Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

UK Aid and Poverty Reduction

U.K. Aid and Poverty ReductionU.K. aid aims to tackle the global challenges of today, including reducing global poverty. However, from 2020-2021, the U.K. government reduced aid spending from 0.7% to 0.5% of gross national income in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Funded by the U.K.’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, U.K. aid has impacted poverty reduction by tackling malnutrition and improving access to education in post-conflict societies.

Kosovo

In Kosovo, 37% of people live below the poverty line, according to the 2008 U.K. Department for International Development (DFID) report. After the conflict that ended in 1999, the U.K. contributed to the reconstruction of Kosovo. From 2001-2004, the U.K. sent £15 million worth of aid over three years, after previous assistance from 1991 onward. The U.K. also helped humanitarian organizations such as the United Nations (U.N.) in health care systems, media and economic restructuring. In its 2006 review, the DFID referenced goals such as building responsible and capable governments, the promotion of social inclusion and the reduction of unemployment. Poverty strategies that it has supported have “remained effective instruments.” U.K. aid has helped create the institutions in post-conflict Kosovo necessary to reduce poverty and the country is reliant on international aid in rebuilding its society.

Sri Lanka

After the conflict ended in 2009 in Sri Lanka, the U.K., U.N. and other organizations engaged in post-conflict reconstruction in the nation. About 450,000 people had been displaced, and Sri Lanka’s economy, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, was struggling. For example, inflation peaked at 73% as of May 2023. The U.K. and Sri Lanka have an existing diplomatic relationship that involves aid: last year, the U.K. provided £3 million for urgent food and farming support. This is in addition to the U.K.’s £11.3 million Conflict, Stability and Security Fund program for Sri Lanka. It forms part of continuing support aimed at improving the economy, developing and rebuilding society and reducing poverty.

Nepal

The DFID launched its Enabling State Program (ESP) from 2001-2013 to support Nepal’s government after the conflict ended in 2006. It addressed the severe exclusion of marginalized groups that faced higher rates of poverty. While the initial budget was £19.5 million, it was increased to £33.3 million by 2013. The Project Completion Review of the ESP revealed that there was success in the areas of inclusion, constitutional processes and building capacity of state organizations. Therefore, U.K. aid helped in building state capacity to address problems such as exclusion and poverty faced by marginalized groups.

South Sudan

With the South Sudan conflict ending in 2020, the U.K. has aimed at reducing extreme poverty and helping the country rebuild its economy after instability. The South Sudan Humanitarian Program contributed £100.4 million from 2014-2020 toward alleviating famine and providing food assistance to 350,000 people. U.K. aid has also contributed to 837,000 people having access to standard education and 618,000 people having access to sustainable clean water. Its initiatives have brought about more stability while mitigating the impact of post-conflict challenges, including poverty.

Burundi

Burundi has struggled to rebuild after its conflict ended in 2005. In 2008, 81% of the population lived below the poverty line. In 2011, the U.K. gave the country £13.7 million, representing 3.6% of the total aid to Burundi. This went toward wealth creation, governance, security and combatting poverty and hunger. This aid aimed to ensure that 68,000 more children got access to primary education, more than 450,000 more textbooks were available in schools and 2,000 more women had better access to justice services. All of these initiatives contribute to addressing and reducing poverty, as education brings economic empowerment to individuals and justice ensures certain rights.

Effects of Reducing the Budget

U.K. aid helps poverty reduction by contributing directly to those in need and helping governments build the capacity to address poverty. However, concerns about reduced spending have been raised by members of the U.K. Parliament and advocates for U.K. aid. With a reduction in spending comes certain results: for example, almost four million fewer girls will have access to standard education. This highlights the importance of adequate aid, especially in post-conflict settings where economies rely heavily on foreign aid in order to restart.

Looking Ahead

In spite of recent budget reductions in U.K. aid, the impact of their assistance in addressing poverty and promoting development in countries like Kosovo, Sri Lanka, Nepal, South Sudan and Burundi has been notable. The U.K. aid has played a crucial role in areas such as reconstruction, health care, education and poverty reduction, contributing to stability and progress in these post-conflict societies. While concerns about reduced spending have been raised, the importance of sustained aid in these contexts cannot be overstated, as it remains essential for long-term development and rebuilding efforts.

– Rosie Lyons
Photo: Unsplash

Mental Health in the Emirates

Mental Health in the EmiratesThe Emirati government is investing considerably in its domestic interests and this is visible in its efforts toward improving its national mental health services to advance mental health in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Reluctancy to Seek Help

Despite the record domestic financial investment, the UAE populace suffers from depression and anxiety disorders. A 2022 study by Gabriel Andrade and others sampled 385 English-speaking individuals in the UAE and drew the conclusion that many of the woes with mental health services in the nation stem from a personal reluctance to seek help largely due to the stigma surrounding mental health issues.

While services in the country are improving at a record-breaking pace, data suggests that mental health is neglected and that disorders often go untreated simply due to an unwillingness to seek help when needed.

The World Health Organization’s (WHO) Mental Health Atlas 202o highlights that while the UAE has a “stand-alone policy” for mental health, it lacks one for suicide prevention. The country also has a suicide mortality rate of roughly 5.24%, and while the majority of mental health patients are able to get the care they require at no additional cost to them, must pay at least 20% toward the costs of their medications. It also maintains just two individual, dedicated mental hospitals, though it has 27 psychiatric units within more general hospitals.

Mental Health Challenges in the United Arab Emirates

Mental health in the country faces some self-recognized problems when it comes to improving available mental health services. Notably, an internal review from the National Policy for the Promotion of Mental Health in the UAE identifies that these issues include:

  • A lack of unified national policy on mental health. Though there are different authorities working on it, there is “no unified national policy to unify such efforts.” This lack of unified effort also leads to poor communication between those different authorities, furthering difficulties in developing a national response regarding mental health policy.
  • There is a lack of financial resources the government directs to mental health services. Specifically, there is no clear budget that it allocates to mental health services.
  • Social stigma against mental disorders heavily impedes treatment for psychiatric patients. Recipients of psychological services tend to suffer from a host of discrimination in various aspects of society, especially those such as work and education. This isolation can often further worsen the very mental disorders that psychiatric help hopes to treat.

Applied Solutions

Even with the associated societal and organizational issues complicating efforts into improving mental health in the United Arab Emirates, the government continues to push efforts to help the situation. It has already implemented and continues to implement a host of initiatives intended to strengthen its mental health care systems within the country. Especially notable examples include:

  • A draft law passed in 2021 aims to help improve the rights of mental health care patients. Specifically, it ensures that patients with mental illnesses are to be treated fairly, “with respect and dignity” and enforces privacy protections as well as a more robust understanding of treatment options available to them.
  • A partnership in 2019 with the makers of virtual reality headsets Oculus. The ministry intends to use virtual reality technology as an assistant in diagnosing and understanding schizophrenia.
  • The establishment of a dedicated mental health program at the Abu Dhabi Public Health Center. The program focuses primarily on promoting domestic community mental health and reducing the self-blame and social stigma around mental illness and associated treatments via community outreach and social service programs.

The Future Potential

The social stigma around mental health and seeking treatments for it remains in the UAE, and with only one mental health center in the nation, it remains difficult for people with mental illnesses to truly find the help they need. However, the nation is putting dedicated effort into improving its mental health services and removing some of the social barriers that continue to prevent access.

– Marc Federici
Photo: Flickr

3 Charities Comforting Ukrainian Children with Stories

Charities Comforting Ukrainian ChildrenRussia’s war with Ukraine has forced millions of Ukrainians to flee their homeland. The war is devastating the country; its infrastructure and economy are collapsing. Ukrainians are suffering on a large scale. As of May 2023, 8,255,288 refugees throughout Europe are noted. In response, there are charities comforting Ukrainian children through books.

Refugees receive vital needs such as food and shelter, yet they do not have the support for education or job opportunities.

Among the most vulnerable are children who need help to rebuild their livelihoods amid the displacement. The following are charities working to comfort Ukrainian children.

Books Away From Home

This organization is bringing refugee children books in their language. Books Away from Home help Ukrainian children connect to their homeland through its project: Books for the Youngest Ukrainian Refugees.

The nonprofit began with the goal of providing five picture books in Ukrainian to refugees in the Netherlands. In collaboration with the Ukrainian embassies in the Netherlands and Belgium, the Ukrainian Book Institute and Ten Brink Publishers, the Books for the Youngest Ukrainian Refugees project orders thousands of books for children in shelters, schools and hospitals.

“Books for the Youngest Ukrainian Refugees has raised money for the publication and distribution of 20,000 books, and we receive new book requests daily from schools, families and refugee shelters.”

The project expanded to Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany. The organization started with a focus on Ukrainian children, but the non-profit is developing projects for refugees all over the world who are taking refuge in Europe.

Better Time Stories

Better Time Stories is one of many charities comforting Ukrainian children. Its goal is to send Ukrainian refugee children living in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Austria books narrated by their loved ones.

How Does the Project Work

Children between the ages of 3 and 7 can receive a package with 5 picture books, an hour-and-a-half-long audiobook, a maximum of 25 narrations by family members recorded remotely and a crafts box to build a character.

Bestselling authors contribute to the project, helping Ukrainian children connect with their families stuck in Ukraine. The books offer themes of hope, love, new beginnings and sleep. Technology enables these children to hear their family member’s voices even when they are separated. So far, Better Time Stories has helped 5,056 families re-connect.

Books Follow – Zimin Foundation

The Zimin Foundation’s objective is to develop science and education for various communities throughout the world. The philanthropic organization has many partnerships with community organizations.

One project it participates in, Books Follow, is providing books for Ukrainian refugees. With a community of volunteers, the Zimin Foundation helps give thousands of books to Ukrainian refugee children living in Europe.

“The project also supported the procurement of books in Ukrainian, board games and drawing supplies and their delivery as Christmas gifts for 1,000 refugees from Ukraine living in various EU cities.”

Why do Refugees Need Books?

One child reads books from Better Time Stories with his host family. The children read different versions in their language. “Together they teach each other words in the other language, which often makes them laugh.” Despite the suffering and loss, children can find comfort in books. Books build community. Better Time Stories is one of three charities comforting Ukrainian children with the power of the written word.

– Ellie Bruce

Photo: Flickr

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The Threat Of Famine In Yemen Is Imminent

The Threat Of Famine In YemenYemen is currently facing one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, exacerbated by eight years of civil war since 2015. There is a struggle with economic instability, high unemployment, civil unrest and the threat of famine in Yemen. According to the World Food Programme (WFP), approximately 17 million Yemenis are experiencing food insecurity, with 3.5 million pregnant/breastfeeding women and children under 5 suffering from malnutrition. Oxfam reports a surge of nearly 11 million Yemenis facing food insecurity in the past four years, totaling around 20 million people.

During the civil war in 2017, Yemen’s ports were blocked due to military conflict, severely limiting the supply of food and medicine. This blockade worsened the humanitarian crisis, leaving millions of Yemenis facing food insecurity and limited access to health care. The outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020 further compounded the hunger crisis and deteriorated health conditions. The war in Ukraine has also contributed to the spread of the epidemic in Yemen, with additional restrictions on grain supplies.

The threat of famine in Yemen puts breastfeeding mothers and children at significant risk of malnutrition and death. The recent devaluation of Yemen’s currency, the Riyal, coupled with rising prices of food and services, has made it even more challenging for families to afford adequate nourishment and health care. Access to medical care for treating malnutrition and other illnesses has become difficult due to escalating health care costs.

Ongoing Efforts

United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in partnership with the U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance and Food for Peace, supports Yemen with humanitarian aid. The organization has also partnered with the Republic of Yemen Government (ROYG) to provide proper medical treatments and strengthen health care services. In addition to humanitarian assistance, USAID launched development assistance to Yemen in 2017. USAID emphasizes long-term development efforts such as education, infrastructure, economic growth and good governance to build resilience. Potentially, these efforts can help create a more stable and sustainable society where people can protect themselves from crises.

WFP has been working hard to alleviate the impact of famine in Yemen since 2015. The organization provided humanitarian aid to 15.3 million people in 2022 and raised $251.8 million in 2023. Fertilizers and farming equipment are provided to farmers to increase crop production. A total of 23,500 school students are fed every day in 2,173 schools.

As part of Yemen’s food assistance program, the WFP shipped 176,000 tons of food to the country through Oregon’s ships in 2018. Due to Yemen’s reliance on imported food, the WFP is setting up mobile cranes to speed up import unloading. Nearly 13 million people currently receive food assistance from WFP through vouchers and cash transfers. More than 254,000 tons of food were distributed by vouchers and nearly 934,794 tons of food were shipped in shipping containers by the organization in 2021.

Oxfam, another NGO, has assisted more than 3 million people with basic food needs and economic rehabilitation since July 2015, in addition to providing clean water, constructing sanitation facilities and providing hygiene kits.

Looking Ahead

David Gressly, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen highlights the urgent need to act swiftly and sustain an integrated humanitarian response that addresses food and nutrition, clean water, basic health care, protection and other essential needs for millions of people. Famine and economic instability remain significant challenges in Yemen, but initiatives led by organizations like USAID, WFP and Oxfam offer hope through their humanitarian and development assistance, benefiting millions of Yemenis with necessities such as food, clean water, primary health care and protection.

– Simran Raghav
Photo: Flickr

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Access to Education in Sub-Saharan Africa

Access to Education in Sub-Saharan AfricaMany see education as one of the most important variables when it comes to a country investing in its future. The proliferation of educational institutions, resources and syllabi contribute to a well-rounded, literate populace capable of working in a wide range of fields and actively participating in their local communities. Unfortunately, there have been difficulties with access to education in Sub-Saharan Africa in recent years, particularly in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 Challenges

The technological solution to the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed is uniquely impacting sub-Saharan Africa, as more than half of the region does not have access to electricity. A 2018 UNESCO Fact Sheet revealed that nearly 20% of primary school-age sub-Saharan children are not in school, with that number rising to 58% for upper-secondary age (high-school-aged students). UNESCO predates the onset of a global pandemic that made it difficult for schools to continue to supply quality education to students, even with the support of technology. The low educational participation rate in sub-Saharan Africa, coupled with the technologization of education worldwide, has made this region of the globe an important focus of educational development going forward.

Despite advancements in technology that have supported the education of millions of students worldwide, it is difficult to argue that technology could adequately replace the teacher’s pedagogical relationship with their students when operating in person. With the closing of schools during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a rise of “private operators” in sub-Saharan Africa. These groups exist outside of government-funded compulsory education programs and take advantage of parents concerned about the education of their children.

For example, in Cameroon, private operators created tools “for the sole purpose of generating profit, to the detriment of the public education service.” This may be profitable in the short term, but it could ultimately harm the public education system by promoting state disengagement. This practice ignores the need to preserve education as a universally accessible public good, rather than a privilege afforded to the wealthy and elite.

UNESCO and SDG4

The rise of private operators poses a hindrance to UNESCO’s goal, which aims to make universal primary and secondary education accessible by 2030. When a country starts to rely on private education to provide support for national literacy and civilian competence, it could lead to the reallocation of government spending away from education and into other sectors. This is precisely what happened in Cameroon when private operators became increasingly popular during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4) is UNESCO’s initiative that focuses on education, leveraging partnerships with governments, policy guidance and monitoring to meet the goals listed on its roadmap.

SDG4 is a bold and ambitious undertaking, and yet all the more important due to the global educational setbacks that the pandemic posed. Despite the recent complications, a broader overview of the development of education in sub-Saharan Africa shows the positive trend the region has been on for the past few decades. From 1970 to 2010, the percentage of children who were able to complete primary school increased by around 50%, from 46% to 68%. Furthermore, the incorporation of research-based educational strategies, such as increased teacher accountability, structured, predetermined teacher guides, scripted lesson plans and school-provided food programs have all had positive impacts on literacy rates in countries like Kenya and Uganda.

Looking Ahead

Access to education in sub-Saharan Africa has come a long way in the past 50 years. With African participation and cooperation in programs such as UNESCO’s SDG4, as well as the incorporation of new pedagogical methods based on research findings, there is room for optimism toward the future of education access and quality, an essential preliminary step to combating a range of other social challenges, from job insecurity to political stability.

– Lucas Bunting Giordano
Photo: Flickr

Digital Retail in China 

Digital RetailWhen considering the needs of those in poverty, a demographic often lacking consistent access to basic necessities such as food, shelter and clean water, advancements in digital retail may seem an unnecessary luxury. However, in recent years, many have noted the positive impact of the digitization of commercial services on economic growth in China; despite being “the world’s third largest and fastest-growing major economy,” 13% of China’s population (almost 200 million people) still live below the poverty line of $5.50 a day as of 2021.

Advantages of Digital Retail

One of the main advantages of digital retail is its ability to overcome geographical obstacles: rural workers are now able to promote their products and services to a much larger consumer base than previously. They are also now able to contribute to the development of entire industrial chains in e-commerce. Think tank China Watch attributed the creation of over 28 million jobs in rural regions of China to the expansion of online retailing and, in 2019, digital sales reached almost $16 billion in more than 760 impoverished counties. Marginalized groups in particular, such as the elderly and women with children, have benefitted from gaining access to customers and resources that might otherwise lie beyond their reach.

The expansion and implementation of digital retail in urban areas can also come with additional financial resources: digital access to loans and insurance can provide support and protection for burgeoning businesses. Key players in China include MYbank, which granted more than 4 million contactless loans within impoverished counties in its first five years (2015-2020), and JD.com, whose digital agricultural loan collaborations in the first two years (2017-2019), worth approximately 1 billion yuan ($143.5 million), reported no overdue repayments or defaults.

The Barriers

Despite the progress so far, there are still challenges and nuances that need consideration. Many of the above-mentioned developments require a certain level of technological infrastructure to operate, which many rural and impoverished regions have not yet reached. Almost 30% of the Chinese population is still without internet access, rendering these services unattainable to them, according to a 2021 study. The same study noted a “digital divide” in the nation, whereby the expansion of digital inclusive finance significantly alleviated poverty rates in the more developed eastern region of China yet showed “no significant effect” on the “relatively backward in development” western region.

Ongoing Efforts

In 2019, Xubei Luo, senior economist at World Bank, discussed attempts to facilitate e-commerce for marginalized groups: a village agent to assist locals in navigating digital retail platforms, make payments for villagers so that the latter only pay once they are satisfied with their product and bypass the need for villagers to make their own website results in a “lower threshold for the less advantaged to participate.” She equally noted the possibility of government assistance through “strategic subsidies.”

Looking Ahead

In the face of poverty, the expansion of digital retail in China has brought tangible benefits, enabling rural workers to reach a wider consumer base and contribute to local economic growth. The accessibility of digital loans and insurance has provided crucial support to emerging businesses, fostering financial stability. Although challenges remain, efforts are underway to bridge the digital divide and ensure that marginalized groups can participate in and benefit from the opportunities offered by e-commerce.

– Helene Schlichter
Photo: Flickr

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Michelle Obama’s Girls Opportunity Alliance

Girls Opportunity AllianceDuring her time as first lady, Michelle Obama took part in many charitable causes. Her work promoting children’s health is the most well-known, but there were many other issues she was advocating for as well. Domestically, she has supported many charities like Partnership for a Healthier America and the Entertainment Industry Foundation. In 2015, the Obama administration began a global initiative named Let Girls Learn, promoting education for girls and women all over the world. After serving as First Lady, Michelle Obama continued this work, founding the Girls Opportunity Alliance.

About the Alliance

The Girls Opportunity Alliance is a program of the Obama Foundation, founded in 2018 after the Obamas left the White House. It is a philanthropic organization that anyone can donate to and promotes others who look to advance female education. It works with GoFundMe to distribute these donations. Those in poor and underserved communities receive the most amount of money.

Organizations

On GoFundMe, the Alliance is listed as a project and hosts a network of many different organizations for donations. One is Chhori, which means “daughter” in Nepali. This nonprofit supports girls who are survivors of gender-based violence in the country and helps them advocate for themselves.

Based in Colombia, Origin Learning helps indigenous and migrant women in the La Guajira region achieve their goals using modern technology. Many of these women have the ambition to achieve higher goals but face poverty-related issues in the region.

There is also the Secondary Education for Women’s Advancement in Tanzania, part of a more extensive female empowerment campaign in that nation. A boarding school began its journey in 2008 for girls who could not afford education and it offers services to the beneficiaries as they get older.

Success Stories

Despite the fact it began in 2018, there are already great testimonials on the Girls Opportunity Alliance website. The first comes from Kiran, a girl from Northern India, who could not attend school after her mother died. Dr. Urvashi Sahni, who was helped by the Alliance, accepted Kiran into the girls‘ school she founded.

In Vietnam, Mang Thị Hay is able to go to school, which is, unfortunately, a rarity for girls in her village. She got help from the Rock-Paper-Scissors Children’s Fund, another organization that the Alliance supports.

Thuba Sibanda is a soccer coach for younger girls in Namibia and is looking to attend university. In addition to working with Physically Active Youth Namibia, Thuba was selected to participate in the Obama Foundation’s Leaders Program in 2019.

Looking Ahead

The Girls Opportunity Alliance may need some time to fully develop, as it is a new program. However, with the successes it has already had in helping local organizations, there are promising signs for the future. And the accomplishments of girls that benefitted from the Alliance continue to be a source of hope for even more progress.

– Josh Sobchak
Photo: Flickr

Health Care Workers in Ethiopia

Health Care Workers in EthiopiaThere is a lack of health care workers in Ethiopia, particularly in the areas with the highest poverty rates. This has significantly impacted the availability and caliber of health care services, thereby aggravating public health issues. Trading Economics reports, “Physicians (per 1,000 people) in Ethiopia was at 0.1059 in 2020, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources.” The country has one of the lowest health care worker-to-population ratios.

Inadequate Wages and Training Institutions

Ethiopia has around 30 recognized medical schools as of 2013. This is not enough to satisfy the needs of the nation in terms of health care. There is also the problem of low wages for medical staff. A 2018 Global Health Action article reports, “In multiple job holding, staff [members] augment basic salaries by engaging in a wide range of academic and non-academic activities within and outside their home institutions. How the practice is viewed and judged varies. Many recognize and understand the underlying reasons.” According to a World Bank report, blaming medical workers for looking elsewhere for additional income is hard considering the low wages they receive.

Migrating Professionals

Inadequate pay and unfavorable working conditions, along with the lack of resources to properly treat patients, are the main factors driving the exodus of health care professionals. According to Reuters, “The doctors identified 117 deaths and dozens of complications, including infections, amputations and kidney failure,” which was due to “shortages of essential medicines and equipment.” These unfortunate trends suggest that increasing pay and benefits, better workspaces and tools and professional training opportunities could encourage qualified health care employees to stay back.

Another strategy could involve encouraging health care professionals who have left the nation to return. According to the Ethiopian Ministry of Health, an estimated 2,000 Ethiopian medical experts leave the nation every year. A 2012 study reports that “around 53% of medical students hoped to migrate upon graduating, particularly to the United States [U.S.] and Europe.” The government may address this by providing incentives like tax rebates and debt forgiveness programs to medical professionals to return and work in the Ethiopian health care system.

Ongoing Efforts

The Ministry of Health of Ethiopia launched the Five-Year National Health Equity Strategy in August 2022, as highlighted in a high-level advocacy workshop organized by the World Health Organization (WHO). Dr. Nonhlanhla Diamini, Deputy WHO Representative to Ethiopia, emphasized the organization’s commitment to ensuring the right to good health and well-being for every Ethiopian. The successful implementation of strategies like the National Health Equity Strategy could be crucial in attaining this goal, and WHO is ready to collaborate with the Ministry of Health and other partners to make it a reality.

Looking Ahead

Despite the challenges of a shortage of health care workers and inadequate resources in the Ethiopian health care system, efforts are underway to address these issues. The launch of the Five-Year National Health Equity Strategy is indicative of the government’s commitment to equitable access to quality health care for all Ethiopians. Collaborative initiatives with organizations like WHO aim to strengthen the health care workforce, improve working conditions and incentivize the return of skilled professionals, ultimately leading to better health outcomes for the population.

– Lorraine Lin

Photo: Flickr

The Future of Managing HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia

HIV:AIDS in EthiopiaSituated along the eastern coast of the Horn of Africa, sits the populous nation of Ethiopia. Like many nations in the sub-Saharan region, Ethiopia has been heavily impacted by the tide of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, commonly known as HIV/AIDS. Modern advancements in education, health care and prevention seek to eradicate the disease’s devastating impact.

History of HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia

The first documented case of HIV was in June 1981 in Los Angeles, California. In 1984, doctors discovered HIV in Ethiopia as well. About two years later, the first case of AIDS appeared in Ethiopia as well, propelling the country into an epidemic.

In 1986, the prevalence of HIV/AIDS was under 1% of the population, but it grew steadily until it reached 4.4% by 2003. Meanwhile, rates in the nation’s capital, Addis Ababa, and other urban areas, towered above the country’s overall average for adults aged 15-49 years old. The estimated prevalence in these cities peaked in 1996, reaching 15.6% in Addis Ababa and 12.7% in urban areas. AIDS has been the leading cause of death in adult Ethiopians since 2006.

Impact of Poverty

Ethiopia is rich in agricultural resources. Yet, many Ethiopians struggle with poverty. Up to 78% of the population earns an income of less than $2.00 per day.

Poverty is concentrated in Ethiopia’s urban areas, where the prevalence of HIV/AIDS averages 3%, compared to the national rate of 1%. The impoverished population of Ethiopia’s cities often has neither the education nor the resources to combat diseases such as HIV/AIDS, contributing to its spread. HIV/AIDS only perpetuates poverty, as household, community, regional and sectoral costs are magnified by the sheer expense of care.

For the average Ethiopian, managing HIV/AIDS is a monumental expense, and poverty can make it nearly impossible to survive.

HIV/AIDS Numbers in Ethiopia Today

As of 2021, an estimated 610,000 Ethiopians were living with HIV/AIDs: 360,000 women, 210,000 men and 42,000 children. There were 12,000 deaths nationwide, contributing to the staggering figure of 280,000 children orphaned from HIV/AIDS-related deaths.

Despite this, progress has been made against the tide of HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia. Although thousands still suffer from the disease in 2023, foreign and domestic aid efforts are combatting the issue of inaccessible education and care. In addition, 84% of people with HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia know their status, and 78% are on antiretroviral therapy (ART).

ART is especially vital in mitigating HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia, as it suppresses the HIV virus, decreases its transmission and slows its progression to AIDS. Funding for free and comprehensive access to ART allows hundreds of thousands of Ethiopians to suppress their viral load and live healthily with HIV. Ethiopia is looking toward universal access to ART, which would allow HIV+ Ethiopians of all socio-economic backgrounds to receive care.

The Future

The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has invested nearly $3 billion to help Ethiopia combat the disease over the past 15 years, alongside the U.S.’ goal to end the HIV/AIDS pandemic by 2030, paints a positive future outlook for Ethiopia.

PEPFAR’s ultimate goal for Ethiopia is to establish that 95% of Ethiopians living with HIV know their status, have access to ART and can achieve viral load suppression within the next 10 years. Additionally, it will ensure economic stability and child care for people suffering from HIV/AIDs.

On May 23, 2023, Ambassador Dr. John Nkengasong, U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator and Special Representative for Health Diplomacy announced the approval of an additional $112 million for outreach for HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia.

In the 1980s-2000s, Ethiopia struggled to control the epidemic. HIV+ Ethiopians living in poverty, especially in urban areas, struggled to afford the cost of living with the disease. However, through international and domestic endeavors, HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia has become more manageable, spurring hope for eventual eradication.

– Char Nieberding
Photo: Flickr

Weather Fluctuations in Central America Threatens Families

Changing weather patterns have become an increasingly concerning issue around the world due to the long-term effects of human activities. Many countries, including those in Central America, face exposure to the long-term effects of fluctuations in the weather. In 2020, Hurricanes Eta and Iota swept through Central America, taking more than 200 lives. CNN reported that the upcoming heatwaves could potentially devastate countries in Central America “due to their fast-growing populations and limited access to health care and energy supplies.” This could be damaging for low-income families because they do not have the capacities to deal with these new environmental adjustments. However, the introduction of new programs and projects could assist these families in combating the life-threatening weather fluctuations in Central America.

Poverty in Central America

There are seven countries in Central America: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama. According to La Prensa Latina, “Many in Central America live below the poverty line, including 73% of the population in Honduras and 60% in Guatemala…26.2% in Costa Rica, 22.8% in El Salvador and 12.3% in Panama. In Nicaragua, 52% of the population was living in poverty and 22% in extreme poverty at the end of 2020 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.” In 2020, Belize, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Honduras were in the bottom percentiles with respect to health spending.

Impact on Agriculture

The available statistics suggest that low-income families could be vulnerable to sudden environmental changes in Central America. The country is dependent on its agriculture which has suffered great losses from droughts and floods. In 2014, the losses accounted for more than $460 million and by 2021, the losses had reached up to $10 billion.

Many farmers and their families have been greatly impacted by these losses. The results of the damages led to food insecurity and migration to the United States (U.S.). According to The Climate Reality Project, “More than 30% of jobs in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras are in agriculture.” The change in weather patterns could decrease labor income and force households to rely on aid, which the lawmakers in Central America provide very little of.

UN Environment Program

Currently, several projects are underway by the U.N. Environment Program. These projects aim to help the occupants of Central America and also encourage the government to make addressing changes a priority. Some of the programs and project the U.N. Environment Program has underway are:

  • MOVE: This project aims to assist with mobilizing electric transportation in Latin countries. It created the MoveToZero movement to encourage the government and private sectors to increase the funding for decarbonizing the energy sector. The goal of this effort is to ensure cleaner mobility.
  • CityAdapt: Its objective is to help citizens adapt to changes in the weather with nature-based solutions. The approach here involves restoring and protecting the ecosystems.
  • Microfinance for Ecosystem-based Adaptation (MEbA): It is providing products to those in remote areas, enabling them to invest, boost their income and continue to restore the ecosystems. MEbA began in 2012 and has shown farmers how to use organic fertilizer, solar dehydrators, greenhouses, agroforestry systems and more. Its approach also involves preserving ecosystems so that in turn, civilians reap the benefits.

Looking Ahead

A health emergency has been declared because of the changes in Central America. With more access to resources, citizens in Central America could get help with adjusting to the effects of climate change. There are many more projects and programs that the U.N. Environment Program is providing to aid affected people and get concerned governments on board. And by focusing on cleaner mobility, ecosystem preservation and empowering local communities, these projects contribute to resilience and positive change in Central America’s response to environmental challenges.

– Zyairah White

Photo: Flickr