Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

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How Bolivia’s Ineffective Education System Is Failing Its Children

Bolivia’s Ineffective Education SystemIn the heart of South America, Bolivia faces a profound education crisis that threatens its youth’s future and the nation’s economic stability. Despite minimal efforts to reform and invest in education, systemic barriers, poverty and inequality continue to prevent millions of Bolivian children from accessing quality schooling. Only one in seven children completes their education. Additionally, more than a million Bolivians aged 15 and above remain illiterate. Hence, the country is grappling with a cycle of underdevelopment that could deepen if left unaddressed.

The Roots of the Crisis

Bolivia has the lowest GDP per capita in South America, at just $4,000. This economic reality directly impacts education, especially in rural and indigenous communities. Students in rural areas complete an average of only 4.2 years of schooling before dropping out to support their families, compared to 9.4 years in urban areas.

Data from the Bolivian Campaign for the Right to Education (CBDE) shows that most students struggle with basic literacy and comprehension. About 70% of third graders and 80% of sixth graders cannot interpret or reflect on written texts. Math and science performance is similarly low, with most students scoring at the lowest levels and unable to apply fundamental concepts.

Data from the World Bank shows that over time, Bolivian children are not completing secondary education courses, while fewer and fewer students enroll in primary education. Bolivia’s ineffective education system fails to equip students with even the most basic skills, leaving them unprepared for higher education and the workforce.

The country’s education system also suffers from a mismatch between what students learn and what the labor market demands. This makes it one of the significant catalysts for an ever-growing wealth disparity. Many graduates find themselves ill-equipped for Bolivia’s dominant agriculture, mining and construction industries, which favor hands-on experience over formal education.

Poverty and Education: A Repeating Cycle

The lack of education in Bolivia is both a cause and a consequence of poverty. Children who leave school early often enter informal labor markets with little opportunity for upward mobility. This keeps a cycle going where families stay trapped in poverty, unable to invest in their children’s futures and it continues for generations. Similar patterns are seen in other countries facing economic struggles.

Several studies have found a strong correlation between education and poverty reduction. Higher levels of education significantly decrease the probability of being impoverished and reduce income inequality. Yet, Bolivia’s ineffective education system fails to deliver these benefits to its vulnerable populations.

Government Efforts and Community Initiatives

Bolivia has tried to make notable efforts to reform its education system. The 1994 education reform aimed to decentralize funding, improve teacher training and expand intercultural bilingual education. These reforms were designed to address the diverse needs of Bolivia’s population, especially in rural and indigenous areas. While efforts to mainstream Indigenous languages in education and reform teaching methods yielded encouraging results, other challenges hinder broader school progress.

In 2010, the Bolivian government enacted the Avelino Siñani–Elizardo Pérez Education Law. This law redefined the country’s educational framework by establishing an educational system rooted in cultural diversity, social inclusion and lifelong learning principles. Rather than using the term “lifelong learning,” the law emphasizes “alternative education,” which serves youth and adults seeking to continue their studies outside the conventional educational system given to them.

The law also promotes education as a fundamental human right and an integration into intercultural and multilingual approaches to strengthen social cohesion, especially among indigenous communities. The holistic approach aimed to democratize access to education and align learning with Bolivia’s social and cultural realities.

Organizations like CHOICE Humanitarian have also taken action to fill gaps. CHOICE Humanitarian has built schools with solar panels, internet access and ecological classrooms that double as greenhouses, providing education and nutrition to students in remote areas. Despite these efforts, Bolivia’s ineffective education system struggles with implementation, consistency and scalability, especially in underserved regions.

The Path Forward

Bolivia’s ineffective education system is complex, rooted in historical inequalities and economic hardship. Yet, the country can pave the way for a brighter future with sustained investment, community involvement and policy reform. In this future, every child can learn, grow and contribute to a prosperous Bolivia.

– Dylan Fly

Dylan is based in Detroit, MI, USA and focuses on Business and New Markets for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Belize’s National Healthy Start School Feeding Program

National Healthy Start School Feeding ProgramThe National Healthy Start School Feeding Program (NHSFP) is a government initiative that provides free, nutritious meals to primary and secondary students in Belize. The program began as a pilot in 2021 and a nationwide expansion in 2023 ensured all children could access healthy meals. Food insecurity affects a significant portion of the population, making the program a vital intervention. This change improved school performance by eliminating hunger in Belize’s school system. The impact of Belize’s NHSFP has been significant, helping to improve the health and education of students across the country.

How the National Healthy Start School Feeding Program Began

Before the NHSFP, a catering system provided school lunches. Private contractors or catering companies prepared meals off-site and then delivered the food. Many schools also had cafeterias where private vendors prepared and sold food to students. These catering companies followed some guidance but were free to prepare whatever food they wanted, regardless of quality or nutritional value. The lack of oversight often resulted in meals that were low in nutrients, contributing to health issues among students and offering no support for the local agricultural sector.

Schools now prepare fresh meals on-site. National menu handbooks with standardized nutrition requirements, developed by a team of nutritionists, ensure all children get healthy meals regardless of income level. The new program encourages schools to purchase food directly from local farmers, which boosts the local economy and provides fresher ingredients. The program has also trained all staff in food safety and nutrition, ensuring students get nutritious meals so they can focus on learning.

Fueling Academic Success

There are now two years’ worth of data on the Impact of Belize’s NHSFP. Some schools participating in the program reported increased student enrollment and decreased absences. School principals and educators have noted that healthy meals allow students to be more focused in class and have more energy to learn.

The program’s success has also spurred the development of a broader National School Food and Nutrition Policy to guide all schools. The program has also provided substantial training to school cooks and administrators since its start, ensuring they know how to do their jobs properly and safely.

Funding the NHSFP

The government of Belize funds the program, with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology managing and disbursing funds to schools to purchase food provisions. Additionally, international grants are a major contributor to the NHSFP’s funding and the government of Taiwan is a substantial supporter.

Mexico is another major contributor to the program, with its Mexican Agency for International Development Cooperation (AMEXCID) partnering with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to provide financial and technical support. This support, which was key to the program’s design and sustainable model, has been crucial to the program’s success, installing new school kitchens, providing appliances and training school staff.

The Next Serving

What began as a small pilot program has quickly expanded into a national initiative to ensure every student in Belize can be hunger-free while in school. The scaling up of this program in stages is a testament to its effectiveness. The long-term impact of Belize’s NHSFP may soon be an example to the rest of the world, showing the importance of this issue and its influence on the success of a nation.

– Jeff Mathwig

Jeff is based in Philadelphia, PA, USA and focuses on Global Health, Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pxhere

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Seed Ball Technology Reforestation in the Sahel is Restoring Land

Seed Ball TechnologyCommunities across the Sahel face desertification, declining soil fertility and disappearing livelihoods. Seed ball technology in the Sahel offers a low-cost, scalable solution that combines local knowledge with nature-based restoration. This method delivers native seeds embedded in clay and compost directly to degraded terrain, encouraging plant growth and supporting communities in rebuilding land and livelihoods.

How Seed Ball Technology in the Sahel Works

Seed ball technology involves encasing seeds in clay, compost and sometimes natural fertilizers. These balls protect seeds from pests, birds and harsh environmental conditions until they germinate. When scattered on land, seed balls absorb rainwater, enabling seeds to sprout without intensive farming or irrigation.

Locals mix native seeds, such as pearl millet or sorghum, with clay and compost to form seed balls. They scatter these balls across barren land during the rainy season. The seed ball protects seeds and retains moisture long enough for germination. Researchers in Senegal reported more than 95% emergence rates in on-station trials for pearl millet seed balls.

Supporting Smallholder Farmers and Boosting Yields

Development projects in the Niger Republic use seed ball technology to help subsistence farmers. Programs reduce crop failure risk by improving seedling survival with minimal seed use. Trials revealed that mineral-enhanced seed balls boosted root growth by 227%. It also increased shoot biomass, laying the foundation for improved panicle yield in staple crops.

Partnerships Driving Adoption and Scaling

Organizations such as farmer federations, like the Gaskiya Federation of Maradi Farmers Unions in the Niger Republic, help disseminate seed ball technology, supported by research teams funded by groups like the McKnight Foundation. The approach relies on simple local inputs, making it affordable and appropriate for remote areas.

The Great Green Wall initiative aims to restore millions of hectares across the Sahara-Sahel. While large-scale tree planting faces logistical hurdles, seed ball methods offer a complementary and rapid restoration option. The technology helps deliver vegetation in tough terrain and reinforce ecosystem resilience.

Empowering Youth and Community Engagement

In Ethiopia, social enterprises led by young innovators apply seed ball dispersal methods to restore degraded lands and promote sustainable agriculture. These efforts engage local communities, boost vegetation cover and create green livelihoods in arid zones.

Seeding Hope Across the Sahel

The success of seed ball technology in the Sahel is not only about germinating plants but about shifting what’s possible for communities living on the edge of the desert. Turning degraded land into productive fields helps farmers secure food, preserve biodiversity and reduce migration pressures.

Its simplicity allows it to spread quickly without heavy machinery or expensive inputs, making it a practical tool in the fight against desertification. Governments, NGOs and research teams are investing in scaling this approach. Seed balls could become a cornerstone for ecological resilience and economic stability across the Sahel’s most vulnerable regions.

– Hayden Chedid

Hayden is based in Parker, CO, USA and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Education Programs Cuts Child Labor in Peru

Child Labor in PeruPeru has long grappled with child labor, especially in rural and indigenous communities where poverty is pervasive. Yet, recent educational investments, including bilingual schooling, conditional cash transfers and information-based programs, are helping reverse this troubling trend.

Persistent Poverty and Its Impact on Child Labor

Poverty remains a key driver of child labor in Peru. While the country has made significant progress in reducing poverty, dropping from 58.7% in 2004 to 20.5% in 2018, significant challenges remain. Millions were lifted out of poverty through economic growth and policy reform, yet recent setbacks highlight how fragile these gains are. In 2022, poverty rose amid the pandemic and the number of child laborers increased by roughly 210,000 compared to 2019, reaching 870,000 children and adolescents nationwide.

The issue has deep roots. In 2013, nearly 1.8 million children aged 5 to 17 were working, almost one in four nationwide. More than half of these working children in the 5–13 age bracket came from impoverished households, compared to just 27% of their nonworking peers. Child labor in Peru is concentrated in agriculture, fishing and mining, with rural children disproportionately affected. They are also far more likely to balance school with work than their urban counterparts (39.6% vs. 9.5%).

Bilingual Education’s Strong Effects

Peru’s bilingual education reform has had a notable impact on child labor, especially among indigenous children. A study using data from the Young Lives Study and a difference-in-difference analysis found that access to education delivered in indigenous languages reduced the likelihood of child labor by 12 to 18 percentage points for those children.

Conditional Cash Transfers Encourage Schooling

Peru’s conditional cash transfer program, JUNTOS, launched in 2005, provides families with regular financial support of about $30. The program requires children to attend school and receive basic health checkups. These transfers help alleviate the immediate economic pressures that push children into labor and support human capital development.

One evaluation found that such social protection mechanisms are among the most effective means to promote schooling and thus curb child labor over the long term.

Boosting Education Through Information Campaigns

The Ministry of Education, in collaboration with researchers from Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) and the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL), piloted two low-cost interventions to inform families about the return to education. These included telenovela-style videos and an interactive tablet app used in schools.

The results were promising: the video series reduced two-year dropout rates by 1.8 percentage points (an 18.85% decrease) in urban areas and families updated long-term educational plans, becoming 10% more likely to aim for higher education. Effects on child labor were mixed: the video reduced child labor by 15% among urban girls, while the app reduced child labor by 7% among rural sixth graders.

Conclusion: Education as a Beacon of Hope

Peru’s concerted efforts, from bilingual schooling and cash transfers to informational campaigns, yield tangible progress in reducing child labor and expanding educational access. Especially in marginalized communities, these strategies are key to breaking the intergenerational cycle of poverty. Sustained investment and scaling up successful interventions offer a powerful path forward toward safeguarding children’s rights and building a more equitable future.

– 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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Addressing Inequality: Tax Justice in Kenya

Tax Justice in KenyaProtests in Kenya erupted due to widespread discontent over the government’s proposed 2024 finance bill. Economic and social challenges continued over the year, reigniting anti-government demonstrations in June 2025. Despite Kenya’s broadly positive economic outlook, a large part of the population experiences wealth inequality and a lack of access to social services.

Globally, wealthy individuals and corporations enable Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs), resulting in a loss of $1 trillion in 2022 alone. Advocate groups challenge this disparity as it largely contributes to poverty and degrades social welfare. Taxes proposed in the 2024 finance bill were seen as unfavorable to impoverished and middle-class people, possibly widening this gap further and proving the need for tax justice in Kenya.

United Nations’ Convention on International Tax Cooperation

Wealth disparities and illegal wealth extraction in the Global South often enrich Western corporations. The Tax Justice Network researches these illicit financial outflows, which hamper economic development. The organization has also lobbied for stronger global tax policies to promote social development and tax justice in vulnerable countries.

One of its major global concerns is the United Nations (U.N.) Convention on International Tax Cooperation, which seeks to close gaps in the international tax system and help countries recover stolen revenue. The Convention also aims to address tax abuses in cross-border systems and resolve international tax disputes equitably.

Kenyan delegates and other leaders of the African Group were the first to push for the U.N. Convention. The African Group’s concerns in advancing the Convention stem from the unequal distribution of wealth between developing and Western nations and corporate-driven wealth disparities within the Global South.

Social and Wealth Inequality

Oxfam asserts that the number of millionaires in Kenya will grow by more than 80% in the next 10 years. If current rates of inequality continue, it could result in millions of people living in extreme poverty in a similar time frame. Poverty rates in Kenya are higher in rural areas and areas of lower economic growth.

The World Bank Group highlights this uneven distribution as a vulnerability. Indeed, its reports suggest evaluating tax spending and fiscal policy to support poverty reduction. Accountability organizations like the National Taxpayers Association (NTA) in Kenya also work toward this goal.

The NTA supports local endeavors to rebalance social service provisions. The organization supports researching, monitoring and evaluating tax issues and development programs, as well as analyzing policy and legislation. Locally taking charge in the fight for tax justice in Kenya, the independent organization hopes for accountability from the government against economic inequality.

The Challenges Ahead

From 2025 to 2027, the U.N. Tax Convention negotiations will deliberate on multilateral platforms to address global wealth inequalities. Having only completed the organizational phase, member states need to continue talks and vote to pass issues before consideration from the U.N. General Assembly.

Analysts at the Tax Justice Network assert that lower-income countries can be negatively impacted through bilateral tax treaties if equitable terms are not met. The U.N. Convention is one attempt to avoid this, making global trade equitable and reversing many years of richer economies unilaterally dictating global economic agendas.

– Aliyah Omar

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

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Health Care in Rural India

Health Care in Rural IndiaIndia is the most populous country in the world, home to some 1.4 billion people. It is a very diverse nation, both demographically and geographically. India is still a developing country; therefore it faces a lot of challenges in terms of healthcare. Health care in rural India, in particular, faces many challenges and obstacles. Access to quality health care is still an elusive goal for many Indians living in rural areas of the country.

Background

According to the country’s Ministry of Finance, approximately 65% of Indians live in rural areas. As with many other countries, India also faces a divide between urban and rural areas. People living in rural areas face significant obstacles that hinder their access to proper health care. Rural areas face a lack of qualified medical professionals, inadequate medical supplies and limited awareness regarding diseases. There is a need to improve health care access in rural India. Proper health care is a right that all humans have. Access to quality health care in rural India needs to be reformed and expanded.

The National Health Mission (NHM)

The Indian government has implemented measures to improve access to proper health care. In 2013, New Delhi launched the National Health Mission (NHM). The purpose of this mission is to improve health care access in rural and underserved areas. The NHM encompasses two sub-missions: the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) and the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM).

The mission aims to expand proper health care access to underserved areas in India. Additionally, the government has also launched a health insurance program (Ayushman Bharat) in 2018. This program provides free health care access to poorer Indians who cannot afford private health care services. Under Ayushman Bharat, the government established Health and Wellness Centers (HWCs) throughout the country. These centers aim to bring health care access closer to the people.

First-Hand Problems

The Borgen Project spoke with Arjun Singh, an immigrant from India, on the topic of health care in rural India. Mr. Singh has witnessed first hand the problems that rural areas face in accessing health care. Mr. Singh grew up in a small village in northwestern India. Specifically, he grew up in Rajasthan, a large state situated in western India. Rajasthan is located in the desert. It is a mostly rural state.

Around 75% of people in Rajasthan live in rural areas. Mr. Singh states how difficult it was for him and his family to get access to proper health care. He states that village clinics have inadequate medical infrastructure and they’re routinely understaffed. There is a shortage of qualified medical personnel. One study stated that around 45% of personnel are absent from subcenters and aid posts.

However, Mr. Singh has clarified that things may be different now than they were during his time in India. In the decades since he left India, health care access in rural areas has improved. He stated how government initiatives such as the National Health Mission and Ayushman Bharat have made significant strides in improving rural access to proper and quality health care.

– Samriddha Aryal

Samriddha is based in Centreville, VA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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IRFF UK: Combating Period Poverty in Africa

Period Poverty in AfricaPeriod poverty is a global issue affecting an estimated 500 million people worldwide. It is defined as when girls and women do not have access to menstrual products, water and basic sanitation, or have not been educated on menstrual health and hygiene. When denied these necessities, they are more likely to miss school and work, trapping them in a vicious cycle of inequality and poverty.

However, many organizations are committed to ending this issue, such as International Relief Friendship Foundation (IRFF) U.K., a charity focused on combating period poverty in Africa.

Period Poverty in Africa

Although period poverty affects girls and women around the world, it is particularly prevalent in Africa. One in 10 African girls misses school due to their periods and 10% of families are unable to afford safe and hygienic menstrual products. However, affordability is not the only cause of period poverty.

According to the U.N. Women, stigma and the subsequent lack of education around menstrual health are also significant drivers of period poverty. This is not only because, in some countries, the stigma around periods is so severe that those who are menstruating are restricted from certain places and isolated. It is also because many girls are unprepared and uneducated about menstruation. For example, in Egypt, 66% of girls had not been informed of menstruation before they got their first period.

IRFF UK

IRFF U.K., a charity established in 1980 to provide “education, relief and improved health support to disadvantaged people,” is now more firmly focused on improving education and combating period poverty in Africa. The charity works by providing assistance and funding to programs already working in Africa to eradicate period poverty and improve access to education for its 1,600 beneficiaries.

Since IRFF U.K. shifted its focus to period poverty in 2023, it has started supporting and establishing projects in three African countries: Ghana, Uganda and South Africa.

  • Ghana. IRFF U.K. built upon previous programs and established the production and distribution of inexpensive reusable pads. It distributed these pads to 570 girls, which has been crucial in keeping them in school, as without them they were missing up to five days each month.
  • South Africa. IRFF U.K. has supported the Walmer Angels’ program in consistently distributing pads to 170 schoolgirls. This, combined with menstrual health and hygiene education, has been crucial in lifting them out of period poverty.
  • Uganda. IRFF U.K. has focused on period poverty and education by building Destiny School in 2009. IRFF U.K. then worked with the head teacher to identify 180 girls from Destiny School and a neighboring school who would benefit from regular pad distribution and menstrual health education provided by trained medical professionals.

Looking Forward

IRFF U.K. has developed a sustainable and effective model for combating period poverty in Africa, allowing more girls to stay in school, breaking the cycle of inequality and poverty.

– Victoria Adrados

Victoria is based in London and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Education Reform in China

Education Reform in ChinaWith a population of roughly 1.4 billion, China is the world’s second most populous country, just behind India. Boasting the oldest formal education system in the world, China’s approach to schooling is often regarded as unconventional by the rest of the world. It has frequently been criticized for its intensity and pressure on students, unequal access to opportunities, and heavy emphasis on rote memorization rather than deep understanding. These concerns have made education reform in China one of the nation’s pressing priorities.

The Current Education System

China’s current education system is split into four distinct sections. From ages 3 to 6, Chinese students attend preschool. Though not compulsory, enrollment rate in 2022 hovered at almost 90%. Education from grades one to nine is compulsory; in 2022, the completion rate of China’s nine-year compulsory education program was 95.5%.

Upper secondary education in China, though not mandatory, reached a gross enrollment rate of 91.6%. It further has two main tracks: regular senior high schools and vocational senior high schools. Regular senior high schools focus on preparing students to take the Gaokao, or China’s highly difficult university entrance exam.

In 2022, there were 15,000 regular senior high schools and around nine million new entrants. Vocational senior high schools, on the other hand, aim to prepare students for technical careers through vocational colleges. There were 7,201 vocational high schools in 2022, with around 4 million new entrants, the Ministry of Education reports.

In 2022, gross enrollment in higher education following senior high school hovered around 60%. This percentage includes both regular and vocational high schools. The students in regular senior high schools take the Gaokao, also known as the National College Entrance Examination, at the end of their final year to determine their eligibility for university.

Gaokao Models

Though models of the Gaokao differ from region to region, the test always consists of three required subject tests (Chinese, math and English) and three additional subject tests that students choose (in the more common three+one+two model, either a physics or history exam and an additional two subjects). In 2024, more than 13.4 million students registered for the exam.

The primary criticism of the Gaokao is the immense pressure it places on students. Because a singular exam effectively determines a student’s entire future and professional trajectory, many students devote nearly all of their time to preparing for the test. The test is often also faulted for its emphasis on rote learning and memorization rather than critical thinking and creativity, according to the Center for International Higher Education.

Additionally, the Gaokao is often the only pathway for students from underserved backgrounds to move up. However, students in urban areas with greater financial means are at a significant advantage. Families spend more than $120 billion annually on tutoring, preparation courses, and supplemental schooling. Without access to similarly costly support, many low-income students are at a disadvantage. As a result, the exam is often receives critics for reinforcing existing inequalities. Education reform in China have largely focused on the Gaokao.

Ongoing Reforms

Education reform in China has taken two main forms when it comes to the Gaokao. The first reform, implemented initially in 2014 but not quite covering the entirety of the nation, changes the required subjects to the current model (three required and three chosen), according to the Center for International Higher Education.

Under the previous model, students chose either the liberal arts track (politics, history, and geography) or the sciences track (physics, chemistry, and biology) in addition to the three required subjects. The reformed system requires that students still take the three required subject tests but allows students to choose any three additional subjects, offering them greater flexibility.

The second reform would enforce a new university admission framework, also known as “two bases + one reference,” according to the Center for International Higher Education. Under this system, the Gaokao will no longer be the only component in university admissions, though it will remain the primary factor. In addition to the Gaokao, university admissions will also look at proficiency subject exams taken by students throughout high school and a reference, which is an evaluation system that analyzes a high school student’s academic performance, physical and mental health, ethical behavior, and artistic ability.

Two-Phased Plan

In addition to Gaokao-specific changes, the State Council introduced a two-phased plan earlier this year for education reform in China. The new initiative emphasizes a more holistic approach to education that departs from traditional Gaokao exam preparation and ensures physical and aesthetic education. For one, the program would mandate that students receive at least two hours of physical activities per day. The plan would also limit off-campus academic tutoring and repetitive homework, allowing students to foster adaptability and creativity while decreasing educational inequalities.

By shifting focus away from the Gaokao and standardized testing while promoting other areas of growth, this new system would reduce stress on students, strengthen both mental and physical health, and cultivate essential creative and critical thinking.

Looking Ahead

Though this education reform in China would greatly improve the current Gaokao system, harsh exam culture remains deeply ingrained and continues to make the shift away challenging. Although gradual shifts are underway, it will take time for students, parents, and teachers to fully embrace a more holistic approach to learning. Until then, ongoing adjustments remain the best steps forward.

– Ariana Wang

Ariana is based in Dallas, TX, USA and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Sudan Water Crisis and a Rapper’s Voice

Sudan Water CrisisSince April 15, 2023, an armed military conflict between Sudan’s two rival political-military forces, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has caused widespread infrastructure damage across the country. The conflict has particularly affected water systems, leaving many civilians reliant on unsafe surface water amid ongoing instability. Before the conflict, approximately 11 million people lacked access to basic water services and 26% of the water supply systems were not operational.

The limited water available to civilians is often surface water carrying diseases and bacteria, such as cholera, dysentery, typhoid and schistosomiasis. The use of bombs, rockets and other explosive weapons has damaged water treatment plants. It has affected both urban and rural areas, where populations of displaced individuals are extremely reliant on the few functional systems. An estimated 829,000 deaths per year are attributed to diarrheal diseases caused by unsafe water, poor sanitation and inadequate hygiene.

The Water Crisis in Sudan

Sudan is unable to meet the basic needs of its people. UNICEF has confirmed that more than 17.3 million civilians cannot access clean water. The ongoing conflict between SAF and RSF has devastated all aspects of life, including infrastructure, health care, education and displaced millions, reinforcing both nationwide and household poverty.

In larger cities such as Omdurman, Khartoum, Darfur, and Kordofan, key destinations for the displaced, most water treatment plants have been damaged or rendered completely unusable. As a result, more than 40% of rural households have no access to clean water. This scarcity has deepened food insecurity, as 60–80% of Sudan’s population depends on agriculture for income.

Since the conflict began in 2023, the water crisis in Sudan has undermined agricultural productivity and reinforced both national and household poverty. Many Sudanese now rely on humanitarian organizations’ emergency water trucking and purification kits. However, International aid has been limited, with some foreign governments, including the U.S. and European states, reducing their aid.

A Rapper’s Voice

On October 24, 2023, Sudanese-American musician Abbas Hamad (Bas) released his song “Khartoum.” He used his public media platform in the music industry to bring awareness to the conflict and its effects on civilians. Through emotional imagery, he sought to spark awareness and empathy among audiences who may not be aware of the ongoing devastation in Sudan.

Artists like Bas help close the awareness gap through cultural activism, reminding us that lasting solutions to global poverty must ensure access to clean water and peace.

UN’s Sustainable Development Goals at Risk

With 2030 approaching, achieving the U.N.’s poverty goals depends on policy and persistent attention, wherever it may come from. If countries like Sudan continue to lack access to safe and clean water, the world will struggle to meet the targets of reducing global poverty and ensuring basic services for all.

This challenge is especially critical under the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals: SDGs 1 (No Poverty) and 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). The shift from long-term development to emergency relief reinforces cycles of poverty. Without sustained investment in essential services like quality water, any effort to reduce global poverty is impossible.

Relief Efforts, Global Policy and Cultural Advocacy

The crisis highlights ongoing efforts to combat global poverty through immediate and long-term relief. Humanitarian organizations continue to provide emergency water, health services and food assistance in conflict zones. Similarly, global initiatives under the U.N. SDGs push for systemic change. At the same time, artists like Bas use their platforms to keep marginalized crises in the public eye.

These efforts reflect a diverse approach to addressing global poverty, combining funding, infrastructure, public awareness, cultural engagement and international cooperation.

– Zenub Khan

Zenub is based in Ontario, Canada and focuses on Global Health and Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Increasing Access to Electricity in Ethiopia

Access to Electricity in EthiopiaThe continent of Africa has one of the lowest electricity access rates in the world, making life more difficult for millions of people. Africa is home to 19% of the world’s population, yet many—mostly in sub-Saharan Africa—are living without electricity. Those who do have access often rely on power sources that are unreliable and unsustainable. Electricity demand has continued to grow over time, especially in Ethiopia, but the World Bank has been making moves to change that.

The ELEAP Program

The Ethiopia Electrification Program (ELEAP) is under the leadership of the World Bank Group. Its main goal is to reach complete electrification in Ethiopia by the end of 2025 and to support the rollout of new electrification systems. The plan is to expand electricity through solar mini-grids, with some grid (65%) and some off-grid (35%) energy systems.

So far, the results have been positive. As of 2025, the program has made strong progress. From March 1, 2018, to June 4, 2024, 6.3 million people gained access to on-grid electricity sources. Solar energy is the most viable option for renewable energy and the most reliable source, as it has already been a major part of Ethiopia’s electrical landscape. The implementation of solar energy fits easily with the systems already in place, which allows them to work together effectively. Because of these systems, more than 19,000 public facilities have gained access to electricity, including health clinics and schools. Forecasts suggest that by 2026, 10 million more people in Ethiopia will have access to electricity.

The Burden of Limited Electricity Access

Ethiopia is one of the most populous countries in sub-Saharan Africa, with more than 100 million people. The country is experiencing rapid population growth, which has contributed to challenges such as food insecurity, environmental strain and low electricity access. Even though Ethiopia has substantial renewable energy resources, most of the population still relies on traditional biomass energy such as firewood and coal.

Even when households have access to power, financial constraints often prevent them from using it. Most electricity needs are for cooking, but the existing systems are not large-scale enough to provide the energy required for all Ethiopians to prepare their meals. As electricity reaches more areas, household chores have become easier since many families can now use electric stoves instead of fire-burning stoves, saving time and benefiting the environment. Solar-powered water pumps have also been introduced to provide clean water to rural communities. 

Before the introduction of new energy systems, women and children had to go outside and search for wood to use as fuel and poor households had to devote all their income to energy. With expanded access, energy is now reaching both large infrastructure projects and poor urban communities.

Looking Ahead

Access to electricity in Ethiopia has risen to 55.4% and continues to grow rapidly. ELEAP has made significant progress in electrifying the country within just a few years. The outlook for Ethiopia and ELEAP remains positive, with sustainable energy sources supporting growth and improving the lives of many.

– Bowie Aldrich

Bowie is based in North Syracuse, NY, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr