Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

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US Pledges $55 Million Following Earthquake in Afghanistan

Earthquake in AfghanistanU.S. Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, announced that the U.S. would provide $55 million in aid after a fatal 5.9 magnitude earthquake in Afghanistan on June 21, 2022. The disaster destroyed more than 10,000 houses and killed more than 1,000 people, making it the deadliest earthquake to hit Afghanistan in two decades. The earthquake poses a challenge for the Taliban, who have since asked the international community for aid.

Distribution of Funds

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) announced on June 28, 2022, that it will allocate $55 million in aid for emergency relief resources such as shelter, food, water, clothing and hygiene products in Afghanistan. A portion of the aid will go toward sanitation measures to limit the spread of waterborne diseases. Funds will go directly to partner civil societies and nonprofit organizations operating in the region as the U.S. does not have official diplomatic or humanitarian ties with the ruling Taliban.

Additional Aid Efforts in Afghanistan

The devastating earthquake exacerbates the economic and humanitarian crises that have pummeled Afghanistan since the Taliban first rose to power in August of 2021. Afghani citizens already face food insecurity, with national hunger rising from 14 million in July 2021 to 23 million in March 2022.

With more than half of the population facing food insecurity, international assistance narrowly managed to avoid full-scale famine in the country in the winter of 2022. Poverty rates in the country are estimated to stand at almost 97% as of 2022 due to prolonged drought and instability caused by recent political upheaval and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

On June 25, 2022, the United Nations initiated an emergency appeal for $110 million in aid to help the provinces most affected by the disaster. The U.N. will disseminate the funds in the next three months in order to help 360,000 Afghanistan citizens. This emergency appeal is integral to the U.N.’s Humanitarian Response for Afghanistan, which calls for a total of $4.4 billion in emergency aid.

Barriers to Aid

Unfortunately, the Taliban’s strict control over the country complicates all international humanitarian efforts. In late March 2022, the Taliban’s Prime Minister Mullah Hassan Akhund announced to all foreign aid agencies in Afghanistan that all humanitarian projects must be done in close coordination with Kabul’s authorities. This announcement came a week after the governor of the province of Ghor, Ghulam Naser Khaze, attempted to exert total control over several local NGOs.

Governor Khaze insisted that the NGOs turn over their funds and only adopt projects chosen by the local government. Prime Minister Mullah’s directives and Governor Khaze’s actions in Ghor represent a policy framework known as the “Monitoring and Control Plan of NGOs.” Kabul’s Taliban government formulated this plan in the fall of 2021 to consolidate all NGO activities under the Taliban’s authority.

Sanctions and other measures aim to prevent the Taliban from fully implementing its NGO-control framework. As a result, international financial systems are especially diligent, making it difficult for humanitarian groups to access the funds efficiently. The Taliban continues to actively insert itself between nonprofit organizations and the aid they seek to provide via various formal and informal decrees, further frustrating the fund distribution process.

How to Help

As a result of international sanctions on the Taliban, online fundraising sites cannot be transferred to Afghanistan banks. The best way to help those affected by the earthquake is to donate directly to NGOs in the region. Below is a list of NGOs helping those struggling in Afghanistan.

  • The World Food Programme: The earthquake exacerbated the food crisis that has gripped Afghanistan for months. The World Food Programme mitigates the issue of food insecurity in Afghanistan by delivering food to those in need within just a few hours.
  • The Red Cross and Red Crescent: The Red Cross and Red Crescent have been working in Afghanistan since the U.S. evacuated the country in the summer of 2021. These programs are already organized to deliver food, other critical supplies and mental and health services to those affected by the earthquake.
  • Islamic Relief: Islamic Relief is a Muslim aid network founded in the U.K. in 1984. The organization operates various humanitarian relief programs in more than 45 countries. It already has a fund to help supply food aid, cash and emergency shelter to those facing the impacts of the earthquake.
  • International Medical Corps: The International Medical Corps stood as one of the first organizations to respond to the disaster. It immediately began coordinating with domestic emergency responders and providing trauma care to affected communities.

The international community is rushing to help those affected by the crisis. Still, everyone can help in their own small way. Be sure to remain an active and informed global citizen by vocalizing the importance of foreign aid funds to local government representatives. Through the efforts of nations, NGOs and ordinary citizens, Afghanistan can look to a brighter tomorrow.

– Mollie Lund
Photo: Flickr

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7 Facts About Foreign Aid to Paraguay

Foreign Aid to ParaguayWith a national poverty rate of about 24% in 2018, according to World Bank data, increasing foreign aid to Paraguay is vital. Paraguay, a landlocked nation home to 7.13 million people in the heart of South America, has made significant strides to combat poverty, but not without help. Foreign aid is a staple in the country’s infrastructure development, humanitarian assistance and social welfare programs, all of which help to reduce poverty in Paraguay.

7 Facts About Foreign Aid to Paraguay

  1. Based on a poverty line of less than US$5.5 (2011 PPP) per day, foreign aid contributions helped Paraguay’s poverty rate fall to 15.8% in 2019, “less than half of what it was in 2003.” For instance, between 2003 and 2019, Paraguay received at least $13 million each year in U.S. foreign assistance, contributing to many projects designed to improve life for impoverished Paraguayans. One such project is the Paraguay Productivo, which targeted rural poverty by connecting smallholder farmers with “sustainable business opportunities” between 2009 and 2012. With projects like these, foreign aid to Paraguay contributed to a sharp decrease in poverty, improving the quality of life for millions of Paraguayans.
  2. Paraguay received more than $304 million for official development assistance (ODA) in 2020. This large sum of money contributes to hundreds of projects, including those for encouraging democracy, developing infrastructure and eradicating poverty. Projects like the Democracy and Governance Project (U.S.), Paraguay Productivo (U.S.) and the Project for Strengthening Primary Health Care System (Japan) contribute to economic growth and political stability, providing better resources and improving life for impoverished Paraguayans.
  3. The largest single donor to Paraguay is Japan, contributing more than $54 million in 2019 and 2020. The next highest donors of foreign aid to Paraguay are the European Union ($40.07 million), South Korea ($39.84 million), the Inter-American Development Bank ($38.36 million), the Green Climate Fund ($28.07 million), France ($22.44 million) and the United States ($21.52 million). Japan’s priorities in Paraguay are reducing disparities and promoting sustainable economic development, providing a framework for its aid. For instance, Japan’s Agricultural Sector Strengthening Project delivered resources to farmers, increasing their productivity and mitigating rural poverty.
  4. The sector receiving the most ODA is economic infrastructure and services, receiving 34% of foreign aid to Paraguay from 2019 to 2020. The next highest receiving sectors are social infrastructure and services (33%), health and population (17%) and education (5%). Paraguay Okakuaa, a U.S. project lasting from November 2015 to September 2021, developed economic infrastructure to prevent the exploitation of impoverished children, including the development of an electronic case management system to assist the government in executing labor laws.
  5. USAID, the U.S. agency orchestrating the country’s international development plans, leads several noteworthy projects that contribute to the fight against poverty, both directly and indirectly. The Democracy and Governance Project focuses on stemming corruption in the country, with an allotment of almost $4 million in 2018. The Higher Education Partnership received $3 million in 2019 to “strengthen the capacity of local higher education institutions (universities and training centers) to address gaps in the area of rule of law,” the USAID EducationLinks website says. USAID donated $4.9 million for COVID-19 assistance in 2022, bolstering the nation’s response to the pandemic.
  6. Some projects have a narrower focus on improving the well-being of Paraguayans, from improving health care to advancing access to food and water. For example, Japan and the Inter-American Development Bank loaned up to 9.13 million yen for water and sanitation improvements in Ciudad del Este, advancing water and sewage services in Paraguay’s “second largest metropolitan area.” Projects like this one focusing on water quality ensure the health, safety and security of the Paraguayans with the fewest resources.
  7. Foreign assistance does not always come from government sources, as many non-governmental organizations step up to combat poverty. Habitat for Humanity, for instance, served almost 3,500 Paraguayans in 2021 through “new constructions,” home repairs and “incremental building.” This organization contributes to improved living conditions, aiding vulnerable Paraguayans by building durable homes.

Eradicating global poverty is a group effort. As it stands, 8.6% of the world lives in extreme poverty and foreign aid works as a critical tool in the fight to end poverty. Through global action, poverty in Paraguay can diminish.

– Michael Cardamone
Photo: Flickr

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Ecuador Uses AI to Help Students to Improve

AI to help studentsIn Ecuador, a country where poverty is a prominent social issue, education stands as an essential pathway out of impoverishment. In a modern world where technology is thriving, combining technology and education is beneficial to the population. Starting January 2021, Ecuador has been using AI to help students understand math to a greater extent.

Higher Education in Ecuador

According to CEIC Data, in 2015, the percentage of adults aged 25 and older with a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent qualification stood at just 12%. Due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, many higher education students in Ecuador faced learning losses or gaps.

With the help of funding from the World Bank, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (SENESCYT) in Ecuador started offering “artificial intelligence (AI) assisted academic support in math” to new students starting their higher education. According to the World Bank, “using AI [has] enabled access to large-scale, low-cost academic remediation programs.”

The program has improved math results for students, which will, in turn, increase skills and job opportunities. This is changing the face of Ecuadorian remedial education. The use of AI to help students will help solve any recurring problem of lowered access to face-to-face classes due to weather, lack of transportation or sickness.

Implementation

The conventional method for a school to provide extra courses to pupils with learning gaps was to hire a private tutor after school hours. Most parents had the same issues with their children — the children faced difficulty understanding course work. However, not everyone could afford the privilege of hiring a tutor. But, for those who could, parents found it difficult to ensure that each student would be helped in a customized way that caters to their individual pace of learning.

Now, with the help of technology, students are able to access academic support to improve their performance in math. The new AI-powered learning platform is able to tailor tutoring to students’ strengths and weaknesses and prior learning.

According to a February 2022 article by the World Bank, the portal has provided assistance to “more than 14,000 students in the technical and technological higher education system” since January 2021. With the support and involvement of more than 300 educators, more than 400 technical and technological higher education courses implemented the AI tutoring program.

The Importance

According to the World Bank, as of 2020, 33% of Ecuadorians are living under the national poverty line. Access to education can help to combat poverty. According to UNESCO, “if all students in low-income countries had just basic reading skills (nothing else), an estimated 171 million people could escape extreme poverty. If all adults completed secondary education, we could cut the global poverty rate by more than half.”

In this case, providing students with AI-powered academic support to improve their critical skills will help to lay a foundation that paves the path to greater job opportunities. There is a correlation between education and poverty as education provides the skills and knowledge essential for accessing well-paying, skilled employment opportunities to break cycles of poverty. Because of this, access to good quality education is an antidote to poverty. Ecuador’s use of AI to address gaps in learning stands as a step toward the nation’s future economic prosperity.

– Frema Mensah
Photo: WikiCommons

Zipline Drones Deliver Medical Supplies Across Africa

reed-willard-practice-edit-zipline-drones-deliver-medical-supplies-across-africa
American start-up company Zipline has a dedication to increasing access to necessary goods for people across the world. One of Zipline’s main objectives is to help improve health care both domestically and globally. Africa, in particular, could benefit greatly from the company’s services. Here is some information about how Zipline drones have been beneficial in Africa.

Health Care and Poverty in Africa

Health care in Africa has been the worst in the world for quite some time, specifically in its sub-Saharan regions. Most of the area simply does not have the infrastructure or available resources to adequately serve the public. Because of this, half of Africa’s health services and supplies come from the private sector.

Many African countries, such as Nigeria, Kenya and Uganda, spend less than 10% of their budgets on health care. These nations also have an insufficient number of doctors for their populations. It is not uncommon to see one doctor for every 1,000 people. The need for proper health care on the continent will only increase as its population continues to grow. More than half of the people living in poverty worldwide are in Africa. Even if there were more doctors and medical supplies available, it is likely that many people would not be able to afford them.

About Zipline

Zipline is a U.S. start-up that launched in 2016. The company’s primary objective is to solve the world’s various accessibility problems. It aims to accomplish this goal by using technology to create an innovative delivery system. Since its creation, Zipline has serviced many countries around the world and continues to add more locations to its operation.

Zipline makes its deliveries via electric aerial drones. In addition to making goods more accessible to people, the company also assists with other regional issues. For instance, by using aerial drones, there are fewer delivery vehicles on the road and thus less traffic. Also, by using renewable energy, there is less air pollution, carbon emissions and use of fossil fuels.

One of the major goods that Zipline transports are medical supplies. Whether it is due to a lack of resources or funding, there are many people in the world without access to adequate health care. By delivering medical supplies worldwide, Zipline is making proper health care services more attainable for even the world’s poorest nations.

Zipline Drones in Africa

In its early years of operation, Zipline serviced African countries such as Ghana and Rwanda – the location of its first flight. In 2016, the company successfully delivered blood to a hospital via drone. Prior to this, getting emergency blood to a hospital took up to three hours. Zipline was able to reduce that time down to just 15 minutes.

In addition to blood, Zipline’s drone service delivers vaccines. In mid-2021, cases of malaria in Ghana reached between 20 and 30 a day. Once the World Health Organization (WHO) approved the distribution of a malaria vaccine, Zipline got to work. In January 2022, the company began delivering the vaccine to high-risk areas, including Ghana.

Moreover, it appears that Zipline has hardly begun reaching its potential. In 2022, it will be distributing medical supplies and vaccines to two more African nations, Nigeria and the Ivory Coast. Nigeria will be operating with three distribution centers and the Ivory Coast will have four. Both nations will be looking to use the delivery service to strengthen their health care systems.

The Impact of Zipline Drones

Following its first flight in 2016, the company expanded its services to various countries around the world. Within its first year of operation, Zipline made deliveries to 12 hospitals in Rwanda alone. Five years later, it provided 75% of Rwanda’s blood supply. It also delivers vaccines to hundreds of hospitals throughout the country.

Zipline is now collaborating with governments of various countries to create a convenient delivery service to improve healthcare across the globe. Zipline’s drones are quick and efficient, meaning that they can save delivery times of supplies and vaccines from a few hours to a few minutes. The time saved could easily be the difference in saving someone’s life.

In just five years, Zipline was able to make more than 200,000 deliveries in five countries, serve 1,900+ medical facilities and deliver 4.5 million doses of medical supplies. As its technology and logistics continue to improve, Zipline will be able to reach even more people worldwide. With strong infrastructure already in place, the company expects to make quality healthcare accessible to billions of people in the world who cannot otherwise attain it.

– Tyshon Johnson
Photo: Flickr

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Fighting Guyana’s Mental Health Crisis

Guyana's Mental Health Crisis
Guyana’s mental health crisis has plagued the nation for decades. In 2015 Guyana had a suicide rate of 44.2 per 100,000 people. This was far above the global average of 16 suicides per 100,000 people. This has been the case with Guyana for decades. A lack of mental health resources within the nation has perpetuated this cycle of ill mental health and suicide. Many have acknowledged that this dangerous phenomenon requires attention.

Mental Health and Suicide in Guyana

Guyana consistently ranks among the highest in the world for suicide rates. Suicide rates across the world have been decreasing but the Americas remains an anomaly in the trend. Since the beginning of the 21st century, Guyana has led the way when it comes to increasing suicide rates in the Americas. Guyana has the highest suicide rates in the Americas but this unfortunate status occurs among some groups within Guyana more often than others.

Guyana is an extremely ethnically and naturally diverse nation. The two largest ethnicities in Guyana are its Indo-Guyanese and Afro-Guyanese populations. About 40% of Guyana’s population is Indo-Guyanese and 29% is Afro-Guyanese. Other ethnicities include Chinese, Indigenous and mixed populations.

Despite Indo-Guyanese people making up less than half of Guyana’s population, they account for 80% of recorded suicides. The majority of those who commit suicide in the nation is between the ages of 15 to 34. Men are also four times more likely to commit suicide in Guyana than women. This means that young Indo-Guyanese men are more vulnerable to suicidality than other demographics in the nation.

Suicides in Guyana are also spatial uneven in their occurrence across the nation. About 70% of suicides in Guyana are in rural parts of the country. These are typically Extremely poor rural areas where low-income agricultural labor jobs are the predominant mode of employment for men. Women in these regions are typically stay-at-home mothers. Studies have begun to show that rural lifestyles have had a massive impact on suicidality in Guyana.

Identifying Root Causes

The conditions rural Indo-Guyanese residents have experienced have largely shaped Guyana’s mental health crisis. These rural regions are typically devoid of any mental health facilities or services. Many residents turn to substances such as alcohol to cope. Alcohol is comparatively easily available and thus a culture of drinking has developed in such regions. Some research has suggested that alcoholism is a leading factor in suicide.

Access to agricultural products in Guyana’s rural regions means that many locals use these products to poison themselves. Pesticide consumption is the most common method of suicide among Guyana’s rural residents. This evoked restrictions on the purchase of such pesticides. The effectiveness and feasibility of these restrictions have recently come into question.

Interventions and Outside Help

The severity of Guyana’s mental health crisis has created a sense of urgency. Many different entities have responded to this call to action. As of 2022, the Guyanese government has been discussing the prospects of decriminalizing suicide attempts. This may give suicidal individuals more confidence in seeking help.

De Montfort University has embarked on a research project to tackle Guyana’s mental health crisis. A team of researchers including Dr. Tania Hart are working with rural communities to increase mental health resilience. Participants in the community have received mental well-being resources and avenues through which to express mental discontent.

The U.S. has provided various forms of assistance to Guyana. Health is the one area that U.S. assistance under-serves. U.S. funding and intervention have funded initiatives to fight things such as HIV/AIDS and drug trafficking as well as youth engagement projects. The Americas Innovation Fund is one such initiative that has a particular focus on access to quality education. Given the success of previous U.S. initiatives in Guyana, there is great hope for the prospects of mental health funding.

A Brighter Future

Guyana’s mental health crisis is beginning to attract international collaboration. The Guyana Foundation has begun partnering with international organizations and NGOs. Those in the U.S. and Canada have been the focus of this outreach for support. Mental health facilities and suicide intervention programs are the main initiative recipients of funds. With the help of U.S agencies, Guyana could beat its mental health and Suicide crisis much in the way it has tackled HIV/AIDS and its drug trade.

– Bryce Mathurin Lindsay
Photo: Flickr

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5 Charities Operating in India

charities operating in India
Located in southern Asia, the country of India is among the most impoverished nations in the world, with a staggering 87.5% of Indian constituents making below $5.50 per day. Although these numbers are severe, in recent years there has been a notable decline in the poverty rate, and much of this has been possible through the aid of notable charities operating in India. Here is a list of five unique and impactful charities operating in India.

5 Charities Operating in India

  1. Sanitation First: Sanitation First began operations in 1997. It is a charity dedicated to supplementing impoverished Indian communities with healthy and convenient sanitation practices. Sanitation in India is a major concern as there is a culture of poverty in the country, and not enough educational programs or regulatory laws prevent the onset of unsanitary living. Poor sanitation practices can put underserved populations at higher risk for developing diseases, which can further contribute to a continued cycle of poverty. Sanitation First proactively prevents this vicious cycle by educating these communities about the importance of proper hygiene and by aiding with the implementation of environmentally friendly waste disposal solutions. The organization’s work is incredibly necessary as it provides hope and relief to not only impoverished community members but also to the environment as inappropriate waste disposal can have adverse effects on ecosystems. Presently, only 71% of the Indian population has access to basic sanitation services.
  2. Asan: Asan is a one-to-one donation business that emerged in 2011. Asan partners with several charities operating in India with the mission to eradicate period poverty. It produces medical-grade, easy-to-use menstrual cups for women, and for each purchase, it donates a menstrual cup to a woman in need. Asan has partnered with Indian charities such as ‘Pad and Prejudice’ and ‘EcoFemme,’ amongst others. Period poverty is a considerable issue in India as several cultural stigmas prevent impoverished women from receiving adequate education surrounding the topic of feminine hygiene. This can often result in long-term physical health issues for these women. Through these supportive programs, Asan has donated thousands of Asan cups to struggling communities and additionally has offered educational insight on how to properly care for the female body during a menstrual cycle, stigma-free.
  3. Abhoy Mission: Based in Tripura India, founded in 1988, the Abhoy Mission is a charity in India with a specific focus on helping the elderly and individuals with disabilities. The organization uses much of its funding to aid the elderly, especially those living in extreme poverty. The institution aims to provide for them by offering basic needs such as food, clothes and more. This is essential, especially for those within this demographic who are physically unable to work or care for themselves as a result of health issues that come with old age. Through its work, most specifically the ‘sponsor a grandparent’ program, the Abhoy mission has reached elder underserved Indian citizens, aiding them in feeling comfortable in their final years.
  4. Aarti for Girls: Aarti for Girls is a shelter for abandoned children and experienced extreme poverty in their childhood as a result of gender-based discrimination. For reference, of the 30 million estimated abandoned children in India, 90% are girls. Aarti for girls fosters these orphans and provides them with the opportunity to receive an education. Through this education, these girls can earn a job and gain financial and emotional independence. This allows them to care for themselves and to prevent future generations from continuing to live in an impoverished state. Thus far, the Aarti program has cared for more than 6,000 orphans and has educated more than 50,000 women through its livelihood teachings.
  5. Being Human: Being Human is a foundation that the Indian actor Salman Khan, famed for his highly revered work in more than 50 Bollywood films, founded. His charity focuses on providing health care and education to the underprivileged by supporting the development of career and educational resource centers, relief initiatives and health camps among others. Salman Khan’s influence has allowed the program to complete significant work, including launching the Being Bajrangi campaign, which aided in finding missing children across India to prevent them from becoming subject to extreme poverty. Through this particular campaign, 51 children have reunited with their families, and today are receiving proper education.

Concluding Thoughts

With mission statements that address themes of sanitation poverty, period poverty, elder poverty and gender-based poverty, these charities are just five amongst the thousands of charities in India working towards decreasing the poverty trendline and promising a better tomorrow for impoverished Indians.

– Aarika Sharma
Photo: Flickr

How One Organization Aids the Deaf in Singapore

Deaf in Singapore
Hearing impairment worsens many of the challenges of everyday life, including for the deaf in Singapore. There are currently around 500,000 hearing impaired and deaf people within Singapore. This accounts for about 8.4% of the total population of 5.95 million people as of September 13, 2022.

The Singapore Association for the Deaf is a nonprofit that provides essential services to the hearing impaired. This nonprofit’s vision is “to be the leading (organization) in advocating equal opportunity, in all aspects, for the Deaf and Hard of hearing and supporting them to reach their full potential.” This organization originated in 1955 and provides support in many different forms. This support ultimately allows the deaf in Singapore to reach a comfortable level of success.

Schools

The Mayflower Primary School provides general education to hearing-impaired children. Two separate teachers who create lesson plans specially tailored to the deaf (one teacher is provided by the Singapore Association for the Deaf) lead each classroom. The lessons include the use of Singapore Sign Language to properly teach core subjects to the hearing impaired.

Upon graduation from Mayflower, students can transfer to Beatty Secondary School. This school provides similar services to Mayflower in terms of teaching the hearing impaired. Additionally, this school provides emotional support as well as aid with assistive devices to their students. Trained staff are provided to this school through the Singapore Association for the Deaf.

The Mountbatten Vocational School provides specific professional training to the deaf in Singapore. This school allows its students to obtain ITE certification (Institute for Technical Education) through a comprehensive two-year program. The program includes “electrical wiring,” “plumbing,” “residential air conditioning” and other forms of training. 

Support Services for Students

Deaf students in Singapore are aided with adjustment into public schools through the Itinerant Support Service. Both the students and their families have involvement in this process to best accommodate the needs of the hearing impaired.

Social workers help the deaf and their families address issues such as “information and referral, case management, counseling, financial assistance and also make school visits.” Educational support is also provided to enhance skills related to core topics and in turn aid integration into public schools. Another form of support that aids with integration into public schools is speech therapy, where deaf students develop “listening and articulation skills.” 

Services for the Deaf

The Singapore Association for the Deaf provides a variety of services to the hearing impaired in Singapore. The services are on the organization’s website. 

  • “Information services” – information for clients as a guide for how to use community resources.
  • “Counseling”- emotional support for the deaf in Singapore.
  • “Financial Assistance”- aid with applications to national financial assistance programs. These include the Assistive Technology Fund (ATF) and the Seniors’ Mobility and Enabling Fund (SMF).
  • “Employment”- aiding the hearing impaired with finding deaf-friendly employers.
  • “Volunteer Activities”- the organization cooperates with Voluntary Welfare organizations to provide the necessary support to the deaf in Singapore and “empower” them through various activities. This includes the “Social Group of the Deaf” which encourages physical exercise and healthy lifestyle choices for the hearing impaired.

Sign Language Coursework

Singapore Sign Language is a hybrid form of sign language that combines aspects of Shanghainese Sign Language, American Sign Language and other lesser-known forms of sign language. The Singapore Association for the Deaf provides coursework that occurs online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hearing Care

The hearing care center provides health care services related to hearing and the devices used to aid the hearing impaired. Every registered client at the Singapore Association for the Deaf has entitlement to one free hearing test per year. The organization also offers ear impressions/molds to provide clients with the proper assistive devices for their bodies.

The organization also provides free hearing aids to members of the organization. Additionally, the organization sells batteries and additional accessories for hearing aids. All of the aforementioned services are essential for the hearing impaired to live with relative normality among their peers. 

Other Medical Assistance

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the prominence of telehealth services rose significantly. This was especially true in Singapore as the government distributed Ministry of Health phone numbers to access assistance and information about COVID-19. This proved unsatisfactory for the deaf in Singapore due to them being unable to talk over the telephone.

After some complaints, the Ministry of Health announced a partnership with the Ministry of Social and Family Development and the Singapore Association for the Deaf to create a more convenient solution. The organizations proceeded to create an SMS and email service as well as services for sign language interpretation. The programs allow the deaf in Singapore to receive accurate information about COVID-19 and respond accordingly.

The Singapore Association for the Deaf provides necessary aid and subsequently enables the hearing impaired through their various programs. This organization sets a strong precedent for other hearing-impaired organizations to follow.

– Max Cole
Photo: Wikipedia Commons

How India’s e-Commerce is Preparing For Next Busy Season

India’s E-commerce
India’s e-commerce and retail companies are calling for more workers as they prepare for their next busy season. One of India’s online grocery companies, BigBasket, has increased its number of positions from only 500 to 2,200 from March to June 2022. BigBasket is seeking more employees to help the company reach 6,000 delivery workers by April 2023. 

India’s E-Commerce Boom

India’s e-commerce began in 1995 and boomed in 2013 when Amazon first began operations in India. Amazon opened the doors for new e-markets and helped Indians explore new job possibilities. India’s e-commerce market’s job openings have grown exponentially as India’s internet penetration and cell phone usage have increased. With the growth of the e-commerce market in India, countless grocery e-commerce companies are seeking new employees to expand their reach and improve their economic foothold in India.

Without the hassle of traveling to the store, fighting crowds, and missing work, the e-commerce grocery options are incredibly appealing to consumers. Most of the major Indian grocery e-commerce companies promise delivery of 10 to 15 minutes, making them a very easy tool to use. The market value of e-commerce grocery stores reflects their consumer appeal and predicted value. Many economists expect the Indian e-commerce grocery market to have a market value worth $26.6 billion by 2027. 

India’s Inflation and Economic Improvements

India’s job market hit a milestone, with unemployment dropping to 6.8%, dipping below 7% for the first time in half a year. The e-commerce job market in India has improved as unemployment rates decrease and job turnover eases, creating a stronger sense of job security nationwide.

India’s inflation rates have improved the state of the e-commerce market. Inflation rates have risen worldwide as the war in Ukraine continues. The war has slowed supply chains, halted transportation of essential goods, and, with sanctions against Russia, prices skyrocketed internationally. The soaring prices have caused inflation to rise, which has left many nations scrambling to slow interest rates domestically. India’s inflation rate hit 7.8%, an eight-year high for inflation in India, between May and June 2022 before the rate began decreasing to 6.7% as of August 2022. As unemployment rates decrease, so do poverty rates. Poverty rates have dropped 12 percentage points to 10.3% since 2011. India’s government slowed the rise in food and gas prices. 

The slowed increase in prices has helped the government get a handle on the inflation rates, reducing the need for hiking commodity prices. As the interest rate lowers, so do the costs of retail items, specifically groceries. Reduced grocery prices will ease the economic burden and give consumers more faith in the reliability of the grocery markets. In preparation for the expected increase in demand for grocery delivery, e-commerce companies are looking for extra employees to fill the growing number of workers needed.

India’s Upcoming Busy Season

India’s busy season is its festive season from August to December. The festive season features months of extra events, family gatherings and increased funds circulating in the economy. In 2021, economists predicted the festival season would result in approximately $9.2 billion spent through e-commerce sites.

The COVID-19 pandemic convinced many to shop online for groceries, especially around the busy season. Many have appreciated the ease of using e-commerce for grocery shopping. It appears that the necessity for online grocery shopping in 2020 has left many in the habit of using companies, such as BigBasket to accomplish their grocery shopping needs.

India’s e-commerce is flexible for anyone seeking full or part-time work, and the jobs are spreading from the urban areas to India’s rural sectors. The significant companies expect increased demand for their delivery workers and retailers. They expect this demand to last, which will benefit India’s economy and population in both the long and short term.

Looking Ahead

In the short term, the jobs will result in extra money flowing into the economy and additional money in people’s pockets. In the long term, the jobs will provide more benefits than a small economic flow. The jobs will provide a secure income that empowers the poor beyond their bills. The certain income will keep job turnover low, saving companies money and allowing them to pay their employees higher wages. The higher wages and low turnover will, in the long term, create a noticeable difference in the economy and poverty and employment rates. The demand for India’s e-commerce shows that these jobs will be open and available. India’s e-commerce is a growing market that will remain strong for years to come.

 – Clara Mulvihill
Photo: Flickr

5 Organizations Addressing Mental Health in Bhutan 

Mental Health in Bhutan
Many often call Bhutan “The Happy Kingdom.” The reality, though, is that despite its renowned holistic development philosophy, it is struggling with a severe mental health crisis. Suicide is the sixth leading cause of death at a rate of one almost every 90 hours. However, luckily five organizations are addressing mental health in Bhutan to help alleviate them.

About Mental Health in Bhutan

Among its population of almost 780,000, in 2020, 6,858 cases of mental and behavioral disorders were on record. Meanwhile, infrastructure and licensed professionals are scarce. Only 100 beds exist in the 63 community-based psychiatric units around the country and there have only ever been four psychiatrists working there to date. This translates to roughly one psychiatrist for every 200,000 people, which is similar to Indonesia and India (0.6 psychiatrists per 200,000 people) compared to the United States (33 per 200,000).

Like much of the world, mental health services largely do not receive enough funding. Only 1% of Bhutan’s total health expenditure goes toward mental health. Superstitious and traditional beliefs that mental illness are due to black magic and curses still result in people turning to alternative practices and religious healing.

Addressing the acute need for more mental health professionals, services and infrastructure, these five organizations are at the forefront. Here are the five organizations addressing mental health in Bhutan.

5 Organizations Addressing Mental Health in Bhutan

  1. The Bhutan Canada Foundation: In 2019, The Bhutan Canada Foundation brought together Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan (KGUMSB) and the Global Health Initiative (GHI) at the University of British Columbia to tackle mental health. This university organization partnership works to generate educational dialogue and skill building for mental health and held a three-day symposium in 2020 focused on reducing mental health stigma, suicide prevention and building resilience.
  2. Health Volunteers Overseas: Health Volunteers Overseas have been working in Bhutan since the early 1990s and in 2009 expanded its initiative by implementing a mental health project. The HVO Bhutan mental health project focuses on improving both access and quality of care by training and educating professionals. Volunteer psychiatrists, psychologists, psychotherapists and clinical social workers at the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital and the Royal Institute of Health Sciences train the students and staff involved in mental health care.
  3. RENEW: RENEW (Respect, Educate, Nurture and Empower Women) is a nonprofit organization that Her Majesty, The Queen Mother Sangay Choden Wangchuck, founded in 2004. It focuses on empowering women and children and works with domestic abuse survivors and gender inequality. The organization also offers counseling services for abuse survivors dealing with mental health concerns. In September 2021, RENEW partnered with the Bhutan Board of Certified Counselors and the UNFPA to hold a six-day mental health facilitator training and another in October 2021. These events each trained more than 20 individuals.
  4. The UNFPA-PCE: In 2009, the United Nations Population Fund partnered with Paro College of Education to generate awareness, advocacy and dialogue on mental health as well as gender-based violence and developmental issues. It has published books and conducted workshops for students and psychological community outreach. In March 2020, multiple initiatives emerged to promote youth psychological and emotional resilience in response to COVID-19. The following year, a UNFPA-PCE partnership Center for Knowledge, Advocacy and Dialogue emerged to create a larger community base in the country.
  5. The Pema Center: The Pema Center is a new endeavor that the government funded to tackle mental health. It is a 60 bedded hospital currently undergoing construction that will dedicate itself to mental health and wellbeing. It consists of three main divisions – self-harm prevention, violence prevention and response, and substance use prevention and care. This organization began in response to mental health concerns due to the COVID-19 pandemic when reports showed that depression cases had doubled. It aims to provide both prevention, intervention and aftercare along with helpline, follow-up, rehabilitation and awareness-building services. The center has been conducting mental health screenings at schools, colleges and workplaces to counter the adverse effects of late identification. Late identification of mental health diseases is largely due to stigmatization and a lack of screening services and results in more severe and undiagnosed cases.

The National Mental Health Program

In July 1997, the government launched its National Mental Health Program, to integrate mental health into general health care. Mental health personnel now receive training in public health care facilities, allowing patients to receive both mental and physical care within the same visit, reducing mental health stigma and building community awareness.

More recently, Her Majesty, The Queen Mother Sangay Choden Wangchuck, has vocalized the need to make mental health a national priority, pushing for more government initiatives to better Bhutan’s mental health services. Along with the country’s health ministry, these organizations light the path towards an increasingly healthy population.

– Serena Sahiba Singh
Photo: Unsplash

Peru’s Internet Revolution

Peru’s Internet Revolution
Most people in the developed world take the internet for granted. Connecting to people across the globe in a matter of seconds is an amenity that is often inaccessible to people living in the developing world. While connection to the web is often dependent on affluence, digital exclusion can exacerbate inequalities further. Access to the electronic world allows economies to flourish, with consumers fully aware of their options and suppliers fully aware of their competition. Without this significant communicator, scammers often scam customers for their money, and companies feel detached from their consumers. The invitation of transparency, however, breaks down these barriers and creates unparalleled economic growth. Peru’s internet revolution is a prime example of this concept in action. The South American nation saw its poverty rate decrease by 8% due to today’s technological advancements, proving just how pivotal this key societal component truly is. This figure also quells any concerns of poverty reduction being too large-scale to accomplish; sometimes, a few targeted investments can have a significant positive impact.

Private Investments

While inaccessibility to the internet is a problem facing the entirety of Peru, people living in rural regions are far more likely to experience digital exclusion than their urban counterparts – partly due to unappealing investment opportunities in rural areas. Many internet providers view these small communities as too high-risk for funding, considering their typically rough terrain and the necessity to connect to lines miles away. Excluded from the broader world because of profit-driven decisions, charitable organizations like Internet Para Todos (Internet For All) have felt it necessary to intervene.

The progress has been rapid through partnerships with other generous groups like IDB Group, CAF and even Facebook. Averaging 27 novel 4G connections a day, these organizers were able to provide 6 million Peruvians with a life-changing utility. However, they could not oversee Peru’s internet revolution overnight; rural operators had previously built a plethora of infrastructure since they were legally eligible to do business in 2015 but required more credit and assistance in conjunction with necessary maintenance to complete projects.

Benevolence like this has widespread implications. Children in Peru often had outdated information and studying material before they could utilize tablets and laptops, preventing them from being competitive in the international market. Having a population well-versed in the intricacies of today would grant this mountainous state more clout within the international community, allowing future domestic producers to be fully aware of problems and the alternative solutions necessary to ensure industries at home can flourish.

The Effect on the Economy

Delving deeper into the economic side of this edition, up until 2020, Peru had seen consistent GDP growth throughout the time that telecommunications were blooming. Contrasting the expansion rates during the internet era and prior, there is no denying this modern convenience’s significance. While moves to provide opportunity in rural regions have been more recent, urban areas have seen over a decade of investment, which the data reflects. The nation used to see a wide variance in GDP growth year on year, from extreme highs of 12% to lows of -12%. Still, from 2010 on, the country typically enjoyed a steady 4%+ increase, reflecting a severe shift in Peruvian prospects.

The Work of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and PROMPERU

Peru has started to look beyond its borders with its newfound web access. Groups like the Ministry of Foreign Trade for Peru and PROMPERU have manufactured online marketplaces that highlight local and cultural commodities. This innovation will open up various small businesses to a consumer base they could only dream of having. The magnitude of Peru’s internet revolution is even uncommon in the developed world, let alone in a nation that has struggled to become connected to the internet for decades.

Considering that in 2011, the percentage of impoverished Peruvians was a whopping 29.5% and that by 2019, this figure had significantly cooled down to 20.6%, it implies that there is certainly a lot to celebrate in the case of this novel internet connection. While poverty had been falling substantially in Peru since 2005 (when over half of the state was in economic hardship), the significant dip between 2017 (24.10%) and 2019 (20.6%) after a leveling out post-2015 reiterates the point that investments in the web are not without consequence. In recent years, the commitment to rural outreach has only continued to foster the positives of Peru’s internet revolution.

Looking Ahead for Peru

With all of the good deeds that have occurred, there is no denying that much work still requires completion. About 71.8% of Peruvians have access to the web today, a data point much lower than any developed nation (for context, 92% of U.S. citizens are connected to the web worldwide). There is room for optimism, considering the speed at which the rural communities have connected to the internet and the market failures that have finally received attention. With these newfound investments, the economy has flourished, with poverty dropping nine points in less than a decade, three points in two years alone. So, while Peru’s internet revolution put the nation’s economy back on course, thanks to charitable organizations, refined localized efforts have made all the difference. Combating impoverishment does not have to be overwhelming or large-scale; it can merely be the implementation of a modern amenity that so many take for granted.

 – Jacob Lawhern
Photo: Flickr