Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

How Film Can Raise Awareness About Poverty

Film Can Raise Awareness
Although film and poverty do not seem correlated in any capacity, there is a lot of implicit advocacy present in modern-day film-making that many may be unaware of. Pushing social change through film has now become trendy and is something that current film directors and producers are looking to showcase. Films target privileged people and allow them to experience the disadvantages present in the world that they normally would not have to worry about. In turn, this can expand their perspectives on certain issues and hopefully initiate change. 

A modern-day example of this is “Parasite,” a Korean film that came out in 2019 and swept the Oscars by winning all six awards that it received nominations for. This film aimed to highlight the economic disparities that capitalism has caused and the lengths that people will go to in order to survive. This movie increased awareness all over the world for poverty-stricken families and has led many youths to focus on advocating for and resolving this social injustice. Here is how film can raise awareness about poverty.

The Ways Filmmakers Can Raise Awareness About Poverty

There are numerous different techniques that filmmakers use in order to engage audiences and advocate for certain societal issues such as poverty. One of these includes the size and/or angle of the shots they use. A close-up, for example, is able to show the suffering that someone is going through and allow the audience to further empathize with them.

On the other hand, a longer and wider shot is able to show one’s environment and surroundings. For this reason, when showcasing poverty, filmmakers will often start with a close-up of an individual who is suffering and slowly expand the angle focusing on that individual’s surroundings – the cause of the suffering that they are going through. This allows the audience not only to empathize with the certain individual but also to be able to see what has caused them to be in that situation, further raising advocacy and awareness for such causes as poverty.

The Documentary Film Series “Why Poverty?”

“Why Poverty?” is a documentary film series that includes about eight films that are one hour long and 34 short films. The films originate from 28 different countries. The film series aims to raise awareness about poverty and get people around the world thinking and talking about poverty as a major societal issue. The long films explore the structural causes of poverty, such as capitalism and racism, and how to limit their effects on poverty-stricken families. On the other hand, each of the 34 short films provides a glimpse into people’s lives as they deal with poverty and inequality. More than 70 TV networks screened these films in 2012 and now people can screen them for educational purposes and/or purchase them.

Although it seems like film and poverty are topics from two different worlds, this article has shown that they are actually interconnected in several different ways. Through the size and/or angle of the shot, the length of the film, and the target audience, it is clear that modern-day filmmakers use several different techniques in order to showcase and advocate for different social issues such as poverty. How the audience decides to act on these issues is entirely up to them.

– Jennah Kalaaji
Photo: Flickr

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5 Facts About “Sound of Freedom” & Child Trafficking

Sound of Freedom
On July 23, 2023, The Hill reported that “Sound of Freedom” — a film aiming to raise awareness about the global issue of child trafficking — surpassed $100 million in gross revenue at the domestic box office. While the film brought this issue to mainstream audiences, some have criticized it for portraying a sensationalized representation of child trafficking. Here are five facts about “Sound of Freedom” and child trafficking. 

5 Facts About “Sound of Freedom” and Child Trafficking

  1. “Sound of Freedom” is Based on a True Story — The film is based on the life of Tim Ballard, a former agent for the Department of Homeland Security who worked undercover in the U.S. Child Sex Tourism Jump Team. In 2013, Ballard and other former agents left the Department to create an organization — Operation Underground Railroad — that more heavily focused on saving children from child trafficking.
  2. Victims of Child Trafficking Are Often the Victims of People they Know — According to Save the Children, there is a common misconception that strangers traffick victims. Oftentimes, however, this is not the case as children’s friends or family members may traffick them.
  3. Those Living in Poverty Are Most Vulnerable to Child Trafficking — Many have said that poverty is child trafficking. Families living in poverty are oftentimes vulnerable as they lack access to basic necessities such as job opportunities, adequate education and housing. Desperate to make ends meet, these families may be more likely to fall prey to child traffickers who claim they can help them.
  4. The Most Common Form of Child Trafficking is Labor Trafficking — Many children who are trafficking victims end up in child labor. Africa and Asia have very high amounts of child labor with an estimated 72 million and 62 million children entering child labor in each region, respectively.
  5. Child Trafficking Occurs in the United States as Well — While child trafficking is most prevalent in underdeveloped or developing countries and regions, they are not the only countries where child trafficking takes place. In 2021, there were reports of a total of 17,200 child trafficking cases, with the greatest number of cases occurring in Nevada, Mississippi and Florida.

Ongoing Efforts

While “Sound of Freedom” has brought attention to Operation Underground Railroad (OUR), it is not the only organization whose mission is to fight back against child trafficking. Other nonprofit organizations have the same goal. For example, World’s Children is an organization dedicated to creating “a world in which every child has a safe, nurturing place to call home, and a chance to achieve their potential through education.” 

World’s Children currently has an initiative called the Prevention of Child Trafficking Program (PCT) that aims to educate vulnerable populations about how to identify and stop child traffickers as well as working directly with government officials and local authorities to put an end to child trafficking. 

Thus far, PCT has made quite an impact on the communities it’s aimed to help with a total of 130,985 adults and children having been taught about child trafficking prevention, 153 victims being saved from child trafficking and 75 child marriages being terminated. Hopefully, ongoing efforts such as PCT will help put an end to child trafficking globally. 

– Nicole Alexander
Photo: Flickr

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Poverty and Gender-based Violence in Balochistan

Gender-based Violence in Balochistan
Studies by the government of Pakistan and donor agencies estimate poverty incidence in Pakistan using survey data. Over the past decade, these studies consistently show Balochistan as the poorest province, with its poor accounting for 10-11% of the country’s total poor population. Unfortunately, Balochistan is experiencing a challenge with gender-based violence and poverty. Here is information about the correlation between poverty and gender-based violence in Balochistan.

Harmful Customary Practices

Balochistan is full of harmful customs that adversely affect women and violate their rights. These include killings for honor, forced marriages, exchange marriages (where women are traded between tribes to settle disputes) and depriving girls of education. Poverty makes these abuses more likely to happen because it gives women less power and fewer choices.

According to police reports, in February 2022, over two days, three women and two men died in the name of ‘honor’ in the Jaffarabad, Mastung and Hub districts of Balochistan. In Jaffarabad, a man shot his wife and nephew dead. Meanwhile, in Mastung, unknown persons brutally slaughtered a married couple. In Hub, the second husband allegedly murdered his wife, Mah Jan. These honor killings show how common these kinds of crimes are in Balochistan. These unjustified killings are due to poverty, the lack of legal protections for women and traditional harmful beliefs that allow gender-based violence against women in Balochistan. The cases in February 2022 have brought calls for reform and justice to stop such tragic loss in the name of family honor.

Crisis of Missing Persons

The issue of missing persons in Balochistan also disproportionately affects women. Thousands of Baloch men have gone missing, allegedly abducted by security forces. Their grieving wives and mothers have been left in limbo, not knowing if their loved ones are dead or alive. These women, considered ‘half widows,’ face social stigma, economic deprivation, legal problems and severe psychological trauma. The unsolved missing person crisis further terrorizes and disempowers the province’s women. 

Sammi Deen Baloch has been protesting for 13 years since her father disappeared in Balochistan, one of more than 5,000 reported missing persons in the province. After the abduction of Dr. Deen Mohammed Baloch in 2009, 15-year-old Sammi began raising awareness about these enforced disappearances by Pakistan’s security forces. Despite abusive crackdowns on protests, Sammi continues to demand answers and justice for families like hers suffering from indefinite loss. Her brave activism symbolizes the plight of Balochistan’s ‘half widows’ and mothers whose loved ones have vanished, as well as the importance of accountability for the decades-old human rights crisis that has left thousands missing amid the region’s separatist conflict.

The Vital Work of the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons

Organizations like the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons provide affected families with legal aid, counseling and advocacy support. However, endemic poverty makes it difficult for women to pursue justice and healing. Economic dependence and lack of opportunity trap them in anguish and uncertainty.

Affected families formed The Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP) in 2009 to pursue justice for Balochistan’s disappearance. Headquartered in Quetta, VBMP provides free legal assistance to help families file petitions and cases seeking information on missing loved ones. It also offers counseling and mental health support to traumatized families, particularly women and children. VBMP organizes protests, sit-ins and campaigns to highlight enforced disappearances and pressurize authorities. It has district committees across Balochistan to document cases and mobilize families. 

VBMP publishes reports to increase awareness of the crisis locally and internationally. It also assists impoverished families with resources for legal procedures and accessing VBMP hubs. Operating on donations and aid funding, the organization employs legal advocacy, activism, counseling and reporting to support families of the missing in Balochistan in their struggle for truth and justice.

Recommendations for Empowerment

Increasing economic empowerment among women is crucial. Income generation through vocational training, microfinance schemes, handicrafts cooperatives and cash-for-work programs can provide women with financial security. These enable women to avoid forced marriages, escape abuse and sustain themselves while searching for missing family members.

Communities and justice systems should engage to stop seeing women’s rights abuses as acceptable. Protecting women from harm, ensuring their safety through shelters and prosecuting abusers will create an environment where women can exercise their rights and seek justice.

Tackling endemic poverty and socioeconomic empowerment of women has to accompany legal-social reform to alleviate gender-based violence in Balochistan in all its forms. Holistic efforts addressing economic and cultural factors are needed to promote women’s rights, safety and development in Balochistan. 

– Asia Jamil
Photo: Flickr

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5 Ways MSF is Tackling Noma in Nigeria

Noma in Nigeria
Noma, a disfiguring tropical disease in Nigeria, is a preventable and treatable condition that has unfortunately been neglected in impoverished areas in Nigeria. Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has taken significant steps to support noma patients and combat the disease. Here is some information about noma and how MSF is tackling noma in Nigeria.

What is Noma?

Noma is an infectious but non-contagious bacterial disease that affects the face, primarily afflicting children between 2 and 5 years old living in impoverished conditions. Despite available preventions and cures, only up to 15% of affected children survive. Noma spreads rapidly, causing devastating damage to facial tissue and bones. Many survivors of the tropical disease in Nigeria are left with severe facial disfigurements and endure discrimination from their communities. The scars left from noma can lead to growth disturbances and result in functional impairment, making basic functions such as eating and speaking challenging. Here are five ways MSF is addressing noma in Nigeria.

5 Ways MSF is Tackling Noma in Nigeria

  1. Advocating for Global Attention: MSF recognizes the lack of epidemiological data and research on noma due to its neglected status. To address this, MSF, alongside 30 countries, has asked the World Health Organization (WHO) to officially include noma in its list of neglected tropical diseases. This addition would bring much-needed attention from professionals and ensure early symptom recognition and timely intervention. The WHO will likely decide on this matter during one of its biannual meetings in 2023.
  2. Promoting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): The lack of attention that noma receives is a major human rights violation. Noma thrives in regions where poverty deprives families of access to food and medical care. In addition to noma, affected children often struggle with other preventable diseases such as measles and malaria due to a lack of accessible vaccinations. In response, MSF began to fight for the implementation of SDGs to address the underlying causes of noma and improve overall health in affected families and communities.
  3. Conducting Community Outreach Programs: Early detection of noma remains a challenge, with many parents and local healers unaware of the disease’s symptoms until it is too late. MSF has taken a proactive approach by leading numerous outreach programs in Nigerian communities. These initiatives educate parents, health care workers, community members and traditional healers to recognize the early signs of noma. By facilitating early intervention, these programs have been instrumental in preventing deaths and providing simple yet effective treatments like antibiotics, oral hygiene and wound dressing. Thanks to these outreach programs, outreach medical teams identify many patients and send them to Sokoto for treatment.
  4. Training Health Care Professionals: MSF recognizes the need for accurate diagnosis and treatment of noma. In collaboration with the WHO, MSF has trained 740 Nigerian health workers to effectively detect and treat noma. Additionally, the Nigerian Ministry of Health has incorporated noma into the curricula of national and district health schools. On July 28, 2022, the WHO launched a free online interactive noma course that is available to anyone who wants to learn more about the disease.
  5. Providing Free Treatment and Care: MSF, in partnership with the Nigerian Ministry of Health, has been offering free health care and surgeries to noma patients at the Children’s Hospital in Sokoto since 2014. This initiative ensures that financial constraints do not hinder patients’ access to essential medical interventions. The medical teams have provided 1,152 free surgeries to 801 patients, making a significant impact on the lives of those noma affected.

Looking Ahead

Free and accessible health care and SDG action plans have been crucial factors in noma prevention and treatment. MSF and other humanitarian organizations are making a remarkable difference in combating this neglected tropical disease in Nigeria. With ongoing dedication and support, it is possible to work towards a future where noma no longer exists. 

– Sophia Holub
Photo: Flickr

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How the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy is Helping Developing Nations

Common Agricultural Policy
When the European Union was formed, all the countries that joined it collaborated on an extensive, detailed farm policy. The countries enacted this policy, known as the Common Agricultural Policy, in 1962. The policy aimed to create a cohesive market within the EU, where agricultural goods would move freely, and all members would have standardized prices. It also aimed to prioritize products from within the internal market over foreign imports by implementing shared customs tariffs and fostering financial cooperation through joint funding for agricultural initiatives. The European Union has found great success with this policy, especially in its recent efforts to support small rural farmers and implement initiatives that promote sustainable farming practices and resource management.

The implementation of this policy in the European Union has had an exponentially positive impact. However, past versions of the Common Agricultural Policy, which focused solely on domestic initiatives, did not provide assistance to developing nations. Recently, the Common Agricultural Policy has started to yield beneficial effects on developing nations, along with recommendations for modifying this policy to offer even greater assistance to these countries.

Subsidies

Within the framework of the Common Agricultural Policy, the European Union has taken a concrete step to generate positive impacts for developing nations. The step involves the gradual reduction of import barriers to access EU markets. Prior to 2017, the European Union maintained skewed trade policies that exclusively favored its own interests. Subsequently, these subsidies were eliminated to facilitate affordable access to the European Market for developing countries, including those in Africa. This shift is of particular significance as Europe serves as the primary market for numerous crops originating from Africa, such as coffee or peanuts.

A year after removing these subsidies, the European Union conducted a study on the global impact of the Common Agricultural Policy, which led to the conclusion that “In recent years, progress has been observed in better aligning agriculture with international development goals.” It becomes clear that the reduction of barriers for developing countries to enter the European agricultural market benefits both these nations and the global economy. This instance represents merely one example of the barriers the European Union has eliminated. Many more barriers remain in place to ensure the policy’s benefits for European farmers, while also safeguarding developing countries and their populations from exploitation. With achievements like this, further progress can be achieved in enhancing the inclusivity of this policy, promoting international development and simultaneously maintaining a thriving European Union.

Green Practices 

While more indirect, the Common Agricultural Policy is benefiting developing nations through innovations and the adoption of green practices. European farmers receive numerous supports under the policy, but these often come with requirements for implementing green practices. This alignment ensures that initiatives within the Common Agricultural Policy adhere to environmental and climate regulations. Consequently, this arrangement proves advantageous for developing nations. Green farming practices, including those addressing environmental degradation, can be trialed within a supportive platform. Once their efficacy is established, these practices can be replicated in these nations, facilitating sustainable agricultural development.

Pre-Accession Assistance 

Lastly, the Common Agricultural Policy has expanded its assistance to developing nations by offering pre-accession support in the agricultural sector. Strengthening their competitiveness, promoting sustainable practices and enhancing resilience against climate challenges constitute the core objectives of these forms of aid. These measures not only facilitate their prospective membership in the European Union but also enhance their stability and economies. Pre-accession assistance embodies practical international development.

Although these elements may appear modest within the context of the Common Agricultural Policy, the policy itself has progressed significantly from its earlier focus on international development. Nonetheless, substantial room for improvement remains to better serve developing nations, particularly within the agricultural sector. The 2018 study assessing the impact of the Common Agricultural Policy on developing nations underscores this point, pinpointing areas ripe for enhancement. Expanding this policy poses various challenges, yet the initial stride taken by the European Union in acknowledging its responsibility and influence is evident. The Union’s consideration of the study’s recommendations and its deliberation on the optimal approach to their implementation stand as indicative of this recognition. 

– Ada Rose Wagar
Photo: Flickr

Food Systems in Singapore

Food Systems in SingaporeSingapore is a nation known for its breathtaking sights and bustling city life. It is considered to be a high-income country with one of the world’s highest-ranking economies. As of 2017, its gross national income was $54,530 per capita. While poverty may not be the first thing to come to mind when thinking of the small island nation, it remains a social challenge of high importance. Although there is no official poverty line, it has been found that 10% of family homes earn as little as $1,323 a month. In the face of this, innovative food systems in Singapore are helping the poor by granting access to more affordable, locally grown food, as well as a growing new industry for jobs.

Food Security Through Innovation

With limited land for agriculture, Singapore has historically relied on imports, with more than 90% of food coming from various outside sources. However, such a system leaves the country highly vulnerable to disruptions in the supply chain, leading the government to seek alternative solutions that not only secure the nation’s food supply but also greatly benefit the poor.

Some of the newly instituted food systems in Singapore include a vertical growth system, allowing for maximized use of resources within a controlled environment. Another example is the 30 x 30 goal, which aims to produce 30% of food locally by the year 2030. The government is leaving no stone unturned in attempting to fulfill this initiative, investing in cutting-edge technologies like hydroponics and aeroponics that work to optimize production.

Poverty Alleviation and the Job Industry

Ultimately, these food systems in Singapore are working toward the global goal of alleviating poverty. In the case of a supply chain disruption, the poor would likely be affected the most. The Food Bank Singapore found that 10.4% of surveyed households had experienced food insecurity in a 12-month period between 2018 and 2019. By securing the country’s food supply, the government ensures that those in poverty can feel safer knowing that food will continue to be accessible at all times and as affordable as possible.

Low-income individuals can gain skills and knowledge by participating in the urban farming industry and related sectors. For those struggling with poverty, being part of a farming project can provide a sense of purpose, skill development and access to healthy food. Not only can the food initiative provide a wealth of jobs for those who need them most, but it also plants the seeds for a pathway out of poverty through hard work and determination.

Education plays a vital role in sustainable food practices and poverty reduction. Singapore has embraced this by implementing educational programs that raise awareness about nutrition, waste reduction and responsible consumption. By equipping residents with knowledge about healthy food choices and reducing food waste, these programs contribute to healthier and more economically stable communities.

Looking Ahead

By developing sustainable farming initiatives and new food systems in Singapore, the government is creating a sense of social engagement and empowerment for marginalized communities and individuals. Despite its relatively low levels of poverty to start with, Singapore takes the issue seriously, providing an example for the rest of the world — by working to end poverty, it takes another crucial step in the path toward becoming a truly inclusive and equitable society.

– Namit Agrawal
Photo: Unsplash

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How the Russian Invasion Has Impacted Mental Health in Ukraine

Mental Health in Ukraine
According to a UN survey, the biggest concern people in Ukraine have due to the Russian invasion is their mental health. Mental health in Ukraine was already low due to Russia’s previous invasion and the impact of COVID-19. But with the effects of the February 2022 Russian invasion, mental health in Ukraine has only declined further. A reported 70% of the population is experiencing mental health problems due to the war. Here is how the war in Ukraine has affected its people’s mental health. 

Poverty in Ukraine

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has had a significant impact on the country’s economic and social conditions, as well as its general livelihood. The poverty rate in Ukraine increased from 5% to 24.2% in 2022, meaning almost a quarter of Ukrainians were living on less than $2.15 a day These poor living conditions have had a number of effects that have affected mental health in Ukraine. 

Impact of the War

The fallout of the invasion has included:

  • Mass Unemployment — After the invasion in February 2022, many people’s jobs were made redundant. As of November 2022, 2.4 million people were unemployed due to the conflict. This is due to attacks on Ukrainian ports and infrastructure, which severely limits the imports and exports of the country, thus causing the businesses to suffer and forcing them to decrease employees. This has thrust many Ukrainians into poverty.
  • Inflation — Rates of inflation reached 26.6% at the end of 2022, making it difficult for Ukrainian people to access food and other resources. With the rate of unemployment being so high, people do not have the finances to provide for their families regardless of soaring prices. Inflation has put an additional strain on the Ukrainian people.
  • Damaged Buildings and Structures — Hospitals, cultural sites, homes, factories and industrial centers have all been affected. The buildings have either been pillaged of their products or goods or destroyed completely.
  • Refugee Crisis and Displacement — More than 8 million people have fled Ukraine, leaving behind their homes. Others have been involuntarily displaced by Russia.
  • A Decrease in New Jobs — With the high levels of unemployment, as well as the country’s GDP decreasing by 30% since the start of the war, generating new jobs in the aftermath of the war will be difficult, thus placing Ukrainian people’s financial stability into further suspension.
  • Lack of Safety — Perhaps one of the biggest factors impacting mental health in Ukraine is the constant danger and instability. An estimated 9,000 people died during the invasion with a further 16,000 people injured. Russia is constantly threatening further attacks and possible use of nuclear weapons. Living in constant danger like this is a big part of why mental health is so low in Ukraine.

All these effects have impacted the mental health and general well-being of the Ukrainian people in ways detailed in the Heal Ukraine Trauma report. 

Mental Health Concerns

The Heal Ukraine Trauma report from April 2023 stated this about the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: “The invasion has stripped civilians of their sense of identity. Their world was turned upside down overnight, allowing for little preparation and increasing cases of depression, anxiety, and PTSD.” 

The report goes on to detail the main mental health concerns in Ukraine due to the war, including a fear of death, loss of freedom, grief, separation of families, social dislocation, social disruption, forced migration and more.

Further, there are mental health issues in Ukraine due to the war that are specific to certain demographics; for example, women in Ukraine are fearful of gender-based violence such as rape and sexual torture. Many women have reported taking measures to avoid this violence such as constantly staying indoors, which has impacted their mental health significantly. Another example includes mothers and fathers, who may feel pressure to care for their families, taking on the burden of caring for their children and partners both emotionally and physically. 

How Poverty and Mental Health Interact

The widespread increase in poverty due to the invasion is another cause of mental health issues. As mentioned earlier in this article, the poverty rate in Ukraine shot up from 5% to 24.2% due to the war, indicating a serious decline in the country’s situation.

In an interview with The Guardian, a church pastor in charge of giving out free bread to Ukrainian people stated that people who use the service talk about how “hard” it is dealing with the failing economy and how younger people who have lost their jobs will greatly “suffer.” Another resident told the Guardian that she “never imagined we would be living like this. Before the war, we managed everything. It’s very difficult and everyone is suffering the same.” 

What Some are Doing to Help

The BMJ report states that funding is being placed into trauma training in order to help Ukrainian people process their mental health struggles. Upon fleeing from Ukraine to Berlin, Vitalii Panok, the director of Ukraine’s Scientific and Methodological Centre of Applied Psychology and Social Work, gathered 40 different Ukrainian psychologists with assistance from the Psychologische Hochschule to help people in Ukraine deal with trauma from the war. 

– Jess Wilkinson
Photo: Flickr

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USAID Programs in Liberia

USAID Programs in LiberiaSince as early as 1961, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has provided crucial support for the sub-Saharan country of Liberia in key areas such as democracy, human rights and governance, global health, education, economic growth and country development cooperation strategy. Liberia is among the world’s poorest countries, with half of its population living below the global poverty line. USAID is the governmental body primarily responsible for administering developmental assistance and foreign aid on behalf of the United States government. The U.S. is currently the largest bilateral donor in Liberia and is taking a leading role in combating extreme poverty in the region through USAID programs in Liberia. 

The Ebola Crisis 

One of USAID’s most important programs in Liberia in recent years was leading the global effort to combat the outbreak of the Ebola virus in the country in 2014-15. Ebola was particularly devastating in Liberia, with over 10,600 confirmed, or probable, cases during this period and 4,810 deaths. With an overwhelming lack of health care infrastructure, Liberia was unable to tackle the containment of the disease without support from USAID. For Liberia’s poorest, particularly those based in the capital city, Monrovia, Ebola proved a particularly deadly disease, with little support available for those who became infected and little protection from the disease’s rapid spread. 

USAID programs in Liberia worked in partnership with other international organizations, leading a U.S. Government effort to contain the spread of the disease and eventually bring the number of cases down to zero. Contact tracing was implemented in all 15 of Liberia’s counties. In West Point, Monrovia, one of the worst affected areas, an Incident Management System was installed, allowing for rapid diagnosis, treatment and prevention of further spread of the virus.

Since USAID’s involvement in combating Ebola in 2014-15, it has continued to work with the country to ensure that Liberia is not only better prepared for outbreaks of deadly diseases in the future, but is able to implement robust health care infrastructure for all manner of contagious diseases and health issues. Between 2015 and 2021, USAID supported the Government of Liberia’s Investment Plan for Building a Resilient Health System in Liberia.

Other Infectious Diseases

Other infectious diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, neonatal and diarrheal diseases continue to be a major problem for Liberia as some of the leading causes of death, often affecting the country’s poorest the worst. The prevalence of these diseases among Liberia’s poor has been attributed in large part to a lack of access to water sanitation and hygiene (WASH). USAID programs in Liberia have played an important role in supporting high-impact WASH interventions in Liberia. For example, USAID programs in Liberia are providing key support to the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation to provide an improved water supply to 90% of the population of three country capitals in Liberia: Robertsport, Sanniquellie and Voinjama, reaching an estimated 30,000 Liberians. 

Successes

Aid programs in Liberia, such as those provided by USAID, have had other considerable positive impacts on the country and for Liberia’s poor:   

  • Since 1990, infant and child mortality has dropped almost 70%, the highest annual reduction rate in all of Africa, sitting at around 5.4% per annum.
  • The 2022 World Health Organization (WHO) annual report on Liberia noted the “significant achievements towards improving the health and well-being of the people in Liberia”. 
  • Widespread vaccination against the COVID-19 threat, as well as continued efforts to prevent outbreaks of other infectious diseases such as measles, Lassa fever and monkeypox, highlights the growing presence of infrastructure able to combat the rapid spread of infectious diseases and protect Liberia’s citizens. 
  • Dr. Clement Lugala Peter, the WHO representative in Liberia, stated that the country was on the right trajectory towards attaining universal health coverage, whereby all of Liberia’s citizens would have access to essential health services, when and where needed and without financial hardships.

Looking Forward

However, despite significant improvements, there is still much work to be done. Liberia remains among the world’s worst-ranked in terms of maternal mortality rate, due to a lack of family planning services, the frequency of childbearing before the age of 25 (at around 60%) and the low proportion of births attended to by medical professionals. Furthermore, female mortality in general remains high due to the prevalence of female genital cutting, affecting more than two-thirds of Liberia’s women and girls. But with the work being done by American governmental bodies such as USAID and their programs in Liberia, the future for Liberia’s poorest looks much brighter. 

– Eleanor Lomas
Photo: Flickr

Access to Nutrition in India

India’s Lack of Access to Nutrition
India is one of the world’s poorest countries. Because of its weak economy, inadequate food distribution and high poverty rates, most citizens do not have the means to buy healthy foods or have access to nutrition in general. This has caused high rates of stunting, anemia and a high underweight average in Indian citizens. This problem continues to be devastating for several families and is only growing with time. However, there are some efforts in place to improve nutrition in India.

Statistics and Medical Outcomes

According to Business Today, around 37% of all food-insecure people live in India.

Within the country, 40.6% of the population is suffering from acute food insecurity. These statistics have grown within the past few years due to COVID-19 consequences decreasing access to nutrition even more.

The increasing food insecurity has elevated poor mental health conditions including depression, anxiety, poorer cognitive functions and sleep disorders. These situations set many citizens of India up for trouble when they try to perform strong in school and maintain a high work ethic.

The scarcity of nutrition has also created high rates of physical disabilities such as hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, physical frailty, joint/muscle pain and general functional limitations. Having one or more of these conditions decreases the amount of activities and events one is able to undertake.

Although India is ranked second worldwide in farm output, the country is still ranked 101 out of 116 countries suffering from food insecurity. This battle of nutrition is an ongoing and increasing problem. Here are some nonprofits that are helping improve nutrition in India.

Nonprofits

Luckily, the government of India is aware of the decreasing access to nutrition dilemma and has been trying to create new initiatives to eradicate it. Organizations like the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojona (PM-GKAY) have been sending India healthy and hearty foods to have in stock for distribution. PM-GKAY has doubled the monthly foodgrain entitlements to India since the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Other organizations such as the National Nutrition Mission (NNM), the National Food Security Mission and the Zero Hunger Programme are making efforts to eradicate hunger and malnutrition by making sure the government properly administers food enrichment programs.

India lacks a strong mechanism to get nutritious foods out to its less wealthy areas. Because of this, the country suffers from chronic malnutrition causing impediments to physical and mental health throughout the population. Fortunately, organizations and nonprofits are helping to improve nutrition in India. However, efforts must remain high and continue to grow if India wants to see significant change anytime soon.

– Nina Donlin
Photo: Flickr

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An Endemic Resolved: Trachoma in Mali

Trachoma in MaliLocated on the west coast, Mali is one of the largest countries on the continent of Africa. Mali faces extreme poverty, with numbers continuously rising since the COVID-19 pandemic. There are a variety of diseases in Mali that affect much of the population and can often be fatal.  Trachoma is a disease caused by a bacterial infection that affects the eyes and can eventually lead to blindness. When blindness occurs from trachoma, it is irreversible. According to data from 2022, 125 million people live in places with a trachoma endemic and are at severe risk of being exposed to the disease. Trachoma in Mali was a problem for a number of years. Women are twice as likely to suffer from blindness due to trachoma than men.

The disease spreads more in areas with poor sanitation and overpopulation. It is most commonly found in the larger areas of Africa, previously affecting Mali significantly. It is spread from person to person, originating from an infection in the eye. Trachoma in Mali has not been a quickly fixed battle. Data from the 1980s shows the former prevalence of the disease in the country and the dire need for a solution. 

The SAFE Strategy

Adopted by the WHO in 1993, the SAFE strategy helped supply countries with the resources needed to prevent the spread of trachoma. 

SAFE stands for surgery, antibiotics, facial cleanliness and environmental improvements. The strategy aimed to increase the number of surgical operations performed on those infected with trachoma as well as provide antibiotics to entire communities for the benefit of public health. Because of how easily trachoma can be spread, it was essential to promote facial cleanliness and understand that the infection rate is linked to overcrowded living conditions and unsanitary water. The SAFE strategy has been used in many different countries that suffer from a trachoma endemic, and Mali, among other countries, has finally overcome the public health problem. 

Trachoma in Mali

Political violence in Mali made it very difficult for the country to overcome this endemic problem. When the WHO created the SAFE strategy, the program slowly gained trust and developed a partnership with the Malian government. Diseases like trachoma affect the poorest communities and only lead countries to greater poverty rates. 

Trachoma is the first of the WHO’s neglected tropical diseases that Mali has eliminated, and Mali is the sixth country out of 29 in Africa that has successfully eliminated the disease. 

The WHO has several partners including The Carter Center and Sightsavers which all worked together to assist Mali in combating the disease. Through donations and medical training, trachoma is no longer a public health concern in Mali. It is important to note that several different organizations working alongside the WHO and the Malian government worked together to make this happen and improve the health and poverty rates of the people of Mali.

The World Health Organization recognized Mali for overcoming the trachoma endemic. Today, less than 5% of children suffer from inadequate access to antibiotics to treat trachoma, and the presence of trachoma in adults is nearly zero. On April 27, 2023, the World Health Organization announced that trachoma in Mali was no longer considered a public health problem.

– Alesandra Cowardin
Photo: Flickr