers, known as the Mindanao Inclusive Agriculture Development Project (MIADP).

MIADP is being implemented to allow farmers of Mindanao to sustainably increase yields and productivity while protecting the natural riches it boasts. In recognizing the severe poverty of the island, the intention is to encourage and provide resources that support and educate the farmers to create a more inclusive and fair food industry.

The program will likely educate and support Mindanao Farmers, encouraging sustainable farming techniques, utilizing Indigenous knowledge and helping improve climate resistance. In doing so, it is reducing poverty in the Philippines’ banana industry. The investment will also help improve local infrastructure, including education, ‘all-weather roads’ and health care access. The program should benefit 120,000 farmers and fisherfolk across Mindanao.

Banana Link

Another initiative, working with banana farmers in the Philippines and collaborating with FARMCOOP, is Banana Link. Banana Link is a global organization working with banana farmers worldwide, advocating for a fair and equal banana industry. 

It has been working in the Philippines towards achieving its key objectives:

  • Fair and ethical trade across the whole production chain.
  • Dignity and rights for farmers and trade unions.
  • Sustainable production of bananas.

Its program has furthered the support and the future of global banana farming. It ensures that the benefits are shared equally throughout, reducing poverty in the banana industry in the Philippines.

Given the dark history of the Banana Industry of the Philippines, projects like these and organizations like FARMCOOP and Banana Link will give banana farmers living in poverty in the Philippines an opportunity for a better life. Doing so will allow their futures to be as bright as their bananas.

– Lucy Blake
Photo: Wikipedia Commons

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El Salvador’s Water Crisis

El Salvador's water crisisEl Salvador is Central America’s most densely populated nation and water is crucial to more than 6 million people who call El Salvador home. However, diminishing supplies and high water pollution levels have plunged El Salvador’s into a deep crisis over water access.

El Salvador’s Water Crisis

More than 1.6 million El Salvadorians have no access to clean water at home, with 90% of surface water unsafe for drinking, some are forced to make trips to communal water sources up to 20 times a day. El Salvador’s extraordinarily high water pollution levels can be attributed to sources such as industrial and agricultural runoff, where poor state infrastructure means that water is often left untreated. Without clean water, diseases such as dysentery can impact education and household income, as children and adults are too ill to attend school or work. According to U.N. estimates, at least 27% of Salvadorans live in poverty. Many lack the means to afford proper treatment, meaning that diseases can be fatal up to 50% of the time.

Capacity Building

While the severity of El Salvador’s water crisis cannot be denied, various solutions offer hope for those most affected. Strengthening the capacity of El Salvador’s water infrastructure is being implemented in several key ways. After decades of inaction, the Salvadoran government passed the Water Resources Law in 2022, which established a local water regulation authority and requires government approval for industrial or agricultural water usage. Regulating the usage of El Salvador’s water should aid the government in ensuring wastewater is treated and reducing overall pollution. The World Bank has dedicated $100 million to improving water quality in El Salvador with a project that aims to benefit the health and well-being of the most vulnerable groups. A further $100 million was pledged by the Inter-American Development Bank to improve water access for around 120,000 households. El Salvador has also recently banned mining for metal, a leading cause of water pollution in the country.

Water Purification

El Salvador’s water crisis is also being addressed by water purification initiatives, which allow vulnerable residents to access clean water while waiting for infrastructure to be strengthened. More than 2,500 rural families now benefit from solar-powered wells. In areas with insufficient electrical grid capacity, solar power drives clean water from wells into storage tanks. Where clean water is unavailable, sand filtration technology can be used to remove impurities and toxins in water, giving communities access to clean water while removing the need to travel. El Salvador’s water crisis severely threatens its most vulnerable citizens. Pollution and poor infrastructure have left millions without safe water sources. However, capacity building, investment and water purification technology provide a crucial lifeline to El Salvador’s most impoverished citizens.

– Jamie Paterson
Photo: Flickr

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Poverty in Sri Lanka

Poverty in Sri LankaSri Lanka is one of many countries that grapples with the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.N. Development Programme (UNDP) estimates that 125 million people worldwide sank into poverty over the first 18 months of the COVID-19 outbreak. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine contributed to an additional 71 million people falling into poverty. Sri Lanka is facing staggering levels of poverty and is exploring resolutions to combat the decline.

Rising Economic Challenges

The primary economic crisis in Sri Lanka started with attempted resolutions by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. After the Sri Lankan civil war ended in 2009, the president took out huge loans from foreign creditors — including China — to pay war expenses and build more infrastructure. The 2019 Easter bombings and COVID-19 pandemic demolished Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, one of the country’s main sources of revenue, causing it to default on its loans.

With China holding about 26% of Sri Lanka’s debt, the country is now in ‘debt trap diplomacy’. Additionally, 56% of the debt is held by private banks with high-interest rates. Most of this debt was accrued for infrastructure projects that did not yield high enough returns to repay the loans.

Humanitarian Crisis and Sri Lanka Poverty

Between 2020 and 2022, poverty in Sri Lanka rose from 13.1% to 25%. That number continues to rise, as the effects of the Russian-Ukrainian war compound the existing lack of access to resources, such as food and fuel. Inflation rose 46% in 2022, with recent government resolutions causing massive job loss within Sri Lanka.

Agriculture, another huge sector of Sri Lanka’s economy, took a hit in 2021 when the president introduced a ban on chemical fertilizers in an effort to promote “all organic” farming. This disruption of Sri Lanka’s booming tea industry, alongside disrupted supply chains — has created major food insecurity, with 66,000 people suffering from severely acute food insecurity.

The Future for The Children of Sri Lanka

With the alarming lack of resources, the rise of malnutrition is projected to heavily affect children. Lack of funding for clean drinking water projects, as well as the importation of water treatment chemicals as a stopgap measure, leaves Sri Lankan children extremely vulnerable to a variety of diseases. All of these issues, alongside schools remaining closed until 2022, leave an estimated 4.8 million children of Sri Lanka with increased mental health and psychosocial issues in addition to living in deep poverty.

UNICEF’s Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action supports access to essential health care services for children and women. It ensures the maintenance of government functions in addition to access to clean water and solutions to child health risks.

Sri Lanka has shown incredible resilience during these hard times. The “Leave No One Behind” initiative started by the Sri Lankan government and the Welfare Benefits Board (WBB) provides volunteer relief through community kitchens, distribution of nutrition packs and support to access medicine.

– Isabella Polo
Photo: Flickr

Combating HIV/AIDS in Madagascar

HIV/AIDS in MadagascarThe number of people dying from AIDS in Madagascar increased by a staggering 480% from 2010 to 2021. Madagascar is an island nation in the Indian Ocean off the southeast coast of Africa and is home to 28 million people. An estimated 70,000 people lived with HIV in Madagascar in 2022, 5,000 of whom were children under 14. Analysts warn that there is a lack of sufficient data on HIV in Madagascar and caution that actual rates of infection may be higher than estimates. Combating HIV/AIDS in Madagascar is a significant challenge, and organizations actively work to provide relief to those impacted.

Obstacles to HIV Testing and Treatment

The fight against HIV in Madagascar faces formidable challenges. As citizens contend with rising rates of HIV/AIDS, they also face extreme levels of poverty. Many people do not have access to clean water, shelter or education. The World Bank reports that 75% of people in Madagascar live below the national poverty line. Madagascar has an ineffective government and a weak economy. In 2008, a coup d’état heavily disrupted the country’s health programs and foreign aid. 

The provisional government proved unable to enact effective HIV prevention or treatment strategies. The COVID-19 pandemic, as well as natural disasters, heightened the number of people experiencing poverty in Madagascar. Most recently, the country suffered from drought from 2018 to 2022 and Cyclone Freddy in February 2023. These factors create a challenging backdrop to thwart HIV/AIDS.

In an audit from 2019 to 2021, The Global Fund cited the availability of HIV test kits as a challenge. Testing supplies are often out of stock, and without access, many citizens are unaware of their status. Additionally, maintaining suitable storage conditions for health products, like HIV medication, is difficult. There is limited access to HIV treatment, and less than 1% of health care sites in Madagascar provide antiretroviral treatment. Current policy dictates that citizens procure HIV treatment through the government, decreasing access.

Humanitarian Efforts Drive Improvements

Global humanitarian organizations continually search for ways to address challenges and combat HIV/AIDS in Madagascar. While there is significant room for improvement, aid organizations made notable contributions in recent years.

Since 2005, The Global Fund has provided $72 million in HIV/AIDS relief to Madagascar and supplied free antiretroviral therapy. The organization recently reported an increase in the number of people receiving HIV treatment. In 2018, 3,510 people received HIV treatment, while in 2021, 8,995 people received HIV treatment. The number of people with HIV who were aware of their status increased by 73% from 2018 to 2021. Additionally, The Global Fund confirmed a reliable pipeline from HIV testing to treatment for citizens of Madagascar. More than 95% of people who tested positive for HIV received treatment. In an investigation, The Global Fund found that antiretroviral treatments were in stock and available to citizens.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) also provides relief for the people of Madagascar. The organization gave more than $130 million in 2020, of which $74.5 million went to health services. USAID invests in the prevention of HIV/AIDS and primary health care in Madagascar, among other directives. In October 2023, USAID gave computer equipment to Madagascar to manage health information. This equipment will synthesize data to aid in the improvement of citizens’ health. 

Going Forward

Tackling HIV/AIDS in Madagascar presents significant difficulties. Providing effective HIV/AIDS testing and treatment is challenging due to widespread poverty and a weak government. Organizations are actively working through these challenges to improve the state of HIV/AIDS in the country. Investments in the prevention of HIV/AIDS and increases in the number of people who know their HIV status provide a starting point for further improvements.

– Kelly Carroll
Photo: Flickr

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5 Charities Operating in Ethiopia

Charities in EthiopiaEthiopia, the largest and most populated country in the Horn of Africa, has taken massive strides in poverty reduction over recent years, as well as having one of the fastest-growing economies in the region with an estimated growth of 6.4% last year. Despite this, it remains one of the poorest in its area. The most recent data available for Ethiopia states that 24% of the population still sits below the poverty line. Many Ethiopians suffering from poverty depend on charities and NGOs operating in Ethiopia to give them the support they need to live and thrive. Here are five charities operating in Ethiopia right now.

1. The Caleb Foundation — Save Life with Pennies

Located in Ethiopia’s bustling capital city, Addis Ababa, The Caleb Foundation — Save Life With Pennies is a nonprofit organization aiming to eradicate poverty through education while providing support for underprivileged families. 

Tenadam Alemu founded the charity in 2010 after her son sustained a life-threatening infection while hospitalized, leading her to realize the importance of helping children in need. While her son made a full recovery, Alemu said, “It was during this time that I realized a desperate mother who is crying out for help should never be put on hold.”

Save Life with Pennies provides many different programs in an effort to aid underprivileged citizens. One of its main focuses, however, is their daycare program, a free-of-charge service that provides care, education and food for up to 50 children a day. This allows single mothers to support their families without having to worry about childcare. The program has helped around 800 children since its start.

2. Splash

One of the charities operating in Ethiopia is Splash. The charity aims to provide support for children in urban poverty, especially regarding issues involving water, sanitation, hygiene and menstrual health. 

Their project in Ethiopia began in 2008 after observing the rapid population growth in Addis Ababa, which had tripled in size since 1970. Despite Ethiopia’s growing economy, Splash estimates that more than 80% of Addis’ population lives in slum districts with limited access to clean water. To combat this, Splash has aligned itself with existing government goals, all while aiming to reach its goal of providing help to 450,000 children in the most needed areas.

3. Fair Planet

While urban poverty is a big issue in Ethiopia, so, too, is poverty in the country’s more rural areas. Agriculture is a key component of Ethiopia’s economy and employs more than 60% of the population, meaning that many Ethiopians depend on this livelihood to avoid living in poverty. Based in several different areas of Ethiopia, Fair Planet is an NGO that fights poverty through improved agriculture. 

Their goal is to provide food security and economic opportunities for local farmers by providing better-quality vegetable seeds and training on how to grow them most effectively, all while ensuring there is minimal change to traditional farming practices.

The project launched in 2012 and has since provided seeds for 75,000 farmers, as well as training more than 2,000 lead farmers on how to best use them.

4. Facing Africa

Facing Africa is a charity made up of volunteer medical staff who are fighting the effects of noma in Africa.

Noma is a gangrenous infection that affects the face, mainly targeting children under the age of 6. Promoted by extreme poverty and malnutrition, the infection begins with ulcers in the mouth. At this early stage, it is treatable with mild antibiotics and nutritional rehabilitation. If left untreated, however, the ulcers progress to painful swelling in the cheeks or lips and eventual gangrene, leading to gaping holes developing in the face. It is estimated that the mortality of noma can reach up to an alarming 90%, due to most cases occurring in remote rural areas that have no medical facilities.

Facing Africa first visited Addis Ababa in 2007, where a team of surgeons, anesthetists and nurses spent two weeks carrying out various facial reconstruction surgeries on noma victims. Every year following, the charity has sent out two teams of volunteers every year, as well as securing a place for patients to receive pre- and post-op care within Ethiopia’s Cheshire Home, a facility that was previously used for polio victims. The charity has raised more than $6.3 million since its humble beginnings in 1988 and continues to use this money to help those suffering from noma.

5. Tearfund

Tearfund has been operating in Ethiopia since the 1970s, working with institutional donors, religious institutions and partner organizations to fight the extreme poverty occurring in Ethiopia. 

Its main focus is providing relief and development programs that are not only helpful but sustainable, too. Its goal is to equip and envision local organizations and churches with the materials and knowledge to start their own development projects, allowing them to tackle poverty for the community, by the community.

So far, Tearfund has given communities access to clean water, helped with conflict resolution, provided vocational education and advocated for a fairer future for all. Last year alone, Tearfund helped 1.6 million people through emergency response, and a further 1.3 million with their community development work.

Despite facing struggles such as civil war and difficult climates, Ethiopia has continuously improved its poverty rates in recent years. While there is a long way to go for many of its citizens, the important work these five charities operating in Ethiopia are doing, among many others, will continue to guide the country toward a future where everyone can survive and also thrive.

– Jodie Donovan
Photo: Flickr

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South Africa’s AI Employment Revolution And Skill Development

AI Employment
On October 30, 2023, Microsoft held its “AI: A New Era” event and announced its plans to partner with Presidential Youth Employment Services (YES) to catalyze South Africa’s AI employment revolution. As reported by Engineering News, the collaboration’s goal is to implement an artificial intelligence (AI) platform into the work sphere, ultimately increasing job opportunities. The AI training initiative will directly empower 300,000 young South Africans, with an aim to certify 30 million Africans in AI-related skills by 2025.

What is the Plan and Who is Behind it?

“AI is the defining technology of our time and is rapidly gaining momentum in the country. We are seeing many organizations exploring the use of this technology to drive innovation and growth,” said Microsoft South Africa CEO Kalane Rampai. The partnership aims to boost job creation and enhance overall employability by properly educating participants and creating a digitally inclusive economy. 

While South Africa is considered the most industrialized country in Africa, it has one of the highest youth unemployment rates in the world. According to government agency Statistics South Africa, as of November 2023, 61% of citizens ages 15–24 are unemployed. The overall unemployment rate for South Africa is 33%. Unfortunately, it rises to 35% for high school graduates.

Youth Employment Service is a nonprofit organization that offers young South Africans a salaried, one-year apprenticeship in a corporate job, including intensive professional training. As Microsoft reported, the CEO of YES, Ravi Naidoo, states that the organization is “a business-led response to the unemployment crisis in South Africa and inequality in hiring…funded by the companies that provide apprenticeships.” The goal is to identify driven young employed citizens from disadvantaged backgrounds and provide them with skills to excel in new careers. 

AI Training Projected Improvements

A country that suffers immensely from youth unemployment, South Africa was chosen to launch AI skill development, which will hopefully act as an incentive. All YES employment program participants gain access to the platform and will become equipped with digital and technological skills, encouraging a job-creation revolution in Africa. The artificial intelligence training includes an introductory course that progresses participants into advanced AI programming, opening up employment opportunities. 

According to Engineering News, AI skill development has four focuses: “providing essential infrastructure, building skills and capacity, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, and enabling innovation.” Microsoft and YES believe that this technology can give an upward trajectory to the African economy. Analysts predict that South Africa’s AI development can increase Africa’s economy by 50% by 2030. Further, Microsoft’s technological education and employability programs have certified more than four million young people in Africa over the past five years and aim to certify 30 million people in AI skills in Africa by the end of 2025.

Growth for Africa

This new AI skill development will enable thousands of South Africa’s youth with essential digital and technological skills. It not only opens doors to diverse employment options but also paves the way for a future of increased income and sustained economic empowerment. Lillian Barnard, President of Microsoft Africa, notes that the collaboration with YES will focus on youth unemployment and creating a culture of innovation and employability through digital skill development. 

– Samantha J. Rentfro
Photo: Flickr

Addressing the Gender Wage Gap in Jamaica

Gender Wage Gap in JamaicaDespite women in Jamaica outperforming their Caribbean counterparts in entrepreneurship and access to finance, the gender wage gap remains a pressing issue, with Caribbean Country Director Lilia Burunciuc said, “Providing opportunities for women and girls to acquire the skills and earnings to succeed should be an economic priority for countries.” As grassroots initiatives and policy changes begin to surface, they offer a beacon of hope for not just closing the gender wage gap in Jamaica but also lifting women, and by extension their communities, out of poverty.

The Stark Reality: Gender Wage Gap Statistic

A country known for its cultural richness and natural beauty, the gender wage gap here is more than just a statistic — it is a barrier to poverty alleviation. While women have made some progress, holding 28.6% of parliamentary seats as of 2021 and boasting more women managers than any other country, they still face economic disparities that reverberate through their families. 

The gender wage gap in Jamaica is most pronounced in the agricultural sector, where women earn 61% less than their male counterparts, deepening the cycle of poverty affecting women.

In 2023, Jamaica scored 0.89 in the gender gap area of economic participation and opportunity, meaning women are 11% less likely to have equal economic participation and opportunities than men.

WROC: Empowering Women Economically

The Inter-American Foundation’s WINGS program collaborates with the Women’s Resource and Outreach Centre (WROC) to tackle the root causes of gender-based violence and poverty, such as unemployment and a lack of education access. Established in 1983, WROC has been a cornerstone in promoting gender equality and empowering women. Its strategic focus extends from health and wellness to sustainable livelihoods and community capacity-building. Partnering with local community groups like the Women’s Empowerment Group, WROC aims to provide training and income-generating opportunities for women, especially in impoverished communities like Trench Town and, notably, Lyndhurst/Greenwich in Kingston. 

Bureau of Gender Affairs: Policy Changes for Gender Equality

The Bureau of Gender Affairs (BGA), a specialized agency under Jamaica’s Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, has been invaluable in the persistent fight against the gender wage gap in the country. Unlike many agencies that adopt a broad approach to gender issues, the BGA has zeroed in on the wage gap as a critical factor that perpetuates poverty and hampers economic development.

Through legislative advocacy, the BGA has been pushing for policies that enforce equal pay for equal work. It has been instrumental in the drafting and promotion of bills that aim to eliminate wage discrimination based on gender. This legislative focus is a crucial part of their strategy to not only close the wage gap but also to lift families out of poverty.

In addition to policy work, the BGA has initiated public education campaigns that specifically target the issue of wage disparity. These campaigns aim to raise awareness among employers and the general public about the long-term consequences of the gender wage gap, particularly its role in perpetuating poverty. By educating the public, the BGA seeks to change attitudes and practices contributing to wage inequality.

The National Policy for Gender Equality (NPGE)

The agency also plays a significant role in implementing the National Policy for Gender Equality (NPGE).

One of the key objectives of the NPGE is to address economic disparities between men and women, with a specific focus on wage inequality. The BGA collaborates with various stakeholders, including NGOs and international organizations, to gather data on wage patterns, which is then used to formulate targeted interventions.

Active solutions are underway, spearheaded by the BGA in partnership with local and international organizations. These solutions include community-based programs that offer women skill training and job placement services aimed at placing them in higher-paying jobs, thereby directly addressing the wage gap and contributing to poverty alleviation.

Going beyond policy recommendations, the BGA actively engages with the public and employers through awareness campaigns designed to challenge deeply entrenched gender stereotypes and educate the public about the economic and social repercussions of the gender wage gap. 

Recognizing that financial constraints often exacerbate gender-related issues, the Bureau also offers financial assistance to those in need, directly contributing to poverty alleviation. 

Community Engagement: The Heart of the Solution

Both WROC and BGA emphasize the importance of community involvement in solving this issue. They engage with local communities to identify the specific challenges that women faced and develop tailored solutions. For instance, WROC has established community centers where women can access resources like vocational training, increasing their employability and potential earnings.

Conclusion

Jamaica’s grassroots initiatives and policy changes are a testament to the nation’s commitment to closing the gender wage gap in Jamaica. Through organizations like WROC and agencies like BGA, Jamaica is not only narrowing the wage gap but also empowering its women. The road ahead is long, but with sustained efforts and a focus on community engagement, Jamaica is steadily marching towards a future free of gender-based economic disparity.

 – Jack Jones
Photo: Flickr