The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has endured more than three decades of conflict, with constant attacks on civilians and insecurity fueling a severe humanitarian crisis. Even before the recent surge in violence, 21 million people were internally displaced and in dire need of humanitarian assistance, a number that continues to rise daily. The ongoing DRC crisis in Eastern Congo has displaced more than 6 million people, creating a cycle of dependency on aid.
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:
- In July 1999, Rwanda, Uganda and four other warring nations signed the Lusaka Accord, formalizing a ceasefire to end the Second Congo War.
- In 2002, Rwanda and Uganda endorsed the Pretoria Agreement, while Uganda and the DRC agreed to withdraw Ugandan troops and restore bilateral relations under the Luanda Agreement.
- Between 2008 and 2009, Rwanda and DRC held joint military operations called Kimia to disarm armed groups in eastern DRC.
- In 2022, the EAC deployed regional forces to eastern DRC to work with the DRC forces to combat armed groups and support humanitarian efforts.
- In 2022, the EAC Nairobi Process emerged, rallying regional leaders, civil society and international partners to prioritize dialogue and negotiation, particularly pushing for dialogue between the government and M23.
- In 2023, the Joint EAC-SADC united regional leaders in committing to a lasting solution, urging peaceful coexistence. Despite setbacks, such as President Tshisekedi’s refusal to attend a virtual summit hosted by Kenya’s William Ruto in 2025, regional collaboration remains central to resolving the crisis.
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
Grace is based in Nairobi, Kenya and focuses on Technology and Politics for The Borgen Project.
Photo: Flickr
Mutual Aid Networks in Sudan Combating Poverty and War
Sudan’s Crisis and the Rise of Mutual Aid
Sudan has endured one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises for more than a year now. Currently, 25 million people are facing food insecurity and more than 600,000 individuals are experiencing extreme levels of hunger. The civil war is fuelling this issue by severely disrupting the distribution of international aid – SAF-controlled ports impose unpredictable delays, and even when aid enters the country, RSF and allied militias frequently hijack and loot shipments, preventing it from reaching those in need.
The emergence of decentralized, volunteer-led mutual aid networks in Sudan – Emergency Response Rooms (ERRs) – builds upon a long history of mutual aid in Sudan, including the Sudanese tradition of social solidarity or nafeer. This grassroots initiative unites citizens in addressing local needs and plays a critical role in offsetting limited international support and awareness. As of February 2024, ERRs have reached more than 4 million civilians and received a nomination for the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize by the Peace Research Institute Oslo.
Mutual Aid in Action: Emergency Response Rooms
Each ERR is unique in how it adapts to the specific needs of the communities it serves on the ground. Nevertheless, all ERRs deliver essential aid – distributing food and water through community kitchens, providing medical care and pharmaceutical supplies in neighbourhood clinics, coordinating evacuations, sheltering displaced families and maintaining electricity access by providing logistical support to workers.
Specialized response rooms play a crucial role in supporting vulnerable groups. Women’s Response Rooms (WRRs) offer essential supplies such as sanitary products and prenatal vitamins, alongside communal day-care services. They also provide first aid and psychological care, with trained mental health professionals assisting survivors of sexual violence – a widespread issue among armed groups, particularly the RSF.
In Sudan, 17 million children are out of school due to ongoing conflict. WRRs address this by creating child-friendly spaces for learning and play. These spaces support both formal education, with funded teachers delivering the national curriculum, and informal activities like art. Additionally, mental health programs help children process trauma and equip them with vital coping skills for healthy development.
The Impact of the U.S. Aid Freeze
On 20 January 2025, the Trump administration paused all foreign aid for 90 days to conduct a program-by-program review, assessing which initiatives should continue to receive funding. This halt in U.S. humanitarian assistance is having devastating consequences for mutual aid networks in Sudan. ERRs in the country rely on financial support from the Sudanese diaspora and international aid organizations, according to The New Humanitarian. However, they are particularly dependent on U.S. governmental aid, which accounted for 43.7% of the $1.8 billion in humanitarian funding to Sudan in 2024. As a result of these cuts, ERRs are now facing an 80% reduction in resources.
Hind Al Tayef, representing an ERR in Khartoum’s East Nile District, reports that nearly all 300 community kitchens in the area have shut down due to a shortage of funds necessary to operate water pumps. Similarly, Hannen, a volunteer in southern Khartoum, states that 111 kitchens have closed down in the neighbourhood due to a lack of food supplies, worsening the spread of famine, The New Humanitarian reports. In response, volunteers are launching online crowdfunding campaigns, seeking new institutional donors and exploring sustainable solutions such as agricultural projects to reduce dependence on donor-funded community kitchens.
The Future
The resilience of mutual aid networks in Sudan amidst the escalating humanitarian crisis should not be seen as a replacement for the fundamental responsibility of the Sudanese government, international actors and aid organizations to protect civilians affected by armed conflict. However, it challenges traditional aid models by demonstrating the powerful potential of community-led solutions, local knowledge and personal relationships to drive meaningful change.
– Charlotte Codd
Photo: Flickr
How Muay Thai Is Fighting Poverty in Thailand
Poverty in Thailand
Thailand is one of the economically wealthiest nations in Southeast Asia because of its vast manufacturing, agricultural and tourism sectors. However, wealth and income inequality in Thailand remains among the highest in the world. However, over the past few decades, Thailand has made considerable positive developments in poverty reduction.
Yet, in recent times, this progression has stalled, as poverty rates in Thailand are now recorded at 5.4% in urban areas and as high as 8.4% in rural areas. Additionally, the multidimensional poverty rates remain at 0.5% higher than monetary poverty, meaning that although the financial earnings of many people in Thailand may lift them above the poverty line, their access to education, health care and overall proper living standards remains limited.
Muay Thai
Muay Thai is known as the “Art of Eight Limbs,” as it incorporates the use of the hands, elbows, knees and feet. It is incredibly physically demanding and often ferocious. The central techniques of it consist of the Teep kick, clinch and striking with both elbows and knees. Muay Thai is distinctly unique through its incorporation of spiritual and traditional elements. Before each fight, fighters wear a headband called the Mongkhon and engage in a ritual dance known as the Wai Kru Ram Muay.
As part of this traditional performance, the fighters circle the ring in an anti-clockwise direction, kneeling and bowing three times before performing an elaborate dance. The ritual is performed in traditional Thai music and conveys respect to the opponent, trainers and sport. The practice of Muay Thai embodies and demonstrates many fundamental characteristics such as perseverance, bravery and honor, all of which are highly valued and important to Thai culture and society. The reflection of the societal and cultural values in Muay Thai underpins the enduring popularity and stature of the martial art in Thailand.
How Muay Thai Helps Combat Poverty in Thailand
Muay Thai is a profound sanctuary and economic opportunity provider to many people in Thailand. In many rural communities, subsistence agricultural work is governed by seasonal changes; thus, competing in Muay Thai events provides a significant income supplementation. Even competing at a modest local level provides fighters with an income considerably higher than the average village worker. Furthermore, as many fighters live in the gyms, their earnings after gym expenses can be directly pocketed.
The global interest in Muay Thai has also created an increased demand for training camps, as people from all over the world travel to Thailand to sample the intense training required to compete in martial arts and learn from native experts. Moreover, areas renowned for their events, such as Bangkok and Pattaya, have seen considerable uptake in their hospitality and services sectors, creating jobs for several people.
Conclusion
Muay Thai is helping to contribute to the reduction of poverty and empower communities across Thailand. Through its wide-ranging and invaluable transformative powers, it provides an alternative route out of poverty by supporting income generation and facilitating social mobility. It also creates tangible aspirations of escaping poverty by mastering a highly valued and respected art for millions of impoverished children.
– Ollie Roberts
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
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
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