Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

Strategies to Eradicate Tuberculosis

Strategies to Eradicate TuberculosisTuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease that mainly affects an individual’s lungs and spreads when people with the infection cough or sneeze and release tiny droplets into the air. People in the surroundings inhale these droplets and they contract the same infection. Although the disease affects the lungs the most, in some rare cases the infection can affect the bones, glands or even the nervous system, causing severe symptoms that include fever, fatigue and a long-term cough that may be bloody. The World Health Organization (WHO) has implemented strategies to eradicate tuberculosis across the globe in order to reduce preventable deaths.

Being the world’s leading infectious disease, impacting a quarter of the population, TB claimed the lives of more than 1.6 million people in 2021, according to WHO. Even though TB is present in all countries and in all age groups, it is curable and preventable.

Understanding TB: Most Affected Countries and Why?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Eastern Europe and Asia are most susceptible to TB. There are many reasons why some countries have higher rated of TB infections than others:

  • Weak Health Systems: Low-income and middle-income countries have a lower standard of medical care due to a lack of funds, resources and availability of medical professionals, which leads to fewer clinics and hospitals where individuals can get tests or treatments for TB.
  • Poverty: Low funds in underdeveloped countries and an increased financial burden on individuals mean people often have to make the decision between buying food or life-saving medications. Additionally, due to a lack of sufficient funds, people tend to live together in cramped quarters, making it easier for the disease to spread to the residents.
  • Diseases: Pre-existing diseases such as HIV, diabetes, malnutrition and the frequent use of tobacco can make individuals more susceptible to TB, according to the WHO.

These factors combined make it extremely difficult to screen for TB in low-income countries and most people do not have access to medical facilities, and those who do, are unable to use them because they cannot afford to.

The Fight Against TB

There have been many strategies to eradicate TB in LMCs and one of the most recent and most impactful has been the WHO’s End TB Strategy “to reduce TB incidence by 50% and mortality by 75% by 2025,” according to The Lancet Global Health. Through a multi-step initiative, WHO aims to eradicate TB by 2035.

  • Vaccination at Birth: The first step toward ending TB is through immunizing children against the disease from birth. In 2018, after extensive research WHO established a new criterion for vaccination against TB which stated, “For infants, a vaccine should be either better than BCG or at least 80% effective in preventing TB.”
  • Vaccination for Children and Teens: As part of a trial, routine vaccination was implemented for children who were 9 years old, and a one-time vaccination was implemented for children more than 10 years old. This trial lasted five years and the results revealed that both routine vaccination and a one-time vaccination were effective against the disease, but the routine vaccinations had a higher success rate.
  • Vaccination for Adults: A newly-developed vaccine known medically as the M72/AS01 vaccine has been 49.7% efficient in preventing the progression of TB.

Looking Ahead

In the fight against tuberculosis, significant strides have been made through initiatives like the WHO’s End TB Strategy. Vaccination efforts targeting children and teens have proven effective, while a newly-developed vaccine for adults shows promise in preventing the progression of TB. These advancements offer hope in reducing the incidence and mortality rates of this infectious disease, bringing us closer to a world free from the burden of tuberculosis.

– Vahisté Sinor
Photo: Flickr

Combating Cervical Cancer in Sub-Saharan Africa

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about “93% of cervical cancers are preventable.” Unfortunately, however, the rates for cervical cancer, as well as the number of deaths from it, continue to remain high in many of the poorest areas of the world. This is especially the case in sub-Saharan Africa, most notably in East Africa. In order to reduce incidences of cervical cancer in sub-Saharan Africa, targeted human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine rollouts are necessary.

Cervical Cancer Rates in Sub-Saharan Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa notes a significant number of cervical cancer cases. In East Africa specifically, cervical cancer is “the leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality, with one of the incidence rates above 40 cases per 100,000 of the population,” according to a study based on surveys conducted between 2014 and 2017. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that, in 2018, Africa accounted for 19 of the 20 countries with the highest rates of cervical cancer.

A study published in 2020 by Elima Jedy-Agba and others says cervical cancer is also “the most common cancer in half (23/46) of the countries of sub-Saharan Africa,” with women in these countries noting the highest cervical cancer incidences and mortality rates globally. The cervical cancer survival rate is also very low in sub-Saharan Africa as only about 33% of those with this form of cancer survive five years after diagnosis. Additionally, cervical cancer was responsible for 21.7% of all cancer deaths in women in sub-Saharan Africa in 2018, “making it the most common cause of cancer death in the region.”

Cervical Cancer Risk Factors

Cervical cancer rates are high in sub-Saharan Africa primarily due to a prevalence of various risk factors, many of which tend to be associated with poverty. University of Cape Town gynecology professor Lynette Denny asserts that the increased risk of cervical cancer in sub-Saharan Africa has “a very strong connection with poverty, with high numbers of people living in unsatisfactory conditions, as well as fragile health care systems that tend to focus on curative rather than preventative interventions…”

Denny also cites women’s lack of access to health care and successful screening programs in Africa as other potential causes. This lack of access contributes to 90% of deaths from the illness.

Lower levels of education, which ties to poverty, also play a role. In a study published in July 2021, Abila and others found that among a group of participants from Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania, “having a complete secondary education was associated with the lowest number of risk factors for cervical cancer compared with women with no education” in each country.

Furthermore, most of the respondents in the study “started sexual intercourse at 17 years or younger with the highest proportion among women from Uganda (72.38%) and the lowest among women from Burundi (52.3%).” The women also first gave birth at tender ages, with the mean ages ranging from 18.67 in Uganda to 21.71 in Rwanda.

HIV and HPV Risk Factors

Such trends are common in poor regions as various studies in Africa reveal that “poverty is a risk factor for early sexual debut.” For instance, sub-Saharan African countries typically note higher rates of transactional sex (exchanging sexual acts for basic necessities such as food and money) among young women due to economic insecurity.

Although these young women can meet certain short-term needs by engaging in transaction sex, this practice typically involves multiple sexual partners, which increases the risk of contracting HPV and/or HIV, both of which cause a bulk of cervical cancer cases globally. This shows how poverty in sub-Saharan Africa can directly result in higher rates of cervical cancer.

Treatment Options/HPV Vaccinations

Expanding access to HPV vaccinations is a solution that could greatly reduce the incidence of cervical cancer in sub-Saharan Africa. According to a research article by Christine Muthoni Karanja-Chege, “HPV vaccination provides protection against HPV types 16 and 18 which are responsible for approximately 70% of cervical cancer cases.”  Karanja-Chege also notes that the best age for vaccination is during the early adolescent years before an individual’s first sexual encounter as children in developing countries are more prone to becoming sexually active at an early age.

Karanja-Chege cites Australia as an example of a country in which widespread HPV vaccination has succeeded. As of 2019, 80% of Australian females eligible for the HPV vaccine have received it, which has greatly reduced HPV infection in the country. Furthermore, this increase in HPV vaccination rates is expected to reduce the cervical cancer rate in the country in the near future. The example of Australia demonstrates that nations can achieve considerable success in preventing a major risk factor associated with cervical cancer, which is what African nations such as Kenya hope to do.

HPV Vaccination Rollout in Kenya

Kenya has also attempted to deter cervical cancer through HPV vaccination. In 2019, Kenya’s Ministry of Health rolled out a “routine HPV vaccination” program for 10-year-old girls in the country. With the support of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, public health organization John Snow, Inc. (JSI) helped introduce the vaccine in Kenya.

Despite these efforts, vaccine misinformation spread throughout the country, discouraging many parents from bringing their daughters for vaccinations. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted health care services in the country and forced the government to delay many immunization campaigns, including the HPV immunization campaign.

Nevertheless, the introduction of the HPV vaccine in Kenya has seen some success. The 2019 program also provides valuable lessons that health ministries in Africa can take into account to ensure greater success in future programs. JSI notes that “HPV vaccine introduction requires tailored approaches to reach preadolescent/adolescent girls. Countries that are introducing HPV vaccine are learning that these lessons also offer an innovative blueprint for future life-course vaccinations.”

– Adam Cvik

Photo: Flickr

Addressing the Humanitarian Crisis in Ethiopia

Humanitarian Crisis in EthiopiaFor the second year in a row, Ethiopia has ranked second on the International Rescue Committee (IRC) Emergency Watchlist, indicating that it is one of the countries most threatened by a growing humanitarian crisis in 2023. As Africa’s oldest sovereign nation, it has the second-highest population on the continent, with an estimated 116,462,712 inhabitants in 2023, according to the CIA World Factbook. Additionally, Ethiopia has the third highest refugee population in Africa, hosting over 924,000 refugees and asylum seekers, mainly from South Sudan, Somalia and Eritrea. Thus, the deteriorating situation in Ethiopia poses a great threat to many.

According to the IRC, 28.6 million people living in Ethiopia currently require humanitarian aid, 20 million are suffering from food insecurity, 3.5 million have been internally displaced and 31.9 million are struggling with the impacts of continuous drought. There is a need for urgent action to alleviate the worsening humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia.

Factors Contributing to the Humanitarian Crisis in Ethiopia

Several factors have contributed to the humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia, including ongoing drought, conflict, food insecurity, economic instability, disease outbreaks, climate shocks, the war in Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic.

For instance, in November 2020, armed conflict between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, a nationalist rebel group, left thousands dead and millions internally displaced. Although a peace deal was announced in November 2022, fighting continues in the Tigray region. This has posed numerous risks and challenges to providing sufficient aid for the region’s 5.2 million inhabitants, almost 40% of whom suffer from an extreme lack of necessary food resources. Ongoing conflict elsewhere in Ethiopia, for example in the country’s Somali region, has similarly disrupted aid efforts while exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.

Furthermore, an unpredictable climate has worsened the crisis. Continually threatened by drought, Ethiopia is now entering its sixth consecutive season without sufficient rainfall. As a result, many Ethiopians face the risk of starvation and lack of access to safe drinking water. These issues have led to cholera outbreaks, weakening the immune systems of affected people due to undernutrition. Children, in particular, are suffering from food scarcity and insufficient nourishment.

At the same time, heavy rains and flooding have threatened livelihoods, displaced people and destroyed shelters in the Oromia, Somalia and Afar regions. The resulting death of cattle has been devastating, as many Ethiopians rely on livestock and agriculture for income and sustenance.

Economic Challenges

Economic instability has only heightened the severity of the situation. Globally rising prices and supply disruptions have added to Ethiopia’s economic strain and made vital resources increasingly scarce. In May 2022, inflation in the country reached a 37.7% high and, while it has since lowered, food prices remain at a peak. With Ethiopia relying heavily on imports to meet the country’s demand for wheat, globally increasing prices of fuel, fertilizers, steel, iron and other such products in light of the war in Ukraine are having detrimental effects.

Humanitarian Aid to Ethiopia

Despite attempts to deliver aid to Ethiopia, insufficient funding has hindered the humanitarian response. Health assistance has only reached 12% of people in need in drought-affected areas, and less than 30% have gained access to water, sanitation and hygiene equipment.

The IRC has, however, been providing support to refugees in Ethiopia, as well as to those most affected by drought and fighting since 2000. The organization has also extended its relief efforts to alleviate the impacts of COVID-19. It has partnered with local organizations to deliver supplies to vulnerable communities and implement safe water supply systems and sanitation facilities. Moreover, the IRC has worked to strengthen community healthcare, train teachers and provide training and job opportunities for young people and households considered at high risk.

Alongside the IRC, the United Nations Refugee Agency has collaborated with the Ethiopian government and local organizations to help aid and protect millions of refugees displaced by conflict. The U.N. agency’s relief efforts have included providing emergency shelters, safe drinking water, food, blankets, sleeping mats and other resources to those fleeing conflict in Tigray.

The U.S. has also thus far contributed around $714 million to the 2023 Ethiopian Humanitarian Response Plan, and Germany, Japan and Sweden have contributed some $14 million to the 2023 Ethiopia Humanitarian Fund.

Looking Ahead

While these efforts offer growing hope, a recent report issued by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) makes clear that further support “is urgent and critical.” In other words, only with such support can humanitarian efforts continue, expand and succeed in giving the many who are afflicted by ongoing conflict and disaster in Ethiopia a fair chance at life.

– Bethan Marsden
Photo: Flickr

National Training Week for Vocational Education in Malaysia

Vocational Education in MalaysiaVocational education in Malaysia is critical to the Southeast Asian country’s plans for development in the long term. While the Malaysian government has traditionally adopted measures to immediately improve the livelihoods of low-income groups, it is now focusing on improving vocational education as a long-term solution.

In April 2023, the Malaysian government announced that it would be organizing its first National Training Week (NTW) from May 22 to May 28, 2023, a week-long series of vocational courses aiming to upskill 125,000 participants.

What is the National Training Week?

The Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp), which is in charge of the initiatives, aims to attract over 5,000 educators who will deliver over 5,000 training courses, each designed to address a specific vocational skill. All courses are cost-free, so Malaysians from all walks of life have access to this vocational education. This includes pre-school children, teenagers, young adults, new graduates and senior citizens, alongside established professionals.

NTW has three main objectives: to “make lifelong learning a culture for Malaysians,” “increase strategic inter-government cooperation” and to “equip Malaysian talents with future work skills and knowledge.”

As of May 2023, Malaysia’s first-ever NTW has opened over 1,400 courses in 37 skill areas, with the participation of 700 course providers. The course’s directors will feature key government ministry and industry players.

How Will This Help Malaysia’s Poor?

According to the World Bank, 40% of jobs are linked to Malaysia’s significant export activities, which were disrupted by the global pandemic. As such, Malaysia’s unemployment rate has been at its highest since 1991, at 4.61% in 2021. This is also the sixth-worst unemployment rate in East and Southeast Asia. In 2015, the Gini coefficient – a measure of income inequality – for Malaysia was 0.41; for comparison, the USA had a Gini coefficient of 0.42 in 2019.

The government has traditionally used cash transfers to low-income households to address this issue, according to the World Bank. Although this appears to be an effective strategy in the short term; in the long term, it could deplete government resources.

In contrast to cash transfers, making vocational education in Malaysia more accessible to the entire population could allow the government and the private sector to benefit in the long run, as better-skilled individuals boost the productivity of the industries they go into. Apart from increasing the flow of output and raising average incomes for Malaysians, the government is also optimistic that this will attract foreign investment. All of these factors will create overall economic growth in the long term, according to NTW’s official website.

Improving the Availability of Vocational Training in Malaysia

By improving the availability of vocational education in Malaysia, the country could unlock its human potential from all sectors of society. Creating a more skilled workforce has traditionally been part of the Malaysian government’s development plans. The country aims to achieve reach up to a 35% skilled workforce by 2025.

The Malaysian government’s investment in this venture for its citizens’ vocational education could ultimately be beneficial for all levels of society, from the unemployed and low-income groups to the private-sector companies (through access to more skilled employees), setting the stage for developing a more prosperous Malaysia.

– Tiffany Chan
Photo: Flickr

Improving Electricity Access in Africa

Electricity Access in AfricaIn an effort to better understand anti-poverty initiatives and their effectiveness, a pioneering Stanford University study published in November 2022 has provided some of the strongest evidence yet of the extent to which electrification fuels economic growth in the developing world. Though the research is still developing, rapid advances in computer technology indicate that the ability to collect and analyze such data will only expand in the coming years and decades.

A New Study

Led by PhD candidate Nathan Ratledge, the research relied on innovative techniques, developed at Stanford, that combine satellite imagery and AI to measure and study poverty in countries where data collection has traditionally posed a challenge. The researchers’ findings demonstrate that Machine Learning (ML) techniques can provide more reliable estimates of the causative impact of electricity access in Africa.

Specifically, the study analyzed the impact of Uganda’s expanding electricity grid on livelihoods in the country. Drawing upon vast data, it juxtaposed digitized maps from 2005 to 2016 with satellite-image-based wealth estimates for more than 640,000 houses across 27,000 villages in sub-Saharan Africa. This deep learning model, which trained an algorithm to detect patterns from images, allowed the researchers to visualize the social and economic impacts of electricity in ways not previously possible.

The Findings

Based on the findings, the electrical grid encompassed 41% of Uganda in 2019, marking a significant increase from just 12% in 2010. Furthermore, increased access to electricity correlated with substantial improvements in financial conditions and quality of life, as measured by increases in home construction, appliance use and other tangible markers of growing wealth. Overall, the data showed that the rate of wealth accumulation roughly doubled in Ugandan communities that gained electricity access, as compared with communities that lacked it. 

These findings were published during the November 2022 COP27 in Egypt, which marked the 27th annual meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The seminal focus of COP27 was overcoming challenges to addressing the pressing global climate crisis. More than 35,000 participants and 100 Heads of State representing governments around the globe attended the conference. One of the key outcomes was an agreement to establish a “loss and damage fund” to mitigate the inordinate effects that high-income countries have had on climate change and, thereby, on the vulnerable nations that suffer the most impact. Many of these nations are in Africa, which has seen continent-wide destruction by droughts, flooding and other climate-related disasters in recent years.

Encountered Problems

Until now, one of the primary problems encountered in measuring electricity access and its relation to poverty in Africa has been a lack of data. As Ratledge stated, “It’s hard in many low-income countries to get any reliable data. It just doesn’t exist.” A model for overcoming this obstacle, the recent Stanford study presents a new way to measure progress in the fight against global poverty.

A Promise of Future Growth

Due to the Stanford research, “we now have this technique to give local-level measurements of key economic outcomes at a broad, spatial scale and over time,” said Marshall Burke, the study’s co-author. Perhaps the most inspiring aspect of the researchers’ work is that all evidence points to an exponential proliferation of understanding. Ongoing technological advancements are expected to make such techniques widely affordable and accessible, allowing researchers to carry out similar work to better understand and combat poverty around the world.

– Gabriel Gathercole
Photo: Flickr

Everything You Need To Know About Poverty In Bolivia

Everything You Need To Know About Poverty In BoliviaIn 2021, the World Bank reported that national poverty in Bolivia was around 36.3%, with extreme poverty standing at 11%. The key responsible factors include the lack of human development and an ever-increasing unemployment rate. Also, ongoing socio-economic issues alongside a lack of education threaten the country’s economy and future.

The State of Education in Bolivia

Despite completing primary education, the majority of Bolivian students do not continue to secondary education. Increasing poverty rates have also affected children’s access to education. In 2014, the country passed legislation permitting child labor for children up to 10 years old and above. This led some families to prioritize their children’s work over their education.

In March 2023, 140,000 public school teachers participated in Bolivia’s largest strike since 2019. Outrage over a new curriculum that requires teachers to work additional unpaid hours prompted the strikes. Teachers are demanding an increase in the education budget, wages, and staff. With strikes becoming more common, students often have no one to teach them. This, in turn, impacts the education of Bolivian children negatively.

Malnutrition in Bolivia

Approximately 16% of children in Bolivia experience chronic malnutrition. Also, more than one in four children under 5 years old suffer from growth stunting due to chronic malnutrition, representing the highest rate in any Latin American nation. The country’s agricultural production has been stagnant, causing food insecurity among families, with 30% of households experiencing food shortages for more than three months a year. As a result, children are affected physically and academically, with many having to walk long distances to school on empty stomachs. Going through such levels of physical stress often impacts concentration levels among affected children.

Unemployment in Bolivia

In 2019, the unemployment rate in Bolivia was 3.7%, but it increased to 7.9% in 2020. The World Bank reported a drop to 5.1% in 2021. The low productivity of small-scale farming, droughts and decreasing product quality have caused a shrinkage in revenue generation in this sector. Poor infrastructure has also negatively affected the transportation of goods. Bolivia’s human development index ranking was 118 in 2021, indicating a lack of equal human development and underscoring the country’s poor economic state. According to the World Bank, Bolivia’s GDP per capita was $3,345 in 2021.

Poverty Alleviation Efforts

Sustainable Development Goals Fund (SDGF), an independent organization, partnered with the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), World Health Education (WHO) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to implement the “Bolivian Government’s Zero Malnutrition Multi-sectoral Programme (PMD-C)” in the Andean region of Cochabamba. The program had three components: integrating nutritional activities into communities, educating and strengthening agricultural capabilities and improving the nutritional status of families. Following this intervention, reports indicate that 21,489 children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding women gained better access to food of increased quality and quantity, there was a 50% reduction in anemia among children, and chronic malnutrition in children aged 6-23 months decreased by 30%.

In 2013, the World Bank supported the La Paz municipality in improving access to secondary education (as well as retention) for more than 10,000 at-risk students. It constructed and renovated approximately 240 classrooms, supplied learning equipment, supported staff and strengthened education management for primary and secondary schools in the area.

The Secondary Education Transformation Project financed an incentive program for students at risk of dropping out to help improve retention rates in secondary education levels. Collaboration with the Bolivian Salesian University led to the development and implementation of a postgraduate degree program. The partnership led to the construction of 19 buildings, benefiting more than 10,000 students and 11,000 staff members who were fully equipped and supported. These educational buildings are still in use as of April 2023. The aim is to reduce poverty in Bolivia for future generations.

Brighter Future for Bolivia

Bolivia has struggled with poverty due to inadequate and unequal education, chronic malnutrition, and persistently high unemployment rates even after the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, ongoing efforts are underway to improve Bolivia’s current situation. Organizations like UNICEF, WHO and UNIDO have implemented programs that aim to reduce malnutrition in the country. Also, the World Bank has been providing financial support to Bolivia’s education system. Local and humanitarian organizations are working to strengthen communities, promote a more sustainable economy and create a brighter future for Bolivia.

– Joshua Rogers
Photo: Flickr

Poverty and Agriculture in Zimbabwe

Agriculture in ZimbabweZimbabwe, a landlocked country in southern Africa, has a long history of agriculture and is home to some of the most fertile land in Africa. However, poverty and agriculture in Zimbabwe have long been intertwined, with many smallholder farmers struggling to make ends meet.

Poverty and Agriculture in Zimbabwe

The World Bank reports that Zimbabwe currently faces a poverty headcount ratio of 39.8% at the national poverty lines, with numerous rural households relying on subsistence farming as their main source of income. Despite these circumstances, the country has the potential to emerge as a significant food producer due to its fertile land and favorable climate conditions.

One of the most prominent challenges for agriculture in Zimbabwe is the limited access to credit and technical assistance. Many small-scale farmers lack the necessary resources and knowledge to invest in their farms and improve productivity. A study published in the Journal of Economic and International Finance reveals that Zimbabwean banks have consistently maintained relatively small agricultural loan portfolios, representing merely 10% to 25% of the total loan books since the country’s current multi-currency system kicked off in 2009. Consequently, this limited access to credit curtails the farmers’ ability to invest in agricultural endeavors and enhance yields.

Additionally, climate change presents barriers for Zimbabwean farmers. Droughts and floods are increasingly afflicting the country, leaving farmers ill-equipped to adapt to these shifting conditions due to limited resources and knowledge. As a result, many farmers have to abandon their crops and rely on food aid for survival.

Efforts to End Poverty in Zimbabwean Agriculture

Despite the many challenges, there are ongoing efforts aiming to address the issue of poverty in the Zimbabwean agricultural sector. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) actively contributes to the Zimbabwe United Nations Development Assistance Framework (ZUNDAF) by focusing on three priority areas aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These priorities encompass strengthening policy and institutional frameworks, enhancing agricultural productivity and competitiveness, bolstering resilience and the adoption of climate-smart agriculture.

The FAO supports these efforts through several initiatives, including policy formulation, capacity development, irrigation schemes, livestock programs, reduction of post-harvest losses, ensuring food safety, managing climate risks, natural resource management and establishing early warning systems. Collaborations with public and private sectors, non-governmental organizations, community-based organizations and donors further promote community resilience and advocate climate-smart agriculture.

Another example is the Zimbabwe Pfumvudza Programme. Under the leadership of the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, the Zimbabwe Pfumvudza Programme aims to assist vulnerable households in maize, sunflower, small grains and soya bean production. The program supplies standardized input packages, such as 3kg of seed, 50kg of basal fertilizers and 50kg of top dressing fertilizers, sufficient for a 0.125 ha plot. Also, it actively promotes Conservation Agriculture Principles (CA) to address climate-related challenges.

Looking Ahead

Agriculture currently accounts for a substantial portion of the Zimbabwean GDP (17%) and employs a significant percentage of the population (60-70%). By investing in agriculture, Zimbabwe has the potential to generate employment opportunities and stimulate economic growth in both rural and urban areas.

Despite the challenges facing Zimbabwean farmers, there are reasons to be optimistic about the future. For example, efforts to promote agricultural development are gaining momentum, and there is growing recognition of the importance of agriculture in promoting economic growth and reducing poverty.

– Amber Kim
Photo: Flickr

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The Nonprofit That May Have Found the Answer to Effective Foreign Aid

Effective Foreign Aid
GiveDirectly, which four MIT and Harvard students founded in 2012, was donned potentially “the most economically efficient charity ever” by the online magazine The Atlantic. The organization champions unconditional and direct economic investment into the world’s poorest areas, having the potential to alleviate whole areas from poverty within years as well as promote effective foreign aid.

How Does it Work?

In its simplest form, GiveDirectly allows the public to send cash directly to the poorest individuals through bank transfers via mobile phones that they receive from those on the ground. So far, more than $650 million has been donated to 1.4 million people living in poverty. Donors are then able to stay informed about the progress of the individuals they have donated to, with GiveDirectly averaging a 99% follow-up rate from every recipient. The method of this highly effective foreign aid rests on the simple idea that people see a greater improvement in their overall quality of life when they have a say in how recipients spend the money.

Obstacles

GiveDirectly has been battling with the unproven notion that it is not a good idea to give money to those who are poor. This led the organization to conduct its own research into the matter. The research revealed how the extensive benefits of cash transfers often reach beyond a program’s core objectives, facilitating effective foreign aid. The research also found that monetary poverty, education, health and employment all improved as a result of direct injection of cash into poor areas.

Rory Stewart, president of GiveDirectly and former U.K. Secretary of State for International Development, initially had his reservations about GiveDirectly. He stated he thought the best way to approach foreign aid was by “teaching people to fish rather than giving them fish.” However, after his appointment as the president in 2022, he stated on BBC World News that “a relatively small amount of money from Western standards can transform people’s lives so much more rapidly and efficiently than many traditional aid programs.”

Projects for the Future

GiveDirectly functions on an optimistic outlook of human nature and individualism. Individual cash donations allow people to make their own investments, giving dignity to the receiver. Tarkok, a subsistence farmer in Kenya, has been the recipient of $180 over the last 11 days. He “intend[s] to use [the money] to buy at least three bags of 90 kg maize grains that [will] last … for at least six months.” The rest of the money will go toward the purchase of goats. This is just one example of the impact small donations can have on the world’s poor.

Looking Ahead

Rory Stewart’s appointment as president of GiveDirectly last year marks a shift in the world of international development. More than 180 governments have implemented cash programs during COVID-19, marking a decisive step forward to meeting the U.N.’s goal to end global poverty by 2030. GiveDirectly is now the world’s fastest-growing nonprofit, with more than $1 billion raised so far, showing the impact that its new approach is having on foreign aid, alongside alleviating poverty.

– George Somper
Photo: Flickr

3 Countries Suffering From Generational Poverty

Generational PovertyIn countries experiencing generational poverty, children from low-income families often have fewer opportunities than those from more advantaged backgrounds. The National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP) reports that poor parents have limited resources to invest in their children. For this reason, the affected children face challenges like poor mental stimulation and education. Additionally, living in poverty can negatively affect parenting.

The NCCP studied this lasting impact on children by examining the social and economic status of several families. The study revealed that individuals who grow up in poverty tend to remain poor in early adulthood. Breaking this cycle is nearly impossible without proper resources and education, and families in low-income countries continue to suffer the impacts of this issue. The following are three such countries suffering from generational poverty.

3 Countries Suffering From Generational Poverty

  1. India: According to a 2020 World Economic Forum (WEF) report on global social mobility, Indians born into low-income families suffer from generational poverty. According to the report, it would take seven generations for an Indian raised in poverty to reach India’s mean income. The report defines social mobility as a person’s “movement” upwards or downwards relative to their parents. It found that countries with high social mobility scores have lower income inequality, while countries suffering from generational poverty have a higher variability in income. In response to the issue of generational poverty, India established the Integrated Rural Development Program in 1978. The program’s goal is to provide opportunities for people living in poverty to learn and practice skills to improve their living conditions while increasing small-scale agricultural production. The government allocates a 25% subsidy to small farmers and 33.5% to rural craftsmen, farmers, and agricultural laborers. The remaining 50% goes toward castes and people with disabilities.
  2. South Africa: South Africa is another country suffering from generational poverty. According to the World Inequity Lab’s research, the social structure catering to white people for nearly three centuries has made South Africa “the world’s most unequal society.” Black South Africans, who faced restricted access to resources and opportunities during the apartheid era, suffered negative impacts that lasted through generations. Today, the richest 10% of South Africans own over 85% of household wealth, leaving only 15% for the remaining 90%. The social system in South Africa perpetuates the cycle of generational poverty. The World Bank suggests three policy measures to break this cycle. These measures include expanding and improving the quality of education, increasing access to production and land in rural areas and investing in social protection systems that safeguard the impoverished from climate risks and economic vulnerability.
  3. Honduras: Generational poverty is permanent and occurs when at least two generations are born into poverty. In a video produced by the nonprofit organization Children Internation, a young girl from Honduras expresses sadness about her grandparents, who are her adoptive parents, growing up in the same poor living conditions that she currently lives in. The girl is among the 75% of Hondurans living in rural areas below the poverty line, where access to food and shelter is often scarce. Sponsorships through organizations such as Children International provide resources to help break the cycle of generational poverty for children. The Foundation for International Community Assistance (FINCA) provides financial services for families who live in poverty in Honduras, with 55.5% of borrowers being women. It provides individual loans, village banking loans, rural and agriculture loans and insurance to more than 60,000 clients.

Looking Ahead

Although many citizens in the aforementioned countries are still dealing with the challenges posed by generational poverty, there are ongoing initiatives that provide the required support to help them break the chain and create better opportunities for their children.

– Olivia Maillet
Photo: Flickr

The Impact of USAID Programs in Syria

USAID programs in SyriaWith the combined impact of an ongoing civil war since 2011 and the devastating Türkiye-Syria earthquake on February 6, 2023, Syria’s need for humanitarian assistance remains at an all-time high. Approximately 15.3 million Syrians are in need of humanitarian aid, and over 90% of Syrians are currently living below the poverty line. However, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) programs in Syria are bringing the country some much-needed positive change. Beyond providing immediate disaster relief and urgent basic needs such as food security, USAID programs in Syria are also giving citizens a chance at a better future by increasing employment opportunities and improving children’s education.

Response to the Türkiye-Syria Earthquake

As of March 2023, the number of confirmed deaths from the Türkiye-Syria earthquake was 7,259 people in Syria, and the estimated economic impact is more than $5.2 billion. The earthquake also hit the vulnerable population hardest, as northwest Syria was home to nearly three million internally displaced Syrians who were already struggling economically.

On March 20, 2023, the United States authorized an additional $50 million through USAID to help the earthquake-affected communities in Türkiye and Syria, bringing the total amount of Türkiye-Syria earthquake-related U.S. humanitarian aid to $235 million. This newly announced funding is intended to support the work of USAID partner organizations in northwest and central Syria. On the ground, USAID’s Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) is “working closely with the Government of Türkiye, the U.N., [and] NGO partner organizations to closely coordinate response efforts, report needs and conditions on the ground and prioritize the delivery of assistance to the hardest-hit communities,” according to USAID’s official website.

Addressing Food Insecurity in Syria

Food insecurity in Syria is a serious, complex issue with many different causes. The Syrian civil war that broke out in 2011 caused significant destruction of infrastructure and displacement of over 14 million Syrians. In addition, the global food shortage caused by COVID-19 and the Russian invasion of Ukraine further worsened the food insecurity in Syria. Approximately 12.1 million Syrians are considered food-insecure, accounting for more than half of Syria’s total population. Out of 113 countries, Syria ranked at the very bottom of the Global Food Security Index in 2022. Syria’s food insecurity is especially damaging to children because their growth and well-being are closely linked to nutrition. Approximately 609,900 Syrian children under 5 years old are suffering from stunted growth because of malnutrition.

USAID is working with various partners, including the U.N. Children’s Fund and the World Food Program (WFP), to provide food assistance to Syria. Over 6.6 million Syrians are receiving monthly aid from USAID in the forms of cash transfers, food vouchers and monthly food rations. In addition, USAID programs are also providing food security to displaced Syrians in neighboring countries. On March 8, 2023, the U.S. pledged $55 million to provide food assistance to over 460,000 Syrian refugees in Jordan.

Water and Sanitation in Syria

The destruction of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities caused by the Syrian conflict led to an acute water crisis for the people of Syria, and approximately 7.6 million people are in urgent need of WASH services. Syria’s shortage of WASH capacity is also responsible for the nation’s vulnerability to waterborne diseases, such as the recent cholera outbreak centered around northwestern Syria where numerous refugee camps are located.

USAID is working with UNICEF and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to provide WASH assistance to Syrians. The operational strategies range from water trucking and distributing essential hygiene items to installing small-scale sanitation facilities like handwashing stations and latrines. Currently, a total of 15 USAID-partnered NGOs are operating in Syria and are providing critical aid to communities and refugee camps.

Employment Aid in Syria

The prolonged armed conflict and widespread displacement severely damaged the economy of Syria, with a total loss in GDP from 2011 to 2016 estimated at around $226 billion. Currently, 90% of the population in Syria lives below the poverty line, and the value of the Syrian pound (SYP) has dropped by 97% from 2013 to 2023. Also, from 2019 to 2021, the prices for basic food items soared by 800%.

USAID’s Syria Livelihoods Program is helping Syrians find stable job opportunities and improve their financial security. The main goal of the program is to “expand viable economic opportunities for Syrians and help communities build resilience against extremist influences and economic shocks”, according to USAID’s website.

What Lies Ahead

There is still much work that needs to be done in order to resolve Syria’s massive humanitarian crisis. The ongoing civil war continues to cost lives and drive Syrians out of their homes, while food insecurity remains a major obstacle to improving the quality of life in Syria.

Nonetheless, USAID programs in Syria are playing a crucial role in supporting millions of Syrians through difficult times, while also showing the importance of continuous foreign aid in maintaining long-term stability.

– Junoh Seo
Photo: USAID