Archive for category: Development

Information and stories on development news.

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Clean Cooking Solutions in India Reduce Health Risks

Clean Cooking Solutions in IndiaClean cooking solutions in India are improving living conditions for millions of families who still rely on traditional fuels such as wood, charcoal and cow dung for daily cooking. These fuels are commonly used because they are familiar and low-cost, especially in rural and low-income communities. However, burning these materials releases harmful smoke and fine particulate matter that accumulates in small, poorly ventilated homes.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that household air pollution from solid fuels leads to approximately three million deaths globally each year. Many of these deaths occur in developing countries, including India. This level of preventable illness and death demonstrates the urgent need for cleaner cooking solutions.

India continues to experience high levels of indoor air pollution because a large portion of its population depends on biomass fuels. Exposure to smoke from cooking fires increases the risk of respiratory infections, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cardiovascular disease and lung cancer. The health effects extend beyond individual suffering.

Families often face rising medical costs, reduced productivity and lost income when adults become ill. Children exposed to smoke are more likely to miss school due to sickness, which can limit long-term educational outcomes and future opportunities. These combined impacts place additional strain on households already living with limited financial resources.

Government Programs Supporting Clean Cooking

One of the most important government efforts to address indoor air pollution in India is the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY). This program provides subsidized liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) connections to low-income households to encourage families to move away from traditional biomass fuels. LPG burns much more cleanly than wood or dung, producing far less smoke inside the home.

As a result, households that adopt LPG experience improved indoor air quality and reduced exposure to harmful pollutants. The International Energy Agency reports that households using LPG instead of traditional fuels experience lower rates of respiratory illness and spend less time collecting firewood.

For many women, this change is particularly significant. In households that rely on wood or dung, women often spend hours each day gathering fuel and cooking in smoky conditions. Switching to LPG saves time and reduces daily exposure to harmful smoke, improving both health and overall quality of life.

In addition to LPG, government-supported programs have encouraged improved kitchen ventilation and safer stove designs in areas where LPG access remains limited. While these measures do not eliminate smoke, they help reduce the concentration of harmful particles inside homes and provide a transition pathway toward cleaner fuels.

The Role of Nonprofits and Community-Based Solutions

Nonprofit organizations have played a key role in expanding access to safer cooking options. The Clean Cooking Alliance works with local partners in India to promote improved cookstove technologies that burn fuel more efficiently and release fewer pollutants than traditional open fires. These stoves often include enclosed combustion chambers and chimneys that direct smoke outside the home, helping reduce indoor air pollution levels.

In rural communities, biogas initiatives have also contributed to cleaner cooking options. Biogas systems convert organic waste, such as animal dung, into cooking fuel, reducing dependence on wood and improving household sanitation. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) highlights that biogas programs in India support cleaner energy access while reducing environmental damage linked to deforestation and unmanaged waste.

These projects often involve community-level participation, which helps ensure long-term use and maintenance of the systems.

Long-Term Benefits for Health and Communities

Clean cooking solutions in India offer benefits that extend beyond reducing indoor air pollution. Healthier families spend less money on medical care and experience fewer missed workdays, improving household economic stability. Children who live in smoke-free environments are more likely to attend school regularly and perform better academically.

In addition, reduced demand for firewood eases pressure on local forests, helping protect natural ecosystems. The World Bank notes that access to clean cooking supports economic development while improving health and environmental sustainability. Continued investment in LPG programs, improved distribution of cookstoves and community biogas initiatives will be essential to expanding access to clean cooking across India.

By improving how meals are prepared in everyday households, clean cooking solutions reduce health risks and create safer living environments for millions of families. These efforts demonstrate how practical, targeted interventions can lead to long-term improvements in health, education and economic stability.

– Dylan Chandran

Dylan is based in Danville, CA, USA and focuses on Business and Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Rajpura–Mohali Rail Link & Regional Economic Access

The Rajpura–Mohali Rail LinkIndia has approved a new railway corridor from Rajpura to Mohali; the Rajpura–Mohali rail link is intended to greatly enhance travel throughout southern Punjab and the surrounding area around Chandigarh. This will improve travel to job locations, education, health care and other marketplaces. Improving the availability of these services may be particularly important for marginalized groups that rely on affordable public transportation. The rail link reflects India’s broader push to leverage infrastructure investment to expand opportunities for socioeconomic mobility.

Effective Regional Development

India’s rail network already serves as one of the largest public transportation systems in the world, carrying more than eight billion passengers annually. This development project to create a Rajpura–Mohali rail link will provide fast, affordable rail access, reduce commuting costs for low-income households and connect rural populations to urban job markets. The availability of reliable, affordable access to employment opportunities also enables workers to support themselves and their families while contributing to their communities by paying taxes and supporting local businesses.

Rail infrastructure is an important factor in reducing poverty, as it provides reliable access to employment opportunities through safe, affordable transportation. Reliable access to employment opportunities is essential to economic mobility; therefore, workers must be able to travel to their employment centers safely and affordably. Beginning with reasonably priced public transportation such as buses and trains, access to reliable employment allows workers to utilize employment opportunities they would not have had otherwise due to a lack of transportation.

Access to reliable employment opportunities also provides workers with the ability to increase their earning potential, which could provide them with a better quality of life through better living conditions, greater food security and better access to other necessities of life.

The Indian Government’s Infrastructure Development Strategy

Punjab is witnessing a significant increase in urbanization, primarily around Chandigarh. However, many rural and smaller towns are constrained by limited connectivity, hindering access to economic opportunities. The improved Rajpura–Mohali rail link may allow travelers to reach their destinations faster and rely less on expensive personal transportation.

In its pursuit to develop India, the Government of India views infrastructure as a key to long-term development. As part of this, it has committed, through the National Infrastructure Pipeline, to invest billions of rupees in transportation, energy and urban development to fuel long-term growth. Improved rail systems can create jobs during construction and support long-term employment by increasing mobility.

Research from the World Bank shows that infrastructure investment can boost productivity and reduce poverty when it improves access to markets and services. In regions where public transit remains the primary mode of travel for lower-income communities, expanding rail access can help narrow economic gaps.

Socioeconomic Mobility

Low-income households often spend a larger share of their income on transportation. Expanded rail access can reduce commuting costs and open up more job opportunities. Better connectivity also helps women access education and employment.

Students can commute safely to universities in Chandigarh, rural residents can reach specialized health care facilities and small businesses can move goods more efficiently. Transportation access is directly tied to economic participation. When people can move safely and affordably, they can earn better wages, improve health outcomes and invest in education.

Final Thoughts

The Rajpura–Mohali railway corridor shows how targeted rail development can reduce long-term geographic inequality in Punjab. The project will connect new urban centers with their surrounding areas. As construction moves forward, the corridor highlights a broader point: strategic infrastructure development is more than a physical building project. It can also be a powerful tool for reducing poverty.

– Julia Lavelle

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

Photo: Pexels

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Ghana’s Poverty Reduction Efforts in its Northern Regions

Ghana's Poverty ReductionAlthough Ghana, a country in West Africa, experiences consistent economic growth, its impact is felt unequally. Southern regions, such as Accra, have significantly better infrastructure and schools compared to the northern regions. In many northern regions, the absolute poverty rate rises above 50%.

Several factors contribute to the spatial inequality in Ghana. Because agriculture is the primary employer in the north, there are more severe economic consequences due to the variable climate. Rainfall has declined, droughts have increased and floods have become more frequent. In addition, several cash crops, such as cocoa, are not suited to the area’s savannah characteristics.

In light of these challenges, the Ghanaian government is working to improve the economic strength and reduce poverty levels in the northern regions.

The Northern Development Authority

The Northern Development Authority (NDA) is an independent organization established in 2017 by an Act of Parliament, with one of its goals being to support Ghana’s poverty reduction efforts in the north. It succeeded the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA), an organization with a similar goal but described as inefficient. The NDA facilitates the distribution of social programs and helps secure foreign investment in the region.

The NDA’s projects are gradually transforming cities and regions. For instance, in the Bunkpurugu Nakpanduri District, the organization dug 32 boreholes, providing families with access to fresh water. However, Ghanaian leaders believe that the NDA has room for improvement. The Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Northern Development Authority, Dr. Emmanuel Abeere-Inga, pointed out in 2025 that government funds rarely reach the northern regions because “it’s taken by bureaucrats in Accra,” the country’s capital.

This public concern, while highlighting challenges within the NDA, does not negate the initiatives it has implemented. The organization continues to play a role in efforts to reduce poverty in the region.

Investment Assisting Ghana’s Poverty Reduction Efforts

The Ghanaian Ministry of Food and Agriculture and AAK, a supplier of plant-based oils, signed an agreement to expand the country’s shea industry. With a planned intensification of direct sourcing, around 300,000 women from the northern regions are expected to benefit. Additionally, the creation of an “Innovation Academy” and a processing factory will expand job opportunities and support poverty alleviation.

Investments such as these stem from government-led efforts. Recently, Ghana hosted the African Prosperity Dialogues, in which national leaders emphasized supporting inflows of investment, including restructuring investment laws to be more accessible to smaller investors. These efforts aim to grow local markets and reduce poverty, particularly in northern areas.

Free Senior High School Program

In 2017, Ghana launched the Free Senior High School program, with the aim of expanding access to secondary education across the country. Since its inception, the program has enrolled around 1.6 million students, though it continues to face capacity challenges. Many qualified students do not earn spots simply because demand exceeds supply.

Recently, Ghana initiated steps to close this gap by opening 25 private schools across all regions to participate in government-funded education. These efforts may contribute to easing poverty, especially in northern regions where rates are higher. A 2023 article by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) explains the connection between poverty and education, noting that poverty rates would be “halved if all adults completed secondary school.” In this way, Ghana’s Free Senior High School program supports education reform and contributes to poverty reduction in the north.

Looking Ahead

Through both progress and challenges, the Ghanaian government continues working to address poverty in its northern regions. Programs such as the Northern Development Authority may face bureaucratic delays, while other initiatives demonstrate measurable outcomes. Overall, efforts to reduce poverty in northern Ghana remain complex, involving multiple strategies and ongoing policy adjustments.

– Ben Anderson

Ben is based in Madrid, Spain and focuses on Business and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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How Landmine Clearance and Food Security

How Landmine Clearance and Food Security Support Development in IndonesiaLandmines, cluster munitions and improvised explosive devices continue to threaten civilian lives and block economic progress long after conflicts end, making land unsafe for farming, travel or everyday life. These explosive remnants of war can lie hidden for decades and prevent people from safely accessing land for food production, shelter or infrastructure. They are one reason communities often cannot rebuild after conflict. At least 58 states and territories remain contaminated by these explosive hazards — 29 with cluster munition remnants and more than 60 with improvised explosive devices (IEDs) — endangering millions of people and limiting economic opportunities.

Because contaminated land is unsafe, farmers often cannot grow food where they once did, which reduces food production and household income and slows community recovery. This weakens food security and forces families to rely on outside support instead of producing their own food. Mine clearance makes land safe again so families can plant crops, raise animals and support their own food supplies — a key part of strengthening landmine clearance and food security and promoting long-term community well-being.

Clearing Land for Food and Growth

Mine action — the process of surveying, mapping, detecting and removing landmines and explosive remnants of war — does more than save lives. As teams clear contaminated land and certify it safe, farmers can return to productive use, reinforcing landmine clearance and food security. This work also supports broader improvements such as irrigation systems, water access points and improved roads, which help sustain agricultural productivity and support community development.

Clearing landmines also reopens roads and paths that were once too dangerous to use, allowing children to go to school, families to access health care and goods to be traded at markets. Safe infrastructure supports local economies and helps communities rebuild and connect with broader development opportunities.

Indonesia’s Role in Mine Action and Food Security

Indonesia frames mine action as both a humanitarian obligation and a development priority, particularly through its participation in international disarmament and peacebuilding frameworks. As a state party to the Ottawa Treaty, also known as the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, Indonesia links mine action to civilian protection, post-conflict recovery and long-term development, including food security.

While Indonesia is not among the most heavily contaminated countries, it plays a role in international mine action assistance through peacekeeping operations, South-South cooperation and regional leadership in Southeast Asia.

Indonesia has also expressed concern about the growing global threat posed by explosive remnants of war, particularly as climate change increases flooding and extreme weather, causing unexploded ordnance to move into previously cleared agricultural areas. These risks further undermine food production in climate-vulnerable regions and highlight the need for sustained international cooperation and innovation in mine action.

The Importance of Funding for Mine Action

Funding is essential for mine action because clearing landmines and supporting affected communities requires long-term investment. The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) receives support through assessed contributions when mine action is part of peacekeeping or other United Nations missions and through extra-budgetary resources provided by member states to the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund for Assistance in Mine Action. The fund helps finance surveys, clearance, risk education and victim assistance.

Indonesia has repeatedly warned within the Fourth Committee of the United Nations General Assembly that declining voluntary funding threatens the sustainability of mine action programs worldwide, especially as global military expenditures continue to rise. Continued funding is needed to sustain clearance operations, support survivors, expand risk education and integrate mine action with broader humanitarian and development programming.

Indonesia and International Support

Indonesia supports international efforts to remove landmines and participates in global frameworks that encourage civilian protection and post-conflict recovery. Agreements such as the Mine Ban Treaty have led to widespread destruction of landmines and mobilized international cooperation to help countries and communities address contamination, including through risk education and assistance to survivors.

Mine action is not only about physical clearance. It also includes risk education, which teaches people how to recognize and avoid explosive hazards, and victim assistance, which helps those injured regain independence and participate in community life. These programs help communities rebuild confidence, participate in economic activity and focus on education and work rather than fear of unexploded weapons, though challenges remain as some regions recover more slowly.

Food Security and the Future

The relationship between landmine clearance and food security plays a critical role in helping communities rebuild after conflict and invest in long-term development. When land is cleared of explosive hazards, farmers can grow more food, households can invest in farming and other income-producing activities and communities can reduce poverty. Safe land also encourages investment in infrastructure such as irrigation, roads and local markets, strengthening resilience in agricultural communities and fostering economic growth.

Indonesia emphasizes that mine action directly supports global development goals such as ending hunger (SDG 2), promoting peace (SDG 16) and improving human security. Although progress can be uneven across regions, continued international support and cooperation help mine action reach more people, make communities safer and contribute to long-term development outcomes in Indonesia and around the world.

– Anaisha Kundu

Anaisha is based in Skillman, NJ, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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The E-Rickshaw Revolution in India: Driving Change

e-ricksawThe e-rickshaw revolution in India refers to the rapid growth of electric rickshaws (e-rickshaws) in urban and rural areas, which has been a cultural phenomenon in recent years. A country known for its busy roads and honking cars, India is home to some of the world’s most congested cities and some of the highest levels of air pollution worldwide. The crisis does not affect all social groups equally.

Those who spend more time outdoors, including children, people without homes, street vendors and manual laborers, are more exposed to air pollution. These groups, therefore, are more likely to suffer its harmful effects. In addition, economically vulnerable groups are often less physically healthy and less able to withstand the harmful effects of air pollution.

For instance, outdoor manual workers are often not employed on formal contracts. They are less likely to take sick leave due to the risk of reduced wages, which often results in poor or compromised health. With the rise in popularity of “greener” modes of transport, the e-rickshaw has particularly proved life-changing for many across India, including those at risk of poverty.

E-rickshaws in India are providing new opportunities for the population, including the most vulnerable groups. They also help combat environmental issues such as air pollution and, in turn, positively reshape urban poverty. Some of the positive outcomes include:

Environmental and Health Benefits

Air pollution in India has serious consequences for public health. In 2019, an estimated 18% of deaths were linked to air pollution and this figure is not declining. These impacts also drain government finances, diverting funds that could otherwise support people living in poverty.

Vehicles and traffic are major contributors, accounting for 20–30% of urban air pollution. While e-rickshaws have arguably added to road congestion in urban India, they offer a greener alternative. They produce zero carbon emissions during operation and help reduce overall air pollution levels.

By reducing urban air pollution, health outcomes improve in low-income areas. The e-rickshaw revolution in India is also helping reduce noise pollution, particularly in highly congested cities such as Delhi. Similar to manual rickshaws, the manufacturing of e-rickshaws is not a zero-emission process.

However, once on the road, e-rickshaws do not emit any harmful pollutants (unlike auto-rickshaws, which are fueled by petrol or diesel). These environmental and health benefits of the e-rickshaw boom in India have a direct, positive impact on those living in poverty. A decrease in air pollution levels will therefore improve health outcomes for the most vulnerable.

Increasing Job Opportunities, Employability and Social Mobility

The revolution has created many new green jobs and businesses in India. These include battery charging stations, e-rickshaw maintenance and manufacturing and increased demand for e-rickshaw drivers. E-rickshaws have created more informal and flexible work opportunities.

This allows many drivers to become their own bosses and capitalize on new prospects by leasing their vehicles to others and becoming small entrepreneurs, often managing and employing other drivers. Increased job opportunities have not only affected urban areas.

The India e-rickshaw revolution has also reached rural areas, where it is increasingly popular as a cheap, green mode of mobility with lower maintenance costs. The flexible working opportunities created by the revolution have been particularly beneficial for women. Many women seeking work have turned to driving e-rickshaws to gain financial independence and support their families.

These social mobility trends and increased job opportunities have a direct, positive impact on those living in poverty. The e-rickshaw revolution has opened doors that were previously closed to many people across different social groups.

Charities Supporting the Revolution

The ride-hailing industry in India is currently male-dominated. However, many charities are supporting and encouraging women to learn to drive e-rickshaws, thereby capitalizing on India’s shift toward electric rickshaws.

The charity Karuna Shechen offers free driving lessons for women. It also provides a 50% subsidy when purchasing the vehicle, with a repayment agreement to pay off the balance. Incentives such as this directly help women and families who suffer from the effects of poverty in India.

Furthermore, there have been a small number of cases in which charities have donated e-rickshaws to vulnerable people in India, including women and others at risk of poverty, allowing them to become more self-reliant and financially stable. One such charity is Shishu Mandir, which aims to both “reduce pollution while also empowering women.”

Final Thoughts

E-rickshaws are reshaping cities and villages across India by reducing pollution, creating jobs and expanding access for women and vulnerable communities. They show that clean transport can deliver health, dignity and lasting economic mobility. Drivers can earn more stable incomes because e-rickshaws have lower purchase prices and operating costs than auto-rickshaws, while also saving on fuel.

– Anna Clare

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

Photo: Unsplash

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Urban Innovation in Lagos Fights for a Fairer City

Urban Innovation in LagosIn Lagos, rapid urbanization has exacerbated housing shortages and food insecurity. In response to these pressures, community groups and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are reshaping urban innovation in Lagos. Across the city’s informal settlements, grassroots solutions aim to improve food security and expand opportunities for low-income residents.

Urban Poverty and Informal Settlement Dynamics

Lagos is one of Africa’s largest and most densely populated cities. Population estimates range from 16 million to more than 20 million. Rural migrants to Lagos increasingly turn to informal settlements as affordable housing fails to keep pace with population growth. Research finds that Lagos’ slum districts grew to more than 200 by 2023, with more than 70% of the city’s population now living in informal settlements. Poverty remains the primary challenge facing settlement residents.

The latest World Bank statistics show that about 37% of Nigerians live below the national poverty line. This is particularly acute in Lagos, where an estimated two-thirds of residents live on the equivalent of $1 a day. As inflation reached nearly 34% in 2024, food prices increased fivefold. Low-income households, which spend about 70% of their wages on food, face the greatest impact.

Community-Led Solutions

In response to these pressures, community groups are reshaping urban innovation in Lagos through practical programs aimed at improving living conditions in informal settlements. The Okerube Project addresses chronic water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) challenges by strengthening community-led systems. The project links women’s water and sanitation committees with community development associations to implement sustainable WASH infrastructure. Using a bottom-up approach, the Okerube Project relies on community governance to ensure infrastructure improvements reflect the needs of settlement residents.

Food Security Initiatives

The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) has warned of an emerging hunger crisis in Nigeria. Food insecurity remains a major challenge in Lagos’ informal settlements, where residents struggle with high living costs and inflation. In response, local nonprofits such as the Lagos Food Bank Initiative’s Family Farming Program support urban farming to help households produce food and generate income.

Participants receive practical training and starter kits to establish backyard farms for personal consumption and sale. Lagos’ rapid urban development has displaced many residents from agricultural land, causing income loss. The Family Farming Program aims to counter this trend by supporting the revival of small-scale farming livelihoods.

Digital and Technological Innovation

Digital and technological solutions play an important role in urban innovation in Lagos. Technology initiatives such as Co-Creation Hub (CcHUB) address social challenges in informal settlements. CcHUB works with scientists, entrepreneurs, government leaders and local residents to support sectors most affected by poverty.

Projects include Re:learn, which works with schools to improve how teachers deliver science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects. Through Re:learn, CcHUB introduces digital laboratories, modernizes STEM instruction and provides professional development for teachers. By partnering with organizations such as the Mastercard Foundation, CcHUB expands access to STEM education in informal settlements, supporting participation in Lagos’ emerging job markets.

The Future of Urban Innovation in Lagos

As these efforts expand, the future of urban innovation in Lagos is increasingly shaped by policy engagement. State institutions and research bodies are beginning to formalize support for inclusive development by linking grassroots experience with city-level planning. In 2025, the Lagos State Government partnered with the African Cities Research Consortium (ACRC) to strengthen urban resilience strategies.

These initiatives align future development planning with community-led projects and reflect broader policy efforts to integrate lived experience into responses to complex urban challenges.

Building on the work of community groups and NGOs, these policies connect grassroots initiatives with formal planning processes. With nearly 35 million people facing extreme hunger in Nigeria, Lagos remains a critical site for resilience-building. The growing alignment between policymakers, researchers and community actors suggests that urban transformation can support both infrastructure development and inclusive growth. Urban innovation in Lagos may offer lessons for other emerging megacities across Africa.

– Rory Wesson

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

Photo: Flickr

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Does the Belt and Road Initiative Reduce Poverty?

The Belt and Road InitiativeAcross the hilly Burera District of northern Rwanda, travel between towns and distant regions is a challenge. For many, including businessman Seth Havugimana, reaching a larger city such as Musanze takes four hours. However, one day, men in bright neon construction vests and the smell of newly laid asphalt began to permeate the countryside.

A new road is slowly taking shape, funded by the China Road and Bridge Corporation and Rwanda’s NPD Ltd. This new road will connect once-distant towns and provide economic opportunities to countless individuals. Havugimana recounts how, after the construction of the Base-Butaro-Kidaho road, “business can move and people can go from here to another place easily,” transforming lives in the district.

The Belt and Road Initiative

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a Chinese program aimed at international cooperation and development, funds projects like these globally. Chinese President Xi Jinping announced the BRI in October 2013 and as of December 2023, the program works with around 146-151 countries. Although lacking a clear governance framework, institutions such as the Asian Infrastructure and Investment Bank, the Commercial Bank of China and the Silk Road Fund have contributed to foreign projects through grants and loans.

In addition to the newly constructed road in Rwanda, other recent BRI plans include road and bridge construction in Lesotho’s Qacha’s Nek District and a 2.2-kilometer coastal road in Tanzania near Zanzibar.

How These Projects Can Reduce Poverty

The creation of infrastructure, such as roads, bridges and energy facilities, plays an undeniably important role in fighting poverty worldwide. According to a 2025 report by the World Bank Group, prevailing evidence points to infrastructural development being a “main driver of poverty reduction” and leading directly to an “impact of growth.” The creation of transportation infrastructure, for example, has decreased poverty in Ethiopia and increased earning opportunities for isolated households in Cameroon.

Back to the construction of the Base-Butaro-Kidaho road in Rwanda, the new ease of transportation allows individuals to more easily access schools, hospitals and markets than ever before. In turn, more people in the Burera District have better access to health care and higher levels of education, displaying how the BRI reduces poverty through its projects. Although the answer is not always straightforward, infrastructure spending usually leads to a “positive multiplier” on a country’s GDP.

However, in some cases, there is no benefit due to factors such as delays or a lack of maintenance.

Does the Belt and Road Initiative Reduce Poverty?

While research on the overall effectiveness of the BRI in combating poverty is limited, many sources point to a positive impact. According to the World Bank Group, the BRI covers about one-third of the world’s impoverished population. To this end, there is already an unbelievable amount of scope that the BRI has identified and invested billions of dollars in.

Critics of the program argue that, contrary to the rapid capital accumulation typically associated with new infrastructure, China’s contributions do not lead to improved industries or increased exports. However, a World Bank Group report estimates that 76 million people could escape poverty by 2030 due to the BRI’s efforts. While it may be true that China has seen a rise in exports and some participating countries have experienced losses in their local economies, the BRI’s overall impact on poverty reduction appears positive.

Final Thoughts

Research indicates that expanded international trade and capital growth significantly promote economic growth. Through its many projects and strengthened economic ties with BRI countries, China is contributing to economic growth and, in turn, poverty reduction for innumerable individuals. Like the ancient Silk Road, which facilitated the flow of goods across Afro-Eurasia, the BRI is opening new markets for global trade today.

Although the program is relatively new, its impacts are already being felt and its continued implementation is expected to significantly transform poverty outcomes in the coming years.

– Benjamin Anderson

Benjamin is based in Madrid, Spain and focuses on Business and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Inside the Project Designed To Improve Thai Infrastructure

Thai InfrastructureThe Thailand Resilient Transport Connectivity and Irrawaddy Dolphin Conservation Project (TRIP) will improve Thai infrastructure and protect local biodiversity in the Songkhla Lake region through the strategic construction of two new bridges. Last spring, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) approved funding for the project. The World Bank published a disclosure on May 25, 2025, announcing its $144.76 million loan commitment, marking the organization’s first significant lending operation in the country in more than 15 years.

In a press release, the World Bank’s Division Director for Myanmar and Thailand, Melinda Good, said, “This project marks a significant milestone in our renewed partnership with Thailand—bringing critical infrastructure to local communities while protecting the country’s unique natural assets that support local economies.”

Connecting Communities

TRIP promises to connect communities in the Songkhla Lake region through the construction of two new, crucially weather-resistant bridges. According to plans, the new Songkhla Lake Bridge will link Songkhla and Phatthalung provinces via a seven-kilometer roadway across Songkhla Lake. At present, an 80-kilometer or roughly two-hour, detour stands in the path of travelers between the two regions.

TRIP aims to reduce this journey to a mere 10 minutes. Additional plans include the construction of the Kho Lanta Bridge, a two-kilometer roadway connecting Krabi on the mainland to Koh Lanta, a Songkhla Lake island. Kwanpadh Suddhi-Dhamakit, a senior officer for Thailand at the World Bank, stressed in a social media post last month that plans consider the region’s environmental challenges and draw on examples of past natural disasters.

Indeed, southern Thailand’s climate dictates that both bridges incorporate weather-resilient engineering in their design. Floods, storms and sea-level rise all pose distinct threats to communities around Songkhla Lake in the coming years. The presence of the Kho Lanta and Songkhla Lake bridges strengthens future evacuation routes for local communities.

Economic Importance

On the project, Suddhi-Dhamakit said, “Improved connectivity is expected to support job creation during construction and long-term employment through tourism and local economic activity.” In this way, TRIP holds significant economic importance for the areas surrounding Songkhla Lake. Southern Thailand’s economic growth trails behind that of the rest of the country.

The poverty rate there is 7.4%, more than double the national average. Connectivity plays an important role in the job market because transportation bottlenecks can impede the ability of residents to attend markets and access services and other employment opportunities. The construction of the two new bridges stands to benefit the local population initially by providing construction jobs.

It will later allow easier access to other employment through improved transportation infrastructure. Three million tourists also pass through the region each year, a number experts expect to rise with the area’s improved travel connections.

Final Thoughts

While the project remains in its infancy, support from the World Bank represents a monumental step toward its eventual realization. Negative environmental trade-offs often materialize in large-scale infrastructure development, such as what TRIP proposes. Nonetheless, the project aims to bridge the gap by simultaneously developing Thai infrastructure and protecting local biodiversity.

– Louis Sartori

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

Photo: Unsplash

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How Organizations Advance Equitable Health Care in Eritrea

Health Care in EritreaAlthough health care in Eritrea has improved in important areas, such as declining mortality rates, over the past decade, vulnerable populations and rural communities continue to face the adverse effects of health care disparities. Several international organizations and community-based programs work to bridge the gap and increase accessibility to quality health services.

Health Care Disparities in Eritrea

Numerous disparities in health care access and services exist between urban and rural populations in Eritrea. The percentage of women receiving antenatal care from a health care professional in Eritrea increased significantly from 49% in 1995 to 70% in 2002. However, access remained uneven, with 91% of women in urban areas receiving antenatal care compared to just 59% in rural areas

A similar disparity appears in facility-based childbirth. In urban areas, the proportion of women giving birth in a health facility rose from 58% in 1995 to 62% in 2002. In contrast, the figure for rural women increased only slightly, from 7% to 9% over the same period.

Disparities in access to obstetric services were also evident across education levels. In 2002, approximately 88% of women with some secondary education were assisted by a trained health worker during childbirth, compared with 36% of women with only primary education and just 12% of those with no formal education.

Multiple disparities also exist in child health outcomes:

  • In 2002, the infant mortality rate was 48 per 1,000 live births in urban areas, compared to 62 per 1,000 in rural areas.
  • The under-5 mortality rate stood at 86 per 1,000 in urban areas, rising to an average of 117 per 1,000 in rural communities.
  • Stunting affected 20% of children whose mothers had higher education, compared with 35% of children whose mothers had primary education and 44% of those whose mothers had no formal education.

Disparities in Mental Health Treatment

Due to the increasing prevalence of mental health disorders in Eritrea, mental illnesses are among the leading causes of disability, comorbidity and mortality in the country. In 2014, the prevalence rate for common mental disorders was 14.5% and the estimated number of children with intellectual disabilities was between 30,000 and 40,000. However, because adequate mental health workers and services are limited, many mental illnesses and disorders are likely undetected or misdiagnosed.

Nonetheless, several organizations provide essential support to Eritrean refugees. Around 5,000 people flee the country each month to escape hardship and mandatory military service, increasing the need for mental health services in refugee camps. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) launched a mental health program in 2015 in Ethiopia’s Hitsats and Shimelba camps, offering counselling and inpatient and outpatient psychiatric care.

The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) also provides Mental Health and Psychosocial Support through counselling, psychological first aid, referrals and community-based activities that strengthen social connection and resilience.

Expanded Program on Immunization

The World Health Organization (WHO) identified physical barriers as a major challenge to immunization coverage in rural communities. In response, WHO implemented the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) in Eritrea to improve vaccine access, reaching more than 42,000 children and 150,000 mothers. By 2024, the program achieved national immunization coverage rates exceeding 95% for several vaccines.

UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Eritrea

The country program for Eritrea, outlined in the U.N. Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2022-2026, aims to enable more Eritreans to benefit from equitable and inclusive health and social services by 2026. The program outlines some goals for improved health and social services, including:

  • Increase the percentage of births attended by trained personnel from 71% to 85% to reduce preventable maternal deaths. 
  • Reduce the adolescent birth rate for girls aged 15-19 years from 27 per 1,000 to 14 per 1,000.

To achieve these goals, the program implemented several interventions, including:

  • Strengthening the capacity of health workers: Training doctors, nurses, midwives and anesthetists across Eritrea to provide quality emergency obstetric care, post-partum care, family planning, HIV prevention and gender-based violence support.
  • Building health system resilience: Deploying internationally trained obstetricians and gynecologists to remote and underserved areas, supported by technology to improve communication and service delivery nationwide.
  • Increasing access to maternal waiting homes (MWHs): Expanding and improving MWHs, which provide accommodation for pregnant women from remote areas during the final weeks of pregnancy, to enhance safe deliveries and postnatal care.
  • Advocacy: Promoting awareness of preventable maternal deaths and unmet family planning needs to inform government policies, planning and budgeting.
  • Supporting the National Fistula Diagnosis and Treatment Center (NFDTC): Strengthening services for fistula prevention, treatment and rehabilitation to ensure adequate national coverage.
  • Expanding adolescent and youth services: Strengthening and utilizing the existing network of youth-friendly centers to improve access to care.
  • Strengthening HIV prevention services: Enhancing delivery of HIV prevention interventions, particularly for high-risk populations such as female sex workers.
  • Empowering women and young people to use health services: Using community outreach and mobilization to increase uptake of HIV and gender-based violence services.
  • Reinforcing health information systems: Reestablishing and improving health management information systems, including maternal and perinatal death surveillance and response mechanisms.

Additionally, the country program works in collaboration with UNICEF and the WHO to strengthen the distribution and supply chain systems for medicines and medical supplies across Eritrea. This joint initiative aims to address unmet needs in family planning, reduce preventable maternal deaths and combat gender-based violence and harmful practices.

Community-Based Programs

  • Malnutrition Screening and Detection: UNICEF and the Ministry of Health (MoH) work together to train community health volunteers to use mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) tapes to screen for and detect malnutrition in children under 5 and to provide referrals for treatment. These volunteers deliver life-saving interventions to approximately 50,000 acutely malnourished children each year.
  • Bare Foot Doctors Initiative (BFDs): BFDs trained through UNICEF help strengthen community-based service delivery in areas facing geographic barriers to health care. Their deployment has enabled 68,000 women and children to access essential public health services. By 2022, UNICEF had trained a total of 121 community members as BFDs.
  • Community Health Workers (CHWs): CHWs are a key component of community-based child health interventions in the Maekel Region aimed at reducing child mortality. Indeed, CHWs provide case management for pneumonia, malaria and diarrhea, the leading causes of death among children under 5 and lead community education sessions on child health. The MoH provides training and oversees the distribution of medical supplies and medications used by CHWs. The program has improved access to health care services and strengthened relationships between the MoH and local communities across the Maekel Region.

Conclusion

Notable work is being done to improve health care in Eritrea. Trained CHWs and volunteers extend services to areas previously out of reach. Organizations implementing health interventions benefit vulnerable populations and areas, including Eritrean refugees.

Organizations implementing health interventions are reaching vulnerable populations, including Eritrean refugees and helping to close existing care gaps. Together, these initiatives continue to drive progress toward a more equitable health care system in Eritrea.

– Sarah Merrill

Sarah is based in Matthews, NC, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay

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Trained Local Health Professionals in Developing Nations

Trained Local Health ProfessionalsTrained local health professionals are crucial to the lives and well-being of those in developing countries. Yet, many developing countries lack them and are still limited to those trained in Western nations or even merely medical supplies. This contributes to higher rates of disease, poor health, improper care and more within these nations.

However, these issues have shown to decrease in developing nations that have had access to trained local health professionals, marking their importance. Western countries, such as the U.K. and the U.S., must make contributions to the increase in trained local health professionals in developing nations. One way to do so is through health organizations that provide training, such as Health Volunteers Overseas (HVO).

Danielle Stonehirsch, Manager of Communications and Donor Relations at HVO, recently spoke with The Borgen Project to demonstrate the importance of trained local health professionals and answer questions about the concept.

The Importance

The uneven global distribution of health care workers has left many developing nations without enough trained local professionals. This shortage places a heavy burden on public health, resulting in reduced access to treatment and higher rates of illness. While developed nations, such as the U.S. and the U.K., attempt to provide aid to developing countries, much of this support consists solely of medical supplies rather than trained health care professionals.

According to Stonehirsch, this approach is problematic because the absence of skilled professionals can lead to the misuse or complete underuse of donated equipment, ultimately depriving patients of proper care. She cites an internal medical project run by HVO in Nepal, where a physician facilitated the donation of multiple bedside ultrasound machines.

Without proper training, local staff may have been unable to use the equipment effectively. However, the physician, along with other volunteers, established regular in-person visits and ongoing online mentorship to train multiple hospital departments. As a result, local health care workers can now use the machines to save lives and educate students and colleagues on their operation.

Local health professionals hold importance as they understand the patients’ language and culture, which allows for greater trust from patients and enhances the effectiveness of treatment. Hiring local professionals in developing nations may also be economically beneficial, as it creates more job opportunities for those in impoverished areas. Additionally, according to Stonehirsch, trained health care providers who are sent from developed nations (rather than being locally trained) must eventually return to their own country. Once they do so, the areas they were serving no longer receive the much-needed assistance.

How Local Health Professionals Have Benefited Countries in the Past

Trained local health professionals have greatly benefited developing nations in the past. In Honduras, Liberia and Kenya, they were responsible for multiple tasks, including ensuring access to care, improving equity, alleviating disease and more. Twenty-four countries in sub-Saharan Africa, representing 80% of the region, relied on these professionals for risk communication, surveillance and testing.

HVO has worked extensively in regions including Africa, Asia, Latin America, Haiti, St. Lucia and Georgia, building long-term partnerships with hospitals, clinics and universities. Stonehirsch shared with The Borgen Project an example from an HVO hand surgery initiative. In this project, a volunteer met a young surgeon with an interest in hand surgery.

Although the volunteer’s expertise was in pediatrics, she encouraged him to specialize in pediatric hand surgery and trained him alongside several colleagues who formed a dedicated team. He went on to become the first pediatric hand surgeon in his country. HVO volunteers also trained the only hand therapist in Ghana, who is now teaching others across the country.

This illustrates how developing nations can benefit from trained local health professionals. The organization also offers virtual options, including Zoom lectures, mentorship, online resources and more, as well as scholarships to support partners’ travel to other countries. Its volunteers are always available to partners through texting, emailing and calling.

What Can Be Done

Multiple steps are required to ensure an adequate distribution of trained local health professionals in developing nations. This includes collaboration between the United Nations and the World Health Organization to develop policies that support the training of health care workers in these countries, as well as strategies to retain them. As one report notes, this involves “solutions to retain more health care workers, as many seek to migrate to other countries where social and economic conditions are more favorable for work and living.”

It is also important for health programs to recognize this issue and actively contribute to increasing the number of trained local health professionals in developing nations. “More organizations need to invest in long-term, sustainable solutions,” Stonehirsch says. While several organizations, such as HVO, have acknowledged the problem, they often require support from additional partners to expand their impact.

For HVO, increasing training opportunities requires both time and financial resources, making volunteers and donors essential to program growth. The organization currently trains about 3,100 health care providers each year. “I would love to see that number double,” Stonehirsch adds. “Each of those individuals then becomes capable of teaching others.” As more people donate and volunteer, opportunities to strengthen local health care capacity continue to grow.

When asked why some countries require support from organizations like HVO, Stonehirsch explained, “In many low-resource areas, hospitals and clinics are understaffed and providers are working hard to care for many, many patients. That often leaves little to no time to teach and mentor interns, residents and younger colleagues.”

As a result, early-career professionals often leave to practice in other countries rather than returning to their home countries. Expanding local opportunities increases the likelihood that these professionals will stay and contribute to their communities.

– Renata Hirmiz

Renata is based in San Diego, CA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash