Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

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Childhood Anemia in Sierra Leone: Scale, Costs, and Solutions

Childhood Anemia in Sierra LeoneIn Sierra Leone, childhood anemia remains a widespread public-health burden with immediate clinical harms and long-term economic consequences. Recent national surveys and nutrition profiles show very high prevalence among children under 5 and point to a large absolute caseload that demands both low-cost commodities and substantial delivery investments.

The 2019 Sierra Leone Demographic and Health Survey reported an exceptionally high prevalence of anemia in children under 5. When combined with population estimates for the under-5 cohort (~1,188,000), the implied burden is roughly 900,000 young children affected. Quantifying both prevalence and headcount helps translate epidemiology into program scale and budgetary needs.

Causes and Clinical Impact

Multiple drivers contribute to childhood anemia in Sierra Leone: inadequate access to iron-rich foods, repeated infections (including malaria), intestinal parasites, and poor water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) conditions. Clinically, moderate and severe anemia in young children associates with reduced activity, impaired immune response, delayed cognitive development and elevated risks of hospitalization and mortality—outcomes that reduce lifetime human capital.

Home fortification with multiple micronutrient powders (MNPs) constitutes one of the clearest, evidence-backed interventions for reducing iron deficiency and lowering anemia prevalence in infants and young children. Meta-analyses and program guidance report reductions in anemia (meta-analytic point estimates commonly around the high-teens percentage reduction in targeted age bands) and substantial declines in iron deficiency biomarkers. At the procurement level, UNICEF price data have shown MNP product costs can be very low (for example, roughly $1.65 for 90 sachets), but product cost is only one component of a functional program.

Delivery Costs and Program Scale

Product procurement at UNICEF commodity prices implies a modest line-item for sachets alone: covering a six-month intermittent regimen for ~903,000 children would cost on the order of $1.5 million for the sachets themselves. Implementation pilots, however, highlight that distribution, community health worker time, training, supervision and adherence monitoring drive total costs far higher. Pilot studies report per-child program costs in the low tens of dollars (for example, approximately $53 per child via community platforms and ~ $66 via facility platforms in a nine-month pilot), which projects to program budgets in the tens of millions to reach the whole affected cohort.

UNICEF, WFP and HKI

UNICEF partners with the Government of Sierra Leone on child-nutrition programs, including infant and young child feeding (IYCF) counselling, and supports behavior change and supply-chain steps that are essential to sustained impact. Recent UNICEF reporting describes local innovations and maternal/child nutrition support activities deployed in 2024–2025.

The World Food Program (WFP) has piloted local production of affordable, nutrient-enriched complementary foods for children and works through community and school platforms to improve diet quality—an approach that reduces reliance on imported products and supports local economies. WFP described a 2023 pilot equipping women’s producer groups to hygienically make nutrient-rich complementary foods.

Helen Keller International (HKI) acts as a long-standing nutrition partner in Sierra Leone and has worked with the Ministry of Health to expand access to prenatal multiple micronutrient supplementation and other nutrition services; HKI’s recent program descriptions note expansion of prenatal supplement access across more than 1,400 health facilities in recent years, an example of scaling maternal nutrition to support child outcomes indirectly.

Conclusion

The numbers outline a stark but solvable public-health challenge: a large cohort of young children faces anemia, and inexpensive commodities exist that reduce prevalence. The decisive constraints are delivery systems and integrated public-health responses. Scaling proven platforms—UNICEF’s supply and behavior-change partnerships, WFP’s local complementary-food initiatives and HKI’s facility-level nutrition expansions—offers an operational road map: combine affordable MNP procurement with funded distribution, malaria and deworming measures and maternal-child nutrition services to convert low unit costs into durable population health gains.

– 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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International Community’s Reaction to Famine in Gaza

famine in gazaOn August 22, 2025, the war in Gaza reached a sobering milestone when the U.N.-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) declared a famine in the Gaza Governorate. In a speech by the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, he called this the world’s famine, underscoring what he saw as the abject failure of the international community to prevent Gaza’s suffering.

Just weeks later, the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel found that Israel had committed four of the five genocidal acts defined in the 1948 Genocide Convention. Pedro Sanchez called the declaration of famine a “shame for all of humanity.” Such words of shame have ramped up as nations across the world call for an end to the suffering of Gazans, the release of hostages and a ceasefire to allow aid to reach the Gaza Strip unencumbered.

IPC Classifications

The IPC has individually assessed four of the five governorates in the Gaza Strip, according to the 2025 report. This has been evaluated on the Acute Famine Index and the Acute Malnutrition Index, each with five stages. The Famine Review Committee, which operates within the IPC, concluded that a Phase 5 famine was affecting the Gaza Governorate. This represents the most catastrophic classification and requires “extreme critical levels of acute malnutrition and mortality.”

North Gaza faced similar or worse conditions, but evidence was insufficient for an official Phase 5 classification. Both the Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis Governorates face a Phase 4 emergency, which the IPC projects will imminently rise to Phase 5 by September 30, according to the August 2025 review. While these classifications provide vital structure, it is crucial to recognise the lived realities they represent.

As of September 25, 2025 Israeli forces have killed almost 65,000 Palestinians, according to BBC, and have damaged or destroyed an estimated 90% of homes. Each of these fatalities is a life, each fatality has a story, and each fatality has a family that will be mourning their death. The human aspect of this conflict must always remain its primary framing.

Previous Warnings

Even before the official declaration of famine in Gaza, the IPC had been warning that the humanitarian crisis was reaching catastrophic levels. As early as March 2024, the IPC warned that “Famine is now projected and imminent in the North Gaza and Gaza Governorates.” Just a week before the official declaration of famine in Gaza, more than 100 organizations signed a statement calling on Israel to stop the “Weaponization of aid.”

Furthermore, in a statement on September 17, 2025, the leaders of more than 20 aid agencies called on world leaders to intervene after the declaration of genocide by a U.N. Commission. They called the situation on the ground “unconscionable” and recounted meeting Palestinians who had lost limbs and even children who wished for death to join their parents in heaven. Amnesty International echoed these appeals with a statement on the 25th September, asserting that “Words alone will not stop the atrocities.”

They called for all states to use every diplomatic, economic and political tool to exert influence over Israel to secure a ceasefire. These escalating appeals highlight a growing agreement among humanitarian groups that action on an international level is desperately needed.

The International Community

The realities of geopolitics in the region make it difficult for international actors outside of the U.S. to make decisions that could decisively end the war. In recent months, many of Israel’s allies, frustrated with the continuing conflict, have recognized Palestine in an attempt to revive the two-state solution that Netanyahu has said he will strongly oppose. However, some are calling for European states, particularly, to go further.

At the recent U.K. Labour Party conference, members of the governing party backed a non-binding motion calling for the full suspension of arms trade with Israel. This follows the Spanish government, which had already announced a full arms embargo on Israel in response to what Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called a genocide. The European Commission has also announced plans to restrict trade with Israel and impose sanctions on extremist Israeli ministers.

Israel’s number one trading partner is the EU, and it accounted for 32% of Israel’s trade in 2024, positioning the EU well to apply meaningful pressure. However, experts predict the impact to be somewhat limited, with trade commissioner, Maroš Šefčovič, estimating the effect to be just €227 million a year, if the measure passes at all, which currently looks doubtful.

President Trump has also proposed peace with the backing of Netanyahu, which would see the demilitarisation of Gaza, the release of prisoners by both Israel and Hamas, a surge of aid into the strip and the creation of a temporary committee tasked with the transitional governance of Gaza. The success of this deal in the long term remains uncertain; however, leaders in the Middle East and Europe have signalled support for the plan.

Final Thoughts

International agencies described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as unprecedented in scale and severity. In September 2024, a U.N. commission declared that acts committed by Israel in Gaza met the legal definition of genocide, a finding that has intensified appeals for urgent international intervention.

Reports from the IPC, U.N. bodies, and humanitarian organizations continue to highlight widespread food insecurity, mass displacement, and the near-total collapse of essential services. Aid groups warn that without immediate and sustained access to food, water, and medical supplies, famine will deepen.

While long-term political solutions remain uncertain, humanitarian actors stress that the immediate priority is securing life-saving assistance for civilians. These repeated calls from agencies, governments, and human rights organizations are part of a growing international consensus that words of shame are insufficient without tangible measures to prevent further civilian suffering and loss of life.

– Adam Walsh

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

Photo: Flickr

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New Integrated Plan To Address Disability and Poverty in Czechia

Disability and Poverty in CzechiaThe Czech Republic is a country located in Central Europe, with a population reaching almost 11 million people. Approximately 1.3 million of the citizens live with a disability. Income poverty and exclusion affect this group the most. Here is more information about disability and poverty in Czechia.

Current Challenges

According to the data that the European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions provided, the poverty risk rate for working-age persons with disabilities in Czechia was 13.2% in 2023, double compared to other persons of similar age. 

Younger people with disabilities face particular disadvantages as well. Those in the 18-24 age group are far more likely to leave school early compared to their peers and are less likely to graduate from tertiary education. A significant group of children with disabilities receive education in separate schools rather than the public system, which deepens the social exclusion. The link between disability and poverty in Czechia starts at the very beginning of the societal and professional path.

The most common type of disability in Czechia is mobility impairment. People with disabilities point to transport and navigation of public spaces as their greatest challenges.

There are multiple elements within the national social security system to support individuals with disabilities such as financial benefits, tax relief, insurance and assistance. However, there is little focus on vocational rehabilitation, which experts point as perhaps the most productive solution to poverty and disability connection. Job market opportunities for people with disabilities are limited with low motivation for accommodations.

Past Achievements

Since joining international efforts for inclusion, such as ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2009, Czechia made considerable progress in terms of legislation related to the protection of this citizen group.

The employment rate of persons with disabilities is marginally above the EU average. The government has incorporated multiple incentives in labor law to help achieve it, for example supplier diversity programs, parities requirements and targeted efforts from The Regional Employment Agencies to assist people with disabilities in finding suitable workplaces.

Many municipalities participated in the National Development Program for Mobility for All, which has been implemented since 2005, removing barriers and improving mobility in urbanized areas.

Plan for the Future

To better accommodate citizens with disabilities, the Czech government has approved a National Plan for Persons with Disabilities for 2026-2030. What is especially interesting in this new Plan is the integrated, holistic approach to proposed solutions. The Plan will focus on improving accessibility in public buildings and transport infrastructure, with both elements intentionally linked. 

The basic objective of the National Accessibility for All Programme is to build comprehensive barrier-free pedestrian routes with direct links to the buildings of public institutions. Simply put, the plan is to not only help people get to the location or to navigate within the building, but to enable both, creating an accessible experience.

To support the efforts described in the Plan, on January 1, 2025, the amendment to the Czech Employment Act came into force, especially the obligation to employ a mandatory proportion of disabled employees. This change aims to encourage employers to hire disabled employees and prevent attempts to circumvent existing mechanisms.

Looking Ahead

The government describes the importance of the Plan as fundamental for the effective functioning and sustainable development of cities and municipalities, with regard to the demographic development of society and decreasing disability and poverty in Czechia.

– Patrycja Pietrzak

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

Photo: Unsplash

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Youth Opportunities: Digital Literacy Programs in Southeast Asia

Digital Literacy Programs in Southeast AsiaSoutheast Asia is at the heart of one of the world’s fastest-growing digital economies. However, millions of people miss out on these opportunities because they lack digital skills, even as the region’s marketplaces grow and sectors are transformed by technology. This digital divide often leads to economic hardship, limiting the chances of upward mobility. Programs for digital literacy have become an essential response, giving young people the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the modern workforce. By linking youth to employment, entrepreneurship and innovation, these initiatives aim to reduce unemployment and address poverty at its roots.

Growing Digital Economy and Skills Gap

Southeast Asia’s digital economy could reach $360 billion by 2025 and surge toward $1 trillion by 2030. However, most of the region’s workforce still lacks the digital skills needed to participate fully in this transformation. For instance, in Indonesia and Singapore, only 52% of non-tech employees receive digital skills training annually, as compared to 81% of tech employees. As a result, roughly half of non-technical employees do not have access to annual digital training. This gap threatens to widen inequality, as those without digital literacy remain locked out of opportunities created by online platforms, remote work and technology-driven industries. Thus, young adults run the risk of becoming stuck in low-wage, unofficial jobs that perpetuate poverty cycles. 

Impact of Digital Literacy Programs in Southeast Asia

Digital literacy programs in Southeast Asia are proving to be effective engines of opportunity as they equip young people with marketable skills. Initiatives such as “Digital Jobs Philippines” and Singapore’s “SkillsFuture” help thousands of young people get hands-on experience in coding, e-commerce and digital communication. Similarly, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched its “Skill Our Future” program in 2023. It offers free online training in AI, digital literacy and workplace skills to underserved youth in the Philippines and across Asia, specifically to improve employability. In the same year, UNDP and Microsoft announced a joint initiative to equip 2 million underserved youth in Asia with digital and AI skills, further boosting their chances in the labor market. 

Digital Literacy and Inclusivity

The impact of digital literacy programs in Southeast Asia extends beyond individuals. Marginalized youth, especially rural populations and women, often face the greatest challenges when it comes to digital participation. U.N. Women highlights that in several Asia-Pacific low and middle-income countries, women are 20% less likely to own smartphones or access the internet compared to men, emphasizing the critical need for training that is inclusive by design.

Moreover, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), by 2030, 80% of jobs in Southeast Asia will require basic digital literacy and information and communications technology (ICT) skills. These digital literacy programs aim to close the inequality gaps by reshaping entire communities when designed to be inclusive. When marginalized youth gain digital skills, they secure better employment opportunities and also uplift their families and communities. Bridging these divides strengthens social cohesion and ensures that economic growth does not exclude anyone. These measures directly advance the fight against poverty as minoritized groups obtain opportunities to acquire skills that are greatly in demand, hence helping them access a plethora of opportunities. 

Long-Term Gains for Economies and Communities

Digital literacy does more than prepare individuals for immediate job opportunities. It also strengthens national economies. The Asian Development Bank expects improved digital skills to add $1 trillion to Asia’s GDP by 2030. A workforce with strong digital skills draws in investment, encourages innovation and increases resilience to shocks to the economy. This ensures that Southeast Asian economies remain competitive in the global marketplace. This long-term growth translates into poverty reduction on a national scale, as higher employment rates generate tax revenue that governments can reinvest in social programs, infrastructure and education. 

Looking Ahead

Digital literacy provides a pathway to opportunity by equipping Southeast Asia’s youth with highly demanded skills. In addition to empowering young entrepreneurs and ensuring that disadvantaged groups are not left behind, programs that offer these skills open avenues to employment. As governments, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and the private sector expand their investment in digital education, they are laying the groundwork for inclusive growth and long-term poverty reduction.

– Anagha Rajithkumar

Anagha is based in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada and focuses on Business and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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South-East Ladies Agro Collective: Making a Difference

South-East Ladies Agro CollectiveMauritius is still recovering from a 2020 oil spill in the Indian Ocean, an accident that has been disastrous for its environment and economy. However, some of its citizens are finding creative ways to help with recovery. A group of women has banded together to create a community of farmers to help feed their families.

This is how South-East Ladies Agro Collective was formed and how it exemplifies the importance of community action in politics.

The MV Wakashio Oil Spill

In 2020, the MV Wakashi, a ship owned by Nagashiki Shipping in Japan, ran aground near the village of Mahebourg in Mauritius. The BBC estimates that 1,000 metric tonnes of oil leaked from the ship and contaminated the nearby waters. Five years later, cleanup is still ongoing.

The oil spill has had various negative effects on Mauritius, most notably on its environment. Mauritius has an extremely diverse and unique ecosystem. According to the BBC, the ocean around Mauritius is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. This spill has placed this fragile ecosystem in permanent jeopardy.

As the fate of Mauritius’ environment hangs in the balance, the government is left to determine what other issues have arisen from this disaster.

Farming to the Rescue

While environmental concerns are the highest priority, there are several other effects that Mauritius needs to address in the wake of the spill. The spill has also caused significant damage to the local economy, which relies heavily on fishing. With the ocean near Mauritius still heavily tainted by oil, local fishermen cannot fulfill their livelihood. With so many people out of work, the economy was stagnant and many families could not afford basic needs.

The South-East Ladies Agro Collective was founded in Mahébourg, Mauritius, by resident Sandy Monrose to combat this issue. After initially helping with clean-up efforts in the immediate aftermath of the oil spill, she began considering other ways to help her community recover. She requested a land grant from a local farming company, Ferney Ltd. Then she began speaking with other local women to see if they were interested in farming.

As the name implies, the South-East Ladies Agro Collective is primarily composed of women. Its goal is to help feed their village while income remains limited. Beyond farming, the collective also teaches residents the basics of agriculture. Active for about a year and thanks to the hard work of Monrose and her team, it has been a massive success. The group currently has 10 members who can feed their families and grow enough to sell their products on the side.

What Can We Learn?

Mauritius’ example shows us how essential community organizing is to making a better world and how much of a difference one person can make. Monrose saw a problem and instead of despairing, came up with a unique and innovative solution to her community’s issues and even got her fellow citizens involved.

The rise of South-East Ladies Agro also demonstrates how interconnected political issues can be. Farming and oil spill cleanup may seem unrelated, but Monrose’s example shows how one can directly affect the other. This is why out-of-the-box thinking is essential for political action. Activists can easily miss less obvious issues like this if they cannot conceive of unique angles of political issues.

Mauritius is still struggling with the aftermath of the MV Wakashio oil spill. However, every little bit helps and organizations like South-East Ladies Agro are a positive step toward community political engagement. With more efforts like this and more collaboration between citizens and their government, lasting changes can be made not just in Mauritius, but worldwide.

– Thaddeus Konieczny

Thaddeus is based in Williamston, MI, USA and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Beyond a Paradise: The Reality of Poverty in Seychelles

Poverty in SeychellesSeychelles is an idyllic tourist destination in the Western Indian Ocean off the coast of Africa, with its turquoise ocean water, luxury resorts and luscious landscapes. Underneath that is a persistent issue that the population of Seychelles faces: continued poverty. Many of the nation’s residents struggle daily with living costs, unemployment and basic services.

While Seychelles ranks lower than many countries with poverty on a global standard, the reality for many Seychellois is more complex than average statistics. 

The Reality and the Numbers

A report released in 2021 by the National Bureau of Statistics and the World Bank claimed that “25.3% of the population in Seychelles was living below the national poverty line in 2018.” The monetary amount they used to determine the poverty line was SCR 4,376 per month (about $206).

Aside from the monetary aspect, a Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) survey was done in 2019. It found that 11.88% of Seychellois are multidimensionally poor. Indeed, they’re not just deprived monetarily, they are being deprived of multiple areas like education, employment and health care.

Although these numbers are much lower than other poverty averages seen in many other nations, due to the small population, it is a reality for a big minority. Not only do money and unemployment add to the poverty line, but the rising cost of living and continued hardships affect many as well.

Who Is Most Affected

Larger family households are much more likely to be multidimensionally poor. The MPI counted more than 30% of large family households in this category, compared to under 5% of small family households.

The unemployed face very high vulnerability. More than 57% of those without employment were identified as multidimensionally poor. Populations with lower or no education have much higher rates of deprivation.

Government Safety Nets and Help

The Seychellois government has tried to arrange safety nets to address these issues and bring change:

  • Social Protection: In 2021, the World Bank gave Seychelles a $30 million credit to improve effectiveness and coordination in programs ranging from disability aid and pensions to welfare for orphans.
  • Welfare Assistance: The Agency for Social Protection (ASP) provides welfare to households unable to meet basic needs.
  • Increase in Benefits: In 2022, welfare allowances for families and individuals were increased to help with the rising cost of living.
  • Temporary Financial Aid: Workers earning below certain thresholds are eligible for extra monthly support, as are elderly individuals with electricity bills in their name.
  • Electricity Rebates: The ASP offers rebates on electricity tariffs for many low-income families and has simplified the application process by reducing documentation requirements.

Challenges and Limitations Remain

Despite NGOs and government support, poverty in Seychelles has not yet been solved. Many challenges and limitations remain:

  • Rising Cost of Living: Purchasing power is limited even with monetary assistance. Basic costs such as housing, utilities and food remain a struggle.
  • Fragmented Program Delivery: While many social programs exist, their implementation is fragmented, with varying levels of coordination, awareness and effectiveness.
  • Eligibility Gaps: Not everyone qualifies for assistance. Workers, particularly in the tourism sector, are excluded from certain benefits and were hit especially hard after COVID-19.

Conclusion

Poverty in Seychelles may be less visible than in many other nations. However, it remains a persistent issue for most of the population. While monetary poverty has declined and many live above extreme thresholds, multidimensional poverty is still widespread. The government’s safety nets are making important strides. However, until these programs adapt more effectively to rising costs and ensure equitable access, many people in Seychelles will continue to live in poverty.

– Brody L. Gates

Brody is based in Fort Worth, TX, USA and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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The Shirika Plan: Rethinking the Kenyan Refugee Crisis

Shirika PlanKenya is currently hosting more than 850,000 refugees and asylum seekers. Many are fleeing conflict, repression and climate-related disasters in Somalia, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Those living in these camps rely heavily on humanitarian funding.

Kenya’s encampment policy requires refugees to live in two major camps, Dadaab and Kakuma, located in remote, arid regions of the country where agriculture is unfeasible. As a result of the U.S.’s humanitarian aid cuts, Kenya’s refugee camps were plunged into crisis.

Due to U.S. cuts, only 181 million out of 300 million people worldwide in need received aid in 2024. The impact of these cuts is especially evident in Kenyan refugee camps. Despite the ongoing refugee crisis, its government is rethinking its approach by implementing the Shirika Plan: a pioneering approach focusing on individual freedom and self-sufficiency instead of relying on foreign aid.

The Impact of Humanitarian Aid Cuts

The U.S. cuts to humanitarian aid under the Trump administration are having dire implications for those living in refugee camps. These cuts directly harm livelihoods and undermine refugee-led organizations that promote self-reliance.

The impact of these cuts was documented in a 2022 University of Oxford study in Kakuma that examined the effect of aid on the ground. Halfway through the study, the World Food Programme (WFP) was forced to cut assistance to the camp by 20%. This left people with a daily wage of $13.

Caloric intake in the camp dropped by 7%, with people eating a less diverse and lower-quality diet due to these cuts. One Somali refugee told the team of researchers, “After the aid reduction, the lives of refugees became hard. That was the money sustaining them… Hunger is visible.”

The situation has since worsened; in June 2025, the ration was cut again to the equivalent of $5 per month. In addition, frequent delays in distribution only exacerbate the Kenyan refugee crisis, leaving families with less than their basic nutritional needs. Because of this, Kenya has had to adopt a new approach to the refugee crisis.

The Shirika Plan

Born of the Refugee Act No.10 of 2021, which emphasised governmental commitment to refugee welfare and finding sustainable solutions, the Shirika Plan signalled a significant shift in refugee policy. A multiyear initiative that aims to transform camps into integrated settlements, this plan promotes the socioeconomic inclusion of around 83,000 refugees in northern Kenya.

Local initiatives such as the Kalobeyei Integrated Socioeconomic Development Plan (KISEDP) and the Garissa Integrated Socioeconomic Development Plan (GISEDP) aim to integrate refugees into Kenya’s development agenda. These programs produce what has been dubbed a “triple benefit”: enhancing self-reliance, reducing aid dependency and strengthening host communities’ economies. The Shirika Plan also begins to address the problem of waning humanitarian aid while promoting dignity among refugees.

However, as a relatively new initiative, the benefits need time to take shape. Kenya must adopt a comprehensive refugee management policy to achieve seamless coordination across Kenyan ministries, departments and humanitarian agencies in rolling out the plan.

The Next Steps

Born out of necessity, the Shirika Plan represents a shift in political outlook and a move toward sustainable, long-term solutions. Although still in its infancy, this pioneering approach breaks away from decades of refugee policy that confined displaced people to remote settlements and reliance on international aid.

– Libby Foxwell

Libby is based in Sherborne, Dorset, UK and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Organizations Reducing Child Poverty in Malawi

Child Poverty in MalawiMore than half of the children in Malawi live in poverty. A report conducted by UNICEF stated that all children (0-17 years) in Malawi experience the highest levels of deprivation in sanitation, education and housing. This is particularly worse for children in rural areas, as 76.6% against 24.4% in urban areas experience multi-dimensional poverty.

A child experiencing multi-dimensional poverty is defined by their inability to access specific goods and services simultaneously. In Malawi, poverty is nationwide, but the disparity between urban and rural areas, alongside the layers of poverty, is severe. However, several charities and programs have created solutions to end the cycle of child poverty and strengthen Malawi’s youth and future.

Open Arms Malawi

Open Arms Malawi aims to break the cycle of child poverty through community-led support. By engaging directly with families, Open Arms equips and empowers them with the resources necessary to raise healthy children and achieve self-sufficiency. From birth, it provides infant care to ensure babies survive their early years.

The organization not only supplies families with medicines, milk and food formulas but also covers medical expenses to prevent delays in treatment. Additionally, Open Arms offers parenting advice and education on nutrition and child care, along with monitoring growth charts and health status to create a supportive system for both children and parents, with goals being met. In 2024, 300 children had their health monitored and were provided with food, clothing, educational and medical advice throughout the year.

Self-sufficiency is encouraged through education and collaboration with families. By providing both short-term and long-term resources, sustainable change is driven through learning and developing independence. This strengthens Malawi’s youth from their earliest years and creates a brighter future for them.

Starfish Malawi

Among Starfish Malawi’s various projects aimed at empowering vulnerable children is Glad Tidings Orphan Care. Based in Ngolowindo, a rural village in Malawi’s Salima Lakeshore District, the project is staffed by just six workers. Through home visits, workshops for guardians and medical and nutritional support, the project has improved the lives of 240 children in the area.

Like Open Arms, Glad Tidings’ community-driven support is at the heart of its work. Glad Tidings collaborates with parents, caregivers and community members to carry out its programs and support children in need. Additionally, it provides accessible nursery education as an early intervention for disadvantaged children, encouraging physical, intellectual, creative, social and emotional development.

Currently, 525 children are registered at the GTO nurseries, receiving free nursery education. As such, these orphaned and disadvantaged children can access education, which provides stability and security, a key solution to tackling the cycle of child poverty in Malawi.

Hope4Malawi

Hope4Malawi’s Youth Program concentrates on the final stages of a child’s development as they prepare to leave school. The character development component teaches young people essential life and leadership skills that they can apply in their personal and professional lives, ultimately influencing their community. Hope4Malawi received sponsorships, which have granted full scholarships to 27 students and half scholarships to 28 more students.

Additionally, it has also provided educational resources. This changes the trajectory of the families who couldn’t attend school and provides children and families with an opportunity to reach their potential. Conversely, vocational and business skills are taught to empower young people to secure a livelihood.

These include problem-solving skills, academic skills for employment and business skills to broaden job opportunities and develop business ideas. This not only provides a foundation for young adults to build their careers and enhance employment prospects but also enables them to explore their own dreams. Hope4Malawi helps strengthen Malawi’s youth by encouraging them to turn those dreams into reality.

Going Forward

The community acts as the foundation of these initiatives, working to end child poverty and make a stronger generation of children in Malawi. By addressing and finding solutions to issues faced by babies from birth, the Open Arms support system can transform the lives of children and parents. As children grow, receive an education and seek employment, community-driven efforts persist through organizations like Starfish Malawi and Hope4Malawi’s Youth Program.

These organizations not only offer a helping hand but also help stabilize children from a young age and tackle the multifaceted poverty they encounter. By increasing funding, resources and raising awareness, these community-driven solutions would further strengthen Malawi’s youth and create a brighter future across the country.

– Jule Riemenschneider

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

Photo: Flickr

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Innovative Ways CEPI is Fighting Lassa Fever

CEPILassa Fever is spread primarily through rodents, specifically Mastomys rats. The viral illness affects up to half a million people a year, with thousands of deaths reported each year. Despite its destructive impact on West Africa, there is still no licensed vaccine. To fight this, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) is driving forward an ambitious strategy that combines science, partnerships and capacity building. CEPI is fighting Lassa Fever, offering a blueprint for how the world can prepare for other epidemic threats.

Accelerating Clinical Trials in West Africa

A key step toward eliminating Lassa Fever lies within vaccine development and CEPI is helping to fast-track clinical trials directly in the communities that have been most affected. In 2022, CEPI supported Phase 1 trials in Liberia, marking the first test of an experimental Lassa vaccine in West Africa. This has now been followed up with Phase 2 studies across Ghana, Nigeria and Liberia, which have enrolled more than 600 participants as of 2024.

The Lassa Fever Vaccine Efficacy and Prevention for West Africa (LEAP4WA) consortium, funded by both CEPI and the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trial Partnerships (EDCTP), is now preparing for a phase 2b efficacy trial in Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. CEPI’s April 2025 LEAP4WA newsletter confirms that this trial, evaluating the ‘rVSVΔG-LASV-GPC’ vaccine candidate, will begin in 2026 with extensive preparations already underway.

Dr. Richard Hatchett, CEO of CEPI, stressed the urgency of the development of a vaccine: “Lassa Fever has been neglected far too long; through supporting trials in endemic regions, we can help those in need.” This focus on West African communities reflects one of the most important ways CEPI is fighting Lassa Fever, ensuring that science serves the people who need it most.

Understanding the Disease Through Epidemiology

Developing a vaccine is only half the challenge; understanding the virus itself is equally vital. That is why CEPI has created its ENABLE program, the largest study of its kind for Lassa Fever, which has enrolled up to 23,000 participants across Benin, Guinea, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. This ground-breaking study aims to map transmissions, symptoms and risk factors. These findings are vital for guiding future vaccination campaigns.

To ensure global data consistency, CEPI’s Enabling Science initiative, in collaboration with the World Health Organization, has developed international standards and assays for Lassa Fever. This ensures laboratories worldwide can reliably evaluate vaccines and diagnostics.

Gabrielle Breugelmans, CEPI’s Director of Epidemiology, stated, “ENABLE 1.5, running in Nigeria, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, is giving a clearer picture. Its findings will guide vaccine trial locations and help identify priority groups for vaccination.” Supporting this, CEPI’s Centralized Laboratory Network (CLN) has become the world’s largest vaccine testing network, processing more than 120,000 samples and aiding more than 60 developers. In 2025, it expanded with new members, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has strengthened Africa’s outbreak readiness. 

In accordance with this, CEPI’s Biospecimen Sourcing Initiative aims to reduce the time needed to collect survivor samples from months to weeks, accelerating the diagnostic process and vaccine development. Together, these innovations demonstrate the way CEPI is fighting Lassa Fever, linking local epidemiology and global lab capacity.

Strengthening Regional Partnerships and Governance

Scientific progress alone cannot subdue Lassa Fever. Strong governance and collaboration are essential to ensure vaccines are delivered fairly and effectively. CEPI has worked with the West African Health Organization (WAHO) to launch the Lassa Fever coalition. This collaboration brings together ministries of health, NGOs and civil society organizations to coordinate strategies across borders.

Oyeronke Oyebanji, the head of CEPI’s Lassa Engagement, proclaimed, “The coalition reflects growing solidarity across West Africa, strengthening health security for Lassa and other epidemic threats.” 

In parallel, CEPI supports the RegECs Project, which has harmonized regulatory and ethical approval processes across West Africa through collaboration with the African Regulatory Forum (AVAREF). This innovation has reduced delays in starting trials whilst upholding the international safety standards. Such cross-border cooperation is yet another example of how the CEPI is fighting Lassa Fever, ensuring that progress doesn’t stop at the laboratory but extends into policy and practice.

Building Clinical Trial Infrastructure

One of CEPI’s most forward-thinking strategies is investment in local infrastructure. Through the Research Preparedness Program West Africa (RPPWA), CEPI is helping establish new laboratories, train researchers and prepare trial sites capable of hosting large-scale studies. These investments are designed to outlast any single project. By strengthening scientific capacity across the region, CEPI is building resilience that will help West African countries respond not only to Lassa fever but also to future outbreaks such as Ebola or unknown diseases like “Disease X.” This commitment to sustainability is another practical way CEPI is fighting Lassa fever, leaving behind a legacy of stronger, self-reliant health systems.

A Blueprint for Future Epidemics

CEPI’s fight against Lassa fever illustrates how epidemic preparedness must go beyond developing a vaccine. Indeed, it requires embedding research with affected communities, building networks of trust and investing in long-term infrastructure. Its work shows that when science, governance and regional leadership align, neglected diseases can be confronted head-on.

Through accelerated clinical trials, pioneering epidemiological studies, regional governance initiatives and infrastructure development, CEPI is reshaping how the world approaches epidemic threats. These strategies are among the most impactful ways CEPI is fighting Lassa fever while also providing a model for addressing other emerging infectious diseases. In a region where outbreaks have too often devastated communities, CEPI’s approach offers hope not just of a vaccine but of a safer, more resilient future.

– Charlie Wood

Charlie is based in Liversedge, West Yorkshire and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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5 Diseases Impacting Saudi Arabia

Diseases Impacting Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia’s government has spent much of the last decade trying to promote the nation as a cultural and economic superpower. It has achieved this through massive investment in the tourism sector and by hosting various high-profile sporting events. The Saudi government clearly also prioritizes the population’s health with the latest available figures from the World Health Organization (WHO) suggesting that 12.8% of Saudi Arabia’s public expenditure is dedicated to public health projects. This is significantly higher than both the global average of 10.8% and the average of 8.3% that Saudi Arabia’s eastern Mediterranean neighbors spend. Despite this, some communicable diseases continue to pose a significant risk to public welfare. Here is information about the diseases impacting Saudi Arabia and the efforts to address them.

 1. Dengue Fever

Dengue fever, which the mosquito-borne Orthoflavivirus causes, can cause high fever, muscle pain and large rashes. Rising average temperatures across the Mediterranean have allowed mosquitoes to spread north from East Africa to the Middle East. This has increased Saudi Arabia’s mosquito population and has contributed to a rise in infection rates since the 1990s. These rates spike each year during the holy month of Ramadan, where this year, more than 122 million worshippers visited the city of Mecca in western Saudi Arabia.

Large gatherings of people from outside the country, who have had no previous exposure to the virus and have therefore built no immunity, can allow it to spread rapidly if they do not take the necessary precautions, such as wearing insect-proof clothing and sleeping under mosquito nets.

The Saudi health ministry has invested heavily in raising awareness of behaviors that prevent the spread of mosquitoes among locals. This helped reduce the number of annual reported infections from 4,266 in 2018 to 1,888 the following year.

2. MERS-CoV

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is one of the most recently identified diseases impacting Saudi Arabia. In early 2025, the Saudi health ministry confirmed nine cases, including two deaths.

MERS-CoV produces flu-like symptoms and infects patients through their respiratory system. Experts believe it has passed to Saudi Arabia’s rural population through contact with dromedary camels, which people widely use for transportation across the country’s deserts.

 3. Meningitis

The Saudi health ministry identified 11 cases of meningitis in March 2025, with the WHO identifying a further 17 in April. In response to this, the Saudi health ministry now requires anyone entering the country to receive a quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine at least 10 days prior to their arrival. At the time, estimates indicated that only 54% of international visitors to Saudi Arabia met the vaccination requirements.

The Saudi health ministry highlighted the importance of vaccination to citizens in its public health campaigns. This complements a post-exposure chemoprophylaxis scheme, in which close contacts of patients receive antimicrobial prophylaxis in order to prevent further transmission.

The U.K. Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has classified meningococcal meningitis as one of the diseases impacting Saudi Arabia, which poses the greatest risk to British tourists visiting the country. The UKHSA’s current guidance urges tourists travelling to Saudi Arabia to ensure they receiv meningitis vaccinations before they travel.

 4. Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the most widely researched diseases impacting Saudi Arabia. Since 2021, Saudi Arabia’s National Tuberculosis Programme has focused on training hospital staff to prevent TB being transmitted between patients, and investing in specialist TB hospitals.

These efforts to curb the spread of the disease have reduced the infection rate from 23 infections per 100,000 people in 2000, to 8.4 infections per 100,000 people in 2023. This meets the targets set out in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 3, which focuses on health and well-being.

Despite this success, TB remains more prevalent in Saudi Arabia than in the neighboring United Arab Emirates, and in much of Europe, including the U.K. 

5. Brucellosis

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease transmitted to humans through contact with animals such as sheep, goats and camels, and through drinking their unpasteurized milk. Many epidemiologists believe it to be the most widespread zoonotic infection in the world.

Infection rates have dropped in Saudi Arabia over the last 30 years, partially due to urbanization reducing the number of people working in agriculture. Despite this, the disease remains endemic in rural communities.

Antibiotics such as Doxycycline can treat brucellosis, with ongoing humanitarian efforts focusing on supplying these medicines to remote areas.

Future Steps

Internal and external efforts to raise public awareness of vital health practices and improve the supply of treatments to rural communities are combating diseases impacting Saudi Arabia. Recent outbreaks, however, prove that substantial government funding of the health ministry and international co-operation remain crucial to further reducing the threat that communicable diseases pose across the country.

– Billy Stack

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

Photo: Unsplash