Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

Bialla’s WASH Facilities in Papua New Guinea

WASH Facilities in Papua New GuineaPapua New Guinea is an island nation in the Southern Pacific. It is a bustling country with a population of more than 10 million people. However, around 60% of the 10 million people still do not have access to suitable WASH facilities. However, Bialla, a small Papua New Guinea town, has successfully instituted new WASH reforms. Bialla’s improvement has encouraged the rest of Papua New Guinea to actively push initiatives to improve WASH facilities in Papua New Guinea.

Bialla’s Success Story

Bialla is a small town in Papua New Guinea with a population of around 13,000. The town has struggled to access clean water for many years, especially in the long dry season. In 2020, the World Bank reported that the Water Supply and Development Project in Bialla has provided clean water for more than 5,000 town citizens. Aside from personal sustenance, the newfound access to water has benefited schools and local markets and generally improved the quality of life of the townsfolk.

The Rest of Papua New Guinea

Bialla’s improvement in its water supply system has encouraged the rest of PNG to follow in its footsteps. In the 2020 Voluntary National Review, PNG reported that 2019 safe drinking water increased by 41% and sanitation improved by 13%. These numbers are giant steps in the right direction for the nation. However, PNG still states that it needs proper infrastructure to get its aid out and there is still a long road to improvement.

WASH Policy 2015-2030

In 2015, Papua New Guinea rolled out the WASH Policy 2015-2030. The policy aims to improve safe water and sanitation access, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas. It provides a comprehensive framework for addressing water and sanitation challenges while emphasizing collaboration, precise definitions and ongoing assessment of policy effectiveness. The policy focuses on delivering WASH facilities in Papua New Guinea, creating frameworks for improved service delivery and outlining improved technologies.

UNICEF

UNICEF has a significant role in helping PNG with its continued goal for WASH improvements. It works with the government of PNG to provide schools with sanitary necessities, like toilets, sinks and water tanks, and promote menstrual hygiene. By doing this, UNICEF promotes children’s health (especially girls) and allows them to stay in school.

In addition, the EU-UNICEF project in PNG will act as a support system for the WASH policy 2015-2030. It will promote clean water and sanitation and strengthen WASH frameworks. It is expected to benefit 160,000 people, including 40,000 children, across all districts of PNG. 

The Water for Women

The Water for Women Fund project, which Plan International leads in Papua New Guinea, is another testament to the country’s continued efforts in WASH improvements. It aims to provide climate-resilient WASH facilities to the island of New Ireland and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville in Papua New Guinea. In these two areas, 30% of the population relies on unprotected water, while 80% rely on unimproved sanitation. 

This project seeks to improve the health, gender equality and well-being of the 8,000+ people on these islands. Bialla is a testament to how improved access to water and sanitation can better the lives of an entire community. With the coordination and initiatives of government, development partners, aid agencies and the private sector, PNG is looking to replicate Bialla’s success throughout the country. 

– Atheeth Ravikrishnan
Photo: Flickr

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How National Debt Negatively Affects Developing Nations

National Debt Between 2000 and 2023, global GDP has tripled, while global public debt has quintupled in the same period. This is a serious issue, yet the world’s $92 trillion in public debt remains far from a household discussion. National debt affects developing nations in an outsized way that is spoken of even less.    

While public debt affects the developed world, it is crippling the developing world’s ability to rise out of poverty. Global poverty cannot be solved without recognizing that public debt is a key part of the problem. Without addressing it, developing countries will remain mired in high-interest payments and an ever-growing debt burden that harms their citizens and steals their futures.

How Does National Debt Affect Developing Nations? 

Last year, 59 developing countries held national debt worth more than 60% of their GDP. These countries are already combatting many other hurdles to success, including food instability, poor health care and a lack of sanitation. Their high levels of debt prevent them from being able to fully address the issues impacting their people. 

The debt problem is so severe that, according to the UN, “3.3 billion people now live in countries where debt interest payments are greater than expenditure on health or education.” These countries are only managing to pay the high interest on their loans, not their actual debt burdens. Developing countries face an increasing need to divert life-saving funds to maintain debt. As a result, national debt affects developing nations in an extremely detrimental way.

National Debt Affects Developing Nations Differently 

Public debt affects developing and developed nations very differently. While developed nations have the stability and resilience to ride out their storms and debt mistakes, developing nations do not. They remain stuck in a perpetual cycle of debt that they cannot pay off, while interest payments keep them from lifting themselves out of poverty. The story of debt in these two types of countries is very different.

What is the Interest Rate Disparity and Why Does it Matter? 

There is significant disparity in interest rates between loans that developing nations take out as opposed to developed ones. Over the past 10 years, while developed countries have been paying around 1% interest on loans, developing countries have been charged 5-8% interest. It is far more expensive for a developing nation to have debt than it is for developed nations.

Why Do Developing Nations Take Out Loans?   

To better understand this massive problem, it is helpful to understand why developing nations take out debt in the first place. The reasons are myriad, but include:   

  • The unexpected cost of the COVID-19 pandemic   
  • External disasters that have an impact on the country   
  • Domestic disasters 
  • Other unforeseen economic issues that countries face 
  • Infrastructure development aimed toward economic growth 
  • The war in Ukraine 

Many developing nations faced multiple disasters in the last few years that, due to their financially vulnerable state, have left them without any recourse other than loans. This means that national debt affects developing nations now even more than it normally would. 

Who Do Developing Nations Borrow Money From? 

When a country decides to borrow, they have several possible sources, including:   

  • Internal loans that the government takes out by itself, for itself   
  • Bilateral loans borrowed from the governments of other nations    
  • Multilateral loans from international organizations, such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF)
  • Private creditors    

The institution that the country is indebted to has influence over that country and may change how easily the country can pay back the loans. For example, China has resisted the movement of international entities working to alleviate the debt burden on developing nations. That makes helping countries who are indebted to China much more difficult.  

Addressing the Debt Crisis 

While there is still a great deal of work to do, global awareness of this issue is increasing. The UN published a report on the global debt crisis in July 2023 titled “A World of Debt: A Growing Burden to Public Prosperity.”   

Additionally, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund collaborate on the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative, designed to give much-needed relief to developing countries that are overwhelmed with debt. This initiative began in 1996 and provides a road for indebted countries to receive 100% relief on eligible debts. Before a country can receive this aid, it must meet certain criteria — one of which is that the country must “face an unsustainable debt burden that cannot be addressed through traditional debt-relief mechanisms.” There are 36 countries receiving relief through this initiative.

Conclusion   

Global public debt has skyrocketed over the last two years, and developing nations have faced heavy impacts. National debt affects developing nations in a way that developed nations are not subject to, which makes it extremely difficult for developing nations to pay off their debt. Efforts by developed nations are necessary to help developing nations rise out of the depths of public debt. When public debt is no longer a concern, these countries can focus on sustainable development to improve the quality of life among their citizens.

– Abigail Leland
Photo: Pixabay

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Smart Tattoos: The Future of Health Monitoring in Developing Countries

Health MonitoringIn the global battle against diabetes, a condition that directly caused 1.6 million deaths in 2015 and was associated with 4 million deaths in 2017, the revolutionary emergence of smart tattoos could mark a significant turning point, particularly for developing nations grappling with limited health care resources. These innovative devices could be the harbinger of a new era in health care, offering a low-cost, efficient method for real-time health monitoring.

The Escalating Health Crisis

The World Health Organization (WHO) has documented a staggering rise in diabetes cases, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The number of people with diabetes soared from 108 million in 1980 to 422 million in 2014, and there was a notable 3% increase in diabetes-related mortality rates from 2000 to 2019. The disease is a leading cause of severe health complications, including blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke and lower limb amputation.

India, which has the highest number of children and adolescents living with type-1 diabetes — an estimated 229,400 — exemplifies the urgent need for innovative and accessible diabetes management tools. Similarly, Brazil, with 92,300 youth affected, reflects the widespread impact of this chronic condition in developing countries.

The incidence rates of type-1 diabetes in children also shed light on the disease’s reach within these nations. Algeria’s high incidence rate of 34.8 persons diagnosed per 100,000 people each year is proof of the growing need for effective diabetes care and education in Africa and developing countries worldwide.

In its 2018 guidelines on pharmacological agents for managing diabetes in low-resource settings, the WHO noted that “sulfonylureas are currently more affordable than newer oral anti-hyperglycaemic agents for people who pay ‘out of pocket’.” Consequently, they are likely to be more accessible. “This supports the South Asia consensus on diabetes management, which highlighted that cost is an important consideration in this region of the world, as a majority of patients are not covered under medical insurance.”

Smart Tattoos: A Technological Marvel

Historically, tattoos have served various purposes from symbols of cultural significance to marks of personal identity. However, recent research reveals that tattoos may have played a therapeutic role in ancient societies. The discovery of Ötzi the Iceman, a 5,300-year-old mummy with tattoos strategically placed over acupuncture points, suggests that people used tattoos for pain relief, a practice that mirrors modern acupuncture techniques.

In this modern context, health-monitoring ‘smart tattoos’ represent a significant medical breakthrough. As outlined in the British Journal of Nursing, these tattoos leverage nanotechnology to non-invasively monitor glucose levels. This advancement is crucial for diabetes management, where traditional methods are often invasive and painful, leading to poor adherence, especially in areas with limited health care resources.

A Glimpse into the Future of Health Monitoring

At the forefront of this pioneering innovation is the work that Dr. Ali Yetisen and Ph.D. student Rosalia Moreddu conducted at Imperial College London, coinciding with teams at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, led by Steve Park. Their research delves into tattoos capable of detecting biomarkers such as glucose levels by interacting with the interstitial fluid beneath the skin. In essence, it is a tattoo that changes color in response to blood sugar levels, shifting from yellow to green as glucose rises — a critical indicator for those managing diabetes. This paves the way for a future in which the daily rigors of diabetes management are significantly eased, potentially replacing frequent and painful finger-prick tests.

A study in 2018 revealed a preference for wristband devices that monitor glucose. However, it also indicated a growing interest in tattoo sensors, especially among younger demographics and individuals with type 1-diabetes. This hints at a generational shift in health monitoring preferences.

Other Uses for Smart Tattoos

The scope of smart tattoos extends beyond glucose. The Imperial College team is also exploring the detection of albumin and pH levels, which can signal conditions ranging from kidney failure to lung disease. The technology’s adaptability suggests that it could potentially monitor hydration by measuring ion concentrations, a vital aspect of health maintenance.

Further collaboration between MIT and Harvard Medical School researchers resulted in optical biosensors that can be tattooed into the skin, reacting to changes in interstitial fluid. These biosensors are designed to detect various health indicators, including blood pressure, glucose, lactate, skin temperature and brain activity. The researchers envision that this technology will foster new partnerships between biotech companies and skin professionals, such as prosthesis experts and tattooists. Future research aims to explore new biosensors, body modification practices and interaction techniques.

Parallel to the work at Imperial College, researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have made strides in developing tattoos that are only visible under UV light, making them timely reminders for sunscreen re-application. Another temperature-sensitive tattoo acts as a built-in thermometer, a tool that could be particularly useful in managing health in varying climates.

Adding a digital dimension, Google’s research into conductive ink opens up the possibility of turning body parts into a touchpad. This could enable interactions with devices through simple gestures, marrying the digital and physical aspects of our lives in an unprecedented way.

These technologies may provide a cost-effective, efficient solution for real-time health monitoring, crucial for countries where health care systems are overburdened and under-resourced.

Conclusion

These recent health monitoring innovations offer a glimpse into a future where managing chronic conditions like diabetes could be as simple as glancing at a tattoo. As this technology matures, it holds the promise of not just improving individual health outcomes, but also contributing to alleviating poverty by reducing health care costs and improving the quality of life for millions in developing countries.

– Jack Jones
Photo: Flickr

Empowering a Nation: Innovative Efforts to Relieve Poverty in Brazil

Efforts to Relieve Poverty in Brazil
Brazil is one of the fastest-growing countries in South America and faces significant challenges with high levels of poverty and income inequality. As the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported, inflation increased to 6.5% as a result of COVID-19, with essentials such as food prices increasing by 63%. Currently, the ongoing trends have resulted in a need for efforts to relieve poverty in Brazil.

While it is important to recognize poverty in Brazil as a complex and multidimensional issue, it is also necessary to recognize ongoing efforts to relieve poverty, as the nation seeks to build a more equitable and prosperous future for its citizens.

From Marginalization to Entrepreneurship: The Favela-Business Connection

Brazil’s favelas are characterized by their precarious building infrastructures and poverty-based living conditions — they have been a symbol of urban poverty for years. However, in recent years a remarkable transformation has occurred within these settlements. Favela-business partnerships are emerging as a driving force in reshaping these communities with a strong effort to relieve poverty. 

Organizations such as the Favela Business School (FBS) offer a digital platform on which residents have access to a diverse range of business information that can be applied directly to favela entrepreneurs. The organization creates an ecosystem aimed to promote entrepreneurship and drive economic transformation in underserved areas. It provides management training and tailored language skills to entrepreneurs in marginalized communities and favelas. Additionally, the program enables business growth through the facilitation of microcredits and effective strategies for connecting, networking and enhancing the local business ecosystem.

The economic impact of favela-business partnerships extends beyond creating jobs. By fostering entrepreneurship, local economies grow, which creates a positive ripple effect that benefits wider communities. This then gains the attention of a variety of investors, who in turn offer financial support for the program.

The impact of the FBS has been substantial, with numerous achievements in its first year of establishment. It provided free training to 146 entrepreneurs from favelas, including a comprehensive curriculum spanning 57 hours and 30 minutes of classes, complemented by 19 hours of mentoring and 4 hours and 30 minutes of live-stream content. These classes extend beyond basic management knowledge to include the development of soft skills. By the end of 2023, FBS aims to train more than 6,000 entrepreneurs annually.

Farmers as Changemakers: The Role of Rural Development Programs

Other innovative efforts to relieve poverty in Brazil include the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), a specialized agency of the United Nations dedicated to alleviating rural poverty and hunger. IFAD plays a significant role in supporting rural development, offering financial resources to support sustainable agricultural practices, increase agricultural productivity and enhance rural infrastructure.

The program focuses on promoting organic and agro-ecological production methods and facilitating access to markets. It also emphasizes the implementation of water collection and conservation technologies. Incorporating participatory methodologies that blend innovation with traditional knowledge is a key aspect of the program. The initiative is also committed to fostering the full and independent engagement of women and youth, as well as policy dialogue with national counterparts.

These innovative efforts to relieve poverty in rural areas not only enhance agricultural productivity, but also help communities increase their income and food security. In collaboration with crucial co-financiers like the Brazilian Development Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank, the total investment in agricultural production has the potential to surpass $900 million. This substantial funding aims to benefit over 600,000 rural families, fostering improvements in productivity and food security.

Furthermore, IFAD places a strong emphasis on social inclusion in its projects, with the aim to empower indigenous and quilombola (afro-descendant) communities, agrarian reform settlers, women and youth. This focus is essential for preserving cultural heritage and achieving sustainable development, which in turn provides poverty relief.

In practice, 75% of the intended rural families experienced a 20% average increase in both farm and non-farm incomes. Additionally, 50% of the targeted rural families enhanced their production, diversified their output and improved nutrition through access to a broader and more varied food supply. The goal is to achieve a minimum 30% reduction in the rate of extreme poverty within IFAD project operation areas. Communities benefiting from business plans linked to IFAD operations are expected to see at least a 20% increase in assets. Lastly, a targeted 10% decrease in malnutrition rates is anticipated across IFAD project operation areas.

Tech For Good: Digital Inclusion

Brazil has been making large strides in expanding digital inclusion, recognizing that access to technology is a powerful tool for relieving poverty. The Wi-Fi Brasil program, launched by the government in 2022, aims to provide affordable internet access to communities living in poverty. This initiative improves connectivity and opens up opportunities for online education, remote work and e-commerce, empowering individuals to break the cycle of poverty. The program includes 15,000 internet points to facilitate communities’ access to connectivity, as well as more than 10,000 internet points installed in public schools to improve the quality of education. Programs such as Wi-Fi Brasil allow communities to connect, share their stories and advocate for poverty relief by providing a platform for social and political mobilization.

Innovative efforts to relieve poverty in Brazil represent a beacon of hope in the journey toward a more equitable and prosperous nation. Brazil’s multifaceted approaches, ranging from favela-business partnerships and sustainable agriculture to digital inclusion have demonstrated the power of innovative efforts in the battle against poverty.

These initiatives not only alleviate immediate economic hardships but also foster sustainable development, empower marginalized communities and challenge long-standing stereotypes. By embracing technology, fostering entrepreneurship and focusing on inclusivity, Brazil is actively changing the narrative of poverty and providing opportunities for individuals and communities to break free from it.

– Mia Deniz Duru
Photo: Flickr

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Early Education in Kosovo

Early Education in KosovoWith Kosovo being a relatively new nation, having declared independence in 2008, it must now navigate complex issues such as poverty, health care and education for its citizens. For its younger population, education remains a key factor in the country’s development. Several issues impact the population’s ability to receive proper instruction, and many organizations are attempting to remedy these and provide instruction to the children in Kosovo. 

Impact on Children

The country has a population of about 1.8 million people, with the average age being approximately 30 years. In 2021, only 15% of children aged 3–4 years old gained an education. Among rural and minority communities, that number decreased to 10%. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) plans on improving food availability in schools to incentivize parents to enroll their younger children. 

Rural communities are disproportionately affected by infrastructure issues and receive fewer options for health care and education. Minorities such as the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptians also require more assistance. As of 2021, 23% of Kosovar children live in poverty. Poverty plays an important role in whether or not young children attend primary school education. Children in richer households are twice as likely to attend lower secondary education and four times as likely to attend upper secondary school than their poorer counterparts. 

Access to health care also impacts access to education. Minority groups have more difficulty accessing health care and are unable to enroll their children in schools. In minority communities, the infant mortality rate is twice the national average and malnutrition plagues children throughout Kosovo. Even so, 84% of children attend pre-primary school programs, a 9% increase from 2014. As of 2021, 80% of 7–14-year-olds are literate and 88% can correctly identify numbers, however, under 50% retain skills past a Grade 2 level. 

Teacher Pay

Teachers in Kosovo went on strike twice in the past four years, seeking an increase in pay. In 2019, teachers demanded a pay increase of over 30%. This was prompted by a proposed law that would raise pay for government employees. In Kosovo, the average private sector salary is €370, with public sector salaries averaging €520. These strikes proved successful. In September 2022, teachers once again went on strike, demanding an additional €100 per month to support themselves and their families. 

Improvements

Kosovo’s National Development Strategy Plan aims to increase the number of children enrolled in early education. This plan seeks to provide young kids with basic skills to further their schooling and widen their future employment opportunities. Having children in class during the day allows their parents to join the workforce, generating money for their family and strengthening the economy. 

For the entire Kosovo population, a total of 130 institutions serve as early education centers. As of 2017, Kosovo has 42 public kindergartens. Four professors at the University of Prishtina in Kosovo emphasize the importance of integrating technology into early education. Majlinda Gjelaj, Kastriot Buza, Kyvete Shatri and Naser Zabeli conducted a 2020 study about incorporating new technology into the curriculum. This study suggests that the addition of new tech improves communication and development among preschoolers. Through the Kosovo Education Strategic Plan and the Kosovo Curriculum Framework, the government aims to create a functional digital economy. It believes that students acquiring technical knowledge alongside literacy may be the best way to achieve this outcome. 

To ensure that early education opportunities in Kosovo are equitable for the entire population, the World Bank has highlighted laws and other information that can be utilized. The Department of Social Welfare puts children into foster families that share their ethnicity and religion, as outlined in the Law for Social and Family Services. Families can receive funding under the Social Assistance Scheme. This welfare initiative stands out as the single government program that directly targets poverty in Kosovo. Over 28,000 families benefit from this, including over 55,000 children. With more reform, such as making school compulsory for ages 3-5, this program can provide for over 80,000 children in the country. 

Early Education in Kosovo continues to improve with the aid it receives from both the Kosovar government and international organizations. 

– Abigail Dudley
Photo: Flickr

Addressing Dire Prison Conditions in Lebanon

Prison Conditions in LebanonHuman Rights Watch has reported deteriorating prison conditions in Lebanon due to the country’s ongoing economic crisis. From overcrowding to the denial of medical health care, the poor conditions that inmates face in Lebanon serve as a stark reflection of the country’s economic crisis and the undeniable link between poverty and the prison system. 

Background: Lebanon’s Economic Crisis

The root problem of these dire prison conditions in Lebanon is the current economic crisis and rise of poverty. The distressing extent of poverty and food insecurity in Lebanon stems from a decline in economic activity, political instability and the escalating cost of living. 

Between November 2021 and January 2022, Human Rights Watch carried out an extensive survey encompassing 1,209 households in Lebanon. Approximately 70% of households reported experiencing difficulties in meeting their financial obligations or consistently falling behind on basic expenses. The survey results underscore the gravity of the situation and how these experiences affect the current prison conditions in the country.

The budget allocated to the interior ministry, responsible for prison management, has indeed seen official increases in recent years. However, the dramatic devaluation of the currency, with the lira losing 98% of its value since 2019, coupled with skyrocketing annual inflation rates, has gradually diminished its effective purchasing power. Inflation further compounds the challenge for families who find it increasingly difficult to purchase additional food to supplement the prisoners’ already meager rations.

The Harrowing Prison Conditions

These budget reductions and high rates of inflation that have afflicted Lebanon since 2019 correlate to the poor state of its prisons. 

While family visits have been reinstated, the escalating inflation rates and exorbitant costs of food and fuel have presented formidable obstacles for numerous families who would otherwise provide assistance to their incarcerated loved ones. Simultaneously, the surge in demand for prison-provided meals has coincided with soaring food prices. These challenges along with the devaluation of the Lebanese currency make it challenging to meet financial obligations to contracted food suppliers.

Numerous correctional facilities throughout Lebanon are grappling with severe overcrowding. This over-capacity is a result of a surge in crime rates, protracted trial proceedings leading to delayed releases, and the incapacity of many inmates who have completed their sentences to meet the necessary fees for their release. Detention facilities throughout Lebanon have a collective capacity of 4,760 individuals, yet they currently hold around 8,502 people, of whom only 1,094 have received sentences, according to the Internal Security Forces, responsible for prison management in Lebanon. 

The extent of overcrowding within Lebanon’s prison system is deeply troubling and has led to a deterioration in humanitarian and living conditions, causing a decline in health care, food accessibility and overall security.

Alongside budget reductions, incarcerated individuals are being denied vital medical care. In 2018, more than 800 prisoners were transported to hospitals, whereas in 2022, only 107 received such medical attention, despite the overall prison population remaining consistent.

The International Committee of the Red Cross’s (ICRC) Efforts

In 2019, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) engaged in the refurbishment of specific detention facilities, in collaboration with the detaining authorities. It has restored the ventilation system at Rihaniyeh Military Prison and introduced a new ventilation system at Tripoli Prison, which operates under the jurisdiction of the Internal Security Force. 

Additionally, it is working alongside detaining authorities to enhance health care services. This includes donating an X-ray machine to the medical center at Roumieh Prison and conducting disinfection procedures within cells at Tripoli Central Prison in 2014, aimed at preventing the transmission of scabies and other contagious diseases. On occasion, it provides detainees with essentials, such as clothing, hygiene items, mattresses and blankets.

In 2015, the ICRC allocated $1 million for the improvement of detainees’ living conditions. A portion of these funds was allocated to the renovation of district prisons. Since their agreement with the government in 2007, they have been conducting regular visits to various detention facilities across Lebanon. From 2014 to 2015, the ICRC conducted more than 200 visits to prisons as part of our commitment to monitor and improve conditions.

The Work of the Association of Justice and Mercy (AJEM)

Since 1998, the Association of Justice and Mercy (AJEM), a Lebanese nonprofit organization, has been actively engaging with all correctional facilities in Lebanon, delivering counseling services to inmates at various locations. This access has enabled them to execute both individual and collective interventions with the incarcerated population, as well as the ability to implement numerous programs and projects over the years. 

In order to support prison health care, AJEM carries out HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care initiatives. This includes offering voluntary counseling and testing services in both central and regional Lebanese prisons, organizing Information Education and Communication (IEC) sessions within prison facilities for key populations to raise awareness about HIV and other communicable diseases and providing accessible support to individuals at risk in prisons.

The AJEM Rabieh Shelter

The AJEM Rabieh Shelter, founded in 2012 and operates today, is a traditional housing initiative that aims to provide prisoners with an array of extensive support services, empowering them to transition back into self-sustained living, secure employment and permanent housing. This, in turn, serves to mitigate the risk of prison overcrowding. The project guarantees a seamless reintegration into society. 

These initiatives serve as a driving force for further transformations. Based on these assessments, it is imperative for the Lebanese government to formulate and execute both immediate and long-term strategies to address the conditions in prisons and ensure the protection of individuals’ rights.

– Susanna Andryan
Photo: Flickr

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How a Skateboarding Nonprofit Is Empowering Morocco’s Youth

Morocco’s YouthThe Concrete Jungle Foundation (CJF) is an international nonprofit using the positive values of skateboarding to support youth around the world. Its mission statement describes their commitment to build and run skateparks and youth development programs to “promote health and well-being, access to education, community development, gender equality and economic growth.” Founded in 2018, the group has already expanded to more than eight countries worldwide and recently expanded to build a sustainable skatepark in Morocco with the goal of empowering Morocco’s youth. 

Why Skateboarding? 

Sports have long been recognized as an important vehicle for physical health but the benefits are often far greater. Studies from the U.S. Department of Health have repeatedly shown how positive values inherent to sports — such as team building, confidence and commitment — have fostered immense growth in children. 

In fact, UNICEF has recognized these studies and launched the Right to Play initiative — arguing that children, particularly those who have experienced trauma, deserve opportunities to play sports. By focusing on skateboarding, the CJF has created a sense of community, fostered a playful environment and helped children gain confidence. 

New Developments in Morocco 

The CJF built its skatepark in Morocco in 2022 after demonstrating success in Peru and Jamaica. The nonprofit built the Fiers et Forts skatepark on the grounds of a children’s home center currently housing more than 35 children. Although the park is on the grounds of the orphanage, the skatepark is open to the public. Children throughout the community are able to skate and attend their educational enrichment programs at no cost. 

Eduskate Classes

The CJF has developed a variety of programs within the last year to offer to local youth and children of the orphanage. The programs include eduskate classes, educational enrichment offerings and designated disability sessions. 

The eduskate classes are the primary concern of the nonprofit and their connection between skateboarding and positive values. These classes, for children aged 6–16, follow a specific structure and create an opportunity for children living at the orphanage to develop friendships with children in the broader community. 

After a brief lesson/demonstration and free skate time, participants end the class with a reflection circle to share their accomplishments and reflect on their growth. Additionally, the classes often follow a specific theme such as a positive mentality, creativity, courage and other values based on personal growth and community. As teachers focus classes on these themes, they create an opportunity to connect these values with the sport. 

Educational Enrichment Workshops

Educational enrichment opportunities are the second way children within the home and the broader community come together. Two days per week, children receive encouragement to attend workshops on various topics such as gardening, art and recycling in order to supplement their education and introduce the children to new subject matter. 

While the educational enrichment workshops aim to supplement school, they play an important role in creating accessible educational opportunities to children who may not currently attend school. According to a UNICEF 2022 report, Morocco has a 28% secondary school completion rate. 

The most recent development in CJF’s ongoing offerings is designated disability sessions at the skatepark. During these hours, the skatepark is closed to the general public while disabled children skate as a form of physical therapy. A 1:1 approach between teacher and student occurs to ensure participants have adequate support. 

CJF’s Success in Helping Morocco’s Youth

In less than two years, the CJF has reported: 

  • About 52 children attending their edu-skate classes. 
  • Thirty-nine percent female participation in edu-skate classes. 
  • About 1,200+ skatepark visits.
  • Approximately 180+ total attendance at educational enrichment sessions.
  • About 41% female participation in educational enrichment sessions. 
  • Thirty-one participants in disability sessions.

Access to these resources can change a kid’s life and play a crucial role in empowering Morocco’s youth. More than 40% of Morocco’s children fit within UNICEF’s description of “multidimensional poverty.” Symptoms of multidimensional poverty include a lack of consistent access to adequate housing and education. 

Within a short period, CJF has spearheaded initiatives that could address these symptoms of multidimensional poverty and combined the programs with efforts to uplift spirits and support mental health. CJF continues to adjust its programs based on community feedback and claims it will continue to expand operations. 

– Nikki Bayat
Photo: Flickr

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5 Women-Focused Charities Operating in Somalia

Charities Operating in SomaliaWhen addressing women in Somalia, one should focus on the work occurring on the ground. The civil war — coupled with famines, droughts and floods — has left urgent matters on the back burner. Now, as the country is steadily finding its footing, the focal point is shifting towards more local and individual concerns that affect the society as a unit. There are a good handful of nonprofit organizations and charities operating in Somalia that center their work around women’s issues. Here are five women-focused charities operating in Somalia.

1. Action for Women and Children Concern (AWCC)

Action for Women and Children Centre is a nonprofit non-governmental and non-political grassroots organization that works specifically for women and children. Its motive is to empower women by providing and aiding in receiving basic education, primary health care, water hygiene and sanitation and the promotion of human rights.

This NGO is active in Somalia and has been since February 2017. It is youth-serving and youth-led. Its main strategy is to advance women’s rights and leadership and build and support local communities by encouraging human rights, justice, safety and security. 

Action for Women and Children Concern works across 100 countries with 80% of staff working within the communities they serve. It has been able to work directly and make a substantial difference within Somalia.

2. Somali Women’s Studies Centre (SWSC)

Somali Women’s Studies Centre is another non-governmental nonprofit organization that originated in Somalia in the year 2000. The organization follows the idea that through empowerment and assistance, women can get the support they need, which will in turn allow them to make positive alterations that will ultimately improve and strengthen their community. 

SWDC works to better the lives and conditions that women live in. It does this by first focusing on vulnerable groups of women. The SWDC carries out this mission by heightening the capacity of women to lobby and advocate for concerned parties, and finally promoting reconciliation and peace building. 

3. CARE

CARE is a charity that was established in Canada in 1946, but it was in the mid-1970s that the organization began to work on an international scale. The work in Somalia began in 1981. Its programs have covered water and sanitation, civil society and media development, primary school education, teacher training, adult literacy and vocational training, and much more. 

CARE also works specifically for women. On its website, it describes its mission as aiming to reduce the impact of emergencies on vulnerable communities, especially women and children. In 2022, CARE was able to reach 2,214,383 directly and 2,811,318 with 53% of the number being women and young girls.

4. Somali Women’s Development Centre (SWDC)

Somali Women’s Development Centre is an NGO that began in 2011. It aims to uplift and motivate Somali women to support Somali women in advocating for their rights. SWSC also does a lot of research and documents the problems that Somali women and girls face daily. 

The SWSC are based in Somalia, but they also have offices in Nairobi Kenya for the Somali women that live there. 

5. Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF)

The Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund first came to work in Somalia during the 2012 presidential election. Their primary focus is women. The WPHF recognizes that women in Somalia have always suffered disproportionality at the hands of Clan fights and extremist groups. With child-bride marriages and female genital mutilation, FGM women have had an unfair beginning to adult life. 

These women-focused charities operating in Somalia are doing substantial work to support and provide for the women that they cater to. The work that is done is reaching women and girls and is allowing them a new chance and opportunity to grow. 

– Sumaya Ali
Photo: Flickr

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Tigray: Two Years Under A De Facto Blockade

De Facto BlockadeWhen Ethiopian citizens elected Abiy Ahmed president of Ethiopia in April 2018, he represented a beacon of hope for Ethiopians, even winning a Nobel Peace Prize in 2019 for resolving conflict at the Eritrean border. However, on December 1, 2019, Ahmed launched The Prosperity Party (PP), attempting to join all the Ethiopian political parties into a single national political party. The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), a leftist and dominating political party in power of Tigray’s regional government, refused to join the PP as they viewed “the formation of the Prosperity Party as a move to end the Federal form of government and introduce unitary government.”

By the start of 2020, the national elections that Ahmed promised experienced indefinite delay. In June, his term as prime minister received an extension without an election, causing backlash from the TPLF for their failure to uphold democracy. Ahmed attacked those suggesting a transitional government should take power. At the same time, elections were delayed due to COVID-19, threatening, “we will be forced to take action against those who attempt to hold fake elections.” Despite this warning, regional elections took place in Tigray in September 2020, where more than 2.7 million Tigrayans voted for the TPLF to represent them as their regional government. 

In November 2020, the TPLF forces launched an assault on a federal military base in Tigray, describing it as a preemptive move against federal forces that were reportedly gearing up to attack from a nearby region. Within hours, Ahmed ordered a military operation against the TPLF, tainting his previous association with peace and igniting the civil war. 

Humanitarian Crisis 

Since the civil war began at the end of 2020, 90% of Tigrayans are in need of aid. Over the last two years, Tigray has been under a de facto blockade as the Ethiopian Government has cut electricity, fuel and telecommunication to the region, even restricting humanitarian assistance. Within only a few months, by Jan 2021, the EU High Representative criticized Ethiopia as they received “consistent reports of ethnic-targeted violence, killings, massive looting, rapes, forceful returns of refugees and possible war crimes.” 

Despite international pressure from the EU and the U.S. Secretary of State, who also accused the government of ethnic cleansing, Ahmed declared total war on the TPLF on July 18, 2021. The conflict, and specifically being under a de facto blockade, continues to deeply impact the lives of Tigrayans as they struggle to operate with no electricity, banks, hospitals, medicine, vaccinations and insecure supplies of food or water. According to the WHO’s Incident Management System and Emergencies Operation team leader Ilham Abdelhai Nour, 89% of Tigrayans are food insecure and almost 30% of those under five years old are acutely malnourished. Not only do these malnourished children need urgent and almost constant care, but diseases such as malaria, measles and acute respiratory tract infections are also on the rise, all while only 3% of health facilities in Tigray are fully functioning. 

The Effects on Health Care Services

As a result, maternal health services have completely collapsed, causing high maternal mortality rates across Tigray as 55% of pregnant and breastfeeding women are severely malnourished and incapable of eating for one, let alone two. Meanwhile, vaccination programs and access to preventative medicine for diseases such as HIV, diabetes and malaria have been stalled, increasing the risk of disease and death. 

Unfortunately, there have been reports of all sides committing war crimes, as the TPLF, Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) and Eritrean Defense Force (EDF) have engaged in sexual violence against women as they participate in gang rapes. The EDF’s crimes have been marked with extreme brutality as they target Tigrayan women, using them as sex slaves. 

Humanitarian Response

The International community has stood by Tigray as they condemn ethnic cleansing and the war crimes committed against civilians. In September 2021, the United States imposed economic sanctions on Ethiopia and Eritrea before providing $313 million in humanitarian assistance in April 2022. This funding helps to deliver emergency food and nutrition for almost 7 million people while rebuilding local health facilities and mobile health teams to combat disease and deliver aid to remote regions. Child protection and psychosocial services for survivors of gender-based violence and those suffering from trauma have also been provided by the U.S. 

Furthermore, in February 2022, the Pan-African Lawyer Union and Legal Action Worldwide filed a complaint to the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights against Ethiopia for mass human rights violations against Tigrayan civilians. They argue Ethiopia is in violation of multiple human rights under the African Charter as they participate in military targeting of civilians and civilian structures, mass murders, sexual violence against women and enforced information blackouts. 

The World Health Organization’s (WHO) Efforts

The World Health Organization (WHO) and its 23 partners are also on the ground, supplying emergency medical support whenever possible while attempting to strengthen prevention and preparation as disease outbreaks continue to rise. Being under a de facto blockade limits humanitarian access into Tigray. Between January and September 2022, WHO and its partners assisted 3 million people with health care services. Finally, the EU Commission dedicated €4 million to support displaced Ethiopians, as by the end of November 2020, 29,000 Ethiopian refugees had already fled to Sudan. 

It is imperative that the international community continues to support the people of Tigray who are struggling to survive under a de facto blockade by demanding an end to the de facto blockade and providing aid whenever possible.

– Alice Isola
Photo: Flickr

The Work of Advocates for International Development 

Advocates for International Development Advocates for International Development (A4ID) believes the right to legal aid is a human right. By inspiring and enabling lawyers to help the fight against global poverty and ensuring legal aid is available for the world’s poorest citizens. By providing training programs for lawyers, A4ID helps lawyers become involved in development issues. It believes that the law is capable of eradicating global poverty, but in many instances, the law also acts as a barrier to sustainable international development. By ensuring everyone, even the world’s poorest citizens, has access to legal support, they can influence policy decisions, support social enterprise and empower local communities.

A4ID supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) that were agreed by 193 countries at the United Nations General Assembly in September 2015. The 17 SDGs include no poverty, zero hunger, quality education and gender equality for all. 

Land Rights in Uganda

A case study that demonstrates the aid that Advocates for International Development provides is called “The Right to Land and Livelihood in Uganda” (October 2016). The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization states that “rural landlessness is often the best predictor of poverty and hunger,” which the fact that 75% of those living on less than $1 a day live in rural areas reflects. By ensuring equal access to land, they can provide livelihoods and economic security and therefore help reduce poverty. 

The Ugandan government has tried to help by issuing more than 25,000 certificates of ownership (CCOs) providing customary landholders evidence of their tenure and land ownership and in 2013 committed to recognizing tenure rights of minorities in ancestral lands. The government’s aim was to reduce land conflicts and improve the financial security of families living in rural Uganda. However, the local conflicts within these rural communities, with issues such as the theft of live cattle, have made it difficult to continue to protect land rights.

Training and Education

A4ID aided Sugur Development Agency (SDA) by facilitating legal assistance from Lawyer Clifford Chance to alleviate the conflicted land rights in the Teso Sub-region of Uganda. Chance analyzed the relevant local and international law on land rights. The SDA used this research in its advocacy, communications material and training to inform the local community about their land rights. This will help protect their livelihoods and economic security and alleviate the poverty in the Teso Sub-region of Uganda. 

Clifford Chance was able to support a local community in Uganda due to the training and education A4ID provides, which can then help inform and uplift those in poverty. By providing local communities with the tools to support themselves and defend their rights, they help break the cycle of poverty. This case study also demonstrates the connection between human, civil and political rights. If the government ensures equitable access to land, it supports the economic growth of the community and ensures equal rights. 

Looking Ahead

Advocates for International Development is a pro bono, nonprofit organization. Its mission is simply to provide a voice for the world’s poorest citizens. With a network of more than 50,000 legal experts and having provided more than £30 million worth of free legal advice for more than 700 development organizations, A4ID plays a critical role in helping the global fight against poverty.  

– Anjini Snape
Photo: Flickr