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Hunger in Samoa: Advancing Sustainable Nutrition

Hunger in SamoaThe Independent State of Samoa is a small archipelagic country of two main islands and eight small islets in the South Pacific Ocean. The Dutch discovered the islands in 1722, but it was more than 150 years before the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany claimed parts of the kingdom. Subsequent to a civil war, at the close of the 19th century, these countries abolished the monarchy and Germany and the U.S. claimed the western and eastern islands, respectively. Finally, in 1962, Samoa reestablished its independence. 

Approximately 75% of its population of just under 209,000 lives on just one of the islands, Upolu. Over 80% of the population is rural, but almost two-thirds of the country is forest and less than 3% of the land is arable. 

Previously considered an upper-middle income country, the World Bank reclassified Samoa as lower-middle income in 2021 because of the recession suffered when the country was closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The economy began to turn around in 2023, especially as its tourism industry revived. 

The most recent (2013) World Bank international poverty line data for Samoa estimates poverty at just 1.2%. However, when considered against the rate for an upper middle-income country for that year, Samoa’s poverty rate was 43.3%. 

Challenges of Climate

Experiencing a tsunami and an earthquake in 2009 and severe cyclones in 2012 and 2018, Samoa is vulnerable to climate change and natural disasters. This impacts its economy, as well as water and food security—in other words, its overall well-being. 

Nutrition Assessments and Hunger in Samoa

There have been insufficient data available for Samoa to be ranked in the Global Hunger Index, but the country has been included in the 2022 Global Nutrition Report, whose indicators measure a country’s “burden of malnutrition.” There are 13 global nutrition targets, and, at that time, Samoa was reported as “on course” for only three: childhood overweight, childhood wasting and exclusive breastfeeding. The country had shown no progress or was worsening on childhood stunting and anemia among women aged 15 to 49 years. There were no data on low birth weight, and progress was “off course” on the remaining seven indicators, including obesity, diabetes and blood pressure. 

Nutrition Concerns

The 2021 Samoa Food Systems Pathway 2030 shared data on the country’s nutrition concerns: 70% of the population is overweight, around 50% obese, and approximately 80% of deaths attributable to noncommunicable diseases that it was estimated will cost 8.5% of GDP by 2040; 24.2% of Samoans moderately food insecure, 5% undernourished, 6% living in food poverty. Furthermore, it was noted that undiversified diets were influenced by food imports and processed foods, with disparity between rich and poor households reflected in the healthfulness and diversity of foods consumed. 

Samoan Pathway to Sustainable Development

Sustainable Development Goal 2 of the 2015 United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development is Zero Hunger: creating new paths for nutrition, agriculture and food systems. And it is SDG 2 that underlies the Samoa Food Systems Pathway 2030, developed at a National Dialogue in April 2021 and discussed later that year by Samoa’s minister of agriculture and fisheries at the U.N. Food Systems Summit of 2021. The Pathway is defined as the means for “transforming food systems for a resilient and healthy Samoa where no one is left behind” and sustainable “food and nutritional security and affordable healthy diets” are achievable.”

The Pathway report notes that hunger is not an issue in Samoa, but identifies four food systems for improvement: (1) food production, (2) food processing, (3) food consumption and (4) food safety and food waste. Attention is paid to the concern with overfishing (and the extinction of native species) and the sustainable management of natural resources, as well as to postharvest loss and food waste (up to 20% of fresh fruits and vegetables). The goal is behavioral, to shift from consumption of processed imported foods to locally produced fresh products to achieve a balanced and nutritional diet.

The Pathway report outlines four pathway actions and five Action Tracks:

  • Ensure access to safe and nutritious food for all: Boosting local production, strengthening the enabling environment and improving evidence-based knowledge.
  • Shift to sustainable consumption patterns: Strengthening policy and regulatory systems, promoting local traditional foods and enhancing nutrition education.
  • Boost nature-positive production: Revitalizing traditional knowledge, strengthening extension services and improving environmental protection policy and regulatory measures.
  • Advance equitable livelihoods: Facilitating stakeholder engagement, promoting the role of women and youth and enhancing the role of communities.
  • Build resilience to vulnerabilities, shocks, and stress: Building climate-resilient practices, adopting and implementing social protection measures.

Thus, the same report that openly recognized the nutritional concerns of the Samoan people has responded with a long-term action plan to address those concerns over the next five years.

– Staff Reports
Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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CERF Releases $100 million For Underfunded Crises

CERFOn August 30, 2024, the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) of the United Nations released $100 million for critically underfunded crises. CERF provides funding for essential supplies and services during conflict, natural disasters and other emergencies, aiming to support timely and reliable responses in under-funded crises.

Twice annually, the CERF’s Acting Emergency Relief Coordinator (ERC) allocates special grants from the Underfunded Emergencies (UFE) Window to support essential life-saving activities in neglected humanitarian emergencies. Here are the country allocations and the underfunded crises they face.

Underfunded Crises in West Africa

CERF will allocate $10 million to Burkina Faso, where more than 2 million people were internally displaced due to armed conflict between internal militias — part of a broader Sahelian violence caused by Islamic extremism and political instability. Twenty-seven percent of the country requires humanitarian assistance and millions face severe food insecurity.

Similarly, Mali faces a security crisis compounded by economic shocks. More than 7 million require humanitarian assistance, 1.37 million face crisis levels of food insecurity, 1.4 million children face undernourishment, approximately 2,600 individuals face famine and more than 350,000 are internally displaced, according to CERF. Mali will receive $11 million to help displaced populations and alleviate food insecurity

Underfunded Crises in Central and East Africa

Ethiopia is struggling with civil conflict and the aftermath of flooding that has caused deaths, displacement, and food insecurity. Up to half a million could be struggling with displacement and more than 15.8 million are food insecure, according to CERF. Meanwhile, Ethiopia faces cholera and malaria epidemics. CERF will provide $15 million to Ethiopia to help provide access to critical services and to reduce morbidity for 12.3 million vulnerable people.

Malawi is also dealing with weather patterns causing food insecurity among 5.7 million people. Aid worth $11 million could help the country deal with the effects of drought.

Since 2017, Mozambique has experienced violence that has displaced hundreds of thousands of people while weather patterns devastate the agricultural sector, according to CERF. Funding of $7 million is going towards preventing a food insecurity crisis.

Burundi faces food insecurity, violence, epidemics and natural disasters. Heavy rainfall caused flooding by the end of last year and displaced thousands. More than 1 million people are food insecure and landslides have displaced more than 47,000 people, according to CERF. Funding of $5 million will support flood recovery and displaced people.

Cameroon experiences several forms of internal violence and natural disasters. Recent floods exacerbate the situation and an estimated 1.8 million people are without adequate water and health services. Receiving $7 million could help vulnerable populations, particularly women and children, against exploitation and malnutrition.

Middle East, South East Asia and the Caribbean

Yemen is considered the largest humanitarian crisis, an eight-year civil war in Yemen between Houthi rebels and Saudi-backed government forces created an economic, social and health crisis. There are 19 million people experiencing a food insecurity crisis while flooding disrupts access to essential services, according to CERF. Many lack sanitation, water and health care access. CERF will provide $20 million to support food security and health for millions in need.

Following a brief period of democratic rule, a 2021 coup in Myanmar devolved into a civil war between a military government and various ethnic militias. Intensified fighting this year increased displacement to 3.1 million people. Almost 13 million people face moderate or severe food insecurity, according to CERF. The organization will provide $12 million to Myanmar which could hopefully help 18 million people who need funding for essential services and support for displaced populations.

Natural disasters and internal gang violence leave 5.5 million people requiring humanitarian assistance in Haiti. There are 578,000 people who are internally displaced, 8.5 million faced food insecurity earlier this year and many face gang violence, according to CERF. Funding of $9 million will support critical needs in the country.

Conclusion

These countries experience underfunded crises despite dire situations and donor pledges. This demonstrates the need for increased attention. The allocation of $100 million by CERF is a crucial step but support from international donors and organizations is essential to address the ongoing challenges these countries face.

– Luke Ravetto

Luke is based in Boston, MA, USA and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Hidden Dimensions of Poverty  

Hidden Dimensions of PovertyIn February 2024, the “Addressing the Hidden Dimensions of Poverty in Knowledge and Policies” Conference took place at the World Bank headquarters in Washington, D.C. and online. To better understand the key dimensions and relationships of poverty, the conference brought together various groups including practitioners, academics and people with first-hand poverty experience to join together in research.

The Agenda

The conference’s Keynote speech “Evaluating the Impact of Anti-Poverty Policies: The Value of Multiple Approaches” set the tone for the event by introducing the idea that multiple perspectives are key when discussing issues of poverty, particularly those from people who have lived experience.

The conference then drew on the findings of two significant research projects that illustrate poverty’s hidden dimensions and how to incorporate them into the fight against global poverty. Both of these projects were conducted in collaboration with ATD Fourth World, a non-profit organisation founded in 1957.

After a series of workshops which explored the applicability of these projects to poverty research in specific countries including Bolivia, Tanzania and the U.K., according to the World Bank, the conference concluded with a roundtable discussion from leaders of the World Bank, ATD Fourth World, International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the U.N.

The Hidden Dimensions of Poverty

The ‘Hidden Dimensions of Poverty’ was a multi-year participatory research project from ATD Fourth World and Oxford University published in 2019. The project aimed to complement “top-down” definitions of poverty with direct experiences to develop future research methodologies. Researchers hope that these research methodologies can enable people in poverty to engage in global policy-making, hold governments accountable and fulfil their human rights obligations.

The project concluded that poverty may be defined as having nine dimensions that each fall into one of three larger categories. For each individual, the dimensions within these three categories (core experience of poverty, lack of resources and relational dynamics) are caused by external modifying factors such as location and identity which combine to create an experience of poverty that is unique to the person. This framework can not only define poverty but also help understand the contributing factors at play which could shape local and global policy, according to the research.

ATD Fourth World views current measures of extreme poverty such as the $1.90 a day indicator to be deeply flawed and inadequate. Instead, it believes that extreme poverty is a multidimensional phenomenon and policymakers should treat it as such. ATD Fourth World continues to work with people living in poverty, researchers and international organisations and governments to work on the question of how best to measure poverty.

The IDEEP

The Tool for the Inclusive and Deliberative Elaboration & Evaluation of Policies (IDEEP) is a document that ATD Fourth World and Olivier De Schutter, the U.N. Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, created and published in February 2024.

The IDEEP aims to guide policymakers to ensure that the design, implementation and assessment of policies and projects has strong participation from people in poverty. This aims to ensure the addressing and inclusion of various dimensions of poverty, including the “hidden” ones. While not explicitly mentioned, the IDEEP draws on the findings of the Hidden Dimensions of Poverty to provide a framework which is inclusive and deeply participatory.

This tool does not intend to replace existing policy assessment tools such as those which rely on the normative framework of human rights, rather it aims to complement them to offer a more nuanced perspective. Furthermore, by using the IDEEP, decision-makers could capture the lived experiences of people in poverty to create improved policies and projects.

Changing the Perception of Poverty

Put simply, poverty is something that society has created, knowingly or unknowingly, according to ATD Fourth World. The findings put forth in this conference demonstrate that the best way to solve this issue is through open collaboration between researchers, people with lived experience and international institutions and governments. It is only through understanding the hidden dimensions of poverty that one can constructively combat this global issue.

– Carla Messinger

Carla is based in Oxford, UK and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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How the War in South Lebanon Is Ruining Its Economy

War in South LebanonLebanon’s progress under the United Nations (U.N.) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has been stagnant at best since its financial crisis in 2017 and the 2020 Beirut blast, which left 300,000 people displaced and more than 200 people killed. Since then, the South of Lebanon has also found itself at war with Israel, which has further worsened the economic situation in the country.

The War in South Lebanon

The skirmishes between Hezbollah in South Lebanon and Israel have been ongoing since the beginning of the Gaza war on October 7, 2023. On May 28, 2024, after Israel’s aerial strike on Rafah, Hezbollah’s missile attacks reached an all-time high, getting up to 3,000 rockets, leaving 86 settlements in Northern Israel heavily damaged.

Israel has been responding with aerial attacks that have left most of the villages in Southern Lebanon uninhabitable, forcing many to flee either to Beirut or the mountains. According to the International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) Displacement Tracker Index, some 86,000 people have been displaced and 51% of those displaced are women.

Since the beginning of the war, Lebanon has remained the country with the highest displaced population per capita in the world, totaling 2.47 million and including Syrian and Palestinian people as well.

The Olive Trees Crisis

Agriculture is a major source of income in Southern Lebanon. It employs hundreds of thousands. The olive oil business, in particular, makes up 7% of Lebanon’s agricultural gross domestic product (GDP) and provides some 110,000 farmers with their livelihoods.

This has been greatly affected by Israeli airstrikes on agricultural land. Additionally, the use of white phosphorus bombs, which the Lebanese Ministry of Environment claims, has increased the amount of phosphorus 900 times above healthy levels, specifically in areas targeted by the Israeli military.

The damage to the land in this area is incredibly poignant, considering that approximately 12 million trees cover the farming land used in the olive oil business and that this farming land makes up almost one-quarter of the country’s total agricultural area.

How the UN is Helping

Under the Regional Refugee Resilience Plan by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the Inter-Agency unit in Lebanon has accomplished significant milestones in assisting the country with absorbing and managing its large displaced population.

Since the beginning of the war, the unit has supported 22,196 small-scale farmers through education and the provision of essential materials to rural and underserved areas. The unit has also been directly providing aid to shelters, dishing out 209,109 daily meals to the inhabitants of Saida and Tyre’s shelters.

While the situation as a whole remains somewhat dire, U.N.-funded organizations and other charitable institutions have been providing immense help to the underprivileged people of Southern Lebanon. However, they are receiving only 13% of their required budget, making lobbying an even more urgent duty to us all.

– Carl Massad

Carl is based in Sarba, Jounieh, Lebanon and focuses on Politics and World News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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UN Initiatives To Address Severe Drought in Zambia

Drought in ZambiaIn February of 2024, the president of Zambia, Hakainde Hichilema, declared a national emergency due to significant drought and widespread hunger. The 2023-2024 rain season, which usually begins in September or October, instead began in January and lasted only one month. Since then, almost no rain has fallen. The United Nations (U.N.) estimates that the drought has destroyed more than two million hectares of crop fields and affects about 9 million people country-wide.

In response to the drought, which is considered Zambia’s worst drought in 20 years, the U.N. allocated $5.5 million in relief funding. In early May of 2024, the U.N.’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) submitted an appeal for another $228 million in funding. This additional aid, if approved, will bolster humanitarian efforts to address the drought in Zambia.

Rainfall and Crop Production

Zambia relies on rainfall for crop production and inconsistent rainfall means a serious lack of food. When subsistence farmers cannot harvest crops to feed their families, their only option is to purchase food. But even the commercial farmers who supply that food are struggling. As food production becomes more constrained, costs skyrocket, leaving millions hungry.

Alternative water collection methods, such as irrigation systems, are expensive and, therefore, not widely used in Zambia. Commercial farmers can sometimes obtain loans, which enable them to install such technology. However, subsistence farmers, without a consistent source of revenue, are often unable to receive such funding. The drought’s impact is felt most strongly among small-scale farmers who cannot water their crops, have no funding to install water technology and have limited means to purchase food.

Hydroelectricity

The drought in Zambia has extensive consequences beyond the food crisis. Zambia relies largely on hydroelectric power for its energy needs; about 80% of its total power is derived from hydroelectric sources. Low water supply has forced Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO), which supplies about 95% of the country’s energy needs, to limit power generation to only eight hours per day.

This widespread energy crisis has far-reaching consequences. According to the World Bank, “lack of reliable electricity severely restricts the country’s potential for improving per capita gross domestic product (GDP) and reducing poverty.” Furthermore, “increasing rural access to modern energy promotes social cohesion and assists the government in economic development initiatives.”

National Government’s Proposed Solutions

Zambia’s legislature has proposed realigning the national budget to allocate more funding toward drought relief. It also offers loans to subsistence farmers to install irrigation technology. For the most vulnerable people who simply have no access to food, Zambia plans to enhance its Social Cash Transfer Program (SCT), which aims to reduce extreme poverty.

To prevent future crises, Zambia plans to diversify its energy mix by adding other renewable sources, such as wind and solar. Relying less heavily on hydroelectric power will help mitigate the effects of future droughts on the nation’s farmers. The Zambian government has been in a debt restructuring process for three years, constraining its ability to give loans and direct cash aid to starving families. Hichilema is calling on the nation’s creditors to expedite the process, stating that “if this process does not close, it’s not just an indictment on Zambia but the global system.”

UN Initiatives

The World Food Programme (WFP), a branch of the United Nations, is working with Zambia to combat the current crisis. Its efforts include distributing food, using boreholes to find clean water and updating the country’s water technology systems. Cindy McCain, the executive director of the WFP, explains that the relief effort must focus on both long-term and short-term goals.

According to McCain, the short-term priority is increasing food availability. In contrast, long-term relief efforts would focus on preventative measures, such as installing irrigation systems and distributing drought-resilient seeds. The crucial first step is securing the additional $228 million in aid requested by OCHA. This funding infusion will greatly help the national government, the U.N. and other nongovernmental organizations meet the needs of the nation’s struggling farmers.

– Maren Fossum-Wernick

Maren is based in St. Paul, MN, USA and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

How Renewable Energy in Jordan Fights Energy Poverty

Jordan has always heavily relied on energy imports, acquiring more than 90% of the energy it consumes. Thus, it is unsurprising that the government has been actively prioritizing energy security as a central objective, with renewable energy playing a crucial role. Due to successful policy, there has been a significant surge in the production and use of renewable energy in Jordan over the past decade. As a result of these advancements, the Jordanian government now has additional tools to address energy poverty within the country. 

A Greener Jordan

Jordan’s initial investment into domestic energy was the National Energy Strategy Plan for 2007 to 2020. This plan sought a $20 billion investment in energy development, with a significant portion allocated to renewable energy projects. This plan led to the construction of many solar and wind farms nationwide. Throughout the 2010s, Jordan’s energy sector steadily incorporated renewables. The proportion of electricity generated by renewables in Jordan grew from 0.7% in 2014 to 13% in 2019. 

The significance of renewable energy in Jordan has only continued to grow. In the government’s updated energy strategy for 2020 to 2030, the Jordanian government aims to increase the share of electricity generated from renewables to 31% by 2030. A target that Jordan is on track to exceed. As of 2022, renewables accounted for 27% of the total electrical energy produced, just 4% off their 2030 target. This trend has led to discussions within the Jordanian government to increase the target to a whopping 50% by 2030. 

Green Initiatives Tackling Energy Poverty 

The success of Jordan’s renewable energy sector has had tangible implications for the country’s quest to tackle energy poverty. Energy poverty has been a continual problem for the country, with studies in 2020 suggesting that 16% of the population qualifies as fuel-poor. This issue has been particularly prevalent in refugee camps in Jordan. In a 2019 United Nations report, the camps were identified as often lacking sufficient, reliable and affordable energy for electricity and heating.

While challenges concerning energy poverty remain, the Jordanian government has been utilizing its growing renewable energy sector to take on this issue. Various initiatives actively introduced assistance to help low-income households cope with energy poverty. For example, the government provided solar heater systems to 30,000 homes across the Kingdom for water heating. 

The Jordanian government also utilized renewable energy to address the energy poverty faced by the students. In 2015, the government launched the Schools Heating Program to provide heating powered by solar energy. In 2021, 134 public schools implemented this program and plans to expand its coverage to include 3,700 public schools.

Looking Forward

While there is still work to do, Jordan is actively using renewable energy to address energy poverty. The substantial growth in the country’s renewable energy sector in recent years gives reason to be optimistic. 

First, the growth signifies the development of the country’s energy security. In the medium to long term, this will increasingly protect the population from the price fluctuations of the international energy market. Furthermore, it creates further opportunities for introducing more initiatives that directly influence energy poverty, such as the ones mentioned previously. 

–Joss Thomas

Photo: Wikimedia

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US Funding Initiative for Fighting Poverty in Puerto Rico

Fighting Poverty in Puerto RicoIn a significant effort to boost economic development and fight poverty in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Department of the Treasury has given the green light to allocate $158 million in federal funds for Puerto Rico under the American Rescue Plan’s Capital Projects Fund. 

This substantial investment has a two-fold focus, with $85.7 million dedicated to broadband infrastructure and $64.7 million allocated to multi-purpose community technology centers. This initiative’s primary objectives include combating poverty and nurturing development within the territory by bridging the digital divide that plagues Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico’s Lack of Connectivity

More than 61,000 homes and small businesses on the island currently lack access to broadband internet. This digital divide has far-reaching consequences, limiting access to critical services such as health care, educational opportunities and employment prospects.

Impacts Across Multiple Sectors

The investment of $85.7 million in broadband infrastructure represents a transformative opportunity for Puerto Rico. This significant funding will connect thousands of households while ushering in a wave of positive changes for the island’s residents.

One of the most notable benefits will be the enhancement of telehealth services. With improved broadband access, residents will have easier and more reliable access to remote medical consultations. This is especially vital for individuals in rural or underserved areas who may struggle with physical access to health care facilities. The statistics suggest a substantial increase in telehealth consultations, ensuring that more Puerto Ricans can receive timely medical care, ultimately leading to better health outcomes.

The investment also opens the door to expanded online education. With faster and more reliable internet connections, students of all ages will have improved access to online courses and educational resources. This is crucial for remote or underserved communities, providing them with opportunities for skill development and academic advancement. The expected rise in online course enrollments is a testament to the potential educational impact.

This infusion of funds will also stimulate remote work opportunities. As Puerto Rico’s digital infrastructure improves, remote job prospects will increase significantly. This is a particularly welcome development, given the flexibility it offers to the workforce. The anticipated growth in remote job opportunities will enable residents to access a broader range of employment options without the need for relocation off-island.

In addition to the broadband infrastructure investment, the allocation of $64.7 million to multi-purpose community technology centers is a game changer. These centers will serve as more than just internet access points; they will become vital community hubs, providing educational resources, training and access to various services. These centers are poised to empower communities by offering essential skill-development programs, digital literacy training and a space for residents to access critical services such as job searches, government assistance programs and more.

The Commitment to Fighting Poverty Globally

This initiative underscores the Biden-Harris Administration’s unwavering commitment to equity and the long-term development of Puerto Rico. Reducing poverty and enhancing economic opportunities represents a significant stride toward creating a more prosperous and interconnected Puerto Rico. In the realm of Congressional politics, several bipartisan bills in the House aim to address global poverty and development. Dedicated representatives who recognize the importance of international cooperation champion these bills.

Multilateral Organizations and Their Role in Fighting Global Poverty

Beyond Congress, big multilateral organizations like the United Nations (UN), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank also play a pivotal role in combating global poverty. Their collaborative efforts with governments worldwide underscore the significance of international partnerships in tackling poverty on a global scale.

The U.S. Treasury’s $158 million initiative for Puerto Rico is a beacon of hope for the island’s residents. By reducing the digital divide, expanding access to vital services and fostering economic growth, it exemplifies the positive impact of strategic investments. Moreover, it aligns with a broader global effort involving both Congress and international organizations, to address poverty and foster development.

– Suhani Bhattad
Photo: Pixabay

Partnerships for Global Poverty Alleviation

Ongoing trends in the fight against poverty highlight the significance of collaborative global initiatives. Governments, international organizations and the corporate sector are working together to tackle the multifaceted challenges associated with poverty. This unified approach enhances the effectiveness of poverty alleviation efforts.

The Borgen Project supports these joint activities as part of its commitment to fighting global poverty through the passage of foreign aid laws.

The following is a deep dive into the relevance of global collaborations, alongside efforts that are helping to alleviate poverty. These partnerships for global poverty alleviation show the potential of collective action in mobilizing resources and skills to address one of our time’s most important concerns.

United Nations Development Program

The United Nations (U.N.) is a key player in global diplomacy, with 193 member states. The public continues to see it as a central hub for addressing various international issues.

To tackle issues like global poverty, the U.N. approved the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), representing the common global commitment to addressing 14 aspects of global poverty, including education, health care and job opportunities.

Present in more than 170 nations and territories, the efforts of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) have been essential to meeting the challenge of the SDGs.

In addition, the Human Development Index (HDI) which gauges a nation’s overall progress using metrics like life expectancy, education and per capita income, was developed largely due to the influence of UNDP. Many nations’ HDI scores have improved as a result of UNDP’s activities.

In 2022, the U.N. conducted an impact assessment of the SDGs through more than 3,000 scientific studies. The findings indicated that the goals had a substantial impact on political discourse, possibly influenced by the efforts of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

SDGs have had a special ability to connect people with a common goal of eradicating global poverty, and the UNDP has been instrumental in this effort, succeeding in mobilizing $3.8 billion in SDG bonds, raising $1.6 billion to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and giving 71 million people access to essential services in 36 countries. These figures indicate why this is one of the most significant partnerships for global poverty alleviation.

World Vision

Founded in 1950, World Vision is a prominent international humanitarian organization dedicated to alleviating poverty. Operating in nearly 100 countries, World Vision focuses on issues such as child well-being, education, health and economic development. Based on 2022 data, World Vision has sponsored 3.2 million children and helped 3 million people gain access to water. 

By quickly responding to emergencies, the organization has been able to “[help] more than 30 million people affected by emergencies,” which ranged from “conflict to cyclones.” World Vision has had a significant influence by changing the lives of vulnerable children and communities, pushing them to pursue a brighter future.

Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA)

Africa is widely recognized for its stunning landscapes and diverse cultures. However, the economic development across the continent lags behind. Among the 46 countries labeled as least developed by the U.N., a significant 33 are from Africa. This poses unique challenges for the region’s progress.

African countries have realized this gap in development and have made admirable progress through several key partnerships. One of these, the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), prioritizes small-scale farmers in order to increase agricultural productivity, develop value chains and improve market access. 

The organization’s motto emphasizes sustainable growth for Africa’s food systems, a commitment it continues working to uphold. So far, the Alliance has attracted more than $140 million in investments, demonstrating its ongoing dedication to this goal.

By investing in large-scale agriculture, AGRA is able to cut potential losses while encouraging local farmers and providing them with upward mobility. This strategy gives underprivileged African communities the tools they need to end the vicious cycle of poverty. 

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance

Vaccines play a crucial role in fighting health-related poverty and preventing diseases such as polio, tetanus, and influenza.

Since 2000, Gavi, in collaboration with organizations like UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO), has prevented more than 17 million disease-related deaths and vaccinated more than 1.8 billion people. More than half of these individuals are children, and they come from 73 different nations. This not only saves lives but also contributes to reducing poverty by boosting economic productivity in these countries.

Looking Ahead

The struggle against worldwide poverty is a multifaceted challenge, intricately woven with the relationships between governments and the private sector. The interconnected dimensions of this issue require collaborative efforts, and the alliances spotlighted so far suggest a significant stride toward making global poverty eradication more attainable for governments and citizens alike.

–Advait K. Mishra

Photo: Wikimedia

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Child Soldiers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Child Soldiers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Belgium colonized the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for 80 years until the country was able to gain its rightful independence in 1960. Belgian rule allowed the use of torture in particular to political opponents, causing instability from the ground up that has stayed with the country even as it became a democratic nation. History has shown how difficult it is for countries to prosper once colonized and the Congo is unfortunately no different. Both internal struggles for power and outside conflicts have hindered the country for decades, and the most vulnerable group is feeling it the worst — children. Child Soldiers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are nothing new, but the country is actively working to change that. One of the largest hurdles facing this issue is the extreme level of poverty in the country, where nearly 80% of citizens survive on less than $2 per day.

Congolese Politics

The DRC has had many instances of political violence, but the 1990s were a turning point. After seizing power in 1965, President Mobutu took control and ruled until he was overthrown in 1997. Former President Laurent Kabila took control and suspended the democratic process before he himself was assassinated a few years later. It was not until 2006 that democratic policies were reinstituted, but the internal conflicts of the past still remain today, including ethnic nationalism and tribalism throughout the region. The DRC is one of the poorest countries in the world. This poverty and constant internal conflict for power leave so many displaced, opening the door for child soldiers to be recruited and taken advantage of. With consistent instability, often the most at-risk groups feel the weight of the tension the most.

Child Soldiers

 Children as young as 6 find themselves routinely recruited to join militia groups, though the most common ages range from 8-16. There are varying positions they are forced to work including spies and messengers. Other child soldiers in the DRC find themselves fighting on the front lines for differing warlords.

 The UN has found militias operating in the DRC have a “staggeringly high number of violations against children.” They prey on children using patriotism as motivation or by taking advantage of the extreme level of poverty in the country. Government forces, who once also implemented child soldiers, have to shoulder some of the blame, as attacks on schools and hospitals have risen as well.

The U.S. Department of State provides a report to explain and understand how child soldiers are being implemented in the DRC while also showing the best estimation of child soldier numbers. The Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report lists the DRC as a Tier 2 country on a 3-tier system. Tier 2 countries are those that have not eliminated trafficking but are making “significant efforts” to do so.

Solutions and Progress

The United States passed a law in 2008 that allows for the withholding of military aid to governments that use children in their armed forces, called the Child Soldiers Prevention Act. At the time, the Congolese government was still using child soldiers, but this act directly changed that. After its passing, the DRC signed a U.N. action plan that made certain guarantees leading to the end of its recruitment and use of child soldiers. Further penalties stem from TIP if a country is listed on Tier 3, which opens the door for U.S. sanctions.

The government of the DRC has taken further action against militia groups that are still involved by showing an increase in trafficking probes and prosecutions once caught. They have also removed children from these armed groups while agreeing with militia commanders on ending child recruitment, getting some to even renounce the practice altogether. That is quite an improvement in a country where this has taken place for decades.

 NGOs are operating in the country, including Mercy Corps, which is finding ways to help the government economically that in turn, help the citizens of the DRC. Mercy Corps is addressing basic needs by piping in clean water and building wash stations. It has also proposed strategies that are designed to tackle poverty by repairing economic relations with other African countries that are facing the same violence. Another path is using the Congo’s massive amount of natural resources, both diamonds and gold and refining them at home. 

There are still thousands of child soldiers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo being used as spies and messengers. There are programs being implemented to bring change in this area, by both the Congolese government and outside NGOs. Further outside help is being provided by foreign countries that have incentive programs to counteract child soldier use. The number of child soldiers is down, but without continued help to alleviate a major cause, extreme poverty, the threat of being forced to fight in armed conflicts will remain. 

– Benett Crim
Photo: Wikimedia Commons

4 Facts About the Forest Peoples Program

The Forest Peoples Program (FPP) is a nonprofit based in the United Kingdom (U.K.) and the Netherlands. The organization focuses on aiding indigenous and forest communities globally. The charity works with these communities to support their livelihoods, which rely on the forest.

According to the Forest Peoples Program, indigenous communities protect more than half of the land but only formally own 10%. The FPP helps the 300 million people living in forests secure their rights. 

Five Facts about the Forest Peoples Program

  1. It aids indigenous communities with self-determination. The United Nations (U.N.) notes that one of its purposes is the “principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples.” Self-determination is the freedom of choice without external input. Regarding indigenous communities, self-determination means they should control their development. This idea includes economic and cultural decisions. In addition, the population should have the right to self-governance concerning local matters.
  2. The Forest Peoples Program works with these communities on a legislative level. The organization works to implement policies in the interest of indigenous people. For example, the FPP issued a 2022 annual report that noted the growth of its Strategic Legal Response Centre. This program allowed indigenous individuals to access legal action to support their land rights.
  3. It strives toward gender equality within indigenous communities. Within its humanitarian work, the Forest Peoples Program aims to create an inclusive environment for indigenous women. This idea includes working with organizations that specifically aid women and generating Gender Workshops. The FPP worked with the Sengwer people in 2016, an indigenous community in western Kenya. The organization advocated against illegal evictions that have been on the rise since 2014. The organization specifically focused on female experiences during these evictions. The report revealed that the evictions impacted women and children more than men.
  4. It supports indigenous-led education. According to the Australian government, in 2018, only 49% of indigenous students recorded more than 90% attendance. This gap reveals how underrepresented indigenous cultures and voices are within educational institutions. However, between 2020 and 2021, the Forest Peoples Program co-founded the Global Network on Indigenous-led Education (ILED). The network grew under a range of organizations that share the goal of supporting holistic education. These organizations, such as the FPP, aimed to combat the marginalization of indigenous people within traditional education structures.
  5. The organization has been reaching milestones since the 1990s. The FPP has been operating for more than 30 years. Since the 1990s, the organization has supported countless developments for indigenous rights. The year 1992 saw the creation of the International Alliance of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples of the Tropical Forests. This group was the first of its kind, allowing indigenous people to use their voices in “international fora and meetings.”

A Look Ahead

More recently, in 2015, the FPP supported the development of the first autonomous indigenous government. The government was in the Wampis nation, located in Peru. As a result, the government integrated 1.3 million hectares of ancestral territory to strengthen the region politically. 

The Forest Peoples Program continues to aid indigenous communities facing poverty. Providing access to legal action gives these communities more stability as they obtain land rights. In addition, the FPP assists indigenous gender equality as women are more dependent on access to land and resources. The organization strengthens indigenous-led education and legislation to preserve indigenous traditions and voices. 

Overall, indigenous representation is crucial in tackling poverty, as the FPP protects indigenous livelihoods and underrepresented communities. 

–Bethany Brown

Photo: Flickr