Archive for category: Conflict

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3 Pathways To Rule of Law in Papua New Guinea

Rule of Law in Papua New GuineaIssues regarding the rule of law in Papua New Guinea (PNG) are a matter of reach. The country has constitutional rights, courts, police and public institutions, yet many Papua New Guineans, particularly those in remote areas, cannot readily access them. Limiting factors like distance, cost, lack of legal knowledge and inconsistent government services make it difficult to navigate conflict within the law, often pushing communities to look outside formal systems. This fragility, however, does not mean that PNG lacks governance. It means that governance remains uneven across the country.

Compounding the challenge, economic shocks and natural disasters can intensify political instability – particularly for those living in poverty. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) identifies these pressures as interacting sources of fragility: they weaken government capacity to deliver services, reduce poverty and manage risks. Papua New Guinea faces some of the most complex and intersectional poverty in the world and when citizens cannot access reliable courts, health care or education, public institutions can lose legitimacy – the gap between constitutional promise and reality widens.

1. Rights Need Accessible Institutions

PNG’s Constitution protects civil and political rights, but basic procedural barriers make it difficult to enforce them. One constitutional review found that PNG frames socio-economic and cultural rights largely as guiding principles rather than rights, making it difficult to legislate enforceable protections. For people without access to legal services, rights to protection, education and health remain difficult to claim.

The formal justice system also cannot operate alone. Poverty in Papua New Guinea is not just about money; it’s about compounding factors. Most Papua New Guineans live outside urban centers, which means access to courts, police and other state services can become remote in every sense of the word. Rural communities also account for 88.5% of PNG’s population, 61.5% of whom experience multidimensional poverty. For the many citizens who are isolated from city centers, the village courts and customary systems become the first stop to keep the peace.

Village courts often provide the most accessible forum for dispute resolution. They sit closer to communities and can incorporate customary processes, though they still require safeguards for human rights and gender equality. Australian support has helped strengthen this local infrastructure. In 2026, PNG’s Village Courts and Land Mediation Secretariat report showed the total network to consist of 14,496 village courts, operated by more than 15,000 officials, 900 of whom are women. These courts strengthen state fragility and the rule of law in Papua New Guinea by providing fundamental access to state justice.

2. The Issue of Parliamentary Supremacy

The Papua New Guinea rule of law also depends on political institutions that constrain power. The 2011–12 constitutional crisis exposed the consequences when political leaders treat constitutional limits as negotiable. The crisis followed the removal of Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare and produced competing claims to executive authority. Research from the Australian National University characterized the fragility and the rule of law in Papua New Guinea issues during this period as a serious retreat from previous years. Fluid political loyalties and incentives prioritized parliamentary survival over institutional reform.

Fifteen years later, the Lowy Institute argues that PNG’s party law can exclude citizens from meaningful democratic participation. Political parties mostly lack deep membership structures, leaving voters with limited influence over candidate selection or party policy between elections. While more accountable political parties would not solve every justice problem, they could give citizens greater ability to demand service delivery and legal reform.

3. Power of the Local

PNG also has active solutions that address fragility at the community level. Femili PNG, a local organization that began operating in Lae in 2014, helps survivors of family and sexual violence access police, medical, welfare and justice services. Between July 2014 and June 2024, Femili PNG admitted 7,452 survivors as clients. Now, in 2024-25 alone, Femili PNG assisted 1,652 survivors and delivered more than 33,000 services. The organization works to connect survivors to services rather than expecting them to navigate a fragmented system alone.

Australia’s law and justice partnership aims to extend this work. Providing an estimated $500 million in bilateral assistance to PNG in 2026–27, Australia will allocate a total ODA of $680.5 million. Its development program supports security, policing and law and justice services, while the Australia–PNG Law and Justice Partnership aims to strengthen accessible justice at national and community levels. Funding to support state courts and police can help tackle fragility and the rule of law in Papua New Guinea, but assistance must also strengthen village courts, survivor services and trusted local mediators.

Pathways Forward

Most Papua New Guineans live in rural communities with higher levels of multidimensional poverty, which means formal legal institutions cannot alone secure the rule of law. The rule of law is not something a single piece of paper – it is the practice and tradition, reinforced with every new judgement and decision, that there is no person or power above the law. When most people in a country have challenges accessing justice, power rather than law becomes the stronger force. So, all of these local leaders, village courts, churches, rural communities and NGOs are not support structures: they are access points to justice.

– Matilda Beikoff Smart

Matilda is based in Brisbane, Australia and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Fragility and Rule of Law in Lebanon

Fragility and Rule of Law in LebanonLebanon has spent the better part of a decade immersed in the Middle East’s ecosystem of conflict, caught between Iranian and Israeli intervention along its southern border. Today, that instability has sharpened into a direct test of fragility and rule of law in Lebanon, as President Joseph Aoun’s government struggles to disarm Hezbollah and reassert the state’s monopoly on the use of force. Aoun took office in January 2025 on that promise, tied to the November 2024 ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah, but more than a year later the question remains unresolved.

A State Testing Its Authority

The November 2024 ceasefire ended a year of open conflict between Israel and Hezbollah and required Israeli forces to withdraw from five military positions in southern Lebanon. Aoun’s government also committed to disarming Hezbollah, according to the House of Commons Library. Hezbollah refused to lay down its weapons until Israel completed its withdrawal. In this way, disarmament became a threat to Lebanon’s own standing rather than a step toward sovereignty.

By 2026, Lebanese officials reported that the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) had moved into former Hezbollah positions along the border and near the Litani River, extending the army’s presence into territory the group once controlled.

Renewed Pressure, Renewed Risk

The fragile progress unraveled after the United States and Israel killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in a February 2026 airstrike on Tehran, escalating the broader U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iran. Hezbollah responded by firing six rockets into northern Israel, and the Lebanese government proved unable to compel full disarmament of the group, reviving fears of renewed conflict.

By June 2026, Washington and Jerusalem set stricter conditions for a new ceasefire, including complete Hezbollah disarmament, an end to hostilities and exclusive military authority for the LAF, according to the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Lebanese, Israeli and U.S. officials continued negotiations through the summer, most recently in Rome in July 2026.

On June 16, 2026, Israel agreed to withdraw from two pilot zones in southern Lebanon, though the displaced residents and left damaged infrastructure behind were aspects to consider, Reuters reported.

Aoun described the Rome talks as showing “positive progress,” according to Vatican News, and negotiators added the return of Lebanese prisoners and a halt to house demolitions to the agenda.

Despite the diplomatic intervention, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reported that Israeli forces fired more than 450 projectiles into south Lebanon and crossed into Lebanese airspace nearly 100 times more than a single weekend in early August, increasing pressure on Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah.

Rebuilding State Institutions

Efforts to address fragility and rule of law y in Lebanon go beyond the battlefield. Since September 2017, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has worked with the Lebanese government to strengthen the country’s security and justice institutions. The program has helped turn municipal police forces into community-policing units in more than 300 municipalities, providing services to more than 260,000 people across 75 villages. According to UNDP, it has also established four legal-aid helpdesks with the U.N. refugee agency, providing free legal assistance to more than 19,000 people, 62% of whom are women. The project has received more than $14 million from international donors, including the United States, the European Union and Denmark, and is expected to continue until June 2027.

Present Day

Violence has decreased since the Rome talks and a preliminary U.S.-Iran agreement on the wider regional conflict, though Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon continued into August, according to France 24 — a reminder of the gap that still separates what is agreed on paper from what happens on the ground.

This fragility has deepened poverty across the country. According to the International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) Lebanon Crisis Response Plan 2026, the collapse of formal safety nets alongside a weakened rule of law has left vulnerable populations exposed, with more than 79% of Lebanon’s population now living below the poverty line. Migrants face particular risk: approximately 165,000 of them, roughly 70% women, are exposed to exploitation, loss of legal status and exclusion from aid. IOM’s response focuses on community stabilization, peacebuilding, and social cohesion, working alongside the Lebanese government.

The European Union has also stepped in, committing €100 million in humanitarian aid after the March-April 2026 escalation between Israel and Hezbollah, which displaced more than a million people. Food, shelter, and other essential support for those caught in the crisis has been constantly provided.

Even so, the UNDP-backed expansion of community policing and legal aid access shows one path through which fragility and rule of law in Lebanon can improve, independent of the pace of diplomatic negotiations.

– Juan Guillermo Rueda Castrillón

Juan is based in Bogotá, Colombia and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Fragility and Rule of Law in Guatemala

Rule of Law in GuatemalaThe rule of law underpins any free and thriving democracy. It ensures access to justice for all, places limits on executive power and protects fundamental human rights and freedoms. It is particularly important for the most vulnerable in society, those living in poverty. Although Guatemala has been a democratic country since the 1990s, its institutions are fragile, corruption is rife and it consistently underperforms on international rule of law rankings.

Rule of Law in Guatemala

Freedom House, an American NGO promoting democracy worldwide, labelled Guatemala a “partly free” country in 2026, with a particularly low score for rule of law. The NGO gave independence of the judiciary, due process in civil and criminal matters and equal effects of state laws and practices, a concerning one out of four. The implications of these troubling scores demonstrate that fragility and rule of law in Guatemala disproportionately affects the poor.

A Dependent Judiciary and Corruption

For the rule of law to be upheld, a judiciary independent of political influence is essential. This is a particular area in which Guatemala is faltering. A 2022 poll showed that 54% of Guatemalans believe that top government officials seek to limit the courts’ competencies and freedom to interpret the law.

The appointment of members to the country’s judiciary is a non-transparent process, riddled with political meddling. As a result, corruption is able to thrive in Guatemala, as the judiciary serves to favor the interests of the rich and powerful.

The severity of the problem is evident in the Corruption Perceptions Index’s 2023 report, wherein Guatemala placed 154th out of 180 countries.

A corrupt, dependent judiciary will not protect the human nor material rights of vulnerable people who need that protection most. It leads to an unjust society where resources and opportunities are concentrated at the very top, and therefore blocking people from rising out of poverty. 

Due Process and Equal Laws

The fragility of rule of law in Guatemala prevents due process and the equal application of laws for all of society. An example demonstrating the implications of the lack of these core democratic features lies in the Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights 2023 report claiming that Guatemala is seeing increased forced evictions and land conflicts. The situation primarily affects indigenous communities, those most affected by poverty and longstanding marginalization. Land laws do not protect their rights to ancestral lands, and many indigenous leaders seeking to prevent displacement meet with criminalization and harassment from the state.

A New Start

One of the many organizations working in Guatemala to remedy the situation is Be Just, a nonprofit that promotes the rule of law in Central America through strengthening democratic institutions, judicial independence and free elections. 

In November 2025, Be Just ran a workshop in Sacatepéquez, Guatemala ahead of the Attorney General and Head of the Public Prosecutor’s Office elections in May 2026. The workshop sought to educate participants on how the election process operates, what is at stake for Guatemala’s democracy and the socio-political context shaping the election. A population educated on and invested in free and fair elections serves to prevent impunity and corruption and ensures that elected officials serve the public good.

Hope for 2026

The year 2026 brings hope for democratic rule of law in Guatemala. In May, Be Just’s efforts paid off, as the public voted in a new Attorney General, Gabriel García Luna, replacing the eight year tenure of María Consuelo Porras. The former Attorney General had played an outsized role in dismantling the rule of law in Guatemala. Her list of wrong-doings are long: impunity was rife, as Porras disassembled key prosecution units in charge of investigating corruption cases and human rights violations committed during Guatemala’s internal armed conflict of 1960-1996, and criminalization was political, with journalists, human rights activists and anti-corruption activists being prosecuted. In 2023, she attempted to nullify the presidential election results, and in 2024, more than 40 countries sanctioned her for eroding democracy and the rule of law.

Looking Ahead

The country has some hard work ahead of it before the public’s trust is regained and rule of law in Guatemala reinstated. But with the work of foundations like Be Just helping the public to oust corrupt officials like Porras, the country is taking encouraging steps toward a more free and fair democracy for all. 

– Amelia Krone

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

Photo: Unsplash

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The Sahel Solution: Girls’ Education and Conflict Prevention

girls’ education and conflict preventionThe links between girls’ education and conflict prevention are well documented. By addressing the root causes of instability, education builds resilience against radicalization and economic despair. Girls’ education and conflict prevention are key pathways to bringing peace in the Sahel by tackling socio‑economic and governance drivers of violence.

The Education-Poverty-Conflict Nexus

The Sahel is a large, semi-arid area of West Africa facing overlapping crises of armed conflict, climate change and poverty. In Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, insurgent violence has forced millions to flee, devastated livelihoods and undermined national economies. More than 40% of people in the Central Sahel live in extreme poverty, and many families survive on less than $1.90 per day, which makes the direct and indirect costs of schooling difficult to afford, according to UNDP and World Bank data. Poverty pushes parents to keep girls at home to work, marry early or migrate for survival income rather than continue their education. In Burkina Faso alone, schools are frequently targeted by armed groups; thousands have closed due to chronic insecurity, and more than 1 million children have seen their education disrupted. In this context, girls’ education becomes a crucial strategy for building social cohesion and resilience.

Girls’ education, poverty reduction and stability are deeply connected. According to a 2018 World Bank study, barriers to girls’ education result in a global loss of $15 trillion to $30 trillion in productivity. Educated girls are more likely to delay marriage, earn higher incomes and invest in their children’s health and education. For example, in many low-income countries, women with secondary education earn nearly twice as much as those with no schooling, and their children are significantly less likely to be malnourished, according to World Bank data. These pathways show how expanding access to education helps counter poverty, demographic pressure and social exclusion, three drivers closely tied to instability in the region.

When girls miss out on education, the cost is exceptionally high in fragile regions. Girls out of school face greater risks of child marriage, exploitation by armed groups and entrapment in cycles of poverty that fuel future conflict. This illustrates why scaling up girls’ education across the region is essential for reducing recruitment into armed groups and weakening violent extremist narratives.

The Sahel’s Challenges

The Sahel’s triple burden of conflict, severe climate shocks, such as droughts that destroy crop yields, and poverty threatens girls’ ability to attend school. Before the  COVID-19 pandemic, about 54% of girls in Niger were out of school, and child marriage rates ranked among the highest in the world. In Burkina Faso, more than 6,000 schools have closed recently, affecting 1 million children and leaving many girls without safe learning spaces. These compounding pressures show how fragile the conditions are for sustaining girls’ access to education, especially for the poorest households that struggle to cover school fees, supplies and transportation.

In Niger, disruptions are acute in regions like Tillabéry and Diffa, where insecurity and displacement prevent basic education access. Across the Central Sahel, nearly 7.5 million children are in urgent need of assistance, primarily displaced women and children. This level of need means that education services must also provide food, psychosocial support and protection to ensure that girls from extremely poor families can attend and stay in school.

Evidence-Based Interventions

Initiatives like cash incentives, safe transport and school feeding programs deliver measurable results. The World Bank reports that targeted cash transfers and education grants boost attendance and completion while drastically reducing early marriage and pregnancy among girls. In practice, these programs ease the financial burden on low-income families, making it possible for girls to remain in class instead of marrying early or working to supplement household income.

Other effective measures include providing uniforms, creating safe, girl-friendly schools and supporting girls’ clubs that offer life skills and mentoring. These tools keep girls in school and reduce pressures pushing families toward harmful coping strategies like forced marriage. They also show practical ways to operationalize these strategies through concrete, scalable policy instruments that directly benefit communities living in poverty.

Multilateral Efforts and U.S. Support

Education Cannot Wait (ECW), the United Nations global fund for education in emergencies, focuses on the Sahel, aiming to maintain education in conflict zones. In Burkina Faso, ECW provided $11.1 million in seed funding to mobilize an additional $48 million, reaching more than 800,000 children, 60% of whom are girls. These investments help restore learning for children in areas where conflict and poverty have closed schools and cut off opportunities.

In Niger, ECW investments increase enrollment for children impacted by conflict and climate shocks by covering fees and expanding secure classrooms. United States foreign assistance, including USAID, complements these efforts by promoting girls’ education as a pillar of regional stability and poverty reduction, supporting teacher training, community-based schools and scholarships that target low-income and displaced girls.

Looking Ahead

Girls’ education in the Sahel is not merely a moral duty but a strategic investment in conflict prevention and poverty reduction. Schools that keep girls learning, protect them from violence and equip them with skills break cycles of poverty and conflict. When girls attend school, communities benefit: earnings rise, maternal and child health improves and foundations of peaceful, more prosperous societies are built. Investing in girls’ education across the Sahel therefore represents a powerful pathway for donors and policymakers to support both human development and lasting stability in one of the world’s most fragile regions.

– Charles Bakar

Charles is based in Montréal, Canada and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Traditional Ukrainian Weavers Combat Poverty Amidst War

Traditional Ukrainian WeaversSince 2022, the Russo-Ukrainian War has devastated the Ukrainian economy. According to the World Bank, the Gini coefficient, a widely used measure of income inequality, rose from 0.41 in 2023 to 0.50 in 2025, driven primarily by shifts in pensions and wages, the two most common forms of household income. In addition to the widening income gap, about one-quarter of Ukrainian households now include at least one member who is an internally displaced person (IDP), a veteran, or someone with a disability due to Russia’s invasion.

Rising Poverty Amid War

A staggering number of Ukrainians have been disabled or displaced by Russia’s invasion. This, combined with the increasing household income inequality rate, has left Ukraine in a more severe state of poverty since the start of the war. World Bank microsimulation-based estimates indicate that poverty rates in 2025 had doubled since 2021, reaching an estimated 41.6% in 2025, a considerable increase from 37.0% in 2024. A notable percentage of households living beneath the poverty line include members from increased risk groups, such as young children, the elderly, and those permanently disabled by Russia’s invasion. About 30% of households with children under age 6 are in the bottom income quintile, a statistic indicating a general trend that leaves the most vulnerable populations of Ukrainians and their families at heightened risk of poverty, starvation, and death.

Traditional Ukrainian Weavers

One key factor contributing to the disproportionate poverty of households with vulnerable members is their ability to participate in Ukraine’s wartime labor market. Ukrainian women have identified one key means of revenue that allows them to remain close to their families while simultaneously strengthening the bonds they hold with their culture, community, and country. Centuries-old Ukrainian textile crafts such as weaving have given families a way to keep their ethnic traditions alive and support themselves during this time of hardship.

One pillar of Ukrainian textile art is Vyshyvanka, the traditional embroidery adorning hand-woven shirts. Its origins can be traced back to the early medieval era, meaning the practice is at least 10 centuries old. Vyshyvanka has blended spiritual, cultural, artistic, and practical elements for as long as it has existed. Slavic historians at the University of Kansas describe Vyshyvanka as functioning like “a second skin,” believed by Ukrainians to offer protection from misfortune. The spiritual protection offered by Vyshyvanka and, relatedly, the link it provides Ukrainians to their ancestors and cultural history is still a powerful force of resilience to this day.

Another prominent Ukrainian textile art, known as Vybiyka, uses natural paints and carved wooden block stamps to apply traditional ornamental patterns to goods and clothing. Vybiyka also dates back to the 11th century. The art form has historically used wooden stamps carved from pear or linden wood, which were used to print plant dyes onto shirts woven from hemp. Since its inception, Vybiyka has been tightly interwoven with cultural and social significance. According to Histrov, a traditional Ukrainian clothing brand, printed fabrics in rural Ukrainian communities carried deep meaning, serving as festive dress, a symbol of dignity, and “a mirror of the inner self.”

A Weaver’s Perspective

The Borgen Project contacted Yuliia Riabchun, a woman living in Kyiv, Ukraine, who runs the Etsy page “HeritageBloomGifts.” Riabchun told The Borgen Project that traditional Ukrainian textiles are “much more than just decorative items,” explaining that each piece carries a story and preserves a craft passed down through generations. She said she is especially drawn to how each pattern, color, and technique connects people to their family and cultural roots, and that traditional Ukrainian weavers are safeguarding an important part of Ukraine’s cultural heritage for future generations.

Ukraine’s Etsy Success

For over a decade, Ukrainian artists have dominated the global marketplace on Etsy. According to Koalanda, an Etsy statistics tracker, Ukraine boasts north of 34,500 stores today, despite being in the midst of ongoing conflict. Total sales for these stores amount to over 39 million, meaning that each store has brought in an average of 6,600 sales. Other top-selling countries, including the U.S., Canada, and Germany, average about 500 sales per shop. These considerable sales margins can be attributed to the centuries-long traditions upheld by traditional Ukrainian weavers and artisans, as well as strong demand in the West for authentic Ukrainian handmade goods.

Ukrainian Etsy stores additionally host over double the listings per capita of competitor countries such as Spain and Italy. Etsy sales provide better pay and more work flexibility given favorable currency conversion for international sales. Considering Ukraine boasts the highest sales-to-store ratio globally, it can be estimated that the country brings in tens of millions annually from Etsy revenue alone.

Support From Etsy and Nonprofits

The platform itself has made efforts to alleviate some of the strain put on Ukrainian sellers by the ongoing war with Russia. Etsy waived fees for all Ukrainian stores across its three platforms, which include Depop and Reverb, amounting to approximately $4 million. In addition, the website has maintained a curated list of Ukrainian sellers since early 2022 in an effort to increase traffic and revenue in this time of continued and escalating conflict. Moreover, organizations like the RPCV Alliance for Ukraine provide mini-grants and sewing and weaving equipment to help IDPs and refugees acquire new textile skills that translate into sustainable careers. The RPCV was founded in 2018 and serves as a country affiliate group to the National Peace Corps Association (NPCA). By providing these grants, the RPCV Alliance for Ukraine empowers Ukrainians to practice, share, and monetize one of their most sacred cultural arts.

Looking Ahead

Numerous platforms, including the Goodness Exchange, report that traditional crafts and weaving have helped the Ukrainian people decrease their risk of poverty. While Etsy may be an unexpected venue for preserving cultural history, it has become an important part of many Ukrainian families’ livelihoods and a way of telling the story of their culture. The recent uptick in traditional Ukrainian weavers selling and sharing their art online through Etsy serves a double function: to soften the economic burden presented by Russia’s ongoing invasion and to keep traditional Ukrainian culture alive and strong.

– Natalie Naylor

Natalie is based in New York, NY, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Fragility and the Rule of Law in Bosnia and Herzegovina

The Rule of Law in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Amid growing economic pressures, changing weather patterns, technological development, inequality and political extremism, governments around the world are under increasing pressure to uphold the rule of law while remaining inclusive and accountable. Nearly three decades after the Bosnian War (1992-1995), fragility and the rule of law in Bosnia and Herzegovina remain closely linked. While the country has made significant progress in rebuilding institutions, political divisions and corruption continue to hinder development.

From Conflict To Institutional Fragility

The Bosnian War (1992-1995) claimed more than 100,000 lives and displaced millions before ending with the Dayton Peace Agreement. While the agreement secured peace, it also established a highly decentralized political system designed to balance power among the country’s three main ethnic groups: Bosniaks, Serbs and Croats.

Today, Bosnia and Herzegovina consists of two autonomous entities, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republika Srpska, and the self-governing Brčko District. This highly decentralized system creates overlapping responsibilities that delay policymaking, reforms and public service delivery.

Although this constitutional framework has helped preserve peace since the end of the war, it has also contributed to ongoing institutional fragility. Political divisions, corruption and legislative deadlock still hinder effective governance and weaken public confidence in state institutions.

The European Commission’s 2019 Expert Report on Rule of Law Issues concluded that a lack of commitment to the rule of law remains a fundamental challenge, requiring substantial legislative and institutional reforms to meet European Union standards.

These governance challenges are reflected in the World Justice Project’s 2024 Rule of Law Index, where Bosnia and Herzegovina ranks 70th out of 143 countries globally. While the country was one of the few to improve its overall score, concerns remain over delays in the civil justice system, government interference and the broader impact of political polarization on judicial independence and accountability.

Why the Rule of Law Matters for Development

A strong rule of law is fundamental to sustainable development. Independent courts, transparent institutions and accountable governments help create stable societies where public services function effectively and citizens’ rights are protected. Conversely, corruption and weak governance can divert public resources away from priorities such as healthcare and education, limiting opportunities for communities to thrive.

Addressing fragility and strengthening the rule of law in Bosnia and Herzegovina remain essential to improving living standards and supporting long-term development. According to the World Bank, Bosnia’s fragmented governance has slowed the reforms needed to attract foreign investment, create jobs and advance European Union accession, limiting economic growth and institutional modernization. For many Bosnians, stronger institutions are about more than governance as they help ensure fair access to public services, employment opportunities and legal protections, particularly for those facing economic hardship.

At the same time, the United Nations has expressed concern over the deteriorating environment for human rights defenders, warning that legal uncertainty and political tensions can discourage civic participation and deepen social divisions. By strengthening judicial independence, improving government transparency and protecting fundamental freedoms, Bosnia can create a more stable environment that supports the wellbeing of citizens and lays the foundation for prosperity and democratic governance.

Strengthening public institutions is therefore not only a matter of good governance but also an important step toward reducing poverty and inequality. More effective and accountable institutions can improve access to services and create economic opportunities for communities across Bosnia and Herzegovina.

International Support and the Path Forward

Despite persistent challenges, Bosnia and Herzegovina has taken important steps toward strengthening the rule of law with support from international partners. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is helping modernize public administration through digital public services, open-data initiatives and improved public finance management, while also enhancing citizen participation in local decision-making.

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) also supports judicial independence through trial monitoring, legal assistance and reforms that improve transparency and accountability. These initiatives aim to increase public confidence in the justice system.

Although significant challenges remain, continued domestic reform and international cooperation offer an opportunity to strengthen public trust, improve access to justice and reduce barriers that prevent vulnerable communities from benefiting fully from economic and social development.  

As Bosnia and Herzegovina continues to strengthen its institutions, addressing fragility and reinforcing the rule of law will be essential to ensuring lasting peace, economic opportunity and inclusive development.

– Maisie Russell

Maisie is based in Surrey, UK and focuses on Business and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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A Spotlight on Migration to Yemen Amongst Civil War

Migration to YemenThe ongoing Yemeni Civil War, which first broke out in September 2014, placed the country in a severe humanitarian crisis. This conflict has led to approximately 4.5 million internally displaced persons in Yemen, and yet the country itself remains a widely used migration corridor. Thousands of migrants travel from Sub-Saharan Africa along the East towards the Gulf states in seek of economic opportunities and increased security. However, the Eastern route is one of the most dangerous for migrants, with migration to Yemen resulting in more than 63,000 refugees from Somalia and Ethiopia in Yemen in 2023.

The Dangers That Migrants Face

The Houthi movement’s seizure of Yemen’s capital Sana’a in 2014 resulted in ongoing political instability. A Saudi-led coalition became militarily involved with the aim of restoring control, following the weakening of the current government, leading to a civil war.

The political climate remains unclear in 2026, with control in Yemen still being divided amongst different groups. This means that migration to Yemen involves arriving in a nation that lacks a singular body of power providing rules and policies. Not only are migrants subject to natural threats, including a lack of shelter, food and water, along with environmental disasters, but they are also now often exposed to exploitation. Without a stable government smugglers can drive the narrative of helping migrants to safety while instead driving them into serious danger. For instance, these individuals become at risk of being victims of trafficking or exploitation, with hundreds of migrant deaths and disappearances being recorded along this route. Yet programs aimed at relieving migrants of these humanitarian conditions remain underfunded.

The Impact on Vulnerable Groups

The reality is that many migrants arriving from outside Yemen come from vulnerable groups, including unaccompanied minors and children who are younger than five years old. In addition to this, migration to Yemen by Yemeni migrant returnees include individuals from these vulnerable groups, as well as elderly individuals and pregnant women. These migrant children are included in the 2.2 million undernourished children in 2026. 

Despite this crisis remaining one of the most threatening in the world, Yemen’s 2025 response plan was only funded by 25%, making it impossible to provide the necessary humanitarian aid. This also means that key food, shelter and health services are increasingly difficult to maintain, furthering the threats posed to vulnerable groups.

The Plan Going Forward 

International support is thus crucial. Organizations such as UNICEF are providing children with basic nutritional and healthcare support, with donations being invaluable to the aid provided. In 2025, UNICEF progressed its WASH programme, helping individuals gain access to clean water through more than 50 water supply projects, as well as funding health care facilities which helped 4.6 million women and children tackle malnourishment and illness. UNICEF also supported more than 100,000 children by improving educational facilities and implementing vaccinations, given to more than 15 million children in the wake of disease amongst migration to Yemen.

Further to this, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) sets out to help displaced migrants across Yemen, facilitating safety and urgent care through their Voluntary Humanitarian Return (VHR) programme. The VHR programme sets out to minimize the unsafe conditions caused by migration to Yemen, assisting more than 6,500 migrants with their departures and onward journeys. However, despite these efforts a lack of funding acts as a barrier to relieving migrants of hardships.

Looking Ahead

Sustained international support is also necessary for the UN’s mission to support this ongoing humanitarian crisis. Without more funding or international assistance, migrants will continue to suffer at the hands of this humanitarian emergency.

– Beatrice Toye

Beatrice is based in the United Kingdom and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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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