Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

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UNICEF’s Make a Splash! Expands Hygiene Access for 5.6 Million

UNICEF's Make a Splash
Since 2018, UNICEF’s Make a Splash! campaign has sought to expand access to clean water for those who need it most. The partnership with LIXIL has managed to improve sanitation conditions for 5.6 million people in 2022 alone. Here is some information about this campaign and how it is changing the lives of countless people in developing countries.

What is the Make a Splash! Campaign? 

UNICEF’s partnership with LIXIL, a Tokyo-based organization of companies manufacturing plumbing equipment, has proved wildly successful since its initial launch in 2018. The campaign aims to increase the accessibility of clean water in six countries: India, Indonesia, Kenya, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Tanzania. 

The Make a Splash! campaign pursues a number of different avenues to accomplish its goals, including the endorsement of government policies expanding access to clean water, the installation of plumbing fixtures and sanitation training. The partnership is designed to take definitive action toward the World Health Organization’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in access to sanitation services. 

By the Numbers 

In 2022, Make a Splash! provided nearly 3 million people with access to sanitation services and 2.7 million with access to hand-washing facilities. Much of this was accomplished through the installation of SATO equipment, a subsidiary of LIXIL focused on manufacturing accessible hygiene products

Additionally, the program trained more than 300,000 stakeholders on safe and effective sanitation practices. Make a Splash! also improved a number of information systems relating to sanitation and endorsed government policies increasing sanitation access, and strengthening hygiene infrastructure in the long run. 

Long-Term Impacts

The program emphasizes innovation in sanitation technologies, with the goal of increasing sustainability in the hygiene industry. The partnership with LIXIL sets a standard of accessibility and affordability of sanitation products and services, making a large impact not only on the quality of life in these areas but also on the sanitation industry itself. LIXIL has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the campaign, helping to support these endeavors and provide clean and sanitary facilities in some of the world’s poorest countries. 

Why it Matters

UNICEF’s Make a Splash! partnership was founded in order to push the world closer to achieving SDGs for the year 2030. These dramatic efforts are intended to accelerate global attempts to reach these targets in the area of sanitation. The campaign sets an example for companies in the hygiene industry to help push these efforts further toward SDG targets, which are in desperate need of increased attention. 

SDG Targets 6.1 and 6.2 focus on expanding and improving sanitation services around the world. Access to hygienic facilities significantly increases the quality of life in affected areas, including reduced spread of disease, decreased severity of malnutrition and improvements in safety, particularly for young girls. 

The impact of these services is so notable that the World Health Organization (WHO) states that for each dollar invested in increased access to sanitation, $5.50 is returned in productivity, decreased health costs and increased lifespan. 

Conclusion

The results of UNICEF’s Make a Splash! campaign has changed the lives of millions in the world’s poorest regions. Through its partnership with LIXIL, UNICEF has managed to make sustainable improvements in sanitation access and infrastructure for those who need it most. 

– Mary Burke
Photo: Flickr

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Cuba’s Growing Economy and its Effects on Poverty

Cuba’s Growing Economy and its Effects on Poverty
In 2018, Cuba’s economy was slowly increasing at a GDP growth rate of 2.2%, recovering from the economic instability the country was experiencing at the time. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, however, Cuba’s economy regressed significantly as its industries, such as the service industry (which composes 75% of the national GDP), were drastically affected. The effects of the pandemic were further exacerbated as Cuba’s currency was changed to the Cuban Peso in 2021, leading to hyperinflation at an estimated 500%. The outcomes of these events have drawn attention to Cuba’s growing economy and its effects on poverty.

Despite its economic regression, Cuba’s economy has been revitalized ever since 2021. Inflation has reduced from 500% to 39.07% in 2022 and public debt decreased from 151.1% of Cuban GDP in 2021 to 118.9% of Cuban GDP in 2022. This is largely in part due to the Cuban government opening its economy to private businesses, many of which originate from the U.S. As Cuba welcomes private business, the people of Cuba, especially those in poverty, have significantly benefited. 

US Companies Entering Cuba 

One example of how Cuban industries have been impacted by U.S. companies is the Cuban tourism industry. In January 2021, Cuba had 84,000 tourists, down 80% from January 2020. In January of 2023, however, Cuba recorded 246,000 tourists. This surge is mainly due to companies that have sped up Cuban tourism’s economic recovery. One such company is Airbnb. 

A popular characteristic of Cuba for tourists is the Casas Particulares, which are homes of Cuban residents that are shared with tourists. Airbnb rose to prominence in Cuba because it promotes these casas and makes it easier for tourists to locate them. In Airbnb’s first year in Cuba (2015), the company generated business for more than 4,000 Casas Particulares. Airbnb also significantly increased jobs within Cuba’s tourism industry. 

One case study involves Manuel Fortún Manzano, a 29-year-old employed in a construction company at the time of Airbnb’s entry into Cuba. Through Airbnb, Manuel began to offer a tourist experience (known as the “Havana Whisper”) which allowed Manuel to become a full-time tour guide. Manuel represents one of the thousands of people who have benefitted from a job as a result of Airbnb. 

Besides Airbnb, other American corporations, such as Netflix and American Express, have recently entered Cuba and greatly improved various industries. In doing so, the economic improvements have also benefited much of Cuba’s poor. As such, U.S. companies have contributed to Cuba’s growing economy and its effects on poverty reduction. 

How Cuba’s Growing Economy is Decreasing Poverty

  1. Lower Unemployment Rate: In January 2021, Cuba’s unemployment rate reached 3.87%, jumping 2.8% from the previous year. However, since the conclusion of the COVID-19 pandemic and the start of Cuba’s initiative to open its economy, unemployment rates have declined again. As of 2022, Cuba’s unemployment rate decreased by 1.07%. As the unemployment rate continues to decrease, more people will be able to obtain jobs and a stable source of income, thereby decreasing the number of people in poverty.
  2. Hunger & Nutrition: One of the most influential ways Cuba has reduced poverty levels has been through addressing hunger and malnutrition. The Global Hunger Index (GHI) measures the percentage of a country’s population that suffers from hunger on a 0 (best) to 100 scale (worst). Since 2000, Cuba has not had any GHI score surpassing the “very low” threshold, which is a score of 5 or less. Despite a low GHI score, Cuba has had struggles with agricultural production, mainly due to COVID-19. While the Cuban government continues to invest in its weak agricultural output, Cuba has effectively prevented hunger and, therefore, poverty.
  3. GDP Growth: In 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Cuba’s GDP growth rate hit rock bottom at -10.9%. As Cuba began to open its economy to privatization, however, Cuba’s economy rebounded. A year later, in 2021, Cuba’s GDP grew by 1.3%. This trend is very promising because a higher GDP is known to have a direct correlation with lower poverty rates. 

These three trends represent the importance of Cuba’s growing economy and its effects on poverty reduction.

The Future of Cuba

As Cuba embraces privatization, more businesses will seek to enter the market and stimulate Cuba’s declining economy. As the economy rebounds, Cuba’s poverty rates will continue to fall as people are open to more opportunities. As a result, Cuba’s growing economy and its effects on poverty offer a positive glimpse into the country’s future.  

– Manav Yarlagadda
Photo: Unsplash

Income Inequality in the Philippines

Income Inequality in the PhilippinesThe Philippines continues to grapple with the complex challenge of income inequality. Although the nation has made significant strides in poverty reduction and economic development, income inequality in the Philippines, if failed to be addressed, can affect economic stability, hamper social progress and perpetuate intergenerational poverty.

Reducing Income Inequality in the Philippines 

The Gini index measures the extent to which the income distribution among individuals and households strays from a perfectly equal distribution. A Gini index score of zero indicates perfect equality, and a Gini index score of 100 suggests perfect inequality. As of 2021, the Philippines has a Gini index score of 40.7, a significant decline from the country’s index of 47.7 in 2000. 

The World Bank reported that, as of 2018, the Philippines’ middle-class and economically-secure population had increased to nearly 12 million and 44 million people, respectively. 

The percentage of workers with an elementary education or less drastically declined from 52% in 1988 to 25% in 2020. The number of workers with a high school education as well as a college education or above increased by eight percentage points between 1988 and 2020. 

The shift from agricultural work to productive jobs has been more significant among bottom-income earners. The percentage of lowest earners engaging in productive wage work increased by 21 percentage points between 2000 and 2018 — in general, workers engaging in productive wage work only increased by nine percentage points during this time period.

Active efforts to reduce income inequality in the Philippines, such as expanding social assistance coverage to 50% of the poorest quintile by 2018, successfully lowered the poverty incidence by 10% and the depth of poverty by 15%.

Ongoing Challenges 

In a 2022 report by the World Bank, the Philippines ranked 15th out of 63 countries in income inequality. The top 1% of income earners contributed 17% of the national income, while the bottom 50% only captured 14%. Additionally, the nation has one of the highest income inequality rates in East Asia. 

The 2022 World Bank report also highlighted the intergenerational cycle of poverty perpetuating income inequality in the Philippines. Skilled antenatal care (ANC) utilization stands at 69% for families with limited financial resources and lower educational backgrounds, in comparison with the national average of 94%. Similarly, the postnatal care (PNC) rate is 51% among families with limited financial resources and lower educational backgrounds, as opposed to the higher national figure of 86%. The rates of stunting (42%), underweight (27%) and wasting (8%) are markedly elevated in economically disadvantaged households, in stark contrast to the prevalence among wealthier counterparts (11%, 7% and 4%, respectively). 

Age-appropriate vaccinations are 35 percentage points higher for children with college-educated mothers and 17 points higher in the richest quintile. Children of lower-income households face reduced enrollment rates and are less likely to be placed in the age-appropriate grade. Conversely, students from more affluent households can invest more extensively in education, with a per capita expenditure on education more than 22 times that of the poorest households. The limited access to health care, education and opportunities for skill development constrains upward mobility, culminating in the intergenerational transmission of poverty. 

Economic recovery from COVID-19 is uneven. In May 2022, 40% of the poorest quintile divulged income loss compared to 19% of the highest quintile. 51% of the richest quintile reported being fully immunized, but only 12% of the poorest quintile reported being fully immunized. Poor households estimate 68% less effectiveness with remote learning, significantly higher than the national estimate of 50%. Prolonged distance learning could reduce effective schooling by a year, coupled with de-skilling from unemployment, leading to substantial future earnings loss for low-income families. 

Job polarization grows as work changes. From 2016 to 2021, middle-skilled jobs decreased while low and high-skilled jobs rose, potentially deepening income inequality in the Philippines.

Looking at the Future 

Recently, the Philippines announced the AmBisyon Natin 2040 project, which envisions a resilient, prosperous and content country. To ensure improved living standards, secure homes and the absence of poverty and hunger, the goal encompasses economic growth that requires substantial growth in per capita income, broad-based development across sectors and regions and a reduction in income inequality. 

The eradication of poverty and the promotion of health and wellness, quality education and innovation require policies focusing on expanding access to quality health care, education and skills development for vulnerable populations. Strengthening social safety nets, enhancing educational technology for remote learning and promoting employment opportunities in productive sectors can help mitigate the adverse effects of COVID-19. Implementing these measures can help ensure more equitable economic growth for the Philippines. 

– Freya Ngo
Photo: Flickr

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China Global Philanthropy Institute

China Global Philanthropy Institute
One should not overlook China’s presence on the world stage in the 21st century. It is not only its population that is major, but its military and economy are too. With all that power, there are sure to be people who are using it to do good. Thankfully, there are. The China Global Philanthropy Institute (CGPI) is the nation’s first independent institute to focus on philanthropy education. The organization has global connections — wealthy benefactors like Bill Gates and Ray Dalio and educational partners like Harvard University.

About the China Global Philanthropy Institute

Since its founding in 2015, the China Global Philanthropy Institute has been promoting the country’s interest in philanthropy. The goal of looking to the future is realized by focusing on education. The organization offers certificates, scholarships and short-term courses. The teachers are not only from China but from across the Western world. The Institute works with global organizations like the United Nations and the International Union for Conservation of Nature. In 2021, the Institute had more than 6,000 graduates from 31 provinces and 20 countries.

The China Global Philanthropy Institute has four primary educational programs:

  • Executive Management in Philanthropy (EMP) 
  • Global Philanthropy Leaders (GPL) 
  • Global Social Entrepreneurs (GSE)
  • Philanthropy Online Academy (POA) 

About the Programs

Of the four, the EMP program is the one most students begin with. Many come from backgrounds in charitable organizations and nonprofits. It teaches management, theory and social innovation. 

Meanwhile, the GSE program teaches those with experience in business to use their entrepreneurship to help those in poverty. 

One program that has partnered with the CGPI is Harvard University’s Ash Center. The educators are using the global reach to focus on two major projects. The first is a database of China’s philanthropists and recipient organizations. This is followed by researching the current generation of China’s wealthy and looking towards the future. The project will look at other growing economies as well. The school hosts events for interested people to congregate and learn.

About two-thirds of the Institute’s alumni are female, and the philanthropic expenditure exceeds $1 billion. Eighty percent of alumni have focused on poverty alleviation and fighting against the pandemic. One alumna, Liu Xin, was selected as Davos’s Global Outstanding Youth. She wishes to launch her philanthropic efforts at the same time as her financial ones, rather than focusing on gaining wealth first. Another, Hui Ruoqi, was not a businesswoman but a former captain of the Olympic women’s volleyball team, who wishes to go into philanthropy full-time. She is using her training to open athletic schools in underserved communities. 

These are just some of the stories that can give an idea of what the China Global Philanthropy Institute will do in the future.

– Josh Sobchak
Photo: Flickr

How Heat Pumps Can Help the Poor Face Extreme Temperatures

Heat PumpsAnnually, 5 million people die due to exposure to extreme temperatures, encompassing 9.4% of all deaths yearly. While the majority of these deaths are due to exposure to the cold, deaths related to excessive heat are rising. The highest rates of excess deaths, meaning the number of deaths that exceeded the expected number for a given year, related to exposure to both heat and cold occur in less developed regions: from 2000-2019, Eastern Europe faced the highest rate of heat-related deaths, while the highest rate of cold-related deaths in the same period appeared in sub-Saharan Africa. 

It appears that an effective way of preventing these deaths is to utilize heating and cooling technologies such as air conditioning units, furnaces and boilers. Even so, 3 billion people did not have access to modern sources of energy for cooking and heating in 2016, and only 8% of the 2.8 billion people living in the hottest countries in the world have access to air conditioners. 

Researchers expect these numbers to shift in the future, with 5 billion more AC units projected to be sold by 2050 as incomes grow globally and new markets emerge, as is the case in countries like India, Indonesia and Mexico.  

There is, however, a movement slowly rivaling the rise of air conditioning: heat pumps. Heat pumps are devices that can both heat and cool homes and utilize energy that is cleaner, safer and more efficient than traditional methods of heating and cooling. As temperature-related deaths continue to affect millions each year, particularly in developing countries, heat pumps could provide the best solution. 

Sustainability

There are two types of heat pumps: air-to-air heat pumps, which pump outdoor air into a house to raise or lower the temperature, and air-to-water heat pumps, which convert outdoor air into water that is either cooled or heated. Air-to-air heat pumps are cheaper than air-to-water heat pumps and more efficient, although air-to-water heat pumps eliminate the need for a separate hot water system. Electricity often powers both kinds of heat pumps. 

What sets heat pumps apart from AC units is that they are more than 100% more efficient and consume far less electricity than air conditioning, resulting in very low carbon emissions. AC units are responsible for 10% of all electricity consumption, with heat waves often straining the power grid to the point of causing blackouts in several countries. 

Heat pumps can also replace traditional methods of heating when addressing extreme temperatures. For families that still use fuel burning as a source of heating, heat pumps are a valuable resource, as burning solid fuels like wood or coal is hazardous due to the amount of indoor air pollution it causes and is not sustainable as a result of the amount of harvesting and mining it requires. Heat pumps eliminate both of these issues, functioning as a modern source of energy that keeps users safe. For those with furnaces or boilers in their homes, heat pumps still represent an advantage, as they are more efficient in producing heat and do not require oil or gas, which produce a large amount of carbon emissions. As of now, heating systems such as these produce 10% of all carbon emissions. 

There are also heat pumps that run on geothermal or solar power, both renewable forms of energy that produce no carbon emissions. These heat pumps are an even more sustainable option than those powered by electricity, as they do not rely on fossil fuels whatsoever because they do not put any strain on the power grid. 

Potential Roadblocks

Two things to consider when promoting the adoption of heat pumps are that they are often more expensive than traditional heating and cooling technologies and require an existing source of electricity to function, whether that source be renewable or not. Both of these barriers can inhibit the initial adoption of heat pumps. Nevertheless, once installed, these heat pumps quickly become cost-saving devices, reducing energy bills by 2-6% of families’ household incomes yearly. Heat pumps, then, are an answer to energy poverty, making it easier for families to pay their energy bills and receive the amount of heating and cooling they need, not just what they can afford. Electricity and gas prices are also subject to intense volatility, meaning that heat pumps provide more financial security throughout the years. 

Looking Forward

Currently, there are more than 30 countries that offer subsidies for heat pumps, comprising 70% of global heating demand altogether. Electricity tariffs and energy taxes may need to undergo revisions to encourage the purchase of heat pumps over less sustainable options. Obstacles in heat pump installation, such as the lack of trained installers or a suitable infrastructure, would additionally need to be overcome to expand heat pump usage.   

To effectively increase the adoption of heat pumps in the homes of those who need this technology the most, it’s crucial to address the underlying reasons for their limited use in developing countries. Consequently, governments and organizations worldwide may need to advocate for and implement subsidies for heat pumps, alongside tackling the financial challenges faced by low-income families in accessing essential services like heating and cooling. Additionally, there is a need to address the issue of limited electricity access, which still affects 13% of the global population as of 2016. By taking these comprehensive steps, there is hope for achieving progress in making heat pumps more accessible and affordable for those in need.

– Sofia Oliver
Photo: Wikipedia Commons

Disability Rights in the Gambia: A Way Forward?

Disability Rights in The GambiaIn The Gambia, 7.9% of the population (or just over 208,000 people) suffer from some kind of disability or condition that makes everyday life, work and interaction with society difficult. Health care systems in The Gambia have also taken a significant toll due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, meaning that specialist treatment for disabled Gambians has been harder to find. 

Background

Reports have also shown that health insurance coverage in The Gambia is extremely rare, both for those who are disabled and those who aren’t. Those with disabilities find themselves with less coverage than those without. Just 1.8% of disabled people have health insurance provided for them by their employer, and a mere 0.3% of those with disabilities have purchased private health insurance. 

The unemployment rate disproportionately affects disabled Gambians as well, especially young people. Currently, 68% of disabled Gambians between the ages of 15-24 are unemployed, compared to 50% for those who are not disabled, and half of disabled Gambians are also not in education, employment or training, compared to 34% of those without disabilities. 

Without a proper education or career prospects, people living with disabilities in The Gambia are unlikely to fully integrate into society or earn good wages, landing them at further risk of exclusion and poverty. Recently, there have been various developments that may make life easier for those living with disabilities in The Gambia, both from the Gambian government and from private companies. 

The Gunjur Inclusion Project

The Gunjur Inclusion Project (GIP) was formed in The Gambia in 2011 by its parent company, Disability Africa, and focuses specifically on helping children and young people with disabilities in the country. Based in the south-western coastal town of Gunjur, GIP has had a small, yet growing and meaningful impact on the lives of disabled youngsters in the town and across the country. 

The heart of GIP is in its playschemes, a series of activities targeted specifically at children that allow disabled children who have been previously excluded from childhood interactions to enjoy their childhood. These playschemes have been proven to reduce both the mental and physical isolation of disabled children while allowing them to integrate into society and learn essential social skills. They also guarantee that every child involved has a hot meal, reducing the risk of malnutrition among disabled children, a group that is particularly vulnerable. 

The GIP also has initiated its Finding 500 (F500) program, dedicated to locating disabled Gambian children who are isolated at home and supporting the inclusion of these children into GIP playschemes and local schools. With the F500 initiative, the GIP intends to destroy the stigma surrounding disabled children in education and society and has been working with Gambian teachers to better understand how to protect these vulnerable children. 

The Gambian Disability Bill

In August 2021, the most important piece of disability legislation in Gambian history entered into force following over a decade of support. The Persons with Disabilities Bill provides essential health care and social services for disabled people in The Gambia and was greatly welcomed by the Gambia Federation of the Disabled (GFD), whose chairperson praised the bill for allowing disabled Gambians to hold the government accountable where previously they had neglected the disabled community. 

By upholding the rights of disabled people in The Gambia, the act not only promotes the social inclusion of those who had previously felt isolated from wider society but also supports The Gambia’s international commitment to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The law provides the Gambian government with a crucial instrument that can be used for the advancement of disabled people in Gambian society, guaranteeing them the legal right to education, health care and work. 

– Tom Lowe
Photo: Flickr

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Addressing Homelessness Through Architectural Design

Addressing homelessness through architectural design
Around the world, there are an estimated 150 million people homeless. Even more striking, 1.6 billion lack access to safe and secure housing. Exact rates of homelessness are difficult to pin down due to unstandardized definitions. This means that even more people may lack adequate housing than statistics show. Solving homelessness is a complex problem that requires a multi-faceted solution. Many think of building homes as a first measure and, though this can be a viable short-term solution, architecture has a much larger role to play. There are both negative and positive consequences of addressing homelessness through architectural design. 

Architecture That Alienates

Park benches and city sidewalks are commonplace for most. However, for many, these communal spaces are isolating. Over the years, the terms “hostile,” “anti-homeless” and “defensive” architecture have become popular ways to describe architecture intended to prevent homeless populations from using items or spaces. Examples of hostile architecture include benches with multiple armrests or odd shapes and metal or concrete spikes on sidewalks. 

These designs are used to prevent people from sleeping on the structures and many cities employ them as temporary solutions to homelessness. However, there is little evidence that these designs are helpful in the long run. It is actually less expensive to house the homeless. Homelessness is associated with greater health costs that can be reduced with adequate housing. Hostile architecture hides the problem of homelessness rather than addressing its root causes. These structures not only affect homeless populations but can also limit access for the elderly and disabled. In this way, addressing homelessness through architectural design only alienates the homeless from public spaces and makes communities less cohesive, as a whole. 

Anti-Hostile Architecture

Still, architecture has the potential to be more inclusive. RainCity Housing tackles housing issues through a variety of programs. The organization, based in Vancouver, received attention for its bench campaign in which public benches were converted into temporary shelters with expandable roofs to protect sleepers from inclement weather. 

The benches raise awareness against anti-homeless designs and provide temporary shelter for those in need. However, as evidenced by the inclusion of RainCity Housing’s address on the benches, the organization is also focused on more permanent solutions. Among its many programs are overdose prevention sites, peer witnessing programs and supportive housing shelters. 

Across the ocean, the German Ulmer Nest team of designers launched a pilot project of solar-powered sleeping pods. Designed with the cold, winter months in mind, these pods provide a quick place to rest. They are waterproof and lock from the inside. Additionally, a social worker is alerted when the pods are used, allowing for cleaning after the person leaves. The pods are meant to be last-resort options for those who may not have access to shelters; a starting point to get people into real housing. 

Inclusive Interiors

Interior design is not to be overlooked. Poverty and homelessness are strongly associated with mental health issues. Living without stable housing is correlated with greater psychological distress that can affect multiple generations. Research shows that interior designing such as lighting and decorations can have psychological effects. With this in mind, interior spaces can be designed to provide the homeless with a sense of dignity. Poorly designed shelters can exacerbate negative outcomes. Many express discomfort with sleeping in open rooms with groups of strangers and unsanitary conditions drive others away. Shelters should promote a sense of safety, conducive to recovery. This may include calming paint colors and lighting, incorporation of plant life and inclusive layouts. 

Architects Building a Better Future

Chris Hildrey, architect and founder of ProxyAddress, says that “architects have a duty to use their skills to help solve societal problems even if it means thinking beyond designing buildings.” Shelters and emergency housing are useful short-term initiatives. However, architects have the power to contribute to more long-term solutions. 

The “housing first” model focuses on providing stable housing as a first priority. Other models require people to qualify for housing by undergoing mental health programs or proving they can live independently. Housing is dispersed throughout neighborhoods, avoiding the overcrowding often associated with shelters. Results of this model show that it leads to greater retention of housing and reduced health costs. The model started in the United States but has since been implemented in other regions such as Europe where it is supporting homeless women and youth. 

Yasmeen Lari is another architect addressing homelessness through architectural design. The 82-year-old Pakistani architect, who won the 2023 Royal Gold Medal for architecture, champions indigenous building methods to help marginalized populations. Her Barefoot Social Architecture (BASA) philosophy involves displaced people first-hand in the architectural process. It provides training programs to teach people to build sustainable and affordable housing. These skills can be used to gain income, helping communities become self-sustaining. 

Addressing homelessness through architectural design does not stop at building houses. Architects can facilitate the creation of more inclusive private and public spaces while promoting financial independence. 

– Yesenia Aguilera
Photo: Unsplash

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A Closer Look at How Child Rights Are at Risk

Child Rights
Recent studies that UNICEF conducted have found that South Asian children — in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Maldives and Pakistan — are living above the normal high temperatures. These countries are experiencing enduring heatwaves and temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) for more than 83 days in a year, which experts consider “rare, once-a-century events.” UNICEF found that these heat exposures vulnerably impact 76% of South Asian children below the age of 18 in comparison to the rest of the world’s children (32%).

While all children in the region face vulnerability, it’s crucial to highlight that those belonging to the low socioeconomic status are at the greatest risk, which in turn jeopardizes their fundamental rights. The following are four key facts that underscore how child rights are at risk.

4 Facts About How Child Rights are at Risk

  1. Most Vulnerable Group: According to UNICEF, the heat can aggravate children’s lives since their young bodies cannot handle it. However, poor children are at the most risk since they lack access to cooling and water in their homes. Universally, low- and middle-income children who experience inequality and discrimination have their rights backfire on them, compounding the dire impacts they face against these environmental changes.
  2. Health Impacts: With these warm temperatures, children have demonstrated symptoms that may result in heat-related illnesses such as high body temperature, headaches, fainting, dehydration, rapid heartbeat, heat cramps, heat strokes and heat exhaustion. Additionally, UNICEF has found neuro and cardiovascular developmental setbacks in South Asian children. Generally, children classified as low in the socioeconomic spectrum and affected by inequality and discrimination are the most vulnerable due to lack of access to proper health care.
  3. Disrupts Lifestyle: Heatwaves and high temperatures have been shown to impact children’s lifestyles, via education and home. Research has revealed that “every one degree Fahrenheit increase in temperature reduces the amount learned in a school year by 1%.” The heat disrupts children’s ability to learn and concentrate, which leads to “lower levels of achievement during hot school years.” Recent studies of Pakistani children and families show that those living in poverty cannot afford the electricity it takes to cool their homes, as it consumes 30% of their monthly income.
  4. Confronting Hunger: As a result of parents working in the “informal sector,” poor children experience hunger during the summer months. Amnesty International reports that informal sector workers in Pakistan encounter significant difficulties during the extreme heat season. Their daily wage jobs lack predictability and extended breaks, forcing them to find ways to rest without compromising their income. Consequently, they often resort to working at a slower pace and ensuring they stay hydrated. Failing to do so could result in shorter work hours, reduced daily earnings or even the risk of not getting paid at all. With frequent heat waves hitting Bangladesh, families experience power outages in their shops, “wiping out their daily incomes” or reducing them to a minimum that “pushes food further out of reach” for them and their children.

Early Responses

Recent studies have asserted that South Asian countries — such as Pakistan — have responded inadequately toward a heat action plan(s). In light of this, some cities in India have taken action to find solutions. The city of Ahmedabad, India, was one of the first to publish a government-led heatwave action plan in 2013. The plan consisted of implementing cool roofs in the city’s slum communities. In 2017, the program installed 3,000 roofs which successfully “lowered indoor temperatures.” As a result, the city of Ahmedabad launched a cool roof program in 2020 that went on to help more than 15,000 slum homes and 1,000 government buildings. 

Looking Ahead

Child rights are at risk due to rising temperatures. However, innovative technologies and proactive measures are equipping children and families to better adjust and respond to these heat waves.

– Amy Contreras
Photo: Flickr

Rural Finance in Malawi and FARMSE’s Impact

Rural finance in Malawi Malawi, ranked as the fourth poorest country in the world, saw seven in 10 Malawians living below the international poverty line in 2019. Poverty disproportionately affects people in rural communities, 77% of whom are poor, compared to 30% of those living in urban areas. These persistent inequities necessitate comprehensive solutions, one of which is improving rural finance in Malawi. This article describes how the government and private sector are working together to uplift Malawi’s poor with FARMSE, the Financial Access for Rural Markets, Smallholders and Enterprise Development program. 

Rural Finance in Malawi: Why Does It Matter? 

Agriculture accounts for over 25% of Malawi’s total gross domestic product and most rural families rely on farming for their livelihoods. However, climate shocks like floods, droughts and cyclones pose major risks that poor farmers do not have the capital to shoulder. If they are to thrive, enhancing financial literacy, building market readiness and bolstering access to financial services will be imperative. With increased financial know-how and the capacity to work outside of the agricultural sector, many Malawians stand a better chance of breaking poverty’s shackles.

Unfortunately, financial service providers often shy away from rural areas where low population density, limited infrastructure and small average transaction amounts make operating more costly. Many poor Malawians must travel long distances just to open a bank account or apply for a loan, making it impossible to save for a family, never mind a successful business. Therefore, strengthening Malawi’s rural finance infrastructure is key to reducing poverty in the long term. 

What is FARMSE? 

FARMSE is a partnership between the government, private and nonprofit sectors aiming to revive rural finance in Malawi and boost rural households’ livelihoods and resilience. Spanning 2018 to 2025, FARMSE has three strategic branches: graduating ultra-poor households from poverty, strengthening community-based financial organizations and increasing financial service providers’ presence in rural areas.

  • Project 1: Building the Foundation of Poverty Graduation – Financial literacy training is foundational to growing individuals’ money management skills and empowering them to break out of poverty. Collectively, FARMSE’s partner programs have coached almost 20,000 ultra-poor households in personal finance first principles such as setting goals, budgeting and saving sustainably. Many programs go a step further, providing market-relevant skills training and startup capital. This enables ultra-poor individuals to become active participants in their local economies. 
  • Project 2: Community-Based Financial Organizations Paving the Way Forward – Community-Based Financial Organizations (CBFOs) are groups where participants gather their savings to create a pool of funds from which members take loans. They range from small, informal groups of neighbors, to larger, semi-formal institutions with many contributors. In addition to providing capital, CBFOs foster trust by being community-run and encourage a savings culture even amongst unbanked individuals. FARMSE and its partners have committed to opening almost 5,000 new CBFOs and strengthening over 10,000 existing ones before 2025. It estimates that several million rural Malawians will benefit from the lending power of these institutions. However, CBFOs often suffer from high interest rates, weak governance and a limited pool of savings, making them an insufficient overall solution for rural finance in Malawi. Therefore, in Project 3, FARMSE expands the capacity of banks and credit cooperatives to increase rural Malawians’ access to formal financial service providers (FSPs).
  • Project 3: The Role of FSPs – Equitable access to formal financial institutions such as banks and credit cooperatives forms the bedrock of empowerment for poor Malawians. Therefore, FARMSE partners with FSPs to expand their reach into rural, predominantly poor and unbanked regions. For example, after partnering with FARMSE in 2019, NBS Bank committed to opening 50,000 new accounts in remote and rural areas. This is a crucial step forward for poor Malawians who previously had to travel long distances to access basic banking services. At the same time, partner credit cooperatives launched an initiative to connect local CBFOs to more established lenders and help 40,000 enrolled Malawians save more effectively and access microinsurance.

Rural Finance in Malawi Going Forward 

As the world grapples with global socio-political crises and an unpredictable climate, building a robust ecosystem for rural finance in Malawi becomes pivotal for long-term poverty alleviation. FARMSE is at the forefront of this change, addressing the educational and institutional needs of all Malawians. Through financial literacy, inclusive institutions and strategic partnerships, FARMSE is guiding rural communities to the resilient and prosperous future they deserve.

– Faye Crawford
Photo: Flickr

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Passionate Youth Entrepreneurs Drive Fiji’s Sustainable Food Shifts

Fiji’s Sustainable Food Shifts
Fiji, a large archipelago in the South Pacific, has diverse landscapes and climate. Although a nation of complex ecosystems, the island’s food systems suffer to feed its own sustainably. The leading cause of death in Fiji is NCDs, a rising crisis affecting thousands. Furthermore, malnourishment afflicts more than 40% of Fijian children, “a condition caused when children (and adults) don’t eat enough food, don’t eat the right sort of food, or are unable to digest food.” The health of Fijians is at risk as the history of chronic mistreatment of the body stresses the demand for sustainable food systems to cure the nation’s health behaviors. In response, youth-led social entrepreneurship and innovation efforts aim to advocate for Fiji’s sustainable food shifts that promote positive human health needs. 

The participation of the country’s passionate youth emerges in their drive to endorse and build sustainable approaches to deliver fresh, nutritional foods to local communities. Pulling from several studies and journals, the island parents established several programs and initiatives to champion Fiji’s youth to combat NCDs.

Poverty and Food in Fiji

Fiji, a Pacific nation scattered across 300 islands, flourishes with substantial natural resources and accessibility to rich freshwater resources and fertile land to grow crops. However, due to the country’s remote location, Fiji battles with changing weather patterns and disasters that continue to threaten communities and limit Fijians to fresh local foods (fruits, vegetables, fish, etc.).

Despite Fiji’s larger geographic size and favorable growing conditions, “High consumption of energy-dense foods is also considered a contributing factor to the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Fiji..” According to importation data, Fiji’s reliance is low at 22.46%, while exporting figures rest at 60.02%. Although these statistics materialize deceptions that food is accessible, 30% of Fijians live below the basic needs poverty line. This marks 14% of the population as experiencing moderate to severe levels of food insecurity. 

Due to the island’s extreme sensitivity to disastrous natural disasters, higher food prices, seasonality and lifestyle choices, the stability of Fiji’s food system worsens, putting Fijian health at risk.

Pacific Youth Leadership

The message of healthy and sustainable foods and the ability to create them is the information that the young community of Fiji (which makes up more than half the population) needs to learn. Luckily, many people are starting to see these issues and are passionate about animating Fiji’s sustainable food shifts. The Participatory Action Research (PAR) of Talanoa is one example of a group excited to help make a difference in food systems. It is passionate about spreading the word about new ideas to young people to help build the future leaders of these big projects. Alongside this work, it aims to bring back the traditions of Fijian food, rooted in fish, vegetables and other nutritious foods. 

Another group, the Young Entrepreneurs Council, is focused on changing the narrative around food in general. Taking a more psychological approach to the situation and working on education around the relationship between the body and food, rather than only explaining what food is bad for you, a tactic that has proven unsuccessful. Teaching people to love food and understand what healthy food is capable of can have groundbreaking results as opposed to previous methods, which can do the opposite. 

In addition, the 2022-2027 Youth in Agriculture Policy notes young people as crucial agents for positive change, increasing its support in the 2023-2024 budget, supporting the “establishment of sustainable gardens for young people’s health and wellbeing.” 

The Minister explains, “Under this policy, young people will be encouraged and supported through a 4-pronged approach of increasing access to land, finance and markets; improving agricultural education and training; increasing commercial agriculture opportunities and supporting sustainability.” Furthermore, the SDG Fund program, led by UNDP and in partnership with IFAD, envisions young people with employment opportunities in the agriculture sector. These initiatives strengthen public-private partnerships, meeting the needs of education and employment for Fiji’s youth within the agricultural sector, empowering self-sufficiency and local production of healthy food to advocate for resilient food systems.

Fiji’s Future

Overall, the hope is to bring down the rates of non-communicable diseases like diabetes, obesity and heart disease that have hurt the nation. Creating enough food sources locally to provide for the community is vital in bringing these numbers down and decreasing poverty significantly. 

There is great hope that in the future, the children of Fiji will feast on the local fish, fruits and veggies that become so available on the island that the history of health issues is long in the past, but change must start now to invigorate Fiji’s sustainable food shifts. The Ministry sums up the integral participation of young Fijians, “We can create livelihoods without sacrificing our biodiversity. Rather than leave our children a world of lifeless deserts, we can pass on ecosystems that are rich with life and capable of supporting coming generations.”

– Emmalyn Meyer
Photo: Flickr