Photo of the Week

You are currently browsing the archive for the Photo of the Week category.

The issue of food security has been rapidly growing in importance over the last few years and has played an important role in many political events, such as the uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt. Even back in 2009, Hilary Clinton noted that there had been over sixty food riots in the preceding two years, arguing that ‘massive hunger poses a threat to the stability of governments, societies and borders’.

As the world’s population is tipped to reach 9 billion by 2050, and with food prices estimated to hit the highest point since 1990 , it is incredibly important to figure out how we can feed ourselves sustainably.

But importantly the question isn’t so much, how do we make enough food to feed the world (the Food and Agriculture Organisation estimates there’s enough food produced currently to feed 12 billion people), but rather how to ensure equale access to food, and the land required to produce it. 

A small Congolese child at a refugee camp holds a banana. When this photo was taken, disputes over land and resources were common and it was difficult to get adequate food supplies at refugee camps.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: , , , , ,

A small but important victory was won a few weeks ago, when the Mumbai Patent office rejected Abbot Laboratories’ application for a patent in India on its drug Kaletra. The result of this is that generic versions of the drug can now be sourced in India, making it much more affordable for the countless people suffering HIV.

Kaletra is an anti-viral drug used to increase treatment response for people with HIV. As HIV becomes resistant to older medication used, Kaletra will become vital in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Five million people are now alive because they are taking drugs like Kaletra, although double that amount of people are still in need of it. The cost of treating people in India and Africa will escalate dramatically unless generic versions of drugs such as Kaletra can be used.

Orphaned and vulnerable children living with HIV and AIDS. According to ActionAid estimates, over 20 000 children are infected with HIV each year due to parent to child transmission in India.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: , , ,

The COP 16 talks in Cancún have been quietly proceeding with none of the busy fanfare of that seen in Copenhagen last year. There have been a number of concerns about the talks in Cancún, including the lack of participation from the world’s poor.

According to UN reports, it is the poor who are bearing the brunt of climate change. Failure to reach any type of meaningful agreement will consequently relegate the poorest of the world’s population to a ‘future of dimished opportunity’. Climate change shocks significantly impact upon the 2.6 billion people who live on less than US$2 a day, resulting in an overwhelming decrease in human development.

A man walks through drought stricken land in the village of Chumvi Yare near Gambella , Isiolo District in Northern Kenya. When this photo was taken last September, the area had already been through three years of drought.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: , , , ,

Microcredit loans have taken a beating in the press lately, with reports claiming in India, farmers are committing suicide after facing defaults in their loan repayments. In India, microcredit finance is becoming increasingly privatised and perhaps that is the biggest problem with microcredit loans in that situation.

When microcredit is given with a purpose of making a profit, the loan becomes just another variation of finance given by the private sector.

The Wupuni microcredit group in Tamale, Northern Ghana

Microcredit is an important fiscal source because it is more accessible for the poor, as well as having a focus on women being the main recipients of microcredit. Women are often vulnerable due to lower socio-economic standing in many countries and microcredit provides an avenue of empowerment for women.

ActionAid runs many microcredit programs that are non-proft; so any profits that are made get re-invested or used for other projects. One example is the Wupuni microcredit group in Tamale, Northern Ghana. Twenty two women work together communally, promoting members wellbeing while financially supporting them with small loans. The members are involved in farming, sheabutter and dawadawa processing and petty trading.

ActionAid began supporting the group in 2009 and the scheme has been successful to the extent that ActionAid’s help is no longer required.

Tags: , , , ,

Kola Tree Community School, in Western Area, Sierra Leone is part of ActionAid’s Access to Primary Education project in Sierra Leone.

This type of project is vital in Sierra Leone, which is still facing reconstruction challenges eight years after the civil war ended. Tens of thousands perished in the decade long war which saw as many as ten thousand child soldiers fighting in the conflict.

Kariah (left), Mary (second on left), Zainab (second on right) & Millicent (right) in the kindergarten at Kola Tree Community School

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: , , , ,

Decades of war and poverty created enormous risks for children in Afghanistan who face displacement, destruction of their homes and communities, landmines, hunger and discrimination. Afghanistan sustained decades of war and poverty before the Taliban regime’s overthrow in late 2001.

Children are especially vulnerable. Years of war destroyed schools and social areas, leaving young people with no chance of an education and nowhere safe to play. Many have lost loved ones and have seen terrible crimes. Large numbers in rural areas were intimidated into joining the fighting, while others endured forced servitude to the soldiers, washing their clothes, cleaning compounds, cooking and carrying weapons.

Children take part in a motorcycle workshop as part of a Demobilisation, Disarmament and Rehabilitation program.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: , , ,

Photo of the week: 1GOAL in Uganda

Education is a universal human right and, by unlocking other rights, it is the key that enables people to overcome poverty. This is something that our 1GOAL ambassadors, Alishia and William have learnt more about in Uganda.

Last week, William and Alishia traveled to Uganda to witness firsthand what effect a lack of education is having on young people throughout the developing world.

There are many impediments to gaining an education, which is why helping children access an education is so vital. For example, when the Ugandan government stopped charging fees for primary education, enrolment doubled overnight.

Celebrating their right to go to school, the students of Bufumira Primary school express their happiness in the best way - a dance and just good old fashioned hand clapping! William and Alishia are pictured clapping along.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: , , , , ,

Photo of the week: hungerfree Brazil

As the race for presidency in Brazil heats up, it is important to reflect on the progress in development that Brazil has made, as well as the challenges that lie ahead. For example, statistics show that the percentage of the population living under 144 reais (AUD$1 = 1.6492 BRL) has dropped from just over 30% in 1993 to about half in 2009. Other figures are encouraging too, such as those that show years spent at school have increased, along with average real monthly income.

Of course, figures and statistics cannot always be trusted to tell the whole story. Brazil has had to deal with a number of problems related to poverty, crime and lack of access to basic facilities, especially in rural areas. Compounded with natural disasters such as the floods in June, Brazil has had its share of problems.

ActionAid started work in Brazil in 1999 and is now working with over 10,000 people in urban and rural areas. One example of this is Maria, in northern Brazil.

Maria do Socorro da Silva works with 11 other relatives on communal land as part of a Food Acquisition Program. Photo: Helder Tavares/ActionAid

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: , , , ,

Photo of the week: behind the glitz of the games

The lead up to the Commonwealth games has been fraught with criticism and speculation. The remarkable opening ceremony of the Delhi games temporarily silenced critics about the organisation of the event.

But critics are still unconvinced about the need to spend so much money on an event that is unlikely to bring any benefits to those that need it the most. Some commentators have pointed that the money could have been spent on addressing poverty and education in India, a country where millions live below the poverty line.

Millions of children in India live below the poverty line. Rupali (pictured) lives with her family in a slum in North-East Mumbai, India.

In the lead up to the games, some authorities were criticised for moving and “hiding” beggars in Delhi. According to experts, nearly half of the 100 000 street children living in Delhi beg for a living.

While we should celebrate India’s chance to shine on the world stage, we also need to remain focused on what needs to be done in eliminating poverty. ActionAid has been running numerous programs in India, ranging from women’s empowerment programs to assisting homeless children.

But what can you do about eliminating poverty? Giving the poor a voice is extremely important and can help with delivering effective aid. You can raise awareness of these issues and lobby your local MP for increasing Australia’s aid budget. Even small actions like purchasing ethically sourced products can help.

Tags: , , , ,

Photo of the week: focusing on maternal health

The Millennium Development Goals Summit came to a close last week, and it is important to re-assess how we can improve upon progress made so far. One particular area that needs greater focus is MDG 5, which looks to improve maternal health.

The sad truth is that most maternal deaths could have been avoided if there had been skilled care available. More than half a million women die each year in pregnancy and childbirth.

Increasing investment in the health of women and children is necessary because women and children are vital to development.

Lei Bann, with her twins at the floating maternal health centre in Lan Longraing, Pursat Province, Cambodia

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: , , ,

« Older entries § Newer entries »

Get Adobe Flash playerPlugin by wpburn.com wordpress themes