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SISRI: Preparing Island Nations for Natural Disaster Response

SISRI: Preparing Island Nations for Natural Disaster ResponseThe Small Island States Resilience Initiative (SISRI), funded by the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery and the World Bank, seeks to decrease the effects of natural disasters on small island nations, which are particularly vulnerable to such events. Natural disasters significantly contribute to global poverty. Preventionweb notes that impoverished individuals tend to live in hazard-prone areas and lack the resources to invest in measures that reduce risks. Consequently, people in these areas often lack adequate insurance and social protection, meaning their limited assets are usually spent trying to recover from the last natural disaster.

Global Impact of Natural Disasters on Poverty

Preventionweb reports that of the approximately 1.5 billion people worldwide at risk of or exposed to flooding, 89% reside in low to middle-income countries. Drought is one of the most severe causes of poverty globally, particularly in small island nations. Other significant risks include the previously mentioned flooding and tropical storms. These are among the deadliest and most severe natural disasters, posing the greatest threat and highest risk of poverty.

Loss of life is the primary consequence of these  ongoing issues, but other risks include injuries, home damage, loss of livelihood, displacement, health implications and food insecurity, among others. The Small Island States Resilience Initiative addresses these challenges. This initiative responds to calls from small islands for more support in mitigating climate change and natural disaster risks that significantly affect their populations, assets, ecosystems and economies.

Goals and Strategies of SISRI

The primary goal of the SISRI is to alleviate the risks and reduce the burdens that natural disasters often impose. The project focuses on protecting coastal areas, establishing safety nets for citizens and providing expert assistance in assessing flood and landslide risks. SISRI also supports these nations in constructing safer infrastructure. Additionally, it fosters a global community where island practitioners can share and access worldwide knowledge on risk management.

Small island states are particularly vulnerable to natural disasters. For instance, countries experiencing the highest losses from these disasters include small island nations, which account for more than 60% of such cases. These losses can represent up to 9% of a small island nation’s GDP. Moreover, in the last 50 years, Pacific island nations have incurred more than $3 billion in damages from natural disasters. Despite these ongoing challenges, initiatives like the Small Island States Resilience Initiative, coupled with external support, can significantly impact these regions.

Implementation and Achievements of SISRI

SISRI is enhancing the resilience of small island nations by building larger pipelines for investments that can withstand climate change impacts. This initiative focuses on increasing these areas’ capacity to adapt to extreme weather events. There are three main goals SISRI aims to achieve: helping small island nations document climate finance assistance, increasing the scale and efficiency of investments and upscaling and consolidating support to shift from fragmented smaller projects to broader national initiatives that deliver more significant results.

SISRI leverages the expertise of a broader team from GFDRR and the World Bank to provide technical and operational advice. These experts address project bottlenecks and launch new investments that enhance flood and landslide risk assessments, develop safer infrastructure and strengthen social and financial safety nets. For example, in Jamaica, SISRI is protecting vulnerable coastal zones by integrating existing coastal defenses, such as seawalls and mangroves.

Using a practitioner network, SISRI connects practitioners to share knowledge and experience, enhancing resilience on small islands. Several meetings with support groups have already occurred, including the 2018 Understanding Risk Forum in Mexico City and the 2017 Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Cancun. These gatherings aim to better educate small island nations on optimal risk management strategies for natural disasters.

Through SISRI, the World Bank aims to enhance enabling environments and stakeholder capacity and to prepare proposals, projects and pipelines. While this initiative significantly supports small island nations in combating poverty and recovering from natural disasters, which often devastate economies and lives, more efforts are necessary to ensure these communities can recover and thrive after such events.

Looking Ahead

Currently, SISRI operates in East Asia, the Pacific and Sub-Saharan Africa, assisting about 37 countries. The Initiative plays a vital role in enhancing the resilience of vulnerable island nations against natural disasters. By focusing on protecting coastal areas, improving infrastructure and providing technical assistance, SISRI aims to mitigate the severe impacts of these events. Continued support and investment in these ongoing initiatives could safeguard communities and promote sustainable recovery and development.

– Lachlan Wellington

Lachlan is based in Fareham, Hampshire, UK and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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US Aid to Colombia: Navigating the Complexities of Internal Conflict

US Aid to ColombiaTo understand the complexity of U.S. foreign aid to Colombia, it is necessary to examine the current state of the country’s internal conflict. U.S. aid to Colombia has historically focused on combating the drug trade in Buenaventura, as evidenced by initiatives like Plan Colombia. The relationship between poverty, illicit markets and paramilitary groups in Colombia complicates the lives of individuals living in impoverished areas, often forcing them to turn to coca farming and drug trafficking as a means of survival.

“I was raised in Medellín,” said Luis Arango, who did social research in Buenaventura with the University of Antioquia, in an interview with The Borgen Project. “Medellín in the 1980s was the most violent city in the world, so I can understand how drug trafficking links with minorities living in poverty areas. They become part of the business, not because they want to, but because it is one of the only possibilities of making money.”

Considering the role of the drug trade in the country’s internal conflict, recent U.S. foreign aid to Colombia has centered largely around prohibition – for better or for worse. Here is a summary of the role of the drug trade in Colombia’s internal conflict and how it relates to U.S. aid and its prospects.

Internal Conflict in Colombia

A nuanced relationship between the illicit drug trade, paramilitary groups and poverty punctuates the country’s internal conflict. To begin, Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine producer and the port of Buenaventura handles 60% of its imports and exports – from coffee to gold to drugs.

Buenaventura’s port generates $1.8 billion annually in customs tax revenue, but the surrounding regions see little of it. For many, the only viable way to earn a living wage is by working in drug trafficking, as the area has experienced significant poverty. For example, 80% of Buenaventura’s population lived below the nation’s poverty line in 2003, compared to 39.3% nationally. There is also rural dependency on cocoa farming for survival. Outside the port city, in the Andes Mountains, cheap labor continues. In 2021, the UNODC reported that coca cultivation reached a historical high, and 52% of farming is located in special management zones where it threatens preservation of biological and cultural diversity.

Further, numerous armed groups, including the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), fund themselves on illegal economies such as drug trafficking.

History of US Aid to Colombia

The U.S. has provided aid to Colombia since 1822, when the country gained independence from Spain. In recent years, U.S. aid has focused on promoting peace in the country, the U.S. Department of State reports. According to the U.S. Embassy in Colombia, “Since 2016, the United States has provided more than one billion dollars in direct and indirect support to Colombia’s peace implementation – the largest contribution of any international actor.”

To promote peace, foreign aid to Colombia has focused on combating points of internal conflict such as paramilitary groups and the illicit drug markets that fuel them. According to the U.S. Department of State, “The U.S. government supports Colombian peace efforts by working in conflict-affected rural areas of Colombia where violence, drug trafficking, limited state presence and the absence of licit economic opportunities historically converge.”

In 2000, the U.S. initiated Plan Colombia, allocating $10 billion for cartel combat through crop eradication. Initial aerial fumigation was halted due to carcinogenic concerns by the World Health Organization (WHO). Presently, Washington and Bogotá fund eradication by hand. The National Police aims to eradicate 20,000 hectares in 2023, 60% less than the unmet 2022 objective. Previous plans to dismantle the drug trade have not been as effective as anticipated.

Current Updates and Prospects

International partners have initiated projects to improve the socioeconomic position of farmers. The Colombian Government, UNODC and international partners began a project that aims to increase income for farmers by supporting their sale of legal products such as coffee, honey, coconuts and beans to make them more competitive in domestic and international markets.

The World Bank also ratified its support for Colombia through a $750 million financing of the Program for the Development of Equitable and Sustainable Policies. This was “in recognition of the country’s efforts to overcome the injustices and exclusion that have generated high levels of inequality and to advance the peace process in the country,” according to a 2023 press release from the World Bank.

Luis Arango considers more alternative approaches to prohibition, with a focus on alleviating poverty in Buenaventura through legalization and regulation, youth art initiatives and new financial incentives for farmers. “It will be interesting to see if there’s some kind of support for the people who are trying to have another answer,” Arango says. Meanwhile, the notable shift in focus on increasing income for farmers of Buenaventura presents a promising example of a sustainable resolution to drug-related poverty in Colombia.

–  Sheridan Smith

Sheridan is based in New York, NY, USA and focuses on Business and New Markets for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How Investments Are Improving Kenya’s Health Care System

Kenya’s Health Care SystemKenya, located in East Africa, is known for its stunning landscapes and wildlife preserves. Since 2010, the nation has witnessed significant enhancements in its health care system. This has resulted in improved services and quality of life. The constitution, established in 2010, guarantees every individual the right to access the highest attainable standards of health care. Presently, Kenya’s health care system holds the second position in Africa, with South Africa leading in first place.

Despite this achievement, Kenya’s health care system is still facing obstacles to meeting its goal of having Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines UHC as being able to provide people with access to quality and essential health services (treatment, prevention, rehabilitation etc.) without subjecting the user to financial hardship. Currently, investments play a crucial role in helping accomplish this goal.

U.S. Trade and Development Agency

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) study grant to the Kenya Hospital Association (KHA) will expand and improve Kenya’s health care infrastructure. The project will increase access to more than 96,000 patients annually. It will support the building of five medical centers with advanced equipment. Furthermore, it will expand cancer treatment services at the Nairobi Hospital and digitize its health care services and operations.

World Bank Vaccine Facility

The World Bank announced in February 2024 that it will be financing Kenya’s first vaccine production facility. The facility is expected to be built and operational in 2029 and will be able to meet Kenya’s growing vaccine demand. The population of Kenya is increasing steadily by approximately 2% a year. Currently, the vaccine demand is 16 million people. However, it is expected to reach upwards of 25 million people in the coming years.

This investment will help decrease the mortality rate from preventable diseases through immunizations. Finally, with this new facility, Kenya will be able to catch up with South Africa in producing vaccines and successfully avoid vaccine shortages by producing locally.

$215 million Resilient Health Systems Project

Kenyan citizens, refugees, the counties of Garissa and Turkana (host communities) and women and children who are considered low-income will be able to receive an improved quality of health care. This project will play a crucial role in furthering UHC and care. It will increase the capacity of people that they can care for, addressing geographical challenges, financing and worker shortages.

The financial management of Kenya’s Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), which provides health products and technology, will be improved by enhancing accountability and transparency. The lack of health care delivery and services will be addressed for about 1.8 million people in host communities. Additionally, this will aid 590,000 refugees living in Garissa and Turkana. It will support the transition and operation of the Social Health Authority (SHA). In collaboration with UHC, it will provide “efficient, affordable and non-discriminatory health care services to all Kenyans.”

Final Remark

With investments like these, Kenya’s health care system is set to make a transformative step toward achieving its dream of UHC. Increasing access to quality health care for rural, low-income individuals, refugees, mothers and children will help improve socioeconomic inequalities in Kenya. These investments help ensure that Kenya is able to maintain a leadership role in health care. They guarantee access to health care as a fundamental right, as defined in its constitution.

– Gabrielle Schwartz
Photo: Flickr

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The World Bank’s New Gender Strategy: Female Leadership

World Bank's New Gender StrategyAcross the world, gender equality is “an urgent imperative,” according to the World Bank. The global community is currently grappling with an unparalleled series of crises disproportionately affecting women and girls. Gender equality is a cornerstone for fostering a world characterized by peace and prosperity, playing an essential role in the global developmental trajectory.

While achieving gender equality is a continuous challenge for the worldwide community, the proposed World Bank Gender Strategy 2024-2030 attempts to “accelerate gender equality for a sustainable, resilient and inclusive future in alignment with the World Bank Evolution Roadmap.” The strategy actively promotes engagement with public and private sector clients, development partners, civil society and other critical stakeholders to achieve key objectives. Objectives include engaging women as community leaders and increasing opportunities for women, both crucial in addressing gender-specific challenges and promoting overall economic and social progress.

Empowering Women in Eastern and Southern Africa

The World Bank article, “Transforming the Lives of Women and Girls in Eastern and Southern Africa,” focuses on applying the institution’s new Gender Strategy in East and South Africa from 2016-2023 and exploring the future implications of this updated approach. In both Eastern and Southern Africa, women and girls are faced with extreme educational and economic disadvantages continuously. While essential strides for gender equality have been made within these regions, there is still far more to achieve.

“In AFE countries, only 26% of women had an account with a financial institution in FY17 and women are 24% less likely than men to have an account. Only 10% of women borrowed for their business or farm and business ownership is disproportionately skewed toward men; for instance, 70% of Rwanda’s businesses are owned by men.” Ultimately, the World Bank hopes to close these gender gaps and boost female empowerment by continuing to engage women as leaders and increase their opportunities within communities.

Addressing Gender Disparities

In response to the challenges of gender equality, specific projects have been launched by the World Bank’s Gender Strategy to increase women’s participation in entrepreneurial endeavors. One example is the Ethiopia Women Entrepreneurship Development Project, aiming to increase earnings and employment for women in targeted cities. The program guarantees participants access to finances and supports the development of their entrepreneurial and technical skills. It has provided more than 24,000 women with loans, leading to an average income increase of 68%.

The Intersection of Gender Equality and Global Health

The World Bank will continue establishing and developing its New Gender Strategy program because of the positive effects investing in women and girls can have within communities, as shown through a U.N. case study on investing in women’s leadership. The disproportionately high HIV infection rates among adolescent girls and young women, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, stem from intersecting factors such as unequal power dynamics, gender norms and limited access to health care and resources.

To combat this, empowering young women through providing education, access to resources and leadership opportunities is crucial for reducing HIV incidence and achieving global health and gender equality targets. “The world will not be able to defeat AIDS while reinforcing patriarchy. The only effective route map to ending AIDS and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals is a feminist route map,” quoted Winnie Byanyima, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) Executive Director.

In Summary

The pursuit of gender equality remains an urgent global imperative, especially amid crises disproportionately impacting women and girls. The World Bank’s Gender Strategy 2024-2030 aims to accelerate equality and global improvements by empowering women as leaders within communities and achieving goals of economic gender equality. Initiatives like the Ethiopia Women Entrepreneurship Development Project exemplify targeted efforts to enhance women’s economic participation and empowerment, echoing the broader call to bridge gender gaps worldwide.

– Marisa Kole
Photo: Unsplash

USAID programs in Rwanda

USAID programs in RwandaUSAID has worked in Rwanda since 1964, when Rwanda gained independence. It strives to improve the economic capability, social climate and environmental well-being of the world’s most vulnerable and poor people, and is creating an environment of self-reliance in the recipient nation and nurturing a climate in which a wealth of benefits are enjoyed. USAID programs in Rwanda focus on food provision in commodities and assist in health care and sanitation provisions, later expanding to look at economic policy more systematically while supporting maternal health and private enterprise development.

Poverty in Rwanda

Since the turn of the century, poverty has been declining promisingly in Rwanda, especially when looking at Rwanda’s domestic poverty line. The country experienced an 18.5% decrease in the number of people living in poverty between 2005 and 2016. Median consumption and inequity also all moved favorably in all regions, with increased possession of household assets such as mobile phones, irrigation and electricity all of which facilitate the further ascension from poverty.

However, between 2022 and 2024, the World Bank forecasted only a 2 percentage point drop in those living in poverty, due to the decreasing magnitude of the effect between GDP per capita increase and poverty decrease.

The population is vulnerable to malaria, with an incidence of 76 out of every 1,000 at risk in 2022. Malaria epidemics tend to strain a country’s resources, hindering poverty alleviation.

Also, Rwanda’s public sector has been running consistent fiscal deficits with an increase in public debt over the last few years, this has led to a very high debt-to-GDP ratio (56.7% in 2019), making poverty alleviation spending for Rwanda more risky and sparing.

Household Economic Security and Innovation

USAID has issued the largest development investment grant for a decade, through its Development Innovation Ventures program, in a continued effort to assist in the alleviation of extreme poverty, through USAID programs in Rwanda. The nonprofit organization Village Enterprise, which seeks to scale its operations in poverty alleviation in Rwanda, will utilize this $6.5 million grant, and will implement it via its programs on the ground, targeting people at the individual level and also state level. This is an extremely useful source of funding for the organization to roll out its “Poverty Graduation” model. This will allow individual households to innovate and be entrepreneurial, helping themselves out of poverty.

For more than 30,000 impoverished households, Village Enterprise is now ready to provide training and skills within the realm of business and finance, through a year-long mentored program. This, in the hope of encouraging entrepreneurship, will allow households set up a diverse range of businesses, including retail sales of clothing and also more technical services such as bike repairs. Government staff and parasocial workers will mentor the individuals and this flourishes from another avenue of the utility of this grant.

Village Enterprise will train government personnel to be capable mentors who teach household entrepreneurs how to be successful, as well as monitor the capability and efficacy of government programs.  Over time, this could enable Rwanda to self-sustain its development and achieve its goal to eliminate extreme poverty by 2030, as part of its NSSG.

Health Care Support

In terms of health initiatives, USAID programs in Rwanda work with local governments within the country, to improve the function of their health services. This means that they can more adequately access finance and manage their agencies, whilst USAID facilitates the supply of drugs to treat illnesses and also aids in the monitoring of potential future diseases. More specifically, the USAID program in malaria reduction has led to the provision of mosquito nets, and insecticide spray has led to a decrease in malaria incidence by as much as 70% in some rural villages.

More recently, in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, community health workers were able to transfer their knowledge in identifying and isolating malaria cases in Rwanda, through more sophisticated monitoring and tracking practices. Materially Rwanda has received 32% of its total vaccine supply from the U.S. Disease and mortality relief plays a large role in poverty reduction, as greater access to health care allows for greater economic participation, stops a loss of talented human capital due to death, and facilitates a decline in birth rates, stopping overpopulation and overstrain on state resources.

Educational Initiatives

USAID programs are present in every public school in Rwanda. The organization launched its new LEARN project in 2020. This built upon the previous USAID programs in Rwanda, furthering educational objectives by increasing focus on alleviating the gender disparities women face in education and creating a program that includes vulnerable and disabled people so that the program is as effective for them as for others. Rwanda has experienced great success in education with 2,742,551 children in primary school in 2022, the highest in sub-Saharan Africa.

The core of the mission is to be able to “improve the literacy outcomes for all Rwandan children by the end of Grade 3,” according to USAID. The LEARN project is working to alleviate poverty amongst women and girls by changing some of the cultural and social stigmas associated with women and education, for example, by creating inclusive teaching environments, to mitigate the issue of teacher behaviour negatively influencing female participation, and facilitating the uptake of more teaching roles by women through mentoring programs.

USAID programs continue to be successful, with non-readers in Rwanda standing at 20% in 2022, a 27% drop from 2018. This is especially positive when viewed in the context of post-COVID-19 activity, which yielded a worldwide reading loss.

The Future

Future grants will support proven solutions to reduce poverty and promote self-reliance. The World Bank recognizes the importance of encouraging domestic savings in Rwanda’s development. This includes creating business opportunities and learning how to manage them. Alongside aid, there appears to be a need for infrastructural improvements and a strong welfare system for health, education and social services. These measures can potentially foster a culture of savings and investment, reducing poverty in Rwanda in the long term.

– Tevin Muendo
Photo: Flickr

BYD’s EV Hub in Brazil Offers Hope Against Poverty

EV Hub in BrazilIn a strategic move that intertwines economic revitalization with environmental sustainability, the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) automaker BYD is set to invest a substantial 3 billion reais ($620 million) towards an advanced EV manufacturing hub in Brazil. This ambitious endeavor, situated in the northeastern state of Bahia, specifically in the town of Camaçari, holds the promise of transforming the nation into an EV hub, catalyzing the alleviation of poverty in Brazil.

BYD’s Vision and Strategic Location

BYD’s EV Hub investment choice takes on added importance within the context of Camaçari’s well-established industrial framework, notably highlighted by BYD’s acquisition and revitalization of a Ford plant that ceased operations in 2021. The proposed facility will house three state-of-the-art factories, each playing a pivotal role in the production cycle.

The first factory is dedicated to processing locally sourced lithium and iron phosphate, critical components essential for the batteries that power electric vehicles. Simultaneously, the remaining two facilities will lead in the production of hybrid and electric vehicles, encompassing cars, trucks and buses. The envisioned complex not only aligns with BYD’s global strategy but also positions Camaçari as a hub for cutting-edge EV technology, furthering Brazil’s role in the international electric mobility landscape.

A Dual Triumph Through the EV Hub 

The economic implications of BYD’s EV hub investment are underscored by recent data released by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). Poverty in Brazil, which reached a record level of 36.7% in 2021, witnessed a notable decline to 31.6% in 2022. In absolute terms, this positive trend translates into a reduction from 78 million people considered poor in 2021 to 67.8 million in 2022.

This promising trend is further reinforced by an additional upward revision of Bolsa Familia’s benefits, suggesting that the poverty rate is anticipated to revert to a seemingly pre-pandemic trajectory, settling at 24.3% according to the World Bank’s projections for 2023. The BYD initiative perfectly aligns with Brazil’s growth, boosting its economy. The creation of a manufacturing hub not only brings job opportunities directly associated with the EV industry but also stimulates related sectors, fostering a ripple effect of economic growth that extends beyond the plant gates.

Lula’s Vision and Global Collaboration

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s vision of closer Sino-Brazilian ties finds concrete expression in BYD’s investment. Lula’s emphasis on transitioning from fossil fuels aligns with China’s commitment to sustainable practices. Beyond strengthening economic ties, this collaboration positions Brazil as a key player in the global shift towards clean energy. As BYD opens its doors in Camaçari, the transformation is not limited to the industrial sector. The EV hub promises to be a beacon of hope for Bahia residents, offering not just jobs but opportunities for skills development and community growth.

The convergence of Chinese innovation and Brazilian ambition is positioned to redefine the narrative, demonstrating that economic progress and environmental responsibility can coexist harmoniously. Furthermore, the anticipated creation of 5,000 domestic jobs underscores the tangible and immediate impact of BYD’s investment on the local workforce, contributing to the realization of Lula’s vision for a prosperous, sustainable and interconnected future.

Final Remark

BYD’s EV hub investment marks a transformative moment for Brazil, both economically and socially. As the EV hub takes shape, it promises a  prosperous future for the nation, simultaneously contributing to the impressive strides already made in reducing poverty. This collaboration between China and Brazil serves as a model for joint efforts addressing a sustainable future and the economic challenges associated with poverty in Brazil.

– Quinn Higby
Photo: Pixabay

Addressing Infant Mortality in Sierra Leone

Infant Mortality in Sierra LeoneInfant mortality is a horrific issue that all countries face on some level, but developing countries face much more severely. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) defines infant mortality as any death that occurs before a baby’s first birthday. It also defines infant mortality rates as “the number of infant deaths for every 1,000 live births.” Although it is unfortunate need to track such a thing, there is hope that tracking these statistics could help lead to improvement. This hope is especially real for Sierra Leone, a country that experiences one of the highest cases of infant mortality worldwide.

Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone is a beautiful country in West Africa that shares borders with the Atlantic Ocean, Guinea and Liberia. Although it is rich in beauty, it is one of the poorest nations in the world. As a result, many people lack necessities such as food, water, shelter and medical care. The World Food Programme (WFP) estimates that 57% of people in Sierra Leone are food insecure. This is due to a plethora of issues, such as ongoing conflict and war in the region, Ebola outbreaks, unpredictable natural disasters that make farming difficult, and a long history of corruption in government. It is no wonder that under such difficult circumstances, the infant mortality rate in Sierra Leone is so high.

Infant Mortality in Sierra Leone

Infant mortality rates in Sierra Leone are much higher than the world’s average. Project Hope shared the statistic that “at 1,360 deaths per 100,000 live births,” Sierra Leone’s infant mortality rate is “six times higher than the global average.” Additionally, mothers are more likely to die during childbirth as well. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of 2019, 717 mothers died annually for every 100,000 live births in Sierra Leone. Children mainly die from diarrheal infections, malaria, pneumonia and malnourishment. Mothers tend to die from pregnancy complications such as hemorrhages and labor issues. Sierra Leone hopes to improve these systems since these issues can be fixed with the proper medical resources and necessities. 

Improvements 

Infant mortality rates in Sierra Leone have been decreasing over the last few years due to measures taken, but much more work is necessary. Programs to address poverty can play an amazing role in decreasing infant mortality rates and also helping to save and support expecting mothers. For example, one program that the Quality Essential Health Services and Systems Support Project (QEHSSSP) runs, which has funding from the World Bank, integrated community health systems into Sierra Leone, and expecting mothers said they could see a real difference in their medical care.

Even just the accessibility of having such a program seemed to make a positive difference. Statista revealed that the “infant mortality rate in Sierra Leone decreased by 2.2 deaths per 1,000 live births (-2.73%) in 2021 compared to the previous year.” Hopefully, this trend will continue. With more education and resources, the infant mortality rates in Sierra Leone can reduce. 

Looking Forward

Infant mortality is a devastating reality that often comes as a result of poverty. Luckily, by tracking the information on where, how and why these deaths occur, we can find hope for a better future for expecting mothers and infants. Sierra Leone is a great example of change that is needed and is beginning to take place. With more time, research and improvement, it is possible that infant mortality in Sierra Leone can decrease. 

– Rachel Breeden
Photo: Flickr

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Addressing Period Poverty in Yemen 

Period Poverty in Yemen Due to an almost decade-long civil war, Yemen is one of the poorest countries in the Middle East. With almost 80% (approximately 26.38 million) of the country’s population now living in poverty, girls and women are not able to always have access to menstrual products. For girls living in poverty in Yemen, getting their period could completely change their lives. The effects of poverty on menstruating women are often a neglected topic. ‘Period poverty’ refers to the situation where menstrual products and other necessities may not be obtainable. In some cases, period poverty may be a factor driving many people further into extreme poverty. 

Education and Mental Health

As of October 2023, UNICEF reported that there were already more than 2.7 million children in Yemen out of school. The budget for schools and the education sector have not received significant attention due to the economic crisis and conflict. Therefore, when at school, children lack the basic resources they need to have a safe and comfortable learning experience. 

Due to the poor levels of sanitation, many of the schools will not have access to toilets or sanitary products. This means that many girls will stay home and have to miss days of school every month, to cope with their period safely at home, often resulting in them falling behind and failing their classes. Some young women may even have to leave their education as they would not be able to efficiently continue with their studies while doing this every month. Leaving school may lead a girl’s family into further poverty as there would be fewer chances to earn money without an education. 

The World Bank Group has been working to help period poverty in Yemen by constructing sanitation facilities in schools, allowing girls to be able to stay in school and have proper access to toilets and sanitation, therefore reducing the number of girls dropping out.

Period poverty may also lead to severe mental health issues. Mood is heavily affected during a woman’s cycle and some even fall into deep depression as a symptom of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Living in poverty may have already taken a toll on a woman’s mental health, but experiencing their period monthly further affects their quality of life.

Cultural Impacts 

Along with the current civil conflict, the role of being a woman further adds to how vulnerable a person is in Yemen. Many countries in the Middle East still carry a stigma concerning periods. These countries, like Yemen, may refrain from seeing periods as a natural process but rather as something unclean or something to be ashamed of. Due to the way many view periods, it is often easy for them to not discuss the topic at all. This means that many girls do not learn about their periods, and how to prepare for the day it arrives. Due to both cultural and religious taboos, women may experience exclusion from activities or segregated from men, meaning that they may not always get the help they would need during this time i.e. the help of a male doctor. This limits their ability to educate themselves on menstruation. 

In Yemen, the responsibility of the household usually falls on the women. Expectations are that they cook, clean, fetch water and take care of the children. Since the beginning of the civil war in 2014, the number of female-led households has risen. This has made it increasingly harder for those living in poverty to cope with these tasks while on their period. Those who have had to leave education due to their period may have to enter into marriages for the financial benefit of their families. 

Sanitary Products and Hygiene

The severity of period poverty in Yemen means that there is minimal access to sanitary products for females living in poverty. The women often will not have a supply of pads and tampons and are not likely to be able to afford them. Some may even stand for a prolonged time just so they do not sit and stain anything with blood. Limited resources mean that many women have to use rags and pieces of cloth that may not always be clean.

The shortage of drinkable water also affects the periods of women. The World Bank declares Yemen as one of the world’s most “water scarce” nations in the world, with more than 18 million people in the country not having access to clean drinking water. The need for clean water is not only for consumption, as it is also necessary for hygiene purposes. Poor hygiene and the use of unclean products can be very harmful leading to irritation, infection or even Toxic Shock Syndrome. 

The French NGO Premiere Urgence Internationale, has been fighting period poverty in Yemen by distributing reusable pads. It began their distributing pads in the north of the country, and as of 2022, were able to hand out this product to those in the southern city of Aden. They have also used this as an opportunity to teach some women how to create reusable pads. This has helped some women gain an insight into menstruation that they may have had before. Making these pads also allows them to educate more young women on their periods and even how to produce their own sanitary pads. 

Looking Ahead

The fight against period poverty in Yemen has only gotten more intense as the country’s conflict continues. Girls and women have struggled thus far for sanitary products, and the future of menstruation in Yemen is still uncertain. However, with the help of organizations like Premiere Urgence Internationale, women in Yemen can at least have more support and education about their periods, allowing their time of the month to be a little more bearable. 

– Fejiro Efih
Photo: Flickr

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Child Soldiers in the Central African Republic

Child Soldiers in the Central African RepublicIn June 2023, UNICEF reported that militant groups across the world recruited at least 105,000 children. The Central African Republic (CAR) constitutes a large portion of this statistic and has one of the highest numbers of child soldiers in the world.

Years of armed conflict mean the political landscape of the CAR is highly unstable. Attempts to reduce political volatility including the 2019 peace agreement, have largely been unsuccessful. UNICEF considers the exploitation of children as soldiers, as one of the worst forms of child labor damaging a child both physically and detrimentally psychologically. Here are seven facts about child soldiers in the Central African Republic.

7 Facts About Child Soldiers in the CAR

  1. The Broadness of the Term ‘Child Soldier’ – A child soldier is anyone under the age of 18 who a militant group recruits and uses in any capacity. This encompasses exploitation as messengers, cooks, spies, guards, human shields, combatants and for sexual purposes. Child soldiers in the Central African Republic are not only those involved in direct fighting.
  2. Female Child Soldiers are Silent Victims of War – In 2023, the charity Theirworld estimated that 40% of child soldiers across the world are currently girls. Male combatants predominately use them as sex slaves and refer to them as ‘wives,’ resulting in the girls suffering greater gender-based violence. This is typically less reported and therefore statistics often exclude female child soldiers rendering them silent victims in conflict. In March 2023, the World Bank reported the CAR currently has one of the largest gender inequality gaps in the world ranking 188 out of 191. Greater emphasis on the empowerment of women is necessary to reduce violence against girls and increase awareness surrounding their use as child soldiers in the Central African Republic.
  3. Child soldiers Account for the Most Common Violation Against Children – The 2022 Human Rights Council reported 647 child victims of child rights violations in the CAR which included sexual violence, illegal imprisonment and the use of children in armed conflict. The latter violation was reported as the most frequent. In 2022, the UN reported this figure had decreased since 2021. However, to minimize this statistic, a greater emphasis on preventing the recruitment and subsequent exploitation of children as soldiers is necessary.
  4. The Release of Child Soldiers is Only Half the Battle – In 2022, the UN reported the successful release of 134 child soldiers in the CAR after discussions with militant groups. However, the removal of children from violent conflict does not equate to their immediate return to normalcy. Child soldiers are highly vulnerable to re-recruitment. Stigmatization of child soldiers in the Central African Republic may lead to their alienation from society as they are deemed dangerous and even made scapegoats. This also increases their chances of re-entering conflict and even remaining in it until they are adult soldiers.
  5. Reintegration is Possible Via Entire Community Efforts – Since 2014, the organization World Vision has been active across seven different locations throughout the country. It helps child soldiers by enhancing community relationships, offering protection from violence and improving nutrition and clean water availability. Crucially, it has created child protection programs that work comprehensively with community leaders, families, law enforcement and caregivers to create a safe space for those children associated with armed groups. By 2025, it predicts that it will have improved the well-being of 2.1 million vulnerable CAR children.
  6. Neighboring Conflict Leads to a Higher Risk of Greater Child Soldiers – The recent conflict in neighboring Sudan has led to approximately 14,000 Sudanese refugees and CAR repatriates into the northeast of the country. Rebel groups largely control this area and it is outside of government control. As the number of vulnerable children residing in militant areas increases so does the risk they face of recruitment and exploitation as child soldiers in the Central African Republic. However, in June 2023, the UN reported within the first weeks of conflict beginning in Sudan, they were able to preposition 155 tons of emergency cargo in the northeast of the CAR which has provided life-saving assistance.
  7. Prevention of Child Soldiers Possible Via Reducing Conflict – The CAR ranks as one of the poorest countries in the world with real GDP growth estimated at 0% in 2022. About 71% of the CAR live below the international poverty line. Conflict is highest among countries with the lowest per capita income and economic growth.

Looking Ahead

Where conflict and violence prevail, so too will the existence of child soldiers. Therefore, greater funding to improve the CAR economy including emphasis on employment, health care and education is vital. In 2021, the World Bank reported project PACAD, designed to support committees affected by all displacement had injected approximately $12,279,000 into the local economy.

While the number of child soldiers in the Central African Republic remains critical, investments and greater funding provide life-changing relief. Aid assists by advancing the economy, providing emergency health care relief, de-radicalization and reintegration programs as well as assisting in the prevention of conflict. In the CAR, as children’s chances of exploitation in armed conflict are high, funding can provide indelible change.

– Heidi Helen Horgan
Photo: Flickr

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Addressing Water Shortages in Punjab, India

Water Shortages in PunjabPunjab is an Indian state located in the northern region of the country. Many know it for its rich culture, unique cuisine and geographical beauty. Recently, Punjabi farmers have been facing a challenge. This challenge is water shortages. Water shortages in Punjab have raised the importance of addressing the issue of water scarcity.

The Issue

Water scarcity is a harsh reality that Punjabi farmers have been facing recently. Punjab, known to many as India’s breadbasket, is home to many rice farmers who rely on water to grow their crops.

A dependency on groundwater is one of the root causes of this issue. Punjabi farmers do not have access to canal water, making groundwater their only option. According to some Punjabi farmers, groundwater was reachable at 4.5 meters deep around seven to eight years ago. As of now, it is only reachable at 21 meters. This change represents the declining groundwater level.

The country of India as a whole relies on the Punjab region for food, especially for wheat and rice. Currently, about 8% of the population lives below the poverty line. If the water scarcity issue continues to worsen, the possibility of a food shortage for the entire nation will arise.

Causes of Water Scarcity

One can attribute water shortages in Punjab to many contributing factors. One key factor is how Punjabi farmers are depleting the region’s aquifers. Water is one of the most important parts of rice and wheat cultivation, forcing farmers to find water wherever possible and acquire as much as they are able to.

The state also deals with inefficient water management systems. One issue with the water management systems is that half of the state’s canal water flows into Rajasthan, a neighboring state. Punjabi government has not been able to find a solution to this issue and farmers remain without access to canal water.

Another major issue contributing to water shortages in Punjab is the pollution of surface water. There are four main polluted stretches of Punjabi rivers. These four rivers are Ghaggar, Beas, Kali Bein and Satluj. Many industries have been emptying toxic waste into Punjabi rivers, resulting in water that is unfit for human consumption and agricultural practices. The industrialization and urbanization of the state is unfortunately accompanied by the harmful discharge of waste and sewage into Punjab’s rivers.

Addressing the Issue

One project that has emerged to assist Punjab’s crisis is a World Bank-supported plan named Hydrology II. This project introduced new technologies and opened reservoir managers’ eyes to the status of the water availability situation. New systems monitor important parts of the hydro-meteorological cycle and utilize digital gauges and sensors to measure water levels.

The Punjab government launched the Paani Bachao Paisa Kamao Scheme in 2018 to incentivize farmers to conserve water and energy. As of now, about 300 farmers are enrolled in this program. These farmers receive cash incentives to save electricity, creating 6-25% in water savings. The Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) runs the scheme which the state government has encouraged.

Another project working to eradicate water shortages in Punjab is the Punjab Municipal Services Improvement Project. This project, with funding approved in April 2021, is helping locals switch from using groundwater to surface water sources. The project focuses on two Punjabi cities, Amritsar and Ludhiana. It aims to finance water treatment plans, water pumping systems, transmission lines, etc. The predicted improvements in water supply should benefit more than 3 million people by 2026.

Looking Ahead

Solving water shortages in Punjab is essential to protect its economic stability, food security and the well-being of citizens. With agriculture as its backbone, this state’s future is dependent on water availability. Addressing this challenge will become increasingly urgent as groundwater levels continue to lower.

– Trisha Borde
Photo: Flickr