NEDJO, Ethiopia (AP) – Rome Berihun barely remembers Ethiopia’s deadly border war with Eritrea, but she feels its effects in her shortness of breath, trouble swallowing and a tumor-like growth in her neck.
The 16-year-old is among some 80 percent of Ethiopians suffering from an easily preventable deficiency of iodine, an essential nutrient that was readily available from Eritrea until the 1998-2000 war halted all trade between the countries.
“It suffocates me,” said Rome, who has developed a lemon-sized goiter, or enlarged thyroid gland, in her neck a common symptom of iodine-low diets. “I can’t breathe. I can’t swallow.”
Iodine deficiency and its largely irreversible effects _ the most severe is brain damage can be devastating. Most children born to iodine-deficient mothers appear normal but have difficulty learning and staying in school. Other symptoms include deafness, speech defects and goiters.
Dr. Iqbal Kabir, head of UNICEF’s Nutrition and Food Security section in Ethiopia, said only 4 percent of Ethiopia’s 77 million people consume iodized salt among the lowest percentages in the world.
“I have never seen any other country like this,” said Kabir, who has worked in the nutrition field since 1983, and in that time has worked in three or four countries that used to have iodine deficiency problems, including Bangladesh and Tanzania. Both have since improved their lot.
In Ethiopia, Kabir said, «If this problem continues, a generation will suffer. Most countries protect against iodine deficiency, simply by adding iodine to salt at a cost of about 4 US cents; 2 euro cents per kilogram (2 US cents;one euro cent per pound). Most people get enough iodine simply by eating plants grown in iodine-rich soil or seafood that also carries the trace amounts of the nutrient.
But Ethiopia is landlocked and its soil is iodine-poor. The country used to get its salt from the Eritrean port of Aseb, where iodization factories added the nutrient. But since the war, most Ethiopian salt comes uniodized from the salt flats of northern Ethiopia.
Eritrea and Ethiopia have been feuding over their border since Eritrea gained independence from the Addis Ababa government in 1993 after a 30-year guerrilla war.
Ethiopia is among the world’s 13 most iodine-poor countries, including India, Pakistan, Ghana and Burkina Faso, Kabir said. Nearly 64 percent of Pakistanis suffer from iodine deficiency, according to the International Council for the Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders.
In Africa, Burkina Faso reports nearly 48 percent iodine deficiency rates, and Ghana tops 71 percent.
The United Nations estimates that up to 80 percent of Ethiopians suffer from the deficiency.
Ethiopia is working to fix the problem. Belaynesh Yifru, a nutrition expert in the Ministry of Health, expects newly purchased iodization machines to be operating within three months in northern Ethiopia.
But for those already suffering the effects particularly developmental problems this promised solution comes too late. And for those with goiters, the only treatment is surgery, a faraway option for the rural poor.
Dinke Baja, 13, blinked away tears as she touched her bulging neck in the remote village of Kelay.
“I don’t like it,” said Dinke, who has not seen a doctor because her family hopes the goiter will go away on its own. “I don’t know what causes it.”
Doctors in the area say they’re doing their part to spread awareness, but often, it’s too late. Dr. Fekede Jara, one of three doctors for Nedjo’s 20,000 residents, says he sees eight to 10 patients a day with a goiter.
In the bustling surgery ward of the largest hospital in nearby Nekemte, Dr. Adam Lemma prepared to operate on Hanmbissa Farada, a farmer who decided he was ready to shed his goiter after 25 years. The goiter, the size of a small melon, dwarfs Hanmbissa’s thin frame.
Adam, who like many Ethiopians goes by his first name, is the hospital’s main general surgeon and performs up to four goiter-removal surgeries a week. At his hospital, which is government-run and where surgeries are subsidized, the most expensive goiter removal surgery costs about US$5.50 (€3.50) a considerable sum in a country where average per capita income is US$180 (€116).
«We have to concentrate more on prevention than on surgery,» Adam said. «It is a preventable disease.
But for those in the remote areas, prevention seems as far away as that distant war so many years ago.
In Nedjo, schoolteacher Negesse Olana, 36, clutched a plastic bag that held the remains of what was a pound of iodized salt. Doctors in Nekemte gave him the salt for his two children, both of whom have begun to develop goiters.
«Six, seven years ago, it did not exist around here,» he said. «But now most of the children have it. There is a difference between them. They are not as clever in the class, those who have this illness.
With less than a few teaspoons left in the bag and nowhere to buy more, Negesse says he has little hope. His 11-year-old daughter is already starting to struggle in school, and he said he’s certain the iodine deficiency is causing it.
“This is a national disaster,” said Mesfin Namarra, a lawmaker who represents Nedjo in far western Ethiopia, some 300 miles (480 kilometers) from the capital, Addis Ababa. «I don’t know why nobody is scared about this.
Source: World Health Organization on iodine deficiency
www.who.int/nutrition/topics/idd/en.
Global Energy announced that its has started a castor farming in Ethiopia for biodiesel plants. Global, in conjunction with its subsidiaries, Global NRG Pacific and Global Energy Ethiopia (“GEE”), is involved in a project to plant, harvest and produce non-edible oil for the biodiesel industry and a myriad of other uses.
GEE expects to commence seeding of castor in April, 2008 and harvest in August/September 2008. The expected yield of the harvest is 28,000 tons of seeds producing approximately 12,000 tons of castor oil. The current commodity price for castor ranges from $700.00U.S. to $1100.00 per ton.
During the past five months, GEE has developed an infrastructure for an agricultural cooperative, in the regions of Waletia and Goma Gofa, Ethiopia. This includes, but is not limited to, signed agreements with over 25,000 families, to farm castor on approximately 7,500 hectares of their land. GEE’s operations center is based in Sodo, Ethiopia, and includes a logistics center, computer center and a staff of Company trained agricultural supervisors.
The castor initiative is located in southern Ethiopia, approximately 320 km south of the capital of Addis Ababa and is comprised of land area totaling 220km by 110km.
GEE is concurrently conducting a research and development program to achieve new “species” of castor to improve future yields and intends to conduct studies in eight experimental sites simulating a variety of conditions. Additionally, the Company is training local personnel with twelve agronomists.
“Global’s work in Ethiopia represents another business model for the Company, one that is practical, provides a service to members of the local communities, and holds the potential to generate an ongoing significant revenue stream for the Company,” stated Asi Shalgi, CEO.
About Global Energy
Global Energy’s mission is to commercialize innovative technologies which produce energy from waste and renewable sources, while contributing to a vision of a cleaner environment. Global Energy intends to use the most efficient and environmentally friendly of all currently available alternative fuel technologies, each originally developed and patented by acclaimed scientists.
For further information please visit www.global-energy.net.
Forward-Looking Statements.
Statements in this press release which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such forward-looking statements include, among others, that seeding of castor would commence in April 2008 and harvest in August/September 2008, that the expected yield of the harvest is 28,000 tons of seeds producing approximately 12,000 tones of castor oil, and that we will conduct studies in eight experimental sites to achieve a new “species” of castor to improve future yields; that we will commercialize innovative technologies which produce energy from waste and renewable sources; and that we will use the most efficient and environmentally friendly of all currently available alternative fuel technologies.
Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others: (i) the inherent uncertainties and speculative nature associated with biofuels and alternative fuel sources; (ii) potential environmental liabilities, weather, mechanical failures, safety concerns, labor problems and financing problems; (iii) changes in economic conditions, adverse exchange rates and financial markets; (iv) the risk that we are not able to execute our business plan, such as entering agreements with strategic partners, leasing land, obtaining loans, etc; (v) the inability to retain key employees; (vi) changes in energy prices and the high cost of alternative fuels; (vii) Global Energy’s inability to finance its operations or growth; (viii) the inability to obtain all necessary government, environmental and regulatory approvals; (ix) an increase in competition in the biofuel and alternative fuel market; (x) the possibility that our technology does not work as well as expected; and (xi) inability to access additional funds under the arranged convertible debenture which is subject to certain conditions to funding. Further, commodity prices for castor oil may decline, and our crops may not grow as expected. Investors should consider all of these risks and should also refer to the risk factors disclosed on the SEC filings of other start up alternative energy companies.
Global Energy (OTCBB:GEYI), an alternative energy innovator focusing on the processing of organic solid and energy waste into usable products, today announced that the Company has successfully finalized the first stage of its agricultural activities — castor farming in Ethiopia.
Global, in conjunction with its subsidiaries, Global NRG Pacific and Global Energy Ethiopia (“GEE”), is involved in a project to plant, harvest and produce non-edible oil for the biodiesel industry and a myriad of other uses.
GEE expects to commence seeding of castor in April, 2008 and harvest in August/September 2008. The expected yield of the harvest is 28,000 tons of seeds producing approximately 12,000 tons of castor oil. The current commodity price for castor ranges from $700.00U.S. to $1100.00 per ton.
During the past five months, GEE has developed an infrastructure for an agricultural cooperative, in the regions of Waletia and Goma Gofa, Ethiopia. This includes, but is not limited to, signed agreements with over 25,000 families, to farm castor on approximately 7,500 hectares of their land. GEE’s operations center is based in Sodo, Ethiopia, and includes a logistics center, computer center and a staff of Company trained agricultural supervisors.
The castor initiative is located in southern Ethiopia, approximately 320 km south of the capital of Addis Ababa and is comprised of land area totaling 220km by 110km.
GEE is concurrently conducting a research and development program to achieve new “species” of castor to improve future yields and intends to conduct studies in eight experimental sites simulating a variety of conditions. Additionally, the Company is training local personnel with twelve agronomists.
“Global’s work in Ethiopia represents another business model for the Company, one that is practical, provides a service to members of the local communities, and holds the potential to generate an ongoing significant revenue stream for the Company,” stated Asi Shalgi, CEO.
About Global Energy
Global Energy’s mission is to commercialize innovative technologies which produce energy from waste and renewable sources, while contributing to a vision of a cleaner environment. Global Energy intends to use the most efficient and environmentally friendly of all currently available alternative fuel technologies, each originally developed and patented by acclaimed scientists.
For further information please visit www.global-energy.net.
Forward-Looking Statements.
Statements in this press release which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such forward-looking statements include, among others, that seeding of castor would commence in April 2008 and harvest in August/September 2008, that the expected yield of the harvest is 28,000 tons of seeds producing approximately 12,000 tones of castor oil, and that we will conduct studies in eight experimental sites to achieve a new “species” of castor to improve future yields; that we will commercialize innovative technologies which produce energy from waste and renewable sources; and that we will use the most efficient and environmentally friendly of all currently available alternative fuel technologies.
Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others: (i) the inherent uncertainties and speculative nature associated with biofuels and alternative fuel sources; (ii) potential environmental liabilities, weather, mechanical failures, safety concerns, labor problems and financing problems; (iii) changes in economic conditions, adverse exchange rates and financial markets; (iv) the risk that we are not able to execute our business plan, such as entering agreements with strategic partners, leasing land, obtaining loans, etc; (v) the inability to retain key employees; (vi) changes in energy prices and the high cost of alternative fuels; (vii) Global Energy’s inability to finance its operations or growth; (viii) the inability to obtain all necessary government, environmental and regulatory approvals; (ix) an increase in competition in the biofuel and alternative fuel market; (x) the possibility that our technology does not work as well as expected; and (xi) inability to access additional funds under the arranged convertible debenture which is subject to certain conditions to funding. Further, commodity prices for castor oil may decline, and our crops may not grow as expected. Investors should consider all of these risks and should also refer to the risk factors disclosed on the SEC filings of other start up alternative energy companies.
When did you decide what you wanted to do with your life? For some, maybe 18, for others, perhaps 30 and there are those that are still trying to find their true path. Imagine knowing what you wanted to do at age 6. Washington, DC R&B star Wayna knew just that, and in fact, proclaimed her destiny to be a singer in a letter to her father. In search of better educational opportunities, Wayna and her mother immigrated from their native Ethiopia to America when she was just a toddler. Though they were in a new environment, her mother was determined to instill traditional Ethiopian values in her life. “I feel like I grew up in Ethiopia, in America,” Wayna says. “It was an interesting mix of two very different worlds.” Her gratitude for her mother’s sacrifice is expressed in the song, Mama’s Sacrifice from the CD, Moments of Clarity, Book 1. Many of us can relate to the fact that we are reluctant to disappoint our parents and Wayna was no different. Instead of immediately pursuing a career in music, she opted for the more traditional route and obtained a degree in English from the University of Maryland. She then began work at the White House as a a writer for the Clinton administration. She looks back at the time fondly, recalling the intelligent people she worked with and the challenging environment… Read more >>
Last year I went to the United Kingdom to do a comparative research on welfare benefits, its advantages and its adverse effects. That had given me a chance to closely scrutinize how some Ethiopians in the UK survive on benefits. You may wonder why anyone would want to write about the positive and negative effects of benefits on an immigrant community. The simple answer is the pervasive addiction of welfare benefits, also known as Dechasa, among able bodied Ethiopians who have every opportunity to succeed without being indefinitely dependent on welfare benefits.
The United Kingdom is a country where a generous welfare system helps those who cannot afford to cope with the cost of life. Those without jobs, anyone unable to earn a living due to other unfortunate circumstances like serious illnesses and disabilities get assistance from the tax payer’s coffers under various schemes. There are many kinds of benefits, like job seekers allowance, income support, disability allowance, housing benefit, child benefit, council tax benefit etc.
The benefit system in the UK has its own weaknesses and can easily be abused and manipulated by unscrupulous individuals with false claims. What I found striking is not the number of Ethiopians who are on benefits because they have legitimate grounds to get support to survive. Asylum seekers who are not allowed to work, which is another weakness of the system, senior citizens, children under 18, genuinely single mums, disabled and unemployed people have all legitimate grounds to claim welfare benefits for survival.
As the main objective of the benefit system is to help those who cannot afford to pay their bills because of joblessness, disabilities or any other legitimate grounds, one cannot criticise them for being dependent on welfare benefits because of their unfortunate circumstances as there are a number of Ethiopians in this category who have good reasons to seek assistance from public funds.
My critical views are directed towards Ethiopians in the UK who are deliberately trying to make every effort not to get stuck in the benefit system even if they have every chance to take advantage of the opportunities on offer to them. One of the undesirable effects of Dechesa is making some people to develop a culture of laziness and dependency syndrome abusing the benefit system at will, sometimes doing nothing except backbiting others. If anyone dares to advise these kinds of people why don’t they try to lead meaningful lives, they are likely to angrily retort “It is none of your business. That is envy!” In a civilised society though, there is however nothing off limit closer scrutiny especially when a malpractice is grossly wrong.
Let us put “Dechasa” addicts under different categories. However, caution must be taken that this is not an effort to expose the corrupt practise, as it is already an open secret, but to encourage Ethiopians to believe in hard work and to shun a system that can prevent them from leading productive and meaningful lives free from cheating, which is not a smart way of earning a living at the expense of hard working people who pay their taxes responsibly. Putting such a malfeasance under scrutiny can show Ethiopians, whether in the UK or other countries, that it is hard work, not welfare dependency and addiction, that should be construed as a source success, pride and confidence.
1. The job dodger: There are some who are able to work and earn their living. Some are well qualified but never want to get employed. Among the Ethiopian community in the UK, it is a taboo to ask why. But you hear constant moaning from the job dodgers that the Job Centre, a government agency that puts people into jobs, is harassing them to do training and offering work. Don’t get surprised if you hear the job dodgers saying: “These cruel people have found me a job. I will tell them I am too ill to work.” This may appear a joke but it is a reality of life for the job dodgers. They are too lazy to work or they have a preconceived idea that they can only be better off to be on benefits forever.
2. Married but separate: In order to take advantage of the loop holes in the system, these one get married with a lot of fanfare and big limos. The trouble with them is that even if they get married legally they declare divorce as soon as possible or they never declare their marriage. The extreme cases go as far as both claiming income support, job seekers allowance, housing and council tax benefits. It doesn’t end there. They rent out flats and houses that are registered under a housing benefit claimant. That means they live rent free and become landlords and landladies of properties that they spend not a single penny on. In some cases they even go out for extra income working in the black market.
3. Healthy but disabled: Under these categories fall those who are healthy but claim to be disabled. They claim the maximum amounts of welfare benefits but one may find them doing hard jobs in the underground. They never wish to have a decent job as they think they are too smart to squeeze the system.
4. Self-employed but no income: Cab drivers and business owners fall under this category. Some amongst this group declare their income so low that their income would appear not even enough to pay their rent. Assisted by dodgy accountants, they prefer to save their income and claim benefits for their basic expenses including housing rent.
5. The young pensioner: Cheating the benefit system has become so entrenched among Ethiopians in the UK that even young people prefer to live like old aged pensioners rather than getting qualifications and aspire to fulfill their dreams.
6. The landlord on welfare: As I have mentioned above, some become scrupulous landlords claiming all kinds of benefits. The majority of the dodgy dealers live with their partners, girl friends, boy friends, husbands and wives while claiming state benefits. This practically turns them into landlords on welfare which is an illegal way of making money that they have never toiled to earn. If anyone challenges these malfeasance affecting a significant number of individuals and families, they would be victims of smear campaigns as those who have a problem with the truth find it hard to handle it.
To my amazement, the majority benefit cheats I have come across think that this is a smart way of survival but what is at stake is honesty, integrity and morality. Some families who have children but live on benefits while earning enough teach their children a bad lesson. The community organisations that are supposed to show the right ways and means of survival to the Ethiopians community in the UK have their own weaknesses as they are too focused on fundraising and siphoning off funds to their own ends.
It is very healthy to aspire to prosper. But prosperity should come through hard work and real earning. Living in confidence is much better than playing hide and seek with welfare officers.
Those who have no choice but to survive on benefits are beyond reproach. They have little options. But those who are capable of supporting themselves and making positive contributions to their host country should accept the fact that hard work is the best way of survival with dignity. It should also be noted that there are so many Ethiopians who work and study hard to succeed in the United Kingdom in the right ways. Unnecessary dependency syndrome and addiction to Dechasa must be shunned and discouraged as it is not a smart way of survival for those who cheat. Where ever we go we must believe that we can make in in the right way of life.
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The writer can be reached at [email protected]
