Archive for category: Conflict

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Women Join Syria’s Demining Effort

Syria’s DeminingWhen Abeer Ghonimi walks into a field in northwest Syria, she takes her life into her own hands. A mother, researcher and Arabic literature graduate, Ghonimi is one of a small but growing number of women joining Syria’s demining effort, work that is not just dangerous but essential for millions of people who cannot yet safely return home.

More than a decade of civil war has left Syria among the most heavily contaminated countries on earth. Clearing that contamination has become one of the most urgent tasks of post-conflict recovery, and women like Ghonimi are increasingly part of the workforce doing it.

A Country Riddled With Hidden Dangers

Syria has recorded the highest or second-highest number of landmine casualties in the world for several years running. In 2023, the country recorded 933 casualties from mines and explosive remnants of war, more than any other country. In 2022, the figure was 834, also a global high. Casualties surged sharply after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024, as millions of displaced Syrians began moving back to areas that had been closed off for years. Between Dec. 8, 2024 and March 25, 2025, the International Committee of the Red Cross recorded 748 casualties from mines and explosive remnants. Of those, 500 came in the first three months of 2025 alone, more than half the total recorded in all of 2024.

The scale of contamination is significant. According to the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), approximately 15.4 million people in Syria, more than 65% of the population, live at risk from unexploded ordnance, including landmines, improvised explosive devices and the remnants of years of aerial and artillery bombardment.

The human cost is matched by an economic one. Contaminated farmland cannot be planted. Roads cannot be repaired. Schools and water infrastructure sit idle because clearing them first requires funding and personnel that remain in short supply. One estimate put the cost of clearing northeast Syria alone at more than $190 million. Experts have warned that at current resource levels, it could take 25 to 40 years to address Syria’s contamination fully.

Training Local Deminers and the Inclusion of Women

Humanitarian organizations are expanding training programs to build local capacity. France-based Humanity and Inclusion, formerly Handicap International, concluded a three-week intensive course in early February 2025, based out of its Hama office and focused on northwestern Syria. The training team included two instructors, 12 trainees, 10 working deminers, a deputy team leader and a team leader. Participants learned to identify landmines and unexploded ordnance, follow safety protocols and respond to threats in their own communities, with classroom instruction combined with practical fieldwork in affected areas, including Idlib and Aleppo.

Those efforts are beginning to show results. According to UNMAS, cross-border mine action partners such as Humanity & Inclusion conducted 1,500 clearance operations between the fall of Assad and December 2025, disposing of more than 2,000 items of unexploded ordnance. During the same period, 141 minefields and 450 confirmed hazardous areas were identified across Idlib, Aleppo, Hama, Deir Ezzor and Latakia. Risk education has also expanded: 930 sessions were delivered to around 17,000 people in northwest Syria during the same period.

Separately, MAG International’s teams in northeast Syria have helped restore water supplies, roads, agricultural land and schools that had been blocked by contamination, enabling displaced communities to return.

HALO Trust deminers, including women such as 32-year-old Lama Haj Kaddour, are now working across the country following the end of the Assad era, which opened up regions that were previously inaccessible to civilian demining organizations.

Why Women’s Involvement Matters

Women remain underrepresented in Syria’s demining workforce, but their participation is growing. The recent Humanity and Inclusion cohort included two female trainees drawn directly from local communities. Among them was Ghonimi, who had worked for humanitarian causes since 2017 and trained community members to recognize the risks of explosive remnants before joining a clearance team herself.

Her motivation is personal as much as professional. “At any moment, I may encounter unexploded ordnance,” she told Arab News from Idlib. “Or my son could be exposed to remnants of war.” That fear, she said, drove her to learn how to respond and to pass that knowledge on. While working in Taftanaz, northeast of Idlib, a participant in one of her awareness sessions used what he had learned to stop a neighbor from picking up a suspicious object, a potentially life-saving intervention that illustrates how local knowledge, once shared, multiplies.

The practical case for including women is well established. In communities across Syria where conservative social norms restrict interaction between unrelated men and women, female deminers and risk education officers can access households and speak with women and children in ways that male colleagues often cannot. Those groups are among the most vulnerable to accidents, particularly children who may encounter or handle unfamiliar objects. UNICEF has estimated that at least 422,000 incidents involving unexploded ordnance have been reported across Syria since 2011 and that roughly half involved child casualties.

A Broader Push for Women’s Inclusion

The growing presence of women in demining is part of a wider effort to ensure Syria’s recovery is not rebuilt along the same exclusionary lines as before. Women have been largely sidelined in the country’s political transition: when elections were held in October 2025, just six women won seats in the 119-member transitional parliament. Women’s groups have described their roles in many institutions as symbolic rather than substantive.

In that context, technical roles like demining carry significance beyond the immediate task. Humanitarian frameworks increasingly recognize that gender inclusion improves outcomes in post-conflict recovery, not as an add-on, but because diverse teams reach more of the affected population and build stronger local ownership of the recovery process. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Syria’s Gender Equality Strategy for 2026 reflects this thinking, aiming to embed women’s agency across economic, social and institutional recovery programs.

For Ghonimi, the logic is straightforward. “There is no difference between men and women in their ability to contribute,” she said. “The war in Syria has shown that women play an essential role in supporting their communities.”

Looking Ahead

Syria’s demining problem is vast, and the resources dedicated to solving it remain far short of what is needed. Germany, one of the key funders of humanitarian demining, cut its relevant budget by more than half in 2025. U.S. support through USAID, which had funded clearance work in northeast Syria, was also cut back. Organisations like HALO Trust and MAG International are working to expand capacity now that the fall of Assad has opened access to previously restricted areas, but experts warn that without sustained international funding, progress will remain painfully slow.

Every cleared field, road or neighborhood returned to safe use represents families able to come home, crops that can be planted and schools that can reopen. As the country’s recovery gathers pace, the women joining Syria’s demining teams are not just clearing land — they are helping to make that recovery possible.

– Andrew Geddes

Andrew is based in Edinburgh, UK and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Charities Operating in Iran: Supporting Vulnerable Communities

Charities in IranDue to the ongoing conflict, sanctions and high inflation, Iran is currently experiencing severe humanitarian and economic hardship. These circumstances have put increased pressure on social welfare, housing and health care systems, making it difficult for many communities to meet their basic needs. Vulnerable populations are increasingly at risk, as instability persists, especially those with limited access to resources and support systems.

Alongside economic challenges, humanitarian needs have intensified as conflict-related disruption affects infrastructure, supply chains and access to vital services. Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are vital in this situation as they help close gaps, provide emergency aid and support long-term recovery. Through focused humanitarian efforts and community-based support, these five charities operating in Iran are helping to address these issues. 

The Iranian Red Crescent Society

The largest humanitarian organization in the country, the Iranian Red Crescent Society, is essential to emergency response and relief operations. It operates a nationwide network of more than two million volunteers, enabling rapid response to crises such as earthquakes, floods and public health emergencies. In the current situation, the organization has expanded its efforts to support millions of people affected by conflict-related disruptions by providing essential supplies, shelter and urgent medical care.

It also runs more than 500 rehabilitation and health centers, providing ongoing care to vulnerable populations. Its nationwide presence allows it to reach vulnerable populations quickly, particularly in areas where infrastructure has been impacted. 

UNICEF Iran

UNICEF Iran prioritizes protecting children and providing basic services, especially in low-income and vulnerable communities. The organization has helped maintain Iran’s more than 95% childhood immunization rate, supporting millions of children through nationwide vaccination programs. It also helps improve access to education, particularly for marginalized and refugee children, reaching tens of thousands of students annually.

UNICEF’s nutrition and health initiatives provide critical support to families facing economic strain, helping prevent malnutrition and disease. These programs are essential in safeguarding child development during periods of instability. 

UNHCR Iran

Supporting displaced populations in Iran, particularly 3.5 million Afghan refugees and others impacted by regional instability, is a critical responsibility of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The organization provides access to health care, education and financial assistance to hundreds of thousands of refugees each year. Through its Amayesh registration system, many refugees are integrated into national services such as public schooling and primary health care.

UNHCR also distributes cash assistance and essential supplies to help families meet basic needs. Its work is vital in promoting stability and self-reliance among displaced populations amid ongoing regional instability.

The International Committee of the Red Cross

In Iran, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) provides humanitarian protection and assistance to vulnerable populations, especially those affected by conflict and displacement. The ICRC has provided 5,000 non-food items to several Iranians over the years. It works with medical facilities to improve access to essential treatment and supplies, particularly for vulnerable groups.

The organization also focuses on humanitarian protection, including supporting detainees and reconnecting families separated by conflict. Its neutrality allows it to operate effectively in complex and sensitive environments. 

The Imam Khomeini Relief Foundation

One of the most prominent domestic charities in Iran, the Imam Khomeini Relief Committee, focuses on social welfare and poverty alleviation. The foundation offers low-essential services, housing support and financial assistance to more than 4.5 million people as economic conditions deteriorate. The foundation prioritizes vulnerable groups, including women-headed households, orphans and older people.

It also offers employment and self-sufficiency programs to help individuals generate sustainable income. It plays a crucial role in helping communities that are experiencing increased hardship due to social and economic instability. 

Human Impact and the Role of Charities

Data and individual experiences both reflect the humanitarian impact of Iran’s ongoing instability. The Borgen Project spoke with an Iranian woman who now resides in Leith, Edinburgh, but requested to remain anonymous for privacy reasons. She explained how everyday life, especially for women, had already been shaped by economic hardship and limited opportunities since leaving Iran two years ago. 

She explained that these difficulties have been worsened by the current circumstances, with many families now facing greater uncertainty about their access to food, health care and financial security. These conditions are consistent with broader trends, as economic strain and conflict continue to impede vital services and place additional pressure on vulnerable groups. 

“Before, people were struggling, but now it feels like everything is collapsing at once,” she told The Borgen Project in an interview. “There is fear all the time. People are worried about safety, about losing their homes, about how they will survive. Everything is uncertain.” 

Her perspective emphasizes the growing importance of humanitarian organizations in meeting urgent needs. Charities frequently offer vital support when public services are overburdened, especially for those without a steady income or access to aid. 

This reflects the efforts of organizations that continue to provide emergency assistance, medical care and protection services, such as the Iranian Red Crescent Society, UNHCR and UNICEF. These organizations are crucial in helping communities maintain stability and access to basic resources as the demand for assistance grows. 

“In times like this, charities become a lifeline,” she said. “When people are forced from their homes or lose everything, they depend on this support just to get through each day.” 

A Path Forward Through Humanitarian Support 

As conditions across Iran continue to shift, the importance of humanitarian organizations has moved far beyond short-term intervention. These five charities operating in Iran provide not only support but also continuity in times when daily life has been disrupted. They are becoming increasingly central to how communities survive and rebuild in an environment shaped by instability and uncertainty. 

The existence of these charities signifies more than support for many impacted by conflict and financial hardship; it signals that help is still available even in the most challenging circumstances. Their work is part of a broader humanitarian endeavor to respond not only to immediate needs but also to the long-term realities facing vulnerable populations. 

As pressure on communities intensifies, the role of these charities in Iran becomes even more significant. Their ongoing efforts show that, despite substantial challenges, structured and persistent humanitarian action can lay the groundwork for recovery, resilience and a more stable future. 

 – Honey Regev

Honey is based in Edinburgh, Scotland and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Celebrity Initiatives Supporting Sudan

Celebrity Initiatives Supporting SudanAs the war and humanitarian crisis in Sudan continue, a range of celebrities are using their platforms to draw attention to the ongoing conflict. Together, these four celebrity initiatives supporting Sudan play a critical role in building international attention, raising money and amplifying calls for humanitarian aid amid the world’s largest humanitarian crisis.

Artists for Aid: Benefit Concert for Sudan and Palestine

One of the most notable celebrity initiatives supporting Sudan was Artists for Aid, a star-studded benefit concert held earlier this year at The Shrine in Los Angeles in support of Sudan and Palestine. The Los Angeles event was the third installment of the fundraiser, following successful events in New Jersey and London. The event was organized by Sudanese-Canadian artist Mustafa and co-hosted by supermodel Bella Hadid and actor Pedro Pascal.

The event raised $5.5 million for humanitarian relief, with proceeds going toward the Sudanese American Physicians Association and the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund. The concert featured performances from Grammy-winning artists Chappell Roan and Jazmine Sullivan, Clairo, Shawn Mendes and Daniel Caesar. In the lead-up to the concert, Mustafa released a powerful video featuring celebrities reading works by Sudanese and Palestinian poets, which they widely shared to highlight the Artists for Aid event.

The video featured well-known actors Mark Ruffalo and Jeremy Allen White, musicians Shawn Mendes, Kehlani and Rosalía, Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton and more.

Freedom for Sudan: Celebrity Auction

Another creative celebrity initiative supporting Sudan has been the Freedom for Sudan auction, a digital fundraiser pairing celebrity access with humanitarian relief. The auction, held between January 6 and 12, raised more than $160,000 for Sudanese nonprofits, including El Fasher Emergency Response Rooms and the Mattar Blue Movement. Auctioned items included an outfit and bag from the fashion label Telfar, a signed Olivia Rodrigo vinyl, two concert tickets to see The Weeknd in any city and branded merchandise.

The auction also featured exclusive experiences, including an in-person or Zoom hangout with singer SZA, a private meal cooked by Sudanese Kitchen and more.

Renée Rapp

Pop star and actress Renée Rapp took a different approach during her 2025 Bite Me Tour, using a pre-concert video to raise awareness of multiple humanitarian crises, including Sudan’s. Fans shared the video on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. In the video, Rapp shares that she partnered with the organization Save the Children during the tour and urges fans to donate by saying:

“Right now, millions of children around the world are in crisis. Children in Gaza, children in Congo, children in Sudan, children everywhere… Save the Children fights for kids’ rights, bringing food, water, shelter and health care to places that need it most, while governing bodies sit back and inflict pain or simply stand by and let it happen. Donate if you can… I would never ask you to do something that I am not doing myself, so I am donating right alongside you.”

Along with the video, Rapp launched exclusive merch on her website, with the proceeds being donated to the organization. This form of advocacy helps normalize and encourages conversations about Sudan among fans who may not regularly follow international news.

Social Media Awareness

Social media remains a powerful and common tool for celebrity initiatives supporting Sudan, drawing attention to the humanitarian crisis through their platforms. Actors, musicians and online personalities, including Ayo Edebiri, Don Cheadle, Macklemore, Huda Kattan and Ms. Rachel, shared posts, infographics and calls to action related to Sudan across their social media platforms. Together, these initiatives highlight a widening landscape of celebrity engagement with Sudan’s humanitarian crisis.

While celebrities alone cannot resolve the ongoing conflict, their ability to amplify Sudanese voices and mobilize resources remains a critical tool in global efforts. This is especially important at a time when media cycles move quickly and public attention is limited.

Together, these initiatives highlight a widening landscape of celebrity engagement with Sudan’s humanitarian crisis. While celebrities alone cannot resolve the ongoing conflict, their ability to amplify Sudanese voices, mobilize resources and sustain public attention remains a critical tool in global efforts, especially at a time when media cycles move quickly and attention is limited.

– Sara Aboulela

Sara is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and focuses on Celebs and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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3 Organizations Improving the Quality of Life in Sudan

3 Organizations Improving the Quality of Life in Sudan The current situation in Sudan, resulting from ongoing conflict, has left millions of civilians in extreme poverty and worsened the quality of life in the country. Famine and unemployment have worsened, while income has declined. It is expected that “Sudan’s GDP would decline by 42%… The agrifood system would be particularly affected, with its GDP contracting by 33.6% and employment halving under the extreme scenario.”

Since the beginning of the conflict in April 2023, the quality of life for Sudan’s civilians has declined, becoming known as “the world’s largest humanitarian crisis.” Around 12 million people had to flee their homes because of the conflict. If Sudan continues with the minimal resources it currently has, civilians may face prolonged displacement.

3 Organizations Improving the Quality of Life in Sudan

  • The World Food Program. Organizations such as the World Food Program (WFP), United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and Action Against Hunger (AAH) are working to support Sudan by closing the gap between the country’s needs and its available resources. Since the beginning of the conflict, WFP has provided food assistance across all 18 states of Sudan. WFP reports reaching 4 million people each month, including those in the hardest-hit areas. It is addressing areas already facing famine and those at risk of famine in the near future. In areas where conflict has subsided, WFP is supporting more than 800,000 people. This work includes “boosting agricultural production… work with communities to increase livelihood opportunities, build or refurbish community infrastructure like schools or water points.”
  • United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund. UNICEF is focusing on helping the most vulnerable, particularly children. Out of 30 million people in need, around 15 million are children. Forty-five percent of Sudan’s population is facing malnutrition. However, UNICEF states that “girls often bear the brunt.” UNICEF reports that blocked humanitarian access limits progress, noting that “people have endured months without reliable access to food or medical care.” UNICEF is rebuilding water infrastructure, which will help “2.3 million people access safe drinking water.” Communal kitchens set up by UNICEF serve 88,000 people daily, helping reduce severe malnutrition among children and families. In 2025, 1.3 million children received learning support, helping them continue their education despite the crisis.
  • Action Against Hunger. With 112 employees, AAH is providing aid across Sudan. Due to displacement, AAH reports that famine has spread rapidly from El Fasher to North Darfur. In the past year, AAH supported more than 750,000 people, including through “resilience-building programs.” Action Against Hunger also provided nutrition and health services to more than 275,000 people, including 36,000 children treated for malnutrition. It delivered agricultural support to 16,500 households to help prevent further malnutrition and improved access to clean water to reduce disease.

Looking Ahead

With support from organizations like these, aid and resources continue to reach those in need throughout Sudan. These efforts aim to improve the quality of life in Sudan by addressing displacement, famine and disease.

– Freya Bryers

Freya is based in the United Kingdom and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Security or Sustainability? Deconstructing Military Expenditure

Military ExpenditureIn 2024, global military spending rose for the 10th year in a row. It reached a record high of $2.7 trillion, which accounted for 2.5% of the world’s gross domestic product (GDP). The 9% rise from 2023 represented the sharpest annual increase since the end of the Cold War. While military expenditure surged, developmental funding faced massive shortfalls.

In the same year (2024), humanitarian aid totaled $24.2 billion, representing a decrease of nearly 10% from the previous year. At its current rate, the projected military spending for 2035 is between $4.7 to $6.6 trillion. An annual military expenditure of $6.6 trillion would be almost five times the spending at the end of the Cold War.

In 2024, governments invested 750 times more in defence infrastructure than the regular budget of the United Nations (U.N.). The figures prompt a deeper question: What would the world accomplish by investing this vast budget in achieving the SDGs? Channeling it toward development instead of defense? The following section explores these questions by drawing on data from the U.N. Secretary-General’s report.

Reorienting the Military Budget Toward Sustainable Development

Spending on militarization takes money away from achieving the SDGs and ending poverty. As of 2024, nearly 700 million people globally live in extreme poverty, while more than 3.5 billion people live in poverty based on a standard that is more appropriate for upper-middle-income countries. According to the U.N., it would cost $93 billion to end global hunger, less than 4% of the money spent on the military in just one year.

Every 1% increase in military spending is equivalent to a 1% decrease in publicly financed health services in low and middle-income countries. It would cost $370 million annually, a fraction of the current military budget, to provide basic health care to every person in low and lower-middle-income countries. Using 10% of the $2.7 trillion could ensure full vaccination for every child in the world.

More than 250 million children and young adults lack access to education. However, less than a quarter of this decade’s military spending could have provided 12 years of quality education for every child in low- and lower-middle-income countries. With $114 billion annually, 140 low- and middle-income countries could gain access to safe drinking water and sanitation.

In terms of employment, $1 billion could create more than 25,000 jobs in education, 17,200 in health care, 16,800 in clean energy and 11,200 jobs in the military. Therefore, the rise in global military spending, as opposed to humanitarian aid and development aid, is undermining the progress made toward achieving the SDGs. The report highlights how investing in development through health care, education and poverty alleviation rather than the military can help build a future that is sustainable and peaceful.

Voices for Disarmament and Demilitarization

Numerous international and civil society organizations are challenging militarization and actively advocating for disarmament. Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and Action on Armed Violence are among the organizations working to shift existing global priorities toward a focus on peace. The Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom is also among the leading voices.

Through its Reaching Critical Will program, the organization actively promotes permanent peace through disarmament and demilitarization. It rejects militarism in all its forms, believing that it is an oppressive system which fuels inequality and conflict. Through its campaigns and initiatives, the organization advocates for disarmament, demilitarization and denuclearization with governments.

Final Remarks

The rising global expenditure on arms and military has led to the reallocation of development funds and a scaling down of humanitarian aid, which could have a positive impact on billions. Over the decade, while the answer to conflict has been investment in defense infrastructure, it has not helped create a world that is truly secure or sustainable. The call for demilitarization and disarmament is urgent to reclaim resources for restoring humanitarian aid and addressing pressing global challenges, creating a safer, more equitable world.

– Priya Doshi

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

Photo: Pexels

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Sustainability in the Wake of the Colombian Armed Conflict

Sustainability in the Wake of the Colombian Armed ConflictIn the Colombian armed conflict, land ownership and agricultural strongholds for rebel forces were a form of political power. The peace owed to the 2016 disarmament of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) has since raised questions over state policies of sustainability. The Borgen Project spoke with Dr Camilo Uribe Botta and assessed the role of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to find out.

In the last decade, Bogota was the site of a critical period in contemporary Colombian history – the 2016 peace settlement where the revolutionary FARC guerrilla group agreed terms with the government to demobilize. The FARC’s long history of violent struggle revolved around agrarian reform. Aligning with a communist ideology, land rights and agricultural communes were central to FARC policy in the Colombian hinterlands. Their strategic aim was to ensure that Colombia’s poor had access to land rights. In the aftermath of 2016, a fiercely contested debate surrounding the environmental impact of deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions has been topical. Some argue that the FARC were environmentally conscious in ways the Colombian government has not been. On the other hand, the role of peaceful humanitarian organizations, such as the UNDP, have been successful in their efforts to improve Colombian sustainability.

2016 as a Turning Point or a Step Backwards?

The FARC-EP disarmament in 2016 provoked a debate over whether the signed peace agreement was really a turning point in the wider narrative surrounding the Colombian armed conflict. Teaching Fellow Dr Camilo Uribe Botta, an environmental history specialist at the University of Warwick, reveals the issues that have plagued ongoing land dispute debates in spite of political tensions.

“This isolation of rural areas in Colombia does not mean they are pristine lands. On the contrary, they remain at the center of disputes over land ownership and exploitation between big companies, large landowners, rural inhabitants, Indigenous communities and armed groups. Illegal mining, logging and deforestation are significant challenges.” — Dr. Camilo Uribe Botta, Oct. 28, 2025.

Rural land ownership and legal property rights have long been geographical sites of contestation between a variety of actors. However, in 2021, the government recorded “174,000 hectares deforested in 2021” heavily concentrated in the Amazon region of Colombia – a region of beauty renowned for biodiversity and identified by climate activists as an area which needs legislative protection. This statistic appears to lend weight to those who believe that FARC occupied the Colombian hinterland and limited deforestation levels comparable to the post-peace period. In reality, these claims have been found to be false.

Legacy

The enduring legacy of the revolutionary group continues to prove detrimental to the environment through an offshoot of dissident factions that have emerged as a result of the 2016 peace agreement. Hostility and violence toward farmers has continued in rural regions of Colombia, with these groups using forces of intimidation and extortion to coerce local communities into the practice of deforestation. Dr. Uribe Botta mentioned that more than “350 ecological leaders” had been assassinated in the country since 2018, making it clear that state solutions to the Colombian armed conflict have proved dangerous. The role of the UNDP in preserving peace across the region has continued to accentuate with the coinciding fatalities and discontented sentiment as a result of government action. Sustainability and peace are therefore interlinked entities that separate the politics of FARC disarmament from any correlation with an improvement in sustainability.

The UNDP: Protecting the People, the Andes and the Amazon

Dr. Uribe Botta fears the violence toward state-appointed environmental leaders is an enduring legacy of the Colombian armed conflict. The preservation of the natural world and Colombia’s beauty also has hugely positive implications for the diverse population that lives amongst it. This is greatly realized in the priorities driven by the UNDP, which have resulted in the World Bank branding Colombia as the nation “leading the path toward sustainability in Latin America.”

The year 2022 marked a stellar period in environmental progress within Colombia because a green taxonomy system was implemented nationwide. This initiative champions economic activity through a system of green bonds granted to local businesses. The money must align with the sustainability targets set by the government and whilst these measures may appear restrictive to a free market economy, Colombia’s GDP actually rose by 8.5% in the first quarter of 2022. Unlike during the Colombian armed conflict, national policy, which has consulted with international organizations, has sought to depoliticize environmental issues effectively.

The UNDP has liaised with local stakeholders to ensure the aforementioned green taxonomy system continues to prevail. Within the indigenous communities of Colombia, the forests have a sacred dimension and adopt a position of integral cultural importance. The Indigenous Communities for the Forests was set up alongside UNDP representatives, designed to preserve the cultural heritage of the Andes. In the highlands of Nukanchipa, “80 hectares” of the iraca plant were planted by the local community, which boosts biodiversity and the survival of the forest. From a historical perspective, the iraca ruler led the Muisca peoples through the brutalities of Spanish colonialism – the legacy of the indigenous communities lives on through the symbolic nature of the iraca plant. 

Awareness in Academia

Difficult memories of the Colombian armed conflict for Dr. Uribe Botta remain vivid. He speaks of “the news about attacks, explosions and mass kidnappings” and a childhood which involved seeing a large military presence in Bogota. 

“Our movement was minimal; people preferred not to travel by land in many parts of the country due to the risk of abduction. I remember that, for many school years, there was no school trip because the recommendation was not even to leave the city of Bogotá” — Dr. Camilo Uribe Botta, Oct. 28, 2025.

His academic journey has culminated in an impressive PhD funded by a scholarship obtained at the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom. Writing on the “commerce of orchids” in 19th-century Colombia, Uribe Botta has sought to trace the environmental impact of orchid extraction. His thesis presents the orchid as a marker of state success; if orchids are flourishing in a region, then sustainability practices are being implemented to effect.

Unfortunately, the orchid was at risk of extinction in the 19th Century, but important work like Uribe Botta’s has contributed greatly to the discipline of environmental history. The historiographical turn toward tracing environmental progress over time has not gone unnoticed by contemporary policymakers and activist groups. Orchids for Peace is an initiative that has targeted the conservation practices of the flower in the aftermath of the Colombian armed conflict. Exactly 1,000 planned orchid sanctuaries reflect the initiatives’ stress on “orchids as symbols of peace.”

Sustainable Goals without Political Undertones

The debate over the sustainability practices of the FARC-EP has a strong political edge. Placing the Colombian armed conflict at the heart of climate-related issues has resulted in a violent competition for land and resources post-2016. These disputes have resulted in an alarming rate of deforestation in deliberate opposition to the national state policy. Despite the unstable political climate in the aftermath of the Colombian armed conflict, the nation has made significant progress toward preserving its natural beauty, diverse communities and unique biodiversity. Importantly, these changes were sparked by nongovernmental actors.

The UNDP continues to work alongside local communities to protect their social and environmental interests. This has yielded fantastic results in relation to the nation’s GDP, as hailed by the World Bank. In addition to these measures, the intellectual field of environmental history continues to promote the positives of Colombian sustainability by highlighting important lessons learnt from the past. The cohesion between nonprofit workers, international organizations and environmental scholars has formed the basis of successful progress toward a greener, peaceful Colombia.

– Ash Fowkes-Gajan

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

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Social Protection: The Answer to Poverty in Conflict Zones?

Social Protection: The Answer to Poverty in Conflict Zones? On Nov. 4, 2025, the United Kingdom’s (U.K.’s) Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, in collaboration with the government of Somalia, published the outcome document of the High-Level Panel on Social Protection in Fragile and Conflict-Affected Settings. Motivated by the need for practical solutions to alleviate poverty in the world’s most fragile contexts, the panel developed a roadmap for increasing investment in social protection. With decreasing global aid spending, this could represent an affordable and proactive method to help those in extreme poverty.

Fragility and Conflict

Currently, 25% of the global population lives in zones of high or extreme fragility. Brutal conflicts in Sudan, Gaza and the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are exacerbated by climate shocks, economic instability and mass displacement. For many regions, fragility has become the norm and now represents the epicenter of humanitarian, development and security challenges. Of the planet’s population living in extreme poverty, more than 70% live in these fragile zones with a high incidence of violent conflict.

Social protection, as laid out in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, is a fundamental human right. It includes those support mechanisms such as social insurance, jobseekers’ assistance, care services and cash support. In times of crisis and in zones of high or extreme fragility, these policies and programs become crucial, allowing people to better endure, adapt and recover. Globally, only 52.4% of people benefit from just one social protection program, a figure that drops dramatically in fragile contexts.

The High-Level Panel

The High-Level Panel on Social Protection in Fragile and Conflict-Affected Settings was convened to ascertain why social protection is not the norm – and how to change that fact. Co-chaired by Rt Hon Baroness Chapman of Darlington (U.K. Minister of State for International Development and Africa), and H.E. Salah Ahmed Jama (Deputy Prime Minister of Somalia), the panel brought together leading experts in the fields of humanitarian action, development and social protection. 

With the support of a public enquiry, the panel found that implementing social protection in fragile regions has been hampered by strong barriers to progress. From a lack of political buy-in to chronic underinvestment, social protection has been underappreciated and underutilized. Finding solutions to these entrenched barriers, therefore, has required a shift in attitudes, brought about in no small part by a need to find cheaper solutions to poverty alleviation. 

Fiscal Constraints

One of the key recognitions made by the High-Level Panel is the severe pressure on both domestic and international spending. Operating in the reality of a tightened global fiscal situation – where the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) with its $63 billion budget has closed, and where the U.K. has reduced its aid spending to 0.3% of Gross National Income (GNI) – the Panel argues that increasing social protection offers a cost-effective and proactive alternative to expensive reactionary humanitarian responses. It is this shift in the financing of global development and poverty alleviation assistance that will be most conducive to the realization of the Panel’s aims.

Recommendations for Implementation

As part of the outcome document published by the two co-chairs of the High-Level Panel, a “catalytic agenda” was laid out. This set out nine recommendations for the implementation of the Panel’s vision – for social protection to provide peace, resilience and stability in fragile and conflict-affected settings. The agenda focuses on the recognition of social protection as a priority, the centering of people in future implementations, and the importance of robust and diverse financing mechanisms.

The document concludes with a call to action directed at stakeholders, including the United Nations (U.N.), G7+ and Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), requesting firm commitments to the panel’s recommendations. The inclusion of clear steps, rather than general statements, underscores the panel’s position that social protection in conflict-affected settings is achievable.

A Path Forward

Financing social protection in those regions of the world most affected by severe instability offers a proactive, affordable solution to extreme poverty.  Social protection enhances safety and stability for the general population and plays a critical role in supporting society’s most vulnerable, including women, children, the elderly and people with disabilities. The conclusions and recommendations of the High-Level Panel on Social Protection in Fragile and Conflict-Affected Settings provide a clear path forward.

– Henry Weiser

Henry is based in Cornwall, UK and focuses on Technology and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Education in Burkina Faso: Sustaining Learning Amid Conflict

Education in Burkina FasoOverlapping crises of conflict and displacement have profoundly disrupted education in Burkina Faso. As of February 2024, the Burkinabè Ministry of Education reported that 5,336 schools, representing more than 20% of the country’s schools, were shuttered due to insecurity, affecting more than 820,000 students and 24,000 teachers. In regions under attack, armed militants have targeted teachers, burned or looted school buildings and intimidated families to keep children out of class.

Between 2022 and 2023 alone, organizations documented more than 270 attacks on educational institutions, including arson and classroom damage. In parallel, mass displacement has uprooted millions of families within the country, leaving many children without access to stable schooling. Yet even in this precarious context, a range of targeted efforts are working to sustain learning.

From teacher training in psychosocial support to mobile and tablet-based classrooms reaching displaced learners, these interventions aim to bridge the gaps inflicted by conflict. Here are five concrete solutions helping children in Burkina Faso continue their education despite adversity.

Safe Schools Program: Supporting Teachers and Students

In Burkina Faso, the Safe School Program, led by UNICEF in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and several NGOs, aims to keep children learning safely despite ongoing violence and displacement. The initiative protects students and teachers in conflict-affected areas while promoting psychosocial well-being and resilience. A key part of the program focuses on training teachers to provide psychosocial support and manage classrooms effectively during periods of stress.

Many educators in Burkina Faso have experienced trauma themselves. Hence, the training helps them identify signs of distress in students and build a sense of safety and trust in the classroom. In an assessment of 583 teachers, more than 80% showed symptoms of stress or trauma, highlighting how vital this support is in sustaining education in Burkina Faso.

Since its launch, the program has reached more than 900,000 children and 10,000 teachers across approximately 4,400 schools. In the Center-Nord region alone, more than 11,600 children, including 6,000 girls, have benefited from safe learning spaces, while 2,000 children received direct psychosocial support. By focusing on safety, mental health and teacher empowerment, the Safe School Program shows how education can remain a source of stability and hope even in the midst of crisis.

Mobile and Tablet-Based Classrooms for Displaced Learners

In response to widespread school closures and attacks, UNICEF’s Education in Emergencies (EiE) program is helping children in Burkina Faso regain access to safe, quality education. The initiative focuses on reopening schools in conflict-affected areas, training teachers and creating protective learning spaces for displaced children. UNICEF and Save the Children have both introduced tablet-based learning programs as part of their EiE response.

The tablets are preloaded with literacy, numeracy and life skills lessons, designed for self-paced learning without needing internet access or money to pay for books. This approach helps bridge the gap for students whose schooling has been interrupted by displacement, keeping education in Burkina Faso a priority. Technology-based initiatives are helping to extend learning opportunities to children in regions where access to formal schooling remains limited.

Emergency Teacher Training: Adapting Pedagogy in Crisis

Rapid teacher training programs are crucial to sustaining education in crises like Burkina Faso. UNICEF’s humanitarian reports indicate that Burkina Faso’s EiE efforts include capacity building for teachers and facilitators, even amid instability. For instance, in late 2024, 18 teachers participated in “Alternate Emergency Classes” training, which covered protection, pedagogy and national language instruction.

Following prolonged school disruptions, catch-up classes led by trained teachers have been implemented to help children regain their learning momentum. From July to August 2024, UNICEF supported 14,314 children with daily remedial classes in five regions; teachers in these programs are trained to work with students who missed schooling.

NGO and Community-Led Learning Spaces

Local and community-driven initiatives have become essential in keeping education in Burkina Faso’s conflict-affected regions alive. Across the country, NGOs and grassroots groups establish temporary learning spaces and support host schools that have taken in displaced children. These locally run centers not only provide classrooms but also a sense of normality for children who have fled violence.

Organizations like Educo, working with partners like Terre des Hommes and INTERSOS, have supported around 40 schools welcoming displaced children. Through temporary classrooms and teacher support, these efforts are helping more than 20,000 learners, including 11,000 internally displaced students and children from host communities. Meanwhile, U.N.-Habitat has constructed new classrooms in urban areas such as Kaya, Kongoussi, Tougouri and Dori, where displaced families have pressured the existing infrastructure.

These projects are helping to reduce overcrowding and create safer, more stable spaces for children to continue their education in Burkina Faso. These initiatives show how local communities and organizations are stepping in to keep education going. They range from setting up temporary classrooms to expanding school facilities, ensuring children affected by conflict can continue learning in safer, more supportive environments.

International Support and Partnerships

International donors and development organizations are playing a critical role in sustaining education in Burkina Faso. They are helping finance infrastructure, bridging conflicts and supporting emergency access to learning. One example is the World Bank’s recent Restoring Education System Performance and Improving Resilience (REPAIR) Project.

The $140 million project aims to expand access to primary and pre-primary education, improve foundational learning and support emergency education for displaced and vulnerable children. It also includes investments in educational infrastructure and capacity building for the government. Under REPAIR, approximately 2.2 million students and 40,000 teachers in Burkina Faso are expected to benefit from its range of interventions.

Together, projects like REPAIR highlight how international partnerships can help sustain education even in times of crisis. Investing in infrastructure, teacher training and access for displaced learners, these collaborations are helping to keep classrooms open and give more Burkina Faso children the chance to continue their education.

Education Endures in Burkina Faso

Despite years of conflict and displacement, education in Burkina Faso continues thanks to the determination of teachers, communities and their partners. These efforts, from temporary classrooms to teacher training and school rebuilding, demonstrate how cooperation can sustain learning even in the most challenging circumstances. As people across the country work together to restore access and stability, education remains more than a necessity; it’s a source of hope and a path toward lasting peace and recovery.

– Lucy Williams

Lucy is based in Wrexham, UK and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay

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The Potential Impact of the Together for Palestine Fundraiser

The Together for Palestine FundraiserThe conflict between Israel and Palestine is almost impossible to ignore. While the conflict itself dates back almost a century, things have only gotten worse in recent years. Ever since Israel’s assault on Gaza began on October 7, 2023, the conflict has dominated headlines and the brutality of the conflict has been staggering.

According to a recent article by ABC, since October 7, Israel’s attacks have killed 67,160 people, with an additional 2,000 dead in Israel. Simply put, something needs to be done. On September 17, in Wembley Arena, some of the biggest celebrities in the world held the Together for Palestine Fundraiser. Here’s a look at the Together for Palestine Fundraiser and the impacts it could have. 

What Is the Together for Palestine Fundraiser?

The Together for Palestine fundraiser aims to raise £2 million (approximately $2.7 million) for aid in Gaza and it has raised £1.8 million (about $2.4 million) so far. Together for Palestine’s big event was the aforementioned concert in Wembley Arena. According to the BBC, more than 12,000 people attended the event and an additional 200,000 people streamed it.

The event featured British artist Brian Eno, who organized it and prominent figures such as Benedict Cumberbatch and Florence Pugh, musicians Bastille and James Blake and Palestinian artists Sama’ Abdulhadi, Saint Levant and actor Bilal Ali Hasna. Hasna stated that he believes what Israel is doing in Gaza could be classified as genocide, a stance Israel’s foreign ministry has vehemently rejected.

It’s worth noting, however, that his position aligns with a U.N. report released the same week as the Wembley fundraiser, underscoring the urgency of drawing attention to the horrific conditions in Gaza.

What Are the Impacts of the Together for Palestine Fundraiser?

The Together for Palestine Fundraiser is donating all its proceeds to organizations on the ground and providing aid in Gaza. According to the Together for Palestine website, the organizations involved include:

  • Taawon: This is the largest orphan care program in Gaza, supporting more than 20,000 children who have lost everything as a result of the conflict. It provides food, clothing and medical care.
  • The Palestine Children’s Relief Fund: It delivers medical care and clean water and assists with evacuations.
  • The Palestinian Medical Relief Society: It provides health care in Gaza and the West Bank to more than two million people.

These three organizations provide vital services in Gaza. With the donations from the Together for Palestine fundraiser, they can expand their reach and continue delivering high-quality care to those who need it most.

Conclusion

The Israel–Palestine conflict is one of the defining crises of our time. The Together for Palestine fundraiser is a major campaign to raise money for those carrying out essential work in a region desperately needing support.

– Charlie Means

Charlie is based in Denver, CO, USA and focuses on Celebs and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay

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Thailand and Cambodia Ceasefire: How Their Civilians Are Affected

Thailand and CambodiaSince May 2025, Thailand and Cambodia have been embroiled in a conflict over their disputed border, however, on July 28, a ceasefire was declared. Although tensions are still high, a truce is still a good sign for peace in the future. As the ceasefire continues to be negotiated, one of the most important questions is how the civilian population of both countries will recover from the damage of the conflict. Here’s an overview of the effects on the civilians and what Thailand and Cambodia can do to ensure their welfare going forward.

Thailand and Cambodia’s Border Dispute: An Overview

The war between Thailand and Cambodia flared up in May after decades of tensions over their border. The dispute dates back to the ’50s, when Cambodia gained independence from France and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) awarded it part of the contested territory. This is not the first time the conflict has turned violent; the first open clashes occurred in 2008. Fighting subsided after the ICJ intervention in 2013, but flared again in May of this year.

The specific area being fought over lies in northwestern Cambodia’s Preah Vihear province and the adjacent northeastern region of Thailand. The current conflict has mostly been fought over a distance, with strategic bombing campaigns rather than ground invasions. The first shots in this particular conflict were fired on May 28, 2025. Official military conflict lasted five days in July 2025 and a ceasefire was announced shortly afterward.

The Civilian Toll

Given the brief nature of this conflict, civilian deaths have been relatively low. However, it is estimated that around 175,000 civilians have been displaced due to bombing campaigns from both parties. The civilians have been able to remain in their home countries, but still have to deal with large-scale property destruction.

Civilian displacement is one of the most common sources of quality-of-life reduction in war. It typically occurs as a result of large-scale property destruction. This property destruction can accelerate poverty due to worsened living conditions. It can also lead to overcrowding issues in the areas where they are being relocated, making supplies more scarce. With such a large number of displaced persons, Thailand and Cambodia’s ceasefire arriving as soon as it did was vital.

Moving Forward

To prevent civilians from falling into impoverished conditions, rebuilding in Thailand and Cambodia will be needed. The process of moving displaced civilians back to their homes has not begun yet. Logistically speaking, this rebuilding and relocating process will be expensive. However, this rebuilding process is vital to the health and well-being of both countries.

Both countries have a long way to go before establishing lasting peace. Even after this ceasefire was declared, both Thailand and Cambodia have accused each other of breaking the ceasefire. Even still, this ceasefire is a step in the right direction. Hopefully, this can lead to a more lasting peace between the two nations.

– Thaddeus Konieczny

Thaddeus is based in Williamston, MI, USA and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay