Foreign aid coverage and information.

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How Japan is Helping to Alleviate Poverty in the East

How Japan Assists in Aiding Poverty in the EastJapan, with its advanced social and economic markets, stands out in the East. However, neighboring countries continue to struggle with poverty. To address this, the country has launched innovative programs aimed at alleviating poverty in the east by bolstering the economies of these nations. This article examines Japan’s efforts to assist low-income countries in the East.

Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction

The Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction (JFPR), founded in 2000, provides grants to the poorest nations and most vulnerable groups, particularly the Asia-Pacific region. Such countries include India, Nepal, the Philippines and Malaysia. It aims to foster sustainable socioeconomic development. The grants target poverty reduction initiatives with the direct participation of nongovernment organizations, community groups and civil society. Eastern countries received $612.4 million from Japan as of 2013.

Nepal

From 2001 to 2011, JFPR helped Nepal with 10 projects and more than $17 million worth of aid. These projects include agriculture, governance and social sectors. At the moment, JFPR is supporting Nepal’s efforts to reduce anemia and other vitamin and mineral deficiency-related conditions. In addition, it assists the Nepal Police in inventing a new and improved system for the treatment of victims of crime against women and children in five districts.

Marginalized groups in Nepal such as Dalit, Majhi, Kumal and Bhote, have been helped by raising awareness about their social rights, organizing campaigns for social awareness and other workshops. Japan aims to integrate them fully into Nepalese society. There are also efforts to increase the number of Nepalese with legal identity documents, especially among the poor and vulnerable groups.

The ODA programs

Japan is also a major donor to countries in East Asia and other regions. In 2021, $10.7 billion was allocated to Asia. Through its ODA programs, areas such as health care, education, infrastructure development and agriculture are aided. Notable improvement has been seen in East Asia and Southeast Asia. In 1990, approximately 21% of people were living in poverty in Southeast Asia, as opposed to 6.8% in 2004. 

ODA –India

India has been one of the biggest receivers of Japan’s ODA loan over the last few decades. The Delhi Metro presents itself as a success story as a result of Japan’s contributions. The country introduced its Shinkansen System to India to build high-speed railways, the staple project of the Japan-India partnership. In 2022, India received 567.5 billion yen in loans from Japan and 4.7 billion yen in grants. Japan continues its support through the “Act East” policy and “Partnership for Quality Infrastructure” which help to support strategic connectivity. 

Looking Ahead

Japan’s commitment to alleviating poverty in neighboring Eastern countries is making a significant impact, providing vulnerable communities with the tools needed for sustainable development. Through targeted grants and development projects, Japan is fostering economic growth, enhancing social welfare and improving the living standards of millions. The success stories emerging from these efforts highlight the powerful role of international collaboration in tackling global poverty. Looking ahead, Japan’s innovative programs promise to continue supporting the fight against poverty, driving progress and prosperity in the East.

– Sepy Akbarian

Sepy is based in the UK and focuses on World News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Looking Back: 5 Influential Global Poverty Reduction Acts

Looking Back: 5 Influential Global Poverty Reduction Acts The United States (U.S.) has demonstrated its commitment to prioritizing global poverty reduction legislation. In recent years, the U.S. Congress has enacted significant bills aimed at reducing global poverty, with its impact resonating worldwide. So far, these efforts underscore the success of U.S. global poverty reduction acts and their ongoing effectiveness into 2024.

5 Influential Global Poverty Reduction Acts

  1. BUILD Act. The Better Utilization of Investments Leading to Development Act, known as The BUILD Act of 2018, established the United States International Development Finance Corporation to boost economic growth in developing countries. In a Center for Strategic and International Studies interview with Congressman Andy Kim (D-NJ), the House representative applauded the millions of equity investments provided in Ukraine and Brazil. The BUILD Act, under the IDFC’s framework, is slated for reauthorization in 2025.
  2. Global Food Security Act. The Global Food Security Act of 2016 enhanced farmers’ access to both local and international markets. The act improves agricultural infrastructure and expands market opportunities in developing countries. This act has lifted millions of people out of poverty, building on the achievements of the landmark Feed the Future Act of 2010. In addition, Feed the Future reduced global hunger by 5.2 million. It elevated 23.4 million people from poverty and generated $15.3 billion in agricultural sales for farmers, among other successes. As a vital component of global poverty reduction legislation, the Global Food Security Act received reauthorization in 2018 and 2023.
  3. Global Malnutrition Prevention and Treatment Act. The Global Malnutrition Prevention and Treatment Act of 2022 equipped the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) with the resources to tackle food safety, fortification and health care systems, among other health-related challenges in developing countries. As of 2022, USAID’s health initiatives have benefited 32 million children and 11.6 million pregnant mothers.
  4. Global Fragility Act. The Global Fragility Act (GFA), enacted in 2019, aims to prevent violence in fragile countries. The Biden administration identified nine countries where the U.S. plans to mitigate domestic conflicts and violence. Additionally, these partnerships include efforts in Haiti, Libya, Mozambique, Papua New Guinea and Coastal West Africa—namely Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and Togo—targeting regions with significant conflict challenges.
  5. Protecting Girls’ Access to Education in Vulnerable Settings Act. The Protecting Girls’ Access to Education in Vulnerable Settings Act, enacted in 2019, mandates USAID to prioritize education for displaced girls. This legislation aims to enhance access to education for children, especially girls in countries where they face discrimination. In addition, it addresses the gap wherein a quarter of girls aged 15 to 19 worldwide lack access to formal education. This significantly limits their employment opportunities in the formal sector.

Fighting Global Poverty

The U.S. continues to lead global poverty reduction acts through impactful legislation. Crucial issues from food security to education and conflict resolution are being addressed. In addition, these acts represent a multifaceted approach to eradicating poverty. They showcase the U.S.’s dedication to fostering sustainable development and stability worldwide. As these programs move forward, their ongoing success and expansion offer hope for a future where global poverty is significantly diminished. They underscore the importance of continued support and innovation in tackling these challenges.

– Marley Wilson

Marley is based in Waltham, MA, USA and focuses on World News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Malta’s Foreign Aid

Malta’s Foreign AidForeign aid is money, supplies or services given or lent to a developing country by a developed country. It is the assistance provided during conflict (military aid), an economic crisis (economic aid) or after a natural disaster (humanitarian aid). Some types of foreign aid include supplies like food and military equipment, as well as services such as humanitarian aid, military assistance, training and assistance with infrastructure.

Mainly, foreign aid assists in times of need. It has multiple benefits for both the receiving country and the country assisting. A key benefit can stimulate economic growth and help fight poverty in the developing country through the support of education and health care, as well as the funding of infrastructure, which can create jobs and improve living standards. Another benefit is that the country providing foreign aid improves its security, as it helps cultivate relationships between the countries – this can lead to the possibilities of investment and trade.

Foreign aid is a key way countries are helping to fight poverty in developing countries. Malta is one of those countries helping. Malta’s foreign aid exhibits its commitment to international solidarity and humanitarianism.

Malta’s Foreign Aid

The Order of Malta uses the Foreign Aid Service (FAS) to raise funds for those in need abroad. It focuses on humanitarian aid and missions run around the world. It raises money to support the disadvantaged, such as the elderly and disabled people, the homeless and refugees. Also, it helps countries that have gone through disasters and emergencies.

Some types of foreign aid Malta provides include:

  • Food 
  • Clean water
  • Shelter 
  • Protection
  • Sanitation 
  • Hygiene 
  • Medical and mental health support

A subsection of the Order of Malta called Malteser International is a humanitarian aid organization dedicated to working on the frontlines, providing relief and rehabilitation for those who need it after disasters. Its mission is to “serve the poor and the sick.”

Example of Malta’s Foreign Aid

Most recently, the Order of Malta has raised funds for the earthquake in Syria and Turkey, one of the region’s worst earthquakes in years. More than 15 million people were impacted by the quake, with around 130,000 people injured and 55,000 people dead. In response, Malteser International provided immediate aid, as a team was already working on a regional project. An emergency relief team was organized to bring supplies to the people affected by the earthquake.

Malteser International and How It Helps

Most of Malta’s foreign aid consists of services Malteser International carries out. The organization provides support on many continents, including Africa and Asia. One of Malteser International’s African initiatives involves fighting AIDS and tuberculosis in Kenya. Since 2001, Malteser International has been working in the health field to educate the residents of the slums in Nairobi about diseases, improving diagnosis, treatment and prevention. More than 60% of the population of Nairobi lives in the slums, with low and irregular incomes from day labor.

Due to AIDS being a common disease in the slums of Nairobi, many of the residents have weakened immune systems. They are very vulnerable to diseases like tuberculosis, which spread quickly in the overcrowded slums. Some measures Malteser International is undertaking to help residents include creating awareness by educating the residents about tuberculosis and giving health and nutrition advice to tuberculosis patients.

In Asia, Malteser International has been providing support to people in the Thar Desert since 2010. The nonprofit partnered with UNNATI, an Indian organization for Development Education, to improve food security in 50 villages.

Many women and children in areas with poor hygiene conditions are malnourished. Not only is there a water scarcity in the Thar Desert due to low rainfall and high temperatures, but the lack of access to clean water, which is often contaminated and the unsanitary conditions lead to an increased risk of malnourishment.

Malteser International and UNNATI are working to improve healthy nutrition and hygiene, especially for women and younger girls, to prevent malnourishment. They also work with farmers to improve cultivation methods to adapt to climate change.

Final Remark

Foreign aid is essential for addressing global challenges, like reducing poverty and promoting sustainable/economic development. Malta’s foreign aid contribution provides vital assistance in countries’ times of crisis. It supports long-term development projects that help countries reduce their poverty levels and allow them to develop economically. Malta’s foreign aid efforts are a reminder of the importance of international solidarity and humanitarianism in the fight to provide a more sustainable future for all.

– Isabella Green
Photo: Flickr

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Ukraine Promotes Human Welfare

Ukraine Promotes Human WelfareIn March 2024, the Grain from Ukraine initiative, launched by President Zelenskyy in 2022, contributed 7,600 tonnes of wheat flour to Sudan. This human welfare effort, facilitated by the German Federal Foreign Office, underscores Ukraine’s commitment to humanitarian assistance. The German Federal Foreign Office funded the operation with a $16 million investment, aligning its mission and humanitarian efforts with the principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

In addition, the German Federal Foreign Office bases its actions on key humanitarian principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence. These principles emphasize the importance of aiding individuals based on their needs without influence from political, military, economic, or other agendas, ensuring assistance is purely humanitarian.

Engineering the Donation

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), the German Federal Foreign Office and the Grain from Ukraine program all maintain political neutrality in their donation efforts. Above all, its primary goal is saving lives and alleviating suffering through humanitarian aid. These efforts aim to underscore the importance of foreign aid and advocacy from one nation to another, focusing on the critical need for continued support.

Data Determines Need

The IPC is a multi-partner program that works to improve food security and perform nutrition analysis. This program analyzes situations of need, adheres to the Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO) process and shares data. Data from the IPC is then utilized by the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP). The decision-makers like the IPC Acute Food Insecurity (AFI) and HRP use this information to address the situation of food insecurity.

Furthermore, the IPC uses five categories to identify areas of need: minimal/none, stressed, crisis, emergency and catastrophe/famine. The category designation guides decision-makers in prioritizing assistance and intervention efforts on global, regional, or national levels.

Improving Human Welfare

More than 25 million people in Sudan, South Sudan and Chad are facing a severe food security crisis. In Sudan alone, 5 million out of 18 million are experiencing emergency levels of hunger. In addition, the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) reports that a shipment of 7,600 tonnes of wheat flour will provide a month’s sustenance for one million people. Arriving in Port Sudan, this wheat flour, distributed by WFP trucks, is crucial for families, especially during May’s “lean season” when food scarcity intensifies.

Moreover, Eddie Rowe became WFP’s Country Director for Sudan in March 2021, overseeing Emergency and Natural Disaster operations, including in Sudan. Rowe expressed, “This donation will enable WFP to support people whose lives have been completely upended. We are deeply grateful to Ukraine and Germany for supporting the Sudanese people in their greatest hour of need.”

Looking Forward

The Grain from Ukraine initiative, backed by the German Federal Foreign Office, is a beacon of hope for millions facing food insecurity in Sudan, South Sudan and Chad. Through collaborative international efforts, this program not only provides essential sustenance but also embodies the spirit of human welfare and solidarity across borders. The commitment to neutrality and impartiality ensures that aid reaches those most in need, free from external agendas.

Above all, as these endeavors progress, they highlight the crucial role of data-driven decision-making in addressing global hunger crises. The partnership between nations like Ukraine and Germany, alongside organizations such as the WFP, sets a precedent for future humanitarian collaborations. Looking ahead, the continued support and generosity of the international community remain vital in combating hunger and building a more secure, nourished world.

– Pamela Fenton
Photo: Flickr

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Equitable Funding: African Visionary Fund

Equitable Funding: African Visionary Fund (AV Fund)The African Visionary Fund (AV Fund) is integral to this article’s discussion on the reevaluation of foreign assistance approaches. Degan Ali, a prominent African activist and founder of NEAR, a network championing the Global South’s leadership, advocates for reforming foreign aid distribution. Furthermore, the organization aims to decentralize control, directing resources and decision-making power closer to the communities they intend to assist.

Evidence of Change

Decolonizing Development is gaining traction in the aid sector, highlighted by the African Visionary Fund (AV Fund)’s recent announcement. Launching as a Segal Family Foundation fellowship in 2017, the AV Fund commits $1 million in flexible support to African-led organizations. In addition, this initiative, benefiting Sub-Saharan African communities, boasts pooled funding from several contributors, including King Baudouin Foundation’s United States (U.S.) arm, Segal Family Foundation, Skoll Foundation and the Tawingo Fund, which supports small to medium-sized charitable groups aiding the needy in developing nations.

The Case for Co-Leadership

Co-leadership is essential to the African Visionary Fund’s (AV Fund) operation, underscoring the belief that proximity to the communities served enhances the impact. Integral to its philosophy since inception, the AV Fund advocates for equity-centered philanthropy, embodying these principles within its structure. Launched as an independent entity in 2020, Katie Bunten-Wamaru, with her extensive background in nonprofit management and experience in East Africa, serves as the co-CEO, propelling the Fund’s mission forward. Her leadership exemplifies the Fund’s commitment to shared governance and deep local engagement.

“The African Visionary Fund (AV Fund) emerged amid global discussions on equity and localization, focusing on directing more funding to local leaders during the global pandemic. A year after its inception, Atti Worku joined Katie Bunten-Wamaru as co-CEO. Based in Africa, Worku, with her extensive experience in the nonprofit sector and advocacy for local founders, has significantly contributed to the Fund’s mission. Moreover, before the AV Fund, Worku founded and led Seeds of Africa in Ethiopia for more than a decade, bringing valuable grassroots experience to her role.

Atti Worku, AV Fund co-CEO stated “This role is very personal to me. I see myself in the ambitious and innovative entrepreneurs we engage with at the AV Fund. I hope to learn from them and partner with them to redesign funding systems that give African visionaries an equitable chance of success.”

AV Fund

The African Visionary Fund (AV Fund) emphasizes collaboration with visionary leaders and acts as a strategic ally, creating opportunities for those closest to their communities. It focuses on supporting organizations that are African-founded, -based and -led, working alongside a network of trusted partners. In addition, this approach enables significant impacts across various sectors, including health infrastructure, education, local economies and equitable societies, showcasing the Fund’s success in fostering sustainable and inclusive development.

Looking Forward

The AV Fund is evidence that foreign aid is having a reckoning. As Degan Ali impressed “International fund-raising should be based on amplifying the dynamic work our communities themselves are engaged in.” Furthermore, Bunten-Wamaru stated, “Everything that we do has to be in service of African-led organization.” In addition, Katie explained further, “There will always be a need to balance this tension – having a co-leadership model helps us balance both sides of our work and not lose sight of either goal.”

– Pamela Fenton
Photo: Flickr

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The Approach of South Korea to Poverty Reduction

South Korea Poverty ReductionThe Korean wave is taking the 21st century by storm with the world of K-pop, K-dramas and K-beauty. Within the context of this cultural phenomenon, this is how South Korea emerged as an influential global force and what it has done to tackle poverty reduction.

South Korea’s Journey to Economic Success

After the Korean War in the 1950s, the Korean economy was at a low, with the average income being less than $100. But organizations like the International Development Association (IDA), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) provided aid and assistance to South Korea. Moreover, President Park Chung-hee enforced socio-economic growth policies that eventually led to South Korea’s jump to success in the 1980s and ‘90s.

Despite a brief recession in the late 1980s, South Korea quickly recovered and has grown its gross domestic product (GDP) by an average of 4.9% each year from 1988 to 2022. In fact, South Korea experienced the fastest GDP growth of any country from 1980 to 1990, and it is now a leader in the education and health care industries as the 12th largest economy in the world.

Internal Anti-Poverty Reforms

With its rapid economic growth came a rapid poverty reduction in South Korea. Following the 1997–1998 financial crisis, the Korean government established programs aimed at mitigating the damage of mass layoffs to ensure protection for individuals who were unemployed as a result. South Korea focused on expanding exports and competing in the international economy, which led to education reforms, as they needed a more educated labor force in order to increase exports.

These education reforms allowed more social mobility, as even the lower classes were able to take advantage of their literacy to move upwards in the class hierarchy. The rising GDP allowed rural workers, whose agricultural products experienced rapid price increases, to make much more money than they were prior to South Korea’s fiscal growth, according to a 2004 case study.

Poverty reduction in South Korea follows a model known as “Productive Welfare,” which seeks to improve basic living standards for all Korean citizens while encouraging social development and distributing wealth equally, according to the same case study. The government established a minimum wage and extended health care insurance coverage, even guaranteeing pension benefits for anyone earning an income.

Foreign Aid and Assistance

South Korea has reversed its role in the international aid arena, changing from a recipient to a benefactor. Outside of South Korea’s borders, the government has made efforts to support developing countries around the world by partnering with organizations like the World Bank Group and the International Development Association (IDA). Korea’s journey to prosperity represents a model for other developing countries to learn from and the World Bank and Korean government are working towards using Korea’s experience to help other countries achieve the same success, according to the World Bank.

The Korean government created the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in 1991, which is responsible for managing aid grants for developing nations, according to Brookings. Modeled after the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the KOICA focuses on promoting education, rural development, gender equality, health care and sustainability. Similar to Korea’s partnership with the World Bank, it implements its own development strategies, specifically in South Asia and Africa, Brookings reports. It also seeks to provide medical assistance in developing regions, having helped countries such as Indonesia and Haiti after devastating natural disasters.

Recent Poverty Reduction Efforts

In the past few years, South Korea has made major improvements in its poverty reduction policies. For example, the government increased the minimum wage by 16% in 2018 and 11% in 2019. This increase in income and the previously mentioned pension guarantee created more than 2 million more jobs and created a sense of overall stability among the working class of South Korea.

Moreover, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and following job losses, the South Korean government focused on creating more jobs and providing immediate aid to families in the form of Emergency Relief Allowances. The health care system also responded efficiently to the crisis, establishing quarantining, tracing, and testing measures to maintain relatively low rates of infection. The South Korean government has even raised social spending from 9.9% of its GDP in 2016 to 12.2% in 2019, according to Sustainable Government Indicators (SGI).

Another more recent initiative to support poverty reduction in South Korea was the Korea-UNDP MDG Trust Fund, created in 2009 by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) Administrator and the Republic of Korea, which focuses on furthering advancements toward South Korea’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Also in 2009, they formed the UNDP Seoul Policy Centre for Global Development Partnerships, which looks at new perspectives for securing long-term human welfare in South Korea.

South Korea as a Blueprint for Poverty Alleviation

South Korea’s path from a war-torn nation to a major international power illustrates the strategies they used to reduce poverty, including education and health care reform, to build a more productive labor force for their trade exports to rely on. Despite issues of relative poverty and wealth distribution gaps, South Korea serves as an example for other countries to achieve socio-economic development and uses its resources to donate aid and assistance to those in need.

– Nina Zhu
Photo: Unsplash

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Successful Programs From Foreign Aid to Guatemala

Foreign Aid to GuatemalaWhile Guatemala is home to the largest economy in Central America, 55.2% of Guatemalans lived in poverty in 2023. Because of the country’s high poverty rate, foreign aid to Guatemala is essential to reducing instability and providing Guatemalans with the resources to establish essential services and agricultural production. Guatemala’s high poverty rate could be due to natural disasters, such as hurricanes and droughts, causing agricultural setbacks. Additionally, political instability and violence have hindered Guatemala’s otherwise decent economy. The country is still recovering from a civil war that lasted for 36 years between 1960 and 1996. Without major investments in education, health and agriculture, Guatemalans continue to live in poverty.

US Foreign Aid to Guatemala

According to the Brookings Institute, foreign aid  “aims to support security, as well as the economic, social and political development of recipient countries and their people.” The United States spends about 1% of the annual federal budget on foreign aid. Additionally, the United States is the top contributor of foreign aid to Guatemala, alongside Spain, South Korea and the European Union.

In 2022, the United States provided $117.9 million in foreign aid to Guatemala per a Congressional report. Much of that funding was dedicated to development assistance. In 2023, the United States provided $121.3 million in foreign aid to Guatemala with a focus on humanitarian needs. President Biden has requested $164.5 million in foreign aid to Guatemala for 2024, according to Congressional Research Service.

Foreign aid to Guatemala funds programs aiming to improve the livelihood of Guatemalans and reduce poverty.

World Bank Country Partnership Framework (CPF)

The World Bank’s Country Partnership Framework (CPF) is a project that aims to increase human capital, resilience to natural disasters and climate change, and improve job opportunities in Guatemala. Over four years from 2024 through 2027, the World Bank’s CPF program will spend $2.5 billion to address Guatemala’s wide-ranging issues, according to the World Bank. These initiatives include infrastructure development, greater access to basic services, improved responses to natural disasters and greater access to economic opportunities in urban and rural areas.

Project Concern International (PCI) and USAID

Barrio Mio, a collaboration between Project Concern International (PCI) and USAID aims to reduce disaster risk in Guatemala by “improving urban infrastructure, housing and livelihoods.”

USAID and PCI launched a prototype of the project between 2012 and 2015 with great success. This included safeguarding homes against landslides through structural changes. The project also identifyed high-risk neighborhoods throughout Guatemala to reduce “vulnerability to crises before they happen.” In phase one alone, Barrio Mio improved nearly 3,000 shelters and provided clean water and sanitation for nearly 800 individuals.

While the first phase of Barrio Mio was launched in 2012, the project’s third phase concluded in 2020 with the expansion of the program in Guatemala City. A goal of the third phase was to increase the effectiveness of responses to urban emergencies, according to the ALNAP case study. Guatemala’s government adopted Barrio Mio’s methodology for emergency response and urban upgrading policy for communities that lacked stable infrastructure and essential services, Global Communities reports.

UN Guatemala Humanitarian Response Plan

The United Nations’ 2023 Guatemala Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) targeted 2.3 million people. The plan focused on protection, food security and nutrition. The HRP targeted four primary groups including children affected by malnutrition, Indigenous and rural families facing food insecurity, people “in situations of human mobility” and people with disabilities.

Of the 4.6 million Guatemalans facing food insecurity in 2023, the HRP targeted roughly 500,000. Additionally, under the HRP, 117 schools were refurbished, allowing over 20,000 children to attend school with “improved educational conditions.” The plan also developed health services across Guatemala.

The Takeaways

Guatemala has faced several setbacks that have negatively affected its population, including climate-related disasters, political instability and economic mismanagement. Foreign aid has greatly helped Guatemalans facing food insecurity, malnourishment and a lack of health and education services.

– Marley Wilson
Photo: Flickr

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Unveiling Lithuania’s Foreign Aid

Lithuania’s Foreign AidIn international affairs, Lithuania may not be the foremost name that springs to mind when discussing foreign assistance. Nevertheless, this Baltic nation has quietly expanded its global outreach through foreign aid programs. Here are some noteworthy insights into Lithuania’s foreign aid efforts.

From Recipient to Provider

The United States (U.S.) and Lithuania share a longstanding history of cooperation and partnership, deeply rooted in shared values and mutual respect. Despite Lithuania’s forcible annexation by the Soviet Union in 1940, the U.S. established diplomatic relations following Lithuania’s declaration of independence in 1990. Since then, the U.S. has supported its democratic and economic growth. This partnership culminated in Lithuania’s accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union (EU) in 2004, underscoring the country’s steadfast commitment to democracy and international collaboration.

Since 2004, Lithuania has officially been a provider of development cooperation and became a member of the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) in 2022. Lithuania’s foreign aid efforts notably promote and safeguard democratic values. It is drawing from its history of political repression during Soviet times. Lithuania emphasizes advancing Eastern Partnerships within the EU framework through channels like the EU. Additionally, it focuses on select priority countries in Central Asia, the Middle East and Africa, primarily focusing on digitalization initiatives.

Steady Growth of Lithuanian ODA

In 2022, Lithuania’s total Official Development Assistance (ODA) amounted to 0.29% of its Gross National Income (GNI), totaling $197 million. Compared to the previous year, this marked a substantial increase of 121.4% in real terms, with its share of GNI rising from 0.14% in 2021. This upward trajectory in Lithuania’s ODA volume has been consistent since 2017, reaching a peak in 2022. This growth primarily stems from the nation’s increase in bilateral grants to Ukraine and its expenses for hosting refugees within the country. In 2022, Lithuania ranked 21st among DAC countries based on its ODA to GNI ratio. Lithuania distinguishes itself by allocating a significant portion of its bilateral ODA to Europe, accounting for 48.2% of its total.

Furthermore, Lithuania’s experience navigating political and economic transitions and its commitment to institutional reform has positioned it as a valuable partner to the EU. Actively engaged, Lithuania leverages its expertise in the public sector to bolster reforms and capacity-building endeavors in other nations through EU-sponsored initiatives.

Current Focus Areas of Aid

In 2021, Lithuania pledged $1.3 million, accounting for 8.3% of its bilateral allocable aid, to enhance trade-related assistance and foster the integration of developing countries into the global economy. Additionally, during the same year, Lithuania allocated $0.9 million toward addressing the root causes of malnutrition in developing nations across various sectors, including maternal health, water, sanitation, hygiene and agriculture. Finally, in 2021, Lithuania dedicated $0.2 million of its bilateral aid to development cooperation projects and programs to promote the inclusion and empowerment of disabled individuals.

Lithuania’s ODA for Ukraine

Since the outbreak of the war with Russia in February 2022, Lithuania has actively engaged in supporting its neighboring country, Ukraine. The profound impact of Russia’s militarism on Lithuania’s national history and other former Soviet countries has fueled a steadfast commitment to providing foreign aid to Ukraine. The government allocated $45.8 million in gross bilateral ODA to Ukraine in response to the conflict, with $37.1 million earmarked for humanitarian assistance. The Bank of Lithuania also transferred $2198.99 to the National Bank of Ukraine for humanitarian aid. The Lithuanian government and its municipalities collectively spent 70 million euros accommodating Ukrainian refugees. Moreover, Lithuania has taken a proactive role in initiating rebuilding projects focused on restoring Ukraine’s infrastructure.

Lithuania’s ODA for COVID-19

Amid the global challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, international assistance for developing countries reached an estimated $165 billion.

Within this context, Lithuania, despite its relatively modest size, provided crucial bilateral support totaling $3.8 million to aid these nations in their fight against the virus. However, demonstrating a significant increase in its commitment to global solidarity a year later, Lithuania substantially bolstered its contributions, allocating a notable $1.5 million in ODA targeted explicitly for combating the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 in developing countries.

Furthermore, in a gesture highlighting the urgency of vaccine equity, Lithuania participated in the global effort to address vaccine inequality by donating excess vaccine doses valued at $1.5 million as part of its ODA allocation. These actions underscore Lithuania’s evolving role in international aid efforts and its recognition of the importance of collective action in addressing global issues.

– Naomi Ronner
Photo: Flickr

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Higher Education in Venezuela

Higher Education in VenezuelaStudents aspiring to pursue higher education in Venezuela encounter numerous challenges, including low salaries, insufficient funding, limited supply access and more.  The ongoing political crisis in Venezuela makes it difficult for young adults to focus on or harbor hope for their future. This crisis has garnered the attention of other nations and a few organizations are providing aid for Venezuelan students.

Venezuela’s Higher Education Crisis

The political unrest in Venezuela has forced people to leave their homes since 2015. Approximately 1,600 professors have left institutions searching for higher-paying positions due to the sharp decline in faculty salaries in 2017. For those who have stayed, the ongoing inflation is a significant hardship. Inflation has rendered it exceedingly challenging for young adults to pursue higher education. Numerous people have felt compelled to abandon college or even high school to assist their parents in supporting their families. The economic downturn has already led many students to relinquish hope for their future.

Those who can afford university need help with the outdated curriculum. A report from Université Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD) and Universidad Metropolitana (UNIMET) conducted in 2017 revealed corruption in the Venezuelan higher education system. In his presentation, UCAD rector Francisco Virtuoso reported that it had been ten years since the Consejo Nacional de Universidades (CNU) allowed universities to revise and renew curricula at the undergraduate or graduate levels. There has been constant meddling in the internal affairs of public universities, for example, in the selection and admission of new students and new professors. Many students have taken strike in light of these affairs.

Providing Aid for Venezuelan Students

The higher education crisis in Venezuela has garnered the attention of various organizations committed to aiding Venezuelan college students and professors. The Institute of International Education (IIE) is a global program supporting threatened and displaced scholars worldwide. In response to the crisis in Venezuela, IIE has stepped up its efforts by assisting college professors and researchers, as reported by Elliot-Meisel in 2020. The institute facilitates the relocation of a $25,000 grant for scholars facing challenging circumstances. These fellowships enable scholars to continue their research or teaching endeavors in Latin America or any chosen location.

IIE has extended its support to Venezuelan students grappling with the crisis, offering 59 grants to assist them. These students are seamlessly transitioned to American educational institutions and receive financial aid from the Emergency Student Fund (ESF), amounting to $3,000-$5,000. This funding helps cover tuition fees, accommodation expenses and the purchase of necessary supplies. Moreover, host institutions go the extra mile by providing work-study opportunities to these students throughout their studies. The United States (U.S.) has emerged as a preferred destination for these fleeing students, with nearly 8,400 opting to pursue their education there during the 2017-2018 academic year.

Despite grappling with corruption and economic turmoil, the Venezuelan government remains resolute in its commitment to keep every university operational, with new ones even being established. Notably, Venezuela boasts the most diverse higher education system in the region. Reports indicate many recent high school graduates enrolling in free programs across various fields. However, the absence of current official figures to substantiate this trend raises concerns and lingering uncertainties surrounding the sustainability and quality of these new educational institutions.

Future of Venezuela’s Students

Venezuelan students demonstrate remarkable resilience in adversity as they pursue education. Among them is Camille Covarrubias, who fled Venezuela during her sophomore year of nursing school amid pervasive corruption in her village. She relocated to the U.S. on a student visa for further studies in 2017. Camille remained undeterred despite the setback of not transferring her previously earned credits. She persevered through the support of college programs, dedicated professors and her peers. As of 2023, she is now advancing toward her master’s degree in nursing.

Conclusion

Given the state of the economy and government, the road to improving higher education opportunities for young adults in Venezuela is long and challenging. Students require assistance obtaining essential supplies financial support and ensuring their safety throughout their academic pursuits. Fortunately, there are organizations dedicated to providing aid for Venezuelan students like Camille, who are determined to pursue further education despite the challenges posed by corruption within the Venezuelan school system.

– Heather Gisi
Photo: Pexels

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The Delivery of Foreign Aid to Sudan

Foreign Aid to Sudan

The delivery of foreign aid to Sudan has been facing major challenges and obstacles, due to local authorities imposing bureaucratic security restrictions.

The Situation 

After the recent violence between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the country is in dire need of basic human assistance, including food, water, shelter and health services. According to Clementine Nkweta-Salami, Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan, more than 6 million people have fled the ongoing civil war and are displaced in Sudan or in neighboring countries. 

This civil war puts Sudan on the verge of a humanitarian disaster and a refugee crisis, with 25 million people in need of assistance and protection. On July 19, 2023, the United Nations (U.N.) sponsored an event raising nearly $1.5 billion from international donors to fund life-saving relief efforts in the region, calling on parties in Sudan to immediately end the fighting.

US Aid to Sudan

In 2023, the United States provided more than $700 million in foreign aid to Sudan and neighboring countries experiencing the impacts of the ongoing crisis, including Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia and the Central African Republic.

At a briefing last month, Nkweta-Salami expressed that the country is facing many challenges in receiving foreign aid. Bureaucratic security restrictions have hindered delivering aid and granting visas to humanitarian workers, as well as preventing those seeking safety from fleeing the country. Since early September, Sudanese authorities have banned the transportation of surgical supplies to hospitals in Khartoum, which is under RSF control. As a result, Khartoum citizens cannot receive life-saving treatment and some hospitals have suspended operations. 

The prolonged conflict in Sudan has led to a huge increase of people experiencing food insecurity. More than 20 million people are facing hunger, with 6.3 million being one step away from famine. Additionally, 30% of the Sudanese population is unable to afford local food and the prices of food have increased by nearly 50% since the start of the conflict in April. Many children and pregnant or nursing women suffer from malnutrition, but the conflict has closed 80% of hospitals. 

Aid from the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) set up a cash assistance distribution point in Khartoum, utilizing funding from the Sudan Humanitarian Fund to help alleviate the crisis in that region. The cash is usable for non-food items and emergency shelter. The NRC cited this method as “more effective, faster, and easier to control and meet people’s needs.” About 210,300 people have received emergency shelter and non-food items through the U.N. and other humanitarian partners.

The Importance of Humanitarian Aid Access

Nkweta-Salami stressed the importance of improving humanitarian aid access. Thus far, Sudan has received only one-third of the $2.6 billion needed to alleviate the worst of the crisis. “If we don’t act now, Sudan risks becoming a protracted crisis where there is little hope and fewer dreams,” said Nkweta-Salami.

Aside from the $1.5 billion raised in July, U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths announced an additional $22 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund. According to the U.N., more than $3 billion are needed to allocate life-saving multisectoral assistance and protection services to the millions of people displaced and seeking refuge. It urges donors to continue contributing to the Humanitarian Response Plan and the Refugee Response Plan. 

Looking Ahead

On the brink of famine, facing nationwide food insecurity and a lack of health services, with millions displaced, Sudan needs foreign aid now more than ever. International agencies can also help by putting pressure on the Sudanese government to lessen the restrictions currently keeping aid from reaching the population.

– Noura Dakka
Photo: Flickr