Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

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Iraq’s CCHF Outbreak

Iraq’s CCHF OutbreakIraq has confirmed 212 cases of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) between the months of January 2022 and May 2022, 27 of which resulted in death. In April and May alone, Iraq reported 169 of these cases to the World Health Organization (WHO). CCHF is a viral tick-borne disease “transmitted to humans by bites of infected ticks and by direct contact with blood or tissues from infected humans and livestock.” The viral disease is endemic in Africa, the Balkans, the Middle East and some Asian countries. Iraq’s CCHF outbreak is not the nation’s first, but it is the most recent and among the deadliest. Iraq and the WHO are taking measures to slow the spread and help the infected, including dispatching an epidemiological investigation team to a heavily infected region and treating animals suspected of carrying the disease. There is currently no vaccine available but health care professionals can treat the disease with the antiviral drug ribavirin, though its full effectiveness is unknown.

A Brief Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Overview

CCHF is a tick-borne disease and most commonly arises from exposure to livestock, meaning that people working in the industry, such as farmers and butchers, are at increased risk. The first experienced symptoms of the virus include headache, fever, back and joint pain, stomach pain, vomiting and a flushed face. People who have had the virus for longer may experience severe bruising and nosebleeds, which could lead to hospitilization.

CCHF In Iraq

The Middle Eastern country of Iraq has a long history of contact with the virus and considers it a year-round threat. However, this recent outbreak has proven to be widespread, reaching many regions of the country and taking lives along the way. Iraq’s CCHF outbreak has earned the attention of the WHO, which is working with Iraq’s Ministry of Health to help contain and treat the outbreak.

The WHO has released a risk assessment, stating that people living in rural areas of Iraq are at a greater risk of contracting the disease, since livestock is abundant. The WHO also warns that the upcoming religious holiday Eid al-Adha may worsen the outbreak considering that citizens will slaughter more livestock for the holiday and there may be cross-border transportation of animals.

Solutions

The collaboration between the Ministry of Health and the WHO during Iraq’s CCHF outbreak is a cause for hope. An epidemiological investigation team is currently working to locate the original point of contact for the current outbreak, which will hopefully lead to more focused treatment. The WHO conducted a three-day workshop in March 2022 with local physicians, veterinarians, lab technicians, health workers and disease investigators, designed to increase the capacity of Iraq’s rapid response team. The training served as a source of information, better preparing the country to handle future outbreaks of CCHF.

The WHO has released many recommendations to the people of Iraq to help curb the spread of the virus and has provided resources for obtaining information and treatment. Since CCHF is a year-round threat in Iraq, the nation is prepared to treat cases of the virus, but the sudden influx of patients proved to be overwhelming. With the backing of the WHO, it is likely that this outbreak will soon slow and become manageable once again.

– Thomas Schneider
Photo: Flickr

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Fighting Play Poverty Around the Globe 

Play PovertyThe Chilean poet Pablo Neruda once said that “a child who does not play is not a child.” Play, as defined by the World Economic Forum, is “freedom for children to engage with and learn from the world that surrounds them.” However, for millions of children in poverty, play is “an elusive luxury.” “Play poverty” is a term describing this scarcity of play among socio-economically disadvantaged children.

With rising research on the benefits of play on child development and performance, “play poverty” has become the focus of several NGOs and well-known organizations, such as FIFA.

The Power of Play

The World Economic Forum states that “Play is the rocket fuel of child development.” Psychologists believe play is crucial for brain development. Specifically, play “promotes connections between nerve cells, helps develop motor skills and coordination” and trains the brain to make sound decisions at an early age. As a result, the brain develops the “cognitive, emotional and social intelligence” that adults rely on.

In poor regions, many children are forced to forego their education to work or care for their families. In the regions most prone to low enrolment rates and the harsh realities of life, “time for play is often displaced by the chores and responsibilities that are so familiar to children growing up in poverty.” According to Right to Play, an NGO aiming to empower vulnerable children, play helps children stay in school while protecting them from exploitation and benefiting their future. Additionally, play helps children escape from “their harsh reality” of poverty, war and natural disasters.

Current Efforts by FIFA and Adidas

Adidas, FIFA and the FIFA Fan Movement, an organization connecting FIFA and the people, have collaborated to give ball donations to NGOs fighting for social good. The pandemic has left thousands of footballs unused; with sustainability in mind, the FIFA Fan Movement nominated 34 NGOs around the world and nine were selected. FIFA believes that their donation will help support “sport as a tool for building life skills such as teamwork, communication, hard work, discipline and a healthy outlet of physical activity.”

Case Study: Tanzania

In Tanzania, despite no school fees since 2015 in lower through secondary school, roughly 2 million children under the age of 13 are currently not enrolled or attending school.  About 70% of Tanzanian children between the ages of 14 and 17 are not enrolled in secondary education. Unsurprisingly, UNICEF found that “primary school-aged children from the poorest families are three times less likely to attend school than those from the wealthiest households.” The children are not out-of-school due to the financial burdens of education it is partially free. The reason is that Tanzanian parents often rely on their children to be a further source of income or guardianship. Unfortunately, this often forces children into vulnerable positions such as working under hazardous conditions or early child marriage. In fact, two out of five Tanzanian girls get married before the age of 18.

Jambo for Development

Luckily, Jambo for Development, a Tanzanian-based NGO, is one of the nine organizations to receive 108 footballs from FIFA. The NGO’s mission, which has a long history of support from FIFA, is to enable all children to have an equal opportunity at achieving their dreams. With FIFA’s help, Jambo for Development has a good chance at making some Tanzanian children’s dreams come true, as they will be equipped “with the skills and tools to address and embrace the new realities of tomorrow.”

– Lena Maassen 
Photo: Flickr

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USAID Programs in Kosovo

USAID Programs in KosovoKosovo, officially known as the Republic of Kosovo, is a small country situated in the middle of the Balkan Peninsula in Southeastern Europe. Since Kosovo’s independence from Serbia in 2008, the United States has maintained a close relationship with the relatively young country, providing everything from military aid to economic assistance and COVID-19 relief. The U.S.’s main foreign aid avenue, USAID, has played a vital role in this relationship between the two countries and their joint mission of reform, modernization and transition. With roughly 23% of Kosovo’s population living in poverty and an estimated unemployment rate of 26% as of 2021, pursuing such endeavors to support goals like self-sustainability, job creation and economic prosperity are crucial to the country’s development. There are several notable USAID programs in Kosovo currently underway.

2022 Development Funding and COVID-19 Relief

In March 2022, the United States announced $31.9 million in assistance to Kosovo. Per a USAID press release, the funding will work to “[promote] Kosovo-led development solutions to economic and democratic challenges.” This aligns with USAID’s goal of Kosovan self-reliance outlined in the USAID-Kosovo Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) — a plan which acts as a developmental roadmap for the country through 2025.

Earlier, in January 2022, the U.S. announced $3 million in additional COVID-19 assistance for Kosovo, building on the $5.1 million in aid given over the course of the pandemic. Along with this financial aid, USAID has also worked to deliver personal hygiene kits, ventilators, testing equipment and nearly 538,200 doses of the Pfizer vaccine to Kosovo. As of 23 June 2022, Kosovo has had a total of 228,563 COVID-19 cases resulting in 3,130 deaths.

Energy Sustainability Activity

Launched in February 2021 and expected to run through February 2026, the USAID Energy Sustainability Activity aims to enhance Kosovo’s energy security by building “sustainable power networks,” increasing energy capacity for local institutions and accelerating investment in Kosovan renewable energy infrastructure.

“The next five years for Kosovo are critical for establishing a robust, reliable and regionally integrated power system in line with Energy Community (EnC) standards — an integral part of bolstering the country’s economic growth and increasing opportunities for its citizens,” a USAID fact sheet explains.

As one of the most impoverished countries in Europe, with a per capita GDP of $4,291 as of December 2020, building a sustainable, reliable energy infrastructure is absolutely crucial for Kosovo as the country’s ongoing energy crisis acts as a direct obstacle to its economic development. “Without reliable, affordable electricity, Kosovo’s businesses cannot invest, operate and create jobs; hospitals and schools cannot function fully or safely with frequent power cuts… Basic services that people in developed countries take for granted cannot be offered.” says the World Bank.

Commercial Justice Activity

Operating as a larger program containing a plethora of smaller programs, the Commercial Justice Activity is an initiative by USAID and various Kosovan judicial institutions to work on judicial reforms that have the potential to promote “investment, economic growth and job creation” in Kosovo.

This program has already made a positive impact on the Kosovan justice system. The Kosovan government adopted a draft Law on Commercial Court in August 2021, which proposed the establishment of a standalone court for business and investment disputes in order to streamline commercial justice. Kosovo’s Assembly unanimously passed the law in February 2022.

Other aspects of this program include improved training for judges and court staff as well as initiatives to increase court accountability and efficiency.

Kosovo Youth Dialogue

USAID established the Kosovo Youth Dialogue in August 2021 for the primary purpose of empowering and educating the Kosovan youth population. The ongoing 30-month project works to encourage dialogue and education among the youth population regarding the country’s past and the various ethnic groups belonging to the region.

Specifically, the program aims to “[empower] young people to actively participate in the dealing with the past and reconciliation process in Kosovo by encouraging inter-ethnic communication, interaction and cooperation, addressing common interests, building confidence and promoting mutual understanding and positive attitudes.” The program includes youth exchange programs, grants, educational programs and partnerships with various Kosovan non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

The Future

As one of the most impoverished countries in Europe, and considering its lack of recognition as a sovereign state by many, Kosovo has a long road ahead in achieving its sought-after self-sustainability. However, with its continued steadfast focus on policy reform, modernization and stability, the nation’s future is certainly bright.

With the work of these USAID programs in Kosovo and that of other like-minded organizations such as UNICEF, the World Bank and the European Commission, Kosovo can take much greater steps toward achieving its desired future of sustainability and improving the social and economic well-being of citizens.

– Riley Wooldridge
Photo: Pixabay

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What to Know About Monkeypox in Africa

Monkeypox in AfricaWhile monkeypox in the United Kingdom hit headlines in May 2022, Africa has a long history of combating the disease and isolating cases. Monkeypox, similar to smallpox, is a zoonotic disease that causes skin lesions, fever and body aches. In endemic countries, 3-6% of reported cases of monkeypox in Africa result in death. Monkeypox is endemic in 10 African countries, often in poor rural areas.

Smallpox only infected humans, making it simpler to eradicate through vaccination. Monkeypox also spreads from animal to human, making it more difficult to control the spread. Vaccines became readily available to non-endemic and wealthier countries this year when monkeypox cases appeared outside Africa, but are still not available to African nations, which have experienced sickness and death due to monkeypox for decades.

Strains of Monkeypox in Africa

Cases of monkeypox, specifically in sub-Saharan Africa, increased in the past 30 years. Several strains of monkeypox plague Africa, the most deadly being the Congo Basin strain that kills 10% of those infected. Despite its deadly nature, the Congo Basin strain has never strayed outside of Africa. Individuals self-isolate when infected to slow the spread. The Democratic Republic of the Congo experienced the most deaths in 2022 with 58 total deaths by June 2022. The West African strain is less deadly, with a mortality rate of 1-3%.

How Monkeypox Spreads

The first known case of monkeypox emerged in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. At the same time that scientists were trying to end smallpox, a 9-month-old child appeared to have monkeypox. Despite its name, historically, scientists have only found monkeypox in African monkeys once. It is most commonly contracted by rats and squirrels that live in close proximity to humans.

Monkeypox can spread from human to human by symptomatic infected individuals, such as through contact with bodily fluids and skin lesions. The year 2022 is not the first time monkeypox spread to countries outside of Africa. In 2003, monkeypox entered the United States via infected prairie dogs that came into contact with Gambian pouched rats from Ghana. These dogs, sold to people through pet shops, infected the humans who came into contact with them.

Risk Factors and Treatment

The World Health Organization recommends providing food and fluids to those infected. However,  in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 57% of residents do not have clean drinking water and 43% of children are malnourished, says Opportunity International.

Monkeypox has a higher mortality rate for the young and immune-compromised. Children infected with monkeypox in Africa have a higher risk of death than adults. During the 2017 monkeypox outbreak in Nigeria, about 57% of residents who died were HIV-positive.

In 2022, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) licensed an antiviral treatment for smallpox, known as tecovirimat, to treat monkeypox. The treatment is not readily available in Africa yet. The vaccine for smallpox is about 85% effective in protecting against monkeypox, additionally, in circumstances similar to the coronavirus vaccine hoarding by wealthier countries, wealthier countries are stockpiling monkeypox vaccines as well.

Reducing animal trade from Africa lowers the risk of creating groups of infected animals in other countries as most cases come from contact with sick and dead animals

Vaccine Inequity

From January 2022 to June 1, 2022, Africa has noted 63 deaths from monkeypox while non-endemic countries have not noted any deaths. In Africa, the sick must isolate and recover without the medications other countries provide to the sick.

Despite a history of inequity, there is hope as organizations work to extend relief to Africa.

Hope for Africa

As of May 31, 2022, Africa reported almost 1,400 cases of monkeypox to the World Health Organization (WHO) for the year 2022.

The WHO is now working with endemic African countries and other relevant parties to “bolster laboratory diagnosis, disease surveillance, readiness and response actions to prevent further infections.” The WHO is also supplying Africa with the knowledge and tools necessary to conduct testing, provide medical treatment and manage infections. The organization is also providing guidance on “how to inform and educate the public about monkeypox and its risks and how to collaborate with communities to support disease control efforts.”

The Jynneos vaccine, approved for use by the United States FDA in 2019, is known to prevent serious and fatal cases of monkeypox. Jynneos is 85% effective at preventing monkeypox cases and is administered in two doses spread four weeks apart. The WHO is working to improve access to the Jynneos vaccine in more countries, including those in Africa. While the history of monkeypox in Africa is long, organizations are working to reverse the course of health inequity often visible during global health crises.

– Sara Sweitzer
Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Mental Health in Mongolia

Mental Health in MongoliaKnown for its wild, rugged expanses and rich background of battle and survival, the world has historically characterized Mongolia as a nation of the tough and hardy. This remains true today, with the country’s relatively small population of 3.3 million braving harsh living conditions in severe winters that can fall below -40 Celsius and about 28% of the total population living in poverty in 2020. Though much research exists on the grit of Mongolians, research on the impacts of harsh living conditions on mental health in Mongolia is less common.

The State of Mental Health Care in Mongolia Today

From the minimal amount of data available on Mongolian mental health care, it is apparent that, as of 2017, Mongolia has a single mental hospital in Ulaan Baatar. WHO states that there is one “mental health outpatient facility attached to a hospital” but there is no or no reported “community-based or non-hospital mental health outpatient facility” and no or no reported “other outpatient facilities.” WHO also found that in 2017 the Mongolian government did not spend any of its total health budget on the mental health sector.

Furthermore, a 2005 study found that 90% of Mongolia’s mental health experts had been trained in the 1970s and 1980s and lacked the “knowledge, attitude and skills required for community-based mental health care.” This poses a dangerous situation for all Mongolians in need of care, particularly those for whom access to mental health care can be a matter of life or death.

In 2015, suicide stood as the cause of about a quarter of deaths among adolescents between the ages of 15 and 19. Even more alarming is the fact that “according to the 2013 Global School-based Student Health Survey, 32.1[%]of girls between the ages of 16 and 17 had seriously considered suicide and 11.6[%] had attempted suicide within the last year.”

Furthermore, although mental health services for the youth are few, a 2017 study reported a high prevalence of mental health issues among Mongolian adolescents, standing at 43%.

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbates existing issues, taking a significant toll on the physical and mental health of Mongolians. The pandemic has placed immense pressure on the “relatively young and inexperienced health care professionals” in Mongolia, obliging them to take on “continuous and long work hours.” This has led to health care workers exhibiting signs of mental afflictions.

Efforts to Help

Without easy access to proper mental health care, much of the population remains at risk of suffering from mental illness. However, with much research emphasizing the importance of community in fostering positive mental well-being, Mongolia has introduced community-based services across the country.

One example of this is the WHO and SOROS Foundation-funded ‘Ger’ project, in which project partners set up portable Mongolian roundhouses called ‘gers’ across rural areas as community-based day centers staffed by general health care. Established in 2000, the project provided “people with chronic mental illnesses with the opportunity to increase their social and living skills” through psychosocial rehabilitation. The ‘Ger’ project saw success – from 2002-2007, the relapse of mental illnesses of ‘Ger’ project patients reduced by 95%. However, despite its success, the ‘Ger’ is not currently running.

UNICEF Mongolia launched a virtual campaign to promote healthy lifestyles and reduce stress and anxiety in communities. Launched in 2021 and lasting 10 days, around 400 youth volunteers received mental health training from psychologists and professionals, including guidance on self-help techniques. The volunteers then had to “create support groups among their communities and peers” and “provide information and knowledge on mental health to their support groups” while putting into practice the self-help techniques. Named “From Awareness to Action; let’s keep our mind healthy!”, the campaign helped participants to “reduce their stress and anxiety” through group support.

Looking Ahead

With comprehensive and concrete mental health care services few and far between, the Mongolian government may need to take more significant steps in order to support the mental well-being of its citizens. Recent projects show that when organizations prioritize community services and mobilize the youth to spread awareness of self-care, mental health in Mongolia has great potential for improvement.

– Imogen Scott
Photo: Unsplash

Improving Haitian Children’s Quality of Life

Haitian Children’s Quality of LifeHaiti struggles with many issues: gang violence, poverty, lack of education and poor health care. All of these issues intertwine to ultimately create a knot of seemingly irreversible damage for Haitian youth. However, Together for Haiti is working to improve Haitian children’s quality of life through four key pillars.

Haitian Gang Violence

The capital of the island, Port-au-Prince, suffers from gang violence at the cost of its children. Most recently, since April 24, 2022, violence from warring gangs has led to the displacement of close to 17,000 people and the deaths of 188 people at minimum, as of June 3, 2022. Displaced Haitians have sought refuge in schools converted into shelters while others fled to the north of the city, causing massive travel problems. In May 2022 alone, Port-au-Prince noted 200 random-based kidnappings.

The prevalence of gangs and the violence that follows is often a product of areas suffering from poverty — Haiti is one of the most impoverished countries in the world, with a GDP per capita of $2,925 in 2020. Furthermore, Haiti ranks 170 out of 189 countries on the 2020 United Nations Human Development Index. Haiti’s Human Capital Index indicates that “a child born today in Haiti will grow up to be only 45[%]as productive as they could be if he or she had enjoyed full access to quality education and health care.”

In these circumstances, gang life can become a way to survive and make money when there are limited opportunities to forge another way of life and secure a brighter future. Gang membership provides protection in the dangerous environments that Haitian children are forced to grow up in, and soon enough, gangsterism becomes a generational occupation. In Haiti, particularly, gangs hold significant power. With no real army or strong police force, there is little hope of stopping large gangs who are better equipped than the small government forces trying to protect the 11 million people who live on the island.

Mortality and Health of Children

Widespread gang violence leads to the deaths of countless civilians, including children. But, Haiti also has infantile, child and maternal mortality rates higher than anywhere else in the Western Hemisphere. In fact, these rates are more comparable to Afghanistan and many African nations.

Like so many other places suffering from poverty, this is due to a lack of funding for the health care sector. In 2020, Haiti’s under-5 mortality rate stood at 60.5% deaths per 1,000 live births. In numbers, this equates to 16,214 deaths for children under 5.

Poverty raises the likelihood of premature death for Haitian children as impoverished households tend to lack the resources or access to services necessary for the proper health and well-being of a young child. Families dealing with poverty often experience malnutrition and several illnesses that can turn fatal as many impoverished families cannot afford the costs of health care and medicine.

Poverty in Haiti does not just affect its citizens, but also the medical facilities. Underfunding means the health care system lacks “adequate staffing, supplies and infrastructure” necessary to aid the nation’s people.

Together for Haiti Assists

Together for Haiti works toward providing resources to impoverished Haitian families so that they may secure a brighter future. The organization’s leader, Jean Alix Paul, has established four schools, two children’s homes and one human trafficking shelter, among many other initiatives. The organization focuses on spiritual development, educational development, economic development and physical development to create a better quality of life for impoverished Haitians, especially the nation’s most vulnerable children.

Through its focus on education, Together for Haiti provides schooling to about 2,000 children with four schools situated in four disadvantaged Haitian communities. Together for Haiti also provides teacher training, university bursaries and vocational training. The organization aims to strengthen Haiti’s economy by offering micro-loans, helping people create businesses and providing training on improved farming practices.

The efforts of Together for Haiti, and other organizations with similar goals, are improving Haitian children’s quality of life, giving them hope for a brighter tomorrow.

– Kelsey Jensen
Photo: Flickr

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Efforts Against Human Trafficking in Seychelles

Human Trafficking in Seychelles
Despite being heavily isolated off the African coast, Seychelles is susceptible to human trafficking concerns. Documented cases of sex trafficking as well as trafficking for labor reflect this. The federal government has made several steps to combat human trafficking in Seychelles, most of which the U.S. Department of State documented.

The Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons Act

The Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons Act, adopted April 25, 2014, provides for the “prohibition, prevention and combating of trafficking in persons.” This law effectively criminalizes both sex trafficking and trafficking for labor within Seychelles.

For offenses involving adult victims, the punishment is set at a maximum of 14 years imprisonment with a fine of up to $35,457. For offenses involving children, there is a maximum punishment of 25 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $56,731. Conflicting statutes within the penal code created unclear regulations for the age of consent. The understood age of consent is 15 years, but the legal age for majority is 18 years.

The National Action Plan

In 2014, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) worked with the government to develop a National Action Plan against trafficking. This process involved developing a national referral mechanism for victims and establishing standard operating procedures for human trafficking cases. However, the Seychelles government did not implement the plan at the end of the 2021 reporting period.

Reports indicated that there were three cases of human trafficking in Seychelles within the 2021 reporting period. Two cases were labor and sex trafficking respectively while one was an instance of both. Eleven suspected traffickers were arrested in the 2021 reporting period. Twelve prosecutions of human traffickers also remain ongoing.

The government maintained two hotlines with the police, immigration and social services respectively to report various crimes including trafficking. The employment department also established a hotline for concerns about forced labor.

Additionally, the government collaborated with the Transnational Organised Crime, Illicit Trafficking and Terrorism Program (UNODC) to aid in the fight against human trafficking. This workshop occurred on July 6, 2021, and aimed to improve upon efforts to investigate and prosecute human traffickers.

Johan Kruger, the head of UNODC was present at this workshop. While speaking of the scope of human trafficking concerns, Kruger stated that “the fight against trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants requires a multi-jurisdictional and transnational approach.”

Protection for Victims and Witnesses

In recent years, the government has improved its protection efforts for victims of human trafficking. In the year 2021, there were 14 reported victims of human trafficking in Seychelles (both labor and sex trafficking). These victims were all foreigners from India, Nepal and Kenya. Seychelles also reported that up to 80 men and women were either trafficked sexually or sexually abused.

In 2017, the government and an unspecified international organization drafted new regulations for the 2014 anti-trafficking law. These regulations aimed to provide new protections for trafficking victims in Seychelles. At the end of the 2021 reporting period, this legislation has still not had an introduction to the National Assembly.

The Child Law Reform Committee also introduced legislation that reportedly increases protections for victims of sex trafficking and increases the responsibility of law enforcement to investigate and prosecute child sex crimes.

Additionally, in 2019, the government began drafting an immigration bill that would require work permit cards for all citizens and foreign workers. The intention is for these cards to include anti-trafficking information as well as contact information for assistance. This bill was awaiting approval from the National Assembly at the end of the 2021 reporting period.

Victim Assistance and Raising Awareness

 There are several instances of victim assistance that are underway in Seychelles, in addition to efforts to raise awareness about human trafficking. These include:

  • The National Coordinating Committee on Trafficking in Persons (NCCTIP) met six times during the 2021 reporting period. This committee emerged to coordinate anti-trafficking efforts across the government and influence national policy decisions. The Committee received $84,075 to aid with victim assistance and other prevention efforts.
  • Nine victims of human trafficking in Seychelles received support for basic needs as well as shelter. The government also provided shelter to foreign nationals waiting to testify in a human trafficking trial.
  • The 2014 anti-trafficking law provided victims the option to testify via closed-circuit television to alleviate safety concerns. The law also allows for courtroom accommodations for the mental comfort of human trafficking victims.
  • The Ministry of Employment also inspected 573 work sites for possible indications of trafficking. However, it did not find labor victims or indications of trafficking at these sites.
  • One limiting factor for the Ministry of Employment was its lack of jurisdiction within the Seychelles International Trade Zone (SITZ). This ultimately hurt its ability to protect migrants and report trafficking concerns.
  • The government enhanced efforts to inform the public of the dangers of human trafficking in Seychelles. The government distributed about 1,500 pamphlets and leaflets on labor trafficking to airports, seaports, government agencies and employers of migrant workers. These pamphlets were available in both English and French to accommodate the varying demographics.

 Overall and despite much room for improvement, Seychelles has made progress in terms of dealing with human trafficking concerns. This progress should continue in order to serve victims of human trafficking as well as punish those responsible for it.

– Max Cole
Photo: Flickr

Fragility and Rule of Law in France and Macron’s Next Term

Fragility and Rule of Law in France
The recent reelection of President Emmanuel Macron saw Macron win 58.5% of the votes defeating runner-up Marine Le Pen. In his coming term as president, Emmanuel Macron must “pursue policies that make human rights a reality for all” according to the Human Rights Watch France Director Benedicte Jeannerod. This means that Macron must take the next necessary steps to progress human rights policies and provide greater protection to the rule of law in France.

Rule of Law in the European Union

The rule of law ensures that all rights and laws of society receive thorough protection and respect within a government. As a member of the European Union, it is necessary for France to protect and respect the laws and rights of the state through active promotion. Article 2 of the Treaty on the European Union (TEU) illustrates that “the Union is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities.” There are three ways that France will progress human rights through the rule of law both abroad and domestically in order to contribute to poverty eradication.

The Promotion of Equality Between Men and Women

Macron has pledged the promotion of equality between men and women as a part of this coming campaign’s wish list which will directly impact the poverty rates of France. According to The Break Poverty Foundation, single-parent families represent a large portion of the French family population and that population maintains “35% [that are] poor” as of 2016. The organization’s website states that “When the head of the family is an inactive woman (which is the case for 49% of these families), poverty rates escalate to 71%.” In order to alleviate these high rates of poverty that exist as a part of inequality, Macron has begun the repositioning of salary inequality in order to mitigate compensation discrimination.

Salary equality in France is also in a dire position. According to The French Brief article from April 2021, “men earn 28.5% more than women.” Macron has committed to bridging this inequality as one of his major campaign promises.

Macron’s Presidential Promises

A pro-business leader, Macron spent his first campaign for the presidency with promises to overhaul the French welfare system and aid in cutting public spending. Macron’s second term as president should see these promises intensified, which would directly work towards benefitting the impoverished.

Macron could achieve his desire to raise the pension age as well as cut taxes for households and businesses through a gradual increase in the pension age from 62 to 65, which is similar to Germany and the United Kingdom. Macron also aims to overhaul unemployment benefits in order to incentivize people to reenter the workforce. This should help Macron achieve his previous term promise of cutting spending in order to keep the budget within the EU deficit target spending.

Macron’s policy changes bring the possibility of further strengthening the French economy by keeping people employed longer allowing citizens to accumulate more social security benefits and pension credits. According to the Urban Institute, “By working until age 67 instead of retiring at age 62, for example, a typical worker could gain about $10,000 in annual income at age 75, significantly reducing the likelihood of falling into poverty at older ages.”

Poverty Rates in France

Macron’s recent campaign has put a large sense of importance placed upon education and training for his second term where he has announced the education of 1 million people in the ‘professions of the future.’

In France, “the unemployed appear to be the most at risk of poverty” according to Break Poverty. Break Poverty also found that the population that is employed has “18% of workers and employees” living in poverty.

Part of Macron’s proposal will see 400,000 people trained in engineering over the course of his next term of the presidency as well as 20,000 people recruited for the purpose of bridging a digital divide that currently exists that would lend support to those that are in need of mastering digital instruments.

Looking Ahead Regarding the Rule of Law in France and Poverty

The rule of law in any country exists in order to preserve and promote accountability of law and order. Macron has shown a commitment to the rule of law in France by promoting gender equality, preserving France’s economic health and creating an educated/trained workforce that will move France’s impoverished towards better financial security.

– Rachel Steen
Photo: Flickr

The Fight Against HIV/AIDS in Haiti 

HIV/AIDS in Haiti
Haiti is not only one of the poorest countries in the world, but it is the most HIV-sickened nation outside of Africa. Having 2.2% of adults with the HIV virus makes Haiti the Caribbean nation with the highest rate of HIV, about twice that of the second-highest, the Dominican Republic 1.1%. Some are making progress in addressing this issue. However, it needs more work in order to significantly hamper HIV/AIDS in Haiti.

The Epidemic

In 2018, there were 160,000 cases of HIV in Haiti. Only two-thirds of those knew that they have the disease. In 2018, 2,700 Haitians died from AIDS-related health problems. The height of the epidemic occurred in the 1990s when more than 3% of the population of Haiti had contracted the HIV virus.

Effect on the United States

The disease arrived in Haiti in 1966. After the subsequent AIDS epidemic that occurred 15 years later in the 1980s, the United States has committed itself to addressing the AIDS problem, especially internationally. With regard to Haiti’s proximity to the United States, it is clear why it would be in the United States’ best interest to provide HIV and AIDS relief aid to prevent the further spread of the disease, not only for the betterment of Haiti but also from a national security standpoint to prevent the spread of the disease throughout the United States.

Progress in Fighting HIV/AIDS in Haiti

Since the peak of the epidemic in the 1990s, the percentage of the population of Haiti with HIV or AIDS is down from nearly 3.2% to 1.9% of the population, according to UNAIDS. One can attribute much of the success to the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) which has aimed to increase access to HIV health services across Haiti.

Despite some success, issues like poverty and discrimination have made it difficult for individuals to stay on their HIV health programs and continue getting treatment from health services. Due to this, the U.S. and U.N. have encouraged a greater degree of community-led monitoring dedicated to implementing more effective strategies for providing HIV health services, according to UNAIDS. Community-led monitoring will give accurate assessments of the services being provided at the patient level.

Haiti’s Civil Society Forum Observatory is spearheading this system of community-led monitoring with the idea of holding HIV health services accountable for improved access and quality of these services.

Knowledge is Power

In order to continue the fight against HIV/AIDS in Haiti, the public must become more aware of what this disease entails. The most significant issues surrounding the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Haiti are discrimination and poverty.

The Haitian Red Cross Society, with help from U.S. foreign aid, is advocating to increase education on HIV transmission and prevention. The hope of this education and awareness initiative is to end the stigmatization and discrimination against those with the disease.

The Haitian Red Cross Society has been working towards providing better education to Haitians regarding HIV and AIDS treatment and prevention since 2004. Since then the rate of HIV and AIDS decreased across the country.

The Future of HIV/AIDS in Haiti

The U.S. has made incredible efforts in providing Haiti with health services to combat HIV and AIDS. However, with 2,700 HIV-related deaths in 2018, combatting the epidemic needs more work. Education initiatives and U.S. aid services help reduce the rate of HIV and AIDS, which in turn can help reduce poverty in Haiti. With the help of U.S. health service aid and education, the future of Haiti looks to be a brighter one with less HIV and AIDS.

– Declan Harkness
Photo: Flickr

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UK’s Foreign Aid to the WFP

U.K.'s Foreign Aid
The World Food Programme (WFP) has been facing significant challenges in helping Afghans struggling with poverty and food insecurity. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) said that “nearly 20 million people are facing food insecurity” in Afghanistan. Furthermore, the IPC said that 6.6 million of them are struggling with “acute hunger.” The key factors exacerbating food insecurity in Afghanistan are sharp economic decline, drought and high prices for food. However, the U.K.’s foreign aid to the WFP alleviates that burden which allows the organization to help the Afghans.

The Importance of Foreign Aid

The financial assistance from the U.K. and even other countries, allowed the WFP to provide nutritional support and emergency food to 17 million Afghans, according to the WFP’s website. This highlights the importance of foreign aid spending in saving the lives of those living in poverty or below the poverty line.

There was a feeling of hopelessness amongst international affairs observers regarding Afghanistan after the Taliban came back to power and the economy deteriorated sharply. Nevertheless, the financial assistance the WFP has received from countries willing to help gives people hope that Afghanistan can be rebuilt one Afghan at a time. The proof is in the accounts of the Afghans the WFP is helping.

The Success Story of Alia and Her Husband

The Taliban takeover of Afghanistan and the pandemic has caused many Afghans, especially women, to lose their jobs and livelihoods. Alia used to own a beauty parlor in Afghanistan and her husband worked as a mechanic and both provided for their “four sons and three daughters,” the WFP reported.

However, after the economy collapsed and the Taliban took over, Alia lost her job because the Taliban would not allow women to work and her husband stopped working “because of health problems.” Nevertheless, the U.K.’s foreign aid to the WFP gave Alia, her husband and her children income and food. Furthermore, their children were also able to go to school afterward. However, they are not the only Afghans who received foreign aid that stabilized their lives.

The Story of Asefullah and His Family

Asefullah is a 13-year-old kid living in the Khost Province of Afghanistan with his “family of seven.” The family is living in poverty and their only source of income is the oldest sibling who “makes enough to buy bread and nothing else,” according to the WFP. However, after the U.K.’s foreign aid to the WFP, Asefullah and his family “no longer face many problems” because the food they have received kept them “alive for the past nine months.”

The story of Alia, Asefullah and their families shows the necessity of preserving or even increasing, foreign aid to developing and war-torn countries. Foreign aid not only reduces poverty but also saves families struggling to make a living.

How Much the UK and Other Countries Spend on Foreign Aid

The foreign aid budget is the most important tool in the international effort to tackle poverty. As of May 16, 2022, the U.K. is spending “about £11.5 billion” every year on foreign aid and international development. Forty percent of the aid budget goes to international organizations such as the U.N. and the World Bank. Liz Truss, the U.K.’s Foreign Secretary, stated on May 16 2022 that the aim of the U.K.’s foreign aid budget is “improving economic security worldwide and increasing jobs and growth at home,” according to BBC.

Furthermore, on May 16, 2022, the U.K.’s foreign office pledged to spend £3 billion on humanitarian aid “over the next three years,” considering it “a priority,” BBC reported. In fact, the U.K.’s foreign aid to the WFP in 2021 was £376.260.054 making it the fourth-largest donor in 2021. In other words, the lives of people struggling with poverty and food insecurity depend on the foreign aid budget of countries, specifically powerful ones such as the U.S. and the U.K.

Looking Ahead

Unfortunately, many countries had to reduce their foreign aid spending due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, it was reasonable to conclude that countries would not be able to tackle poverty and food insecurity in developing countries. Nevertheless, U.K.’s foreign aid to the WFP managed to stabilize the lives of families in Afghanistan. Therefore, this proves that the recent trend of reducing the foreign aid budget has not impacted the determination of powerful countries to help the vulnerable in developing countries globally.

– Abdullah Dowaihy
Photo: Flickr