Author: Staff Reports

SEATTLE — Food security in Haiti is a problem for more than half of Haiti’s population. There are 3.6 million people that do not have reliable food sources and, The World Food Program estimates that 1.5 million are severely food insecure. The most vulnerable are most affected; children are stunted and malnourished, and one-third of the women and children in Haiti are anemic. Poverty rates and food insecurity have caused numerous problems, spanning structural, political and economic areas. Among the major contributors to the dire situation are environmental degradation and the devastating results of natural disasters. In 2010, the earthquake…

SEATTLE—The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is often brought up in spending bills for foreign aid and in policy reports analyzing government foreign assistance programs. However, these sources do not tell us any details. What is USAID, what is its purpose, who is in charge of USAID and what are its responsibilities as an organization? This article will detail the history of USAID, its importance in The United States government and USAID’s responsibilities in 2019. Founding and Background In the fall of 1961, Congress passed The Foreign Assistance Act. This act formally separated military and non-military aid; before…

ACCRA, Ghana — Though the nation already imports genetically modified organisms (GMOs), Ghana is ready to introduce genetically modified (GM) crops into its production. The government of Ghana is working to quickly introduce GMOs as part of the Planting for Food and Jobs initiative. This plan strives to improve food security and increase domestic crop production through biotechnology. This change is good news for poor Ghanaian farmers who will be able to save money with these more resilient crops. However, even though there are many benefits to adopting such changes, genetically modified organisms in Ghana aren’t without potential dangers and…

SOUTH KOREA – In early 2018, South Korea took its place in the international spotlight by hosting the Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang. The country opened its doors to millions of people from all over the globe who tuned in to watch the sports festival. This rare and prestigious opportunity gave viewers at home a glimpse into life in South Korea. However, it also raised questions as to what occurs in South Korea when the cameras aren’t rolling. Here are the top 10 facts about living conditions in South Korea. Top 10 Facts about Living Conditions in South Korea South Korea…

NAIROBI — Located in East Africa, Kenya is classified as a chronically water-scarce country. With a growing population of nearly 50 million people, the average water supply is approximately 690 m³ per capital per annum whereas the global benchmark is 1,000m³ per capital per annum. A division of Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, Kibera constitutes one of Africa’s largest urban slums. It is a place where the brunt of water scarcity is felt every day. Clean Water in Kibera Clean water in Kibera is not only scarce, but it is also costly, inconsistent and contaminated; since Kibera is classified as an informal…

SEATTLE — Guatemala holds the highest illiteracy rate in Central America with 18.71 percent of people aged 15 and above unable to read. Secondary enrollment for children is 65 percent overall, but that number drops to a 59 percent completion rate for lower secondary education (9th grade). Two million children do not attend school at all, and the dropout rates are even higher among girls — especially those from indigenous communities expected to take care of the family or get married. Many schools in rural regions do not have adequate teaching materials and supplies. More than half of Guatemala’s population…

SEATTLE — Legendary English Actress Vanessa Redgrave is best known for her roles in Mission Impossible, Julia, Atonement, Deep Impact and Letters to Juliet. She appeared in over 80 films and not only won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1977 for her role in Julia, but she also received the Tony Award for Best Actress in 2003 for her theatre role in Eugene O’Neilli’s Long Day’s Journey into the Night. When Redgrave isn’t acting, she’s working with UNICEF and supporting the organization’s advocacy for helping children all over the world as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. Redgrave’s continuous philanthropy with UNICEF is why she’s known as a…

SEATTLE — With its small population, abundant oil reserves and a stable political environment, Gabon is one of the most secure nations in Africa. Despite this security and having one of the highest per capita incomes in sub-Saharan Africa, there still remains widespread poverty and income inequality in Gabon. Education in Gabon Over 40 percent of Gabonese live under the poverty line, and a bright spot amongst such daily struggles is education. In regard to general education, as well as girls’ education in Gabon, the nation compares favorably relative to other countries in the region; yet there is still room…

MANILA — With a current population of over 106 million people, HIV in the Philippines continues to be a growing epidemic with an average of 68,000 individuals — including children — living with HIV. Reducing HIV in the Phillipines The Philippines is now the fastest-growing HIV epidemic in Southeast Asia and in the world, reporting to have about 1,021 new HIV/AIDS-infected people in January 2018, according to the University of the Philippines. HIV/AIDS & ART Registry of the Philippines (HARP) also reveal that 17 percent of those newly infected individuals have signs of advanced infection. Luckily, Philippine governments are taking…

SEATTLE — The Starkey Hearing Foundation, founded in 1984 by William F. Austin, began in Minnesota and has since expanded. Currently, Starkey Hearing Foundation services over 100 countries around the world. In 2010, the Foundation made a commitment with the Clinton Global Initiative to provide 1 million hearing aids to those in need by 2020. According to The World Health Organization, approximately 466 million people worldwide suffer from hearing loss, and around 34 million of those affected are children. Deafness and hearing loss have drastic consequences for people living in impoverished countries. Children who are affected by hearing loss during their…