Archive for category: Aid

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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

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How Aid Helped To End Poverty in Niue

Poverty in NiueNiue, a small island in the South Pacific, stands as a rare beacon of success in the global fight against extreme poverty. While many developing countries grapple with systemic inequality, this small self-governing territory has effectively eliminated absolute poverty. This achievement reflects the impact of humanitarian aid and local programs that have helped thousands of people. It also shows that geographic isolation does not have to determine economic hardship.

Free Association Agreement With New Zealand

The backbone of Niue’s economic stability lies in its unique Free Association agreement with New Zealand, which provides up to 90% of Niue’s Official Development Finance. This relationship gives the island significant financial aid and administrative support, which the local government channels into essential social infrastructure. Rather than allowing volatile market forces to dictate economic outcomes, Niue uses this funding to provide universal health care, free education and strong social security for the elderly and vulnerable. 

By investing in these programs at the source, the island helps prevent the cycles of debt and health-related crises that often trap families in poverty.

The Niue Renewable Energy Project

New Zealand’s involvement extends beyond critical infrastructure projects that lower living costs and improve self-sufficiency. A key example is the Niue Renewable Energy project, a $20.5 million investment by the New Zealand government scheduled for completion in mid-2026. Featuring a large solar array and battery storage system, the project aims to meet 80% of Niue’s energy needs.

By reducing Niue’s reliance on expensive imported diesel, the investment can lower household utility costs and free government funds for additional social welfare programs. This aid-for-trade and infrastructure model helps create long-term stability rather than short-term relief, demonstrating the effectiveness of international aid. As of 2025, aid remained a dominant force in Niue’s economy, at 70%.

The country continues to rely heavily on grants, particularly from New Zealand, which has constitutional obligations to provide necessary economic and administrative assistance.

Community Support Systems

While New Zealand provides most of the aid, Niue’s strong culture of mutual support serves as a critical safety net. The island’s social framework emphasizes well-being and community prosperity, while its extended family system plays a central protective role. On the ground, Niue functions through a culture of collective responsibility in which family units help ensure that no one lacks food or shelter.

Ultimately, Niue demonstrates that eliminating poverty requires both a top-down approach from a committed partner like New Zealand and the bottom-up resilience of a united community. The island’s success shows that proactive governance and a commitment to mutual support can turn a global crisis into a solvable challenge. Niue stands as a powerful example of what is possible when foreign aid is directed toward people-centered social development. 

It demonstrates that aid can have a positive, productive impact on communities isolated thousands of miles from others.

– Haydn Goodboy

Haydn is based in Massachusetts, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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The Liberation of Port-au-Prince: Humanitarian Aid in Haiti

Humanitarian Aid in HaitiFor the first time in years, Port‑au‑Prince is experiencing a fragile, but meaningful, shift. Neighborhoods long held under the control of armed gangs have been partially liberated, allowing residents to move with a freedom that had become almost unimaginable. After years of escalating violence, mass displacement and the near‑collapse of essential services, the liberation of Port-au-Prince represents more than a tactical gain. It offers a rare opening for humanitarian aid agencies that have struggled to reach communities in Haiti, trapped behind shifting frontlines.

Background

The scale of Haiti’s crisis is difficult to overstate. According to the U.N. Human Rights Office (OHCHR), gangs controlled up to 90% of Port‑au‑Prince as recently as 2025. They restricted movement, blocked trade routes and subjected civilians to extortion, kidnapping and sexual violence.

The U.N.’s March 2026 report on gang expansion documents 5,519 people killed and 2,608 injured between March 2025 and January 2026, with women and girls disproportionately targeted. The collapse of policing and justice institutions left entire neighborhoods effectively under siege, governed by armed groups whose authority rested on fear.

The Liberation of Port-au-Prince

However, recent security operations have begun to change this landscape. The Haitian National Police, supported by international partners including the U.N. Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) and contributors to the U.N.-mandated Multinational Security Support Mission, have regained limited control of several key routes and districts. U.N. experts describe this moment as a “glimmer of hope,” noting that police are now more visible and mobile in areas that had been inaccessible for months. 

This assessment is echoed in the U.N.’s broader human rights reporting, which frames the current moment as a rare but important opening for stabilization. For residents, the change is immediate and tangible. They can now cross neighborhood boundaries without paying extortion fees, as well as reach markets and health centers that were previously blocked off by gang violence.

Humanitarian Aid in Haiti

This shift has profound implications for humanitarian access, with Haiti’s situation being among the most severe in the world. According to the U.N. Humanitarian Action for Children, more than 6.4 million people are expected to require assistance in 2026, including 1.4 million internally displaced people. Furthermore, only 10%–11% of health facilities within Port-au-Prince with inpatient capacity are operating normally. 

Humanitarian aid agencies were unable to reach gang-controlled zones in Haiti, forcing them to rely solely on remote support or limited airlifts. The partial liberation of Port‑au‑Prince has opened a narrow yet vital corridor for humanitarian work. Mobile health clinics have begun reaching displaced people sheltering in schools and makeshift camps. 

The Need for Sustained International Support

The liberation of territory has also revealed the depth of trauma endured by children. A joint OHCHR–BINUH report found that at least 26 gangs in the capital are involved in child trafficking using boys for extortion and armed operations, while subjecting girls to sexual slavery. More than 500,000 children live in gang‑controlled areas and many have been misidentified as perpetrators, executed by police or vigilante groups. 

Even with improved access, Haiti’s humanitarian system is under severe strain. U.N. humanitarian assessments warn that gender‑based violence services face significant funding gaps and many displacement sites lack basic management structures. Food assistance pipelines risk interruption and children with acute malnutrition may remain untreated if funding shortfalls continue. 

Without sustained international support, the gains from recent security improvements could quickly erode. The broader political context also remains uncertain, as Haiti has not held national elections since 2016. Additionally, the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021 left the country without an elected head of state. 

Governance institutions remain weak and accountability for human rights violations, whether committed by gangs or the police, remains rare. OHCHR’s report describes the situation as a “severe deterioration” in human rights conditions, driven by gang expansion, institutional collapse and systemic impunity.

As humanitarian aid access improves in Haiti, agencies stress the need for reintegration programs, safe spaces, school‑based protection systems and cash‑transfer schemes that reduce the economic pressures driving recruitment.

Concluding Thoughts

The liberation of parts of Port‑au‑Prince is best understood not as a turning point, but as an opening. It offers a chance to scale up emergency assistance, rebuild essential services and strengthen protection for women and children. However, it also underscores the need for predictable funding and long‑term support for Haitian institutions working to restore the rule of law. 

For Haitians, the hope is that this moment marks the beginning of a broader recovery, one in which safety and opportunity replace fear and displacement.

– Max Kenway

Max is based in London, UK and focuses on Technology and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay

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How UK Aid Continues to Support Development in the DRC

Development in the DRCFollowing her most recent visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Jenny Chapman, Minister for Africa and International Development, reaffirmed the U.K.’s commitment to supporting development in the DRC. The goal is to achieve “sustainable growth and stability.” She announced that the U.K. would provide more than £7 million in additional humanitarian aid to help mitigate the impacts of ongoing conflicts on people in the area. This money is to provide clean water, hygiene and protection services to those fleeing conflict, and to provide funding for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the World Food Programme (WFP). A hospital and center in Beni that helps those who have survived sexual violence is also set to see a funding increase, as the U.K. announced an extra £6 million to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

UNFPA

The UNFPA helps to provide displaced women and girls with essential medical services in the form of medicine, midwives and mobile units. The organization ensures that these people can access maternal health services, including emergency obstetric and newborn care. It also provides safe spaces for them, as well as offering medical, psychosocial and legal support via hotlines. In the DRC, “conflict has disrupted health care for millions,” and the UNFPA helps to mitigate the impacts. Mobile ultrasounds have allowed it to help pregnant women who have been displaced, not just by detecting pregnancy complications but also by providing these women with a sense of reassurance amid conflict. The UNFPA has helped to provide more than 20,000 women with prenatal care in the DRC.

This year, the DRC is expected to take up the chairmanship of the International Alliance on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, which shines a light on issues with “upholding international humanitarian law, humanitarian access and accountability for abuses.” Even before the conflict escalation, an estimated three women per hour died in the country due to pregnancy and birth-related issues, so the DRC’s new status as chairman should help to draw attention to the country’s challenges and support more funding and resources to address them.

Humanitarian Aid From the ICRC

The ICRC has been operating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for almost 50 years. It works to ensure that victims of armed violence are respected and have their basic needs met. It also reunites separated families and visits detention centers to ensure people held within them, whether arrested or just detained, are being treated appropriately. From January to June of 2025, the impact of the organization within the DRC was extensive. Almost 40,000 were provided with health care, more than half a million people were helped with accessing clean water and around 215,000 people received food, financial assistance, vouchers, household items or support for agricultural production.

Addressing Food Insecurity

More than 25 million people in the DRC face food insecurity. For development in the DRC to be sustainable, it is important to lower this number, as it is causing around 3 million people to be stunted due to consistent malnutrition. This negatively affects people’s quality of life as well as their ability to provide for themselves and their families, and adds more strain to a health care system already struggling to meet demand. The WFP helps to tackle malnutrition and hunger. In 2024, it helped “5.3 million people with food, cash, malnutrition support and resilience interventions.” The WFP is assessing how to meet increasing demand caused by renewed conflict.

Banking and Financial Inclusion

The U.K. will provide a British International Investment loan of £18.7 million to Rawbank. The bank operates in the DRC and has received awards for being the best in the country since 2008. It has provided more modern banking systems to people in the DRC, allowing them to access mobile banking and increasing financial freedom. It also helps to fund education for young people by granting scholarships, providing mentoring, masterclasses, workshops and training courses, and providing financial support to those wishing to be entrepreneurs. This is part of the We Act Program that the bank runs. The program also helps to support young people who may be interested in arts and culture, sport, corporate social responsibility and digital sectors.

Providing financial freedom and education will help development in the DRC by offering people the opportunity to get involved in and improve the businesses within the country, as well as drawing new companies in with increasing education levels.

Expanding Energy Access

The U.K. is also “supporting capital investment in the Sustainable Energy for Africa Fund, in partnership with the African Development Bank, to support Moyi Power.” Moyi Power aims to improve electrical access in the DRC. The starting goal of the organization is to provide electricity to three isolated cities in the country: Gemena, Bumba and Isiro. The three have a combined population of 700,000 people, but there is no reliable grid access, so sourcing power is difficult. After five years, Moyi expects that it will have provided 37,000 households and customers with connectivity, and the aim is to double its operations every five years. Increasing electrical access will increase development in the DRC, as it will be a draw for businesses to set up headquarters there. In turn, this would increase employment opportunities and start a positive multiplier effect within the country.

Looking Ahead

U.K. aid is supporting development in the DRC in two major ways: it is helping to improve access to necessities provided by the ICRC, WFP and UNFPA, while also investing in organizations such as Rawbank and Moyi Power that aim to increase education and employment opportunities. These work in tandem to ensure that the country is supported in the short term while people are facing hardships due to conflict, but set it up to be able to support itself in the long term.

– Ryan Cowen

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

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