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Cuna Más: Transforming Early Childhood Development in Peru

Cuna Más: Transforming Early Childhood Development in Peru The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted Peru, exacerbating its economic challenges, especially childhood poverty. Estimates reveal that childhood poverty rates stood at 39.9% in 2020 and decreased to 32.1% in 2021. Even before the pandemic, childhood poverty was a significant issue in the country. The Cuna Más program, which translates to “Cradle More,” aims to address this problem by providing enhanced support and resources for children.

Program Delivery

The Cuna Más program, initiated in March 2012, targets children from 6 months to 36 months old. Its primary objective is to enhance cognitive, language, physical and socioemotional development across different regions of Peru. In urban areas, the program operates daycare services that meet children’s basic health, nutrition, safety, protection and learning needs. Conversely, in rural regions, it offers a home visiting service, delivering weekly visits to parents of young children, including expectant mothers, to support early childhood development.

Early Success and Current Challenges of the Program

The Cuna Más program initially revealed significant growth, expanding from serving about 62,000 children in its first year, 2012, to 149,000 by 2016. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the program gained recognition for its success. The pandemic highlighted the need for further expansion and improvement, a challenging task given existing constraints. Even before the pandemic, the program faced several critical issues identified in a 2017 study. These included confusing and overlapping roles among staff, insufficient and inadequate materials and less appealing compensation when considering the long hours and extensive travel required. These ongoing challenges have increasingly complicated efforts to recruit and retain the necessary workforce in Peru.

Structural Changes and Potential Solutions

The challenges facing Peru’s Cuna Más program largely arise from organizational deficiencies, especially as it tries to expand. Originally scaled without adjustments to its foundational model, the program urgently requires structural reforms to enhance its sustainability and broaden its impact. Additionally, considering the mental and physical well-being of staff is critical; work schedules should be adjusted to avoid excessive hours that contribute to burnout. However, implementing these changes alone may not suffice to attract the necessary workforce. Recruiting volunteers internationally could be a viable solution. Organizations like International Volunteer HQ provide platforms that enable global volunteers to engage in meaningful work, which could help address staffing shortages in the program.

Looking Ahead

While the challenges facing Peru’s Cuna Más program are significant, tackling them is essential for the well-being of the nation’s youngest citizens. The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified existing issues, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive reforms and enhanced support. Additionally, recruiting international volunteers could supply the necessary manpower and expertise to address current shortcomings. With persistent efforts and global cooperation, the Cuna Más program can potentially reduce childhood poverty and improve early childhood development in Peru.

– Matthew Mendives

Matthew is based in Colonia, NJ, USA and focuses on Global Health and Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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3 Organizations Helping the People of Vanuatu

People of VanuatuVanuatu, an Oceanic country of more than 80 volcanic islands, has a population of 334,506 people as of 2023. However, around 15.9% of the population lived below the poverty line in 2020 as a result of the high risk of natural disasters and rapid population growth, which has put a strain on health and education services. Many organizations are helping the people of Vanuatu by empowering them to break out of poverty, which will positively affect future generations. Below are three organizations helping the people of Vanuatu.

Progress Pikinini

Progress Pikinini is a charity dedicated to giving the children of Vanuatu a brighter future. Founded in 2015 after Cyclone Pam’s devastation, it provided schools and children with essential education tools and everyday items such as clothes, shoes, bed linen and toys. The organization also donates school supplies, arts and crafts materials and funds for special projects. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, it has focused on country-wide initiatives, including building play equipment and libraries, educational resource projects for schools and providing clean drinking water.

CARE Australia

CARE Australia is an international nonprofit organization that assists people experiencing poverty, empowers women and girls in their local communities and helps them achieve social justice and break the cycle of poverty. It works with local communities to provide equal opportunities for women, such as earning an income, gaining access to a fair share of resources, leading and participating in decisions affecting their lives and aiding climate disasters and other crises.

In Vanuatu, CARE’s Leftemap Sista project aims to help girls live without constant fear of violence, earn an income and make decisions about their lives. Operating in Tafea and Shefa, the project focuses on young single mothers, girls who have not finished school, survivors of violence and women living with disabilities.

CARE also helps communities in Vanuatu prepare for future disasters and the impacts of varying climatic conditions by establishing and training local disaster committees, conducting disaster simulations, providing First Aid training and trialing new disease-resistant crop varieties. Due to the drought and water shortages caused by El Niño in 2016, CARE has been working with local communities to rehabilitate water systems. It has also constructed toilets and run hygiene and sanitation classes in schools, focusing on menstrual hygiene for girls.

Save the Children

Save the Children is an international organization founded in 1919 that focuses on children’s rights. It supports health, education, child protection, emergency response to natural disasters, adverse weather adaptation and disaster risk reduction. Operating in Vanuatu for 40 years, Save the Children has worked with the government to strengthen the education system.

Save the Children has partnered with the Global Partnership for Education to ensure schools are well-resourced and effective learning environments for all children, including those with disabilities. The organization provides life-saving food, shelter kits and learning resources in natural disasters. It collaborates with the government to strengthen disaster response and preparedness. Additionally, Save the Children has introduced health care initiatives that include training local health care providers, strengthening health care systems and promoting preventive care, such as providing vaccinations for curable diseases.

In March 2023, Vanuatu was hit by category four cyclones that destroyed food gardens and homes, prompting the government to declare a six-month state of emergency. In response, Save the Children launched a food preservation project involving the growing, harvesting and exporting of local foods to Vanuatu’s capital, Port Vila. There, the food is transformed into shelf-ready ration-pack meals that can be stored for up to two years, ensuring preparedness for future natural disasters.

Looking Ahead

Vanuatu is working toward ending poverty with the help of international organizations and innovative approaches to disaster response and preparedness. Nonprofits such as Progress Pikinini, CARE Australia and Save the Children Australia have significantly contributed by offering support and providing vital resources for the people of Vanuatu to thrive. As a result of international aid and help from the government of Vanuatu, the country is on a path toward a more prosperous future for its citizens.

– Kimran Gill

Kimran is based in Leicester, UK and focuses on Celebs and World News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Beatrice Ayuru and Education in Uganda

Education in UgandaEducation in Uganda faces challenges, with only four out of 10 children aged 3 to 5 years receiving early childhood education. However, initiatives like the school of Beatrice Ayuru provide hope, empowering children from impoverished backgrounds with skills and opportunities to break the cycle of poverty.

Ayuru has made a significant impact on education for children in Uganda, particularly those from impoverished backgrounds. As the first in her family to attend university, she was determined to improve education in Uganda. She founded a successful school that has helped thousands of students acquire skills to lift themselves out of poverty.

The Life of Beatrice Ayuru

Ayuru was born into a polygamous family of 16 children in rural Uganda. She left school at 16 after the birth of her first child. However, she later received a second chance at education, becoming the first university graduate in her family. Motivated by her own experiences, she aimed to create a school that not only combats illiteracy but also addresses poverty and advocates for girls’ rights.

Although raising money at the start was tough, Ayuru defied norms and traditions by building a business selling cassava. With support from her father, who gave her a piece of land, she used her profits to lay the first bricks for the school. She invested the money in teachers and resources. Ayuru established the Lira Integrated Nursery, Primary and Secondary School, which is a testament to her vision and determination.

Ayuru has received several awards for her ventures, including the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Empretec Women in Business Award in 2010. In addition, the Federation of Uganda Employers honored her with the Employer of the Year award in 2011.

The Local School and Benefits to Uganda

The Lira school was founded in 2000 and offered teaching to children from low-income families and those affected by war and HIV/AIDS. The school provides nursery, primary, secondary, vocational and agricultural classes to more than 1,000 students. The school is partly funded by local business and agriculture ventures, allowing students to learn entrepreneurial skills. Additionally, Lira School offers financial aid to more than 100 families, recognizing that fees can be prohibitive for some. This support ensures that more children have the opportunity to attend school. The school has been recognized for its excellent teaching. It has earned a three-star rating from AFRO EDUCARE, the highest ranking for a private school in the district.

Conclusion

Ayuru is a remarkable example of someone creating long-lasting change for impoverished people. Ugandan children benefit from someone who was once in their position. Despite Ayuru acknowledging that the fight for universal education is far from over, her case demonstrates how quickly things can change when someone is willing to make a difference. Ayuru has shown Uganda that local-level poverty can be addressed by creating opportunities for local children.

– Rosie Miller

Rosie is based in Edinburgh, Scotland and focuses on Good News, Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Addressing Child Poverty in Andorra 

Child Poverty in AndorraAndorra is one of the smallest states in Europe with a total population of around 80,088 and an under-18 population of around 14,000 people. Although the World Bank designates Andorra as a high-income country (having a GNI of $75,090 per capita as of 2022), the leading cause of child poverty in Andorra seems to be a lack of economic resources and security. This in turn can lead to severe material deprivation for a child and their family.

Data Behind Child Poverty in Andorra

As of 2022, 14% of under 18-year-olds and 14.7% of under 16-year-olds are at risk of poverty and social exclusion. This is an increase from 2018 when 13.3% of those under 16 were at risk of poverty (living with an expenditure below 60% of the national median). However, what is interesting is that when looking at single-parent families with one or more dependent children the proportion of those at risk of poverty increases significantly. In 2019, 24.4% of under 16s in a single-parent household were at risk of poverty, with 17.4% of single-parent households struggling with severe material deprivation.

While there is limited data on hunger or malnourishment in children, data does show that around 0.7 to 1% of children are underweight or thin. However, Andorra boasts a 100% literacy rate, making education’s prevalence very high. This is likely due to Andorra making public schooling free, reducing the impact of poverty on a child’s education.

Tackling Child Poverty in Andorra

Although child poverty is still present in Andorra the general poverty rates are still lower than the EU average of 24.8%. The Andorran Government has also implemented multiple initiatives to tackle child poverty and its sources. One example of an initiative that has helped reduce child poverty in Andorra is the Parròquies Amigues de la Infància (Child-Friendly Parishes) initiative. UNICEF Andorra runs the initiative, operating at the regional level and it promotes children’s participation through child Councils; a dedicated “child-friendly budget;” childhood data collection; and “the development of a national plan for children in conjunction with the state government.”

UNICEF Andorra measures the progress of the individual parishes under this initiative. If reviewed positively it grants the parish “the Child Friendly Parish Recognition”. This initiative has been so successful that UNICEF has claimed that “[a]s of 2023, all the seven parishes in the country are involved in the initiative, reaching almost 14,000 children, making Andorra in effect a child-friendly country.” The effectiveness of the initiative is due to its partnership with organizations such as the Community Association and Ministry of Education, facilitating its focus on educating children about their rights so they are empowered to be able to defend their rights and alter their future circumstances.

Promoting Child Rights

The Andorran Government also plans to carry out dissemination campaigns about child rights so that people are aware of these rights, are less likely to violate them and are more likely to guarantee them. The Child-Friendly Parishes initiative has also been key in involving the voices of children in decision-making so that political decisions affecting them are more likely to take into account their wants and needs, allowing these children to help shape their future.

From 2021 to 2022, 80 children from 9 to 12 years old have been elected as councillors from their respective parishes, and 611 students of the same age have participated in workshops promoting participation. Furthermore, 28 people aged 14 to 16 take part each year in the General Council of the Youth where they discuss and debate different proposals for laws on topics that interest them, replicating the operation of the General Council. All seven communal children’s councils have also maintained Child-Friendly Parish Recognition. according to a 2022 report.

Although there is a significant lack of data on the SDG trackers with 35 out of the 48 child-related SDG trackers lacking data the government still demonstrates effective measures and initiatives to reduce child poverty in Andorra. The most effective means of achieving this is through education, which includes multiple initiatives, such as the Child-Friendly Parishes Initiative. Children have been effectively involved in decisions about their future, educating them on how to change their circumstances and future for the better, enabling them to escape child poverty in Andorra.

– Archie Day

Archie is based in St Andrews, Fife, Scotland and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikipedia Commons

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Child Marriage in Lebanon

Child Marriage in LebanonIn Lebanon, 20% of girls are victims of child marriage. In 2017, UNICEF published a regional study on child marriage in Lebanon, reporting that the percentage of child marriage in the country varies with nationality. The study reported that 6% of the victims were Lebanese, 12% were Palestinian refugees from Lebanon, 25% were Palestinian refugees from Syria and 40.5% were Syrian refugees. The unstable political situation in the Middle East has made Lebanon a focal point for refugees who also become victims of child marriage.

Poverty and Child Marriage

Poverty affects 44% of the population in Lebanon. Between 2019 and 2021, the GDP per capita in Lebanon fell by 36.5%. In addition, The World Bank re-classified Lebanon from an upper-middle-income to a lower-middle-income country in July 2022. With unemployment hitting 300,000 individuals and a great increase in the intake of refugees, the rate of child marriage has seen growth, according to UNICEF.

Conflict causing a large refugee intake strained the Lebanese infrastructure and finances, resulting in refugees finding themselves undocumented and finding a solution in child marriage.

Those who live in Lebanon have also seen a rise in prices for their most basic needs, with inflation increasing by 200% since 2019, according to Anera. This results in many Lebanese, also non-refugees, having to marry off their daughters to survive.

The COVID-19 pandemic has also led to an increase in child marriage in Lebanon. Since the beginning of the pandemic, up to 10 more million girls worldwide are at risk of being victims of child marriage in the next decade. With school closures during the pandemic, the probability of child marriage could be 25% higher.

A Change Is Possible

UNICEF report shows that an approach to education can change the perception of child marriage. The report shows that 62.3% of girls who go to school are against child marriage, followed by 45% of girls who dropped out and 37.2% of girls with no education.

This demonstrates that there is a relationship between child marriage and education. Therefore, an increase in political pressure on educational policies in Lebanon and the Middle East could have a positive impact by reducing the cases of child marriage.

Lebanon does not have a personal status law that regulates issues like the legal marriage age. Instead, 18 different religious groups are regulating this issue, according to DW. In December 2020, The Sunni Supreme Islamic Council approved raising the minimum age for marriage to 18. Likewise, between November 2020 and December of the same year, Shiite Muslim religious authorities claimed to raise the minimum age of marriage to 15, DW reports.

A Structural Approach

ABAAD is an organization that fights for gender equality in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. ABAAD collaborated with Queens University to study what factors affect child marriage, aiming to obtain through data collection an understanding of why child marriage happens and how its cause(s) can be intersectional.

The study targeted different groups, ranging from mothers of victims of child marriage to community leaders and as was known previously, showed that some of the root causes of child marriage are education, political situations, instability and poverty.

ABAAD’s study, however, also provided a conclusion that is central to future strategies to prevent child marriage in Lebanon. The results demonstrated that female and male participants responded differently to the causes of child marriage, showing that the approach is gendered. From this, ABAAD concluded that future strategies, therefore, can target groups who have a differentiated opinion and aim to shift this gendered narrative. Such as challenging the gendered male narrative of being responsible for a family’s income.

Different factors affect the situation of child marriage in Lebanon. This is seen in how child marriage ranges with nationality, with studies demonstrating that education can impact the approach to child marriage, proving how its perception ranges with different societal groups.

Child Marriage in Lebanon therefore has multiple intersectional causes. With progress from the religious communities and organizations such as ABAAD that target these root causes, one can see a slow but positive shift.

– Daniela Maldonado

Daniela is based in London, UK and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Empowering Communities: Reducing Poverty in Indonesia

IndonesiaIn Indonesia, grassroots nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are pivotal in alleviating poverty, particularly in rural areas. Their reliance on volunteers, temporary workers and bottom-up approaches characterizes their efforts, a central aim of addressing socioeconomic and cultural challenges.

Poverty in Indonesia

According to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), 9% of Indonesia’s population lived below the international poverty line in 2023. Although this is the lowest poverty rate in the last 10 years, more than 25 million Indonesians still experience poverty. Some of the causes of poverty in Indonesia include:

  • Economic Deprivation: Indonesia hosts some of Southeast Asia’s largest commodity export, manufacturing, services, dairy and digital export markets. However, its financial markets are still emerging and there is little integration into the global financial system. This restricts economic productivity and global financial influence. Similarly, with many areas still lacking basic infrastructure, such as quality roads, this delays rural populations’ access to the secondary job sector in cities that currently run the country.
  • Social and Cultural Factors: Strong family and cultural norms across Indonesia lead multigenerational families to live together. The natural sharing of limited resources this ensues often perpetuates poverty as individuals less regularly leave impoverished local communities.
  • Gender Inequality in Indonesia: Certain beliefs across Indonesia can result in women facing lower social mobility, wages and greater job insecurity. These cultural norms and gender biases limit women’s opportunities for education and employment, perpetuating a cycle of poverty. Desperation for an income and city experiences can also result in young, vulnerable (often rural) women either choosing or being forced into sex work, further entrenching their economic hardships and lack of social mobility.
  • Environmental Vulnerability: Natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods disproportionately affect people experiencing poverty and are common throughout Indonesia. In 2022, Indonesia experienced one of its worst earthquakes, which killed about 900 people and caused extensive damage. Natural disasters can increase poverty by more than 2% in affected areas.

Yayasan Kampung Halaman

Established in 2006, this Yayasan Kampung Halaman empowers rural youth through education and creative expression. Based in Yogyakarta, it helps them develop critical thinking skills and community participation through its endeavors. Programs include media production for educational purposes, community labs for social research and literacy campaigns that use various media formats like films and social media to raise awareness of social issues. ​ The organization received the International Spotlight Award from The National Arts and Humanities Youth Program in 2011, highlighting its impact on youth engagement through creative storytelling.

Koperasi Kasih Indonesia

Koperasi Kasih Indonesia (KKI) is a cooperative organization founded in 2011. It provides microfinance services to low-income families, primarily focusing on women in North Jakarta. Honing in on gendered experiences of inequality, the cooperative follows the Grameen model, which emphasizes small loans to help individuals start or expand small businesses. KKI currently serves more than 9,000 members and has disbursed more than $10 million in microloans. The organization aims to empower the urban poor through financial support and by offering mindset-motivation training to foster sustainable economic growth and self-sufficiency.

Rumah Yatim

This NGO supports orphans and vulnerable children by providing education, health care and basic needs, helping them break the cycle of poverty. Rumah Yatim aims to empower these children to achieve their full potential and contribute positively to society by offering a safe and nurturing environment. The comprehensive care provided by Rumah Yatim includes basic necessities and emotional and psychological support to ensure holistic development. The organization has reached approximately seven million people since its inception.

Sahabat Anak

Dedicated to street children, this organization offers education and social services to reintegrate them into society and ensure their well-being. It provides educational programs and social services to help reintegrate these children into society. This local effort tries to ensure street children have access to education, health care and a supportive community, bettering their futures and trajectories.

The Indonesian government and international organizations recognize the importance of grassroots NGOs in poverty alleviation. The National Program for Community Empowerment (PNPM) exemplifies this. PNPM encourages local community groups such as Yayasan Kampung Halaman, Koperasi Kasih Indonesia, Rumah Yatim and Sahabat Anak. PNPM aims to include a national body in community-led poverty alleviation activities to enhance partnerships between centralized and localized services.

Conclusion

Grassroots NGOs are indispensable in Indonesia’s fight against poverty. Community ties, participatory approaches and adaptability make them uniquely capable of addressing poverty’s complex and multifaceted nature. By empowering local communities, these organizations ensure that development initiatives are effective, sustainable and culturally appropriate.

– Olivia Howard

Olivia is based in London, UK and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Save the Children in Ethiopia

How Save the Children Helps Ethiopian ChildrenThe Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, landlocked in Eastern Africa, is bordered by Somalia, Kenya, South Sudan, Sudan, Eritrea and Djibouti. The country is located in the Horn of Africa, also known as the Somali peninsula, in the easternmost part of Africa. As of 2023, it has a population of approximately 127 million. Ethiopia is the second most populated country in Africa, behind Nigeria. Despite its large population, Ethiopia remains one of the continent’s poorest countries, with a per capita gross national income of $1,020, according to the World Bank. This region is currently experiencing its worst drought on record. According to Save the Children, more than 21 million children are affected. Since 2020, the severe lack of rain has devastated agriculture. The ongoing drought has made it impossible for millions to grow crops or raise livestock, leaving many facing severe hunger.

Save the Children’s Role and Response

Save the Children, a major nonprofit organization founded in the United Kingdom in 1919, aims to aid children in dire situations worldwide. With programs and members in 113 countries, the organization prioritizes support for children in the most resource-deprived nations.

In 2022, the Save the Children Ethiopia Country Office initiated a Category 1 humanitarian response plan across most of the country. This comprehensive plan encompasses the Northern Ethiopia Complex Response, the Hunger and Drought Response and the Forced Displacement Response. These initiatives aim to protect Ethiopian children, sustain their livelihoods and enhance food security. Save the Children operates in several regions, including Somali, Tigray, Amhara, Afar, Oromia, Gambela and the Southern, Central and Western Ethiopian regions, along with Sidama.

In 2023, Save the Children provided support to 6.8 million people in Ethiopia, including 3.9 million children. While the organization primarily focuses on aiding children, its efforts benefit the entire community.

Educational Initiatives and Health Focus

Save the Children focuses on providing educational resources to children. Approximately 13 million children in Ethiopia are not enrolled in school, nearly half of whom are girls, according to UNICEF. Many children who begin schooling often drop out before reaching secondary education. To counter this, Save the Children leads extensive programs with support from various stakeholders, concentrating on essential early childhood education in areas like math and literacy.

Save the Children also emphasizes children’s health and nutrition. Decades ago, many children died before the age of 5 from preventable causes. Significant progress has been made. Mortality rates have dropped from 123 per 1,000 births in 2005 to 59 per 1,000 in 2019, representing an overall decrease of about 15%. Despite these gains, nutrition remains a critical challenge, as malnutrition contributes to approximately 45% of children’s deaths. To reduce this rate, Save the Children integrates primary health care to ensure children receive necessary interventions, such as immunizations. The organization also spearheaded the Growth through Nutrition initiative from 2016 to 2023, which aimed to enhance nutrition and health care services.

Looking Ahead

Ethiopia’s severe drought has left millions of children facing hunger and hardship. Save the Children’s humanitarian efforts have been crucial in providing relief and support to affected communities. Its focus on education and health initiatives aims to address long-term challenges, such as malnutrition and school dropout rates. Ongoing efforts and support can potentially improve the lives of Ethiopia’s most vulnerable children and ensure a more stable future for the nation.

– Sabrina Betterly

Sabrina is based in Drums, PA, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Ready to Use Therapeutic Food and Childhood Malnutrition

ready to use therapeutic foodChildhood malnutrition is a global crisis affecting millions of children younger than the age of 5. The side effects of childhood malnutrition are devastating, such as lower IQs, poor socioemotional skills, weaker immune systems and many more.

Ready-To-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) has a significant impact on treating this condition. This life-saving superfood transforms how severe acute malnutrition is treated, allowing children to recover quickly and regain their health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), well-nourished children are more capable of escaping poverty as adults during the first two years of life.

Why RUTF?

Ready-To-Use Therapeutic Food is a revolutionary food treatment that’s giving hope to millions of children suffering from severe acute malnutrition (SAM), the deadliest form of hunger. The WHO estimated in 2007 that severe acute malnutrition (SAM) accounts for around one million child deaths annually. Approximately 20 million children worldwide suffer from SAM and those affected have a mortality risk of more than nine times greater than their well-nourished peers.

RUTF is an energy-dense, micronutrient paste designed to treat severe wasting in children younger than 5. Wasting is characterized by low weight-for-height and occurs when a child does not receive enough food or adequate quality. If untreated, it significantly increases the risk of death.

History of RUTF

According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the concept of RUTF was pioneered by pediatric nutritionist André Briend and food processing engineer Michel Lescanne 25 years ago. RUTF is made from powdered milk, peanuts, butter, vegetable oil, sugar and vitamins and minerals. Each sachet of RUTF provides 500 calories and essential micronutrients, allowing malnourished children to gain weight rapidly.

The invention of RUTF marked a revolution in malnutrition treatment, shifting from the traditional therapeutic feeding centers (TFCs) to home-based care. Previously, children with severe acute malnutrition needed round-the-clock care at TFCs, which were scarce and often located far from the communities they served.

This setup required mothers to leave their homes for weeks, causing lost wages and incomplete treatments. The crowded conditions at TFCs also posed infection risks and in conflict areas like Sudan, they were vulnerable to attacks. Recognizing these challenges, Briend aimed to develop a home-administered solution. His goal was to revolutionize the management of severe acute malnutrition, allowing children to receive treatment safely at home.

RUTF’s Role in Community-Based Management

RUTF is vital for community-based management of children with uncomplicated severe acute malnutrition who still have an appetite. Its two-year shelf life makes it convenient for storage and distribution. The appealing taste and easy digestibility ensure that children readily consume it. Most importantly, RUTF requires no preparation. Children can directly have this nutrient-dense food from the packet, making it safe and reducing the risk of contamination.

According to UNICEF, the treatment of children with severe acute malnutrition was traditionally in facilities where they received specialized therapeutic milk under strict regimens. However, many children arrived too late or could not access these centers due to distance, cost and lengthy treatment durations. RUTF has enabled community-based management and transformed it into a home-based treatment. Its single-dose foil sachets do not require refrigeration or mixing with water, making it practical and safe for home use. This innovation has significantly improved treatment outcomes and accessibility.

Success of RUTF

RUTF and the community-based management of acute malnutrition (CMAM) have proven to be powerful. In emergencies like famine, child mortality rates typically range from 20% to 30%. However, with the combined use of CMAM and RUTF, these rates have dropped to 4.5%, saving countless lives. A notable pilot program in Darfur, Sudan, treated 25,000 acutely malnourished children with similarly positive results.

From 2002 to 2006, Concern Worldwide implemented a large-scale pilot in Malawi, yielding excellent treatment, coverage, community acceptance and cost-effectiveness outcomes. This success led to the publication of the CTC field manual in 2006 and a joint recognition by WHO, UNICEF and the World Food Programme in 2007, establishing CMAM as a global best practice. Today, millions of acutely malnourished children have been successfully treated with RUTF through the CMAM approach. In South Sudan, UNICEF and partners treat nearly a quarter of a million children annually with RUTF, achieving a treatment recovery rate of 95% and averting potential deaths.

Challenges in Distributing RUTF

UNICEF plays a pivotal role in the global distribution of RUTF, procuring and delivering 75-80% of the world’s supply. It ensures that RUTF reaches the most vulnerable children, even in challenging environments. Large-scale operations by UNICEF have saved countless lives during emergencies.

Despite its success, RUTF is not universally available. Many countries do not include RUTF in their essential medicines lists and treatment for severe wasting is often poorly integrated into routine health services. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic and global conflicts have increased the cost of RUTF, further limiting its availability.

Conclusion

Ready-To-Use Therapeutic Food has proven to be a lifesaving superfood, transforming the treatment of severe acute malnutrition and saving millions of children’s lives. Its success underscores the need for increased global efforts to ensure all children have access to this essential treatment.

– Sumaiya Sultana

Sumaiya is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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No Child Left Behind: Child Labor in Myanmar

Child Labor in MyanmarChild labor in Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, has been a problem in the country for many years. Some efforts have been made to reform this issue in the past, yet the numbers remain high. However, new initiatives and legislation provide a hopeful outlook for Myanmar’s children’s future.

Child Labor

Child Labor takes many shapes and children across the world are exploited in a variety of ways. In Myanmar, child labor is primarily used for agriculture, services and manufacturing. Regarding the statistics, the Ballard Brief verifies child labor as “58.3% in the agriculture division, 24.2% in the services division and 17.5% in the industrial division.”

Furthermore, the International Labor Organization (ILO), whose work in Myanmar is extensive, illustrates that “one in every 11 children in Myanmar is trapped in child labor – deprived of their childhood, health and education.” These numbers remain staggering but contextually are promising as they steadily decrease.

The Cause and Conditions

It is no secret that high poverty levels drive all family members to pursue a source of income. The higher the poverty in Myanmar, the more prevalent child labor will be in Myanmar. Addressing the issue of poverty is another way to protect the children of Myanmar, not only from dangers in the workforce but also from the dangers of lacking basic human necessities.

An article published by the United Nations (U.N.) in Myanmar has determined that “Poverty and crises are key to driving children into work.” The article stated specifically that “children in Myanmar between 5 and 17 years old are trapped in child labor, with more than half of them involved in hazardous work that directly endangers their health, safety and moral development.”

Understanding the causes of child labor assists governments, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and everyday people in developing quality solutions.

What’s Being Done

Many promising efforts are underway and currently in progress to tackle child labor. Myanmar has now ratified both International Conventions on child labor and the ILO’s on-the-ground projects have reduced child labor by 55% in three years in three pilot areas. In light of the significant reduction in these pilot areas, there is hope that once expanded, child labor will decrease.

Additionally, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is making significant strides to assist the children of Myanmar. UNICEF combats child labor in Myanmar by supporting government policy reforms and advocating for stronger child protection laws. It promotes access to quality education to keep children in school and away from labor.

Though child labor remains a significant challenge, the solutions are continually evolving and expanding. This growing momentum by Myanmar’s government and NGOs will help to eradicate child labor in the country.

– Abigail Johnson

Abigail is based in Oklahoma, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Updates on SDG 1 in Sudan

SDG 1 in SudanPoverty is one of the most pressing concerns facing the globe today. How poverty exacerbates many issues indicates the importance of achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 1. Following the conclusion of the Millennium Goals in 2015, the United Nations created the 17 SDGs to provide a framework for achieving development by 2030. The first SDG put forth by the U.N. is no poverty and concerns both extreme poverty and the poverty line. Sudan has been fighting poverty for decades and according to the SDG index trends are continuing to decrease with already concerning levels of poverty throughout the country. This article unpacks the updates on SDG 1 in Sudan and the path to achieving no poverty.

Updates on SDG 1 in Sudan

The United Nations SDG index ranks Sudan 159th out of 166 countries included in the index analysis. The U.N. identifies that Sudan has major challenges remaining with decreasing trends in terms of achieving no poverty. This indicates that poverty in Sudan is not only extreme but continues to worsen every day. Based on data analytics from the United Nations SDG Index, the percentage of the population in Sudan living in extreme poverty has been steadily increasing from 12.5% in 2016 to 26.98% in 2024, the highest rate since 2000, according to the Sustainable Development Report.

According to the World Poverty Clock, 29% of people in Sudan are living on $2.15/day or less. On top of that, 52% of the population lives on $3.65/day, at or below the poverty line. https://worldpoverty.io/ Furthermore, according to a 2021 UNICEF analysis child poverty rates increased from 12% to 85% between 2014 and 2020.

GDP and Poverty Rates

A 2024 World Bank datasheet on poverty in Sudan explains that GDP could decrease by 3.5% after decreasing by 12% in 2023 due to the collapse of government institutions and conflict throughout the country. The conflict has disrupted public spending and reduced the country’s tax base which has consequently increased poverty rates as data from the World Poverty Clock and the SDG Index indicate. Thus the progress toward SDG 1 in Sudan has seen a negative impact from economic instability and conflict.

Life in Poverty

The interconnectedness of each of the SDGs brings about the discussion of how poverty impacts other aspects of life and development. Life in poverty heavily influences all other aspects of living and is reflected in the progression of many other SDGs.

Education in Sudan is an example that is largely related to patterns of poverty. As of 2018, only 77% of children of the official school age are enrolled in primary education and the participation rate in pre-primary organized learning is just 38.63%.  Such information indicates the relationship between poverty and education thus deepening the importance of tackling global poverty as taking action towards one SDG will positively impact others.

The Future

To combat the rising poverty rates, the International Rescue Committee (IRC), along with many other NGOs and foreign aid programs, have identified Sudan as a high-priority concern. As an NGO dedicated to supporting developing countries and their citizens, the IRC has set up and strengthened operations in the Blue Nile, White Nile, and Gaderef states in Sudan to support and bring humanitarian aid to the 25 million Sudanese that need humanitarian aid, the 8.2 million that have been forcibly displaced and the 18 million that are facing crisis levels of food insecurity.

In 2021, the Commission on Social Safety and Poverty Reduction under the Ministry of Social Development launched the Mothers and Child Cash Transfer Plus Program (MCCT+) to support mothers and children affected by poverty. The flagship program in Sudan actively supports those in need with cash provisions, sharing information, and care of women and children and has supported 50,000 pregnant women in just the first phase of the program.

Overall, these updates on SDG 1 in Sudan highlight the troubling situation for the Sudanese people. Poverty rates across the country have continued to rise along with growing economic instability, a declining GDP and its negative influence on education. However, it is with support from foreign aid, government initiatives like the Mothers and Child Cash Transfer Plus program and NGO’s like the IRC that bring hope to Sudan and make progress possible.

– Juliana Granville

Juliana is based in Broooklyn, NY, USA and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr