Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

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Solar Clinics in Malawi: How Off-Grid Power Is Saving Lives

Solar Clinics in Malawi: How Off-Grid Power Is Saving Lives in the Poorest Communities In some of Malawi’s most remote health posts — where fewer than 4% of rural facilities are connected to the national grid — women once gave birth by candle or torchlight. In 2025, with solar-powered “suitcases” and larger photovoltaic systems, these solar clinics in Malawi can refrigerate vaccines, light delivery rooms at night and power vital diagnostics around the clock.

Bringing Light to Rural Clinics

Malawi still faces stark energy inequities: only 11% of the population has grid access (4% in rural areas) and 13% of public health care facilities have no electricity, while another 32% rely solely on unreliable diesel generators. Unreliable power severely hampers vaccine storage, nighttime deliveries and emergency care—contributing to one of the world’s highest maternal mortality ratios.

In August 2024, We Care Solar launched its Light Every Birth initiative in partnership with Malawi’s Ministry of Health and the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Momentum 1-Tiyeni Project. By mid-2025, teams had installed 800 solar suitcases — compact panels, batteries and LED lights — in rural clinics across all three regions and 28 districts. These units provide at least 12 hours of reliable light per night, power fetal monitors and charge mobile devices for telemedicine calls.

Complementing this, the United Nations Development Program’s (UNDP) Solar for Health programme has supplied and installed larger photovoltaic systems at secondary clinics and district hospitals. A 2020 feasibility study reported that 13% of Malawi’s 568 public health care facilities lacked electricity and another 32% depended on diesel, while only 21% had solar systems; UNDP estimates a full solar installation yields a 100% return on investment within 2 to 3.5 years through fuel savings and reduced maintenance costs.

Measurable Health Impacts

At more than 100 rural health centers, We Care Solar and the Judith Neilson Foundation support safer deliveries for at least 80,000 women annually. Midwives report that nighttime delivery complications have dropped by 60% since lights were installed and vaccine cold rooms maintain the required 2–8 °C range, reducing stock loss from 15% to under 1%.

A 2022 report by SolarAid and Mzuzu University found that 76% of off-grid solar systems in Malawian clinics fail within two years because of a lack of maintenance. Their joint pilot introduced local technician training and remote monitoring, achieving 90% system uptime after one year. Scaling this model, UNDP’s capacity-building component trains community-based technicians — 50% women — to install, maintain and repair both Solar Suitcases and larger photovoltaic (PV) arrays.

Sustainable Partnerships and Policy

In late 2023, Malawi’s Ministry of Health adopted a sustainability plan: by 2030, all public clinics will transition to hybrid solar–grid systems, with district health offices responsible for preventive maintenance. This aligns with the national target of 70% off-grid electrification by 2030.

International partners—USAID, UNDP, GIZ and the European Union (EU)—have coordinated through a technical working group to standardize equipment lists, set up long-term supplier agreements and develop an energy-as-a-service model that removes upfront costs for clinics. Community volunteer committees oversee solar equipment maintenance, ensuring that local voices guide the programme’s evolution.

A Model for Low-Income Regions

Off-grid solar clinics in Malawi reveal how decentralized renewable energy can transform health care in low-income settings. Indeed, by combining compact solar suitcases for basic lighting and power, larger photovoltaic systems for refrigeration and diagnostics and strong local capacity-building, clinics gain the reliability once thought impossible beyond the grid. As rural facilities report improved maternal outcomes, reduced vaccine spoilage and greater staff retention, this model offers a scalable blueprint for other countries with similar energy and health care challenges.

– 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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Cartolandia: Tijuana’s Town Made of Carton

Cartolandia: Tijuana's Town Made of CartonIn the bustling metropolis of Tijuana, Mexico — where high-rise buildings, statued roundabouts and a large soccer stadium mark the skyline — a dirt road leads to a community built from cardboard. Its official name is Nueva Esperanza, which translates to New Hope. However, many locals refer to it as Cartolandia, or the Land of Cardboard. Within the developed city of Tijuana, the neighborhood functions almost independently, with its own homes, school and barbershops built from cardboard and other discarded materials.

Cartolandia’s Story

Cartolandia has been present in Tijuana since the 1950s. Most of these inhabitants were impoverished migrants from the southern parts of Mexico looking for higher wages. By the 1970s, Cartolandia had expanded to 1,000 recorded homes. Tijuana was experiencing a severe flooding crisis and this affected Cartolandia residents. Cartolandia was originally located in what is now Zona Río, a profitable area near the United States (U.S.) border. Under Gov. Milton Castellanos’ Todo por Nuevo Tijuana (Anything for a New Tijuana) project, the army raided and destroyed Cartolandia.  

With Cartolandia destroyed, the government was able to build the giant canal, which is protecting the city from future floods. Zona Rio, a profitable area due to its proximity to the U.S., is an affluent, popular and industrial area filled with theaters, restaurants and medical services serving not only Mexicans but also Americans. Yet, the people who once lived in Cartolandia were left homeless and unprotected. A new Cartolandia was established in Cañon del Padre, Tijuana, next to an Amazon warehouse. 

Amazon and Cartolandia’s Fame

The placement of a billion-dollar company’s warehouse next to a cardboard town experiencing extreme poverty drew strong backlash in 2021. Many viewed the plant and the town’s proximity as a contradiction and a clear depiction of global economic inequality. In response to the criticism, the Amazon plant removed its logo from the front of the building and temporarily closed. 

Cartolandia lacks paved roads, a reliable water supply and basic security. Reports suggest that police may not arrive until the next day after a robbery. The community has no plumbing system and only one school, leaving many basic needs unmet.

Looking Ahead

Residents of Cartolandia argue that Amazon should invest in the town by donating money, saying a billion-dollar company can afford to aid its workers living in extreme poverty. UCSD researcher Teddy Cruz and many in Tijuana also believe the responsibility lies with the government. Many nonprofits from both the U.S. and Mexico have taken action through donations and volunteer work. Notably, UniSocial and Los Niños de la Calle con Wendy have organized events and donated toys to the town’s children during the holiday season.

Cartolandia is a place where people without the economic resources to rent a property build their own homes out of cardboard or other found materials. The town has moved around in Tijuana since its beginnings in the 1950s. It seems like economic challenges still persist and that every time that Cartolandia almost disappears, it remerges in a new place in the city. From this, the answer is not to push away the town, but rather to create economic growth opportunities for the people of Nueva Esperanza.

– Andrea Roji

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

Photo: Flickr

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Angela Stress Ministries: Fighting Poverty Through Faith

Angela Stress MinistriesMission trips have long been a grassroots tool for addressing global poverty. While often rooted in faith, these trips go beyond preaching — they deliver food, health care, educational materials and emotional support to communities in need. According to GoEco, individuals or groups take mission trips, often organized by religious institutions, to do charitable work. Trips can vary in duration and involve groups participating in different activities in hopes of serving communities. Groups of volunteers, including Anita Davis from Chattaroy, West Virginia, affiliated with Angela Stress Ministries, often travel to Uganda for mission trips.

According to a GoFundMe page organized by Stress, which previously took donations to fund a mission trip to Uganda, she has organized multiple mission trips to Uganda, with at least three previous trips described as “very successful.” The page notes that her prior efforts have helped facilitate feeding efforts, shoe donations and spiritual outreach across orphanages and local churches, expanding on fighting poverty through faith in Uganda. The fundraiser emphasized the goal to empower orphaned children and children in need in Uganda through a Christ-centered environment that addresses both physical and spiritual needs.

According to the World Bank, as of 2019, the national poverty line was 20.3%, as estimated by the Uganda National Household Survey. The Borgen Project spoke with Davis, who said their mission was to raise money to buy food, supplies and school essentials in the area.

Pursuant Junior School in Bosawa

According to Davis, many children do not get to go to school and must pay for education. The ministry saw a need for education and started a Christian school for children to attend and help fight poverty through faith in Uganda. As of 2021, according to the World Bank, 9% of primary school-aged children in Uganda were not enrolled in school. Additionally, the cost per child for primary schooling was $104 in 2021, while 41% of people in Uganda lived on less than $2 per day, according to Opportunity International.

“Our biggest impact is the Pursuant School for the children,” Davis said. Through Angela Stress’ missionary donations, members built Pursuant Junior School in Bosawa and another school is under construction in Uganda.

According to a recent Facebook post, Pursuant Junior School Bosawa is now operational, with students referred to as “our babies” by Angela Stress. The post highlights ongoing classroom activities and the joy visible among young learners, showing tangible progress in a region previously lacking educational infrastructure. “Through the generosity of our donors, these young minds are empowered with education and surrounded by love, allowing them to see themselves as capable and deserving of bright futures,” Stress said in a Facebook post.

Building the Future

Davis mentioned that the new Pursuant Junior School in Uganda is under construction. According to Angela Stress’ Facebook Page, the founder of Angela Stress Ministries, efforts are underway to build a school in a region where children live in poverty. “We are creating a place where these children will be given more than just books and lessons,” Stress said in a Facebook post. “They will be given dignity, identity and a future.”

Stress said in a Facebook post that the building of this school will allow children who did not have access to education a safe space where they are “loved, taught and inspired to dream again.” She is currently taking donations for the construction of this school. According to Stress’s Facebook post, all donations go toward the needs of children in Uganda. “Together, we can transform lives one child, one classroom, one miracle at a time,” Stress said in a Facebook post.

Combating Hunger in Agricultural Communities

In many Ugandan households, according to the World Bank, the main source of income is agricultural income. Many residents depend on agriculture. According to Opportunity International, 76% of the Ugandan population resides in rural areas, where 73% are employed in agriculture. The World Bank reported that food inflation threatened food insecurity and impacted poverty in early 2025.

Emotional Support and Spiritual Growth

While the practical resources brought on mission trips, such as food and school supplies, help ease physical burdens, emotional care and presence also contribute to community well-being. “Mission trips are one of the biggest ways that we can help fight poverty,” Davis said. “It is a small step toward the future,” Davis said that despite challenging living conditions in Uganda, she hopes the ministries’ support will help instill love in children’s lives as they grow up and raise families. “We hope that giving these children love helps them realize people care about them,” Davis said..

Long-Term Vision and Faith-Driven Change

The impact of Angela Stress Ministries and other mission-led groups goes beyond short-term aid. By focusing on structural change, such as building schools and providing support, they aim to create a legacy that can outlast any single trip. For donors and volunteers, mission work can be a way to connect personal faith with tangible change.

– Clarissa Dean

Clarissa is based in Bowling Green, KY, USA and focuses on Good News and Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay

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Public Transportation and Health Access in Malawi

Health Access in MalawiMalawi is one of the least developed countries in the world, ranking 172nd out of 193 on the UNDP’s Human Development Index. Diseases such as AIDS and tuberculosis are rampant and account for a disproportionate number of deaths in the country. As disease is such an issue, accessible health care access in Malawi is a must. Unfortunately, the majority of the population struggles to access these necessary facilities.

Lacking Transportation

Malawi has a population of around 21 million, the majority of whom live in rural areas. Roads lack proper infrastructure and accidents are frequent, and the majority of citizens lack the funds to buy a vehicle.  There are railroads, but they are often insufficient both in convenience and cost. Bikes and taxes are present, but unsafe and costly, so most Malawians must walk to their destinations. Walking is problematic as well, as there is little to no sidewalk present and destinations can take hours to get to. Transportation is even more of a struggle in rural areas, which are often lacking in taxis.

Lacking transportation extends beyond daily activities and into public health care access in Malawi as well. As the population is largely rural, and there is a major lack of funding for health infrastructure, the majority of Malawians must travel long distances to get medical attention.

In 2016, the average travel time between an individual’s home and the nearest health centre was one hour, and 2.5 hours to get to a central hospital. In 2016, roughly 20,000 Malawians died of AIDS and roughly 10,000 of tuberculosis.

Improvement and Aid

Although the state of transportation in Malawi is not ideal by any means, it is not an impossible issue. The South Eastern European Journal of National Health shows that there are multiple paths to improving the standard, such as introducing community funds and increasing the number of hospitals. No solution is simple, however, due to Malawi’s poor economy and the sheer scope of the work that needs to be done.

There are various charity groups that serve Malawi, aiming to improve the state of its health system.  Riders for Health Malawi has been serving Malawi by transporting vital test samples and medical waste since 2011. They have also established a driving school in an attempt to lower the disproportionately high accident rate.

CARE is a group that has a broader approach to aid, but still impacts health services. It provides both access to health services as well as education about health. It also supports hygiene and sanitation, and acts as a major uplifter for women in poverty.

Orant Charities Africa employs highly trained, fully Malawian staff and focuses on health care access.  It established the Kasese Health Care Centre, which acts as the only source for clean medical aid for miles, and provides ambulances when critical patients require higher care. It also sends mobile clinics to rural areas, which struggle most to get care when needed, and has recently renovated its maternity ward, which provides private and clean care for mothers in labour.

Final Remarks

Transportation in Malawi is in a poor state. This affects everything from buying groceries to medical emergencies. With poor funding and lacking infrastructure, establishing proper health connections is a challenge. It is a challenge that can be triumphed, however, and with the aid of those willing to help triumph is certain.

– Cayle Harrison

Cayle is based in Columbia, SC, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Weaponization of Humanitarian Aid in Myanmar’s Civil War

Weaponization of Humanitarian AidSince the 2021 military overthrow of Myanmar’s democratically elected Aung San Suu Kyi government, the country has faced ongoing turmoil. Years of brutal fighting between the military junta, known as the Tatmadaw and a patchwork of regional resistance forces and ethnic armed groups have left Myanmar devastated.

According to the most recent U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) report on the humanitarian situation in embattled Myanmar, 19.9 million people are “estimated to need humanitarian assistance.” More than 15 million people face acute food insecurity, while almost 6.3 million children are counted among the individuals in need of assistance. This is out of a total population of roughly 54.8 million.

The Weaponization of Humanitarian Aid

“The junta has chosen to use aid as a weapon,” said U.N. Special Rapporteur on the situation in Myanmar Tom Andrews in a June article posted to the U.N. News website. After the devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck central Myanmar this past March, the country was left reeling.

In the weeks that followed, aid groups and international reporting outlets raised an outcry over the junta’s blocking of international humanitarian assistance. John Quinley, director of the international nonprofit Fortify Rights, told the BBC, “They pick and choose when aid can go in and if they can’t monitor it and they can’t use it how they want, they restrict it.”

This has long been a tactic favored by the junta, with examples of such exploitation going back to the previous 49-year stretch of junta rule in Myanmar. Cyclone Nargis ripped through southern Myanmar in May 2008, killing more than 140,000 people, mostly in and around the Irrawaddy Delta. However, the junta delayed and obstructed international aid and relief from entering affected areas for weeks.

Everyone Is an Enemy

The regime feared that such widespread foreign involvement would undermine its authority and spark possible dissent. Thus, it chooses to prioritize its control of its population over its people’s urgent humanitarian needs. Al Jazeera, speaking on the regime’s attitude after the cyclone, stated that, “They see everyone as a potential enemy intent on overthrowing their rule.”

Still, it is not only the junta that has harmed aid delivery. Though on a far lesser scale, anti-junta factions have also impacted food delivery and humanitarian supplies. The New Humanitarian reported in 2023 that after a recent offensive by the Three Brotherhood Alliance, the town of Laukkai in Shan State experienced shortages of basic resources after anti-junta forces blocked parts of the state from junta forces. Crucial roads and bridges were also damaged or destroyed by anti-junta forces in their fight.

Who Is Fighting Back?

The junta, which now fully controls only around 21% of the nation’s territory, continues the weaponization of humanitarian aid. However, many local groups have worked hard to fill the gaps in governmental and international aid. Humanitarian Outcomes reported that most international humanitarian action, done by “formal” entities such as the U.N., is limited to junta-controlled areas. Still, the same report makes note of local, clandestine groups and networks that work to smuggle money and goods into contested areas. Many of these are Burmese diaspora members or other groups operating from the other side of the Thai border.

Aid and support also move across the Indian border and are conducted by several humanitarian and anti-coup groups. The Free Burma Rangers (FBR) is among the most prominent aid organizations formed during offensives by the junta in 1997. It has worked to train 250 “multi-ethnic relief teams,” 71 of which are active in a dozen regions across Myanmar. The FBR teams provide “emergency medical, educational, spiritual, material and general assistance” to civilians in conflict zones.

Another notable aid organization is the Back Pack Health Worker Team. It sends out “mobile back pack teams of three-five trained health workers [who] provide a range of curative and preventative health care services to their communities.” The organization currently operates 113 backpack teams, with 456 total workers. These workers, with a network of nearly 2,000 community-embedded health services, provide health services to more than 292,000 IDPs and war-affected residents across the country.

All of this goes to show that formal humanitarian services often fail to reach many civilians in Myanmar. In their absence, thousands of local organizations and groups are stepping up for their communities and finding ways to circumvent the weaponization of humanitarian aid.

– Alex Degterev

Alex is based in Boston, MA, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Mobile Vaccination in Nigeria is Saving Kids Lives

mobile vaccination in nigeriaNigeria is the most populous country in Africa, and it has the second-highest number of children who have not received any vaccines in the world. But it’s addressing this problem with mobile vaccination teams. While there is still a long way to go, mobile vaccination in Nigeria has proven to be very successful.

What Are Zero-Dose Children?

Children who have not received any vaccinations are referred to as zero-dose children. These children make up a substantial portion of preventable deaths in children worldwide. Most zero-dose children live in lower and middle-income countries.

Globally, “Nigeria has one of the highest proportions of zero-dose children.” In 2021, experts estimated that more than 2.2 million zero-dose children were in the country. The children of teenage and young mothers are particularly likely to be zero-dose children.

There are many reasons parents do not vaccinate their children. The majority of zero-dose children in Nigeria are born to poor families. As a result, they often live in an area where a health center is not readily accessible. Meaning they have to pay for transportation to the health center, something many of them can not afford to do. This need to travel also means that parents must take a day off from work, meaning lost wages.

Another common reason is misinformation about vaccines and their safety. Young mothers face extra challenges, and many avoid traditional health centers due to stigmatization and hostility from other mothers there as well as the health care workers. The social stigma that comes with being a young mother prevents them from returning after their first visit.

Mobile Vaccination in Nigeria is Working

Several steps make up mobile vaccination in Nigeria. Step one is identifying an area with a high number of zero-dose children. In Nigeria, vaccination of children is “lowest in the north,” according to the New Incentives. This knowledge, together with short surveys of areas, gives decision makers real-time data on the vaccination status of children.

Step two is providing parents with correct information about vaccines and their importance. That includes talking about possible side effects and addressing misinformation about vaccines. The final step is vaccinating the children. All of this requires working with the local communities and their leaders.

Mobile vaccination in Nigeria has proven to be very effective. One study found that thanks to mobile vaccination, six states in Northern Nigeria saw an average increase in fully immunized children aged 12–23 months, from 19% to 55%.

Conclusion

Mobile vaccination in Nigeria has been proven to be effective and is saving lives. While there is still more work to do, particularly with the children of young mothers, this is a fantastic start. With continued use of mobile vaccination and strong leadership, Nigeria can help save more lives.

– Axtin Bullock

Axtin is based in Georgetown MA, USA and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Building Wells In Kenya: A Change For Education

wells in KenyaThroughout Kenya, women and girls are responsible to collect water and often spend a significant amount of time each day walking to collect water. Not only do these walks expose them to harsh weather, dangerous terrain and potential attacks, but the water collected often comes from a polluted source.

Those walking for water often walk an average of 4 miles round trip. This can take multiple hours as the terrain is rough and the weather can be brutal. During the dry months when there is no rain, water cannot be collected from waterholes and will instead be retrieved from rivers infested with crocodiles. The walk to the river is more than six miles.

As young girls walk multiple times each day, they often lose the opportunity to receive education while also enduring health risks, social disparities, and environmental impacts.

Risks

As the walk for water takes up most of their day, children and, in particular, young girls, often miss school or do not focus properly on their studies. This lack of education allows a cycle of poverty to continue and limit future employment or economic advancement for these Kenyan families.

When collecting water, there is often no way of filtering out the dirt and bacteria in the water. The dirt and bacteria within the water causes the water to regularly run brown and serious waterborne diseases can easily be contracted.

Besides the risk of waterborne diseases, these Kenyan families often do not have enough water for proper hygiene and sanitation. This creates an environment where diseases such as respiratory illnesses, diabetes, diarrhea, malaria, typhoid and HIV will thrive.

Organizations Providing Clean, Sustainable Water

United Mission Relief (UMR) helps communities in Kenya with food insecurity, economic instability and health issues. They provide an initiative that trains women and children in water-efficient farming methods while giving hands-on experience and entrepreneurial skills in order to create some financial independence.

Water For Life Charity has projects providing wells in Kenya. The organization selects the best location for a well, then conducts a survey to choose an area with water bearing zones present before installing a well.

Water Wells For Africa is an organization that has installed more than 500 wells in Kenya for 29 years. Along with these pumps, they have seen a decrease in waterborne diseases. Many of the pumps installed are built to last and easy to maintain, many of which have already lasted 20+ years.

The Water Project works to equip, train and fund non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that have an established presence in countries such as Kenya, Uganda and Sierra Leone. These NGOs work with The Water Project to provide clean water with reliable access as well as maintenance for installed wells.

Improving Lives

The WellBoring Organization provided wells in Kenya to 40 schools and observed the long-term impacts. The results of the observation showed more education access as enrollment increased by more than 10% with only a 5% absenteeism rate.

As the organization provides safe water to more than 300 schools, the increase in school attendance rose to the millions. Schools with 500 students now have 75 additional students, as children would no longer have to take time out of their day to get water.

The promotion of hygiene practice, along with access to safe water, enhances community health. A significant reduction in waterborne diseases occurred in these communities because of easily accessible and clean water that these wells in Kenya provide.

– Eva Wakelin

Eva is based in Atlanta, GA, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Revolutionizing Health Care: 3D Printing in Saudi Arabia

3D Printing in Saudi Arabia3D printing is transforming health care practices across Saudi Arabia. As a regional leader in medical innovation, the country is using 3D printing to advance its health care system. Producing medical devices such as prosthetics, dental implants and surgical tools allows for personalized and cost-effective treatments.

How 3D Printing Is Improving Health Care in Saudi Arabia

  • Lowering the cost of medical care. Saudi Arabians have access to free government-funded health care, but this doesn’t extend to expatriates. Expats, individuals living outside their home countries, make up more than 13 million of the nation’s 38 million residents. Nearly half the population relies on private insurance, either paid out of pocket or provided by employers. 3D printing helps lower the cost of essential medical devices such as prosthetics and surgical tools. By producing these items locally, hospitals reduce their reliance on expensive imports, making treatment more affordable for patients.
  • Accessibility. 3D printing in Saudi Arabia is expanding health care access to rural communities. While 85% of the population lives in urban centers like Riyadh, Jeddah and Mecca, the remaining 15% reside in rural areas with limited access to medical services. This unequal access to health care is partly due to a shortage of health care workers. As of 2023, Saudi Arabia needs 15,000 doctors and 20,000 nurses to meet health care demands. Most medical workers are concentrated in urban areas, leaving rural communities underserved. The government program Saudi Vision 2030 seeks to rectify this injustice through its initiatives in 3D printing to localize manufacturing. Instead of having access to supplies needed for specialized care in one hospital in an urban area, 3D printing would make it possible for any medical facility to produce the supplies needed for each patient.The free medical care for citizens also contributes to a lack of quality in the care provided. Public hospitals and clinics are overcrowded and understaffed, resulting in long wait times. 3D printing will help medical staff save time and improve patient care by providing immediate access to the tools they need.
  • Personalizing patient care. Saudi Vision 2030 concentrates on customized prosthetics, surgical tools and medical devices. Traditionally, these items are imported in bulk using a one-size-fits-all approach, which is costly and often results in poor patient fit. Even low-cost 3D printers can produce splints and other basic medical equipment at a fraction of the cost. Widespread access to 3D printing could expand health care access for low-income individuals, including those not protected by minimum wage laws.

Conclusion

3D printing in Saudi Arabia is set to improve public health further as technology advances. Saudi Vision 2030 promises a future of personalized medical care for all, whether low-income, an expat or from a rural area. Sickness doesn’t discriminate and soon, neither will access to affordable health care in Saudi Arabia.

– Sydney Uhl

Sydney is based in Vancouver, WA, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Borders and Survival: Migrant Sex Workers in Thailand

Migrant Sex Workers in ThailandThailand has long been a destination for economic migrants from neighboring Southeast Asian countries like Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia. Many of these migrants, particularly women, are pushed by poverty, political instability or lack of opportunity into Thailand’s informal economy. Among the most marginalized are undocumented migrant sex workers in Thailand, who face unique vulnerabilities at the intersection of gender, class, legality and nationality.

An Underground Yet Thriving Industry

Thailand is often labeled a global hotspot for sex tourism and prostitution. Though estimates vary drastically, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) reports around 145,000 sex workers in the country. Many believe the number is underestimated due to the informal and criminalized nature of the industry.

Contrary to popular belief, the state prohibits prostitution under the 1996 Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act. In practice, however, enforcing regulations is inconsistent and ambiguous due to corruption and economic reliance. Sex is often negotiated in bars or massage parlors, with the actual transaction occurring off-site. This legal grey area not only reinforces the stigma surrounding sex work but also enables systemic corruption, including bribes to police and local officials.

From Neighbor To Undocumented Worker

Many women from neighbouring countries migrate due to poverty, lack of opportunity or political instability in their home countries, especially in Myanmar, where recent unrest has worsened economic conditions. Since 2023, approximately 1.5 million people from Myanmar have migrated to Thailand.

Sex work frequently pays more than other job options that are typically accessible to migrants or women of lower socioeconomic status. Alternatives like domestic work, agriculture or construction are physically demanding and underpaid. Limited legal migration channels for women, especially those with little education, push many to migrate through irregular routes or fall into trafficking.

Once in Thailand, they often remain undocumented and legally invisible. A study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that most female migrant sex workers worked in karaoke venues (84.3%), massage parlors (9.1%) and traditional Thai massage shops (8.6%).

Double Stigma: Migrant and Sex Worker

The legal invisibility of undocumented migrant sex workers intensifies their vulnerability. Being both undocumented and part of a criminalized profession, these women face double stigma, as “illegal” migrants and as “immoral” workers. Health access is one of the most pressing issues: while Thailand’s public health care is often praised for its universality, in reality, sex workers report facing discrimination from providers and fear legal consequences if their work status is disclosed. Most migrants do not even have access to the system.

Additionally, authorities frequently use condom possession as proof against sex workers, which deters them from using condoms and makes them more susceptible to HIV infections. As researcher Christopher Hunter observed in the ’90s, “the Thai police are the largest perpetrators of rape and violence against migrant sex workers.” Although dated, these claims continue to echo in recent NGO reports, which document police abuse, extortion and lack of legal recourse for undocumented women.

Grassroots Supports

Where state protections fail, grassroots organizations have stepped in. For example:

  • Service Workers In Group Foundation (SWING).During the COVID-19 pandemic, SWING distributed more than 40,000 food boxes and 30,000 instant food pots and hygiene kits to more than 1,500 sex workers in Bangkok and Pattaya. It has also ensured that more than 1,500 HIV-positive workers could maintain antiretroviral treatment and continued to provide PrEP and HIV testing through both fixed and mobile clinics.
  • Education Means Protection Of Women Engaged in Recreation Foundation (EMPOWER).EMPOWER offers free classes in language, health, law, pre-college education and individual counselling. By 2012, EMPOWER had engaged more than 50,000 sex workers through its student and volunteer programs. The organization estimates it supports around 20,000 sex workers each year.

Conclusion

Migrant sex workers in Thailand embody a layered crisis at the intersection of borders, poverty, gender and legal ambiguity. To address their realities requires more than charity; it requires structural change. Policies on migration, labor and sex work need to be aligned with human rights principles, while also listening to the voices of those most affected. In the meantime, grassroots networks continue to fill the gap left by states.

– Kai Xian Lim

Kai is based in Lille, France and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Poverty and Cyclones in Madagascar

Cyclones in madagascarMadagascar, the world’s fourth-largest island, is a nation of vibrant cultures and unparalleled biodiversity. Yet beneath this rich surface lies a persistent dilemma: how to escape the cycle of poverty compounded by frequent and destructive cyclones in Madagascar. Strategically located in the Southwest Indian Ocean, Madagascar is among the 10 countries most exposed to cyclones, experiencing about two major storms annually.

These extreme weather events devastate lives, livelihoods and infrastructure, driving vulnerable communities further into destitution. More than 80% of Madagascar’s population lives in poverty, heavily reliant on rain-fed agriculture and thus acutely exposed to climate shocks. When cyclones strike, homes built with weak, cheap materials are easily destroyed. Farmlands flood, leading to food insecurity and rising prices. Damaged roads hinder access to markets, schools and health care. Families lose assets, children are pulled from school and human capital erodes.

Madagascar’s large informal sector, employing more than 80% of the workforce, is particularly vulnerable, with job losses plunging households into debt. To combat this, five cyclone resilience strategies are vital. These measures protect against climate shocks, foster long-term development and reduce poverty.

Averting Immediate Poverty Shocks

Early warning systems give communities time to prepare, evacuate and protect valuables, often determining whether families can recover or are pushed further into poverty.

  • Community-Based Networks. The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) emphasizes involving communities in designing early warning systems. Training local volunteers, setting up focal points and using various communication channels, megaphones, radios, SMS and social media, ensures even remote areas get timely alerts. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) helps strengthen these grassroots systems.
  • Technological Advancement and Accessibility. Satellite data, automated weather stations and partnerships with international agencies like Meteo-France and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) improve forecast accuracy. Information has to be accessible across literacy levels and languages, offering clear, actionable steps. The African Development Bank’s ADRiFi program has installed weather stations to support preparedness in Madagascar.

Investing in Climate-Resilient Infrastructure

Cyclones consistently destroy infrastructure, cutting off communities, disrupting supply chains and stalling recovery. Investing in resilient infrastructure ensures continuity and reduces poverty impacts.

  • Build Back Safer Principles. Reconstruction should prioritize cyclone-resistant designs, like reinforced concrete, elevated foundations and durable roofs. The Shelter Cluster promotes “Build Back Safer” (BBS) strategies, including cash-for-shelter programs, so families rebuild stronger homes.
  • Critical Transport Networks. Roads and bridges are vital for trade, aid and recovery. Damaged infrastructure drives up food prices and deepens hardship. The World Bank’s Connecting Madagascar for Inclusive Growth Project (PCMCI) is expanding resilient transport systems and deploying modular bridges for emergencies.
  • Community Hubs as Shelters. Resilient schools and clinics can double as emergency shelters, preserving access to vital services. Caritas Madagascar helps repair such facilities, maintaining continuity in education and health care. ADRiFi has also supported classroom reconstruction and long-term human development.

Broadening Pathways Out of Poverty

Overdependence on subsistence agriculture makes communities highly vulnerable. Diversified livelihoods create buffers against crop failures and storm disruptions.

  • Climate-Smart Agriculture. Promoting flood- and drought-resistant crops, better irrigation and sustainable techniques enhances food security. The World Food Programme (WFP) supports projects like dam construction and climate-resilient farming to reduce vulnerability in Madagascar.
  • Nonfarm Income Generation. Vocational training in carpentry, masonry, crafts and small business management creates jobs beyond farming. Microfinance, especially for women, fosters entrepreneurship, offering income when crops fail.
  • Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture. Coastal communities can benefit from resilient fisheries, provided sustainable practices are used. Protecting marine ecosystems ensures fish populations endure cyclone disruptions.

Safeguarding Crucial Ecosystems

Ecosystems like forests and reefs act as natural buffers against cyclones. However, environmental degradation, often poverty-driven, removes these protections.

  • Reforestation and Afforestation. Mangroves and coastal forests reduce wind and water damage, protecting homes and farmland. Eden Reforestation Projects has planted millions of trees in Madagascar, linking environmental restoration with local employment. Community conservation groups like Mitsinjo promote sustainable land use and forest stewardship.
  • Wetland Restoration. Wetlands absorb floodwaters and filter pollutants, helping prevent disease. In Vatomandry, a town in Madagascar, an integrated landscape approach combines drainage and wetland restoration to reduce cyclone risks.

Reinforcing Social Safety Nets

Even with strong prevention measures, cyclones in Madagascar will continue. Social safety nets are essential to protect the most vulnerable and speed recovery.

  • Contingency Funds and Insurance. Madagascar has joined the African Risk Capacity (ARC) insurance program and created a National Contingency Fund, allowing fast access to recovery funds and reducing reliance on delayed aid.
  • Cash Transfers and Food Assistance. These directly support households post-disaster, allowing families to meet basic needs and avoid harmful coping strategies. The World Bank’s Safety Nets and Resilience Project supports targeted assistance. WFP provides emergency food aid and nutrition support, especially for children.
  • Community Networks and Microinsurance. Local disaster committees and informal support systems help direct aid where needed. Microinsurance for small farmers and informal workers provides a safety net, enabling recovery without deepening debt. CARE Madagascar works on community-driven disaster risk reduction.

A Sustainable Future

Madagascar’s fight against poverty cannot be separated from its climate vulnerability. Cyclones in Madagascar continually erase development gains. But by strengthening early warning systems, infrastructure, livelihoods, ecosystems and social protection, Madagascar can build resilience and chart a path to long-term prosperity. These strategies, rooted in community engagement and sustainability, offer a chance to break the cycle of poverty and forge a future where the nation survives storms and thrives beyond them.

– Anoushka Rai

Anoushka is based in Frisco, TX, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr