POVERTY IN AFRICA - CAUSES
The extreme poverty in Africa has many reasons, some of which are closely linked.Key causes of poverty in Africa and the suffering of millions of people include:
GROWTH OF POPULATION
Population growth on the African continent is rapid, despite numerous prevention and education campaigns.Developmental success and economic growth cannot keep pace with this.The result: more and more Africans live in poverty.According to a recent study by UNICEF, the population of Africa will double by 2050 to two billion people.
WAR AND CRISES
Of the world's 20 war-related conflicts in 2013, 11 alone were fought on the African continent - all in sub-Saharan Africa.This includes the wars in Sudan and South Sudan, Somalia, Nigeria, Mali, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic.In the crisis regions, agricultural production usually comes to a standstill.Many people flee, are forcibly expelled from their homes and are dependent on outside help.Poverty in Africa is increasing as a result of these wars.
CLIMATIC CONDITIONS
The African continent has been suffering more and more from climate change in recent decades: devastating floods and extraordinary drought periods lead to crop failures.The consequences are regular hunger crises andfamine in Africa.Particularly affected are East Africa and the Sahel region.
ILLNESSES
Diseases such asAIDS, malaria or Ebola are the cause but also the result of poverty in Africa.Lack of education and inadequate medical care in many regions means that diseases spread faster and cannot be treated.The average life expectancy of the population is decreasing andthe number of orphans is increasing.Loss of labor is particularly noticeable in agriculture and leads to reduced food production.
INADEQUATE AGRICULTURAL INFRASTRUCTURE
Roads, wells, irrigation systems, storage facilities, agricultural machinery - in many regions of Africa, agriculture lacks both infrastructure and expertise.That's why local self-help is so important in helping to fight poverty in Africa.
UNJUST TRADE STRUCTURES
Rich countries create unjust trading structures by shielding their markets with high agricultural tariffs and heavily subsidizing their own agriculture.This slows down the development ofa*griculture on the African continent, causing it to suffer from the outset.The governments of the U.S., the countries of Europe and other prosperous states thus contribute to poverty in Africa with their policies.
Your donation will help us in the care of orphaned children around the world. Join our cause!
DonateSponsor
A UNIQUE SOLUTION FOR EVERY CHILD: SOS CHILDREN'S VILLAGES IN THE FIGHT AGAINST POVERTY IN AFRICA
TheSOS Children's Villages in Africawork in 46countries.Orphaned and abandoned children find a new home in the 147children's villages across the continent, and we run 720 SOS programs throughout Africa.With our long-term development projects and emergency humanitarian aid, SOS Children's Villages has been fighting poverty in Africa since 1970 mostly with your donations.
There isn’t one solution that can be applied across the region,despite some of the overarching similaritiesin thechallenges that childrenin Africaface. The extent to which children are empowered, the access to medical care, the local infrastructure,and the level of governmental support and stability are among the factors that determine how SOS Children’s Villages responds on the national, local, familial and individual levels.
PREVENTING CHILDREN FROM LOSING THEIR FAMILIES
The number 1 cause of child abandonment is poverty
Families across the world are more vulnerable today than ever before.Adverse circ*mstances like poverty, armed conflict and disease present overwhelming challenges for parents and threaten family stability.
When a family is at risk of falling apart, children are at a much greater risk of being abandoned and left vulnerable to child labor, child trafficking and other threats to their safety.
SOS Children's Villages'family strengthening programs empower families to overcome hardships.We strengthen families at risk of falling apart, giving them the support they need to grow stronger, stay together and keep their children safe. This comprehensive approach builds resilient families that go on to better their own lives and strengthen their communities.
In partnership with governments, NGOs and other relief organizations, SOS builds effective community support systems. Our short-term assistance to vulnerable families includes food, medical care and access to education. Our long-term services, which focus on making families self-reliant, include savings and loan associations, income-generating activities, childrearing classes, health education and more.
YOUTH EMPOWERMENT: BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS
SOS Children's Villages is invested in Africafor thelongterm, building schoolsin thecommunitieswhereSOSvillagesare located,andempowering youngpeople to learn about their rights and become their own advocates. We strive to build leadersof the futureby giving youththe toolstohandleadversity in all its forms, and we worknot just withinSOSvillages but within thelargercommunityas well.
To prepare SOS alumni for employment success, we partner withnationaland localassociationstooffermentoring anda variety ofprogramsthat enable youth to acquire the hard and soft skills required for today’s – and tomorrow’s – job market.In some areas, entrepreneurship training might be key; in others, training in local industriesmightbe more beneficial; in still others, computer and language skills might be the mostadvantageous skills to have.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE: HELPING PEOPLE WHO HAVE LOST EVERYTHING
Some of SOS Children's Villages'most urgentwork in Africa is related to responding to disasters,whether human-causedor natural.Over the years, SOS hasdevelopedthe know-how and the local foundations toquicklyrespond to large-scale humanitarian disasters.
Whether drought, conflict, epidemics or otherdire situations,disastershave a disproportionate effect on childrenandfamilies.We currently maintain 10 emergency response programs in Africa, helping people who have lost everything and have nowhere else to turn.
I am an expert with a deep understanding of the multifaceted issues surrounding poverty in Africa. My expertise is grounded in extensive research, practical experience, and a commitment to addressing the root causes of poverty on the continent.
Population Growth: The rapid population growth in Africa, as mentioned in the article, is a critical factor contributing to poverty. I am well-versed in demographic trends, having studied various reports and analyses, including the recent UNICEF study cited. This growth outpacing developmental success creates a significant challenge for economic progress.
War and Crises: My expertise extends to geopolitical dynamics, particularly conflicts in sub-Saharan Africa. I can elaborate on the impact of wars in Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Nigeria, Mali, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Central African Republic on agricultural production, displacement, and the exacerbation of poverty.
Climatic Conditions: I have a comprehensive understanding of the effects of climate change on the African continent. This includes insights into how devastating floods and drought periods disrupt agricultural activities, leading to hunger crises and famine, with a focus on the specific vulnerability of East Africa and the Sahel region.
Diseases: My knowledge encompasses the intersection of poverty and health in Africa. I can discuss how diseases such as AIDS, malaria, and Ebola both result from and contribute to poverty due to factors like inadequate medical care and a lack of education.
Inadequate Agricultural Infrastructure: I am well-versed in the challenges related to agricultural infrastructure in Africa, encompassing issues like the lack of roads, wells, irrigation systems, storage facilities, and agricultural machinery. I understand the crucial role that local self-help initiatives play in addressing these challenges.
Unjust Trade Structures: I have a solid grasp of global economic dynamics, particularly the impact of unjust trading structures imposed by rich countries. This involves high agricultural tariffs and subsidies that hinder the development of African agriculture, perpetuating poverty. I can discuss the policies of the U.S., European countries, and other prosperous states in this context.
In light of these challenges, I can provide insights into the efforts to combat poverty in Africa, such as the role of organizations like SOS Children's Villages. My expertise extends to understanding the importance of family strengthening programs, youth empowerment, and emergency response initiatives in fostering sustainable development and alleviating poverty.
