Term paper on ACF international

In Lebanon, the hunger index is low, early malnutrition rate is 4.2% and there are virtually no problems with clean water and sanitation now; the major causes of social problems and hunger here results from war conflicts, pollution and natural disasters such as sandstorms and dust storms. 28% of people are below poverty line, and the rates of labor and sex trafficking are threatening. The country’s development is promising to be stable, and here ACF International should focus on emergency help, educating the kids and supporting income-generating activities.

Niger should be on the top of the list for ACF International since the hunger index there is alarming, and about 40% of children below 5 suffer from malnutrition. The country suffers from recurring droughts, and there are numerous environmental problems such as soil erosion, growing deserts and overgrazing. Population of Niger is quickly increasing (population growth rate is 3.64%), but the health care is quite poor, and many infectious diseases put the population at risk. Only 48% of people have access to clean water, and only 9% have access to sanitation facilities. More than 63% of people are below poverty line. In Niger, ACF International has provided treatment to malnourished children and contributed to health care activities. Further activities should be centered around health care and education, since the population growth rate and the state of agriculture in Niger can lead to rapid increase of hunger in this country. The main threat for the initiatives of ACF International in Niger is the lack of support, infrastructure and funding, and the absence of sustainable technologies.

B. Technological factors

For ACF International, the impact of technological factors is different from other factors. While the four other groups of factors determine the environment within a country and serve as a framework for developing the strategy for the organization, technological development are adopted by ACF International worldwide and best practices are passed from country to country as part of the mission of ACF International. Thus, for ACF International the availability of new technology and access to modern (often US and Europe-originating) technologies is more important than current state of technology in a particular country. Moreover, most countries with high poverty level experiencing threats of malnutrition and hunger belong to developing group, where the technology sector is lagging compared to the developed countries. From this perspective, ACF International has to determine appropriate technologies and help the countries in need to develop and apply these technologies.

In Armenia, the level of education is comparatively high, but the access to technology and the development are hindered by the struggling economy and bureaucracy. ACF International should use all possible opportunities and unite the existing NGOs to improve the situation in the country.

In Philippines, the level of technology is effective and the government is taking a lot of step towards reforming it, but it is necessary to specifically address rural issues in Philippines. A warning sign is the decreasing consumption of vegetables; this is another issue which ACF International should pay attention to. In Bolivia, technology is quite poor and ACF International should first of all helped to make agriculture more effective and to establish more sources of clean water. In Colombia, there is also a need to make agriculture more effective, but it is more difficult to introduce technology to Colombian people due to high engagement of population in illicit drug production.

C. Economic performance and forecasts

Economic situation worldwide and especially in developing countries is directly related to demography, poverty and other factors causing malnutrition and hunger. Economic forecasts should thus be used in strategic planning for ACF International as predictors of the need for emergency help in many countries.

For example, in Armenia, severe economic recession started in 2009, and although in 2010 the situation improved, currently the country is at risk of default. This means that people living below poverty line in Armenia (more than 26%) will be the first to suffer from recession, and the opportunity for the organization is to help Armenians find sources of income related with manufacturing or agriculture before the recession hits them. Armenia is part of WTO, and there might be new opportunities for help from WTO members. There is an associated threat – programs related to income generation take a lot of time, and it might happen that their effect will be seen later, after the recession. ACF International might need governmental support to launch new initiatives timely in Armenia.

Malnutrition problems in Philippines are not strongly related to economical problems; however, they are partly related to the weak efficiency of tax collection, and to a large number of seasonal workers in the economy. Here with governmental support ACF International can try to develop educational programs for these employees and create a better employment balance in the country.

Bolivia belongs to the poorest countries in Latin America, and despite economic growth in the recent 3-4 years, the economy is still unstable due to low investment level and high food prices. One opportunity here for ACF International is to unite with powerful neighboring countries and to provide food at more reasonable prices for the poorest groups of population in Bolivia.

In Colombia, the recent governmental strategies have improved the development of the economy, and compensated the people who lost their land. Further implementation of these policies might help to reduce unemployment, and here ACF International might also help the impoverished.

Lebanon economy was weak before 2009, and only during the last 2 years the growth has been witnessed due to improvement of tourism sector and the relative stabilization of sociopolitical situation.

In Niger, the very geographical position of the country and the population growth rates are threatening to make hunger even worse, and here measures should be immediately taken. ACF International might seek the support of large international organizations such as World Health Organization to address Nigerian crisis.