Ecotourism in Madagascar is a promising strategy to improve the standard of living for citizens of one of the most impoverished countries in the world. If responsibly managed, ecotourism benefits local communities, the economy and the environment. The establishment of national parks creates job opportunities, provides an economic incentive to protect natural areas and its wildlife and benefits local communities both directly and indirectly. Several organizations and local communities support and implement projects creating ecotourism and nature-based tourism programs for these reasons.
A Quick Background on Madagascar
Madagascar suffers from environmental challenges and a struggling economy. It has the sixth-highest national poverty rate in the world at 63.9%. The country is famous for its rich biodiversity, with 90% of its plants and 85% of its animals being endemic to the island. Some well-known species endemic to Madagascar are the lemurs, and approximately 80% of the world’s chameleon species are found in Madagascar.
Madagascar is among the countries with the highest deforestation rates in the world, with some regions and protected areas experiencing annual forest loss rates of around 2–3% in recent years due to agricultural expansion and illegal logging. Deforestation affects the environment and causes massive habitat loss, which threatens biodiversity due to potential species extinction. Almost all of Madagascar’s lemur species are either endangered or critically endangered, according to the Duke Lemur Center. Agriculture makes up 70% of total employment, but low agricultural productivity and insufficient resources cause eight out of 10 people residing in rural communities to live in poverty.
What Is Ecotourism?
The International Ecotourism Society defines ecotourism as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education.” Principles of ecotourism include minimizing impact on the area in use, promoting environmental and cultural awareness and respect, financially benefitting conservation efforts and local communities and partnering with the indigenous people.
The Need For Ecotourism In Madagascar
Ecotourism alleviates poverty by increasing wages, creating jobs and improving the economy. Tourism provides jobs for tour guides, tour company administrators, hotel staff and restaurant staff. Tour and resort administrative and general positions are not the only job opportunities created by tourism. Communities local to these parks and reserves benefit economically from shops, crafts and other goods supporting the tourism industry, encouraging the creation of small businesses by community members. It also alleviates the burden of poverty in villages surrounding parks and reserves by providing services including electricity, water and educational opportunities.
This kind of tourism offers an economic incentive to conserve the environment by generating revenue and employment without causing significant environmental damage. Supplying a tangible value to ecosystems leads to increased protected natural areas and safeguards areas without formal protection from deforestation and exploitation of natural resources.
Ecotourism in Madagascar safeguards biodiversity by protecting the habitats of its wildlife and preventing the extinction of endangered species. Establishing parks and reserves ensures protection for any wildlife in the area and their habitat. Tourists pay to see the rich biodiversity of Madagascar, adding tangible value to the wildlife and their homes.
Wildlife Madagascar
The Wildlife Madagascar organization partners with Malagasy communities to protect biodiversity while improving the livelihoods of community members. The community-based approach integrates local knowledge and experience with scientific and educational knowledge to create sustainable conservation solutions. Wildlife Madagascar educates farmers on optimal agricultural and forestry practices to improve food security and sustain natural resources. The organization also establishes sustainable and responsibly-managed ecotourism programs in communities to improve livelihoods and protect biodiversity.
Lemur Conservation Network
The Lemur Conservation Network works in Madagascar to save lemurs from extinction. Lemurs are the most endangered mammals in the world, with 98% of lemur species at risk of extinction and 31% critically endangered. The Network believes ecotourism to be a “win-win-win” for tourists, Malagasy citizens and lemurs, and provides grants and donations to ecotourism projects in Madagascar.
Community-Run Reserves
Communities across Madagascar establish their own community-run reserves to protect their natural areas and economically benefit from ecotourism. A member of the Betsileo tribe in southern Madagascar founded the Anja Reserve, which is popular for their ring-tailed lemurs. The Antanatiembo Reserve in the north is a locally-owned reserve comprising a dense bamboo forest housing bamboo lemurs, chameleons, insects and birds and a reforestation tree nursery.
Conservation Debates: Is Ecotourism Worth It?
Those against environmental conservation in Madagascar argue the legitimacy of protected areas without consent from locals and highlight the potential eviction of locals from newly established protected areas. They question whether locals can sustain their livelihood without the land they previously had unlimited access to.
In 2022, researchers conducted a study surrounding Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, Madagascar’s largest national park, to investigate the relationship between conservation and locals’ livelihoods. Their results concluded that livelihood improved for people in the surrounding villages due to the provision of jobs, electricity, water, increased income and improved education. Published in the SN Social Sciences, the study found a positive correlation between ecotourism and poverty reduction in surrounding villages.
The researchers determined that pre-existing socioeconomic inequalities within the surrounding villages caused villagers with low education and income levels to benefit less from ecotourism. Locals who speak multiple languages benefit from more employment options at the park and hotel, but to attain this education, they must attend schools outside their commune. Some villagers also reported the enforcement of stricter regulations for the collection of firewood within the forest on those without connections to the village chief or members of their community committee.
Conclusion
Ecotourism yields great benefits for the citizens, wildlife and natural areas of Madagascar. The revenue and job opportunities generated from ecotourism could alleviate poverty, improve livelihood in surrounding communities and economically incentivize the protection of wildlife and natural land areas. Malagasy people establish community-led reserves with support from conservation organizations to reap the economic benefits of ecotourism and protect their land from overexploitation of resources. In a country with a high burden of poverty and environmental challenges, ecotourism poses a multifaceted solution and a promising future.
– Sarah Merrill
Sarah is based in Matthews, NC, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.
Photo: Flickr
Health Effects of Poverty on the Elderly
Income Insecurity Among Older Adults
According to the World Bank, poverty remains widespread in many low- and middle-income countries, where social protection systems are often weak or underdeveloped. Older adults in these settings are particularly vulnerable because many no longer participate in the workforce and lack reliable sources of income. Without pensions or savings, elderly individuals may struggle to afford basic necessities, placing them at higher risk of poor health outcomes.
Barriers to Health Care Access and Malnutrition
Limited access to health care is one of the most serious health effects of poverty on the elderly. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that health systems in many developing countries face challenges such as insufficient funding, limited infrastructure and shortages of health care workers. These systemic issues can make it difficult for older adults to receive regular medical attention, particularly for chronic conditions that require ongoing care.
Beyond physical health, poverty also affects mental and social well-being in old age. The absence of adequate social protection can lead to isolation, stress and reduced quality of life. According to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, social pensions and income support programs play a critical role in protecting older adults from extreme poverty and improving overall well-being.
Food insecurity is another major concern linked to elderly poverty. The United Nations notes that older adults living in poverty are more likely to experience malnutrition due to limited access to nutritious food. Malnutrition weakens immune systems, increases susceptibility to illness and slows recovery, further worsening health outcomes for elderly populations living in poverty.
Global Efforts to Address Elderly Poverty
International organizations are working to address these challenges through policy support and health system strengthening. The WHO collaborates with national governments to improve primary health care systems, aiming to expand access to essential health services for vulnerable populations, including older adults. While these initiatives do not always target the elderly exclusively, strengthening health systems can indirectly improve access to care for aging populations.
Looking Ahead
The health effects of poverty on the elderly highlight the need for stronger social protection systems and accessible health care services worldwide. As global populations continue to age, addressing elderly poverty will remain essential to improving public health outcomes and ensuring that older adults can live with dignity. Expanding income support, improving access to medical care and strengthening health systems are critical steps toward reducing health disparities among elderly populations.
– Nishanth Pothapragada
Photo: Flickr
A Bright Future For Ecotourism In Madagascar
A Quick Background on Madagascar
Madagascar suffers from environmental challenges and a struggling economy. It has the sixth-highest national poverty rate in the world at 63.9%. The country is famous for its rich biodiversity, with 90% of its plants and 85% of its animals being endemic to the island. Some well-known species endemic to Madagascar are the lemurs, and approximately 80% of the world’s chameleon species are found in Madagascar.
Madagascar is among the countries with the highest deforestation rates in the world, with some regions and protected areas experiencing annual forest loss rates of around 2–3% in recent years due to agricultural expansion and illegal logging. Deforestation affects the environment and causes massive habitat loss, which threatens biodiversity due to potential species extinction. Almost all of Madagascar’s lemur species are either endangered or critically endangered, according to the Duke Lemur Center. Agriculture makes up 70% of total employment, but low agricultural productivity and insufficient resources cause eight out of 10 people residing in rural communities to live in poverty.
What Is Ecotourism?
The International Ecotourism Society defines ecotourism as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education.” Principles of ecotourism include minimizing impact on the area in use, promoting environmental and cultural awareness and respect, financially benefitting conservation efforts and local communities and partnering with the indigenous people.
The Need For Ecotourism In Madagascar
Ecotourism alleviates poverty by increasing wages, creating jobs and improving the economy. Tourism provides jobs for tour guides, tour company administrators, hotel staff and restaurant staff. Tour and resort administrative and general positions are not the only job opportunities created by tourism. Communities local to these parks and reserves benefit economically from shops, crafts and other goods supporting the tourism industry, encouraging the creation of small businesses by community members. It also alleviates the burden of poverty in villages surrounding parks and reserves by providing services including electricity, water and educational opportunities.
This kind of tourism offers an economic incentive to conserve the environment by generating revenue and employment without causing significant environmental damage. Supplying a tangible value to ecosystems leads to increased protected natural areas and safeguards areas without formal protection from deforestation and exploitation of natural resources.
Ecotourism in Madagascar safeguards biodiversity by protecting the habitats of its wildlife and preventing the extinction of endangered species. Establishing parks and reserves ensures protection for any wildlife in the area and their habitat. Tourists pay to see the rich biodiversity of Madagascar, adding tangible value to the wildlife and their homes.
Wildlife Madagascar
The Wildlife Madagascar organization partners with Malagasy communities to protect biodiversity while improving the livelihoods of community members. The community-based approach integrates local knowledge and experience with scientific and educational knowledge to create sustainable conservation solutions. Wildlife Madagascar educates farmers on optimal agricultural and forestry practices to improve food security and sustain natural resources. The organization also establishes sustainable and responsibly-managed ecotourism programs in communities to improve livelihoods and protect biodiversity.
Lemur Conservation Network
The Lemur Conservation Network works in Madagascar to save lemurs from extinction. Lemurs are the most endangered mammals in the world, with 98% of lemur species at risk of extinction and 31% critically endangered. The Network believes ecotourism to be a “win-win-win” for tourists, Malagasy citizens and lemurs, and provides grants and donations to ecotourism projects in Madagascar.
Community-Run Reserves
Communities across Madagascar establish their own community-run reserves to protect their natural areas and economically benefit from ecotourism. A member of the Betsileo tribe in southern Madagascar founded the Anja Reserve, which is popular for their ring-tailed lemurs. The Antanatiembo Reserve in the north is a locally-owned reserve comprising a dense bamboo forest housing bamboo lemurs, chameleons, insects and birds and a reforestation tree nursery.
Conservation Debates: Is Ecotourism Worth It?
Those against environmental conservation in Madagascar argue the legitimacy of protected areas without consent from locals and highlight the potential eviction of locals from newly established protected areas. They question whether locals can sustain their livelihood without the land they previously had unlimited access to.
In 2022, researchers conducted a study surrounding Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, Madagascar’s largest national park, to investigate the relationship between conservation and locals’ livelihoods. Their results concluded that livelihood improved for people in the surrounding villages due to the provision of jobs, electricity, water, increased income and improved education. Published in the SN Social Sciences, the study found a positive correlation between ecotourism and poverty reduction in surrounding villages.
The researchers determined that pre-existing socioeconomic inequalities within the surrounding villages caused villagers with low education and income levels to benefit less from ecotourism. Locals who speak multiple languages benefit from more employment options at the park and hotel, but to attain this education, they must attend schools outside their commune. Some villagers also reported the enforcement of stricter regulations for the collection of firewood within the forest on those without connections to the village chief or members of their community committee.
Conclusion
Ecotourism yields great benefits for the citizens, wildlife and natural areas of Madagascar. The revenue and job opportunities generated from ecotourism could alleviate poverty, improve livelihood in surrounding communities and economically incentivize the protection of wildlife and natural land areas. Malagasy people establish community-led reserves with support from conservation organizations to reap the economic benefits of ecotourism and protect their land from overexploitation of resources. In a country with a high burden of poverty and environmental challenges, ecotourism poses a multifaceted solution and a promising future.
– Sarah Merrill
Photo: Flickr
Pay-As-You-Go Digital Water Services in Kenya
Mobile Money Makes Clean Water Affordable
Pay-as-you-go digital water services in Kenya let households buy water in small increments through mobile money platforms like M-Pesa. This matters because many Kenyans earn irregular daily wages and cannot manage large monthly bills. When families pay only for what they need, they avoid debt and gain steady access to safe water, which supports health and financial stability.
Waterborne diseases spread quickly in communities that rely on unsafe sources. Pay-as-you-go digital water services in Kenya distribute treated water that meets safety standards, which reduces illness and lowers medical expenses. When families stay healthy, they attend school, work more regularly and invest their income in food and education rather than treatment costs.
Smart Meters and Water Kiosks
Smart meters record water use in real time and deliver prepaid service that prevents leaks and illegal taps. These problems create major losses for utilities and weaken their ability to maintain infrastructure. When utilities reduce losses, they provide more reliable service and reach more households with clean water, which raises community health and overall quality of life.
Families in many Kenyan settlements spend long hours each day collecting water. Digital water kiosks in neighborhoods reduce this travel time and offer 24-hour access through mobile payments. More available time allows children to attend school consistently and gives adults more hours for work, which strengthens household income and supports long-term development.
Digital Water Systems Create Jobs and Strengthen Utilities
Digital water systems create new roles for technicians, field agents and mobile service operators. These jobs build technical skills and support local employment. Stronger utilities also operate more reliably and expand service to new regions. When utilities stabilize financially, they improve infrastructure that helps entire communities gain safe water access.
Pay-as-you-go digital water services in Kenya improve clean water access by combining mobile payments with smart delivery systems. These services reduce financial barriers, improve public health and create jobs that support economic growth. As the model expands, it offers a practical path toward universal water access and long-term poverty reduction.
– Shahzeb Khan
Photo: Flickr
How Limited Rural Health Care Fuels Poverty in Laos
As a result, preventable illnesses often go untreated, which reduces household productivity and increases financial vulnerability. Addressing rural gaps through strengthened primary health services and community-based programs remains essential for reducing poverty.
Geographic Barriers and Infrastructure
Geographic isolation serves as a primary barrier to health care in Laos. The country’s mountainous terrain and limited road infrastructure leave many communities cut off from health facilities, according to the Healthy Newborn Network. In some remote areas, villages sit several days away from the nearest health center.
Approximately 3% of villages in certain provinces remain completely isolated from basic social services. Poor road conditions exacerbate these challenges during the rainy season, when travel becomes dangerous. This physical isolation contributes to low utilization of health services among remote populations, as they often have reduced expectations for service delivery.
Economic Impacts on the Rural Poor
Although Laos introduced policies to reduce financial barriers, these measures often fail to reach the poorest populations. Free health policies can be regressive when rural households cannot use services due to indirect costs, such as transportation and lost income.
Health emergencies are a primary cause of household vulnerability and poverty relapse in the country. Farming households are twice as likely to fall back into poverty compared to non-farming households when agricultural and health shocks combine. While national poverty rates declined from 33.5% to 23.2% over a decade, progress could have been greater if vulnerable households had not slipped back into poverty following health-related shocks.
Maternal Health and Intergenerational Poverty
Maternal health challenges further reinforce the cycle of poverty in Laos. High rates of adolescent pregnancy and maternal malnutrition undermine economic prospects, as approximately 40% of pregnant women experience anemia, according to the Healthy Newborn Network. Children born to mothers with lower levels of education or who are themselves stunted face a higher risk of poor health outcomes, which perpetuates an intergenerational cycle of low productivity, according to the World Bank. Strengthening health care in Laos through targeted maternal programs can break this cycle and improve long-term economic stability.
Community Health Solutions
Village Health Volunteers (VHVs) form the backbone of rural health delivery and serve as the primary link between remote communities and the formal health system, according to the BMC Health Services Research. VHVs operate in nearly every village and manage health promotion, sanitation and disease monitoring.
The CONNECT initiative, with the support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Health, also strengthens trust and improves service uptake. The program currently supports 259 villages across 10 provinces by developing joint action plans with local leaders. These local solutions empower communities to take ownership of their health outcomes.
International Support for Health Care in Laos
International donors play a critical role in financing primary health care in Laos, which helps offset low domestic spending. In 2019, donor funding accounted for 26.7% of primary health care financing.
The WHO continues to support reforms such as the National Health Insurance strategy and modernization efforts. Expanding these primary health services and sustaining international funding are essential steps toward improving health outcomes and supporting long-term poverty reduction. By prioritizing these issues, global leaders can help ensure that rural populations in Laos have the tools they need to escape poverty.
Conclusion
Limited access to rural health care continues to fuel poverty in Laos by exposing vulnerable households to health shocks, financial strain and long-term economic insecurity. Geographic isolation, workforce shortages and rising costs disproportionately affect rural and ethnic minority communities, reinforcing cycles of poor health and poverty. Expanding primary health care services, strengthening community-based programs and sustaining international funding are essential steps toward improving health outcomes and supporting long-term poverty reduction in Laos.
– Aila Alsakka
Photo: Flickr
Universal Health Insurance in Egypt: Expanding Access to Care
Egypt Launched Universal Health Insurance to Expand Coverage
The Egyptian government introduced the Universal Health Insurance system in 2018 through Law No. 2 of 2018, as part of a comprehensive reform of the health sector. The law was established through a phased nationwide rollout across governorates to ensure a sustainable and realistic implementation. It additionally mandates health insurance coverage for all Egyptian citizens.
Low-income households, informal workers and vulnerable groups receive subsidized insurance premiums from the government. This grant allows millions of Egyptians to access health services regardless of their employment status.
The Universal Health Insurance emphasises primary as well as preventive care to reduce the potential long-term costs and enhance population health outcomes. The Ministry of Health has expanded several systems under the Universal Health Insurance framework such as family health units and screenings. This reform strengthens early diagnosis and treatment.
Additionally, it reduces the normative reliance on costly hospital care while simultaneously helping less affluent households avoid hefty health expenses that generally push families into poverty.
Reducing Out-of-Pocket Spending
Before implementing the Universal Health Insurance system, Egyptians primarily relied on out-of-pocket payments to finance their health care. This heavily affected low-income households, essentially forcing families to delay necessary treatment or incur debt due to these high medical costs.
The Universal Health Insurance system aims to decrease the risk of financial risk by expanding prepaid coverage and as enrollment increases, insured households face significantly less health-related expenses and improved financial security.
Poverty in the nation is heavily driven by health-related expenses as uninsured experience income loss due to treatment costs that often push low-income communities below the poverty line.
The Universal Health Insurance system helps break this vicious cycle by ensuring these families have access to affordable health care while maintaining a steady household income. Evidence indicates that insured populations are more likely to be economically stable and seek timely care, according to the World Bank.
Challenges Remain as the System Expands
Egypt continues to face challenges in implementing this health care system, despite substantial progress. Regional disparities and workforce shortages are a barrier to having the rural and underserved areas receive insurance, as they require additional infrastructure investment to ensure equitable access.
However, the government, alongside international partners continue to invest in health facility upgrades and workforce training to tackle shortages in order to strengthen nationwide service quality.
Universal Health Insurance plays a crucial role in expanding access to health care and reducing poverty in Egypt. Continued investment can further strengthen universal health insurance in Egypt and support long-term poverty reduction.
– Hana Abulkheir
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Aquaculture Mapping: Fighting Hunger and Poverty in Côte d’Ivoire
Persistent Food Insecurity
Côte d’Ivoire has made strides toward economic improvement and poverty reduction since this period of political destabilization. Yet progress remains limited and is especially apparent in the nutritional deficiencies that keep many citizens food insecure.
According to the World Bank, 44.2% of citizens experience moderate and severe food insecurity and about 7.7% of the total population is malnourished. Children face the most severe impacts, with 8% suffering from acute malnutrition and 20.2% experiencing impaired growth.
Stable production of basic staple crops has eased some of these issues, but it does not provide the necessary nutritional value for a healthy life. To improve outcomes for its people, the government created the Strategic Program for the Transformation of Aquaculture in Côte d’Ivoire (PSTACI), focusing on broader efforts in aquaculture mapping to fight hunger and poverty.
PSTACI
The Strategic Program for the Transformation of Aquaculture in Côte d’Ivoire (PSTACI) aims to combat poverty and food insecurity by strengthening the aquaculture sector. Its goals include:
To accomplish these goals, the government partnered with PROBLUE, an Aquainvest platform created by the World Bank to support sustainable aquaculture development. PROBLUE’s aquaculture mapping methodology uses a multi-criteria evaluation (MCE) to identify the most productive locations in Côte d’Ivoire for aquaculture sites.
Multi-Criteria Evaluation (MCE)
The MCE evaluates site suitability using three categories:
After applying these criteria to Côte d’Ivoire, World Bank analysts concluded that 99% of the country’s topography offers suitable land for aquaculture. They found that the soil types most suitable for aquaculture contain 18% to 35% clay.
When analysts accounted for land constraints, they found that 76% of the country lies outside protected areas, military zones and urban pockets. Based on infrastructure criteria, PROBLUE identified at least 70% of existing infrastructure as potentially suitable for aquaculture.
The Future of Aquaculture in Côte d’Ivoire
PSTACI plans to develop Sustainable Aquaculture Economic Zones at 30 sites that meet the necessary criteria. This plan offers an opportunity to rebuild the country’s food systems and reduce poverty and malnutrition. By attracting investors and entrepreneurs to these areas, Côte d’Ivoire can build a more stable economy. Additionally, this could lead to expanded opportunities for young people and the continued use of aquaculture mapping to fight hunger and poverty.
– Sachin Kapoor
Photo: Flickr
The Cut of USAID Programs in Burma
While USAID may be generally paused, this has not stopped individual U.S. volunteers’ going out to play their part! Doctors Without Borders, for example, took U.S. volunteers’ aid to the Myanmar skies. Brought into action in April 2025, the program “immediately deployed its teams of medical, mental health, logistics, and water and sanitation staff,” even installing a new water filtration system at Mandalay General Hospital. Here is information about what is happening in light of the pause of USAID programs in Burma.
Life in Myanmar
Oxfam America highlighted the aftermath of USAID cuts, stating that “at least 23 million children stand to lose access to education, and as many as 95 million people would lose access to basic health care, potentially leading to more than 3 million preventable deaths per year.”
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) defines poverty in Myanmar as:
With the notable absence of American assistance and USAID programs in Burma, reporter Theresa Naw wrote that Myanmar has once again become a victim of Trump’s “America First” foreign policy. The country’s loss of a $45 million scholarship program has left its funding nearly depleted.
Oxfam International
Oxfam International “works to reduce poverty and inequality through promoting the power of women and men to harness the benefits of political reform and economic development,” according to the organization. Its 2016 project ‘‘Building Equitable and Resilient Livelihoods in the Dry Zone” solidified their good work for Myanmar’s people. Its score for improved/sustained livelihoods and resilience sector exceeded expectation, after being set at 2.94, yet reached 4.02. The project established business relationships between township departments and parliament with local NGO’s and Mo’s of other villages, creating sustainable livelihood opportunities and building resilience against climate-related hazards.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC)
The International Rescue Committee has been working to support emergency response efforts. Reporter Joanna Nahorska wrote that priorities include “medical assistance, shelter, emergency items such as blankets, food, clean water, and cash support.”
With more than 19 million people now in need, the IRC:
The Disasters Emergency Committee
The Disasters Emergency Committee has provided critical support, funding cash assistance and vouchers for 105,000 people to repair homes and pay medical expenses and directly helping the cut to health and education expenses. It set up the Myanmar Earthquake Appeal, which in line with their charity ‘Age International’ has been providing cash assistance to older people in the Inle Lake region, alongside psychosocial support to help them process what they have been through.
USAID in Burma
In 2015, USAID program officials declared that they would work alongside the Government of Burma to “initiate new activities that strengthen parliamentary systems, engage civil society in the reform process, provide technical expertise to the Union Election Commission, and develop inclusive and accountable political parties.”
Previous USAID programs in Burma are still prevalent in today’s crisis. Back in 2009, Livelihoods and Food Security Trust Fund (LIFT) was formed to tackle “poverty and hunger directly in Myanmar’s rural communities.” Now in 2025, it has served 2.6 million people through microfinance institutions, with 91% of recipients being women, helping to re-build the falling economy.
Moving Forward
As early as 2024, CNN reported that half of Burma’s 54 million people were living below the poverty line, with nearly 50% surviving on less than 76 cents a day, according to reporter Helen Regan. Following this, Trump’s pullbacks meant that “Myanmar was on track to lose around $1.1 billion in foreign assistance over the second Trump term,” The Diplomat reported.
Despite this, hope for change remains. Oxfam America found that “when asked how much would be appropriate for the U.S. to invest in foreign aid, more than 95% of respondents identified an amount higher than the administration’s current budget.”
What comes next is for the remaining 5% to continue pushing for stronger foreign aid investments.
– Gemma Nailer
Photo: Unsplash
Solar-Powered Fridges are Fighting Hunger in India
Perishable foods such as milk, fruits, vegetables, meat and fish spoil quickly without temperature control. Developing countries lose 23% of perishable foods before they reach markets. These losses reduce farmer incomes and restrict access to nutritious food, especially in rural areas.
Amid these challenges, solar-powered fridges are fighting hunger in India. By providing reliable, off-grid cooling, they help farmers preserve perishable crops, maintain income streams and reduce food waste. These fridges also support health and nutrition by safely storing vaccines, medicines and dairy products while lowering dependence on polluting diesel generators and unreliable electricity grids.
What Is a Solar-Powered Fridge?
Cold storage plays a central role in reducing food loss, but traditional refrigeration creates serious risks. Conventional systems rely on fossil-fuel electricity and refrigerants such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which trap heat far more effectively than carbon dioxide.
Exporting these systems to low-income regions would lock communities into carbon-intensive infrastructure. Solar-powered refrigeration offers a different path. These systems run on renewable energy and avoid dependence on unreliable grids or diesel generators. In India, where power cuts remain common, especially in rural and semi-urban areas, solar refrigerators provide consistent cooling for food, medicine and vaccines. As a result, solar-powered fridges are fighting hunger in India directly.
Real-Life Impact
In northeastern India, farmer Lalmuankimi Bawitlung experienced the impact firsthand. Rising heat forced her to discard about one-third of her 350-kilogram annual orange harvest after fruit ripened too quickly to sell. In January, the state installed a 10-ton solar-powered cold storage unit in the nearby village of Khawzawl.
The Mizoram Science Technology & Innovation Council worked with Inficold to build the facility, which now serves about 235 farmers. The system uses solar-powered ice battery technology that stores thermal energy and keeps produce cool for months. Lalmuankimi stored oranges until the off-season and sold them for five times the usual price, turning losses into income.
India already has more than 8,200 cold storage facilities, but most rely on the electricity grid. High energy costs and frequent outages force farmers to use diesel generators or abandon cold storage altogether. Solar-powered units address both problems. They reduce operating costs and continue working during power cuts, which often follow floods, landslides or heat waves.
Solar-Powered Fridges Supporting Health
Solar refrigeration also supports health and nutrition. Refrigerators allow households to store food longer and reduce trips to markets. During the COVID-19 pandemic, off-grid refrigerators helped families limit exposure while protecting food supplies. In an Indian pilot, 70% of solar refrigerator customers reported monthly profit increases of about $57 by selling cold beverages and dairy products from home-based businesses.
Health systems also depend on refrigeration. Clinics require cold storage for vaccines, blood, insulin and other temperature-sensitive medicines. Millions of children missed routine immunizations before the pandemic, largely because health facilities lacked reliable cooling. Delivering COVID-19 vaccines to 60%–70% of the world’s population requires a massive expansion of cold chain infrastructure, especially in poorly electrified areas. Solar-powered refrigerators provide a practical solution.
Looking Ahead
Solar-powered fridges are already transforming rural communities by keeping food fresh, protecting incomes and strengthening health systems. Across India, these systems reduce food loss, expand access to nutritious products and create opportunities for women and small-scale farmers. By cutting reliance on polluting energy sources, they also contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable future. Solar-powered fridges are fighting hunger in India by offering a practical, scalable solution that improves lives village by village.
– Mollie Skogen
Photo: Unsplash
The Link Between Disability and Poverty in Palau
How Disability and Poverty Reinforce One Another
People with disabilities face a heightened risk of poverty globally and Palau is no exception. Disabilities can limit access to education and employment, reducing income and long-term economic stability. At the same time, poverty can increase the likelihood of disability due to limited access to health care, rehabilitation and support services. This creates a cycle in which disability and poverty reinforce one another. In Palau, where employment opportunities are limited and the cost of imported goods remains high, people with disabilities often struggle to achieve economic independence, reinforcing disability and poverty in Palau as an interconnected development issue. Households with disabled members often face higher opportunity costs, as family members may reduce paid work to provide informal care.
Limited Support and Unequal Access to Education
According to government and regional data, approximately 2% to 3% of Palau’s population lives with a disability, though advocates suggest the true figure may be higher due to underreporting. Individuals with disabilities are statistically less likely to complete higher levels of education and more likely to depend on informal family care. While Palau provides a disability assistance stipend, reports indicate that this support is insufficient to meet the country’s high cost of living. Rising inflation has further reduced the real value of this assistance, leaving many households with disabled family members economically vulnerable.
Villaney Remengesau
One person whose life reflects both the challenges and possibilities facing people with disabilities in Palau is Villaney Remengesau, a prominent disability rights advocate. Remengesau has lived with a physical disability since childhood and uses a wheelchair daily. Her experiences exposed widespread barriers in Palau’s education system, labor market and public infrastructure. She has described how inaccessible buildings, transportation systems and limited employment opportunities restricted her ability to achieve financial independence, demonstrating how exclusion can directly contribute to poverty in Palau.
Rather than accepting these limitations, Remengesau transformed her lived experience into advocacy. She helped revive Omekesang, a national organization advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities, and worked closely with government agencies to promote accessibility and equal participation. Her work highlights how structural and societal barriers, rather than disability itself, often push individuals into poverty by restricting access to education, jobs and public services.
Policy Progress and Remaining Gaps
In recent years, Palau has taken steps to address disability-related inequality. The government enacted the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, strengthening legal protections and promoting inclusion across sectors. Palau has also engaged with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, signaling a shift toward a rights-based approach. However, international reviews note that gaps remain, particularly in transportation access, employment opportunities and emergency preparedness for people with disabilities.
Why Disability Inclusion Matters for Global Poverty Reduction
Remengesau’s story demonstrates why addressing disability is essential to reducing poverty in Palau. While legal reforms mark important progress, advocates emphasize that lasting change requires sustained investment in accessible infrastructure, inclusive education and economic opportunity. For small island nations like Palau, breaking the cycle between disability and poverty is not only a matter of social justice but also a necessary step toward sustainable development. Addressing disability inclusion at the national level ultimately contributes to broader global efforts to reduce poverty and inequality.
– Daisy Winstone
Photo: Flickr
Inside the 2025 G20 Summit
Mission 300 and the Energy Gap
One of the 2025 G20 summit’s most significant legacies is Mission 300, which promises to connect 300 million Africans to electricity by 2030. The World Bank and the African Development Bank back this initiative, which aims to address Africa’s persistent energy poverty through grid expansions, mini-grids and off-grid solar.
Currently, more than 600 million Africans lack access to electricity and about 1 billion rely on unsafe cooking fuels, which are associated with more than 2 million premature deaths each year. Despite agreement on the urgency of the situation, many challenges remain. Sustainable financing continues to pose a major issue. Private sector participation, technology transfer and strong regulatory frameworks will be essential to turn commitments into infrastructure. Without predictable financing and policy support, critics warn that progress could lag behind its targets.
Climate Action and Tackling Debt
The 2025 G20 summit took place around the same time as the COP30 climate negotiations, increasing global scrutiny on climate commitments. The summit reaffirmed support for climate resilience and scaling renewable energy capacity, aligning with broader calls for climate justice.
However, many controversial aspects of global climate politics remain unresolved. At COP30, negotiators did not secure an agreement to phase out fossil fuels or guarantee meaningful climate finance. Although G20 leaders expressed ambitions to mobilize additional climate financing, the absence of several wealthier nations in Johannesburg limited concrete commitments.
Debt sustainability was also a central topic at the summit. Leaders acknowledged gaps in debt management, transparency and fiscal capacity, particularly in low-income economies, as well as the need for reforms to the global financial architecture.
Economists suggest that effective debt relief should be linked to verifiable green investments. The U.S. absence complicated negotiations, leaving a gap in financial commitments that could weaken the G20’s influence on global finance reforms.
Critical Minerals: Turning Debt Into Development
Resource governance also emerged as a key topic. Africa holds a significant share of the world’s critical minerals, including cobalt, lithium and rare earth elements, which are vital for renewable technologies and digital infrastructure.
The G20’s critical minerals framework aims to promote sustainable supply chains and stronger governance standards. If widely implemented, the framework could shift countries away from dependence on raw exports and toward more equitable partnerships in global markets. However, the framework remains voluntary and nonbinding.
From Promise to Implementation
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said the Johannesburg summit demonstrated Africa’s ability to lead and influence global debates. The Global South, particularly African nations, has gained visibility in setting priorities on climate, development and globalization. Whether this momentum is sustained depends on implementation by governments, private sector partners and civil society.
The G20 summit outlined goals for energy access, climate resilience, equitable resource governance and debt reform. These goals signal a shift toward prioritizing the needs of the Global South and Africa’s development agenda. For Africa to benefit, these frameworks must be matched with financing and political will. While Johannesburg provided a blueprint, the true test lies in execution.
– Gloria Bwenge
Photo: Flickr