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The Divide Between Wealth and Poverty in Abuja

poverty in abujaNigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, has one of the youngest populations in the world, with more than 50% of its citizens aged less than 30. However, survival is a daily struggle for the majority due to limited opportunities and weak job creation. Nigeria’s social and economic situations have made migration attractive to the youth, with more than 3.6 million Nigerians leaving the country between 2022 and 2023.

Similarly, internal migration has become a growing trend in Nigeria, as those without the means to move abroad relocate to urban centers in pursuit of greener pastures. According to the United Nations (U.N.), approximately 49% of Nigerians now live in urban areas compared to 16% in 1960, highlighting the significant shift toward urbanization over the decades.

Internal Migration to Abuja

With terrorism, banditry and kidnappings in the north, along with separatist agitations in the southeast, internal migration to Abuja has been on the rise, especially among those who prefer it over Lagos. Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, is often seen as a city of wealth and opportunity. Skyscrapers, luxury estates and high-end shopping malls paint a picture of prosperity. However, beyond this facade lies a harsh reality for many residents. While the city continues to grow economically, this growth benefits only a small fraction of the population.

Poverty in Abuja

For the majority, poverty in Abuja is a daily struggle. Following a change in administration in 2023, Nigeria’s government removed fuel subsidies and floated the currency, increasing the nation’s inflation rate to more than 30% in September 2024. The government announced a new minimum wage of $43 per month in July 2024 to ease the financial burden on its citizens. However, it has yet to be implemented for primary school teachers and nurses in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Consequently, more than 50% of people living in Abuja experience poverty, according to the Global Data Lab. Low-income earners, including cleaners and security guards, are the most vulnerable. Housing costs are exorbitant, with rents for studio apartments in Abuja ranging from $1,000 to more than $1,300 per year. Meanwhile, the average Nigerian employee earns less than $1,000 annually, forcing many into overcrowded slums or makeshift housing.

Despite Abuja’s reputation as a thriving metropolis, its wealth remains concentrated in the hands of a few, leaving the rest to struggle to make ends meet.

No Middle Ground

Abuja’s wealth gap is striking. In upscale areas like Asokoro and Maitama, luxury cars ply smooth roads, while nearby communities like Mpape and Dakibiyu struggle with poor infrastructure, scarce clean water and unreliable electricity. This stark contrast reflects the deep economic divide, where prosperity is concentrated among the few while many struggle to make ends meet.

The wealthiest 20% of Nigerians control 42% of the national income, while the most impoverished 20% share a mere 7%. This imbalance suggests that economic opportunities are disproportionately accessible to the affluent, leaving a significant portion of the population struggling to ascend the economic ladder.

Increased inflation has reduced purchasing power, making necessities harder to afford. The financial strain has sparked public outcry, with protests in major cities, including Abuja, as citizens demand relief from soaring living costs.

Can Change Come?

The Federal Government of Nigeria has implemented several economic reforms, including devaluing the Naira to stabilize the economy. However, these measures have also contributed to increased living costs, prompting debates about their efficacy and impact on the vulnerable population, especially those in the informal sector.

Therefore, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) like Oxfam have highlighted the urgency of implementing progressive taxation and increasing social investments to bridge the widening economic divide. In pursuit of this goal, Oxfam actively works to enhance livelihoods, promote gender equality, strengthen governance and deliver humanitarian aid, all while creating sustainable economic opportunities for vulnerable populations.

Another NGO, the Ambience of Hope Exceptional Foundation, launched Operation Feed Abuja Municipal Area Council in December 2023, targeting vulnerable people in the city. The foundation distributed food items, sewing machines, generators, wheelbarrows, hair dryers, grinding machines, and more to uplift residents. Similarly, in 2024, the World Bank committed $12.2 billion to Nigeria’s economy to drive diversified growth, job creation and social inclusion, focusing on youth, women and marginalized communities.

Conclusion

While Abuja stands as a symbol of Nigeria’s aspirations and growth, it also embodies the profound challenges of economic inequality. Observing the city’s dual realities underscores the pressing need for policies that foster inclusive growth, ensuring that prosperity is accessible to all residents, reducing poverty in Abuja.

– Staff Reports
Photo: Flickr

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Organizations Fighting Cuba’s Food Shortages

Cuba’s Food ShortagesCubans are now struggling more than ever to put food on the table, with 12.8% of the population failing to consume their daily calorie intake in 2023 and 37.8% categorized as “food insecure.” Only 15% of the population has the economic means to justify eating three meals a day. This was in the context of great economic turmoil last year, with a 30% inflation rate, a 2% fall in gross domestic product (GDP) and limited foreign currency making it almost impossible for the government to import products. This presented a grave problem, given that, at that moment, the subsidized food packages provided by the government consisted almost entirely of imports. Cuba’s food shortages remain the main concern among the population, ranking higher than topics such as energy blackouts and wages.

How Has the Cuban Government Responded?

The Cuban government rationing system of basic foodstuff has been in operation since the early ’60s to protect against U.S. sanctions. However, due to recent struggles to import food products, rations have been reduced, with bread allocation reducing 25% to just 60 grams. The authorities also proposed further price controls on some essential products to keep prices low.

However, it was warned that this would worsen food shortages, with businesses threatening to stop trading under the new rules. Thus, Cuba was forced to ask the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) for help, as the government could not distribute flour and subsidized milk to children younger than 7.

WFP

Using food programs to foster peace and stability, the WFP is one of the main organizations fighting Cuba’s food shortages through school feeding schemes, agricultural support and disaster responses. These initiatives have had a massive scope, with the organization having helped more than “760,000 people with direct assistance and indirectly benefited 30,700 people with assets, capacity and services as well as 910,000 people through national policies and [programs].”

The WFP has achieved this through short-term solutions like food distribution and by emphasizing supporting Cuba in providing such services by itself. It worked on sustainable, locally led projects alongside farmers, linking them with school feeding schemes. Additionally, the WFP facilitated the “distribution of rice, grains, vegetable oil, micronutrient powders, blended fortified foods and milk to support authorities’ pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 2).”

Oxfam

Oxfam launched its “No More Blockade” campaign, arguing that this is key to fighting Cuba’s food shortages and political factors. The organization called on the Biden administration to recommit to normalizing relations between the U.S. and Cuba. It encouraged the Cuban government to adhere to its constitutional commitment to rights and freedoms and diversify its economy.

Oxfam also calls on the international community to advocate for more cooperation within Latin America and for the European Union to influence the U.S. government.

Care International

Having worked in Cuba since the late ’90s, supporting victims of food insecurity, CARE has carried out invaluable projects in Cuba, focusing on ensuring gender equality. In 2019, CARE International supported “farmers facing the effects of climate [instability] to restore lands and crops, oversaw quality of life and safe water programs in vulnerable communities and worked on sustainable agriculture.” Recently, CARE International, alongside local actors, provided aid and shelter during the energy blackouts.

Barnabas Aid and Give2Cuba

Give2Cuba and Barnabas Aid and are two more organizations fighting Cuba’s food shortages by providing aid. Barnabas Aid uses Christian church networks to distribute food products to the vulnerable, with its “food.gives” projects delivering containers of dried and dehydrated food products to the island.

Similarly, Give2Cuba, set up by Cuban Americans in 2010, provides food, medicine and cash and facilitates larger companies’ contribution to alleviating food scarcity in Cuba. Give2Cuba Houston carries out humanitarian relief trips, which “provides direct help to families, as well as work with trusted community leaders (such as clergy) to identify and reach the elderly and other vulnerable people.”

In 2023, the group raised $3000 for a feeding program in Matanzas, providing meals for 15 older adults. The organization hopes to fundraise $10,000 in 2025 to allow another 30 pensioners to be fed. Like Barnabas Aid, Give2Cuba has also coordinated a quick response to the blackouts and Storm Oscar, with teams sent to Cuba in the aftermath.

Final Note

The work of these international organizations fighting Cuba’s food shortages has been widespread and overwhelmingly positive. The focus of institutions like the WFP and Oxfam on long-term solutions so that Cuba can become self-sufficient by improving its agricultural productivity and building infrastructure is very important.

Although short-term aid and solutions are necessary and alleviate suffering, it is a focus on the future and dealing with these issues from the root that may bring Cuba closer to ending its fight against hunger and food insecurity. A combination of different approaches, alongside a more comprehensive governmental approach, will hopefully ease this food insecurity issue.

– Ciara Howard

Ciara is based in Brighton, UK and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Addressing Health Initiatives With Oxfam in South Sudan

Addressing Health Initiatives With Oxfam in South SudanSouth Sudan is a country facing significant challenges due to ongoing conflict and instability. To address this, Oxfam is supporting health and nutrition initiatives that significantly benefit communities in South Sudan. This organization has been active in Sudan for more than 30 years and is helping families rebuild their lives. After becoming an independent state just over a decade ago, South Sudan became caught in conflict when war arose in Juba in 2013, becoming one of the many new hosts of 2.5 million refugees living in poverty.

Taking Action

Oxfam’s health interventions include installing wells remote water and sanitation stations, increasing food security and protecting land rights and natural resources, particularly for farmers. Oxfam has provided aid by distributing food to more than 415,000 individuals and helping more than 140,000 people reach clean water and sanitation stations throughout their time in the country. 

It is increasing access to these resources by prioritizing the islands closest to Nyal, where a majority of families are coming from. To support the influx of people coming in, Oxfam provides emergency services to communities by increasing gardens, water storage points, bathing facilities and providing cooking and farming supplies. This empowers communities to rebuild their livelihoods to support their families long-term. The number of refugees seeking aid in the country has increased 10 times since gaining independence, reaching about 107,000 people in 2012.

Hunger

In addition to an increase in refugees, more than half of the population of South Sudan already lives in extreme hunger. The state relies heavily on imported foods and with the impact of border conflicts making imports less accessible, inflation is at a high. Increasing food prices make it more difficult for people to feed their families, increasing widespread famine and malnutrition. Not only does Oxfam provide families with the tools necessary to restabilize, but it also teaches them efficient farming and planting techniques. These processes could improve their crop yield and soil fertility, ensuring successful food production for future generations. 

Impact of Flooding in South Sudan

The country has faced severe floods for consecutive years since 2018, now leaving approximately 70% of the country covered in water. This destroys homes, farmland, schools and health centers and washes away roads, making transportation and importation incredibly difficult. Due to heavy periods of rainfall, flooding disperses and does not permeate the already saturated soil, making large portions of land inaccessible. This increases displacement as communities lose their homes, farmland and livestock. In turn, this increases the number of individuals requiring food, shelter, clean water and medical aid, increasing Oxfam initiatives throughout the entire country. 

Canoe Vouchers

A town in South Sudan that has been especially welcoming to refugees, Nyal, has become home to many individuals searching for food and shelter. Through support from Oxfam and Irish Aid, the community offers canoe transportation to and from Nyal based on a free voucher system to help displaced individuals access food and medical care. Traveling by foot is considered unsafe for women, making canoe transportation the more efficient and protected route, taking about three days to cross the swamps. This program also provides jobs for community members, allowing both men and women to establish a stable income to support their families for the first time since 2013. 

Supporting Women

Oxfam is specifically addressing issues of under-reported instances of sexual violence against women in South Sudan. In heightened periods of conflict, sexual exploitation is used as a war tool and is often overlooked regarding the outcomes of war. Oxfam is creating safe spaces to offer medical aid and educate women about their rights. Women are encouraged to find a sense of community among each other and to feel empowered to ensure their rights are not violated. 

At the Jamam camp located in the Upper Nile region, Oxfam conducted research to ensure safe and clean access to water collection points and lavatory facilities. A survey revealed that more than 10% of women felt there was not enough privacy in public restrooms, Oxfam increased separation and staffing, prioritizing the safety and wellbeing of these women. Prioritizing privacy as well as sanitation also helps prevent the spread of diseases. Staff is constantly reviewing feedback and comments from community members on how these resources can be improved. 

Overall Impact in South Sudan

These ongoing efforts increase community resilience, improve health and reduce poverty. Oxfam is critical in on-ground relief for refugees and struggling communities in Sudan and regions across southern Africa. Oxfam supports more than 500,000 individuals in these areas with long-term and emergency care. It is actively working to provide access to clean water and sanitation for 90,000 people in South Sudan and is working to reach a goal of $7 million to expand its reach to aid 400,000 people. The organization has been incredibly successful in addressing health concerns and rising poverty levels through life-saving initiatives with Oxfam in South Sudan. These major efforts providing health aid to those displaced have been incredibly beneficial to families looking to reestablish their communities and stability in uncertain times.

– Lauren Sellman

Lauren is based in Rochester Hills, MI, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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3 Nonprofits in Timor-Leste

Nonprofits in Timor-LesteTimor-Leste, also known as East Timor, is a country in Asia. Located on the eastern half of the island of Timor, it is one of the lowest-income nations in the world, with a gross domestic product (GDP) per capita of $2,389.30. Due to the nation’s low income, it must contend with many problems that poverty brings. However, multiple nonprofits work to help Timor-Leste with the burdens of poverty.

Oxfam

Oxfam is a nonprofit global organization that works to fight poverty and injustice. Its mission is to provide worldwide equality and give everyone a fair chance at life. Oxfam Australia has been working with Timor-Leste for more than 40 years to help those living in rural areas escape poverty.

There is a significant inequality between those living in rural and urban areas and Oxfam Australia is working to address this issue. One of its ongoing initiatives is the “HAKBIIT Project,” which aims to combat gender inequality in Timor-Leste, particularly in rural areas. The HAKBIIT Project supports women in gaining equal opportunities for education and employment.

Ba Futuru

Ba Futuru is a nonprofit organization based in Timor-Leste that was founded in 2004. The organization’s mission is to reduce violence in Timor-Leste, making it a country that is safer for everyone, especially women and children. It has provided successful training to more than 40,000 people. It has also conducted behavior change programs, which have impacted more than 100,000 Timorese. Currently, Ba Futuru is working to provide improved early childhood education.

Early childhood education in Timor-Leste is rare, with only about 10% of children receiving it. Ba Futuru’s Early Childhood Development Initiative aims to change this by establishing preschools for children ages 2-6, including creating facilities and training educators. These schools will focus on health, safety, language, literacy, science, mathematics, technology and sustainability. The long-term goal of this program is to create a strong foundation for the future of children in Timor-Leste.

CARE

CARE is a 78-year-old nonprofit organization that works to provide humanitarian aid, fight poverty and bring equality. The organization has been involved in Timor-Leste since 1994 and its focus with Timor-Leste has been on long-term changes. As Timor-Leste is susceptible to natural disasters, a big focus of CARE is to aid in reducing the impact of disasters. This is done by supporting improved infrastructure in rural areas and helping with employment for those affected.

It also works to reduce violence and improve education and health. In addition to these long-term goals, CARE has aided in the past with humanitarian crises. In 1999 and 2006, there were violent outbreaks in Timor-Leste. CARE responded with emergency aid to people caught up in the fighting.

Conclusion

Timor-Leste, a nation that gained independence in 2002 after being a Portuguese colony, is still recovering and grappling with numerous challenges, such as poverty, gender inequality and lack of education. Despite these issues, the country is gradually progressing and improving over time.

Organizations such as Oxfam, Ba Futuru and CARE are among the many nonprofits working tirelessly in Timor-Leste. These groups are committed to the betterment of the country and will persist until their goals are achieved. While these goals will take time to realize, it is clear that nonprofits in Timor-Leste have already made significant strides and will continue to play a crucial role in improving the nation.

– Tyra Brantly

Tyra is based in Los Angeles, CA, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Raising the Hong Kong Minimum Wage

Hong Kong Minimum WageHong Kong is consistently ranked one of the world’s most expensive cities, with some of the least affordable housing and, so too, the most luxurious lifestyles. However, according to the Hong Kong Poverty Situation Report for 2020, 23.6% of Hong Kong’s population – around 1.65 million people – live in poverty and are unable to afford necessities.

The charity Oxfam has been active in Hong Kong since the ’70s and set up a domestic program team in 1996. In 2018, Oxfam Hong Kong commissioned the Chinese University of Hong Kong to conduct research on the national living wage. This was the first of its kind in Hong Kong, but it was just the beginning of the organization’s work to tackle poverty in the city.

Those Below Hong Kong’s Poverty Line

Although the overall median household income was HK$29,000 (about $3,480) in 2023 (a 1.7% increase since before the COVID-19 pandemic), Oxfam argues that the growing disparity between the poorest and the wealthiest in Hong Kong society, largely due to the slow financial recovery of the poorest households after the pandemic, should act as “alarm bells for the whole of society.”‘

Hong Kong’s poorest residents made almost 60 times less than its wealthiest in the first quarter of 2023. Oxfam, citing the Census and Statistics Department, states that in the first few months of 2023, the median monthly income of the poorest 10% of households stood at HK$2,300 ($276), 57.7 times less than the wealthiest 10% of households, which earned HK$132,600 (approximately $16,000) in the same period.

Hong Kong’s “poverty line” operates on the principle of relative poverty. This means any household earning less than 50% of the median monthly household income before tax and welfare transfers is considered to be living in poverty. However, the 2024 Legislative Council Panel on Welfare Services Latest Work Progress on the Commission of Poverty states that the official ” poverty line” only takes household income as the sole indicator of their economic situation.

Wong Shek-hung, the Director of the Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan Oxfam program, argued that a Hong Kong minimum wage that only considers household income is not enough. Shek-hung states that food costs increased by more than 7% from December 2019 to December 2022. She also pointed out that energy costs increased by more than 11% within the same period, which reflected similar cost increases around the world.

Oxfam’s Work

Oxfam believes that the growing disparity between the wealthiest and poorest in Hong Kong society clearly displays how “inequality breeds poverty.” Therefore, Oxfam supports various initiatives to help make a difference for those who need it most. Oxfam lobbies the Hong Kong government to consider the cost of living, such as the cost, as mentioned earlier, of necessities like food and energy when determining the poverty threshold.

Oxfam is aware that society’s poorest bear the brunt of adverse climatic conditions’ negative effects. So, the organization urges the Hong Kong government to develop official policies to support those living in poor conditions in adapting to different climatic conditions and increasingly frequent dramatic weather events. This includes a heat index that would stop outdoor work in high temperatures to reduce the risk of heat stroke. Oxfam also encourages the government to review the Hong Kong minimum wage in a post-COVID-19 society, as the path to financial recovery is much more difficult for lower-income households.

Results and Final Comments

The Hong Kong minimum wage was frozen at HK$37.50 ($4.78) from 2019 up until 2023 when, thanks to lobbying from organizations like Oxfam, the government raised it by HK$2.50 ($0.3) to HK$40 per hour ($5.1). This was a huge step for labor organizations in Hong Kong, but Oxfam argues that it is still not enough.

Oxfam found that nearly 210,000 people in Hong Kong were living in poverty in 2023 despite being employed. It stated that a minimum wage of $5.1 per hour was still lower than what a family of two would receive through social security programs. Oxfam Hong Kong continued to urge the government to raise the minimum wage to “at least 45.5 Hong Kong dollars.”

The government announced in May of 2024 that it planned to raise the Hong Kong minimum wage by 4.5% to HK$41.85 ($5.36). These small changes are thanks to the work of those at Oxfam Hong Kong, who are defending the lowest earners in society. Their advocacy is a testament to the change that can be made by lobbying governments about the most vulnerable in society.

– Kristina Grant

Kristina is based in Scotland and focuses on Business and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

Everything You Need to Know About Poverty in Yemen

Everything You Need to Know About Poverty in YemenThe Republic of Yemen occupies the southern end of the Middle East’s Arabian Peninsula. Bordering the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, Yemen was once the crossroads between Africa, Asia and the Middle East. From 1918 to 1990, Yemen was separated into two competing countries including independent North Yemen and British-backed South Yemen. In 1990, both countries unified to create The Republic of Yemen. However, despite these advances in government, the Yemeni political climate radically destabilized in 2011, as the Arab Spring swept across neighboring countries. Since 2014, a brutal civil war has gripped Yemen, leaving its population of 33 million vulnerable to disease, food shortage and overwhelming poverty. Today, Yemen is the second-poorest nation in the Middle East, and more than 80% of Yemenis live below the poverty line.

Here is everything you need to know about poverty in Yemen.

1. The Yemeni Civil War has destabilized the government

The Yemeni Civil War is a conflict primarily between Yemen’s internationally recognized government and the Houthi rebel movement, which claims its stronghold in Yemen’s northern territories. In 2011, uprisings forced Yemen’s authoritarian president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, to cede power to his deputy, Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi. However, Hadi struggled to address the country’s corruption, food insecurity and militant incursions. In 2014, the Houthi rebel movement, allied with former president Saleh, seized control of Sana’a, Yemen’s capital and most populous city. The Houthis are an Iranian-backed Shiite group that has long undermined Yemen’s predominantly Sunni government. In 2015, Saudi Arabia and 8 other Sunni states with the help of U.S., U.K. and French aid, launched air attacks, hoping to restore president Hadi to power. The ensuing civil war has prompted a large-scale humanitarian crisis and has claimed the lives of over 15,000 civilians. Those remaining have been challenged with famine, poverty and disease outbreak.

2. The Yemeni economy continues to fail

Even before the outbreak of its civil war, Yemen struggled to keep pace with changing markets. Political corruption hampered Yemen’s economy, while revenues from oil and gas reserves continued to decline. The civil war has further damaged economic infrastructure, contributing to high unemployment and poverty rates, while also alienating international investment. Since the conflict’s onset, the Yemeni economy has shrunk by half.

3. Many Yemenis have been displaced by conflict

Civilian vulnerability to military attack has forced an estimated 4.5 million people or 14% of Yemen’s population to flee their homes. Many Yemenis have been displaced multiple times since 2015, ranking Yemen in the top six of internal displacement crises worldwide. As Yemenis continue to live in exile, they strain already limited food, water and sanitation resources. 

4. Yemen nears famine

As a food-deficient country, Yemen has often relied upon imports to nourish its population. However, its civil war has stymied international trade and weakened its access to food supplies. Food prices have soared, hindering accessibility for Yemen’s poverty-stricken population. As a result, hunger is rampant, with many Yemenis forced to skip meals or to severely restrict portion size. Some have pawned belongings and sold assets to raise money for adequate food supplies. Oftentimes, Yemeni women struggle the most, giving portions to children and family members at the expense of their own nourishment. 

5. Poverty in Yemen affects women and girls disproportionately

Women and children make up 80% of Yemen’s displaced population, with women heading 26% of displaced households. In the midst of such upheaval, women and girls are especially vulnerable to gender-based violence, often falling victim to child marriage and human trafficking. Widespread food insecurity and an eroding health care system have led to a severe increase in the maternal mortality rate: one woman dies in childbirth every two hours. 

6. Communities are vulnerable to infectious diseases

Both the civil war and COVID-19 have strained Yemen’s already fragile healthcare system. 46% of healthcare facilities across the country are only partially functioning or completely defunct, due to insufficient staff, funding and medical resources. Similarly, large-scale displacement and infrastructure collapse has hampered access to clean water and sanitation facilities, with 9.4 million people in acute need of water, sanitation and hygiene services. As a result, communicable diseases have run rampant, including measles, diphtheria and polio. Yemen is also reporting an unprecedented cholera outbreak. From 2012 to 2021, Yemen reported an estimated 2.5 million cholera cases, with 4,000 cholera-related deaths. 

7. Humanitarian aid combats poverty in Yemen

The crisis in Yemen has caught the attention of the international humanitarian community. With 21.6 million Yemenis in need of aid, the UN has designated Yemen the worst humanitarian crisis in the world. Despite Houthi attempts to block aid packages, several leading organizations have joined the effort to improve food access, water availability and medical services. For instance, UNICEF is supplying therapeutic food to treat acute malnutrition in children. Similarly, the United Nations Population Fund hopes to allocate $7 million to improve women’s access to reproductive and neonatal care, reaching an estimated 3.9 million people. 

A Look Ahead

Though the civil war in Yemen continues to deny the Yemeni population economic security, adequate food supplies and basic health services, there is some chance of peace. In 2022, the UN brokered a ceasefire between Houthi rebels and the Yemeni government, which was renewed to extend from April to October 2022. Though the truce has technically expired, a mutual diplomacy has slowed the conflict, allowing back-channel discussions between Saudi and Houthi representatives to continue, albeit slowly. As the negotiations unfold, civilians hope for an escape from hunger, violence and poverty in Yemen. 

– Sydney Verdi
Photo: Flickr

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3 Humanitarian Organizations Addressing Global Poverty

Organizations Addressing Global PovertyWith the wide-ranging issues affecting people living in poverty, it seems appropriate to spotlight organizations helping alleviate some of those hardships for people and communities who suffer from food insecurity, poverty and mistreatment. According to the World Bank, in 2022, 648 million people, equating to about 8% of the global population, lived in poverty. Here are three humanitarian organizations addressing global poverty.

Oxfam International 

Founded in 1942 in the U.K. and true to its name, Oxfam International works worldwide with 4,100 partner organizations to provide specific assistance to 90 countries. Oxfam International has a more individual approach to fighting poverty, focusing more on the local communities and mobilizing the people in these communities to fight poverty. Because of this strategy and its extensive reach, Oxfam International helped 25 million people in 2022.

Whether it’s creating a water distribution system to bring drinking water to 50,000 displaced people in the Central African Republic or integrating women and young people into the labor market in Benin to help them better understand the role they can have in their country’s economic and cultural life, Oxfam International works all over the world to improve the lives and livelihoods of those that need it. Through beekeeping programs in Ethiopia, Oxfam is creating livelihood opportunities for disadvantaged women, allowing them to earn an income and break cycles of poverty.

The Organization for Poverty Alleviation and Development 

OPAD, founded in 2005 in Sweden, operates in many different ways to better the lives of those in need. OPAD benefits people in ways that go beyond food and water and include cultural and psychological support. The organization educates men and women on alcohol abuse and parenting in Kenya, integrates pathways for new refugees and migrant workers in Lithuania and addresses psychological issues among unemployed youth in Latvia, including educating them on intervention and prevention techniques. Overall, OPAD works to combat types of suffering that go beyond hunger and thirst.

OPAD works in numerous nations and creates programs designed to help address country-specific issues. For instance, Lusaka, Zambia suffers from issues related to extreme weather patterns, with random rainy seasons followed by intense periods of drought. About 90% of Zambia’s food is produced by farmers. OPAD helped Zambia improve its agriculture sector and provided food relief, which benefitted 70,000 people between 2019 and 2020. OPAD does not see communities in need as victims but as powerful agents of change.

Concern Worldwide

Though it only operates in 25 countries, that does not mean that Concern Worldwide has not accomplished much. Founded in Ireland in 1968, Concern Worldwide aims to address and tackle the causes of poverty and uses six focus areas. These areas include Livelihoods, Health and Nutrition, Education, Emergencies, Gender Equality and Climate and Environment. 

Through the above focus areas, Concern Worldwide narrows its goals for poverty reduction in a specific country and implements programs to help people achieve self-sufficiency and economic independence. For instance, the organization runs livelihood programs to help people establish strong livelihoods and income-generating activities so that communities can break cycles of poverty. “We do this through a wide variety of activities that range from climate-smart agriculture techniques in rural settings to technical skills training and small-business support in rural and urban settings,” the organization’s website explains.

Concern Worldwide’s livelihood programs reached more than 5.4 million people in 2022. The organization invested €33.1 million in these livelihood programs in 2022. In Malawi, a country with 5.4 million people suffering from food insecurity, Concern Worldwide reached 288,000 people with its food and nutritional security initiative.

Final Thoughts

The remarkable work carried out by these three influential humanitarian organizations plays a pivotal role in the relentless battle against the scourge of global poverty. Their tireless efforts and unwavering dedication have been instrumental in making a substantial impact on the lives of countless individuals affected by poverty worldwide.

– Dylan Hubbard
Photo: Flickr

From Conflict to Prosperity: Life in Post-War Afghanistan

Post-War Afghanistan
It has been more than two years since the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) — the Taliban — marched on Kabul and took political control in Afghanistan. In that period, despite circumstances already having been particularly dire, conditions have worsened further, with reports suggesting that more than 90% of Afghans are at risk of poverty. This strain has seen a rise in child labor, child marriage and organ selling. Early 2022 figures estimated that the conflict internally displaced as many as 3.8 million people. This article aims to develop a brief understanding of how the country got to this stage, illustrate the severity of its economic woes and highlight the measures and initiatives aimed at mitigating the impact but emphasizing the challenges faced in doing so. Here is some information about life in post-war Afghanistan.

Unveiling the Roots 

With the declaration of Taliban control in 2021, international non-humanitarian funding was largely suspended, while foreign controls froze billions of dollars in assets. Consequently, the country has succumbed to economic collapse, with its economy shrinking by 25% since August 2021. Corruption, a lack of infrastructure and accountability, insecurity and inhibiting state regulations prove costly to the current economy and prohibit tangible means for economic resurgence. An enforced ban on female attendance means fewer than 3% of eligible girls attend secondary school. 

With less than half, 44%, of eligible boys receiving secondary school education, Afghanistan’s means for producing the next generation of workers is inherently flawed. Foreclosures of businesses, commonly female-led, considerably impact export figures, causing a decline in the industrial sector. Estimates show that Afghanistan’s economy has declined as much as 5% as a direct result of restrictions on rights to work for women. Withering exports are now struggling to match continued import demands resulting in an imbalance. An over-dependence on foreign aid and export revenue will result in economic capitulation; developing a new generation of workers is one of the few viable means for rehabilitation but the Taliban’s enforced government policies have stunted this. 

A People in Crisis in Post-War Afghanistan

Poverty in Afghanistan is a deeply entrenched and pervasive issue, which decades of conflict, political instability, climate disasters and economic fragility have exacerbated. The country has one of the world’s lowest GDPs per capita, with a large portion of its population living below the poverty line — with as much as 40% facing acute food insecurity. The merciless onslaught of natural disasters, such as flooding and earthquakes, continues to prove a real threat to any form of stability — evidenced by a projected third consecutive failed wet season for 2022–23. Catastrophic earthquakes in late 2023 have claimed at least 1,000 lives.

Limited access to education, health care and essential services compound the problem, trapping generations in a cycle of deprivation. As much as 27% of children are engaged in child labor, while one in 16 children die before reaching 5 years. Additionally, the ongoing conflict disrupts livelihoods and displaces communities, further deepening the crisis. Women and children are particularly vulnerable, facing barriers to education and health care, with Afghanistan ranking 170th of 170 countries for women’s inclusion, justice and security. North of 29 million Afghani citizens rely on humanitarian aid, a limited means since the accession of Taliban power. Addressing poverty in Afghanistan is not just a matter of economics but a crucial step toward stability and long-term peace. International aid, infrastructure development and sustainable employment opportunities are essential for breaking the cycle of poverty and rebuilding the nation.

The Effort for Change in Post-War Afghanistan

With a history of conflict and turmoil, humanitarian organizations worldwide have established them as indispensable contributors to Afghanistan’s economic stability and social security. Major IGOs and NGOs such as UNICEF, Save the Children, the U.N., Oxfam and the International Rescue Committee (IRC) play a pivotal role in societal sustenance, providing the means for health care, education, protection and nutrition through funding, on-the-ground development initiatives and community building. 

The U.N. estimates that $1.67 billion was donated to humanitarian aid in Afghanistan via the Coordination for Humanitarian Affairs body in 2021, north of $425 million of which was contributed by the U.S., the leading donor. In fact, on January 11, 2022, the U.N. launched a funding appeal for more than $8 billion in humanitarian and other aid for Afghanistan — the most immense single-country appeal in U.N. history. Save the Children is responsible for lifting more than 187,00 children from poverty, educating more than 241,000 and protecting 36,000 from direct harm.

UNICEF has supported more than 682,000 children with education through community-based education classes. The primary source of funding for these organizations is the generosity of both public and private donations. As evidence shows, the work and efforts of humanitarian institutions do enable the means for legitimate change.

– Ruairí Greene
Photo: Flickr

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Instability in Ghana’s Economy Impacts Poverty

Ghana's Economy
Ghana is a western African country situated on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea. More than half of the country’s GDP comes from the services sector, one-fifth comes from agriculture, and about one-fourth lies in industry. Though the nation possesses many major resources, like coal and gold, Ghana’s economy is suffering from a high debt burden and inflation. Thus, working-class individuals and those in poverty suffer as the prices of common goods rise, making it difficult for people to purchase necessities. According to the World Bank, “Simulations suggest that, in 2022, nearly 850,000 Ghanaians were pushed into poverty due to rising prices and the loss in purchasing power.”

Inflation in Ghana

In July 2023, Ghana experienced a significant inflation rate of 43.1%, marking an increase from the previous four months. The primary driver of this inflation was the soaring food prices, with food inflation rising from 54.2% to 55%. Additionally, non-food prices also saw an increase.

Furthermore, Ghana is grappling with a historically high level of public debt, nearly equivalent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In response to these pressing economic challenges, Ghana sought and secured a $3 billion bailout loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in December 2022.

Despite Ghana’s economic struggles, inflation has improved slightly since last year’s peak. In 2022, the cedi, Ghana’s local currency, lost more than half its value compared to the U.S. dollar. To cope with inflation, the Bank of Ghana increased interest rates, which hurt businesses and households that relied on borrowed funds. Consumers and businesses are still suffering from the ramifications of last year’s economic catastrophe.

Impact on Civilians

Citizens are facing heightened financial challenges as essential commodity prices continue to rise. Lower-income families grapple with the increasing costs of rent, school fees and food. Businesses, too, encounter difficulties as fluctuating prices for goods make investments more uncertain. This economic instability impacts various aspects of people’s lives.

Poor government spending has also resulted in mounds of debt. Government entities now owe thousands of contractors money, which puts those workers at a loss. For example, many teachers face months of back pay, making it even more difficult to purchase everyday goods. Inflation has also diminished consumers’ purchasing power, shown through the prices of goods like maize: 159 kg cost 300 cedis in 2021, compared with the current price of 650 cedis. Maize is a prime example of a staple grain in Ghana that has increased significantly in price.

Causes of Economic Struggles

There are many contributing factors to Ghana’s economy, but the nation was not always struggling. When President Nana Akufo took power in 2017, inflation decreased significantly from 15.4% to 7.9%. By 2019, Ghana had the world’s fastest-growing economy and was described by the World Bank as “Africa’s shining star.” That same year, Ghana’s budget deficit was reduced to 5% of the GDP.

Some argue that the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine drove inflation. However, many economists attribute much of the issue to poor government decisions, including excessive borrowing from the Bank of Ghana.

Hope for the Future

Numerous organizations are actively engaged in addressing Ghana’s economic challenges. More than 24 aid groups, which include Oxfam, Christian Aid, Caritas Ghana, ActionAid and Debt Justice, have collaboratively called on international creditors to reduce a portion of Ghana’s debt. In a joint letter signed by these organizations, they highlight the direct impact of the debt crisis on the people of Ghana. Ghana’s substantial debt burden has led to inflated prices, which, in turn, have made it increasingly challenging for many families to meet their basic needs.

The U.S. is also doing its part to assist Ghana. In March 2023, Kamala Harris announced that the U.S. pledged $100 million in assistance. The government has also requested another $139 million from Congress for aid to Ghanaians. The aim is to put these donations into efforts to lower some of the costs of commodities like food and fuel.

While Ghana’s economy is still suffering, the fact that inflation is lower this year than last gives hope for the future.

– Lindsey Osit
Photo: Pexels

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Access To Clean Water in Syria

Clean Water in Syria
Since the beginning of the 2011 war in Syria, Syrians have been suffering from a severe humanitarian crisis. It has meant an increase in poverty and has left millions of Syrians unable to access safe, clean, potable water. To put this into perspective, prior to 2010, more than 90% of people in both cities and rural communities in Syria had reliable access to safe water. 

Unclean Water and Increasing Levels of Poverty 

According to UNICEF, 90% of Syrians live below the poverty line, leaving millions unable to provide for their families, all worsened by over a decade of deprivation of stable water systems. Equally, damage from the war has rendered only 50% of water and sanitation systems now functioning properly across Syria. UNICEF claims that almost 8 million Syrians are in acute need of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services. 

Moreover, continuous deprivation of water stations has left many having to rely on water tank deliveries or dirty water from wells which in many cases has led to infections of Cholera, which worsens the situation for many. For instance, many mothers have to rely on dirty water due to lack of clean water access in Syria which has led to an increase in waterborne diseases in children like diarrhea.  

Water as a Political Weapon

Throughout the war in Syria, some have used water as a political weapon. Since 2019, Turkey has been accused of deliberately cutting off water supplies to more than 1 million people more than 40 times in the region of Hasakah in northeastern Syria. More recently, Turkey was again accused of cutting off water supplies to the Hasakah region. Many accuse Turkey of committing crimes against humanity as the Alouk water station in Hasakah has not been operational for the past 10 months, causing severe water shortages for some 500,000 people. 

Solutions and Humanitarian Efforts

UNICEF has continued to invest in preventive measures to curb the spread of cholera and alleviate its harmful impact on the vulnerable communities affected. Measures include widening the scale of chlorination to disinfect water and the arrival of clean water trucks in affected areas, particularly Northern Syria. In addition, UNICEF has further intervened in Hasakah, meditating with Turkey on the issue and reached an agreement for Turkey to provide water.

Oxfam’s work inside Syria focuses on providing vulnerable families with cash to meet their urgent needs and provision of clean water through repairing water sources and rehabilitation of water infrastructure. 

There have been several other humanitarian aid efforts to improve water systems inside Syria including UNICEF’s WASH projects which aim to provide safe and clean water for millions of Syrians. For example, UNICEF reached 2.1 million people with improved and sustained access to safe water and almost 700,000 people through enhanced sanitation services. Moreover, the distribution of WASH non-food items (NFIs), including family hygiene kits, soap and aqua tabs, reached more than 826,000 people.

Looking Forward

These types of projects provide hope for the future, however, additional funding is necessary for NGOs like UNICEF and Oxfam in order to provide better living conditions for those in Syria who suffer from water shortages, cholera and poverty.

Limited access to clean water means many miss out on career opportunities and feel the effects of poverty on a larger scale. For access to clean water in Syria and to make alleviation of poverty widespread, there is a greater need for operations to reach all 14 governorates of Syria and ensure it is the priority of international organizations to help support access to clean water in Syria. 

– Amber Hamed
Photo: Flickr