Archive for category: Foreign Aid

Foreign aid coverage and information.

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Italy’s Fight Against Global Poverty

Italy's Fight Against Global PovertyItaly is often overlooked as a key country in efforts to reduce global poverty. However, its approach to poverty reduction is quietly strategic, focusing on development funding, grassroots food programs and humanitarian relief. This allows Italy to be projected as a key contributor in the fight against poverty.

Food Security

As home to the U.N. agencies dedicated to global food security, Rome serves as a strategic hub for Italy’s fight against poverty and hunger. The city hosts three key institutions: the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

Italy’s long-standing partnership with these agencies has enabled it to remain a consistent donor. Italy has contributed significantly to the FAO trust fund and an additional $703 million to IFAD. These contributions have supported more than 220 initiatives worldwide, including agricultural development programs, crisis-response efforts and projects that promote gender equality in rural communities.

Humanitarian Relief

Italy’s fight against poverty has begun to expand, with the nation supporting agencies like the WFP’s emergency operations overseas. This has been particularly evident in places like Sudan, where the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) has contributed more than $7 million. This donation can impact nearly 200,000 lives, significantly reducing malnutrition among young children and pregnant women.

However, Italy does not stop there; its determination to aid Niger’s increasing instability is irrefutable. Italian aid has focused on stabilizing communities affected by political unrest. For instance, the Initiatives for Enterprise Development (IDEE) Project takes pride in promoting youth entrepreneurship, providing support to vulnerable groups and offering economic alternatives to migration.

Additionally, Italy plays a key role in supporting refugees. It funds integration programs, provides legal aid and offers shelter for asylum seekers. Italy has contributed more than $50 million to the U.N. Refugee Agency, supporting labor mobility schemes that help migrants escape poverty.

Italy’s Fight Against Global Poverty

Leveraging agencies such as AICS, Italy’s anti-poverty efforts support projects across Africa, Latin America and the Middle East, with a focus on education, gender equality and employment opportunities. Italy’s roughly $4.9 billion commitment to the Italian Climate Fund has already financed eight projects worldwide, with an additional 22 under review. These initiatives aim to advance sustainable development and strengthen Italy’s global partnerships.

With Africa as a central focus, Italy’s government has begun to launch initiatives to strengthen economic partnerships, aiming to address structural drivers of poverty. For instance, in 2023, Italy pledged more than $3 billion to support development programs in Africa, with a particular emphasis on education and training, health and energy.

Italy’s strategy for global poverty reduction relies on sustained, multi-layered engagement. By consistently investing in international aid, tackling food insecurity and placing humanitarian response at the core of its efforts, Italy demonstrates that impact is not defined by a nation’s size but by its commitment and compassion.

– Megan Burrows

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

Photo: Pexels

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Importance of Development Aid: PCPM

PCPMAkkar Governorate in northern Lebanon is one of the most impoverished in the country. For more than 10 years, the region has been a humanitarian zone for the Polish Center for International Aid (PCPM). Poland and Lebanon have maintained diplomatic and economic relations since 1944. Lebanon is a designated priority country for Polish foreign aid. PCPM is the largest aid organization present in the state.

Initiating a Sustainable Change

With the employment rate at only 8.2%, most of the locals in the Akkar region rely on the agriculture and food production sector as a primary source of sustenance and income. The highly diverse landscape provides fertile soil and abundant water sources. At the same time, underdeveloped infrastructure, lack of electricity and unreliable water supply framework pose a significant danger to farmers.

The PCPM aims to address these challenges to ensure self-sufficient solutions. The organization provides not only humanitarian relief but also focuses on development. One of the most important PCPM projects in Akkar is the development of irrigation systems. The benefits of it are threefold: a safe and controlled water source for fields and orchards, the reuse of sewage treatment by-products and the prevention of cholera outbreaks.

Irrigation channels direct the water from the mountains, making it “free” by using gravity and a metal gate to regulate flow, preventing flooding. The channel system in the region is now 10 kilometers long. Less still water on the fields protects not only crops but also the health of the residents. It minimizes cholera outbreaks, especially with a safe drinking water source. The team also modernized local water treatment plants with solar panels to ensure uninterrupted operation during power outages.

The Polish zone in Lebanon provided solar panels for the most important public institutions. It renovated key roads through the region with solar-powered lighting and safety signals. The use of natural resources makes the changes sustainable and self-sufficient.

Why Development Aid Is a Key to Stability

The help within the Polish humanitarian zone in Lebanon starts with analyzing the areas of focus and the scope of the projects. The key to the provided aid is development. It ensures stable progress and self-sufficiency by influencing three crucial aspects: economic and employment growth, better overall quality of life and crisis response.

Development aid means investment in infrastructure, support for locally-owned businesses, investment opportunities and a boost for regional opportunities for growth. Akkar, with its nature and agriculture, has a great potential for expansion in the tourism and food industry.

Clean water, improved sanitation and easier access to healthcare and public institutions improve the quality of life. Societal development follows suit. Lebanon’s location makes it more vulnerable to various crises: health emergencies, natural disasters or regional conflict. The importance of development aid in this area lies in self-sufficiency in rebuilding and stabilizing efforts.

Polish Zone in Lebanon Continues

In 2025, the development aid will focus on “key sectors: education, support for persons with disabilities and environmental protection.” Lebanon remains a priority country for Polish foreign support. PCPM sustains additional programs for families in need, ensuring the supply of food and hygiene products.

– Patrycja Pietrzak

Patrycja is based in Limassol, Cyprus and focuses on Business and Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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China’s Foreign Aid Strategy in Rwanda

China’s Foreign Aid strategyRwanda, a small, landlocked country in central-eastern Africa, has made notable progress in reducing poverty over the past two decades. However, recent years have seen a troubling reversal. According to the World Bank, 63.84% of Rwanda’s population lived below the international poverty line in 2016.

As Rwanda struggles to maintain its developmental gains, China has emerged as a major partner. China’s foreign aid strategy in Rwanda ranges from health, education, agriculture and infrastructure support. But are these efforts purely humanitarian or part of a broader geopolitical strategy?

China’s Anti-Poverty Measures in Rwanda

China’s foreign aid strategy in Rwanda spans multiple sectors, with significant investments to reduce poverty and support national development. In March 2025, China partnered with UNICEF to launch “Enhancing Early Childhood Development in Rwanda through South-South Cooperation.” This 18-month project targets 11 districts and aims to improve early childhood development (ECD) services, a crucial area for long-term health, education and economic outcomes.

The initiative is expected to support 2,100 children and indirectly reach 1.5 million. It also sets national goals to increase ECD service coverage from 24% to 45% and reduce child stunting from 33% to 15% by 2029. A key element of the initiative is adopting China’s “Barefoot Social Worker” model, which trains community-based workers to deliver child welfare services directly to families.

Technical workshops and knowledge exchanges between Rwandan and Chinese experts further strengthen the project, aligning it with Rwanda’s National Strategy for Transformation (NST2).

China’s Agricultural Investments in Rwanda

China’s agricultural investments are another important piece of its poverty reduction efforts. One example is the introduction of Juncao, a sustainable agricultural technology developed by Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University. Juncao uses chopped grass to grow nutrient-rich mushrooms for human and livestock consumption. It is an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional wood-based methods and offers a cost-effective solution to food insecurity.

Known in Rwanda as “the happiness herb,” Juncao has already reached more than 4,000 farmers and created thousands of jobs across the agricultural value chain. It has also been introduced into schools to improve children’s diets, providing an affordable protein source comparable to meat. By enhancing nutrition and income generation, this technology is critical in reducing poverty and improving health outcomes.

Another example of China’s foreign aid Strategy in Rwanda is the $40 million Giseke Dam and Irrigation Project, launched in January 2025. This initiative will irrigate 2,640 hectares of farmland in the Gisagara District and provide year-round water access to more than 900 farming households. The project is designed to stabilize food supply, increase crop diversity and improve nutrition. It also supports Rwanda’s NST2 goals for climate resilience and sustainable agriculture.

Funded through a concessional loan, the dam project reflects China’s commitment to building long-term partnerships through infrastructure. However, such projects also raise important questions about cost, impact and sustainability.

Why Is China Investing in Rwanda?

China’s engagement in Rwanda is closely tied to its broader Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a global development strategy focused on building infrastructure and boosting trade. The BRI often targets developing nations across Eurasia, Latin America and Africa with investments in roads, ports and energy systems.

To better understand China’s foreign aid strategy in Rwanda, The Borgen Project spoke with Michael Beckley, Director of the Asia Program at the Foreign Policy Research Institute. Beckley is also an Associate Professor at Tufts University.

Beckley explains, “[D]eveloped economies already have infrastructure and are wary of China’s political aims. In [underserved) states, China can buy influence more cheaply—building a road or dam there yields outsized diplomatic returns compared to, say, Europe or Japan.” Rwanda, one of the world’s least developed countries, offers China the opportunity to gain influence at a relatively low cost.

He adds, “The region sits on vital shipping lanes, offers access to raw materials and is seen as an entry point for China’s broader engagement with Africa and the Middle East.” In this context, China’s foreign aid strategy in Rwanda is clearly not just about aid but also about advancing national interests through strategic partnerships.

The Risks of China’s Model

While China’s investments offer tangible benefits, they also come with risks. Beckley cautions that “[P]rojects can displace communities, saddle countries with debt or leave behind poorly maintained infrastructure.” He also notes that “local costs—environmental damage, limited local hiring—can be steep.”

These concerns are especially relevant in countries like Rwanda, where technical capacity is limited. According to the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda, only 2.8% of the population holds a bachelor’s degree or equivalent. Running complex infrastructure projects like dams may require skills not widely available locally. This can lead to dependence on foreign experts and limit long-term sustainability.

An Opportunity for the United States

Given the strategic motivations behind China’s foreign aid strategy in Rwanda, should the U.S. adopt a similar approach? Beckley argues otherwise, suggesting that “[T]he U.S. might instead focus on partnerships that emphasize transparency, local benefits and sustainable projects, rather than competing on raw loan volume.”

China’s efforts to reduce poverty in Rwanda are impactful but often designed to serve its geopolitical objectives. This leaves room for the U.S. and other partners to offer an alternative model: one centered on community-led development, transparency and long-term sustainability.

Looking Forward

China’s foreign aid strategy in Rwanda has produced significant gains in infrastructure, health and agriculture. Initiatives like early childhood education, Juncao technology and the Giseke Dam show how foreign investment can address poverty and improve lives. However, these efforts also highlight the importance of strategic interests and the potential downsides of debt and dependency.

As Rwanda continues its development journey, international actors, especially the U.S., have an opportunity to contribute meaningfully. The U.S. can offer a complementary and potentially more equitable path forward by emphasizing local ownership, skill-building and sustainability.

– William Brentani

William is based in San Francisco, CA, USA and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The African Union’s SSE Strategy

SSE StrategyIn recent years, foreign aid has become increasingly political and divisive among Western nations. During his presidency, Donald Trump significantly reduced funding to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), arguing for a more “America First” approach to spending. Similarly, countries such as the United Kingdom, France and the Netherlands have also scaled back their foreign aid commitments, citing shifting domestic priorities, according to The Financial Times.

The reduction in foreign aid spending by many Western countries has put significant pressure on global health organizations and the United Nations (U.N.), influencing them to adapt to a world where foreign aid budgets are no longer top priorities for high-income countries. A senior U.N. official, quoted in The Financial Times, acknowledged the severity of this shift, stating, “Around a fifth of the total aid budget is gone and we have to accept that.” In response, international agencies like the Global Fund to Fight Aids and the Vaccine Alliance are forced to scale back programs and sometimes discontinue aid projects altogether.

The Impact of Foreign Aid Cuts on Africa

Reductions in foreign aid spending, specifically budget cuts to USAID, have disproportionately impacted Africa, where millions rely on foreign aid assistance for health care services. In 2024, under the Biden administration, USAID allocated 31% of its total budget—totaling $12.7 billion—to aid programs across the continent.

These funds supported critical health initiatives targeting HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, maternal and child health and nutrition. According to African Practice, the African Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that aid reductions could push an additional 5.7 million Africans into extreme poverty.

In the wake of aid cuts, the African Union has implemented a plan to navigate away from aid reliance and toward continent-wide development. The plan is a 10-year Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) strategy, which focuses on strengthening locally rooted businesses and providing community-led public services and health care. By reinvesting the profits from these programs, the goal is to stimulate growth and create new jobs, ultimately stabilizing the continent and reducing the need for foreign aid.

Impacts from the African Union’s SSE strategy are already being seen across the continent. Below are a few highlights.

Babban Gona

Babban Gona is a farmer-owned cooperative based in Nigeria that supports the development of smallholder farms. Since its founding in 2010, the organization has created more than 80,000 jobs, impacted above 35,000 individuals in local communities and invested tens of millions of dollars into rural economies. These efforts have significantly reduced poverty and regional violence. The African Union’s SSE strategy aims to build on successful models like Babban Gona to promote broader community-driven growth across the continent.

Broad Reach

South Africa’s BroadReach program utilizes AI-driven data platforms to improve HIV and tuberculosis treatment nationwide. With support from government partners, BroadReach has enhanced the efficiency and reach of public health care systems, positively impacting millions of people and raising the overall quality of care. The program serves as a blueprint for how other African countries can scale health care services locally, minimizing foreign aid reliance for health care initiatives.

Esoko

Esoko is a Ghana-based project that uses mobile technology to provide communities with the necessary information to support positive change in agricultural markets. With more than one million farmers already impacted, Esoko delivers real-time updates on market prices and climate data to smallholders, improving both sustainability and productivity, according to Esoko.

Esoko has already improved farmers’ livelihoods across Ghana by creating a more interconnected agricultural market chain. This success can be scaled to surrounding regions under the African Union’s SSE strategy, making agriculture more dependable and profitable for many of Africa’s most vulnerable communities.

Final Remarks

While foreign aid cuts from Western nations have created challenges across Africa, they’ve also forced a necessary shift toward self-reliance and continent-wide development. Indeed, the African Union’s SSE strategy offers a new path forward. Programs like Babban Gona, BroadReach and Esoko show that locally based solutions already positively impact Africa. With continued support from the African Union, Africa has the tools to stimulate growth without depending on foreign aid.

– Jordan Venell

Jordan is based in Edina, MN, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Smaller INGOs in Honduras and Beyond

Smaller INGOS in Honduras and BeyondWith the recent federal cuts to world aid funding in the United States (U.S.), smaller international nongovernmental organizations (INGOs) have both felt the strain and shown a particular resiliency. Melanie Gibbons, who has worked with the Lutheran World Relief and merger company Corus for more than 20 years, has witnessed the benefits of smaller INGOs. She highlights how working locally, collaborating with other INGOs, operating on a smaller scale and maintaining the “nimble” qualities of a small organization can be an asset in the nonprofit sector.

Honduras’ Smaller INGOs and Tuition-Free School

In Honduras, just 38% of high school students graduate. At El Hogar, a tuition-free school supported by international aid, that number jumps to 92%. After years of work, helping with the world’s poorest countries, INGOs of all sizes have realized the importance of working locally in order to accomplish sustainable progress in a region, avoid unnecessary power struggles, honor the people that they are serving and get to root causes. And working locally often means working smaller. “And this is where the benefit of the larger organizations, working with the smaller organizations, is so good,” Gibbons says. “Because these smaller organizations who are right there in and their communities will know more quickly where needs are shifting, or what is most culturally appropriate or needed.” 

The Goal of Any Good Aid Organization

The goal of any good aid organization, Gibbons says, is to put themselves out of business. She lifts up the example of Splash International, an organization that provides water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in high need cities throughout the world. It plans to accomplish its implementation goals and close its doors in 30 years and it is on track to see that happen.  

“Those relationships are what will create the ability to scale later, to pivot quickly and to meet the right needs at the right time. So the relationships are crucial.” Fundraising is a matter of relationships, which are a matter of trust and working locally. Often, working more intimately creates relationships that can last for a long time and create generational change in different regions. Gibbons emphasized that fundraising ultimately comes down to relationships, with trust as the foundation.

In her view, smaller organizations that work locally and closely with communities are especially positioned to develop long-term bonds. Those connections, she noted, can create ripple effects that last for generations. At the same time, she acknowledged that smaller INGOs face challenges—such as limited visibility and resources—which makes collaboration with larger organizations essential for sustaining impact.

Building Trust Quicker

Smaller INGOs in Honduras and beyond are flexible in relational terms, as well. Able to form relationships and build trust more rapidly than larger organizations. An example of this is Splash International’s work in Addis Ababa. The organization started with government schools in implementing WASH solutions like water fountains, child-friendly toilets, and hand-washing stations. After implementing them in all of the government schools, with the help of the local government, it is scaling up and reaching out to the housing and business sectors in the region. “And this I would say that that gets back to the question of scale,” Gibbons said, “and how sometimes we underestimate the smaller organizations’ role in sector solutions. They have the ability to try new things and learn quickly at a smaller scale and then translate those learnings into larger investments that can be multiplied.”

Another benefit of smaller INGOs in Honduras and beyond is the collaboration that takes place among the organizations. “I think for the most part it’s a very supportive environment,” Gibbons said about the collaboration between small organizations. “Executive directors of small organizations know that they need each other. We’re always learning from each other and being supported.” Though sometimes they are vying for the same money from funders, “There’s more collaboration than competition,” Gibbons said. 

Having an Abundance Mindset is Crucial

Overall, one of the biggest assets of running, or working for, smaller INGOs is the ability to revamp the system in creative ways. Gibbons believes there’s enough out there to provide for the needs of the poorest and neediest in the world. “I really do, in my heart, believe that there’s enough for everyone, not only to survive but to thrive. The sector has some opportunities to be creative and think differently, and that’s exciting to be part of. I’m grateful to have the chance to be part of the solutions.” While she hurts for all who are hurting because of the budget cuts, she also sees a window for positive growth and change within the INGOs sector. 

Looking Ahead

Because of their ability to work locally, work collaboratively and work creatively, smaller INGOs in Honduras and beyond are making a big difference in providing important humanitarian aid to the world. The landscape of world aid is going through a shift, and smaller INGOs are providing relief where it is needed and working at a smaller scale and in a nimbler way to provide scalable solutions.

– Gregory Walker

Gregory is based in York, PA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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USAID Programs in Moldova

USAID Programs in MoldovaMoldova is a country in Eastern Europe and a former Soviet republic. In 1992, a year after the fall of the USSR, USAID started working with the country to facilitate the state’s transition, including ending extreme poverty, supporting democracy and advancing resilience and security. Since then, USAID programs in Moldova have amounted to $2.5 billion with focus on both rural and urban areas. 

Despite these efforts, poverty remains a serious issue, particularly in rural regions. For example, last year the Southern region experienced an absolute poverty rate of 51.4%, while the capital region, with better opportunities, reported a significantly lower rate of 14.6%.

These challenges make USAID programs particularly important, and the following are some of the most notable USAID programs with poverty reducing effects.

The Moldova Competitiveness Enhancement Program (MCE)

The Moldova Competitiveness Enhancement Program (MCE) was a large investment aiming to integrate Moldova with European markets. It aimed to increase competitiveness of Moldovan producers through various improvements in the business environment. The profits have far exceeded the project’s cost of $37 million as the World Bank estimated them to be between $69 million to $93 million in value added exports.

The improvements included facilitated access to finance, help in meeting western production standards and major investments in tourism, wine and clothing industries.

The program also improved access to MSTQ (Metrology, Standardization, Testing and Quality) services which enabled small and medium sized enterprises to increase revenues and create jobs, directly contributing to poverty reduction. On top of that, it provided targeted assistance to female entrepreneurs, ensuring inclusive growth. 

Notably, the program supported more than 60 Moldovan wine producers in meeting global food safety certificates, consequently helping them access higher-paying markets which boosts incomes for families in rural areas dependent on wine making. The World Bank evaluated the efficiency of the program as substantial, emphasizing the positive effects of USAID.

Energy Security of the Republic of Moldova

The ongoing energy security program in Moldova aimed at addressing humanitarian and economic issues. While the donors have continued to support the program beforehand, the U.S. marked a major milestone in 2022 directly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, by promising $300 million in aid to improve energy security which DW described as “a major issue in Moldova.”

The U.S. embassy in Chisinau aimed to cover the following using the funds

  • Direct support to relieve Moldovans of record high electricity costs ($80 million).
  • Development of power plants projects to diversify power supply. This includes an ambitious new high voltage line between Romania and Moldova for energy security and European integration ($135 million).
  • Enhancement of Moldova’s ability to produce energy from alternative sources ($85 million).

Officials in the U.S. and Moldova planned the money to support economic development and energy security while promoting sustainability through integration of renewable energy, which also helps protect low-income households from future energy shocks. Importantly, the energy security program directly contributed to lower electricity costs, which alleviates poverty as it reduces economic strain on low-income families. 

According to the UN, during the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 winter seasons, the average energy poverty rate in Moldova fell from 89% to 81.3%. While this improvement reflects the UN’s targeted support, USAID’s efforts in the energy infrastructure and affordability during the same period likely contributed to this positive outcome, helping low-income families manage the rising costs of living.

Inclusive and Participatory Processes Project (IPP)

Among the USAID programs in Moldova, the IPP has focused on democracy strengthening and greater overall participation in decision-making which can be poverty reducing. USAID started the project before the 2020 presidential election in Moldova to ensure transparency and accountability of the vote.

The financial assistance allowed easier election tracking for voters in real time, it provided political training for all parties and notably helped improve the electoral system which managed to withstand a cyberattack on election day. The funding also focused largely on educating voters through sponsoring 25 candidate debates and supporting a government exchange program which educated more than 500 Moldovans on the electoral process. 

The fund also created equal opportunities for citizens through increasing access to polling stations for all. Vasile Savca, the monitor of accessibility in Causeni – a city in Moldova – spoke positively about recent changes saying “I am glad to notice the House of Culture in my village has become more accessible lately … We shall remind the society that people with disability have equal rights as all citizens.” Crucially, the IPP helps ensure that government resources reach communities in need, through transparent and accountable elections, thus indirectly supporting poverty reduction. Moreover, the IPP helps ensure that policies and budgets better address economic needs through increased participation of marginalized populations in elections.

Life After USAID Suspension

Sadly, in 2025 the U.S. Congress voted to reduce the international aid fund, consequently cutting funding for USAID programs in Moldova. Due to that, the government will not be able to undertake many projects and will have to suspend many others. This, for instance, includes the earlier mentioned high voltage line between Moldova and Romania.

However, residents have generally positive feelings towards the aid and they praised USAID programs in Moldova such as the creation of the national wine brand. Despite this setback, people stay optimistic and while American money has been helpful now Europe has stepped up to fill in the gap. For instance, Moldova.org, a feminist news page tackling sensitive stories had three European NGOs pay salaries of their workers for around 3 months after the USAID budget cut.

Ana Gherciu, the director of development of the site, is confident that “there are solutions” to the issue. They are far from being the only case and the attempts to secure aid from other sources are becoming a countrywide pattern. Even the government announced that it is seeking European funding for the power line. In the face of this challenge, Moldovans are staying hopeful and resourceful as they have experienced themselves the positive impacts of humanitarian aid.

– Karol Hejduk

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

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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A Recent History of British Development Aid in Sierra Leone

British Development Aid in Sierra LeoneThe British government plans to cut its Official Development Aid (ODA) budget from 0.5% of the country’s GDP to 0.3% by 2027. This follows cuts in 2021, when the government reduced ODA spending from 0.7% of GDP, a figure once considered the standard for G7 countries. British development aid has had a significant impact in many parts of the world, including sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and Eastern Europe.

Currently, the only regions the British government has confirmed will continue to receive aid are those affected by current humanitarian crises: Ukraine, Gaza and Sudan. This means it is unclear whether countries like Sierra Leone, whose health care, water provision and education access have benefited enormously from British development aid, will continue to receive sufficient support. The following explores some of the most notable successes of British development aid in Sierra Leone.

Sierra Leone in Context

Sierra Leone is a small country in West Africa. It is one of the least developed countries in the world, ranking 185th out of 193 nations on the Human Development Index. About 25% of its 8.8 million people live in extreme poverty and its GDP per capita is $874.

A British colony until 1961, Sierra Leone’s recent history has been defined by crises. A civil war gripped the country between 1991 and 2002, killing between 50,000 and 200,000 people and precipitating long-term consequences such as dysfunctional infrastructure and generational trauma. The country was at the centre of the 2014 Ebola outbreak and in 2017, mudslides killed hundreds. 

Despite the shocking statistics, many outcomes in Sierra Leone have been improving significantly. In the last decade, life expectancy has increased by 7 years, while the death rate of children under 5 has fallen by roughly a quarter.

British Development Aid in Sierra Leone

  • The Freetown WASH Consortium. Established in 2009, the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene programme channelled British aid into constructing water storage facilities and public latrines, improving drainage systems and training health care workers in Sierra Leone’s capital, Freetown. By 2013, more than 144,000 people had gained access to improved water supplies and at least 33,000 had access to better sanitation facilities. The program also helped reduce the spread of cholera and malaria.
  • Secondary Education Improvement Program. Known in the local Krio language as “Leh Wi Lan”, the Secondary Education Improvement Programme took off in May 2016 with an investment of £62.5 million to improve the learning conditions and attendance of secondary schools. By the programme’s closure in 2023, the number of girls and boys attending secondary school had more than doubled.
  • Rehabilitation of Freetown’s Water Supply System. 2016 was an important year for British development aid in Sierra Leone, coming two years after the initial West African Ebola outbreak had brought the country to a standstill. June saw the investment of £38 million into rehabilitating Freetown’s water supply system, creating new pipe networks and reducing leakage to support 120,000 people’s access to clean water.
  • Saving Lives in Sierra Leone. Perhaps the most wide-reaching and well-documented example of British development aid in Sierra Leone, the £170 million Saving Lives in Sierra Leone programme improved the accessibility, availability and quality of child and maternal health services across the country. Administered in conjunction with Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), Saving Lives provided family planning for more than 670,000 women, as well as widespread access to free contraceptives and health care drugs. Health care facilities improved, staff received training and essential medicines became more readily available. Between 2016 and 2019, these measures helped save the lives of almost 25,000 children and more than 3,000 mothers. The Saving Lives program also contributed to the substantial decline in Sierra Leone’s maternal mortality rate, which decreased by 74% between 2000 and 2020.

Emergency Aid for Mudslide Victims 

Following the devastating mudslides of 2017, the British government delivered a £5 million humanitarian response package that enabled UNICEF to provide essential medicines and clean water for 5,000 people and an Oxfam-led group of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to provide clean water and sanitation for 3,000 people. The U.K.-based charity Street Child provided bedding and clothing for an additional 3,000 children. The package also included supplies for Sierra Leone’s government, such as generators and tents.

Looking Ahead

The benefits of British development aid in Sierra Leone have been widespread, felt in the country’s education, health care and water services. As Sierra Leone continues to recover from past crises and build toward long-term development, sustained international support could help ensure that the country does not lose this progress and that future generations can thrive.

– Joseph Webb

Joseph is based in Norwich, UK and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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USAID in Myanmar

USAID in MyanmarMyanmar, a country in military stronghold turmoil, has been struggling for liberation and democracy amid ethnic disputes and insurgencies ever since 1948. Since 1962, the Burma Socialist Programme has ruled the nation under a totalitarian dictatorship. Rising poverty and social instability led to numerous college-student-led protests up until 1988, often referred to as the People Power Uprising, in efforts to promote democracy and stop the socialist agenda Ne Win and his government were developing.

Renewed Military Control and Civil War

The protests ended with a coup d’état, resulting in the military junta ousting Ne Win and ruling the nation. The military junta later held a general election in 1990, where national icon Aung San Suu Kyi and her party dominated, partly due to their pro-democracy agenda. However, the military leadership would not recognize Kyi’s party’s win and continued to rule the government. Kyi was put under house arrest and, in 2021, when the Tatmadaw military organization came to power following another coup d’état, they imprisoned her. Kyi was a prominent leader in advocating for Myanmar’s democracy in the 2010s, where the Burmese nation seemed to bend toward justice with the democratic elections of Htin Kyaw and Win Myint.

It was only until the coup d’état in 2021 that the population lost all hope of continuous liberation, as the Tatmadaw seized Nay Pyi Taw. From there, a full-on civil war broke out between the National Unity Government (NUG)–the democratic house which was ousted–and the State Administrative Council–the ruling military junta as of 2025, who ousted the NUG. The war is still ongoing, having recorded more than 75,000 deaths.

USAID in Myanmar

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) was a strong proponent in helping alleviate social, economic and political turmoil in Myanmar, amid the numerous insurgencies and coups. USAID gave Myanmar approximately $2 million in 2001, a number that grew to more than $175 million annually by 2016. Following the 2021 coup, USAID, under the Biden administration, increased spending by more than 30%. A significant portion of the donations funded food, assistance and humanitarian aid. In 2025, that aid abruptly stopped.

Widespread Damage Across Myanmar

In March of 2025, a magnitude 7.7 earthquake rattled Myanmar and neighboring Thailand and Vietnam. The earthquake affected 15 million Burmese people and estimates suggest that between 4,500 to 5,500 people have died, and more than 11,000 were injured, making it the deadliest earthquake in the country’s history. Power outages and interruptions to phone service and internet access affected more than half the population across the country. At least 120,000 homes were damaged, and numerous mosques and government buildings collapsed.

To help with relief efforts, countries such as Canada, the United Kingdom, South Korea, China and Italy sent aid worth millions of dollars—China alone sent more than $150 million. The United States, which had just pulled out its USAID employees, sent only $2 million.

The Way Forward

It could take a while for Myanmar to recover from the impact of the earthquake. However, there are many organizations stationed in Myanmar aiming to shorten the gender gap, expand food security and housing affordability and divert the economy away from reliance and this offers hope for the future.

– Jackson Mailer

Jackson is based in Brooklyn, NY, USA and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Gavi Board’s New Plan for Improving Global Health

The Gavi Board’s New PlanThe board for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, has announced adjustments to its five-year plan (2026-2030) following financial withdrawals from some of its donors. The Gavi Board’s new plan for improving global health takes into account its limited resources, but also introduces the prospect of new, life-changing projects.

The Impact of Gavi

In the last 25 years, Gavi has reduced child mortality by half. This has been made possible by providing children with access to life-saving vaccines, which is especially important for underserved countries. For instance, regions in West Africa still experience deadly outbreaks of diseases like meningitis, a disease which is extremely rare in the U.S. Developing nations are unable to afford the same vaccination access as countries like the U.S. or the U.K. Gavi aims to help finance this and allow children to be saved from preventable diseases.

Gavi has also helped many countries become financially independent. Nineteen countries that Gavi once supported have now become faithful donors. Not only has the organization provided vaccines for millions, but it has also helped whole countries escape poverty.

The Trump Administration’s Foreign Aid Review

Historically, the U.S. government has been one of Gavi’s largest donors, making up 13% of its total funding. However, this has all changed after the Trump administration’s foreign aid review earlier this year. The administration has announced that its Fiscal Year 2026 budget will not provide funding for Gavi.

Gavi has provided catastrophic estimates that outline what the lack of U.S. funding could mean for the world. Its statistics show that more than 1.2 million children will lose their lives because they will not have access to vaccinations. This is because the help that Gavi provides is only made possible through the support of other countries and organizations. These changes in funding are what inspired the Gavi Board’s new plan for improving global health.

Support From the UK

Like the U.S., the U.K. has been a long supporter of Gavi. However, while the U.S. is withdrawing its support, the U.K. is pledging more than $1.5 billion to Gavi. This will provide vaccination access to millions of children over the next five years.

The U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy was quoted as saying: “Our ongoing partnership with Gavi will give millions of children a better start, save lives and protect us all from the spread of deadly diseases.” This pledge will also have a positive impact on the U.K. Working with health organizations across the globe provides jobs for thousands of people within the U.K.

Additionally, by funding Gavi, there is better security for U.K. citizens. Funding research and vaccine development reduces the likelihood of deadly diseases reaching the U.K. This guarantees less stress on U.K. health workers and hospitals.

The Future of Gavi (2026-2030)

The Gavi Board’s new plan for improving global health has factored in its limited financial resources. Due to the Trump administration, as well as other donors who have withdrawn their support, Gavi is now operating with $3 billion less than it anticipated for the next five-year period. As a result of these budget cuts, Gavi will be giving less support to immunization programs. Yet, the organization is continuing to ask for more funding from potential donors, so hopefully, this can change in the future.

Despite the financial challenges Gavi is currently facing, the board has announced the creation of a Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) maternal vaccine program. The details of this program aren’t yet released. However, the organization has stated that it will work to eradicate one of the key causes of pneumonia in children aged less than 5. The board is also now starting its funding for the development of an Mpox emergency vaccine stockpile.

In the case of an emergency outbreak, vaccines would be provided quickly to the areas affected. This is an essential step in working to end the current Mpox epidemic in Africa. Gavi is now working to provide children across the globe with access to vaccines through its first health system strategy. This strategy will create unique programs for a variety of countries with a simpler funding process. Primary health care will be a large focus of this operation.

New funding policies have been implemented as part of the Gavi Board’s latest plan for improving global health. The board has requested that countries participating in its vaccination programs make greater financial contributions. Additionally, an amended Health Systems and Immunization Strengthening (HSIS) policy will be introduced in 2026. This policy will help countries finance their vaccine programs effectively.

Conclusion

Overall, the Gavi Board’s new plan for improving global health overcomes the obstacles the Trump administration has put in place. Gavi is still managing to introduce lifesaving programs despite its limited resources. The organization is also hopeful that if other donors decide to re-commit to being sponsors, it will achieve even greater success in protecting the globe against deadly diseases.

– Katie Gray

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

Photo: Flickr

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USAID Programs in Armenia: Light in the Battle Against Poverty

USAID Programs in ArmeniaThe United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) programs in Armenia offer compelling examples of international collaboration producing visible results. There is genuine hope that these initiatives will help Armenia move closer to escaping poverty.

USAID programs in Armenia have evolved over the course of almost 30 years, moving from providing immediate humanitarian assistance to allowing inclusive, long-term development plans. At this point, USAID funds about 32 projects in all 10 Armenian regions, improving social services, economic opportunity and democratic institutions.

The Community Level Access to Social Services Project

One notable work is the Community Level Access to Social Services (CLASS) project. CLASS assists community social service providers in establishing accessible, inclusive support networks, especially for families facing financial difficulties and children with disabilities. These services help people achieve long-term stability and meet their immediate needs by connecting them to health care, education and employment opportunities.

The program fights poverty at its source while preserving each person’s dignity by promoting inclusive growth, strengthening community resilience and investing in sustainable local capacity for future generations.

The Armenia Support Initiative

USAID assisted the Armenian government during the 2023 humanitarian crisis brought on by the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. It provided $8.5 million to address housing needs and psychosocial support for displaced persons and refugees. These efforts safeguarded human welfare during the emergency by promptly ensuring that vulnerable populations received food, housing, medical assistance and emotional care. Beyond immediate relief, the aid supported long-term recovery by strengthening local service providers and reinforcing community resilience against future crises.

Another essential component of USAID’s work in Armenia is economic development. The organization has set lofty objectives to increase agricultural productivity, develop clean energy infrastructure and encourage innovation-driven entrepreneurship in its 2020–2025 Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS). The goal of USAID programs in Armenia is to lessen rural poverty and foster economic resilience by assisting industries that generate long-term jobs and income growth. The strategy strengthens Armenia’s integration into global markets, supports small businesses and builds sustainable pathways for inclusive economic opportunity.

Rather than relying on short-term aid, USAID programs in Armenia emphasize sustainable solutions driven by local partnerships. One community at a time, this people-first strategy enables Armenians to create better futures.

Conclusion

USAID programs in Armenia are changing lives through practical, empowering and locally based interventions. From improving social services to supporting displaced populations and strengthening economic opportunities, these programs embody the best of what international development can be. 

– Kyra Cribbs

Kyra is based in Charleston, SC, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay