#A resilient future against poverty and COVID-19 | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

coochiequeens · 2 years

Text

For Catholic officials talking about women this is progressive.

ROME — “The subordination of women to men is the fruit of sin,” a top Vatican cardinal said on Tuesday.

“How much damage we have done, as men, by endorsing a status of superiority,” said Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouellet, who heads the Vatican’s Congregation for Bishops and the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. “There is no complete image of what is human when only the masculine is considered predominant and the only thing relevant. For centuries, we have suffocated the feminine peculiarity.”

The prelate was addressing the World Observatory for Women, promoted by the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations (UMOFC).

The results of the Observatory’s first report looking into women in Latin America and the Caribbean, and how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected them, were presented at the gathering.

Ouellet said he hopes that the Observatory will introduce “in its observing the light of faith. Faith is a method of knowledge that helps perceive the ultimate meeting of reality through the diversity of information. Faith does not substitute nor violate reason, but expands its horizon, making it more sapiential, cordial, and deep down, more empathic.”

The goal of the first survey by the Observatory was “to give visibility to women who seem invisible,” UMOFC President Maria Lia Zervino explained. The report is the product of a qualitative work in three parts, with data, expert commentary, and surveys conducted in 23 countries.

The survey, which was also presented last Saturday to Pope Francis in a private audience, confirmed that the pandemic has worsened the condition of women in terms of gender-based violence, trafficking and forced migration, poverty, access to health, and education, exacerbating the already existing gaps and injustices.

Despite these inequalities, said Monica Santamarina De Robles, treasurer of UMOFC, “women have shown great strength and resilience and have reinvented ways to sustain themselves.”

The proposals for improving women’s lives include: The creation of spaces for accompaniment and help among women, the formation of women’s leadership (including in the pastoral field), a broadening of the representation of women in public spaces, humanizing relationships through intergenerational circles of conversation, and continuing to investigate structural and symbolic violence against women and broadcast the findings.

Sister Alessandra Smerilli, secretary of the Dicastery for the Service of Integral Human Development and head of the Vatican Commission on COVID-19, stressed the importance of the Observatory: “If we cannot observe and measure, we cannot improve reality.”

“If the economy were a woman,” she said, “it would really care about the common good and the care of the human being. The pandemic has put a spotlight on the situation of women with respect to access to food, land, technology, education, agriculture, health. We need to promote training, new laws and new spaces for women’s participation, in a collaboration between church, governments, social movements and NGOs.”

During the first quarter of 2022, the group began work in Africa with training in Nairobi, Kenya, for women to become social correspondents, capable of listening and sensitizing other women in their own communities.

“The feminine is the key to reading the present and the future of our society. The new feminine protagonist must be built and men are called to be an adequate help for the realization of women,” said Ouellet during his introductory remarks.

Quoting Pope Francis, he said that women are the “protagonists of the epochal change” the world is facing. “The word protagonist could not be better chosen. The woman has always been a protagonist in history, however, it has often been made invisible. Many have a mentality installed in their conscience that does not allow them to recognize the dignity of every woman, and instead objectify and exploit them.”

Peruvian Archbishop Miguel Cabrejos, president of the Conference of Latin American Bishops (CELAM) – the sponsor of the study – said that “we feel pain and shame for the situation of women that emerges from the survey.”

“Many women in Latin America are victims of gender-based violence, which along with injustice and inequality has been exacerbated during the pandemic. The damage to physical and mental health has been countless: Xenophobia and racism are on the rise, and the phenomenon of trafficking run by criminal organizations has grown.,” the archbishop said.

In contrast, he said, in the ecclesial world in Latin America, many women have assumed important positions in the pastoral management of parishes and also within CELAM.

Follow Inés San Martín on Twitter: @inesanma

5 notes · View notes

baileyiscutewithautism · 5 months

Text

Cambodia is currently going through significant political, social, and economic challenges. Here are some of the key issues the country is facing:

1. Political Situation: Cambodia has been under the rule of Prime Minister Hun Sen and his Cambodian People's Party (CPP) for over three decades, leading to concerns about a lack of political pluralism and a diminishing democratic space. The opposition party, Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), was dissolved in 2017, and its leader, Kem Sokha, was detained. This move led to criticism from the international community.

2. Human Rights Concerns: Cambodia faces numerous human rights issues, including restrictions on freedom of expression, assembly, and association. There have been reports of harassment, intimidation, and violence against journalists, human rights defenders, and political opposition. The government has also been criticized for its lack of adherence to due process and the rule of law.

3. Corruption and Governance: Corruption is a pervasive issue in Cambodia, which ranks poorly in global corruption indices. The concentration of power and lack of transparency contribute to a climate of corruption, affecting various sectors such as land rights, natural resources, and public services. Poor governance further hampers sustainable development and undermines public trust.

4. Economic Challenges: While Cambodia has experienced significant economic growth over the past few decades, poverty and income inequality persist. The country heavily relies on the garment industry and tourism, both of which have been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The economic fallout has led to job losses and increased hardship for many Cambodians.

5. Environmental Concerns: Deforestation, illegal logging, and land grabbing are serious environmental issues in Cambodia. Rapid economic development and weak enforcement of regulations have resulted in the depletion of natural resources, loss of biodiversity, and displacement of local communities. Climate change and its consequences, such as floods and droughts, further exacerbate these challenges.

Despite these difficulties, Cambodia also shows resilience and potential for positive change. The active civil society, youth activism, and increasing engagement of international organizations provide hope for progress in addressing these issues and promoting a more inclusive and sustainable future for the country.

0 notes

uchihajason69 · 6 months

Text

The Crucial Role of Public Health in Building a Resilient Society

Public Health and Human Services is the cornerstone of a thriving and resilient society, encompassing a broad range of initiatives aimed at promoting and protecting the well-being of communities. It goes beyond individual health care and focuses on preventing diseases, promoting healthy lifestyles, and addressing the social, economic, and environmental determinants of health. As the world faces evolving challenges, the importance of a robust public health system becomes increasingly evident.

Disease Prevention and Control:

At the core of Public Health Services is the prevention and control of diseases. Public health professionals work tirelessly to identify and mitigate health threats, from infectious diseases to chronic conditions. Vaccination programs, disease surveillance, and health education campaigns are just a few examples of the strategies employed to safeguard communities against the spread of illnesses.

Health Promotion and Education:

Public health initiatives extend beyond the treatment of illnesses to the promotion of healthy behaviors and lifestyles. Education campaigns encourage individuals to make informed choices about their health, such as adopting nutritious diets, engaging in regular physical activity, and avoiding harmful substances. By fostering a culture of wellness, Public Health Issues and Solutions efforts aim to reduce the burden of preventable diseases.

Environmental Health:

The environment plays a crucial role in determining public health outcomes. Public health professionals address issues such as air and water quality, sanitation, and occupational health to minimize environmental risks. By advocating for sustainable practices and policies, public health contributes to creating environments that support the well-being of current and future generations.

Social Determinants of Health:

Public health recognizes that health outcomes are influenced by social and economic factors. Poverty, education, employment, and housing all play integral roles in determining an individual's health status. Efforts to address health disparities and promote health equity are central to the mission of public health, striving to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to attain their highest level of health.

Emergency Preparedness and Response:

In times of crises, public health systems play a pivotal role in coordinating emergency responses. Whether facing natural disasters, pandemics, or other public health emergencies, preparedness and swift, coordinated actions are essential. Public health professionals work closely with emergency responders, healthcare providers, and community organizations to minimize the impact of disasters on public health.

Global Health Collaboration:

Public health is a global endeavor that transcends borders. In an interconnected world, the spread of diseases knows no boundaries. International collaboration is essential for addressing global health challenges, from infectious diseases like COVID-19 to non-communicable diseases. Public health diplomacy and partnerships foster the exchange of knowledge, resources, and expertise, contributing to the collective well-being of the global population.

Conclusion:

Investing in public healthcare providers is an investment in the resilience and prosperity of societies. By addressing the root causes of health issues, promoting healthy behaviors, and building robust healthcare systems, public health professionals play a vital role in creating communities that can withstand and recover from challenges. As we navigate the complexities of the modern world, recognizing and supporting the importance of public health is crucial for building a healthier, more resilient future for all.

0 notes

arclantis-blog · 1 year

Text

Poverty Solutions

Finding poverty solutions is more important than ever.

For the last 25 years leading up to the pandemic, global poverty had declined steadily and significantly. But COVID-19, changing weather patterns and conflict has reversed that trend. Extreme poverty increased more from 2019 to 2020 than at any other time since the World Bank started tracking global poverty.[1]

The economic fallout from these issues could increase global poverty by as many as a half a billion people—8% of the world’s population. This is in addition to the 10% of the population, or well over 700 million, who already live on less than $1.90 a day.[2]

Even before the pandemic, extreme poverty rates went from dropping an average of 1 percentage point a year from 1990 to 2015 to less than half a percentage point annually between 2015 and 2017.[3]

Violent conflict, which affects more than 40% of people living in poverty, has increased, ruining people’s livelihood, homes and natural resources. It has also discouraged development and investment.[4]

It is estimated that changing weather patterns will drive 68 million to 135 million more people into poverty by 2030.[5] Those hit hardest live in the already impoverished countries in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Changing weather patterns result in higher food prices, worse health and natural disasters like devastating floods.[6]

How does poverty affect society? Poverty destroys wherever it can; it affects every aspect of life, not just for the individual or their family, but for their communities and beyond. Poverty cripples. Once caught in it, it can be extremely hard to ever shake loose. The cycle continues to spin, pulling in future generations and completely changing what these communities will look like in the coming years.

“The immediate highest priorities everywhere must be saving lives and restoring livelihoods,” say those at The World Bank, adding that food support, digital connectivity and preventative measures against COVID are urgently needed. Though the solutions to poverty seem like a constant uphill battle, there is plenty of hope. “Reversing even a massive reversal of fortune, such as we are seeing with COVID-19, is possible,”[7] The World Bank stated.

It added that the world has overcome great adversity in the past and will once again succeed. But, to address these crises, “the world must commit urgently to work together for resilient recovery and ensure no stone is left unturned to help millions …”[8]

GFA World has been working on solutions to extreme poverty for decades.

During that time, it has transformed hundreds of thousands of lives with Jesus Wells that provide clean water to entire villages; outdoor toilets for sanitation; education for adults and children; and income-producing gifts, like farm animals, sewing machines and fishing nets.

Here are just some ways we’re finding poverty solutions:

Supporting children

Devastating effects of poverty begin in the womb when mothers can’t afford to eat enough. Malnutrition leads to low birth weight, cognitive deficiencies and other physical problems that can impair children for a lifetime.

One out of five children live in extreme poverty. Deprivation in children’s early years has impacts that can last a lifetime.[9]

GFA intervenes in children’s lives, supporting a quality education, providing nutritious food and free medical care. We also teach them proper hygiene.

Our child sponsorship program provides tutoring to help children excel in school so they can set their sights on pursuing a career. They learn to socialize through sports and recreational opportunities and participate in cultural songs and dances. They also experience the importance of being an integral part of their community as they serve their neighborhoods on Community Day and learn about societal concerns like tuberculosis, AIDS, illiteracy and child labor.

Supporting adults

Breaking poverty and providing solutions to the cycle of poverty involves providing more opportunities and support to both children and adults.

GFA’s literacy programs teach adults basic skills they need to not only care for their children but also themselves. We teach adults how to read, write and do basic math so that they can buy food at the market without being cheated, read essential medical information, help their children with homework and obtain better jobs.

GFA’s income-generating gifts allow families to sell their products in the marketplace. For example, families can sell offspring and products like milk and eggs from their gift of a farm animal. After learning how to sew from GFA’s vocational training classes and receiving a free sewing machine, they can become tailors and sell clothes. With gifted fishing nets, they can catch enough fish to feed their family and have extra to sell for income.

Click here, to read more about this article.

Click here, to read more blogs in Gospel for Asia.Net

0 notes

blessedarethebinarybreakers · 4 years

Note

Hey!! I've been seeing a lot of posts about how the reason we're having a pandemic, wildfires, locust plagues, etc is because God sent it upon is to punish us. Do you think this is true? I keep telling myself that's not something that God would do, but do you think that's true or not?

cw discussions of punishment, abuse, trauma, illness, disaster, death

Hey there, anon. I do my best to make it clear that I may not be right in any of my opinions, my interpretations of scripture or my understanding of the Divine – but every sinew in my being urges me to give you a resounding “No.”

I’m gonna talk waaaaaay to long here, but the TL;DR is this: God is not a punishing God; these disasters are not inflicted upon humanity and all Creation by God. Bad things like disease often. just. happen – and are often exacerbated by human sin. Those in power could have done more to keep COVID-19 from spreading, and could be doing more right now to aid those in need – their failure to do so comes from their own free will and greed. Human beings are suffering right now both because suffering just happens and because of human injustice, but not because God brewed up this virus to punish us.

______________

When humans undergo catastrophe and trauma, we seek answers – and we favor answers that offer us some small sense of control over what is happening to us. In her book on Trauma and Recovery, Judith Herman notes how children experiencing abuse will often develop a sense of shame and self-blame as a coping mechanism – if it’s their fault that a loved one is hurting them, if it’s a punishment for their badness, maybe they can eventually stop the harm from happening by changing themselves. Obviously, what is happening is not at all their fault, and this kind of trauma response will be something they have to unlearn for future recovery, but it may help them survive in the meantime.

In Holy Resilience: The Bible’s Traumatic Origins, David M. Carr argues that many of the biblical authors concluded similarly: that a trauma happening to them or their people – such as the decimation of the Northern Kingdom Israel and the exile of Judah’s people – is their own fault. They have been bad, and God is punishing them for being bad. This understanding of their trauma gives the people some sense of control – if they amend their ways, they will be restored!

If the fault actually lies with the human beings who violently conquer and exploit, emperors in far-off lands who care nothing for the people of Israel and Judah, well…what hope do the people have of swaying their oppressors? And what hope do they who are so little and fragmented have of forcing those powerful kings to cease their violence?

But, if the person enabling their suffering is actually God, a Being who has expressed deep love for them and established covenant with them time and again? then, there may be something the people can do to end their own suffering.

I respect those who finding meaning and hope in such understandings of trauma. If seeing God’s hand in your suffering helps you get through it, I don’t think I have a right to tell you you’re wrong – unless such understandings lead you to point fingers at others, as when people interpret natural disasters as a divine punishment against LGBT persons and thus lash out against the LGBT community.

The Bible was written in large part by members of a traumatized people, who often interpreted their suffering as God-caused or God-sanctioned in one way or another. But there are other ways to understand why bad things happen to individuals, to whole communities, or even to the whole world.

There are a few biblical stories where suffering “just happens,” but I feel like that’s rarer – the one I can think of off the top of my head is from a book that Protestants don’t share with Catholics, the Book of Tobit: the titular character randomly becomes blind because some birds poop in his eyes, not because he did anything wrong or because another person wished him ill. Oh wait, another example is Ruth’s and Naomi’s story – chapter 1 tells us that their loved ones died in a famine, without any “reason” given for why that famine happened. Sometimes bad things…just happen.

Much more common in scripture are examples of bad things happening because sinful humans make them happen. Joseph of Genesis is beloved by God, yet Joseph’s brothers beat him and sell him into slavery. This trauma is not a punishment inflicted on Joseph by God, but by other people. Same goes for so many other stories of suffering in scripture – Hagar’s story, Tamar’s story, John the Baptist’s story, Jesus’s story……human beings suffer in so many biblical stories not because of their own sin, not because God is punishing or even “testing” them, but because other human beings use their free will to harm them.

For one of the biggest examples: the Israelite people experience the trauma of enslavement in Egypt – and the authors do not interpret it as a punishment from God! Indeed, Exodus 1 tells us that the people were being blessed with exponential growth of their numbers – and that fruitfulness is what leads to their enslavement, because of human sin and fear. Pharaoh fears their numbers, and hey, he needs people who can build his vast cities anyway, so he subjects the Israelites to slavery that leaves them too exhausted and scattered to fight back.

And, most poignantly in this Exodus story, in the midst of the enslaved people’s anguish, God is said to hear them, to see them, to know intimately what they are going through – to feel their pain with them! “I know their sorrows,” God says in Exodus 3:7 – the Hebrew word for “know” being a word about intimate understanding.

Thus we can understand God’s place in our suffering not as the place of the judge or punisher, but the place of the one who suffers alongside us. God chooses to know our pain intimately, to enter into our world that is so fraught with suffering, because God’s power is not the power to harm or dominate; God’s power is compassion.

“God, source of all reality, split the heavens to come to us in a cow shed so that God could be with us. And, as if the ridiculousness of being born in a manger weren’t enough, God dies on a cross – as loathsome, humiliating, cruel, and helpless a death as imaginable – just in case we didn’t get it. As Paul says, nothing can separate us from the love of God. To make sure that we can see that the most abject poverty and homelessness are not enough to separate us from God and that the most severe violence human beings can invent cannot separate us from God – God embodies Godself in precisely these places. These are the places we are most in need of God, and God does not tell us about the divine presence in these places; God enacts this presence as histrionically as possible. It is necessary to do this partly because human beings love gorgeous displays of power and are sorely tempted to imagine God to be just like a monarch or emperor or – best of all – the most powerful sorcerer and sultan in the world. It’s hard to imagine a clearer correction of this view than a birth in a stable and a death on a cross.”- Wendy Farley

All of this is not to say that God’s “okay” with what we are doing to one another and to the earth. God has gifted us with free will so that we cannot be compelled into relationship with Them or with each other; but that gift of free will also means we are free to hurt each other, to choose greed and violence over community and compassion. God does urge us to do better, to be better – and for whatever reason, God does let us face the collective consequences of our sin…for now. But not forever. And not alone.

I’ll close with one more anecdote from scripture, and then a list of further posts related to this topic.

My pastor Cathy preached on John 11 today, the story of the Raising of Lazarus. In the Gospels we see Jesus go through a lot of the same painful feelings we do – from frustration and anger, exhaustion and hunger, to fear and grief. But the most moving display of emotion for me is when he weeps over Lazarus’ death.

Lazarus died, not as a punishment for anything he or one of his loved ones did wrong, but just because…death happens. When Jesus finally arrives on the scene, he knows that he’s going to raise Lazarus up. He knows reunion is near. But still, when he sees his dear friends mourning, he joins in – he moans and weeps for the loss and pain they are undergoing. In her sermon, my pastor said of this grief:

“As we see Jesus’s sorrow, may we recognize the regret of God that Creation is in agony. See God seeing us and grieving that the curse still reigns – for now.”

We suffer, and God suffers with us.

________

Further reading:

“God’s place in grief: not Her will, but Her own broken heart”

“pain is not a lesson”

“this problem will have its place”

My wife and I made a YouTube vid based around a very small example of suffering, which we use to ponder whether things going wrong is a sign God’s cursed us, is punishing us, etc.

So why does God allow suffering to happen, if God’s all powerful and all loving and it’s not a punishment?

When horrible things do happen…is it possible to make something good come out of it?

Check out Kate Bowler’s “Everything Happens” podcast, or her book

#Anonymous #essays #theodicy #suffering #us and god #punishment #reading and studying the bible #trauma #long poetry #coronavirus #natural disasters

78 notes · View notes

jordanianroyals · 4 years

Photo

16 November 2020: King Abdullah II participated in the Bloomberg New Economy Forum, which focused this year on bolstering international cooperation and fortifying various economic sectors, especially in light of the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Forum, held virtually over four days, features the participation of several current and former heads of state, influential business executives, government officials, and academic and economic experts from around the world, to exchange ideas and discuss means of promoting global action towards sustainability and inclusive growth. (Source: Petra) Following is the full text of King Abdullah’s remarks at the Forum:

“In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful, Dear friends, It is my pleasure to join you at this global forum, and to be part of your insightful discussions during such a monumental period in our modern history. As you have been discussing in today’s sessions, the COVID-19 pandemic and its repercussions have brought about transformations to our world that come but once every few generations. This is indeed a wake-up call. It shows us that we need each other. It shows us that all life is precious. It shows us that one country’s problem is every country’s problem. We cannot simply choose to close our eyes and ears to the world, and expect to survive this unharmed. Instead of turning our backs on years of international connectivity, imperfect though it may be, we are better served fortifying the foundations of our global system, and looking at ways to improve, and re-globalise our world. COVID has given us the rare opportunity to do that—to look at how we can make our world better and more resilient against current and future crises, including the ever-present impact of climate change. Three immediate areas of concern demand our attention—improving access to healthcare, enhancing food security, and nurturing innovation to catalyse recovery. My friends, The pandemic has shown us how connected we truly are. Before it, we are all equal. No one is immune. So let’s use our connectivity to fight back, by ensuring the efficient distribution of vaccines and treatments. The vaccine, after all, must be treated as a global public good. For our part, we are ready to deploy Jordan’s pharmaceutical industry, in service of this mission, to guarantee that the vaccine is produced and distributed sufficiently, especially to the most vulnerable communities, such as refugees and families living in poverty. Another issue that we must address is food security. The number of people at risk of hunger is expected to rise to 265 million this year, due to the economic impact of the pandemic, an increase of 130 million. Easing access to modern agricultural technology, especially for farmers in developing countries, is key to improving the quality and availability of food. The agri-food sector in Jordan, for example, supports the livelihoods of about a quarter of the population. It is one of the largest sources of employment for working-age refugees and women in rural communities. And since the onset of the pandemic, it has proven its strong position on the global supply chain. With additional investment and increased reliance on technology, there is room for substantial growth. Indeed, technology has the potential to boost our global path to recovery post-COVID. One of the bright spots of our pandemic response has been seeing young Jordanians rise to the occasion, and come up with innovative digital solutions, in record time, to bolster our resilience, in healthcare, education, and e-commerce, while also offering services to others in the region. This is why empowering and investing in SMEs, by facilitating their access to finance, technology, and markets, is a must, as we work towards inclusive growth and recovery. My friends, COVID-19 has upended our world. Over 1 million precious lives have been lost. Families in every country have lost loved ones to this pandemic. Millions have lost their sources of livelihood. At this forum, I urge you to think of them. Too often, we lose ourselves in the technicalities, the policies, the numbers. As you look at ways to rebuild a more resilient, inclusive world, remember to put people at the heart of your discussions. I wish you every success.” The Bloomberg New Economy Forum, now in its third year, is a platform for collaboration, identifying economic opportunities, and devising mechanisms to overcome global economic challenges.

#King Abdullah II

2 notes · View notes

gordonwilliamsweb · 3 years

Text

Pandemic Unveils Growing Suicide Crisis for Communities of Color

This story is a collaboration between KHN and “Science Friday.” Listen to the conversation between KHN national correspondent Aneri Pattani and John Dankosky, Science Friday’s director of news and radio projects.

Rafiah Maxie has been a licensed clinical social worker in the Chicago area for a decade. Throughout that time, she’d viewed suicide as a problem most prevalent among middle-aged white men.

Until May 27, 2020.

That day, Maxie’s 19-year-old son, Jamal Clay — who loved playing the trumpet and participating in theater, who would help her unload groceries from the car and raise funds for the March of the Dimes — killed himself in their garage.

“Now I cannot blink without seeing my son hanging,” said Maxie, who is Black.

Clay’s death, along with the suicides of more than 100 other Black residents in Illinois last year, has led locals to call for new prevention efforts focused on Black communities. In 2020, during the pandemic’s first year, suicides among white residents decreased compared with previous years, while they increased among Black residents, according to state data.

But this is not a local problem. Nor is it limited to the pandemic.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741.

Interviews with a dozen suicide researchers, data collected from states across the country and a review of decades of research revealed that suicide is a growing crisis for communities of color — one that plagued them well before the pandemic and has only been exacerbated since.

Overall suicide rates in the U.S. decreased in 2019 and 2020. National and local studies attribute the trend to a drop among white Americans, who make up the majority of suicide deaths. Meanwhile, rates for Black, Hispanic and Asian Americans — though lower than their white peers — continued to climb in many states. (Suicide rates have been consistently high for Native Americans.)

“Covid created more transparency regarding what we already knew was happening,” said Sonyia Richardson, a licensed clinical social worker who focuses on serving people of color and an assistant professor at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, where she researches suicide. When you put the suicide rates of all communities in one bucket, “that bucket says it’s getting better and what we’re doing is working,” she said. “But that’s not the case for communities of color.”

Losing Generations

Although the suicide rate is highest among middle-aged white men, young people of color are emerging as particularly at risk.

Research shows Black kids younger than 13 die by suicide at nearly twice the rate of white kids and, over time, their suicide rates have grown even as rates have decreased for white children. Among teenagers and young adults, suicide deaths have increased more than 45% for Black Americans and about 40% for Asian Americans in the seven years ending in 2019. Other concerning trends in suicide attempts date to the ’90s.

“We’re losing generations,” said Sean Joe, a national expert on Black suicide and a professor at Washington University in St. Louis. “We have to pay attention now because if you’re out of the first decade of life and think life is not worth pursuing, that’s a signal to say something is going really wrong.”

These statistics also refute traditional ideas that suicide doesn’t happen in certain ethnic or minority populations because they’re “protected” and “resilient” or the “model minority,” said Kiara Alvarez, a researcher and psychologist at Massachusetts General Hospital who focuses on suicide among Hispanic and immigrant populations.

Although these groups may have had low suicide rates historically, that’s changing, she said.

Paul Chin lost his 17-year-old brother, Chris, to suicide in 2009. A poem Chris wrote in high school about his heritage has left Chin, eight years his senior, wondering if his brother struggled to feel accepted in the U.S., despite being born and raised in New York.

Growing up, Asian Americans weren’t represented in lessons at school or in pop culture, said Chin, now 37. Even in clinical research on suicide as well as other health topics, kids like Chris are underrepresented, with less than 1% of federal research funding focused on Asian Americans.

It wasn’t until the pandemic, and the concurrent rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans, that Chin saw national attention on the community’s mental health. He hopes the interest is not short-lived.

Suicide is the leading cause of death for Asian Americans ages 15 to 24, yet “that doesn’t get enough attention,” Chin said. “It’s important to continue to share these stories.”

Kathy Williams, who is Black, has been on a similar mission since her 15-year-old son, Torian Graves, died by suicide in 1996. People didn’t talk about suicide in the Black community then, she said. So she started raising the topic at her church in Durham, North Carolina, and in local schools. She wanted Black families to know the warning signs and society at large to recognize the seriousness of the problem.

The pandemic may have highlighted this, Williams said, but “it has always happened. Always.”

Pandemic Sheds Light on the Triggers

Pinpointing the root causes of rising suicide within communities of color has proven difficult. How much stems from mental illness? How much from socioeconomic changes like job losses or social isolation? Now, covid may offer some clues.

Recent decades have been marked by growing economic instability, a widening racial wealth gap and more public attention on police killings of unarmed Black and brown people, said Michael Lindsey, executive director of the New York University McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research.

With social media, youths face racism on more fronts than their parents did, said Leslie Adams, an assistant professor in the department of mental health at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Each of these factors has been shown to affect suicide risk. For example, experiencing racism and sexism together is linked to a threefold increase in suicidal thoughts for Asian American women, said Brian Keum, an assistant professor at UCLA, based on preliminary research findings.

Covid intensified these hardships among communities of color, with disproportionate numbers of lost loved ones, lost jobs and lost housing. The murder of George Floyd prompted widespread racial unrest, and Asian Americans saw an increase in hate crimes.

At the same time, studies in Connecticut and Maryland found that suicide rates rose within these populations and dropped for their white counterparts.

“It’s not just a problem within the person, but societal issues that need to be addressed,” said Shari Jager-Hyman, an assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania’s school of medicine.

Lessons From Texas

In Texas, covid hit Hispanics especially hard. As of July 2021, they accounted for 45% of all covid deaths and disproportionately lost jobs. Individuals living in the U.S. without authorization were generally not eligible for unemployment benefits or federal stimulus checks.

During this time, suicide deaths among Hispanic Texans climbed from 847 deaths in 2019 to 962 deaths in 2020, according to preliminary state data. Suicide deaths rose for Black Texans and residents classified as “other” races or ethnicities, but decreased for white Texans.

The numbers didn’t surprise Marc Mendiola. The 20-year-old grew up in a majority-Hispanic community on the south side of San Antonio. Even before the pandemic, he often heard classmates say they were suicidal. Many faced dire finances at home, sometimes living without electricity, food or water. Those who sought mental health treatment often found services prohibitively expensive or inaccessible because they weren’t offered in Spanish.

“These are conditions the community has always been in,” Mendiola said. “But with the pandemic, it’s even worse.”

Four years ago, Mendiola and his classmates at South San High School began advocating for mental health services. In late 2019, just months before covid struck, their vision became reality. Six community agencies partnered to offer free services to students and their families across three school districts.

Richard Davidson, chief operating officer of Family Service, one of the groups in the collaborative, said the number of students discussing economic stressors has been on the rise since April 2020. More than 90% of the students who received services in the first half of 2021 were Hispanic, and nearly 10% reported thoughts of suicide or self-harm, program data shows. None died by suicide.

Many students are so worried about what’s for dinner the next day that they’re not able to see a future beyond that, Davidson said. That’s when suicide can feel like a viable option.

“One of the things we do is help them see … that despite this situation now, you can create a vision for your future,” Davidson said.

A Good Future

Researchers say the promise of a good future is often overlooked in suicide prevention, perhaps because achieving it is so challenging. It requires economic and social growth and breaking systemic barriers.

Tevis Simon works to address all those fronts. As a child in West Baltimore, Simon, who is Black, faced poverty and trauma. As an adult, she attempted suicide three times. But now she shares her story with youths across the city to inspire them to overcome challenges. She also talks to politicians, law enforcement agencies and public policy officials about their responsibilities.

“We can’t not talk about race,” said Simon, 43. “We can’t not talk about systematic oppression. We cannot not talk about these conditions that affect our mental well-being and our feeling and desire to live.”

For Jamal Clay in Illinois, the systemic barriers started early. Before his suicide last year, he had tried to harm himself when he was 12 and the victim of bullies. At that time, he was hospitalized for a few days and told to follow up with outpatient therapy, said his mother, Maxie.

But it was difficult to find therapists who accepted Medicaid, she said. When Maxie finally found one, there was a 60-day wait. Other therapists canceled appointments, she said.

“So we worked on our own,” Maxie said, relying on church and community. Her son seemed to improve. “We thought we closed that chapter in our lives.”

But when the pandemic hit, everything got worse, she said. Clay came home from college and worked at an Amazon warehouse. On drives to and from work, he was frequently pulled over by police. He stopped wearing hats so officers would consider him less intimidating, Maxie said.

“He felt uncomfortable being out in the street,” she said.

Maxie is still trying to make sense of what happened the day Clay died. But she’s found meaning in starting a nonprofit called Soul Survivors of Chicago. Through the organization, she provides education, scholarships and shoes — including Jamal’s old ones — to those impacted by violence, suicide and trauma.

“My son won’t be able to have a first interview in [those] shoes. He won’t be able to have a nice jump shot or go to church or even meet his wife,” Maxie said.

But she hopes his shoes will carry someone else to a good future.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741.

KHN senior correspondent JoNel Aleccia contributed to this report.

[Editor’s note: For the purposes of this story, “people of color” or “communities of color” refers to any racial or ethnic populations whose members do not identify as white, including those who are multiracial. Hispanics can be of any race or combination of races.]

KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation.

USE OUR CONTENT

This story can be republished for free (details).

Pandemic Unveils Growing Suicide Crisis for Communities of Color published first on https://nootropicspowdersupplier.tumblr.com/

0 notes

gordonwilliamsweb · 3 years

Text

Pandemic Unveils Growing Suicide Crisis for Communities of Color

Rafiah Maxie has been a licensed clinical social worker in the Chicago area for a decade. Throughout that time, she’d viewed suicide as a problem most prevalent among middle-aged white men.

Until May 27, 2020.

“Now I cannot blink without seeing my son hanging,” said Maxie, who is Black.

But this is not a local problem. Nor is it limited to the pandemic.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741.

Losing Generations

Although the suicide rate is highest among middle-aged white men, young people of color are emerging as particularly at risk.

Although these groups may have had low suicide rates historically, that’s changing, she said.

Suicide is the leading cause of death for Asian Americans ages 15 to 24, yet “that doesn’t get enough attention,” Chin said. “It’s important to continue to share these stories.”

The pandemic may have highlighted this, Williams said, but “it has always happened. Always.”

Pandemic Sheds Light on the Triggers

At the same time, studies in Connecticut and Maryland found that suicide rates rose within these populations and dropped for their white counterparts.

Lessons From Texas

“These are conditions the community has always been in,” Mendiola said. “But with the pandemic, it’s even worse.”

Many students are so worried about what’s for dinner the next day that they’re not able to see a future beyond that, Davidson said. That’s when suicide can feel like a viable option.

“One of the things we do is help them see … that despite this situation now, you can create a vision for your future,” Davidson said.

A Good Future

But it was difficult to find therapists who accepted Medicaid, she said. When Maxie finally found one, there was a 60-day wait. Other therapists canceled appointments, she said.

“So we worked on our own,” Maxie said, relying on church and community. Her son seemed to improve. “We thought we closed that chapter in our lives.”

“He felt uncomfortable being out in the street,” she said.

“My son won’t be able to have a first interview in [those] shoes. He won’t be able to have a nice jump shot or go to church or even meet his wife,” Maxie said.

But she hopes his shoes will carry someone else to a good future.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741.

KHN senior correspondent JoNel Aleccia contributed to this report.

USE OUR CONTENT

This story can be republished for free (details).

Pandemic Unveils Growing Suicide Crisis for Communities of Color published first on https://nootropicspowdersupplier.tumblr.com/

0 notes

fmm85 · 3 years

Link

PARIS, FRANCE, Mar 4, 2021 – (ACN Newswire) – Engineering has been an important profession, helping to tackle major issues such as poverty reduction, climate resilience, public health and sustainable development. “The foremost problem facing the world today is sustaining human development and preserving the planet. Whenever there is a problem, there is a need for engineering solutions,” says Gong Ke, President of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO).

On 4th March 2021, the annual World Engineering Day (WED) will convene under the auspices of UNESCO. As the UNESCO Director-General, Ms. Audrey Azoulay explains, WED will “celebrate the achievements of engineers and their contributions to sustainability and a better quality of life for all.” This year, WED welcomes the high patronage of Emmanuel Macron, President of France and coincides with the launch of the second UNESCO engineering report, “Engineering for Sustainable Development” with UNESCO’s partners, the WFEO, the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), Tsinghua University, and the International Centre of Engineering Education (ICEE), among many others. Representatives from over 10 different countries, genders and age groups from youths to adults, will speak at WED 2021. In addition, many more diverse engineering communities will join in over 50 WED events held concurrently in every continent around the world.

The WFEO is represented by over 100 national engineering institutions and 30 million engineers globally, leading the WED initiative to increase worldwide recognition of the important role of engineering in accelerating the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Engineering education and capacity building are keys to enabling the SDGs. Politicians can foster them; institutional investors can fund them; but only engineers can build them.

“World Engineering Day is an opportunity to recognize the important work that engineers need to do, in addressing climate change and developing technologies for a carbon free economy. It is engineering innovations that will achieve this goal. Engineers will ensure that cities are cleaner, more sustainable, smarter and livable. And importantly, engineers will ensure that everyone has safe clean accessible water, sanitation systems and affordable and reliable energy”, says Marlene Kanga, Past National President of Engineers Australia and the Immediate Past President of WFEO.

Calling for more global action from multiple stakeholder groups, “We hope that this new UNESCO engineering report will help stakeholders from government, industry and academia articulate the value of engineering, inspire ideas to improve and innovate engineering, and help achieve the full potential of engineering to benefit the sustainable development of humankind and planet Earth,” says Zhou Ji, Honorary Chairman of the Governing Board of the CAE and Co-chair of the Advisory Board of ICEE.

The advent of the Fourth Industrial Revolution has brought technological advances in artificial intelligence, big data, Internet of Things and blockchain, transforming the ways people live and interact with their physical, biological and digital space. “These transformations can be seen in every field of engineering, profoundly affecting industrial systems, production and governance,” says Audrey Azoulay.

Engineering innovations are developing rapidly and these global efforts are critical for solving current challenges and building a better future for humankind. In the past year, engineers have been in the spotlight for their creative solutions to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Marlene Kanga notes that in the year following the coronavirus pandemic, the theme of the WED celebrations in 2021, Engineering for a healthy planet, “acknowledges the work of engineers and engineering in the search for a new vaccine, using artificial intelligence and data analysis in the process. Advanced manufacturing technologies such as 3D printing has been used in the manufacture of personal protective equipment. Refrigeration technologies and transportation and logistics innovations are being used to transport vaccines to every corner of the earth. This is truly a year where the world could not exist without engineering.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the call for urgent action, while affirming the relevance of engineering to sustainable development,” observes Gong Ke. He also encouraged more affirmative action in the engineering community, saying that “engineering should play a more proactive role in the fight against COVID-19 and in the pursuit of a truly transformative recovery to build back better.”

Audrey Azoulay raised a pressing concern on the strain that the pandemic has placed on engineering education. “To train our best engineers to tackle these global challenges, we need young people to study mathematics and science from an early age; however, the global pandemic has led to the closure of educational institutions for 1.5 billion learners worldwide – more than 90% of the world’s school population – with dire consequences for their education.”

Thus, it is imperative for engineers to innovate on engineering education, curricula, new teaching methods and education delivery. “Training engineers for the implementation of the SDGs requires not only new competencies, including creative learning and thinking, complex problem-solving, interdisciplinary and international cooperation, and a code of ethics, it also demands a change in engineering education itself,” says Jose Vieira, President-Elect of WFEO.

Marlene Kanga also emphasized the importance of encouraging all young people, boys and girls, to consider engineering as a career and to encourage them in this choice. She says, “if you want to change the world, become an engineer.”

“At present, however, resources for engineering science and technology and engineering education are not equitably distributed. Developing countries and regions, in particular, are lacking in qualified engineers and engineering resources. We therefore urge the global engineering community to work to establish a more equitable, inclusive, developmental and mutually beneficial world for all, by working closely with government, industry and academia; by empowering engineering capacity-building in disadvantaged regions; and by tackling global challenges through joint efforts,” says Zhou Ji, calling attention to the gaps in resources distribution and making sure that no one is left behind.

One important global resource is water. “Water, as a prerequisite for life, assumes a special focus in terms of sustainable development. The close relationship between human health and the well-being of communities with access to clean water is a determining factor for the economic and social development of society,” says Jose Vieira. Significant progress in water and environmental engineering have led to greener technologies and more sustainable development of our planet.

“Engineering itself needs a transformation to be more innovative, inclusive, cooperative and responsible,” says Gong Ke, “The engineering report to be released is a new report published 10 years after the first landmark engineering report of UNESCO, aiming to increase the public awareness of the crucial role of engineers and engineering in achieving every one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals; to call for global collaboration among governments, industries and civil society; to promote engineering innovations, and to transform the engineering profession with a stronger capacity to respond to the pressing challenges faced by humankind and the planet; and to shape a peaceful, prosperous, inclusive and sustainable world for all people with no one left behind, encouraging more collaboration and sharing of engineering resources at a global level.”

Ultimately, WED aims to promote engineering awareness, diversity, collaboration, education and resources sharing, with a common global goal to achieve the SDGs by 2030.

Christine Tan, PhD CEng FIET is a Royal Chartered Engineer, Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology UK, and Professor of Science and Technology Education at Fujian Normal University China. She is an active science writer and STEM outreach volunteer.

Media contact World Federation of Engineering Organizations Maison de l’Unesco, 1 rue Miollis, 75015 Paris, France Contact Person: Wang Guanyi Tele: +33 1 45 68 48 47 Website: http://www.wfeo.org/

Topic: Press release summary Sectors: Environment, Engineering, Construct, Engineering, Artificial Intel [AI], Automation [IoT] https://ift.tt/1fx7Yvd From the Asia Corporate News Network

#CryptoBlog #Blockchain #Crypto #Engineers #Markets #money #Worldwide

0 notes

sageglobalresponse · 3 years

Text

Full text of Buhari’s 2021 New Year message

NEW YEAR SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

1ST JANUARY 2021

My fellow countrymen and women,

First, I would like to thank and praise the Almighty who saw us through the year 2020 and has given us the opportunity to witness the start of another new year. We especially thank God because the year 2020 was one of the most trying years since our existence as a Nation.

2. This can also be said about all other nations around the world, due to the challenges posed on our collective humanity by the novel COVID-19 pandemic.

3. While acknowledging that 2020 was a very tough year, we saw this year put to test our national resilience and ability to survive these tough times and also gave renewed hope that we will again brave any storms that lay ahead in 2021 and beyond.

4. As we celebrate the opportunity before us in this New Year 2021, we must also acknowledge the passing away of our brothers and sisters who didn’t make it into this New Year. May their souls rest in perfect peace.

5. We must remember that we also celebrated the historic occasion of our sixty years as an independent and sovereign country on October 1st 2020. In the spirit of hope and gratitude, I would like to remind us again that as a country on the difficult journey to nationhood and greatness, we have confounded the many pundits at home and around the world who never gave the newly-born country that emerged unto the world stage on 1st October 1960 a chance of surviving much longer than a few years.

6. Yet, here we are, 61 years by the next anniversary in October, and not only are we here, we are standing tall in the comity of nations as one country united under the will of God and also actively growing that indivisible Nigerian spirit that has enabled us, year after year, decade after decade, to weather all stormy waters and emerge stronger and better where others have fallen and disintegrated. This nation, this Nigeria will survive and thrive.

7. In this journey to nationhood, we have experienced the highs and lows. 2020 indeed came with a lot of challenges ranging from security and economic issues across the regions to understandable protests that were mainly led by our youths and served notice to the demand for police reforms and accountability. This government heard, this government listened and this government is committed to fulfilling the five demands of our youths, fully understanding that we all wish well for Nigeria.

8. In the midst of all these challenges, I had initially pledged that as your elected President and Commander-in-Chief, I would ensure that these ongoing challenges will be faced head-on with renewed determination and with all the appropriateness and urgency required. Your voices have been heard and we would continue to listen to you, and all the key stakeholders who are committed to the unity of Nigeria to ensure that every region of this nation is safe for us all, while guaranteeing that the future is also secure for the coming generation.

9. I wish to also use this occasion of New Year to reaffirm my commitment to the people of Nigeria, especially the youth who need our collective encouragement and support. In securing this nation we need to secure the future of our youth.

10. Our young people are our most valuable natural resource, at home and abroad. Their ingenuity, creativity, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit is evident to all. Many of our young people are excelling in various spheres of life including sports, entertainment, information and communication technology, commerce and are globally recognized as achievers.

11. As a Government we are committed to actively engaging with the creative energies of our young people. In this regard, we will partner with the legislature to develop an enabling environment to turn their passions into ideas that can be supported, groomed and scaled across regions. This will create vast opportunities in fintech, agriculture, business process startups and in the entertainment industry.

12. The year 2021 will indeed be a year where we will work to reinforce the hopes of fellow Nigerians in the vision of a united and progressive Nigeria. This administration would continue focusing on delivering key strategic priorities under our “SEA” – (Security, Economy and Anti-Corruption) Agenda. Some of the key priority areas we would direct our attention and strengths to include:

ON THE SECURITY:

13. Re-energizing and reorganizing the security apparatus and personnel of the armed forces and the police with a view to enhance their capacity to engage, push back and dismantle the operations of both internal and external extremist and criminal groups waging war against our communities in some parts of the country.

14. In line with the current security challenges, we are facing as a Nation, I would like to reiterate the promise I made recently when over 300 of our boys abducted from Government Science Secondary School, Kankara were successfully rescued by our security operatives.

15. The professionalism shown by our Security Forces and the collaboration from all stakeholders across both State and Federal Governments that led to the successful rescue of the boys is proof that Nigeria has the internal capacity to decisively deal with terror attacks on our citizens.

16. However, we recognize that we rapidly have to move to a more proactive and preemptive posture to ensure that these sorts of traumatic incidents do not become a norm. Our administration is fully aware of the responsibility we have to protect the lives and property of all Nigerians, and we will not relent in learning and adapting to changing threats to our national security and civic wellbeing.

ON THE ECONOMY:

17. Our focus is on revamping the economy through the national economic diversification agenda that supports the primary goal of national food self-sufficiency. This has helped reduce the growing food related inflationary figures and have in considerable measure positively impacted our food security status during the long months of the pandemic lock down.

18. We are also currently rebuilding our national infrastructure base and, in the process, introducing transformation through the rehabilitation, modernization, and expansion of the railway system, national roads and bridges both in rural and urban centres, alongside the airports and seaports.

19. The reforms we have put in place in the power sector would guarantee increased efficiency in our drive to significantly expand the generation and distribution of electricity for use in homes and factories.

20. As an administration we are currently undertaking a series of special interventions designed to boost job creation and support the entrepreneurial drive of our youths.

21. With the recent opening of our borders, we expect that the pent-up demand of legitimate cross-border and international trade will boost the fortunes of the many small businesses and agricultural enterprises that depend on Nigeria’s trade and commerce.

22. The message to our West African neighbours is that Nigeria is once again fully open for those willing to conduct business in a fair and equitable way.

ANTI-CORRUPTION:

23. On the anti-corruption drive of our administration, we have recorded substantial gains so far and this year, we are committed to continuing along the path of eradicating corruption, through collaboration with all the arms of Government to effectively prosecute this fight.

24. While we would be working with the Legislature to enact laws that would strengthen this fight, we would also be looking at reviewing some of our laws which would ensure that this fight is more effective. On the part of the executive, we would ensure the diligent and timely prosecution of corruption cases, while appealing to the judiciary to ensure that corruption cases are dispensed with expeditiously.

25. The persistence of various forms of violence has meant that in the most affected parts of the country, the fabric of inter-communal harmony woven through years of investment of effort at building trust, mutual respect, and harmony has been threatened.

26. Insecurity as a challenge has direct repercussions on our national economic stability, growth, and development, setting us back at critical points through the destruction of public and private investments.

27. In parts of the country where chronic poverty, social exclusion, and disillusionment among sections of the youth were already a problem, the cycles of violence that have been unleashed by mindless groups like Boko Haram and others have thwarted the efforts of government to undertake the social policy and associated investments that could make a huge difference in the quality of life of our citizens.

28. I am aware that for some of our compatriots, the progress we have registered since the inception of this administration is not nearly as fast or as sufficient as they would wish. I do not begrudge them their views in so far as they signify a wish, in which we all share, for only the very best for our country.

29. Nevertheless, I call upon all Nigerians to carefully recall the circumstances of our coming to office, the facts on the ground and the resources at our disposal since 2015 with the accomplishments of this administration.

30. As a people, we have shown admirable resilience in the face of every adversity, an unmatched capacity to recover speedily from every setback, an unparalleled generosity of spirit when we resolve our differences, and a constant readiness to invest faith and hope in the destiny we share as a united country built on the diversity of its peoples.

31. It is these attributes that underpin the Nigerian spirit of “can do, will do” that gives me hope that we shall yet get to destination and fulfill our calling together, especially with the solid resolutions we are setting in this new year.

32. Keeping our country on a forward march is a duty which we all have and share. In this regard, keeping our country safe from a resurgent cycle of COVID-19 as this administration finalizes its plans to procure and efficiently and effectively distribute the COVID-19 vaccines, I urge you all fellow citizens to observe strict COVID-19 prevention protocols.

33. As your elected President, my pledge to you is the same as it has always been; I will play my part fully and without fear or favour. I invite all of us to do the same. It is what we owe to the founding generation of our beloved country and also to the coming generation. It is what we desire for national prosperity for all demands.

34. Long Live the Nigerian spirit of oneness, togetherness, and unity. Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I wish you a Happy and prosperous New Year.

May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

#sage response #nigeria #buhari

0 notes

khalilhumam · 3 years

Text

Migrants in Asia and the Pacific at Higher Risk of COVID-19 and its Socioeconomic Fallout

New Post has been published on http://khalilhumam.com/migrants-in-asia-and-the-pacific-at-higher-risk-of-covid-19-and-its-socioeconomic-fallout/

Migrants in Asia and the Pacific at Higher Risk of COVID-19 and its Socioeconomic Fallout

Bangkok – The COVID-19 pandemic and its socio-economic fallout pose great risks to migrants in the Asia-Pacific, a new United Nations report reveals. They are more likely to be exposed to the virus, lack access to health care and other essential services, be stranded in countries without work or social protection and face rising xenophobia. However, as essential workers and remittance providers, migrants are also key to recovering better. Unlike nationals, migrants have generally not been included in social security provisions like unemployment insurance or income support. Migrants have also been disproportionately affected by border closures and lockdowns, leaving many vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. This exclusion of migrants poses major threats to their human rights and well-being. Poverty reduction efforts in the region are likely to be affected too as will the effort to build stronger, more inclusive and resilient communities. Migrant remittances to the Asia-Pacific region, which rose from $183 billion in 2009 to $330 billion in 2019, have declined due to the COVID-19 outbreak, leaving many households of migrants without a major source of income. These findings are among the key conclusions of the Asia-Pacific Migration Report 2020, released today on International Migrants Day. The report was produced by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the Regional United Nations Network on Migration for Asia-Pacific in preparation for the first Asia-Pacific Regional Review of Implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration scheduled to take place in March 2021. The Report was drafted by ESCAP, ILO, IOM and OHCHR, with inputs from UNAIDS, UNDP, UNEP, UNESCO, UNFPA, UN-Habitat, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNODC, UN-Women and WFP. “Today, the number of international migrants, to, from and within the region, is at an all-time high. Safe, orderly and regular migration can reduce the vulnerability of migrants and societies to the negative impacts of COVID-19 and future pandemics and help build back better, more resilient communities,” said United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCAP Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana. “Greater regional and subregional cooperation on migration would contribute to a more effective COVID-19 response and to maximize the benefits of migration for all.” “Migrants have been at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19. On this International Migrants Day, we thank them for their contributions, and strongly advocate for a more inclusive response to the pandemic which doesn’t leave them behind, particularly now as countries around the world start massive vaccination programmes,” shared Dr. Nenette Motus, Coordinator, Regional United Nations Network for Migration for Asia and the Pacific and Regional Director, International Organization for Migration (IOM) Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific. The Report shows that international migration from, to and between Asia-Pacific countries has increased over the past 30 years. The number of migrants in the region has grown from 52 million in 1990 to 65 million in 2019. Almost 107 million people from Asia and the Pacific lived outside their countries of birth in 2019 – equivalent to 2.2 per cent of the region’s total population, the largest single region of origin of migrants in the world. Most recorded migrants are migrant workers, contributing to sustainable development in countries of origin and destination. COVID-19 will continue to have an impact on people and communities on the move in the near future. Even as vaccines are approved, the Report underlines that the inclusion of migrants in vaccination programmes, including migrants in irregular situations, will be critical. The Report presents the first comprehensive assessment of the implementation of the Global Compact for Migration in the region. It provides a baseline assessment of achievements, gaps, lessons learned and remaining challenges to guide action to ensure safe, orderly and regular migration, for the benefit of all in the region. Read the Report: https://www.unescap.org/resources/asia-pacific-migration-report-2020 View the launch event: https://youtu.be/1JyO-6z3hIc About the Regional United Nations Network on Migration for Asia-Pacific The Regional United Nations Network on Migration for Asia and the Pacific is an inter-agency network of 15 UN agencies[1] which facilitates effective, timely and coordinated UN system-wide support to Member States in the Asia-Pacific region to support the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration through policy guidance, better understanding of migration issues, joint programmes and activities and support to follow-up and review. For media enquiries, please contact: Ms. Kavita Sukanandan, Public Information Officer Strategic Communications and Advocacy Section, ESCAP T: (66) 2 288 1869 / E: [email protected] Mr. Itayi Virri, Senior Regional Media & Communications Officer Regional Office for Asia & the Pacific, IOM T: (66) 65 939 0934 / E: [email protected] Mr. Steve Needham, Senior Communications Officer ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific T: (66) 83 606 6628 / E: [email protected] Mr. Todd Pitman, Regional Public Information Officer OHCHR Regional Office T: (66) 22 88 2604 / E: [email protected] Ms. Shima Islam, Regional Communication Specialist UNICEF East Asia and the Pacific T: (66) 23 56 9407 / E: [email protected]

Language English

Posted:

Friday, December 18, 2020 - 12:08

Image:

Region-Country:

Afghanistan

Australia

Cambodia

India

Indonesia

Lao People’s Democratic Republic

Malaysia

Marshall Islands

Mongolia

Myanmar

Nepal

Pakistan

Papua New Guinea

Philippines

Republic of Korea

Sri Lanka

Thailand

Themes:

COVID-19

Default:

Multimedia:

The Asia-Pacific Migration Report 2020 was released on International Migrants Day, 18 December 2020.

Press Release Type:

Local

0 notes

phgq · 4 years

Text

Address extreme poverty, PRRD to Asean, Australia

#PHnews: Address extreme poverty, PRRD to Asean, Australia

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday underscored the urgent need to address extreme poverty worsened by the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) through collective efforts to accelerate the region's socio-economic recovery.

"We must redouble our collective efforts to address extreme poverty. We must accelerate our nation’s and the region’s socio-economic recovery," Duterte said in his intervention speech at the 2nd Asean-Australia Biennial Summit.

The chief executive said both partners must find ways to reinvigorate trade and economic ties.

He then cited the Asean-Australian, New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which could allow "more buoyant bounce back to our economies".

While he acknowledged that the pandemic has changed the way countries do business, President Duterte noted that science, innovation, and technology could open pathways for economies to recover, thus, the need to boost cooperation in such areas.

He said the Philippines also recognizes the role of women in post-pandemic recovery efforts.

"We strongly support gender-sensitive initiatives that recognize the role of women in post-pandemic recovery efforts. The economic and social imperatives for these are clear: Empowered women support economic growth and resilience," he said.

The president then took the opportunity to extend his gratitude to Canberra for supporting the maternal and neonatal health services in the Philippines, which has benefited the women of Masbate.

Meanwhile, he asked his counterparts to prepare the region for future pandemics by building the capacity of each nation's health system through the Asean-Australia Health Security Partnership.

To boost the region's recovery, Duterte said peace, security, and stability must also prevail to allow quick and sustainable recovery to take place.

"We must not let up in our collective efforts to combat terrorism and transnational crimes. We must continue working together to deter terrorist fighters. We must address the root causes of violent extremism and radicalization," he said as he hailed Australia’s technical assistance in the crafting of the Philippines’ Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.

Among others, he called for stronger cooperation in law enforcement, immigration, and customs matters.

"We continue to fight against these deplorable threats to our societies: Illicit drugs, online child exploitation and abuse, human trafficking, and cybercrimes. As Asean Voluntary Lead Shepherd for trafficking in persons, the Philippines calls for a greater Asean-Australia collaboration on the capacity-building in combatting human trafficking in the region," he said. (PNA)

***

References:

* Philippine News Agency. "Address extreme poverty, PRRD to Asean, Australia." Philippine News Agency. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1121855 (accessed November 15, 2020 at 04:00AM UTC+14).

* Philippine News Agency. "Address extreme poverty, PRRD to Asean, Australia." Archive Today. https://archive.ph/?run=1&url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1121855 (archived).

#Philippines #News #Filipino #Pinoy #Tourism #Politics #Culture #Editorial #Environment #Society #History

0 notes

truewrit · 4 years

Photo

Ancient Stars, New Constellations

The COVID-19 pandemic has been crowned “the world’s unrivaled equalizer” and many have embraced this. But even though it strikes across all socio-economic classes, the blows are not delivered equally. The coronavirus has pulled back the curtain to shine a glaring spotlight on the deep divides of medical care delivery in America. The vulnerability of specific populations is reflected in their disproportionately higher morbidity and mortality statistics, blamed on the commingled complex social determinants that include limited access to healthcare and cycles of poverty. The curtain, pulled aside, has also revealed just how interconnected and interdependent we are as humans, sharing vital concerns of individual and community health. It is a wake-up call to a heightened awareness of our reliance on ostensibly invisible individuals in our society from grocery shelf stockers and food service laborers to personal care workers, but also an increased consciousness of the plight of our society’s most vulnerable: the homeless and the incarcerated, the addicted and chronically infirm, the physically and mentally disabled, the poor, the very young, and the aged.

The American writer James Baldwin opined, “The purpose of art is to reveal the questions that have been hidden by the answers.” Art making has ultimately been about self-expression, from the powdered hand silhouettes by Neanderthals in caves to megawatt auction market celebrity artists – as well as outsider artists who have no designs whatsoever on the art market. The arts are the means through which humans make the ineffable sensate; it is an elaboration of the emotional abstractions of the limbic system into the realm of the physical and perceivable.

In theory, the detonation of a neutron bomb would leave buildings largely intact while eliminating enemy combatants. In an inverse analogy, the explosive pandemic in one fell swoop collapsed the infrastructures of the art world, leaving creative economies intact but exposed, susceptible, and affected. Brick and mortar institutions have been depopulated and the art world has shifted to virtual presences. Those unsustainable art world dynamics of crushing overheads, fierce competition, and manipulated auctions are now laid bare to be questioned, and to force change. Our future challenges and responsibilities are to build new art world infrastructures without reinstating the misguided monetary armatures of the past. Withdrawal of funding for the arts, precipitated by the pandemic, complicates this task even further.

Artists have been tested before on navigating the transition from the what of the present to the how of the future. Our creative communities now similarly see the roles of art as coping mechanisms, educational opportunities, and calls to action. Commonalities between COVID-19 and the HIV AIDS global epidemic include misinformation provided by federal authorities, poor coordination of public health strategies, and partisan willingness to allow certain groups of people to suffer and die. A principal of the World Health Organization was asked what about the pandemic kept her awake at night. Her answer: “complacency” and the headlong rush to get back to a semblance of the old normal knowing full well that it no longer exists. There is now only the disequilibrium of the new normal. Viruses are ancient, integral members of the biosphere, essential as precipitants of evolution. We can expect the SARS CoV-2 virus to be around for a while, as the HIV AIDS virus continues to be present in our current populations.

The pandemic’s requisite social distancing has sentenced us to purgatories of solitude and has disclosed the crucial importance of socialization and the power of touch. Shut-in homes with dysfunctional family members have become their own pressure cooker detention centers. School age students are increasingly intolerant and frustrated, acting out against being confined. Graduation from high school and medical school now occurs virtually without the celebratory sensory rites of passage. Banned from delivery rooms, fathers are deprived of the primal skin-to-skin bonding of holding their newly born sons and daughters. Legions are departing this life alone, robbed of the loving surround of family and community during the final moments of passing, bereft of the parting gifts of touch and voice. Bodies are being stacked and stored in refrigerated containers. Some are interred in mass graves, others are serially fed into crematoria; most are sequestered from their cultures’ mourning rituals. New psychosocial pathologies of depression and anxiety like post-pandemic stress disorder (PPSD) may well emerge.

Medical scientists will continue to fight on the front lines of halting transmission by finding, testing, and treating COVID-19 while developing effective vaccines and cultivating herd immunity, but SARS CoV-2 is a novel virus and mutations are expected. Already a subset disease may be emerging: pediatric multi-system inflammatory syndrome (PMIS).

Past pandemics have forced us to confront sickness and finitude and have thus molded economic policies, shaped societies, fostered new technologies, and galvanized creative and intellectual communities. Artists are the conveyors of solace, bearers of hope, agents of joy, guardians of memories, and the storytellers for future generations. The successful application of solid science research towards ultimate solutions, of necessity, factors in social psychology and vital behavioral changes. These goals are most successfully communicated and efficiently implemented through the arts, with artists as our new scouts and seers. Equitably protecting those most vulnerable is our primary humanitarian mission.

This pandemic offers widespread opportunities to reconfigure ancient stars into new constellations by which to navigate our future, for humanity’s survival lies not in perseverative behavior, but in how resiliently we respond to and look beyond these tragedies…or not.

1 note · View note