Political Priorities by the Numbers

$825 billion: Government's economic recovery package.
$30 billion: Annual shortfall to end world hunger.

Progress on the Millennium Development Goals

The United Nations publishes an annual report detailing the most recent achievements in the Millennium Development Goals. It focuses on each one of the 8 goals and provides relevant data about the progress in those specific areas. You can download the 2008 report, as well as reports from past years, here.

Financial Crisis Hit's Development Assistance

An official with UN Development Program (UNDP) reported back in November 2008 that the global financial crisis that has gripped the entire world threatens to cut official development assistance (ODA) by up to a third.

As told to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Brett House, a senior economist with UNDP stated, "We are deeply concerned about the prospects for ODA. In past periods of market turmoil and recession, global ODA has on some occasions fallen up to 40 percent from established trends." ODA funds a significant portion of all UN development programs aimed at reaching the Millennium Development Goals.

During the 2008 Presidential campaign, now President-elect Barack Obama stated that he would double US foreign assistance from $25 billion to $50 billion anually. However, Vice President-elect Biden stated that the increase would likely be scaled back due to the economic crisis.

Source: ReliefWeb,
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/LSGZ-7L5D2K?OpenDocument

Shortening the Mosquito's Lifespan to Prevent Disease

Scientists have found a way to shorten the lifespan of virus-carrying mosquitoes, reducing the spread of diseases such as malaria and dengue fever. Injecting the mosquito with a strain of Wolbachia bacteria kills it before it has matured enough to pass a virus to humans. Theoretically, the bacteria would only need to be applied once and it would spread throughout the mosquito populations, unlike insecticides which need to be reapplied regularly. The science behind this is expected to take about 3-5 years to study before it can be put into practice.
Source: SciDev.net

UNHCR's Gimme Shelter Campaign

Vaccination Campaign of Historic Proportions

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has recently been implementing a project that was in the works for over a year. They have organized an initiative involving 1,750 health volunteers in 885 locations throughout the Central African Republic. With a goal to reach 800,000 children under the age of 5, UNICEF has been administering vaccinations for measles, passing out soap to help prevent diarrhea, and distributing treated mosquito nets to reduce the risk of malaria. An extensive multimedia awareness campaign has been proven effective as health centers across the country have reported long lines of mothers and children waiting for vaccinations.
Source: UN News Centre

Political Priorities by the Numbers

$160 billion: Federal aid under a plan pushed by the House of Reps.
$30 billion: Annual shortfall to end world hunger.

Not Your Average Job

In South Africa, Madmoet Abrahams earns his living by recycling. For every kilogram of paper, he receives 23 South African Rand (about $2.35), earning a total of about 50 Rand per day. Having saved up 300 Rand to buy a bicycle, he attached to it an old baby carriage and uses the unique vehicle to carry scraps of white paper to the paper scrap yard every day, rain or shine.

Senator Clinton Addresses Global Poverty

Senator Clinton stands side-by-side with President-elect Obama on his views towards ending global poverty and attaining the Millenium Development Goals. In her confirmation hearing, she emphasized the importance of creating better health clinics in Africa, providing a better access to medicines, building schools and training teachers, and responding to the rising food prices and widespread hunger. Read a segment from the transcript of her speech here.

Bed Nets for Malaria

Although it is one of the most devastating diseases in Africa, malaria can be easily treated and prevented. An effective prevention technique is the use of insecticide-treated bed nets to sleep under. These nets usually last about 4 years, and they ward off the mosquitoes that are responsible for the disease. When enough homes use the insecticide, an entire community can be made safer, even for those that do not have a net. $10 for a single bed net protects a family of four from contracting malaria. Unfortunately, families in Africa survive on $1 per day, and the price of the bed net is extravagant in comparison. By donating here, you can help provide families with a simple, effective solution for this widespread disease.

UN Responding to Cholera Outbreak

As a recent major cholera outbreak continues to take its toll on the Zimbabwe population, the United Nations is stepping up to the plate in offering aid. They have been providing the country with funds, medicines, and equipment necessary to fight the disease. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has provided enough drugs to prevent pregnancy-related complications for the next six months along with pay incentives to medics.
Source: UN News Centre

Got Plumpy'Doz?

The United Nations has introduced a new ready-to-use food supplement called “Plumpy’Doz” which could significantly boost efforts to reduce child malnutrition in Somalia. The brown paste supplement is made from vegetable fat, peanut butter, sugar, milk, and other nutrients, and is designed to taste good to kids. It also has a longer shelf life than previous diet supplements and doesn’t need to be mixed with water.

Source: AFP