Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

Snakebite Deaths in India: What You Need To Know

Snakebite Deaths in IndiaWhile venomous snakes pose virtually no risk to humans in the United States (U.S.), there is a global average of 100,000 deaths annually due to venomous snakebites. The vast majority of these fatalities occur in Asia, and estimates suggest that half of them occur in India, a country that is home to more than 60 breeds of venomous snakes, of which 20 can be harmful to humans. With the population increasing, snakebite deaths in India are on the rise, accounting for one in every 250 deaths. Here’s what you need to know.

The Possibly Underreported Statistics 

Most of the statistics available about these snakebite deaths are estimates. In one study of a smaller region, it was found that only 23% of the deaths had occurred at the hospital. Many Indians who suffer snakebites seek traditional healing from local spiritual leaders instead of gaining admission to a hospital, and when they die as a result of the envenomated bite, the cause of death is not correctly recorded. Indians living in poor, rural areas who do seek medical attention may encounter hospitals that lack the proper antivenin (or antivenom) to treat the wound, or doctors unable to identify the snakebite in time, especially if the patient was bitten while asleep.

The Impoverished Are Most at Risk

One reason that snakebite deaths in India have been improperly addressed by the government is that it is seen as a “poor man’s disease” in a society with a rigid class structure. Though much of the population is condensed into large cities like Mumbai and Delhi, 97% of snakebite deaths in India occur in rural areas, often victimizing farmers and even child laborers. Many of these snakebites occur from farmers accidentally stepping on the snakes as they walk through their fields barefoot, or snakes chasing rats into rural homes and becoming trapped and defensive. Many poor families cannot afford the trip to a hospital that actually carries antivenin, causing them to seek ineffectual alternatives that usually lead to death.

Snakebites Are Preventable

There are many easy steps that Indians can take to avoid deadly snakebites. Around 92% of these bites occur when people are walking through fields barefoot and step on a snake they didn’t even see. The Humane Society International location in India is helping to combat this by distributing thick rubber boots to protect against the snakes’ weak fangs. It also provides lights so that anyone walking through dark fields can avoid stepping on dangerous reptiles. Prevention of snakebites during sleep can be accomplished with a net surrounding the bed, which costs very little and is highly effective. On a broader scale, improvement of hospital resources is imperative, as only 3% of properly treated snakebite cases result in fatality. 

While the Indian government requires that available antivenin be administered free of charge, most hospitals, especially in rural areas where snakebites occur, do not have the antivenin on hand or lack doctors with training to identify and administer treatment for snakebites. The Indian Snakebite Initiative is a foundation that focuses on education and legislation aimed at reducing snakebite fatalities and improving prevention and treatment options.

– Cheyenne Astarita
Photo: Wikimedia

The Digital Divide: How Tech Can Bridge the Gap in Latin America

Digital Divide
An estimated 45% of Latin Americans lack access to the internet. Access to technology is a fundamental factor that determines a region’s socioeconomic growth and development. The gap between those with access to digital technologies and those without is a significant challenge in Latin America. This article will delve into ways technology can help bridge the gap. 

The Digital Divide and Human Rights

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for high-speed internet across the globe. While being separated from each other in quarantine, people became even more aware of their need for connection, a feeling that was even deeper for people stuck at home without internet access. 

People who lack access to broadband are disadvantaged socially, politically and economically. Activists around the world can engage in activities that promote policies and programs that address the digital divide. 

Challenges of the Digital Divide

Many Latin American adults are not computer literate. Only around 5% of Latin American and Caribbean students have access to internet technology in the classroom. The disparity between those who have internet access and those who don’t is even greater: 80% of students from wealthy backgrounds have internet access while only 14% of those from impoverished backgrounds have access. Women are also vastly underrepresented in internet and communications technology careers in Latin America. 

Benefits of Bridging the Digital Divide in Latin America

Bridging the digital divide in Latin America could result in the following benefits:

  • Digitalization creates more job opportunities. By giving people more options to choose where they want to work, especially if those jobs include internet technology, work-life balance is improved and the environments in which people work become healthier.
  • Digitalization can automate tasks that may be risky for employees. This helps create a safer workplace.
  • Many businesses in Latin America face barriers to the labor market. Bridging the digital gap can help integrate those businesses into the labor market and help them invest in human capital.
  • Expanding digital technology could create more learning opportunities in Latin America and close education gaps. The internet allows people to learn remotely; this benefits people who may face barriers to receiving in-person education.
  • Providing students with foundation technical skills also solves and prevents socio-economic inequalities. Providing all students with internet technology enables them to keep up with their peers and prevents them from falling behind in the classroom.

Possible Tech Solutions For Bridging The Gap

Latin America can help bridge the digital divide by investing in and expanding broadband infrastructure in underserved areas. Community Wi-Fi networks and improved cellular coverage can bring access to remote regions.

Latin America can also pass public policies that provide opportunities for digital education and skill development. There could also be an investment in training for teachers to help them incorporate digital devices into their classrooms. Governments can leverage technology to provide essential services online such as online payment systems, digital identification and government resources. Tech companies can work on developing cost-effective devices that are suitable for the needs of individuals in developing regions. This includes smartphones with basic internet capabilities and durable hardware that can withstand local conditions.

Conclusion

Latin America’s digital divide is a multifaceted challenge that needs to be addressed via collaboration between governments, the private sector and civil society. Investments in infrastructure and digital literacy can potentially bridge the gap. This will allow Latin American regions with a technological gap to experience the transformative power of technology. Bridging the digital divide could unlock new opportunities for individual advancement and contribute to the economic growth and development of Latin America. Above all, narrowing this gap appears to be necessary for creating a more inclusive and equitable society.

– Joy Loving
Photo: Flickr

How Digital ID Systems Like MOSIP Are Reducing Poverty

Digital ID Systems
The World Bank estimates that globally, approximately 850 million people lack any form of official legal identification. Data indicates that a majority of these people are members of marginalized groups and live primarily in low-income economies like those in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Reasons for lacking an ID include the costs, documentation and geographic distance involved in acquiring it. These issues are even more prevalent for women, minorities and other vulnerable groups.

Without an ID, people struggle to fully participate in the economy and report difficulty in accessing employment, education, government programs and financial services. As such, they can quickly fall into poverty and struggle to escape it without any way of gaining a sizable income. In addition, not all ID systems are equally useful — a good ID must be verifiable and inclusive. However, this situation is quickly changing with the advent of digital ID systems like Modular Open Source Identity Platforms (MOSIP).

Background

Digital ID systems have existed for years, with many governments adopting such ideas to expedite legal identification. For example, the inspiration for MOSIP came from India’s Aadhaar system, which transformed countless lives after its launch in 2009. Millions of Indians began to fully participate in the economy, being able to own bank accounts and make a living for themselves.

By connecting the country’s people in a much more effective way than earlier, Aadhaar helped India develop economically and helped reduce poverty significantly. In a 15-year period closely coinciding with the years since Aadhaar was launched, 415 million people left poverty — while a variety of factors must have contributed to the improvement, the digital ID system undoubtedly played a vital role.

The Creation of MOSIP

But while Aadhaar and similar systems offered hope to the millions of people lacking legal identification, the problem was not solved just yet. The multitude of countries requiring their own IDs could not simply use the existing systems, because they belonged to their respective governments. Because each country’s exact needs varied, they had to choose between creating their own systems from scratch or binding themselves to commercial vendors.

Inspired by Aadhaar, a team from the International Institute of Information Technology Bangalore (IIIT-Bangalore) set out in 2018 to create a digital ID system that any nation could fit to its specific needs. As an open-source system, MOSIP is made so that anyone can use the software and adapt it any way they want. The MOSIP platform serves as the core technology layer to an ID, upon which a system integrator and use case layer is built. Already, nearly 95 million people have taken advantage of MOSIP-based systems, and this number will only continue to grow as more countries start to adopt the platform.

Successes

MOSIP has found success as a flexible and inclusive platform that can be adapted to any country’s needs. This success comes as a result of its modular nature, with each feature being an individual service and its use of open APIs. Without the need to meet business objectives, the IIIT-Bangalore team prioritized privacy and security as well as user feedback while creating the platform. Working with country-specific vendors, MOSIP has helped each of its partner countries develop their digital ID systems, adapting to resolve deployment issues like problems with biometric data and internet connectivity.

As the Modular Open Source Identity Platform grows, it will continue to empower millions of people to escape poverty through educational and financial opportunities. There is still much room to improve, and global collaboration to enhance the technology can help MOSIP expand as quickly as possible. Over the next 10 years, the team hopes to provide more than a billion people with legal identification.

– Namit Agrawal
Photo: Wikipedia Commons

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Addressing Poverty in Nauru: A Domino Effect

Poverty in Nauru
The economic situation of Nauru is unique in many ways. As a Commonwealth country, the small state receives a great amount of foreign aid. In 2021, the World Bank declared Nauru a high-income country. The GDP growth of the country was 3.3% that year, a large increase compared to previous years. For example, in 2017 the GDP growth was -6.5%. Despite this, poverty in Nauru remains prevalent.

Due to its small size, as the smallest Commonwealth State, the country has a limited supply of natural resources. According to the United Nations, one in four civilians live below the poverty line in the country. Nauru has a shorter life expectancy than all other Pacific Islands, which was 64 years as of 2021. The average life expectancy for the region is 74.2 years, so Nauru falls 10 years below the expected levels.

Nauru once possessed a much more positive economic standing. Due to the phosphate extraction industry, the country’s economy was booming during the 1970s and 1980s. The country’s GDP per capita reflects this. In 1972, it was $2,882. Yet, in 1980, it was $5,489. However, this has ravaged almost 80% of the island’s land. This threatens the county’s agriculture, which experts have predicted will only worsen as temperatures increase.

Food Poverty

During the 2021 United Nations Food System Summit, the U.N. highlighted that the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated poverty in Nauru. Food security and nutrition remain focal points regarding poverty in Nauru. In 2021, the United Nations noted that Nauru imports more than 90% of its food. However, these goods have low nutritional value, with high levels of fat and salt.

The 2021 United Nations Food System Summit aimed for all Nauru people to reach food security by 2030. The U.N. plans to implement this by improving the agricultural sector of the country. Rehabilitation of Nauruan land will allow for more nutritious food to be grown within the country. Currently, the country relies on imported goods with low nutritional value.

Health Care

As for food nutrition, Nauru has a high obesity rate. The country has the highest rate of type 2 diabetes globally. According to Diabetes.co.uk, roughly 40% of civilians have the condition. The community page also cites that 71% of the Nauruan population is overweight.

According to UNICEF, anemia is also a cause for concern within the country’s health care system. This condition affects 51% of children under 5 years old. This disproportionately affects women, with 51% of pregnant women and 32% of non-pregnant women having the condition.

This links to a wider issue concerning Nauru health care. The Global Health Security Index ranks Nauru in the last out of 16 Oceanic countries. The country’s health care capacity is below average, ranking 93rd out of 195.

Improving Nauru’s Health Care System

However, Australia is funding projects to strengthen Nauru’s health care system through the Nauru Intergenerational Trust Fund. From 2023 to 2024, Australia has a $25.9 million budget to support this scheme. The Australian Government notes: “We invest in Nauru’s health system to strengthen health preparedness through community-based health clinics and targeted technical assistance whilst addressing infectious disease outbreaks and non-communicable diseases (SDG 3).”

However, this aid extends beyond government bodies. For example, Hesperian Health Guides. a nonprofit founded in the U.S. in 1973, tackles poverty in Nauru by helping “all people take greater control over their health and work to eliminate the underlying causes of poor health.” The nonprofit generates educational health resources and it prides itself in translating these in more than 85 languages.

Currently, a clear cause and effect has resulted in poverty in Nauru. Phosphate mining destroyed Nauran agriculture, contributing to food insecurity in the country. Thus, the population relies on non-nutritional, imported goods. This has heightened obesity rates, which in turn has further strained Nauruan health care. However, due to the small state’s status as a Commonwealth country, Naura has received increased humanitarian aid to tackle this domino effect.

– Bethany Brown
Photo: Flickr

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NGO Mareena Helps Ukrainian Refugees in Slovakia Survive

Ukrainian Refugees in SlovakiaAmid the Ukrainian war displacing millions of civilians, Slovakian NGO members are lining the border and providing necessary care to those left with nothing. Ukrainian refugees in Slovakia can find support from local NGO volunteers, smoothing their transition from war into an entirely new society.

As of May 2023, there are 5.1 million people displaced within Ukraine, and the U.N. recognizes 6.2 million Ukrainian refugees globally. War exacerbates human struggle — heartache and loss run rampant through Ukraine and surrounding states as people fight to survive; yet, one NGO based out of Slovakia continues to provide hope and healing. 

Background on Mareena’s Work

Mareena is an NGO and UNICEF partner that works to make Slovakia a welcoming environment for people of all backgrounds. Acceptance of diversity is (like in most countries) a looming issue in Slovakian society, and Ukrainian refugees in Slovakia are increasingly facing the consequences. 

Over half of Slovakian people view the influx of Ukrainian refugees as burdening Slovakian economics — a view Mareena wants to change. Public opinion surveys report that support for refugee help has slowly decreased as economic struggle continues globally. Yet, Mareena members are banding together to provide a better integration process for people migrating into Slovakia — specifically Ukrainian refugees. They aim to foster an environment that betters locals’ and immigrants’ health and well-being as collaboratively as possible.

More Challenges for Refugees in Slovakia

Of the million Ukrainians that have arrived at the Slovakian border seeking asylum, 100,000 have applied for refugee status in Slovakia. It is a slow process to bring about systemic change that will revitalize positive public opinion. However, NGO Mareena’s front-line action still makes a tangible impact on protecting the people. 

Refugees arriving at the border of another country can often face inhumane treatment, and NGOs like Mareena drive most of the kindness and support on the Slovakian border. Mareena partners with international organizations like UNICEF to advocate long-term help for Ukraine while working first-hand with the people needing immediate help. The Mareena volunteers — many of them women — offer safety and survival resources to refugees at the border, providing a safe and welcoming space amid hardship. 

The U.S. Embassy in Slovakia recognized the women banding together on the border during International Women’s Day, commending their bravery in providing medical assistance and helpful survival information to the refugees. Their recognition noted that one of the Mareena volunteers, Katarina, expressed to the U.S. Embassy in Slovakia that helping people in general, and especially in acculturating into Slovakia, is how she feels “helpful, fulfilled and useful.” 

Final Thoughts

War persists until humanity is stripped from the area. Those caught in the struggle are more often civilians than otherwise, and Mareena recognizes this challenge. With support from volunteers, some international partnerships and donations, Mareena can help provide educational, psychosocial and social inclusion support for Ukrainian refugees in Slovakia. 

Because of Mareena, there is a ray of hope for Ukrainian refugees in Slovakia who have to rebuild their lives from scratch.

– Eden Ambrovich
Photo: Pixabay

Sightsavers Help Eliminate Trachoma in Benin

Trachoma in BeninIn 2018, Sightsavers sought to eliminate trachoma in 14 countries across the African continent. Since then, the humanitarian organization has treated millions of people suffering from this blinding disease while advocating for policy reforms worldwide. It was announced on May 17, 2023, that the disease had officially been eliminated in Benin.

What is Trachoma?

Trachoma is a preventable Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) that can blind people if it is left untreated. It is caused by infection of the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis and spreads through personal contact. It can be easily cured with medical care and antibiotics, but its unrecognized state has made it a public health concern in 42 countries and the leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide. 

Because it has been neglected in the past, it has been responsible for the blindness or visual impairment of about 1.9 million people. People living in endemic areas often get the infection many times. The repetition leads to severe scarring on the eyelid, which causes it to cave in and rub against the surface of the eye. This causes damage to the cornea and can eventually lead to blindness. Once trachoma causes blindness, it is irreversible. In June 2022, 125 million people lived in trachoma-endemic areas and were at great risk of blindness. 

Trachoma is extremely common among impoverished communities. This is not shocking, as the environmental factors associated with its transmission include inadequate access to hygienic supplies, water and satisfactory housing. It is hyperendemic in many of the poorest rural areas of Africa, Central and South America, Asia, Australia and the Middle East, with Africa being the most affected continent. Trachoma greatly reduces the quality of life for people who already live in poverty. 

How Sightsavers Helped Eliminate Trachoma

The official elimination of trachoma would not have been possible without the work of Sightsavers. This humanitarian organization, led by chief executive Dr. Caroline Harper, has treated millions of people while advocating for reform policies around the globe. Here are four ways they made the elimination of trachoma possible. 

  1. Used Geographic Coverage Data. Geographic coverage data by Benin’s National Program for the Prevention of Communicable Diseases (PNLMT) was one of the most useful tools in the implementation of successful trachoma elimination strategies, as it ensured no cases were missed and confirmed success via confirmatory mapping. Baseline trachoma mapping was conducted in 2014–2015 with the support of USAID and Sightsavers. Because of this information, mass drug administration and surgical outreach were targeted toward areas that needed it the most. 
  2. Performed Eyesight Operations. Surgeons were recruited to the Sightsavers team to perform eye operations and stop the onset of blindness. Surgeries are necessary for advanced stages of trachoma, where the eyelid begins to cave in and rub against the surface of the eye. These skilled surgeons from the Sightsavers team have helped administer 8.3 million eyesight operations for people in affected locations.
  3. Fought for the Recognition of NTDs. Since 2018, Sightsavers has become a major player in the fight against NTDs on a global scale. Until recently, NTDs were not recognized by the World Health Organization, allowing them to spread uncontrollably and remain untreated, especially among impoverished populations. 
  4. Inspired Local Leadership and Support Networks. Logistical and financial support for community implementation and technical assistance were necessary for the success of trachoma elimination. Along with the hard work of Sightsavers, it was also necessary to retain good local leadership and reach out to communities infected by the disease. With outreach, 1.5 billion treatments were delivered to those suffering from trachoma. Massive drug distributions helped protect villages from the spread of trachoma and other NTDs. Encouraging environmental improvements and facial cleanliness has also been necessary to stop the spread. 

The Achievements 

In 2023, Benin officially joined six other African countries in their achievement of successfully eliminating trachoma. Due to the work of Sightsavers and other organizations, more than 14 million people across 14 countries are no longer at risk of painfully losing their eyesight.  

The success of Sightsavers and the Accelerate Program has the potential to inspire more collaborators from the water, sanitation and hygiene sectors to support the elimination of trachoma. The TT Tracker smartphone app for widespread drug administration and coverage monitoring used by the organization is now being used by other countries in the successful tracking of diseases other than trachoma. The elimination of trachoma in Benin can inspire the leadership of other countries to take the necessary steps to eliminate trachoma as well. While the organizations involved celebrate their successes, they plan to continue their elimination of trachoma, along with other neglected diseases worldwide. 

– Sophia Holub
Photo: Flickr

How Flash Floods Are Affecting Livestock in Somalia

Floods in Somalia
In May 2023, the city of Beledweyne in central Somalia was flooded. The inhabitants of the city have had to flee due to the city’s inhabitable environment. The riverine flooding originating from the heavy rainfall in the Ethiopian highlands made its way through to the Shabelle River in Beledweyne bursting the banks and instantaneously engulfing the city in water.

The flash flooding hit the homes and livestock in Somalia the hardest. After almost a decade of drought, the extreme inverse has left the city submerged, livestock washed away and more than a quarter million people displaced.

After a decade-long struggle with famines and droughts, the floods in Somalia have been a catalyst fuelling the other simultaneous issues that lay beneath the surface. Following what some have described as the worst flooding of the Shabelle River in the last 30 years the damage that has occurred could take multiple rainy seasons to repair. Not only have the flash floods been a tragic inconvenience for the locals it has also been lethal with at least 50 deaths being recorded from the start of the floods to three weeks post.

Based on calculations that the U.N. humanitarian office made, the floods have affected a little more than 460,000 people and killed 22. With the floods increasing in frequency and magnitude by 2019, 68% of the country had experienced flooding. 

How Have the Floods Affected the Livestock in Somalia?

The livestock and farmland have been the most fatal hit for the rural communities of Beledweyne since it is their main source of livelihood driving the country’s food insecurity further. The reports of hunger have largely affected the most vulnerable. The country’s ongoing 10-year-long struggle with famine as a reaction to the drought has already been a crisis that has taken decades to reverse. With the country slowly getting back onto its feet the extreme temperamental weather and flash flooding has been a kick in the back of the knee setting it back not too far from where it was.

A spokesperson from Save the Children has spoken on the matter saying “This is tragedy upon tragedy. Children and families in these parts of Somalia have been waiting for rains for nearly three years — and when they finally come, they have washed away what little crops and livestock are remaining.”

With most of the meat and milk coming from the cattle, residents rely almost completely on their animals. The flooding has now put an abrupt stop to the use of livestock for food, as the floods have killed most people’s animals. 

The floods have affected not only the crops and livestock in Somalia but also the overall health and well-being of the residents, with the previous drought stripping the soil of its ability to produce and grow healthy and nutritious crops. Without the correct nutrients the diet of young children especially those under the age of 5 is put at risk with many of them suffering from acute malnutrition which can have irreversible consequences for their general health and quality of life. The U.N. has reported that before the flooding 6.5 million inhabitants were facing the end of food insecurity and a staggering 1.8 million children were on the brink of acute malnutrition.

Looking Ahead

Aside from all of the catastrophes, there has been a lot of help deployed to aid with the disaster taking place, with charities like Save the Children who have been working in Somalia since 1951 and have also been providing health care and educational resources providing cash assistance to more than 900 families.

Muslim Hands, which has been working in Somalia since 2011, has also raised funds and assisted in bringing the city back onto steady ground by providing food and water and building emergency shelters to house the residents and bring back some stability. Both charities have made some amazing changes in the country and still do so by actively posting about relief work on their websites and having links where people can donate money and clothing. 

– Sumaya Ali
Photo: Flickr

Efforts to Empower Indigenous Australians

Indigenous Australians“A future where we harness the determination of all Australians, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, to close the gap that lies between us in life expectancy, educational achievement and economic opportunity,” said former Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd in a 2008 speech where he apologized to Australia’s Indigenous people for the human rights abuses committed against them by former governments. In particular, the apology was directed at the “Stolen Generations” of Indigenous Australian children forcibly taken from their families between 1910 and 1970. Despite historical discrimination against Indigenous Australians occurring decades back, the effects persist in their marginalization today. Nevertheless, ongoing efforts seek to empower Indigenous communities and address historical injustices. 

The Marginalization of Indigenous Australians

A 1999 publication of the Australian Bureau of Statistics still rings true today: “As a group, Indigenous people are disadvantaged… several socioeconomic factors” and “these disadvantages place them at greater risk of ill health and reduced well-being.”

Amnesty International argues that “the loss of customary land, discrimination and marginalization has left Indigenous communities with disproportionately high rates for poverty, imprisonment and overall ill-health.”

As per the National Indigenous Australians Agency, life expectancy at birth was around 71.6 years for Indigenous males and 75.6 years for Indigenous females during 2015–2017. There exists a life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, estimated at 8.6 years for males and 7.8 years for females.

Indigenous Australians also face barriers in the area of education. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, in 2021, the school attendance rate of Indigenous students (1 to 10 years old) stood at 79% compared to 92% for non-indigenous students.

Renee Blackman, who owns a health service called Gidgee Healing for Aboriginal communities in northwest Queensland, told the Guardian in 2019 that poverty among the Indigenous is “magnified in remote locations.” Blackman provides health care services to around 7,000 Indigenous Australians in remote communities in these areas.

In rural areas, the lack of opportunities impacts many lives. Discrimination against Indigenous citizens further compounds these challenges. Blackman, a member of the Gubbi Gubbi tribe in South East Queensland, notes that Australian Indigenous people often struggle to afford healthy foods, maintain housing, access necessary medications or travel to regional centers for essential surgeries. These difficulties significantly affect their overall well-being and that of their children. 

“Tackling the social determinants of health is critical to address health inequities, which arise because people with the least social and economic power tend to have the worst health, live in unhealthier environments and have worse access to health care,” The Guardian reports.

Closing the Gap

The government is however taking positive steps to empower Indigenous citizens living in Australia. As 2023 marked the 15th anniversary of the Australian government’s historic apology speech to Australia’s Stolen Generations, the government announced a $492 million plan titled the “Closing the Gap Implementation Plan” to address the food and water insecurity, housing crisis and education limits that the Indigenous community deal with. This funding extends to the rural areas of Australia to support the First Nations peoples there. 

The 2023 Voice to Parliament

The Australian government announced a vote allowing for a greater representation of Indigenous leaders. In 2023, the government cast votes to include a ‘Voice to Parliament,’ titled the ‘2023 Australian Indigenous Voice Referendum.’ 

With a ‘yes’ vote, Indigenous citizens could serve in the Australian Parliament and have equal representation alongside their counterparts. This would provide them with a stronger voice in the governance of Australia, enabling the implementation of strategies to support and preserve Indigenous cultures.

The Guardian reports that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reflected on ‘The Voice’ vote, stating: “Many times when I’ve spoken about this change I’ve asked: ‘If not now, when?’ This is it. October 14 is our time…For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people this has been a marathon. For all of us, it is now a sprint. And across the finish line is a more unified, more reconciled Australia, with greater opportunities for all.”

Yet, on October 14, 2023, the referendum was overturned to a majority of ‘no’ votes. Though financial assistance exists, it does not solve the separation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. The vote itself is still a hopeful step forward to have all Australians on equal footing. In the referendum, 74% in the Northern Territory’s remote areas of electorate Lingiari voted yes. The Tiwi Islands off of the Northern Territory voted 84% in favor of the referendum. 

Moving Forward

The Aboriginal flag was placed permanently upon the Sydney Harbour Bridge in 2022. This is only a recent movement and one that is symbolic of hope for equal representation of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

Australian media outlets like ABC now partake in an acknowledgment to First Nations persons before their television program showings.

By practicing what it preaches and acknowledging through actions and not just words, Australia looks to strengthen its ties and honor the country as a whole. 

– Anastasia Brown
Photo: Flickr

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5 Active NGOs in Afghanistan

NGOs in Afghanistan
Throughout the world, countless nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are battling against abuses such as poverty, changing weather patterns and hunger. In Afghanistan, human rights abuses have been skyrocketing, and homelessness has become the new norm. More than 40% of Afghanistan’s population lives below the poverty line, in desperate need of help. Here are five NGOs Active in Afghanistan that are fighting these pressing issues.

5 NGOs in Afghanistan

  1. Afghan Institute of Learning: The Afghan Institute of Learning (AIL) seeks to equip all vulnerable Afghans, particularly women and children, with the knowledge and abilities to take care of themselves. Through community-based programming, AIL is increasing access to high-quality education and health care, empowering communities to strengthen their populations. The objective is to lay the groundwork for effective health and education systems in Afghanistan that will serve the needs of the population both today and in the future. Through health facilities, educational institutions and training programs, AIL, which was founded by an Afghan woman and is primarily operated by women, reaches thousands of people every year.
  2. Islamic Relief: Dr. Hany El-Banna and a group of students established Islamic Relief in 1984 to address the growing famine in Africa. The organization’s initial endeavor was to help a farm in Sudan, and years later, it started to broaden its reach outside of Africa, providing immediate relief to people in Pakistan, Iraq and finally Afghanistan. Islamic Relief is committed to helping vulnerable people who are in need. It achieves this by raising money for local projects and providing essentials like food and clothing. It has also implemented development initiatives aimed at long-term capacity building for vulnerable populations.
  3. Women for Afghan Women: In order to serve the Afghan immigrant populations in New York, Women for Afghan Women (WAW) originated in 2001. Before introducing comparable programs in Afghanistan, it participated in community outreach initiatives all around the region. It now works to advocate for and empower Afghan women and girls in both the U.S. and Afghanistan. Women for Afghan Women has reached more than 1.6 million women since its founding through various activities and services. Every year in the U.S., on average, more than 8,000 Afghan women receive assistance from their outreach activities. Additionally, it has approximately 800 employees working in Afghanistan to support the execution of its initiatives there.
  4. International Committee of the Red Cross: Henry Dunant established the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in 1863 to offer medical care to combat casualties. Years later, as World War I started to claim more lives, the ICRC increased its humanitarian activities across all of Europe. The organization persisted in offering assistance during World War II and is currently one of the most significant humanitarian organizations in existence. The International Committee of the Red Cross has helped thousands of Afghans since its foundation. For instance, it cared for approximately 50,000 injured patients in 2021. In its physical therapy facilities around the nation, the ICRC helped more than 79,000 patients in the same year. Furthermore, it has increased more than 49,000 people’s access to water.
  5. ActionAid International: Cecil Jackson-Cole established ActionAid International in 1972 to defend the rights of women most impacted by armed conflict, humanitarian crises and natural catastrophes. It started its first projects in Afghanistan in 2002 with the goal of ensuring that kids could go to school and get an education. Since then, the organization has established a number of programs that empower Afghan women and help them assert their rights. ActionAid International opposes social and cultural conventions that marginalize women and expose them to violence or discrimination. Additionally, it has advocacy, strategic and humanitarian programming capabilities to advance gender equality across Afghanistan. The organization provides training and tools to female leaders, empowering them to promote social change in their communities and advancing the rights of vulnerable women. ActionAid International has helped more than 100,000 people in five different Afghan provinces since its founding. For instance, it constructed a well in Afghanistan so that more than 1,000 local students could access safe drinking water.

Making a Difference in Afghanistan

In a country where the most vulnerable people face countless challenges, recognizing NGOs in that are making a real difference appears to be vital. These organizations work tirelessly to provide aid, assistance and support to those who need it most. 

– Jake Marks
Photo: Unsplash

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The IoT Revolution in Water Management in Africa

IoT Revolution
Water, that most vital of resources, is becoming alarmingly scarce across the sweeping landscapes of Africa. According to UNICEF, 418 million individuals are without basic drinking water facilities, 779 million do not have fundamental sanitation amenities — with 208 million still resorting to open defecation — and 839 million are deprived of elementary hygiene services.

Against the backdrop of challenges like prolonged droughts and erratic rainfall patterns due to changing weather patterns, Africa’s water crisis is accentuated. The rising population intensifies the strain on dwindling water sources, while industrial and agricultural pollutants further reduce the supply of clean water. In this context, the deficiencies in Africa’s water management facilities and systems become glaringly magnified. Outdated water supply and drainage systems lead to significant wastage. Coupled with a lack of proper maintenance due to financial constraints, many water facilities experience premature failure. Technologically, Africa lags in water treatment and reuse practices compared to developed nations.

Fortunately, the Internet of Things (IoT), an emerging technology, offers effective solutions to Africa’s water infrastructure challenges. Here is information about the IoT revolution.

Decoding the IoT Revolution

The Internet of Things, at its essence, is about connectivity. It is about everyday objects, from the mundane to the complex, communicating and sharing data. Here is what this means in tangible terms.

  • Smart Water Meters: Picture a household that can track its water consumption as easily as checking a smartphone notification. These meters do not just log water usage; they offer insights, analytics and even suggestions to optimize consumption patterns.
  • Leak Detection Systems: Far from the public eye, millions of liters of water are lost due to leaks in vast pipeline networks. With IoT sensors, these leaks can be detected in real-time, pinpointed to precise locations and rectified, saving invaluable water resources.
  • Water Quality Monitoring: Beyond just quantity, ensuring water’s potability is paramount. Advanced IoT devices can now monitor a plethora of parameters, from pH levels to microbial contaminants, ensuring consistent water quality and alerting authorities to any anomalies.

Where Theory Meets Practice

In Kenya, the technological landscape is witnessing a transformative collaboration between Safaricom, a leading telecommunications company, and the Kenya Water Institute (KEWI). The duo has embarked on deploying a “Smart Water Management System,” leveraging the power of the IoT. This system, set to be integrated at KEWI’s campuses in Nairobi and Kitui, represents a holistic approach to water management.

The core of this system revolves around smart water meters. These sophisticated devices are capable of collecting real-time utility consumption data online. They offer an eagle-eyed monitoring solution that detects water loss and leakage swiftly. Such real-time detection does not just ensure accurate billing but aids in enhancing revenue collection. In an economic context, this system also has the potential to improve operational efficiency, providing a two-fold advantage: cost-saving for institutions and accurate utility bills for consumers.

Safaricom’s Chief Executive Officer, Peter Ndegwa, encapsulates the essence of this initiative, emphasizing the pivotal role of IoT in modern water management. By harnessing IoT, Safaricom aims to redefine the process of water extraction, generation, dissemination and utilization. It is a digital transformation that holds promises of increased efficiency and reduced wastage.

Looking Ahead

The water crisis that Africa faces is undeniably daunting. However, by integrating the power of IoT into water management strategies, there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon. Through the IoT revolution, Africa has a shot at ensuring water security for its teeming millions. In doing so, it does not just quench its physical thirst but also fosters a sustainable future and an enhanced quality of life for its inhabitants.

– Yudi Zhang
Photo: Unsplash