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Ethiopian Highland Malaria Exposure

Ethiopian Highland MalariaRising temperatures are changing where malaria is transmitted in Ethiopia. Multiple studies show that as the climate warms, thermal thresholds suitable for malaria shift upward in elevation, increasing risk in places that were previously considered lower risk. This trend is directly relevant to Ethiopian highland malaria exposure.

A landmark analysis of long-term data from the highlands of Ethiopia (and Colombia) found that interannual temperature variability drives upslope movement in malaria incidence, providing clear evidence of altitudinal change. Complementary climate work using Ethiopia’s enhanced national climate dataset (ENACTS) identified statistically significant increases in the elevation of key temperature thresholds linked to transmission suitability, reinforcing concerns about such risks. Ethiopia’s malaria risk has traditionally been determined by altitude and temperature.

Program profiles identify “malaria-free” areas above roughly 2,500 meters—or above 2,000 meters where average annual temperatures stay below about 16 °C, highlighting how climate historically restricted transmission at higher elevations. As those conditions change, the boundary of receptivity can move, with implications for surveillance and response in fringe highland districts.

National Strategy and Health System Planning

Ethiopia’s National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP) operates under a five-year strategic plan (2021–2025). It aims to consolidate gains, further reduce malaria burden and interrupt transmission in selected areas. The plan emphasizes evidence-based stratification, vector control (long-lasting insecticidal nets [LLIN]/Indoor Residual Spraying [IRS]), case management and surveillance, pillars that can be calibrated as malaria exposure changes.

Ethiopia’s recent malaria situation highlights the stakes. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported more than 7.3 million malaria cases and more than 1,100 deaths between January 1 and October 20, 2024, a reminder that national systems must plan for surges and geographic shifts. While these figures are national (not highland specific), they frame the operational urgency for climate-informed malaria control.

Climate-sensitive planning is already embedded in Ethiopian research and practice. Recent analyses link El Niño and other climatic drivers to epidemic risk in Ethiopia and programmatic efforts have piloted integration of climate information with disease surveillance to strengthen early warning and response.

Donor Financing and Policy Frameworks

The Global Fund and Ethiopia have launched three new grants totaling more than $441 million for 2024–2027 to sustain progress against HIV, TB and malaria while strengthening health and community systems. This funding can also support climate-aware targeting, improved surveillance and vector control, aligned with national health priorities. Globally, the Global Fund’s 2023–2028 Strategy and subsequent guidance explicitly encourage integrating climate considerations into malaria programming, including grant reprogramming to address climate-related shifts in risk.

These frameworks offer a pathway for aligning budgets and activities with evolving transmission zones. Partner inputs extend beyond financing. Program profiles from the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) detail Ethiopia’s stratification and intervention mix, a baseline that can be recalibrated if Ethiopian highland malaria risk zones expand.

Compounding Factors: New Vectors and Urbanization

In addition to climate-driven altitudinal shifts, the emergence of Anopheles stephensi, an invasive urban malaria vector, has complicated control in the Horn of Africa. WHO has issued an alert on its spread and peer-reviewed studies from Ethiopia have implicated the vector in outbreaks, underscoring the need for expanded entomological surveillance and tailored control in urban and peri-urban settings.

Actionable Recommendations

  • Continuously update high-elevation risk maps by adopting climate-informed micro-stratification that uses high-resolution temperature data and surveillance information to identify newly receptive highland areas. Reassess historical altitude thresholds (for example, the 1,750–2,000 m guidelines) where warming has increased thermal suitability for malaria transmission.
  • Strengthen climate-informed early warning systems by integrating meteorological drivers (rainfall, temperature anomalies, El Niño) with routine case data for predictive action; deploy tools and workflows documented in Ethiopian pilots and international reviews.
  • Target vector control to shifting zones. Prioritize LLINs/IRS and larval source management in highland districts where suitability has increased; expand entomological surveillance along elevation gradients, including monitoring for Anopheles stephensi in at-risk urban corridors.
  • Use flexible financing to adapt grants by leveraging Global Fund climate and malaria reprogramming guidance. Adjust budgets and activities mid-cycle as risk maps evolve, for example, by increasing procurement of nets and IRS supplies, adding surveillance sites or deploying rapid response teams.
  • Protect equity in access. As highland communities confront new exposure, ensure case management, outreach and supply chains reach newly affected areas to prevent delays in diagnosis and treatment.

Conclusion: Health, Equity and Stability

The evidence is clear that warming can shift malaria suitability to higher elevations, challenging historical assumptions about Ethiopian highland malaria. By aligning national strategy, donor financing and climate-informed surveillance, Ethiopia and its partners could anticipate and respond to highland malaria risk before outbreaks take hold. Doing so is not only a public health imperative but a matter of equity and system resilience in a changing climate.

– Clara Garza

Clara is based in Los Angeles, CA, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Post-Conflict Reforestation in Colombia

How Post-Conflict Reforestation in Colombia is Bringing Reconciliation and Economic Opportunity Deep in the Colombian Amazon, where only recently thick tree canopies concealed guerrilla movements, a different kind of revolution is taking root. The 2016 peace agreement between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) brought a formal end to a decades-long conflict that killed 450,000 people and displaced millions. Yet peace brought an unexpected environmental crisis. In 2017, almost 225,000 hectares were destroyed, accounting for 2.6% of global deforestation for that year, as armed groups and land grabbers moved into areas once exclusively controlled by FARC. These groups cleared forests at an unprecedented pace for cattle ranching and illegal money-making operations.

Furthermore, when displaced communities returned after the peace agreement, many found land scarred by conflict and depleted by unsustainable cultivation. As a response, many have been driven to clear more forest in order to sustain their families through cattle ranching. Cattle ranching remains the single biggest cause of deforestation.

However, former guerrillas currently work alongside conflict victims to plant trees and rebuild their communities. Post-conflict reforestation and agroforestry schemes can simultaneously restore the environment, foster reconciliation and tackle rural poverty, particularly for those returning from displacement. The advancement of this tripartite process is vital for ensuring lasting peace.

From Combatants to Conservationists

At the Communitarian Multiactive Cooperative of the Common (Comuccom), near Puerto Guzmán, 24 former FARC combatants are working toward an ambitious goal: planting 1 million trees across the Colombian Amazon. Duberney López Martínez, who joined FARC at just 13, now leads the effort at 33. He tends to the 250,000 trees ready for planting in their nursery, each one a small act of reparation after decades of conflict.

Beyond post-conflict reforestation, Comuccom leads the Network of Amazonic Communitarian Nurseries, connecting 12 organizations across Colombia’s “Arc of Deforestation.” They regenerate soils exhausted by cattle grazing and coca cultivation, cleanse water sources contaminated by mercury from illegal gold mining and reconstruct ecological corridors for jaguars and endangered bird species. This contributes to food security and socio-economic stability through the creation of new jobs.

Women Leading the Eco-Peace Movement

In Caquetá, women ex-combatants are pioneering their own approach through ASMUPROPAZ (Association of Women Producers of Peace Essences). Founded in 2017, the organization embodies what they call the “Eco-Peace Nexus,” the recognition that healing the land and healing communities are interconnected endeavors that must happen together.

ASMUPROPAZ offers literacy programs, vocational training and technical agricultural skills while implementing sustainable farming, post-conflict reforestation efforts and the production of natural plant-based products. These initiatives create economic independence while addressing deforestation and environmental degradation that threaten the region’s future.

Carolina Aldana, one of ASMUPROPAZ’s youngest members, captures their vision: “Our work shows how caring for the environment can bring people together and create lasting peace. By protecting the land we all depend on, we’re also building a future where former combatants and the community can thrive side by side.”

Addressing the Root Cause

Having acknowledged that unequal land distribution and rural poverty have fueled five decades of war, the Colombian government under new President Gustavo Petro is now prioritizing rural reform. From 2017 to 2024, nearly 3 million hectares were formalized for rural inhabitants who had farmed without legal recognition, while nearly 130,000 hectares were distributed to new beneficiaries. The effects of this turnaround came swiftly. By 2023, Colombia achieved a 36% reduction in deforestation, the lowest level in 23 years.

“Rural reform is clearly moving to the center of efforts to build a more peaceful and prosperous Colombia,” declared Carlos Ruiz Massieu, United Nations  (U.N.) special representative overseeing peace verification. The government’s commitment represents recognition that lasting peace requires addressing the structural economic causes of the country’s conflict.

Research confirms the multiplied benefits. Surveys of 429 farmer households practicing cacao agroforestry in Caquetá and 500 in César found that silvopastoral systems and the reintroduction of native species increased spaces for dialogue and decreased conflicts over natural resources. Furthermore, they have delivered socio-economic stability through job creation and strengthened social cohesion through collaborative land management.

Progress So Far

On a wider scale, reintegration statistics tell an encouraging story. Of the nearly 14,000 former combatants who entered the reintegration process, 85% remain engaged. More remarkably, 10,900 now participate in productive projects that provide income and purpose, while 39% of those laying down their weapons have now received university degrees.

Perhaps the most profound transformation occurs through “Restorative Mingas,” communal task forces pioneered by the Special Jurisdiction for Peace and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). These gatherings bring together conflict victims and former FARC combatants to address specific needs within the community and rebuild community infrastructure together. This demonstrates that reconciliation can be supported by development initiatives that empower communities and unite people around shared goals.

Kristina Lyons, an anthropologist at the University of Pennsylvania who has spent two decades in the region, summarizes: “The ecological restoration of the Amazon has deep significance for healing relations between humans ruptured by the conflict.”

Replicable Lessons for Other Nations

For other post-conflict countries, Colombia offers hard-won lessons. Through grassroots participation and innovative approaches that prioritize dignity, champion women’s leadership and weave together environmental restoration with poverty alleviation, the country demonstrates how former adversaries can forge a shared, sustainable future.

Challenges remain, however. Illicit economies are still in operation and violence continues in some regions, particularly by groups such as the EMC that rejected peace talks and have filled the vacuum of violence left by departing FARC combatants. Continuing dialogue between local communities and the Bogotá government calls for an improved land registration system and government follow-through in its regulation of illegal activities. Yet Colombia shows that trees planted with intention can become instruments of peace and pathways out of poverty.

– Caroline Sheehan

Caroline is based in Edinburgh, Scotland and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How Reusable Diapers Are Fighting Poverty, Waste & Inequality

Reusable DiapersThroughout West Africa, the lack of essential hygiene items, such as sanitary pads and diapers, has significantly impacted the lives of millions. One in 10 girls in Sub-Saharan Africa skips school during their periods; obstetric fistula isolates thousands of women each year and with 300,000 disposable diapers thrown away every minute worldwide, the waste crisis in these regions is poorly equipped to curb such environmental impacts.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) aims to transform this landscape by launching three regional factories to produce reusable sanitary diapers and pads. This, in turn, will boost employment in local communities and directly address issues of inequality, poverty and environmental degradation.

The Issue at Hand: A Silent Crisis

Across West Africa, 401.9 million people currently face health and education challenges and 60% of them are young people. Obstetric fistula affects a vast number of women as well, where social exclusion risks coming as a result. Furthermore, the lack of sanitary products in schools contributes to school dropouts among girls and the elderly struggle with a lack of products to help manage urinary leaks.

What ECOWAS is bringing to the table is an opportunity to address these gaps by integrating education, health and socioeconomic issues in a way that promotes human development in the region. It also offers a pathway to tackle the current global waste crisis. “This isn’t just about hygiene-it’s about dignity, economic inclusion and breaking cycles of poverty,” as stated by an ECOWAS commissioner during a signing ceremony.

Governments, together with private entities, can ensure civilians receive safe sanitary products by reinforcing product standards and increasing supply. This approach helps restore both dignity and the market for these products.

ECOWAS Reusable Diaper and Pads Initiative

In 2024, the ECOWAS Commission, through its Gender Development Center (CCDG) initiative, launched this project to establish three factories for producing reusable sanitary pads and diapers. The goal is to meet the needs of teenage girls, fistula survivors and older people, advancing both gender equality and human development.

By initiating this project, ECOWAS objectives centered on decreasing the rates of school dropout, enhancing reproductive health for fistula victims by producing affordable sanitary items and providing them with economic independence by creating jobs.

The management of these factories was entrusted to the States. However, it has a multi-stakeholder Board of Directors, including ECOWAS, partners and ministries, which oversee its training, implementation and advocacy.

Countries in the Spotlight

Within West Africa, several countries have positively responded to this initiative, including Sierra Leone, Togo and Liberia.

  • Sierra Leone: With the approval of the Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Dr. Isata Mahoi and in partnership with ECOWAS, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the government and ECOWAS to implement the project at both local and national levels. The plan also includes producing underwear for young people, with additional funds allocated for this purpose.
  • Liberia: The ECOWAS Commission, with funding of $40,000 from the West African Health Organization (WAHO), launched the reusable sanitary pads project in Liberia. It aims to improve the lives of 10,000 girls in Grand Bassa, Margibi and Montserrado counties. The initiative also includes promoting awareness of sexual and reproductive health among young girls.
  • Togo: The project was also launched in this country, with funds directed toward its fistula program and support for both survivors and young girls who struggle to access hygiene products during their periods. To boost production, 100 seamstresses were trained and 5,000 reusable sanitary pad kits were distributed across 12 schools in Togo. This initiative helped establish a sustainable production model that supports employment and women’s empowerment.

The Bigger Impact

Using reusable pads and diapers offers a major environmental advantage, especially since disposable versions are among the biggest global contributors to plastic waste. More than 300,000 diapers are thrown away every minute, ending up in landfills and polluting the environment and oceans. This issue is even more serious given how difficult they are to recycle, often taking years to break down. By promoting a circular diaper and pad industry, this initiative could prevent 38 million tonnes of waste each year.

What ECOWAS proposed and initiated was far beyond just hygiene; it is about dignity, breaking cycles of poverty within West Africa and socioeconomic inclusion.

– Liz Mendes

Liz is based in Vancouver, Canada and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Clean-Air Schools in Cairo Offer Hope for Low-Income Children

Clean-Air SchoolsIn Egypt’s crowded capital, children living in low-income neighborhoods face an invisible threat every day: air pollution. According to the World Bank, Cairo ranks among the world’s most polluted cities, with vehicle emissions, industrial pollution and desert dust contributing to hazardous air quality that disproportionately harms vulnerable communities. Children from impoverished districts, where schools sit near congested roadways and factories, face an elevated risk of developing asthma and other respiratory illnesses.

The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that children breathe faster than adults and are more vulnerable to fine particulate matter, which can become trapped in developing lungs.

Pollution and Poverty Reinforce Each Other

Across Cairo, environmental health and economic inequality are closely linked. According to UNICEF, children in low-income communities experience higher exposure to environmental hazards and have less access to quality health care. For many families, chronic respiratory illness creates additional financial hardship, including missed school days, lost wages for parents caring for sick children and recurring medical costs.

The Egyptian Ministry of Health reports that asthma is among the most common chronic illnesses affecting Egyptian children, with higher prevalence in densely populated urban areas.

Clean-Air Schools Take Root

To address this challenge, NGOs and parent-led coalitions have begun implementing “clean-air schools” initiatives in the most polluted districts of Cairo. These programs equip classrooms with portable air purifiers, increase natural ventilation and plant trees and shrubs around school grounds to trap airborne pollutants. Environmental groups, such as Greenish, a Cairo-based nonprofit, partner with schools to “provide workshops focused on environmental awareness.”

According to the American University in Cairo’s Center for Applied Research on the Environment, urban greening has been shown to lower particulate matter levels, improving both air quality and student well-being.

Health and Education Benefits

Cleaner indoor air is more than a health measure; it is a tool for improving educational outcomes. Research cited by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) indicates that air purifiers in schools can reduce respiratory symptoms and absenteeism, two key factors that hinder academic performance in children with asthma. In Cairo’s low-income areas, where asthma-related absences can lead to learning delays and higher dropout rates, clean-air classrooms provide an opportunity to break the cycle of disadvantage.

Government Policies and Future Expansion

National efforts reinforce local programs. Under the National Air Pollution Reduction Plan, Egypt aims to reduce particulate pollution by 50% by 2030, supported by upgrades to public transportation, stricter emissions monitoring and urban greening projects. Egypt’s National Climate Strategy 2050 also includes expanding electric buses and increasing green spaces in urban centers, measures expected to improve air quality in commuting corridors near schools.

A Breath of Relief for Cairo’s Youngest Learners

While systemic improvements will take time, clean-air schools in Cairo are already beginning to reduce asthma symptoms and improve student well-being in participating districts. For families in Cairo’s most impoverished communities, where health and education resources are limited, these small interventions can mean the difference between chronic illness and opportunity. As Egypt invests in cleaner transportation and environmental protection, community-driven school programs ensure that the most vulnerable children benefit today, helping them breathe more easily, learn better and envision a healthier future.

– Katie Williams

Katie is based in England, UK and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Tackling Geographical Poverty in Nepal

Tackling Geographical Poverty in Nepal Nepal, a landlocked country nestled in the Himalayan mountains, is one of the poorest countries in South Asia. In 2022, the national poverty rate stood at 20.3%. While this is a significant improvement from 68% in 1996, social and regional disparities mean that rural communities across Nepal experience a slower decline or even an increase in poverty compared to urban centers. As of 2024, more than 77% of Nepalis live in rural areas, making poverty alleviation an urgent and ongoing challenge.

One key factor behind Nepal’s enduring poverty is its geography. The country’s mountainous terrain, landlocked position and susceptibility to frequent earthquakes all make infrastructure development and economic growth difficult. This article explores how geographical barriers contribute to poverty in Nepal and highlights efforts underway to overcome them.

Inaccessible and Deadly Terrain

Nepal’s rugged mountains, steep hills and deep valleys make building and maintaining infrastructure, such as roads and electricity, challenging, particularly in remote regions. Heavy monsoon rains, floods and landslides frequently damage roads and homes, leaving many areas isolated for long periods. Many rural communities lack the financial resources to repair these damages. By 2012, more than half of Nepal’s roads built over the previous 15 years had become unusable due to poor maintenance.

Limited infrastructure also affects digital access. In 2022, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported that only 3% of Nepali youth had access to computers and the internet, largely because of inadequate connectivity. This severely limits online education and remote work opportunities, particularly when travel becomes difficult or dangerous.

As a result, access to basic goods, employment opportunities and education is often time-consuming, costly, hazardous and unreliable. In Nepal, at least 90% of passenger and freight movement is done by road, which imposes heavy burdens on the poor and hinders long-term economic growth in rural areas. 

Paving New Roads: The Rural Access Program Nepal

Between 2017 and 2023, the Rural Access Programme Nepal built more than 1,100 kilometres of road and improved access to markets, health and education facilities for more than 2.75 million people in rural areas. Beyond building and maintaining roads, the project trained more than 40,000 people in new income-generating skills and created at least 19 million days of employment, 40% of which were women. 

This program marks a crucial step toward enchanting mobility, promoting gender inclusion, and reducing poverty in Nepal. The program is set to continue through 2025, further expanding its impact on rural connectivity and livelihoods. 

Expanding Digital Connectivity

In early 2025, FC, Standard Chartered Bank Nepal Limited, and WorldLink Communications Ltd. partnered on a $29 million project to expand Nepal’s fiber networks and develop innovative, environmentally sustainable data centers. The initiative aims to bridge Nepal’s digital divide and promote inclusive economic and educational development.

WorldLink, Nepal’s leading internet provider, has already built a nationwide fiber network spanning more than 7,500 locations, including remote and underserved areas. Improved internet access has opened new avenues for education, job creation and entrepreneurship, and has helped to reduce regional disparities and support long-term economic growth.

Barriers to Trade

Nepal is landlocked between China and India, with no direct access to the sea. As a result, the country relies heavily on India for most of its international trade, making imports and exports both costly and time-consuming. Historically, the country has also experienced several trade disruptions and blockades along its border with India, which have further contributed to persistent poverty in Nepal.

Railways for Connection

Despite these challenges, Nepal has significant potential to boost trade and development by enhancing cross-border connectivity with its powerful and wealthy neighbors, China and India. Proposed railway projects linking Kathmandu with Keyrong (China) and Birgunj (India) will enhance trade, diversify the economy, reduce reliance on remittances and create jobs for millions of Nepalis. Moreover, by designing these railways to be sustainable and climate-resilient, Nepal could attract investment from global institutions such as the World Bank and the United Nations (U.N.) to fund these projects.

Destructive and Deadly Earthquakes

Nepal sits on the active boundary between the massive Indo-Australian and Asian tectonic plates. The ongoing collision of these massive plates causes frequent and powerful earthquakes, which destroy homes and infrastructure and injure thousands of people. These disasters are extremely costly and hinder stable economic growth, particularly in rural areas where resources for recovery are limited.

Seismic Resilient Infrastructure

Projects like the SAFER Project are working to develop earthquake-resilient infrastructure that increases human safety and reduces damage from seismic activity. The SAFER Project specifically aims to improve the seismic safety and resilience of schools and community buildings in Nepal through collaborations with rural communities, international researchers, developers, nonprofits and the Nepali government. 

Techniques like base isolation, which decouple buildings from the ground, help structures remain stable during earthquakes by allowing the ground to move independently. SAFER also uses affordable, locally available materials like stone instead of costly concrete to make earthquake-resistant construction more achievable for rural communities. 

By protecting schools and public facilities, initiatives like SAFER can help maintain school attendance and job security for teachers following natural disasters, supporting long-term community stability and development.

Overcoming Geographical Poverty in Nepal

From its rugged terrain and isolation to its landlocked trade barriers and seismic risks, Nepal’s geography poses numerous formidable challenges when it comes to poverty alleviation. Yet, the nation’s ongoing investments in infrastructure, connectivity and resilience offer hope to both Nepalis and other countries facing similar issues.

– Dylan Kretchmar

Dylan is based in Granville, OH USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Zero Day Droughts

Zero Day DroughtsAcross the entire world, millions of people are approaching a point known as Day Zero. This is the specific moment when a region or city runs out of water and taps go dry, crops wither and livelihoods collapse. Day Zero droughts are more than just environmental disasters; they are also drivers of poverty and hunger and they are reshaping lives across many countries, including Somalia, Yemen and Haiti.

Water scarcity is something that has many different, far-reaching effects. Without water, livestock die, agriculture fails and food prices soar. In many vulnerable regions that are currently battling conflict and poverty, a Day Zero event can quickly become a full-blown humanitarian crisis. In Somalia, currently, less than 30% of the Somali population has access to clean water. This means that many rural Somali households have to rely on expensive and unsustainable means to access clean, usable water.

The Link Between Poverty and Water

Somalia has had five consecutive failed rainy seasons, which have all but devastated pastures and farmlands. As crops start to fail and animals start to die, many communities lose their primary sources of income and food and families are forced to migrate in search of the most important things they need to survive: food and water. Many families are forced to end up in overcrowded displacement camps and have little access to sustainable agriculture or drinking water, which causes hunger to spread and poverty to deepen.

In Yemen, which is one of the most water-scarce countries in the entire world, the ongoing conflict has completely damaged its water infrastructure. More than 90% of the available water resources are used for agriculture; inefficiencies or depletion of groundwater can threaten not only crops but also rural communities’ survival. Many households in the country often rely on trucked-in water, which can be expensive and consume much of their income. This leaves many families unable to afford enough food as the decline in agriculture drives up the prices of food across the entire country.

In Haiti, a combination of hurricanes and droughts has destroyed much of the country’s farmland and disrupted its rural livelihoods entirely. Many farmers struggle to even irrigate their crops, which leads to widespread hunger and crop failure. As the cycle of drought and disaster repeats, it keeps many rural communities unable to recover between crises and trapped in poverty.

The Global Impact of Day Zero Droughts

Day Zero droughts don’t just mean empty taps, but they also mean empty plates. When water disappears and food production drops, farming collapses and hunger also increases. As the effects of climate instability accelerate, Day Zero droughts are becoming more frequent and severe, increasingly threatening global food security as well.

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization. It works to save lives in emergencies and uses food assistance to build a pathway to stability, peace and prosperity for individuals recovering from conflict, disasters and climate-related disasters. This organization has a presence in more than 120 countries and works tirelessly to bring life-saving resources to people in need.

According to the WFP, 319 million people are acutely hungry and famine looms for 1.9 million worldwide. It also reports that climate extremes are a key driver of food insecurity and that the climate crisis is exacerbating hunger for many people in need.

Innovative Solutions Bringing Hope

Despite this severe crisis, many communities are working to implement innovative solutions that can combine sustainable agriculture, clean water access and community-led, local governance. In Somalia, the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are currently collaborating on a project to help provide sustainable water access for drought-affected communities. The project promises to help more than 120,000 people by harnessing solar energy.

This project aims to strengthen local water governance, ensuring that local communities have access to sustainable sources of water. Additionally, the World Bank’s Somalia Urban Resilience Project Phase II is designed to strengthen urban resilience in Somalia. It aims to rebuild infrastructure, improve water supply and support displaced and drought-affected families.

In Yemen, the UNDP’s Integrated Water Resources Management to Enhance Resilience of Agriculture and Food Security Project (IWRM-ERA) is working to strengthen the country’s food security and agricultural resilience. It does so by ensuring efficient, equitable and sustainable water resource management. The UNDP is also trying to build community wells, improve water harvesting and protect farmland from disastrous floods.

In Haiti, the World Bank approved an $80 million grant to improve rural access to decentralized, sustainable and resilient water and sanitation services. The funding will also expand access to resilient and sustainable water systems across rural communities. Additionally, the Green Climate Fund (GCF) is supporting the Trois-Rivieres region with a project that combines sustainable agriculture, flood control and better governance for water and land management.

How US Aid Can Help

The U.S. can play a pivotal role in helping prevent future droughts. By supporting sustainable water infrastructure, climate adaptation and drought resilience through international aid, the U.S. can make a lasting difference. U.S. funding for projects like drought-resistant crops, irrigation systems and water governance has the potential to not only save lives but also strengthen global food security.

Additionally, these investments have the potential to create stable, self-sufficient communities that can be better equipped to face the challenges at hand.

– Madyn Lewis

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

Photo: Unsplash

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Restoring Guatemala’s Motagua River and Communities

Guatemala’s Motagua RiverFor a large percentage of rural Guatemalans, rivers function as important lifelines that provide water for drinking, cooking and agriculture. Yet decades of neglect and poor waste management have turned rivers like the Motagua, Guatemala’s largest watercourse, into polluted landfills and made them breeding grounds for disease. To address the problem, a mix of private, governmental and grassroots organizations has banded together to begin restoring Guatemala’s Motagua River and communities.

The Motagua River’s Importance

Communities settled along the banks of the Motagua River are among the most vulnerable in Guatemala, where 56% of country at large is already living in poverty. Many rural and indigenous families depend on the river for daily survival despite its contamination by plastic waste and untreated sewage.

Because of underdeveloped infrastructure, they do not have another choice: 40% of Guatemalans lack access to running water and basic plumbing inside their homes, forced to rely on rivers, wells or rainwater, which is why, in the interim, successfully restoring Guatemala’s Motagua River and communities is crucial.

The Cost of Polluted Waters

The Motagua River carries almost 20,000 tons of solid waste annually as it passes through nearly 100 municipalities before emptying into the Caribbean Sea. For the impoverished communities relying on it as a daily water source, this poses a serious health risk.

Contaminated water spreads illnesses and diseases like diarrhea and hepatitis, particularly affecting children and the elderly. Costs linked to treating these maladies exacerbate existing poverty conditions and reduce quality of life.

Pollution also damages economic livelihoods. Motagua River fish populations have plummeted and farmers relying on river water for irrigation risk crop contamination or die-off. With few resources and limited state support, entire communities face food insecurity and economic instability.

Cleanup and Restoration Efforts

Multi-partnership cleanup initiatives have begun to address the growing crisis. Nonprofit organizations like The Ocean Cleanup, in partnership with Kia and Guatemala’s Ministry of Environment, have deployed interception systems in the Motagua River to catch plastic before it reaches the Caribbean Sea, improving the health of the river, the lives of the riverfront residents and raising awareness of the link between responsible disposal practices and health.

Grassroots groups are also mobilizing. The Alliance for the Motagua River brings together NGOs such as the Ocean Legacy Foundation, community leaders and local governments under an “EPIC” strategy: Education, Policy, Infrastructure and Cleanup, to usher in lasting change. This community-driven approach galvanizes local communities to improve their surroundings, and therefore their food and water security.

These cleanup initiatives dedicated to restoring Guatemala’s Motagua River and communities recognize the link between environmental and economic health. Safe water improves food security and supports agriculture, while the replenishment of fish stocks, in addition to sustenance, provides economic improvement. The World Bank states that healthy watercourses are vital to sustainable development and resilient local economies, paving the way for poverty reduction.

Restoration and Renewal

Restoring Guatemala’s Motagua River and communities is both an environmental and humanitarian mission rolled into one. Access to clean water forms the basis of health, education and livelihood, especially for Guatemala’s indigenous and rural communities. Realizing the goal of a clean river is one more step toward humanitarian and economic stability.

The Motagua River’s restoration shows that collaboration between communities, governments and global partners can lead to lasting impact. As Guatemala moves toward a sustainable water future, its riverbanks may once again become places of life, resilience and renewal, giving it the stable bedrock necessary to focus on expanding water infrastructure and lifting its riverfront communities permanently out of poverty.

– Nikola Stojkovic

Nikola is based in Villa Park, IL, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Changing Climate and Poverty in Fiji

Poverty in FijiFiji, long celebrated as a South Pacific paradise, now faces the growing threat of changing weather patterns, a crisis that endangers both its land and its citizens. With more than 75% of the population living along the coast and about half living below the national poverty line, many Fijians cannot afford the home adaptations or relocations needed to ensure their safety. This leaves impoverished communities especially vulnerable. 

Cyclone Winston: A Devastating Wake-Up Call

In 2016, Cyclone Winston, the most powerful cyclone ever recorded in the Southern Hemisphere, destroyed much of Fiji overnight. The storm claimed 44 lives, critically injured hundreds, and damaged 88 of the country’s 124 health facilities. With estimated economic losses of $1.3 billion, thousands were left homeless. As of 2025, many communities are still rebuilding homes, infrastructure and livelihoods.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicts that damage caused by rising sea levels could cost Fiji an average of 1.8% of its GDP annually between 2020 and 2050. For many already living in poverty in Fiji, the economic efforts required for recovery remain a persistent challenge as these events become increasingly frequent.

The Borgen Project spoke with Grace Chang, the Fiji Partnership Manager at ThinkPacific, a social enterprise that collaborates with local partners to develop community initiatives. Chang said, “Many affected communities are still rebuilding infrastructure, homes and livelihoods. Cyclone Winston highlights the need for stronger disaster preparedness and resilience in vulnerable areas, which continues to shape recovery and support programs.”

Humanitarian Initiatives

The Fijian government and international organizations are working to address poverty while strengthening communities’ resilience to the changing climate. Cash transfer systems, anticipatory frameworks and mental health services have been established to help the nation’s poorest citizens recover from and prepare for future challenges.

To help vulnerable populations weather economic shocks after natural disasters, the Fijian government, alongside the International Finance Corporation (IFC), has begun piloting the parametric insurance program. This program is designed to ensure that low-income households in Fiji can afford to cover the costs of any damage caused during extreme weather events. The aim is for registered households to receive a cash payout directly to their bank accounts immediately after the disaster strikes so they can rebuild and recover swiftly from any damages. This rapid payout system ensures funds are readily available post-destruction, allowing for timely recovery.

Anticipatory Action Framework

In November 2023, the Fijian government, in partnership with the United Nations, introduced the Anticipatory Action Framework for Tropical Cyclones, relying on meteorological forecasts to predict a cyclone’s impact on vulnerable communities. A “trigger” mechanism has been designed to release pre-arranged funding, which will be made available promptly to humanitarian actors to ensure those most affected can access the resources they need.

When activated, the framework’s pre-planned interventions include:

  • Distributing safe shelter kits
  • Providing boat-strengthening kits to fishing communities
  • Pre-positioning educational materials for schools
  • Distributing food and cash to families facing impending storms

By acting before a storm strikes, the Anticipatory Action Framework ensures that vulnerable communities are not just responding to disaster but are protected and empowered to withstand it.

The Importance of Mental Health

Humanitarian aid organizations have also recognized that the physical rebuilding of Fiji must go hand in hand with emotional recovery, especially for those living in poverty who are least able to absorb the shocks of climate disasters. Cyclones devastate homes and livelihoods, leaving communities even more economically vulnerable than before.

Chang again stated, “The increasing frequency and severity of climate events have caused stress, anxiety and trauma, particularly for those who have lost homes, land or family members. Many community members face ongoing uncertainty about future disasters.”

For the poorest families, these stresses are compounded by financial insecurity. Lost crops, damaged fishing equipment and destroyed homes often mean they struggle to rebuild their lives. In response, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) such as Empower Pacific have been providing trauma counseling and psychological first aid to those who cannot afford private care. The Fiji Red Cross has also expanded its mental health and psychosocial support programs, emphasizing that true recovery must address both physical damage and emotional well-being.

A Beacon of Resilience and Hope

Despite all the devastation, there is hope for this island nation. Fiji shows that even in the face of incredible destruction, hope persists. The changing climate remains a growing threat, but with the support of humanitarian organizations and government efforts, it is never too late to help those living in poverty in Fiji.

– Niamh Trinder

Niamh is based in Leicester, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Renewable Energy in Benin

Renewable Energy in BeninBenin, a small West African country, is making significant strides towards a sustainable, energy-secure future. With only 57% of its population currently having access to electricity, Benin ranks low in energy consumption among African nations. The country is at a critical point in its energy development and transition; strategies implemented now will determine whether the country can progress sustainably and guarantee nearly half of its citizens a way out of energy poverty. Fortunately, Benin has demonstrated considerable progress and commitment to utilizing renewable energy resources, particularly through solar power.

A National Investment in Solar Power

Renewable energy in Benin is rapidly expanding with the government aiming to increase its share of renewables in the energy mix to 31% by 2030 and achieve 100% energy independence by 2050. Currently, much of the population’s energy is imported from neighboring nations such as Ghana and Nigeria in the form of fossil fuels. As these imports become more of a cost burden, the government is investing in locally generated energy sources. Benin’s recently enacted National Renewable Energy Development Policy (PONADER) supports various projects and strategies aimed at increasing energy security through renewable resources and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. This includes new investments in the private solar energy sector with Axian Energy and Sika Capital currently developing four large-scale solar power plants. These plants will fuel Benin’s centralized power grid; as a result, project developers expect 50,000 urban households to gain access to decarbonized power.

Electrifying Rural Areas

Rural populations often face numerous challenges that keep them in a cycle of impoverishment. However, energy security addresses many of these issues. Initiatives to increase energy access help communities build capacity by powering schools, health facilities, homes and businesses. In turn, this positively impacts educational, health and economic outcomes, all important determinants of poverty.

Bringing decentralized energy to Benin’s underserved rural areas, where only 17.4% of the population has access to electricity, has become a main focus in local government policy. Grid extensions and importing energy sources remain expensive, making local energy production more economically viable. Renewable energy in Benin expands further on the potential of solar power with the government establishing the Africa Minigrids Program. Implemented in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility, this program aims to bring clean energy to communities not connected to the central power grid using solar mini-grids. Such a program will help reduce existing energy inequalities in Benin, with current large disparities between urban and rural populations.

This program reinforces the work that private solar energy providers are already doing in rural Benin. The company ENGIE Energy Access, in partnership with the Beninese government, implemented Benin’s first solar mini-grid in 2024 and is in the process of building several more across the country. This project is anticipated to bring electricity to 30,000 people living in rural areas. ENGIE is also one of the main providers of in-home solar systems in West Africa, providing households with affordable and reliable access to electricity. Without this resource, people are currently depending on biomass to power their homes, a technique that is inefficient and produces pollutants.

Job Creation

Job creation and reducing underemployment will play a large role in poverty reduction in Benin. The World Bank found that in 2022, 72% of Benin’s workforce struggled with underemployment, while 90.1% worked jobs in the informal economy. Those who work in the informal sector or have inconsistent employment often see lower wages at irregular intervals, making job security difficult to achieve. These factors contribute to monetary poverty and a lack of access to basic necessities, highlighting a need for increased job opportunities. 

Energy access is highly associated with economic growth and prosperity, empowering individuals to start businesses, diversify incomes and increase productivity. While electricity access enables individuals to engage in new income-generating activities, they will also be able to build upon existing ones. In developing countries like Benin, many rely on subsistence agriculture as a main source of income and to meet personal needs. With improved energy security, Benin’s farmers and the agricultural sector will benefit from more efficient farming practices.

Solar Electric Light Fund

Many communities are already seeing these benefits, with the nonprofit Solar Electric Light Fund establishing solar gardens across 10 villages in rural Benin. These gardens use solar power to operate water pumps and drip irrigation, making food production possible even during the long dry seasons. With a reliable harvest, these farmers generate consistent incomes and increase food security, contributing to their well-being and that of their families and communities.

An Increase in Green Jobs

There is also a rapidly growing demand for green jobs in Benin, as well as for the rest of Africa. These demands are beginning to be met in Benin through newly emerging programs that provide training and mentorship in renewable energy fields. Operating under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and financed by the World Bank, the Regional Off-Grid Electricity Access Project (ROGEAP) is facilitating the growth of small-scale solar energy businesses and entrepreneurs in West Africa. Participants receive training in solar PV installation, maintenance and technology development, equipping them with the technical skills necessary to join the formal solar energy workforce. They are also trained in financial management and business strategies, helping them create startups and contribute to ongoing solar projects. ROGEAP also focuses on supporting youth and women-led enterprises, addressing gender inequality in the region.

A Future To Look Forward to in Benin

Renewable energy in Benin offers hope for its populations still living in energy poverty. Indeed, through the implementation of programs designed to increase energy security and strategic partnerships between the Beninese government and private solar power providers, the future for Benin’s energy sector looks bright. Building upon the capabilities of solar power will aid in the country’s prospective transition to energy independence and reduction of fossil fuel use. 

– Quinlan Bohannon

Quinlan is based in Portland, OR, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Rebuilding the Sahel

Rebuilding the SahelThe goal of rebuilding the Sahel has been made tougher by environmental crises and social upheaval, but it remains an important goal. The Sahel Humanitarian Assistance and Protection Program (SHAPP) was launched in 2021 to rebuild the Sahel region of Africa and protect its most vulnerable people. The program aims to invest $303 million of U.K. aid, over seven years, in the countries of Mali, Niger, Chad, Mauritania and Burkina Faso, which together form the Sahel region of Northern Africa.

Emphasis was placed on rebuilding the Sahel by concentrating aid efforts on areas where human rights violations were exacerbating pre-existing malnutrition crises, caused by an unstable climate and agricultural sector. The U.K.’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is the government department responsible for running the SHAPP. It has identified: child protection, aiding survivors of gender-based violence and providing sanitary food and drinking water, as the three most cost-effective areas for aid projects to focus on. SHAPP has had to work alongside other ongoing aid projects in these areas.

Issues in the Sahel

The Sahel region is a savannah area directly south of the Sahara Desert. This makes it vulnerable to climatic swings, with the region having experienced a range of droughts throughout the last century. This, combined with the landlocked status of Chad, Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, has slowed the Sahel’s development relative to its North and East African counterparts.

These pre-existing issues have been worsened by a succession of jihadist insurgencies in the region over the last 10 years. Additionally, all four of the Sahel’s landlocked countries have experienced military coups between 2020 and 2023.

The 2024 Global Humanitarian Review estimated that one in five people living in the Sahel were in need of humanitarian aid, a total of roughly 17 million people. It is believed these issues have disproportionately impacted women and girls, with many families choosing to pull their daughters out of school during times of financial hardship.

The Sahel Child Project

Founded in 2013, the Sahel Child Project aims to rebuild the Sahel by providing health care and education for children across the region, as well as emergency assistance during times of crisis. The project also aims to enforce the U.N. Declaration of the Rights of the Child, which is often neglected by the Sahel’s military regimes. This often involves educating children displaced by conflict and providing them with basic food and health care.

In these activities, SHAPP often provides financial and logistical support to the project. The two organizations also often collaborate when finding new homes for children who have lost their families to conflict or have been separated from them when searching for a safe house.

Gender Equality in the Sahel

The U.K. was one of nine countries to bring a joint statement to the U.N. in August 2025, setting out its aims for reducing gender-based violence in the Sahel. The statement recommends that at least 15% of the U.N.’s spending on the Prevention of Violent Extremism be devoted to advancing gender equality.

SHAPP has also worked with the Alliance Sahel platform, which coordinates international donations aimed at rebuilding the Sahel, to publicize the stories of victims of gender-based violence.

The African Development Bank has also committed to producing a gender equality index for its member countries. This has been done to incentivize governments to improve their country’s score, to appear more attractive to potential trading partners and to receive more favourable terms when borrowing money.

Water Provision

The economy of the Sahel region relies on agriculture to support its population. This means that schemes rebuilding the Sahel need to consider the Sahel’s dependence on its water supply, which can fluctuate dramatically due to climatic shifts. The World Bank, via the International Development Association (IDA), has invested more than $170 million in the Sahel Irrigation Initiative Support Project.

This scheme aims to allow local farmers to harness the excess water available during high rainfall, better protecting their produce from drought. The scheme was estimated to have directly benefited more than 150,000 people between its launch in May 2017 and April 2024. This effort is helping strengthen the Sahel’s economic independence.

The Future of the Sahel

Political instability can seriously hamper a nation’s development and risk plunging many citizens into poverty. This does not, however, prevent international aid from being used effectively or prevent international cooperation from overcoming a region’s geographical barriers to development. The Sahel can begin to rebuild its economy for the good of its citizens, but only with the necessary international support.

– Billy Stack

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

Photo: Flickr