Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

Smart Agriculture: Rural Development in Bulgaria

Rural Development in Bulgaria
In a groundbreaking stride towards combating global poverty, Bulgaria is spearheading a transformation in its agricultural landscape by embracing the power of “smart agriculture”. With a vision to uplift rural communities and stimulate economic growth, this innovative rural development in Bulgaria is not only enhancing food production but also providing a potential solution to the global poverty crisis. 

Bulgaria’s Rural Challenge

Rural areas in Bulgaria have long grappled with economic disparities, inadequate infrastructure and a lack of employment opportunities, contributing to the persistence of poverty. It is calculated that nearly a quarter of Bulgaria’s population lives below the national poverty line, highlighting the urgency of effective interventions. 

Enter Smart Agriculture

Smart agriculture, often referred to as “precision agriculture”, involves leveraging cutting-edge technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics to optimize agricultural processes. This approach minimizes resource wastage while maximizing yields, making it an ideal candidate for transforming traditional farming methods. 

With the pace of rural development in Bulgaria, the country is quickly adopting smart agriculture techniques, thanks to collaborations between research institutions and private enterprises. These partnerships are resulting in the development of tailored solutions to address the unique challenges faced by rural communities. 

Key Initiatives and Their Impacts

  • IoT-Enabled Monitoring: Remote monitoring of crop health, soil moisture and weather conditions is becoming commonplace in Bulgaria’s agricultural landscape. IoT devices collect real-time data, allowing farmers to make informed decisions about irrigation, fertilization and pest control. This precision increases the productivity of agricultural production, ultimately leading to higher incomes for farmers. For instance, the company ProDrone Sys22 uses drone technology to monitor up to 2,000 decares of land with time-accurate information on the condition of soils and crops.
  • Data-Driven Decision-Making: AI-driven algorithms analyze the collected data, providing insights into crop growth patterns and predicting potential issues. This proactive approach helps farmers take corrective actions promptly, preventing yield losses and ensuring stable incomes. In 2019, the Bulgarian government released its ‘’Strategy for the digitization of agriculture and rural areas’’ in which AI will be used to control production, protect plants against harmful organisms and reduce administrative burdens for farmers.
  • Diversification Through Vertical Farming: In regions with limited arable land, vertical farming is gaining traction. By utilizing controlled indoor environments, crops can be grown year-round, reducing the impact of seasonal fluctuations and democratizing access to fresh produce. In 2022, vertical farming entered the Bulgarian market with Ultragreens opening their first Green Hub there.

Global Implications

The transformation of Bulgaria’s agricultural sector offers promising insights into alleviating global poverty. The smart agriculture model enhances productivity and efficiency, which other developing nations facing similar challenges can replicate. By sharing expertise and technological know-how, the international community can create a domino effect that uplifts rural communities across the globe. 

Challenges and the Road Ahead

While the benefits of smart agriculture are undeniable, challenges such as digital literacy and equitable access to technology remain. Governments, NGOs and private sector players must collaborate to ensure that these advancements are accessible to all, regardless of their socio-economic background. 

As Bulgaria harnesses the potential of smart agriculture to revitalize its rural communities, the nation takes a significant step toward addressing global poverty. By leveraging technology, data and innovation, rural development in Bulgaria not only improves its own agricultural landscape but also provides a template for other nations to follow suit. As the world stands at a crossroads in the fight against poverty, it is solutions like smart agriculture that offer a glimmer of hope for a brighter, more equitable future. 

– Valentin Lyazov
Photo: Flickr

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U.S.-Pacific Island Partnership Declaration: One Year Later

U.S.-Pacific Island PartnershipIn September 2022, The Biden Administration announced the first U.S.-Pacific Island Partnership Summit. The promise made by the United States government highlights nine key areas to improve relations between the U.S. and Pacific Island nations such as Papua New Guinea and Fiji. 

Among various initiatives, such as addressing climate concerns and enhancing maritime security, a significant focus has been the expanded involvement of USAID in the region. A year following this summit, it’s essential to assess the progress made toward achieving goals and addressing poverty in the area. How has the region advanced in its efforts to combat poverty?

Environmental Protection

With global concerns about climate and environmental changes at an all-time high, the focus on conservation and protection is one of the main pledges to the Pacific Islands. 

In February 2023, USAID gave $1 million to Fijian organizations that work to aid the poorest in society and protect them against natural disasters. 

The main benefactors of these grants are the Live & Learn Environmental Education Fiji group, an organization that builds the resistance of poor communities in the form of food security, biodiversity education and correct sanitary practices. 

A similar campaign was launched in Samoa also. USAID provided an additional $1.5 million to fund Samoan plans, many of which focus on rural communities that do not have accessible means to facilities found in the cities. 

Communities in Vanuatu were devastated by a pair of cyclones in March. Less than a month later, USAID funded a $3.2 million aid program that gave vulnerable citizens shelter, safe water systems and food support to kickstart the agricultural processes again.

The U.S.-Pacific Island Partnership Declaration focused heavily on giving thousands of people the relief they would need due to environmental issues. So far, USAID has delivered on its promise, allowing vulnerable people to be given the support that they desperately need. 

Food Security

As stated, many environmental protection organizations work hard to provide food security for the vulnerable. Grants have been given by USAID to support specific food programs across the Pacific Islands. 

In May 2023, USAID awarded $950,000 to the Adventist Development and Relief Agency in Fiji. The funds were used to incorporate technology into agriculture to increase yields across the most vulnerable communities.

A total of 50 different communities were involved with the project, improving their agricultural independence and education on the best methods for more bountiful, greener growing. 

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), an estimated 3.85 million people in the Pacific Islands live beneath the international poverty line — $1.90 per day. 

Dietary-related Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are high in the Pacific Islands. One-quarter of people in the Pacific Islands deal with a degree of food insecurity, particularly women and children in rural communities. 

Point four of the U.S.-Pacific Island Partnership Summit is to enhance sustainable development in the Pacific. Food security is at the heart of this issue, and programs carried out so far have been successful in granting people suffering from food security greater reassurance. 

Economic Support

One of the most important components of developing nations is creating self-sufficiency through stronger economic conditions. The U.S.-Pacific Island Partnership has worked over the last year to create infrastructure in some of the nations that need it most. 

In May 2023, the U.S. pledged a $23 million grant to Papua New Guinea, with a major focus on resources and economic structure. Earlier, the East Micronesia Cable project progressed further with support from the U.S., Australia and Japan. The plan involves creating a cable link under the Pacific Ocean to connect Micronesia with Kiribati and Nauru. 

The project will not only fund thousands of jobs during its completion but also provide improved communications to rural populations on the islands, increasing societal growth and quality of life across the different nations. 

The Future Is Promising

As promised in its pledge, the U.S. opened a country representative office in Papua New Guinea and a new regional mission in Fiji. These two implementations cover all across the Pacific Islands, allowing USAID to be based directly in these nations to oversee projects and create greater relationships with the people its work is impacting. 

In August 2023, USAID administrator Samantha Power announced further plans to support the Pacific Islands with issues regarding climate, cybersecurity and health care partnerships with the FAO and the World Health Organization (WHO). 

In her keynote speech, Power stated “This new mission here in Fiji, and the new office based in Papua New Guinea, are the next step in the United States’ reinvigorated commitment to the Pacific Islands. It will provide a platform to substantially increase our investments in the salutations that you are advocating for, to build on the process we have made together, and to partner more deeply.”

A year after its initiation, the U.S.-Pacific Island Partnership Declaration offers valuable insights into the region’s poverty outlook. While numerous projects and goals remain to be achieved, the commitment to this pledge endures due to the dedicated efforts of USAID. With sustained growth and emerging opportunities, the future appears more promising for many individuals facing poverty in the Pacific Islands since President Biden made this commitment.

– Oliver Rayner
Photo: Flickr

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ADRA and Their Work in Serbia

ADRA in Serbia

The Impact of COVID-19

On March 15, 2020, Serbia declared a national emergency due to COVID-19. Following the declaration and the decrease in economic activity, the working hours offered in Serbia declined by an estimated 14.8% during the second quarter of 2020. More than 700,000 workers were at immediate risk, including those in wholesale trade, transport services and crop and animal production.

Since the pandemic, Serbia has faced many challenges, including rising energy and food prices, rising inflation and slow trade. Without structural reform, many feel as though there cannot be a boost in productivity. 

The Adventist Development and Relief Agency 

ADRA, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency, has provided counseling and medical checkups for the homeless and displaced in Serbia, as well as transportation to health care institutions and other health care services. During the lockdown, children in Serbia also received tutoring from ADRA teachers, and this continues in 2023, as children in poverty receive education services from ADRA. 

Education

In Serbia, 45% of children will drop out of school once they reach 11 years of age, because of poverty and a lack of support for education. Yearly, ADRA supports 150 students who are a part of socially vulnerable families to enroll in school, advance their education and prevent dropout. ADRA provides links to employers for these students once they leave school.

Homelessness

ADRA estimates there are 5,000 to 15,000 persons who face homelessness in the capital of Serbia. ADRA supports up to 1,000 with mobile showers and laundry, as well as health care and psychological support. The organization works with authorities to ensure the proper implementation of relevant policies and to create new ways to end homelessness. Monthly, ADRA provides 550 hygiene, 350 health care and 450 psychological services to the homeless population in Serbia. 

ADRA trains local police to work with the homeless population. They also issue personal IDs and insurance to the impoverished people of Serbia. Yearly, ADRA lifts 130 homeless people out of their difficult living situations so they are able to restore their social lives and integrate into society.

Current Projects 

In Belgrade, ADRA has assisted in the renovation of a church. This renovation is meant to house a church congregation with some apartments offered to key workers. Currently, the organization is holding classes for Roma refugee children on Sunday mornings to improve their education. This is to help these children get into schools. ARDA runs formal education classes as well as informal ones where children learn about essential life skills and discuss the effects of smoking, drugs and alcohol consumption.

ADRA’s vision is to work with churches in Serbia to provide opportunities to break generational poverty and help victims of economic and political policies. 

– Abigail DiCarlo
Photo: Flickr

The Continuing Humanitarian Crisis in the DRC

Humanitarian Crisis in the DRCThe Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) faces a multitude of intricate challenges, encompassing violence, food scarcity and mass displacement. Currently, the nation is grappling with a significant humanitarian crisis.

The Issues

Since March 2022, an alarming 2.8 million people have been uprooted from their homes in the North and South Kivu and Ituri provinces, underscoring the urgent need for a comprehensive humanitarian response. The situation has escalated to an unprecedented level, resulting in a staggering 6.3 million internally displaced people — the highest number in all of Africa. This crisis, fuelled by rampant violence, is not only tearing families apart but is also pushing communities to the brink of economic ruin. 

One of the most distressing aspects of this crisis is the prevalence of gender-based violence. With 31,000 registered cases, it is imperative to recognize that the true number is likely far higher, as many sexual crimes go unreported due to stigma and fear. The human rights violations that many women and girls endure are a reminder of the urgent need for effective protection mechanisms and access to justice. 

The DRC is also grappling with an alarming food crisis. An estimated 27 million people in the country do not have enough to eat, highlighting the pressing need for immediate intervention. Furthermore, a staggering 72% of the population lives in extreme poverty, making it exceedingly difficult for families to meet their basic needs. The intertwined nature of these challenges requires a multifaceted approach to alleviate suffering and restore hope. 

Support, Assistance and Solutions

The magnitude of this emergency is significant. In an effort to respond to the growing humanitarian needs, a total of £630 million has been raised for the humanitarian response plan as of June 19, 2023. However, despite these considerable efforts, the crisis endures, and its impact continues to escalate.

Change is being championed on a global scale. Initiatives such as providing business skills and training in the most impoverished areas aim to empower individuals to support their families. Climate-smart growing techniques, coupled with the necessary seeds and tools, are helping communities cultivate a balanced diet in their own gardens. Health centers and mobile clinics are being established to treat malnutrition, while the provision of cleaning supplies and clean water aims to prevent the spread of disease. 

These efforts have yielded significant results. In 2020, more than 15,000 individuals experienced positive changes in their lives due to these interventions. While these initiatives are undeniably making a crucial difference, it’s crucial to recognize that the need continues to be substantial. Also, a sustained global commitment is essential to bring lasting change to the millions affected by this ongoing crisis. 

Looking Ahead

The humanitarian situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is characterized by violence, famine and mass displacement, necessitating immediate attention and collective efforts. The significant number of internally displaced people, the prevalence of gender-based violence and the food crisis underscore the urgency of the situation. However, amid these challenges, there are initiatives that aim to provide support, sustenance and medical care. The ongoing trends suggest that it is essential for the international community to work together to address the plight of the people in the DRC and to promote progress through coordinated action and ongoing support.

– Henry Tuppen
Photo: Flickr

Being Poor in Guatemala 

Being Poor in GuatemalaGuatemala, the nation bordering Mexico to the southeast, is home to a population of 17.5 million people, with more than half belonging to indigenous communities. Guatemala is renowned for its temperate climate and breathtaking natural landscapes. However, for many of its residents, the reality of poverty in Guatemala is far from idyllic. Beneath its picturesque exterior, the country grapples with stark wealth disparities, limited access to education and food insecurity.

Poverty in Guatemala

About two-thirds of Guatemalans survive on less than $2 per day. The World Food Programme (WFP), an international humanitarian organization focusing on food assistance for the impoverished, detailed the seriousness of deprivation in the area in its brief on Guatemala. While many Guatemalans experience the hardships of poverty, the country has the largest economy in Central America. This wealth is so unevenly dispersed among the people of Guatemala that 65% of the country’s total wealth belongs to just 1% of Guatemalans. 

Because of this, in its brief on the nation, WFP penned Guatemala as “one of the most unequal countries in Latin America.” The article went on to explain how “poverty affects indigenous people disproportionately” in the country. Unfortunately, 80% of the native Maya people of Guatemala experience food insecurity, malnutrition and lack of education.

Education and Literacy in Rural Guatemala

The country’s literacy rate is about 71% and is closer to 25% in rural Guatemala. The Guatemalan Housing Alliance (GHA), a Guatemala-based nonprofit organization working to aid in the country’s housing crisis, highlights this disparity and the lack of education resources present in the country on its website. For those forced to navigate a life of being poor in Guatemala, access to education is an unfortunate reality: the GHA notes that “public spending on education is only 2.6% of Guatemala’s GDP, the lowest in Latin America.” The GHA goes on to explain that 90% of all rural schools in the country have no books―a fact that exemplifies the scope of this insufficiency in education resources. 

Unfortunately, high poverty rates coupled with this insufficiency have eliminated the luxury of attending school before entering the workforce for many Guatemalans. In fact, the GHA explains that the average child in the Central American country will only attend school for 3.5 years.

Food Insecurity in Guatemala

Nearly 50% of children under the age of 5 in Guatemala have stunted growth. Being poor in Guatemala means limited access to sustenance, with affording the food being only half the battle. National Geographic is a world-renowned scholarly journal founded in 1888. In its article “A Hunger Crisis Forces Guatemalans to Choose: Migration or Death,” the magazine breaks down the combination of poverty and environmental factors working against the hungry in Guatemala. National Geographic goes on to explain how “Years of drought and natural disasters” in Central America have “left millions of people in extreme poverty.” Guatemala is among the most heavily affected areas. 

National Geographic explains how coupled with the high poverty levels in Guatemala, this drought has left the country with the highest malnutrition rate in all of Central America―and the sixth-highest on the planet. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has only worsened food insecurity in the country.

Humanitarian Organizations Providing Aid

Fortunately, humanitarian organizations are working to better the quality of life of the most vulnerable populations of Guatemala. There are benevolent organizations throughout the country working to ease the burden of being poor in Guatemala for all they can help. These organizations provide cash donations to struggling families and have volunteers providing aid in impoverished communities in Guatemala. National Geographic lists Save the Children and UNICEF, to name a couple. With organizations like these working to build up the impoverished in this Central American country, there is hope for the future of Guatemala’s poor.

Save the Children

Save the Children is a humanitarian organization founded more than 100 years ago. Though fully established in the country in 1983, its work in Guatemala began following a debilitating earthquake in 1976. The humanitarian organization’s website describes its work’s focus on “strengthening education, health and nutrition systems, protection systems, children’s governance, and humanitarian response” in the country. Its site’s page on Guatemala goes on to highlight the country’s need for this assistance.

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) prides itself on its work to aid “the most disadvantaged children and adolescents” in a hands-on fashion “before, during and after humanitarian emergencies.” Its annual report on the country in 2022 describes UNICEF’s work repairing 190 schools in Guatemala, as well as its development of  “outreach teams that reach remote areas of the country where the most vulnerable populations live.” These are just a few examples of the invaluable work the organization is doing in the country.

Looking Ahead

While Guatemala may be popular around the world for its beautiful scenery and temperate climate, too many of those who are native to the country experience poverty, lack of education resources and limited access to food. Now, there are humanitarian organizations combatting these very real issues affecting the Central American country’s most vulnerable populations. What these organizations are doing for the impoverished in Guatemala is working to ensure their future is an improvement on the present reality of being poor in Guatemala.

– Rosemary Wright
Photo: Flickr

How Generic Bedaquiline Will Save Thousands of Lives

Generic BedaquilineFollowing recent negotiations between the Johnson & Johnson company and the Stop TB Partnership, generic bedaquiline will become available and affordable to millions of people. Bedaquiline is a crucial medication in treating multidrug-resistant tuberculosis which affects hundreds of thousands of people per year. Johnson & Johnson held a 20-year primary patent on the drug which was set to expire on July 18, 2023. 

Unaffordable Treatment

Hundreds of thousands of people globally contract multi-drug resistant tuberculosis with an estimated 450,000 in 2021 alone. While tuberculosis is relatively treatable, the vast majority of deaths from the disease occur in the global south due to unaffordable treatment pricing. As a result of the Johnson & Johnson patent on bedaquiline, tens of thousands of people were unable to afford life-saving treatment for tuberculosis. 

Despite being largely treatable, thousands of people continued to die from the disease due to this lack of access and affordability. The global south, experiencing higher rates of multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis, was particularly impacted. Despite this, Johnson & Johnson continued to apply for ‘secondary’ patents in countries around the globe. As a result, numerous organizations including Doctors Without Borders (MSF) called upon Johnson & Johnson to withdraw any ‘pending secondary patents’ and not enforce any approved secondary patents ‘for the drug in any country with a high burden of TB.’ If agreed upon, this arrangement could save thousands of lives within a short period.

Successful Negotiations

Following said negotiations between Johnson & Johnson and the Stop TB Partnership, the Global Drug Facility (GDF) was granted the licenses to procure and supply generic versions of bedaquiline to a majority of low or middle-income countries that are most impacted by the disease, including some countries where Johnson & Johnson’s patents remain in effect. However, this agreement is only a ‘partial solution.’ It doesn’t apply across the board and Johnson & Johnson still holds secondary patents in 34 of 49 countries most impacted by tuberculosis. Nevertheless, it could still have a massive impact globally on thousands of people who can afford treatment. 

A Collective Effort

The availability of generic bedaquiline can potentially save thousands of lives. This also highlights the importance of putting pressure on companies and governments to ‘do the right thing.’ Organizations like Doctors Without Borders have been instrumental in persuading Johnson & Johnson to allow cheaper and more accessible tuberculosis treatment to be produced and circulated. It also shows the impact of individuals like popular YouTuber and author John Green who used his influence to spread information about the situation and negotiations, encouraging his followers to contact Johnson & Johnson about their views on a recent YouTube video that was viewed more than 1.3 million times. 

The agreement between Johnson & Johnson and the Stop TB Partnership likely benefited from the involvement of various organizations and individuals who shared their perspectives and advocated for this collaboration. This cooperative effort demonstrates the influence of collective voices in advocating for the interests of many. Consequently, the Johnson & Johnson bedaquiline agreement represents a significant advancement in ensuring accessible and effective care for numerous individuals, showcasing the impact of advocating for the needs of the broader community.

– Jaydin Ruch
Photo: Unsplash

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Child Poverty in Bulgaria

Child Poverty in BulgariaBulgaria is a beautiful country located on the Balkan Peninsula in Southeast Europe, known for its rich history and wonderful beaches bordering the Black Sea. Also known about Bulgaria is that it is one of the poorest countries in Europe. In 2022, food price inflation hit 22%, affecting low-income Bulgarian households disproportionately. Young people are also heavily impacted as the child poverty rate in Bulgaria stands at 22.9%.

While securing equality for Bulgarian children is an ongoing journey, there have been some positive steps in the right direction.

Ongoing Efforts

In 2021, Bulgaria enacted the Bulgaria Child Guarantee National Action Plan (NAP). Specifically, this plan places a strong emphasis on early education. Children whose parents obtain a low level of education are 10 times more likely to be living in poverty — emphasizing the importance of ending a generational lack of access to education.

This plan also touches on the idea of health care aid as a way to help children living in poverty, placing a specific emphasis on children who suffer from disabilities and chronic illnesses. Nutrition is also an issue for underprivileged families, and with the NAP, children are able to receive free lunches and parents are able to receive access to mental health care. The housing strategy supports access to housing for migrant children and emphasizes the importance of providing support for immigrant children’s easy adaptation. Lastly, the NAP placed a focus on the development of foster care systems and aid to young parents. 

Mission Without Borders

Yamur faced financial hardship growing up, as her father had to leave school at a young age to support their family. However, with the assistance of Mission Without Borders’ sponsorship program, Yamur and her family received the financial support they needed to access education.

As a result of this support, Yamur was able to continue her education and pursue her dream of becoming a teacher. Despite the economic challenges her family faced, she did not have to marry at a young age and could focus on working toward her life goals.

By helping children in Bulgaria access education, organizations like Mission Without Borders create opportunities for more success stories like Yamur’s to emerge.

Unbound

Unbound is a program that has invited people from around the world to support each other through sponsorship. By sponsoring a child living in Bulgaria, they have more to provide for their family and moreover are less obligated to spend school time working to provide and more time learning for their future. The beauty of the program is that it does not only sponsor the lives of underprivileged children but also helps to foster friendships between people across the world. When donating, 91.4% of proceeds go directly to the sponsorship program, 3.8% goes to administration and 4.8% goes to fundraising. In 2021, Unbound raised nearly $2 million in support of sponsorship for low-income children and families across the globe.

Looking Ahead

While Bulgaria boasts natural beauty, its children endure hardships. One key avenue for reform is improving access to early education, as breaking the cycle of low-education families is crucial for reducing the risk of poverty. Organizations like Unbound and Mission Without Borders offer vital financial support and opportunities to Bulgarian children, helping bridge the gap and offer brighter prospects.

– Aubrey Acord
Photo: Flickr

Poverty Reduction in Egypt

Poverty Reduction in Egypt 
As of 2019, Egypt is the most populous country in North Africa and the Middle East with a population of more than 99 million. For all intents and purposes, it would appear at first glance that Egypt should not have many challenges regarding poverty by virtue of it being a middle-income country. However, if one takes a closer look, it is obvious that the nation of Egypt has numerous development challenges that have plagued the country for a long while. Poverty in the country is significant, yet there are poverty reduction efforts in Egypt to combat it.

Poverty in Egypt

The poverty rate in Egypt has consistently been high and steadily rising, it has been a long-standing problem for the country. According to un.org, over the course of 2015 to 2018, income poverty saw an increase to 32.5% from 27.8%. In total, this time period saw more than 32 million people fall below the national income poverty line. From 1999 to 2018, there has been a steady increase in the income poverty rate consistently every year. Then, there is the issue of extreme poverty which has risen as well and in 2018 it went up to 6.2% which would mean that the people in this category live with food insecurity and suffer to meet even the most basic of needs.

To put things into perspective, this has been a long-standing problem going back decades for Egypt. In the last two decades, the poverty rate has stubbornly hovered around 20% or higher. The percentage of people who are ‘near poor’ is also high, estimated at 20% which when added up brings the percentage of total poor to 42.6%. Poverty is particularly prevalent in Egypt’s rural areas, with more than 75% of Egypt’s poor located there. This has made attempts at poverty reduction challenging. 

However, one glimmer of hope comes from rural Upper Egypt. According to El Laithy, every region of Egypt from 2015 to 2018 saw an increase in the percentage of those living below the poverty line with the exception of rural Upper Egypt. The region saw a decrease of 4.8, from 56.7 to 51.9. While that region does have the highest percentage of poor Egyptians it still shows progress. Additionally, it is also home to 40% of Egypt’s poor population which means it is a key focus and priority for assistance programs in Egypt. This shows there is an opportunity to build upon that progress. 

Poverty Reduction Strategies 

According to sesric.org, there are four main pillars to the strategy of reducing poverty in Egypt:

  • Economic Development: Increase current earnings
  • Human Development: Increase future earnings
  • Social Safety Nets: Protect vulnerable groups
  • Provision of basic services

This list showcases in broad terms the general strategy for poverty reduction in Egypt. To get into specifics one of the ways in which to help those living in poverty in Egypt is through cash transfers. These cash transfers help the most vulnerable in society such as widows, orphans, the elderly or the disabled for example. Also, this strategy does not carry much cost since it would only constitute 0.1% of GDP and additionally, it only represents a small portion of total subsidies. In fact, Egypt recognizes the benefits of cash transfers and has actually expanded them to cover the employable poor through the New Social Pension Law.

Food Subsidies

Next, there are food subsidies, and they represent a huge part of Egypt’s social safety net. Egypt’s government gives out ration cards and has expanded the coverage of those cards in the wake of rising food prices and poor living standards. Over the time period between 2007 and 2010, there has been an increase in beneficiaries to 63 million from 38.5 million. These ration cards have proven to be a tremendous help to many and have helped numerous vulnerable households. In fact, between 2007 and 2008 they helped to lift 9% of Egyptians out of poverty.

The Social Fund for Development

Another way Egypt has worked to reduce poverty is through the Social Fund for Development (SFD). Its mandate is as follows: 

  • Reduce poverty by supporting community-level initiatives
  • Increase employment opportunities
  • Encourage small enterprise development

As recently as June 29, 2022, Egypt received a $500 million loan to Egypt to help bolster efforts and programs to provide vulnerable households access to bread, strengthen their resilience to food crises and implement additional reforms to both food and security policies. The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors provided this loan. The loan was part of the Emergency Food Security and Resilience Support Project. In addition to the list above, the project will help with the procurement of imported wheat, reduce waste and losses in the wheat supply chain and strengthen Egypt for future crises all of which serve to help more than 31 million Egyptians who live below the poverty line.

Conclusion

So, in conclusion, Egypt has deep and long-standing problems dealing with poverty and its consistent increase over the course of decades, especially in the rural regions of the country. There are a number of strategies and efforts to combat the problem, and they are not perfect. For example, the food subsidy system, while lifting more than 9% of the population out of poverty, is costly, and there can be improvements particularly when it comes to system leakages. Also, the amount of benefit from cash transfers is low. However, these are steps and progress in the right direction towards poverty reduction in Egypt, and they show what is possible to further the goal of reducing poverty in Egypt. The World Bank’s loan is one way in which the world is lending its weight to Egypt’s efforts at poverty reduction.

– Gary Williams
Photo: Flickr

Progress Toward Bettering Mental Health in Chad

Mental Health in Chad
The Republic of Chad takes a unique perspective on mental health and psychological disorders. Many in the country view these conditions as curses, and their consequences can be profound, impacting not only the afflicted individuals but also their families and even entire communities.

In some cases, these beliefs lead to physical interventions in an attempt to address the disorder or, in unfortunate instances, to hide the affected person from view due to the family’s distress over their lack of improvement. For example, others chained a 35-year-old woman to a log for two years due to her mental health troubles after contracting meningitis.

Chad faces significant economic challenges, being one of the poorest nations globally, with approximately 86% of its population living in poverty. The country has also experienced multiple civil wars since gaining independence from France in 1960. As a result, prioritizing a modern and compassionate approach to mental health has not been at the forefront of its agenda.

Despite these challenges, there are efforts within Chad to address mental health issues with greater sensitivity and understanding. Below is an overview of the state of mental health in Chad and initiatives that aim to improve it.

Mental Health Among Refugees

In areas like the Lake Chad province, where communities often have to abandon their belongings and flee due to attacks from Boko Haram or other groups, risks of mental health disorders are larger when combined with the economic exhaustion of the community and what casualties may have been caused by the attacks. Anxiety syndrome and depression are the most common physiological disorders in these communities.

In an attempt to help refugees who have fled to Chad, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, provides psychologists who work in the Lake Chad region. These psychologists have noted that one in four refugees seeking support show signs of depression. Other common reactions include sleep disorders, trauma-related anxiety and severe emotional reactions.

The Goundi Project

In spite of the numerous obstacles in Chad’s way, the country seems to be working toward a more accurate understanding of mental health struggles and what needs to happen to benefit those suffering from such issues.

In 1990, a group of Jesuits founded an integrated health program in Goundi, located in the south of Chad. This health program included a hospital and eight health care centers situated in a 30-kilometer radius, aimed to treat as many people as possible for the lowest price.

The Goundi Project has also been a help to Chad. Established in 2013, The Goundi Project aims to create a gasification system that uses agricultural residual biomass, such as corn cob waste, to generate electricity for the small community. A major goal of The Goundi Project is to get a local hospital and water supply up and running again. The overall goal is to create a gasifier that can be made and operated using materials found in Goundi so the community can operate it on its own.

This project benefits the locals of Goundi in a multitude of ways. They get a firm grasp on technology that they can adapt to their specific needs and situations and change the way that money flows. Before, money would go from the non-governmental organizations to the petroleum companies, but in using their own agriculture to power the gasifier, the money can go straight to Goundi, which would make for a better environment and economy.

The Goundi Project also includes collaboration between those designing the gasifier and the residents of Goundi. By including the local members of the community in corn cob picking and operating and maintaining the gasifier, the community of Goundi is able to make a noticeable difference in its way of life. Furthermore, the Physically Disabled Association of Goundi receives preference when it comes to helping out, in order to make the excluded group feel just as useful.

What UNICEF is Accomplishing

Additionally, in a 2022 study, the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) found that 32,000 children and caregivers were accessing the mental health and psychosocial support that UNICEF provided to them. UNICEF also plans to find solutions to gender-based violence against women, which includes making them more active members of their communities and instilling in them ways to prevent and respond to any risks of gender-based violence (GBV).

The results of that response will go toward prioritizing mental health services, protecting children on a community-wide basis and supporting interventions that focus on children who have escaped from armed groups and are survivors of GBV.

About Cooperazione Internazionale’s Efforts

Additionally, Cooperazione Internazionale (COOPI), with funding from the U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance Office has started projects designed to help the displaced refugee communities who may be struggling with mental health issues without knowing how to overcome them.

COOPI has created awareness-raising sessions that aim to showcase the mental health issues addressing Chad’s population. It is trying to remove the stigma against seeing psychological disorders as curses and it discusses ways services it offers in the community can help with psychological disorders.

Due to the positive word of mouth in response to these activities and sessions, the rate of cases that these health care centers are reporting is rising. September 2018 and September 2019 saw 217 psychological consultations and 571 psychiatric cases from girls, boys, women and men.

Looking Ahead

If this kind of progress continues, Chad will no longer be a country that chains its mentally ill community members to logs and abandons them to the marabou, a traditional healer, when communities no longer know what to do for them. Chad’s lack of legislation on mental health in Chad and inability to provide specialized assistance may not be as detrimental as it once was.

Instead, the Republic of Chad will become a more understanding and intelligent community that knows the risks of mental health and psychological disorders, but will also know how to combat them and make their way of life that much better.

– Dylan Hubbard
Photo: Flickr

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Burna Boy’s History of Charity Work in Nigeria

Burna BoyRenowned Nigerian Afrobeats artist Burna Boy is actively contributing to the betterment of his homeland, Nigeria. In celebration of his 2021 Grammy win for Best Global Music Album with “Twice as Tall,” he generously provided food packages to 300 families in Rivers State, Nigeria.

Burna Boy is committed to addressing Nigeria’s pressing challenges, including extreme poverty and issues of police brutality. He actively supports charitable endeavors, such as the Global Citizen’s Demand Equity campaign based in the United States (U.S.). Additionally, he has established the Project Protect fund, which focuses on assisting protesters wrongfully detained in cases of police brutality. Through these efforts, Burna Boy is making a significant impact on his country and advocating for positive change.

In reference to his charity work, Burna Boy also released his very own 16-minute documentary in December 2022 called “Whiskey” about the pollution and poverty affecting his Nigerian hometown of Port Harcourt that features interviews with locals about how crude oil waste has polluted the city’s water and its negative effects on the health of the local population and is in collaboration with the Nigerian charity Reach Every Available Communal Household (R.E.A.C.H.), which will donate all of its proceeds to help provide the community itself with food, clean water, medication and other necessities in general.

Burna Boy’s Comments on His Documentary

At a screening of the documentary “Whiskey” in December 2022, Burna Boy commented that the run-down way that the Nigerian area of Port Harcourt looks in the film is the same type of environment that people from where he is from live in every day of the year. Additionally, he also stated that he hopes the accompanying song he made for the film, titled “Whiskey,” which centers on the area’s problems with poverty and pollution, helps bring forth change and awareness relating to the area itself and other places around the world that are suffering from extreme poverty in general, such as other parts of Africa and the Caribbean.

Burna Boy’s Thoughts on Police Brutality in Nigeria

In response to the surge in incidents of police brutality in Nigeria in October 2020, which reignited calls for the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigerian police force, Burna Boy conveyed his stance on the matter via Twitter. He asserted that police brutality has been a persistent issue in Nigeria, resulting in harm and loss of life among its citizens. Burna Boy emphasized his commitment to leveraging his platform to advocate for his fellow countrymen, striving to bring about meaningful progress and change within his homeland.

What’s Next?

Burna Boy is still standing up for his country of Nigeria by combating its pollution, immense poverty and police brutality to lead the country down a path of progress.

– Deon Roberts
Photo: Flickr