Key articles and information on global poverty.

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New Commitments: G7 Foreign Aid Investment Programs

G7 Commits to New Foreign Aid Investment ProgramsAmid a global context of geopolitical conflict and economic uncertainty, G7 leaders announced the establishment of two new projects to finance overseas development and a commitment to advancing a third, launched under Canada’s G7 Presidency in 2018. These initiatives cover contributions to multilateral development banks and mobilizing the private sector. The G7 foreign aid goal is to advance and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in developing countries.

What is the G7?

In 1975, the United States (U.S.), the United Kingdom (U.K.), France, Italy and West Germany established the Group of Six as a forum for noncommunist global powers to discuss international economic tensions. Since then, there have been additions and removals of member states, and its economic purposes continue to adapt in response to the geopolitical conflicts of the day.

In the 1980s, for example, leaders made efforts to increase engagement with human rights and global stability. Then, the beginning of the 21st century saw the prioritization of human rights and increased attention toward issues including climate change and gender equality. The group has also played a crucial role in uniting multilateral donors for project funding. In 2025, members are the U.S., the U.K., France, Japan, Germany, Italy and Canada, making it the G7.

ODA in the 2025 G7 Summit

Hosted in Kananaskis, Canada, the 2025 G7 summit prioritized Official Development Assistance (ODA) for peace and security, private investment and long-term prosperity through partnerships outside of the group. For 2025, the G7 foreign aid agenda included advancing the International Assistance Innovation Program (IAIP), which launched as a five-year pilot project under the Canadian G7 presidency in 2018. New announcements included the Private Capital Mobilization Initiative (PCMI) and a project to expand innovative financing to multilateral development banks.

The IAIP follows eight principles endorsed by G7 ministers responsible for humanitarian action and development assistance. These include promoting inclusive innovation, investing in locally-driven solutions, taking intelligent risks, using evidence to drive decision-making, seizing learning opportunities, ensuring the impact of innovations, facilitating multilateral collaboration, identifying scalable solutions and integrating proven innovations into larger programming. The 2025 summit announced a commitment of $290 million over a five-year period to promote the mobilization of private investment toward developing countries.

In addition, the PCMI project received an allocation of $101.3 million over five years to address the obstacles to private sector investment. This involves working with organizations such as the Global Infrastructure Facility and Scaling Capital for Sustainable Development (SCALE). Among other goals, the partnership aims to accelerate infrastructure projects and provide targeted support for project planning and de-risking instruments.

Finally, the Innovative Financing at Multilateral Development Banks Project has pledged up to $400 million to multilateral development banks through portfolio guarantees. The initiative focuses on developing countries in the Caribbean and Latin America, licensing the Inter-American Development Bank and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) to provide $1.6 billion in new financing to support development. The CDB itself received $200 million to be spent providing essential support for borrowing countries.

Looking Ahead

Though the G7 is an economy-focused coalition of democratic countries, its goals have included strengthening the economies of underdeveloped countries and collaboration with multilateral agencies. Under the Canadian Presidency, the 2025 G7 foreign aid achievements reflected this by mobilizing projects facilitating private sector investment, including guarantees protecting private investors from financial losses when investing in multilateral development banks. With governments slashing ODA budgets, encouraging the involvement of the private sector has the potential to stimulate a new era of investment in the developing world.

– Emily Galán

Emily is based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Breadline Africa: Building Hope – One Container at a Time

breadline africaEstablished in 1993, Breadline Africa is a nonprofit organization operating in both South Africa and the United Kingdom. It focuses on providing infrastructure and support for every childhood education institution in under-resourced communities across South Africa.

The nonprofit has delivered classrooms, libraries, kitchens and safe toilets to areas where children lacked basic resources for more than 30 years. These spaces give young learners the chance to grow and learn in safe, nurturing environments.

What sets Breadline Africa apart is its creative use of shipping containers. The group began by transforming a single container into a functional space, and has since scaled the idea to help thousands of children across South Africa.

Since the First Shipping Container

Breadline Africa redeveloped its first shipping container into a piece of infrastructure in 1996. It was all a part of the Montagu Youth Project, which brought kitchens and classrooms to Rietvlei 2 Primary School.

The organization became known for its ability to convert shipping containers into safe and usable infrastructure for many school children across South Africa. It continues to develop containers into usable infrastructure well into modern times.

In July 2024, Breadline Africa raised millions of dollars to help redevelop hazardous pit latrines into new restrooms for more than 11,000 children across South Africa. With all its work in redeveloping infrastructure, Breadline Africa knew it could continue to aid school children by venturing into different avenues.

Feeding Programs and Run Initiatives

Breadline Africa also provides feeding programs for children across South Africa. These programs first started when the organization developed community kitchens for those in need of food during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The organization’s feeding programs soon became focused on school children through pre-school feeding in Western Cape and Gauteng and food parcels for children whose parents cannot provide them with school lunches. Breadline Africa has fed more than 4 million vulnerable people in need off its feeding programs alone, supporting “26 projects to provide more than 20,000 meals a week.”

The organization also acknowledges that children’s horizons are only broadened by new experiences. It has developed a run initiative that sends hundreds of children under the age of 7 on seaside outings every year, broadening said horizons.

Breadline Africa was able to provide another seaside outing to hundreds of children in January 2025 in Cape Town. For many of those children, that seaside outing was their first time experiencing the beach – allowing them an escape from their impoverished environments.

Breadline Africa’s Impact

Breadline Africa has left a massive impact on many children across South Africa. The organization has developed school houses for children, has raised parents’ involvement in funding for school to 61%, increased the amount of food supplies in schools by 67% and so much more.

Its work shows no signs of slowing down as the need for safe learning spaces and reliable meals continues to grow. Its efforts remain a lifeline for thousands of South African children striving for a better future. Individuals can support Breadline Africa’s missions in several ways.  Donations help fund classrooms, kitchens, toilets and feeding programs that benefit children in under-resourced communities.

– Jaden Hartfield

Jaden is based in Charlotte, NC, United States and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Connection Between Disability and Poverty in Chad

Disability and Poverty in ChadChad is the largest landlocked country in Africa, as well as being the fifth largest country on the continent. It gained independence from being a French colony in 1960, and post-independence faced conflicts, internal and external, resulting in an unstable nation. Chad boasts a rich history and some experts believe it is one of the original places where humans developed as a species. In the modern day, Chad has a population of around 21 million people and has become a place of refuge for disabled Sudanese people displaced by the Sudanese Civil War.  

Chad has seen a rise in refugees fleeing from the Sudanese Civil War, and notably, the population of disabled individuals has risen since the migration began. Here are some key facts about how the Sudanese Civil War affects disability and poverty in Chad.

Why They Flee

The most recent Sudanese Civil War began in 2023 as a result of conflict between two military forces within the country, forcing more than 15 million people from their homes. Between 10-15% of the Sudanese population is disabled due to the effects of living in a war zone and have common injuries and physical deficits such as amputated limbs, broken bones and severe burns that go on to affect the rest of people’s lives. Refugees from the war, particularly those with disabilities, have found themselves fleeing to the borders of Chad to escape the violence. Living in Chad allows some to find care for their impairments, whether these impairments be new onset or pre-existing.

The Marginalization of People With Disabilities  

As is the case in other countries around the world, disabled people living in Chad find themselves disempowered. In the social hierarchy of Chad, disabled people are often the lowest tier of society. This is due to long-held ideas of prejudice against those who are less able, which can eventually result in social isolation and exclusion. Disability and poverty in Chad are beacons for each other, each one making the other more possible.

The Increase in Refugees

Due to the Sudanese Civil War, around 1.1 million Sudanese people have fled their country to Chad. This has caused a population surge in the already severe living conditions, resulting in a stark lack of shelter, clean water and access to medical assistance. Health care is often a distance from refugee camps, and people with specific disabilities can find themselves without a mode of transportation to get treatment. This discrepancy often emphasizes the difficulties that people with disabilities in poverty face in Chad.

Disability and Poverty in Chad

With disabled people in Chad often facing issues of transportation to places such as health care facilities and job opportunities, the difficulties of escaping poverty increases. If people cannot travel to a health care clinic, then they cannot receive treatment for their disabilities and, in turn, are unable to work. Another factor influencing the difficulty in finding work for disabled people in Chad is discrimination. People with disabilities are much less likely to be hired and lose out on opportunities to make money and help them improve their financial status.

Key Takeaways

While the poverty levels in Chad are increasing due to refugees from the Sudanese Civil War, countless organizations are working to assist the people living there. These organizations work to bring awareness to the issues that Chadians face, as well as to bring relief to them directly. Disabled refugees fleeing the Sudanese Civil War receive more opportunities in Chad than in Sudan. This does not imply a perfect standard of living, but it does imply an improved one. One organization that is key in the fight against disability and poverty in Chad is UNICEF. UNICEF offers key aid to Chadian and Sudanese youth by improving living conditions, supplying clean water and adding mental health support to refugee camps. Its work centers around bringing aid to Chadians and Sudanese refugees as they fight for the return to normalcy.

– Zoe Felder

Zoe is based in Charlotte, NC, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Mpox in Burundi and Global Aid Efforts

Mpox in BurundiBurundi, a small land-locked country located in East Africa, is considered one of the most impoverished countries in the world. Burundi is home to 14 million people, with more than half of the population living on less than $2.15 daily. The reason for poverty lies in many circumstances, including a slew of civil wars and political instability, limited resources and a skyrocketing population. Over the past year, Burundi and its neighbors have faced a consequential Mpox (Clade I) outbreak.

While recent numbers suggest mpox infections are decreasing, Burundi still faces other deadly diseases and infections. The leading cause of death for people living in Burundi is lower respiratory infections, with malaria close behind at number two. Access to basic health care and infrastructure is a struggle many Burundi residents face. Nine out of 10 Burundians lack access to sufficient electricity and sanitation. Despite this, Mpox in Burundi is now on a slow declining rate with the help of global organizations.

Mpox (Clade I)

Burundi first declared the Mpox (Clade I) outbreak in July 2024. A few months prior, in April, Burundi suffered from severe flooding, which impacted nearly 250,000 people and left many more susceptible to pox. As of March 2025, there are more than 3,000 confirmed Mpox (Clade I) cases in Burundi. A multitude of factors, such as an overflowing population and restricted access to clean water and essential health care, initially caused Mpox in Burundi. This left many Burundi health care facilities overwhelmed and residents struggling to access necessary treatment.

During the peak of the Mpox outbreak in Burundi, infection rates in children rose substantially. In September 2024, UNICEF reported that in almost 600 cases, two-thirds of the affected population were children and the number of cases grew by more than 40% over the previous three weeks. This caused concern for many, as UNICEF reported that 80% of Mpox-related deaths are in children.

However, since 2025, there has been a noticeable decline in Mpox cases in Burundi. There are less than 50 new cases per week, which is around a 25% average decrease compared to case numbers during the peak of the Mpox outbreak. This accomplishment became possible due to the numerous organizations providing global aid to countries such as Burundi.

Global Aid Efforts

Health care in Burundi continues to face major challenges, particularly due to limited funding for the country’s health systems. In response, several organizations have developed targeted strategies to strengthen health care infrastructure and improve access. Here’s how some are helping residents in Burundi:

  • Village Health Works (VHW) launched the Halting Outbreaks by Mobilizing Essential (HOME) resources initiative in response to the Mpox outbreak. This initiative focuses on supporting women and children, the most affected groups. It provides essential medical supplies and offers training and support to local health care workers to bolster frontline response efforts.
  • Our Children International will volunteer at a medical camp in Karuzi Province in July 2025. During last year’s mission, the organization treated more than 4,500 patients in just four days. Its services include medical and dental care, life-saving medications and nutritional support.
  • UNICEF focuses its efforts primarily on children affected by Mpox. Due to the stigma surrounding the disease, many residents were hesitant to seek treatment. To address this, UNICEF broadcast prevention messages via radio, reaching more than 800,000 residents across Burundi. The organization also supplied medical kits and essential resources to dozens of hospitals. Additionally, UNICEF is working on prevention by training school personnel to recognize early signs of Mpox and promoting community-based education.

Conclusion

Addressing the health care crisis in Burundi requires global attention, community-based support and investment. While this issue is still widespread in Burundi and other countries, organizations like Village Health Works, Our Children International and UNICEF are making meaningful strides.

– Grace Johnson

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

Photo: Unsplash

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Ending Child Poverty in Croatia

Child Poverty in CroatiaChildren make up nearly 17% of Croatia’s population. Due to various factors, one in five children in Croatia experiences child poverty. However, several organizations, including SOS Children’s Villages and Caritas Croatia, are working to address this.

Child Poverty in Croatia: An Overview

As of 2023, the child poverty rate in Croatia stood at 16.1%, down from around 21% in 2014. Following its independence in the late 1990s, Croatia experienced significant economic changes during the early 2000s and 2010s, including the 2008 financial crisis and the 2019 COVID-19 pandemic. These events caused fluctuations in the number of lower-income families, directly impacting many Croatian children and their living conditions.

The prevalence of lower-income families directly impacts many Croatian children and their livelihoods. Currently:

  • One in two children in Croatia doesn’t attend preschool.
  • One in five children faces a high risk of poverty.
  • One in four young people in Croatia are unemployed.

These numbers are a product of many families not having access to the proper resources to support their families. Many parents have difficulty affording preschool or other necessities for their young children to strive in society. This upbringing creates a skills gap for many young people in Croatia, contributing to high youth unemployment rates.

Combating Child Poverty in Croatia

Several organizations support children living in poverty in Croatia to combat this disparity. One of the most notable is SOS Children’s Villages, which operates nationwide. SOS Children’s Villages has supported Croatian children without parental care since 1992, addressing child poverty head-on. It aims to end child poverty by protecting and supporting children in their care, helping them access education and building careers for adulthood. 

The charity has kept 35 families together, provided safe homes for 140 kids and prepared 55 young people for independent living. Its social centers serve vulnerable families to help them climb out of poverty. Children in SOS Children’s Villages are supported in staying connected with their families and communities. At the same time, their strengths are nurtured as they grow and learn. Overall, SOS Children’s Villages provide children access to proper health and educational services. This support offers opportunities many might not have had outside the Villages.

Similarly, Caritas Croatia (Hrvatski Caritas) has been tackling child poverty and social exclusion through its wide-reaching network since 1992. Operating across more than 10 dioceses and hundreds of parish outlets, it assists vulnerable families, orphans, children with disabilities and war-affected youth. The organization has supported more than 5,000 children.

The Long Run

The long-term impact of SOS Children’s Villages clearly shows its commitment to combating child poverty in Croatia. The program lays a foundation for a future filled with career opportunities and self-sufficiency by providing children with a strong support network early on.

Looking ahead, SOS Children’s Villages have the potential to break the cycle of poverty by equipping Croatia’s youth with the resources they need for a fresh start and a brighter future.

– Angelina Tas

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

Photo: Flickr

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Entrepreneurship in Kenya: Fueling Innovation Growth

Entrepreneurship in KenyaEntrepreneurship in Kenya is driving a wave of innovation, from mobile money and agritech to clean energy, that’s reshaping livelihoods and combating poverty. In this overview of Entrepreneurship in Kenya, discover the key accelerators, standout success stories, sectoral trends and the real-world impact fueling economic growth.

The Hubs and Accelerators Powering New Ventures

Kenya’s startup ecosystem is underpinned by a network of accelerators and coworking hubs that support founders. Facilities like iHub have nurtured more than 450 alum ventures and connected more than 40,000 collaborators through mentorship programs, hackathons and investor showcases. Similarly, Nairobi Garage offers flexible workspaces, regular pitch events and introductions to local and international investors. These institutions foster collaboration, facilitate access to early-stage capital and help entrepreneurs refine their business models before scaling.

Success Stories: Kenyan Startups Changing the Game

Twiga Foods, founded in 2014, exemplifies rapid growth from a local startup to a regional powerhouse. The company links 13,000 smallholder farmers to more than 5,000 urban retailers by integrating a mobile ordering platform with M-Pesa payments. After securing a $10 million Series A round in 2017 and $30 million in 2019, Twiga closed a $50 million Series C in 2021, making it a leading player in Africa’s agri-tech ecosystem.

In contrast, Chpter, established in 2022, illustrates the promise of early-stage ventures. Its AI-powered conversational commerce chatbot is deployed on WhatsApp and Instagram. In September 2024, it secured $1.2 million in pre-seed funding to expand across Kenya and South Africa. These examples highlight the spectrum of success, from large-scale impact to nascent innovation.

The Real Challenges Kenyan Founders Face

Despite notable achievements, Kenyan entrepreneurs encounter persistent challenges. Early-stage funding remains scarce, with only about 5% of seed-funded startups advancing to a Series A round. Regulatory shifts, ranging from changes in company registration requirements to fluctuating tax policies, can delay product launches and inflate compliance costs. Moreover, infrastructural gaps, particularly in rural regions, hinder reliable logistics and market access, forcing many ventures to develop costly workarounds or partner with third-party distributors.

Sector Spotlight: Where Kenya’s Startups Are Betting Big

The sectoral landscape of Kenyan startups has diversified significantly. Historically, Fintech is the largest recipient of venture capital and accounts for roughly 13% of total funding, with mobile payment solutions and digital credit platforms driving initial growth. Cleantech has soared to represent 46% of equity investments, propelled by solar-irrigation firms such as SunCulture ($27.5 million raised) and electric mobility operators. Additionally, agritech continues to attract attention, making up 15% of funding; supply-chain management and crop monitoring innovations respond directly to agriculture’s role as the backbone of Kenya’s economy.

Beyond Borders: How Kenyan Startups Go Global

Kenyan startups are increasingly eyeing regional and global markets. Twiga Foods has extended its distribution model to neighboring countries, leveraging digital infrastructure and cross-border partnerships to scale rapidly. Similarly, fintech companies often integrate with payment networks across East Africa to serve the diaspora and streamline remittances. Programs like the World Bank–supported Startup Savanna initiative connect local entrepreneurs to international mentors and investors, facilitating market entry and regulatory navigation beyond Kenya’s borders.

Turning Innovation Into Impact: Startups Fighting Poverty

Entrepreneurship plays a pivotal role in Kenya’s fight against extreme poverty. The Youth Enterprise Development Fund provides affordable loans, training and market linkages to entrepreneurs aged 18–34, underpinned by Kenya Vision 2030. In parallel, a forthcoming Startup Act promises tax incentives and streamlined business registration to lower barriers to new ventures. By generating employment, fostering financial inclusion through digital platforms and improving agricultural livelihoods, startups contribute directly to poverty alleviation and community resilience. Furthermore, the combination of public-sector support and private-sector innovation underscores how homegrown enterprises drive sustainable socioeconomic change across Kenya.

Industry’s Proven Path vs. Startup Spark

Industrialization has been a cornerstone of poverty reduction and job creation in Kenya for decades. Manufacturing contributed 7.6% of GDP and generated more than 350,000 direct jobs in 2022. This underscores how factories and export‐oriented clusters have lifted communities from poverty through reliable employment. Under Vision 2030 and its “Big Four” agenda, the government aims to raise manufacturing’s share to 20% by 2030, bolstered by new industrial parks and streamlined tax incentives.

While industrial parks offer mass employment and proven supply chains, start-ups shine in agility and innovation. However, the real challenge and opportunity is blending these models. By channeling the entrepreneurial energy of small ventures into scalable manufacturing and service hubs, entrepreneurship in Kenya could honor the time-tested path of industrialization and unlock new frontiers in sustainable poverty alleviation.

– Alexander Broermann

Alexander is based in Frankfurt, Germany and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Higher Education in Venezuela

Higher Education in VenezuelaThe pursuit of a college degree in Venezuela has become a powerful testament to the resilience of its students. Amid a complex humanitarian crisis, these students bravely confront power outages, food shortages, unreliable transport and the breakdown of public institutions. Here is information about higher education in Venezuela and efforts to improve it.

Higher Education in Venezuela Under Pressure

Public universities operate with minimal budgets. Autonomous institutions struggle to maintain operations. Most professors earn $8 a month, making them the lowest-paid in Latin America.

These challenging conditions have led to a brain drain, delayed graduation timelines and a decline in academic quality. Yet, many universities continue to function, fueled by the unwavering commitment and resilience of students and professors.

Endurance

In interviews with The Borgen Project, students shared how endurance, not just academic effort, has helped them carry on.

Take Víctor Solórzano, for instance, who recently earned a degree in social communication from Universidad Católica Andrés Bello (UCAB). His college years were a mix of trauma, fun and enrichment. Balancing part-time jobs and scholarships, he navigated frequent blackouts and inflation. His motivation was the thought of his mother’s pride on his graduation day.

Meanwhile, Jeremy Mata, a computer science student at Universidad Nacional Experimental de Guayana (UNEG), is completing his thesis despite a shortage of faculty and materials. “Many professors left because their salaries couldn’t support them,” he said. He credited study groups with helping him stay focused. “For me, finishing this thesis proves I didn’t give up.”

Poverty, Inflation and Brain Drain

In Venezuela, university costs reflect the hardship students endure rather than traditional tuition rates. Hyperinflation has a severe impact on daily life and the education sector, with the government allocating only 2.6% of its budget to universities in 2024.

Electricity, water and internet access are far from reliable. According to the Venezuelan Universities Observatory (OBU), 95% of universities lack stable internet, and more than 80% experience frequent power and water outages. These issues interrupt classes regularly and limit access to digital learning tools.

On top of this, most professors earn under $10 per month, nowhere near enough to cover basic expenses. In 2024, a single household needed more than $530 a month to afford a basic food basket.

This situation is why more than 40% of professors have left their positions in the last three years. Those who stay often juggle multiple classes, skip meals or rely on outside jobs to make ends meet.

Professor Lilia (a pseudonym), who teaches at UNEG in the southern part of the country, said some of her students arrive at class without eating or miss lectures due to transportation issues. “Sometimes they don’t choose a career based on interest, but based on what’s available nearby or what they can afford,” she said. To keep classes going during outages, they often use WhatsApp voice notes or meet in person when possible.

According to the NGO Aula Abierta, between 40% and 70% of students have dropped out of their studies since 2023, mainly due to migration or a lack of financial means to continue.

Ramón Rivera Verde, a former university professor, witnessed this collapse up close. “My salary didn’t cover the basics. I resisted as long as I could,” he said. He now lives abroad but still follows the state of education in his country. “The resilience of the institutions that continue to serve students under impossible circumstances.”

Innovation as a Lifeline

Despite adversity, local organizations and universities have developed creative ways to support students. Fundación Andrés Bello, which is affiliated with the Universidad Católica Andrés Bello, offers scholarships, school supplies and community support to low-income students.

Meanwhile, the now-closed Alimenta la Solidaridad operated more than 300 community kitchens across Venezuela, providing daily meals to families and students. It ended activities in May 2025 due to a lack of government protection.

Cáritas de Venezuela is an organization that addresses malnutrition by distributing food and monitoring the health of children. Its work improves cognitive performance and helps students stay in school.

To respond to new challenges, UCAB launched shorter, job-oriented programs, such as associate degrees (TSU) in software design and occupational safety and insurance.

Students can also pursue technical certifications in areas such as cooking and pastry arts at CIAP-UCAB. These programs offer quick paths to employment. The UCAB Fashion Academy links design skills with income opportunities.

Looking Ahead

The higher education system in Venezuela faces significant challenges, but students and educators are addressing these issues through grassroots initiatives. Education becomes a form of resistance, providing hope for a brighter future.

– Su Ying Lee Yang

Su is based in Chicago, IL, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Refugee Week 2025: Top 10 Events

Refugee Week 2025: Top 10 eventsJune 16-22, 2025, was Refugee Week, a seven-day festival of exhibitions, talks and events honouring the growing community of those who have been forcibly displaced by conflict, persecution and human rights violations. Taking place in June each year to coincide with June 20, World Refugee Day, the theme for 2025 was ‘Community as a Superpower’, highlighting the importance of banding together to show simple acts of kindness to those who have had to flee their homes. 

Top 10 Events

Below is a list of the top 10 events that took place during Refugee Week in the United Kingdom (U.K.) across schools, community centers and online.

  1. Serving up Sisterhood Recipe Book. Women for Women International (WfWI), an organisation set up following the Bosnian War where bad actors used rape as a weapon of war against an estimated 50,000 women, has released Serving up Sisterhood, a free, online recipe book. The e-book features 15 traditional recipes from women from 10 countries, including Afghanistan, Kosovo and Nigeria and hopes to evoke flavors of home and foster a sense of community among displaced women and women in poverty.  
  2. Big Leaf Foundation’s Refugee Week (Surrey). Big Leaf Foundation, a Surrey-based organisation working to improve the wellbeing of young displaced people, hosted a series of events this Refugee Week, including an Open Mic night featuring rap, poetry and storytelling; a Sports for Connection football tournament; and Welcome to Our Table, a theatre performance incorporating elements of spoken word, shadow puppetry, live music and food.
  3. The Refugee Week 2025 Film Program. Counterpoints Arts and Other Cinemas joined forces to come up with a film program for the week, which includes two feature-length films (from Gaza and Afghanistan) and five shorts (from Vietnam, Jamaica, Nigeria, Iran and El Salvador). Furthermore, all of the films are free and globally accessible and explore personal experiences of those who have fled their homes. 
  4. ‘Photos of Edinburgh by New Scots’ Exhibition. A new exhibition at St Mary’s Cathedral in Edinburgh depicts the city through the eyes of refugees and migrants who are new to the Scottish capital. Having all taken part in English classes at the cathedral, the photographers display their new home as they see it, providing a new outlook on the city. The exhibition ran through June 30, 2025.
  5. Community Clean-Up. Yorkshire VOICES Network hosted a Community Clean-Up in Leeds, empowering refugees to become more active members of their community. The event also had the aim of raising awareness of the need to protect the environment, strengthening community bonds and providing a platform for refugees to speak up about their neighbourhoods.
  6. ‘Pigments of Prose’ exhibition. Curated in partnership with Portsmouth Libraries and Archives, Portsmouth Central Library has organised an exhibition running until Oct. 1, 2025. Drawing upon themes of migration, resilience and cultural identity, this diverse exhibition of poetry, visual art and lived experiences of migration invites those who visit to reflect on their notions of expression and community.
  7. ‘A Place at the Table’ Exhibition. In the run-up to Refugee Week, Mercer Art Gallery held a series of workshops for Afghan women who now live in Harrogate. Seated around a large table, the women spent six weeks crafting a tablecloth whilst sharing their personal stories, uniting them while they created a unique piece of art. The tablecloth was on display at the museum during Refugee Week.
  8. Self-Advocacy Workshop. The Leeds Refugee Forum set up this workshop, which was open to all, with the aim of teaching those who have been displaced how to speak up for themselves and communicate their needs. There were also members of staff to answer questions that those attending had about advocating for themselves.
  9. Refugee Education Conference. The University of Winchester led a conference uniting refugees and those who work to support them. With exhibitions, presentations and workshops, as well as networking amongst local charity members, the event promoted an increased understanding of education, particularly how to support young refugees succeed in the education system.
  10. ‘To Own Nothing and the Whole World’ Exhibition. Artists Henna Asikainen and Roua Horanieh put together this exhibition on home and belonging at Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, which will show until July 6, 2025. Featuring foraged materials from the local area, the art focuses on the links between migration and the environment, specifically the interconnectedness of people, plants and places. 

Looking Ahead

Refugee Week highlights the experiences of forcibly displaced people and includes events that recognize the cultures and resilience of refugee communities. According to the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), one in every 67 people worldwide has been forced to flee their home and children make up 40% of all refugees. However, efforts like donating to refugee-focused charities, volunteering with local organizations or helping to foster a welcoming environment can spell a more positive future for refugee communities.

– Elsa Tarring

Elsa is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Fight Against the Gender Wage Gap in Belarus

Gender Wage Gap in BelarusThe gender wage gap has been a persistent problem across nearly all professional sectors since the integration of women into the workforce. Unfortunately, this issue remains prevalent in many workplaces today, notably in orthodox societies with traditional views on gender roles, such as Belarus, where the unadjusted gender wage gap favors men by 26.8%.

In Belarusian society, women are often encouraged to pursue lower-risk jobs with standard working conditions and flexible hours, as they dedicate on average 19.2% of their time to unpaid domestic and care work, such as raising children. In contrast, their male counterparts have the freedom to choose professions with longer hours and higher remuneration as they spend only 9.5% of their time on these tasks. As a result of these lower wages and high familial expectations, female workers are more at risk of falling into poverty than male workers. 

Despite ranking at #55 out of 146 countries in the World Economic Forum 2024 Global Gender Gap Index, Belarus is taking significant steps through legislation and internationally backed initiatives to climb the ladder and end discriminatory practices against women in the workplace. These are two key ways that Belarus is fighting against the gender wage gap.

International Aid Efforts

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is an international organization focused on supporting efforts for social and economic progress worldwide, currently working to improve women’s working conditions in Belarus. As a result of a partnership with UNICEF and the National Statistical Committee, the UNDP is now able to collect sex-disaggregated data, enabling it to find national solutions and track their progress in combating the gender wage gap. 

Progressive Legislation

In conjunction with these social efforts, Belarus has recently passed multiple pieces of legislation that are already producing positive results. 

In 2017, the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus adopted the National Plan for Gender Equality. With the goal of developing a more gendered approach to public policy to level the professional playing field and empower women to hold more managerial positions, the action plan has been largely successful since its implementation. Not only do women possess more upper management positions than before, but they also make up 70% of the 69,000 cultural workers in Belarus as they work in the fields of media, education and culture.

In the National Review of the Implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action on Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, a review in which the government presents answers to questions generated by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and UN Women, the Belarusian government explains that they have increased the salaries of employees in the women-dominated public sector. Although they do not give specific figures, professions such as teachers, medical workers and pharmaceutical professionals were the main beneficiaries and are expected to receive further salary augmentation before the end of 2025. This legislation seeks to close the gap between the salaries of these predominantly female professions and the predominantly male industrial professions in Belarus, who consistently earn far more than their female counterparts.

Political Arena

Women have also been rising to prominence in the political arena. Despite the rigid, male-dominated, autocratic regime, in both 2015 and 2020, multiple women were registered as single candidates in the presidential elections, signaling progression towards gender equality across many professions.

While the gender wage gap in Belarus is nowhere near eradicated, these progressive measures put in place by the government and international entities are positive steps towards gender equality in the workplace. These steps provide progressives and feminists across Belarus with cautious optimism. Despite the work that remains, feminist leader Irina Solomatina believes that “being a woman in Belarus is good,” as she hopes for future equality between genders in the workplace and, in turn, a lower risk of poverty for Belarusian women.

– Jack Schuchard

Jack is based in Herndon, VA, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Health Care in Cameroon: Challenges of Conflict and Disease

Health Care in CameroonCameroon is a lower-middle income country located in Central Africa bordering the Atlantic Ocean. It is home to over 28 million people with a projected 80% population increase by the year 2050. Similar to the skyrocketing population, life-threatening diseases in Cameroon have also been on the rise in recent years.

The top causes of death in Cameroon recorded in 2021 include lower respiratory infections as number one followed by stroke and Covid-19, respectively. Since 2021, there has been a surge of infectious diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis and HIV in Cameroon and other neighboring countries, highlighting the urgency for accessible health care.

The fragility of the health care system in Cameroon is largely due to ongoing conflicts in the North West and South West regions. Since 2016, Cameroon has experienced violent confrontations between government forces and separatist groups, widely referred to as the “Anglophone crisis”. The violence has resulted in the displacement of millions and the destruction of more than 200 medical facilities. As a result, in 2025, a projected 3.3 million people living in Cameroon will need humanitarian aid.

Malaria

The malaria outbreak began in 2013, initially affecting the northern regions of Cameroon. According to CNN, 800 people died from the outbreak and over 12,000 individuals were hospitalized for severe malaria. However, less than 10 treatment centers were available and qualified doctors were scarce.

In 2021, 50% of hospitalizations in Cameroon were caused by malaria, with the majority of patients being children under 5 years old. Cameroon accounted for 2.6% of global malaria cases and 2.1% of malaria deaths in the following year.

In order to improve health care coverage for citizens in Cameroon, the CDC has supported the prevention and control of malaria since 2017. This collaboration has allowed Cameroon to introduce the Cameroon Field Epidemiology Training Program (CAFETP) in 2010, which has helped provide training to other medical professionals in several surrounding countries. The joint effort helped train hundreds of CAFETP graduates and technicians to effectively recognize and treat malaria.

Cameroon introduced a vaccine for malaria in January 2024, becoming the first country to do so. By December 2024, Cameroon achieved a vaccination coverage rate of 47%. While there are still some regions within Cameroon that lack adequate health care, this accomplishment has made substantial strides toward an equitable health care system.

HIV

As of 2024, Cameroon is estimated to have over 500,000 individuals living with HIV. Despite the substantial numbers, there is a notable drop in the prevalence of HIV between 2011 and 2018 in people ages 15-49. In more recent years, the HIV transmission rate between infants has also decreased, from 3.22% in 2023 to 1.78% in 2024. These achievements are primarily attributable to aid from organizations such as UNICEF and the CDC.

Funds raised by UNICEF brought resources to support HIV transmission rates among infants and young children. In addition, UNICEF supported various HIV interventions for pregnant women, including antiretroviral therapy and testing.

The support of the CDC through the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) allows access to HIV health care in all 10 regions in Cameroon. The magnitude of this is substantial, as 95% of individuals receiving HIV treatment in Cameroon are using PEPFAR-supported sites.

In addition, Cameroon launched its Universal Health Coverage (UHC) system in April 2023 as part of its effort to increase health care access, particularly for vulnerable populations such as individuals living with HIV. By December 2024, this program allowed over 3 million people to register for the UHC program while also ensuring free access to HIV services for over 400,000 individuals.

Tuberculosis

In 2021, tuberculosis was listed as the fifth highest cause of death among individuals living in Cameroon, affecting 164 per 100,00 people. The mortality rate has seen a slight decrease since 2015, going from 31 to 30 per 100,00 individuals. More notably, is the tuberculosis mortality rate in individuals with HIV going from 31 to 14 in the same time period.

The CDC played a vital role in this operation, as nearly all tuberculosis patients at PEPFAR facilities have also been tested for HIV. In addition to HIV treatments provided by the UHC program, it provided free consultations to nearly 650 thousand children, along with free tuberculosis treatment to over 27 thousand individuals.

In response to these medical milestones, Cameroon initiated the National Tuberculosis Control Program (NTP), focusing on ending tuberculosis by 2030. This strategy emphasizes screening and early diagnosis, training health care workers, disease prevention, and consistent management of HIV and tuberculosis in affected patients.

A Look Into the Future

While Cameroon continues to face health challenges intensified by internal conflicts, a growing population, and the burden of communicable diseases, recent developments demonstrate meaningful progress. Continued investment in health care access, especially for vulnerable and underserved populations, will be critical to ensuring that the country is equipped to meet both current needs and future demands. With outside support and long-term planning, Cameroon has the potential to strengthen its health care system and improve health outcomes for millions of its citizens.

– Grace Johnson

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

Photo: Flickr