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
How Boxing Helps Fight Poverty
Ghana
Ghana has made significant progress in reducing poverty in recent decades. It boasts one of the 10 fastest-growing economies in the world and the second-largest economy in Africa as of 2018. Despite that, it still ranks 140th out of 189 countries on the Human Development Index and nearly a quarter of the population lives below the poverty line.
However, in the town of Bokum, boxing is a way for children to endure and overcome community violence. Furthermore, boxing helps fight poverty within the community. In makeshift gyms that spill onto the streets, with ropes forming improvised rings, locals turn to boxing for community and support from coaches. Boxing in Bokum is also highly competitive, as evidenced by the eight world champions that come from there. This helps young boxers hone their skills to make money to support themselves.
Boxing-related support in Ghana comes from nonprofits. For example, the Azzumah Nelson Foundation, founded by former Ghanaian world champion Azzumah Nelson, has built sports and education facilities where children can learn sports like volleyball, table tennis and boxing. The organization has also provided rural parts of the country with vocational training and health services.
Mexico
Mexico is a country plagued by significant poverty. Nearly 47 million people live in poverty and around 80% of all national wealth is held by the wealthiest 10% of the population. Poverty has forced many children into violent gang activities, causing those aged less than 25 to make up a third of all murders in Mexico as of 2013.
In response, the Mexican government is turning to boxing to keep its kids off the streets. In Mexico City, 42,000 people gathered for a large-scale boxing lesson led by boxing greats like Oscar de la Hoya and Julia Cesar Chavez. There, President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo announced the Federal government’s “Stay Away from Drugs. Fentanyl Kills You” campaign and affirmed, “The people of Mexico say yes to education, sport, peace and love.”
The World Boxing Council (WBC) has also used its Cares Program to support and empower young people through its global influence. Whether it be building confidence through its KO Bullying Campaign or virtual seminars at juvenile detention centers during the pandemic, WBC Cares has worked to give children the skills and confidence necessary to avoid drugs and crime. Notably, the Boys and Girls Club CDMX and the State of Mexico offer a safe place for children to participate in developmental activities in the summer. According to the Executive Director, Alejandro Palomino, they served more than 240 young people in the summer of 2024.
Citizens themselves have been supporting their community through boxing. Under a bridge in Ecatepec de Morelos, the Ramirez family built a gym to give children an escape from drugs and crime. By day, head coach Miguel Ramirez sells street tacos and by evening, he trains young boxers, some of whom have gone on to win medals.
Cuba
Since Fidel Castro came to power, boxing and other sports have been a source of national pride for Cubans amid the financial hardship caused by their economic isolation. Their strong national boxing program and uniquely rhythmic style have helped them dominate Olympic boxing for decades and made it widely popular.
The island nation is considered to have some of the worst poverty in Latin America. In 2023, DataWorld reported that Cuba was the most indigent nation in Latin America. In 2024, the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights, an independent organization based in Madrid, reported from a study that almost 90% of the population lives in “extreme poverty.” Of those interviewed, 72% said the food crisis was the biggest problem.
Considering the hard living conditions for many Cuban children, boxing can offer both an outlet and a refuge. Employed by the Cuban government, coaches set up gyms, sometimes in empty lots, to scout for talented children who could move to more advanced national boxing academies. Boxers who are successful enough can even earn money for themselves and their family through professional prizefighting ever since the government lifted its ban in 2022.
Nonprofits also use boxing as a means to help people in Cuba. The Gloves of Hope, for example, collects donations to improve boxing facilities and equipment for women and children in Cuba. Similarly, the International Boxing Association donated 500 pairs of boxing gloves in 2024 to celebrate International Boxing Day.
Conclusion
Boxing in these countries is just one example of the positive effect sports can have for children, as it helps in the fight against poverty. Anytime children experiencing poverty engage in an activity that makes them healthier and stronger, mentally and physically, they give themselves a better chance at a brighter future. Furthermore, they’re also given a break from their harsh living conditions to have fun. Whether boxing or something else, sports should be shared with impoverished communities.
– Seth Pintar
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Preventing Generational Poverty in the Dominican Republic
Causes of Generational Poverty
Generational poverty in the Dominican Republic has persisted for decades, fueled by factors such as poor living conditions, the country’s vulnerability to extreme weather and the segregation of Haitian immigrants. Many factors contribute to widespread poverty. When a family struggles to find steady work, care for their children or recover from a hurricane, all while lacking access to essential services, their stability quickly unravels.
Even families living just above the poverty line are vulnerable; one in four will be impacted by natural disasters, forcing them to seek support for education, health care and basic survival. Additionally, limited access to education and health care leaves children deprived and vulnerable. Attending school and living in stable conditions is crucial for their development and helps reduce future poverty and child mortality. Even economically stable families face risk; there is a one in eight chance that natural disasters will severely impact them, potentially pushing them into poverty.
Annually, nearly 1% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) is used to aid those in humanitarian crises, such as natural disasters, poor health and separation from families. It’s a cycle that persists and without humanitarian support, global aid and education funding, breaking it will take far more time. It will place an even greater financial burden on the country.
How It Affects Children’s Daily Life
Children are considered to be one of the most vulnerable groups of people in a community. Without proper nurturing, education, necessities and safety, they become even more susceptible and do not suddenly become more stable or independent as adults. Without proper education, children are also not taught about comprehensive sexual health. As a result, teen pregnancy becomes more common and so do the fatal risks of being pregnant.
Unfortunately, the population of Haitian immigrants in the Dominican Republic faces harsh ridicule and systemic discrimination, not only from employers and peers but also from the government. Haitian children born in the Dominican Republic face discrimination, too, being less likely to be helped by the local government for aid due to a crisis or general poverty.
This is exacerbated by the government’s refusal to give proper identity to these children, not allowing them to access health, minimal education or social benefits. Mass deportation is done to rid Haitian migrants, sending them to Haiti. This causes constant distress for the Haitian community in the Dominican Republic and overall poverty for those who cannot receive help or obtain work. This, in turn, adds to the overall population of those in poverty in the Dominican Republic.
Prevention
Programs like Project HOPE aim to improve the lives of those facing crisis and poverty. It supports the Dominican Republic by reducing maternal and newborn mortality through health worker training and improved medical resources. It also promotes adolescent health via family planning and HIV education and provides migrant women with culturally sensitive care. The charity’s work includes disaster response, like aiding communities affected by Hurricane Fiona with supplies, clean water and training.
Conclusion
The cycle of generational poverty in the Dominican Republic is perpetuated by numerous factors that continue in the country. It prevents an end to discrimination, lack of proper education, lack of enough jobs for citizens, adequate health care for all ages and demographics and proper nutrition. Prioritizing the main issues and making continuous efforts to aid the country as a whole will change the lives of all populations. By addressing these issues, the Dominican Republic could build resilience to climate and health crises and promptly create opportunities for its citizens.
– Paige Eldridge
Photo: Pexels
Expanding Somalia’s Vaccination Program
On the Ground
In Somalia, there is about a 10% chance that a baby of one month will not make it to the age of 5. This is largely due to low immunization rates, which are especially important for children, as they are more vulnerable to disease. High child mortality rates correlate with slow economic development, poor education and lack of government healthcare funding.
Historically, Somalia has had some of the lowest vaccination rates across the world; however, since its election in 2022, the Somali government is proving its commitment to lowering under-5 mortality rates by investing in nationwide immunization programs.
Somalia’s Vaccination Program
In 2022, the Somali government joined the U.N. and WHO to create the “Big Catch-Up” vaccination plan targeting polio and measles. The campaign achieved the vaccination of 3.2 million children under five against polio, and another 3.5 million against measles. More recently, in 2024, the Somali government implemented the Immunization and Polio Eradication Task Force (SIPE), a multi-agency initiative between the government, WHO and U.N. It also launched the Child Survival Forum to prioritize “zero dose” children, monitor progress and design action plans. An example of its success includes the nation-wide implementation of an electronic immunization registry to efficiently trace individuals’ vaccination records.
In April 2025, SIPE introduced two new vaccines to its agenda; the rotavirus vaccine and PCV. Rotavirus is deadly due to diarrheal effects which can severely dehydrate the child and cause malnutrition. Meanwhile, pneumococcal bacteria can lead to illnesses including pneumonia and meningitis, which are infections of the lungs and infections of the spinal cord and brain tissue, respectively. Together, vomiting, pneumonia and measles account for 43% of child deaths in Somalia.
Looking to the Future
Projections from 2023 suggest that by 2030, Somalia’s child mortality rate could see a decrease from 104 out of 1,000 newborns dying to approximately 91 out of 1,000. Additionally, Lives Saved Tool (LiST) projections show that accounting for both rotavirus and pneumococcal related illnesses, an estimated 28,974 lives could be saved and 1,309,326 cases could be averted between 2024 and 2030.
Government prioritization and financial investment in a robust national immunization initiative are already seeing success. Expansion since implementation, and partnerships with institutions including WHO, U.N. and Vaccine Alliance, prove Somalia’s commitment to a strong, lasting vaccination program for children. Ultimately, slow progress is better than no progress, and the impact of efforts to combat major social obstacles is best observed on a broader scale of time.
– Emily Galán
Photo: Flickr
Rural Fishermen Safeguard Small-Scale Fishing in Honduras
Background
Honduras is a lower-middle-income country, as 63% of the population lives in poverty, one in five rural residents experiences extreme poverty, and 19% of children under 5 experience malnutrition, causing developmental delays. Unstable access to essential services, increasing violence and inequality alongside the changing climate and disproportionate economic growth have contributed to food insecurity and malnutrition.
Additionally, in 2024, the country faced several challenges, including droughts, unpredictable rainfall, inflation, and economic instability, which led to struggles in the agricultural sector and a decline in household incomes. These problems were significantly more damaging in rural and marginalized communities.
Fishing Project
The plan in Santa Rosa de Aguan will involve collaboration with local fishermen, who will survey and patrol coastal waters to combat illegal fishing, utilize sustainable fishing gear, and protect the long-term health of shoreline ecosystems. Beaches, rainforests, coastal mangroves and 12 nautical miles of open ocean comprise the 112-square-mile zone accessible to fishermen working within the new project. With the help of Rare, the project aims to protect 100% of mangrove swamps and reserve 12 nautical miles of open seas exclusively for small-scale fishing and conservation, Good News Network reports.
Rare, through its Fish Forever initiative, has helped create more than 28,000 square miles of community fisheries in 2,000 cities and towns around the world. The global project recognizes that healthy coastal fisheries are essential to the food security, economic prosperity, and climate resilience of coastal communities worldwide. Furthermore, they work with fishers to revitalize coastal fisheries and partner with local governments, funders, leaders, and NGOs to support local communities in managing them sustainably.
Outcomes
According to the Statistics Institute of Honduras, the indigenous Garifuna speakers of Santa Rosa de Aguan live with half their population in extreme poverty. These small-scale fishing communities, comprising multiple generations of fishermen, have exclusive access to sustainable food supplies, employment opportunities, and secure wages. The scheme enables locals to utilize traditional fishing methods, building upon the fishing industry and developing it into a sustainable source of employment in the country. With the help of Rare, fishermen have gained access to an expansive region of waters that will be used to continue developing the fishing industry and eventually contribute to Honduras’ economy. Mayor of Santa Rosa de Aguan, Heber Flores, states, “By protecting the resources that sustain us—fishing and agriculture—we’re securing a future of dignity, resilience, and opportunity for our communities,” Good News Network reports.
The Future
In conclusion, the establishment of the Santa Rosa de Aguan Site of Importance for Wildlife marks a significant step toward sustainable small-scale fishing practices and community empowerment on the Caribbean coast of Honduras. By involving local fishermen and prioritizing environmental conservation, this initiative aims to uplift impoverished communities while ensuring the long-term health of vital marine ecosystems.
As these communities come together to protect their resources, they pave the way for a brighter future where dignity, resilience, and economic opportunity can flourish in harmony with nature. Through collaborative efforts, the vision for sustainable fishing addresses not only immediate needs but also strengthens the overall welfare of future generations.
– Phoebe Guildford
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