Diseases impacting Sri Lanka are divided into three categories: endemic, epidemic and pandemic. Notifiable diseases include cholera, diphtheria, yellow fever, malaria and tetanus. Below are some diseases impacting Sri Lanka.
Dengue
One example of an endemic disease that impacts Sri Lanka is dengue. Mosquitos transmit dengue. The same type of mosquito also transmits the viruses that cause zika and chikungunya. It exists in tropical and subtropical climates worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), heavy monsoon rains, piles of damp garbage, standing pools of water and other breeding grounds that attract mosquitoes all cause dengue.
“Dengue tends to seek out the poor who live in densely populated places where sanitation is inadequate, rubbish piles up, water pools and mosquitoes thrive,” says Gerhard Tauscher, the operations manager of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
Two of the largest dengue epidemics occurred in 2002 and 2004. During these epidemics, 8,931 cases and 15,463 cases were reported.
Rabies
Sri Lanka is on the list of high-risk countries for rabies. The bite, scratch, or lick on broken skin of an infected animal is what spreads rabies. Rabies thrives from contact with warm-blooded animals because it is a viral infection. It is a serious and frightening disease, and once developed in humans, it is fatal.
Fever, headache, weakness and paralysis are all symptoms of rabies. People travelling through remote regions are especially at risk. The symptoms can take 5 days to 25 years to develop.
Infected dogs are one reason why 20 to 30 deaths occur annually due to rabies. The main reasons for these deaths are not vaccinating dogs and not getting post exposure treatments.
Chikungunya
Chikungunya is another virus that mosquitoes spread. In the 1960s, Sri Lanka reports its first chikungunya epidemic. This happened again in November 2006. This virus is spread through the bite of infected female mosquitoes, which also infect their victims with dengue. Symptoms of chikungunya usually appear 4-8 days after a bite from a female mosquito.
“The main symptoms include a sudden high fever, severe joint pain, muscle aches, headache, nausea, fatigue, and skin rashes. While most patients recover within a week, joint pain can persist for months or even years in some cases, particularly among older individuals,” says Consultant Physician Dr. Achalya Balasuriya.
In 2007, more than 5,000 people were infected with chikungunya in Sri Lanka’s far north. During that time, residents were living off of aid supplies coming in from abroad.
Diabetes
Of the diseases impacting Sri Lanka, diabetes is prevalent because Sri Lanka has the highest rate of diabetes in Asia. According to a national survey conducted in 2019, nearly one in four Sri Lankan adults had diabetes, and another one in three had high blood sugar.
Dr. Ravi Ranniyan-Eliya, lead investigator for the study and Executive Director of the IHP (the Institute for Health Policy) explains that “These findings indicate that Sri Lanka has the highest rate of diabetes in Asia, and in fact one of the highest in the world, since there are only a few countries – some small Pacific Islands and places like Egypt and the Gulf States – with higher rates.”
It is hard to reverse diabetes once it develops, but being diagnosed early and getting treatment can minimize outcomes, like heart and kidney disease. The research showed that more than 1 million Sri Lankans do not know that they have diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes rose in 2011 from 7.6% to 11.3% in 2021, signaling a 68.3% rise. The rate of diabetes has risen sharply over the decades.
The Sri Lanka Government’s Efforts
The Sri Lankan government is working to reduce the transmission of diseases in Sri Lanka. In 2017, the Sri Lankan military increased the number of hospital beds for dengue patients as the Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health (MOH) Sri Lanka requested. Army, police and health staff monitored the high risk areas, visiting house-to-house. They were involved in mobilizing communities for garbage disposal, cleaning mosquito breeding sites and health education.
To target rabies, Sri Lanka has increased dog vaccination, enforced responsible dog ownership, strengthened surveillance for animals and humans and conducted mass awareness programs.
Other Initiatives
In 2006, the International Medical Corps (IMC) set up mobile clinics, supported an information campaign and gave syringes to help fight Chikungunya in Sri Lanka.
The World Diabetes Foundation has organized workshops to strengthen the connection between maternal and child health services, primary health centers and government-established healthy lifestyle clinics in detecting and managing diabetes, diabetic foot and GDM. Sri Lanka has built new health care facilities and facilitated the training of health care professionals. This helps to improve the impact of diabetic care. It has also implemented awareness and prevention activities in schools and workplaces.
Looking Ahead
In 2022, during Sri Lanka’s economic crisis, the shortage of medicine and essential equipment became life-threatening. This has challenged Sri Lanka’s health care system. According to Amnesty International, “From shortages of gauze, intravenous antibiotics and insulin to requests to re-use catheters or endotracheal tubes, the last few months have brought shocking challenges to Sri Lanka’s healthcare system.”
Sri Lanka’s rich ecosystems, biodiversity and close human-animal interactions create an environment in which zoonotic diseases can be dispersed widely. Many diseases in Sri Lanka have their origins in animal populations. Sri Lanka has unique environmental and agricultural practices, which make it challenging to manage diseases. The government is taking steps to ensure that human, animal, and environmental health are managed and maintained.
– Abirame Shanthakumar
Abirame is based in Ontario, Canada and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.
Photo: Unsplash
How Atmospheric Generators Are Transforming Arid Communities
Atmospheric Water Generators
AWGs are machines that produce water by extracting humidity from the air. The system draws in air and cools it to trigger condensation. After condensation, the water passes through multiple filters that purify it for safe human consumption. These machines come in different sizes. Some are designed for households or small communities. Others, particularly industrial-scale units, generate several thousand liters of water daily—enough to support entire villages or farming operations.
The Impact on Arid Communities
Atmospheric generators have a profound impact on communities living in arid areas. First, regular access to safe drinking water significantly improves public health by reducing water-related diseases, especially among children. The water produced can also be used to irrigate small local crops, allowing families to grow their fruits and vegetables, thus enhancing food security.
Economically, these generators create new jobs related to their maintenance, supervision and water distribution. This stimulates local economies, often constrained by scarce natural resources. By providing a water source independent of rainfall, the generators are strengthening the resilience of villages to changing weather patterns and prolonged droughts.
For example, in Kenya, Majik Water uses air generators to provide drinking water to drought-affected rural communities. This project has improved the living conditions of many families, proving that this technology can be a real lifeline in even the most hostile environments.
Challenges to Overcome
Despite their potential, AWGs present several challenges. The machines require an initial capital investment that is beyond the reach of many communities. In areas without reliable electricity, powering the machines can become a problem. In addition, their efficiency drops in environments with extremely low humidity, limiting water output in the driest areas. These obstacles highlight the need for supportive infrastructure and financing mechanisms. Solar-powered AWGs could offer one possible solution to the energy constraint. Government subsidies or nonprofit funding may also be necessary to make these systems accessible in low-income regions.
Looking Ahead
Atmospheric generators represent a promising innovation to address water scarcity in arid regions. By providing an independent and reliable source of drinking water, they improve the quality of life, support local agriculture and empower communities in the face of climate change. However, widespread adoption potentially depends on efforts to lower costs, increase energy efficiency and integrate AWGs into broader development policies. With the support of public policies and private initiatives, this technology could play a key role in the future of sustainable water management.
– Eléonore Bonnaterre
Photo: Flickr
Poverty in Southern Madagascar
Drought in the Deep South
The southern region of Madagascar, known as the Deep South, is experiencing one of its worst droughts in four decades. Rainfall levels dropped by as much as 75% in 2016 and the region only received 60% of normal rainfall between 2019 and 2021.
As a result of the drought, a severe famine began and resulted in widespread hunger. The lack of rain decimated staple crops like maize, cassava and rice. Nearly a third of the region’s population requires emergency food assistance.
Alice Rahmoun, WFP’s Communications Officer in Madagascar, says, “So, what we can say is that impacts of climate [crisis] are really stronger and stronger…so harvests fail constantly, so people don’t have anything to harvest and anything to renew their food stocks.”
Food Insecurity
The WFP estimated that 1.35 million people in the Deep South were food insecure in 2021. Frequent cyclones add to the drought, which displaces thousands of water sources. These climate events destroy homes and infrastructure and devastate agricultural lands, further increasing food shortages.
Children in rural poverty communities in southern Madagascar are among the most affected by the crisis. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reports that about 950,000 children are in need of humanitarian assistance, facing threats from malnutrition, lack of clean water and limited access to education.
Malnutrition rates among children aged below 5 have soared, with global aid groups reporting that nearly half a million kids are at risk of severe acute malnutrition. In remote villages, families have resorted to extreme measures to survive by eating cactus or locusts.
Humanitarian Aid and Climate-Smart Solutions
In response to the poverty in southern Madagascar, UNICEF, which is heavily involved in providing humanitarian assistance, is intensifying its efforts. In 2025, the organization aims to provide treatment for severe wasting to 84,967 children 6-59 months and 114,000 women with multiple micronutrient supplementation.
Additionally, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has taken an innovative approach to using resistant crops. The organization introduced an initiative called the Climate Change Adaptation Programme and Mitigation in the Eastern and Southern Africa Region. The program aims to help smallholder farmers adapt to global heating by promoting drought-tolerant crops, conservation agriculture and sustainable land management practices.
Furthermore, Medair, an international humanitarian organization, is restoring water supplies to regions with the most water displacement due to cyclones. It is also providing essential housing hygiene items to prevent the spread of disease outbreaks and providing temporary shelters, disaster-resilient homes and supporting infrastructure to health centers.
Despite these efforts, challenges persist. Limited infrastructure complicates aid delivery to remote areas. Additionally, the frequency and intensity of climate-related disasters outpace humanitarian response. Comprehensive strategies that address immediate needs and long-term resilience are crucial to understanding the nation’s complex crisis.
– Sebastian Llerena
Photo: Pexels
Addressing Homelessness in Comoros
The Issue
Homelessness in Comoros tends to stem from a lack of opportunities, which results in an unequal distribution of consumption expenditures. Within the years 2004-2014, supplies and housing conditions saw improvements, with the percentage of people going through hardships dropping from 85% to 75%, but the number of people lacking access to supplies remained high. As educational and job developments began to increase, the Comoros’ homeless faced major setbacks due to a natural disaster and health crisis.
In April 2019, Tropical Cyclone Kenneth hit the Comoros, causing flood damage, contaminated water tanks, loss of power for days and damaged roads limiting travel access. The cyclone resulted in the loss of more than half of the Comoros’ main crop food source, affecting the food supply and livelihoods. The severe damage to homes and land resulted in an estimated 20,000 people experiencing displacement.
Despite the immediate response from supporting organizations, flooded roads and a loss of power supply caused difficulty in moving supplies. The capacity of the Comoros’ Government to respond to a crisis like this is limited, putting a strain on the country as a whole.
Cyclone Kenneth’s impact already affected the homeless, and the people faced further hardship with the arrival of COVID-19, which caused a restraint in job opportunities and increased health issues as the country does not have the services to respond to a national pandemic.
Developments
Despite the increased hardships, the Comoros’ Government sought immediate support from “UN agencies, the Red Crescent, and local NGOs” to respond to Cyclone Kenneth’s damages. These organizations assisted with food security, shelter, health conditions and education. All schools and government facilities remained closed, so UNICEF provided children with alternative learning opportunities to prevent disruptions in their education. Individuals and families who experienced displacement received nutritional and health supplies along with shelters for protection.
By 2023, the economy had grown, which benefited homelessness in the Comoros, as those individuals and many more depend on agriculture. There was an increase in agricultural prices due to agreeable climate conditions, leading to a decline in inflation, which largely assisted the economy. The inflation percentage in the year 2022 sat at 12.4% and saw a significant decline to 9.2% by 2023.
Although COVID-19 and the cyclone slowed down economic recovery, projects including the El Maarouf hospital, the Galawa hotel and the repairs of roads are in the works. In 2023, an energy law was put in place that “promotes the production of electricity from renewable sources.” As the poverty rate remains at 38.2%, it will likely reduce to 36.2% by 2026 with an expanding and further recovered economy.
US Assistance
The U.S. may not have an embassy located in the Comoros, but the U.S. Ambassador in Madagascar is accredited to the Comoros. The U.S. and the Comoros have had an established diplomatic relationship since 1977, occurring only two years after the Comoros gained independence from France in 1975.
During the 2024 celebration of the long lasting, expanding relationship between the U.S. and the Comoros, the U.S. Ambassador to Madagascar announced USAID programming funds that will go towards “renewable energy, food security and workforce development.” The USAID program will receive $5 million along with $1 million to fund education and better the governments financial needs.
Looking Ahead
The country’s economy is expanding and putting every effort into recovering, which has provided them with critical improvements. Slowly but surely, the homelessness in Comoros is gaining the needed attention to live more safely and healthily.
– Sarina Francis
Photo: Flickr
Diseases Impacting Sri Lanka
Dengue
One example of an endemic disease that impacts Sri Lanka is dengue. Mosquitos transmit dengue. The same type of mosquito also transmits the viruses that cause zika and chikungunya. It exists in tropical and subtropical climates worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), heavy monsoon rains, piles of damp garbage, standing pools of water and other breeding grounds that attract mosquitoes all cause dengue.
“Dengue tends to seek out the poor who live in densely populated places where sanitation is inadequate, rubbish piles up, water pools and mosquitoes thrive,” says Gerhard Tauscher, the operations manager of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
Two of the largest dengue epidemics occurred in 2002 and 2004. During these epidemics, 8,931 cases and 15,463 cases were reported.
Rabies
Sri Lanka is on the list of high-risk countries for rabies. The bite, scratch, or lick on broken skin of an infected animal is what spreads rabies. Rabies thrives from contact with warm-blooded animals because it is a viral infection. It is a serious and frightening disease, and once developed in humans, it is fatal.
Fever, headache, weakness and paralysis are all symptoms of rabies. People travelling through remote regions are especially at risk. The symptoms can take 5 days to 25 years to develop.
Infected dogs are one reason why 20 to 30 deaths occur annually due to rabies. The main reasons for these deaths are not vaccinating dogs and not getting post exposure treatments.
Chikungunya
Chikungunya is another virus that mosquitoes spread. In the 1960s, Sri Lanka reports its first chikungunya epidemic. This happened again in November 2006. This virus is spread through the bite of infected female mosquitoes, which also infect their victims with dengue. Symptoms of chikungunya usually appear 4-8 days after a bite from a female mosquito.
“The main symptoms include a sudden high fever, severe joint pain, muscle aches, headache, nausea, fatigue, and skin rashes. While most patients recover within a week, joint pain can persist for months or even years in some cases, particularly among older individuals,” says Consultant Physician Dr. Achalya Balasuriya.
In 2007, more than 5,000 people were infected with chikungunya in Sri Lanka’s far north. During that time, residents were living off of aid supplies coming in from abroad.
Diabetes
Of the diseases impacting Sri Lanka, diabetes is prevalent because Sri Lanka has the highest rate of diabetes in Asia. According to a national survey conducted in 2019, nearly one in four Sri Lankan adults had diabetes, and another one in three had high blood sugar.
Dr. Ravi Ranniyan-Eliya, lead investigator for the study and Executive Director of the IHP (the Institute for Health Policy) explains that “These findings indicate that Sri Lanka has the highest rate of diabetes in Asia, and in fact one of the highest in the world, since there are only a few countries – some small Pacific Islands and places like Egypt and the Gulf States – with higher rates.”
It is hard to reverse diabetes once it develops, but being diagnosed early and getting treatment can minimize outcomes, like heart and kidney disease. The research showed that more than 1 million Sri Lankans do not know that they have diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes rose in 2011 from 7.6% to 11.3% in 2021, signaling a 68.3% rise. The rate of diabetes has risen sharply over the decades.
The Sri Lanka Government’s Efforts
The Sri Lankan government is working to reduce the transmission of diseases in Sri Lanka. In 2017, the Sri Lankan military increased the number of hospital beds for dengue patients as the Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health (MOH) Sri Lanka requested. Army, police and health staff monitored the high risk areas, visiting house-to-house. They were involved in mobilizing communities for garbage disposal, cleaning mosquito breeding sites and health education.
To target rabies, Sri Lanka has increased dog vaccination, enforced responsible dog ownership, strengthened surveillance for animals and humans and conducted mass awareness programs.
Other Initiatives
In 2006, the International Medical Corps (IMC) set up mobile clinics, supported an information campaign and gave syringes to help fight Chikungunya in Sri Lanka.
The World Diabetes Foundation has organized workshops to strengthen the connection between maternal and child health services, primary health centers and government-established healthy lifestyle clinics in detecting and managing diabetes, diabetic foot and GDM. Sri Lanka has built new health care facilities and facilitated the training of health care professionals. This helps to improve the impact of diabetic care. It has also implemented awareness and prevention activities in schools and workplaces.
Looking Ahead
In 2022, during Sri Lanka’s economic crisis, the shortage of medicine and essential equipment became life-threatening. This has challenged Sri Lanka’s health care system. According to Amnesty International, “From shortages of gauze, intravenous antibiotics and insulin to requests to re-use catheters or endotracheal tubes, the last few months have brought shocking challenges to Sri Lanka’s healthcare system.”
Sri Lanka’s rich ecosystems, biodiversity and close human-animal interactions create an environment in which zoonotic diseases can be dispersed widely. Many diseases in Sri Lanka have their origins in animal populations. Sri Lanka has unique environmental and agricultural practices, which make it challenging to manage diseases. The government is taking steps to ensure that human, animal, and environmental health are managed and maintained.
– Abirame Shanthakumar
Photo: Unsplash
Mongolia Recycling Wastewater to Ease Water Crisis
A Creative Response to Growing Water Demand
Over the past two decades, Mongolia’s population has increased by 70%, which has driven significantly higher water usage. Much of the country relies on groundwater and around 500 factories discharge 44,000 cubic meters of wastewater daily, which has intensified the challenge of securing safe and sustainable water sources. In response, MCS Coca-Cola treats more than 500 cubic meters of wastewater per day and plans to supply the Amgalan Thermal Power Plant in Ulaanbaatar. The city plans to use the treated water as a cooling resource during the heating season—a cost-effective, climate-friendly alternative to freshwater.
Investments in Infrastructure and Water Security
The wastewater reuse initiative supports Mongolia’s broader effort to build resilient water infrastructure. The government has committed $111.8 million to support sustainable water systems as part of the $462 million Mongolia Water Compact, jointly funded with the United States (U.S.) Millennium Challenge Corporation.
A major component of the compact is the construction of a new Wastewater Recycling Plant, which will treat up to 50,000 cubic meters of effluent daily. The recycled water is expected to reduce freshwater demand by more than 50 million cubic meters annually, benefiting combined heat and power plants and easing stress on urban water sources. In addition, infrastructure upgrades—including pipelines from factories to treatment plants—are in development to ensure efficient transfer and monitoring of treated water. These improvements are designed to uphold high water quality standards while encouraging other industries to adopt similar recycling practices.
The effort also reflects a shift toward climate-adaptive public works, where water reuse systems support both environmental sustainability and future-ready urban infrastructure in rapidly growing areas like Ulaanbaatar.
Toward a More Water-Secure Future
Recycling wastewater from industrial operations like Coca-Cola’s not only addresses immediate shortages but also establishes a precedent for circular water economy models in Mongolia. It removes the need to rely on unsafe alternatives—some of which may contain contaminants such as lead, arsenic or copper—and enhances public health. By reducing dependence on fragile freshwater sources and investing in recycling systems, Mongolia is taking critical steps toward achieving water security for future generations. With the support of the government, private companies and international partners, this initiative could serve as a blueprint for water-stressed countries around the world.
– Anastasia Flerchinger
Photo: Unsplash
Economic Prospects: Disability and Poverty in Italy
Poverty and Isolation Undermine Independence
Approximately 5.6 million Italians—about 9.7% of the population—live in absolute poverty. The study also found that one in six families received no institutional support and more than 70% had no friends or community network to help. Without access to day centers or assisted living, parents become full-time carers, which limits young people’s independence. Despite legal frameworks like Law 104/1992 and Italy’s 2009 ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, many young Italians with disabilities still face marginalization in both policy and practice.
Gaps in Education Access
Italy’s inclusive education reveals significant shortcomings upon closer inspection. About 338,000 students with disabilities (4.1% of pupils) attended school in 2022–23, but demand continues to outpace support. The student–aide ratio is 1.6:1 and one-third of support teachers lack specialized training. Additionally, 12% are assigned after the school year begins. Inclusion is highly discontinuous: some 60% of disabled students change their support teacher every year. Parents report that once children reach the age of 16–18, most free supports end abruptly. As a result, many families privately pay for therapies or aides, from physiotherapy to educational tutors. According to the European Commission, in the Piedmont region, only 2.9% of people with disabilities have attained a university degree, with most leaving the education system after lower secondary school.
Barriers to Employment
Limited qualifications restrict future opportunities. Only about 36% of Italians with disabilities hold paid employment, compared to 60% of their nondisabled peers. The unemployment rate for disabled adults sits at 20%, nearly double that of others. In the CBM/Zancan survey, 38% of respondents were declared legally unable to work. In the South, that figure rises to 46%. Law 68/1999 mandates companies to hire workers with disabilities, but participation remains limited. Many eligible youths do not register for job quotas and few secure long-term employment. Northern regions offer more services and placements, while southern youth rely primarily on disability pensions.
Toward Inclusive Solutions
Italy’s disability policy still has critical gaps. Public spending on social and support services is low and uneven and complex bureaucratic assessments fragment aid. To foster autonomy and inclusion, the OECD’s 2023 report recommends expanding day centers, improving training programs and enforcing quota laws with real incentives.
– Lucrezia Frascati
Photo: Flickr
Poverty Eradication in Algeria: Supporting Vulnerable Communities
Understanding Poverty in Algeria
Algeria has made notable progress in reducing poverty over the past two decades, achieving a 20% reduction through social policies aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, challenges persist. According to the Embassy of Algeria, poverty remains widespread, especially in rural areas where access to public services, clean water, health care and transportation is limited. Isolation and scarcity define life for many in these regions, making it difficult to break the cycle of poverty. In some provinces, school-aged children must travel long distances to attend under-resourced schools, and families often rely on subsistence farming or informal work to survive.
Poverty in Algeria disproportionately affects children, women and those living in remote regions. According to UNICEF, structural issues such as high youth unemployment, limited access to quality education and a heavy reliance on the informal economy contribute to widespread inequality. Vulnerable households frequently lack the means to meet basic needs like food, housing and education. Algeria’s economic dependence on hydrocarbon exports makes it susceptible to global market shocks, which often lead to inflation and job losses, further worsening the struggles of low-income communities.
Humanium’s Initiatives in Algeria
Humanium, a non-governmental organization focused on children’s rights, has been active in Algeria addressing key issues such as poverty, child labor, child marriage and limited access to health care and education. Around 23% of Algerians live below the poverty line, with rural poverty twice as high as in urban areas. These conditions contribute to approximately 5% of children aged 5 to 15 engaging in child labor, often at the expense of their education.
Humanium also advocates against child marriage and violence against children, which remains underreported due to fear and stigma. In refugee camps in western Algeria, children face poor living conditions and high school dropout rates. Through legal advocacy, community outreach, and education campaigns, Humanium promotes children’s rights and supports poverty eradication in Algeria by helping families protect and empower their children.
Social Protection Measures in Action
Following economic and political transitions since 2019, the Algerian government has introduced several social protection programs. These include subsidies for essential food items, universal health care and financial aid for the unemployed, elderly and women. In 2023, Algeria implemented further reforms, such as raising minimum wages, pensions and unemployment benefits, in response to rising inflation. These reforms are designed to enhance living standards and align with the SDGs, particularly the goal of poverty eradication in Algeria. However, significant barriers remain. Many informal workers and residents of remote regions are still excluded from these benefits due to gaps in infrastructure and outreach, limiting the impact of government policies.
The Road Ahead for Poverty Eradication in Algeria
Despite state-led initiatives and NGO efforts, poverty eradication in Algeria continues to be an urgent challenge. A comprehensive strategy demands not only economic reform but also continuous investment in health care, education and child protection systems. Humanium plays a crucial role by providing immediate relief while fostering long-term development and sustainability.
Through advocacy, education and support services, Humanium contributes meaningfully to poverty eradication in Algeria, empowering vulnerable communities and helping to break cycles of poverty. Strengthening partnerships between local and international actors will be key to building a more equitable and prosperous future for all Algerians.
– Poppy Phillips
Photo: Flickr
India’s Economic Transformation Builds New Future
Although all three began as agrarian societies, China and the Soviet Union chose to undertake rapid industrialization. Contrasting forced industrialization which would alienate the farming population, Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had other priorities. Nehru oversaw the construction of new political institutions and build democratic support among the population, before embarking on large-scale economic transformation. This resulted in India’s largely state driven and gradual approach to development and modernization.
The consequences of this path were evident by 1974, a decade after Nehru’s leadership ended, as poverty remained pervasive throughout the country. At that time, the government measured poverty through calorie consumption.
Using this metric, roughly 300 million Indians experienced abysmal poverty. This was compounded by the economy’s dependence on agriculture, low productivity, high inflation and the economic shock of the 1973 oil crisis. However, in the years since, a new India has taken shape and stepped onto the world stage. Here is information about India’s economic transformation.
India’s Economy
Despite the Indian economy ballooning into the ranks of China and Germany, agriculture still employs the largest amount of people. In 2024, nearly half of India’s population make their livelihood in agriculture.
Nevertheless, new sectors are quickly gaining steam. Recent gains in construction and manufacturing, particularly pharmaceutical production, have transformed the economy. Government estimates have concluded that roughly 60% of global vaccine production comes from India.
Technology sector growth, supported by both government and private initiatives, has accelerated urbanization rates nationwide. Bengaluru in southern India, often called “India’s Silicon Valley,” has become a focal point for domestic and international tech companies. This rapid development has made Bengaluru one of the fastest growing cities in the nation foreign IT conglomerates relocating there leading to an ongoing housing shortage.
Construction, now India’s second-largest industry by employee count, has expanded alongside urbanization and export growth. While construction contributes a small percentage to India’s total GDP, infrastructure projects have helped alleviate extreme poverty in many regions with particular success in rural areas. Here is more information about India’s economic transformation.
How India’s Economy Has Mitigated Poverty
Long before India adopted the MPI model in 2021, rural communities experienced poverty at disproportionate rates in terms of both frequency and intensity. Recognizing this stark disparity, in 2006, India enacted the Mahatma Ghandi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in which the federal government allocated money for infrastructure projects. Low-skilled farm workers received 100 days of guaranteed wages to do manual work. Infrastructure projects built using government money varied, ranging from roads to irrigation systems. Women saw historic gains as millions attained independent employment from these projects. Its success would see later initiatives targeting homelessness and lack of health care.
In conjunction with overhauling domestic policy, the Indian government also ushered in sweeping economic changes as well. Although traditional economic theory suggested developing nations must rapidly transition agricultural workers to manufacturing, India has charted a different course. Industrializing while maintaining a large agricultural sector has been India’s state of affairs since Nehru.
These developments have not come without challenges. Construction projects and urbanization have sometimes displaced rural communities, and wages often fail to cover living expenses adequately. However, when viewed long-term, these initiatives contribute to reducing extreme poverty as India develops its economic capacity. According to the World Bank, “India remains the world’s fastest growing major economy, growing at a rapid clip of 8.2 percent in FY23/24.”
The Future of Indian Poverty
At the start of the century, India’s Planning Commission, which oversaw national development estimated national poverty rates using the Tendulkar methodology. This system calculated poverty based on consumption rates rather than income. In the year 2000, the national poverty rate hovered around 40% with the majority being living in rural areas. Fast forward to 2023 and reports using the MPI that the country experienced a reduction in overall poverty from 24.95% in FY 2015-16 to 11.28% FY 2021-22. In other words, more than 135 million Indians have moved out of poverty in between those two points. From the same report, India’s impoverished population are still overwhelmingly rural.
While some experts have questioned India’s poverty calculation methods, the country has made significant progress in reducing extreme poverty. According to a study from the Brookings Institution, India has effectively eliminated extreme poverty as defined by international metrics.
With this milestone achieved, researchers at Brookings suggest that India should consider adopting a higher poverty threshold more aligned with developed nations. “The transition to a higher poverty line provides an opportunity to redefine existing social protection programs particularly with the objective of better identification of intended beneficiaries and providing greater support to the genuine poor,” the Brookings report states.
Looking Ahead
The elimination of extreme poverty represents a significant achievement for India’s economic transformation as it works toward becoming a major global power by the middle of the 21st century. However, continued economic reforms and social programs may be essential to sustain this progress and address remaining inequalities.
– Max Marcello
Photo: Unsplash
Levant Startups Drive Innovation Amid Instability
Background
As of 2024, poverty in the Levant region remained high. Poverty affects 44% of Lebanese, 69% of Syrians, 24.1% of Jordanians and around 74% of Palestinians. Many countries in the Levant region also struggle with acute food insecurity, including 13 million out of 25 million Syrians and 91% of Palestinians. Meanwhile, Lebanon faces widespread malnutrition because of constant shortages of essential food items.
Debt, inflation, wars and unemployment significantly contribute to poverty in the Levant. Female economic participation is still a challenge in the region. In Jordan, the female unemployment rate rose to 33%, standing 11% higher than the overall unemployment rate. However, entrepreneurship in the Levant is helping to alter these statistics.
The region has faced ongoing pressures from citizens who are unable to afford necessities and governments with overwhelming amounts of debt. Soaring unemployment and inflation have exacerbated the crisis and rendered many countries unable to rebuild after wars and conflicts. Yet amid these challenges, new startups are tackling local problems by offering practical solutions to problems in the education, finance and food delivery industries, and laying the groundwork for broader economic transformation.
Notable Startups in the Levant
Founded in 2016 by Siroun Shamigian and Nisrine El Makkouk, Kamkalima in Lebanon is an education technology startup that provides a digital curriculum companion for Arabic language education. It offers e-learning modules and assessments for students in grades 4-12. The service also enables teachers to track student progress using advanced data analytics. The founders noticed that Lebanon’s Arabic education system lacked the digital tools needed to bolster students’ Arabic grades, which were consistently low. Kamkalima empowers teachers with data analytics tools to enhance lessons and track students’ progress, while providing students with interactive tools to aid their writing, reading, and listening skills in Arabic.
Large enterprises struggle with transparency, efficiency and data accuracy in a region where invoicing processes are often manual, error-prone, and non-compliant with evolving regulations. A Jordan-based team of seasoned FinTech professionals founded InvoiceQ, an SaaS-based digital invoicing platform that meets the needs of businesses in Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Oman. InvoiceQ offers real-time, automated invoicing, with approval workflows, API integrations and two-way customer/vendor integration. The platform enables enhanced decision-making, reduces human error and turns invoicing into a strategic financial tool.
In Syria, infrastructure for digital services like food delivery, e-commerce and mobility was virtually nonexistent until Malek Al-Muzayen established Bee Order. It began as Syria’s first food delivery app. Before Bee Order, restaurants lacked delivery drivers, online ordering was unfamiliar and economic instability made tech development risky. Al-Muzayen built and scaled a local fleet of 150 delivery vehicles, introduced mobile-based ordering, and later launched a ride-hailing app called Wasilni to meet transportation needs.
Levant Startups: Innovation in the Face of Instability
Despite entrenched economic hardships, startups across the Levant are helping communities adapt and thrive. From enhancing Arabic education through Kamkalima, to digitizing financial operations with InvoiceQ, to launching the region’s first food delivery and ride-hailing services via Bee Order and Wasilni, entrepreneurs are responding to local needs with scalable, tech-driven solutions. These ventures reflect a broader shift; young founders are tackling systemic issues with creativity and resourcefulness, even in the context of conflict and economic instability.
Other promising ventures include Tajir.Store, a Syrian e-commerce platform helping businesses to automate their online store operations, and Rocheta, a health care app that connects patients with pharmacies to have medications delivered to their homes. Together, these startups are weaving a grassroots foundation for more inclusive economic participation and long-term resilience in the region. As they continue to grow, they are not only meeting immediate needs but also laying the groundwork for broader transformation in education, finance, commerce and mobility.
– Haley Parilla
Photo: Flickr
The Power of Refugee Entrepreneurship in Rebuilding Futures
In countries bordering conflict zones, where formal job opportunities are scarce and refugees often face legal uncertainties, entrepreneurship emerges as both a lifeline and a source of empowerment. Many are launching bakeries, electronic repair stands and food stalls—ventures that reflect resilience and draw upon rich cultural traditions.
Uganda: A Refugee Economy in Action
One example can be seen in Uganda, home to more than 1.6 million refugees, primarily from South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In the settlements of northern Uganda, informal markets have flourished. There, refugee-led businesses provide vital goods and services not only to fellow refugees but also to local Ugandan populations. This exchange fosters economic integration and builds social cohesion.
Key to this entrepreneurial growth is access to microcredit and skills training. Local NGOs and community-based organizations play a central role, offering workshops on financial literacy, digital skills and basic business management. Though resources are often scarce, these initiatives help refugees turn personal talents into viable livelihoods.
The Rise of Informal Businesses in Jordan
In Jordan, where more than 600,000 Syrian refugees reside, informal businesses have sprung up in camps and urban areas alike. While regulatory hurdles remain, particularly regarding business permits and movement, many Syrians have found ways to offer services such as hairdressing, tutoring or mobile phone sales. These businesses reflect both resilience and the desire to reclaim agency in an environment often defined by limitations.
Despite the barriers, refugee entrepreneurship thrives because of its adaptability. Refugees are uniquely positioned to identify gaps in local markets and respond with innovative solutions. In many cases, their businesses introduce new flavors, fabrics, techniques and perspectives that enrich the local culture.
Critically, the impact of refugee entrepreneurship extends beyond economic self-sufficiency. It cultivates hope and purpose, rebuilding identities fractured by displacement. It also challenges dominant narratives that portray refugees solely as victims or burdens. By creating jobs, paying taxes and participating in local economies, refugee entrepreneurs are demonstrating their potential as contributors to the future of their communities.
Policy, Legal Barriers Remain
Significant challenges still hinder these initiatives. Policy frameworks in many host countries remain restrictive, limiting refugees’ ability to register businesses, open bank accounts or move freely. Advocacy and inclusive policies are necessary to ensure that refugee entrepreneurship is not confined to the informal sector. Recognition of their economic potential must be matched by legal and institutional support.
In places where resources are limited, community-driven models of support have proven effective. Peer mentorship and shared workspaces are just a few of the grassroots strategies helping displaced individuals launch and sustain their businesses.
Refugee Entrepreneurship: The Future
As the global refugee population surpasses 100 million, according to the World Bank, the need for durable, dignified solutions has never been greater. Empowering refugees through entrepreneurship is not just a path toward economic stability; it is a pathway to healing, agency and long-term development. Refugees are more than their displacement. Through refugee entrepreneurship, they are redefining their futures—not as dependents, but as business owners, innovators and agents of change.
– Rhasna Albuquerque
Photo: Flickr