, ,

Save The Children Supporting Communities in Gaza

Supporting Communities in Gaza​​Gaza has a population of 2.3 million and is one of the “most densely populated” regions in the world. Hamas, a Palestinian nationalist organization, has been governing Gaza since 2006. Tensions between Hamas and Israel have led to a cycle of violence and governance challenges in Gaza. On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched an attack on Israel, and both sides have since engaged in heavy fighting. This conflict has led to widespread civilian casualties and created a humanitarian crisis. Children in Gaza are facing displacement, famine, disease and many other life-threatening challenges. Aid organizations are facing many security issues. This article outlines how Save The Children is supporting communities in Gaza.

Supporting Communities in Gaza

Save The Children has been present in Gaza since 1973 and has been particularly prominent in the territory since October 7, 2023. There is growing demand for humanitarian aid but is hard to provide without a ceasefire. Despite this, Save The Children works tirelessly to provide aid to as many people as possible. Over the past year, Save The Children has reached more than 688,000 people and focuses on helping children in Gaza.

Nutrition Services

Malnutrition is widespread in Gaza and can lead to diminished health in children. Save The Children offers nutritional services to support the children of Gaza. It screens children and adults for malnutrition, especially targeting children under 5. This allows them to give the best treatment and chance of survival. The organization distributes food to as many regions as possible despite the security risks imposed by the conflict. They provide mothers with breastfeeding advice, promoting and supporting best breastfeeding practices. Save The Children also provides nutritional education to families and community workers to promote balanced meals to improve children’s health.

Physical Health Services

Save The Children works to provide physical health support to children. It distributes vaccinations to prevent the spread of life-threatening diseases, such as polio. It ensures that many children receive clean water and sanitation resources, such as essential toiletries and household utilities. The organization has built a maternity unit to ensure mothers have a safe environment in which to deliver their babies. A paediatric center has also been developed to treat children suffering from injuries such as burns caused by conflicts.

Tima, a Gazan citizen, found out she was pregnant in July 2023. In October 2023, Tima was afraid for the delivery and safety of her baby. Save The Children’s emergency maternity unit provided Tima with a safe place to give birth. In April 2024, Tima gave birth to baby Lana. Lana was born healthy but after a few days out of hospital, living in unsanitary conditions, Lana became unwell with sepsis. Save The Children gave Lana the antibiotic treatment she needed to survive.

Mental Health and Shelter Services

Save The Children provides mental health services to children who have suffered violence, displacement and trauma. It has built safe environments for those facing displacement from their homes and families. The organization has also developed temporary educational units to facilitate ongoing learning during the conflict, according to its website.

Save The Children has provided resources for temporary shelters for those facing displacement. It has supplied families with cash to purchase essential basics and build a more liveable shelter. Resources such as sanitation and hygiene kits have helped families to develop safer living environments, according to its website.

Looking Ahead

Save The Children is desperately seeking a ceasefire to be able to deliver aid more safely. However, such organizations face continual risk from the conflict, making it more difficult to reach people in need. Once aid is more readily available, future strategies have been developed to assist Gaza’s children further. The organization hopes to provide more permanent infrastructures for hospitals and educational units, distribute water storage tanks for longer-lasting sanitation and build more resilient shelters for displaced families.

– Millie Trussler

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

Photo: Unsplash

, ,

How a Civil War is Intensifying Poverty in Sudan 

Poverty in Sudan 
Before the outbreak of civil war in 2023, Sudan was already in perilous danger, having a staggering MPI (Multidimensional Poverty Index) of 52.3% in 2014. Almost 16 million people needed humanitarian aid, which has continued to spiral. Fueled by the fire of a gruesome civil war which has already claimed the lives of an estimated 20,000 people. With poverty in Sudan already reaching disastrous levels, the civil war has plunged the country’s population into further despair.

A Brief Explanation of the Civil War

After Omar al-Bashir was ousted from power in 2019, there was a new government structure. The idea behind the new government was to transition to a more democratic system. However, as the years passed, this seemed to become less and less likely. When Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok resigned in January 2022, a power struggle emerged. The two people at the epicenter of this struggle were Abdel Fattah al-Burhan (head of the armed forces) and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (deputy head of the armed forces and leader of the Rapid Support Forces).

Violence loomed over Sudan for the next year however, the two factions did not come to blows until April 2023. With both al-Burhan and Dagalo refusing to give up the fight, this civil war has rumbled on for more than 18 months and there seems to be no end in sight.

The Toll of Civil War and Poverty in Sudan

The civil war has taken an extraordinary toll on the people of Sudan. Eleven million civilians have already been displaced, 8.1 million of which are yet to leave Sudan, according to the International Rescue Committee (IRC). Its capital Khartoum, which was once a bustling city full of life and activity has now become a mere wasteland due to the intensity of the fighting. Sudan’s health systems have been left decimated by the conflict. According to UNICEF, 70% of the health facilities in conflict-affected areas are currently unable to function. Furthermore, the war has halted Sudan’s youth from being able to access education.

In October 2023, UNICEF estimated that in Sudan, one in every three children lost “access to school due to increased violence and insecurity.” Poverty in Sudan poses a long-term problem as without adequate education, Sudan risks having a grossly underdeveloped workforce, making it even more difficult to grow their economy in the long run.

International Aid to Address Poverty in Sudan

The reaction from the West has been positive. In August 2024, U.K. Development Minister, Anneliese Dodds announced that an additional £15 million would go to Sudan, South Sudan and Chad to help avert the humanitarian crisis. With this increase, the U.K. ODA (official development assistance) given to Sudan rose to £97 million.

The U.S. response has been a similar one. The U.S. remains the largest contributor of foreign aid to Sudan, having donated $1.4 billion since 2022, $980 million of which has come from USAID.

Whilst the increase in aid to Sudan is a step in the right direction, the humanitarian crisis is still ever-present, leading many to question whether there is anywhere near enough funding for the people of Sudan. Furthermore, there seems to be very little from the U.S. and U.K. about how it will attempt to reduce poverty in Sudan as this issue was a disastrous problem even before the civil war.

Light at the End of the Tunnel

While the majority of scenes that we are seeing in Sudan are horrific, there are some true heroes in the conflict. One of which is CARE International, a non-governmental organization (NGO), that works “around the globe to save lives, defeat poverty and achieve social justice.”

The organization which began work in Sudan in 1979, has carried out some truly inspiring work and since the outbreak of civil war, has helped more than 6,000 internally displaced people to receive emergency food rations in the city of Kassala. In East Darfur, CARE has “reached 1,303 children with food rations.”

Another NGO involved in the humanitarian efforts is the International Rescue Committee, which began work in Sudan in 1981. The organization has set up a clinic on the border of neighboring country Chad, to cater to refugees who are fleeing Sudan.

The work of NGOs is crucial in easing the humanitarian crisis caused by the civil war; however, the scale of the crisis in Sudan is enormous and will almost certainly need further assistance from countries across the world.

– Andrew Nicoll

Andrew is based in Long Melford, Suffolk, UK and focuses on Business and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

, ,

Poverty in Colombia’s Chocó Region

Poverty in Colombia’s Chocó RegionChocó, Colombia’s poorest region, has long been a victim of ongoing conflict, corruption and racism, resulting in a poverty rate that far exceeds the national average. Almost 80% of the population in Chocó lives below the poverty line. The impact on children is especially severe, with child mortality rates in the region doubling those seen elsewhere in Colombia.

While the alarming poverty rate can be attributed to the ongoing armed conflict between the National Liberation Army (ELN) and the Autodefensas Gaitanistas de Colombia (AGC), discriminative poverty remains in abundance. About 82.1% of the population in this region are Afro-Colombian and indigenous communities, such as the Embera, who also call Chocó home. These groups face conflict, discriminative policies and geographical difficulties, resulting in malnutrition and a lack of care and access to necessities.

While the region remains under scrutiny from armed groups and conflicts, there are some initiatives in place to help alleviate extreme poverty in Colombia’s Chocó Region. The Millennium Development Goals Achievement Fund (MDG-F) aims to improve food security and nutrition in Chocó. Similarly, a government notion of “total peace” operates across the country to better the situation in post-conflict zones and ensure peace prevails. The situation in Chocó remains dire, but promises by current President Gustavo Petro bring hope for the future.

Why Is Chocó Poor?

  1. Armed Conflict: Chocó has historically been plagued by conflict and hardship, from Colombia’s civil war to enduring clashes between the leftist guerrilla group ELN and the right-wing paramilitary group AGC. These opposing forces continue to battle for territory, illicit trade routes, economic control and key smuggling pathways into Panama, fuelled by the region’s abundant illegal drugs and valuable natural resources like timber, platinum and gold. Many years of friction have led to the displacement of 181,000 people, high rates of sexual violence and limited access to essential services. The violence has left many individuals in psychological distress, with little to no access to necessary medical or mental health support.
  2. Geography: Chocó has a unique and complex geography, enriched with highly biodiverse, dense forest, the Andean mountains to the East and the Pacific coast to the West. Many areas are only accessible by boat or plane, making it an easy target for armed groups and vulnerably isolated from essential amenities. This remoteness means that more than 30% of the population has no access to running water and 80% have no sewage system, spurring the spread of disease and infection. Furthermore, Chocó has the poorest health care in Colombia, with only one hospital accessible in Quibdó, leaving much of the population vulnerable to often easily cured illnesses or injuries. 
  3. Farming: The lack of transport links, infrastructure and money means most rely on farming to sustain a living, specifically coca and Pancoger farming. However, changes in weather patterns and the increased effects of climate instability, pollution and flooding have destroyed much of the arable land, leading to increased crop failures and, thus, food shortages. Harvesting Coca plants has been a long-standing form of farming in Colombia, providing much necessary income for small-holder farmers. However, the market has dropped significantly and the government has implemented initiatives to destroy the crop to target illegal industries.

Total Peace

Since Petro’s election in 2022, his administration has championed a “total peace” initiative to reduce violence and foster long-term stability in Colombia. This strategy allows the government to negotiate with criminal organizations in hopes of securing permanent disarmament and eventually reducing violence in Colombia. Petro has pledged significant investments in education and reconciliation efforts, supporting various programs that address the roots of conflict.

Additionally, he has prioritized investment in post-conflict regions like Chocó, where longstanding violence has left deep scars. Among his administration’s key achievements, Petro announced a guaranteed investment of $24.5 million for road infrastructure in Chocó. Progress has also been seen in security, with reported clashes between state authorities and armed groups decreasing by 48%, signaling a hopeful shift toward stability in the region.

The MDG-F’s Joint Program

The MDG-F’s Joint Program focuses on improving food security and nutrition for impoverished people in Chocó. The program is directed at helping the particularly vulnerable, including pregnant women, children and Indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities who face marginalization and exclusion. While the program promotes physical and cognitive development in individuals, it also aims to strengthen inter-ethnic and gender relationships to maintain peace and reduce inequality.

The program recorded several successes in reducing poverty and improving health outcomes, particularly among children in Colombia’s Chocó region. More than 80% of malnourished children recorded at the start of the intervention have shown significant recovery, contributing to decreased food and nutrition insecurity across the region. Beyond physical health improvements, the program has fostered a sense of empowerment and active community participation, helping residents feel more involved in shaping their futures and supporting each other in the journey toward stability and well-being.

– Sofia Bowes

Sofia is based on the Isle Of Skye and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

, ,

How Award-Winning Authors Are Showing Support for Palestine

Support for PalestineThe relentless brutality of Israeli forces has reduced Gaza to a state of extreme humanitarian crisis. Catherine Russell, executive director of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), reports that “the entire Palestinian population in northern Gaza is at imminent risk of dying from disease, famine or ongoing bombardments by the Israeli military.”

With no sign of an end in sight and access to aid severely restricted, global support for Palestinians is crucial for encouraging leaders of the most powerful nations to act in every way they can to see this reality of horror come to an end. One thousand acclaimed publishing professionals and authors, including the author of “Normal People,” Sally Rooney, have demonstrated their stance of support for Palestine by signing a letter that pledges to boycott Israeli cultural institutions.

The Situation in Gaza

Palestinian rights are increasingly violated day by day as the conflict continues to escalate. Since the conflict began on 7 October 2023, more than 40,000 lives have been lost and a minimum of 97,000 civilians have been injured in Gaza. Intern physician Dr. Amira Qadeeh spoke with The New Humanitarian about the devastating impact of the conflict on those living through this nightmare.

Qadeeh expresses: “Before, I was in the safety and comfort of my home, leading a quiet life … and doing all the things that are normal for any human being. Now we need a miracle to get clean drinking water, enough healthy food, a blanket that warms us in the bitter cold and above all, safe shelter.” Urgent continued support for Palestine is crucial for the restoration of livelihood; however, with many companies, countries and institutions still profiting off this crisis, we are witnessing complicity that actively enables the bloodshed to persist.

Support for Palestine From Book Industry Figures

Rooney, Arundhati Roy and Rachel Kushner are just a few names among more than 1,000 signatories of the pledge to boycott Israeli cultural institutions that “are complicit or have remained silent observers of the overwhelming oppression of Palestinians.” Organized by the Palestine Festival of Literature, the boycott recognizes the existence of institutions profiting from others’ suffering. All those in favor of this campaign express that they will refuse to work with any Israeli publishers, festivals, literary agencies and publications that are complicit in the violation of Palestinian rights.

This also includes those operating “discriminatory policies and practices” or “whitewashing and justifying Israel’s occupation, apartheid or genocide.” Among others, Rooney’s support for Palestine has been unwavering, demonstrated through her history of openly advocating for Palestinian rights and refusing to “sell the Hebrew translation rights of her third novel, “Beautiful World, Where Are You,” to an Israeli publisher in 2021. 

The impact of well-known and loved book industry figures such as Rooney using their influence to speak out about the situation in Gaza, as well as calling for the boycott of institutions, is invaluable for generating as much public support for Palestinian rights as possible. Moreover, this high-profile boycott has the power to influence others and highlight companies and institutions that capitalize on the conflict in Gaza.

– Imogen Prince

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

Photo: Flickr

, ,

Organizations Offering Humanitarian Aid in Lebanon

Lebanon Conflict Escalates: Organizations Offering Humanitarian AidIn Lebanon, Israeli airstrikes in densely populated areas have displaced more than 1 million people, resulting in more than 2,300 deaths and 11,100 injuries. The Middle Eastern country, bordering Israel has a population of 5.2 million, including 400,000 Palestinian refugees and 1.5 million Syrian refugees. Violence escalated in September with pager explosions in Beirut, leading up to a full military assault. With Lebanon already facing an economic crisis, the surge in violence has made humanitarian aid critically necessary.

Oxfam 

Oxfam runs the ‘Gaza-Lebanon Appeal,’ seeking public donations to assist with humanitarian aid in Gaza and Lebanon. The charity uses these funds to improve access to clean water and provide emergency cash, food and hygiene kits. Oxfam also supports displaced individuals in shelters across Beirut, Mount Lebanon and North Lebanon. It advocates for an ‘immediate and permanent ceasefire’ to end the conflict and facilitate greater aid flow across borders.

The Lebanese Red Cross

In Lebanon, the Red Cross serves as the ‘lead emergency responder,’ uniquely providing ambulance services and managing a blood bank for distributing donated blood. By the end of September 2024, the charity had dispatched 254 ambulances staffed by 810 medical workers and distributed 45,988 ready meals and 22,349 food packages. The Red Cross further conducts rescue searches and evacuations.

Action Against Hunger

Action Against Hunger provides vital humanitarian aid in Lebanon and works globally to end hunger in 59 countries. In Lebanon, the charity focuses on the Southern Red Zones—areas devastated by conflict—supplying food, water, medicine and shelter. The organization emphasizes the need for more donations to continue distributing necessary aid.

Medical Aid for Palestinians

Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) operates in Gaza, Lebanon and the West Bank, focusing on displaced individuals in refugee camps. The organization provides mental health support, psychological services and immediate medical aid. Midwives volunteer to assist pregnant women, mothers and children; the charity distributes medical kits. MAP is planning a two-week mission to send a medical team to aid the injured. The organization advocates for a permanent ceasefire and urges the United Kingdom (U.K.) government to suspend arms sales to Israel.

Médecins Sans Frontières – Doctors Without Borders

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) operates mobile health clinics in Lebanon’s shelters, providing essential items such as mattresses and hygiene kits and running a mental health helpline. This helpline supports those grappling with the psychological impacts of conflict, grief, displacement and separation. It is particularly beneficial for children who face premature adulthood, displacement, educational losses and limited access to food. MSF also provides in-person mental health assistance through mobile units. As of Oct. 21, the organization has conducted nearly 5,000 psychological first-aid sessions and facilitated 450 individual sessions. This mental health support is crucial for Palestinian and Syrian refugees in Lebanon, who live with the constant fear of deportation and struggle to find safety.

Age International

Age International is actively running a Middle East Humanitarian Appeal that specifically assists older individuals in Lebanon and Gaza. The charity acknowledges the heightened risks faced by the elderly, who often struggle to receive support due to disabilities, mobility issues and illnesses. By providing medical assistance and assistive products, such as walking sticks, Age International aids those who find it difficult to access support.

Looking Ahead

Humanitarian aid is flowing steadily into Lebanon as international and local organizations mobilize to support vulnerable populations affected by the ongoing conflict. With targeted assistance, including clean water, medical care, food and shelter, efforts by groups like Oxfam, the Lebanese Red Cross and others are crucial in providing immediate relief. Specialized support, such as mental health counseling and aid for the elderly, helps address the diverse needs of those impacted. These ongoing collective actions are vital in sustaining and protecting affected communities in a nation already grappling with significant economic challenges.

– Ellie Western

Ellie is based in London, UK and focuses on Global Health and Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

, ,

How Regional Conflict Is Worsening Lebanon’s Electricity Crisis

Lebanon’s Electricity CrisisSince the end of the civil war in 1990, Lebanon has struggled with an electricity crisis due to a lack of investment in the state-run electricity provider Electricité du Liban (EDL) and misuse of funds by government officials. As a result, EDL can only provide electricity for as little as 1-2 hours each day in 2022, leaving the country in a persistent state of power shortages. Achieving 24-hour access to electricity is only possible through the use of private generators.

The severity of the outages varies significantly per region, with Beirut receiving an average of 21 hours of electricity a day. However, areas further from the capital receive much less, leading to higher private generator bills. The inconsistency of electricity from the state-run electricity provider has had significant implications for the population, especially the nation’s impoverished, who cannot afford to buy private generators. Lama Fakih, Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch explains that “Lebanon’s electricity crisis is leaving people in the dark and dramatically reducing people’s access to critical rights such as food, water, education and health care.”

The Impact of Regional War

Before the Lebanon-Israel conflict erupted, The National News reported that both sides had threatened to target energy infrastructure in the event of war. Such actions would disrupt essential services, including telecommunications, sanitation networks, irrigation systems and hospitals, all of which depend on electricity to operate.

Since October 2023, Hezbollah has launched airstrikes on Israel, stating that they would halt their actions in exchange for a ceasefire in Gaza. One year later, with no truce reached, Israel began launching heavy strikes on Lebanon. Approximately 60% of border communities in the south have sustained infrastructural damage, impacting residential buildings, roads, water supplies, electrical grids and telecommunications. This destruction has resulted in casualties among maintenance workers and health care staff, intensifying the existing energy crisis.

The war has further strained EDL, which struggles to meet demand even under normal circumstances. According to The Jerusalem Post, EDL recently announced a nationwide power shutdown, stating, “After exploiting all the other options to extend the duration of power production to the maximum possible, the company’s last power plant has ceased power supply across all Lebanese territories, due to a lack of fuel and with that, the power supply to all of Lebanon has been completely halted.” This shutdown affects critical facilities, including the airport, ports, water pumps, sewage systems and prisons.

Organizations on the Ground

Organizations working on the ground to help ease Lebanon’s electricity crisis include Aid Pioneers. This Berlin-based organization began its efforts in 2020, providing humanitarian relief following the Beirut port explosion. Aid Pioneers primarily focuses on medical procurement and clean energy access. Through partnerships with groups like the Altenburg Foundation and Ströer, it has raised millions of dollars, supporting 40,000 people across various projects.

Local organizations like the Lebanese Solar Energy Society (LSES) are also working to address Lebanon’s energy crisis. Operating since 1980, LSES focuses on providing sustainable energy solutions. Through public education on solar energy, high-quality technical support for efficient solar panel installation and ongoing advocacy, LSES aims to promote energy independence and long-term sustainability in Lebanon.

What Does the Future Hold?

With the ongoing conflict with Israel and continued infrastructure damage, Lebanon’s electricity crisis is expected to worsen. Humanitarian organizations and the government are increasingly focused on immediate security and humanitarian needs, often placing energy reforms on the back burner. The U.S. has attempted to broker ceasefire negotiations among the parties involved, but these efforts have remained inconclusive. According to Reuters, Hamas has rejected a temporary truce, stating that current ceasefire proposals do not meet its conditions.

Israeli officials have also indicated that diplomacy alone will not prompt a ceasefire, as it demands that Hezbollah comply with UNSCR 1701, which prohibits the presence of its fighters near the Israeli border. With no ceasefire in sight, a resolution to the crisis appears distant. Given that EDL struggled to meet demand even before the war, any improvements in the energy situation are likely to be minimal, even if all parties eventually reach a ceasefire agreement.

– Floria Persis

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

Photo: Flickr

, ,

Sawré Muybu: A Landmark Win for Indigenous Peoples in Brazil

Sawré MuybuIn 2022, the Statista Research Department reported that 33.2% of Indigenous peoples in Brazil live below the poverty line, subsisting on less than $2.15 a day. This statistic highlights the many systemic barriers that Indigenous communities in Brazil face. Among the most pressing is the ongoing encroachment on Indigenous lands: miners and loggers increased their invasions from 109 in 2018 to 305 in 2021.

These incursions threaten the livelihoods of Indigenous communities who rely on the land for farming, fishing and hunting. One egregious example of the detrimental effects of these invasions is the use of toxic mercury by gold miners to extract gold. This contaminates rivers and endangers both community health and cultural traditions like fishing. Furthermore, the resulting food scarcity and deforestation have driven many Indigenous people to relocate to cities, where they face discrimination and have limited access to health care.

Conflict Over Sawré Muybu

Within the heart of the Amazon lies the Sawré Muybu, an Indigenous land inhabited by the Munduruku people for generations. Rich in diverse plant and animal life, safeguarding this land is essential to preserving an ancestral way of life that connects deeply to the forest and is grounded in cultural and spiritual harmony. However, frequent land invasions by miners and loggers threaten the Munduruku people’s livelihoods and their ability to sustain this ancestral way of life. Leaders of the Munduruku community have endured violence and death threats for defending their territory, highlighting the severe risks they take to protect their land and heritage.

Demarcation establishes the legal process of officially defining and protecting Indigenous lands, creating clear boundaries to recognize and safeguard the rights of Indigenous communities to their ancestral territories. This process is crucial for preventing incursions by external parties, such as miners and loggers and preserving Indigenous livelihoods and culture. The demarcation process for the Sawré Muybu territory began in 2007 but saw long delays due to the economic sway of the mining industry in the region.

In 2014, the Munduruku people took control by self-demarcating their land, marking its borders and driving out intruders. This act carried significant political weight and inspired other Indigenous communities across Brazil to assert their rights in similar ways.

The Demarcation of the Sawré Muybu Territory

On September 25, 2024, Brazil’s Minister of Justice officially decreed the demarcation of the Sawré Muybu territory, achieving a major victory for Indigenous peoples in Brazil. This 17-year struggle for the Munduruku’s ancestral land highlights the power of solidarity and persistent advocacy in influencing political decisions on Indigenous rights. With this demarcation, incursions on the land are now illegal, placing a duty on the government to enforce the decree, remove land invaders and prevent any acts of violent retaliation.

The Path Ahead for Indigenous Rights

This victory marks a pivotal step toward Indigenous dignity and rights amid the numerous pressures affecting Indigenous peoples in Brazil. Indeed, it stands not only as a landmark in the fight for land rights but also as a triumph for human rights, poverty reduction and environmental preservation. Furthermore, it demonstrates that Indigenous voices possess strength—and, if ignored, will find ways to be heard.

Chief Juarez Saw of Sawré Muybu village aptly expressed this sentiment upon the decree’s signing: “Yesterday was a victory for all of us who depend on the forest, which means the whole world. For forest defenders, the minister’s signature was very important in helping us to guarantee the preservation of nature and the standing forest. When I speak of our victory, I speak of our collective victory.”

– William Pickering

William is based in Nottingham, UK and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

, ,

Health Care Crisis in Sudan

Health care crisis in SudanSudan faces its second year of civil war due to a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Before the conflict, Sudan was already facing a humanitarian crisis caused by long-term political and economic instability. This year, Sudan was at the top of the list of countries in need of humanitarian assistance due to the escalation of conflict, mass movement of people, and the health care crisis in Sudan.

The Ongoing Civil War

The power struggle between the SAF and the RSF has created division within the country, with the SAF controlling the eastern regions and the RSF controlling the cities of Khartoum and the west. Foreign involvement also further intensified the Civil war, with the UAE and Chad supporting the RSF and Russia supporting and supplying weapons to the SAF. This rivalry and divide create an opportunity for a fractured Sudan with foreign-backed factions, like the Militia warfare in Libya.

Therefore, the ongoing civil war in Sudan has created a need for urgent international attention and humanitarian aid. The World Food Program (WFP) states that this conflict has made “the world’s largest hunger crisis.” Sudan’s situation has impacted millions and has quickly become the largest displacement crisis.

More than 25 million people across Sudan and its neighboring countries, South Sudan and Chad, struggle to find stability, food and shelter. According to the U.N., around 14,000 people have been killed and double that have been injured. More than 3 million refugees have fled the war since April 2023, and more than 8 million are internally displaced.

Poverty and War

Due to the ongoing conflict, food insecurity has become an extreme issue for the Sudanese people. More than 755,000 people face famine-like hunger, and famine on a larger scale could become a reality. In Sudan, 70% of the population relies on agriculture and livestock; however, many of these areas are used as grounds for fighting due to the conflict, according to the British Red Cross.

According to the WFP, 90% of people in need of humanitarian assistance and facing hunger are stuck in isolated areas inaccessible to the WFP. Authorities revoked permission for trucks to cross the borders to reach Sudan which further disturbed the distribution of humanitarian aid. Therefore, thousands of people in Darfur are struggling with hunger and malnutrition.

Health Care Crisis and Human Rights in Sudan

This deadly conflict has completely deteriorated Sudan’s already vulnerable health care system, limiting people’s access to medical attention and essential resources. More than two-thirds of hospitals in conflict zones are out of service, while the remaining are facing closure due to medical supply shortages, limited funding and staff.

Targeted attacks on hospitals and health care workers have prevented injured patients’ including women and children, from receiving medical attention and help. Hospitals in Sudan lack food, water and medicine. This health care crisis in Sudan limits civilians’ access to essential health care services and basic human necessities. Physical and verbal violence against staff has also increased and many people cannot receive medical help due to pressure from external groups.

Moreover, displacement and people’s urgent need to flee have severely impacted the Sudanese population. The lack of health care, water and sanitation led to the spread of various infections and waterborne illnesses. An outbreak of measles has caused the death of more than 1,000 children across the country, while diseases like cholera continue to spread, with around 8,000 confirmed cases, according to the International Rescue Committee (IRC).

Overcrowded shelters also increase health risks for vulnerable groups. Families struggle due to high food prices, inadequate shelter and limited medicinal care for people with chronic illnesses. Children also lack access to education due to the severity and distress of the conflict. concerns over sexual violence and public safety are also rising. The UNHCR calls for urgent civilian protection and safe access to aid and shelter.

Solutions

In response to increasing needs, many organizations are contributing to humanitarian efforts in Sudan despite the security and political barriers limiting humanitarian assistance in the country. UNICEF is working to provide essential services for children, including nutrition, education and safe water. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) provides medical aid, equipment, and urgent surgical procedures for injured civilians.

In addition, Save the Children is working to provide children with psychological support and primarily focus on child protection. At the same time, Doctors Without Borders runs emergency medical projects in conflict zones, offering treatment for malnutrition, vaccine programs and trauma care.

Conclusion

The health care crisis in Sudan has reached critical levels, with most hospitals out of service or struggling to operate amidst the war. Hospitals and health care facilities are short on staff and supplies but face continuous attacks, making them difficult to access and limiting health care treatments. The displacement of people also makes it difficult for people to access basic needs like water and medicine, increasing the risk of sickness and diseases. Many humanitarian organizations are working to provide medical aid, food supplies and shelter. However, urgent international efforts are necessary to support Sudan’s health care system and ensure its people’s safety and security.

– Gufran Elhrari

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

Photo: Unsplash

, ,

The UK’s Response to the Humanitarian Crisis in Lebanon

humanitarian crisis in LebanonThe reignition of conflict between Israel and Palestine marked October 2023. Whilst the aggression between these two regions caught the attention of the international community, the conflict also resurfaced historic tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border which has escalated to military raids and missile attacks between Hezbollah and Israel as of the end of September 2024. According to Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati, air strikes have already displaced 1 million Lebanese citizens. This article will highlight how the U.K. responded to this new humanitarian crisis in Lebanon.

UK Government Donation to UNICEF in Lebanon

The British government announced it was donating £5 million to UNICEF to support the response to the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon. The package aims to address the needs of those displaced, including 74,000 children. To reach those displaced in Lebanon the money, sent on September 27, 2024, will go towards medical supplies, hygiene kits and fuel for water stations. The aid also includes training for emergency teams to respond to health and nutrition needs.

UNICEF currently has 35 shelters in Lebanon, which can host more than 14,000 people. Since the majority of these shelters are public schools the rising conflict has disrupted children’s learning. Despite this, UNICEF has delivered 26,380 liters of bottled water, 2,900 sleeping bags and two large high-performance tents to support demands for shelter.

The Development Director and Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy Beirut, Victoria Dunne welcomed the news on the UNICEF donation and stated: “We are profoundly saddened by the civilian deaths in Lebanon. The number of casualties and the scale of displacement is distressing…The U.K. has been and will remain a strong supporter of Lebanon.”

Poverty Rates and Humanitarian Crisis in Lebanon

Before the violence between Israel and Lebanon resurfaced, the country was already battling rising poverty rates. According to the World Bank, the level of poverty in the Middle Eastern country has “more than tripled over the last decade” and currently affects 44% of the population, as of May 2024. The World Bank recommends various interventions to reduce poverty in Lebanon. This includes implementing a social safety net, and macro-fiscal reforms to support price stability, allow space for social spending and make public transportation more accessible so citizens can reach public services such as healthcare.

The conflict could further damage Lebanon’s economy; the potential decline in tourism rates could produce a $450 million loss alongside the real estate and foreign direct investment sector, totalling $550 million in losses. This bleak economic forecast resulting from this conflict could exacerbate pre-existing poverty and humanitarian crisis in Lebanon unless a strong infrastructure and aid can support vulnerable citizens.

The UK’s Role in Lebanon’s Development

The U.K. has long played a role in assisting in social and economic development in Lebanon. This includes trade deals such as an agreement in 2019 between the two countries which led to Lebanon becoming the U.K.’s 100th largest trader in 2022.

Lebanon has also been a key beneficiary of the U.K.’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) program receiving £804 million from 2010-2021, where 94% was given for humanitarian purposes. The U.K. also led a Community Stability Program to alleviate tensions between Lebanese and refugee communities by strengthening institutional responses to community conflict.

The Conflict Moving Forward

Though it is unclear how long the conflict between Lebanon and Israel will last, the rates of death and internal displacement are continuously increasing. As of September 10, 2024, the death toll from Israeli attacks was 589. However, since then the number of casualties and displaced persons has increased as Israel has carried out around 1,600 strikes in Lebanon whilst Hezbollah has launched 200 rockets towards Israel.

The U.K.’s legacy of humanitarian and development support to Lebanon should indicate that the British government will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to Lebanon should the crisis continue. The donation of £5 million to UNICEF will help international organizations working in the country to house the displaced and protect vulnerable groups such as children.

– Sofia Brooke

Sofia is based in Oxfordshire, UK and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

, ,

Diplomatic and Humanitarian Aid as Keys to Stability in Lebanon

Stability in Lebanon As of September 26 2024, Israel and Hezbollah forces have been exchanging fire over, which destabilized the situation in the Middle East further. So far, more than 700 innocent civilians have been killed in Lebanon, many of whom are women and children. Additionally, thousands of residents in the south of Lebanon have fled to the northern part of the country to escape the conflict, which could worsen the already high rate of poverty in the country. Despite the intensity of the conflict in the last few days, governments and humanitarian organizations have been relentless in improving stability in Lebanon and its vulnerable communities.

Regional Support to Lebanon

Middle Eastern countries have been at the forefront of providing aid to the Lebanese people in their darkest hours and to pave the way for stability in Lebanon. For example, Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief) funded the ambulance services carried out by Lebanon’s Subul Al Salam Social Association in the northern part of the country. The association was able to carry out 59 ambulance missions on September 14, 2024, and they plan to use the funds to provide services to those in refugee areas, Saudi Press Agency (SPA). Similarly, on September 24, 2024, the Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) conducted a relief campaign for 10,000 displaced Lebanese families in shelter centers by providing essential items such as food, cleaning supplies and mattresses. This highlights only a little bit of the exhaustive efforts by countries worldwide to help Lebanon.

International Support to Lebanon:

Countries beyond the Middle East have been involved in the efforts to ensure that there is stability in Lebanon. For instance, on April 3, 2024, USAID announced that it is providing more than $67 million for humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable communities in Lebanon. The funds will help organizations in Lebanon, such as the World Food Programme (WFP), continue to deliver life-saving aid to over 100,000 people in Lebanon. On the other hand, on May 2 2024, the European Union announced that it is providing financial assistance to the most vulnerable in Lebanon of €1 billion from 2024-2027 to support, among many things, basic health and education services. This shows that, despite the intensity of the current conflict in Lebanon, there are still good people trying to bring peace and stability to the country.

Stability in Lebanon: The Future

In the last few days since war broke out between Israel and Hezbollah forces in Lebanon, media outlets have been focusing disproportionately on the doom side of the conflict. Although it is right to point out the level of destruction in this war, there is also the often-overlooked part where diplomats and aid workers are working tirelessly to bring stability to Lebanon.

Regional countries, such as Saudi Arabia, have been providing aid non-stop to Lebanon as part of the effort to bring peace to the Middle East. Similarly, the U.S. and the EU are also working to end the conflict in Lebanon via diplomacy and humanitarian aid to strengthen the international human rights system. It may be difficult to feel hopeful for Lebanon given the nature of the news cycle today. Still, the facts on the ground give a strong reason to feel optimistic for a better tomorrow for the Lebanese people.

– Abdullah Dowaihy

Abdullah is based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr