Archive for category: Aid

, ,

Can the Private Sector Replace USAID?

Private Sector Replace USAID?The USAID freeze has affected up to $40 billion in humanitarian and development aid worldwide. However, a combination of international donors, corporate responsibility initiatives and development finance investors is working to assist the vulnerable communities. Organized by the World Bank and development investors, initiatives like the International Development Association (IDA) have raised billions that can be used to assist countries affected by the USAID freeze.

Additionally, nonprofit investment funds like Acumen, which focuses on renewable energy in the developing world, can help mitigate the rippling effect of suspending the tens of billions awarded to international organizations on the ground fighting poverty.

The Scale of USAID’s Impact and Its Absence

Before the USAID cuts and freezes, the U.S. provided $64 billion of the $223 billion in international aid. These funds go to a network of governments, international organizations and on-the-ground partners. Roughly half of the $64 billion is administered through USAID. Most of this is distributed through local and international partners. The cuts are likely to force these partners to look for other donors.

USAID’s work has had measurable success: saving six million lives from malaria by 2017 and contributing to the elimination of wild poliovirus in 2020. However, despite those achievements, USAID is under threat. USAID efforts were initially frozen for 90 days starting in January, which was then extended another 30 days. Unfortunately, these cuts are here to stay, despite their devastating effects on communities worldwide.

Can the Private Sector Replace USAID?

Making the private sector replace USAID will be incredibly difficult. Rob Nabors, the North America director for the Gates Foundation, explained, “There is no foundation — or group of foundations — that can provide the funding, workforce capacity, expertise or leadership that the United States has historically provided to combat and control deadly diseases and address hunger and poverty around the world.”

Still, a coalition of governments, NGOs and development investors is working to step in. The IDA is a coalition of 175 countries that periodically evaluates budget priorities to help relieve poverty and assist developing countries in growing their economy. Fifty different countries currently operate as donors. Late last year, IDA donors helped secure $100 billion for the impoverished groups in developing countries.

IDA can assist in achieving many of the goals of USAID, like connecting hundreds of millions of people in Africa to reliable electricity. IDA’s model has also helped 35 countries graduate into developed countries that can act as donors, such as South Korea, highlighting what international aid can accomplish.

The Role of Philanthropy and Development Finance

Additionally, private organizations can help alleviate the harm from the recent cuts. One of the main issues is coordination and focusing funds where they can help the most. The Center for Global Development organization helps host Project Resource Optimization (PRO). Led by former USAID employees, PRO helps donors prioritize the most effective projects. Robert Rosenbaum, an independent consultant for PRO and former USAID staffer, notes, “Private philanthropy cannot replace bilateral aid, but it can lead the way in demonstrating what the future of development should look like: simpler, more transparent and relentlessly focused on results.”

Lastly, international finance can play a major role in replacing USAID. Investors like Nimrod Gerber, a managing partner at Vital Capital, see the freeze as a potential opportunity for a more effective and sustainable funding strategy for humanitarian projects. One of the main ways development investors could assist is by directing the hundreds of billions in African pension funds into projects that return on investment and improve the quality of life of people on the ground.

The Open Road Alliance (ORA) is a great example of this model. The ORA funds loans to organizations, both corporations and NGOs, in the developing world. These function as bridge loans to survive a sudden and unexpected funding crisis, like budget cuts. One of the projects the ORA funded was OnePower, which created electrical mini-grids in rural Lesotho. Not only did this provide increased health care access, but it also paid back its investors. Usually, investors get anywhere between a 2% and 4% return.

A Shift, Not a Replacement

Completely replacing USAID is not a reasonable goal. The ideal is for the U.S. to regain its place as the go-to coordinator and donor of international aid. However, this crisis has allowed many other governments, NGOs and financiers to create inventive ways to fill the gaps.

– Joseph Laughon

Joseph is based in Sacramento, CA, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

, ,

The Weaponization of Humanitarian Aid in Myanmar’s Civil War

Weaponization of Humanitarian AidSince the 2021 military overthrow of Myanmar’s democratically elected Aung San Suu Kyi government, the country has faced ongoing turmoil. Years of brutal fighting between the military junta, known as the Tatmadaw and a patchwork of regional resistance forces and ethnic armed groups have left Myanmar devastated.

According to the most recent U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) report on the humanitarian situation in embattled Myanmar, 19.9 million people are “estimated to need humanitarian assistance.” More than 15 million people face acute food insecurity, while almost 6.3 million children are counted among the individuals in need of assistance. This is out of a total population of roughly 54.8 million.

The Weaponization of Humanitarian Aid

“The junta has chosen to use aid as a weapon,” said U.N. Special Rapporteur on the situation in Myanmar Tom Andrews in a June article posted to the U.N. News website. After the devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck central Myanmar this past March, the country was left reeling.

In the weeks that followed, aid groups and international reporting outlets raised an outcry over the junta’s blocking of international humanitarian assistance. John Quinley, director of the international nonprofit Fortify Rights, told the BBC, “They pick and choose when aid can go in and if they can’t monitor it and they can’t use it how they want, they restrict it.”

This has long been a tactic favored by the junta, with examples of such exploitation going back to the previous 49-year stretch of junta rule in Myanmar. Cyclone Nargis ripped through southern Myanmar in May 2008, killing more than 140,000 people, mostly in and around the Irrawaddy Delta. However, the junta delayed and obstructed international aid and relief from entering affected areas for weeks.

Everyone Is an Enemy

The regime feared that such widespread foreign involvement would undermine its authority and spark possible dissent. Thus, it chooses to prioritize its control of its population over its people’s urgent humanitarian needs. Al Jazeera, speaking on the regime’s attitude after the cyclone, stated that, “They see everyone as a potential enemy intent on overthrowing their rule.”

Still, it is not only the junta that has harmed aid delivery. Though on a far lesser scale, anti-junta factions have also impacted food delivery and humanitarian supplies. The New Humanitarian reported in 2023 that after a recent offensive by the Three Brotherhood Alliance, the town of Laukkai in Shan State experienced shortages of basic resources after anti-junta forces blocked parts of the state from junta forces. Crucial roads and bridges were also damaged or destroyed by anti-junta forces in their fight.

Who Is Fighting Back?

The junta, which now fully controls only around 21% of the nation’s territory, continues the weaponization of humanitarian aid. However, many local groups have worked hard to fill the gaps in governmental and international aid. Humanitarian Outcomes reported that most international humanitarian action, done by “formal” entities such as the U.N., is limited to junta-controlled areas. Still, the same report makes note of local, clandestine groups and networks that work to smuggle money and goods into contested areas. Many of these are Burmese diaspora members or other groups operating from the other side of the Thai border.

Aid and support also move across the Indian border and are conducted by several humanitarian and anti-coup groups. The Free Burma Rangers (FBR) is among the most prominent aid organizations formed during offensives by the junta in 1997. It has worked to train 250 “multi-ethnic relief teams,” 71 of which are active in a dozen regions across Myanmar. The FBR teams provide “emergency medical, educational, spiritual, material and general assistance” to civilians in conflict zones.

Another notable aid organization is the Back Pack Health Worker Team. It sends out “mobile back pack teams of three-five trained health workers [who] provide a range of curative and preventative health care services to their communities.” The organization currently operates 113 backpack teams, with 456 total workers. These workers, with a network of nearly 2,000 community-embedded health services, provide health services to more than 292,000 IDPs and war-affected residents across the country.

All of this goes to show that formal humanitarian services often fail to reach many civilians in Myanmar. In their absence, thousands of local organizations and groups are stepping up for their communities and finding ways to circumvent the weaponization of humanitarian aid.

– Alex Degterev

Alex is based in Boston, MA, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

, ,

How Security Diplomacy Is Replacing Development Assistance

Security DiplomacyForeign aid has been essential for decades in international development, funding education, health care and infrastructure in low- and middle-income countries. In recent years, governments and organizations have increasingly redirected aid spending toward strategic objectives, emphasizing security, border control and military collaboration. This new trend, sometimes called “security diplomacy,” raises questions about the changing dynamics of foreign assistance and its lasting impact on poverty alleviation.

Assistance from countries such as the U.S., Italy and European Union (EU) members is increasingly allocated to military training efforts, anti-migration enforcement and surveillance technologies, rather than financing educational institutions or hospital facilities. Case studies from Africa and the Mediterranean demonstrate the effects of this transition on recipient states and the challenges it presents to traditional development objectives. This shift exemplifies how security diplomacy and foreign aid are increasingly intertwined in global policy.

Coastal Control Over Community Needs: Italy’s Aid to Libya

In recent years, Italy has invested millions in foreign aid to bolster Libya’s coast guard and border control initiatives, particularly to curtail migration across the Mediterranean. This approach, financed via bilateral agreements and EU-supported frameworks, has faced criticism for prioritizing security containment above sustainable development assistance in North Africa.

According to a 2023 study, Italy allocated at least $37.5 million between 2017 and 2022. This funding was part of a broader strategy of security diplomacy and foreign aid, supporting patrol boats, training and equipment for the Libyan Coast Guard. The principal objective has been to intercept migrant vessels before their arrival in European seas and to repatriate the individuals on board to detention facilities in Libya.

This strategy, ostensibly humanitarian to avert perilous maritime journeys, has faced extensive criticism for facilitating human rights violations. United Nations (U.N.) and human rights groups have reported instances of arbitrary incarceration, torture and forced labor in Libyan detention institutions, to which many returnees are sent. Critics contend that by emphasizing border control, Italy and the EU have neglected investment in Libya’s faltering education and health care systems. These sectors have declined owing to persistent violence and insufficient finance. The financing change establishes a precedent for using assistance as a mechanism for migratory deterrent, rather than for human development.

The Sahel: Development Deferred in the Name of Stability

The EU has allocated billions to the Sahel via the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa (EUTF), primarily focused on poverty alleviation and migration control. By the conclusion of 2020, the EUTF had mobilized more than $4.8 billion, with 46% of the capital allocated to resilience and economic opportunity. Approximately 31% was explicitly designated for migration management and border control within the Sahel and Lake Chad framework, highlighting the EU’s increasing use of security diplomacy and foreign aid.

Audits conducted by the European Court of Auditors and academics at SWP Berlin have highlighted issues over the Fund’s ambiguous development aims. It indicates that its design increasingly caters to EU migration interests, implying a shift from conventional poverty alleviation to security-oriented measures. Similarly, analyses by think tanks such as the Foundation for European Progressive Studies suggest that mechanisms like the EUTF and the External Investment Plan reflect a shift in EU funding priorities.

Rather than focusing solely on development, these tools now also serve goals related to policing, border security and migration diplomacy. This marks a significant evolution in the EU’s “security–migration–development nexus” in the Sahel. Civil society organizations, like Oxfam and Euractiv, have emphasized the need to reallocate education, employment and health care assistance. They contend that emphasizing border control and stabilization may exacerbate instability rather than mitigate it.

Donor Alternatives That Prioritize Development

Certain donor initiatives, including those spearheaded by USAID, have persistently prioritized locally driven development, especially in the Sahel and Horn of Africa. The USAID Resilience in the Sahel Enhanced (RISE) program prioritizes enduring outcomes like education, food security and conflict prevention by collaborating directly with people instead of relying on security intermediaries.

Similarly, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) have developed frameworks. These are focused on human security, including education, health, economic stability and protection from violence. These paradigms establish development as fundamental to security, rather than as a deterrence mechanism.

Focus on Root Causes: Re-Centering Aid on Human Development

Prominent international institutions, such as the OECD, the World Bank and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), continually underscore the need to address the fundamental causes of instability for sustainable development and migratory governance. The fundamental reasons are poverty, social marginalization, shaky governance, economic instability and environmental shocks.

The OECD asserts that successful development aid must promote inclusive economic growth, education, gender equality, health care and access to social safety systems. These objectives transcend mere humanitarianism; they represent strategic investments in enduring resilience. A global analysis by the World Bank highlights that improving equal access to employment and education is key to reducing migration driven by hardship. This is especially true for adolescents in precarious environments, where limited opportunities often make migration appear to be the only viable path forward.

IOM emphasizes that an exclusive emphasis on border control neglects intricate realities: most migration is internal or regional and is propelled by structural development disparities. Investments in local governance, labor markets and climate resilience might initially reduce the need for irregular migration.

Conclusion

As countries increasingly allocate development financing to border security and migration control, the fundamental purpose of foreign assistance is jeopardized. Across institutions, communities and advocacy networks, there is an increasing acknowledgement that human development, rather than deterrence, is the best sustainable approach to world stability.

– Ray Bechara

Ray is based in Glasgow, Scotland and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

, ,

Reducing Maternal Mortality in Nigeria: The Abiye Project

Reducing Maternal Mortality in NigeriaNigeria has around 2% of the world’s population, but accounts for nearly 10% of global maternal deaths. In 2008, the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) identified Ondo State in southwestern Nigeria as one of the country’s most affected regions. At that time, Ondo State’s maternal mortality ratio (MMR) stood at 765 deaths per 100,000 live births.

In response to these shocking statistics, the Ondo State government launched the Abiye Project, meaning “Safe Motherhood,” in 2009. This program has become a pioneering initiative for reducing maternal mortality in Nigeria. The project is reducing maternal deaths by overhauling health care infrastructure, developing community-based services and eliminating financial barriers to maternal care.

Addressing the Four Delays

The Abiye Project was built around addressing the four leading delays responsible for the high rate of maternal deaths in the state:

  • Delays in patients recognizing danger signs and deciding to seek care.
  • Delays in reaching health facilities due to poor infrastructure, unreliable communication channels and lack of access to transport.
  • Delays in accessing proper care due to substandard facilities.
  • Delays in referrals to appropriate services in cases of complications or emergencies.

Before the implementation of the program, these delays had a devastating impact: only 16% of women registered at health facilities ended up delivering there, opting instead for far riskier home births.

The Abiye Project Strategies

  • Community Health Workers (Health Rangers). Health rangers are mobile health workers trained in basic obstetric care, intensive care and family planning support. Each ranger monitors the health of 25 pregnant women in their community, performing regular home visits and checkups.
  • Toll-Free Cellphones. The project provided these to every registered pregnant woman. It ensured free communication with health rangers, other pregnant women and emergency services.
  • A New and Improved Transport Fleet. It also provided a fleet of new ambulances suitable for multiple environments. They included motorcycles and speedboats, ensuring reliable transport is available so all pregnant women can access care safely and efficiently.
  • Facility and Staffing Improvements. It increased the number of Mother and Child Hospitals from two to seven. The government now trains all birth attendants in emergency obstetric and newborn care. It ensures every hospital and clinic is stocked with essential medical supplies.
  • Free Maternal Health Care. It made access to all services related to motherhood and childbirth free of charge at all government hospitals and clinics.

Impact on Maternal Health and Poverty

The results of the Abiye program were both rapid and transformative. Within its first year, antenatal registration surged by an astounding 1,855%, while facility-based deliveries increased by 1,602%.

By 2016, Ondo State’s MMR had dropped to 112 per 100,000, an 84.9% reduction within five years of the project’s inception. This achievement demonstrates how the program’s localized, person-centred strategies are invaluable for reducing maternal mortality in Nigeria.

The Abiye Project also had an impact on poverty levels. In 2022, Ondo State had the lowest poverty level in Nigeria, with around 27% of the population living in poverty, compared to the national average of 63%. These results demonstrate the capabilities of the project’s approach for not only saving lives but also improving the economic stability for all.

Conclusion

The Abiye Project is a powerful case study of how strategic health care interventions and a community-based approach can save lives and reduce poverty. By tackling the four key systemic causes of maternal deaths, it has set a new standard for reducing maternal mortality in Nigeria and beyond.

The project has earned recognition from the World Bank and UNICEF as a model for reform. With the project’s methods continuing to be adapted, the Abiye model has become a flagship in reducing maternal mortality in Nigeria, with the potential to revolutionize maternal care across developing countries.

– Reuben Avis-Anciano

Reuben is based in Oxford, UK and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

, ,

Breadline Africa: Building Hope – One Container at a Time

breadline africaEstablished in 1993, Breadline Africa is a nonprofit organization operating in both South Africa and the United Kingdom. It focuses on providing infrastructure and support for every childhood education institution in under-resourced communities across South Africa.

The nonprofit has delivered classrooms, libraries, kitchens and safe toilets to areas where children lacked basic resources for more than 30 years. These spaces give young learners the chance to grow and learn in safe, nurturing environments.

What sets Breadline Africa apart is its creative use of shipping containers. The group began by transforming a single container into a functional space, and has since scaled the idea to help thousands of children across South Africa.

Since the First Shipping Container

Breadline Africa redeveloped its first shipping container into a piece of infrastructure in 1996. It was all a part of the Montagu Youth Project, which brought kitchens and classrooms to Rietvlei 2 Primary School.

The organization became known for its ability to convert shipping containers into safe and usable infrastructure for many school children across South Africa. It continues to develop containers into usable infrastructure well into modern times.

In July 2024, Breadline Africa raised millions of dollars to help redevelop hazardous pit latrines into new restrooms for more than 11,000 children across South Africa. With all its work in redeveloping infrastructure, Breadline Africa knew it could continue to aid school children by venturing into different avenues.

Feeding Programs and Run Initiatives

Breadline Africa also provides feeding programs for children across South Africa. These programs first started when the organization developed community kitchens for those in need of food during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The organization’s feeding programs soon became focused on school children through pre-school feeding in Western Cape and Gauteng and food parcels for children whose parents cannot provide them with school lunches. Breadline Africa has fed more than 4 million vulnerable people in need off its feeding programs alone, supporting “26 projects to provide more than 20,000 meals a week.”

The organization also acknowledges that children’s horizons are only broadened by new experiences. It has developed a run initiative that sends hundreds of children under the age of 7 on seaside outings every year, broadening said horizons.

Breadline Africa was able to provide another seaside outing to hundreds of children in January 2025 in Cape Town. For many of those children, that seaside outing was their first time experiencing the beach – allowing them an escape from their impoverished environments.

Breadline Africa’s Impact

Breadline Africa has left a massive impact on many children across South Africa. The organization has developed school houses for children, has raised parents’ involvement in funding for school to 61%, increased the amount of food supplies in schools by 67% and so much more.

Its work shows no signs of slowing down as the need for safe learning spaces and reliable meals continues to grow. Its efforts remain a lifeline for thousands of South African children striving for a better future. Individuals can support Breadline Africa’s missions in several ways.  Donations help fund classrooms, kitchens, toilets and feeding programs that benefit children in under-resourced communities.

– Jaden Hartfield

Jaden is based in Charlotte, NC, United States and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

,

Support for Developing Nations: Encourage the UK Aid Pledge

UK Aid PledgeIn December 2024, the U.K. pledged aid to various developing nations in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia to help stop the spread of global poverty. About £34 million in humanitarian aid going to countries including Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, the DRC, Somalia, Myanmar, and Bangladesh.

Additionally, approximately £61 million will support communities and fund essential programs, including health, improved infrastructure and natural disaster prevention, such as the World Food Program (WFP) initiatives. The International Development Association (IDA) is also assisting in the allocation of foreign aid to developing nations.

UK Aid Pledge to Decrease Poverty

The U.K.’s pledge can help developing nations and encourage their growth, both economically and in resilience when issues occur. IDA has agreed to help facilitate the increased relief from the U.K. to support poverty reduction and uplift projects with the funding received, according to the World Bank.

Developed nations such as the U.K. making essential humanitarian aid such as this is not only crucial to poverty reduction, but also for improving the quality of life for the developing nations receiving the aid. Millions of euros of aid go into providing essential services for developing nations. To name a few: Palestinian refugees receive £13 million, Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh receive £5 million, and Somalia receives up to £5 million.

Keeping the Promise

When the earthquake in Myanmar happened, £10 million in funding helped support the people in need of assistance. This mobilization of support has helped Myanmar rise from the earthquake and prevent the crisis from worsening. The U.K.’s foreign aid support and arrival had not only mitigated adversity, but it also saved more lives.

The U.K. keeping its pledge is critical in this circumstance; the funds that go into preparing for natural disasters and conflicts are vital for protecting the people of developing nations from recovering from these events. Currently, the £1.98 billion in pledged funds are under review.

Maintaining the UK Aid Pledge

The U.K. promised at the end of 2024 to fill in the shoes left behind from cuts across developed nations. This can be the U.K.’s chance to help millions in the Middle East, Africa and Asia improve their life outcomes.

As shown by the Myanmar example, foreign aid can help developing nations recover faster from incidents such as the earthquake, and uplift those in worsening poverty situations. The U.K. is on the right track with its pledge to dozens of countries to relieve citizens of developing nations and to prevent them from spiraling into poverty.

– Anastasia Flerchinger

Anastasia is based in Richland, WA, USA and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

, ,

Liveaboard Helpers Provide Hope for Africa

Liveaboard helpersHealth care is widely accessible in many parts of the world, but in some places, it is much more difficult to access. Mercy Ships volunteers have been providing help to the less fortunate since 1978. A partnership with MSC in 2011 has helped Mercy Ships enhance its services.

Mercy Ships has impacted more than 2 million lives with the help of its liveaboard helpers. It has done over 119,000 surgeries, trained more than 50,000 people and has had more than 1,500 volunteers each year. Globally, 50% of all human beings live near a coast, making this the reason they use ships. “Two physicians per 10,000 people in sub-Saharan Africa” is the reason it serves the African region.

Providing Surgeries in Africa

Many of the stories by Mercy Ships recount the experiences of people living in countries where inadequate health care is available, as well as those who require surgeries.

According to Mercy Ships, ” In some areas of the world, medical professionals are a rarity. In countries like Sierra Leone, Madagascar, and others across sub-Saharan Africa, hospitals are scarce, and access to quality medical care is limited.” “Many people suffer from treatable conditions simply because there are no doctors or medical resources available to help them.”

In a 2019 Mercy Ships press release said how one child, Aissata from Guinea, was born with a cleft lip. She received assistance from liveaboard helpers through the Africa Mercy ship, which the child, of less than a year old, traveled around 200 miles with her mother to receive assistance from the liveaboard helpers.

“Their family is among the world’s estimated 5 billion people who do not have access to safe, affordable, timely surgery,” said the press release. “In sub-Saharan Africa specifically, 93% of the population cannot get the surgery it needs.” Africa requires places to get surgeries and health professionals.

Partnership

A partnership between MSC and Mercy Ships began in 2011. MSC originally provided cargo, but that turned into much more because of the attention MSC gave to Mercy Ships.

“I spent part of my childhood and early years in the shipping industry in the Horn of Africa, it is a region close to my heart,” said Diego Aponte, the founder. “I saw firsthand the challenges faced by many local communities there and this shaped my conviction that improving the availability of healthcare would bring real and lasting impact for them.”

MSC helps to provide funding, leading the way for Mercy Ships to focus on other areas.

In 2024, MSC Foundation, MSC Group and Mercy Ships partnered to grow the number of Mercy Ships to three.

This new ship will have a two-deck hospital, the ability to house around 600 crew, training areas and six operating rooms. The new ship will operate in sub-Saharan Africa.

In an MSC press release, Gert van de Weerdhof, CEO of Mercy Ships, said, “This new vessel and her future crew will enable us to meet surgical needs while supporting host nations as they develop healthcare systems with their next generation of medical professionals.”

– Matthew Restrepo

Matthew is based in Milton, GA, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

,

LIFT Program in St Kitts and Nevis Improves Family Poverty

LIFT ProgramHome to almost 47,000 people, St Kitts and Nevis are two small islands in the West Indies, located in the Leeward Islands chain of the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean Sea, St Kitts being the larger island of the two. Struggling with poverty, the two islands have been heavily focusing their efforts on poverty reduction, developing better social security, healthcare and education benefits, one of the most impactful programs being The Livelihood Improvement for Family Transformation (LIFT) program.

New and Improved

The LIFT Program in St Kitts and Nevis aims to replace the previous program, “Poverty Alleviation Program (PAP),” which the government made to relieve poverty within a specific region or country. Instead of simply supplying citizens with necessities and short-term solutions like the PAP Program, the LIFT Program set out to further reduce poverty by focusing on long-term sustainability and self-sufficiency. This newly developed program provides training that will further improve citizens’ skills that will help them sustain themselves while still offering direct financial assistance.

The previous PAP program helped close to 4,000 families, as of 2019. However, in just one year, the LIFT Program has already helped more than 4,300 households, making it a more impactful and effective program for low-income people in St Kitts and Nevis.

Better Lives for Families and Children

Child poverty is one of the most significant issues in St Kitts and Nevis, with 31% of children living in poverty. However, the LIFT Program is highly centered around family and child social benefits, working to reduce and prevent child poverty.

Prioritizing unemployed families, single parents, and those with disabilities, the LIFT Program in St Kitts and Nevis actively helps people provide for their families and create a safe and healthy environment for their children. By providing cash transfers, they open low-income families to more financial opportunities, like more nutritious food, easier access to high-quality health care, and better equipment for schooling.

Alongside daily financial assistance, the LIFT Program also provides aid during natural disasters or other emergencies where the family may need immediate financial help.

While adult poverty is not as widespread as child poverty, it is still a prevalent issue, with 17% of adults living in poverty. The ongoing family support from the LIFT Program helps adults get back on their feet, teaching them necessary life skills that will help them self-sustain and prevent their own downward spiral into poverty.

The Future of St Kitts and Nevis

The LIFT Program in St Kitts and Nevis is still new, only recently put in place to better the countries quality of life. However, with its continuous development and promising results, the program brings hope for those most in need. Alongside other social programs, improving education and healthcare, and the nation’s growing community, the LIFT Program will build a better future for families and children of St Kitts and Nevis.

– Sevyn Whatley

Sevyn is based in Fort Collins, CO, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

, ,

Responding to Crisis: IF Charity in Gaza

Responding to Crisis: IF Charity in GazaEstablished in 2002, IF Charity has spent more than two decades providing aid in Gaza. In an interview conducted by The Borgen Project, longtime volunteer Souad Mh discussed the organization’s key programs, challenges and ongoing efforts to deliver support in a conflict-affected region.

Origins and Mission

Souad’s involvement with the Palestinian cause began 20 years ago, when she helped a friend in Morocco raise funds by selling items at a mosque. After moving to the United Kingdom (U.K.) in 2018, she sought to continue her efforts and found Interpal, the organization that preceded IF Charity. Political challenges eventually led to Interpal’s closure and IF Charity emerged in its place with a continued focus on providing life-saving aid to Gaza. Souad believes that the cause itself sets the charity apart. “I think it hurts a lot to see someone suffering or going through hardship nonstop,” she said.

Education Reborn

Education Reborn, one of IF Charity’s signature programs, focuses on restoring learning opportunities for children in Gaza whose schools have been destroyed. The organization supplies essential materials such as tables and books, aiming to ensure that children have the tools and spaces needed to continue their education.

IF Charity also invests in community infrastructure. Its community development program supports water and desalination plant construction, which provides clean water to families and reduces the need for young people to travel long distances. The time saved allows youth to participate in education or pursue job opportunities through the charity’s job creation initiatives.

Food and Energy Security

According to IF Charity’s 2023 to 2024 action report, 90% of people in Gaza experience food insecurity. To address this, the charity distributes vegetable baskets and food parcels. During Ramadan 2024, the organization provided food parcels to 2,338 families. To tackle frequent electricity outages, IF Charity installed solar panels in North Gaza. These panels also support water extraction from wells, contributing to both energy and water access. The charity also organized an Eid fun day in 2024 to provide emotional relief and a sense of normalcy for children and families affected by ongoing conflict.

Overcoming Barriers

Despite its impact, IF Charity faces numerous obstacles. Infrastructure destruction — including hospitals, power lines and roads — hinders aid delivery. Blockades further restrict access to essential supplies. While the organization constructs makeshift clinics and supplies medicine to the extent possible, needs remain high.

Another significant challenge is the transfer of donations. Souad described the difficulty she experienced after raising more than £6,000 for Gaza during Ramadan. Banks refused to transfer funds directly to Gaza, citing restrictions. She explained, “They were happy with it to go to any other country besides Gaza.” Attempts to reroute donations through Türkiye also failed due to bank complications and even IF Charity was unable to accept the funds due to regulatory concerns.

Additionally, the charity faces limitations on social media. Its Instagram page has been shadow-banned, meaning that posts do not appear in users’ feeds and tagging volunteers is restricted. Souad said, “So many hours that the person [spends]… to post pictures, videos,” yet the content does not reach the intended audience.

Looking Ahead

As IF Charity navigates operational hurdles, it continues to create spaces for global participation through events that raise both awareness and support. Annual initiatives in Morocco and Istanbul allow donors and volunteers to engage directly with the charity’s mission while fostering a broader network of solidarity. Despite ongoing challenges, IF Charity remains focused on expanding its reach and sustaining critical aid programs. With continued collaboration and visibility, the organization aims to strengthen its long-term impact in Gaza and beyond.

– Maryam 

Maryam is based in the UK and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

Malnutrition in Gaza: An overview

malnutrition in gazaOn March 2, 2025, authorities enforced a total siege. As a result, all humanitarian aid is prevented from entering Gaza. Trucks full of food, medicine and supplies are stuck rotting at the borders. As of May 12, 2025, humanitarian aid organizations such as the World Food Program (WFP) were nearly or completely out of supplies. Today, the entire 2.1 million population of Gazans face food shortages, and more than 500,000 are acutely malnourished.

Gaza’s Children are Starving

Food insecurity is urgent for children and breastfeeding mothers. Out of the 1.1 million children living in the Gaza Strip, nine out of 10 are experiencing severe food poverty, according to Save the Children. As of June 5, 2025, 2,700 children under the age of 5 are experiencing severe acute malnutrition (SAM). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 15.6% of Gazan children under age 2 are acutely malnourished. This represents an exponential increase compared to the 0.08% in children under the age of 5 before the recent conflict.

Due to food blockades, families are consuming two or fewer low-nutritional-value meals per day, often eating animal feed and foliage. The Ministry of Health estimated that 57 Gazan children have died from starvation since March of this year. This statistic is likely an underestimate. The U.N.-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) assessment states that 93%, approximately 930,000 children, are at risk of famine.

Illness and Malnutrition in Gaza

Malnutrition is detrimental in growing children, as young bodies are unable to fight illness and heal from injuries without proper nutrition intake. Poor nutrition weakens the immune system and prevents nutrient absorption, making children more susceptible to diarrhea, pneumonia and measles, according to WHO. To heal from sickness, children must consume more food, which is unattainable in Gaza at this time. This creates a vicious starvation cycle. Inadequate childhood nutrition has a lifelong impact. Long-term malnutrition stunts growth and impairs cognitive function, ultimately lowering a population’s overall well-being. Consequently, an entire generation is predisposed to poverty.

Implications on Breastfeeding and Pregnant Mothers

As of spring 2025, 17,000 Gazan mothers could receive treatment for acute malnourishment in the coming year, according to the WHO. Breastfeeding mothers need proper nutrition to produce milk for their babies. Breastmilk is the sole source of nourishment for infants under six months. Without adequate maternal nutrition, infants can not consume the breastmilk they need to build immunity towards disease and infection. As a result, malnutrition in Gaza is amplified.

Healing Pediatric Malnutrition in Gaza

As of May 2 aid siege, medical supplies are scarce. No food, medicine or fuel has entered the Gaza Strip in 10 weeks. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has run out of flour and hot food parcels. Their medical supplies are one-third of the way gone. The WHO’s 19 malnutrition treatment centers collectively hold the supplies to treat 500 children for acute malnutrition. This is a fraction of the 70,000 Gaza children in need of immediate care. Despite the scarcity, there are solutions to end malnutrition in Gaza.

Throughout 2024, the WFP delivered 10 million hot meals across Gaza, many of which have gone to children. Legumes, wheat products, seeds, vegetable oils, energy bars, biscuits and salt have been delivered to Gazan families. These packages are vital in preventing malnutrition in Gaza.

Ready-to-use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) is a nutritionally dense paste fed to malnourished children 6 months to 5 years old. UNICEF is primarily responsible for distributing RUTF in the Gaza Strip. RUTF is a lipid-based paste made from peanuts, sugar, milk powder, oil and essential vitamins and minerals. The fat-based formula allows nutrients to be easily absorbed. Depending on their condition, children are given several RUTF sachets per day. The home-based, ready-to-eat formula makes this paste outstanding at healing malnutrition. It has a 90% success rate in healing children from severe acute malnutrition. In 2024, UNICEF sent 1,500 boxes of RUTF to Northern Gaza.

As soon as blockades rise, there is enough food to feed 1 million children for four months. Treatment is attainable; only access must be granted.

– Helen Cusick

Helen is based in Minneapolis, MN, USA and focuses on Good News, Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr