Archive for category: Aid

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Jordan’s Aid to Gaza: More Than 119,000 Metric Tonnes

Jordan's Aid to GazaJordan has provided significant aid to Gaza, from food to medical supplies since Oct. 7, 2023. Jordan’s aid to Gaza is primarily given via the nonprofit Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization (JHCO), which has worked with the Jordanian Armed Forces and the Foreign Ministry to deliver supplies. The Jordan Times reports that Jordan has provided more than 119,000 metric tonnes of aid to Gaza. Hussein al-Shibli, the secretary-general of JHCO, stated that Jordan has provided over $428 million worth of aid to Gaza as of May 2025.

Current Situation in Gaza

In Gaza, more than 72,000 Palestinians have been killed according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), and over 173,000 have been hurt since Oct. 7. Throughout Gaza, 1.7 million civilians are staying in 1,600 displacement sites, battling overcrowded conditions and restricted access to crucial services. About 1.6 million people face extreme food insecurity, and a famine was proclaimed in August 2025. Over 100,000 children below five have been predicted to face acute malnutrition, with the World Health Organization reporting that malnutrition is at alarming levels.

A ceasefire occurred on Oct. 10, 2025; however, the humanitarian crisis continued and the ceasefire was repeatedly violated. To rebuild and recover, $71.4 billion is now required throughout the next 10 years.

Restrictions on Aid

Palestinians struggle to gain access to aid due to restrictions. These restrictions have resulted in food, fuel, medicine, and humanitarian staff shortages in Gaza, and humanitarians cannot operate effectively and safely in this situation.

According to Human Rights Watch, Israeli authorities planned to bar 37 international nongovernmental organizations from working in Gaza and the West Bank on March 1, 2026, because they refused to give the government lists of their staff and biodata for new registration demands. The organizations argued that these demands breach the humanitarian values of neutrality and independence. On Feb. 27, however, the Israeli High Court temporarily froze the cease-operations order while the legal challenge continued.

Moreover, the UN stated that since the Gaza ceasefire, Israel rejected more than 100 aid requests. The authorities rejected 107 requests that would have allowed relief resources to enter, including winter clothes, blankets, and materials to sustain and operate water, sanitation, and hygiene services. Almost 90% of the rejected applications were from over 30 local and international NGOs, and over half were rejected because the NGOs were not authorized to bring relief materials into Gaza.

Aid Provided by Other Organizations

Many organizations are working to provide aid to Gaza. Since October 2023, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) has worked with local partners to help over 430,000 people with health, education, safety and economic well-being. UNICEF, the UN agency supporting children, provided more than 200,000 packs of nutrient-rich baby food to aid partners to help more than 63,000 infants and young children for two weeks.

Jordan’s Aid to Gaza

While other nations and organizations have provided aid, Jordan has contributed significantly. Jordan’s aid to Gaza includes 883,000 food rations, over 23,500 packs of bread, and around 61,000 cubic meters of water. Jordan has also assisted via airdrops – Jordan has participated in 164 airdrops and almost 400 additional airdrops in collaboration with international partners.

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan also announced in October 2023 that it was donating $4.3 million to help the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). The contribution was intended to support humanitarian needs in Gaza, including food and other basic supplies.

Jordan has also helped diplomatically, with King Abdullah II speaking to Donald Trump in the period leading up to the ceasefire announcement.

In 2024, an 83% decline in Gaza’s economy pushed 2.3 million people into poverty, underscoring the scale of humanitarian need in Gaza.

Looking Forward

Jordan has supported those suffering from the humanitarian crisis in Gaza through airdrops, providing resources, and donations. Jordan’s aid to Gaza not only highlights the country’s goodwill but also emphasizes the importance of helping those whose lives have been affected by war.

– Sahana Sundar

Sahana is based in Singapore and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Poverty in Afghanistan: Aid and Economic Challenges

Poverty in AfghanistanAfghanistan’s economy remains under severe pressure, and households are paying the price as humanitarian aid declines and economic challenges continue. In 2025, around 28 million people — three in four Afghans — were unable to meet their basic subsistence needs, according to the United Nations Development Programme.

Economic Pressures

Dr. Niamatullah Ibrahimi, a research fellow at the University of Melbourne, spoke with The Borgen Project about the economic pressures facing Afghanistan.

Afghanistan’s trade deficit widened to about $11.3 billion in 2025 as imports rose and exports remained stagnant. The UNDP also reports that population growth outpaced economic growth, contributing to falling income per person. Restrictions on women’s rights and employment continue to reduce women’s participation in the economy and weaken the country’s economic potential.

Ibrahimi explained, “The economy naturally contracted. Also there are other kinds of factors which slow investment and combine to drive greater unemployment in Afghanistan.”

Humanitarian Aid and Migration Issues

Afghanistan is already struggling to create enough jobs, and large-scale returns from neighboring countries are adding further pressure. Since September 2023, nearly 5.9 million Afghans have returned from Iran and Pakistan. In 2025 alone, 2.9 million people returned, placing additional strain on jobs, housing, water systems and public services.

Ibrahimi also highlighted this pressure, noting that migration “has increased the number of people, more burdened the government for employment.”

Inflation has added to the strain. By March 2026, inflation had climbed to 7.6%, driven in part by food prices, supply constraints and strong demand.

At the same time, humanitarian assistance has fallen sharply. Humanitarian aid declined by almost 70%, from $3.27 billion in 2022 to $1 billion in 2025. More than halfway through 2026, only $438 million had been secured. Funding shortages have forced hundreds of health facilities to close or reduce services.

Save the Children reported that it had kept 14 clinics open and was the only health care provider serving around 10,000 people in mountainous areas of northern Afghanistan. The funding crisis has also coincided with worsening acute malnutrition among children.

Ibrahimi said of declining aid, “Up until 2022 the UN did a good job, but since then aid has significantly declined. This is affecting everything, like, health, education, food resources maybe. In the distribution, you know, everything from nutrition, clinics that are quite important.”

For many families, prolonged economic insecurity has led to rising debt and difficult coping strategies. The UNDP reports that more than 80% of households are in debt and nearly three-quarters rely on negative coping strategies to get through the day.

Climate conditions make these challenges worse. Drought affected 64% of the country in 2025, while access to adequate drinking water fell to 44%, down from 59% in 2024.

India as a Neighboring Source of Support

Despite difficult relations with the Taliban in the past, India has continued to provide humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. India has also discussed development projects, water resource management and private-sector investment with Afghan authorities.

On Aug. 20, 2026, India delivered medicines and medical consumables to a government hospital in Kabul, continuing its health and humanitarian support for the Afghan people.

On the engagement of countries such as India, China and Russia, Ibrahimi raised an important question: whether diplomatic relations and aid are for the “survival of the people, or is it for the survival of the regime?”

International assistance is providing some relief, but Afghanistan continues to face widespread poverty, weak job creation, reduced aid and climate pressures. The UNDP has emphasized that humanitarian support must be accompanied by investment in livelihoods, services and local markets if households are to have a stronger chance of rebuilding their economic security.

– Tanay Ashok Sonthalia

Tanay is based in Melbourne, Australia and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay

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The Influence of German Aid to Ukraine

German Aid to UkraineSince Feb. 24, 2022, Ukraine has been at war with Russia. Constant bombing has destroyed housing and infrastructure, rapidly changing the economic makeup of the nation and exposing vast amounts of the population to the consequences of extreme poverty. This past winter, Ukraine’s weather reached dangerously low temperatures from which the destroyed heating infrastructure could offer no escape. However, the introduction of emergency heating points, funded by German aid to Ukraine, helped relieve death tolls from extreme temperatures.

In 2024, Annalena Baerbock, then Germany’s federal minister for foreign affairs, pledged €100 million to Ukraine in response to increased Russian attacks on heating infrastructure. Germany, one of the world’s largest donors of humanitarian aid, used this fund to provide heating points with food, water and the opportunity to get warm to more than 86,000 people living in Ukraine’s Kyiv region. Germany’s efforts to keep Ukrainian people warm this past winter demonstrate the life-saving impact that humanitarian aid can have, especially in times of crisis.

War-Induced Poverty

Since 2021, the poverty rate in Ukraine has risen from 20.6% to 35.5% in 2023. Due to the ongoing war, exact poverty data is hard to collect, but recent estimates suggest that 34.5% of Ukraine exists in poverty, while 51.6% suffer severe material and social deprivation. These statistics worsen depending on the region, with areas most affected by the war showing rates of 62% and primarily unaffected regions showing 23.4%. Thus, in addition to facing increasing poverty rates, Ukrainian people are facing the worst income inequality gap in years. Ukrainians impacted by the war suffer destroyed infrastructure, homes, loss of family and friends and dwindling resources. This humanitarian crisis, which has displaced millions and inflicted nationwide poverty, has stagnated the economy of Ukraine, making prospects of recovery slower and endangering the lives of millions of Ukrainians.

German Aid to Ukraine

In the face of devastating conflict, international aid has greatly benefited Ukraine, especially as the nation enters its fifth year of war. In December 2025, the European Union agreed to loan Ukraine €90 billion to help maintain the economy, defend against Russia and provide humanitarian aid for those forced into impoverished and deadly conditions. Additionally, Germany’s federal government has provided €43.3 billion in civilian aid and €57.6 billion for military aid to the Ukrainian government, alongside other donations throughout the last five years.

The German federal government outlines what this government-provided aid accomplishes on its website. German aid to Ukraine has gone toward constructing and replacing electrical and heating systems, power plants and nuclear power plants to both maintain safe infrastructure and help stimulate the economy and renewable energy sector during the war. Additionally, German aid to Ukraine goes toward providing medical care, food, clean water and refugee assistance. Approximately a million Ukrainian refugees have sought refuge in Germany, where the German government provides them with access to vocational language courses, training and integration programs, job assistance centers and immediate access to the labor market. These programs have assisted more than 1.3 million Ukrainian refugees, helped train 27,000 Ukrainian soldiers and helped more than 86,000 people survive an extremely cold winter without infrastructure.

Final Thoughts

Germany’s efforts as one of the world’s largest donors of humanitarian aid help protect the most vulnerable populations. Ukrainian people suffer significantly increased levels of poverty due to the ongoing war, but German aid helps alleviate some of these consequences and prevents unnecessary deaths in vulnerable communities. From mobile heating centers to efforts to reconstruct electrical and heating infrastructure and the welcoming of refugees, Germany’s government-initiated aid to Ukraine has played a substantial role in protecting those in need.

– Aubrey Wallen

Aubrey is based in Alexandria, VA, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Locally Led Humanitarian Aid in Nigeria

Humanitarian Aid in NigeriaAs international funding drops, locally led humanitarian aid in Nigeria is stepping up to address poverty and displacement in crisis-affected regions. In collaboration with the United Nations (U.N.), a sweeping transition has begun, aiming to shift control of the nation’s humanitarian operations to national actors. With local nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) receiving 70% of funding allocations in 2025, the transition suggests that locally led organizations are becoming central players in crisis relief efforts rather than peripheral ones.

The Humanitarian Reset

On July 14, 2026, Nigerian Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Bernard Doro, opened a humanitarian transition workshop led by the government in collaboration with the U.N. and other development partners. In his remarks, he described a “profound reset” underway across the global humanitarian sector, with Nigeria among the countries leading the transition.

The global Humanitarian Reset is not just a rhetorical or political slogan. Launched in 2025 in response to shrinking funding and growing humanitarian needs, the initiative aims to reshape how organizations coordinate and deliver aid. It seeks to strengthen national leadership rather than rely on a system in which international actors coordinate much of the relief response in developing countries, redefining the role of international counterparts as financial and technical partners.

This change of strategy has acquired urgency following the shift in United States (U.S.) foreign aid policy under the Trump administration. The European Parliament reported that the U.S. disengagement from international humanitarian assistance, including the termination of up to 83% of programs administered by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), disrupted operations for international NGOs and U.N. agencies.

Funding Cuts

For Nigeria, this shift comes at a pivotal time. Conflict for 16 years in the northeastern regions of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe, combined with the country’s vulnerability to natural disasters, has left millions of people dependent on humanitarian assistance.

Vulnerable countries have relied heavily on the U.S. for humanitarian aid, particularly for food security and disaster relief, so the funding shift has posed a significant challenge for humanitarian work worldwide. The U.N. Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall, told Reuters that funding dropped by nearly half in 2025 compared with the previous year, slowing response efforts and life-saving assistance. Of the $516 million needed in 2026, only $255.5 million has been secured. Global aid cuts leave vulnerable families with fewer resources to cope with shocks such as conflict, disease or natural disaster, increasing the risk of long-term poverty.

Humanitarian Crisis

The scale of the humanitarian crisis compounds the funding gap. In the northeastern states affected by the conflict that erupted after the Boko Haram insurgency in 2009, an estimated 5.9 million people will require humanitarian assistance in 2026. According to the U.N., more than 90% of the population in northern rural areas already lives below the poverty line.

Ongoing conflict and insecurity have displaced more than 3.5 million people in Northern Nigeria, disrupting local agricultural activity and worsening food insecurity and malnutrition. Devastating floods have compounded the crisis, further pushing vulnerable families into severe poverty and stripping them of their livelihoods and land. World Bank data shows that 87% of internally displaced people in northeast Nigeria live in poverty, illustrating the link between displacement and poverty.

In 2026 alone, an estimated 35 million Nigerians are projected to suffer from acute food insecurity, while three million children risk suffering from acute malnutrition. As a direct consequence of a shrinking budget, only 600,000 of the 2.5 million people targeted for urgent aid between January and March 2026 actually received assistance — a mere 22.1%. Against this backdrop, locally led humanitarian aid in Nigeria is becoming increasingly important in helping affected communities recover.

Success of Localization

Given this funding gap and the ongoing crisis, the transition to localization has become a practical necessity, and the strategy is already showing results. According to the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund — established by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in 2017 — national NGOs received a record 70% of direct allocations in 2025. By bypassing heavily bureaucratized international intermediaries, localization allows for faster aid delivery.

Local civil society organizations often bring cultural literacy and a deep-rooted understanding of the communities they serve, helping them navigate local dynamics that international actors may not fully grasp. National NGOs like the Lake Chad Peace and Development Initiative, which works with war-torn rural communities in Yobe State to access basic services, helped more than 40,000 emergency-affected children in the northeastern states gain access to education through a network of 350 local volunteers, demonstrating the reach of local initiatives.

Transitioning from an internationally led humanitarian response to a nationally led one will require navigating a complex bureaucratic landscape and maintaining rigorous financial accountability, but the reset represents a historic opportunity. The growth of locally led humanitarian aid in Nigeria can help offset the broader decline in international humanitarian funding. This strategy is not just about doing more with less; it is about building a resilient, self-sufficient and locally led system that gives Nigerians the tools to recover from crisis and fight poverty.

– Mateo Montes Asturias

Mateo is based in Montpellier, France and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Access To Humanitarian Aid in Sudan

Humanitarian Aid in SudanInternational organizations providing humanitarian aid in Sudan are facing growing restrictions on where they can operate. As a result, local organizations are taking a larger role in delivering assistance, reshaping how aid is delivered.

In 2023, Sudan’s armed conflict created one of the largest humanitarian crises to date, leaving 33.7 million people, 60% of whom are children, in need of humanitarian aid by 2026. The crisis is especially severe in Darfur, Kordofan and Blue Nile, with attacks in crowded areas having unimaginable consequences for civilians. The conflict continues to worsen as Rapid Support Forces threaten a full-scale assault on El Obeid.

Challenges in Delivering Aid

Humanitarian aid in Sudan continues to face severe restrictions despite its importance. Organizations encounter challenges ranging from insufficient funding to bureaucratic constraints, making it difficult for aid to reach those who need it most.

These restrictions also deter humanitarian workers and journalists, limiting access to information.

Local Organizations Step Up

Local organizations have filled the gap created by these restrictions. The country’s Emergency Response Rooms (ERRs) are community-led networks that have emerged as a crucial part of the humanitarian response in Sudan. They have sustained millions of people throughout the conflict.

Built upon local traditions of mutual aid, their efforts in collective action and shared responsibility continue to grow as they provide healthcare, food assistance and education where others cannot reach. Their mission is to fill critical gaps left by the collapsing economy, government restrictions and state institutions in humanitarian aid in Sudan.

Alsanosi Adam, the external communications officer, said, “The spirit of resistance has evolved into local governance and inclusive participation. And when the war ends, we will evolve again, because this is a marathon, not a sprint.”

Ms. Samia’s Community Kitchen in Khartoum exemplifies the work humanitarian aid organizations do in Sudan. Driven by solidarity, longtime businesswoman Samia and her daughter Abeer run a community-led ERR kitchen that provides hot meals to families each morning. By the end of the day, an average of 300 to 400 households receive a hot meal.

International Organizations Persist

International organizations continue to provide humanitarian assistance in Sudan despite severe restrictions and access challenges. Organizations such as Save the Children and the World Food Programme rely on their teams and local staff on the ground to reach communities in need and deliver vital aid.

Helping almost 3.8 million people, Save the Children has provided humanitarian aid in Sudan through health services, drinkable water, sanitation and hygiene services. Meanwhile, the World Food Programme has been forced to prioritize and target the communities where hunger is at its worst; they have managed to reach around 80% of people in the 27 famine and risk-of-famine areas.

Despite the challenges, aid workers and organizations continue to find new ways to reach those who need help most.

– Clara Iglesias Romero

Clara is based in Galicia, Spain and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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The End of the UN Türkiye-Syria Aid Route

UN Türkiye-Syria aid routeThe United Nations (U.N.) announced on May 4, 2026, that it would end its cross-border aid route from Türkiye into Syria after 11 years. The U.N. Türkiye-Syria route delivered over 65,000 trucks of aid from July 2014, making it “one of the largest and most complex humanitarian supply chains,” according to U.N. spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.

This marks what the U.N. has described as a sign of recovery for Syria following 14 years of conflict that damaged one-third of the country’s pre-conflict gross capital stock. The aid corridor supported a Syrian population where one in four are in extreme poverty, and two-thirds are below the lower middle-income poverty line. Its closure raises questions about what impact it will have, and what it signals about poverty in Syria overall.

Why Was the UN Türkiye-Syria Aid Route Needed?

Under U.N. Security Council Resolution 2165, the U.N. created the Türkiye-Syria corridor as an emergency bypass after civil war damaged infrastructure and shifted front lines. The Syrian conflict had devastating civilian consequences, costing almost half a million lives and displacing around half of the pre-war population. Despite the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024 triggering millions of displaced Syrians to return, the Türkiye-Syria earthquake in 2023, which killed almost 11,000 Syrians, had already deepened the country’s humanitarian crisis. The disaster reaffirmed the need for the aid route, particularly because it predominantly affected the northwestern region of the country, where the corridor operated. The route existed largely because of the destruction of people’s livelihoods, which thrust most of the population into poverty with little to no sustainable income in a volatile environment. The poverty rate increased almost threefold, from 33% to 90%.

Why Did the Aid Route Close?

With the end of the Assad regime, the international community eased sanctions, facilitating a reopening of border crossings to commercial traffic and regular supply routes. Türkiye has proposed to strengthen and modernize the border crossing with Syria to stabilize trade. The U.N. said the need for an emergency bypass is no longer necessary, since humanitarian aid should now be able to reach those in need through regular, stable trade routes — something U.N. officials have called a positive sign for Syria’s recovery. However, the U.N. has also made clear that poverty in Syria remains a significant issue, with humanitarian need remaining very high due to extensive infrastructural damage. Up to 13 million people still require food and clean water assistance.

The State of Syria Without the Aid Route

The closure of the aid route reflects a shift the U.N. and other observers have described as promising for the establishment of normal trade routes and, by extension, the country’s broader recovery. As trade becomes more stable, the country could begin to economically recover, invest in rebuilding infrastructure and create job opportunities, potentially helping to alleviate high poverty rates. Inflation fell to 11.5% in 2025 from 72% in 2024, and the Syrian government posted its first budget surplus since 1990 at the end of last year. While poverty rates remain high, these macroeconomic indicators suggest a trend that could ease pressure on low-income families and, over time, help generate jobs. Humanitarian aid is still reaching Syria, now through normal trade routes, allowing civilians to continue receiving assistance in the aftermath of conflict.

Overall, the closure of the U.N. Türkiye-Syria aid route marks a step toward the more stable establishment of the country’s trade routes and commercial border crossings. However, poverty remains widespread and continues to affect most civilians, a consequence of the displacement and infrastructure damage caused by 14 years of conflict. Humanitarian need in Syria remains urgent, but by ending its emergency measures, the international community is aiming to establish more long-term and stable arrangements while continuing to assist those in need.

– Amy Carpenter

Amy is based in Poole, UK and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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5 Charities Operating in Mali

Charities Operating in MaliMali still faces significant development challenges. According to the World Bank, in 2021, 36.10% of people were living on less than $3 a day. Poverty affects rural communities the most, where families depend on agriculture and remain vulnerable to droughts, rising food prices and insecurity caused by conflicts that have disrupted access to basic services. For many, daily life involves limited access to health care, education, clean water and reliable sources of income. Food insecurity remains a major concern in the country. Despite these challenges, several organizations are working alongside local communities to create sustainable solutions. Here are five charities operating in Mali that are helping improve living conditions and expand opportunities for those in need.

1. Save the Children 

The first of the five charities operating in Mali is Save the Children. Save the Children has operated in Mali since 1987 and has become one of the country’s leading humanitarian organizations. It focuses on education, nutrition, child protection and health care services. The organization combines emergency responses efforts with long-term development programs. It supports schools, trains teachers and helps children access life-saving nutrition services. In 2025, Save the Children helped more than 613,000 children in Mali.

By investing in children during emergencies and periods of stability, the organization helps families build stronger futures while reducing the long-term effects of poverty.

2. World Vision Mali 

World Vision Mali combats poverty through a wide range of community-based programs. It focuses on education, clean water, food security and child protection. 

One of its most impactful initiatives involves expanding access to safe drinking water. According to its 2025 report, its program helped more than 136,000 people gain access to improved water sources in the country. The charity also supported more than 71,000 students through education programs and provided humanitarian assistance to hundreds of thousands of people. These investments improve health outcomes, reduce the burden of collecting water and create more opportunities for children to remain in school.

3. WaterAid Mali 

Access to clean water and good hygiene remains a major challenge for many communities in Mali, where 3.3 million people don’t have clean water close to home. WaterAid Mali is building sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene systems. Rather than focusing only on infrastructure, the organization collaborates with local governments and community leaders to ensure that services remain operational for years after the installation. It also promotes hygiene education and sanitation improvements that help reduce waterborne diseases. 

WaterAid Mali aims to provide water, hygiene and sanitation services to three million people by 2028. Improved access to these services can help families spend more time on economic activities and allows children to attend school more consistently.

4. SOS Children’s Villages Mali 

Children who lose parental care often face higher risks of poverty, exploitation and interrupted education. SOS Children’s Villages Mali has created family-based care programs and community support initiatives. The charity operates children’s villages and family-strengthening programs in several parts of the country. In addition to providing safe homes for children, it supports vulnerable families with social services and educational assistance. This approach helps prevent family separation and allows children to grow up in stable environments. 

By prioritizing long-term family support, the organization helps children develop the skills and opportunities needed to break cycles of poverty.

5. CARE Mali 

CARE Mali focuses on economic development and community empowerment programs. The organization works closely with women, farmers and local leaders to improve livelihoods and strengthen resilience. It supports agricultural training, savings groups and income-generating activities that help families increase earnings. The charity also works to improve food security in areas affected by climate shocks and instability. Many of its programs prioritize women’s economic participation, recognizing the important role they play in household and community development.

Through these initiatives, CARE Mali helps families build financial stability while creating stronger local economies.

Looking Ahead

These five charities operating in Mali demonstrate how targeted solutions can help communities overcome poverty. Whether through education, clean water, child protection or economic empowerment, each organization addresses critical challenges while creating opportunities for long-term progress.

– Violette Bardouil

Violette is based in Paris, France and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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US Funding to Alleviate Poverty in Sudan and Afghanistan

Poverty in SudanOn May 14, 2026, the United States (U.S.) contributed $1.8 billion in funding to the United Nations (U.N.) to assist in its humanitarian aid efforts worldwide. According to the U.S. State Department, these funds will be mainly allocated toward those struggling from famine and natural disasters. This funding increase, along with the $2 billion the U.S. contributed in December 2025, will support local projects that assist the most vulnerable in 21 countries. Importantly, the increased funding will also help address ongoing challenges of famine and health care in Sudan and Afghanistan, both of which require more support to alleviate rising poverty rates.

Current Situation in Sudan and Afghanistan

In recent weeks, the U.N. has publicly called for more countries to contribute funding for Sudan and Afghanistan. On May 15, 2026, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) issued a report stating that 19.5 million people in Sudan, or 41% of the population, are struggling with high levels of food insecurity, including an estimated 825,000 children under 5 suffering from severe acute malnutrition. According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), approximately 28 million people in Afghanistan were living in poverty in 2025, a figure that has changed little in 2026. These individuals are struggling to afford food, housing and health care due to economic hardships. However, increased U.S. funding enables U.N. agencies to address these issues more effectively.

Ongoing Aid Projects in Sudan

The increased funding from the U.S. will help strengthen ongoing aid projects in Sudan that tackle issues related to poverty. For example, as of May 2026, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) runs the SANAD program, which has assisted over 182,000 household members in Sudan by providing them access to cash support and essential health care services. Additionally, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Sudan operates a Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) program that works to upgrade the water and sanitation infrastructure and distribute hygiene and cholera kits to prevent the spread of diseases and infections. Increased funding to the UN will enhance these programs that are already saving lives and will eventually contribute to ending the conflict in Sudan.

Basic Human Needs Programs in Afghanistan

The UN is currently running basic human needs programs (BHN) in Afghanistan that provide vulnerable communities access to essential services that can improve their quality of life. In 2025, BHN programs provided access to health care services to more than 34 million people struggling with urgent health conditions. Furthermore, the BHN programs have helped 4.6 million children deprived of schooling gain access to education. Since 2025, the World Food Programme (WFP) has been providing food rations and nutrition assistance to more than 12.4 million people in Afghanistan. Thus, the increased funding from the U.S. to the U.N. will empower its aid agencies to reach more vulnerable people in Afghanistan who urgently need food, health care and education.

Hope for the Most Vulnerable

The increased funding from the U.S. to the U.N. results from the passionate advocacy of the U.N. and its local partner organizations for vulnerable communities in Sudan and Afghanistan. In Sudan, the U.N. and the IRC have raised awareness of the millions who have accessed essential health care services, clean water, and food, as well as the millions still living in poverty. In Afghanistan, the U.N. and the WFP have highlighted the millions of children who have finally accessed education and nutrition assistance, while emphasizing that the work is far from over. This advocacy means millions of vulnerable women and children will now be able to study and eat healthy food, eventually leading to a higher quality of life for everyone.

– Abdullah Dowaihy

Abdullah is based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Migration to Chad: The Program Aiding Migrants Returning to Chad

Migration to ChadReturning migrants, or ‘returnees’ refers to individuals who move back to their country of origin. Many migrants return to Chad involuntarily and face numerous challenges as they try to reintegrate into society.

Chad’s Humanitarian Crisis 

Armed conflict, the climate crisis and food insecurity have worsened Chad’s humanitarian crisis. In 2022, 44.8% lived in poverty and rises to 50% for those living in rural areas. Migration to Chad from Sudan, the Central African Republic and Cameroon have added 1.8 million refugees to an already struggling nation. This has placed further strain on limited and stretched resources.

The Challenges of Returnees 

According to the World Bank, more than 120,000 people fled Chad in 2025. But many migrants choose to return due to risks of trafficking, detention, forced deportation and family separation. A lack of opportunities and additional difficulties in the country of transit or destination has also contributed to the decision for returning migration to Chad. More than 300,000 Chadians have gone back to the eastern part of the country due to the Sudanese conflict. 

Returnees often face unique challenges to other forms of migration to Chad. Many accumulate debt to fund their journeys and return to no assets or employment and no way to repay what they owe. This can lead to animosity from those they are indebted to. Some communities shun or shame individuals for their ‘failed’ migration attempt and competition over limited resources can create additional tensions. This can make it particularly difficult for individuals to resume the life they left behind.

The Sahel Integrated Climate Resilience and Migration Programme

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) launched the Sahel Integrated Climate Resilience and Migration Programme in 2024 to address issues returnees face across the region. The program seeks to improve access to employment opportunities, life skills training, social protection measures such as housing and education, and mental health support.

Many migrants returning to Chad experience acute psychological difficulties, such as anxiety, feelings of failure, isolation and fear. The IFRC seeks to help national societies provide counselling and support before and after migrants return to assist with reintegration. 

The programme also aims to strengthen social cohesion. Initiatives such as mothers’ clubs and farmers field schools are intended to encourage positive relationships between local communities. Returnees will also receive job opportunities, vocational training schemes and micro-entrepreneurships to empower those returning to Chad and the communities who receive them. 

Cash-based assistance will be a key aspect of the initiative. Allowing individuals and families to decide where funds are best spent creates a sustainable system in which migrants returning to Chad are encouraged to reach financial independence and stability and local economies are stimulated.

Conclusion

Migrants returning to Chad often face major reintegration challenges, including poverty, debt, stigma and limited access to resources, alongside psychological stress and social isolation. These difficulties are intensified by wider pressures such as conflict, food insecurity, and the changing climate. The Sahel Integrated Climate Resilience and Migration Programme supports returnees in their reintegration into Chadian society to help them to re-establish the lives they left behind. 

– Louise Nethercott

Louise is based in Vienna, Austria and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How South Korea’s Rice Donation Is Supporting Families in Syria

South Korea's Rice DonationSouth Korea has donated 2,400 tons of rice to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to support food-insecure families in Syria. The contribution comes as humanitarian agencies continue responding to widespread hunger and economic hardship across the country. Through WFP distribution programs, the rice will help provide meals and nutritional support to vulnerable households, including displaced families and communities struggling with rising food prices.

WFP officials said the donation will strengthen ongoing food assistance operations in Syria, where many households remain dependent on humanitarian aid for daily meals. The partnership also reflects growing international cooperation aimed at addressing hunger in conflict-affected regions.

Why Food Insecurity Remains a Crisis in Syria

Syria continues to face one of the world’s most severe humanitarian emergencies. More than a decade of conflict has damaged infrastructure, disrupted agricultural production and weakened the country’s economy. These challenges have made it harder for families to access affordable food, stable employment and essential public services.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that more than 15 million Syrians still require humanitarian assistance, including food aid, health care and shelter support. Economic instability and inflation have further increased pressure on households already dealing with displacement and poverty.

WFP has also warned that food insecurity remains widespread across Syria, with many families reducing meal sizes or skipping meals entirely due to high food costs. Humanitarian agencies say vulnerable households are often forced to make difficult financial choices between food, medicine and other necessities. Despite these ongoing challenges, international food assistance programs continue providing support to communities facing the greatest need.

How the Rice Donation Will Support Families

South Korea’s rice donation will be distributed through the WFP-established humanitarian network inside Syria. WFP operates large-scale food assistance programs designed to reach communities affected by poverty, displacement and supply shortages. Using existing distribution systems enables aid organizations to deliver support to vulnerable populations more efficiently.

Humanitarian experts say staple foods such as rice are especially valuable during emergencies because they provide reliable nutrition and can support families when local markets become unstable or unaffordable. Food assistance programs also help reduce immediate pressure on households struggling to secure regular meals. For many Syrian families, receiving food aid can also create financial breathing room. 

When households spend less on food, they may be able to redirect their limited income toward school expenses, transportation, medical costs or housing costs. Relief organizations say this type of support can help families maintain stability during prolonged crises. Humanitarian assistance programs are also important for protecting children and vulnerable populations from worsening malnutrition and poverty.

Supporting Long-Term Recovery Efforts

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has reported that Syria’s agricultural sector continues to face major setbacks, including damaged irrigation systems, shortages of farming supplies and reduced crop production. These conditions have slowed local recovery efforts and increased dependence on international humanitarian assistance. Food aid alone cannot fully resolve Syria’s economic and humanitarian challenges, but it can help stabilize communities while recovery efforts continue.

Humanitarian organizations say emergency food support works best when combined with programs focused on rebuilding agriculture, restoring livelihoods and improving local food production.

Global Cooperation Remains Essential

South Korea’s rice donation to Syria reflects the broader role international partnerships play in addressing global hunger. Organizations such as WFP rely heavily on support from governments and humanitarian donors to maintain food assistance operations in crisis-affected regions. As humanitarian needs persist across Syria, global cooperation remains essential to help relief agencies deliver consistent support to vulnerable communities. 

Aid officials say donations like this provide practical, immediate assistance while helping families navigate difficult economic conditions and ongoing uncertainty.

They also emphasize that continued international support can help prevent worsening food insecurity in already fragile communities. Reliable food assistance programs provide families with regular meals while enabling humanitarian organizations to respond more quickly during emergencies. 

In Syria, where many households continue rebuilding after years of instability, international aid remains an important source of relief and support for millions of people facing daily economic challenges.

– Angela “Phoenix” Garrett

Angela is based in Chicago, IL, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Picryl