The civil war has impacted fragility and the rule of law in Sudan, and the safety of 50 million people. According to the World Food Programme (WFP), a total of 24.6 million people are acutely food insecure, while 637,000 face catastrophic levels of hunger. Meanwhile, Sudan is in the top four countries in the world for the highest prevalence of global acute malnutrition, at an estimated 13.6%. Sudan has also lost an estimated 5.2 million jobs, and economic activity in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, has plummeted.
The conflict has weakened central governance and key infrastructure, requiring humanitarian efforts from the international community. However, armed clashes, widespread insecurity and lack of funding has made it increasingly difficult for aid agencies to reach affected communities.
About the Recent Civil War
The current Sudanese civil war began on April 15 2023, during Ramadan, when Rapid Support Force (RSF) members were deployed across the country, a move which the Sudanese armed forces saw as a threat. Before this, Political disagreements increased tensions between Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the de facto president and head of Sudan’s armed forces, and his deputy, Gen. Mohamed ‘Hamedti’ Hamdan Dagalo, leader of the RSF. The two rose to power after the 2019 coup of dictator Omar al-Bashir, as well as subsequent coups of the transitional government.
Disagreements centered on the increase of Hamedti’s power in government, the integration of the RSF into the Sudanese army, and the multiple delays in establishing a democratic government. Bouts of conflict have wracked the rule of law in Sudan since its independence in 1956, when it was already embroiled in the first Sudanese civil war.
Sudan’s History
Before independence, Sudan was part of the Anglo-Egyptian condominium. Although both the U.K. and Egypt administered the region, the U.K. held more authority. In 1954, both countries signed a treaty which would grant sovereignty to the new Republic of Sudan in 1956. Despite this, war gripped the country when the first Sudanese civil war began in 1955 as a result of cultural divides and political and economic inequality in the region.
Britain governed the Sudanese north and south as different entities. The north comprised wealthier, more educated Arab and Muslim populations, whereas the south comprised poorer Christian or pagan peoples who were less politically conscious. Due to its wealth, the north leveraged more political power from both colonial and post-colonial administrations, thereby driving further inequality between the regions. Discontent between the North and South grew after the 1947 Juba conference, where both the North and South would be subsumed into one government, further dissipating southern autonomy. In addition, northern Islamization and Arabization of the south heightened even further animosity between the two. The aftermath of the war and continuation of North/South inequalities would lay the groundwork for the second Sudanese civil war in 1983, and would also lead to the succession of South Sudan in 2011.
The Dictatorship of Omar Al-Bashir
In 1989, during the second Sudanese civil war, Brigadier General Omar Al-Bashir ousted the democratically elected government in a military coup and became head of state. Accusations of electoral fraud and corruption marred his dictatorship of the country, which incited numerous protests. Furthermore, his governance focused heavily on strict Sharia law interpretations, with many rights taken away through morality policing and persecution of religious minorities and Sunni apostates.
In 2009, the International Criminal Court (ICC) indicted him for five counts of crimes against humanity and two counts of war crimes. Then, in 2010, the ICC added three additional counts of Genocide to his indictment. These charges related to the treatment of ethnic minorities, including the Fur, Zaghawa and Masalit, during the Darfur war.
In 2019, a military coup that the SAF and RSF jointly carried out overthrew him. The aftermath left a power vacuum, impacting the rule of law in Sudan and the fragility of the government.
A New Government
On March 4, 2025, the RSF and allied groups signed a transitional constitution for a parallel government in regions under their military control. The new government aims to gain diplomatic legitimacy from opposing forces and establish more access to advanced weaponry.
In a UN Security Council meeting, U.S. Representative John Kelley stated, “Attempts by the RSF and aligned actors to establish a government in RSF-controlled territory in Sudan are unhelpful for the cause of peace and security in Sudan, and risk a de facto partition of the country.”
The 2025 Sudan Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan
In December 2024, the U.N.’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) developed the 2025 Sudan Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan. It aimed to provide humanitarian assistance to 21 million people and reduce mortality in areas with a risk of further deterioration of rule of law in Sudan.
Recently as part of the response plan, between May 4th and 8th, the World Food Programme distributed food to more than 335,000 people in Tawila in response to worsening conditions. This program has raised $600 million, however, this falls woefully short of the much-needed total requirement of $4.1 billion.
Because of global funding shortfalls, the Emergency Relief Coordinator asked humanitarian teams to ensure that the most life-saving assistance reaches the most vulnerable populations.
It has shortened its target to 17.3 million people, for which $2.4 billion is needed to provide. This amounts to $0.38 per person per day over one year.
On March 10th, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, Clementine Nkweta-Salami, commented on the funding shortfalls in a press release. She stated that “The abrupt funding cuts and suspensions will end life-saving humanitarian assistance for millions of women, children and other vulnerable groups across the country. Without urgent funding, famine is likely to spread in the coming months. This is a time when every lifeline must flow to save lives. I call on all our major donors to reconsider their decisions to reduce funding for life-saving humanitarian assistance in Sudan. I also urge other governments, donors, foundations, charities, faith-based networks, the private sector and individuals to urgently step up to help fill the gaps left by these devastating reductions.”
– Samuel Devine
Samuel is based in Cardiff, Wales and focuses on Business and Politics for The Borgen Project.
Photo: Flickr
The State of Higher Education in Haiti
The State University of Haiti in Port-au-Prince, the country’s biggest university, has seen sharp fluctuations in attendance numbers. In the 2022-2023 school year, almost 30,000 students were enrolled. That number reduced by half, with fewer than 15,000 students attending the current 2024-2025 school year. This sharp drop is directly linked to the dangerous conditions in Port-au-Prince, where armed gangs have taken over large parts of the city and even the countryside. This sharp drop in attendance shows the impact Haiti’s instability has had on higher education in Haiti.
How Higher Education in Haiti Impacts Poverty and Stability
Rebuilding Haiti: ACTIVEH
There are groups working hard to strengthen higher education in Haiti. One great example is Action Toward Initiatives & Volunteering for Education in Haiti (ACTIVEH). This nonprofit started in Port-au-Prince in 2011 and is working to improve Haiti’s higher education system by giving students real-world experience and leadership skills.
ACTIVEH runs a volunteering and community service program and an internship program. Since 2014, it has brought in more than 250 students from 10 different universities and helped more than 150 students get internships.
Haiti’s current crisis has impacted the number of students attending its universities and prevented people from getting an education so that they can contribute in a positive way. This decrease in trained professionals weakens Haiti’s ability to solve its most urgent problems, which are what cause poverty in the country.
Looking Ahead
Despite these huge roadblocks, groups like ACTIVEH show the amazing strength and potential within Haiti to rebuild its education system. By doing so, they offer a real way to bring stability and reduce poverty. Supporting these efforts is absolutely crucial for Haiti’s long-term recovery and for the well-being of its people.
– Jeff Mathwig
Photo: Pexels
Fragility and Rule of Law in Sudan
The conflict has weakened central governance and key infrastructure, requiring humanitarian efforts from the international community. However, armed clashes, widespread insecurity and lack of funding has made it increasingly difficult for aid agencies to reach affected communities.
About the Recent Civil War
The current Sudanese civil war began on April 15 2023, during Ramadan, when Rapid Support Force (RSF) members were deployed across the country, a move which the Sudanese armed forces saw as a threat. Before this, Political disagreements increased tensions between Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the de facto president and head of Sudan’s armed forces, and his deputy, Gen. Mohamed ‘Hamedti’ Hamdan Dagalo, leader of the RSF. The two rose to power after the 2019 coup of dictator Omar al-Bashir, as well as subsequent coups of the transitional government.
Disagreements centered on the increase of Hamedti’s power in government, the integration of the RSF into the Sudanese army, and the multiple delays in establishing a democratic government. Bouts of conflict have wracked the rule of law in Sudan since its independence in 1956, when it was already embroiled in the first Sudanese civil war.
Sudan’s History
Before independence, Sudan was part of the Anglo-Egyptian condominium. Although both the U.K. and Egypt administered the region, the U.K. held more authority. In 1954, both countries signed a treaty which would grant sovereignty to the new Republic of Sudan in 1956. Despite this, war gripped the country when the first Sudanese civil war began in 1955 as a result of cultural divides and political and economic inequality in the region.
Britain governed the Sudanese north and south as different entities. The north comprised wealthier, more educated Arab and Muslim populations, whereas the south comprised poorer Christian or pagan peoples who were less politically conscious. Due to its wealth, the north leveraged more political power from both colonial and post-colonial administrations, thereby driving further inequality between the regions. Discontent between the North and South grew after the 1947 Juba conference, where both the North and South would be subsumed into one government, further dissipating southern autonomy. In addition, northern Islamization and Arabization of the south heightened even further animosity between the two. The aftermath of the war and continuation of North/South inequalities would lay the groundwork for the second Sudanese civil war in 1983, and would also lead to the succession of South Sudan in 2011.
The Dictatorship of Omar Al-Bashir
In 1989, during the second Sudanese civil war, Brigadier General Omar Al-Bashir ousted the democratically elected government in a military coup and became head of state. Accusations of electoral fraud and corruption marred his dictatorship of the country, which incited numerous protests. Furthermore, his governance focused heavily on strict Sharia law interpretations, with many rights taken away through morality policing and persecution of religious minorities and Sunni apostates.
In 2009, the International Criminal Court (ICC) indicted him for five counts of crimes against humanity and two counts of war crimes. Then, in 2010, the ICC added three additional counts of Genocide to his indictment. These charges related to the treatment of ethnic minorities, including the Fur, Zaghawa and Masalit, during the Darfur war.
In 2019, a military coup that the SAF and RSF jointly carried out overthrew him. The aftermath left a power vacuum, impacting the rule of law in Sudan and the fragility of the government.
A New Government
On March 4, 2025, the RSF and allied groups signed a transitional constitution for a parallel government in regions under their military control. The new government aims to gain diplomatic legitimacy from opposing forces and establish more access to advanced weaponry.
In a UN Security Council meeting, U.S. Representative John Kelley stated, “Attempts by the RSF and aligned actors to establish a government in RSF-controlled territory in Sudan are unhelpful for the cause of peace and security in Sudan, and risk a de facto partition of the country.”
The 2025 Sudan Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan
In December 2024, the U.N.’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) developed the 2025 Sudan Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan. It aimed to provide humanitarian assistance to 21 million people and reduce mortality in areas with a risk of further deterioration of rule of law in Sudan.
Recently as part of the response plan, between May 4th and 8th, the World Food Programme distributed food to more than 335,000 people in Tawila in response to worsening conditions. This program has raised $600 million, however, this falls woefully short of the much-needed total requirement of $4.1 billion.
Because of global funding shortfalls, the Emergency Relief Coordinator asked humanitarian teams to ensure that the most life-saving assistance reaches the most vulnerable populations.
It has shortened its target to 17.3 million people, for which $2.4 billion is needed to provide. This amounts to $0.38 per person per day over one year.
On March 10th, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, Clementine Nkweta-Salami, commented on the funding shortfalls in a press release. She stated that “The abrupt funding cuts and suspensions will end life-saving humanitarian assistance for millions of women, children and other vulnerable groups across the country. Without urgent funding, famine is likely to spread in the coming months. This is a time when every lifeline must flow to save lives. I call on all our major donors to reconsider their decisions to reduce funding for life-saving humanitarian assistance in Sudan. I also urge other governments, donors, foundations, charities, faith-based networks, the private sector and individuals to urgently step up to help fill the gaps left by these devastating reductions.”
– Samuel Devine
Photo: Flickr
LoCHAid and the Future of Hearing Aids in Developing Countries
Age-Related Hearing Loss (ARHL)
In particular, age-related hearing loss (ARHL) is a prominent problem globally, affecting 226 million elderly people. According to experts from Georgia Tech and Lamar University, ARHL is five times as common in many developing nations throughout Asia and Africa than in wealthier countries. Although no “cure” exists for ARHL to date, hearing aids often help alleviate its effects.
WHO estimates that only 3% of those who need it have adopted hearing aids in developing countries compared to 20% in higher-income countries. The number one barrier for not having hearing aids is its unaffordability.
LoCHAid’s Low-Cost Solution
LoCHAid has created hearing aids that cost less than $1 in components per hearing aid. However, this price fails to include assembly, which raises the price to $2.40 if bought from MacroFab, according to PLoS One article. Yet these numbers are still notable, especially in comparison with other products on the market and their several-thousand-dollar price tags. LoCHAid hearing aids can even be customized to every individual with 3D-printable features, and their target is specifically elderly patients with ARHL. Also increasing its accessibility is the fact that LoCHAid is sold over-the-counter instead of requiring a specialist, which is crucial for those who may not have such a resource available to them.
LoCHAid is unique in how well it treats ARHL acoustically. LoCHAid uses innovative open-source technology instead of requiring parts that are impossible to acquire. Plus, it uses inexpensive materials that still manage to be durable and effective.
Other Hopeful Solutions
Besides the recent invention of LoCHAid seeking to address the affordability of hearing loss technology, there are fortunately many organizations fighting for this cause.
The Global Foundation for Children with Hearing Loss (GFCHL) focuses on minimizing the impact of hearing loss in children around the world. With initiatives in Kenya, Bhutan, Vietnam, Mongolia, Nepal, and Ecuador, the Global Foundation for Children with Hearing Loss trains educators and families in early intervention for children suffering from hearing loss, helping them adapt with technology and communication lessons.
Nonprofits Hear the World Foundation and World Wide Hearing teamed up to screen 85,000 Peruvian kids and give 2,000 the hearing aids they needed.
Addressing Needs of Those in Poverty
As hearing loss is such a prevalent global poverty and exacerbated by lack of accessible resources in many developing countries, these affordable hearing aids in developing countries will transform lives for millions of hard-of-hearing people. By addressing their hearing impairment, these people will have new opportunities–from social to employment–open to them. This is especially important for those in poverty, providing a light at the end of the tunnel.
– Klara Jones
Photo: Flickr
Child Marriage in Sudan: A Continuing Crisis
The Statistics
According to UNICEF’s 2022 Child Marriage Factsheet, 650 million women and girls across the world marry before the age of 18. Out of that large quantity, 40 million child-brides are from the Middle East and North Africa, with one of the highest concentrations being in Sudan. Nationally, an estimated 34% of women marry before the age of 18, and 12% before the age of 15. In East Darfur, the statistics are even higher, 57% of women aged 20-39 married before their 18th birthday.
Factors Contributing to Child Marriage in Sudan
A Way Forward: Government and NGO Responses
Looking Ahead
While Sudan has established legal frameworks and education-based programs, regional disparities, cultural norms and economic pressures continue to challenge prevention efforts. Coordinated national and local interventions remain central to reducing the prevalence of child marriage across Sudan, and overall, an attempt to reshape the culture that places the value of girls with their ability to reproduce.
– Anna Chiaradonna
Photo: Flickr
Everything To Know About Hunger in Fiji
Hunger in Fiji
According to The Global Hunger Index, in 2024, Fiji received a score of 10.2, indicating moderate levels of hunger. However, according to official statistics, approximately 11% of rural households live below the “food poverty” level (less than 25.68 FJD per week).
Fiji faces a double burden of nutritional problems, including malnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies and overweight and obesity. For example, according to UNICEF, 8% of children under 5 years of age live in “severe child food poverty,” receiving only 0–2 food groups per day.
Additionally, a third of children aged 5–19 are overweight and 70–75% of adult deaths are related to noncommunicable diseases and obesity.
Despite being a major exporter of bottled water, 12% of the population does not have reliable access to clean drinking water. The country’s best-known export, Fiji Water, is consumed globally, but water infrastructure within the country remains uneven, especially in informal settlements and outer islands.
The Cause of Malnutrition and Eating Disorders
Besides the lack of food distribution in Fiji due to the geographical location, political instability and corruption are some of the major causes of poverty in Fiji. Some of the challenges that Fiji is facing that exacerbate poverty are limited rural investment and weak food program implementation as well.
Climate events like cyclones and floods frequently damage crops and disrupt food supply, affecting thousands of households each year. At the same time, Fijians are experiencing a shift in diets: processed items that are high in sugar, salt and fat are replacing traditional, healthy foods. This has led to both undernutrition and high obesity rates. Around 8% of children under five experience severe food poverty, while a third of school-aged children are overweight.
Finally, the COVID-19 pandemic worsened food insecurity through job losses and rising prices, especially in tourism and informal sectors. Together, these issues create a cycle that keeps many Fijians, especially in rural areas, in a state of food and nutrition insecurity.
Solutions
Fiji faces a significant challenge in addressing hunger, but solutions are possible. For example, in 2019, Save the Children’s Knowledge and Action in Nutrition and Agriculture (KANA) programme provided education about the hunger situation in Fiji to the youngest generation all the way up to seniors. The program provided training, tools and seeds to farmers and schools on Ra and Koro islands. To date, the program has supported 1,171 students in nutrition education, trained 357 adults and established 33 school gardens.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture launched Fiji’s Home Gardening Programme in March 2020 to provide seeds to farmers. By January 2022, the ministry distributed more than 1 million seed packs (four to six crop varieties) to 203,792 households. Ongoing efforts aim to assist more than 77,000 households and 500 women farmers through related programs.
Looking Ahead
Expanding initiatives like home gardening can enable families to grow their own food and cut costs. To ensure long-term food security, Fiji may also need to invest in climate-resilient farming to mitigate the impact of cyclones and floods on food production. By taking decisive steps, Fiji can build a more sustainable and secure food system for its people.
– Nika Khomenko
Photo: Unsplash
Food Systems in Yemen
A Nation in Crisis
In the wake of decades of tribal alliances, the pursuit of land and misuse of national resources, the people of Yemen are suffering among the most complex conflicts in the Middle East, with around a total of 20 million Yemenis facing inadequate access to clean water, sanitation or hygiene services.
Following over a decade of conflict, a UN report estimates that the total death toll stood at 377,000, with at least 150,000 killed as a direct consequence of violence by the beginning of 2022. Many more have since perished due to the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
With a rapidly rising population, widespread poverty and major damage to public infrastructure, food prices in Yemen have also soared by 300% in the last 10 years with families in rural areas and those displaced among the worst affected.
Ranked 10th lowest on the Human Development Index (HDI), food shortages are now at an all time high with outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases constantly being exacerbated by scarcity and poor nutritional standards.
Food Insecurity in Yemen
While Yemen hosts some of the most fertile land in the Arabian peninsula, the economic, social and environmental functions of its agriculture are being shattered.
Once a thriving agrarian society, Yemeni agriculture is not just an important economic sector, but a way of life that is under imminent threat. With around one in two children under the age of 5 facing malnourishment, this decline is directly affecting food security throughout the region.
Due to these challenges, Yemen is increasingly reliant on imported food supplies with around 90% of its wheat acquired overseas. Here, an ongoing Saudi-imposed naval blockade is also majorly compounding scarcity and starvation due to the ongoing conflict.
Despite the risks of famine and poverty spreading, around 30% of Yemen’s national irrigation water is currently used to grow Khat, a mild stimulant that not only uses up valuable water but also crowds out food crops as climate change decreases access to arable land.
Reviving Family Farming in Yemen
In line with a report from the United Nations in 2022, the fragmented Yemeni government is now endorsing a plan to develop its family farming industry, identifying agro-ecological conditions and improved knowledge and access to terrain and markets as key drivers for future agricultural developments.
In light of Yemen’s growing dependence on imports, improved domestic farming has the potential to contribute more significantly to the nation’s long-term food security, as its real gross domestic product (GDP) could potentially fulfill up to 25% to 30% of its needs.
Though improving food systems in Yemen remains a formidable challenge, greater efforts are now being taken to allow local farmers to engage more comprehensively in these processes, with strategies tailored to the obstacles they are facing in their everyday lives.
Yemen’s Fishing Industry
Prior to the war, the fishing industry was Yemen’s second largest export, employing more than half a million people. With financial support from the European Union, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is now actively supporting the coastal community in Aden and other areas in the south.
With a coastal strip extending around 2,500 kilometers, fishing is re-emerging as a promising sector in improving Yemen’s food supply, enriching nutrition levels whilst stimulating the economy through increased trade.
For instance, a fish market at Al Hotta Lah was recently rebuilt and is now in use after being destroyed during the war. Around 100 tonnes of fish are sold there per month with an estimated value of $18,000 and more than 100 traders and retailers using it daily.
As a result, understanding the roles of local traders, farmers and fishermen in improving Yemen’s food systems is underpinning the importance of combining humanitarian relief with development responses that can support small businesses and empower local economies at a time of growing crisis.
In any case, as the humanitarian disaster persists, it has become clear that improving Yemen’s fishing and agriculture must play a vital role in improving food systems in Yemen, whilst also assisting the economic and social conditions of a nation ravaged by war and political uncertainty.
– Gabriel John Gunn
Photo: Unsplash
Migration to Côte d’Ivoire
Historically
Côte d’Ivoire was a French Colony until 1960, when the country gained independence and joined the United Nations (UN) in the same year. Since its independence, the country has experienced periods of political instability, however, despite its challenges the country remains resilient, fostering a strong sense of national identity that continually makes it an attractive destination for migrants in Western Africa.
Since gaining independence, Côte d’Ivoire experienced an economic boom encouraging migrants to come from the sub-region, representing the first migration country in the region. This allowed migrants to come in and contribute to the labor force, helping fuel the economic boom.
Côte d’Ivoire is the main migration destination in West Africa and is the second most popular destination on the continent after South Africa, with the country taking in roughly 2.5 million migrants annually constituting just under 10% of their population. Looking more closely at where migrants are coming from, about 90% of migrants coming into Côte d’Ivoire are nationals of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), with the majority of them coming from Burkina Faso.
Why Côte d’Ivoire?
There are numerous reasons why people migrate to Côte d’Ivoire with the most popular being economical with the country offering better business and job opportunities as well as better education for children.
There is a predominance of immigrants from Burkina Faso, when looking at migration to Côte d’Ivoire. Burkina Faso shares their southern border with Côte d’Ivoire and the country is currently facing a humanitarian crisis with more than 2 million internally displaced people, causing them to flee to neighboring countries, primarily Côte d’Ivoire. The situation in Burkina Faso has left large groups of people impoverished and without access to basic services, leading them to migrate south in search of better opportunities.
Migration to Côte d’Ivoire is not perfect as the country has experienced periods of instability. The country, however, works with numerous branches of the U.N. so that their ability to keep their borders open is not impacted. The number of refugees and asylum seekers from nearby regions has steadily increased since 2022, reaching just more than 55,000 in 2024, causing them to rely more heavily on support from international organizations.
Managing Migration
International Organizations have become a key factor in helping Côte d’Ivoire strengthen their infrastructure so that they can maintain their open borders as well as provide a smooth transition for immigrants coming in, as well as people returning to the country. Examples include the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which focuses on strengthening protection for migrants when the enter the country, U.N. Development Programme (UNDP), who works to keep migrant children in schools while also working with Côte d’Ivoire’s government in overseeing projects that work within sustainable development goals (SDGs). Lastly the World Food Programme (WFP) helps provide school meals for kids throughout the year.
Since the country became a member of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in 2000, which is a branch of the UN, it has helped manage migration flows into the country as well as protecting the dignity of migrants once inside the country. It does this by helping the government with projects aimed at the intersection of migration and development, counter-trafficking, reintegration measures and support for migrants.
The IOM focuses mainly on border management, working with migrants as they come into the country. These efforts include providing migrants the necessary information for them on safe and secure migration paths as they enter the country. It does work with the communities at the border in order to strengthen their capacity to support migrants as they come in, by developing programs aimed at peacebuilding, counter-trafficking and managing natural resources.
Looking Ahead
Côte d’Ivoire has become the most popular destination in Western Africa, taking in millions of migrants annually due to its attractive, growing economy, with most of the migrants to Côte d’Ivoire coming from neighboring countries like Burkina Faso. This is due to Burkina Faso experiencing a major refugee crisis, causing Burkinabe migrants to flee south in order to escape poverty. Due to the large number of migrants coming into Côte d’Ivoire, the country has relied on the help of international organizations, largely backed by the U.N., to help support the flow of people into the country, in order to create better conditions for migrants to help get them out of poverty.
– Olivia Peters
Photo: Unsplash
5 Ways M-TIBA Kenya Transforms Health Care
5 Ways M-TIBA Kenya Transforms Health Care
Looking Ahead
M-TIBA Kenya demonstrates how mobile technology, when supported by government and nonprofit partners, can bridge gaps in health access. Furthermore, it can empower individuals to manage their own care. The continued rollout of AI, combined with strong public‑private‑community partnerships, positions M‑TIBA as a key player in Kenya’s push for universal health coverage. The scaling of digital health wallets offers a replicable model for other lower‑income countries seeking to close care gaps and empower individuals to manage their health funds effectively.
– Hayden Chedid
Photo: Flickr
Education Reform in Malaysia
Problems in the Education System
In Malaysia, the problem of inequity remains. Students in states with a high rural population perform less than states with high urban populations. Additionally, girls perform better than boys, with women comprising 70% of university-level cohorts.
The most prevalent gap remains between socio-economic origins, which can be defined using three points: the parents’ highest education level, the state’s average income per household and the number of students receiving financial aid. Of good schools in Malaysia, only 7% have more than two-thirds of their population receiving financial assistance, versus 52% of underperforming schools. In an effort to further bolster equity through education reform in Malaysia, the Ministry of Education has implemented the Malaysian Education Blueprint 2013-2025.
Shifts to Transform the System
To minimize gaps between students, the Malaysian Education Blueprint 2013-2025 consists of 11 shifts to implement: (1) equal access to quality education; (2) guarantee language proficiency in Bahasa Malaysia and English; (3) inspire a value-driven lifestyle; (4) improve teaching; (5) establish strong leaders in schools; (6) promote school improvement (infrastructure, performance); (7) utilize technology in the classroom; (8) empower state and district education departments; (9) collaborate with parents and community; (10) get best educational results for every ringgit spent and (11) increase transparency in education system.
Malaysia has implemented the 11 shifts through three waves. The plan is to track education reform in Malaysia after each wave (2015, 2020, 2025) to review progress.
Impacts of the Education Blueprint
Currently, Malaysia is in the third wave of its plan as it approaches its final review in 2025. Though some experts have observed that Malaysia has failed to completely implement its shifts, the plan has introduced major improvements in Malaysia’s education system. Within the first two years of the plan’s implementation, Malaysia saw a 31% decrease in the gap between urban and rural states. Additionally, English literacy increased from 63% to 94% in primary school students. Further, Malaysia has exited the bottom third in the ranking of education systems.
Looking Ahead
It appears there is still much work to do if Malaysia is to achieve its initial goals. Challenges remain in three main areas: weak progression in student achievement, dropouts—particularly among minority ethnic groups—and the remaining urban and rural disparity. Though it seems unlikely that Malaysia will be able to fully accomplish everything stated in the Education Blueprint by 2025, an extension of a few years may be enough for it to reach its aspiration of entering the top third in the education system rankings. Malaysia has made measurable progress since 2013 and an extended timeline may help the country meet its education goals.
– Ariana Wang
Photo: Flickr
Health Care System in Turkey
Backed by the Social Security Institution (SGK), the scheme now covers nearly 97% of the population, offering access to public and private providers. The country has a mixed public-private model, with more than 870 public hospitals, 571 private hospitals and 68 university hospitals as of 2022. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) reports, Turkey spends around 6.3% of its gross domestic product on health, well below the OECD normal of 9.3%, but still achieves good results. Life expectancy has reached nearly 79 times and under 5 years old mortality has fallen by 88% between 1990 and 2021.
Growing Pains
Despite these achievements, systemic problems remain. Turkey faces indigenous differences in child mortality and access to health care, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). There are also growing concerns about high levels of antibiotic use, air pollution and rising rates of rotundity and diabetes, which now affect around 13% to 17% of people in the country.
Turkey is also a world leader in medical tourism, attracting cases from Europe and the Middle East with affordable dentistry, ornamental surgery and hair transplants. Turkey is also a world leader in medical tourism, attracting cases from Europe and the Middle East with affordable dentistry, ornamental surgery and hair transplants. The government-backed USHAŞ (International Health Services Inc.) agency has helped promote these services worldwide. At the same time, numerous hospitals retain Joint Commission International delegations.
However, confidence in the health care system was shaken after serious allegations of fraud and price fleecing in neonatal ferocious care units surfaced. Several croakers and nurses are under investigation and several private conventions have been closed after babies were allegedly transferred from one sanitarium to another to inflate insurance claims.
Following this incident, all private hospitals in Turkey were required to obtain accreditation from the Turkish Health Care Quality and Accreditation Institute (TÜSKA) starting January 2025. A total of 58 standards and 244 criteria will be enforced and hospitals seeking accreditation must report their compliance in detail. While health care system in Turkey has made significant progress in coverage, infrastructure and innovation, it now faces the challenge of maintaining quality and integrity amid rising demand and increased ethical scrutiny.
Looking Forward
Turkey has taken decisive steps to rebuild trust and strengthen oversight in response to recent setbacks. The introduction of mandatory TÜSKA accreditation marks a serious push toward greater transparency and accountability in private care. The Health Ministry has also increased digital monitoring of insurance claims and expanded training for hospital staff. Meanwhile, investments continue in public health infrastructure, with new city hospitals opening and e-health services expanding. These moves show Turkey’s commitment to safeguarding the gains of its health care reform while adapting to new challenges.
– Ksenia Potaturina
Photo: Freepik