Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

Global Oral Health Inequality

Global Oral Health InequalityOral diseases affect around half of the global population. Global oral health profiles show that the majority of those burdened by oral diseases are living in poverty, and this indicates an oral health inequality issue. Even more, standard oral health services are not readily available in many low-income and middle-income countries.

The Burden of Oral Diseases

In November 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) published the Global Oral Health Status Report which revealed the organization’s aim for universal health coverage for oral health by 2030. Following this report, in January 2023, was WHO’s Global Oral Health Action Plan.

These reports highlighted that oral diseases present a burden greater than the next five most prevalent non-communicable diseases combined. This burden primarily comes from untreated tooth decay, gum disease and cancers of the lip and oral cavities, all of which are largely preventable. According to the same reports, oral diseases such as gum disease may develop into other conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular problems.

Despite the fact that the global burden of oral diseases costs around $387 billion, only 4.6% of global health care expenditure goes toward dental and oral care. For this reason, the WHO emphasized the need for immediate interventions that focus on oral health.

Oral Health Inequality

The WHO’s reports outlined the first global oral health profile which highlighted that developing nations, particularly in the South-East Asian and Western Pacific regions, face the highest levels of oral health challenges. As reported by the organization, “oral diseases disproportionately affect the poor and socially disadvantaged.” Consequently, vulnerable groups face issues ranging from reduced productivity to school disruption, all of which can lead to poverty.

Multiple social, cultural, economic and behavioral factors contribute to the existing disparities in oral health. Developing countries undergoing social and cultural transformations are experiencing a surge in oral diseases due to lifestyle choices. Nevertheless, access to oral health care remains limited in these countries, and where available, it is often unaffordable and unsuitable for the majority of the population grappling with oral ailments. This highlights two key determinants of oral health inequality which are health care accessibility and lifestyle choices.

Oral Health Care Accessibility

The first significant determinant of oral health is the cost of available dental care and the disposable income of the population. At both national and global scales, there is a clear economically-based distribution of oral health care provision. Of the total number of dentists worldwide, only 1.4% work in low-income countries. 

According to the WHO’s report, the best way to ensure excellent oral health is to prioritize preventative measures. However, this relies on a health care system having the funds to sustain regular dental care and universal basic dental care coverage. As things stand, only the richest societies can afford a regular and sufficient supply of dental professionals and services. 

National governments and the international community could effectively combat economically-based oral health inequality and access to oral health care by funding more accessible and affordable health care for those in developing nations. A cost-effective approach promoted by the WHO involves the use of innovative digital health tools, such as telehealth and video-supported health. Teledentistry typically involves an online dental consultation that makes dental support more accessible to those who cannot get face-to-face care. For example, Unilever provides a teledentistry service in South-East Asia, with the aim of reaching over 200 million people. 

Lifestyle Choices

Another determinant of oral health inequality is the social and personal beliefs and habits people have around oral health. The consumption of sugar, alcohol and tobacco contributes to a range of non-communicable diseases that affect oral health. Additionally, a lack of education about oral hygiene can prevent people from taking the necessary personal care measures.

As a way to solve this problem, policymakers could focus on increasing health literacy and encouraging good oral hygiene among affected populations. Commercial advertising from large companies has been partly responsible for promoting habits like smoking and alcohol consumption, which can negatively impact oral health. The WHO suggests that these same companies hold the potential to promote beneficial habits such as those that support oral health among children and adults.

Digital Media and Oral Health

Low-income nations may not have the financial resources to implement effective media campaigns that focus on behavior change. However, the advent of digital media offers a potentially more accessible alternative. Online advertising campaigns are not only less costly, but they can also reach a wider audience.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Unilever collaborated with Cartoon Network to introduce an online educational program named Little Brush Big Brush. The program featured a series of videos that taught children about the significance of oral hygiene, with a particular emphasis on tooth brushing. Brushing teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste can decrease the risk of tooth decay by 90%. Programs like this have the potential to create significant change since they can reach a vast audience. For instance, 95% of the global internet population watches videos on YouTube alone.

Looking to the Future

Current global patterns show that those living in poverty are most at risk from preventable oral diseases. While face-to-face dental care may be unaffordable for many, the growth in access to the Internet provides a more cost-effective solution. Through the expansion of digital health care and online advertising to promote positive behavior changes, there is hope to reach a much wider audience and reduce oral health inequality for the present and the future.

– Polly Walton
Photo: Flickr

How Brazil’s Floods Affect Poverty

Flooding in BrazilBrazil is a country that is prone to flooding due to its extensive river systems, tropical climate and deforestation. Flooding had significant impacts on poverty in Brazil, affecting vulnerable populations and exacerbating existing social and economic inequalities. Brazil suffered an economic loss of $6.1 billion during 142 flooding events from 1900 to 2016. The World Bank reported that an estimated 2.75 million people in Brazil lived in extreme poverty from 2016 to 2021. The country’s GDP per capita has decreased dramatically since 2017, falling from $9,896 falling to $7,507 as of 2021.

Displacement & Infrastructure Damage

Flooding in Brazil often results in the displacement of people from their homes, particularly those living in informal settlements or slums known as favelas. The Organisation for World Peace (OWP) reported 4,000 residents of Sao Paulo facing displacement after ongoing flooding in February 2023. Recent flooding and landslides have damaged and/or destroyed infrastructure and communities in the regions of Sao Sebastiao, Barra do Sahy, Juquehy, Camburi, Boicucanga and Ubatuba.

Health Impacts

Water infrastructure has been either destroyed or severely damaged leading to authorities delivering drinking water in tank trucks throughout the affected areas, according to Worlds Aid. Flooding causes infections and bacteria to rampage through communities, with the most common being waterborne diseases, but others such as tetanus and bacterial infections are also present. The National Library of Medicine reported that from 2010 to 2014, Brazil had a total loss of R$ 9.2 billion ($1,845,240,412.00) due to flooding damages.

Social Vulnerability

Vulnerable communities such as indigenous populations face greater challenges when dealing with the impacts and recovery of flooding. These communities are less likely to gain access to health care services, and this exposes them to waterborne diseases.

Brazil’s agricultural sector has seen devastating declines since 2003, falling as low as 4.1% in 2010. However, reports in 2021 have shown an increase to 6.9%, the highest since 1994. The biggest influencer of this is climate change and floods, affecting vulnerable rural communities like farmers and creating further poverty in Brazil in these sectors.

Ongoing Efforts

The World Bank has provided over $100 million in an investment project to mitigate natural disasters in southern Brazil with the intent to construct disaster-prone economic hubs. Around 800 municipalities in the Southern regions are eligible to strengthen their urban resilience through this trust fund investment. In June 2022, the EU allocated a humanitarian fund of $1 million to several Brazilian municipalities which the floods affected. It provided for the rebuilding of infrastructure like schools and houses.

CAF America works with nonprofit organizations to establish funding and support for Brazil. Acao Cidadania, a humanitarian organization, has donated more than 200 tons of food and water amid the ongoing flooding crisis in Sao Paulo in 2023. And in December 2021, the Brazilian Red Cross launched the DREF operation in response to the heavy flooding and extreme weather that declared 155 of 417 municipalities in a state of emergency in Bahia. The Red Cross distributed vouchers to 800 families that covered the necessities. The organization provided 800 blankets and 300 mattresses to affected families, administered first-aid to more than 300 people, provided mental health and psychosocial support to 800 evacuated families and distributed water filters to 800 households.

Looking Ahead

With many residents prone to flooding, extreme poverty in Brazil is an issue that still affects vulnerable and poor communities. However, humanitarian groups continue to make efforts to provide additional support for those affected.

– Joshua Rogers
Photo: Flickr

Health Care in the Republic of Moldova

Health Care in the Republic of MoldovaThe Republic of Moldova, a landlocked country between Ukraine and Romania, is considered to be one of the poorest countries in Europe. Unfortunately, the economic state of the country, coupled with a legacy of corrupt government practices, has made it difficult to fund and sustain its health care system. However, since 2007, several programs and legislation have targeted health care in Moldova.

The State of Health Care

The life expectancy in Moldova averaged 72.2 years as of 2018. It has improved significantly from the 2000s, when life expectancy fell to the mid-60s, but remains one of the lowest in the WHO European region.

The European Health Observatory reported that in 2021, Moldova had mandatory health insurance that covered 88% of the population. The sanitation in Moldova is good, with 89.9% of Moldovan people using improved sanitation systems that direct waste into a sewer system.

However, according to The Moldova Project, Moldovan families only have $188 a month to access essentials, including but not limited to health care. Furthermore, 44% of the Moldovan population does not have access to improved water.

What the Government is Doing

The government launched health care reforms in 2004. Between 2007 and 2013, the priority of the Moldovan government’s health strategy was the prevention and mitigation of diseases and risk factors. The health strategy changed in 2014 and continued until 2020, placing focus on sustainable well-being through enhanced public health services.

The government sought to modernize the health care system in 2016, which continued to be a priority until 2018. The same year, the Ministry of Health created Public Health Councils to improve the quality of health care, to ensure the implementation of legislative acts and to coordinate the activities of medical facilities. These councils exist in each district under the Centres of Public Health.

The Republic of Moldova redirects 6.8% of the country’s GDP into health care. While this is not the lowest percentage spent on health care in Europe, it is less than the 9.83% average of the world and less than its neighboring country, Ukraine.

How Foreign Aid Helps

On top of the government prioritizing sustainable health and well-being, various organizations are extending help to improve health care in Moldova.

One example of this is The Health Services and Social Assistance Project, which set multiple targets to improve health care in the Republic of Moldova. The World Bank released a report on this project in 2015 that demonstrated notable success. The Health Services and Social Assistance Project achieved its goal of the National Health Insurance allocating 30% of its budget to primary care, implemented a training program for family doctors and introduced 75 new protocols, which surpassed its goal of 60.

It had aimed to construct 65 health centers but was only able to construct 38 as a result of unforeseen construction costs. It did surpass its goal of renovating 74 health facilities, as it had renovated 77. The Health Services and Social Assistance Project aimed to have 80% of the population with mandatory health insurance, and surpassed this target with 85% of the population having mandatory health insurance in 2014.

The Moldova Project Gives Aid Through Health Care

Established in 2008, The Moldova Project typically aids single-parent families with three or more children. Many of these parents experience addiction, unemployment and poor mental health. The Moldova Project takes a multifaceted approach by providing a range of services, such as subsistence packets, clothes, home repairs and health care.

The organization offers and provides medical assistance, including treatments for serious illnesses and surgeries, to all beneficiaries. Without intervention, these injuries and illnesses would worsen. Each year, the organization helps provide approximately 200 medical interventions in Moldova. Additionally, The Moldova Project has a psychological support program to aid health care in the Republic of Moldova. This program can provide up to 900 sessions a year, including round-the-clock support to families, psychological support for youths and counseling for parents.

How WHO Helps Moldovans Access Health Care

The World Health Organization also promotes health in the Republic of Moldova. The first WHO office in Moldova was established in 1995 and the Country Office profile was upgraded in 2011. The current Head of the Country Office for Moldova invests in activities that support national policy development.

The World Health Organization has mobilized young people and carried out multiple awareness campaigns in Moldova to promote the COVID-19 vaccination. It even has football players engaged in its efforts. In March 2023, they implemented a training course on health workforce leadership to maintain a strong health force. The course is also in Armenia, Romania, Georgia and North Macedonia, and allows participants to interpret and apply evidence to policy, along with other skills.

While there are difficulties for Moldovans accessing health and well-being facilities, the future looks optimistic. The country has seen overall improvements in health care in the last two decades. As long as organizations like WHO and The Moldova Project support the country, health care should continue to improve.

– Lachlan Griffiths
Photo: Flickr

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Addressing the Mediterranean Migration Crisis

Mediterranean Migration CrisisThe migrant boat shipwreck occurring in Italy on February 26, 2023, serves as a reminder that stronger action is necessary to address the Mediterranean migration crisis. Thousands of migrants attempt to cross the Mediterranean Sea by boat with the hope of a better future. However, the Mediterranean is a deadly route for migrants, with more than 26,000 people missing or dead since 2014.

The EU’s response to the migrant crisis in the Mediterranean has been criticized for falling short in addressing and collaborating on the issue. Numbers of experts posit that the prioritization of borders over human lives is an uncomfortable truth that must be confronted as the deadly waters continue to claim the lives of those seeking a future free from poverty, war and violence.

Migrant Boat Shipwreck in Italy

The migrant boat shipwreck in Italy led to at least 63 confirmed deaths, including women and children. The migrants had hoped to land near Crotone in search of a new life free from poverty. About 200 migrants from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia, Syria, Iraq and Iran boarded the boat, which had set out from Izmir, Turkey a few days before the shipwreck.

Due to high poverty rates and extreme living conditions in countries like Afghanistan, people are seeking better opportunities through migration. The economic collapse in Afghanistan, worsened by the Taliban’s seizure of power and international donors suspending non-humanitarian funding has created a humanitarian crisis. As of mid-2021, the U.N. Refugee Agency reported that 2.7 million Afghans were displaced across borders worldwide. 

The loss of lives in this incident serves as a reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to the ongoing migrant crisis in the Mediterranean.

Recent data shows a noteworthy surge in migrant arrivals in Italy compared to the same months in 2021-2022, with the figures tripling. While the peak of the migrant crisis in the EU was witnessed between 2014-2017, this year has seen a steep increase in arrivals, with Ivorians, Guineans, and Bangladeshis being the most represented nationalities.

Many migrants originate from countries with high poverty rates, including Cote d’Ivoire, which experienced a 6.7% rise in GDP in 2022, yet more than 11% of its population lived below the international poverty line. Similarly, extreme weather events and other factors have led to 35 million people continuing to live below the poverty line, as per recent reports.

Taking Action to Resolve the Mediterranean Migration Crisis

The Global Route-Based Migration Programme, initiated by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in 2021, aims to improve the safety and dignity of people on the move, including migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and other displaced individuals, along land and sea-based migration routes in Africa, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa and the Americas.

The program seeks to support 4.7 million people on the move and people in host communities annually by utilizing the expertise and reach of 57 Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies worldwide. It is a tool that can be used to address the migration crisis and improve coordination and collaboration among organizations and governments, while also enhancing support and access to essential needs such as food, water, shelter, information and health care.

The Path Forward

Addressing the root causes of migration and providing support to those in need requires a collaborative effort. In a bilateral meeting on the aftermath of the migrant boat shipwreck in Italy, during a March 2023 EU summit in Brussels, French President Macron and Italian Prime Minister Meloni discussed the need for a common European solution to manage migration and aid those in need. While migration policy has been a point of tension between the two countries in the past, this meeting signifies a step toward finding common ground and working together to address the complex challenges of migration in Europe.

– Elena Maria Puri
Photo: Flickr

Poverty Reduction in Syria

For 12 years, Syria has suffered from grinding internal conflict and war. This has strained Syrians and their economy. More than half of Syria’s population has been displaced, both internally as well as in neighboring countries. According to the World Bank, socioeconomic conditions in Syria are deteriorating rapidly. Due to the depreciation of its currency, inflation is “rampant” and real wages are “eroding” which is constantly forcing individuals into poverty. Furthermore, the economic crisis of Syria negatively affects its neighboring countries of Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan. And as the war and conflict continue, poverty reduction in Syria remains minimal.

Poverty and Everyday Struggles

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) reports that 90% of Syria’s population lives in poverty and struggles to make ends meet for their families. Since the start of the conflict, access to housing, chances for employment, health, education, water and sanitation have all significantly deteriorated. And the COVID-19 pandemic has only intensified the current susceptibility of the population. As a result of extreme poverty, with Syria’s GDP and GNI per capita declining, the World Bank officially reclassified the country as a low-income country in 2018. With this reclassification, the damage done to Syria’s economy since 2011 is emphasized, making the country eligible for funding from the International Development Association (IDA).

In 2022, food insecurity and hunger in Syrian households reached historic highs, with 12.4 million people (more than half the country’s population) reporting some level of food insecurity and 1.3 million reporting severe food insecurity. According to Euro-Med Monitor’s Chief Operations Officer Anas Jerjawi, “the humanitarian response plan for Syria has received only 25% of the necessary funding, which clearly means that the international community has failed millions of Syrians who are exhausted by poverty and conflict.”

The lack of humanitarian response from donor countries halts poverty reduction in Syria. Nearly 14.6 million Syrians require humanitarian assistance and half of them are children. Despite the lack of help from outside entities, there are organizations working to help poverty reduction in Syria as well as provide a humanitarian response.

UNICEF’s Humanitarian Work in Syria

To help poverty reduction in Syria, UNICEF, which focuses on helping children and their families, is applying multiple strategies that aim to reduce poverty and restore educational, health and water systems in Syria. According to its website, the organization is investing in repairing water systems cost-effectively, making sure further degradation of these systems comes to a halt. Along with supporting local supply networks, UNICEF will incorporate climate resilience into its programming. To support learning and maintain the resilience of families, schools and communities, UNICEF will refocus the majority of its investments in education toward initiatives that develop cognitive and capacity-building efforts. It will continue to take the lead in assisting with school rehabilitation, curriculum development and staff training to keep kids learning and catching up.

UNICEF intends to expand its preventative nutrition programs to stop the longer-term detrimental effects of malnutrition on children’s growth and cognitive development. Additionally, this will increase the ability of community volunteers and front-line health workers to educate parents about proper infant and early child feeding techniques. Carrying on with support for partners, especially in the most severely affected areas, UNICEF will work to assist health workers and community volunteers to deliver an integrated package of primary health care.

Oxfam’s Water Rehabilitation in Syria

Oxfam is “a global organization that fights inequality to end poverty and injustice.” Similar to UNICEF, the organization does support work in other areas that poverty impacts. Oxfam, with the help of partners, delivers development initiatives, public education, campaigns, advocacy efforts and humanitarian aid in emergencies and conflicts.

Noting that Syria has the largest refugee crisis in the world, Oxfam has a multi-pronged approach to Syria. This includes the provision of clean water, focus on hygiene and distribution of cash, food and agricultural supplies. Its water infrastructure rehabilitation efforts are benefiting at least 1.5 million people. Additionally, Oxfam intends to assist with solid refugee management and wastewater disposal, as well as promote public health and secure the basic necessities of life for Syrians. Oxfam also focuses on Syria’s neighboring countries that have been affected. In Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan, the organization works to help refugees access clean water and opportunities that can help improve their living conditions.

Looking Ahead

In the face of immense challenges, organizations like UNICEF and Oxfam are working tirelessly to combat poverty in Syria and provide vital assistance to vulnerable communities. Through their efforts, initiatives to repair water systems, improve education, enhance health care and promote nutrition are being implemented, offering hope for a brighter future. Despite the limited funding and lack of support from donor countries, these organizations continue to make a significant impact on poverty reduction and contribute to the overall well-being of the Syrian population.

– Brianna Green
Photo: Flickr

The Alliance Fighting for African Food Sovereignty

At its core, the global food sovereignty movement imagines a world in which everyone is fed locally-produced food that is nutritious, culturally appropriate and sustainably grown. The Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) is an organization that specifically advocates for African food sovereignty. Its main activities include movement-building, advocating for agroecology and campaigning for food policies that reflect its goals. The pan-African organization acts as a network-builder across the continent and plays a vital role in the broader food sovereignty movement.

The Importance of Food Sovereignty

The modern-day food sovereignty movement took shape in 1993 when a diverse group of agrarian peasants’ movement members formed La Vía Campesina. In 2023, La Vía Campesina describes itself as “first and foremost the voice of the people who work the land and feed the world.” The organization comprises 182 organizations across 81 countries, representing hundreds of millions of pastoralists, fishers, indigenous peoples, migrant workers and others, all of whom fall under the organization’s chosen umbrella term, “peasants.”

Though achieving food security is a basic goal of the movement, organizations like La Vía Campesina and AFSA take a notably holistic, nuanced approach. The movement examines aspects of broader food systems, including affordability, nutritional value and cultural appropriateness of foods, sustainability of production, respect for the rights of food producers and solidarity amongst regional and global peasant communities. These considerations are not merely philosophical and have consequences for the everyday lives of people at all points of the food system. A 2023 report by The Brookings Institute, for example, notes that African resilience in the face of external shocks (including climatic, economic and social crises) requires regional food sovereignty.

Most broadly, food sovereignty in Africa amounts to more stable food systems and decreased dependence upon aid and imports. Given its focus on sustainability, the primary objectives of the food sovereignty movement include improving soil health and biodiversity. This ecological well-being in turn ensures better availability and affordability of produce. For those hoping to move beyond subsistence farming or in search of work in the agricultural sector, African food sovereignty also offers increased opportunities for wealth generation.

What Does The AFSA Do?

African food sovereignty, in the view of AFSA, is best achieved through implementing policies and practices rooted in agroecology. According to the Food and Agriculture of the United Nations (FAO), “Agroecology is a holistic and integrated approach that simultaneously applies ecological and social concepts and principles to the design and management of sustainable agriculture and food systems.” In addition to addressing broader ecological and socio-economic systems, this farming and food system model also emphasizes local knowledge.

AFSA touts the approach as both a climate change solution and a sure way to achieve food sovereignty. The Alliance deems agroecology “a people-centered system of sustainable agriculture, combining indigenous knowledge with cutting edge science, making the best use of nature to create healthy communities….” AFSA brings together a diverse group of food system actors in Africa to advocate for policies and practices in line with agroecology. The Alliance also provides powerful case studies of how the transition to agroecology made a deep and lasting impact in the regions. Case studies like “Agroecological Training on Biofertilizers Improves Women’s Livelihoods in Togo” and “Changing the Fortunes of Farmers and Families in Murang’a County, Kenya” provide hopeful narratives that exemplify the social, environmental and economic benefits of the model.

How Does The AFSA Work?

AFSA approaches its movement-building and advocacy work with a network-based methodology. Local member associations representing roughly 200 million individuals are connected with national networks in 50 countries, which are then connected via 40 regional member networks. The Alliance’s core members include regional farmers’ organizations such as Eastern and Southern Africa Small Scale Farmers Forum, regional Indigenous peoples organizations such as The Indigenous Peoples of Africa Co-ordinating Committee and regional NGO networks such as Participatory Ecological Land Use Management Association. By connecting individual and large-scale members of the food and agriculture community in Africa, AFSA organizes and orients its members toward a version of Africa where all its people and ecosystems can thrive.

Ways to Support African Food Sovereignty

Though food sovereignty is ultimately about regional self-sufficiency, there are many ways people and organizations outside of Africa can support the movement. For example, Brookings Institute recommends that development partners “promote efforts to maximize regional food trade, by reducing disincentives and inefficiencies in global markets—such as dumping, subsidies and tariff structures that would disadvantage or discourage domestic production in African countries.” In addition, international actors providing aid to the region can prioritize food sovereignty as much as food security by ensuring that members of organizations fighting for African food sovereignty like La Vía Campesina and AFSA have a seat at the global table.

Looking Ahead

AFSA continues to play a crucial role in the quest for a world where food is locally-produced, nutritious and sustainable. The organization’s advocacy for agroecology, movement-building and policy campaigning promotes African food sovereignty and contributes to stable food systems and decreased dependence on aid. By supporting regional food trade and ensuring the inclusion of organizations like AFSA at the global level, international actors can help advance the goals of the food sovereignty movement in Africa.

–Hannah Carrigan

Photo: Wikimedia

Child Poverty in Yemen

Child Poverty in YemenWhile the civil war in Yemen is still ongoing, it could finally be coming to an end, as Saudi Arabia and Iran agreed to a peace deal in March 2023. Despite the truce, the effects on civilians, particularly children, might take a long time to heal. The all-time high state of child poverty in Yemen has left many negative impacts.

Malnutrition

According to the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), more than 23 million people, including around 13 million children, are in need of humanitarian assistance. A report by the United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP), estimated that there are currently 2.2 million acutely malnourished Yemeni children under 5 years old that require medical attention.

As a result of tactics used during the war, children in Yemen are missing out on much-needed supplies. Road blockades and the seizure of important ports, such as the Port of Aden, have contributed to low supply levels; also, more than 9.2 million children cannot access clean water and sanitizing services.

In a recent press release, Executive Director at UNICEF Catherine Russell said: “Thousands of children have lost their lives, and hundreds of thousands more remain at risk of death from preventable disease or starvation.”

Diseases and Vaccination

Due to the lack of clean water, Yemenis rely on dirty water for their daily needs. As a result, affected citizens face the threat of contracting water-borne diseases like cholera.

A 2021 report by the World Health Organisation (WHO), showed that between 2016 and 2021, there were more than 2.5 million cases of cholera in Yemen alongside an estimated 4,000 deaths. The spread of disease is also impacted by child poverty in Yemen.

Some of the deaths may be a result of Yemenis missing vaccinations. As of December 2022, around 28% of children under the age of one were missing their routine vaccinations, leaving them more susceptible to preventable diseases such as measles, cholera and diphtheria. Regarding the situation, Director Russell commented, “If the children of Yemen are to have any chance of a decent future, then the parties to the conflict, the international community and all those with influence must ensure they protect and support them.”

Education

The impact of the war in Yemen extends beyond health care and food insecurity, as it has also affected the country’s education system. According to UNICEF, the number of children deprived of basic education in Yemen may soon reach 6 million, affecting their prospects for employment and perpetuating levels of child poverty in Yemen.

As per the latest reports, the conflict has caused the destruction of 2,900 schools, with two-thirds of teachers in the country have received irregular pay. The COVID-19 pandemic has further disrupted education, with almost 5.8 million children experiencing school closures. According to UNICEF, 2 million Yemeni children are growing up without any education.

The charity organization called for urgent action to address this crisis, emphasizing that without support for education, Yemen’s future generations will struggle to recover and rebuild from the effects of the war.

The Civil War

The Yemen conflict involves two main warring parties: the Houthi rebels, supported by Iran, and the internationally recognized government of Yemen, backed by Saudi Arabia.

Both sides have been able to sustain the conflict due to consistent financial backing from their respective allies. However, a new peace deal brokered by China in March 2023 offers hope for an end to the conflict.

According to a 2023 report by UNICEF, more than 11,000 children died between the war’s start in 2014 and the end of 2021, averaging four deaths per day. The United Nations brokered a truce in Yemen last year, providing a period of peace for both parties. Unfortunately, the truce ended in October 2022 when attempts to reach a deal fell short. Within a month, 164 people, including 74 children at least, died.

Fighting chance

Despite the daily challenges Yemenis face, organizations such as UNICEF and WFP, alongside others have been working through government funding and donations to restore hope in the nation.

In 2022, UNICEF helped more than 260,000 children who were facing acute malnutrition and starvation, whilst also installing water distribution points across the country, providing safe drinking water for at least 4.7 million people.

The organization has vaccinated approximately 1.6 million children against measles and polio to curb the spread of these diseases. The WFP’s goal is to provide basic food assistance to more than 13 million individuals, offering flour, oil, salt, cash, or vouchers to purchase essential supplies. This effort aims to reduce child poverty in Yemen.

The fight against Yemen’s humanitarian crisis continues, and foreign aid plays a crucial role. In December 2022, WFP reported that it had assisted 8.6 million people. Catherine Russell emphasized, “Ultimately, sustained peace is the only way for families to rebuild their shattered lives and plan for the future.”

– Samuel Kalantzis 
Photo: Flickr

Universal Basic Income as a Solution to End Poverty

Solution to End PovertyUniversal basic income (UBI) is a concept that has gained momentum as a promising solution to end poverty worldwide. UBI is a system that provides every citizen, “regardless of income or employment status,” with a regular cash payment from the government. The idea is to provide a safety net that ensures “everyone has enough money to meet their basic needs, such as food, housing and health care” and to give people the freedom to pursue work that is meaningful to them.

Potential Benefits of Universal Basic Income

In many countries, poverty is a complex issue that is influenced by a range of factors, including unemployment, low wages, inadequate social services and discrimination. UBI aims to address some of these underlying causes of poverty by providing people with a stable source of income to rely on.

According to the World Bank, as of March 2023, 659 million people across the world live in extreme poverty, which is defined as living on less than $2.15 per day. UBI aims to provide these people with a basic level of income that can help them meet their basic needs and improve their standards of living.

One of the key benefits of UBI is income inequality reduction. In many countries, there is a widening gap between the rich and poor and UBI can help to narrow this gap by providing everyone with a basic level of income.

Studies and Pilot Projects

Studies have shown that UBI can reduce poverty rates, particularly among vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly. Research shows that a UBI pilot project introduced in the 1970s in the Canadian town of Dauphin led to a reduction in poverty rates and improved health outcomes as hospitalization rates declined by 8.5% in four years, mental health improved and more students completed secondary school.

UBI can also stand as a solution to end poverty by stimulating the economy. When people have more money to spend, they are more likely to invest in local businesses and contribute to economic growth. A study conducted by the Roosevelt Institute found that implementing UBI in the United States could boost the country’s GDP by as much as $2.5 trillion by 2025 by introducing an annual $12,000 per person basic income and this would increase the labor force by 4.5 to 4.7 million people.

In Finland, a two-year basic income pilot project that ran in 2017 and 2018 noted positive benefits. Participants reported improved well-being and mental health but no distinct benefits in terms of employment and productivity. Researchers at Helsinki University concluded, “The basic income recipients were more satisfied with their lives and experienced less mental strain than the control group. They also had a more positive perception of their economic welfare.”

UBI Challenges

Critics of UBI argue that it is too expensive and would be a disincentive for people to work. However, many UBI proponents believe that it could actually encourage people to pursue more meaningful work rather than being trapped in low-paying, dead-end jobs. UBI could also provide a safety net for those who are unable to work, such as people with disabilities or caregivers.

One of the major challenges with implementing UBI is funding. Some UBI proponents suggest funding the program through a wealth tax or by redirecting funds from existing social welfare programs. Others suggest that governments could fund UBI through revenue generated by a robot tax, which would tax companies that use automation to replace human workers.

The concept of UBI is not without criticism and there are concerns about the impact it could have on government budgets and other social services. However, many UBI proponents argue that the potential benefits, including reduced poverty rates and improved economic growth, outweigh the costs. Proponents believe that UBI is a forward-thinking solution that could transform the way society addresses poverty and inequality.

Furthermore, UBI has the potential to reduce the stigma associated with receiving social welfare benefits. Currently, some people are reluctant to access social welfare programs due to the social stigma attached to receiving government assistance. UBI would dissolve this stigma as everyone would receive regular cash payments from the government. This could encourage more people to access social welfare programs, leading to better outcomes for vulnerable populations.

Looking Ahead

UBI is a promising solution to end poverty and reduce income inequality. While there are still many questions about implementation and funding, pilot projects around the world show promising results. UBI has the potential to reduce poverty rates, stimulate the economy and provide a safety net for those who are unable to work. As the world continues to grapple with the complex issue of poverty, UBI stands as an approach that could transform the lives of millions of people.

– Sarmad Wali Khan
Photo: Flickr

Circular Economies Are Alleviating Poverty in Africa

Circular EconomiesCircular economies use industrial systems and economic activities that are regenerative to keep materials and services recycled as long as possible. By recycling products and services, circular economies eliminate excess waste and use fewer raw resources. Circular economies are alleviating poverty in Africa by creating a new workforce in resource recovery and reducing the use of scarce natural resources like water.

Many communities are taking the concept of circular economies into their own hands, forming cooperatives, or organizations ran jointly by their members. A cooperative in Kenya utilized solar resources that they had an abundance of to generate energy for the area, alleviating poverty by allowing people access to electricity. By making policies more environmentally friendly, circular economies are alleviating poverty in Africa in more ways than one.

Limitations on Single-use Items

There are currently 37 African countries that have a ban focused on eliminating single-use plastic, most focused on plastic bags. In 2017, the East African Community (EAC) endorsed the Polythene Materials Control Bill which provides the regulation and control of the use, sale and manufacturing of polythene materials like plastic. Circular economies are alleviating poverty in Africa by eliminating single-use plastics. By doing this, there will be less pollution in communities in Africa where poverty is present, resulting in less money allocated towards the cleaning of this pollution and more funds dedicated to the people of the area.

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Policies

EPR is an environmental policy in which a producer is still responsible for their product even after it is consumed. This way producers fully take into account the environmental implications of producing their product. In South Africa, EPR policies regulate producers to be responsible for funding a salary scheme for workers to determine how employees are paid in the informal sector, where businesses are generally cash-based and workers have informal agreements with their employers. South Africa’s EPR plan also outlines expanding the Packa-ching project, which advises people in informal settlements to sort their waste, clearing the settlements of pollution. Circular economies are alleviating poverty in Africa by giving policies the chance to steadily pay their workers and rid their communities of waste.

Enabling Digital Transformation

South Africa, Kenya and Rwanda have all implemented digital accessibility policies and this could contribute to circular economies alleviating poverty in Africa because they can support youth employment and skill development by creating jobs that focus on the management, use and repair of equipment. The policies include free or subsidized internet access to those who can not afford it by recycling old technology and fixing it to make it functional.

Specifically, Rwanda collaborated with the World Economic Forum to host a Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution in 2022, promoting emerging technologies including artificial intelligence and blockchain, which is an advanced business database. Within the same year, Rwanda’s capital held the ITU World Telecommunication Development Conference, which included a new Generation Connect Global Youth Summit to discuss engaging the next generation of leaders in a digital age. Rwandan entrepreneurs use Irembo, a government-to-citizen service portal located on a kiosk, as micro-businesses that generate income. Rwanda is a great example of a country using technology in a circular way to alleviate poverty– by giving its citizens resources, people have more opportunities to make money while giving back to their community.

Pushing Circular Economy Agenda through Policy

Circular economies are alleviating poverty in Africa, but there still is a way to go before Africa and other continents can fully adopt an economy focused on reusing and recycling. This can be done by introducing policies that incorporate a circular economy and post-pandemic recovery, including low-carbon emissions carrying over from the pandemic to the post-pandemic era.

In addition, by giving the public more of a say in policymaking, such as people working in waste management and secondary material production, circular economy policies are developed where benefits are distributed fairly.

– Olivia Maillet
Photo: Flickr

 

Sustainable Agriculture in the Netherlands

Sustainable Agriculture in the NetherlandsDespite its small size, the Netherlands has established itself as a major agricultural powerhouse in the world. Driving from one side of the country to the other takes less than four hours, illustrating the nation’s compact size. Yet, the country ranks as one of the top food-exporting nations in the world in relation to gross value largely due to sustainable agriculture in the Netherlands.

With a population of just over 17 million people, the Netherlands has developed a highly efficient and innovative agricultural sector that produces significant amounts of food. In fact, it stood as the fifth-largest food exporter in the world in 2017, with an agricultural sector that generates billions of dollars annually. The country’s impressive agricultural production is a testament to its ingenuity and commitment to sustainable practices.

This success is due in part to the country’s innovative and sustainable approach to agriculture. The United Nations recognizes the crucial role of sustainable agriculture in reducing poverty and promoting food security worldwide. The Netherlands illustrates this with a highly efficient and innovative agricultural sector contributing to an extreme poverty rate ($2.15 per person per day) of zero in 2020. Sustainable agriculture in the Netherlands holds valuable lessons that can help the world meet the food needs of more than 9.7 billion people by 2050.

4 Sustainable Agriculture Practices

  1. Precision Agriculture. One of the key ways in which the Netherlands has become a leader in sustainable agriculture is through its use of technology. Precision agriculture is a farming technique that uses technology to optimize agricultural production. This involves collecting data on various factors that affect crop growth, such as soil moisture, nutrient levels and pest populations and using that data to make decisions about how to manage crops. Precision agriculture can help farmers reduce waste and improve efficiency while minimizing environmental impact.
  2. Indoor Farming. Indoor farming involves growing crops in a controlled environment, such as a greenhouse or vertical farm. This can be done using hydroponics, which is a method of growing plants without soil, or aeroponics, which is a method of growing plants in mist. Indoor farming can significantly reduce the amount of land and water needed to grow crops, while also reducing the use of pesticides and other chemicals. According to the Washington Post, the Netherlands has close to 24,000 acres of crops, “almost twice the size of Manhattan,” growing in greenhouses. The greenhouses rely on lower amounts of fertilizer and water but “can grow on a single acre what would take 10 acres of traditional dirt farming to achieve.” Furthermore, “Dutch farms use only a half-gallon of water to grow about a pound of tomatoes while the global average is more than 28 gallons.”
  3. Implement Integrated Pest Management. The Netherlands is also a leader in implementing integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. IPM is a method of pest control that aims to reduce the use of pesticides by using natural pest control methods, such as biological controls and habitat manipulation. Biological controls involve using natural predators, such as ladybugs or parasitic wasps, to control pest populations. Habitat manipulation involves creating habitats for natural enemies of pests, such as birds or beneficial insects, to thrive. IPM can help reduce the environmental impact of farming while maintaining crop yields.
  4. Sustainable Animal Agriculture. The Netherlands has been a leader in promoting sustainable animal agriculture. The country is one of the largest exporters of meat and dairy products in the world but also stands at the forefront of efforts to reduce the environmental impact of livestock production. For example, many Dutch farmers use anaerobic digesters to convert animal waste into biogas, which can be used to generate renewable energy. The Netherlands is trying to cut down on resources to produce animal feed by using algae or insects as a protein source, which can reduce the environmental impact of livestock production.

Benefits and Challenges

According to the United Nations, Sustainable Development Goal 2 aims to “End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.” SDG 2 “recognizes the interlinkages [between] supporting sustainable agriculture, empowering small farmers, promoting gender equality, ending rural poverty, ensuring healthy lifestyles, tackling climate change and other issues” in the 17 SDGs. In the Netherlands, sustainable agriculture proves to be economically viable, with many farmers reporting that sustainable practices have led to increased yields, reduced costs and improved soil health.

However, there are also challenges to implementing sustainable agriculture on a larger scale. For example, the high-tech approach to agriculture used in the Netherlands is not scalable to larger, less developed countries, where resources and infrastructure may be limited. Additionally, there may be cultural barriers to adopting new farming techniques or changing traditional farming practices.

Despite these challenges, the Netherlands has demonstrated that sustainable agriculture is not only possible but is also economically viable. By embracing technology, prioritizing soil health, implementing integrated pest management and promoting sustainable animal agriculture, the country has shown that it can produce high-quality food while minimizing environmental impact. These lessons can serve as a model for other countries looking to implement sustainable farming practices.

Looking Ahead

The Netherlands’ smart and sustainable agricultural practices have immense potential to strengthen global food security. In developing regions where poverty levels are high, food production can be increased by adapting and tailoring the Dutch agriculture practices as per the needs of the region.

– Sarmad Wali Khan
Photo: Flickr