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post-disaster hygiene crisis: A fight for health and dignified living
post-disaster hygiene crisis: A fight for health and dignified living
By: Saide Zülal Taşlıyol
By: Saide Zülal Taşlıyol
Natural disasters deeply affect societies' infrastructure, economic balance, and basic living conditions. One of the most significant issues following earthquakes, floods, or other catastrophes is the inability to maintain proper hygiene. This situation represents a critical aspect of the fight to protect health and human dignity.
Access to clean water, soap, toilets, and basic hygiene materials quickly becomes difficult in disaster areas. People affected by earthquakes, who have lost their homes, are forced to stay in temporary tent cities for extended periods. In such places, the lack of waste management and access to hygiene products and clean water can lead to serious health problems and even outbreaks.
The inability to access hygiene products in disaster zones mainly affects women and children. Finding solutions to the hygiene crisis after a disaster is not only a part of humanitarian aid but also of sustainable development goals. Innovative solutions, such as mobile hygiene kits, portable toilets, and water purification systems, can meet the basic needs of the public in emergencies. After such situations, mutual aid among people becomes crucial. Volunteersanizations working in this field should organize hygiene education and raise public awareness.
International aid organizations and governments must recognize that hygiene is a human right. Strengthening hygiene infrastructure and establishing rapid response teams in disaster intervention plans can play a key role in preventing such crises.
As a result, post-dispose health risks and health risks also directly threaten human dignity. Hygiene measures must be at the center of aid policies to enhance societies' resiliencies and improve post-disaster living conditions. Hygiene is not a luxury but an inseparable part of human dignity.
Works Cited
“Health matters.” Www.who.int , www.who.int/health-topics/emergencies.
KIZILAY, Turkish. "Turkish Red Crescent Corporate Website, News, Online Donations, Donation Tracking." Turkish KIZILAY Corporate Website, www.kizilay.org.tr/.
OCHA. “OCHA.” OCHA, 2019, www.unocha.org/.
PRICE OF EXCLUSION: HOW LABOR MARKET INEQUITIES SHAPE THE GENERATION
By: Dhvani Jain
For years, many have suffered the wrath of poverty. Whether it’s inflation, cheap government policies, poor infrastructure, or social exclusion, the poor have heard it all. Generational testimonies have demonstrated how the poor have battled and fought against the wrath of all the tyranny they faced just because they didn’t have resources. For generations, the government has failed to adopt significant policies that can break this endless exclusivity cycle. We have always excluded the poor from various opportunities, excluding them from a chance to break free of the barriers and make something of themselves and for themselves. We as a generation of the 21st century believe we know it all and think poverty is a lost cause, as a community we have never initiated any supportive measure to this lost cause. We consider it a lost cause because the “trend” of exclusivity has been mainstream for generations. Exclusivity can be defined in many ways, social exclusion is when people are racially attacked based on their backgrounds which include caste, heritage, race, color, and employment status. One of the most common ways of exclusivity is patriarchy, where a society or a particular field of work is male-dominated, women are paid comparatively less than men for doing the same job and asked to work for more hours.
Exclusivity has always been an overlooked issue because it has been around for generations nobody has cared enough to address this. This term has held so much power over many people that they never got a chance to break free of this curse and defy the law of generations.
The meaning of this is to highlight how a small thing can grow and diverge into bigger problems, and how exclusivity in different ways has built a future in the world revolving around the one with the resources and wealth. We ask this question to ourselves daily, “ Why do the rich get richer and the poor get poorer?”, but we never as of today have come to a conclusion, an idea or an appropriate answer to this question.
Hygiene is a fundamental part of life that is right for every human, regardless of how insignificant it sounds. This is a chance for the poor to break free of the barriers, step out of their comfort zones, and become an integral asset to society. Hygiene opens doors to education and job opportunities. This is an important step for the child so that he/she can be a part of the learning process, go to school and get appropriate high school education. Hygiene ensures the poor have better health and are free of diseases.
The theme of this article is to highlight how a single hygiene kit can change your future overnight and how it can help a person in immeasurable circumstances. This also highlights that deep down, we still practice untouchability and how a person is judged based on their exterior appearance and not what skills or talent they might possess.
By addressing how hygiene can nurture a better future for an individual or a country, we aim to pave a more equitable future where we have more access to healthcare services and hygienic care. "Exclusivity in the labor market limits potential; hygiene, on the other hand, nurtures it—together, they form the foundation for a workforce that is both healthy and inclusive, unlocking opportunities for all."
Works Cited
Giulia Giupponi, and Stephen Machin. “Labour Market Inequality.” Oxford Open Economics, vol. 3, no. Supplement_1, 1 Jan. 2024, pp. i884–i905, https://doi.org/10.1093/ooec/odad039.
Holmes, Rebecca. “How to Tackle Social Exclusion in the Labour Market.” World Economic Forum, 2 Feb. 2015, www.weforum.org/stories/2015/02/how-to-tackle-social-exclusion-in-the-labour-market/. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.
the power of community efforts in transforming lives
the power of community efforts in transforming lives
By: Nishika Ruchi Sinha
Community support refers to collective assistance from people within the same society, campaign, or group who share similar ideologies. Over the years, the most concerning issues in a community, such as water scarcity, food distribution, and road safety, have all been resolved through the collective involvement of community members.
This is mainly because when a group of individuals work together to solve a common problem, everyone brainstorms diverse ideas, but the final aim is the same. It's similar to the statement, "Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much." It gives us a sense of belonging, emotional support, and opportunity for progress. These communal efforts affect our decisions and have the potential to spark constructive societal change.
Real Life Stories:
A few years ago, the Eastside community of Olympia, Washington, was concerned about the neighborhood's rising crime rates. To prepare for a brighter future, the community began organizing free neighborhood events, which helped people feel safer and fostered trust and collaboration. The community recognized that its people had excellent ideas and needed to incorporate more of its neighbors into the planning and engagement process.
Residents donated food, clothes, and cash aid to low-income families through the " Neighborhood Help " initiative in Brooklyn, New York. This collective effort helped bridge the gap between needy individuals and accessible resources.
The "Kitchen in a Box" initiative occurred in Toronto, Canada. A neighborhood homeowner began a campaign to gather food contributions and put together care packages for homeless people. Volunteers from the community contributed time, resources, and experience to ensure the initiative's success.
Another example is Jaco Swanepoel, who visited India a few years ago. Since then, he has been looking for ways to help slum dwellers and impoverished people, bringing smiles to their cheeks. He also works with an organization called Youngistaan, which provides food and an extreme makeover to homeless people.
These stories demonstrate how valuable community support is. It could range from defending a whole neighborhood to assisting the impoverished. Community support has a significant impact on people's lives.
Challenges:
There is no doubt that community support is critical for the well-being of others, but the essential point is that it’s not always easy to achieve. After all, coordinating the efforts and ideas of many individuals to achieve a common goal is risky. Aside from that, there are additional challenges, such as:
Many people hesitate to contribute because they believe their voices won’t be heard.
Many people do not contribute because there is a lack of awareness about community support, which discourages participation.
Disputes between communities can hinder collaborative efforts.
Internal conflicts can exclude a large number of people.
Ways to volunteer
Assisted at local food banks or soup kitchens in preparing and serving meals to those in need.
Volunteering at local animal shelters or feeding stray pets.
I have participated in online volunteering programs such as Volunteer March, Team Everest, UNESCO Careers, and the Isha Foundation.
Participating in disaster relief operations by organizing food and supply drives or performing manual labor.
We can conclude that community service has the tremendous capacity to impact lives, not only for those who receive assistance but also for those who provide it. Addressing real-world difficulties with empathy and collaboration promotes a sense of purpose, connection, and shared responsibility.
understanding the early warning signs of alzheimers & how you can help
understanding the early warning signs of alzheimers & how you can help
By: Anjali Kumar
Understanding the Early Warning Signs of Alzheimer's and How You Can Help:
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurological disorder that gradually destroys an individual's memory, thinking, and behavior. It is the most common cause of dementia, affecting millions of people and their families worldwide. Early disease detection can significantly benefit a person by providing a better quality of life and opening doors to treatments, support, and lifestyle changes that may slow its progression. Some early warning signs of Alzheimer's, reasons this symptom recognition may be necessary, and steps that can be made to support the brain health and those affected comprise the basis on which this paper is based.
The Impact of Alzheimer's Disease on Individuals and Families
Alzheimer's does not affect only the afflicted individual but also the family members. Many families take on full responsibility for the patient, often taxing and stressful on physical, emotional, and financial resources. As the disease progresses, affected individuals may struggle to complete activities of daily living, recognize their family members, or communicate effectively. This is quite painful to the families since they have to see their loved one degenerate. The emotional demands of caregiving often lead to stress, anxiety, and even burnout, thus rendering support networks and resources critical among caregivers.
Diagnosis and Understanding of Early Signs
Early diagnosis of Alzheimer's might allow for earlier intervention and, consequently, more effective disease management. Common early warning signs include:
Memory loss disrupts daily life-misplacing things, forgetting recently learned information and important dates, and repeatedly asking for the same information.
Difficulty planning or solving problems such as following a recipe, paying bills, or making decisions. Confusion with time or place-understanding the time of day, the day, the month, the season, the year, or the location, and trouble understanding how they got there.
Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships-difficulty reading, judging distances, or recognizing faces.
Misplacing items and not recalling the steps: People often put things in unusual places and then cannot remember where they were placed.
Changes in mood and personality: Becoming more suspicious, anxious, confused, or withdrawn from social activity.
If you or a close family member or friend has exhibited these symptoms over time, you must see a doctor or healthcare professional.
How To Keep Your Brain Healthy and Lower Your Risk
While there is no known cure for Alzheimer's, research does show that confident lifestyle choices can lower the risk of developing the disease. Here are some ways to keep your brain healthy:
Stay physically active: Exercise increases blood flow to the brain and may slow the onset of cognitive decline.
Engage in mental stimulation: Reading, puzzles, learning a new skill, and social interactions have been shown to strengthen brain function.
Eat healthy: A Mediterranean or DASH diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats may help boost brain health.
Get enough sleep: Poor sleep has been linked to higher risks of Alzheimer's. Aim to get 7-9 hours of sleep every night.
Manage stress and mental health: Chronic stress can help fuel cognitive decline; thus, mindfulness, meditation, or seeking therapy can be helpful.
Advocacy and Community Involvement
Raising awareness about Alzheimer's and advocating for better research funding and support for caregivers is critical in combating the disease. You can get involved by:
Supporting organizations that deal with Alzheimer's through donations, volunteering, or participating in events that raise awareness about the condition.
Educate your community on the importance of early detection and brain health.
Encourage research efforts by advocating for more funding and participation in clinical trials.
Take Action Today
Awareness is the first step toward creating a world that understands and brings hope. Share this blog, participate in an Alzheimer's awareness event, or support research to help people living with the disease. Every action counts, no matter how big or small.
Works Cited
Alzheimer’s Association. “Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures.” Alz.org, Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org. Accessed 11 Jan. 2025.
National Institute on Aging. “What Is Alzheimer’s Disease?” Nia.nih.gov, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, www.nia.nih.gov. Accessed 11 Jan. 2025.
Mayo Clinic. “Alzheimer’s Disease: Overview.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, www.mayoclinic.org. Accessed 11 Jan. 2025.
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