Late August and September 2025 saw the North Indian and Pakistani regions of Punjab hit with some of the worst floods in decades. Although the worst of these floods has passed, the damage left behind has pushed many who call these places their home deeper into poverty and ruin. Nearly 70% of the province was underwater after severe breaches in the Ravi and Sutlej rivers. In addition to the projected $6 billion to $10 billion in economic damages, at least 842 people died, more than 1.2 million were displaced and 4 million were impacted nationally.
With agricultural communities forming most of Punjab’s population, whatever affects farmers affects the entire region. Geographically, Punjab has always lived with a water-heavy existence defined by monsoon seasons. Punjab, literally “land of the five rivers,” has always embraced these conditions. Yet what once supported life now contributes to devastation. Every flood deepens poverty and erodes hope for those already living on the edge of survival. As the waters recede, one truth stays clear: if Punjab’s farmers cannot feed themselves, the survival of the wider population rests on fragile ground.
Poverty here is not evident only in rupees but in diminished worth, fractured families and futures placed on hold. Yet through the murky waters, people found hope in the form of seva, or selfless service, a key motto of the Sikh faith that guides the Sikh humanitarian organizations rebuilding Punjab after the floods, such as Global Sikhs, Khalsa Aid and United Sikhs. Each organization plays a unique role that extends far beyond immediate help. Their work presents rebuilding Punjab as a testament to the power of community, religious service and international cooperation. Here, Sikh faith-based charities show that seva is not only a spiritual ideal but also a practical, life-changing force in times of crisis.
The Principle of Seva in Action: Tackling Poverty
Guru Nanak Dev Ji says,
“Do Seva and service in this world and find a seat in the court of God.”
ਵਿਚਿ ਦੁਨੀਆ ਸੇਵ ਕਮਾਈਐ ॥
ਤਾ ਦਰਗਹ ਬੈਸਣੁ ਪਾਈਐ ॥
(Sri Rag M-1, 26)
This philosophy of service sits at the heart of the Sikh community and shapes the work of the charities rebuilding Punjab after the floods’ destruction. Seva, rooted in the teachings of the Sikh Gurus, calls for selfless and unconditional service performed without seeking praise or reward. Sikhs see it as a way of honoring the divine by serving humanity and fulfilling a moral obligation.
This custom turned into a lifeline in the wake of the floods. Volunteers (or sevadars) of all ages, from local villagers to Sikhs in the diaspora, put seva into action by delivering aid, rebuilding livelihoods and reminding communities that solidarity stays stronger than anguish even during turbulent times.
In the aftermath, one of the greatest challenges was helping communities rise from the deeper poverty the catastrophe created. Families who once depended on modest harvests now faced barren granaries and empty farms. The disaster erased even the most basic security in places where poverty already ran deep, leaving parents wondering how they would afford their next meal or whether they needed to send their children overseas to survive.
Impact of the Floods
For many farmers, the human toll defies measurement. After days of relentless monsoon rains, countless families awoke to shattered livelihoods. In talks with The Guardian, Amritsar-based farmer Parmpreet Singh described his reality: “The crops are ruined, and even our homes are in danger of collapsing.”
His family — including his two young daughters and his elderly mother — currently lives on the roof of their home to stay above the water. Singh fears he may need to sell his land and abandon farming after seven hectares of crops were destroyed. Livestock farmers, who depend on only two or three buffaloes, face similar devastation. The shortage of fodder and the soaring cost of silage have pushed their financial stability to a breaking point.
Abad Khan, a small farmer from central Punjab, told Dawn News, “These families were already struggling, and now they are facing a level of poverty almost impossible to escape.” More than 2.2 million hectares of crops — from vegetables to rice and wheat — have been wiped out. In just one week, the price of wheat flour rose by 25%. The scale of economic and social hardship has made recovery daunting, but Sikh organizations have responded by turning seva into focused and sustained action.
Khalsa Aid
Khalsa Aid mobilized its volunteers within hours of the first flood warnings and reached the affected districts before most organizations. Their teams have worked across Gurdaspur, Kapurthala, Ferozepur and Abohar since mid-August, evacuating livestock — often a rural family’s main source of income — and rescuing stranded residents. Alongside these emergency actions, Khalsa Aid supplies clean drinking water, medical assistance, ration bags and crucial fodder for animals suffering after prolonged exposure to stagnant floodwater.
The charity installed industrial dewatering devices in Abohar, where floodwaters persisted long after the rains ended. This equipment helped recover more than 1,000 acres of submerged farmland. To help farmers restore their fields, restart agricultural work and prevent long-term economic collapse, Khalsa Aid’s teams continue to work directly with the communities.
Global Sikhs
Global Sikhs has taken on the equally important responsibility of long-term rehabilitation. Through their Sanjha Sahara Project, volunteers work in 25 severely affected villages to help families rebuild their lives from the ground up. Their approach recognizes that restoring livelihoods is as essential to Punjab’s recovery as clearing water or distributing aid.
They support soil restoration, repair damaged irrigation channels and replace lost livestock, a vital resource for rural households whose earnings depend on a few buffaloes or goats. Global Sikhs also help families rebuild homes damaged by weeks of flooding to ensure children, the elderly and vulnerable people stay safe.
UNITED SIKHS
Sevadars for UNITED SIKHS mobilized across the region and worked tirelessly to evacuate residents from submerged homes, relocate families to safer areas and set up relief camps in villages such as Dhera Ghara and Nihala. They provided medical care, food and clean water to households cut off by flooding. UNITED SIKHS also partnered with local health officials to distribute chlorine tablets and teach safe water practices to prevent the rise of skin infections and waterborne illnesses as stagnant floodwaters lingered. At the same time, the organization addressed severe shortages of cattle fodder caused by flooded fields and blocked roads to help farmers keep their livestock alive.
Rebuilding Punjab: Looking Ahead
These are only some of the organizations rebuilding Punjab. Although the damage devastated countless families, livelihoods and communities, the active service of these charities and the seva they embody brings hope back into people’s lives and provides practical solutions that lay the foundations for long-term recovery. In a glistening and rich culture, the harmony of community and faith shines brighter than ever.
– Prubleen Bhogal
Prubleen is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.
Photo: Flickr
Renewable Energy in Sao Tome and Principe
Current Energy Situation
Renewable energy in Sao Tome and Principe is no longer just an option; it is a necessity. In 2022, 95% of all the country’s electricity generation relied on oil, which is imported, creating a big problem. This heavy dependence on imported diesel creates high electricity prices. The cost of the kilowatt per hour in São Tomé and Príncipe is $0.18, while in the neighboring country of Nigeria, it is a much lower rate of $0.035.
As a result, grid coverage in the country is limited, with approximately 78% of the population having access to electricity, and many people experience frequent outages. That means many people in São Tomé and Príncipe still use candles as the main source of light in their houses and have to burn biomass when they need to cook.
Electricity is essential. Homes, businesses, hospitals and schools all need electricity to function properly. The economy of a country is directly linked to its capacity to generate energy.
Renewable Energy Potential
One of the significant advantages of São Tomé and Principe is its enormous potential for renewable energy. This tropical island nation has mountainous terrain, rainforests and abundant water resources. Even though only 5% of the country’s electricity comes from solar and hydro power, Sao Tome and Principe can do so much more on both these sources.
Current Projects and International Support
The government of São Tomé and Principe is aware of this energy challenge. It is taking concrete steps to address it, making renewable energy in São Tomé and Príncipe a reality. The goal is to achieve full electricity coverage in the country by 2030 with 50% of generation coming from renewable sources.
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is a partner in this effort, along with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the African Development Bank (AfDB). Their goal is to promote energy efficiency and increase the use of renewable energy sources.
A recent example is the launch of a photovoltaic solar park in São Tomé and Principe, with a capacity of 1.2 megawatts. This demonstrates the country’s intention to reduce dependence on imported diesel for electricity.
As mentioned above, foreign investment is key to developing renewable energy in São Tomé and Príncipe. With early initial successes, more external financing is likely to follow.
Environmental, Social and Economic Benefits
The development of renewable energy brings many benefits:
Challenges and Future Outlook
The challenges for Sao Tome and Principe are clear: a lack of funding for large-scale renewable energy investments, a shortage of technical expertise and infrastructure gaps. However, these barriers can be overcome. The country’s full potential could make Sao Tome and Principe a model for other tropical island nations seeking a viable and sustainable energy system.
– Thiago Almeida de Andrade
Photo: Pixabay
GPEI Funding: $1.9 Billion Toward the Fight Against Polio
On December 8, 2025, it was announced that political leaders had collectively pledged $1.9 billion to the GPEI. In the fight against Polio, this generous fund has the potential to protect hundreds of millions of children from polio each year and possibly eradicate the virus.
How Polio Affects the World Today
Afghanistan and Pakistan remain the only countries where vaccines have not eliminated wild poliovirus. Other developing nations with low immunization rates continue to experience outbreaks of virus variants. This year, there have been 39 paralysis cases across Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Although polio cases are currently rare, “failure to stop polio in these last remaining areas could result in a global resurgence of the disease.” It is important to eradicate this virus in order to prevent it from spreading once again. Efforts have come very close to eradication and the recent GPEI funding will help bring the world even closer to this goal.
Successes in the Fight Against Polio
The GPEI was established in 1988 with the goal of ensuring that every child receives a polio vaccination. Since then, polio cases have dropped by 99% and vaccines have prevented approximately 20 million cases of paralysis. The virus once affected thousands of children across more than 100 countries but has now been eliminated in all except two, Afghanistan and Pakistan, where only a handful of cases occur each year.
About the Funds Against Polio
Pledges to the GPEI came from multiple donors, including:
These funds will help protect 370 million children from polio through vaccination and reduce GPEI’s remaining resource gap. The shortage of vaccines and resources is a key reason polio still persists. With this recent funding, the complete eradication of poliovirus could become achievable.
– Renata Hirmiz
Photo: Unsplash
What to Know About Hunger in Vietnam
Hunger, Nutrition and Food Security in Vietnam
The Global Hunger Index classifies hunger in Vietnam as moderate, with a rank of 56 out of 127 countries. Its most serious issue is children under 5 stunted (19.5%), with child wasting (4.7%), child mortality (2%) and undernourished population (5.2%) all considered to be low. The country’s overall GHI score has been more than halved since 2000, with undernourishment dropping from 42.5% to 19.5%.
Of the 13 global nutrition targets, Vietnam is “off course” for eight, and has shown no progress or is worsening in anemia among women of childbearing age. It has made only “some progress” with childhood stunting, childhood wasting, low birthweight and exclusive breastfeeding. The country has implemented national food and NCD (noncommunicable disease) policies in six of the ten recommended areas and has included specific nutrition targets in almost all related national policy areas.
Given the country’s moderate level of hunger, it is not surprising that it ranks above average (67.9:100) in the Global Food Security Index (GFSI), a 113-country comparison of food security (2022). Its highest (best) ranks are for affordability, availability and quality and safety. It is weakest in sustainability and adaptation. Its greatest weakness in sustainability is water, which includes access to safe drinking water and agricultural water supply and quality. It also gets a lower rating for political commitment to adaptation.
Addressing Hunger in Vietnam
In March 2023, the year following the 2022 GFSI report highlighting Vietnam’s need to address sustainability, Vietnam approved the National Action Plan on Food Systems Transformation toward Transparency, Responsibility and Sustainability in Vietnam by 2030. This plan is being implemented by Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and identifies programs and missions with 16 specific targets to achieve by 2030, including:
Global Food Donation Policy Atlas
In September 2024, Harvard Law School’s Food Law and Policy Clinic (FLPC), in collaboration with the Global FoodBanking Network (GFN) and Foodbank Vietnam (FBVN), conducted research that outlined steps to build on Vietnam’s national food systems plan. Vietnam was noted as a pioneer in food recovery and redistribution, with local innovation and successes providing the basis to “reduce food waste, boost food donation, feed people who are hungry, and curb environmental damage.”
A significant outcome of this collaboration was the Global Food Donation Policy Atlas, with recommendations to expand food donations. The atlas includes an interactive tool that enables the comparison of country policies for the 25 participating countries plus the European Union. FBVN chairman Nguyen Tuan Khoi describes the Atlas as part of the foodbank’s mission and sees it as contributing “to reducing food waste, and [ensuring] timely, safe and high-quality nutritional food supplies, especially in times of disaster and pandemic response.” GFN has made the map, legal guidelines, policy recommendations and country summaries available on its website.
Sustainable Food Security at Home and Globally
Vietnam’s commitment to its own food security and to making environmental sustainability a part of that security has thus allowed it to play a role in modeling similar activities for other developing countries.
– Staff Reports
Photo: Pixabay
From Papyrus Waste to Sanitary Pads: MakaPads in Uganda
A national audit published in January 2025 found that 64% of female students miss school regularly because sanitary materials and proper water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities are lacking. In this context, MakaPads emerged as a social enterprise, through which local engineers and social entrepreneurs began producing sanitary pads from papyrus reeds and recycled paper. MakaPads’ aim was straightforward: create a hygiene product affordable enough for low-income families while relying on materials available in Uganda itself.
MakaPads Project
The manufacturing remains deliberately low-tech and locally based. Papyrus stems are harvested from wetlands, stripped into fibers or pulp, mixed with recycled paper and shaped into absorbent pads. The finished pads are reportedly up to 95% biodegradable, chemical-free and cost roughly half as much as many imported pads available on the Ugandan market.
MakaPads has also provided employment and economic opportunity, particularly for women from vulnerable backgrounds. According to the project’s own documentation, production at its peak involved as many as 225 people, including both skilled and unskilled workers, as well as refugees, across various factories and stages of production. In one refugee camp factory at Kyaka II, a 2015 report describes 76 women employed, producing more than 800 pads daily and scaling production from 30,000 pads in 2009 to more than one million in 2014.
Women involved in production reported earning enough to cover their children’s school fees or invest in small assets, such as land or motorcycles, illustrating the tangible economic benefits of the project.
Social Impact and Challenges
On the social side, users and distributors have reported that locally made pads have helped reduce reliance on improvised alternatives, such as cloth and rags, which are often uncomfortable, unhygienic and stigmatizing. One user in the camp, Evelyne Banyamisa, reported that access to MakaPads allowed her to maintain consistent school attendance and participate fully in daily activities during her menstrual cycle.
However, the initiative has faced challenges. The UNHCR contract to supply pads to refugee camps was discontinued in 2015 after a quality inspection by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) revealed deficiencies. Some users also noted limitations, including leakage on heavier flow days, narrow pad width and occasional odor issues, highlighting the ongoing need to balance affordability, accessibility and product quality.
Final Remarks
Despite these setbacks, MakaPads remains a rare example of a social enterprise that simultaneously addresses menstrual health, local employment and environmental sustainability through low-cost, biodegradable sanitary products. Nevertheless, MakaPads demonstrates what community-rooted, resource-aware innovation can achieve: a model that combines menstrual hygiene with local manufacturing, environmental sustainability and economic opportunity. In a country where period poverty affects the majority of schoolgirls, low-cost, biodegradable pads made from native plant waste stand out as a hopeful, home-grown solution.
– George Horberry
Photo: Flickr
Inequality in Isan: Building Economic and Social Equity
The study also found that although 87% of households in Isan own land, land ownership alone has not guaranteed stable or sufficient livelihoods.
Budget and Health Care Inequality and Intra-Regional Disparity
Inequality persists in Thailand, particularly in the Isan region, when compared to more affluent areas such as Bangkok. In 2024, the Thai government allocated only 5.54% of its 3.48-trillion-baht (roughly $111 billion) national budget to Isan. In contrast, it allocated almost 10 times that amount, 1.85 trillion baht ($59.2 billion), to Bangkok, despite the capital having less than half of Isan’s population (around 11 million people).
Health care distribution also reflects this inequality. In 2023, Thailand had 37,559 doctors nationwide, but only 8,447 worked in Isan. Inequalities also exist within the region itself. Khon Kaen, one of Isan’s major cities, has a significantly lower doctor-to-patient ratio, with one doctor serving approximately 1,080 people, compared to Bueng Kan, where one doctor serves 5,003 people.
Discrimination
According to Manushya, urban populations in wealthier regions have long perpetuated negative stereotypes about Isan people, mocking them as poor, backward or as “mia farang” (meaning a white foreigner’s wife). The Asia Foundation also notes that some believe “there is no future in Isan,” leading to the assumption that people must migrate to Bangkok for “good prospects.” However, the study shows major shifts in migration patterns.
Young people in Isan are increasingly choosing to enroll in local institutions, such as Khon Kaen University, rather than moving to Bangkok. As a result, students are becoming more interested in pursuing entrepreneurship in Isan rather than seeking work in the capital. These findings show that the negative stereotypes stem from outdated or poorly informed assumptions.
Universal Health Coverage
Thailand introduced the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Scheme, often referred to as the “30-baht Scheme,” in 2001 to provide health care access for residents not covered by other public health schemes. The Asia Foundation identifies UHC as the most widely used social safety net in Isan, with 97% of surveyed respondents expressing high satisfaction. Before the scheme began, around 80% of the population lacked adequate health care coverage or faced prohibitive medical costs.
UHC has reduced this burden significantly. By 2015, household health care expenditure in Thailand had decreased by 11.8%, easing financial pressure on low-income households and contributing to a reduction in poverty.
Manushya and Advocacy Efforts
Founded in 2017 by Emilie Palamy Paradichit, Manushya is an intersectional feminist organization dedicated to promoting equality and human rights. Manushya worked with several Thai civil society organizations to prepare the Isan UPR factsheet for Thailand’s third Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in 2021. These partners included the Thai CSOs Coalition for the UPR, the Human Rights Violations in Isaan Monitoring Group, the Sai Thong Rak Pah Network, the Amnat Charoen Friend of Women Center and the Isaan Gender Diversity Network (IGDN).
The factsheet highlighted discrimination against Isan residents, such as unequal budget allocation, employment in low-paying jobs and negative stereotypes describing people as “poor,” “backward,” or “lower-class.” Manushya also included these concerns in its shadow civil society report for Thailand’s Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) review and participated in two sessions with CERD committee members to ensure that issues affecting Isan were addressed.
Progress and Opportunities in Isan
Efforts to reduce inequality in Isan demonstrate how targeted policies and strong community engagement can lead to meaningful change. Programs such as the UHC have expanded access to essential services, while organizations like Manushya continue to advocate for fair resource distribution and human rights protections. Growing interest in local education and entrepreneurship also reflects a generation investing in the region’s future.
With continued cooperation among government agencies, civil society groups and local communities, progress toward addressing inequality in Isan can accelerate, supporting more secure and sustainable livelihoods.
– Sammi Li
Photo: Pexels
Education in Gabon
With vast petroleum reserves, Gabon is a natural-resource-rich, upper-middle-income country and is considered one of sub-Saharan Africa’s most prosperous and stable countries. At the same time, while the forecasted 2025 extreme poverty rate is just 3.1%, the upper-middle-income poverty rate is forecast to be over 37.8%. Unemployment is 20%.
Education in Gabon
Based on the French model, education in Gabon is compulsory and free from ages 6 to 16, beginning with six years of primary education, followed by seven years of secondary school (state program). Options include the predominant general and technical schools, supplemented by private and international schools. Tertiary education includes two state universities: the University of Sciences and Technologies of Masuku, and the Omar Bongo University programs in administration, engineering, forestry, hydraulics, law, literature, management, science and teacher training.
Primary education expenditure per child of primary education age was 94.9% above the sub-Saharan regional average, but 48.9% below the upper-middle-income country average.
Learning Poverty
The Learning Poverty rate, a metric initiated in 2019 by the World Bank and the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, measures the proportion of children who are unable to read a simple text with comprehension by age 10, and considers both schooling and learning. Schooling Deprivation, Learning Deprivation and Learning Poverty are all related and are an early indication of risks to the overall quality of education.
In 2021, the World Bank reported that 30% of Gabonese children at late primary age were not proficient in reading, 24% of students did not achieve the minimum proficiency level in reading at the end of primary school and 9% of primary school-aged children were not enrolled in school. This puts Gabon in a better position than the average for the sub-Saharan Africa region (55.7 percentage points lower) and slightly lower than the average for upper-middle-income countries. Learning poverty was higher for girls than for boys, but the indicators and component proportions for boys and girls were within a few points of each other.
Demographic Disparities
As might be expected, there are various demographic differences in education regarding access and completion, including discrepancies related to wealth and location (urban/rural) in Gabon. The largest differences between the poorest and the richest students are in completion rates: primary (44% and 95%, respectively), lower secondary (17% and 75%), upper secondary (4% and 49%) and tertiary (more than 40%). This disparity pattern in completion rates is similar between rural and urban locations.
There are also some gender differences, but these are not as dramatic. Boys and girls are relatively close on the individual metrics, and both are low for lower secondary completion (below 50%) and upper secondary completion (below 25%). Literacy is high for both 15-14-year-old boys and girls at 95% and 97%, respectively. Learning achievements are within 5-10% of each other, but low for math at the end of primary school.
SDG 4
In the 2025 United Nations Sustainable Development Report, Gabon is ranked 103:167 overall on the 17 SDGs. SDG 4, Quality Education, is to “Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.” The assessment of Gabon on SDG 4 is that “major challenges remain.” Noted are major challenges remaining in the net primary enrollment rate and the lower secondary completion rate, and the literacy rate. (The World Bank reported adult literacy in 2021 to be 86%.)
Addressing High School Dropout: ADAP
Primary school enrollment in Gabon is high—90%–but there is a serious drop in transitioning to secondary school. Only 48% of boys and 57% of girls enroll in secondary school, reportedly because of “social factors.” UNICEF, through its Adolescent Development and Participation program (ADAP), is working with Gabonese education professionals to encourage young people to stay in school and understand how they can contribute to their communities. In addition to working with those in daily contact with adolescents, UNICEF Gabon contributes to various community and school awareness-building activities and extracurricular talks.
U-Report
An innovative approach for communication and advocacy is UNICEF’s use of U-Report, UNICEF’s free and anonymous mobile digital platform where young people can post opinions and information, engaging in advocacy within their communities and beyond. Launched in Uganda in 2011, as of mid-202, there were over 37 million registered U-Reporters in 102 countries, including 4,231 U-Reporters in Gabon. In July 2025, Gabon’s fifth U-Report regional branch opened in Franceville, with the network hailed as a means of allowing “young people to express themselves, learn and influence public policy on issues that concern them.”
Advocacy Enhancing Education
As a correlate to UNICEF’s ADAP effort, U-Report can serve not only to support students’ healthy communication and advocacy activities, but also to strengthen and support their involvement in local communities, including activities that improve their schools. In Libreville, for example, group field action was conducted to remove unhealthy conditions on school grounds in Sibang by collecting waste, recycling plastic, and weeding around a classroom building to provide a cleaner environment to support students’ well-being and academic success. The Oyem group conducted a two-day campaign in schools to raise awareness of crucial issues—violence in schools, cyberbullying, sexual violence in schools and children’s rights. This involved middle and high school students in interactive workshops and discussion sessions.
Final Thoughts
Together, UNICEF’s ADAP initiative and the U-Report platform are helping transform young Gabonese into active advocates for their education and communities. By amplifying their voices and encouraging civic engagement, these programs not only motivate students to stay in school but also foster a generation prepared to address the persistent challenges of inequality and access to education in Gabon.
– Staff Reports
Photo: Flickr
How the United Nations is Working to Prevent Hunger in Tonga
Food Security: Access vs. Quality
The most recent Sustainable Development Report for Tonga for the U.N.’s SDG 2, Zero Hunger, shows decreasing trends in terms of improvement, with significant challenges remaining. (Information was available for only four of the eight indicators comprising the assessment.) While the SDG has been achieved for stunting and wasting of children under 5, significant challenges remain for the Sustainable Nitrogen Management Index, and a major challenge regarding the prevalence of obesity, where the improvement trend is decreasing.
Tonga has not met the criteria for inclusion in the Global Hunger Index, most likely because of insufficient data. Still, other sources support the conclusion that food security in Tonga is not a question of access to food, but rather an issue of the quality of food being consumed. The Pacific Community: Tonga Food Security Profile reports that more than 97% of the population has adequate access to food, but around 12% lack access to nutritious foods. While vegetable and fruit consumption is approximately what the WHO recommends for a healthy diet, 60% of dietary energy comes from foods it is recommended to limit or avoid—e.g., sugar and animal fats. Only 15% of Tongans consume a balanced diet.
This conclusion is supported by the 2022 Global Nutrition Report, which indicates that Tonga’s obesity prevalence (57.9% of adult women and 45.5% of adult men) is higher than the regional average and among the highest in the world. At the same time, while Tonga is “on course” for childhood stunting, childhood wasting and childhood overweight, there has been no progress, or worsening, for anemia among women of childbearing age and exclusive breastfeeding. Tonga is off course for the remaining eight indicators of the report.
Impact of Dietary Diversity on Health
The World Food Programme’s mobile Vulnerability Analysis and Mapping survey, October/November 2024, in Tonga, similarly noted that 98% of the households surveyed experienced adequate consumption, but diets lacked diversity. Although food security was found to be stable, the high cost of food and rural poverty are challenges. Significantly, the poor quality of diets can lead to NCDs (non-communicable diseases).
The World Bank had previously noted an increase in poor diet as one of the behavior-related risk factors contributing to Tonga’s rise in NCDs, which accounted for four of the five leading causes of mortality. A 2021 World Bank study focused on NCD-related fiscal policies, such as taxation policy on unhealthy food consumption behaviors.
The World Bank has worked with Tonga to evaluate programs put in place 2016-2019 to promote healthy lifestyles. These programs were:
The World Bank’s findings showed that “integrated, innovative solutions can work together to reduce food security risk… and improve health and nutrition outcomes.”
Climate Challenge
Not to be ignored is the impact of climate on Tonga and its key economic sectors—tourism, agriculture and fisheries—and thus the direct and indirect effect on food security and health. Natural hazards include heat waves, drought, floods, cyclones and storm surges. In January 2022, for example, a volcanic eruption and tsunami destroyed crops and polluted drinking water.
Subsequent to the COVID pandemic, the U.N.’s International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) worked through the Informal Economies Recovery Project to support the implementation of various agricultural development activities in Tonga. IFAD’s mission is to reduce rural poverty, to improve nutrition and increase food security, as well as to strengthen resilience. IFAD partnered with MORDITT in Tonga (Mainstreaming of Rural Development Innovation Tonga Trust), with activities including the distribution of seedlings.
A Collaborative and Multi-Pronged Approach
Addressing hunger in Tonga is thus a combination of national and international commitment with macro-level policy and sectoral efforts, as well as micro-level behavioral change efforts.
– Staff Reports
Photo: Flickr
ASPIRE in Haiti and Community-Driven Development in Myanmar
Poverty and Conflict
In these economies, close to 40% of the population lives in extreme poverty. According to the 2024 Global Multidimensional Poverty Index, out of 1.1 billion people living in acute poverty, 455 million resided in countries experiencing war or fragility. In 2025, although these regions accounted for less than 15% of the world’s population, they were home to 421 million people living in extreme poverty, more than the total in the rest of the world. Estimates indicate that by the end of this decade, nearly three-fifths of the global extremely impoverished population, approximately 435 million people, will be living in these economies.
As the conflict has intensified, food insecurity has also risen sharply, with approximately 200 million people, accounting for 18% of the population in these regions, facing acute food insecurity. Countries affected by conflict often experience high levels of poverty and ongoing conflict slows progress in poverty reduction. Poverty, in turn, interacts with other underlying grievances to fuel instability, while conflict further deepens economic hardship.
United Nations Security Council
At a United Nations Security Council open debate in New York, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres emphasised how poverty can fuel conflict.
He said: “Poverty breeds despair. Despair fuels unrest. And unrest tears at the fabric of societies — feeding mistrust, fear and violence.” Conflict, in turn, weakens already weak institutions and exacerbates poverty and food insecurity. In cases of severe conflicts, after five years, the GDP per capita drops by around 15%. It has also negatively impacted employment creation and average life expectancy.
In this manner, conflict and poverty become mutually reinforcing, creating a vicious cycle. A World Bank report suggests that although these countries face significant challenges, they have untapped potential that could reignite growth with effective policymaking. One such advantage is having a large working-age population. By 2055, around 60% of the population in areas affected by conflict or instability will be of working age, larger than anywhere else in the world.
Transforming this into growth would require investment in education, health care, infrastructure and the private sector to create employment opportunities.
Breaking the Cycle
The World Bank, through its programs, aims to provide basic services, foster development opportunities and create employment in these economies by remaining engaged during conflict and after to assist in recovery and transition. The Adaptive Social Protection for Increased Resilience Project (ASPIRE) in Haiti and the National Community-Driven Development Project in Myanmar are two notable examples.
The ASPIRE program in Haiti supports nearly 23,000 households in the department of Grand’Anse. As Haiti continues to struggle with conflict and political instability, the initiative helps strengthen its ability to cope with recurring shocks by providing it with a monthly cash transfer. The program also aimed to provide training on financial literacy and health and hygiene practices to 50% of households. It helped identify more than 100,000 vulnerable households, enabling targeted investments. It not only addressed immediate challenges but also laid the groundwork for future investments in human capital.
The National Community-Driven Development Project in Myanmar, which comprised 37,000 sub-projects, positively impacted more than seven million people in the country. Nearly a fifth of the country’s population benefited from the improved infrastructure, transportation, water supply, education and electrification. Although the World Bank halted the disbursements of the Myanmar Partnership Multi-Donor Trust Fund in 2021, it continued to monitor the situation and provide analyses.
Final Remarks
Addressing conflict can lead to growth only when immediate humanitarian needs are met and paired with long-term investment in human capital. Through the ASPIRE program in Haiti and the development project in Myanmar, the World Bank routed investments toward education, health care and infrastructure. In doing so, the World Bank sought to break the vicious cycle of conflict and poverty.
– Priya Doshi
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Sikh Humanitarian Organizations Rebuilding Punjab
With agricultural communities forming most of Punjab’s population, whatever affects farmers affects the entire region. Geographically, Punjab has always lived with a water-heavy existence defined by monsoon seasons. Punjab, literally “land of the five rivers,” has always embraced these conditions. Yet what once supported life now contributes to devastation. Every flood deepens poverty and erodes hope for those already living on the edge of survival. As the waters recede, one truth stays clear: if Punjab’s farmers cannot feed themselves, the survival of the wider population rests on fragile ground.
Poverty here is not evident only in rupees but in diminished worth, fractured families and futures placed on hold. Yet through the murky waters, people found hope in the form of seva, or selfless service, a key motto of the Sikh faith that guides the Sikh humanitarian organizations rebuilding Punjab after the floods, such as Global Sikhs, Khalsa Aid and United Sikhs. Each organization plays a unique role that extends far beyond immediate help. Their work presents rebuilding Punjab as a testament to the power of community, religious service and international cooperation. Here, Sikh faith-based charities show that seva is not only a spiritual ideal but also a practical, life-changing force in times of crisis.
The Principle of Seva in Action: Tackling Poverty
Guru Nanak Dev Ji says,
“Do Seva and service in this world and find a seat in the court of God.”
ਵਿਚਿ ਦੁਨੀਆ ਸੇਵ ਕਮਾਈਐ ॥
ਤਾ ਦਰਗਹ ਬੈਸਣੁ ਪਾਈਐ ॥
(Sri Rag M-1, 26)
This philosophy of service sits at the heart of the Sikh community and shapes the work of the charities rebuilding Punjab after the floods’ destruction. Seva, rooted in the teachings of the Sikh Gurus, calls for selfless and unconditional service performed without seeking praise or reward. Sikhs see it as a way of honoring the divine by serving humanity and fulfilling a moral obligation.
This custom turned into a lifeline in the wake of the floods. Volunteers (or sevadars) of all ages, from local villagers to Sikhs in the diaspora, put seva into action by delivering aid, rebuilding livelihoods and reminding communities that solidarity stays stronger than anguish even during turbulent times.
In the aftermath, one of the greatest challenges was helping communities rise from the deeper poverty the catastrophe created. Families who once depended on modest harvests now faced barren granaries and empty farms. The disaster erased even the most basic security in places where poverty already ran deep, leaving parents wondering how they would afford their next meal or whether they needed to send their children overseas to survive.
Impact of the Floods
For many farmers, the human toll defies measurement. After days of relentless monsoon rains, countless families awoke to shattered livelihoods. In talks with The Guardian, Amritsar-based farmer Parmpreet Singh described his reality: “The crops are ruined, and even our homes are in danger of collapsing.”
His family — including his two young daughters and his elderly mother — currently lives on the roof of their home to stay above the water. Singh fears he may need to sell his land and abandon farming after seven hectares of crops were destroyed. Livestock farmers, who depend on only two or three buffaloes, face similar devastation. The shortage of fodder and the soaring cost of silage have pushed their financial stability to a breaking point.
Abad Khan, a small farmer from central Punjab, told Dawn News, “These families were already struggling, and now they are facing a level of poverty almost impossible to escape.” More than 2.2 million hectares of crops — from vegetables to rice and wheat — have been wiped out. In just one week, the price of wheat flour rose by 25%. The scale of economic and social hardship has made recovery daunting, but Sikh organizations have responded by turning seva into focused and sustained action.
Khalsa Aid
Khalsa Aid mobilized its volunteers within hours of the first flood warnings and reached the affected districts before most organizations. Their teams have worked across Gurdaspur, Kapurthala, Ferozepur and Abohar since mid-August, evacuating livestock — often a rural family’s main source of income — and rescuing stranded residents. Alongside these emergency actions, Khalsa Aid supplies clean drinking water, medical assistance, ration bags and crucial fodder for animals suffering after prolonged exposure to stagnant floodwater.
The charity installed industrial dewatering devices in Abohar, where floodwaters persisted long after the rains ended. This equipment helped recover more than 1,000 acres of submerged farmland. To help farmers restore their fields, restart agricultural work and prevent long-term economic collapse, Khalsa Aid’s teams continue to work directly with the communities.
Global Sikhs
Global Sikhs has taken on the equally important responsibility of long-term rehabilitation. Through their Sanjha Sahara Project, volunteers work in 25 severely affected villages to help families rebuild their lives from the ground up. Their approach recognizes that restoring livelihoods is as essential to Punjab’s recovery as clearing water or distributing aid.
They support soil restoration, repair damaged irrigation channels and replace lost livestock, a vital resource for rural households whose earnings depend on a few buffaloes or goats. Global Sikhs also help families rebuild homes damaged by weeks of flooding to ensure children, the elderly and vulnerable people stay safe.
UNITED SIKHS
Sevadars for UNITED SIKHS mobilized across the region and worked tirelessly to evacuate residents from submerged homes, relocate families to safer areas and set up relief camps in villages such as Dhera Ghara and Nihala. They provided medical care, food and clean water to households cut off by flooding. UNITED SIKHS also partnered with local health officials to distribute chlorine tablets and teach safe water practices to prevent the rise of skin infections and waterborne illnesses as stagnant floodwaters lingered. At the same time, the organization addressed severe shortages of cattle fodder caused by flooded fields and blocked roads to help farmers keep their livestock alive.
Rebuilding Punjab: Looking Ahead
These are only some of the organizations rebuilding Punjab. Although the damage devastated countless families, livelihoods and communities, the active service of these charities and the seva they embody brings hope back into people’s lives and provides practical solutions that lay the foundations for long-term recovery. In a glistening and rich culture, the harmony of community and faith shines brighter than ever.
– Prubleen Bhogal
Photo: Flickr
5 Facts on the Current State of Education in Cyprus
In the Republic of Cyprus, education is structured as a 6‑6 system: six years of compulsory primary education starting near age 6, followed by six years of secondary (divided into junior and senior cycles), and then tertiary or vocational pathways. Technical and vocational education and training (TVET) usually lasts two years post-secondary and is overseen by the Human Resource Development Authority (HRDA).
Public spending on education is robust, historically around 6-7% of GDP, significantly above the EU average. In 2022, education expenses made up about 4.9% of total GDP and 13% of the government budget (approximately €1.446 billion). These numbers position Cyprus among Europe’s top spenders in education quality and support.
Performance and Learning Outcomes
Cypriot students take part in the OECD’s PISA assessments. In 2022, their average scores fell to about 418 in mathematics, 411 in science, and 381 in reading—all well below the OECD averages of 472, 485, and 476, respectively. This marks a sharp decline from 2018 and shows Cyprus falling behind many of its EU peers in core academic skills.
Adult learning engagement is another concern: in 2022, only 28.3% of adults participated in education or training, well below the EU average of around 39.5% – with participation among women at just 20.4% versus 36.7% for men. There is a marked gap between higher‑educated individuals (35.5% participation) and those with lower qualifications (10.9%).
Challenges, Reforms and the Road Ahead
Despite high levels of investment, Cyprus’ reliance on inconsistent teacher-assigned school grades, which account for 70% of final marks, can undermine fairness. To make matters worse, university admissions rely almost entirely on centralized exams, disadvantaging students from less privileged schools or socio-economic backgrounds. Additionally, adult learning participation has sharply decreased since 2016, particularly among older populations and non-workers.
In 2015, the government launched an Agency of Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Higher Education to standardize and improve university quality across all institutions. It has evaluated nearly 300 study programs and multiple universities since then, helping hundreds of thousands of students. The HRDA continues to finance vocational training through payroll-based fees and generous subsidies, helping bridge skills gaps in Cyprus’s economy. Technical cooperation with EU partners and UNESCO supports further reforms aimed at expanding adult training and improving early‑grade performance.
Overall, education in Cyprus remains a high‑priority sector, with solid funding, strong tertiary completion, and a national commitment to quality. However, recent declines in PISA performance and adult learning participation signal the need for greater policy involvement, particularly on lifelong learning and transparency in grading. As reforms increase, Cyprus has a chance to bolster its reputation as one of Europe’s education success stories while ensuring that all learners benefit.
– Jeff Zhou
Photo: Flickr