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4 Organizations Fighting the Malnourishment in Nigeria

Malnourishment in NigeriaAbout 25 million Nigerians are facing a severe food shortage crisis, and increasing inflation will soon lead to an even more dire situation. Nigeria urgently needs assistance to help end its food insecurity and fight the malnourishment destroying the West African country’s population. Here are the factors causing malnourishment in Nigeria as well as organizations working to combat it.

Factors Causing Malnourishment in Nigeria 

The Nigerian Bureau of Statistics reports that 78% of Nigerians live below the poverty line, which prevents families from getting meals and nutrients necessary for a healthy life. As of 2023, Nigeria ranks 28.3 out of 50 on the Global Hunger Index, with 15.9% of the population being malnourished.

Food insecurity increased, along with inflation, following Nigerian President ​​Bola Tinubu’s decision to remove oil subsidies in May 2023. The oil subsidy, which Tinubu maintains was draining government funds, kept gas prices capped and helped Nigerians financially maintain their businesses and households. The sudden increase in gas prices and cost of living led to a labor strike throughout the country.

Along with the rise in gas prices, food costs rose 2.6% between July 2023 and August 2023, breaking an 18-year record. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reports that 2 million children are suffering from malnourishment and predicts these numbers will increase drastically before the end of 2023. Listed below are four organizations fighting to end malnourishment in Nigeria. 

1. The World Food Programme USA (WFP) 

WFP began in 1961 under U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower after an earthquake in Iran left 12,000 people dead. Throughout the decades, WFP has been a crucial help during hundreds of different global crises, providing food aid after the 2010 Haiti earthquake and the 2015 Nepal earthquake. It continues to help West Africans with the Ebola outbreak. 

WFP currently works with UNICEF to provide monthly food and money to 1.2 million Nigerians. It focuses on less populated areas of Nigeria, where many citizens are displaced and vulnerable.

2. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

MSF is a nonprofit, independent medical humanitarian organization that focuses on the health concerns of populations experiencing epidemics, diseases and food insecurity. With funding from 13 writers and medical professionals in 1971, it has been bringing aid to Nigeria since 1996. In 2022, MSF admitted 222,300 children into its inpatient and outpatient programs.

3. The Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA) 

ALIMA works with local partners to further its primary mission—saving the lives of the most vulnerable. It was founded in 2009 by medical professionals who felt more effort was needed in Nigeria to help combat the malnourishment crisis. 

Since its creation, ALIMA has helped 10 million patients. In 2016, ALIMA implemented its food program in Nigeria, hoping to intervene in the malnourishment epidemic. As of 2022, ALIMA reports “43,239 children with severe acute malnutrition treated and 143,453 consultations carried out for children under 5 years old.”

4. Action Against Hunger

French doctors and journalists founded Action Against Hunger 40 years ago to combat starvation in the Middle East. Its main objective is to provide adequate support for countries that food insecurity has crushed. The organization finds new ways to fight malnourishment using science and technology.

Action Against Hunger’s efforts in Nigeria, where it provides monthly food aid to 200,000 people, is one way it is implementing change in the region. The organization also created the “Porridge Moms” program, which teaches women in Nigeria how to prevent malnutrition.

Looking Ahead

These organizations are fighting to end malnourishment in Nigeria, and have made outstanding efforts in finding practical solutions to combat food insecurity. With donations from around the world, these groups can help build the West African country back up so its people can thrive locally and globally. 

– Jessica Jean-Baptiste
Photo: Flickr

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How Tobacco Production Impacts Food Security

Tobacco Production Impacts Food SecurityThe same land that provides life also causes death: The same soil that produces energy resources, fruits, vegetables and minerals also yields a product that kills 8 million people each year: tobacco. Here is how tobacco production impacts food security.

How Tobacco Production Affects Farmers

Unfortunately, tobacco not only causes death and diseases to those who are smokers or breathe secondhand smoke. Dr. Ruediger Krech, Director of Health Promotion at WHO, points out that tobacco production causes illnesses to farmers, as they are “exposed to chemical pesticides, tobacco smoke and as much nicotine as found in 50 cigarettes.” Furthermore, it is estimated that more than 1 million children work in tobacco farms, being deprived of education.

The countries with more need to produce food are paradoxically those that produce the most tobacco. Nine of the 10 nations with the highest tobacco cultivation rates are low- and middle-income nations, according to WHO. 

How Tobacco Production Impacts Food Security

Also, because tobacco production takes up fertile land, it exacerbates the food security issues in these countries. As a result of the crop’s growth-induced deforestation, water source contamination and soil deterioration, the environment and the populations that depend on it also suffer.

A record 349 million people experience extreme food insecurity across 79 countries. Many of them are in more than 30 African nations where tobacco growing has expanded by 15% over the past 10 years, according to the agency’s new report “Grow food, not tobacco.”

Transitioning Tobacco Farming to Food Crops

More than 124 countries cultivate tobacco, occupying 3.2 million hectares of arable land that farmers could use for food production. In order to shift this situation, WHO, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) have partnered to back the Tobacco Free Farms initiative. Through this plan, more than 5,000 farmers in Kenya and Zambia will receive assistance in switching from tobacco to sustainable food crops. 

There are other examples of countries that have found a new way to end global hunger by switching from tobacco farming to food crops. In Bulgaria, despite European Union subsidies for tobacco production, many farmers have effectively transitioned to cultivating nuts, berries or engaging in animal husbandry. This shift has marginalized the role of tobacco in Bulgarian agriculture, leading to significant economic growth and improved living standards in major villages within established tobacco regions.

Similarly, Indonesia has seen success in transitioning tobacco farmers to alternative crops like cashews, sweet potatoes, corn and green vegetables, resulting in increased profits.

Progress in China and Malaysia

In regions like China’s Yunnan province, there has been a notable reduction in tobacco cultivation since 2012. Thousands of farmers have embraced the shift toward growing vegetables and fruits, experiencing higher net incomes due to initiatives promoting tobacco crop substitution.

Malaysia’s government has supported tobacco farmers in transitioning to cultivating kenaf, a plant used for high-quality paper, biocomposites and bioplastics. This transition has shown promising returns on investment with minimal expenditure of time, money and labor. 

Transition to Food Crops in New Zealand and Sri Lanka

Similarly, in New Zealand’s Motueka region, government incentives for tobacco farming have been removed, allowing farmers to successfully transition to cultivating hops, kiwis and apples. These examples illustrate that viable alternatives to tobacco farming are not only possible but are already underway in various regions around the world.

In 2021, the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol in Sri Lanka launched a pilot project in the Anuradhapura and Monaragala districts aimed at encouraging the cultivation of alternative crops instead of tobacco. This initiative yielded significant results, with a remarkable 91% reduction in tobacco cultivation observed in Anuradhapura and a 57% reduction in Monaragala. 

In Anuradhapura, 30% of farmers transitioned to cultivating vegetables while 16% turned to paddy cultivation. Conversely, in Monaragala, the majority of farmers opted to grow crops like peanuts, sesame and cowpeas. The success of this pilot project underscores the potential of sustainable agricultural practices in fostering economically viable alternatives to tobacco farming and addressing how tobacco production impacts food security.

Looking Ahead

It is important and at the same time gratifying that in the face of a situation such as that presented by tobacco cultivation and its negative influences on farmers and consumers alternatives are established throughout the world. These not only imply tobacco’s progressive disappearance but also reverse the situation, finding a new way to end global hunger by making the means and efforts to serve food production and helping those most in need.

– Christian Teruel
Photo: Flickr

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Everything to Know about Hunger in Palestine

Hunger in PalestineAs all eyes turn to Palestine and Israel amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, basic resource management and distribution will undoubtedly be essential for the survival of millions. As of October 9th, 2023, Israel laid a “complete siege” on Gaza, known as “the world’s largest open-air prison.” With no food, water or electricity allowed into the area, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) is racing against time to serve more than 800,000 people in need of basic resources.

Facts on the Gaza Strip

The Palestinian territories are split into two main regions, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. The Gaza Strip is home to 2.3 million people and is considered one of the most “densely populated territories” internationally. According to the United Nations, 80% of Gazans live in poverty. However, food insecurity and insufficiency, while undoubtedly in need of critical attention right now, are not new needs in the Palestinian territories.

Hunger Crisis in Palestine

Here are four numbers you need to know about the hunger crisis in Palestine.

  1. About 76% is the percentage of those suffering from food insecurity in Gaza. According to the Food Security Cluster’s 2022 analysis, the clear majority of those suffering from food insecurity in the Palestinian territories are located in Gaza. Thus, 24% of “food insecure people” are located in the West Bank.
  2. As many as 400,000 in Gaza and the West Bank are routinely receiving UN World Food Programme assistance. The WFP has served Palestine since 1991. It provides general food assistance, mainly through the form of electronic vouchers, encouraging Palestinians through economic hardship and restricted accessibility to resources, and supporting the Palestinian Authority’s national safety net.
  3. Roughly 42% of children are receiving a “minimum diversity diet.” The flip side is that 58% of young children are not receiving the nutrients necessary for development. According to UNICEF, minimum dietary diversity is defined as regularly eating food from at least four of the seven food groups: “1) grains, roots and tubers, 2) legumes and nuts, 3) dairy products (milk, yogurt, cheese), 4) flesh foods (meat, fish, poultry and liver/organ meats), 5) eggs, 6) vitamin-A rich fruits and vegetables, and 7) other fruits and vegetables.”
  4. About 95% is the percentage of wheat that Palestine must import. This statistic is extremely important as it expresses the fragility of Palestine’s food access and its integral reliance on Israel for resources and products. The Israel-Hamas war undoubtedly will have negative effects on Israel and Palestine’s food exchange. The Palestine Authority (PA) does not own any food storage infrastructure, so it must rely on Israel’s facilities and the PA’s private sector.

Chain Reaction in Israel and Palestine from the Russia-Ukraine War

But the chain reaction does not stop there. Because Israel imports “half of its grain and cereals from Ukraine,” Israel, and thus Palestine, suffered great decreases in food reception because of the ongoing Ukraine crisis. According to the World Food Programme, the war between Russia and Ukraine resulted in increased food prices in the Palestinian territories with “wheat flour (up by 23.6%), corn oil (26.3%), lentils (17.6%) and table salt (30%), decimating Palestinians’ purchasing power.”

There is one more number to consider: 522,000. This is the number of people that the WFP has assisted in Palestine with cash and food since the start of the crisis. The organization’s current goal, in Palestine specifically, is to reach 805,000 people with food by the end of November 2023.

Focusing on Those in Need During the Israel-Hamas War

The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization. It has been active in serving others since 1961. The group is entirely reliant on donations from governments, institutions, groups and individuals, and “a total 93.5% of all government contributions go directly to supporting life-saving and life-changing operations.” The WFP aims to raise $74 million over the next three months to provide adequate assistance to those in need in Palestine. 

As Palestine and Israel continue to dominate headlines, humanitarian aid is poured out to those in need. However, the severe humanitarian and hunger crisis in Palestine is not a new or temporary occurrence. The Palestinian territories, now more than ever, need assistance from other countries and governmental organizations for access to food, water and sanitation.

– Kaitlyn Garrett
Photo: Flickr

The WFP Provides Aid After Drought in the Horn of Africa

Drought in the Horn of Africa
The recent drought in the Horn of Africa was the area’s longest drought in history (2020–2023). Excessive rain and flash flooding followed it, and the conflict in Sudan is making recovery more difficult. Organizations such as the World Food Programme (WFP) are working in these regions to provide aid, but are struggling to keep up with the need due to lack of funding.

At the end of 2022, the WFP was providing food for more than 4.7 million Somalis, but low funding forced the organization to cut back to feeding only 3 million people in April 2023. A lack of funds will cause this number to decrease even further.

“Without sustainable funding for both emergency and climate-adaptation solutions, the next climate crisis could bring the region to the brink of famine,” said WFP’s regional director for Eastern Africa, Michael Dunford. 

The Longest Drought in History

Generally, the Horn of Africa experiences two rainy seasons: Oct.–Dec. and March–May, but the region has had five consecutive dry seasons from 2020 to 2023. This has been the longest and most severe recorded drought in the area’s history. This has left residents of the area food insecure. In fact, more than 21 million people are dealing with food insecurity, and more than 3 million of those people are facing emergency levels of food insecurity. This means they regularly go without food for a day or more at a time.

WFP reporter, Tomson Phiri, met a bright 14-year-old boy whose family the drought has impacted. Ali (not the boy’s real name) graduated from primary school, but can no longer progress to secondary school. His family lost an entire herd of livestock and has nothing left to sell in order to fund Ali’s education. More than 13 million livestock died during the drought in the Horn of Africa.

In 2022, the WFP was calling for $327 million to keep up with the level of starving individuals. Now, $810 million is essential to provide the correct amount of support.

Rain and Flash Floods

Beginning in March 2023, the region got its first taste of moisture in three years as heavy rains and flash floods hit. Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya were receiving significantly more rain than they normally would during that time of the year. Although, March–May generally provides the Horn of Africa with 60% of its total annual rainfall. For example, Ethiopia received between 2 and 4 inches more rain within the first 25 days of March than it normally would. Despite providing the area with much-needed water, the floods killed dozens and negatively affected 300,000 people in both Ethiopia and Somalia. 

The Maluak family living in South Sudan lost their grass-thatched house during flooding. “The floods started when we had cultivated some vegetables and swept everything away,” said Gabriel Maluak to a Medium reporter. “Our grass-thatched house was floating in water; we had no place to put our heads.”

Maluak and his family had no option except to live in an internally displaced persons camp in Sudan. 

Conflict in Sudan

Current conflicts in Sudan are causing food and energy prices to skyrocket throughout the entire region — thus, further perpetuating the food crisis that the drought caused in the Horn of Africa. 

The WFP has provided assistance to four Sudanese states — more than 384,000 people. However, the conflict has caused major security concerns for the organization. Three employees of the WFP and four staff from a partner organization died in the fighting, and this forced the WFP to briefly halt their operations in Sudan. 

Drought, flash floods and conflict are plaguing the Horn of Africa, causing millions to face serious food insecurity. Though the WFP has aided millions so far, their financial standing is not allowing them to keep up with the need. In the last year, the funding that the organization is calling for has more than doubled. 

Help from organizations such as the WFP provides hope for famine prevention and change within the region. 

– Taylor Barbadora
Photo: Flickr

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Everything to Know About Hunger in Haiti

Hunger in Haiti
Throughout history, misfortune has plagued Haiti. Just between 2010 and today, natural disasters and political instability have rendered it the poorest country in the Americas. As a result, the issue of hunger in Haiti has carried an overbearing toll on the country, only worsening in recent years. Political instability, natural disasters and subsequent gang violence and economic difficulties have made hunger a central threat to the livelihood of the Haitian population, and a crucial focus of relief agencies. 

Decades of Instability 

In the past 10 years alone, Haiti has struggled with at least four major political and natural disasters. Between 2000 and 2019, Haiti was the third country most affected by extreme weather patterns. Most notably, the 2010 earthquake and 2016 hurricane resulted in countless casualties and the destruction of infrastructure. Politically, the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise has triggered a period of instability. As a result, gang activity has been at a high, seeing a surge in violence with negative spillover effects. Gangs have taken control over ports in the capital of Port-au-Prince, as well as agricultural areas, resulting in widespread hunger.

Economic Fall Out

Severe inflation has resulted in an exponential rise in hunger in Haiti. As Haiti is a country that is highly dependent on food imports given its agricultural struggles, inflation levels are volatile and particularly contingent on the global economy. Currently, inflation levels stand at 44%. This means that food prices are virtually unaffordable for much of the population, with the price of a food basket increasing by 88% in 2023 alone. The combination of gangs controlling ports and food-producing areas with the spike in food prices has left many in Haiti with limited options for survival.

Hunger Statistics

Haiti has one of the highest food insecurity levels in the world. As of 2021, its Human Development Index places it at 163 out of 191 countries. The past year has seen individuals continue to struggle at emergency levels. Almost 5 million people, half of the population, are in hunger and 1.8 million of them face severe starvation. Children are at particular risk, with 22% of Haiti’s children being malnourished, 10% underweight and 66% anemic. Experiencing hunger from such a young age places children in particularly vulnerable positions to a variety of health troubles that they are likely to experience into adulthood. 

Help is on the Way

The United Nations has identified Haiti as one of the most pressing hunger “hotspots” in the world Despite the levels of hunger in Haiti, UN relief agencies such as the World Food Programme (WFP) have plans in place to aid the country. The biggest food safety net in the country is in the form of school feeding plans, with approximately 300,000 children being fed a day in more than 1,000 schools. WFP has also provided emergency food assistance to more than 150,000 people, as well as cash transfers to allow for independent allocation of resources. On top of these more direct aid efforts, WFP collaborates with communities to develop emergency preparedness and new farming techniques that will allow for long-term resilience in the face of such uncertain times.

Despite the scale of this aid, funding and donations are crucial to its maintenance. Donations and an upscale of attention from governments around the world are central to developing these funds. For 2023, the WFP is helping 1.47 million people through its various aid techniques. So far, as a part of those techniques, the WFP’s emergency assistance has helped countless people on the verge of starvation. In 2022, the WFP delivered food to 723,000 people, as well as transferred $22.9 million in cash to those in need.

In addition to emergency assistance, resilience programs were successfully implemented. Such programs included road and canal building, as well as tree planting. In total, these resilience programs reached 113,000 people, and strive to reach more in the coming year. Reaching funding goals has been crucial to these successes and in the future can dramatically improve levels of hunger in Haiti, saving even more lives than before.

– Lucie Dumont
Photo: Flickr

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Food or Farming Equipment? Achieving Zero Hunger in Nigeria 

Hunger in Nigeria
With a population of 213 million, Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa, but it suffers from uneven development and rapid population growth. An overwhelming 70% of the population lives below the poverty line, most of whom live in the northeast region. In this region alone, 8.4 million people are food insecure. With an array of fresh crises and so many mouths to feed, solutions are essential to stop Nigeria from falling further into this hunger crisis in Nigeria.

The Hunger Crisis in Nigeria

The northeast of Nigeria has been facing a humanitarian crisis for over a decade. In 2023, access to food is under threat due to increasing costs, armed violence and banditry specifically targeted at farmers. The increase in refugees in the region, mainly from Cameroon, has worsened this crisis. As of July 2023, Nigeria registered 87,228 refugees from Cameroon, who fled conflict in their country. Nigeria has displayed inspiring dedication to humanitarian goals by welcoming the refugees and allowing them to work in their country, but it does make their struggles for zero hunger a more dire situation.

The Importance of Farming in Nigeria

Perhaps surprisingly considering the crisis, estimates have indicated that more than 70% of Nigerians work in agriculture. The Nigerian economy is therefore closely tied to agriculture, as are many Nigerian livelihoods.

The solution to the hunger crisis is therefore more complex than increasing food importation. According to Adeole Akinola, a specialist in the region, reliance on imports would “incapacitate those rural dwellers that rely on the sale of their farm products.”

Why the Farming Industry is Not More Developed

Despite its clear cultural and economic importance, agriculture remains underdeveloped in Nigeria. Smallholders produce 90% of the food consumed in the country. These small-scale farmers often lack the machinery to optimize their yield and suffer attacks due to security issues.

The main reason why farming has remained in these precarious conditions and not developed into a larger industry is because of governmental focus. For most of the 20th century, the government believed that oil would provide the bulk of Nigeria’s GDP, leading to the neglect of other sectors.

As of today, the oil industry accounts for somewhere between 6% to 9% of Nigerian GDP. Agriculture accounts for more than 22%.

How Aid Can Eliminate Hunger in Nigeria

The obstacles to zero hunger in northeast Nigeria have not gone unnoticed in the global community. The U.K. has provided £38 million in aid, which has gone toward providing humanitarian assistance. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly states that the aid is “saving lives” and adds that “the international community must support these efforts.”

Food security is at its lowest between June and August when there is no harvest. In August 2023 alone, the World Food Programme (WFP) gave 9,932 new refugees emergency food provisions in the northeast region. However, WFP recognizes that the crisis will only persist, and has requested an urgent $152 million USD – even as the new harvest comes into effect – to continue to keep the situation under control.

In the meantime, there is a clear market.

Zero hunger will not occur with the current state of the Nigerian agricultural industry. Nigerian farmers need more security, as well as better equipment to increase their yield. The International Trade Administration recognizes that Nigeria is “a big window of opportunity for suppliers of agricultural equipment.”

Empowering Nigerian farmers seems to be the best way towards zero hunger and a solution beneficial to all.

– Luke Gouldson
Photo: Pixabay

Reconstruction After Hatay’s Earthquakes

Hatay's Earthquakes
The city of Hatay in southern Turkey has faced significant challenges following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake, which took place on February 6, 2023. The natural disasters have not only left the city’s infrastructure in ruins but also had profound socio-economic consequences. However, amidst the adversity, Hatay has shown remarkable resilience. In the wake of Hatay’s earthquakes, the city is making ongoing efforts to rebuild, continue delivering education to children and combat poverty.

Hatay’s Earthquakes and Their Impacts

A series of powerful earthquakes struck Hatay, a city that has received renown for its rich history and cultural diversity, leaving an indelible mark. The tremors caused widespread destruction, leaving many homes, schools and vital infrastructure in ruins. Thousands of residents were rendered homeless, and the socio-economic fabric of the city was severely disrupted. Organizations such as UNICEF collaborated with governmental and non-governmental organizations to rebuild Hatay.

With the government in close collaboration with these organizations and ministries, this endeavor encompasses the construction of resilient infrastructure throughout Hatay, as well as the restoration of public services and efforts to alleviate poverty for those affected by the earthquakes.

Reconstruction Efforts in Hatay: Rebuilding Residential Areas

In the wake of Hatay’s earthquakes, one of the most crucial aspects of the recovery process has been the meticulous reconstruction of residential areas. The tremors left many of the city’s housing stock in shambles, rendering countless families homeless. However, there are resilient efforts made in response to this crisis.

Authorities, construction crews and volunteers have come together to rebuild residential areas more resistant to future earthquakes with the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change assigning this work to the Turkish Housing Development Administration (TOKI). With these efforts combined, the ministry announced on May 3 that “132,000 housing units are already under construction” emphasizing the recovery of Hatay is more than bricks and mortar, focusing on restoring the sense of security and belonging for Hatay’s residents. New homes are designed with resilience in mind, adhering to stringent building codes.

International Aid and Support for Poverty Alleviation

International aid and support have played a pivotal role in rebuilding Hatay and its ongoing struggle to alleviate poverty in the aftermath of the earthquakes. In the wake of these disasters, countries across the globe rallied to provide critical assistance to help citizens in Hatay. The World Health Organization (WHO) in Europe, for example, has provided countless aid to providing essential services as well as offering training programs “tailored to the needs of a range of survivors, with topics such as reproductive health, elder care, interpersonal communication and community engagement.”

Aid organizations such as WHO have been instrumental in coordinating these efforts, ensuring that resources reach those in need. In addition, organizations such as the World Food Programme (WFP) have directed their attention to help alleviate poverty using funds to provide food assistance to “150,000 crisis-affected families through cash assistance” as well as food provisions to “590,000” citizens. This influx of international support has not only provided immediate relief but has also contributed to the long-term anti-poverty initiatives, offering a glimmer of hope for the path to a more prosperous and resilient Hatay.

Empowering Hatay’s Communities Through Microfinance

Empowering communities through microfinance has emerged as a potent tool in Hatay’s efforts to rebuild and alleviate poverty. These small-scale financial initiatives have had a profound impact on the lives of residents who were left financially vulnerable by the natural disasters. Microfinance institutions, often in collaboration with local and international organizations, provide individuals with access to microloans and financial services tailored to their needs.

One of the primary benefits of microfinance is that it encourages entrepreneurship and self-sufficiency. In Hatay, where the earthquakes disrupted many traditional income sources, microloans have enabled individuals to start or expand small businesses. The Refugee Investment Network focuses on economic and social revival by “providing microfinance to local farmers and artisans, or facilitating tech-based remote employment” to increase displaced people’s livelihoods, “especially to respond to workforce losses due to the earthquake.”

Community-based microfinance initiatives often come with a strong focus on accountability and social cohesion. Borrowers frequently form communities to support one another, which is crucial after such devastating natural disasters. This sense of community involvement strengthens not only social ties but also instills a sense of responsibility and trust among residents, and as a result, by empowering these communities through microfinance, Hatay is not only rebuilding its physical structures but also fostering financial resilience.

Looking Ahead

In the wake of Hatay’s devastating earthquakes, the city has embarked on an extraordinary journey of recovery, resilience and hope. The efforts to simultaneously reconstruct the physical infrastructure and alleviate poverty have been inspiring. Hatay’s citizens, local businesses, and the international community have come together with unwavering determination, demonstrating the incredible power of unity in the face of adversity.

Rebuilding Hatay and its residential areas, the revival of its educational institutions, and the infusion of international aid have not only begun to mend the scars of the earthquakes but have also laid the foundation for a more robust, resilient and prosperous future. Empowering communities through microfinance, vocational training and job creation initiatives has empowered individuals to chart their paths out of poverty, while community-driven anti-poverty programs have strengthened social bonds and fostered a sense of shared responsibility.

– Mia Deniz Duru
Photo: Flickr

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Addressing Food Insecurity in Armenia Amid a Humanitarian Crisis

Food Insecurity in Armenia
The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is an ethnically charged territorial dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Nagorno-Karabakh is a contested region by both countries with an ongoing conflict that has lasted for over three decades, with two wars in the early 1990s and 2020. Ethnic Armenians predominantly populated this region until 2023. As of 2023, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has resulted in the displacement of 100,000 individuals who have sought refuge in Armenia. This exacerbates the strain on an already insecure economic situation. Furthermore, this influx of displaced persons has created food insecurity in Armenia, adding significant pressure to the country’s fragile economy.

The Current State of Poverty in Armenia

According to UNICEF, one out of every three children in Armenia resides in impoverished conditions. Additionally, “recent data from 2017 (34.2% child poverty rate, with 2% extreme child poverty rate) is showing that there was no reduction compared to the lowest level of poverty in 2008.”

The World Food Programme’s (WFP) fifth Food Security and Vulnerability Assessment (December 2022 to January 2023) unveiled concerning statistics regarding Armenia’s food security situation. It revealed that 30% of households in the country were grappling with food insecurity. An additional 44% of the surveyed households fell into the category of marginal food secure. This implies that more than half of the population remains susceptible to food insecurity. Only one in every five households in Armenia, or 20%, fell into the category of food secure.

These findings underscore the nature of the food security challenge in Armenia, requiring targeted interventions and policies to address the specific needs of vulnerable groups and regions.

Action Against Hunger

There has been an increase in organizations providing assistance to Armenia in light of its present circumstances. The mission of Action Against Hunger revolves around safeguarding families affected by conflict. The organization has aided Armenian citizens in need since 2018. In collaboration with local organizations, Action Against Hunger extends protective services to more than 3,000 children and their caregivers in Armenia. It goes beyond these measures by empowering people with entrepreneurship and vocational skills, facilitating connections with potential employers and alleviating food insecurity in Armenia. Furthermore, the organization offers critical support to those uprooted by conflict, delivering essential services such as health care, access to clean water and affordable housing options.

The Armenian Food Bank

The Armenian Food Bank, a humanitarian organization with a clear mission to aid Armenian refugees, has stepped forward to provide crucial assistance. Established in 2020 by Michael Avetikyan, the Armenian Food Bank Charitable Foundation has actively delivered vital humanitarian support to underprivileged families with children and veterans. In 2020 alone, this organization rendered assistance to more than 200,000 Armenian and Artsakh citizens. Furthermore, it facilitated the collection and transportation of 12 tons of humanitarian aid to Artsakh.

The World Food Programme (WFP)

In an effort to support displaced individuals in meeting their nutritional and essential requirements, the World Food Programme (WFP), with backing from the European Union, United States, France and the Belgian region of Flanders, extended cash assistance to more than 13,000 individuals in June 2021. These beneficiaries are registered on the government assistance platform and presently reside within Armenia’s borders. WFP had the opportunity to meet with several families who received cash assistance from both Armenia’s government and WFP. This assistance plays a pivotal role in making sure each individual has fulfilled their daily needs. The organization ensures that Armenians have food on their tables so that they can address other immediate needs.

Food for the Future

Organizations are redirecting their resources and focusing their endeavors on alleviating food insecurity in Armenia during the ongoing humanitarian crisis. This situation demands immediate attention to address the pressing needs of the affected population. These organizations are mobilizing their expertise, manpower and resources to provide vital assistance, including food, shelter and health care, to those grappling with the devastating consequences of the crisis. Collaborative efforts among international and local organizations, governments and communities are not only alleviating the current crisis in Artsakh but also helping Armenia build a more stable and secure future for its people.

– Susanna Andryan
Photo: Flickr

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Bringing Clean and Affordable Cooking Solutions to Rural Africa

Cooking SolutionsMore than 2.6 billion people are without access to clean cooking solutions worldwide. Pesitho is a Danish company committed to providing clean and affordable cooking solutions to those in need in rural, off-grid areas.

The Problem

Cooking is a necessary part of human existence and survival, but it should not threaten people’s health and livelihood. Access to clean, affordable and reliable cooking methods can be hard to come by in rural areas. Millions of people die each year due to insufficient cooking methods — 2 billion people rely on wood and fuel in order to cook in their homes. The journey to obtain suitable firewood can be long and hazardous and sometimes fatal. Locals run the risk of animals attacking them or stepping on landmines, and even experiencing assault or rape. Burning wood in a home can cause smoke inhalation which can lead to lung cancer, heart failure and other respiratory problems.

These problems mainly threaten women and girls because the burden of cooking meals usually falls upon them. Unfortunately for these women and girls, they have no other choice and are forced to expose themselves to the dangers that come with cooking. When fuel is not provided and food is left uncooked, arguments can erupt within the family household and can sometimes lead to violence.

Pesitho’s pilot project and primary focus are refugee families from African countries like South Sudan or the DRC who were forced to flee their homes due to war, and now reside in rural locations in Uganda. The Bidibidi refugee settlement in Northwestern Uganda — home to more than 270,000 refugees and spanning an area of 250 square kilometers — is where Pesitho mainly operates. Pesitho also provides aid to locals in the nearby areas who have very low incomes and are in vulnerable situations. Pesitho has partnered with Mercy Corps, Caritas, the World Food Programme (WFP) and a number of other organizations to bring the ECOCA — an electric solar cooker — to these rural locations.

The ECOCA

The ECOCA is a small compact cooking device that solar energy powers. It can keep food warm for hours and power a house for an entire day. ECOCA units are assembled locally by hired locals who are trained as technicians, giving jobs to these vulnerable communities.

The ECOCA, which includes a battery pack, a solar panel array and a cooking pot, is easily installed in small spaces and easily portable due to its size. The stove can cook a family of five to seven members three meals a day and can work hours after dark. The ECOCA also includes two USB ports and two rechargeable lamps for cooking after dark. With this innovative design, families no longer have to bear the burden of collecting wood or buying fuel, and no longer become subject to smoke inhalation.

Pay-As-You-Cook System

In September 2020, Pesitho and Mercy Corps applied for the Elrha Journey 2 Scale Grant, which allowed it to expand its current productions and initiate the Pay-As-You-Cook system or PAYC. The PAYC system makes the ECOCA even more affordable and allows users to pay per usage over a maximum of five years rather than purchasing the ECOCA upfront.

Pesitho’s Impact

Pesitho has changed the lives of countless people through its innovative technology. Bajura, a local resident of the Bidibidi refugee camp, has created a phone repair and radio business since receiving his ECOCA in 2020. Bajura uses the solar panel from the ECOCA as his main power source. Using the USB ports on the electric cooker, he is able to charge a number of other devices such as mobile phones and radios. Bajura built his business around phone repair and charging, which generates enough income for him to support himself and his family. Barjura’s business is a great example of how the ECOCA improves the lives of these locals and how it can be used for more than just cooking.

Since Pesitho’s establishment in 2017, it has continued to bring clean and affordable cooking solutions to rural areas. Cooking is not only a fundamental part of human existence, but it also brings people and communities together. Pesitho has changed the lives of families in eastern Africa and will continue to do so in the future. Anyone can help bring more ECOCAs to people in need by donating on Pesitho’s website.

– Jack Wells
Photo: Flickr

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The Plan To Fight Hunger in Sudan

Hunger in SudanOn September 9, 2023, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) launched a new plan to tackle hunger in Sudan. The Emergency Livelihood Response Plan (ELRP) for Sudan will support Sudanese individuals affected by the ongoing civil war.

To fight hunger in Sudan, the FAO will boost agricultural prosperity in the distribution of supplies, including seeds and treatment equipment for livestock. The plan aims to support 10.1 million people in Sudan and claims it will require $123 million in funding to implement over the next 12 months. 

Food Security in Sudan

The food situation in Sudan has worsened since the outbreak of war on April 15, 2023, when the Sudanese Armed Forces clashed with the Rapid Support Forces in Khartoum. Violence and resulting displacement have significantly impacted the country’s food supply system, which has led to hunger and malnutrition within Sudanese communities. 

With a population of 48.6 million, more than 20 million (42% of Sudanese) are thought to be food insecure. Record high levels of food insecurity have been seen each year since 2020. As a result, the World Food Programme (WFP) has placed Sudan in the highest emergency response category. The Overarching goals of the WFP in Sudan in the wake of the crisis reflect some of the country’s most pressing issues: treatment for malnutrition, the provision of school meals and the wider employment of common services — namely, logistics and telecommunication. 

The FAO’s Latest Plan

Four main priorities front the FAO’s new strategy to improve the food security situation in Sudan: high-quality seed, livestock and veterinary support, fisheries support and cash+ modality. A shared action between these branches of support is the plan to target specific households, using data to determine the most vulnerable farmers or fishers. For example, they seek to know who will benefit significantly from the program. 

Cash+ modality is an extensive method of support. For the Sudan ELRP, using cash+ involves a combination of ‘unconditional cash assistance and in-kind support coupled with training during the dry season’ (FAO). It is a two-fold mechanism that will provide varied aid to vulnerable agricultural households. The FAO’s outline for its plan addresses the need for specially designed, time-sensitive assistance to ensure the food security situation in Sudan can improve all year round. 

As it tackles the issue of hunger, the ELRP for Sudan primarily comes under the progress of Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG 2), which aims to eradicate global hunger by 2030. The FAO also incorporates other SDGs into its plan for Sudan. For example, it will make progress towards SDG 5 (Gender Equality) in directing priority support towards female-headed agricultural households in the country since these households are statistically more food insecure than those headed by men. 

Conclusion

The FAO has a vast history of achievement, from its conception in 1945 to the present day. Amongst these successes, the FAO helped halve hunger statistics for individuals in Latin America and the Caribbean, currently maintains the largest global statistical database on food and agriculture and eradicated rinderpest. This disease proved fatal to livestock. 

Such a list of past achievements makes the FAO one of the key organizations in the fight to end extreme poverty. The planned improvement of food security and agricultural provisions in Sudan is a step towards advancing humanitarian aims and achieving global equality.

– Alice Weatherley
Photo: Unsplash