As the Trump administration continues to shut down various foreign aid programs, the reverberations have been felt around the world. Sudan, in particular, has been thrust into a state of crisis following the closure of more than 1,000 USAID-supported soup kitchens and medical centers.
Crisis in Sudan
Sudan, a country of more than 50 million people located in East Africa, has been in a state of national emergency as war rages between the national army and the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Thousands of families have been displaced due to the conflict, and humanitarian aid groups have reported malnutrition cases of millions of citizens, of which 3.2 million are children under 5 years old.
As of December 2024, more than half the population is experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity, a figure which has only worsened since the halting of U.S. foreign aid. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported more than 50,000 cases of cholera in 11 states and mass exodus has put pressure on neighboring countries including Chad and South Sudan, which are already struggling with their own hunger crises.
USAID Levels Pre-Shutdown
Before the shutdown, USAID in Sudan was responsible for providing between 70% and 80% of funding for flexible cash programs, making it the largest single donor out of multiple countries and global organizations, according to BBC.
These programs consisted largely of an extended network of communal food kitchens— emergency response rooms (ERR)— which provided food, medicine and supplies for families located in regions out of reach from foreign aid workers.
Information regarding USAID in Sudan funding statistics is no longer available for viewing on the federal website, but archived reports have estimated that the U.S. has contributed more than $2 billion since the outbreak of the civil war in April 2023.
In 2024, the U.S. distributed $661 million of aid to Sudan through USAID. With this funding, USAID partners were able to reach nearly 6.7 million Sudanese citizens requiring emergency food assistance, in addition to providing safe drinking water to more than 8 million citizens as of April 2024.
Effects of the Shutdown
President Trump’s executive order to halt all foreign aid activity while conducting a 90-day review operates to cut all programs deemed extraneous to U.S. interests. Around 90% of USAID programs will be cut completely, consisting of $60 billion of foreign aid sent around the world.
This has halted many programs mid-transit, withholding crucial aid to those most in need. The federal government has granted an exception to emergency food assistance, but unclear guidelines have caused widespread confusion around implementation, BBC reports.
As funding disappeared overnight, an estimated 1,000 ERRs had to close, plunging the population deeper into crisis, according to NPR.
According to the BBC, around 2 million Sudanese citizens depended on these ERRs for food and medicine, and must now look elsewhere.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has outlined foreign aid requirements by country each year. In 2024, approximately 67% of the $2.7 billion required aid for Sudan was met, with the U.S. as the largest bilateral donor contributing 48% of committed funds. However, there are several other organizations that are working to help people in Sudan.
International Rescue Committee (IRC)
The IRC has operated in Sudan since 1981, delivering food and health services through six different offices located throughout the country. The range of programs are diverse, including water, sanitation, and hygiene services (WASH), gender-based services for women and children (GBV), health and nutrition, and multi-purpose cash aid.
Led by county director Eatizaz Yousif, IRC’s team in Sudan has opened and closed multiple offices and dispatched mobile medical teams. It also assembles and distributes “dignity kits”— packages containing hygiene products and basic supplies for women and girls
Save the Children
Save the Children is one of the largest NGOs operating in Sudan, providing life-saving medical and malnutrition care to millions of Sudanese citizens. Programs include health, nutrition, food security and livelihoods, hygiene, shelter, child protection, and education. Since the outbreak of war in 2023, Save the Children has reached 3.8 million people, including 1.7 million children.
Save the Children focuses on reaching children and families in the most remote or hard-to-reach areas of Sudan. Teams currently operate in 13 out of the 18 states.
The World Food Program (WFP)
The WFP is responsible for providing emergency food assistance or cash to vulnerable refugees, internally displaced residents, and shock-affected communities. The WFP focuses on a wide range of areas— child malnutrition programs, legislative assistance, vocational skills training, irrigation systems, and crop storage representing only a subset. Since April 2023, the WFP has reached over 11 million people.
The U.S. served as the largest single donor to WFP operations before the shutdown, which is likely to cause some scalebacks in the coming weeks. However, the WFP was granted an exception to resume food purchases and deliveries under existing USAID programs — specifically, the Title II Food for Peace Program, in which global NGOs purchase surplus crops from American farmers to assist in emergency food aid
The shutdown of USAID in Sudan has constituted a major blow to progress being made in health, food, and poverty programs assisting those most affected by conflict. As cuts continue to be made in the U.S., it will fall to other nations and NGOs to fill in the gaps amidst a deepening humanitarian crisis.
– Sadie Claps
Sadie is based in Seattle, WA, USA and focuses on Business and Politics for The Borgen Project.
Photo: Flickr
Powering Progress: Renewable Energy in Ghana
Economic Landscape in Ghana
According to the World Bank, Ghana’s poverty challenges have persisted since 1990, with periods of progress and setbacks. However, the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these issues, leading to a significant rise in poverty levels by 2020. In 2022, public debt in Ghana rose to 78.3% of GDP. As a result, Ghana faced worsening living standards which forced many people into extreme poverty. For instance, Statista data indicates that approximately 6.9 million Ghanaians were living in extreme poverty in 2024, surviving on less than $2.15 per day.
Renewable Energy in Ghana: The Potential
Renewable energy projects, such as REMP, could address broader socio-economic challenges such as job creation, which could reshape and improve the country’s economic landscape. Ghana’s abundant natural resources, including significant renewable energy potential in solar, wind, hydro and biomass, could enhance key aspects of socio-economic life, such as economic growth.
The country has made significant progress in advancing its renewable energy targets, leveraging its solar, wind, small-scale hydropower and biomass potential. A key contributor to this effort is the Bui Power Authority, which has installed 250 MWp of solar panels, significantly boosting Ghana’s solar capacity and supporting the national goal of increasing renewable energy in the energy mix.
Additionally, the Bui Power Authority is developing Africa’s largest floating solar farm, with a 50 MW project set for completion by 2024 and plans to expand to 250 MW by 2030. These initiatives, alongside the deployment of off-grid solar systems and mini-grids, have brought electricity to thousands of households in rural and underserved communities, aligning with the REMP’s objectives of promoting sustainable energy, reducing carbon emissions and improving energy access.
Furthermore, these projects have created thousands of jobs in construction, installation, and maintenance, positively impacting the job market and contributing to poverty reduction. Through these efforts, Ghana is demonstrating how strategic renewable energy investments can drive sustainable development, economic growth, and improved quality of life.
Impact on Ghana’s Job Market: Key Data and Outcomes
Ghana has prioritized direct job creation through labour-intensive activities such as construction and installation of renewable energy projects. This initiative has significantly impacted the job market, generating both direct and indirect employment opportunities. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Annual Report 2025, the renewable energy sector has seen substantial employment growth, with solar energy projects contributing a significant percentage of jobs globally. Beyond direct employment, renewable energy in Ghana could improve job growth in related industries, including manufacturing, transportation, and logistics, as the production and supply of renewable energy equipment require substantial labour.
One of the most transformative aspects of renewable energy is the focus on skill development. In 2024, the Energy Commission started the Energy Academy, aiming to improve the skills of professional working in energy industry in Ghana, enhancing their employability in the growing green economy.
The Future
Renewable energy in Ghana has made significant strides in addressing economic challenges such as poverty, low employment rates and slow economic growth through job creation and professional training. As the renewable energy plans move forward, this global collaboration remains essential to achieving its goals, including the construction of advanced solar ecosystems and high employability rates, ultimately transforming Ghana’s job market and driving sustainable economic growth.
– Liubov Linnyk
Photo: Flickr
Little Lions: Reducing Poverty Through Education in Kibera
The Barriers to Education in Kibera
Extreme poverty limits access to education, leaving 60% of children without formal schooling. The few available classrooms are overcrowded, with student-teacher ratios reaching 100-to-1 due to insufficient infrastructure, staff and resources. Without intervention, many children miss out on opportunities to build a better future.
Providing a Safe and Nurturing Environment
Little Lions opened its first school on the outskirts of Kibera in 2019. Through generous contributions, the team created a safe learning space for 167 students and counting. The school provides more than just education—students participate in art classes, dance competitions and soccer tournaments, building confidence and teamwork. Technology is another crucial element of the curriculum. Donated computers and online tutoring tools help students develop digital literacy, an essential skill for future opportunities. Before focusing on academics, however, the school prioritizes basic needs. Children receive two hot meals daily, sometimes the only food they will have, as well as plumbed bathrooms with running water—a rare necessity in Kibera.
Little Lions: Breaking Barriers Through Education
Little Lions is working to change this reality by providing structured, high-quality education in Kibera. The program ensures that young residents gain knowledge, skills and resources to build prosperous futures. The initiative focuses on nutrition, modern learning methods, personalized care and emotional support to address the deeper challenges of poverty.
Tuju Otieno, Little Lions Project Director, leads a team of educators who understand the hardships of growing up in informal settlements. Many teachers and staff were once orphaned or raised in slums, giving them a deep connection to the students. Little Lions offers a holistic approach to learning, combining the British and Kenyan curriculums while integrating counseling, music and art therapy to help children process the realities of their environment.
Beyond the Classroom: Supporting the Community
Little Lions’ impact extends beyond the students. The school employs about 20 staff members, including kitchen workers, teachers and sanitation crews, reducing high unemployment rates in the area. Through a partnership with Penda Health, the school provides health screenings for students and their families, ensuring their overall well-being. Parents are also included in the initiative through financial literacy, entrepreneurship and positive parenting workshops. Strengthening families allows students to thrive both at school and at home, reinforcing their ability to succeed.
A Ripple Effect in Kibera
Since its launch, Little Lions has transformed the lives of many Kiberans. Students have gained confidence, curiosity and academic skills and many have gone on to pursue secondary education. As education access expands, economic opportunities increase, helping to break the cycle of poverty in the community. By investing in education, holistic care and community development, Little Lions aims to prove that sustainable change is possible, even in the most challenging environments.
– Sarah Lang
Photo: Flickr
Fighting Type 2 Diabetes in India
Demographic Changes
Since 1990, India’s economy and population have surged, making it one of the world’s fastest-growing nations. The country’s economy has grown tenfold, increasing from $320 billion to $3.57 trillion. Meanwhile, its population has nearly doubled, rising from approximately 870 million to 1.42 billion.
The country has also experienced a significant rise in urbanization since 1990, with 519 million urban residents. While these demographic changes suggest economic progress, rapid population growth and urbanization have placed a strain on infrastructure and public services. Without sufficient investments in health care and education, these shifts can potentially widen inequalities, including access to health care. The increasing rates of Type 2 diabetes in India illustrate this challenge.
Since 1990, the number of people in India living with diabetes or classified as pre-diabetic has risen to 237 million as of 2023. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body fails to use insulin effectively to regulate blood sugar levels. If not diagnosed early or treated properly, complications can include heart and kidney disease, as well as foot and leg amputations.
Challenges in Diabetes Care Across India
Studies reveal that urbanization in India leads to higher consumption of energy-dense foods and reduced physical activity, increasing obesity rates and the risk of Type 2 diabetes and other cardiometabolic conditions. Low awareness of diabetes among India’s adult population underscores the need for better health monitoring and education. Treatment and control rates remain low, particularly in rural areas and among low-income populations, due to barriers to health care access and high treatment costs. Although low-cost glycemic medications are available, many individuals cannot afford them.
With too few trained diabetes educators in India, physicians bear the burden of patient education. Variations in diabetes education standards among universities lead to inconsistent patient education. The absence of national certification requirements and low-quality diabetes training at some universities hinder efforts to regulate diabetes care and education programs.
Disparities in diabetes funding across Indian state governments likely stem from varying awareness levels and the economic burden of diabetes care. Some states allocate significantly more resources to diabetes management than others, highlighting the need for a more standardized national approach. Without sufficient investment in awareness campaigns, medical training and affordable treatment options, diabetes will continue to pose a growing public health challenge in India.
A Hybrid Approach
Since 2010, the Indian government has introduced several measures aimed at increasing diabetes awareness through both physical and technological initiatives. These programs seek to reach as many people as possible, especially in underserved areas.
Looking Ahead
India’s rapid economic growth has coincided with a surge in Type 2 diabetes, particularly among low-income communities facing limited health care access and education. While urbanization and dietary shifts have contributed to rising cases, the government has implemented multiple initiatives to address the crisis. Programs such as the NPCDCS, mDiabetes, E-Sanjeevani and Ayushman Bharat have improved awareness, screening and access to treatment, especially in rural and underserved areas. However, continued investment in public health care, education and preventive measures could be essential to curb the growing burden of diabetes and ensure equitable health outcomes across all socioeconomic groups.
– Oliver Hedges
Photo: Flickr
10 Facts About Hunger in Romania
10 Facts About Hunger in Romania
While Romania is not facing a hunger crisis, the country’s vulnerability to climate change demands attention to agricultural practices. It is not unreasonable to assume that developing sustainable agriculture will increase food security. Romania’s attention to agricultural innovation goes hand in hand with maintaining its continuing ability to feed its people. This includes the refugees it has welcomed into the country.
– Staff Reports
Photo: Pixabay
Impact of Foreign Aid on Brazil
Several countries, including Norway, Germany, the United Kingdom (U.K.), the U.S. and Switzerland, contribute to the fund. According to gov.br, these combined efforts led to a 30.6% decrease in deforestation. However, future funding remains uncertain. Since August 2024, the U.S. has donated $50 million and, in November, pledged another $50 million to further support foreign aid efforts in Brazil.
Infrastructure Development in Brazil
Brazil has attracted significant foreign investment to strengthen its infrastructure and boost economic growth. In November of 2024, Brazilian development bank BNDES negotiated a deal with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) for a 16.7 billion reais ($2.89 billion) investment to develop the country’s infrastructure. With this, Brazil looks to improve its economy while creating transport infrastructure to encourage trade between Asia and South America. Additionally, in September 2024, the World Bank Board of Directors approved a $150 million loan to improve road infrastructure in the state of Bahia. The project prioritizes road safety improvements, climate adaptation and reduced transport costs. If successful, this initiative will increase mobility, lower carbon emissions and stimulate economic growth in one of Brazil’s key regions.
Welcoming Migrants Through Foreign Aid
Brazil’s “Operação Acolhida” (Operation Welcome) is a humanitarian program providing housing, employment and resources to Venezuelan migrants resettling in the state of Roraima. The program has received substantial U.S. foreign aid, allowing thousands of migrants to integrate into Brazilian society. However, the uncertainty surrounding future U.S. funding has put the program at risk, prompting officials to seek alternative sources of financial support.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has expressed a willingness to provide additional support to keep Operation Welcome running. The program is recognized as a model for managing migration crises in Latin America, highlighting the importance of continued international aid in maintaining humanitarian assistance.
From Recipient to Donor
Brazil, South America’s largest economy, has historically been a major recipient of foreign aid. However, recent economic growth has allowed Brazil to transition into a donor nation, assisting developing countries. The country now contributes aid to Haiti, Guatemala, Paraguay and Portuguese-speaking African nations such as Mozambique, Timor-Leste and Guinea-Bissau. The country’s annual foreign aid contributions total approximately $1 billion, positioning it alongside India and China as an emerging donor. While foreign aid to Brazil is expected to decrease in the coming years, the country remains one of the largest aid providers among developing nations, focusing on regional stability and economic cooperation.
Looking Ahead
Foreign aid has significantly contributed to Brazil’s environmental conservation, infrastructure development and humanitarian initiatives. Programs like Fundo Amazônia, Operation Welcome and infrastructure partnerships with international banks have demonstrated tangible benefits. However, the potential decline in funding poses challenges to maintaining progress. Strengthening domestic investments, leveraging private-sector partnerships and fostering regional collaborations could help bridge funding gaps. While foreign aid has been instrumental in Brazil’s economic and social advancements, the country aims to increase self-sufficiency, playing a greater role in global development efforts.
– Naseem Rahman
Photo: Flickr
Eradicating Hunger in St. Kitts and Nevis
The Country and the Region
St. Kitts and Nevis is a member of CARICOM (the Caribbean Community), an organization of 21 small developing countries, most of which are island states. CARICOM describes itself as “the oldest surviving integration movement in the developing world”—over 50 years strong—fostering “functional cooperation” in health, education, security and culture. This includes single market functions and a coordinated foreign policy.
Economy
St. Kitts and Nevis’s poverty headcount rate in 2022 was 21.8%, despite having one of the highest GDP per capita in Latin America and the Caribbean (an increase of 16% from the previous year). Like other countries in this region, St. Kitts and Nevis is vulnerable to drought, and to an increase in the frequency and severity of climate hazards, in particular hurricanes. In addition, COVID-19 negatively impacted the country’s tourism-dependent economy.
Hunger and Nutrition
A decade ago, the government implemented a Poverty Reduction Strategy to address hunger in the islands. The strategy was to redistribute resources more equitably, strengthen public, private and community organizations, invest in social services and empower vulnerable groups.
While current data on hunger in the country are not available, the 2022 Global Nutrition Report reported that St. Kitts and Nevis were “off course” in terms of maternal, infant and young child nutrition targets, with insufficient data to assess progress on its other indicators. Of 10 national nutrition policies, the only policy implemented was a sugar-sweetened beverage tax. Of 11 global nutrition targets, St. Kitts and Nevis had a national policy addressing only the reduction of salt/sodium intake.
25 by 25: Reducing Food Import Dependency
The CARICOM region is dependent on food imports, and this is true of St. Kitts and Nevis. This dependency is behind CARICOM’s Vision 25 by 25, a plan to address the region’s increasing food import bill. A long-term partnership has been created between CARICOM countries and the private sector, regional organizations, producers, development partners and civil society to transform the region’s agri-food systems. Furthermore, the goal five years ago was to create resilience and sustainability, ultimately guaranteeing food and nutrition security for the CARICOM countries.
In 2019 (prior to St. Kitts and Nevis’s participation), the CARICOM heads of government conceived of the CARICOM Private Sector Organisation (CPSO), which was initiated in 2020. In response to an “urgent call” for a 25% reduction of the extra-regional food import bill before 2025, CPSO’s response was the 25 by 25 initiative, targeting the “displacement” of $418.8 million of extra-regional agri-food imports.
25 by 25 in St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Kitts and Nevis has identified the root cause of its import dependency to rest in imperfect land cultivation and the poor business practices of both farmers and vendors. One approach the Ministry of Agriculture is taking is to work with a local community college to train farmers in the best use of produce and in becoming more business oriented. Indeed, in noting that food sustainability requires year-round food production and education in “smart farming,” in 2023, officials of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Department of Agriculture met with crop and livestock farmers to develop a basis for the Government’s participation in the 25 by 25 initiative, aimed at decreasing the country’s food import bill and increasing food security.
Supporting this effort, the U.N.’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has partnered with the Ministry of Agriculture in St. Kitts and Nevis on its 25 by 25 Agenda.
In February 2025, Hon. Samal Duggins, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Marine Resources discussed one initiative to tackle the country’s $198 million food import bill: an export “niche” project focusing on hot peppers to the Tabasco company. The export niche focus means training farmers in their crop of choice and then addressing crop-specific land preparation, seed choice, time of planting, pest and disease management, harvest and post-harvest management, processing, sales and marketing, in other words, the complete value chain.
Predicting the Future
It remains to be seen whether the many efforts to reduce hunger in St. Kitts and Nevis by transforming the country’s local food production, will fulfill Minister Duggins’s prediction that the country will become the “food mecca of the Leeward Islands,” thanks to the 25 by 25 Agenda.
– Staff Reports
Photo: Flickr
The East African Community and the Eastern Congo Crisis
This situation will likely worsen the DRC crisis due to funding shortages, including significant cuts from the United States, which accounted for 70% of the DRC’s aid in 2024. Despite these challenges, humanitarian organizations and regional neighbors like the East African Community (EAC) remain committed to fostering peace and delivering essential aid to the Congolese people.
First Congo War 1960-1965
Shortly after gaining independence from Belgium, chaos erupted as the Force Publique soldiers at the Thysville military base, marking the beginning of the DRC crisis. Congolese soldiers revolted against their white counterparts, demanding better wages. This unrest quickly escalated to other military bases, igniting widespread violence across the nation.
Just two days earlier, the provinces of Katanga and South Kasai had declared their independence from Congo. These post-colonial power struggles led to the assassination of Patrice Lumumba on January 17, 1961, which only deepened the chaos. On November 25, 1965, Mobutu Sese Seko seized power in a coup, renaming the country Zaire. He ruled until 1997 when he was ousted after decades of corruption and economic mismanagement.
The Rwanda Genocide and its Aftermath
When the Rwandan genocide ended in 1994, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) reclaimed the Rwandan capital, Kigali. The advance of the Tutsi-led rebels forced more than one million Hutu refugees to flee to the DRC (then Zaire), where they staged attacks against the Kigali government while being sheltered by Mobutu.
In 1996, the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA) and the Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Congo-Zaire (ADFL), under the command of Laurent Kabila, conducted attacks on the camps. The war pitted the ADFL against Mobutu Sese Seko’s Zairian Armed Forces (FAZ), Interahamwe militia, Rwandan Armed Forces ex-FAR and mercenaries. This rebellion stoked ethnic tensions, particularly with the Banyamulenge Tutsis in eastern Congo and eventually led to the overthrow of Mobutu in 1997.
Second Congo War 1998-2003
After Mobutu fled to exile in Morocco, Kabila expelled all foreign soldiers, but the Hutu militias stationed in eastern Congo continued their attacks on Rwanda. In August 1998, Rwanda invaded eastern Congo with the support of Congolese Tutsi and rebel groups against Kabila. This marked the start of the Second Congo War, which drew in as many as 14 different armies, including troops from Angola, Namibia and Zimbabwe, who backed Kabila against Burundi, Uganda and Rwandan forces against Kabila.
The wars led to countless deaths, displacements and entrenched ethnic divisions and resource-driven conflicts in eastern Congo, leaving a legacy of instability that persists today.
The Role of the East African Community
The EAC is a regional intergovernmental organization comprising of Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, South Sudan, Burundi, DRC and Somalia. The community has committed to maintaining peace and restoring stability in the DRC. Some of the interventions include:
Final Remarks
The East African Community has dedicated significant efforts to fostering dialogue and promoting peace in the DRC, from a conflict dynamic to peace initiatives. However, it has encountered various challenges and criticisms. The deployment and subsequent withdrawal of the EAC Regional Force underscored the need for a more effective approach to tackle the issues comprehensively.
The differing economic and political interests among member states complicate the mission to pursue peace, as these divergent priorities have prompted the DRC government to seek assistance from external parties, further exacerbating the country’s instability.
The DRC crisis is a complex weave of historical injustices, failed governance, external meddling and a lack of global concern. Achieving a lasting solution goes beyond ceasefires. It requires dismantling systems that favor resource exploitation at the expense of human dignity. It also calls for holding regional powers responsible for destabilizing and empowering Congolese communities to take charge of their recovery.
– Grace Ruria
Photo: Flickr
4 Facts about Hunger in Qatar
Despite its strong economy and high per capita income, Qatar still faces issues related to hunger. Here are four facts about hunger in Qatar.
Qatar’s Global Rankings
In 2024, Qatar ranked 30th out of 113 countries in the Global Food Security Index (down from 13th in 2019)—an international database that considers quality, affordability and availability of food. However, while Qatar is ranked 9th in availability and 21st in affordability, it is only 47th in quality and safety and 51st on sustainability and adaptation. Some of its weakest indicators are lack of a national policy or strategy to empower women farmers, extent of agricultural research and development and extent of disaster risk management. Qatar could not be comparatively ranked on the 2024 Global Hunger Index because of a lack of available data on undernourishment. But on the other GHI indicators related to hunger, the country’s statistics are very low: 6.2% of children under 5 stunted and 1.5% wasted, and 0.5% of children who die before their fifth birthday.
Dependency on Imported Food
Agriculture is a challenge in Qatar because of the arid climate, sandy soil and scarcity of water. Qatar therefore has imported 90% of consumed food, with imports providing as high as approximately 80% of the demand for perishable crops.
Qatar’s Large Migrant Worker Population
Qatar is home to a million person, mostly Asian, migrant work force, which is 95% of its total labor force, with half of these workers in construction. The high COVID toll in Qatar five years ago left many migrants jobless, and hungry. Subsequently, the FIFAWorld Cup 2022, hosted by Qatar, exposed “the vulnerabilities of and abuses faced by low-paid migrant workers and migrants in general.” During this same period, the Canadian-based Migration and Food Insecurity in Cities of the Global South project (MiFood Project) expanded its Hungry Cities Partnership research network to additional countries, including Qatar. This was a three-year project focused on migrant workers and food security.
Success and a New Strategy to Increase Food Security
Qatar’s successful National Security Strategy 2018-2023 strengthened Qatar’s food security infrastructure, with enhancements in cultivated areas, production capacity, and food marketing systems, as well as addressing climate change. Building on this success, in January 2025, Qatar announced its National Food Security Strategy 2030 to secure food supplies by significantly increasing local food production and making Qatar 55% self-sufficient in vegetable production, 100% self-sufficient in fresh chicken and dairy by the end of the decade, and 80% for fish and 30% for red meat.
Overall, hunger in Qatar is relatively low due to the country’s general prosperity and the government’s diligent efforts to improve food security. While the nation’s geographic location means the threat of food still exists, the country’s forward-thinking and proactive efforts are addressing this threat.
– Staff Reports
Photo: Wikimedia
DreamSave: Women in Kenya Combat Poverty
Barriers to Financial Access
Small and medium-sized businesses in Kenya face significant obstacles in obtaining credit from financial institutions. Many lack sufficient assets to provide as collateral, making commercial bank loans difficult to secure. As a result, business owners often turn to friends and relatives for financial support, which is rarely enough to sustain long-term growth. Without proper funding, enterprises are forced to rely on lower-cost and often inefficient technologies, limiting their potential for success.
How DreamSave Works
DreamSave, an innovative mobile app, is transforming how savings groups operate by digitizing financial management. The platform enables users to track savings, manage loans, build credit histories and set financial goals without requiring access to traditional banking services. By providing a reliable and structured approach to saving, the app is helping women gain financial independence and break the cycle of poverty. In addition, the platform simplifies financial management for savings groups in underbanked areas. The app helps users record financial data, conduct meetings and track credit histories, ensuring accountability and transparency. By automating these processes, DreamSave allows members to focus on growing their businesses and achieving their savings goals.
Key Features of DreamSave
DreamSave is designed to overcome common financial barriers in developing countries. Its offline capability ensures that users in remote areas with limited internet access can continue managing their finances without interruptions. Data automatically syncs to the cloud whenever a connection becomes available, maintaining continuity in record-keeping. The app also offers enhanced traceability and compliance by keeping detailed logs of all transactions, allowing users to track their financial activities with full transparency.
Recognizing the high cost of mobile data in its target markets, DreamSave has optimized its platform to minimize data consumption, reducing costs by up to 60% compared to previous versions. Faster data synchronization ensures that users with limited internet access can efficiently update their records, even during brief online sessions. Additionally, DreamSave’s near-real-time data processing allows savings groups to instantly access updated financial insights. To ensure continuity, the app is backward compatible, meaning users can seamlessly transfer their existing data when upgrading to newer versions.
Global Recognition and Impact
DreamSave’s innovative approach has earned it multiple awards. It was recognized as the Best Finance App and Best Developing World Technology at the Fast Company 2023 World Changing Ideas Competition. The app also won the Best Digital Banking Technology Award at the 2023 Worldwide Finance Awards and the Most Empowering Digital Banking Technology Award at the 2022 Worldwide Finance Awards.
Looking Ahead
DreamSave continues to expand its reach, enabling more women in Kenya and beyond to access secure financial services. By bridging the gap in financial inclusion, the app is empowering women to achieve economic independence and contribute to long-term poverty reduction.
– Taylor Naquin
Photo: Flickr
USAID in Sudan: What Does the Shutdown Mean
Crisis in Sudan
Sudan, a country of more than 50 million people located in East Africa, has been in a state of national emergency as war rages between the national army and the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Thousands of families have been displaced due to the conflict, and humanitarian aid groups have reported malnutrition cases of millions of citizens, of which 3.2 million are children under 5 years old.
As of December 2024, more than half the population is experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity, a figure which has only worsened since the halting of U.S. foreign aid. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported more than 50,000 cases of cholera in 11 states and mass exodus has put pressure on neighboring countries including Chad and South Sudan, which are already struggling with their own hunger crises.
USAID Levels Pre-Shutdown
Before the shutdown, USAID in Sudan was responsible for providing between 70% and 80% of funding for flexible cash programs, making it the largest single donor out of multiple countries and global organizations, according to BBC.
These programs consisted largely of an extended network of communal food kitchens— emergency response rooms (ERR)— which provided food, medicine and supplies for families located in regions out of reach from foreign aid workers.
Information regarding USAID in Sudan funding statistics is no longer available for viewing on the federal website, but archived reports have estimated that the U.S. has contributed more than $2 billion since the outbreak of the civil war in April 2023.
In 2024, the U.S. distributed $661 million of aid to Sudan through USAID. With this funding, USAID partners were able to reach nearly 6.7 million Sudanese citizens requiring emergency food assistance, in addition to providing safe drinking water to more than 8 million citizens as of April 2024.
Effects of the Shutdown
President Trump’s executive order to halt all foreign aid activity while conducting a 90-day review operates to cut all programs deemed extraneous to U.S. interests. Around 90% of USAID programs will be cut completely, consisting of $60 billion of foreign aid sent around the world.
This has halted many programs mid-transit, withholding crucial aid to those most in need. The federal government has granted an exception to emergency food assistance, but unclear guidelines have caused widespread confusion around implementation, BBC reports.
As funding disappeared overnight, an estimated 1,000 ERRs had to close, plunging the population deeper into crisis, according to NPR.
According to the BBC, around 2 million Sudanese citizens depended on these ERRs for food and medicine, and must now look elsewhere.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has outlined foreign aid requirements by country each year. In 2024, approximately 67% of the $2.7 billion required aid for Sudan was met, with the U.S. as the largest bilateral donor contributing 48% of committed funds. However, there are several other organizations that are working to help people in Sudan.
International Rescue Committee (IRC)
The IRC has operated in Sudan since 1981, delivering food and health services through six different offices located throughout the country. The range of programs are diverse, including water, sanitation, and hygiene services (WASH), gender-based services for women and children (GBV), health and nutrition, and multi-purpose cash aid.
Led by county director Eatizaz Yousif, IRC’s team in Sudan has opened and closed multiple offices and dispatched mobile medical teams. It also assembles and distributes “dignity kits”— packages containing hygiene products and basic supplies for women and girls
Save the Children
Save the Children is one of the largest NGOs operating in Sudan, providing life-saving medical and malnutrition care to millions of Sudanese citizens. Programs include health, nutrition, food security and livelihoods, hygiene, shelter, child protection, and education. Since the outbreak of war in 2023, Save the Children has reached 3.8 million people, including 1.7 million children.
Save the Children focuses on reaching children and families in the most remote or hard-to-reach areas of Sudan. Teams currently operate in 13 out of the 18 states.
The World Food Program (WFP)
The WFP is responsible for providing emergency food assistance or cash to vulnerable refugees, internally displaced residents, and shock-affected communities. The WFP focuses on a wide range of areas— child malnutrition programs, legislative assistance, vocational skills training, irrigation systems, and crop storage representing only a subset. Since April 2023, the WFP has reached over 11 million people.
The U.S. served as the largest single donor to WFP operations before the shutdown, which is likely to cause some scalebacks in the coming weeks. However, the WFP was granted an exception to resume food purchases and deliveries under existing USAID programs — specifically, the Title II Food for Peace Program, in which global NGOs purchase surplus crops from American farmers to assist in emergency food aid
The shutdown of USAID in Sudan has constituted a major blow to progress being made in health, food, and poverty programs assisting those most affected by conflict. As cuts continue to be made in the U.S., it will fall to other nations and NGOs to fill in the gaps amidst a deepening humanitarian crisis.
– Sadie Claps
Photo: Flickr