In the governorate of Dhofar in Oman’s fog-filled mountains, the traditional khareef (monsoon) winds have become a new form of currency. By 2026, the initiative to provide clean, low-cost electricity to remote communities will advance with the expansion of Dhofar Wind Farms. Civilians will witness the region’s most remote desert landscape transform into a renewable energy powerhouse, showcasing the power of wind energy projects in rural Oman.
The Power of Two: Dhofar 1 and Dhofar 2
The Dhofar 1 Wind Farm became the first utility-scale wind project in the Gulf. Developed by Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) through an EPC consortium of GE Renewable Energy and Spain’s TSK, the wind farm aimed to generate enough electricity to supply 16,000 homes, meeting 7% of Dhofar Governorate’s total power demand.
By doing so, it offset carbon dioxide emissions annually and reduced reliance on natural gas for domestic power generation. In 2026, 150 km north of Salalah, 13 General Electric wind turbines totaling 50MW of power will operate. While the official estimate for homes powered is 16,000, the project was designed to potentially meet the consumption of up to 60,000 homes in ideal conditions.
The proven reliability of Dhofar 1 established a blueprint for scalable green infrastructure in the desert. Recognizing that clean energy could catalyze broader regional development, Oman accelerated its strategy. Building on the operational success of this initial project, the newly commissioned Dhofar 2 launched through a strategic agreement between Nama Power and Water Procurement and a consortium of leading energy firms.
In the spirit of Oman’s 2040 vision, a $112 million (RO 43 million) investment was accumulated. At double the number and capacity of Dhofar 1, Dhofar 2 adds another 125MW to the grid.
Together, these facilities now provide clean energy to more than 34,000 homes and offset 268,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. For the first time, rural southern Oman is seeing a future where its energy is as limitless as the wind.
The Local Impact: In-Country Value
The CEO of Nama Power, Ahmed bin Salm Al Abri, stated that Dhofar 2 will contribute to freeing an estimated 76 million cubic meters of natural gas annually. Said gas can now be diverted to more valuable industrial uses or exported to stabilize the national economy. The 36 wind turbines required for the completion of the project have arrived, with foundations completed and in-country value targets exceeded through these vital wind energy projects in rural Oman.
Oman utilizes a targeted procurement method called “Ring-Fencing.” By legally isolating specific components of the project’s supply chain, such as road construction, electrical wiring and long-term maintenance services, the government ensures that international conglomerates cannot bring in foreign subcontractors. Instead, these contracts are “fenced off” exclusively for Omani National Registered Suppliers (NRS) and local SMEs. This mechanism guarantees that a massive portion of the project’s capital remains within the governorate, transforming a standard construction site into a self-sustaining regional economic hub.
Not only is the government pushing the 2040 vision for an environmentally friendly economy, but it is also nurturing local businesses, shifting the Dhofar project into a regional economic hub. A “Mandatory List” of contractors was created, including more than 312 products that must be “Made in Oman.” For the Dhofar 2 expansion, reaching the 25% In-Country Value target allows at least $28 million of the $112 million investment to be paid directly to Omani companies for engineering, logistics and civil works.
Major energy players run “Vendor Development Programs” that provide technical training to small local businesses so they can meet international quality standards.
The Human Impact: “Omanization” and Training
For remote southern communities, this shift fundamentally alters daily life. Previously, local schools and health care clinics in the Dhofar highlands faced frequent power rationing due to the erratic nature of diesel transport. The integration of stabilized wind power means these vital facilities now operate with uninterrupted, 24-hour electricity.
According to the Nama Group’s sustainability frameworks, the Dhofar wind initiatives are serving as an active classroom for the next generation of Omani engineers. Specialized training modules have been deployed to equip local youth with highly technical competencies in wind turbine diagnostics, AI-driven grid management and automated robotics. This targeted capacity building has generated approximately 150 direct and indirect jobs within the region.
By shifting local expertise toward advanced green technologies, the project ensures that these newly skilled professionals secure sustainable careers designed to last throughout the 25-year operational lifespan of the wind farms, keeping the financial and intellectual rewards of the energy transition entirely within the local community.
Rural Stability
For generations, economic necessity forced rural Omani youth to abandon their home provinces, migrating en masse to the heavily centralized capital city of Muscat in search of employment. This traditional “urban drift” hollowed out rural communities and placed immense infrastructure strain on the capital. However, the specialized localized training mandated by the Dhofar wind farm initiatives is successfully turning the tide. Guided by the Oman National Spatial Strategy (ONSS) managed by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning, these projects serve as a key place-based delivery model to decentralize public investment and economic development across all 11 governorates.
By equipping local technical college graduates directly with elite skills in wind turbine diagnostics, AI-driven grid management and automated engineering, these projects provide lucrative, high-tech career trajectories without forcing families apart. Instead of fleeing the countryside, young Omani professionals are choosing to stay in the Dhofar governorate to anchor a newly emergent local green economy. This structural shift achieves a core priority of the ONSS framework: ensuring a balanced, resilient distribution of growth that keeps rural communities both demographically stable and economically vibrant.
Looking Ahead
In 2026, the Dhofar wind projects proved a transition of dual victory. In addition to creating sustainable energy, they have created investments in local companies and expanded the job market for the Omani youth. The Sultanate is ensuring an often difficult goal: driving long-term economic development through wind energy projects in rural Oman. The desert winds, once only regarded as a geographical consequence, have become the heart of Oman’s rural future.
– Celine Dib
Celine is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.
Photo: Flickr
How Local Peace Efforts in Sudan Have Reduced Violence
Religious leaders, respected elders and youth groups trained in peacebuilding have protected markets, brokered local peace agreements, improved communication and community outreach and helped civilians relocate safely and access hospitals. Although only national peace negotiations can end the war, local peace efforts in Sudan have saved lives and rebuilt the trust necessary for creating and maintaining a peaceful nation.
Ground-Level Efforts
There have been noticeable reductions in violence where local peace initiatives have taken place, as seen in the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) “Bridging Divides” report from October 2025. The report tracked efforts in the Darfur and Kordofan regions, noting the key actors, objectives and successes. In places such as Nyala, Ad-duain and Babanousa, native administrative figures, business leaders, local authorities and tribal chiefs led the charge; while in Zalingei, Youth Peace Ambassadors trained by the UNDP drove the initiatives.
In El Fasher, a formal group, the Elders and Mediation Committee of El Fasher, formed to represent various voices throughout the region including women’s representatives and representatives of armed groups. These leaders shared similar objectives, namely protecting essential infrastructure and medical facilities, brokering local cease-fires and assisting civilians with travel and aid. Because of the polarization experienced throughout Sudan, these groups also spread awareness campaigns and opened up dialogue between divided community members.
While most negotiated temporary cease-fires or truces to sustain regular civilian life, the efforts in Ad-duain led to a seven-month peace span and the committee in El Fasher prevented large-scale clashes for about a year. Local leaders in Ad-duain, Zalingei and Babanousa also reached out to the Rapid Support Forces and Sudanese Armed Forces directly in hopes of postponing major confrontations and creating verbal non-aggression arrangements within their regions.
Within all of these local peace efforts in Sudan, community aid was an entry point for rebuilding trust and traditional community structures, such as tribal leadership, served as a vessel for mediation. An important objective in every region was the maintenance of hospitals and local markets, as well as safeguarding the routes leading to essential services. By protecting and providing for civilians, fractured communities unified for peace despite the conflict at the national scale.
The UN in Kassala
In Kassala, the U.N. Secretary-General Peacebuilding Fund funded a project titled “Strengthening Capacities for Peace and Social Cohesion in Kassala and Red Sea States.” The project supports social cohesion, gender equality and youth engagement. It helped 25 women in Kassala town establish a petty trade business supplying sugar, flour, cooking oils and other essentials. Through this, women who lived on opposite sides of the divide came together to collectively support each other.
Gisma, a woman from Kassala who is part of the enterprise, stated, “I used to worry about the future, about division. But this project gave me hope. We now have a reason to work together, to support each other.” The fund has also been used to train Youth Ambassadors who are assuming leadership roles within their communities, such as those in Zalingei.
Looking Ahead
Local peace efforts in Sudan currently lack the resources and recognition needed to sustain their successes. As long as the war continues, these initiatives remain under constant threat due to changing conditions and positions, which affect different areas. However, investments in these initiatives could also kick start a new approach to diplomacy. Rather than working only for a national cease-fire, victories in smaller regions could accumulate into a larger one. The tireless and dangerous work of local leaders and groups has paved the path for stability and will hopefully lead to lasting peace in Sudan.
– Joshua P Megson
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Technology for Smallholder Farmers in India
Not anymore.
Before the trader has finished talking, the farmer’s phone buzzes. A message in a WhatsApp group — 2,000 members, all onion growers in the same region — has just circulated today’s wholesale rate from the nearest mandi market. The trader’s offer is 30% below it. The farmer tells him to leave.
This single exchange captures what the technology for smallholder farmers in India revolution looks like. Not a Silicon Valley app. Not a government scheme. A free messaging platform, a few thousand farmers and information that was always available — just never to them.
The Middleman’s Greatest Weapon Was Ignorance
India’s agriculture sector employs 42% of the country’s workforce.
Yet the people doing that work have historically been the most informationally isolated. Smallholder and marginal farmers — those with less than two hectares of land — account for 86.2% of all farmers in India, but own just 47.3% of the arable land. They grow the country’s food from a position of almost zero leverage.
The trader knew the mandi price. The farmer did not. That single information gap — replicated across millions of transactions every harvest season — has quietly transferred billions of rupees from the people who grew the food to the people who simply moved it. WhatsApp groups are closing that gap in real time.
500,000 Farmers, Two Friends From Sangli
In 2012, two friends in Sangli, Maharashtra — Dr. Ankush Chormule and Amol Patil — noticed something simple: farmers around them had endless questions about pests, soil, crop timing and market prices and nowhere fast to get answers. WhatsApp had just launched. They started a group.
Seven years later, that group had grown into a network of more than 500,000 farmers across seven states. Their sugarcane group alone has 230,000 members from Karnataka, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Gujarat. Farmers report getting answers to crop questions within five to 15 minutes. Farmers in the network detected the arrival of fall armyworm pests in Maharashtra before it became a regional epidemic — weeks before any government alert.
“If something as simple as a video helps a farmer, it means his income goes up and his faith in the occupation is restored,” Patil told The Better India.
No funding. No offices. No staff. Just a phone and a willingness to answer messages.
One farmer in the network, Ramesh Jadhav of Nashik district, told local reporters that the group helped him identify a fungal infection in his tomato crop within hours of posting a photo — saving an estimated ₹80,000 (approximately $841) worth of produce he would otherwise have lost. Cases like his are now common across the network.
What the Data Says
The anecdotes are compelling. The data backs them up. Research from the GSMA found that 75% of active users of mobile agricultural services made measurable improvements to their farming practices — translating to 1.5 million farmers globally reporting better productivity outcomes.
The annual financing gap for smallholder farmers worldwide sits at $170 billion — a number that better market access directly chips away at.
Meanwhile, the infrastructure for scaling this further is already in place. India crossed 958 million active internet users in 2025, with rural India now accounting for 57% of that base — around 548 million people.
Rural internet users are growing at 16% annually, twice the pace of urban areas. By 2026, India is projected to have one billion smartphone users, with rural areas driving the majority of that growth. The phones are there. The farmers are using them. The question is whether anyone in power is paying attention.
The Problem With Official Solutions
For decades, governments and development organizations have tried to close the agricultural information gap through extension officers, radio broadcasts and expensive digital platforms. Many have produced modest results at enormous cost. WhatsApp groups are producing comparable — often greater — impact for free.
The reason is trust. A price update from a government portal is data. The same update forwarded by a cousin farming the same crop two villages over is intelligence. Technology for smallholder farmers in India works when it moves through existing social networks, not around them.
India’s farmers are not waiting for a solution to be designed for them. In Maharashtra, Punjab and Andhra Pradesh, they have already built one — on a platform that was never intended for agriculture, using nothing more than the collective knowledge of people who have worked the same land for generations.
The middleman still shows up. He just does not get the same answer he used to.
– Parthivee Mukherji
Photo: Unsplash
Environmental Risks to Children’s Health in Central Asia
Household Air Pollution (HAP)
An annual 2.9 million deaths are attributed to HAP worldwide. Some common conditions include ischaemic heart disease, stroke and lower respiratory infections, which cause a total of 76% of HAP-related deaths per year. In Mongolia, where coal is the predominant energy source for those living in poverty, indoor and outdoor air pollution cause 132 out of every 100,000 people to die prematurely each year.
Ulaanbaatar is the capital city of Mongolia. With 60% of the city’s population living in ger districts and many living in traditional felt tents, known as “gers” and small houses, a large number of children are exposed to extreme levels of HAP every day.
The country’s harsh climate, which can cause temperatures to plummet to as low as -20°C, forces Mongolians to heavily rely upon coal to survive, with three to six tons being burned annually in order to cook and provide warmth to their homes.
A study by Zaiyou Dai and colleagues in 2025 investigated the effects of HAP on the health of 1,279 infants by monitoring their health at 7, 13 and 36 months. They found the following results:
The incomplete combustion caused by burning other materials, such as wood and charcoal, can also result in the emission of toxic gases like carbon monoxide. As one of the biggest environmental risks to children’s health in Central Asia, it is critical that energy production shift permanently away from burning these fossil fuels.
Mercury Poisoning
Mercury can be extremely harmful if consumed or inhaled. Central Asia has some of the most mercury-contaminated countries on the planet. For example, China contributes more than 600 tons of Hg to global emissions.
Toxic to humans, most people who experience mercury poisoning have come into contact with the chemical element by eating contaminated fish or inhaling vapors during industrial processing. Exposure can cause difficulties in child development both in utero and early life, as well as the following issues:
Due to fish being a key food source for lower-income families, children all over the world are put at risk of mercury poisoning. A study by Zhen-Yan Gao and colleagues in 2015 found that more than 14,000 Chinese children aged 0 to 6 years old had higher mercury levels than normal, with concentrations rising significantly if their diets included the frequent consumption of fish. These levels are an extreme cause for concern.
Ultraviolet Radiation
Ultraviolet rays, which individuals are vulnerable to during any exposure to sunlight, can be a useful source of much-needed vitamin D, but they can also have some disastrous and harmful effects. Because they are immunosuppressive, UV-B rays can cause skin damage and autoimmune diseases like lupus.
Sufferers of lupus, otherwise known as systemic lupus erythematosus, often experience:
A long-term condition, lupus is life-changing and, while rare, about 15-20% of lupus patients are diagnosed as children. As the ozone layer slowly thins due to the changing climate, it is more critical than ever to protect children’s skin and their health from ultraviolet radiation.
While new environmental issues arise every day, it is also important to acknowledge the progress being made toward protecting children’s health. People from hundreds of nations are collaborating to find solutions to the many environmental risks to children’s health in Central Asia.
UNICEF and Its Fight Against Air Pollution
In 2021, UNICEF launched a program called UniSat, which was designed to help protect children’s health in Central Asia by educating youths. Girls from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan were taught how to use nanosatellites and other technology that can be used to monitor air, so the future generation can make life-saving, progressive changes that will reduce air pollution in their country and consequently protect thousands of children’s health.
The staggering loss of 1.7 million lives each year emphasizes the significance of the environment and its impact on health, a harsh reality now catalyzing countless life-changing, innovative programs and policies, such as UniSat and the Minamata Convention. With the ever-changing climate and a surge in pollution worldwide, it is now more important than ever to rethink energy usage and direct attention toward achieving a safe environment where children can thrive, not just survive.
– Ruby Fraser
Photo: Pixabay
Wind Energy Projects in Rural Oman and Economic Stabilization
The Power of Two: Dhofar 1 and Dhofar 2
The Dhofar 1 Wind Farm became the first utility-scale wind project in the Gulf. Developed by Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) through an EPC consortium of GE Renewable Energy and Spain’s TSK, the wind farm aimed to generate enough electricity to supply 16,000 homes, meeting 7% of Dhofar Governorate’s total power demand.
By doing so, it offset carbon dioxide emissions annually and reduced reliance on natural gas for domestic power generation. In 2026, 150 km north of Salalah, 13 General Electric wind turbines totaling 50MW of power will operate. While the official estimate for homes powered is 16,000, the project was designed to potentially meet the consumption of up to 60,000 homes in ideal conditions.
The proven reliability of Dhofar 1 established a blueprint for scalable green infrastructure in the desert. Recognizing that clean energy could catalyze broader regional development, Oman accelerated its strategy. Building on the operational success of this initial project, the newly commissioned Dhofar 2 launched through a strategic agreement between Nama Power and Water Procurement and a consortium of leading energy firms.
In the spirit of Oman’s 2040 vision, a $112 million (RO 43 million) investment was accumulated. At double the number and capacity of Dhofar 1, Dhofar 2 adds another 125MW to the grid.
Together, these facilities now provide clean energy to more than 34,000 homes and offset 268,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. For the first time, rural southern Oman is seeing a future where its energy is as limitless as the wind.
The Local Impact: In-Country Value
The CEO of Nama Power, Ahmed bin Salm Al Abri, stated that Dhofar 2 will contribute to freeing an estimated 76 million cubic meters of natural gas annually. Said gas can now be diverted to more valuable industrial uses or exported to stabilize the national economy. The 36 wind turbines required for the completion of the project have arrived, with foundations completed and in-country value targets exceeded through these vital wind energy projects in rural Oman.
Oman utilizes a targeted procurement method called “Ring-Fencing.” By legally isolating specific components of the project’s supply chain, such as road construction, electrical wiring and long-term maintenance services, the government ensures that international conglomerates cannot bring in foreign subcontractors. Instead, these contracts are “fenced off” exclusively for Omani National Registered Suppliers (NRS) and local SMEs. This mechanism guarantees that a massive portion of the project’s capital remains within the governorate, transforming a standard construction site into a self-sustaining regional economic hub.
Not only is the government pushing the 2040 vision for an environmentally friendly economy, but it is also nurturing local businesses, shifting the Dhofar project into a regional economic hub. A “Mandatory List” of contractors was created, including more than 312 products that must be “Made in Oman.” For the Dhofar 2 expansion, reaching the 25% In-Country Value target allows at least $28 million of the $112 million investment to be paid directly to Omani companies for engineering, logistics and civil works.
Major energy players run “Vendor Development Programs” that provide technical training to small local businesses so they can meet international quality standards.
The Human Impact: “Omanization” and Training
For remote southern communities, this shift fundamentally alters daily life. Previously, local schools and health care clinics in the Dhofar highlands faced frequent power rationing due to the erratic nature of diesel transport. The integration of stabilized wind power means these vital facilities now operate with uninterrupted, 24-hour electricity.
According to the Nama Group’s sustainability frameworks, the Dhofar wind initiatives are serving as an active classroom for the next generation of Omani engineers. Specialized training modules have been deployed to equip local youth with highly technical competencies in wind turbine diagnostics, AI-driven grid management and automated robotics. This targeted capacity building has generated approximately 150 direct and indirect jobs within the region.
By shifting local expertise toward advanced green technologies, the project ensures that these newly skilled professionals secure sustainable careers designed to last throughout the 25-year operational lifespan of the wind farms, keeping the financial and intellectual rewards of the energy transition entirely within the local community.
Rural Stability
For generations, economic necessity forced rural Omani youth to abandon their home provinces, migrating en masse to the heavily centralized capital city of Muscat in search of employment. This traditional “urban drift” hollowed out rural communities and placed immense infrastructure strain on the capital. However, the specialized localized training mandated by the Dhofar wind farm initiatives is successfully turning the tide. Guided by the Oman National Spatial Strategy (ONSS) managed by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning, these projects serve as a key place-based delivery model to decentralize public investment and economic development across all 11 governorates.
By equipping local technical college graduates directly with elite skills in wind turbine diagnostics, AI-driven grid management and automated engineering, these projects provide lucrative, high-tech career trajectories without forcing families apart. Instead of fleeing the countryside, young Omani professionals are choosing to stay in the Dhofar governorate to anchor a newly emergent local green economy. This structural shift achieves a core priority of the ONSS framework: ensuring a balanced, resilient distribution of growth that keeps rural communities both demographically stable and economically vibrant.
Looking Ahead
In 2026, the Dhofar wind projects proved a transition of dual victory. In addition to creating sustainable energy, they have created investments in local companies and expanded the job market for the Omani youth. The Sultanate is ensuring an often difficult goal: driving long-term economic development through wind energy projects in rural Oman. The desert winds, once only regarded as a geographical consequence, have become the heart of Oman’s rural future.
– Celine Dib
Photo: Flickr
Reauthorizing the Global Fragility Act To Save More Lives
The Impact of the Iran War on Poverty
As of May 2026, the war involving the U.S., Israel and Iran has increased poverty due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, hindering shipments of essential food and items to vulnerable communities. For example, Sudan’s agriculture sector, already struggling with poverty since its civil war, faces a decline in crop and food production due to rising fertilizer and fuel prices from the Iran war. This situation is dire, as more than 40% of the population is experiencing crisis levels of hunger and approximately two-thirds depend on agriculture for food and livelihood. Reauthorizing the GFA provides the U.S. and humanitarian organizations with an effective strategy to tackle rising poverty in countries like Sudan amid national and global conflicts.
Benin: Livelihoods Improved via Energy and Financial Support
The coastal West African country Benin received energy and financial support from the U.S. through the GFA, potentially lifting millions out of poverty. Through its foreign aid agency, the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), the U.S. helped Benin complete the Benin Power Compact, expected to provide energy access to 11 million people over the next 20 years. Additionally, through the International Development Finance Corporation, the U.S. provided $7.5 million loan to support small and medium enterprises in Benin run by women and persons with disabilities. Reauthorizing the GFA empowers the U.S. to continue assisting developing countries enduring hardships caused by the Iran war.
Libya: Hope via Reconstruction and Economic Opportunities
The U.S. utilized the GFA to aid Libya’s reconstruction and provide economic opportunities to women and ethnic minorities. In collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the U.S. launched the Reconstruction Fund for Murzuq, Libya, raising $7 million from European allies, the Libyan government and U.S. funds to rebuild Murzuq. Furthermore, the Libya Economic Acceleration Program worked with the Libyan Central Bank and the Islamic Development Bank to support small- and medium-sized enterprises in southern Libya owned by women and ethnic minorities through $15 million in microfinance support. Reauthorizing the GFA will help lift millions more out of poverty in Libya amid their civil conflicts and potential impacts from the Iran war.
Reauthorizing the Ability to Save More Lives
Reauthorizing the Global Fragility Act allows the U.S. to play a positive role globally, given the consequences of its war with Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. As a powerful nation economically, militarily and diplomatically, the U.S. is urged to use its power to bring peace and security to vulnerable groups worldwide. Currently, members of Congress from both parties are working to end the Iran war quickly and ensure taxpayer money improves the lives of those affected. Reauthorizing the GFA will be key to ending the war and creating a future where millions can escape poverty and achieve their dreams.
– Abdullah Dowaihy
Photo: Flickr
Cuts to USAID and the Ebola Outbreak in the DRC
At the time, this was the largest response by the U.S. government to a health crisis overseas. According to President Barack Obama, the response helped cut cases of the disease by 80%. There was a clear initiative to collaborate globally to recognize the threat this outbreak posed if not addressed appropriately. This contrasts starkly with the current response.
The Numbers
Since the start of May 2026, a similar Ebola outbreak has emerged, affecting regions in Africa, with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) being most impacted. According to the International Rescue Committee (IRC), it could become the deadliest outbreak on record if not addressed appropriately.
So what do the numbers say so far? Despite the first case being confirmed only recently, it is already the third-largest outbreak of the disease, with the speed of its spread most alarming. According to the British Medical Journal, there have been 250 deaths and 1,200 cases recorded. These numbers doubled in just a week, from 551 cases and 136 deaths. These statistics were published on May 27, 2026. It is important to note that these numbers include both confirmed and suspected cases.
USAID Cuts’ Impact on Ebola Outbreak in the DRC
With these numbers growing daily, understanding the impact of USAID cuts on Ebola is essential. USAID has been a cornerstone of American foreign policy since President John F. Kennedy. In 2025, President Trump reduced it by 90% while also permanently cutting funding for thousands of projects that support development and health worldwide. The response to this outbreak has been directly affected by these cuts.
The outbreak was reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) nine days before U.S. officials became aware of it, a delay that occurred after cuts to USAID funding and the U.S. withdrawal from the WHO.
Dennis Carroll, an infectious disease specialist and former director of the Emerging Pandemic Threats program at USAID, said in a recent interview with NPR that the abolishment of USAID led to the disappearance of support for infrastructure. Simple logistics are not being met as before, such as personnel being able to reach critically needed hospitals and moving laboratories and samples swiftly for quick infection determination.
The experts who built a rapport with health workers in this region have largely been dismissed, so a significant amount of expertise and experience has vanished. This void left by the U.S. has not been filled by any other nation. Coordination with organizations like the WHO and the CDC was a key element in responding to outbreaks like this one.
Solutions
The data is clear on the impact of USAID cuts on the Ebola outbreak in the DRC. However, lessons from previous outbreaks can inform the current response.
Dr. Patrick Otim, WHO’s area manager for Africa, explained the importance of reacting quickly in a recent interview with the BBC. He detailed how delaying the detection of cases, engaging communities and isolating patients allows transmission chains to expand rapidly. He stresses the importance of community trust and engagement. Medical intervention alone is not enough to stop the spread effectively. Clear communication from local government and dignified, safe burials are as significant as medical supplies and test centers.
The U.S. is not inactive. It has committed more than $160 million in humanitarian and emergency funds to help fight the disease. The U.S. is also sending CDC personnel, along with a disaster-assistance response team, to the region. This, along with lessons learned from other outbreaks, gives locals hope that this crisis can be managed effectively.
Charities are also contributing to the effort. For example, UNICEF has personnel on the ground working to address the situation. So far, the organization has provided almost 50 tons of infection prevention and control supplies, including personal protective equipment, disinfectant, soaps and water purification tablets.
Conclusion
Bob Kitchen, the IRC’s Vice President Emergencies & Humanitarian Action, stated, “The warning signs are flashing red. Eastern DRC is confronting the outbreak more fragile and less prepared than during the 2018–2020 outbreak that killed more than 2,000 people and with fewer resources to fight it.”
The U.S. attitude toward foreign aid has changed significantly over the past few years. President Obama sought to reduce Ebola cases to zero, while President Trump emphasized an America-first message during his campaign and the results of those intentions are now evident. This outbreak serves as a case study demonstrating the impact of American foreign aid on global health.
Although the numbers may seem bleak, the solutions mentioned are making a difference, whether through lessons learned from previous outbreaks or through charities like UNICEF working on the front lines to slow the spread.
– Oisín Downes
Photo: Unsplash
Poverty Reduction in Kiribati
Poverty in Kiribati
While Kiribati has experienced economic improvement, challenges continue to affect vulnerable communities. Within Kiribati, fisheries are essential to its economy. Since 2013, Kiribati has seen growth in its fishing license revenue. In 2025, the total fishing revenue exceeded government projections by AUD 18.9 million (approximately $13.3 million). However, fishing revenue can fluctuate due to climate conditions and global market changes, making long-term economic stability a challenge.
As a geographically isolated country, Kiribati’s economy also depends on foreign support for food and fuel, leaving it vulnerable to global price increases. Kiribati also faces climate-related risks, including rising adaptation costs and environmental challenges such as cyclones that threaten economic stability. These factors can make it more difficult for vulnerable households to access opportunities and maintain financial security.
Social Protection
Social protection is important for reducing poverty. From 2019 to 2023, the implementation of social protection programs contributed to a 75% decrease in poverty. These programs target those who are vulnerable. For example, Kiribati introduced old-age pensions, helping provide financial stability later in life and reducing overall poverty. These old-age pensions can also reduce the effects of gender inequality, as women often face unequal access to employment and have caregiving responsibilities.
Kiribati has also implemented tax reforms aimed at supporting women and girls. Tax reforms will ensure Value-Added Tax (VAT) is applied fairly to imports and remove VAT from essential menstrual health products to reduce costs for women and girls.
Through these efforts, social protection programs have lifted more than 19,000 citizens out of poverty, showing their positive effects on overall economic security and poverty reduction.
Infrastructure Development
Infrastructure development is another part of poverty reduction strategies in Kiribati. The government has invested in outer-island transportation, port and airport improvements and connectivity projects to better connect remote communities. Improved infrastructure can help residents access jobs, markets, health care and other important services.
Kiribati is also pursuing renewable energy and climate-resilient infrastructure projects. Since the country is highly vulnerable to climate-related events, these investments can help protect communities from economic disruptions while supporting long-term development.
Foreign Aid
Foreign aid plays an important role in poverty reduction in Kiribati. While the country does have local resources, its economy also heavily relies on foreign aid and remittances. In December 2025, the World Bank provided a $15 million grant toward financial reforms, such as increasing tax revenue and strengthening state-owned enterprises. These reforms also target environmental obstacles by supporting pollution and waste collection on beaches and increasing the number of elevated, cyclone-resistant homes. These improvements also open job opportunities for local citizens, contributing to economic opportunity. Overall, foreign aid remains an important part of how Kiribati is reducing poverty, helping fund development projects, creating jobs and addressing long-term economic challenges.
Although Kiribati continues to face challenges due to geographic isolation, climate instability and economic vulnerability, the country has made progress in improving economic security for its citizens. Through social protection programs, infrastructure development and support from international organizations, these efforts show how Kiribati is reducing poverty. Kiribati’s efforts highlight the importance of sustainable development and resilience in the global fight against poverty.
– Michelle Kurniali
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Vaccines and Bacterial Infections in South Africa
Bacterial Infections in South Africa
Newborns are the most vulnerable group, especially regarding exposure to bacterial infections such as tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough. Children are better protected when mothers receive a Tdap vaccine during the final two trimesters of pregnancy. The vaccine protects against all three illnesses. Because of the mother and child’s symbiotic relationship, the vaccine immunizes the mother and also benefits the child via the placenta.
Every year, young children, especially infants aged 0 to 1, have the highest infection rate of all three illnesses. In 2025, there were 614 reported cases of whooping cough in South Africa, with more than half occurring in children under 5 years of age. For all other age groups combined, there were fewer than 1,000 total cases during that period.
Symptoms
Tetanus symptoms include muscle spasms, muscle and jaw tightness and fever. Diphtheria causes fever, sore throat and nasal discharge. In addition to a harsh cough that starts about one to two weeks into the illness, whooping cough also causes vomiting and sneezing. It poses a long recovery time of a few weeks or more likely a few months, for infants.
Infants with these infections naturally have a much higher mortality rate. Their much narrower airways are ill-equipped to handle such severe respiratory infections. Fortunately, South African hospitals are stocked with high-end medical equipment such as ventilators to aid recovery. Tetanus is the deadliest of the three infections because almost all infants who get it will die without proper treatment. Even with such treatment, the number still exceeds 50%.
Widespread Support
Although tetanus infection rates have remained consistently low since 2002, diphtheria and whooping cough have fluctuated over the years. Widespread vaccination has consistently helped curb the infections. In addition to making the DTaP and Tdap vaccines widely available and affordable, the National Department of Health helps fund campaigns to mobilize larger groups to get vaccinated.
People did not stay up to date on their vaccines in 2021 during the COVID-19 lockdowns. There were supply shortages from the pandemic, but the lack of vaccinations continued for months even after supplies became available. During that time, community members stepped in with their own campaign to remind individuals to protect their health.
While the main purpose of these campaigns was to promote the COVID-19 vaccine, citizens were also encouraged to receive other vaccines like DTaP and Tdap. People involved in the campaign set up information tables, hung vaccine banners, drove around town with signs and went door-to-door to promote vaccination.
The Path Forward
There are still 11 different countries with high rates of tetanus infections, primarily due to a lack of adequate health care resources. Although South Africa is not one of these countries, immunization rates may be much lower and infection rates higher than reported because it is more difficult to track data accurately for developing countries. However, community and government support continue to improve access to the vaccine and help keep bacterial infections low in South Africa.
– Logan Hessek
Photo: Flickr
AGOA is Building a Global Middle Class Via Fashion
Peru: Luxury Cotton in a Local Industry
Peru offers one of the strongest examples. The country built a premium textile sector around Pima cotton, a high-end fiber cultivated for thousands of years and tied closely to Indigenous agricultural traditions. Peruvian Pima cotton requires roughly 50% less water than conventional cotton because of its drought tolerance, making it both economically and environmentally valuable.
The apparel brand Nation LTD shows how this ecosystem works in practice. After starting production in Los Angeles, the company moved much of its manufacturing to Peru to access a vertically integrated supply chain that tracks production from cotton cultivation to finished garment production. Around 80% of Nation LTD’s clothing now comes from Peru through a “seed-to-garment” system in which cotton is grown, spun into yarn, knitted into fabric, cut and sewn locally, primarily around Lima.
That local concentration matters. Strong middle classes rarely emerge from fragmented subcontracting systems. They grow through industries that create layers of stable employment: agriculture, logistics, factory management, quality control, transportation and technical apparel manufacturing. Peru’s vertically integrated apparel model keeps more production inside the country while reducing transportation emissions and strengthening long-term industrial capacity.
The point extends beyond sustainability branding. High-value exports encourage investment in skills, product quality and long-term partnerships that create more economic opportunity. This model shows how ethical fashion can support local production instead of rewarding short-term supply chains.
East Africa: Apparel and AGOA
East Africa shows a different version of the same idea. Beginning in the early 2010s, global brands increasingly explored sourcing from Kenya and Ethiopia as buyers searched for alternatives to China and Bangladesh. McKinsey research found rising buyer interest in East African sourcing, particularly in Ethiopia and Kenya, supported in part by preferential U.S. trade access through the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). Ethiopia attracted buyers with lower labor costs while Kenya developed larger and more efficient factories through foreign direct investment and export-processing zones that expanded local apparel manufacturing.
The broader social impact matters just as much as exports. Most apparel-related jobs in sub-Saharan Africa go to women, who often direct income toward family health care and education. McKinsey also found that African firms average 25% female representation on corporate boards, above the global average of 17%.
In other words, apparel manufacturing creates one of the clearest pathways into formal employment for women, especially in economies where middle-management pipelines remain weak. Those jobs have helped families move toward a more stable middle class for years.
How Trade Policy Creates Opportunity
The U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement uses a “yarn-forward” rule for apparel. To qualify for tariff-free access to the U.S. market, companies must complete key production stages, such as spinning yarn, knitting fabric and sewing garments, within the trade region. The rule discourages companies from importing cheap textiles from overseas suppliers and finishing garments only locally. Instead, it rewards complete supply chains that sustain manufacturing jobs across multiple sectors. This kind of trade policy helps countries build industries rather than depend on temporary aid.
AGOA follows a similar logic. The program gives eligible sub-Saharan African countries duty-free access to the U.S. market for more than 6,000 products, including apparel, which helps attract foreign direct investment from manufacturers eager to benefit from tariff exemptions.
No industry can eliminate poverty on its own. However, smart trade policy like AGOA, paired with ethical fashion, can help create stable jobs, stronger local industries and more opportunities for people to build better lives.
– Camila Correch
Photo: Flickr
11 Movies About Poverty
Stories can break through barriers that facts and statistics alone cannot. They can empower people to understand the issues facing this world not only in terms of the devastation caused but also in terms of the individual hopes, dreams and fears of those most affected.
Below are 10 recent and prescient movies about poverty and humanitarian crises across the world.
War Witch (2012)
A Canadian production written and directed by Kim Nguyen, “War Witch” tells its story from the perspective of Komona (Rachel Mwanza), a teenage girl in sub-Saharan Africa who is abducted by a rebel army and forced to become a child soldier. When she miraculously survives an attack, the rebel leader accuses her of witchcraft. Shot primarily in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the film was widely praised for its stark depiction of the main character’s nightmarish circumstances.
Dheepan (2015)
Winner of the Palme d’Or, “Dheepan” is a film about three Tamil refugees fleeing the civil war in Sri Lanka and finding asylum in France. It draws largely on the experiences of Antonythasan Jesuthasan, a former Sri Lankan militant who plays the main character. The film recounts the struggles of a man still reeling from past traumas and discovering that, even in France, he is not safe from violence or economic hardship.
The Breadwinner (2017)
While films about poverty typically target an adult audience, “The Breadwinner” is a children’s film. Based on the novel by Deborah Ellis, the Oscar-nominated animation tells the story of 11-year-old Parvana, who lives in Kabul under the shadow of the War on Terror. When her father is unjustly arrested, Parvana finds that she must cut her hair short and dress as a boy in order to provide for her family. Afghan activist Mina Sharifi, director of Sisters 4 Sisters, praised the film for its authentic depiction of life in Afghanistan.
Capernaum (2018)
This Lebanese film, directed by Nadine Labaki, features a 12-year-old protagonist, Zain Al Rafeea, who grew up in the slums of Beirut and later relocated to Norway as a refugee. His character is a young boy serving a five-year sentence in prison who takes his parents to court, suing them for neglect. The Cannes Jury Prize winner almost feels like a documentary because of the realistic way it depicts the challenges of growing up in impoverished parts of Syria.
Roma (2018)
A semi-autobiographical film by Alfonso Cuarón, this Oscar-winning picture is set in the Mexico City of his childhood. It tells the story of Cleo (Yalitza Aparicio), the poor Mixteca housekeeper of an upper-class household. A film that looks into the past with the modern day in mind, it explores social inequalities rooted in class and ethnicity. It uses the visual language of epic cinema to bring greater depth to an ordinary, indigent life.
Shoplifters (2018)
Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda is well known for making socially conscious films about poverty and hardship and “Shoplifters” is one of his strongest efforts. It centers on a destitute family that relies on shoplifting to get by, a practice that binds a small group of poor, vulnerable people into an unlikely family. The story was inspired by real-life reports of increases in shoplifting following the Japanese recession, particularly among pensioners.
For Sama (2019)
This documentary, filmed and narrated by Waad Al-Kateab, offers perhaps the most visceral depiction of war and the poverty it creates in recent cinema. It recounts five years of her life in Aleppo, where she and her husband, a doctor, chose to remain with their newborn daughter, Sama, during the Syrian Civil War. The international attention received by the Oscar-nominated film led to the founding of Action for Sama, a charity devoted to human rights and supporting victims of the Syrian Revolution.
Parasite (2019)
Class conflict and economic disparity are at the heart of Bong Joon Ho’s Best Picture winner, a dark tale of a low-income family that infiltrates a wealthy household. The twists and turns that follow arise from the trappings of unemployment and poverty, as the poorer characters discover, to their dismay, that the ascent and uplift they strive for will forever remain beyond their reach.
The White Tiger (2021)
Based on the Booker Prize-winning novel by Aravind Adiga, “The White Tiger” is a film that aims squarely at the caste system in India and the poverty it perpetuates. The movie tells the story of the lowborn Balram (Adarsh Gourav) and his desperate effort to escape the poverty he was born into and conditioned to remain in. Through Balram, the film offers insight into the psychological effects of poverty as a system that programs its subjects to think of themselves as inferior.
A Hero (2021)
Directed by acclaimed Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi, the hero of this tale is Rahim (Amir Jadidi), who is serving a 15-year prison sentence for a debt he was unable to repay. During a two-day leave, he performs an altruistic deed that wins him praise but then lands him in further trouble when complications arise. In a world of poverty, Farhadi’s film poses the question of whether a good deed can truly go unpunished for someone who does not have the luxury of pure, uncompromised intent.
Io Capitano (2023)
An Italian production inspired by migrant journeys from Africa to Europe, “Io Capitano” follows a pair of Senegalese cousins across the Sahara Desert as they seek a better life. Director Matteo Garrone conceptualizes their venture as a sort of odyssey, a quest that is as much spiritual as it is physical. The film is a vivid illustration of the enduring humanity of those who embark on such impossibly difficult voyages to escape a life in which they can see no future.
Final Remarks
Each of these films offers a window into a world and way of life that no one would wish upon themselves. Movies about poverty confront audiences with uncomfortable realities about the world as it exists today and, at their best, can inspire connection and empathy that can then be turned into action.
– Aled Warren
Photo: Pexels