SEATTLE — According to an estimate by the U.N. Refugee Agency (UNHCR), there are more than 65.3 million refugees who have fled from the combined effects of trafficking, slavery, violence and other human rights violations. Among the many assistance programs helping these populations is the provision of water, sanitation,and hygiene (WASH). WASH services for refugees are becoming a primary focus for governments, international organizations and coalitions and nonprofits. Weaknesses in the WASH sector is one of the primary causes of the spread of waterborne diseases and malnutrition among refugees. Despite having good knowledge about sanitation issues, many refugees often find…
Author: Shivani Ekkanath
Shivani Ekkanath
Shivani is an Indian writer for The Borgen Project living in Singapore. Her hobbies are music, dance and writing. She loves reading about current affairs, political relations and other social issues.
MOSCOW — Over the past two years, the state of Russia’s economy has debilitated due to escalating poverty, international sanctions and the drastic decline in oil prices. Russia has also faced heavy polarization since its annexation of Crimea in March 2014. Not only have these events soured geopolitical relations, but they have also contributed to the high volatility of Russian currency, a trade deficit, and a depreciation in purchasing power. The Russian economy plunged into a recession that resulted in a steep decrease in consumption and real incomes of the people. Real wages fell by a record 6.9 percent in…
SEATTLE — Over the past two years, the state of Russia’s economy has declined due to escalating poverty, international sanctions and a drastic decline in oil prices. Russia has also faced backlash since its annexation of Crimea in March 2014. Not only have these events soured geopolitical relations, but they have also contributed to the high volatility of Russian currency, a trade deficit and a depreciation in purchasing power. The Russian economy plunged into a recession that resulted in a steep decrease in consumption and real income. Wages fell by a record 6.9 percent in 2016, and GDP declined 3.7 percent…
BRASILIA — The Paris Climate Accord has brought the debate about climate change to the forefront. With U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent announcement to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement, many countries have only resolved to fight climate change with a renewed vigor. The development of clean energy sources has had ubiquitous benefits across many countries, especially Brazil. Even though Brazil is one of the top energy consumers in the world, more than 85 percent of the electricity generated in the country is renewable. Brazil is one of the leaders in biofuel technology and hydroelectric power, and is…
SOUTH AFRICA — The Trickle Down Effect, the economic phenomenon that causes a gap between the rich and the poor, is causing unsustainable growth in many developing countries with high levels of growth. It often leads to a very disproportionate distribution of income and wealth. Currently, over 1.6 billion individuals around the world suffer from the combined effects of inadequate resources and poor housing in urban areas. Of this figure, over 900 million live in slums. Urban population growth is increasing exponentially across Asian and African countries, and urban slums are a recurring sight in many of the world’s biggest…
ROME — As the refugee crisis now enters its third year, many countries in Europe still continue to reel from its impacts. Refugees in Italy, in particular, are facing insurmountable pressures in the year 2017, with border and resettlement agendas nearly disintegrating. In a recent move, the Italian government declared a controversial code of conduct that calls for a repatriation of refugee and charity boats in the country. Constructed by the Italian government, an informal meeting with the European Justice and Home Affairs Council on July 6th, 2017 first heard the new 11-point draft plan. Many stakeholders, such as aid…
NEW DELHI — In a historic move, after 14 years in the making, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley finally unveiled to the public a new Goods and Services Tax (GST) bill on July 1, 2017. With the motto, “One Nation, One Tax,” India’s GST bill is one of the most comprehensive and momentous tax reforms since the country gained independence in 1947. The new bill will galvanize other market reforms in the economy, significantly widen the tax base and reduce the regressive burden on individuals from poorer socio-economic backgrounds. It will also reform the structural…
JUBA — As the South Sudan Civil War enters its fifth year, the influx of South Sudanese refugees continues to increase. The effects of the conflict, a power struggle between Salva Kir and Riek Machar and the clash between the Dinka and Nuer ethnicities, displaced thousands of individuals. An estimated 50,000 people in the country lost their lives since South Sudan gained independence in 2011. Additionally, nearly 3.5 million individuals fled the country since the beginning of the conflict, with a majority seeking refuge in nearby countries like Nigeria, Cameroon and particularly Uganda. Since July, more than 1.3 million individuals crossed…
SEATTLE — Countries like Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Nigeria, South Sudan, Somalia, Burundi, Libya, Central African Republic and Yemen are embroiled in conflict, imperiling the lives of millions. The spread of diseases in war-torn countries is due to poor sanitation and hygiene, overcrowding, medicine shortages and food insecurity. These countries have endangered millions of lives because it is hard for citizens to receive adequate amounts of safe drinking water and nutritious meals in refugee camps. One child dies every 10 minutes due to preventable diseases. The International Office of Migration recently declared that a rise in the number of individuals in…
SEATTLE — International and local organizations, governments and businesses need to address climate change and poverty reduction, two pertinent global issues. Greenhouse gas emissions, livestock and human activity are some of the major catalysts of today’s climate change. Climate change has caused a fluctuation in weather patterns over the years. A global temperature increase of four degrees Celsius is expected by the end of the century with the current growth curve. These changes are resulting in famines, flooding, pests and diseases. Agriculture and farming practices are gravely impacted, thereby impoverishing farmers. With more globalization and industrialization, there have been many…