The French refugee crisis erupted over a decade ago. However, the reality is that France, and Calais especially, is still receiving hundreds of refugee arrivals, and these asylum seekers are still in need of help. There have been people living in or around the outskirts of Calais since the 1990s, the number of whom caused the Red Cross to open the first official welcome center in a neighboring town in 1999. Despite its closure after three years, informal settlements never went away.
These makeshift Calais refugee camps became known as the Jungle, which was formed by hundreds of discarded tents and shelters to accommodate displaced victims of conflict and poverty. This too was evacuated by the French authorities in 2009. When the refugee crisis intensified in 2015, another Jungle emerged, and by the end of the year, there were approximately 4,500 refugees living in Calais. Currently, this figure stands at an estimated 1o,000. The situation is improving, but the work is not yet done.
A Short History of the Jungle
The Calais refugee camps have a turbulent history, being flooded with arrivals, then being bulldozed and evacuated, before re-emerging. Starting as a government-controlled space, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and charities became increasingly involved, such as Refugee Rights. The NGO Help Refugees conducted a census in February 2016, which found that the Calais refugee camps were home to 5,497 residents, including 651 children, more than 400 of whom were unaccompanied. By November of the same year, violence had broken out within the camps as refugees began to be evicted.
In October 2018, two years after the demolition of the Jungle, Refugee Rights returned to Calais to examine the condition and status quo of the refugees, finding that mental health had declined and the atmosphere was one of exhaustion, despite the sustained efforts of volunteers.
There have been studies and reports, such as a 2018 Cambridge Review of International Affairs study, investigating the balance of governmental and charity-based involvement in handling the ongoing refugee crisis. Such reports ask whether the government should be doing more, such as taking on sole responsibility for search and rescue (SAR) operations. Data and field research from organizations like Refugee Rights demonstrate that something needs to change.
An Inside Perspective
This cycle has replayed multiple times over the last 10 years in the camps of Calais. To better understand how this repetition can be ended and the status quo for refugees can be altered, The Borgen Project interviewed an individual who worked at the Calais refugee camps from 2023 to 2024.
The Borgen Project’s source, who wishes to remain anonymous for professional reasons, worked both in the Calais refugee camps and in the U.K. with an involved charity. For the purposes of anonymity, this individual is referred to as W.
W described the atmosphere of the camps: “The sense of desperation is palpable and grew with the increasing hostility of the political environment even in the short time I spent there. During my stay in the winter, the weather conditions were brutal, promising frostbite, trench foot and many sleepless nights in the freezing cold.” W added that during the time spent volunteering in Calais, five people lost their lives at the border.
However, W continued: “In stark contrast to all the misery in Calais is so much hope and here, hope is more than just a feeling, it is a survival skill. I was struck repeatedly by the resilience and positivity of the communities I met and even on the worst days, there were beautiful moments. A South Sudanese dance party. An Arabic lesson in exchange for an English one. The offer of breakfast around a camping stove.”
There is often a focus on the desperation of refugee situations, but less so on hope and joy. Having an insight into the glimpses of community and happiness is not a reduction of the struggle of displacement, but evidence of the effect charitable aid can have on people’s lives, be that food, shelter, legal advice or companionship. This is exactly the work Red Cross provides to the Calais camps, with a project that functions across three main services: supporting unaccompanied children, providing health care and reuniting families.
The Language of Asylum
Language has become a weighted topic in today’s climate, with extensive debates over connotations, etymology and underlying meanings. The language surrounding refugees and the Calais refugee camps has been scrutinized over time. When asked about the term “Jungle,” W stated: “The term ‘Jungle’ was used by its inhabitants, voluntary workers and media alike, but during my time there, very few people used the term.” W added: “Although we now refer to them as ‘camps,’ there are no official camps in Calais or Dunkirk, only unauthorized, illegal settlements.”
As recently as 2020, videos and photos have been released of capsized boats carrying refugees to Europe’s shores, prompting dismissive responses from some audiences. Despite language becoming more carefully considered in public discourse, there is still a pervasive sense of indignation toward refugees seeking shelter and protection from conflict in their home countries.
Female Refugees in Calais
In 2019, the number of displaced people worldwide was estimated at 79.5 million, and in the same year, the number of refugees in the EU was 6,570,500. Almost 50% of them were women. Rates of underage or forced marriage and sex trafficking rise in times of conflict and poverty, making women one of the most vulnerable demographics. This is supported by U.N. Security Council Resolution 1325, which recognizes that girls and women are disproportionately affected by armed conflicts. According to U.N. data, at least one in five female refugees or displaced women has experienced sexual violence. A World Health Organization (WHO) report acknowledges the same, but does not account for undocumented immigrants, thus underestimating the magnitude of the issue.
When asked about women’s experience, W answered: “There are relatively few female refugees in Calais. The vast majority were men and many were unaccompanied minors aged 13-17, often risking their lives on the dangerous journeys in hopes of providing their families with a safer route. For example, Libya is one of the most dangerous countries in the world for sex trafficking, so for refugees coming to Europe from countries like Sudan and Eritrea, it is rare for men to bring their wives and children with them. Nonetheless, there is a small presence of women and children.”
The gender imbalance in Calais demonstrates the persistent demand for more representation and female-directed aid in these situations.
A Look Toward the Future
The Calais refugee camps are not a thing of the past, and though media representation may have dwindled, charitable aid persists. Care4Calais works both in the camps and in the U.K. to offer field support and organize food, clothing and supply packages to refugees, visiting sites twice a week to deliver direct aid, charge phones and bring hot tea, food and firewood, as well as engaging in social activities with them.
According to W, companionship plays an important role in supporting the refugees in Calais. W shared that communication often happened without words due to language barriers: “One day, I played Connect 4 with a Sudanese man for hours. We didn’t exchange more than a handful of words, but it was nonetheless a mutually meaningful experience.”
Another NGO, Safe Passage, has been present in Calais since 2016, providing legal aid to help ensure stable futures for refugees. Since its establishment, Safe Passage has protected 3,500 children and reconnected them with their families, granted 260 visas, overturned five anti-refugee policies and trained more than 260 individuals to continue legal advising for future refugees.
With the dedication and support of NGOs in collaboration with governments, places like the Calais refugee camps can become better-supported spaces for displaced people. Organizations such as Red Cross, Care4Calais and Safe Passage continue to demonstrate that sustained charitable and legal support makes a measurable difference in the lives of those who have fled conflict and poverty.
– Jaya Noonan
Jaya Noonan is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.
Photo: Unsplash
Sudanese Refugees and UNHCR’s 2026 Regional Response Plan
UNHCR’s 2026 Regional Response Plan
The plan sets out how humanitarian organizations intend to support refugees and the communities hosting them across the Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, Libya, South Sudan and Uganda throughout 2026. It targets approximately 5.9 million people in total. This figure includes both refugees and 1.8 million host community members whose own resources and public services are under mounting strain.
The money requested breaks down across 10 sectors. Food security takes the largest share at around $407 million, a sum that reflects the scale of the immediate threat: one in 10 newly arrived Sudanese refugee children in Chad is malnourished on arrival. Protection, covering everything from legal documentation and asylum access to gender-based violence response and child protection, accounts for $286 million. Health care and nutrition take $238 million, shelter $100 million, water and sanitation $139 million and education $102 million. A further $132 million is allocated to livelihoods and economic inclusion, funding that reflects the plan’s broader ambition to move beyond emergency aid toward genuine self-sufficiency.
Rather than distributing food parcels and goods, the UNHCR’s 2026 Regional Response plan prioritizes giving refugees direct cash transfers wherever possible. Cash gives people dignity and choice, stimulates local economies and costs less to deliver than in-kind aid.
Transitioning Past Emergency Response
What began as an emergency response is being forced, by necessity, to evolve. The plan is explicit that the response must now bridge immediate humanitarian needs with what it calls “solutions from the start.” In this way, decisions regarding both short and long-term intervention are made with integration in mind. This means connecting refugees to national health, education and social protection systems rather than building parallel humanitarian structures that only deepen aid dependency. It means supporting host governments to let refugees work, move freely and access services. It also means engaging development banks, private sector actors and bilateral donors alongside traditional humanitarian funders.
The conflict driving all of this shows no signs of ending. Sudan was ranked the deadliest conflict in Africa in 2025, with more than 17,000 civilian deaths recorded between January and November alone. Sexual violence has been widespread. The Rapid Support Forces captured El Fasher, the last majority city in Darfur not under their control, in October 2025, triggering a fresh surge of displacement. By December, fighting had spread to Kordofan. For the millions who have already fled, return remains a distant prospect and the current picture varies considerably depending on where they are located.
Chad and Egypt
Chad carries the heaviest burden of any country for those who fled after the 2023 outbreak of fighting, hosting more than 1.3 million Sudanese refugees by the end of 2025, projected to reach 1.48 million through 2026. Most crossed from the Darfur region into Chad’s already impoverished eastern provinces. The response plan here, with the largest single-country allocation at $568 million, is tied to a government strategy that aims to turn the influx into a driver of long-term development for the region.
Egypt hosts the largest overall number of Sudanese refugees, around 1.5 million, who live in urban areas alongside Egyptian communities rather than in camps. A significant legal development came in December 2024 when Egypt passed a new asylum law, for the first time establishing a framework for a state-led national asylum system. Partners will spend 2026 supporting its implementation. Refugees currently face serious daily challenges: rising costs of living, administrative barriers and very limited access to formal employment.
Libya and South Sudan
Libya presents some of the more acute dangers. More than 538,000 Sudanese have arrived since 2023, more than 80% of them women and children, most entering through the remote desert crossing at Alkufra. Only around 70,000 have been formally registered. Without documentation, refugees cannot access services and risk arrest and deportation — more than 3,700 were deported in 2025 alone. For many, the calculation becomes whether to risk the Mediterranean. In 2025, Sudanese nationals were among the top nationalities intercepted at sea and among those arriving in Italy and Greece. The $116 million Libya allocation is, in significant part, an investment in preventing those journeys from becoming the only option.
South Sudan has perhaps the most complex humanitarian landscape of any host country. It is simultaneously managing more than 700,000 Sudanese refugees, two million of its own internally displaced people and more than 880,000 South Sudanese who were themselves refugees in Sudan and have since returned home. Climate shocks, cholera outbreaks, food insecurity and ongoing conflict compound everything. The $362 million allocation is the second largest in the plan.
Ethiopia, Uganda and the CAR
Ethiopia has maintained an open-door asylum policy throughout, receiving more than 77,000 Sudanese since 2023. It is also receiving more than 21,000 Ethiopians returning from Sudan. A recent Right to Work Directive offers refugees legal access to the labor market, a meaningful policy advance in a region where most refugees are barred from formal employment.
Uganda, despite not sharing a border with Sudan, hosts around 91,000 Sudanese as part of a total refugee population of nearly two million. Its legal framework, giving refugees the right to work, move freely and use national services, is held up internationally as a model. However, severe underfunding in 2025 forced cuts to food, health and protection programs. The 2026 plan works through a triage system: lifesaving needs first, then essential services, then longer-term resilience.
The Central African Republic (CAR) hosts around 40,000 Sudanese in remote border regions with almost no infrastructure and very limited partner presence. Armed actors crossing from Sudan, the reduced capacity of the U.N. peacekeeping mission and seasonal rains that cut off roads for months at a time make this one of the most difficult operational environments in the entire response.
The Funding Problem
Running through the entire plan raises significant concerns about money. The 2025 response was severely underfunded, and the plan does not expect 2026 to be easier. Without sustained financial support, hard-won gains will be reversed, more refugees will attempt onward movement through dangerous routes and regional instability will grow. The appeal is not only for emergency donations but for predictable, multi-year commitments — the kind that allow organizations to build systems rather than simply respond to the latest crisis.
UNHCR’s 2026 Regional Response Plan describes a humanitarian operation of enormous scale, under enormous strain, attempting something genuinely difficult: keeping millions of people alive while simultaneously trying to build the conditions in which they might one day need less help.
– Andrew Geddes
Photo: Flickr
Africa’s Investment in 2026: The Continent’s Economic Rise
For decades, global narratives have often framed Africa as a recipient of aid, a perception shaped by economic crises, humanitarian emergencies and international development campaigns. However, in recent years, a shift has begun. According to projections from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to outpace Asia in economic growth in 2026 for the first time. Six out of the 10 fastest-growing economies of 2026 are African countries. This growth signals a broader transition from aid dependency to investment-driven development.
Africa’s Investment in 2026
Africa is now receiving less in aid than it is in remittances and foreign direct investment (FDI). More countries are participating in African investment in 2026 than at any previous point. FDI in Africa rose sharply in 2024, increasing by 75% to $97 billion and raising the continent’s share of global FDI from 4% to 6%.
Europe, the United States and China remain the lead investors in Africa. However, in 2025, a broader range of countries began to increase their presence on the continent. Japan and India are committed to a partnership focused on investing in African mineral resources. An Emirati conglomerate, International Resources Holding, acquired a controlling stake in a tin mine in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, following a similar investment in a Zambian copper mine in 2024. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) purchased a majority stake in Olam Agri, a Singaporean agribusiness firm with a significant presence in Africa.
Gulf-based companies such as DP World are also expanding port infrastructure across the continent, while firms like France’s TotalEnergies continue to invest in large-scale energy projects in Mozambique. Global technology companies, including Microsoft and Google, are increasing investments in digital infrastructure, reflecting growing interest in Africa’s emerging tech markets. Venture capital is also expanding, with initiatives such as Norrsken22, a $200 million tech investment fund focused on African startups, supporting innovation and entrepreneurship.
An Opportunity to Become a Global Player
Although recent global challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing conflicts, have exposed Africa’s reliance on imports and structural weaknesses, they have also created opportunities for the continent. More countries, particularly in Europe, are turning toward Africa for resources such as critical minerals and oil, as well as for opportunities to invest in infrastructure projects. This growing external interest is one of the key drivers behind the surge in Africa investment in 2026.
Africans are also increasingly investing in Africa. Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote has focused on finding opportunities across the continent. Dangote Cement is Africa’s largest cement producer, with operations from Ethiopia to Senegal to South Africa. Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals operates an oil processing facility with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, designed to supply fuel to West, Central and East Africa. The Dangote Group recently announced a minimum $1 billion investment in a pipeline, power generation and cement plant in Zimbabwe. Ranked by Forbes as Africa’s wealthiest individual, Dangote has demonstrated the value of investing in the home continent.
African Governance and Sovereignty
African countries are building more robust economic systems. In 2025, South Africa, Ghana, Uganda and Rwanda, among others, made changes diverting more funds toward private equity and venture capital.
With encouragement from the African Union (AU), countries have also begun increasing exchanges with one another, whether through trade, cash flows or movement of people. African governments are becoming more integrated rather than relying solely on partnerships with Europe, the U.S. and China.
This assertion of agency extends beyond economics. Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have removed French as their official language, reflecting broader efforts to assert political and economic sovereignty and redefine relationships with former colonial powers.
Looking Ahead
The continent continues to face significant challenges, including extreme poverty, ongoing conflicts and a historical dependence on foreign powers. However, the trajectory of Africa’s investment in 2026 points in a new direction. Africa’s tech sector continues to expand, with startups attracting increasing investment and driving innovation in finance, logistics and digital services. African countries are also diversifying their global partnerships, attracting investment from the Middle East, Asia and private sector actors beyond traditional Western donors. These developments signal a broader transition toward investment, self-sufficiency and long-term economic growth.
As stated by South African business executive, Euvin Naidoo: “You can make money, you can lose money in Africa. But opportunities, boy oh boy, they exist.” Africa investments in 2026 reflect that growing confidence.
– Chloe Bonnefil
Photo: Flickr
Social Policies in Paris and Barcelona Reduce Poverty
For decades, Paris and Barcelona have led their respective national gender-equality policies to promote urban poverty reduction and prevention. Their application of social policies such as gender-responsive budgeting and comprehensive social service access supports women and children in Barcelona and Paris. These groups are most likely to be systemically impacted by poverty and are prioritized as recipients of targeted care.
Paris, France: Tackling Homelessness and Supporting Families
Despite being France’s largest and most economically productive city, post-pandemic rates of urban poverty in Paris remain higher than the national average. It is widely recognized that the principal driver of such inequality in Paris is the lack of affordable, stable housing. This issue disproportionately affects women and single-parent families.
Since 2000, the French government has attempted to combat the housing crisis. It does this by implementing laws that require cities to have at least 25% social housing, meaning lodgings suitable for low-income families or those with additional needs. The city of Paris currently meets the legal requirements and in 2022, announced plans to reach 40% social housing within the next decade.
These plans include repurposing “offices, empty schools and garages” to meet growing demand and provide secure, stable housing for thousands more Parisians. As house prices and rents continue to rise across the city, sustaining these policies remains essential to preventing further inequality among low-income households.
Income distribution in Paris is uneven and wage disparities in the region amount to a 21% gap between women and men. Families living in the suburbs, known as the “banlieues,” face further barriers to the kinds of social inclusion that drive poverty alleviation. In response, the Parisian government has made significant progress in supporting low-income, single-parent families, which are statistically more likely to be headed by women.
Monthly financial aid helps reduce cost burdens and stabilize these households, preventing them from falling into urban poverty. By directly addressing housing insecurity and its disproportionate effect on single-parent households, these policies demonstrate how Paris’ structural investment in affordable housing and social support can reduce urban poverty, particularly among women-led households.
Barcelona, Spain: Gender-Responsive Public Spending
Barcelona is a vibrant, youthful city with heralded architecture and cultural icons. However, it also experiences disproportionate rates of urban poverty compared with national averages. Women in Barcelona are significantly more likely to live in conditions of poverty than men, accounting for 20.9% of those at risk of poverty.
In response, the government of Barcelona introduced its “Strategy against the feminization of poverty” initiative in 2016. Over the span of a decade, the policies have worked to address equal hiring practices, workplace treatment, income equality and social support for working mothers and caregivers. They have also systematically evaluated how public spending impacts men and women differently and the subsequent impact on the urban economy.
This approach, known as gender-responsive budgeting, ensures that public spending and resources are directed toward the specific needs of women, especially those balancing employment and caregiving responsibilities. Other policies, such as B-MINCOME, have provided financial support to low-income households to help families meet basic needs and improve access to employment and social services. They are predicted to empower hundreds of thousands of citizens financially.
The B-MINCOME initiative addresses rising poverty and social inequalities, in which the average income of Barcelona’s lowest-earning households has dropped by 27% over the last few years. By directing such investment and proactive welfare toward those most affected by poverty, the city is working to reduce inequality at its root. This demonstrates how city-level policy can create more effective urban poverty reduction.
Different Approaches, Same Outcome
While Paris and Barcelona have adopted different approaches to tackling inequality, both demonstrate the effectiveness of targeted, city-level strategies in addressing the drivers of urban poverty. Whether through structural investment in housing or gender-responsive public spending, these policies prioritize those most affected, particularly women and low-income households. As urban populations continue to grow, these approaches offer valuable insights into how local governments can contribute to meaningful and sustainable urban poverty reduction.
Social policies in Paris and Barcelona are shaped around lived realities. This creates more inclusive, resilient and empowered communities for the future.
– Hannah Michie
Photo: Flickr
Cash-in-Hand in Honduras’ Informal Economy
The Informal Economy: What Is It?
While formal work involves a written contract between employer and employee and generally ensures workers’ protection, rights and stability, informal labor is a broad term with multi-faceted meanings. This might include a family-owned shop where an employee helps on the weekends, street vendors, gig workers, micro-businesses and domestic workers in cash-in-hand employment.
While this type of work occurs in every country, there are notable trends. In 2024, the OECD drew upon the survivalist aspects of informal work, noting how these jobs are often characterized by a lack of social benefits, poor working conditions, lower remuneration and poverty. Currently, 90% of the global workforce is made up of informal employees, largely from low-income countries.
While policy change is urgently needed, much informal work is also produced and performed within the household, making it difficult to categorize or track. Women are more likely to be part of the informal labor force, and four in 10 people in LAC countries currently depend solely on informal work. More than half the people in countries such as Colombia, El Salvador, Paraguay, Peru, Bolivia and Honduras are vulnerable to exploitation, with low earnings, excessive working hours and poor working conditions — conditions that may carry on into future generations.
A Case for Formalization
Employees working informally do not contribute to a country’s GDP, largely due to tax avoidance. Workers within the informal economy earn less than their formal counterparts, and their country’s economy is often weaker as a result.
J.P. Morgan notes that “informality thrives where entry is hardest” and is thus bound to disproportionately affect those without formal education or with low social standing. For these reasons, it is more likely to affect women and girls. The shift from informal to formal economies is not straightforward, but can be achieved through policy and business action, reducing the gender pay gap and the potential for violence and abuse facing women and girls.
Honduras: A Case Study
The OECD report shows Honduras’ informal economy to be the largest among the LAC countries examined, with nearly 80% of salaries coming from informal channels.
Despite this, organizations such as CAVEXSA, COCASAM and UPROCASUR have been aiding the transition from informal to formal work. These are small to medium enterprises in the agricultural sector, harvesting, packaging and transporting commodity goods such as sugar and coffee.
Backed by the ComRural II project and the World Bank Group, they are committed to providing technical training and job opportunities for rural communities. More than 3,200 Hondurans have attained job security, with numbers set to increase with every harvest. These are jobs in previously male-dominated sectors, signaling economic growth that also challenges gendered stereotypes.
Looking Ahead
Honduras’ informal economy remains essential for many, but procedures such as effective minimum wages, community-driven businesses, contributory schemes and social protection are among the ways the OECD suggests alleviating the burden of informal work.
Denis Calderón, a former okra producer and current board member of CAVEXSA, is a single mother of five. “I was a housewife — I’m not ashamed to say it,” she said, adding that “women are capable of anything,” in agriculture, domestic life and beyond. The leadership of women like Calderón in these businesses reflects a broader shift in how economic growth is taking shape in the global South.
– Grace Sandall
Photo: Flickr
Education Programs: Girls Break the Cycle of Poverty
Across many developing nations, girls continue to face barriers that prevent them from attending school or completing their education. Poverty, early marriage and gender discrimination often lead families to withdraw girls from school at an early age. Education programs that support girls aim to remove these barriers and expand access to learning.
Background
Millions of girls worldwide remain out of school. UNICEF reports that approximately 119 million girls are currently out of school, particularly in regions affected by poverty, conflict and social inequality. Limited access to education can reduce economic opportunities and reinforce cycles of poverty.
Education initiatives increasingly focus on practical solutions such as financial incentives, mentorship and improved school environments. By helping girls remain in school longer, these programs aim to strengthen economic opportunities and long-term development in their communities.
Bangladesh: Long-Term Impact of Education Incentives
Bangladesh provides one of the most widely studied examples of how financial incentives can expand girls’ access to education. The Female Secondary School Stipend Program provided financial support to rural families whose daughters remained enrolled in school and delayed early marriage. Researchers found that the program significantly increased girls’ enrollment in secondary education.
Researchers continue to examine the program’s long-term impact. A 2025 study found that women who benefited from the stipend program were more likely to invest in their children’s health and education. These outcomes show how access to education can help break the cycle of poverty across generations.
Tanzania: Mentorship Programs Supporting Girls’ Futures
Mentorship programs also help girls remain in school and develop confidence. In Tanzania, the Girls Livelihood and Mentorship Initiative supports girls during the transition from primary to secondary education. The program provides mentorship, life skills training, and academic support to help girls continue their studies.
Mentorship initiatives connect girls with role models who demonstrate the long-term value of education. Programs that involve families and communities can encourage girls to remain in school and pursue leadership and career opportunities.
Addressing Health and Safety Barriers
Across the world, education programs focus on practical barriers that prevent girls from attending school. Many initiatives work to improve sanitation facilities, promote menstrual health education and strengthen school safety so girls can attend classes consistently.
Organizations are also working to support programs that address gender-based violence and school safety. Improving school environments and access to health resources can reduce absenteeism and help girls continue their education.
Education remains one of the most effective strategies for reducing global poverty. Educated girls could be more likely to participate in the workforce, delay early marriage and invest in their children’s health and education. These outcomes contribute to stronger economic growth and improved well-being for families.
Examples from Bangladesh and Tanzania demonstrate how targeted programs and policy initiatives can expand educational opportunities for girls. Continued investment in education can help more girls break the cycle of poverty and create long-term change.
– Isil Ertas Senturk
Photo: Flickr
Between Borders: The Calais Refugee Camps
These makeshift Calais refugee camps became known as the Jungle, which was formed by hundreds of discarded tents and shelters to accommodate displaced victims of conflict and poverty. This too was evacuated by the French authorities in 2009. When the refugee crisis intensified in 2015, another Jungle emerged, and by the end of the year, there were approximately 4,500 refugees living in Calais. Currently, this figure stands at an estimated 1o,000. The situation is improving, but the work is not yet done.
A Short History of the Jungle
The Calais refugee camps have a turbulent history, being flooded with arrivals, then being bulldozed and evacuated, before re-emerging. Starting as a government-controlled space, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and charities became increasingly involved, such as Refugee Rights. The NGO Help Refugees conducted a census in February 2016, which found that the Calais refugee camps were home to 5,497 residents, including 651 children, more than 400 of whom were unaccompanied. By November of the same year, violence had broken out within the camps as refugees began to be evicted.
In October 2018, two years after the demolition of the Jungle, Refugee Rights returned to Calais to examine the condition and status quo of the refugees, finding that mental health had declined and the atmosphere was one of exhaustion, despite the sustained efforts of volunteers.
There have been studies and reports, such as a 2018 Cambridge Review of International Affairs study, investigating the balance of governmental and charity-based involvement in handling the ongoing refugee crisis. Such reports ask whether the government should be doing more, such as taking on sole responsibility for search and rescue (SAR) operations. Data and field research from organizations like Refugee Rights demonstrate that something needs to change.
An Inside Perspective
This cycle has replayed multiple times over the last 10 years in the camps of Calais. To better understand how this repetition can be ended and the status quo for refugees can be altered, The Borgen Project interviewed an individual who worked at the Calais refugee camps from 2023 to 2024.
The Borgen Project’s source, who wishes to remain anonymous for professional reasons, worked both in the Calais refugee camps and in the U.K. with an involved charity. For the purposes of anonymity, this individual is referred to as W.
W described the atmosphere of the camps: “The sense of desperation is palpable and grew with the increasing hostility of the political environment even in the short time I spent there. During my stay in the winter, the weather conditions were brutal, promising frostbite, trench foot and many sleepless nights in the freezing cold.” W added that during the time spent volunteering in Calais, five people lost their lives at the border.
However, W continued: “In stark contrast to all the misery in Calais is so much hope and here, hope is more than just a feeling, it is a survival skill. I was struck repeatedly by the resilience and positivity of the communities I met and even on the worst days, there were beautiful moments. A South Sudanese dance party. An Arabic lesson in exchange for an English one. The offer of breakfast around a camping stove.”
There is often a focus on the desperation of refugee situations, but less so on hope and joy. Having an insight into the glimpses of community and happiness is not a reduction of the struggle of displacement, but evidence of the effect charitable aid can have on people’s lives, be that food, shelter, legal advice or companionship. This is exactly the work Red Cross provides to the Calais camps, with a project that functions across three main services: supporting unaccompanied children, providing health care and reuniting families.
The Language of Asylum
Language has become a weighted topic in today’s climate, with extensive debates over connotations, etymology and underlying meanings. The language surrounding refugees and the Calais refugee camps has been scrutinized over time. When asked about the term “Jungle,” W stated: “The term ‘Jungle’ was used by its inhabitants, voluntary workers and media alike, but during my time there, very few people used the term.” W added: “Although we now refer to them as ‘camps,’ there are no official camps in Calais or Dunkirk, only unauthorized, illegal settlements.”
As recently as 2020, videos and photos have been released of capsized boats carrying refugees to Europe’s shores, prompting dismissive responses from some audiences. Despite language becoming more carefully considered in public discourse, there is still a pervasive sense of indignation toward refugees seeking shelter and protection from conflict in their home countries.
Female Refugees in Calais
In 2019, the number of displaced people worldwide was estimated at 79.5 million, and in the same year, the number of refugees in the EU was 6,570,500. Almost 50% of them were women. Rates of underage or forced marriage and sex trafficking rise in times of conflict and poverty, making women one of the most vulnerable demographics. This is supported by U.N. Security Council Resolution 1325, which recognizes that girls and women are disproportionately affected by armed conflicts. According to U.N. data, at least one in five female refugees or displaced women has experienced sexual violence. A World Health Organization (WHO) report acknowledges the same, but does not account for undocumented immigrants, thus underestimating the magnitude of the issue.
When asked about women’s experience, W answered: “There are relatively few female refugees in Calais. The vast majority were men and many were unaccompanied minors aged 13-17, often risking their lives on the dangerous journeys in hopes of providing their families with a safer route. For example, Libya is one of the most dangerous countries in the world for sex trafficking, so for refugees coming to Europe from countries like Sudan and Eritrea, it is rare for men to bring their wives and children with them. Nonetheless, there is a small presence of women and children.”
The gender imbalance in Calais demonstrates the persistent demand for more representation and female-directed aid in these situations.
A Look Toward the Future
The Calais refugee camps are not a thing of the past, and though media representation may have dwindled, charitable aid persists. Care4Calais works both in the camps and in the U.K. to offer field support and organize food, clothing and supply packages to refugees, visiting sites twice a week to deliver direct aid, charge phones and bring hot tea, food and firewood, as well as engaging in social activities with them.
According to W, companionship plays an important role in supporting the refugees in Calais. W shared that communication often happened without words due to language barriers: “One day, I played Connect 4 with a Sudanese man for hours. We didn’t exchange more than a handful of words, but it was nonetheless a mutually meaningful experience.”
Another NGO, Safe Passage, has been present in Calais since 2016, providing legal aid to help ensure stable futures for refugees. Since its establishment, Safe Passage has protected 3,500 children and reconnected them with their families, granted 260 visas, overturned five anti-refugee policies and trained more than 260 individuals to continue legal advising for future refugees.
With the dedication and support of NGOs in collaboration with governments, places like the Calais refugee camps can become better-supported spaces for displaced people. Organizations such as Red Cross, Care4Calais and Safe Passage continue to demonstrate that sustained charitable and legal support makes a measurable difference in the lives of those who have fled conflict and poverty.
– Jaya Noonan
Photo: Unsplash
Poverty and Health in Sierra Leone Following the Civil War
The country’s economy was left in pieces, and its people carried the weight of psychological and physical trauma. Despite this, in the face of adversity following the civil war, the people of Sierra Leone have continued to show a desire to overcome the struggles they encountered. As January 2026 marks 24 years since the end of the civil war, this article reflects on poverty and health in Sierra Leone and how the country has progressed.
The Immediate Response
Following the end of the civil war, the international response was swift and targeted. Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) such as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), which had been active within conflict zones in Sierra Leone from 1995, provided the country with significant support, including malaria vaccination campaigns and medical care in a country that no longer had the infrastructure required to support its population’s health.
In 2004, MSF reduced its presence in Sierra Leone, stating that although many people still lived in poverty, the country was no longer undergoing a humanitarian crisis.
With that departure, the Ministry of Health in Sierra Leone took on responsibility for basic health care and hospital programs, and the country began rebuilding through different initiatives. Although Sierra Leone ranked as one of the poorest countries in the world, the health sector introduced schemes such as the cost recovery scheme in 2006 and the Free Health Care Initiative (FHCI) in 2010, and the sector began to see economic recovery.
The road to escaping poverty and rebuilding health care in Sierra Leone was not without turbulence. In 2014, the Ebola epidemic created further setbacks in the landscape of poverty and health in the country.
Solving the Poverty Paradox
The economic recovery of Sierra Leone following the civil war required both the help of NGOs and a population willing to put in the work, in part to avoid creating an overdependence on aid. While NGO activity started as wholly philanthropic, it eventually helped inspire the country’s population to cultivate its own agriculture and economy.
A prime example of a collaboration between NGOs and the Sierra Leonean population was the Kalangba-based Sierra Leone Children’s Fund. The fund allowed community farms to be created, providing jobs for people living in the area and increasing local trading.
Initiatives such as these allowed the country to develop its own economic landscape and provided a level of development that deploying aid alone could not achieve.
Public Resilience
For many of the population, health and poverty in Sierra Leone have always existed alongside struggle. That struggle, however, has also created a desire to foster independence.
In an interview with The Borgen Project, a Civil Affairs Officer who worked with the United Nations in Sierra Leone in the years following the civil war said that the people of Sierra Leone have “shaken off the desperation to be helped” when asked about whether international organizations’ involvement in the country’s rehabilitation has created dependency.
Looking Ahead
Poverty and health in Sierra Leone still have a long way to go in terms of promoting health care and reducing poverty following the civil war. The country is still rebuilding its economy. Despite this, in many ways, the country is adapting to its own economic conditions. In 2025, the World Bank Group reported that in the face of global insecurity, Sierra Leone’s economy had remained stable.
Health care in Sierra Leone also continues to grow, with the introduction of new facilities across the country.
These new implementations and improvements reflect the resilience of Sierra Leoneans following the civil war, who, in the face of adversity, have remained committed to rebuilding their country.
– Bernice Attawia
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Food Systems in Northern Ireland Are Growing Stronger
1. Brexit
In January 2020, the United Kingdom withdrew its membership from the European Union. The U.K. signed the Brexit referendum four years prior, in 2016. Brexit has caused a variety of financial effects, some positive and some negative. It has also enabled the U.K. to create more tailored legislation targeting the roots of food insecurity across the country.
The U.K. Department for Environment, Food & Rural affairs released a statement in July 2025 detailing plans for new food systems legislation to combat hunger and malnourishment specifically affecting children and rural populations. This food strategy aims to create a “good food cycle” by uplifting British farmers, improving agrifood trade relations with the European Union and combat biodiversity loss to allow for more balanced diets. After separating from the EU, the U.K. has shifted its focus to reprioritize food systems at a nationwide level that support its citizens financially and physically.
2. Increased Community Involvement
The Food, Farming & Countryside Commission (FFCC) has directed its attention to amplifying the voices of community members and local farmers in order to strengthen food systems in Northern Ireland. The FFCC has been operating as an independent commission since 2017. In the last two years, it has succeeded in bridging communication between the U.K.’s citizens and government through initiatives such as The Food Conversation and reports including “The False Economy of Big Food” and “Paying the Price.” The action items the FFCC is currently prioritizing include:
3. Technological Innovation
Improving technologies in the agriculture and supply chain sectors have a high potential to continue improving the efficacy of food systems in Northern Ireland and globally. One example of a recent promising innovation for Northern Irish food security is the Food Co-Centre Conceptual Framework which Oxford University researchers developed at their Environmental Change Institute. The Institute launched this framework in 2025 and aims to deliver “environmental, economic and social stability by 2050” through tracking all stages of food production and distribution in Northern Ireland and optimizing the process by metrics of sustainability and affordability.
Dr. Alice Gilmour is the lead author of the study responsible for designing the Food Co-Centre Conceptual Framework. When asked about what the framework will help to accomplish, she stated:
“This framework will help policymakers and food systems stakeholders avoid a siloed approach as it provides the wider context of the entire food system. It brings together insights from industry, NGOs, government, and academia to guide smarter, more sustainable decisions.” This new technology is capable of identifying gaps in the food systems of Northern Ireland and the U.K. more broadly and problem-solving outside of the often “siloed” thinking of regulatory bodies. With this information, the Food Co-Centre Conceptual Framework will suggest more informed and optimally beneficial solutions for governmental, industry and research approaches to how the U.K. grows and distributes its food.
Looking Ahead
Food insecurity and malnutrition rates in Northern Ireland have improved by 14% for children and 19% for adult populations in the past decade. These positive margins come as a direct result of increased community involvement, implementation of new technologies and reformed socioeconomic policies that better reflect the U.K.’s specific interests. Initiatives like the ones highlighted in this article project to minimize and hope to eradicate food insecurity and strengthen food systems in Northern Ireland and across the U.K. within the next two decades.
– Natalie Naylor
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Cargo Containers as Affordable Housing for Nigerians
Second, beyond the material shortage itself, many existing homes are deemed structurally inadequate. A significant number of homes are built in unsafe conditions, such as on weak stilts over water or lack access to basic services like proper sanitation and electricity. In response to these challenges, an innovative solution has begun to gain attention: “cargotecture.” Derived from the original word architecture, this emerging approach involves repurposing cargo containers as affordable housing units.
The Advantages of Container Homes
One key reason shipping containers have become increasingly important as land-based structures is their durability. Companies such as Karmod Nigeria, which operates in more than 25 states, note that these structures are engineered for long-term use. Built primarily from steel, they offer strong structural integrity and present a practical option for affordable housing in low-income communities.
Steel is highly durable and resistant to harsh environmental conditions, reducing the need for frequent repairs and lowering long-term maintenance costs. This makes container-based housing a cost-effective solution in different climates and seasons. Beyond everyday environmental conditions, steel containers also perform well under extreme stresses, including earthquakes.
Originally built to endure long journeys across rough oceans, these containers are designed for strength and resilience. Their robust structure makes them a reliable option in areas with recorded seismic activity, such as Nigeria, which has experienced earthquakes as high as magnitude 4.9. Another material advantage lies in cargo container flooring. Since the base structure is already reinforced, it requires little additional support.
Floors can be finished quickly with lightweight, cost-effective materials such as bamboo, timber and polyvinyl chloride tiles, which are often cheaper than hardwood used in traditional homes. This helps reduce overall construction costs, making housing more accessible and practical for low-income communities. Fire resistance is another notable benefit of cargo containers.
In a country like Nigeria, where temperatures remain consistently high, the risk of fire can increase. A 1977 U.S. Coast Guard study found that fires in containers caused minimal structural damage and were unlikely to spread to nearby units. This shows that steel shipping containers are largely non-combustible, offering a safer and more reliable housing option for people who might otherwise live in low-cost areas with higher fire risks.
Closing Remarks
Ultimately, container homes have evolved from export transport units into lightweight, quickly assembled housing solutions for Nigerians who may not have the means to buy fully furnished luxury homes. Known for their durability, these pre-built structures offer a practical response to the country’s housing crisis. Their growing appeal is also reflected in the expanding global market.
Reports show the container homes market generated $44.76 billion in 2017 and was projected to reach $73.07 billion by 2025, highlighting the real potential of cargo containers as affordable housing.
– Sophia Lupo
Photo: Flickr
Renewable Energy in Grenada
Yet, the Spice Island is planning an ambitious new course. According to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Grenada has pledged a 40% reduction in its 2010 emissions by 2030, with the ultimate goal of using 100% renewable energy in its transport and electricity sectors. Additionally, new renewable energy initiatives can combat energy poverty by allowing families to own solar panels and generate their own electricity off the national grid. This would lower household costs, keep money in the Grenadian economy, and improve the quality of life for many impoverished Grenadians.
Challenges
Issues riddle Grenada’s path forward. Grenada’s electrical grid currently relies on diesel generators, for which cooling alone accounts for one-third of the nation’s total greenhouse gas emissions. Meanwhile, poverty remains high, with 25% of Grenadians living below the poverty line. Additionally, while there has been progress to expand the renewable energy sectors, a vast majority of Grenada’s renewable energy output comes from small-scale projects rather than large-scale government investment.
Progress on the Ground
Despite these obstacles, renewable energy in Grenada has continued to expand. In November 2024, Grenada launched a tender for a major solar project at Maurice Bichop International Airport, and while a company has not won the tender, the project continues to develop, with officials choosing the sites for the solar panels. The winning developer will secure a 25-year power purchase agreement with the state utility, Grenlec, and planners expect the project to meet 40% of Grenada’s energy grid needs.
Grenlec has also announced that the construction of a new substation and upgraded grid infrastructure is underway on the island. Improving the efficiency of the grid and lessening overall waste. This project will also create a resilient microgrid at the airport, allowing for reliable power during prolonged grid outages.
International support also provides optimism for the Island’s future development. In December 2024, the United Kingdom pledged 10 million British pounds to support geothermal energy development in Grenada, aiming to reduce its former colonies’ reliance on expensive imported fossil fuels. Additional United Nations programs like the Building Effective Resilience for Human Security in the Caribbean Countries and the Harnessing Blue Economy Finance for SIDS Recovery and Sustainable Development initiatives work to develop the renewable energy grids of the region and help the impoverished in Grenada.
Tourism
Tourism remains both Grenada’s largest industry and a major contributor to overall emissions, but the sector is beginning to adopt new, climate-friendly policies. A pilot project at the True Blue Bay Resort has demonstrated that replacing conventional air-conditioning units with R290 units, which are both propane-fueled and very efficient, achieved an energy consumption reduction of around 26%. For a nation with a large number of hotels, in which cooling can account for a majority of its energy demand, improvements in cooling efficiency can reduce annual electricity consumption by hundreds of thousands of ECD.
Impacts on Poverty
The transition to renewable energy in Grenada carries large implications for poverty reduction, as about 25% of the population lives below the poverty line, and the unemployment rate stood at 11.1% in 2023.
Currently, high electricity costs burden low-income households, forcing many to spend large portions of their income on energy. Lowering these costs through renewable sources would free up household income for food, education, healthcare and many other expenses. To combat this, Grenada plans to launch its “Solar for All” Program, which will expand access to rooftop solar and accelerate nationwide adoption of solar energy, particularly for vulnerable households.
Renewable energy also creates local jobs. The country cannot outsource the installation, maintenance and management of renewable energy sources, and will create many jobs for the country’s unemployed. Unlike fossil fuel imports, which send money overseas, investments in renewable energy will keep capital within the local economy.
The expansion of renewable energy in Grenada has the potential to transform the Grenadian economy and open doors for Grenada’s impoverished.
– Luca Napolitano
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