Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

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How 2D Participatory Maps Are Fighting Poverty in Chad

2D Participatory MapsChad is a landlocked Central African nation that spans the tropical, semi-arid belt known as the Sahel. While rich in natural resources, Chad ranks among the world’s most challenged countries in the United Nations (U.N.) Human Development Index (HDI).

A Nation in Emergency

Measured by poor life expectancy, education and living standards, Chad’s slow pace of development since French colonial rule has created deep-rooted challenges for its people. About 42% of the population lives below the poverty line and food insecurity has increased by 240% since 2020.

Despite the discovery of oil in 2003, Chad has remained overwhelmingly focused on military security. This, combined with a legacy of political instability, corruption and poverty, has left its growing population trapped in cycles of poverty, unemployment and deepening regional conflict.

As scarcity rises, the war in Sudan is creating a new humanitarian crisis, impacting trade routes, with almost one million Sudanese refugees crossing into its borders. These challenges divert Chad’s already limited resources from other critical areas of the economy as fuel and food prices surge rapidly.

Rising Temperatures in Chad

As desertification advances at a rate of four kilometers per year, Lake Chad, once one of Africa’s largest freshwater bodies and a source of survival for around 30 million people, has shrunk by 90% since 1960. Today, fewer than half of all children have access to safe drinking water.

Further, mass flooding in 2023, particularly in the most populated areas, destroyed an estimated 259,000 hectares of farmland. This affected 1.5 million people, creating further regional insecurity and disruption.

Climate studies project that temperatures in Chad will rise throughout the 21st century. This will likely result in lower crop yields, leaving communities to fight for scraps of land ravaged by extreme weather conditions.

2D Digital Maps for the Future

In the face of these great challenges, Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, a cartographer and climate activist, has become a voice of hope among indigenous populations. Ibrahim is creating 2D participatory maps designed to combat poverty in Chad by helping communities identify and share resources in areas of emerging conflict.

Transhumance routes empower local communities and enable cultural exchange across the Sahel. These routes aim to reduce violent conflict by making populations less vulnerable to rising temperatures through evolving 2D participatory maps.

Integrating indigenous and scientific knowledge, Ibrahim’s maps are constantly evolving. Using annotated satellite imagery, they bring together leaders from 116 communities to agree on fair and sustainable use of fertile land, materials and freshwater points across 1,728 square kilometers.

The Chad Digital Transformation Project

While Ibrahim’s work sparks regional interest, only 19% of the Chadian population can access the necessary digital tools or facilities. This presents challenges in scaling the project, especially during a time of political and ecological instability.

However, within five years, the Chad Digital Transformation Project aims to provide an additional 4.5 million people with broadband access. The project will enable people to engage more comprehensively with the project in the coming years.

Conclusion

Chad’s challenges are immense, but participatory maps offer a hopeful path forward. By combining indigenous knowledge with digital tools, communities can manage resources and reduce conflict. As digital access expands, this grassroots solution could help turn local resilience into lasting impact.

– Gabriel John Gunn

Gabriel is based in Paisley, Scotland and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Using Oil to Fight Poverty in Guyana

Oil in GuyanaGuyana gained independence less than 60 years ago, in 1966. Since then, it has faced a lot of economic challenges that have left it classified as a developing nation. For decades, limited resources held back the country’s growth and prosperity. However, in 2015, a major turning point came when ExxonMobil discovered offshore oil reserves, forever altering the economic future of Guyana.

By October 2022, two additional oil discoveries had been made, confirming that Guyana was sitting on one of the largest oil finds in the region. Today, Guyana is one of the world’s fastest-growing economies and this trend is expected to continue. According to the International Monetary Fund’s April 2024 World Economic Outlook, Guyana is predicted to be “one of just a few countries in the world to post double-digit economic growth in 2025.”

What Does All of This Oil Mean for Guyana

As of 2024, Guyana was producing more than 600,000 barrels of oil per day, a major output for a country of about 830,000 people. The scale of this production is not only boosting gross domestic product (GDP), it’s also fueling job creation and generating billions in government revenue. As one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, Guyana is using these funds to take care of long-overdue development efforts across the country.

From Oil to Employment

Since becoming one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, Guyana has seen an increase in available infrastructure funding. Such growth has allowed the government to launch development initiatives aimed at improving the country’s economy and reducing poverty in Guyana. According to 7NEWS, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo announced in 2023 that several major projects are underway. These include the construction of 12 hospitals, seven hotels, numerous schools and various public facilities.

Many of these buildings are expected to open soon or within the next few years. These investments have so many benefits, helping to improve access to health care, education and tourism. Also, they are expected to generate thousands of new jobs and raise the overall quality of life for the Guyanese population. The expansion of infrastructure shows a huge step in ensuring that the country’s wealth benefits a broad spectrum of its citizens.

More Than Just Oil

By creating more career opportunities, poverty in Guyana is gradually begin eroded, allowing individuals access to opportunities and experiences they may have never been exposed to. In this sense, oil is more than just a natural resource; it’s a tool for transformation. It represents the possibility of long-term development, greater access to essential resources and the chance to uplift entire communities.

– Knia Parks

Knia is based in Pepper Pike, OH, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Diseases Impacting Ethiopia

Diseases Impacting EthiopiaEthiopia is a country in the Horn of Africa. Ethiopia is home to 126 million people. It is the second most populous country in Africa, behind Nigeria. Ethiopia is known for being the cradle of humanity. However, many different diseases are impacting Ethiopia, which have made the lives of its citizens difficult.

Neglected Tropical Diseases

Millions of Ethiopians are at risk of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). NTDs are a group of diseases primarily caused by pathogens (such as bacteria, viruses and parasites). Ethiopia has Africa’s third-largest number of NTDs, behind Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Similarly, Ethiopia has the highest number of cases of diseases such as trachoma, podoconiosis and cutaneous leishmaniasis in all of sub-Saharan Africa. It has the second highest number of cases involving ascariasis, leprosy and visceral leishmaniasis. And it has the third highest number of cases involving hookworms.

Infectious Diseases

Infectious diseases are also prevalent across Ethiopia. The most common contagious diseases in Ethiopia are HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. The prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia stands at around 1.5%. While this is lower than Africa’s average, it’s still higher than the global average (0.7%).

The prevalence of malaria in the country is about 0.39% to 1.1%. Research showed that population density was a standard variable in the spread of all three infectious diseases. Low urbanity and low population density correlate with a lower risk for contagious diseases.

Government Efforts

Ethiopia is still a developing country. About 68.7% of Ethiopians suffer from multidimensional poverty and a further 18% are at risk of doing so. Impoverished people are the most vulnerable to NTDs. Those living in extreme poverty lack access to proper health care and basic health services. They also live in areas where vectors of infectious diseases thrive.

However, the Ethiopian government has taken active steps to combat both NTDs and other infectious diseases. In 1999, the country developed a national plan to address onchocerciasis. The Ministry of Health established the National Onchocerciasis Task Force the following year. This task force focused on mobilizing and educating affected communities and distributing Mectizan tablets to help control the disease.

The Ethiopian Ministry of Health also established the National Dracunculiasis Eradication Program in 1993. In collaboration with The Carter Center, Ethiopia launched a national program to combat lymphatic filariasis. Additionally, the country has implemented several programs and strategies targeting other neglected tropical diseases, including podoconiosis, soil-transmitted helminths, schistosomiasis, leishmaniasis and leprosy.

Conclusion

Ethiopia continues to struggle with the burden of infectious and noninfectious tropical diseases, which disproportionately affect its underserved communities. While the challenges are significant, the country’s proactive health initiatives and partnerships offer hope. Sustained investment in public health, education and poverty reduction is essential to combat the diseases impacting Ethiopia and improve health outcomes for millions.

– Samriddha Aryal

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

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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The Impacts of The Smart Rwanda Master Plan

Smart Rwanda Master PlanRwanda continues to make remarkable progress in 2025 by advancing the Smart Rwanda Master Plan. It is a comprehensive national blueprint for the country’s transformation into a knowledge-based economy. This plan coordinates multiple initiatives in clean energy, digital connectivity, education, health and entrepreneurship. Smart Rwanda links urban innovation with rural development to reduce poverty and promote inclusive growth.

While Smart Rwanda serves as the strategic framework, ongoing projects such as the Digital Acceleration Project, Kigali Innovation City (KIC) and the Electricity Access Rollout Program (EARP) demonstrate how Rwanda operationalizes this vision to uplift rural communities and empower youth and women.

Bringing Power to Classrooms and Rural Villages

Through the EARP, Rwanda’s Ministry of Infrastructure aims to electrify nearly 1,000 rural primary schools with off-grid solar power systems by the end of 2025. These installations provide lighting, laptop charging and digital tools that extend study hours and improve learning outcomes in remote regions.

Through public-private partnerships, Rwanda also expanded solar mini-grids to more than 45 villages in the Bugesera District. MeshPower, a key stakeholder, delivers reliable electricity to households and small enterprises. Locals report that access to power has doubled family incomes and created jobs by enabling new economic activities like phone charging stations and tailoring shops.

Expanding Clean Cooking Solutions and Green Model Villages

In partnership with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and HomeBiogas, more than 500 Rwamagana and Ngoma Districts households installed biogas digesters. These convert organic waste into clean cooking fuel, reducing firewood use by about 80%. This improvement enhances indoor air quality, reduces respiratory illnesses and saves women and children hours previously spent collecting firewood.

Rwanda scaled its Green Model Village program by upgrading several villages with off-grid solar power systems. These provide reliable electricity and rainwater harvesting installations that ensure year-round clean water access. Furthermore, they provide improve sanitation facilities, eco-friendly toilets and newly built or renovated health posts offering essential medical services. These targeted improvements enable schools to extend learning hours with electricity, reduce waterborne diseases through better hygiene and create local jobs by supporting small-scale agriculture and clean energy enterprises.

Accelerating Electricity Access and Digital Transformation 

Rwanda has rapidly increased electricity access from 6% in 2009 to 75% in 2024 through the EARP. The government leads this effort with strong institutional support from the Ministry of Infrastructure, Rwanda Energy Group and the Development Bank of Rwanda. With more than $1.4 billion in funding, around $750 million from the World Bank, the program combines grid and off-grid solutions to reach underserved areas. Performance contracts ensure accountability as Rwanda moves toward universal electricity access.

Rwanda’s $200 million Digital Acceleration Project, running from 2022 through 2026, further advances Smart Rwanda’s vision. By July 2025, the project reached 55% completion, expanding broadband infrastructure, improving digital public services and fostering innovation ecosystems. This initiative enhances connectivity in rural and urban areas, empowering citizens and businesses to participate in the digital economy.

Building KIC

KIC is a flagship Smart Rwanda project focused on transforming Rwanda into a regional technology and knowledge hub. In May 2024, the Government of Rwanda signed an implementation agreement with the Rwanda Development Board and Africa50 to accelerate KIC’s development. The 61-hectare smart city aims to host universities, research institutions, technology companies and innovation hubs, creating jobs and fostering entrepreneurship for young Rwandans.

Supporting Women and Youth

Smart Rwanda prioritizes gender equality and youth empowerment through targeted skills training and entrepreneurship programs. The World Bank’s $200 million Priority Skills for Growth and Youth Empowerment initiative benefits more than 200,000 young people. The initiative provides young women with market-ready skills and improves access to education.

Projects like Youth Entrepreneurship for the Future of Food and Agriculture generate thousands of jobs and increase female participation in economic activities, aligning closely with Smart Rwanda’s inclusive growth objectives.

A Scalable Model for Rural Development

The Smart Rwanda Master Plan unites infrastructure, digital innovation, energy, education, health and social services into one coordinated framework. The government collaborates closely with international partners, technology providers and communities to ensure that development benefits reach all citizens.

By advancing this master plan, Rwanda offers a replicable blueprint for other countries seeking sustainable and inclusive rural poverty reduction. The continued implementation of Smart Rwanda initiatives in 2025 shows that thoughtful planning and multi-sector collaboration can effectively combat poverty and foster long-term prosperity.

– Kelsey Eisen

Kelsey is based in San Francisco, CA, USA and focuses on Business and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How Security Diplomacy Is Replacing Development Assistance

Security DiplomacyForeign aid has been essential for decades in international development, funding education, health care and infrastructure in low- and middle-income countries. In recent years, governments and organizations have increasingly redirected aid spending toward strategic objectives, emphasizing security, border control and military collaboration. This new trend, sometimes called “security diplomacy,” raises questions about the changing dynamics of foreign assistance and its lasting impact on poverty alleviation.

Assistance from countries such as the U.S., Italy and European Union (EU) members is increasingly allocated to military training efforts, anti-migration enforcement and surveillance technologies, rather than financing educational institutions or hospital facilities. Case studies from Africa and the Mediterranean demonstrate the effects of this transition on recipient states and the challenges it presents to traditional development objectives. This shift exemplifies how security diplomacy and foreign aid are increasingly intertwined in global policy.

Coastal Control Over Community Needs: Italy’s Aid to Libya

In recent years, Italy has invested millions in foreign aid to bolster Libya’s coast guard and border control initiatives, particularly to curtail migration across the Mediterranean. This approach, financed via bilateral agreements and EU-supported frameworks, has faced criticism for prioritizing security containment above sustainable development assistance in North Africa.

According to a 2023 study, Italy allocated at least $37.5 million between 2017 and 2022. This funding was part of a broader strategy of security diplomacy and foreign aid, supporting patrol boats, training and equipment for the Libyan Coast Guard. The principal objective has been to intercept migrant vessels before their arrival in European seas and to repatriate the individuals on board to detention facilities in Libya.

This strategy, ostensibly humanitarian to avert perilous maritime journeys, has faced extensive criticism for facilitating human rights violations. United Nations (U.N.) and human rights groups have reported instances of arbitrary incarceration, torture and forced labor in Libyan detention institutions, to which many returnees are sent. Critics contend that by emphasizing border control, Italy and the EU have neglected investment in Libya’s faltering education and health care systems. These sectors have declined owing to persistent violence and insufficient finance. The financing change establishes a precedent for using assistance as a mechanism for migratory deterrent, rather than for human development.

The Sahel: Development Deferred in the Name of Stability

The EU has allocated billions to the Sahel via the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa (EUTF), primarily focused on poverty alleviation and migration control. By the conclusion of 2020, the EUTF had mobilized more than $4.8 billion, with 46% of the capital allocated to resilience and economic opportunity. Approximately 31% was explicitly designated for migration management and border control within the Sahel and Lake Chad framework, highlighting the EU’s increasing use of security diplomacy and foreign aid.

Audits conducted by the European Court of Auditors and academics at SWP Berlin have highlighted issues over the Fund’s ambiguous development aims. It indicates that its design increasingly caters to EU migration interests, implying a shift from conventional poverty alleviation to security-oriented measures. Similarly, analyses by think tanks such as the Foundation for European Progressive Studies suggest that mechanisms like the EUTF and the External Investment Plan reflect a shift in EU funding priorities.

Rather than focusing solely on development, these tools now also serve goals related to policing, border security and migration diplomacy. This marks a significant evolution in the EU’s “security–migration–development nexus” in the Sahel. Civil society organizations, like Oxfam and Euractiv, have emphasized the need to reallocate education, employment and health care assistance. They contend that emphasizing border control and stabilization may exacerbate instability rather than mitigate it.

Donor Alternatives That Prioritize Development

Certain donor initiatives, including those spearheaded by USAID, have persistently prioritized locally driven development, especially in the Sahel and Horn of Africa. The USAID Resilience in the Sahel Enhanced (RISE) program prioritizes enduring outcomes like education, food security and conflict prevention by collaborating directly with people instead of relying on security intermediaries.

Similarly, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) have developed frameworks. These are focused on human security, including education, health, economic stability and protection from violence. These paradigms establish development as fundamental to security, rather than as a deterrence mechanism.

Focus on Root Causes: Re-Centering Aid on Human Development

Prominent international institutions, such as the OECD, the World Bank and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), continually underscore the need to address the fundamental causes of instability for sustainable development and migratory governance. The fundamental reasons are poverty, social marginalization, shaky governance, economic instability and environmental shocks.

The OECD asserts that successful development aid must promote inclusive economic growth, education, gender equality, health care and access to social safety systems. These objectives transcend mere humanitarianism; they represent strategic investments in enduring resilience. A global analysis by the World Bank highlights that improving equal access to employment and education is key to reducing migration driven by hardship. This is especially true for adolescents in precarious environments, where limited opportunities often make migration appear to be the only viable path forward.

IOM emphasizes that an exclusive emphasis on border control neglects intricate realities: most migration is internal or regional and is propelled by structural development disparities. Investments in local governance, labor markets and climate resilience might initially reduce the need for irregular migration.

Conclusion

As countries increasingly allocate development financing to border security and migration control, the fundamental purpose of foreign assistance is jeopardized. Across institutions, communities and advocacy networks, there is an increasing acknowledgement that human development, rather than deterrence, is the best sustainable approach to world stability.

– Ray Bechara

Ray is based in Glasgow, Scotland and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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AI Technology Developed for Breast Cancer Screening in India

Breast Cancer Screening in IndiaFor decades since its inception, mammography has been the leading method for detecting breast cancer. However, a new AI technology called Thermalytix could become a less invasive and less expensive early intervention tool, as shown through its trials of breast cancer screening in India.

Breast Cancer in India

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women worldwide. It also has the fourth-highest mortality rate out of any cancer. In India specifically, it is a significant issue. Despite having lower incidence levels, the nation continues to have similar or higher mortality rates than Western countries. One of the main contributors to this high rate of mortality is delayed detection.

Health professionals recommended that all females aged 40 and above receive yearly mammograms to screen for breast cancer. However, according to the Longitudinal Aging Study in India, fewer than 2% of the 35,083 women aged above 40 surveyed reported receiving a mammogram in the past two years. Due to this lack of thorough and routine examination, many breast cancers are not diagnosed until they are in advanced stages.

The percentage of women who reported receiving mammograms varies slightly based on socioeconomic status, other preexisting health conditions and place of residence. However, as a whole, access to and use of mammogram technology for breast cancer screening is limited. This is due to high costs and lack of adequate medical equipment and workers in India and other low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Predictive Screening With AI

Niramai, a tech company located in Bengaluru, India, has developed an AI technology known as Thermalytix, which detects indicators of breast cancer. Thermalytix uses computer software to analyze thermal imaging of breasts and scan them for abnormal “hot spots, warm spots and vascular patterns” and determine the probability of any malignant lesions.

Since 2016, Niramai has conducted studies on the effectiveness of Thermalytix in different clinics and hospitals across India. Over the past nine years, Niramai has invited more than 16,000 women to participate in clinical trials, improving its Thermalytix technology. Thermalytix was evaluated in terms of sensitivity (ability to identify true positives) and specificity (ability to identify true negatives) in each study.

In every iteration, Thermalytix has consistently scored between 82-98% in sensitivity and 80-88% in specificity. It has already “received regulatory approval in India” and met the health and safety criteria to receive the CE mark in Europe. Thermalytix patients found to be positive or at high risk for breast cancer are always referred to receive further testing with either mammography, MRI or ultrasound technology. However, its effectiveness as an early intervention tool is not to be understated.

Conclusion

As a lower-cost and noninvasive technology, Thermalytix has the potential to make breast cancer screening in India more accessible to the general population. If implemented on a large scale, this technology could “improve overall treatment outcomes” by catching breast cancer before it reaches the later stages.

– Delaney Gouveia

Delaney is based in Newport, RI, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Driving Down Child Malnutrition in Sudan: Life-Saving Peanut Paste

Peanut PasteTwo-year-old Alfred arrived at a UNICEF stabilization ward in Juba with an arm circumference far into the red zone of severe acute malnutrition (SAM). Eight weeks later, he walked out the door with a sachet of life-saving peanut paste in Sudan, beaming for the first time in months. This story reveals proof that a simple nut-based food can tip the scales between life and death for Sudanese children.

Child Malnutrition in Sudan

Sudan and South Sudan together form one of the world’s hungriest corridors. The conflict has displaced millions; crop failures have destroyed harvests and inflation has made staple foods unattainable. Insecurity has also crippled supply chains and closed health clinics, limiting access to screening, early treatment and food aid in the hardest-hit regions like Darfur and Upper Nile.

In July–August 2024, unprecedented floods across Sudan destroyed nearly 205,500 acres of farmland and displaced more than 44,000 people. This wiped out entire cropping seasons, deepening food shortages and pushing thousands more children into malnutrition.

According to UNICEF, more than two million children aged below 5 suffer from malnutrition, with 522,000 experiencing SAM. However, some actions can be taken: outpatient programs using ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) routinely achieve 90% recovery rates.

What Exactly is in a Sachet?

RUTF is a blend of roasted peanuts, powdered milk, sugar, vegetable oil, vitamins and minerals sealed in a foil pouch. Since the product is energy-dense, has excellent shelf stability and requires no water or cooking, caregivers can administer the full treatment at home.

This not only frees up overwhelmed hospital beds but also shields children from unsafe water sources and health facility overcrowding. Nutritionists call it “medicine you can eat,” and parents know it simply as Sudan’s life-saving peanut paste. One 92-gram sachet supplies more than 500 kcal and a full day’s micronutrients.

Proven Results

  • Affordable. A six- to eight-week SAM treatment course costs about $69, far lower than prolonged inpatient care.
  • Mass impact. In crisis zones like Sudan, these sachets have enabled community-level treatment, reaching more children with fewer resources.
  • Fast recovery. Children with SAM often show dramatic improvement in just a few days of RUTF use, regaining strength, appetite and energy.

Every foil packet of life-saving peanut paste in Sudan delivers food and medicine in one lightweight dose, a huge advantage as clinics are distant and clean water is scarce.

The Takeaway

A single peanut pack has become the strongest shield against child malnutrition in Sudan. Alfred’s recovery exhibits that children survive and thrive when resources, farmers and determined mothers converge around a foil packet.

– Arabella D’Aniello

Arabella is based in Toronto, Canada and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Sterile Fly Barrier in Central America Saves Lives

Sterile Fly BarrierThe parasitic fly Cochliomyia hominivorax, commonly known as the New‑World screwworm (NWS), inflicts the devastating disease myiasis on livestock by burrowing its larvae into living tissue. Since the 1950s, Panama has maintained a pioneering sterile fly barrier in Central America to halt its northward spread.

More than 100 million sterilized male flies are released each week along the Panama–Colombia border, ensuring that emerging females lay infertile eggs and preventing NWS populations from taking hold. For rural communities, many people live in extreme poverty, protecting their herds often means the difference between starvation and survival.

The Screwworm’s Mode of Attack

Female NWS flies deposit eggs in fresh wounds. Within hours, the larvae hatch and begin excavating into living flesh in a spiraling motion that inspired its common name. As these maggots feed, they create deep, pus‑filled lesions that, without prompt removal, lead to severe inflammation, systemic infection and often the death of the animal.

Historically, livestock owners resorted to harsh chemical larvicides, branding techniques or manual extraction to combat infestations. These methods were costly, traumatic for the animals and frequently insufficient to prevent herd-wide losses.

Operation of the Barrier System

The Panama–U.S. Commission for the Eradication and Prevention of Screwworm (COPEG) oversees the production and release of sterile flies. In a specialized rearing facility near Pacora, screwworm larvae are raised on artificial diets under strict international standards before being sterilized using gamma irradiation.

The resulting sterile males are dispersed from aircraft across the Darien region to establish a continuous barrier. Since its permanent establishment in 2004, this sterile fly barrier in Central America has prevented reinvasion from South American endemic zones and safeguarded livestock populations to the north.

Economic Impact and Performance Metrics

Before the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) was implemented, screwworm infestations caused annual losses exceeding $300 million in Central America through animal deaths and treatment expenses. At the same time, the U.S. faced more than $900 million in direct costs each year. By neutralizing reinvasion threats, the barrier delivers an estimated $1.3 billion in annual economic benefits across the region. On a household level, smallholder farmers gain an additional $200 to $300 per year, resources that can be allocated to nutrition, education and health care.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) emphasizes that impoverished livestock owners, who often hold only a few animals as their sole asset, are disproportionately affected by parasitic outbreaks. Furthermore, the loss of even a single bovine can plunge a family into an existential crisis. By protecting up to four million of the most vulnerable rural residents in Mexico and Central America, the sterile fly barrier in Central America secures their primary source of income and food. This directly interrupts the cycle of extreme poverty and prevents further social deprivation.

Future Outlook

With climate instability accelerating parasite migration and global trade increasing the risk of cross‑border spread, sustained funding for COPEG remains essential. Moreover, the SIT model holds promise for tackling other myiasis‑causing species and livestock diseases. Expanding this approach to additional endemic areas could further stabilize agricultural livelihoods and serve as a cornerstone strategy for global poverty reduction.

– Alexander Broermann

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

Photo: Pixabay

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Invisible and Forgotten: Living With Disability in Moldova

Disability in MoldovaIn Moldova, being born with a disability can mean being locked out of education, work and even basic human dignity. As one of the most impoverished countries in Europe and a neighbor to a war-affected region (Ukraine), Moldova faces significant challenges and offers limited opportunities for its citizens. But for people living with disabilities, the barriers are not just economic; they are systemic, cultural and deeply rooted.

Despite international agreements and national policies, gaps remain in reaching the country’s most vulnerable communities. Poverty and neglect continue to isolate the disabled population, leaving them under-resourced, unheard and invisible.

Living With Disability in Moldova

An estimated 7% of Moldova’s population lives with a disability, but state support is shockingly low. Many families are left to navigate complex disabilities alone, with grandparents or single parents stepping in as full-time caregivers, without guidance, training or respite.

Disability in Moldova is not just ignored; it’s hidden. According to a 2015 report, nearly 1,716 children with mental or intellectual disabilities remain in segregated institutions and many are still denied access to mainstream education. Around 2,500 people (children and adults) with mental disabilities are forced to live in institutions, cut off from communities and basic liberties.

Additionally, between 3,000 and 4,000 individuals, mainly with intellectual or psychosocial disabilities, are stripped of legal capacity. They’re barred from basic life decisions like marriage, employment, voting and refusing medication. Many are institutionalized by guardians or withheld from community life.

Moldova’s economic crisis affects everyone, but people living with disabilities bear the brunt of it. According to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), more than 25% of Moldovans live below the national poverty line, with rural areas hit the hardest. For people with disabilities and their families, this means daily decisions between medicine and meals, therapy and survival. In Moldova, disability is not just a personal challenge; it’s a systemic trap.

International Promises vs. Local Reality

Moldova has ratified the United Nations (U.N.) Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). On paper, this marks a commitment to equality and accessibility. But in practice, little has changed. There is no cohesive national disability strategy, no consistent monitoring and international aid has failed to prioritize the disability crisis. Progress is sporadic and largely symbolic, leaving thousands in legal and social limbo.

However, some nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are working on the ground to support people with disabilities in Moldova. One such organization, the Tony Hawks Center, is committed to improving the lives of vulnerable children. It provides non-invasive rehabilitation services, including physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy, for children aged 0 to 18.

According to the U.N., only 26% of Moldovans support the inclusion of persons with intellectual and psychosocial disabilities in the community. In response, the organization launched a broad awareness campaign aimed at increasing public acceptance and reducing stigma.

– Marina Martin

Marina is based in Rapid City, SD, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Poverty and Mental Health in São Tomé and Príncipe

Mental Health in São Tomé and PríncipeSão Tomé and Príncipe is a small island located off Central Africa’s west coast, near the equator, with a population of roughly 230,000. Nearly 60% of the population lives below the national poverty line and there are numerous health inequities. Mental health is an ongoing crisis in São Tomé and Príncipe, negatively impacted by poverty, a lack of services and limited infrastructure.

Challenges Facing Mental Health Services

There is a lack of awareness and data surrounding mental health in São Tomé and Príncipe. However, many residents face common mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, substance use and, in some cases, trauma from poverty and isolation.

Barriers to care include a severe shortage of mental health professionals. There are only 4.6 doctors per 10,000 residents, with even fewer trained in mental health. Infrastructure is weak and there are no specified mental health facilities or consistent and constant access to medication. Stigma also plays a major role, leaving many affected individuals misunderstood and unsupported.

The public health care system offers limited mental health support through a few hospitals. Only one outpatient mental health facility is linked to a hospital and just one psychiatric unit exists within a general hospital. As of 2017, there were 706 treated cases of severe mental disorders nationwide, equivalent to 361 cases per 100,000 people.

How Poverty Fuels Mental Health Challenges

Poverty also takes a toll on the mental health of São Tomé and Príncipe’s residents. Around a quarter of the population lives on less than $1.90 daily, one of the highest poverty rates among comparable countries. This is due to unemployment and low labor force participation. In 2020, the unemployment rate jumped from 13% to 20%.

Living in poverty often means daily stress over essentials like food, water and housing, things that can trigger or worsen depression and anxiety. With a chronically underfunded health care system, there is limited access to mental health professionals and affordable support remains extremely limited for those in need.

Women and children in São Tomé and Príncipe are especially vulnerable to mental health challenges due to limited economic and educational opportunities. In 2018, the birth rate for girls aged 15–19 was 0.4 per 1,000, an indicator of deeper social and health disparities. Mental health struggles among these groups are often linked to substance abuse and domestic violence. Yet, access to mental health services remains limited, further compounding the crisis.

Support From International Organizations

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is one of the organizations working to combat the poverty and mental health crisis in São Tomé and Príncipe. One serious problem in the country is violence against children. This occurs frequently; about 70% of children are exposed to psychological aggression and one in seven experience severe physical punishment. To address this, UNICEF developed a protocol for care and follow-up for adolescent victims of violence, sexual abuse or mistreatment. Indeed, this is a major factor in the mental health struggles many residents of São Tomé and Príncipe face.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is also working to strengthen health systems in São Tomé and Príncipe by improving working conditions and boosting staff motivation. Its efforts have significantly impacted both the more than 9,000 island residents and the 97 professionals working at the hospital. While emphasizing preventive health, the organization focuses on reducing deaths from preventable diseases and promoting long-term care and sustainability.

Conclusion

Mental health in São Tomé and Príncipe is often overlooked, yet neglecting it undermines education, productivity and overall well-being. Breaking the cycle of poverty requires addressing mental health. Spreading awareness is essential to ensure local communities can access the necessary services.

– Madyn Lewis

Madyn is based in Chicago, IL, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health, Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons