Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

Addressing the Energy Crisis in South Africa

Energy Crisis In South AfricaThe energy crisis in South Africa materializes as ongoing rolling blackouts, also known as loadshedding, which has led to crippling economic impacts. The energy crisis has resulted in the loss of jobs and disruption to businesses, leading to a diminished economy and reduced investments in South Africa. Relying heavily on imported electricity has made energy distribution expensive, economically unsustainable and unreliable. 

Loadshedding

The government began implementing loadshedding in 2007 in order to prevent total nationwide blackouts and reduce the strain on the national electricity grid. These rolling blackouts still continue today as the energy crisis in South Africa has only worsened. President Cyril Ramaphosa stated in February 2023, “We are therefore declaring a national state of disaster to respond to the electricity crisis and its effect.” Loadshedding refers to the deliberate and controlled process of cutting power for specific periods of time with the aim of conserving energy when the demand for energy exceeds the levels of supply.

Eskom, the current state-owned power company, faces a myriad of challenges that have impacted its operations. The company has liabilities of $26 billion as of February 2022 and relies on outdated infrastructure. Malfunctioning power stations compromise Eskom’s ability to deliver reliable energy supplies. Adding to this, strikes by Eskom workers demanding higher pay exacerbate an already precarious situation.

Government Debt Relief for Eskom

In South Africa, the economy grew 0.4% at the start of 2023; the low rate reflects the impact of the energy crisis on the economy. Crippling power cuts have been a key chess piece in the country’s weak economic performance. However, in February 2023 the government of South Africa vowed to take on the growing debt of Eskom, with a debt relief package of R254 billion over three years. The debt relief will allow the state-owned enterprise to prioritize expanding the national energy grid through renewable energy plants. This is a long-term investment to stabilize the country’s power grid. Though the debt relief will not end the power cuts short term, this commitment will help put South Africa on the path to energy stability and sustainability.

Potential Solutions and Solar Energy

Solutions to the energy crisis are complex and come with extensive challenges. As South Africa heavily depends on coal for power generation, the nation stands as the 12th largest carbon-emitting country, according to Reuters. South Africa is looking to increase its renewable energy capacity, especially through greater reliance on solar energy and is looking to China for technology and equipment in this regard. Reuters reports, “The country has up to 66 gigawatts (GW) of wind and solar projects in the pipeline… more than 5,500 megawatts (MW) out of this would come online by 2026.”

The energy crisis in South Africa has affected the economy and the lives of civilians, plunging many into poverty and debt. Moreover, blackouts impact daily life in several areas and impede productivity. While there is no quick-fix solution to the energy challenges in South Africa, the South African government’s implementation of debt relief for Eskom will reduce the economic strain on Eskom and will allow Eskom to prioritize new infrastructure and increase renewable energy sources. With a more stable electricity grid, South Africa could see poverty declining and the economy growing more significantly.

– April Plenderleith
Photo: Flickr

Tackling Diphtheria in Nigeria

Diphtheria in NigeriaOver 2,000 Nigerian children die every day from curable diseases. In 2023, the African country confirmed over 1,000 cases of one such disease, diphtheria. Amid an outbreak brought on by low vaccination rates and subpar health care access, emergency initiatives provide hope for those who have been diagnosed with this potentially fatal disease. Delve into everything you need to know about diphtheria in Nigeria below. 

Diphtheria in Nigeria: Unraveling the Facts 

Diphtheria is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease passed between hosts via direct contact or respiratory droplets. Its symptoms include a sore throat, difficulty breathing, fever or chills, swollen glands and the presence of a thick, gray membrane on the throat and tonsils.  

Diphtheria is fatal in 5-10% of cases; however, without access to the appropriate antitoxins, it can have a fatality rate of up to 40%. As of August 2023, Nigeria’s outbreak has a fatality rate just below 9%. While this indicates that the outbreak has been more or less controlled, the World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed concern that Nigeria does not possess enough antitoxin to continue battling the disease. 

Those Most Vulnerable: Unimmunized Children

Unimmunized children are at particularly high risk of contracting diphtheria. Indeed, over 70% of Nigeria’s confirmed cases in 2023 affect children between the ages of 2 and 14. Of those afflicted, more than three-quarters had not received diphtheria immunization. This reflects a broader issue of vaccine access, disproportionately affecting low-income families who struggle to afford the time or transportation costs associated with vaccinating their children. As a result, only a third of Nigerian children are fully vaccinated, making those left behind vulnerable to diseases like diphtheria.  

Striving for Change 

In response to the increase of diphtheria in Nigeria, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Nigerian Center for Disease Control are procuring and supplying necessary supplies like masks, hand sanitizer and antibiotics to health care facilities. Additionally, they are prioritizing training health workers and volunteers in preventing the spread of and treating patients diagnosed with the disease. This includes ensuring that there is enough diphtheria antitoxin available to prevent the fatality rate from rising any higher. 

In an effort to curb the long-term effects of diphtheria in Nigeria, these organizations are also transporting vaccines to communities all around the country, hoping to boost the population’s immunity in the short and long term. 

The state of diphtheria in Nigeria reveals the intricate relationship between health and poverty. Because the 2023 outbreak has terrifying consequences for low-income families who cannot access vaccination or treatment for their children, it presents an opportunity to acknowledge and repair the country’s immunization landscape and health system. With attention to the needs of its most vulnerable, it is possible for Nigeria to relegate the grip diphtheria has on its children to its history and create a more resilient future for all.

– Faye Crawford
Photo: Pexels

How Farming Innovations Aid Agriculture in Vanuatu

Agriculture in Vanuatu
The Republic of Vanuatu, a nation mainly composed of 13 major islands in the Pacific Ocean between Australia and Fiji, was established in 1980 following a negotiated independence from joint British and French administrations. The management of and rights to use land — important considering that the archipelago’s economy traditionally includes subsistence farming and cash crop agricultural trades — was a defining element of Vanuatu’s early politics and pro-independence movement. 

Background

Noted for stability and relative success in addressing food security, the Republic of Vanuatu faced hurdles due to natural disasters, in particular an earthquake in 2002 and Cyclone Pam in 2005. These natural disasters have impacted efforts to increase food security and reduce the effects of poverty, such as inadequate infrastructure and access to essential resources. Though Vanuatu generally outperforms other nations with similar geography and wealth, poverty and food security remain ongoing policy challenges where an international presence remains prominent. 

More than 20% of the population experienced food insecurity and 28.5% of children under 5 years old experienced stunting. Additionally, obesity from unhealthy foods and unvaried diets is more widespread, with more than 35% of men and 49% of women overweight. 

Dietary nutrition and diversity hurdles were clear following Cyclone Pam due to the quality of emergency foods distributed; a majority of the aid was composed of packaged noodles, tinned meat and other packaged goods directly associated with hypertension and poor nutritional and health outcomes. Fortunately, there are efforts to improve agriculture in Vanuatu to address challenges regarding food security.

Programs Aid in Strengthening Essential Local Farming 

With more than 75% of the population rural and employed in the agricultural field, efforts to improve the resilience of farmers and the local networks that trade crops have been integral to improving resilience and food security. These market vendors and traders are often key to the local economy, additionally providing economic stability to those in rural areas, where the ability to seek secure employment remains narrow. 

Novel investment in programs intended to bolster both production in agriculture in Vanuatu and the economic infrastructure dependent upon farming has developed new means that have provided the basis for new ways of providing international assistance. These approaches, which the United Nations is currently spearheading, include programs intended to give farmers and market vendors access to funds and education programs to allow the expansion of the number and size of markets, especially rural cooperatives. 

The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Program (SPREP)

This regionally tailored approach is also the source of experimentation to improve resilience in crop growth, with investments from regional development organizations, such as the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Program (SPREP). In 2022, SPREP announced participation in the establishment of the OSCAR system, a computerized system that compiles information related to climate and the effect of climate on crops, which allows for crop management techniques to be adjusted for conditions. 

These programs allow farmers to maximize productivity and are widely accessible, with standardized bulletins issued via radio, television, print and over the Internet. These investments should improve resilience, food supply and diversity, including during natural disasters.  

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

Vanuatu is also pursuing additional international funding to provide direct financial support to informational-gathering initiatives with the Vanuatuan government. In 2022, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization announced a $300,000 partnership with various multinational organizations, including the European Union and the Vanuatu Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry, Fisheries and Bio-Security to fund and develop a comprehensive census on the socioeconomic demographics of those in the agricultural industries and the state of agriculture. 

This and other resources are for use in developing policies and reforms that improve output, food security, the ability to grow farming output and the economic potential of those living outside urban centers. 

Global Implications for Vanuatuan Developments

These innovations and novel approaches to development, which both permit local participation and diverse environments influence the role of aid to reflect the needs and assets, such as Vanuatu’s substantial trading networks of markets, to strengthen the impact of global efforts to enhance food security and reduce economic insecurity. Additionally, methods seeking to improve agricultural yields and novel information-gathering systems have the potential to be utilized elsewhere, including in developed nations, where lessons learned in countries pursuing experimental approaches can be expanded upon. 

– Cormac Sullivan
Photo: Flickr

Combating blindness in Africa

Blindness in AfricaAccording to the International Center for Eye Care Education (ICEE), South Africa, “Africa carries a disproportionate responsibility in terms of blindness and visual impairment.” Despite the fact that Africa makes up roughly 10% of the total population, the WHO estimates that Africa is home to 15.3% of global blindness. 

Eye Diseases Impacting Communities Across Africa

Common eye conditions such as cataracts are raging through African countries, leading to vision deterioration and blindness in some cases. However, some eye diseases, such as onchocerciasis, are regional to certain river valley-based farming communities. Onchocerciasis, also known as “river blindness,” exists mainly in Africa, with 99% of its victims being African. The disease, caused by a parasitic worm transmitted to humans by infected blackfly bites, has been effectively reduced by population-based treatment in other countries around the globe. However, in order to be effective, 80% of a community must partake in mass drug administration (MDA).

Blindness in African Children

A major cause for concern is blindness in African children. According to a study conducted by Gilbert and Foster, “in low-income countries with high under-5 mortality rates, the prevalence [of blindness in children] may be as high as 1.5 per 1,000 children.” To put this into perspective, in higher-income countries, 0.3 per 1,000 children are blind. Blindness erects barriers to education and job prospects. 

Looking Forward

Thanks to advancements in the fields of optometry and technology, 80% of conditions causing sight loss are curable. Therefore, greater access to eye care across the African continent would dramatically decrease the number of adults and children developing vision issues. Not only would increased access to health care have a drastic impact on the quality of many people’s lives, it would also reduce the burden of blindness on the economy. A recent study found that 160.7 million people suffering from vision loss were within the working age bracket. As a result, around $408.5 billion is lost in potential productivity annually. 

In Mali, located in West Africa, where the climate is harsh on crops and clean water is scarce, malnutrition is common. Malnutrition is known to be a cause of cataracts, a disease that causes the clouding of vision. The damage caused by the disease can be improved with a 10-minute surgery; however, with many Malians living in remote communities, access to medical assistance is scarce. Many charities such as “Embrace Relief” facilitate traveling doctors to provide check-ups and surgeries to these communities in need. With the help of donations and willing volunteers, Embrace Relief has delivered 60,000 health checkups and 3,700 cataract surgeries. 

Blindness in Africa is massively exacerbated by the lack of access to appropriate health care. Furthermore, the African economy would see improvement — even if small — if access to eye care were improved across the continent. 

– Christian Vince
Photo: Flickr

Empowering Youth: Vocational Training Centers in Syria

Vocational Training Centers in SyriaThe ongoing conflict in Syria has resulted in numerous challenges, including economic devastation and the displacement of millions. However, amid these trials, vocational training centers are making a significant impact by equipping young Syrians with practical skills that enhance their employability and contribute to the broader goal of reducing global poverty.

The Youth Crisis in Syria

The Syrian conflict, now spanning over a decade, has exacted a heavy toll on the country’s youth. A generation has grown up amid violence and displacement, facing a bleak future marred by lack of education, employment opportunities and prospects for advancement. The youth of Syria bear the brunt of this crisis, with many facing economic vulnerability and the risk of being trapped in a cycle of poverty. 

Empowerment Through Vocational Training Centers

Vocational training centers in Syria have emerged as a transformative solution to the challenges faced by Syrian youth. These centers offer comprehensive training programs in a variety of fields, including carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, computer programming and more. By providing practical skills, these centers enable young Syrians to acquire expertise that is in demand both within and beyond their communities. In 2018 alone, over 3,200 children and adolescents benefitted from a UNICEF-sponsored program. 

One of the key advantages of vocational training centers is their ability to equip youth with skills that directly align with local job markets. As a result, graduates are not only better positioned to secure gainful employment but also contribute to their local economies. This localized approach helps break the cycle of poverty by fostering self-sufficiency and economic stability within communities.

Breaking Down Barriers

These centers do more than just impart skills; they break down barriers that hinder youth empowerment. Many of the young people in Syria have been deprived of traditional education due to conflict. Vocational training offers them an alternative pathway to self-improvement and economic independence. Additionally, these centers often incorporate life skills training, which equips participants with valuable skills such as communication, problem-solving and teamwork — skills that are essential for success in any field.

Furthermore, vocational training centers promote gender equality by welcoming both male and female participants. In a region where gender disparities persist, these centers provide a platform for women to access education and skills training that were once out of reach. By empowering women through vocational training, these centers contribute to a more inclusive society and economy.

Fighting Global Poverty

The impact of vocational training centers in Syria extends beyond its borders. By investing in skills development, these centers indirectly contribute to the fight against global poverty. Equipped with skills that are in demand internationally, graduates of these centers are better positioned to secure jobs not only within Syria but also in neighboring countries and beyond. This reduces the burden on already strained host countries and helps create a more stable economic environment for the region.

Moreover, the concept of vocational training centers can be replicated in other conflict-affected regions or areas with high levels of poverty. The success of these centers serves as a model for how targeted skill development initiatives can lead to self-sufficiency and economic growth, even in the most challenging circumstances. 

– Valentin Lyazov
Photo: Flickr

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Drinking Cup Project Improves Access to Drinking Water in Africa

Drinking Water in AfricaAround the world, there are billions of football (or soccer) fans who are passionate about their team and the sport. One football club, Hannover 96 in Germany, is using that passion to do good with the help of local volunteers. By way of the project “Drinking Cups for Drinking Water,” these football fans are improving access to drinking water in Africa and making a difference in some of the most impoverished regions in the world.

How the Project Works

Hannover 96 is a second-tier football club in the city of Hannover, Germany. On average, around 30,000 fans pour into the Hannover 96 stadium on home match days and with the help of the “Drinking Cups for Drinking Water” project, these football fans are able to help improve water access in Africa while supporting their team.

The project, which is run on matchdays by around a dozen volunteers, works by collecting the cup deposits of fans who buy drinks in the stadium. As is the case in many stadiums, Hannover 96 sells these drinks more expensively but offers some money back for returning the cups to the food stands. Alternatively, Hannover 96 fans can give their cups to volunteers stationed in stalls around the stadium as a donation to the “Drinking Cups for Drinking Water” project.

At the end of the match, all the collected cups are then returned to the food stalls by the volunteers and the collected deposit money is donated to the project’s partner organization, the Global Nature Fund. The Global Nature Fund, a German-based nonprofit, then uses the donated money to fund projects that provide more people with access to drinking water in Africa.

Project Success

Now going into its 15th year, “Drinking Cups for Drinking Water” has enabled football fans to make a real difference in a number of countries. Overall, the Global Nature Fund reports that the deposit donations have created better clean water access for 125,000 people in the Ivory Coast, Senegal, South Africa, Malawi and Kenya. This is the result of local projects led by the Global Nature Fund, improving and building wells. These initiatives to provide improved access to drinking water in Africa are significant as the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health reported that in 2020, more than 50% of people who lacked access to safe drinking water resided in Africa.

In Malawi, for example, funds from the charitable project enabled the creation of three clean water wells at local schools. Given that UNICEF estimates that more than 30% of Malawians do not have access to safe drinking water, improving access to water in the country is an immediate priority. The three wells provide clean water to around 10,000 schoolchildren as well as to households in the local area. To ensure the long-term success of its water access initiatives, the GNF also uses donations to educate local people on maintenance and engineering matters concerning the installations. By doing this, the organization ensures that the communities are able to repair and maintain their water access points while being self-reliant and independent from outside help. This guarantees that football fans are making a difference in the long term and provides work opportunities in the project regions.

Looking Ahead

“Drinking Cups for Drinking Water” looks poised to continue expanding its charitable work and bettering access to drinking water in Africa. In the last season, football fans raised nearly €70,000 for the initiative — a new season record. In the 23/24 season, the project is projected to surpass the donation mark of €500,000 to commemorate its 15th anniversary.

Apart from the increasing generosity of football fans, the project’s volunteers are also expanding the project’s reach by educating other football clubs on the idea, which could lead to more clubs getting involved. The success of “Drinking Cups for Drinking Water” shows that when united for a good cause, football fans are making a difference for people in need and have the power to drastically improve access to drinking water in Africa.

– Patrick Brownlow
Photo: Flickr

Khalsa Aid’s Response to Flooding in India

Flooding in IndiaIn July of 2023, northern India experienced torrential rainfall from monsoons. As a result of the unprecedented amount of rain, at least 100 people have died from landslides and flash floods. While South Asia typically experiences monsoon rains from June to September, climate change has made flooding in India and other weather events more extreme and erratic.

As a testament to the increasing severity of the monsoon rains, flooding from the Yamuna River reached the walls of the Taj Mahal. As the Yamuna reached its highest level on record at 684 feet, other sectors of Indian life were affected as well.

The Jamuna River, which runs through the capital of New Delhi, rose 681.5 feet, forcing schools to close, making residents evacuate and submerging cars and homes.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) classifies India as one of the nations most affected by climate change, and the flooding in India is only expected to worsen. Northern India received a month’s worth of rainfall in a single day, leading to 30,000 residents being moved to relief camps, 600 homes damaged and 300 people stranded.

How Impoverished Indians are Affected

The flooding in India affects poor populations the most. As homes are destroyed, individuals are displaced from their neighborhoods and forced to move. In fact, it is projected that 45 million Indians will be forced to migrate by the year 2050 as a result of climate-related disasters. 

The destruction of homelands is not the only factor contributing to India’s climate refugee crisis. Although monsoon rains were traditionally necessary for successful crop yields, the damage of extreme climate events outweighs the benefits. 

Individuals are forced deeper into poverty from flooding in India. Small farmers depending on agriculture to make a living can no longer cope with damage caused by severe weather. Since floods damage crops, roads, homes and land, workers cannot travel to their jobs or grow and transport their crops. In fact, the International Institute for Environment and Development found that 70% of households migrated after extreme weather disasters. To escape poverty, India’s most vulnerable populations abandon their livelihoods in hopes of finding jobs elsewhere. 

Khalsa Aid International

Luckily, organizations such as Khalsa Aid are committed to mitigating the effects of extreme flooding in India. Khalsa Aid is an international non-governmental organization that provides humanitarian aid in disaster areas. The organization has been relying on the help of volunteers and donors since 1999 to help vulnerable populations dealing with issues like famine, water scarcity, civil war and more.

As a response to the July 2023 floods, Khalsa Aid coordinated emergency relief efforts in the Punjab region of northern India. Teams on the ground operated in Ropar, Morinda, Rajpura and other cities to provide food and shelter to people stranded in their villages by the flooding.

Looking Ahead

So far, Khalsa Aid U.S.A. has already donated $250,000 to clean-up and rebuilding efforts after the flooding in India. Although flooding and extreme weather events are expected to continue, the work of Khalsa Aid is a reminder that vulnerable populations throughout India and the world will be supported by those who care.

– Meilyn Farina
Photo: Unsplash

Venezuelan Immigrants in Peru

Venezuelan immigrants in PeruEstimates suggest that there will be around 1.6 million Venezuelan immigrants living in Peru by the end of 2023. Moreover, UNHCR estimates that more than 7 million Venezuelans have left their country to seek protection in other countries. Venezuelan migration, primarily to its neighboring countries in the region, is mainly due to the international humanitarian crisis recognized by institutions such as the U.N. Refugee Agency (UNRA) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). This crisis consists of issues such as political instability, weakening economies, COVID-19, natural disasters and strict U.S.-led sanctions.

Dealing with this international crisis requires an understanding of the rise in immigration, the immigrants’ situations, the public’s perception of Venezuelan immigrants and the positive impact they have on Peru’s economy.

The Rise in Venezuelan Immigration

Venezuelan migration to Peru started to take off in 2017, with the Peruvian government taking action and granting Venezuelan refugees a temporary stay permit (PTP) for two years, with authorization to work included.

The number of Venezuelan migrants went from 8,000 in 2016 to 110,000 by the end of 2017. In 2018, that number increased to more than 530,000 migrants. As of 2023, there are more than 1.5 million Venezuelans settled in Peru, with no less than 530,000 of them asking for refugee status.

The Situation for Venezuelan Immigrants

According to a World Bank report, the average Venezuelan immigrant is between 18 and 29 years old, comes from primarily urban areas and is highly educated. Around 57% have completed secondary school, and half of that 57% have a university degree.

In fact, more Venezuelans have been living in Peru irregularly since 2018. This is because of the government’s withdrawal of their 2017 PTP and the introduction of the humanitarian visa in 2018, and once again, the return to the PTP in October 2020. The last two procedures were more specific than before, asking for internationally valid identification (passports) as well as imposing high fees for people who overstayed their original permits.

Due to their irregular migration status, Venezuelan immigrants are prone to working in the informal sector. In an assessment by the International Rescue Committee, 45% of 900 Venezuelan families in Peru declared to be working informally. This percentage increases when focusing explicitly on Venezuelan immigrants receiving financial aid.

Public Perception of Venezuelan Immigrants

Public perception of Venezuelan immigrants in Peru has been in steady decline for the last few years. In a 2019 survey by the Institute of Peruvian Studies (IEP), 73% of respondents disapproved of Venezuelan migration. However, 83% of the respondents admitted to not having any contact with Venezuelan immigrants.

Much of this discontent from Peruvians, especially those residing in Lima, Peru’s capital, stems from the belief that Venezuelan immigrants are the root of crime, despite this being unproven. A 2020 study by Equilibrium-CenDE shows that Venezuelan migration has had no impact on either crime rates or citizen security indices in Lima, Peru.

One true effect of Venezuelan migration is the displacement of female Peruvian workers in favor of Venezuelan workers, especially young women with low education levels. Other than that, the overall impact of Venezuelan migration on Peruvian workers is not significant, as a study shows that wages in Lima, Piura and Arequipa have not decreased due to the influx of Venezuelan workers.

Organizations Aiding Venezuelan immigrants

Fortunately, there are plenty of organizations aiding Venezuelan immigrants. For instance, the international NGO Save The Children has reached more than 37,000 Venezuelan citizens living in Peru, including 16,152 children, between 2019 and 2020.

In addition, the World Bank donated $3.5 million to the “COVID-19 Emergency Response for Venezuelan Migrants and Refugees in Peru.” This project is taking place in four regions of the country, and will mainly distribute financial aid to the Venezuelan population located in those regions.

– Luciana Mena
Photo: Flickr

Fragility and Rule of Law in Rwanda 

Fragility and Rule of Law in Rwanda The fragility and the rule of law in Rwanda have recently become topics of discussion. This follows a ruling by the U.K. Court of Appeal, which deemed Rwanda unsafe for U.K.-bound refugees. Additionally, there’s been talk about recent violence in the DRC, with some sources suggesting that Rwanda’s current president, Paul Kagame, has supported it. Several factors contribute to Rwanda’s fragility, ranging from a lack of government transparency to the lasting effects of civil war.

A Brief Overview

Rwanda has a significant history of poverty and instability, attributed to various factors, from geography to politics. Approximately 38% of Rwandans currently live below the poverty line, defined by the U.N. as living on less than $2.15 a day. This means many struggle to maintain even a basic standard of living, exacerbating the fragility of Rwanda’s rule of law.

Fragility in Rwanda

Between 1990 and 1994, civil war overcame Rwanda, resulting in fragility and weakly upheld rule of law throughout the nation. A rift between the two major ethnic groups present in Rwanda at the time, the Hutus and the Tutsis was the pretext behind the civil war. The genocide had a lasting effect on Rwanda, decimating families and resulting in more than 800,000 civilian casualties.

Although the presence of fragility and unstable rule of law in Rwanda has diminished, it remains a complex factor affecting the country’s development. Despite efforts to rebuild and foster development, Rwanda still grapples with the legacy of its tragic history. Conflict traps such as these have been shown to have a catastrophic effect on the future development of any nation. The result is slow and unstable development, making it all the more challenging to establish security throughout the nation. 

Democracy and Rule of Law

Government corruption also contributes to fragility in Rwanda. While Rwanda’s government structures have improved over time, its democracy and criminal justice system still face challenges. The current ruling party of Rwanda is the RPF, also known as the Rwandan Patriotic Front. There are basic barriers to fair democracy present, such as high administrative requirements for RPF opposition parties, as well as instances of imprisonment for opposing party members. 

In the past, individuals labeled as ‘opponents of the government,‘ including bloggers and journalists reporting on political issues, have faced arrest and illegitimate trials. This raises questions about the stability of democracy and the preservation of political freedom of speech.

Previous allegations of corruption have also raised concerns about the integrity of Rwanda’s criminal justice system. Reports from Human Rights Watch have highlighted maltreatment of inmates, along with claims of unaccounted disappearances and deaths, indicating weaknesses in Rwanda’s rule of law. Journalists have previously reported on topics such as unlawful detention and torture, suggesting that human rights in Rwanda are not fully protected and that the rule of law remains fragile.

The Good News

Rwanda has introduced several frameworks and policies to address the lasting damage from its history of violence. One example is the ‘Rwanda Vision 2020’ development program, which outlines specific goals for sustainable development. The Rwandan anti-corruption policy, a component of Rwanda Vision 2020, recognizes the need for national development that can enhance the quality of life, promote a competitive economy and deliver effective and efficient public services. Achieving these goals involves good governance, strengthening law enforcement and monitoring and evaluation frameworks to uphold the rule of law.

Government stability can be best preserved by increasing transparency, which reduces the likelihood of corruption and illegal activity. Transparency International reports that Rwanda recently ranked as the fourth-least corrupt African country. Rwandan officials’ statements support this, noting the acceptance and adoption of a culture of ‘transparency and accountability’ within the Rwandan government. Increased government transparency is likely the primary reason behind these improvements in Rwanda’s government, as strong checks and balances are essential to long-term stability and preventing government failure.

Addressing fragility has had and will continue to have beneficial effects for Rwandans living in absolute poverty. One framework included in Rwanda Vision 2020, the Vision Umurenge Program (VUP), aims to target absolute poverty and elevate Rwanda to a middle-income country. VUP provides financial assistance to accelerate poverty reduction through economic advancement schemes. This framework includes female beneficiaries, empowering women, who often belong to the poorest socioeconomic groups, by distributing funding more equitably among household members. This effectively targets some of the lowest-income individuals and accelerates poverty reduction.

Following Rwanda Vision 2020, which set targets to be achieved by 2020, Rwanda has introduced the Rwanda Vision 2050 policy. This policy outlines goals for improving health care and education provision, as well as increasing workforce productivity. By enhancing access to public goods and boosting productivity levels, Rwanda aims to reduce absolute poverty rates, ensuring more Rwandans have access to basic necessities, regardless of their household income. Overall, Rwanda is making steady progress toward eradicating absolute poverty.

– Hannah Bugeja
Photo: Flickr

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Study Abroad Scholarships Address Issues of Developing Countries

Abroad ScholarshipsEducation remains one of the most influential and longstanding resources in ending global poverty. Higher education institutions are increasingly reaching beyond borders, offering abroad scholarships to students from developing nations. Through study-abroad scholarships, students from developing countries are equipped with the skills and knowledge to address poverty-related issues in their home countries. With more than 700 million people living in extreme poverty globally as of the end of 2020, addressing these issues appears to be imperative.

Education Endangered

In developing countries like those in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), tertiary education such as college and university is a privilege, not a right. Furthermore, as of 2020, only 9.4% of secondary education graduates in SSA enrolled in any form of tertiary education. This is almost 30% below the global average and 60% below that of the U.K.

Deprivation of education all too often goes hand in hand with broader poverty. In 2018, an estimated 40% of sub-Saharan Africa’s population lived below the poverty line of $1.90 a day as estimated by the World Bank.

This deficit carries significant repercussions. The tertiary education system primarily generates professionals equipped with the expertise and skills to navigate political, corporate and economic systems effectively.

The absence of these professionals significantly complicates the task of sub-Saharan African nations in constructing a financial and political infrastructure resilient enough to withstand the challenges of the global landscape. Indeed, a 1991 World Bank Report highlighted this as one of the major hurdles facing these nations in their developmental journey. Regrettably, this challenge persists even today.

Saved By the Scholarship

In our increasingly globalized world, prestigious universities worldwide are recognizing exceptional talents that do not need train tickets but air miles to reach their campuses. Academic promise deserving of encouragement and backing blossoms from Kibera, Kenya, to Dharavi, India — the talent that scholarships can nurture to its full potential.

In response to this trend, numerous independent organizations and government-funded educational institutions have introduced scholarships for postgraduate and undergraduate studies, particularly targeting individuals from developing nations. Some of these scholarships encompass comprehensive support, including funding for travel and accommodation.

The Saïd Foundation

One prominent illustration of this trend is the Saïd Foundation, which has been awarding scholarships and educational opportunities for master’s degree programs in the U.K. since 1984. The foundation’s primary mission revolves around fostering the progress of the Middle East by empowering individuals through advanced education at the master’s level.

By affording outstanding individuals from Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine the chance to cultivate the skills needed to become pioneers in various fields, ranging from international development to neuroscience, the Saïd Foundation paves the way for these extraordinary individuals to return to their home countries and lead transformative changes.

Saïd Scholars have initiated substantial positive transformations at the very core of social, political and economic structures. For instance, Ambassador Husam Zomlot, who completed a doctorate in International Political Economy from SOAS University of London in 2000 with support from the Saïd Foundation, exemplifies the impact of such scholarships. His LinkedIn profile attests, “The combination of scholarship and practice has given Dr. Zomlot an edge in conducting scholarly and policy-oriented research in the area of international peace and security, with a focus on the Middle East. His work centers on international interventions in conflict and post-conflict zones.”

After founding the Birzeit School of Government, working as an economist with the Palestine Policy Research Institute, and serving as the Strategic Affairs Advisor to the Palestinian President, Zomlot currently holds the position of Head of the Palestinian Mission to the U.K.

Furthermore, in addition to facilitating long-term transformations in developing nations, study-abroad scholarships confer significant benefits upon the countries and institutions that make these scholarships possible. By supporting groundbreaking research and pioneering initiatives aimed at addressing global poverty, guided by individuals who have firsthand experience with this issue, these nations and institutions solidify their status as leaders in both economic and academic development on the global stage.

The Cambridge-Africa Scholarship

The Cambridge-Africa Scholarship has funded a cohort of five African scholars each year since 2014. As with the Saïd Foundation, the focus of the scholarship is to fund those working on projects designed around positive impacts on their home countries. There is also a strong focus on relevance to the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals; 17 goals related to tackling global poverty by 2030.

As such, this study-abroad scholarship has enabled recipients to make research strides in several fields that will positively benefit issues plaguing the African continent. For instance, terrorism and specific diseases.

For example, South-African-born Nikita Hiralal’s contributions to countering Islamic State cyberjihad through a postgraduate thesis as part of the 2020-2021 Cambridge-Africa Scholarship cohort, and Ghanaian Mark Asare Owusu’s research as a 2021-2022 Cambridge-Africa Scholar into the epidemiology and control of meningitis in his home country, speaking to the World Health Organization’s objective to defeat meningitis by 2030.

It appears that these scholarships are only the start of a deeply valuable and widely beneficial dialogue between nations across the globe. This dialogue is the beginning of a conversation that remains expansive and ongoing. A conversation that articulates education as a global institution built on equal access and aspiration, valuing countries not by economic output or political circumstance, but by innovation, ideas and intelligence. And it is study-abroad scholarships that allow such intelligence to make a real difference.

Graduates return to developing countries to tackle issues of poverty, sustainable development and education, inspiring economic and political connections and new markets by enhancing the standing of such nations on the global stage and introducing new ways of solving old problems. As such, scholarships prove an invaluable resource for a better world.

– Izzy Grout
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