Fragility and the rule of law in Peru remain closely intertwined with political instability, corruption and low public confidence have weakened the rule of law in Peru, limiting equal enforcement and protection of citizens’ rights.
These challenges limit accountability, restrict access to justice and disproportionately harm low-income and marginalized communities, reinforcing cycles of poverty. Peru has made economic gains over the past two decades, but since 2023, 29% of the population still lives in poverty with rural and indigenous communities facing the highest vulnerability.
Structural Weaknesses in Peru’s Justice System
Public confidence in Peru’s institutions is extremely low. According to the World Justice Project’s 2022 general population poll, only 36% of Peruvians believe high-ranking officials will face accountability for breaking the law, a modest improvement from 2018. Moreover, 84% of respondents believe most or all members of Congress are involved in corrupt practices with 78% stating the same of political parties.
This erosion of trust weakens democratic legitimacy and reduces incentives for people to engage with formal institutions, leaving vulnerable communities exposed to abuse and exclusion. Therefore, fragility and the rule of law in Peru directly shape the country’s ability to reduce poverty and promote inclusive development.
Peru has approximately 10 judges per 100,000 inhabitants, below the OECD European average of 18. Access to justice is uneven; only 27% of Peruvians with recent legal problems received professional assistance, 19% struggled with costs and 47% experienced stress or health hardships. Rural and Indigenous populations are disproportionately affected, reinforcing legal inequality.
For rural and Indigenous populations, geographic isolation and financial barriers make courts nearly inaccessible. Without reliable legal protection, people face higher risks of land dispossession, labor exploitation and environmental harm; all factors that deepen poverty and inequality.
Political Interference and Judicial Independence
Political interference has further undermined judicial independence in Peru. According to America’s director at Human Rights Watch, Juanita Goebertus states that “Peru’s Congress has severely weakened one of the last standing independent bodies that could serve as a check on its abusive practices.” As a result of these weakened oversights, it has reduced institutional autonomy and limits the ability to investigate corruption and organized crime.
High-profile prosecutions, such as former President Martin Vizcarra’s, illustrate perceived selective enforcement and politicization, limiting public confidence in judicial impartiality.
In August 2022, Peru granted immunity to security forces accused of human rights abuses during the 1980–2000 internal conflict, halting more than 600 cases and overturning 156 convictions, raising concerns over international obligations.
Civil Society and Legal Accountability
Civil society organizations play a critical role in expanding access to justice and monitoring government conduct. However, recent legislation has introduced new restrictions on non-governmental organizations. The Guardian reported that new laws allow fines of up to $500,000 against NGOs that support legal actions against the state, potentially affecting hundreds of organizations involved in legal advocacy and human rights protection. These measures risk reducing legal support for marginalized communities and weakening external oversight, further undermining accountability under the rule of law in Peru.
As funding and advocacy space shrink, poor and marginalized populations lose essential support networks, making it harder to challenge abuses or access public services. This further illustrates how fragility and the rule of law in Peru compounds economic vulnerability.
Consequences and Reform Prospects
The erosion of the rule of law in Peru has measurable governance consequences. According to the World Bank’s Worldwide Governance Indicators, Peru’s rule of law score stood at -0.54 in 2023. These negative scores reflect weak confidence in contract enforcement, judicial independence and legal predictability.
The OECD Justice Review emphasizes the need for reforms focused on strengthening judicial independence, expanding access to justice in underprivileged regions, improving institutional coordination and safeguarding civil society participation.
Government and NGO Responses To Rule of Law Challenges
Despite persistent challenges, government programs and NGO initiatives are working to strengthen the rule of law in Peru. One major effort is the Justice Sector Support Project (JSSP‑2), led by the American Bar Association’s Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) in collaboration with Peru’s Ministry of Justice and Human Rights and funded by the U.S. State Department. Launched in 2022, this program operates across all 34 judicial districts and seeks to consolidate judicial reforms, improve Peru’s capacity to combat complex crimes, prevent and detect corruption, and strengthen access to justice, especially for vulnerable and Indigenous communities. It builds on a previous five‑year project and has included nationwide oral litigation workshops with more than 600 participants, as well as practical training for prosecutors and police on environmental law and crime investigation.
Peru’s experience demonstrates the close relationship between state fragility and the erosion of the rule of law. There is empirical evidence that reveals low public confidence in accountability mechanisms, limited judicial capacity, political interference in legal institutions and growing constraints on civil society. Together, these factors undermine the effective functioning of the justice system and weaken democratic governance.
– Madison Brown
Madison is based in Nottingham, UK and focuses on Good News and Celebs for The Borgen Project.
Photo: Unsplash
Waste-to-Fuel Microfactories in Lagos
Lagos’s shift toward circular waste strategies seeks to move beyond disposal toward resource recovery, allowing communities to benefit economically from materials previously considered waste. Waste-to-fuel microfactories in Lagos could function as decentralized hubs where plastic waste, agricultural scraps and organics become fuels like briquettes, biogas or process heat for local use.
Local Waste Processing Reduces Environmental Burden
Lagos is advancing circular waste economy and energy recovery partnerships that aim to harness the inherent value of solid waste rather than burden landfills. For example, the state is actively working to replace its linear waste model with one focusing on energy recovery and material reuse, reflecting a broader strategy to transform waste into resources.
The Lagos State Government has signed a partnership with Harvest Waste Consortium, a Dutch company that will build a waste-to-energy plant at the Epe landfill using advanced technology to convert municipal, commercial and industrial waste into clean energy. This facility could generate usable electrical power and provide a model for how waste-to-fuel microfactories might function at smaller, community scales.
Additionally, collaboration between Lagos State and Lafarge Africa aims to convert non-recyclable combustible waste into alternative fuel for industrial use, an initiative that demonstrates how waste can become fuel for energy and production rather than end up in dumpsites.
Public Health, Jobs and Economic Opportunities
Beyond large waste-to-energy facilities, Lagos is positioning waste as a source of economic value. A recent forum on waste management emphasized that waste should be seen as “wealth we recover,” highlighting the potential for new jobs in waste collection, sorting, processing and energy conversion. This shift toward circular strategies supports livelihoods and provides training and employment for local residents, demonstrating how waste-to-fuel microfactories could create income streams at community level.
Traditional solid fuels like charcoal and kerosene contribute to indoor air pollution and respiratory illness, particularly among low-income households. Waste-derived energy products, including briquettes or biogas, burn more cleanly and could reduce harmful emissions when adopted at household or community levels. Research on waste-to-energy technologies in Nigeria notes the potential public health gains when municipal solid waste is converted to usable energy rather than left to decompose in open dumps.
Circular Economy Models Strengthen Urban Resilience
Lagos officials have acknowledged that waste is an untapped economic opportunity, and strategic circular economy plans aim to build systems that treat waste as a resource. Experts say that sustainable energy recovery strategies — including pyrolysis and other waste conversion technologies, offer a pathway toward economic growth, reduced environmental impact and enhanced energy security in Nigeria’s largest city.
Waste-to-fuel microfactories in Lagos, though still emerging, fit within a larger movement toward circular waste management, energy recovery and community-focused economic opportunity. By transforming waste into usable fuels and energy products, these systems could reduce landfill burdens, create jobs and expand access to cleaner energy for underserved communities. With continued investment, supportive policy frameworks and community engagement, Lagos’s approach to waste-to-fuel technologies can play a meaningful role in addressing both environmental and socioeconomic challenges in the city.
– Shahzeb Khan
Photo: Flickr
Humanitarian Efforts To Address Elderly Poverty in Tonga
Improving Health Care Access for Older Adults
One of the most significant developments in addressing elderly poverty in Tonga has been the expansion of social welfare and health care programs for older adults. According to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Tonga has strengthened its social protection framework to support vulnerable populations, including seniors. In December 2023, the government and ADB signed a $16.18 million USD grant to improve safe and high-quality health care services for older individuals and their caregivers.
In November 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) approved the Health Enhancement and Resiliency in Tonga (HEART) Project, which granted $30 million USD towards non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. Improved health care access plays a critical role in reducing elderly poverty, as untreated illness often leads to increased financial strain and dependence.
Regional and Community-Based Support Initiatives
Regional organizations have also contributed to reducing elderly poverty. According to HelpAge International, Tonga has increasingly participated in age-inclusive policy discussions within the Asia-Pacific region. These efforts promote the rights of older people and encourage governments to integrate aging considerations into national development strategies.
At the community level, local organizations and churches continue to play an important role in supporting elderly Tongans. While family-based care remains central to Tongan culture, these community networks provide additional assistance such as food support, social engagement and caregiving for seniors who lack immediate family support. Organizations include Her Majesty Queen Nanasipau’u Charity and Tongan Health Society.
Financial Plans and Social Security
Financial plans are an effective way to reduce elderly poverty in Tonga, given that the majority of jobs are labor-intensive. Tonga established the National Retirement Benefits Fund (NRBF) under the National Retirement Benefits Scheme (NRBS) Act of 2010 to provide financial security for Tongans in old age. The fund offers benefits related to retirement between the ages of 60 and 70, as well as support in cases of permanent total disability, early release or death.
In addition to providing retirement benefits, the NRBF promotes national savings and investment, helping working Tongans build long-term financial stability for old age. Complementing this system, Tonga introduced a Social Welfare Scheme in September 2012, which provides monthly financial assistance of $65 TOP to elderly citizens aged 75 and older. This offers direct income support to some of the country’s most vulnerable seniors.
Overall, elderly poverty in Tonga is improving through expanded social protection, health care investment and age-inclusive policy development supported by regional and international aid. While the elderly population makes up approximately 3% of Tonga’s population, the goal is to ensure they have access to funds whenever they need them. Through local and regional organizations and government grants, the road to ending elderly poverty in Tonga is near.
– Simran Dev
Photo: Flickr
Child Soldiers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Military Presence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Armed groups operate throughout eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, particularly in North and South Kivu. One of the most prominent groups, the March 23 Movement (M23), has maintained a strong presence in these areas for years. The group challenges the Congolese government over security and political control and seeks to expand its territorial influence.
According to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), M23 has capitalized on regional instability to strengthen its military capabilities and territorial control.
In January 2025, M23 captured the city of Goma, the capital of North Kivu. The group also seized control of coltan-rich regions, a resource critical to global electronics manufacturing. Access to these minerals provides M23 with a steady source of revenue, increasing its military power and influence. As fighting intensified, violence displaced approximately 350,000 people, according to the United Nations refugee agency. This mass displacement further deepened poverty and exposed children to exploitation and forced recruitment.
War and Poverty
The Democratic Republic of the Congo ranks among the poorest countries in the world. As of recent estimates, more than 77% of the population lives on less than $1.90 per day. Chronic poverty severely affects children, with 46% suffering from stunted growth due to malnutrition. Armed conflict exacerbates these conditions by destroying livelihoods, separating families and forcing communities to flee their homes.
Displaced children often become “street children,” lacking protection, education and access to basic necessities. These children face extreme vulnerability and frequently experience exploitation through hazardous labor, abuse and military recruitment. Poverty strips children of alternatives, leaving armed groups free to manipulate and coerce them into violence.
Child Soldiers
Armed groups actively recruit and abduct children from the streets and displacement camps. M23 and other militias forcibly recruit children as young as eight years old and transport them to training camps. In one M23 camp, children made up at least 20% of the 1,000 trainees. Militias target children because they lack power, protection and agency.
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, child soldiers are often referred to as “kadogos,” meaning “little ones” in Swahili. Armed groups force these children into dangerous roles as fighters, porters and lookouts. Militias frequently use child soldiers as cannon fodder, assigning them the riskiest tasks due to their perceived expendability. Girls face additional risks, including sexual violence and exploitation, both within armed groups and while living on the streets.
A former child soldier named Constance, living in a displacement camp near Goma in late 2024, told The Guardian, “I went to war… it was a nightmare.” Poverty pushed her to join a militia opposing M23, where she carried rocket-propelled grenades into combat. Her experience reflects a broader pattern, as UNICEF estimates that children make up approximately 30% of armed group members in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Reintegration and Support Efforts
Despite the scale of the crisis, organizations continue to support former child soldiers and displaced children. War Child began operating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2004, focusing on education, child protection and psychosocial support. The organization works to reintegrate former child soldiers into their communities by providing trauma-informed mental health care, access to education and family reunification services.
In eastern DRC, War Child has provided more than 14,900 children with education and protective services and delivered psychosocial support to more than 17,000 displaced children affected by conflict. These programs help children rebuild their lives and reduce the risk of re-recruitment into armed groups.
Conclusion
The persistence of child soldiers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo demonstrates how violence, poverty and exploitation intersect during prolonged conflict. Armed groups continue to prey on vulnerable children, using war and economic desperation to sustain their ranks. While humanitarian organizations like War Child offer pathways toward recovery and reintegration, lasting solutions require sustained international engagement, poverty reduction and protection for children caught in conflict. Addressing the root causes of recruitment remains essential to ending the cycle of exploitation and violence.
– Alice Morris
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Yoga Alleviates Poverty in Africa
Communities and organizations now adapt yoga, once associated mainly with wellness studios in the Global North, into skills-based programs that generate income, create employment and build economic resilience in vulnerable communities. Yoga alleviates poverty in Africa by addressing the barriers that prevent people from securing stable livelihoods.
Africa’s Employment Crisis
Africa’s unemployment rate, at 7.9%, exceeds the global rate of 5.6%. Within the region, Northern Africa has the world’s highest unemployment rate (11.7%) and sub-Saharan Africa’s rate (7.2%) is also above the world average.
Although unemployment rates remain high, they capture only one dimension of Africa’s employment crisis. In many countries, such as South Africa and Eswatini, the prevalence of low wages, casual and irregular work, uncertain hours and a lack of workplace protections prevents employment from guaranteeing economic security. This structural challenge leaves millions working without stability or a reliable pathway out of poverty.
Young people feel this crisis most sharply. African youth aged 15-35 have extremely high unemployment rates: 33% in Egypt, 43% in Mali and 54.2% in South Africa. Many analysts attribute these figures to a youth skills deficit, which drives structural unemployment and underemployment.
Africa Yoga Project
Africa Yoga Project (AYP) educates, empowers and expands employability among African youth through yoga-based training programs. Its mission is to create opportunities for young people to become self-sustaining leaders within their communities by combining physical and mental well-being with practical, income-generating skills. AYP offers yoga teacher training, leadership development and mentorship programs that equip participants with marketable skills to earn a living.
Graduates work as yoga instructors, often teaching in schools or online since the COVID-19 pandemic. These opportunities are particularly significant in regions where formal employment is limited and youth unemployment remains high. By transforming yoga into a viable livelihood, AYP addresses both economic insecurity and community well-being.
Its programs demonstrate how yoga alleviates poverty in Africa by developing skills and improving mental health, resilience and social cohesion in underserved communities.
Project Air
Project Air shows how yoga can support poverty alleviation by meeting people where they are, emotionally, physically and socially. The initiative works with HIV-positive survivors of Rwanda’s 1994 genocide, many of whom carry deep trauma that makes daily life and economic participation feel out of reach. Through gentle, trauma-informed yoga, Project Air helps participants rebuild strength, regulate stress and reconnect with their bodies in ways that support stability and self-reliance.
By working alongside local survivor associations, the Rwandan Ministry of Health and UNICEF, Project Air creates safe, supportive spaces rooted in trust and community. The program also provides food, clothing and shared care, easing daily pressures so women and children can focus on healing and rebuilding their futures. These practical and emotional supports allow participants to reengage with their communities and begin imagining long-term livelihood opportunities.
As the first yoga initiative to receive United Nations (U.N.) endorsement, Project Air illustrates how yoga alleviates poverty in Africa by restoring dignity, well-being and economic participation in post-conflict societies. For some participants, the most profound outcome was simple but transformative: they slept peacefully for the first time since the genocide.
Yoga as a Tool for Poverty Reduction
The work of initiatives such as AYP and Project Air shows that poverty reduction in Africa requires more than job creation alone. By addressing skills gaps, trauma and mental well-being, yoga-based programs remove barriers that prevent young people and survivors of conflict from fully participating in economic life. While yoga does not replace large-scale employment policy, these community-led efforts demonstrate how low-cost, integrated interventions can build resilience and self-reliance.
Together, they show how yoga alleviates poverty in Africa by linking well-being with economic empowerment and placing human dignity at the center of development.
– Iona Gethin
Photo: Flickr
Everything To Know About Hunger in Iran
Roots of Hunger
According to the 2025 Global Hunger Index (GHI), Iran ranks 40th out of 123 countries, reflecting moderate hunger levels rather than extreme deprivation. Although the number of people experiencing hunger has declined, food security has become increasingly unstable. Western sanctions linked to Iran’s human rights record and nuclear program have worsened this deterioration by restricting food imports and driving unprecedented food inflation. At the same time, reduced rainfall has weakened agricultural production and intensified existing vulnerabilities.
The COVID-19 pandemic further reduced household incomes and increased unemployment, which limited access to affordable food. These economic pressures placed low-income families at particular risk and made it difficult for many households to obtain even basic nutrition.
Environmental mismanagement has also played a major role, particularly poor water governance. Agriculture consumes the majority of Iran’s water resources because the government heavily subsidizes water.
As a result, farmers have little incentive to conserve water and often rely on inefficient irrigation practices that drive excessive water consumption. These policies have pushed Iran into severe water stress and weakened the country’s ability to ensure stable and affordable food supplies.
Consequences of Hunger and Malnutrition
Rising food prices have made nutritious foods such as meat and dairy increasingly unaffordable. Iran’s Deputy Health Minister, Alireza Raisi, has reported that Iranians consume less than half of the recommended levels of meat and dairy.
Malnutrition does not only appear as undernourishment due to nutrient deficiencies; it also appears as abdominal obesity driven by reliance on starchy, low-quality foods. This dietary pattern has fueled rising obesity rates across Iran and increased the risk of cardiovascular disease and other life-threatening illnesses.
Addressing the Crisis
In present-day Iran, hunger involves more than empty plates. Poor-quality diets, declining health and rising rates of diet-related diseases all reflect the depth of the crisis. Hunger persists because existing systems fail to ensure that all Iranians can access nutritious food at affordable prices. Changing weather patterns, ineffective policies, international sanctions, prolonged drought and economic instability continue to intensify the problem.
Despite these challenges, international organizations and nonprofit groups continue to operate programs that address hunger and support vulnerable populations in Iran.
One of the most significant ongoing efforts in Iran comes from the World Food Programme (WFP), which has supported refugees in the country for decades. Iran hosts approximately 3.4 million refugees, many of whom face severe food insecurity. Through school feeding programs and direct food assistance, WFP reduces pressure on the Iranian government and its limited resources. These programs improve food access for refugees and promote integration into host communities through supporting livelihood and income-generating activities that strengthen economic independence among refugee populations.
Smaller-scale nonprofit organizations also play a critical role in addressing hunger at the community level. Moms Against Poverty, for example, has delivered approximately 2.6 million meals as of 2024 to thousands of Iranian children and families experiencing food insecurity.
Even though the hunger in Iran still requires attention, international organizations and nonprofit groups continue to push forward, working toward a future free from hunger.
– Ameena Khan
Photo: Unsplash
Fragility and Rule of Law in Peru
These challenges limit accountability, restrict access to justice and disproportionately harm low-income and marginalized communities, reinforcing cycles of poverty. Peru has made economic gains over the past two decades, but since 2023, 29% of the population still lives in poverty with rural and indigenous communities facing the highest vulnerability.
Structural Weaknesses in Peru’s Justice System
Public confidence in Peru’s institutions is extremely low. According to the World Justice Project’s 2022 general population poll, only 36% of Peruvians believe high-ranking officials will face accountability for breaking the law, a modest improvement from 2018. Moreover, 84% of respondents believe most or all members of Congress are involved in corrupt practices with 78% stating the same of political parties.
This erosion of trust weakens democratic legitimacy and reduces incentives for people to engage with formal institutions, leaving vulnerable communities exposed to abuse and exclusion. Therefore, fragility and the rule of law in Peru directly shape the country’s ability to reduce poverty and promote inclusive development.
Peru has approximately 10 judges per 100,000 inhabitants, below the OECD European average of 18. Access to justice is uneven; only 27% of Peruvians with recent legal problems received professional assistance, 19% struggled with costs and 47% experienced stress or health hardships. Rural and Indigenous populations are disproportionately affected, reinforcing legal inequality.
For rural and Indigenous populations, geographic isolation and financial barriers make courts nearly inaccessible. Without reliable legal protection, people face higher risks of land dispossession, labor exploitation and environmental harm; all factors that deepen poverty and inequality.
Political Interference and Judicial Independence
Political interference has further undermined judicial independence in Peru. According to America’s director at Human Rights Watch, Juanita Goebertus states that “Peru’s Congress has severely weakened one of the last standing independent bodies that could serve as a check on its abusive practices.” As a result of these weakened oversights, it has reduced institutional autonomy and limits the ability to investigate corruption and organized crime.
High-profile prosecutions, such as former President Martin Vizcarra’s, illustrate perceived selective enforcement and politicization, limiting public confidence in judicial impartiality.
In August 2022, Peru granted immunity to security forces accused of human rights abuses during the 1980–2000 internal conflict, halting more than 600 cases and overturning 156 convictions, raising concerns over international obligations.
Civil Society and Legal Accountability
Civil society organizations play a critical role in expanding access to justice and monitoring government conduct. However, recent legislation has introduced new restrictions on non-governmental organizations. The Guardian reported that new laws allow fines of up to $500,000 against NGOs that support legal actions against the state, potentially affecting hundreds of organizations involved in legal advocacy and human rights protection. These measures risk reducing legal support for marginalized communities and weakening external oversight, further undermining accountability under the rule of law in Peru.
As funding and advocacy space shrink, poor and marginalized populations lose essential support networks, making it harder to challenge abuses or access public services. This further illustrates how fragility and the rule of law in Peru compounds economic vulnerability.
Consequences and Reform Prospects
The erosion of the rule of law in Peru has measurable governance consequences. According to the World Bank’s Worldwide Governance Indicators, Peru’s rule of law score stood at -0.54 in 2023. These negative scores reflect weak confidence in contract enforcement, judicial independence and legal predictability.
The OECD Justice Review emphasizes the need for reforms focused on strengthening judicial independence, expanding access to justice in underprivileged regions, improving institutional coordination and safeguarding civil society participation.
Government and NGO Responses To Rule of Law Challenges
Despite persistent challenges, government programs and NGO initiatives are working to strengthen the rule of law in Peru. One major effort is the Justice Sector Support Project (JSSP‑2), led by the American Bar Association’s Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) in collaboration with Peru’s Ministry of Justice and Human Rights and funded by the U.S. State Department. Launched in 2022, this program operates across all 34 judicial districts and seeks to consolidate judicial reforms, improve Peru’s capacity to combat complex crimes, prevent and detect corruption, and strengthen access to justice, especially for vulnerable and Indigenous communities. It builds on a previous five‑year project and has included nationwide oral litigation workshops with more than 600 participants, as well as practical training for prosecutors and police on environmental law and crime investigation.
Peru’s experience demonstrates the close relationship between state fragility and the erosion of the rule of law. There is empirical evidence that reveals low public confidence in accountability mechanisms, limited judicial capacity, political interference in legal institutions and growing constraints on civil society. Together, these factors undermine the effective functioning of the justice system and weaken democratic governance.
– Madison Brown
Photo: Unsplash
5 Diseases Impacting Myanmar
5 Diseases Impacting Myanmar
The communicable diseases impacting Myanmar include:
Chronic Illnesses
Chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and cancer are fatal for these people, because hospitals are underfunded, medicines are unavailable and travel to care is dangerous. Expanding access to health care, essential medicines lists and decentralized treatment is critical. Myanmar remains one of the world’s most underfunded humanitarian operations, receiving less than $136 million in 2025 of the $1.1 billion it needs.
The Relationship Between Poverty and Disease in Myanmar
In developing countries like Myanmar, preventative medicines and measures can be obtained by the wealthy, but this means that often, families without enough money face higher risks of dying from avoidable disease. Whilst in developed countries, the elderly are more likely to face these diseases, in Myanmar, people younger than the age of 70, and even children are suffering from both communicable and non-communicable diseases, due to the disparity between the country’s rich and the poor. Nearly 32% of the country lives in poverty. Poverty and disease in Myanmar share a symbiotic relationship, especially considering that after the 2025 earthquake, many people are living in tents, allowing outbreaks of cholera and other waterborne diseases to occur.
Solutions
There have been developments however. The Republic of Korea made a generous contribution to UNICEF to help families and the vulnerable in Myanmar, especially considering that one-third of more than 3.5 million displaced are children.
Organizations like Doctors Without Borders are trying their best to support Myanmar’s health care. Following the 2025 earthquake, it has restored more than 200 bore holes, supplied hospital beds and been trying to aid victims of serious diseases. Following the 2021 military coup, Doctors Without Borders donated medical supplies to Yangon and other locations. The success of help like this is demonstrated in the case of Ko Tin Maung Shwe, a patient suffering from HIV and hepatitis C. With hospitals being destroyed and the fear of travelling, Doctors Without Borders are helping patients like him with blood tests, consultations and medication. As well as this, it is expanding access to psychosocial support.
All of this help is essential because the ongoing conflict in Myanmar by the military regime has damaged civilian infrastructure and in 2023 alone, more than 418 attacks on health care had occurred. Alongside the violence, the climate crisis that has caused major earthquakes in Myanmar has led to an increase in the number of vulnerable people suffering from disease.
How Is the World Aiding Myanmar?
In 2025, the U.K. announced additional humanitarian funding to provide health care to 1 million people across Myanmar. The then Minister for Development, Anneliese Dodds, underscored this commitment by stressing that the U.K. would not abandon the people enduring a brutal conflict – one that has fueled a humanitarian emergency in a country already exposed to the impacts of changing weather patterns. This assistance has extended beyond the Rohingya community, supporting vulnerable populations nationwide, particularly in the aftermath of the 2025 Myanmar earthquake. Despite this, Donald Trump’s USAID cuts have severely limited the amount of health care support that exists, but countries within the EU, as well as NGOs like UNICEF, are still trying to help the crisis in Myanmar. UN agencies are committed to helping affected populations in Myanmar, proven by the fact that in July 2025, nearly 306,000 people across 59 earthquake-hit townships received health services.
Looking Ahead
People in Myanmar are in desperate need of humanitarian aid. They are not just suffering from war injuries, but they are also dying from illnesses that the international community already knows how to treat. The diseases impacting Myanmar are more than humanitarian crises, they are symbols of injustice, repression and perhaps even hope – hope that once the world understands how much the vulnerable people need help, they will act.
– Anisa Begum
Photo: Unsplash
Poverty Reduction in Kashmir
India has consistently and significantly reduced extreme poverty nationwide, according to the World Bank, but regions experiencing political tensions and geographical isolation face slower progress. In the state of Jammu and Kashmir, poverty stems from economic vulnerability, limited employment options, weak education systems and even weaker access to financial services. Development programs now focus on strengthening local income sources rather than relying on temporary assistance.
Farming and Handicrafts Anchoring Local Economies
Agriculture and handicrafts remain central to rural life in Kashmir. Small farmers and artisans often rely on narrow profit margins and informal markets. To address this, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) supports projects that improve irrigation, better crop diversification and connect producers to more assured markets.
These initiatives help farmers reduce losses due to climate variability while increasing productivity. IFAD reports that similar rural livelihood programs across India have raised household incomes and improved food security, especially among smallholder farmers.
Women’s Self-Help Groups Promote Savings
Women lead self-help groups that have proven to be effective tools in poverty reduction in Kashmir. Through Jammu and Kashmir’s Rural Livelihoods Mission, women gain access to services such as savings accounts, low-interest loans and overall entrepreneurship training.
Many women pioneer tailoring businesses, food processing units and other local shops. These enterprises guarantee a steady income and therefore, the household does not solely depend upon informal lenders. Government data demonstrates that the households involved in self-help groups experience greater financial stability and better access to social services.
Education and Skills Create Pathways for Youth
For young people in Kashmir, limited employment opportunities often reflect gaps in skills and education rather than a lack of ambition. Education disruptions and unemployment perpetuate the unending cycles of poverty. UNICEF works alongside local partners to reinforce school attendance, making digital learning more accessible and vocational training in underserved districts.
Skills programs target sectors such as information technology, hospitality and renewable energy maintenance. UNICEF reports that education interventions in conflict regions increase long-term earning potential and help to reduce economic vulnerability boosting resilience.
Employment Guarantees Offer Income During Uncertainty
Social protection programs provide critical support during periods of job instability. The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) provides wage employment to households while funding community infrastructure projects.
In Jammu and Kashmir, this program supports families during the agricultural off-seasons and economic and political disruptions. Official data indicate increased participation in recent years, helping households maintain a stable income all the while improving local infrastructure.
Entrepreneurship Expands Local Opportunity
Beyond the traditional rural livelihoods, entrepreneurships play a major role in poverty reduction in Kashmir. The Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute promotes small businesses through training, seed funding and mentorship.
These enterprises offer food processing, tourism services and handicraft exports as few of their services. Officials report that small businesses have grown significantly which has created local employment and reduces reliance on public assistance, multiplying the economic impact within said communities.
Building Resilience One Livelihood at a Time
Poverty reduction in Kashmir increasingly depends upon coordinated efforts that link livelihoods, education, financial inclusion and social protection. Challenges remain, but consistent and sustained investment in people and local businesses continue to help the economy build resilience across the state.
Development experts emphasize that continuous progress requires sustained efforts and market access. As these initiatives expand, they offer a stable and steady path towards greater economic success for such affected families across Kashmir.
– Parthivee Mukherji
Photo: Flickr
Diseases Impacting Libya: Top 3 Factors Affecting Health Care
1. Climate and Changing Weather Patterns
Libya is one of the world’s most arid countries. It witnesses periods of extreme heat, droughts and violent rain and dust storms. These acute weather conditions compromise health and safety, as access to potable water becomes more scarce and food insecurity spikes.
In September 2023, cyclone Daniel made a bad situation worse in terms of diseases impacting Libya, with flooding and damages to already deteriorating infrastructure including health and care facilities in Derna. Water contamination and lack of sanitation were top reasons for health concerns as storms also destroyed two dams upstream of the city. In the immediate aftermath of the storm, medical professionals were most concerned about potential cholera and acute watery diarrhea (AWD) outbreaks. As of October 3, 2023, the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) reported 1,905 cases of AWD.
2. Sudanese Migration
A war-torn Sudan has led many to flee and seek refuge in its neighboring countries. Since April 2023, cities like Al Kufra in Eastern Libya saw an influx of somewhere close to 500 Sudanese migrants passing through each day. Such a high number of refugees has led to issues like overcrowding, especially in settlements, which in turn could lead to an increase in diseases impacting Libya.
Those arriving from conflict zones are often in ill-health. Be it communicable diseases or in poor mental-health, many have not had access to vaccinations or other preventative treatments that could avoid medical emergencies like outbreaks. Officials like WHO are most concerned about a cholera epidemic, though tracking its spread will prove difficult for lack of testing facilities and resources.
3. The Government
Since the 2011 Revolution, Libyans have witnessed waves of political fragmentation, tension and violence. The persistent conflict caused years of neglect in the health care system, ultimately resulting in inconsistent health care services for Libyans.
Opposing governments and factions fighting for power have divided the country, making it difficult, if not impossible, to coordinate with health care professionals and NGOs on the ground to establish clinical practice guidelines that would prevent outbreaks and efficiently combat diseases impacting Libya.
Then, in April 2025 the Internal Security Agency (ISA) based in Tripoli announced the shutdown of headquarters of 10 major NGOs, including MSF, for compromising Libya’s social demographic and for promoting values that go against Libyan identity. MSF reported at least six known casualties in the weeks since it had to pull its aid, and expect the order to have more consequences on their patients that they will not be able to track due to loss of contact.
Who’s Helping?
After Cyclone Daniel, organizations such as UNICEF, the Red Cross, the World Food Programme (WFP) and the International Medical Corps (IMC) sent immediate relief. This included, for example, renovating 25 health facilities, training more than 1,100 health care providers and distributing food to more than 15,000 people.
Though the 10 humanitarian organizations ordered to leave Libya in April 2025 have not been allowed to return to date, there are still other groups present in the country. The International Medical Corps (IMC), for example, provided more than 27,000 medical consultations and helped countless refugees back on their feet as of July 2025. The European Union (EU) continues to fund aid in correspondence with WHO, Première Urgence Internationale and the IMC. In 2025, the EU funded €3 million in response to mass Sudanese migration.
Given the inconsistency in health care provisions, NGOs on the ground are doing significant work for Libyans and refugees. There is still much work to do. Providing medical aid and investing in care facilities is just scratching the surface. Without addressing the climate crisis, the lack of accommodation for refugees and government fragmentation, health and safety will remain compromised and diseases impacting Libyans will continue to risk lives.
– Brittany Buscio
Photo: Flickr
Gender Wage Gap in Slovakia
The EU Pay Transparency Directive
The purpose of the directive is to close the 12.7% gender wage gap across the EU. According to the European Council, “The EU wants to strengthen the principle of equal pay for equal work between men and women.” The directive will ensure pay transparency by requiring EU businesses to report salaries and take action if the gender wage gap is higher than 5%. The European Commission monitors and enforces the implementation of the directive in member states. Additional requirements include wage transparency before employment, allowing employees the right to information on average pay levels and increasing the representation of women on supervisory boards. Further details of the EU Pay Transparency Directive are available on the “EU Action for Equal Pay” page of the European Commission’s website.
Research on the Gender Wage Gap
A 2025 research-based article by Paula Gašpercová determined the gender wage gap in Slovakia between men and women as 16.8%. In comparison, the wage gap in Slovakia between mothers and childless women is 9.9%. One reason for this difference is that women often work in parts of the economic sector with lower compensation. Despite women often being more educated than men, their preference for the humanities leads to lower-paid jobs, while, in contrast, men are more likely to work in technical and scientific fields.
Further research shows women fall behind in their careers after becoming mothers. Additionally, mothers seek jobs based on security and flexibility rather than financial benefits. When complemented by the domestic responsibilities that women disproportionately carry out, this results in fewer opportunities for career advancement.
The unpaid care labor that women often perform is vital to the economy, and if one were to assign it a monetary value, it could exceed 40% GDP, according to UN Women. Care work largely does not receive recognition, even though it directly contributes to capital production. Therefore, women who are balancing the majority of unpaid labor with (often low-paying) jobs are less likely to reach economic independence, gather less savings and have lower retirement pensions, which collectively leaves them at risk of poverty.
Gašpercová refers to Slovakia as a traditional country in which women are more likely to bear familial responsibilities. For example, while parental leave is available to both men and women, women use it more often. Furthermore, women are hindered from returning to work by limited access to child caregiving services. Beyond the current research, there are still unknown factors affecting the gender wage gap that suggest discrimination and other unquantified components.
Slovakia’s New Pay Transparency Laws
Slovakia’s Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family introduced new legislation in September 2025 that fully transposes the EU Pay Transparency Directive to close the gender wage gap in Slovakia. As Trusaic outlined, changes brought on by the new legislation include requiring private employers to report any gender wage gap. Gender wage gap reports must be published and disclosed to internal employees. While Slovakia’s current law prohibits discrimination based on gender and encourages equal pay for equal work, the EU Pay Transparency Directive creates enforceable standards and increases employer scrutiny. Slovakia is expected to enact the new EU Pay Transparency Directive legislation by June 7th, 2026.
Gini Index
The Gini index measures income inequality by calculating how wealth is distributed among members of a household, with the ideal number being 0, as it signifies total equality. In 2023, Slovakia’s Gini index was 23.80. The World Bank gathers information on the Gini index when comparing global economies since data demonstrates a direct correlation between lower poverty rates and a lower Gini index.
The Slovak government is preparing to take appropriate action, informed by the EU Pay Transparency Directive, to close the gender wage gap. Encouraging businesses to provide equal pay for equal work is one step in the process of providing women with the opportunities to overcome systemic barriers. The introduction of pay transparency legislation will contribute to lower rates of income inequality, less poverty and will subsequently lead to further economic growth for Slovakia.
– Thirza List
Photo: Unsplash