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Political Policies that Reduce Poverty in South Sudan

poverty in South SudanKnown for its cultural heritage, rich biodiversity and artistic traditions, South Sudan is a unique and lush country. It is the world’s youngest nation, gaining independence in 2011, located in northeast Africa. To re-establish itself after gaining independence, South Sudan is undergoing a large amount of restoration. Due to the youth of the nation and its developing government, poverty in South Sudan is an ongoing issue. However, there are many policies set in place to combat the threat of poverty. Here is a list of policies that fight off poverty in South Sudan and how they work to address the issue.

Promoting Macroeconomic Stability

A stable macroeconomy is largely beneficial for a country and its citizens. It creates an environment that leads to economic growth, reduces inflation and prevents further economic instability. It is necessary when trying to reduce poverty.

One of the methods South Sudan is using to promote macroeconomic stability is by decreasing its dependency on oil revenues. Of the nation’s income, 90% comes from these revenues, meaning diversification is an important factor in improving the economy and reducing poverty in South Sudan.

One way South Sudan is working to diversify their nation’s revenue is through sustainable agriculture. By selling ranch and farm products to markets as well as producing their own food through agricultural practices, they add another route to revenue for the nation.

South Sudan has had the help of many projects to increase its agricultural health, such as the Sustainable Agriculture & Livestock Initiative (SALPI) and Global Affairs Canada’s Project.

South Sudan is also trying to promote tourism in its country. Through its national tourism policy, which aims to support local communities and improve infrastructure as well as getting support from other countries and organizations, South Sudan is actively growing to attract tourists for its luscious natural environment and unique traditions.

Boosting Social Development and Equality

South Sudan faces many humanitarian issues due to conflict and instability in the country. However, there are organizations and agreements that work to improve social development, equally assisting poverty in South Sudan.

The Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) is an agreement between the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-opposition. It is an agreement that aims to bring about peace and stability to South Sudan. UNICEF and World Vision have both contributed to South Sudan, helping those who have been affected by conflict and displacement, providing education, food, health care, and sanitation.

The Global Partnership for Education is a major contributor to education for all, providing girl-friendly schools in South Sudan with trained teachers who know how to address gender sensitivity and prevent gender-based violence.

The National Disability and Inclusion policy in South Sudan aims to enhance the protection of South Sudanese with disabilities who may struggle due to their physical or mental abilities. Alongside this, South Sudan has also established a Rehabilitation Centre for people with disabilities to help them access proper healthcare and education.

Poverty in South Sudan: The Future

Although South Sudan is a newly independent country, leading to constant economic and social struggles, with the help of these policies and the organizations and governments that work to enforce them, South Sudan can grow into a thriving, self-sustained nation.

– Sevyn Whatley

Sevyn is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How Historical Resource Extraction in Africa Fuels Modern Poverty

historical resource extractionThe history of colonial exploitation has deeply shaped economic and social structures in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly through large-scale resource extraction. European powers profited extensively from Africa’s natural wealth while providing limited support to local economies and communities. The impact of colonial-era practices remains evident in the economic challenges facing many African countries today, such as dependency on raw exports and foreign corporations. This article explores how the colonial exploitation legacy influences modern poverty, focusing on Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). It also examines current efforts to reduce dependence on foreign entities through sustainable development and resource sovereignty initiatives.

Historical Resource Extraction and Economic Dependency

During colonial rule, European powers extracted valuable resources from African nations without regard for long-term economic development. In the DRC, Belgium controlled vast resources, including rubber, copper and ivory, while failing to invest in essential infrastructure like roads, schools or health care. The Belgian administration’s primary attraction to the DRC was its natural resources that could be exploited for profit. This exploitation by Belgium ​​set the stage for decades of future conflict and violence leaving behind an unstable country unable to grow economically. Evident in how the majority of Congolese people have not benefited from the natural resources. The DRC is one of the poorest countries in the world with an estimated 73.5% of Congolese people living on less than $2.15 a day in 2024.

Similarly, Nigeria’s British colonial rulers focused on extracting oil, positioning Nigeria as one of Africa’s major oil producers. However, with approximately 40% of Nigerians living below the national poverty line, wealth distribution remains a significant issue.

Nigeria’s economy, heavily reliant on oil exports, faces the consequences of price fluctuations in global markets, which can destabilize the local economy and deepen poverty. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has documented the economic instability that accompanies raw material dependency, noting that countries lacking the infrastructure to process their resources into higher-value products struggle with poverty and limited economic diversification.

Long-Term Impacts

Historical resource extraction systems left African countries reliant on raw exports, which today are often controlled by foreign corporations. In Nigeria, international oil companies hold a significant stake in oil production. Their influence limits Nigeria’s ability to fully capitalize on its oil wealth for national growth, as foreign profits outstrip contributions to the local economy and infrastructure.

In the DRC, foreign corporations dominate cobalt mining, a resource crucial to technology production worldwide. Local communities receive minimal benefits from the cobalt industry, often facing poor working conditions, environmental damage, and limited economic opportunity. Artisanal miners, who produce over 20% of the DRC’s cobalt, frequently earn less than $2 per day despite grueling and dangerous conditions.

Furthermore, child labor remains a significant concern, with an estimated 40,000 children working in cobalt mines across the country, Wilson Center reports. According to the UNDP, economies heavily reliant on raw exports without diversified industry struggle with job scarcity and vulnerability to market fluctuations, hindering efforts to reduce poverty. The presence of foreign corporations in critical industries leaves these countries at the mercy of global market dynamics, which often prioritize profit over local development.

Sustainable Development and Economic Empowerment

Several African nations have launched initiatives to reduce reliance on raw exports and foreign corporations in response to colonial legacies. Nigeria, for instance, has started developing oil refineries to process crude oil locally, hoping to reduce its need for imports and increase job opportunities. By adding value within Nigeria, these efforts aim to boost economic resilience and retain a larger share of resource-generated wealth within the country.

The U.S. government-supported Public-Private Alliance for Responsible Minerals Trade (PPA) focuses on creating a sustainable and responsible minerals trade in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) by promoting local ownership and ethical mineral sourcing. By creating conflict-free supply chains for resources like gold and cobalt, the PPA helps communities gain more control over their resources.

It also emphasizes empowering women in mining communities and improving working conditions. These efforts aim to create sustainable economic opportunities, reduce exploitation by foreign corporations, and build resilience in the DRC’s mining regions. Transparent supply chains and community-focused projects are critical steps toward self-sufficiency and long-term poverty alleviation.

Addressing Colonial Impacts to Alleviate Poverty

Historical resource extraction continues to affect African economies, leaving many reliant on raw exports and vulnerable to global market shifts. European powers took significant wealth from African nations without fostering sustainable local industries, creating economic structures that persist today. Sustainable development and resource sovereignty initiatives are helping African countries reclaim control over their resources and invest in local economic growth. Addressing these historical injustices remains crucial for building economies that empower African communities and reduce poverty by ensuring African wealth benefits the continent itself.

– Harriet Conway

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

Photo: Flickr

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Innovations in Poverty Eradication in Botswana

Innovations in Poverty Eradication in BotswanaAccording to U.N. statistics, 17.2% of the population in Botswana lives in poverty, with an additional 19.7% vulnerable to falling back into poverty. All economic indicators suggest a nation is on an upward trajectory in the global sphere; however, poverty remains a pervasive barrier for a significant portion of the populace. In recognition of this deficiency, the government of Botswana and the international community have formulated initiatives and programs to tackle the disproportionate rates of hardship. After gaining independence in 1966, it was one of the 10 poorest countries in the world. In defiance of this, between 1966 and 2008, economic growth averaged 8.7%, advancing Botswana into the upper-middle-income classification due to excellent governing strategies.

An Aspirational Future

Poverty reduction efforts in Botswana are a major operation despite its economy growing in recent years. Rather than applying general, tried-and-tested methods of addressing poverty, techniques in Botswana have gone further in the endeavor to confront the problem. The government constantly develops schemes and systems to rectify the country’s looming obstacles. By identifying the foundational causes of extreme poverty, the government has developed strategies designed to target the issue at its very root. Many have identified the leading causes of poverty to be unemployment, inequality, lack of education and diseases such as HIV/AIDS, according to the International Journal of Development and Sustainability.

Vision 2036 is an ambitious National Development Plan (NDP) that aims not just to reduce rates of poverty, but to annihilate it by 2036. The government created Vision 2036 in 2016 as a continuation of its predecessor, Vision 2016. The intent behind the initiative is to graduate Botswana from an upper-middle-income country to a high-income country by focusing on human, social and sustainable developments.

One key characteristic of Vision 2036 is a lessened reliance on the diamond trade. Botswana has enormously benefitted from its natural resources, utilizing them to enhance their economic mobility but it has since been a major source of inequality. Innovations in poverty eradication in Botswana such as this one are rich in considered solutions to adversity and join several other government-led projects.

Practical Government Solutions

In 2011, the government launched the Poverty Eradication Program (PEP) to lift citizens out of multidimensional poverty. The program targets those living in abject poverty, aiming to restore dignity to their lives. Citizens of Botswana eligible for PEP must be 18 or older, living on less than $1.25 a day and lacking certain assets such as livestock. The programme focuses on establishing sustainable income for households by promoting entrepreneurship and employment. PEP promotes self-reliance for low-income families that otherwise lack the resources to escape vulnerability, providing vital opportunities for millions of citizens in both rural and urban areas.

Alongside this, a labor-based programme has been in place since 2008. The Ipelegeng initiative provides income to the unemployed poor, targeting unskilled laborers and recruiting them for up to one month to maintain public facilities. While only offering short-term employment, the program takes on 50,000 beneficiaries a month, supplying them and their families with necessary supplementary income, according to the International Journal of Development and Sustainability. The scheme was first introduced as a means to relieve families from economic hardship as a result of droughts, but proved successful and so was adopted as a more permanent government operation. The rates for workers differed depending on the role and were recently increased in 2023: casual laborers are paid $45 a month, and supervisors $51 a month.

Innovations in poverty eradication in Botswana continue to be at the forefront of government sentiment. An awareness by the government of the principal causes has been recognized allowing the country to look towards a healthy, prosperous future.

– Molly Ralph

Molly is based in Bridport, Dorset, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

Hawaii’s Tourism Dilemma: Impact on Poverty

Hawaii’s TourismIn recent years, Hawaii’s tourism dilemma has come to the forefront, shedding light on the intricate balance between economic prosperity and environmental and socioeconomic concerns. Local voices have highlighted the trains on resources, rising costs of living and housing and cultural erosion caused by mass tourism. This exploration delves into Hawaii’s tourism dilemma, dissecting its multifaceted impacts and the possibility of a balanced future. 

Strains on Resources 

While tourism breathes life into Hawaii’s economy, it also exerts tremendous pressure on the islands’ resources. The demand for accommodations, water and energy strains already limited supplies. Due to the severe drought and the depletion of water supplies, West Maui residents and Upcountry villages were subject to mandatory water restrictions starting on June 30, 2022. The use of water for non-essential purposes, such as watering lawns or washing cars, might result in a $500 punishment and having their water meters taken away for locals from these regions. However, the tourist sector, which uses 44.7% of Hawaii’s water, is not subject to any water restrictions. This struggle for essential resources often forces residents to contend with water rationing and conservation efforts, affecting their quality of life.

Rising Costs and Widening Poverty Gaps 

The influx of tourists has brought with it rising costs that hit residents hard. The cost of living has surged, particularly in terms of housing and everyday essentials. From 2019 to 2022, Maui County’s housing prices rose by nearly 35%; they had already been rising since the financial crisis. Additionally, based on statistics from the Council for Community and Economic Research, Hawaii had the highest cost of living in 2022. 

Skyrocketing housing and high cost of living prices have led to displacement for many locals, as investors snatch up properties for vacation rentals. 

Cultural Erosion 

The cultural erosion brought about by mass tourism is a poignant concern. Native Hawaiians, who hold a deep spiritual connection to their land, often feel that their traditions and values are commodified for profit. The influx of visitors seeking superficial representations of Hawaiian culture can overshadow the authentic practices and beliefs of the local community, further eroding the island’s unique identity.

Tackling Hawaii’s tourism dilemma involves recognizing the importance of cultural preservation as a means to both attract visitors and empower local communities.

The Positive Impact 

Despite these challenges, the impact of tourism isn’t entirely negative. It has propelled economic growth, generating jobs, investment opportunities and revenue streams that support local infrastructure and services. A quarter of Hawaii’s GDP comes from the tourism industry. The tourism sector in 2019 supported a total of 216,000 jobs across the state. It also resulted in nearly $17.8 billion in tourist spending and contributed more than $2 billion in tax revenue for the state.  

Moreover, tourism provides a platform to showcase Hawaii’s rich cultural heritage and environmental significance to a global audience. By engaging visitors in educational experiences, the islands can foster a greater appreciation for their unique attributes.

Moving Toward a Balanced Future

Addressing Hawaii’s tourism dilemma requires a multi-faceted approach that takes into account the need to alleviate poverty, preserve culture and ensure a sustainable flow of visitors.

A key pillar to finding effective solutions to Hawaii’s tourism dilemma requires involving local communities in decision-making processes. Residents, who are the heart of Hawaii, possess a profound understanding of the islands’ needs and sensitivities. By giving them a voice in shaping tourism policies and regulations, the industry could become more attuned to the wishes and concerns of those who call Hawaii home. This collaborative approach fosters a sense of ownership and shared responsibility for the islands’ well-being. 

Balancing the scales of tourism also means supporting local businesses and economies. Encouraging visitors to explore lesser-known destinations and engage with off-the-beaten-path experiences redirects economic benefits to smaller communities. Promoting sustainable agriculture and indigenous crafts not only diversifies revenue streams but also safeguards Hawaii’s authenticity against a homogenized tourist culture. Additionally, encouraging tourists to explore less crowded areas will prevent damage to vulnerable cultural and natural sites. 

Dr. Agrusa asked hundreds of participating U.S. tourists what they would be prepared to do to make sure their visits benefited Hawaii and its residents. Around four out of 10 respondents stated they would be willing to pay 10% more at restaurants if it meant that local suppliers would profit more from the food supply chain and pay more during their stay to respect Hawaiian culture. 

Hawaii’s tourism challenge stands at a crossroads, casting both concerns and the need for a balanced future. As mass tourism on the islands causes strains on resources, vanishing cultural roots and increasing poverty levels, embracing community voices and fostering local economies emerges as a solution to foster sustainable tourism. 

– Hannah Klifa
Photo: Unsplash

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How Agroforestry Can Reduce Global Poverty

Agroforestry Can Reduce Global PovertyForests provide food, medicine, fodder and energy for 250 million of the world’s extreme poor. If utilized properly, the method of agroforestry can reduce global poverty. The resources and benefits that forests can provide are often inaccessible to those in poverty due to the private ownership of forests.

Ownership of Forests

Approximately 77% of the world’s forests are owned and administered by governments that do not recognize the claims of indigenous peoples and local communities to the land. Since government priorities do not always align with community needs, the locals who need the forests to survive do not receive the benefits that they should. For example, the timber and ecotourism industries in Africa are skyrocketing but the locals do not share in the profits.

Agroforestry

Agroforestry, the agricultural practice of growing trees and shrubs around crops or pastureland, can ameliorate this problem. Agroforestry builds on existing agricultural land already owned by communities to create new forests not owned by the government, thereby circumventing the ownership problem and guaranteeing that profits remain in the community. Agroforestry systems are smaller in scale than typical forests but they still deliver many of the same positive results: they diversify production, restore soil fertility and increase biodiversity.

The benefits of agroforestry extend beyond environmental issues. Agroforestry can reduce global poverty by increasing food resources and security, improving nutrition and increasing profits for farmers.

3 Countries Using Agroforestry

  1. Bolivia uses agroforestry to reduce food insecurity. Bolivia is one of the biggest producers of organic cacao, which despite being edible, is not a major food crop. Cacao is grown mostly wild or in monocultures, though there is a growing shift to agroforestry systems where cacao trees are intercropped with shade trees and other by-crops like bananas and avocados. Over 75% of Bolivian households lack regular access to basic foods. Thanks to agroforestry, 40% of the population who depend on agriculture for their livelihoods can both produce more food and earn more money to buy what they do not grow. The Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) found that the return on labor was double for agroforestry systems compared to monocultures even though the cacao yields were 40% higher in the monocultures. The revenue difference came from the sale of the by-crops, which offset the lower cacao yield. The by-crops helped farmers earn a profit but also represented a food source for the communities.

  2. Burkina Faso uses agroforestry as a means of women’s empowerment. The U.N. Development Program estimates that an average of three million African women work directly or indirectly with shea butter. Women have historically played an important role in the extraction of shea butter but they have not always been compensated for their work, even as the industry and profits grew. Agroforestry allows for more community involvement in farming, which in turn opens up opportunities for women. NGOs like CECI and WUSC help to train women in shea harvesting as part of the Uniterra project, which aims to get women involved in entrepreneurial ventures such as developing their own shea butter businesses for international exports. As a result of agroforestry, more women are empowered to take themselves out of poverty.

  3. India is a global leader in agroforestry policy. India was the first country to create a national agroforestry policy in 2014 despite existing policies that were unfavorable to agriculture, weak markets and a lack of institutional finance. The country set the ambitious goal of increasing national tree cover to 33% as a way to make agriculture more sustainable while optimizing its productivity. Agroforestry is currently in use on 13.5 million hectares in India but the government hopes to expand it to increase benefits like reducing poverty and malnutrition by tripling crop yields. Already, agroforestry provides 65% of the country’s timber and almost half of its fuelwood. Timber production on tree farms generates 450 employment days per hectare per year, which can reduce rural unemployment, and in turn, rural poverty.

The Potential of Agroforestry in Poverty Reduction

Many other rural communities in Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia have relied on agroforestry throughout history, with and without government backing. As a whole, agroforestry is underused in the fight against global poverty. Nations with large agricultural sectors need to adopt agroforestry policies and promote the training needed to help farmers implement agroforestry on a large scale. These agroforestry efforts have the potential to significantly contribute to global poverty reduction.

– Brooklyn Quallen
Photo: Flickr

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10 Facts About the Economy of the Republic of Buryatia

the Economy of the Republic of BuryatiaIn the Far East of the Russian Federation lies a vast region characterized by a diversity of topographical features and a rich ancient history. The remote Republic of Buryatia increasingly serves as a regional economic powerhouse, rich in natural resources and human capital. Below are 10 facts about the economy of the Republic of Buryatia.

10 Facts About the Economy of the Republic of Buryatia

  1. The Republic of Buryatia is seeing a gradual decline in absolute population numbers. A 2016 census recorded 983,209 people in the republic in 2017. This is down from a total population of 1.02 million in 1997. A shrinking population may lead to adverse consequences for the economy of the Republic of Buryatia.
  2. Both industrial and agrarian means of production are well represented in the economy of the Republic of Buryatia. Forestry, food production, fuel and power, construction, the paper industry and the processing of both metal and wood account for the vast majority of industrial production. Mining operations explore, develop and extract coal, gold and non-magnetic metals. Agricultural operations feed much of the Russian Far East by producing dairy, meat, flour, cereals and animal feed.
  3. The cumulative value of exports from the Republic of Buryatia for the second quarter of 2017 measured approximately $374 million. A persistent decline in revenues from total exports began in 2012 though it has been subject to significant oscillations. In contrast, the republic imports $28 million worth of goods. The value of imports year to year exhibits some instability but still indicates a general decline over five successive years.
  4. The energy sector of the Republic of Buryatia relies greatly upon the region’s abundant coal reserves. Balance reserves totaling approximately 2.6 billion tons alongside deposit reserves of more than 1.1 billion tons may adequately supply the regional economy for another half-century. The government’s asset records attest to 13 brown and hard coal deposits subject to processing with another six undergoing development. 
  5. Despite the vitality of the coal sector, a decline in the demand for electricity may hinder the economy of the Republic of Buryatia. Power plants satisfy local requirements so much so that the republic exports electricity to neighboring regions like Mongolia. However, electricity consumption by the republic’s forestry and agricultural sectors remains low compared to the transport, communications and power plant sectors. Electricity use in 2017 was substantially lower than in the 1990s.
  6. In 2017, the unemployment rate was 5.2 percent of the population in Russia. That same year, unemployment in the Republic of Buryatia affected 9.6 percent of the region’s population. But this most recent statistic is part of a systematic downward trend in the region’s unemployment rate. From a high of 17.8 percent unemployment in 2003, the decline to a 9.6 percent employment rate in 2017 attests to a steady improvement in this sphere of the economy of the Republic of Buryatia.
  7. The poverty rate in the Republic of Buryatia significantly oscillates year to year, yet data indicates a general decline in poverty. In 2015, 17.9 percent of the republic’s population lived beneath the poverty line. According to data collected in 2014, the average impoverished person in the Republic of Buryatia requires an income increase of 1.9 percent to meet minimum subsistence levels. 
  8. The freshwater reservoir Lake Baikal plays an essential role in the economy of the Republic of Buryatia. Measuring 636 kilometers across and 80 kilometers wide, Lake Baikal hosts an estimated 250 unique animal species out of an approximate total of 2,500 local species. Besides the diverse biome, rich mineral deposits abound. Half a century of development in the Lake Baikal region yielded more than 700 mineral reserves. 
  9. Individually-owned farms comprise 83 percent of the Republic of Buryatia’s total crop production. By contrast, only 57 percent of the total crop production of the Russian Federation emerges from farm households. However, only 11 percent of the total land of the republic belongs to individually-owned agricultural operations.
  10. In 2015, the rural demographic of the Republic of Buryatia numbered 402,520 people. The following year, the rural demographic rose 0.29 percent to 403,698 people. The urban demographic consisted of 579,511 people in 2016, a 0.28 percent increase from the previous year. Though comprising 58.9 percent of the republic’s population, data indicates a steady decline in the urban population from 1997 onward.

Though some data indicates that the economy of the Republic of Buryatia faces considerable obstacles, the general picture of the region is one of economic vitality. As a resource-rich region with a productive population, the future may bode well for this remote corner of the Russian Federation.

– Philip Daniel Glass
Photo: Flickr

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Humanitarian Aid to Guinea Improves Livelihoods of All Guineans

Humanitarian Aid to GuineaA West African country bordering the North Atlantic Ocean that has been called potentially one of Africa’s richest, Guinea is a mineral-rich state with a population that is among the poorest in Africa. Humanitarian aid to Guinea is an important step in improving the livelihoods of Guineans.

Situated between Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone, Guinea is home to about a third of the world’s bauxite reserves which have not been smelted and refined into aluminum largely owing to the political instability in the country. Chronic underdevelopment has also angered many locals who have, in desperation, disrupted operations at the country’s mines to bring attention to their plight.

According to the U.S. State Department’s Office of Investment Affairs, Guinea suffers from “persistent corruption and fiscal management.” However, the country is not only resource-rich but also filled with economic potentials in the energy and the agricultural sector.

With over four billion tons of untapped high-grade iron ore, abundant rainfall, gold and diamond reserves, off-shore oil reserves and indeterminate amounts of uranium, Guinea has many economic drivers. The country’s natural geography also makes it very hospitable to renewable energy sources such as hydroelectric dams and turbines.

In May 2015, the 240 megawatt Kaleta Dam project was built after a $526 million investment by China. Kaleta more than doubled the country’s electricity supply and encouraged the government to seek aid for more energy infrastructure, mainly in the solar and hydroelectric sector.

According to USAID, Guinea suffered heavy losses to its economical revenue and outlook in the wake of the Ebola outbreak. Many widespread preventable and treatable diseases, such as malaria, prevail in the country and infant and maternal mortality rates remain very high. Furthermore, the agricultural sector is not able to completely function to provide the much-needed source of income and revenue for the people and the government.

The success of humanitarian aid to Guinea is underlined by USAID’s work in the country. In March 2015, USAID provided more than $7 million through the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to improve food security and nutrition as a means to combat poverty and hunger in Guinea.

This culminated in WFP making the largest-ever purchase of locally-produced rice, which supported the local agricultural sector and provided children with meals in hundreds of schools across the country. Furthermore, farmers were educated about the business and contracting process, including working with development partners, and were encouraged to establish relationships with banks to obtain credits and rates they could use to sustain their farms.

It has been said that Guinea’s entire population of 12 million people is at risk of malaria. Malaria control efforts and prevention policies are underway in the country, but the damage is ongoing. According to the Ministry of Health, most of the hospitalizations, consultations and deaths in Guinea are a result of malaria.

Aid organizations such as Plan International have been working for decades to provide humanitarian aid to Guinea. Plan International improves children’s access to health, education and sanitation. This is done by ensuring that sustainable, quality education is provided to all children. Children are afforded access to clean water and sanitation facilities. Furthermore, a safe environment designed to empower children is nurtured.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) Guinea actively helps vulnerable people and migrants to resettle in other countries by advocating on their behalf and lending support at every step of the resettlement process, including performing medical health assessments on behalf of the resettlement countries. Funding for IOM Guinea is mainly provided by the same governments of resettlement countries, and the international community can and should support the efforts of these countries.

With more humanitarian aid to Guinea, this resource-rich country certainly carries the potential to infuse its wealth of resources into the livelihoods of all Guineans.

– Mohammed Khalid

Photo: Flickr

Five Active Development Projects in Tunisia

In December of 2010, high unemployment, limited economic opportunity, corruption in government offices and escalating food prices, brought about a string of deadly riots across the North African nation of Tunisia. The Tunisian people ousted their President, Ben Ali, in a bloodless coup d’état, and a “national unity government” was installed in his place. This new government-appointed Mocef Marzouki, a well-known Tunisian human rights activist, as interim president. Since 2011, there has been a slew of development initiatives that are being undertaken in Tunisia in an attempt to improve the lives of all citizens. The World Bank Group is currently funding 22 active development projects in Tunisia. Here are five which you should know about.

1. Youth Economic Inclusion Project (2017-2024)

The Youth Economic Inclusion Project is an initiative to increase and improve the economic opportunities presented to young, disadvantaged, Tunisians. This project is connecting young Tunisians with job opportunities, and providing assistance in transitioning from being a student, or unemployed, to the working world. Another component of this project is to make an effort to increase job creation in Tunisia.

2. Road Transport Corridors Project (2015-2020)

This project aims to improve the condition of roads connecting the more developed regions of Tunisia with the lesser developed areas. This project will shorten travel times and substantially improve the safety of road travel across the country. The Road Transport Corridors Project has focused on widening and repaving roads, repairing bridges, and installing more road safety equipment.

3. Integrated Landscapes Management in Lagging Regions (2017-2024)

The goal of the Integrated Landscapes Management in Lagging Legions Project is to improve the use of natural resources in the lesser developed northwest and western regions of the country. With a focus on sustainability, this project will improve the efficiency of land and natural resource use, as well as improve existing agricultural practices and infrastructure.

4. Northern Tunis Wastewater Project (2010-2019)

In the northern reaches of the city of Tunis, there is currently a lack of proper wastewater management infrastructure. This project pays special consideration to the environmental impacts of wastewater management and seeks to increase the amount and quality of treated wastewater available for use to farmers in regards to their agricultural activities.

5. The National Network of Social Accountability (2014-2018)

This project aims to bring Tunisia closer to becoming a developed nation through three main objectives. The first is to increase the availability and reliability of public information on government activity and expenditures. Second, there is an initiative to increase competition between businesses to expand the Tunisian economy. The last aspect of this development project in Tunisia is to focus on improving the quality and availability of healthcare for low-income Tunisians.

It is evident that these active development projects in Tunisia are working to ensure the improved livelihoods of citizens in various ways.

 – Tyler Troped

Photo: Flickr

 

Is the Discovery of Oil in Kenya Good or Bad News?

Oil in KenyaThe county of Turkana, Kenya, is currently situated over an estimated 750 million barrels of oil. From the outside looking in, the oil is a winning lottery ticket for Turkana, with 90 percent of its 1.3 million people living below the poverty line. Jobs and business opportunities have increased due to the oil wells, and the oil is expected to make billions of dollars annually for Kenya in just a few years, 20 percent of which will go to the Turkana County government.

However, many people in Turkana do not see the oil in Kenya to be a glimmer of hope; rather, they fear that the new wells will contribute to conflicts over scarce pasture and water resources. Turkana is home to millions of pastoral animals that now have no access to pasture due to the oil rig installations, and they must be herded long distances to find drinkable water and a specific type of grass.

The oil in Kenya has also been said to be killing goats in the county and has caused a stench problem throughout some families’ homes, making it hard to live. The Kenyan government must address the consequences of the oil as well as Turkana residents’ feelings toward the oil to avoid intense conflict, violence or even a civil war.

Turkana, as a county, has been struggling with poverty and human development for many years. Turkana County has the highest maternal and infant mortality rate in the country, the lowest rates of education enrollment and the lowest life expectancy in Kenya. Turkana also suffers the worst of all the counties in Kenya from the ongoing drought that has now been recognized as a national disaster.

Furthermore, the United Nations and Kenyan government estimate that 2.7 million people in Kenya as a whole are facing a food shortage. With all of these struggles that both the country and Turkana County have been facing, it is easy to see why many people feel the oil in Kenya is a sign of hope for a better future. With regards to the infamous possibilities that could be Turkana’s future, as well as Kenya’s, it is important for the government to have regard for the animals, farmers and land.

– Chloe Turner

Photo: Flickr

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Why is Nauru Poor?

Why is Nauru PoorIn recent years, news about the small island of Nauru pertains to the violation of human rights for asylum seekers. However, what is not being discussed is why these people are seeking asylum in the first place or why Nauru maintains the third highest proportion of refugees per capita in the world. The explanation partially lies on the deterioration of the country’s wealth over the last few decades. So, why is Nauru poor?

In fact, the country was not always poor. In 1980 Nauru became the wealthiest nation globally, per capita. The country’s natural resource endowments were recognized for this feat. Large deposits of phosphate were discovered in the late 19th century across the island, and once Nauru gained independence in 1968, intensive mining boosted the country’s income.

After this, Nauru seemed to experience what is called the “resource curse.” While the country’s specialization in phosphate mining originally provided wealth, Nauru experienced a drastic economic collapse when phosphate ran out in the early 1980s.

The country was then left with was a series of long-term problems. Today, 50 percent of households in Nauru live on an average of only $9000 a year. As phosphate mining had such a destructive toll on the environment, 80 percent of the island has been labeled wasteland and threatens the remaining resources. Because the phosphate specialization drove away other business previously developed in the country, it now obtains limited revenue, and the unemployment rate in 2011 rested at 23 percent.

To spark growth in Nauru’s economy, the government agreed to open the Australian Regional Processing Center for asylum seekers in 2012. Australia’s offshoring tactics pay Nauru $312 million annually to run detention centers on the island.

While this has improved the incomes of families in Nauru, the country has faced much backlash due to the living conditions of the refugees sent to the country. Consequently, a new deal is being formulated to move these vulnerable groups to other areas including Cambodia and the United States. This will leave Nauru, again, without the revenues necessary to keep its people from poverty.

Reverand James Aingimea, a minister of the Nauru Congregational Church confessed to the New York Times, “I wish we’d never discovered that phosphate…When I was a boy, it was so beautiful… Now I see what has happened here, and I want to cry.” This pain can be felt across the island where the residents bear witness to the question, “why is Nauru poor?” The exploitation of Nauru without environmental protection or diversification in the economy has led the nation to a state of dependency.

– Tess Hinteregger

Photo: Google