Zeer Pot Refrigerator

The dry heat of Africa makes it difficult for farmers to grow vegetables. Even more difficult, however, is the task of keeping those vegetables from rotting in the sun. The zeer pot refrigerator is a simple, inexpensive solution to this problem. It consists of an earthenware pot fit into a larger pot, with a layer of wet sand between the two. As moisture from the sand evaporates, it cools the inner pot, keeping up to 12kg of produce fresh for three weeks. For poor families in Sudan, this is the only available preservation method for their food. The ingenious clay refrigerator is the difference between starvation and having enough food to eat.
Source: Practical Action

Senator Lugar Discusses Global Food Security Act

Critique of Dead Aid

Dambisa Moyo's recently published book, Dead Aid, has been sparking a lot of controversy. Some people agree with her point of view that international aid does more harm than good, while others argue against it. The ONE campaign has taken it upon themselves to analyze the book and put together a counter-argument to Moyo's claims. Foreign aid is not perfect, but contrary to Moyo's opinion, it will help people get out of poverty if done correctly. Read the full text analyzing Dead Aid here.

Political Priorities by the Numbers

$6,750.2 million: Total program cost for the Presidential Helicopter (VH-71).
$30 billion: Annual shortfall to end world hunger.

The Uncultured Project

A former Notre Dame student took it upon himself to travel to Bangladesh and document the effects of poverty on people's lives and their everyday struggles. In one of his videos, he talks about a young boy who works hard every day to collect plastic bottles from his community and make a profit of only about $2 each day. Getting out of poverty is not just a matter of hard work. Many people, like this young boy, earn only a small amount each day despite their hard work and dedication.

UN's Newest Goodwill Ambassador

The United Nations World Health Organization recently named martial arts expert Jet Li as its Goodwill Ambassador. Having experienced the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the actor has been committed to improving global disaster relief. According to Margaret Chan, the agency's Director-General, "[Li] has been personally involved in providing emergency response following natural disasters and has promoted mental health amongst youth. We are grateful that he is willing to use his energy and fame to promote health and well-being."
Source: UN News Centre

The actor's commitment to global disaster relief

Microfinance Allies

Big Thanks to the representatives who signed the FY10 microfinance letter!

Rush Holt (D-NJ), James P. Moran (D-VA), Henry Waxman (D-CA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Jerry McNerney (D-CA), Shelley Berkley (D-NV), Don Young (R-AK), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Robert Andrews (D-NJ), John Boozman (R-AR), Bob Filner (D-CA), Dave Loebsack (D-IA), Lamar Smith (R-TX), Robert Brady (D-PA), Jim McDermott (D-WA), David Wu (D-OR), Robert Wexler (D-FL), Joseph Cao (R-LA), Paul Hodes (D-NH), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Rick Larsen (D-WA), Norman D. Dicks (D-WA), Sander M. Levin (D-MI), Madeleine Z. Bordallo (D-GU), Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), Patrick J. Murphy (D-PA), Diana DeGette (D-CO) James L. Oberstar (D-MN), Dale E. Kildee (D-MI), Barney Frank (D-MA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Donna F. Edwards (D-MD), Steve Kagen (D-WI), Gene Green (D-TX), Donald M. Payne (D-NJ), Lois Capps (D-CA), Stephen F. Lynch (D-MA), Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT), Neil Abercrombie (D-HI), Jim Matheson (D-UT), David G. Reichert (R-WA), Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH), Michael H. Michaud (D-ME), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL)

Rethinking our Resources

Some interesting research from Oxfam draws the conclusion that "the resources devoted to the global financial bailout are sufficient to end world poverty for half a century." As of January 2009, $8.424 trillion has been promised to banks and other financial service firms. In comparison, the cost to lift the 1.4 billion people living in poverty above the $1.25/day threshold is $173 billion. Of course, the complexity of the problem cannot be summed up by two numbers, but the comparison is still important. It shows us just how much resources we have, and making poverty history is mainly a matter of how we use those resources.
Source: AlertNet

Gender Equality, a Tool to Fight Poverty

According to the UN Division for the Advancement of Women, 70% of the world's poor are women. For the most part, this is a result of the gender inequality which is so prevalent in many countries. While men can easily obtain credit, women are denied this privilege due to regional laws and cultural practices. Even though women do a majority of the agricultural work along with household duties and childcare, they earn only about 50-70% of what the men earn. To help countries struggling with poverty, it is important to build gender equality and establish an easier access to education for women. Providing impoverished women with more resources will play a major role in poverty alleviation because of their influence in the home.
Source: WorkofWomen.org