Flooding in Kenya has displaced more than 412,000 people since September 2025. Unprecedented levels of rainfall, following the El Niño rainy season, triggered the flooding, recording one of the heaviest rain seasons in Kenya’s history. These torrential rains have now led to floods across 33 out of Kenya’s 47 states, and the situation has only been worsened by the prolonged drought that has resulted in ruined infrastructure and farmland, almost irreparably damaging thousands of people’s livelihoods. These extreme weather events are not just extraordinary occurrences, but evidence of how natural disasters can affect the country.
The Effects of Flooding in Kenya
The flooding in Kenya has resulted in displacement, deaths, damaged or lost infrastructure and farmland, with destruction across all sectors: 11,311 losses in livestock, submergence of 61 key roads and the destruction of nearly 2,000 schools and 62 health centres nationwide, according to Help.NGO.
One personal testimony comes from Felista, who states: “Flooding has taken away my livelihood source.” Felista is a displaced mother and business owner as a herbalist, who looks after her daughter and grandchildren owing to her daughter’s mental health issues, and now “[she] can no longer access herbs.”
Unfortunately, the combination of flooding in Kenya and the ensuing fast-onset drought has not only hurt individuals’ and families’ incomes, but also people’s health and access to basic necessities such as food, water, and education.
Public Health Concerns
According to Dr Pius Mutuku, a medical epidemiologist from the Ministry of Health, flooding made 14 facilities close down and affected a major water treatment facility, resulting in a shortage of clean water for 3,000 people. Tana River County alone reported 44 cholera cases, which is one of the most flood-affected regions and in displacement camps that are rapidly filling up, medical emergencies such as this are significant worries to public health.
Poverty is a multidimensional issue, affecting not only the economy but also creating a poverty of knowledge and independence. Schools across the country have closed due to water damage, postponing term for two weeks due to the disruption and lost infrastructure that prevents staff and students travelling to school. The Kenyan government has chosen to demolish houses, specifically informal settlements near the major rivers – the worst affected flood zones- to reduce future flood damage. However, this means destroying nearby infrastructure also, which puts families in the worst socio-economic situations at greater risk, removing their access further to facilities for health care or education.
The Response
Kenya Red Cross (KRCS) has traditionally been the centre of emergency response efforts, but the organization found itself stretched beyond capacity in this crisis and in need of additional man-power and financial support. County emergency funds had been depleted, and local authorities were unable to respond to the flooding in Kenya alone until Help NGO joined KRCS, offering field support and new technology.
The United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has also contributed to the crisis team, allocating $3 million US dollars to humanitarian partners to support the assistance of 190,000 people across 10 counties severely ruined by the flooding in Kenya.
Funding is a silent but crucial element of resolving national and international crises like this one, and this money from CERF went toward organizations like the World Food Program (WFP), which is providing cash assistance to affected families, to help them meet their most urgent needs in the time of disruption and loss. This cash assistance aimed to reach those most vulnerable in society, and those most harshly affected by the floods and drought, such as the disabled, chronically ill, or the urban poor population.
Another method of cash assistance and funding is the Adaptation Fund, which finances projects worth more than $49 million to reshape infrastructure so it can withstand natural disaster-influenced events like shock floods and droughts. This aid is especially significant to those living in urban poverty, whose informal settlements are most vulnerable to extreme weather events.
The Results
Part of Help.NGO’s action has been providing new advanced drone technology to work alongside satellites, and survey the extent of damage done to Kenya’s landscape. Without this level of surveillance, the government would not be able to accurately implement aid to the regions and communities that are most in need. These drones have provided invaluable data for “recovery and reconstruction,” according to a Help NGO spokesperson.
The images and data from Help.NGO’s technology helped a multitude of missions, including organizing medical assistance. The Ministry of Health has immensely benefited from this information, and have been able to set up medical camps with the support of KRCS for continuity of services for the more than 4,000 people hurt by hospital closures.
In addition, WHO deployed more than 720 first responders to flood-affected zones to offer on-site recovery and attention, and attend to patients across Kenya’s 192 medical camps. The mission also distributed cholera kits and treated approximately 10,000 people.
The Future
Funding can change an individual’s life, like Felista, who has now been able to reopen her business and return her grandchildren to school. CERF provided her with KES 10,000- equivalent to $80, which has enabled her to pay school fees, buy food, and, significantly, the herbs and materials she needs to get her business up and running again. With the help of KRCS and Help NGO, financial aid and technology are reshaping Kenya, socially and physically, building a safer and more stable country for generations to come.
– Jaya Noonan
Jaya is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.
Photo: Flickr
How UK Aid Continues to Support Development in the DRC
UNFPA
The UNFPA helps to provide displaced women and girls with essential medical services in the form of medicine, midwives and mobile units. The organization ensures that these people can access maternal health services, including emergency obstetric and newborn care. It also provides safe spaces for them, as well as offering medical, psychosocial and legal support via hotlines. In the DRC, “conflict has disrupted health care for millions,” and the UNFPA helps to mitigate the impacts. Mobile ultrasounds have allowed it to help pregnant women who have been displaced, not just by detecting pregnancy complications but also by providing these women with a sense of reassurance amid conflict. The UNFPA has helped to provide more than 20,000 women with prenatal care in the DRC.
This year, the DRC is expected to take up the chairmanship of the International Alliance on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, which shines a light on issues with “upholding international humanitarian law, humanitarian access and accountability for abuses.” Even before the conflict escalation, an estimated three women per hour died in the country due to pregnancy and birth-related issues, so the DRC’s new status as chairman should help to draw attention to the country’s challenges and support more funding and resources to address them.
Humanitarian Aid From the ICRC
The ICRC has been operating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for almost 50 years. It works to ensure that victims of armed violence are respected and have their basic needs met. It also reunites separated families and visits detention centers to ensure people held within them, whether arrested or just detained, are being treated appropriately. From January to June of 2025, the impact of the organization within the DRC was extensive. Almost 40,000 were provided with health care, more than half a million people were helped with accessing clean water and around 215,000 people received food, financial assistance, vouchers, household items or support for agricultural production.
Addressing Food Insecurity
More than 25 million people in the DRC face food insecurity. For development in the DRC to be sustainable, it is important to lower this number, as it is causing around 3 million people to be stunted due to consistent malnutrition. This negatively affects people’s quality of life as well as their ability to provide for themselves and their families, and adds more strain to a health care system already struggling to meet demand. The WFP helps to tackle malnutrition and hunger. In 2024, it helped “5.3 million people with food, cash, malnutrition support and resilience interventions.” The WFP is assessing how to meet increasing demand caused by renewed conflict.
Banking and Financial Inclusion
The U.K. will provide a British International Investment loan of £18.7 million to Rawbank. The bank operates in the DRC and has received awards for being the best in the country since 2008. It has provided more modern banking systems to people in the DRC, allowing them to access mobile banking and increasing financial freedom. It also helps to fund education for young people by granting scholarships, providing mentoring, masterclasses, workshops and training courses, and providing financial support to those wishing to be entrepreneurs. This is part of the We Act Program that the bank runs. The program also helps to support young people who may be interested in arts and culture, sport, corporate social responsibility and digital sectors.
Providing financial freedom and education will help development in the DRC by offering people the opportunity to get involved in and improve the businesses within the country, as well as drawing new companies in with increasing education levels.
Expanding Energy Access
The U.K. is also “supporting capital investment in the Sustainable Energy for Africa Fund, in partnership with the African Development Bank, to support Moyi Power.” Moyi Power aims to improve electrical access in the DRC. The starting goal of the organization is to provide electricity to three isolated cities in the country: Gemena, Bumba and Isiro. The three have a combined population of 700,000 people, but there is no reliable grid access, so sourcing power is difficult. After five years, Moyi expects that it will have provided 37,000 households and customers with connectivity, and the aim is to double its operations every five years. Increasing electrical access will increase development in the DRC, as it will be a draw for businesses to set up headquarters there. In turn, this would increase employment opportunities and start a positive multiplier effect within the country.
Looking Ahead
U.K. aid is supporting development in the DRC in two major ways: it is helping to improve access to necessities provided by the ICRC, WFP and UNFPA, while also investing in organizations such as Rawbank and Moyi Power that aim to increase education and employment opportunities. These work in tandem to ensure that the country is supported in the short term while people are facing hardships due to conflict, but set it up to be able to support itself in the long term.
– Ryan Cowen
Photo: Flickr
Fighting the Era of Global Water Bankruptcy
Global Water Bankruptcy
The United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) argues that more common language, like “water crisis,” does not accurately represent the true nature of what is occurring in many places across the globe.
In its most recent report, UNU-INWEH offers updated and more refined recommendations for governments so that their guidelines suit the state of water in the world currently. The report serves as advice to policymakers to make water a top priority. With a focus on water, governments can promote cooperation to address critical challenges of safety, peace, liberty, land development and sustainability.
The main message of the report is that the world has entered the era of global water bankruptcy. This is a term that the United Nations (U.N.) adopted when updating its language to reflect the reality in places suffering from inequitable water access or no access to fresh water at all.
This problem continues to grow as excessive water use, land deterioration, deforestation, groundwater depletion and overall pollution worsen globally, which is what pushed the U.N. to adopt this new term.
The Journal of Water Resources Management originally developed the language, defining it as the persistent over-withdrawal of water relative to renewable inflows and safe levels of depletion, along with the resulting irreversible or prohibitively costly loss of water-related natural capital.
The Freshwater Challenge
Originally launched in 2023 at the U.N. Water Conference, the Freshwater Challenge has become the largest global initiative dedicated to restoring and protecting degraded rivers, lakes and wetlands. It aims to address the worsening water, climate and nature crises, which together are known as global water bankruptcy.
The Freshwater Challenge plans to serve impoverished countries by restoring rivers and wetlands, which will improve access to safe water and reduce climate risks. Indeed, by restoring ecosystems, the initiative will boost local food security, create sustainable livelihoods for the people and protect vulnerable communities from water-related hazards like droughts and floods, aligning with the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The initiative is targeting degraded freshwater sources, which are crucial for drinking water, sanitation and hygiene in developing areas. This will aid communities currently relying on unsafe water. Restoring inland waters will also help to boost fish populations and support local agriculture, which are essential for the nutrition of impoverished communities.
The Freshwater Challenge’s work to support these communities helps attract funding to implement improvements in national water management systems, in areas like Zambia and Sierra Leone, by bridging data gaps and improving water management. Overall, the initiative involves 54 countries and the European Union, which have joined together to reverse the breakdown of critical water systems.
Future Outlook
The initiative has announced a new goal to restore 300,000 kilometers of rivers and 350 million hectares of wetlands by 2030, essential for sustaining drinking water and sanitation, especially in regions with high water scarcity, like the Middle East and North Africa.
In addition to this restoration, the Freshwater Challenge plans to work on conservation for water-based ecosystems that are currently intact. By staying ahead of future problems, the initiative can strengthen the impact of its work.
Looking Ahead
Even though the state of water resources continues to weaken with the changing climate and human impact, the Freshwater Challenge is working to support people in need. The initiative will continue its efforts to protect the world’s freshwater resources through restoration, conservation and international cooperation.
– Megan McGrath
Photo: Flickr
Barriers to Surgical Research in Developing Regions
Access to safe and effective surgical care is central to global health. Progress in this area depends on strong research systems, yet many low-resource settings struggle to build them. Understanding the different barriers to surgical research in developing regions highlights the limits to innovation and how stakeholders can improve outcomes worldwide. Without targeted efforts to strengthen research capacity, these gaps will continue to widen global health inequalities.
Limited Funding and Infrastructure
Limited and inconsistent funding remains a major obstacle. Surgical research requires financial support for equipment, personnel and long-term studies. Many governments and institutions must prioritize immediate patient care, which reduces available resources for research initiatives.
Infrastructure gaps also restrict progress. Many hospitals operate without reliable electricity, sterile environments, or modern laboratory facilities. These conditions make it difficult for researchers to run controlled studies or collect consistent data, which weakens the overall quality of research output.
Shortage of Trained Personnel
A shortage of trained researchers and surgical specialists continues to slow advancement. Healthcare professionals often manage high patient volumes, leaving little time for research. Training programs and mentorship opportunities also remain limited in many regions.
Migration further intensifies this challenge. Skilled professionals frequently move to higher-income countries in search of better opportunities. This trend erodes local expertise and impedes the development of long-term stability in research ecosystems.
For example, according to Stanford University’s Medical Journal, an estimated six billion people on the planet do not have access to cardiac surgical care due to a shortage of trained personnel, resources, and other limiting factors. The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery reported that in places such as Africa, there is one cardiovascular surgeon per four million people.
The data found in this study is focused on the shortage of trained personnel specifically in cardiac medicine; however, a lack of personnel and resources is universal among several types of surgical research and care.
Access to Equipment and Materials
Reliable access to high-quality equipment remains essential for surgical research. Many facilities rely on outdated or poorly maintained tools, which limit precision and consistency in experiments.
These gaps directly reinforce the various barriers to surgical research in developing regions, particularly when researchers cannot access tools that ensure accurate, repeatable results. Researchers often depend on specialized instruments that can withstand repeated use while maintaining accuracy. Without access to comparable tools, researchers face difficulties when attempting to replicate or validate findings.
Regulatory and Data Challenges
Regulatory systems in many regions lack clarity or consistency. Researchers often encounter delays during approval processes due to limited institutional capacity or unclear guidelines. Ethical review boards may lack sufficient staff or standardized procedures, which slows research progress.
Data collection also presents ongoing challenges. Limited digital infrastructure reduces the ability to store, manage and analyze information effectively. A study in The Lancet Global Health emphasizes the need to strengthen data systems to improve both surgical care delivery and research capacity.
Emerging Solutions and Global Collaboration
Global partnerships continue to support research development. International organizations and academic institutions now collaborate with local teams to provide funding, training and technical expertise. These partnerships help strengthen local capacity while promoting knowledge exchange.
Technology also creates new opportunities. Mobile data tools and telemedicine platforms enable researchers to collect and share information more efficiently. These solutions help overcome infrastructure limitations and support more inclusive research environments.
Addressing these challenges requires sustained investment, stronger policies and continued collaboration. When stakeholders commit to these efforts, they can expand research capacity, reduce disparities and improve surgical care for communities worldwide.
– Kelly Schoessling
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
5 Nonprofits Working to End Polio in Yemen
The Impact of COVID-19
When the COVID-19 pandemic arrived and the health care efforts of many of the world’s largest nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) were disrupted, the people of many developing nations suffered, including those of Yemen.
Roughly 25 million infants worldwide did not receive potentially lifesaving vaccinations, the largest regression in vaccination data in more than 30 years. In Yemen, the combined effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and protracted conflict resulted in national vaccination rates falling sharply, with declines of 25% in certain months of 2020. In 2024, 580,000 children in Yemen were recorded as zero-dose, a crisis demanding a multilateral response.
Beginning in 2023, several major global partners in public health, including the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization (WHO) and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, formed The Big Catch-up, a program working to reverse the damage to immunization progress caused by the pandemic. The project is making progress in eradicating poliovirus worldwide. With around 85% of all children affected by polio living in the most volatile states, this effort is significant. The following five organizations are at the forefront of the fight against polio in Yemen.
5 Nonprofits Working to End Polio in Yemen
Looking Ahead
The work of each of these nonprofits is bringing Yemen closer to eradicating polio, but continued public and government support is needed. Increased funding and sustained international attention can help complete this work, securing the future health of children in Yemen and beyond.
– Evan Meikle
Photo: Flickr
Women’s Life Centers in Türkiye
In response, Women’s Life Centers in Türkiye have emerged as important community hubs supporting women and families as they rebuild their lives after the disaster.
Safe Spaces for Women and Girls
Women’s Life Centers in Türkiye provide safe environments where women and girls can access protection services, counseling and community support. According to U.N. Women, the centers offer psychosocial support, referral services and information on protection programs for women facing vulnerabilities following the earthquake. These services are especially important in crisis recovery settings when women and girls may face increased risks of violence, displacement and poverty.
The centers also host workshops, group discussions and social activities that allow women to connect and rebuild social networks. Strengthening community relationships plays an important role in disaster recovery, helping individuals access resources, share information and regain a sense of stability after experiencing significant loss.
Supporting Children’s Well-Being and Learning
Children also benefit from programs organized within the centers. Activities designed for young people focus on emotional well-being, social interaction and the maintenance of routines after traumatic experiences. Structured activities and safe learning environments help children cope with stress and continue their development during periods of disruption following disasters.
UNICEF reports that child-friendly spaces and temporary learning environments are an important part of the earthquake response in Türkiye. These programs provide safe areas where children can play, learn and receive psychosocial support while communities rebuild homes and schools. Maintaining access to educational and social activities helps children regain a sense of normalcy during long recovery periods.
Strengthening Women’s Economic Resilience
Women’s Life Centers in Türkiye also focus on strengthening long-term resilience by supporting women’s economic participation. The centers offer skills development programs, information sessions and community initiatives that help women explore employment opportunities and rebuild livelihoods disrupted by the earthquake. Economic recovery is an essential part of reducing long-term poverty risks following natural disasters.
According to the World Bank, disasters can significantly affect vulnerable households by disrupting employment and access to services. Programs that support women’s economic participation and financial stability can therefore contribute to stronger community recovery and long-term resilience.
Community-Driven Recovery
Community initiatives such as Women’s Life Centers in Türkiye demonstrate how locally grounded support systems can help families recover after major crises. By providing protection services, psychosocial support and opportunities for social and economic engagement, the centers address several challenges faced by women and children following disasters.
As recovery efforts continue in earthquake-affected regions, programs that prioritize the well-being of women and children remain essential. Women’s Life Centers in Türkiye highlight how community-based support can strengthen resilience, promote stability and help vulnerable families rebuild their futures after disaster.
– Isil Ertas Senturk
Photo: Flickr
Estonia’s Startup Ecosystem Supports Economic Growth
As a result, Estonia is often recognized as one of the most digitally advanced countries in Europe. Government initiatives and public-private partnerships play a central role in supporting startups. By combining digital governance with entrepreneurial support programs, Estonia has built a system that encourages innovation while reducing barriers to entry for new businesses.
Startup Estonia
One of the primary initiatives supporting Estonia’s startup ecosystem is Startup Estonia. This government-backed program aims to develop the country’s startup sector by connecting entrepreneurs with funding, mentorship and global markets.
Startup Estonia works to attract international investors while also supporting local entrepreneurs through networking opportunities and training programs. The initiative has helped foster a collaborative environment where startups can grow and access global resources. By strengthening connections between businesses, investors and policymakers, the program supports long-term economic development.
E-Residency Program
Another major contributor to Estonia’s startup ecosystem is the e-Residency program. This initiative allows individuals from around the world to establish and manage businesses in Estonia entirely online. Through e-Residency, entrepreneurs can access Estonia’s digital services, including company registration, banking and tax filing.
This program has attracted thousands of international business owners, increasing foreign investment and expanding Estonia’s economic reach. By reducing administrative barriers, e-Residency enables startups to operate efficiently in global markets.
Digital Infrastructure and Innovation
Estonia’s digital infrastructure plays a central role in the success of its startup ecosystem. Platforms such as X-Road allow secure data exchange between government institutions, reducing bureaucracy and improving efficiency.
Digital ID systems also enable citizens and entrepreneurs to access services quickly, from signing contracts to filing taxes. These systems reduce the time and cost associated with starting and running a business. As a result, startups can focus more on growth and innovation rather than administrative processes.
Investment and Economic Impact
The Estonian startup ecosystem has attracted significant investment from both domestic and international sources. Venture capital funding and accelerator programs provide startups with the financial resources needed to scale their operations.
These investments have contributed to job creation in sectors such as technology, finance and logistics. As startups expand, they create employment opportunities and contribute to economic diversification. This growth can also benefit low-income Estonians by opening up new pathways to stable employment, particularly for young people and job seekers looking to enter emerging industries.
Over time, a stronger, more diversified economy can help reduce poverty by increasing household incomes and expanding access to economic opportunities.
The Big Picture
The Estonian startup ecosystem demonstrates how targeted policies and digital innovation can drive economic growth. Programs such as Startup Estonia and e-Residency, combined with strong digital infrastructure, create an environment where businesses can thrive.
As Estonia continues to invest in entrepreneurship and innovation, its startup ecosystem offers insights for other countries seeking to promote economic development. By reducing barriers to entry and supporting small businesses, the startup ecosystem in Estonia contributes to long-term economic stability and opportunity.
– Jason Hill
Photo: Unsplash
How Charities Are Responding to Flooding in Kenya
The Effects of Flooding in Kenya
The flooding in Kenya has resulted in displacement, deaths, damaged or lost infrastructure and farmland, with destruction across all sectors: 11,311 losses in livestock, submergence of 61 key roads and the destruction of nearly 2,000 schools and 62 health centres nationwide, according to Help.NGO.
One personal testimony comes from Felista, who states: “Flooding has taken away my livelihood source.” Felista is a displaced mother and business owner as a herbalist, who looks after her daughter and grandchildren owing to her daughter’s mental health issues, and now “[she] can no longer access herbs.”
Unfortunately, the combination of flooding in Kenya and the ensuing fast-onset drought has not only hurt individuals’ and families’ incomes, but also people’s health and access to basic necessities such as food, water, and education.
Public Health Concerns
According to Dr Pius Mutuku, a medical epidemiologist from the Ministry of Health, flooding made 14 facilities close down and affected a major water treatment facility, resulting in a shortage of clean water for 3,000 people. Tana River County alone reported 44 cholera cases, which is one of the most flood-affected regions and in displacement camps that are rapidly filling up, medical emergencies such as this are significant worries to public health.
Poverty is a multidimensional issue, affecting not only the economy but also creating a poverty of knowledge and independence. Schools across the country have closed due to water damage, postponing term for two weeks due to the disruption and lost infrastructure that prevents staff and students travelling to school. The Kenyan government has chosen to demolish houses, specifically informal settlements near the major rivers – the worst affected flood zones- to reduce future flood damage. However, this means destroying nearby infrastructure also, which puts families in the worst socio-economic situations at greater risk, removing their access further to facilities for health care or education.
The Response
Kenya Red Cross (KRCS) has traditionally been the centre of emergency response efforts, but the organization found itself stretched beyond capacity in this crisis and in need of additional man-power and financial support. County emergency funds had been depleted, and local authorities were unable to respond to the flooding in Kenya alone until Help NGO joined KRCS, offering field support and new technology.
The United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has also contributed to the crisis team, allocating $3 million US dollars to humanitarian partners to support the assistance of 190,000 people across 10 counties severely ruined by the flooding in Kenya.
Funding is a silent but crucial element of resolving national and international crises like this one, and this money from CERF went toward organizations like the World Food Program (WFP), which is providing cash assistance to affected families, to help them meet their most urgent needs in the time of disruption and loss. This cash assistance aimed to reach those most vulnerable in society, and those most harshly affected by the floods and drought, such as the disabled, chronically ill, or the urban poor population.
Another method of cash assistance and funding is the Adaptation Fund, which finances projects worth more than $49 million to reshape infrastructure so it can withstand natural disaster-influenced events like shock floods and droughts. This aid is especially significant to those living in urban poverty, whose informal settlements are most vulnerable to extreme weather events.
The Results
Part of Help.NGO’s action has been providing new advanced drone technology to work alongside satellites, and survey the extent of damage done to Kenya’s landscape. Without this level of surveillance, the government would not be able to accurately implement aid to the regions and communities that are most in need. These drones have provided invaluable data for “recovery and reconstruction,” according to a Help NGO spokesperson.
The images and data from Help.NGO’s technology helped a multitude of missions, including organizing medical assistance. The Ministry of Health has immensely benefited from this information, and have been able to set up medical camps with the support of KRCS for continuity of services for the more than 4,000 people hurt by hospital closures.
In addition, WHO deployed more than 720 first responders to flood-affected zones to offer on-site recovery and attention, and attend to patients across Kenya’s 192 medical camps. The mission also distributed cholera kits and treated approximately 10,000 people.
The Future
Funding can change an individual’s life, like Felista, who has now been able to reopen her business and return her grandchildren to school. CERF provided her with KES 10,000- equivalent to $80, which has enabled her to pay school fees, buy food, and, significantly, the herbs and materials she needs to get her business up and running again. With the help of KRCS and Help NGO, financial aid and technology are reshaping Kenya, socially and physically, building a safer and more stable country for generations to come.
– Jaya Noonan
Photo: Flickr
Supporting Rural Communities in Tonga
Connectivity and Communication
The eruption of the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai underwater volcano and subsequent tsunamis in 2022 severed 55 miles of the underwater data cable that connected Tonga to the world via Fiji. While most countries have multiple data cables, the U.K. has 50, Tonga has only one. During the five weeks it took for repairs to be conducted, the island nation was cut off from the internet and the wider world.
The damage from the once-in-1,000-year eruption highlighted the fragility and importance of internet connectivity. Of the 130 people over the age of 10 on Hunga, only 44 had access to the internet in 2024, a trend seen across the Asia-Pacific region, where only 47% of individuals in rural areas use the internet compared with 82% in urban areas.
In response, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), as part of a Joint Program to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and its Smart Villages and Smart Islands Initiative (SVSI), established Hunga’s Digital Hub. The hub provides locals with high-speed and reliable internet access, which has reshaped the island’s education and agricultural sectors. Teachers at the two primary schools on the island now have access to online resources, while older students, whose attendance at high schools on the main island of Vava’u was previously affected by ocean conditions, are now able to learn online. Fishermen and farmers can also market online and arrange sales before costly trips to the mainland.
Community Empowerment and Food Security
The most well-known development project in Tonga is the Tonga Rural Innovation Project (TRIP), which has had two phases — Phase I from 2012 to 2017 and Phase II from 2018 to 2025 — with a third phase agreed upon in February 2026. The project is a collaboration between the government of Tonga, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and other key stakeholders.
The success of TRIP II was apparent in the project’s recent Completion Report, which highlighted the ways the program exceeded targets in several key areas. With a total budget of $12.66 million, the project reached 9,291 households and more than 32,000 people across 122 communities, exceeding targets by 93%. Post-project surveys revealed that 99.8% of households surveyed reported knowledge of TRIP II, with a participation rate of 97.4% in Community Development Planning.
The project was not without difficulties. The COVID-19 pandemic and the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai eruption presented challenges for the program. In response, increased funding and a time extension were allocated to ensure success, with an additional grant of $0.7 million financed by the IFAD and the Australian government. Overall, TRIP II helped support rural communities in Tonga by increasing the volume of crops cultivated and incomes generated by agriculture, with yam, sweet potato and Tonga taro yields rising by 52.9%, 59.4% and 54.3%, respectively.
Climate Resilience and Infrastructure
The financial implications of natural disasters are often severe for Tonga, with the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai eruption contributing to a decline in real GDP of almost 6% in 2021 and 2022. Combined with the threat such events pose to the lives of Tongans, the need to act is apparent. This led to the establishment of the Tonga Australia Resilient Communities Program (TARCP), agreed in December 2024 between the Australian government and the MORDI Tonga Trust (MORDI).
With a budget of AUD $9.7 million, the project aims to work alongside other initiatives and align with several U.N. SDGs to establish greater economic and climate resilience, as well as build climate infrastructure and improve access to water, sanitation and hygiene supplies through local approaches and international funding. The project remains in its early stages, with targets to improve resilience and quality of life for around 39,300 Tongans across five of Tonga’s main island groups: Tongatapu, Vava’u, Ha’apai, ‘Eua and the Niuas.
Looking Ahead
Progress has been made to support rural communities in Tonga and projects continue to expand. Indeed, the recent agreement of TRIP III represents a continuation of the work begun under previous phases. Together, ongoing international development projects offer pathways to strengthen rural communities in Tonga and reduce the financial and social impact of natural disasters and economic isolation.
– Sean Patrick Welsh
Photo: Flickr
Francis Kéré’s Survival Architecture and Health Care in Burundi
The architecture of health can take both literal and metaphorical forms. Global poverty is one of the biggest threats to a person’s health, and East Africa has historically been one of the poorest regions in the Global South. As a result, many countries in the region are spending more on debt repayments than on health care. Alongside cholera epidemics and vaccine inequality, countries such as Burundi have extremely low health ratings, with a poverty rate of 74.2% and a high maternal mortality rate.
Emmanuel Niyonkuru, a nurse at a local health facility in Burundi, stated that more funding for infrastructure, more training for doctors and nurses and a reliable supply of essential medicines are needed to make the necessary progress.
The Architect
As of March 2026, a new health care facility is underway in Burundi’s Bubanza region, and Francis Kéré, African laureate and winner of the 2022 Pritzker Prize, is the figure behind it. Kéré, often referred to as the “Nobel of Architecture” recipient, was praised by judges for his efforts to change unsustainable patterns of production and consumption and for helping to develop new infrastructure that prioritizes sustainability.
Kéré’s work demonstrates a commitment to Africa and its topography. He was raised in Burkina Faso in West Africa and has received global recognition for his work. He currently has large-scale projects in countries such as the United States (U.S.), Brazil and Germany. The ethos of his architecture is survival, and he has said that everything he does is born out of necessity.
This new clinic will focus on maternity care and specialized surgical treatment, taking into account the absence of electricity in the region and the acute challenges facing Burundi’s health as one of Africa’s poorest countries.
The Architecture
In 2001, Kéré set out to build the Gando Primary School in the Boulgou area. Different from the concrete and glass buildings of Europe, the primary material involved in the construction of the school was mud bricks. In areas without electricity, these clay bricks are heat-absorbent, allowing the school to remain cool. Kéré aims to use regional knowledge in his architecture, showing commitment to local resources and local techniques.
The Burundi health care facility will follow this pattern, reducing costs through using locally sourced bricks, clay and stone, along with traditional building skills. Alongside providing health care to the region, this approach will also support the regional economy by training local workers. Beyond the building itself, Kéré is building systemic networks of support and stability for the communities that need them.
Looking Ahead
Recent United Nations (U.N.) reports note that the health sector in many African countries remains highly dependent on foreign funding. Funding can take different forms, and addressing global poverty involves both small-scale support for individuals and the larger-scale infrastructure that facilitates it.
Nana Biamah-Ofosu, a Ghanaian British architect and critic, has called Kéré the leading figure of an African renaissance of architecture. She has also stated that learning from Africa as a place of deep knowledge is important for the survival of humanity.
The 3,000-square-meter complex is expected to open in 2026, improving access to health care in Burundi.
– Grace Sandall
Photo: Flickr
Emergency Backpacks and Flood Relief in Bangladesh
Flooding and Poverty in Bangladesh
Bangladesh has a poverty rate that has fluctuated significantly in recent years. In 2022, the poverty rate dropped to 18%, but as of 2025, it has risen to 28%. More than a quarter of the population suffers from increasing amounts of infrastructure vulnerability, food insecurity and chronic illness. A huge reason for this recent rise in poverty rate is due to floods brought about by climate change.
In recent years, Bangladesh has been the country that became significantly vulnerable to natural disasters, since its geographical location makes it particularly prone to floods. This is due to nearby basins that receive massive amounts of rain year-round. The rain pools in basins and then washes through Bangladesh into the Bay of Bengal. Plus, the location of the country’s residential infrastructure is placed right in the way of the flood path. The facts make Bangladesh’s future seem daunting, but hope is not lost.
CARE and Emergency Backpacks
In the midst of the flood, no help could get in to those in need because of the harsh conditions, except CARE, which had planned ahead of time. It placed 500 emergency backpacks in easy-to-access places, so that when the need arose, emergency tools would be available. In addition, CARE operated to distribute more packages to those most in need, even during holiday hours.
These CARE packages are compact, lightweight tube-shaped backpacks that consist of essential hygiene products, first aid materials, and emergency equipment personalized to the needs of each individual. They may contain any of the following:
During post-effort surveys, CARE recorded some inspiring metrics. Women specifically reported that the menstrual hygiene products provided were extremely helpful, improving their wellbeing in ways beyond just cleanliness. 66% of women used the kits mainly because of their hygiene products. Solar-powered technology was also among the most used items; 72% of households used solar power to restore use of their mobile devices to contact help and find crucial information. Sixty four percent of people reported that solar-powered lights helped them remain safe and calm at night.
Overall, backpacks helped 336 households, and 99% of those who received the packages reported their satisfaction with the tools provided. Thanks to this success, CARE has been able to implement CARE packages in Nepal, Malawi, the Philippines, and Mozambique in addition to Bangladesh. CARE has even partnered with The Coca-Cola Foundation to expand the production and distribution of the packages.
CARE’s flood relief aid in Bangladesh is a beacon of hope for poverty eradication. If projects like this continue to be well-funded and backed by influential donors like Coca-Cola, positive change is on the horizon.
– Lucas Cain
Photo: Flickr