Archive for category: Aid

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UNICEF’s HAC Appeal: Myanmar Stays Resilient

UNICEF's HACSince gaining independence in 1948, Myanmar has faced growing challenges involving its economy, internal conflict and public health. The International Rescue Committee (IRC) included Myanmar on its 2025 Emergency Watchlist, ranking it third among countries with the most significant risk of humanitarian disaster. International organizations such as UNICEF have supported the country for more than 70 years. Military juntas have governed Myanmar for most of its post-independence history. The first coup, led by General Ne Win in 1962, contributed to prolonged economic stagnation and persistent conflict between military leadership and opposition movements.

Escalating Conflict and Health Crisis Since 2021

Following the 2021 military coup by the Tatmadaw, escalating violence placed millions at risk. As of early 2025, more than 1.7 million people have been displaced. Limited access to vaccines and basic health care has contributed to Myanmar having the highest under-five mortality rate in Southeast Asia. Security conditions continue to deteriorate. Recent attacks include the arrest of opposition activists and airstrikes that have resulted in child casualties. Ground assaults have destroyed hospitals, further threatening access to health services.

Humanitarian Response by UNICEF and IRC

Organizations such as UNICEF and the IRC have worked to mitigate the crisis through long-term aid programs. UNICEF’s I.C.A.R.E. initiative combines cash assistance with rehabilitation services for children with disabilities. The agency also leads five inter-agency response priorities in Myanmar: WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene), education, nutrition, child protection and mine action.

In December 2024, UNICEF Regional Director for East Asia and the Pacific June Kunugi visited a daycare and physiotherapy center in Dala, Myanmar. Her visit included meetings with affected families and home visits to observe the program’s impact.

A beneficiary, six-year-old Wint Yamone Oo, receives support from the program, including cash transfers and mobility assistance. Wint attends therapy sessions and uses a walker provided through the initiative. The center continues to deliver services to children with disabilities and families facing displacement.

By the end of 2024, UNICEF’s HAC (Humanitarian Action for Children) appeal was launched, estimating that $208 million would be required to deliver critical services to 3.1 million vulnerable people across Myanmar.

Local Partnerships and Service Expansion

To ensure aid reaches marginalized populations, UNICEF partners with civil society organizations, nongovernmental organizations and other United Nations (U.N.) agencies. These partnerships help extend access to health and social protections and incorporate community feedback into service delivery.

UNICEF emphasizes the importance of collaboration with local-based actors to enhance program reach and responsiveness. This approach helps tailor support based on regional needs and reinforces long-term community engagement.

While UNICEF’s 2023 HAC appeal remained underfunded, ongoing efforts aim to secure greater donor support for 2024. UNICEF continues to advocate for sustainable funding to ensure continued assistance for children and families affected by conflict in Myanmar.

Looking Ahead

Ongoing support from international organizations remains vital as Myanmar continues to navigate its humanitarian crisis. Strengthening partnerships with local actors and expanding access to essential services could help protect vulnerable populations and lay the groundwork for long-term recovery.

– Rachael Wexler

Rachael is based in Chicago, IL, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Stepping Up as Global Funding Declines: NGOs Replacing U.S. Aid

NGOs Replacing U.S. AidSince January 2025, significant shifts in U.S. foreign aid policy have left a substantial void in global development funding. The Trump administration’s decision to freeze the USAID funding has disrupted health and humanitarian programs worldwide and damaged its credibility in previous commitments to public health and humanitarian efforts. This abrupt halt has suspended vital initiatives, forcing many organizations to shut down projects, lay off staff and withdraw from communities—further intensifying the challenges that NGOs replacing U.S. aid in affected regions face

The Immediate Impact of Aid Cuts

The immediate impact of USAID cuts has been severe and far-reaching, affecting millions of people worldwide. The U.S. has historically been a driving force in international development assistance, but the recent cuts have led to the collapse of USAID-backed programs, creating a funding void that private donors struggle to fill.

Global health programs like the International Rescue Committee (IRC), which works to prevent and treat infectious diseases, and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) are among the hardest hit. With fewer resources, NGOs replacing U.S. aid face an uphill battle in controlling outbreaks, leaving the most vulnerable populations at higher risk.

To put the impact into numbers, “about 80% of the 1,460 community kitchens across Sudan shut down when USAID paused all funding,” according to Hajooj Kuka, spokesperson for the Emergency Response Rooms (ERRs) in Khartoum state, as reported by Al Jazeera, an independent news channel in the Arab world.

In contrast, advocacy groups continue to push forward for restored funding, emphasizing that foreign aid is not just a moral duty but a strategic investment in global stability.

NGOs’ Strategic Responses and Challenges

As NGOs replacing U.S. aid navigate these challenges, they have intensified efforts to influence policy changes and secure alternative resources. One of their key strategies is diversification, with public-private partnerships emerging as a major source of funding. This advocacy is essential to keeping global development priorities on the international agenda.

To cope with funding shortfalls, many NGOs are implementing temporary measures such as tapping into their financial reserves and unrestricted funds to sustain essential operations. They are also renegotiating agreements with other donors and seeking waivers to maintain critical services. Additionally, some staff members are working voluntarily to keep essential programs running. While these efforts demonstrate the dedication of those in the sector, they also underscore the urgent need for sustainable funding solutions.

The Future of NGOs in a Changing Aid Scene

With persistent global challenges such as changing weather patterns, rising inequality and ongoing conflicts, the need for resilience and adaptability among NGOs replacing U.S. aid is more critical than ever. These organizations are actively seeking diverse funding alternatives, forging strategic partnerships and embracing technology to sustain their operations. The ability of NGOs to replace U.S. aid to navigate these changes could be crucial in shaping the future of international aid and development.

– Rhasna Albuquerque

Rhasna is based in Fortaleza, Brazil and focuses on Good News and Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How Emergency Response Rooms are Alleviating Poverty in Sudan

Alleviating Poverty in SudanSudan is the third-largest country in Africa and one of the poorest in the world, with 57% of the population in extreme poverty. Since April 2023, a civil war in the country has killed more than 18,800 civilians and forced 14 million people to leave their homes. The United Nations (U.N.) has estimated that 30.4 million people need humanitarian assistance. The WFO and WHO operate in the area, but the conflict’s shifting conditions make the delivery of international aid difficult. However, another form of aid is alleviating poverty in Sudan: Emergency Response Rooms (ERRs).

Community-Led Aid in Sudan

The first ERRs in Sudan began in 2019 and now comprise more than 700 volunteer-run spaces that provide food, medicine and support for communities, alleviating poverty in Sudan. While international agencies face limitations, the ERRs deliver community-led support that improves how donations are used and localizes the delivery of aid. This approach—known as mutual aid—has reached more than 11.5 million people. The ERRs’ impact has earned them a nomination for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize. Through community networks, efficient delivery and adaptable structures, ERRs offer a localized model of aid in Sudan.

Community Links and Flexibility

In addition to adapting quickly to the civil war’s impact on aid delivery, the ERRs operate within local communities and use pre-existing resources. The outbreak of war worsened Sudan’s food crisis, putting 25 million people at risk of starvation. While U.N. food trucks are restricted to refugee camps in neighboring Chad, ERRs can deliver food supplies. ERRs in the state of West Kordofan feed 177,000 people daily.

As Kholood Khair, director of the think tank Confluence Advisory, puts it, “[ERRs] are able to negotiate access locally; they are able to buy from local markets; they are able to make their activities as flexible as needs be, very unlike NGOs.” That flexibility has allowed ERRs to serve various roles over the years. A forerunner to the ERRs started in 2013 in response to mass flooding and ERRs played a key role during the COVID-19 pandemic by raising awareness, disinfecting hospitals and distributing medicine. The ERRs’ local roots and adaptability continue to help address crises as they arise.

Mutual Aid and Cost Efficiency

International aid often involves donor dependency and external control. ERRs, by contrast, give local communities the tools to manage their own needs. Rather than relying on international structures, mutual aid efforts in Sudan have created local alternatives. According to the Mutual Aid Sudan Coalition—a group of philanthropic and aid organizations that support ERRs—$0.95 of every $1 donated goes directly to local actors. In comparison, UNICEF reports that £0.75 of every £1 goes toward its work for children and the British Red Cross states that £0.65 of every £1 helps people in crisis. This higher percentage of funds reaching local communities reveals how ERRs provide a more direct use of donations.

The Future of ERRs and International Aid in Sudan

In September 2024, the Mutual Aid Sudan Coalition pledged to allocate $2 million to ERRs by the end of the year, calling mutual aid “the most viable and cost-effective mechanism to reach at-risk communities.” While this support remains essential, some challenges persist. A recent report from the Social Science in Humanitarian Action Platform stated that the success of ERRs might “enable a new era of localization in Sudan,” but noted that international aid frameworks do not align with the ERRs’ model.

Bringing ERRs closer to international aid networks could increase funding opportunities. However, doing so could reduce the flexibility and responsiveness that have made them effective. Maintaining the ERRs’ local approach can potentially preserve their ability to respond directly and efficiently to community needs.

– Oliver Tanner

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

Photo: Flickr

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EU Grants €1.9 billion to Revitalize Moldova’s Economy

Revitalize Moldova's EconomyThe Republic of Moldova is a country in Eastern Europe, bordering Romania and Ukraine. The country found difficulties in maintaining a stable economy in the following decades, and despite a recent upturn in economic growth, Moldova still faces widespread poverty.

The Reform and Growth Facility

The Reform and Growth Facility for the Republic of Moldova is an economic initiative first proposed by the European Commission in 2024. This year, the European Union and the government of Moldova reached political agreements on the restrictions to the Reform Agenda, officially establishing it as the financial basis for the Country’s current Growth Plan. The European Commission is funding the plan with  €1.9 billion in financial aid from 2025 to 2027. The money will be allocated twice a year on the request of The Republic of Moldova’s parliament after the European Council confirms that all conditions of the initiative have been fulfilled.

The Economy of Moldova

Moldova is one of the poorest nations in Europe, according to the BBC. Although the Republic’s GDP has steadily increased over the past two decades, poverty and unemployment remain commonplace, especially in rural areas. For example, 13.3% of Moldovans fall below the poverty line, and nearly 25% of people between the ages of 15 and 34 do not work or attend school or apprenticeships.

Furthermore, the country’s economic structure has a multitude of underlying obstacles. For instance, it is agriculturally reliant, the BBC reports and does not produce much in the way of energy, importing a majority of its gas, oil and coal. Other structural limitations include government deficiencies, a lack of competition in the marketplace, and unequal business opportunities, all of which, according to the European Council President Ursula von der Leyen, the Reform and Growth Facility for Moldova will attempt to reform and revitalize Moldova’s economy.

The Intended Outcome

The Reform and Growth Facility for Moldova intends to provide financial support, elevate the country’s economy and bring Moldova a step closer to membership in the Europen Union. The first objective, expanding monetary assistance, will include implementing broadband internet to rural regions, as well as providing financial backing to 25,000 Moldovan businesses, according to EU4Digital.

The program also plans to contribute significant socioeconomic and structural reforms with a focus on infrastructure, the government’s role in the economy and social capital. Ursula von der Leyen put it best when she stated, “We invest in jobs, growth, services and infrastructure – from new hospitals in Balti and Cahul to the road from the capital to Odesa,” EU4Digital reports.

The Growth Facility will prioritize building sustainable energy production within Moldova by constructing a new electricity powerline that connects to the EU electricity grid, and as a result, by 2026, the country could no longer rely on energy imports. Foundationally, the Reform Plan will advocate for democracy and anti-corruption within the Moldovian government and will provide support on restructuring the economy to an open market system hinged on fair competition.

The Reform will also integrate Moldova into the European Union’s Single Market. This alone could lead to the Republic’s assimilation into global supply-chains, allowing for increased mobility of products, trade opportunities and involvement in the Digital Marketplace.

A Lesson for Foreign Aid

Since Moldova’s independence, the Reform has been the largest European Union support package, according to the European Commission. Moreover, access to the European Union’s single market has been the prominent economic growth factor for all previously included countries. It is certainly apparent though, what foreign aid can do to revitalize Moldova’s economy and reduce poverty in the country.

– Amelia Dutch Player

Amelia is based in Savannah, GA, USA and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Sustainable Agriculture Foundation: Improving Farmer’s Lives

Sustainable Agriculture FoundationThe Sustainable Agriculture Foundation provides agricultural support to smallholder farmers in developing nations to mitigate food insecurity, boost rural economies and make sustainable markets accessible. The foundation has worked with more than 1 million farmers to improve yield and advance economic prospects, with more than 700 farmer hubs in Bangladesh alone that have helped to improve approximately 595,000 smallholders’ yields and income levels.

Farming in Bangladesh

The majority of agriculture workers in Bangladesh are smallholder farmers. Limited opportunities to obtain training and use contemporary technology curbs farmers from working at a sustainable and attainable level. Bangladeshi farmers face the ramifications of extreme weather patterns which hamper the quality and quantity of crops. Deficient yields reduce the income made by smallholder farmers, significantly impacting their livelihoods and worsening their quality of life, according to the Sustainable Agriculture Foundation.

Agriculture and Poverty Reduction

Research indicates that approximately 70% of the Bangladeshi population live in rural areas, the majority of which have or are from a low-income background. Poverty in rural areas is often extreme and ensues at a higher rate than in urban areas. In rural Bangladesh, primary agriculture is the main employer of residents, with this type of agriculture remaining the least-productive.  A key driver of agricultural growth is technology that promotes high crop yields.

Agricultural technology has positive implications for the community. Due to the high proportion of people who live in extreme poverty and work in agricultural sectors, the development that new technology offers significantly helps to aid poverty reduction. Improvements in agricultural technology focus on productivity growth rather than resource growth. Instead of working to boost the availability of resources, such as accessing more water to grow more crops, new technology utilizes resources already in existence to improve and increase the productivity and quality of yields.

Growth Reducing Poverty

Growth in the agricultural sector is approximately two to three times more beneficial to poverty reduction than growth in other sectors. This is proportional to the rate at which poverty coincides with those in agricultural work; for example, those in developing countries may have a low level of literacy and therefore rely on agriculture for their livelihood.

Crucially, the advantages that agricultural development and technology present can be used in both coastal and inland regions. The stretch of these technologies is not geographically limited, making poverty reduction via agriculture technology an initiative that can be implemented across developing countries.

Enhancing Food Security

One way in which agricultural technology contributes to the alleviation of extreme poverty is by enhancing food security. Genetic modification bolsters food supply, which makes the availability of crops with desirable characteristics more prevalent. In turn, this increases the food supply and crops have high quality. Similarly, biofortification – the process of filling produce with nutrients – aids in the reduction of malnutrition and deficiency. Post-harvest losses are also tackled through agro-processing technologies that improve the quality, availability and accessibility of produce.

Agricultural technology also enables the use of territory surveillance, such as drones, to monitor and map the health of crops, allowing for early prevention if various issues in early stages. The technology also helps with weather forecasts, using sensors that make decisions on irrigation and crop control. The use of sustainable resources also augments soil health, pest control and water management by increasing effectiveness and decreasing dependency on chemicals and pesticides.

The Sustainable Agriculture Foundation in Bangladesh

The Sustainable Agriculture Foundation aims to improve the lives of smallholder farmers in Bangladesh by boosting economic growth and the livelihoods of locals via an emphasis on risk mitigation related to extreme weather patterns.

In Surokkha, Bangladesh, the Sustainable Agriculture Foundation carried out an initiative that promoted risk mitigation measures for natural disaster adaptability. From September 2018 to September 2022, the Sustainable Agriculture Foundation targeted 233,000 farmers to improve the resilience of agriculture and create stable livelihoods for smallholder farmers. Alongside providing farmers insurance, the program also emphasized the projection of the crop insurance market.

The key measures included the building of insurers and stakeholders, improving farmers’ literacy and awareness, market development studies, weather index crop insurance product expansion and risk management studies.

The outcome of the initiative meant that 421,767 farmers held insurance for potato, rice and maize – a quarter of which were women. Additionally, the initiative developed 21 weather index insurance products and on average, 6.60 decimals per farmer land gained insurance. Significantly, a further 149,343 farmers received payouts of BDT 84,016,858.

The work of the Sustainable Agriculture Foundation has provided stability and insurance to thousands of smallholder farmers in Bangladesh, strengthening the community’s ability to handle extreme weather patterns and mitigate associated risks. In turn, the lives of those experiencing extreme poverty improved through the stability of the resources that agricultural technology offers.

– Ella Dorman

Ella is based in Worcestershire, UK and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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US Foreign Aid to Taiwan

Foreign Aid to TaiwanTaiwan experienced a period of extreme poverty after World War II and the Chinese Civil War. Farming was the most common way to earn a living during the early 1950s, contributing to a low Gross National Product (GNP) per capita of $200 USD (at 1950s price levels) and extreme income inequality. Taiwan’s economic conditions shifted after the land reform began in 1949 and again in the late 1950s when the government prioritized export-oriented growth. Although the export-oriented growth model had a significant impact on Taiwan’s success, aid from the United States also made a lasting impact. Here is information about the history of U.S. foreign aid to Taiwan.

History

From 1950 to 1965, Taiwan received a significant portion of U.S. economic aid. Over this period, Taiwan received around $100 million USD in monetary assistance each year, which accounted for almost 9% of Taiwan’s gross domestic product (GDP).

The focus of foreign aid to Taiwan evolved throughout the years as living conditions improved and U.S. foreign policy objectives shifted. After the Chinese Civil War, people had minimal access to necessities like food and clothing. Starting in the early 1950s, U.S. foreign aid to Taiwan prioritized economic aid and provided military materials due to the widespread poverty and economic and political instability. With this aid, Taiwan was able to stabilize the political situation, which prevented the government from directing all funds toward defense and raising taxes on a population that already struggled financially.

In the mid-1950s, the U.S, directed aid toward infrastructure projects and industrial development. About 37.3% of aid funds went toward infrastructure, 21.5% to agriculture, 25.9% to workforce development and 15.3% to industry. The final stage of U.S. aid programs emphasized shifting from import-based industries to export-oriented growth. However, after 1960, the United States concluded that Taiwan had “graduated” from the aid programs and moved to cut concessional assistance. 

Current US Aid to Taiwan

The United States no longer provides the island with development assistance but continues to offer military financing loans and contribute to disaster preparedness. Before the suspension of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the organization initiated emergency response and joint training programs that have increased Taiwan’s ability to withstand natural disasters and military pressure from the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

Although disaster preparedness is an objective of aid to Taiwan, military support has been the primary focus of U.S. assistance in recent years. The National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2023 and the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 allow for the U.S. to provide up to $10 billion in grant assistance over five years and up to $2 billion in loans.

The goal of current U.S. aid is to maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, while 20th century aid was intended to promote economic and social development. The demand for poverty-reducing aid programs diminished as previous initiatives proved successful, which explains this shift in U.S. aid objectives.

The Outcome of Foreign Aid

Taiwan recognizes that it owes much of its progress to the foreign aid it received over the decades. Today, the World Bank considers Taiwan a high-income economy. It is one of the world’s largest producers of semiconductors and electronics and is a driving force behind innovations in artificial intelligence. 

Foreign aid to Taiwan spurred economic development and substantially improved the well-being of Taiwan’s population. Taiwan’s GNP per capita was $1,132 USD by 1976 and $12,396 USD in 1995. With a higher GNP per capita, Taiwan’s population had more job opportunities, a more equitable income distribution and access to basic necessities like food, health care and education.

From 1953 to 1995, the mortality rates in children under 5 decreased from 21.1 per 1,000 to 1.9 per 1,000, while life expectancy increased by 3.2 years for men and 5.9 years for women as a result of lower income inequality. “By using this aid, we were able to build up our infrastructure… And we were also able to set up our import substitution industries…” remarked Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九), President of the Republic of China (Taiwan) from 2008-2016, in a speech. With U.S. assistance on infrastructure, industry and defense, Taiwan increased GNP per capita and established more income equality, improving life expectancy and the overall quality of life for its citizens. 

These improvements in health and economic outcomes demonstrate that foreign aid to Taiwan has made a noteworthy impact. At a time when the United States is reassessing its foreign aid commitments, it must recognize the positive influence of foreign aid on Taiwan’s success and rapid reduction of poverty.

– Haley Parilla

Haley is based in Cape Coral, FL, USA and focuses on Business and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay

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Mutual Aid Networks in Sudan Combating Poverty and War

Mutual Aid Networks in SudanGrassroots mutual aid networks in Sudan have emerged as a vital lifeline for communities suffering from economic collapse and the civil war that erupted in 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), causing the displacement of more than 12.5 million people. Local activists have stepped in to address community needs and foster solidarity as traditional aid systems come to a standstill, demonstrating the power of collective action amid widespread violence and the breakdown of state institutions.

Sudan’s Crisis and the Rise of Mutual Aid

Sudan has endured one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises for more than a year now. Currently, 25 million people are facing food insecurity and more than 600,000 individuals are experiencing extreme levels of hunger. The civil war is fuelling this issue by severely disrupting the distribution of international aid – SAF-controlled ports impose unpredictable delays, and even when aid enters the country, RSF and allied militias frequently hijack and loot shipments, preventing it from reaching those in need.

The emergence of decentralized, volunteer-led mutual aid networks in Sudan – Emergency Response Rooms (ERRs) – builds upon a long history of mutual aid in Sudan, including the Sudanese tradition of social solidarity or nafeer. This grassroots initiative unites citizens in addressing local needs and plays a critical role in offsetting limited international support and awareness. As of February 2024, ERRs have reached more than 4 million civilians and received a nomination for the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize by the Peace Research Institute Oslo.

Mutual Aid in Action: Emergency Response Rooms

Each ERR is unique in how it adapts to the specific needs of the communities it serves on the ground. Nevertheless, all ERRs deliver essential aid – distributing food and water through community kitchens, providing medical care and pharmaceutical supplies in neighbourhood clinics, coordinating evacuations, sheltering displaced families and maintaining electricity access by providing logistical support to workers.

Specialized response rooms play a crucial role in supporting vulnerable groups. Women’s Response Rooms (WRRs) offer essential supplies such as sanitary products and prenatal vitamins, alongside communal day-care services. They also provide first aid and psychological care, with trained mental health professionals assisting survivors of sexual violence – a widespread issue among armed groups, particularly the RSF.

In Sudan, 17 million children are out of school due to ongoing conflict. WRRs address this by creating child-friendly spaces for learning and play. These spaces support both formal education, with funded teachers delivering the national curriculum, and informal activities like art. Additionally, mental health programs help children process trauma and equip them with vital coping skills for healthy development.

The Impact of the U.S. Aid Freeze

On 20 January 2025, the Trump administration paused all foreign aid for 90 days to conduct a program-by-program review, assessing which initiatives should continue to receive funding. This halt in U.S. humanitarian assistance is having devastating consequences for mutual aid networks in Sudan. ERRs in the country rely on financial support from the Sudanese diaspora and international aid organizations, according to The New Humanitarian. However, they are particularly dependent on U.S. governmental aid, which accounted for 43.7% of the $1.8 billion in humanitarian funding to Sudan in 2024. As a result of these cuts, ERRs are now facing an 80% reduction in resources.

Hind Al Tayef, representing an ERR in Khartoum’s East Nile District, reports that nearly all 300 community kitchens in the area have shut down due to a shortage of funds necessary to operate water pumps. Similarly, Hannen, a volunteer in southern Khartoum, states that 111 kitchens have closed down in the neighbourhood due to a lack of food supplies, worsening the spread of famine, The New Humanitarian reports. In response, volunteers are launching online crowdfunding campaigns, seeking new institutional donors and exploring sustainable solutions such as agricultural projects to reduce dependence on donor-funded community kitchens.

The Future

The resilience of mutual aid networks in Sudan amidst the escalating humanitarian crisis should not be seen as a replacement for the fundamental responsibility of the Sudanese government, international actors and aid organizations to protect civilians affected by armed conflict. However, it challenges traditional aid models by demonstrating the powerful potential of community-led solutions, local knowledge and personal relationships to drive meaningful change.

– Charlotte Codd

Charlotte is based in Waterford, Ireland and focuses on Good News and Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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USAID in Sudan: What Does the Shutdown Mean

usaid in sudanAs the Trump administration continues to shut down various foreign aid programs, the reverberations have been felt around the world. Sudan, in particular, has been thrust into a state of crisis following the closure of more than 1,000 USAID-supported soup kitchens and medical centers.

Crisis in Sudan

Sudan, a country of more than 50 million people located in East Africa, has been in a state of national emergency as war rages between the national army and the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Thousands of families have been displaced due to the conflict, and humanitarian aid groups have reported malnutrition cases of millions of citizens, of which 3.2 million are children under 5 years old.

As of December 2024, more than half the population is experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity, a figure which has only worsened since the halting of U.S. foreign aid. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported more than 50,000 cases of cholera in 11 states and mass exodus has put pressure on neighboring countries including Chad and South Sudan, which are already struggling with their own hunger crises.

USAID Levels Pre-Shutdown

Before the shutdown, USAID in Sudan was responsible for providing between 70% and 80% of funding for flexible cash programs, making it the largest single donor out of multiple countries and global organizations, according to BBC.

These programs consisted largely of an extended network of communal food kitchens— emergency response rooms (ERR)— which provided food, medicine and supplies for families located in regions out of reach from foreign aid workers.

Information regarding USAID in Sudan funding statistics is no longer available for viewing on the federal website, but archived reports have estimated that the U.S. has contributed more than $2 billion since the outbreak of the civil war in April 2023.

In 2024, the U.S. distributed $661 million of aid to Sudan through USAID. With this funding, USAID partners were able to reach nearly 6.7 million Sudanese citizens requiring emergency food assistance, in addition to providing safe drinking water to more than 8 million citizens as of April 2024.

Effects of the Shutdown

President Trump’s executive order to halt all foreign aid activity while conducting a 90-day review operates to cut all programs deemed extraneous to U.S. interests. Around 90% of USAID programs will be cut completely, consisting of $60 billion of foreign aid sent around the world.

This has halted many programs mid-transit, withholding crucial aid to those most in need. The federal government has granted an exception to emergency food assistance, but unclear guidelines have caused widespread confusion around implementation, BBC reports.

As funding disappeared overnight, an estimated 1,000 ERRs had to close, plunging the population deeper into crisis, according to NPR.

According to the BBC, around 2 million Sudanese citizens depended on these ERRs for food and medicine, and must now look elsewhere.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has outlined foreign aid requirements by country each year. In 2024, approximately 67% of the $2.7 billion required aid for Sudan was met, with the U.S. as the largest bilateral donor contributing 48% of committed funds. However, there are several other organizations that are working to help people in Sudan.

International Rescue Committee (IRC)

The IRC has operated in Sudan since 1981, delivering food and health services through six different offices located throughout the country. The range of programs are diverse, including water, sanitation, and hygiene services (WASH), gender-based services for women and children (GBV), health and nutrition, and multi-purpose cash aid.

Led by county director Eatizaz Yousif, IRC’s team in Sudan has opened and closed multiple offices and dispatched mobile medical teams. It also assembles and distributes “dignity kits”— packages containing hygiene products and basic supplies for women and girls

Save the Children

Save the Children is one of the largest NGOs operating in Sudan, providing life-saving medical and malnutrition care to millions of Sudanese citizens. Programs include health, nutrition, food security and livelihoods, hygiene, shelter, child protection, and education. Since the outbreak of war in 2023, Save the Children has reached 3.8 million people, including 1.7 million children.

Save the Children focuses on reaching children and families in the most remote or hard-to-reach areas of Sudan. Teams currently operate in 13 out of the 18 states.

The World Food Program (WFP)

The WFP is responsible for providing emergency food assistance or cash to vulnerable refugees, internally displaced residents, and shock-affected communities. The WFP focuses on a wide range of areas— child malnutrition programs, legislative assistance, vocational skills training, irrigation systems, and crop storage representing only a subset. Since April 2023, the WFP has reached over 11 million people.

The U.S. served as the largest single donor to WFP operations before the shutdown, which is likely to cause some scalebacks in the coming weeks. However, the WFP was granted an exception to resume food purchases and deliveries under existing USAID programs — specifically, the Title II Food for Peace Program, in which global NGOs purchase surplus crops from American farmers to assist in emergency food aid

The shutdown of USAID in Sudan has constituted a major blow to progress being made in health, food, and poverty programs assisting those most affected by conflict. As cuts continue to be made in the U.S., it will fall to other nations and NGOs to fill in the gaps amidst a deepening humanitarian crisis.

– Sadie Claps

Sadie is based in Seattle, WA, USA and focuses on Business and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Tech Herfrica Bridging Digital Divide Empowering Women in Africa

Tech Herfrica Bridging Digital Divide Empowering Women in AfricaEmpowering women in Africa through digital and financial inclusion is at the heart of Tech Herfrica’s mission. Founded in 2023 by Nigerian public policy advisor Imade Bibowei-Osuobeni, this social impact organization provides digital literacy training, internet-enabled devices and access to e-commerce platforms. Programs such as EquipHer4Growth and HerLocal Market have helped more than 4,000 women increase their incomes and livelihoods.

EquipHer4Growth

Tech Herfrica’s core programs, EquipHer4Growth and HerLocal Market, equip rural women with digital skills, financial literacy and access to new markets. The EquipHer4Growth program offers hands-on training in digital literacy and business management. Participants learn to operate computers and smartphones, navigate the internet, manage digital payments and leverage online marketing tools to expand their businesses.

The program provides financial literacy training to help women make informed financial decisions. Each participant receives an internet-enabled device, ensuring they have the necessary tools to compete in the current digital economy.

Graduates of EquipHer4Growth have successfully launched online businesses, expanded existing enterprises and improved their families’ quality of life. Tech Herfrica fosters economic independence and contributes to local development by empowering women in Africa with essential digital skills.

HerLocal Market

Complementing EquipHer4Growth, HerLocal Market connects rural female farmers and traders to local and international buyers. This e-commerce platform addresses one of the biggest challenges for women in rural areas, limited access to markets, by providing a digital space where they can showcase and sell their products.

Through HerLocal Market, women sell agricultural produce, handmade crafts and locally sourced goods. The platform reduces post-harvest waste, maximizes profits and provides logistics support and marketing tools. By reaching wider audiences, these women create sustainable income streams, directly contributing to local and regional economic growth.

Together, EquipHer4Growth and HerLocal Market represent a comprehensive approach to empowering women in Africa by equipping them with digital skills and connecting them to broader markets.

SDG Goals and Progress

Tech Herfrica’s work aligns closely with Sustainable Development Goal One (End Poverty Everywhere), SDG Four (Quality Education), SDG Five (Gender Equality) and SDG Eight (Decent Work and Economic Growth). According to Tech Herfrica’s SDG Action Dashboard, the organization has already made measurable progress toward these goals by creating new economic opportunities and providing critical digital training for women and girls in rural communities. Access to technology, combined with digital literacy and market linkages through HerLocal Market, creates new income-generating opportunities for rural women, directly addressing the root causes of poverty by empowering women in Africa by eliminating barriers to economic independence. 

A Global Recognition and Future Expansion

Among many other awards, in 2023 Tech Herfrica was selected for the Chat for Women’s Livelihood Accelerator program, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This 18-month initiative focuses on using chat-based technology, AI and large language models to enhance learning and boost women’s livelihoods in rural communities. By leveraging AI-driven solutions, Tech Herfrica aims to improve digital engagement and provide personalized support for women as they build skills and grow their businesses.

Through this accelerator program, Tech Herfrica collaborates with five other global organizations to develop innovative chat services on platforms such as WhatsApp, enabling more women to access essential resources, skills and mentorship opportunities. This partnership marks a significant step toward scaling Tech Herfrica’s impact and expanding its reach to thousands more women in underserved communities.

Looking Ahead

With a goal to empower 1 million women in Africa by 2030, Tech Herfrica continues to expand its programs, form new partnerships and develop innovative digital solutions. By using technology to break barriers, the organization remains at the forefront of empowering women in Africa through education, entrepreneurship and economic inclusion.

– Gregory Brychta

Gregory is based in Seattle, WA, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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4 Impacts of USAID Programs in Mozambique 

USAID Programs in Mozambique
While much progress has been made in recent years, Mozambique has long struggled with poverty due to natural disasters, COVID-19, lack of access to education and repeated conflict, with approximately 62% of the total population living in poverty. This means that a majority of the population is living on less than $1.90 a day. These circumstances often arise in the more rural parts of Mozambique where a lack of skills training lends to selling produce in markets leaving people with barely enough to support their families. Since its inception in 1961, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is a federal agency that aims to support countries by uplifting and strengthening communities through various programs and partnerships. The following are examples of success stories of USAID programs in Mozambique that follow a history of aid that spans more than 40 years in the country. 

Partnership With GiveDirectly

Following cyclone “Idai” in March 2019, hundreds of thousands of people experienced displacement from their homes in Mozambique. In combination with the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic, approximately 4 million people, roughly 10% of the population, were facing food insecurity. To address this issue, USAID has partnered with GiveDirectly, a program that takes a unique approach to fighting poverty through direct cash deposits for villagers who need to purchase food, medical and agricultural supplies. Since 2021, GiveDirectly has provided $10.9 million in cash to 18,000+ people across 55 different villages which includes more than 7,000 households. 

USAID’s partnership with GiveDirectly in 2024 has allowed for the growth of programs like Cash+ Youth in Conflict Affected Communities which provides $250 each to youths while they receive business skills training through USAID. The partnership has also brought growth to GiveDirectly programs like Cash+ Climate Smart Agriculture and Cash+Resilient Agriculture. These programs provide cash transfers that increase distribution of agricultural inputs, training in sustainable agricultural practices and the purchase of new farm equipment like fertilizers and high-quality seeds.

Educational Programs

Education plays a pivotal role in allowing children to set themselves up for the future they deserve by learning necessary reading and writing skills. As of 2016, 94% of children in Mozambique attended primary school, a significant improvement from 2003 when only 72% of school aged children attended primary school. Despite this improvement, less than 5% of students demonstrated grade-level reading proficiency by the 3rd grade. This is primarily due to factors such as a lack of reading material, teacher and student absenteeism and limited community engagement in the daily life of the school.

USAID has invested in the education and future of Mozambique’s child population through new educational programs like SABER. This five-year program, announced on August 17, 2023, plans to expand bilingual education in more than 4,000 primary schools across the provinces of Zambezia, Niassa, Nampula and Cabo Delgado. SABER is part of USAID’s plan to invest more than $150 million into education and community engagement across Mozambique in the next five years, improving the literacy and numeracy skills of more than 2.2 million students.

Previous educational programs in Mozambique, such as “Eu Leio” (I Read), sought to increase the distribution of reading materials within a period of six years (2014-2020). The program accomplished this while improving school building capacities and holding students and teachers accountable for the learning outcomes of their community. As of September 2019, their efforts have established 116 school libraries, 116 school councils began monitoring teacher/student tardiness and absenteeism and 116 District Education Plans to address critical education gaps originated.

Gender Equality

Among many in Mozambique there remains long-standing beliefs about gender that tend to encourage discrimination towards women. These gender norms, among other contributing health epidemics like HIV is what leaves Mozambique rated 119th out of 166 other nations on the UNDP Gender Inequality Index. These disparities play out in a variety of ways with approximately half of women being illiterate, 11% of young women and adolescent girls contracting AIDS, and women comprising most of the unskilled labor force that includes agriculture despite their work going largely unpaid. Women in Mozambique face these problems, all while the media continues to support harmful stereotypes about women by portraying them as deserving of violence.

The harmful stereotypes in the media are why one of the many USAID programs in Mozambique is directed towards bridging the gender divide through the Media Strengthening Program. This program aims to amplify citizens’ voices who may not otherwise be heard by targeting gender biases in reporting while working to include female voices as sources. Key targets of gender biased reporting may include topics such as early marriage, women’s health issues and gender-based violence. While more work is necessary to end gender biases in Mozambique, the media is a key component in changing people’s perspective across the country so that further change faces less resistance.

Conservation Efforts

Among the USAID programs in Mozambique are efforts in wildlife conservation. No organization has exemplified this effort more than the partnership between Gorongosa National Park and USAID, a partnership that celebrates its 20th year anniversary as of 2024. After their initial partnership in 2004, USAID began its support of a number of initiatives in the Gorongosa National Park including wildlife protection with the hiring and training of park rangers, habitat restoration through the construction of beehive fences, and conservation through pangolin rehabilitation and veterinary care. With these efforts there are now more than 100,000 animals in the park including elephants, lions, hippos, antelope, painted wolves, hyenas and leopards.

The efforts of Gorongosa National Park, which USAID has supported, have created sustainable incomes for local residents by re-allocating jobs. For example, USAID’s partnership with Gonorosa National Park is replacing jobs like illegal hunting, mining and slash and burn logging with coffee cultivation, honey production, cashew farming, fish farming and chili growing. These efforts are in addition to how USAID’s support is reaching 200,000 people through community health workers, traditional birth attendants and mobile medical clinics.

Concluding Thoughts

These partnerships and organizations alongside many more have successfully demonstrated the impact that USAID programs in Mozambique have had in elevating communities. Mozambique is one country among many other success stories of the good work that USAID has accomplished throughout the world. 

– Hunter Gomersall

Hunter is based in Santa Barbara, CA, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr