...In Madagascar, due to the large variety of soil types and climatic diversity, farmers are able to grow wide variety of crops including coffee, cloves, sisal, maize and tubers. Rice is the dominant food crop and is grown in the central plateau, eastern forests and lower river valleys and estuaries. Once self-sufficient, the country has been a net-importer of rice since 1980. Agriculture accounts for almost 30% of Gross Domestic Product, 40% of export earnings and employs more than 70 per cent of the labor force. About 5% of the land area is cultivated at any given time, of which 16% is irrigated. The average farm size is 1.3 hectares, with most farmers practicing subsistence agriculture. It is worth noting that Madagascar is the largest producer of natural vanilla. According to the new agriculturist website, Madagascar produces 60% of the global supply. As you may notice from figure 1, the majority of cultivable land in the nation is sown in rice Figure 1 and Malagasy culture and politics are symbolically structured around rice. Also there seems to be a direct correlation between the positive impacts of the World Bank on some areas. By assisting agricultural productivity the indicators for poverty and food insecurity seems to improve. Other limiting agricultural factors are natural hazards (cyclones, droughts, locust invasions) and destructive farming practices...
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...Yersinia Pesitis – The Plague Yersinia pestis is a highly infectious, Gram negative bacillus that is transmitted to humans usually through the bite of infected fleas. [1]. Yersinia pestis reaching the respiratory tract results in pneumonic plague, which is also highly contagious due to its airborne transmission. [1]. Pneumonic plague usually causes fatality in “less than three days if no treatment is administered.” [1]. History In 1894, Alexandre Yersin described, discovered, and cultured the bacteria that causes Plague. [5]. Later, in 1894, Jean-Paul Simond discovered that transmission was due to flea bites from infected rodents. [5]. “Plague has been one of the deadliest bacterial infections in human history, causing millions of deaths...
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...THIRD WORLD COUNTRY ( MADAGASCAR) PUBLIC HEALTH STATUS Public Health Life expectancy at birth has gradually improved from an average of 37.5 years for men and 38.3 years for women in 1966 to an average of fifty-two years for men and fifty-five years for women in 1990 (for a combined average of fifty-four). Malaria remains the most serious tropical disease, although eradication campaigns against mosquitoes waged since 1948 initially resulted in spectacular declines in incidence and a dramatic decrease in the island's mortality rate during a twenty-year period. Indeed, in some regions, especially the central highlands, these campaigns were almost completely successful, although malaria continues to be prevalent in the coastal regions, especially the east coast. As prevention practices faltered during the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s, the mosquito staged a comeback. The effect on a population with a significantly reduced resistance to malaria was devastating. For example, the Malagasy Ministry of Health reported 490,000 cases and 6,200 deaths from malaria in 1985, but these figures rose--to 760,000 cases and 11,000 deaths--in 1987. As of 1994, other serious diseases included schistosomiasis, tuberculosis, and leprosy. The prevalence of schistosomiasis, a parasitic ailment that spreads primarily through the passing of human wastes into ponds, irrigation canals, and slow-moving streams, reflects the continued lack of adequate sewage facilities, especially in the rural areas...
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...Contents I. Abstract II. Introduction III. Background Information IV. Discussion V. Diagnosis Test VI. Prevention VII. Conclusion VIII. Bibliography Abstract According to archeologists, Bubonic plague may have originated from Egypt and not in Asia as originally thought. The disease is termed ‘Black Death’ and is said to have also begun in North Africa. Archeologists and fossil insect experts report that the disease may have distributed as a result of the flooding of River Nile that forced the rats to infest the human populated areas during the 3500 B.C. The causative agents of Bubonic Plague are known as Yersinia pestis (Y. pestis) that are normally classified as Gram-negative, bipolar-staining coccobacilli. The coccobacilli are either rod or oval shape, and they is short. The Y. pestis metabolism is fermentative just like the other enterobacteriaceae, and they produce a thick antiphagocytic capsule that prevents the white blood cells from the ability to ward off the Y. pestis infection. In this paper, the disease Bubonic Plague will be discussed in details, including its causes, and the place where the recent outbreak has occurred. Introduction Bubonic Plague is brought by the Yersinia pestis, which is a Gam-negative, bipolar-staining coccobacilli. As learned in classes, the coccobacilli are rod or oval in shape, and normally short in size. Just like other Enterobacteriaceae, the Yersinia pestis has a fermentative type of metabolism, and they...
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...The Black Plague “The Renaissance Death of England” Jayne Ritzinger GS102 – Introduction of Life Science September 2, 2009 The Black Plague in a Medieval Perspective “The Renaissance Death of England” The Sixteenth Century and Bubonic Plague The year is 1350 and death has travelled Western Asia and Europe for a decade. The death rate has exceeded 10 million due to the Black Plague, which is the curse of Europe (Bollinger, 1983). Travelling by boat and carriage, the Black Death has infected the known world from Constantinople to London. “The first attack, known since the late sixteenth century as the Black Death but to contemporaries as “the great mortality”, occurred in southern England in 1348; by the end of 1349 it had spread to Central Scotland” (Morgan, 1984). Rats and the lice that traveled on them were the common cause, but the Sixteenth Century had no such mechanism to identify the causation of the plague “Plague is characterized by periodic disease outbreaks in rodent populations, some of which have a high death rate. During these outbreaks, hungry infected fleas that have lost their normal hosts seek other sources of blood, thus escalating the increased risk to humans and other animals frequenting the area” (Plague, 2009). As defined by the Center for Disease Control, the Black Plague is defined as follows: Plague is an infectious disease of animals and humans caused by a bacterium named Yersinia Pestis. Epidemics of plague in humans usually involve house rats...
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...systematic extermination? * The systematic programme for the annihilation of Europe's Jews was formed by spring 1942. (Wansee conference) LONG TERM FACTORS OF THE FINAL SOLUTION * History of Anti-semitism - a tradition accross Europe embedded in societies for hundreds of years - Hitler did not invent anti-semitism he adopted it. e.g. Russian pogroms - example of anti-semitism in Western Europe. The first concentration camp for Jews was in London under the rule of Elizabeth I. * Linking of A race (Judaism) and an ideology (Communism) * Resentment against Jews: = SCAPEGOATS. 'November Criminals' / 'stab in the Back' - Treaty of Versailles - Ebert was Jewish - Hitler manipulated these events and portrayed the Jews as the plague of Society. * The Great Depression of the 1930's - provided the opportunity for extremist parties to rise to power. - Hitler also blamed this on the Jews. * Lebensraum (living space) ideology - dominant in Hitler's World View - tied in with the extermination of Jews. * The Chaotic nature of the Nazi party = Working towards the fuhrer - Gauleiter left to their own devices - implemented their own rules over their areas. SHORT TERM FACTORS OF THE FINAL SOLUTION * WORLD WAR TWO - Gave Hitler the opportunity to implement his ideology. could this Genocide occur without the war? = war is a catalyst for Genocide. * 'Working towards the Fuhrer' - locals helping to round up jews - local hostility - * Role of individuals -...
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...The Bubonic Plague Analysis Contents I. Abstract II. Introduction III. Background Information IV. Discussion V. Diagnosis Test VI. Prevention VII. Conclusion VIII. Bibliography Abstract According to archeologists, Bubonic plague may have originated from Egypt and not in Asia as originally thought. The disease is termed ‘Black Death’ and is said to have also begun in North Africa. Archeologists and fossil insect experts report that the disease may have distributed as a result of the flooding of River Nile that forced the rats to infest the human populated areas during the 3500 B.C. The causative agents of Bubonic Plague are known as Yersinia pestis (Y. pestis) that are normally classified as Gram-negative, bipolar-staining coccobacilli. The coccobacilli are either rod or oval shape, and they is short. The Y. pestis metabolism is fermentative just like the other enterobacteriaceae, and they produce a thick antiphagocytic capsule that prevents the white blood cells from the ability to ward off the Y. pestis infection. In this paper, the disease Bubonic Plague will be discussed in details, including its causes, and the place where the recent outbreak has occurred. Introduction Bubonic Plague is brought by the Yersinia pestis, which is a Gam-negative, bipolar-staining coccobacilli. As learned in classes, the coccobacilli are rod or oval in shape, and normally short in size. Just like other Enterobacteriaceae, the Yersinia...
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...Crime, Transitory Poverty, and Isolation: Evidence from Madagascar Marcel Fafchamps University of Oxford y Bart Minten Cornell Universityz June 2005 Abstract This paper investigates the relationship between poverty and crime. Following a disputed presidential election, fuel supply to the highlands of Madagascar was severely curtailed in early 2002, resulting in a massive increase in poverty and transport costs. Using original survey data collected in June 2002 at the height of the crisis, we …nd that crop theft increases with transitory poverty. Theft thus appears to be used by some of the rural poor as a risk coping strategy. Increased transport costs led to a rise in cattle and crop theft, con…rming earlier …ndings that, in Madagascar, geographical isolation is associated with certain forms of crime. We also …nd that an increase in law enforcement personnel locally reduces cattle theft which, in Madagascar, is a form of organized crime. JEL classi…cation code: K14, I39 We thank Eliane Ralison and Lalaina Randrianarison for their assistance in collecting and cleaning the data. Funding for this project was provided by USAID and Cornell University. y Department of Economics, University of Oxford, Manor Road, Oxford OX1 3UQ. Email: . Fax: +44(0)1865-281447. Tel: +44(0)1865-281446. z Cornell Food and Nutrition Policy Program, Cornell University, Ithaca NY. Email: 1. Introduction There has long been a suspicion that poverty favors criminal activity, but hard evidence...
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...ICOSAMP – The Information Core for Southern African Migrant Pests Margaret Powell1 1ICOSAMP Co-ordinator, Agricultural Research Council – Plant Protection Research Institute, P/Bag X134, Pretoria 0001, South Africa (Contact: icosamp@ecoport.org). Abstract Migrant pests such as locusts, armyworm, and Quelea birds, annually plague the southern African region, and in some years have been known to cause devastating damage to food crops within member countries of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). As these pests are highly mobile and often cross political boundaries, communication and collaboration between neighbouring countries is vital with respect to forecasting, monitoring, and controlling these outbreaks. ICOSAMP, endorsed by SADC and funded by the UK Department for International Development, has established a regional network of information officers who submit monthly reports on the status of migrant pests in their country to the ICOSAMP co-ordinator. This close interaction between national Ministries of Agriculture, Plant Protection Institutes, and NGO’s, not only highlights potential areas at risk from migrant pests, but also provides a platform for technical co-operation and sharing of research information. The provision of early warning of impending cross-border invasions prevents the uncontrolled spread of migratory pests, thus reducing the impact of these pests on the food security of the region. ICOSAMP utilises modern technology...
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...Executive Summary Why are the rainforests so important to human and animal life? Scientists believe the rainforest are considered the “world’s lungs” and actually eliminates CO2 from the atmosphere and provides oxygen for every living creature. In addition, pharmaceutical companies are realizing the importance of the discovery of anti-cancer drugs that are only found in plants in the rainforest. We are not thinking of the consequences that deforestation of the rainforest will have on the Earth. We need to stop the deforestation and the destruction of the rainforest before it is too late. It is said that Mother Earth has given many responsibilities to the trees. Without the trees in the rainforest, it could have global implications not just on life but the quality of life to all living things. Trees in the rainforest improve the quality of the oxygen that all creatures breathe by trapping carbon and other particles produced by pollution. Trees also determine rainfall and replenish the atmosphere. As more water is able to be put back in the atmosphere, clouds form and provide another way to block out the sun’s heat. Trees are what cool and regulate the earth’s climate in conjunction with other such valuable services as preventing erosion, landslides, and making the most infertile soil rich with life (Connor, 2009). To be considered a rainforest, the forest must get at least 80 inches of rain per year. Most tropical rainforests get anywhere from 160 to 400 inches of rain...
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...WATER and SANITATION in Developing Countries: Including Health in the Equation Millions suffer from preventable illnesses and die every year. M AGGIE A. MONTGOMERY MENACHEM ELIMELECH YALE UNIV ERSIT Y WORLD BANK I mproving global access to clean drinking water and safe sanitation is one of the least expensive and most effective means to improve public health and save lives. The concept of clean water and safe sanitation as essential to health is not a novel idea. In 350 B.C., Hippocrates recommended boiling water to inactivate “impurities”. The U.S. and Central Europe, where water and sanitation services are nearly universal, significantly reduced water-, sanitation-, and hygiene-related diseases by the start of the 20th century by protecting water sources and installing sewage systems. However, in developing countries, water and sanitation services are still severely lacking. As a result, millions suffer from preventable illnesses and die every year (1). Many obstacles must be overcome to improve these statistics. The integration of public health into engineering problem solving is critical, but current efforts are insufficient. Through partnerships with local communities to implement water and sanitation solutions that consider environmental, cultural, and economic conditions, progress toward achieving and sustaining global coverage of water and sanitation services will be greatly enhanced. In this article, we discuss three main themes about...
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...Journal of International Commercial Law and Technology Vol. 5, Issue 3 (2010) The role of South Africa in SADC regional integration: the making or braking of the organization∗ Saurombe Amos University of South Africa Sauroa@unisa.ac.za Abstract. The economic and political strength of South Africa in Southern Africa is undeniable. South Africa is the strongest economy in Southern Africa and in the whole continent of Africa. Regional and global interests lie at the heart of South African’s foreign policy resulting in the need to create compromises that may disadvantage the SADC block. South Africa is the current chair of SADC and its leadership role is critical. The country is also the gateway to foreign direct investment to the developing world. This paper seeks to discuss the critical position which South Africa finds itself in. The challenge to provide leadership at regional and global level has also been compounded by the domestic outcry for a need to deal with issues at home. South Africa holds the key for the success of SADC both at economic and political levels. However SADC’s dependence on South Africa may turn out to be a stumbling block since there is divided attention. This has been shown by South Africa’s ‘go it alone’ approach when it comes to negotiating trade agreements, e.g. with the EU, as well as its unwillingness to compromise on the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) that the other SADC Members States are signing. What is obvious is that SADC needs...
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...AS GEOGRAPHY UNIT 1 WORLD AT RISK WORLD AT RISK GLOBAL HAZARDS Hazard – Potential threat to human life or property Natural Hazards – Caused by natural processes e.g. lava flow from volcanic eruption Hydro-meteorological Hazards – Caused by climatic processes (droughts, floods, tropical cyclones and storms Geophysical Hazards – Caused by land processes (volcanic eruptions, earthquakes) Disaster – When a hazard seriously affects humans Risk – Likelihood that humans will be seriously affected by a hazard Vulnerability – How susceptible a population is to the damage caused by a hazard. Disaster Risk Equation Risk (R) – Hazards (H) * Vulnerability (V) / Capacity to Cope (C) Risk increases if: * Frequency or severity of hazards increase * People vulnerability increase * Capacity to cope decreases (Capacity to cope is the ability to deal with the consequences of a hazard) e.g. people in remote areas are further from help in central areas, so have lower capacity to cope) * Global Warming – greatest global hazard * Recent increase in average global temp – climate change * Causes other types of climate change * Context hazard – global in scale (affects all parts of environment) – potential to trigger other hazards or make them worse * Chronic Hazard (Long term) * People who aren’t causing the problem are mostly affected * Difficult to find solutions * Hydro-meteorological hazards becoming more frequent ...
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...Clinical guidelines Diagnosis and treatment manual for curative programmes in hospitals and dispensaries guidance for prescribing 2010 EDITION © Médecins Sans Frontières – January 2010 All rights reserved for all countries. No reproduction, translation and adaptation may be done without the prior permission of the Copyright owner. ISBN 2-906498-81-5 Clinical guidelines Diagnosis and treatment manual Editorial Committee: I. Broek (MD), N. Harris (MD), M. Henkens (MD), H. Mekaoui (MD), P.P. Palma (MD), E. Szumilin (MD) and V. Grouzard (N, general editor) Contributors: P. Albajar (MD), S. Balkan (MD), P. Barel (MD), E. Baron (MD), M. Biot (MD), F. Boillot (S), L. Bonte (L), M.C. Bottineau (MD), M.E. Burny (N), M. Cereceda (MD), F. Charles (MD), M.J de Chazelles (MD), D. Chédorge (N), A.S. Coutin (MD), C. Danet (MD), B. Dehaye (S), K. Dilworth (MD), F. Fermon (N), B. Graz (MD), B. Guyard-Boileau (MD), G. Hanquet (MD), G. Harczi (N), M. van Herp (MD), C. Hook (MD), K. de Jong (P), S. Lagrange (MD), X. Lassalle (AA), D. Laureillard (MD), M. Lekkerkerker (MD), J. Maritoux (Ph), J. Menschik (MD), D. Mesia (MD), A. Minetti (MD), R. Murphy (MD), J. Pinel (Ph), J. Rigal (MD), M. de Smet (MD), S. Seyfert (MD), F. Varaine (MD), B. Vasset (MD) (S) Surgeon, (L) Laboratory technician, (MD) Medical Doctor, (N) Nurse, (AA) Anaesthetist-assistant, (Ph) Pharmacist, (P) Psychologist We would like to thank the following doctors for their invaluable help:...
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...IGOROTS * Home * IGOROT SONGS * IGOROT DANCE * IGOROT TRADITIONS * MONEY ON THE MOUNTAIN IGOROT TRADITIONS IGOROT TRADITIONS When we talk about Igorot identity and culture, we also have to consider the time. My point is that: what I am going to share in this article concerning the Igorot culture might not be the same practiced by the Igorots of today. It has made variations by the passing of time, which is also normally happening to many other cultures, but the main core of respect and reverence to ancestors and to those who had just passed is still there. The Igorot culture that I like to share is about our practices and beliefs during the "time of Death". Death is part of the cycle of life. Igorots practice this part of life cycle with a great meaning and importance. Before the advent of Christianity in the Igorotlandia, the Igorots or the people of the Cordilleran region in the Philippines were animist or pagans. Our reverence or the importance of giving honor to our ancestors is a part of our daily activities. We consider our ancestors still to be with us, only that they exist in another world or dimension. Whenever we have some special feasts (e.g., occasions during death, wedding, family gathering, etc.), when we undertake something special (like going somewhere to look for a job or during thanksgiving), we perform some special offer. We call this "Menpalti/ Menkanyaw", an act of butchering and offering animals. During these times we call them...
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