Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

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How USAID Programs in Russia Have Addressed HIV/AIDS and TB

USAID Programs in RussiaAs the U.S. government considers further cuts to international assistance, USAID programs in Russia can show what the U.S. can accomplish when it comes to combating disease and poverty. However, it also can be a cautionary tale of what can happen to a country’s most vulnerable when USAID programs are suddenly cut without an adequate replacement. 

Starting in 1992, after the end of the Cold War and the fall of the Soviet Union, the United States began a robust program of assistance to the new Russian Federation starting with the Freedom Support Act authorizing USAID to begin work in Russia. USAID programs in Russia included initiatives to assist with democratic reform, market assistance, anti-corruption programs, but mostly important disease eradication.

USAID’s Fight Against TB and HIV/AIDS in Russia

USAID programs in Russia fought both tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. Starting in 1999, USAID began to focus specifically on drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB), which had become a major issue in the former Soviet Union, especially in Russia. According to William B. Taylor, coordinator of U.S. assistance to Newly Independent States, in 1999, USAID was critical to coordinating between Russian authorities, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Red Cross to combat TB, starting in three provinces and then the rest of Russia. Additionally, USAID also helped provide more than $200 million in critical medical supplies.

By 1999, the spike of TB incidence finally ended and began to decline through the early 2010s. TB mortality rates also declined and experts attributed much of this progress to early detection and prevention programs in Russia. 

Additionally, USAID was instrumental in fighting HIV/AIDS in Russia on several levels; increasing coordination between Russian and American biomedical researchers, assisting with vaccine development, infection prevention, treatment and increasing awareness among Russian business and civic leaders. In 2010, USAID funded the HIV Prevention for At-Risk Populations in Russia program, which treated thousands in the city of Kazan alone.

The Current Situation

According to former U.S. ambassador to Russia, Michael McFaul, “Over the last twenty years, the USAID Mission in Russia has worked with Russian government officials and Russian non-governmental organizations to achieve a remarkable record of success.” However, in 2012, due to rising tensions between the Russian and U.S. governments, Vladimir Putin ordered USAID to cease its operations in Russia.

The Russian government argued that Russian society had moved past the need for external aid. In reality, living conditions in Russia have continued to be extremely difficult. By 2018, Russia became the third-highest country for TB infection, largely due to its inability to follow WHO guidelines.

The Russian Red Cross had to end five different programs dedicated to fighting TB since it received funding from USAID. That being said, thanks to continued funding and cooperation with other international organizations, TB mortality and incidence rate continues to modestly decline, despite setbacks. However, much of the progress in fighting HIV/AIDS in Russia has suffered major reversals. By 2017, Russia had the largest number of HIV-positive individuals in Europe. As of 2024, 30,000 Russians annually are estimated to have died from HIV/AIDS.

Looking Ahead

The history of USAID programs in Russia highlights the danger of suddenly turning off humanitarian aid. In 2025, freezes of USAID funding in places like Ukraine have threatened HIV treatment, endangering more than 116,000 people. However, that history also serves as an encouragement of what is possible with U.S. support.

– Joseph Laughon

Joseph is based in Sacramento, CA, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikipedia Commons

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Clinton Foundation Aids Myanmar and Thailand Earthquake Victims

Earthquake in Thailand and MyanmarOn March 28, 2025, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar, with tremors felt across neighboring Thailand. The disaster caused more than 2,000 deaths, according to the Associated Press and led to severe destruction in Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city. Damage to roads, airports and buildings complicated rescue and relief operations. Power outages, fuel shortages and high temperatures further slowed search efforts.

Seismic Risk and Regional Vulnerability

Experts attribute the quake to tectonic activity along the Sagaing Fault, a major boundary between the India and Eurasia plates that cuts through densely populated areas like Mandalay. According to geologist Dr. Rebecca Bell of Imperial College London, the fault’s linear structure allows for wide ruptures, contributing to the scale of destruction.

Impact on an Ongoing Humanitarian Crisis

The earthquake added pressure to Myanmar’s existing humanitarian emergency. Since 2023, escalating conflict has led to widespread displacement and many of those affected by the earthquake were already living in fragile conditions. The disaster intensified the need for shelter, clean water, food and health care. According to Health Poverty Action, thousands of people have been injured or displaced, while hospitals face critical supply shortages. The International Rescue Committee (IRC) reported urgent needs for tents, medical services and clean drinking water

Economic Toll

The quake caused an estimated $36 billion in damage, roughly 70% of Myanmar’s GDP. This widespread destruction further weakens a national economy already strained by conflict and poverty. Beyond the immediate destruction, the earthquake severely disrupted Myanmar’s agricultural sector, particularly in the Dry Zone, which is the country’s primary region for pulses, oilseeds and cereals.

Damage to infrastructure, such as roads and bridges, has hindered farmers’ access to markets and essential inputs, threatening upcoming planting seasons and potentially leading to reduced harvests and incomes. Furthermore, the destruction of key government facilities in Naypyidaw, including ministries responsible for trade and commerce, has impeded administrative functions critical for economic recovery and export activities. These compounded effects are expected to exacerbate inflation, increase poverty rates and strain Myanmar’s limited foreign exchange reserves, posing long-term challenges to the nation’s economic stability.

Coordinated Aid Through the Clinton Global Initiative

The Clinton Foundation’s Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) quickly mobilized its members to respond to the crisis. These partners worked alongside local and international groups to support communities affected by the disaster.

  • The Afya Foundation assessed medical needs and distributed supplies through local partners.
  • Airlink coordinated logistics with more than 15 NGOs, helping deliver search and rescue teams despite damaged infrastructure.
  • All Hands and Hearts arrived shortly after the quake to assess needs and provide an early response in Bangkok and nearby communities.
  • CARE delivered urgent medical and health services for women and families.
  • The Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP) supported recovery efforts with targeted funding.
  • Direct Relief, with a longstanding presence in the region, coordinated with the ASEAN Coordinating Center to deliver emergency medical aid.
  • The International Medical Corps provided emergency trauma and surgical care, deploying a medical team to assist overwhelmed hospitals and clinics.

Looking Ahead

As relief efforts continue to aid those affected by the earthquake in Thailand and Myanmar, international organizations and local partners remain focused on recovery, emphasizing the importance of collaboration during disasters. The coordinated response through the Clinton Foundation’s network reflects the growing role of philanthropic and nonprofit actors in delivering rapid humanitarian assistance, especially in regions already experiencing poverty and instability.

– Abirame Shanthakumar

Abirame is based in Ontario, Canada and focuses on Celebs and World News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Indigenous Poverty in Colombia

An Overview of Indigenous Poverty in ColombiaAs of 2018, approximately 1.9 million Indigenous people live in Colombia. According to ABColombia, nearly half of them experience extreme poverty, while more than 60% of Colombia’s total population lives below the poverty line. Indigenous communities face distinct and deeply entrenched barriers that perpetuate this inequality, often tied to conflict, displacement and discrimination.

Armed Conflict and Displacement

Colombia has endured decades of armed conflict, beginning in 1964 with the emergence of guerrilla groups such as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the National Liberation Army (ELN). Though a peace agreement was signed with the FARC in 2016, violence and displacement remain ongoing challenges.

Indigenous communities are particularly vulnerable in this context. Due to their geographic isolation and limited political representation, many Indigenous families live in conflict zones and face territorial disputes involving armed actors. ABColombia reports that more than 300 Indigenous people have been forcibly displaced in recent years. Children from these communities also face heightened risk: since 2016, more than 8,000 Indigenous children have been forcibly recruited by armed groups.

Systemic Discrimination and Rights Violations

Historical discrimination continues to affect Indigenous people in Colombia. Though the 1991 Constitution officially recognized their rights, enforcement remains inconsistent. Many Indigenous groups still face exclusion from decision-making and public services.

Land dispossession, threats and attacks against community leaders persist. Advocacy for Indigenous rights can be dangerous: in 2023, Colombia recorded 142 killings of human rights defenders, nearly half the global total. Indigenous advocates are among those most frequently targeted. The violence impedes community organizing, weakens support networks and perpetuates cycles of poverty.

Pathways to Support and Development

Despite the challenges, organizations across Colombia are working to support Indigenous communities and reduce poverty. Targeted assistance and advocacy are essential to improve living conditions and ensure access to education, health care and legal protection.

  • Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund(SCIAF). Originally founded in 1985, SCIAF supports Indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities by strengthening disaster resilience, land rights and access to basic services.
  • International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs(IWGIA).  IWGIA promotes Indigenous rights and self-determination. In Colombia and other Southern American countries, it focuses on land rights and gender equity among Indigenous women.
  • Amnesty International. This organization funds campaigns and provides research to help minority groups in different countries. In Colombia, Amnesty International defends the rights of Indigenous groups threatened by armed conflict, displacement and violence.

Looking Ahead

Efforts to reduce Indigenous poverty in Colombia increasingly involve strengthening local governance, education access and legal land rights. According to the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), land tenure security is a key catalyst for multiple benefits in poverty eradication, food security and nutrition. Expanding such measures in Colombia offers a pathway for enhancing economic stability while protecting cultural heritage. National and international programs continue to support civil society participation, territorial autonomy and rural development. Long-term improvements in these areas remain tied to sustained investment, enforcement of existing protections and collaboration with Indigenous-led organizations.

– Jose Gabriel Lopez

Jose is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Shifting Focus on Mental Health in Saint Kitts and Nevis

Mental Health in Saint Kitts and NevisMental Health in Saint Kitts and Nevis, formally known as the Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis, has become a growing concern in recent years. A lack of prior funding and persistent cultural stigma around mental illness have left behind limited infrastructure for the country’s mental health care. Recently, however, the federation announced a shift in strategy, dedicating greater focus and more resources to mental health in Saint Kitts and Nevis. This new approach can potentially redefine how the developing world addresses mental health concerns.

Global Trends in Mental Illness

Mental illness is a growing concern globally, particularly in the developing world, including Saint Kitts and Nevis. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2019, approximately 970 million people had some form of mental disorder. While still a global minority, this accounts for more than 10% of the population who had to deal with additional barriers in their day-to-day lives.

It is also important to note that mental illness does not affect all equally. Other negative situations in life, such as poverty or violence, can cause or worsen mental illness. This makes developing nations particularly vulnerable as they have larger impoverished populations. On top of that, many nations have limited support systems and cultural stigmas on the topic, which prevent many of their citizens from getting the care they need.

Challenges to Mental Health in Saint Kitts and Nevis

The Islands of Saint Kitts and Nevis have historically struggled with limited funding for mental health services. In 2007, the Federation raised its spending on mental health services to just 1%. While this was still an increase from even lower rates, which had not been adjusted since 1956, the country still lacked major infrastructure to offer help. Limited resources, including needed medicine and trained staff, mean that only the most severe cases in patients receive treatments. Approximately 1% of the population of Saint Kitts and Nevis has been diagnosed with some form of mental illness.

Poverty has also been a significant barrier to accessing mental health care in Saint Kitts and Nevis. In 2008, about 21.8% of the population was below the poverty line. However, due to increased government response, this percentage began to decline slowly but surely. The government sped this up by simultaneously funding public health, so potential patients did not have to pay out of pocket.

Not only can poverty lead to or worsen mental illness, it can also impact a patient’s ability to get care. Research shows that those living in impoverished conditions are less likely to seek help and less likely to receive it if they do.

Mental Health Initiatives in Saint Kitts and Nevis

On November 27, 2024, the Ministry of Health in St. Kitts and Nevis launched its Mental Health Service Systems Enhancement Project. The project, supported by the government and funded in part by Taiwan, aims to expand access to mental health services by increasing funding and strengthening mental health infrastructure. The nation’s Prime Minister and head of the health Ministry, Terrance Drew, also emphasized the importance of this initiative and the nation’s renewed focus on improving the mental health of Saint Kitts and Nevis.

The most prominent counseling center, known as the Dr. Arthur W. L. Lake Mental Health Day Treatment Centre, offers high-quality mental health services and follows a patient-centered approach. For instance, it aims to fight the stigma around mental illness in Saint Kitts and Nevis by providing home-like and comfortable conditions, and some patients even shared their stories and how the center helped them.

The Future of Mental Health Care in the Developing World

While Saint Kitts and Nevis still have a long way to go, its new focus on mental health care is a refreshing step in the right direction. Despite limited infrastructure and combating a cultural stigma, the islands have been making positive steps towards better care. In particular, increases in government funding and foreign aid have given the country more resources in its fight. If the country sees positive results with this project could serve as a blueprint for effective strategies to address and improve mental health in other developing nations.

– Jesse Correll

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

Photo: Unsplash

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Gelephu Mindfulness City: Bhutan’s Model for Poverty Reduction

Gelephu Mindfulness CityIn 2025, Bhutan launched the Gelephu Mindfulness City, a $100 billion development project to bolster economic prosperity by focusing on spiritual well-being. The project’s primary goal is to reduce poverty and youth unemployment by building an international economic hub based on the principles of Bhutan’s unique philosophy of Gross National Happiness (GNH).

Renowned Danish sustainable architect Bjarke Ingels will design Gelephu Mindfulness City, which will span more than 2,000 square kilometers near Bhutan’s southern border with India. The project aims to transform the underdeveloped Gelephu region into a thriving center of sustainable commerce, cultural exchange and holistic living.

A Philosophy of Happiness Over Pure Growth

The project’s foundation lies in Bhutan’s GNH framework, which prioritizes psychological well-being, cultural preservation and environmental sustainability alongside traditional economic development. Rather than focusing solely on financial metrics like GDP, Bhutan uses GNH to measure societal success and quality of life.

“Happiness and well-being of people must be the purpose of capitalism,” said Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay in conversation with TIME Magazine. “We are talking about creating a new paradigm, an entirely new system of urban development.” Gelephu Mindfulness City plans to advance all four pillars of GNH: sustainable development, environmental conservation, cultural preservation and good governance.

The project will employ green infrastructure, Buddhist architectural motifs, wellness centers and organic agriculture in all construction and community planning. This is part of a broader strategy to boost quality of life and address the root causes of poverty.

Job Creation Through Holistic Infrastructure

More young people are entering the workforce in Bhutan than the economy can absorb. Gelephu Mindfulness City aims to address this problem by creating thousands of jobs across construction, education, hospitality, agriculture and the wellness sector. The city will include schools and universities focused on sustainability, health and traditional knowledge. The plan aims to create short-term employment and long-term professional pathways for Bhutanese citizens.

The project also hopes to attract foreign direct investment through its designation as a Special Administrative Region. This status allows Gelephu to adopt more flexible policies and business regulations than the rest of Bhutan, to encourage ethical investment aligned with Bhutan’s values. The region will screen potential businesses and investors based on their respect for Bhutanese culture and commitment to sustainable and equitable development before extending an invitation to do business in the city.

Sustainability as an Economic Engine

Gelephu Mindfulness City plans to become a global blueprint for mindful urbanism, leveraging ecological integrity to increase economic inclusion. The city will feature renewable energy sources, pedestrian-first planning and strict limits on pollution. Organic markets and traditional healing centers will support local farmers and artisans, further stimulating small business development. These plans aim to attract climate-conscious businesses and tourists while preserving Bhutan’s pristine environment.

The emphasis on sustainability is particularly well-suited for the Gelephu region, a large flatland situated among the Himalayan foothills. Bhutan’s famously rugged terrain and limited industrial capacity render sustainable development the most viable long-term growth strategy. Sustainable transportation also plays a central role in the plans, with neighboring India committed to connecting border towns to the region via railway and improving roads in and out of Bhutan.

A Strong Likelihood of Success

Bhutan’s credibility in launching the Mindfulness City stems from its long-standing success in aligning development with environmental goals and overall well-being. The country is one of the few in the world that is carbon negative. Thanks to its vast forest cover, reliance on hydropower and constitutional mandate to maintain at least 60% forestation.

Past infrastructure projects have effectively incorporated eco-friendliness and community well-being principles, such as green schools and health initiatives emphasizing holistic care. These past successful initiatives demonstrate Bhutan’s capacity to balance modern development with its commitment to Gross National Happiness and provide a strong foundation for the ambitious goals set forth for Gelephu Mindfulness City.

A Blueprint for the Global South

Gelephu Mindfulness City provides a bold example of how low- and middle-income countries might reimagine development. Rather than regarding happiness and prosperity as unrelated metrics, Gelephu Mindfulness City treats them as inextricably intertwined. By reimagining capitalism and aligning economic goals with human well-being, Bhutan proposes a revolutionary mindset shift that could improve the lives of the 99% around the globe.

If successful, this model could inspire similar initiatives across the Global South, particularly in regions where conventional economic growth has failed to address deep-rooted inequalities. As Bhutan pushes forward with this ambitious project, it offers a fresh perspective on the fight against poverty: one that values sustainability, community and joy as invaluable elements of prosperity.

– Kelsey Eisen

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

Photo: Flickr

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Hunger in Taiwan

Hunger in TaiwanTaiwan is an independent island nation off the coast of mainland China. Taiwan has struggled with its status since 1949, when Chiang Kai-shek’s troops were defeated in the civil war in China by the Communists and Chiang fled to the island with his supporters. Chiang’s dictatorship reigned until his death, followed by a transition to democracy that began in the 1980s and led to its first elections in 1996. Although Chiang claimed to represent the whole of China, in 1971 the U.N. recognized Beijing as the seat of China’s government. Today, only 12 countries recognize Taiwan. Taiwan has not formally declared its independence from China, although it behaves as an independent democracy. 

Taiwan’s estimated 2024 population was almost 23.6 million, over 80% urbanized. It is a high-income economy, one of East Asia’s economic “Tigers.” Despite the political ambiguity, Taiwan manages to maintain economic ties to mainland China. Indeed, China has been a “major investor”  there for the past two decades. 

Hunger, Food Sufficiency and Dependence on Imports

The annual global hunger and nutrition indices do not provide comparative hunger and nutrition data for Taiwan. Often referred to as the Taiwan Province of China, statistics for Taiwan are likely incorporated into references to mainland China.

However, there are some internal measures related to hunger. In October 2024, Taiwan’s Ministry of Agriculture reported that the country’s 2023 food self-sufficiency rate had dropped to just over 30%, reportedly the lowest in 18 years. 

Several factors have an impact on Taiwan’s food self-sufficiency, not the least of which is the “westernization” of the Taiwanese diet. As the economy and incomes have improved, the demand for a more diversified daily diet has grown. This has led to greater reliance on imports as unpredictable weather and limited arable land constrain domestic production. Taiwan imported $18.9 billion of agricultural and related products in 2023, as compared to exports of $5.4 billion. Imports included beef, soybeans, dairy, fresh fruits, processed vegetables and a variety of bulk commodities. The largest supplier is the U.S. (21%), with mainland China the third largest at 7%. 

To address logistical disruptions such as occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as climate challenges, in June 2024 Taiwan and the U.S. signed a Memorandum of Cooperation on food security and established a bilateral mechanism to facilitate the exchange of information and discussion of strategies to improve trade practices and increase the country’s food security. 

Planning for Import Disruption

One aspect of Taiwan’s complicated relationship with China is China’s daily military activities that include “practice” blockades and attacks on Taiwan’s ports. Consequently, in October 2024, Taiwan detailed a “wartime” food plan, monitoring monthly inventories of critical food supplies such as rice to assure sufficient stored supplies (higher than the legally required three-month supply) in the event of a Chinese blockade. Rice would be rationed if that became necessary. Additionally, the country might have to increase the land designated to grow rice and other products. A significant amount of arable land was taken over for factories with the transition to industrialization in the 1960s. 

Tackling Hunger in Taiwan and Beyond

The Taiwan People’s Food Bank Association was established in 2011 to address hunger and reduce food waste. By 2013, their network included over 50 social welfare organizations and NGOs. They joined the Global Foodbanking Network in 2016 and initiated a program to deliver meals to rural children in schools in 2017. By 2020, they had distributed over a million meals. In the last few years, attention has expanded to education and environmental sustainability. Furthermore, they have incorporated a digital platform and communicate through social media and community events. Beneficiaries are the most vulnerable populations, including collaboration with indigenous communities. 

Taiwan AID (Taiwan Alliance in International Development), initiated in 2013, is an NGO focused on international development and relief. Its many humanitarian projects include a nutrition program in Cambodia, a community kitchen and Happy Farm Project in rural Swaziland (2015). Over 4,500 rural children in Swaziland have been supported, and the farm project focused on local food production. A children’s malnutrition improvement project was implemented in Vietnam (2012-2014). Recent activities will include the 2025 Asian Girls in Action Project for girls ages 15-19. Additionally, there is the 2025 NGO Fellowship Program for NGO professionals from South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands. The program includes a workshop, site visits and a field placement. 

In January 2024, the Nutrition and Healthy Diet Promotion Act was published. This legislation provides for research, including nutrition surveys, standards and recommendations, and social assistance subsidy plans that require the incorporation of nutritional issues. Guidance is to be provided on the research and development of healthy foods incorporating local agricultural products. Nutrition and healthy diets education is to be included in on-the-job training or continuing education for relevant personnel; spreading false nutrition news is prohibited.

A Multifaceted Approach

The approach to hunger and food insecurity in Taiwan has both domestic and global aspects, private and governmental. It is less about food distribution and funding than it is about planning, policy, education and development.

– Staff Reports
Photo: Flickr

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Friendship: Support To Remote Communities in Bangladesh

Remote Communities in BangladeshBangladesh is situated in South Asia on the Bay of Bengal. It is the eighth most densely populated country in the world, with a population of more than 175 million in an area of 148,460 sq km. It is a country of striking contrasts: rich in culture and resilience, yet acutely vulnerable to the impacts of changing climatic conditions. Most of the country is situated only nine meters above sea level.

An estimated 3.5 million people in the low-lying delta region face increasing threats from rising sea levels and more intense monsoon seasons. Indeed, in 2022 alone, historic floods devastated northern regions like Sylhet and Sunamganj, displacing millions and severely disrupting transportation, electricity, health care and access to education.

Despite the risks, many of Bangladesh’s neediest communities live in low-lying coastal and riverine areas, lacking sufficient income to live in lower-risk regions. These zones are fertile and agriculturally productive. However, when floods occur, it is children and low-income families who suffer most, facing destroyed homes, lost livelihoods and health crises with little support.

From One Floating Hospital to a National Lifeline

In 2002, Runa Khan founded Friendship, a nongovernmental organization (NGO) with a radical yet simple mission: delivering support to remote communities in Bangladesh with reduced access. The initiative launched a floating hospital on the Jamuna River in northern Bangladesh. This aims to provide essential health services to isolated communities living on “chars”― sandbar islands that vanish and reappear with the tides.

Since then, Friendship has evolved into a wide-reaching, holistic organization. Today, its 5,000 employees ― more than 70% of whom come from local communities ― work to break cycles of poverty and increase resilience to the regional climate crisis. Its integrated approach includes health care, education, disaster preparedness, economic development and clean energy and water access.

Health Care and Remote Communities in Bangladesh

Friendship operates a unique three-tier health care system:

  • Tier 1: Two floating hospitals and two land hospitals bring lifesaving services to remote areas. The Shyamnagar hospital alone provided emergency services to 317 patients in recent years.
  • Tier 2: Two cervical cancer screening centers tackle Bangladesh’s second-most prevalent form of cancer, offering prevention and treatment in areas where such services are rarely available.
  • Tier 3: About 680 Friendship Community Medic-Aides, local women trained in basic medical care, offer antenatal, postnatal and child health services.

Powering Livelihoods and Clean Futures

Friendship’s Sustainable Economic Development program supports long-term resilience. In its innovative solar villages, 291 households, 62 shops, four schools and two mosques are now powered by 24-hour solar energy. This has enabled families to extend working hours, refrigerate food and medicines and improve safety and security at night. Clean water access is another priority. Friendship has also supplied more than 700,000 liters of clean drinking water to hundreds of families, drastically reducing disease.

Meanwhile, the organization’s farmers’ club provides sustainable farming training. It empowers more than 1,400 farmers to grow climate-resilient crops like sweet potatoes and mustard. Romesa Khatun, a club member, began using earthworms to make fertilizer in 2022, selling the product and using it in her vegetable garden. She says that the support of the club and Sherazul Islam, project officer at Friendship’s Sustainable Economic Development Sector, empowered her to embrace innovative farming techniques to support her family, especially when her husband is away for work.

These programs boost food security and provide more adaptive livelihoods to environmental challenges.

Hope from Within

In Bangladesh’s flood-prone coastal and riverine communities, poverty and climate vulnerability often go hand in hand. But through Friendship’s work with remote communities in Bangladesh, hope is taking root. What began as a floating hospital has become a nationwide lifeline. It delivers support to remote communities and uplifts them with health care, education, economic opportunity and climate resilience.

Rather than relying on top-down aid, Friendship invests in people ― training local women as community health workers, equipping youth with education and leadership skills and helping farmers adapt to a changing climate. Indeed, Friendship’s impact shows that locally led, community-focused development can help vulnerable populations chart a path toward safety, dignity and lasting change even in the face of rising waters.

– Holly McArthur

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

Photo: Pexels

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USAID Programs in Thailand and Myanmar After Earthquake

USAID Programs in ThailandDisplaced persons seeking refuge in Thailand following a 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Myanmar in March are amongst those facing dwindling American assistance after the United States federal government initiated drastic reductions to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) programs in Thailand, Myanmar and other countries in need of humanitarian aid. While non-government organizations (NGOs) are working diligently to provide humanitarian assistance to those affected by the second-largest recorded earthquake in Southeast Asia and its hundreds of aftershocks, USAID’s absence is noticeable in the region. 

USAID Cuts Coincide With Devastation in Asia

Myanmar state media reported that, as of April 19, the earthquake killed more than 3,700 people and injured 5,100 in the country, with 114 residents still missing. Thai newspaper Khaosod reported that, as of April 29, 66 people had died, 28 people were missing and nine people were injured.

Refugees from the ongoing civil war in Myanmar have relied on humanitarian assistance and medical care in neighboring Thailand for decades. USAID programs in Thailand bolstered the assistance Thai hospitals could provide those in need. Before the earthquake in Myanmar occurred, the Border Consortium aid group reported that many Thai hospitals helping around 100,000 refugees from Myanmar had to close following cuts to USAID in late February.

On March 28, the region experienced “a level of devastation that has not been seen in over a century in Asia,” according to Marie Manrique, the acting head of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Myanmar. The same day, The U.S. State Department formally notified Congress that it was moving to dissolve USAID.

The Results of USAID Cuts

The earthquake’s epicenter was in Myanmar’s second-largest city, Mandalay; however, 600 miles away, in the Thai capital city of Bangkok, residents felt widespread shaking and saw significant damage to infrastructure, including a skyscraper that collapsed when it was under construction.

While USAID cuts have backtracked in recent weeks due to pushback from Americans and the country’s federal agencies, aid workers report that, with thousands of residents remaining homeless in Mandalay after the destruction, U.S. assistance is lacking.

“The United States only sent a paltry amount of assistance…it sent only three workers, which then, subsequently, were fired,” Francisco Bencosome, a former USAID worker, said. Some workers were notified of their termination while in the earthquake’s disaster zone.

The ongoing poverty crisis in Myanmar, escalating in recent years due to ongoing civil conflict, saw almost doubled rates from 24.8% in 2017 to 49.7% in 2023. In the beginning of 2025, around 19.9 million people, or about 35% of the country’s population, were in dire need of humanitarian assistance; this included 6.4 million children.

The destruction due to the earthquake in Myanmar has exacerbated existing pervasive poverty conditions, resulting in 4.3 million people lacking basic needs such as shelter, nutrition and clean water.

Solutions

After the reduction of USAID programs in Thailand and Myanmar, NGOs have stepped in to address the earthquake in Myanmar. Here are some examples of NGO efforts in Thailand and Myanmar:

  • The Myanmar Red Cross Society: The Myanmar Red Cross Society and its partners successfully delivered eight charter flights and six cargo shipments of aid into Myanmar within the first week of the earthquake’s aftermath, according to the organization. The IFRC is rapidly mobilizing, adapting and delivering critical aid to the hardest-hit areas. The Myanmar Red Cross Society initiated its Emergency Operations Centers after the earthquake. Additionally, it sent out volunteers to search for and rescue those the earthquake affected, while also sending out teams to connect hospitals and clinics with emergency blood donations.
  • UNICEF: UNICEF is on the ground in Myanmar, working with other aid organizations to meet children’s needs. According to UNICEF, the organization and its partners have delivered emergency water, sanitation and hygiene kits, medical kits and nutrition supplies; UNICEF is also delivering essential health and nutrition services through temporary emergency health facilities and mobile clinics.
  • Doctors Without Borders: Doctors Without Borders deployed medical, mental health, logistics and water and sanitation staff to areas that experienced the earthquake. The organization is working to provide support to hospitals with special focus on sanitation, water, infection control and waste management. It also installed a water filtration system and a water tank at the Mandalay General Hospital.
  • Save the Children: Save the Children has launched a “Children’s Emergency Fund” to support adolescents in Myanmar in need of shelter and other basic needs in the aftermath of the earthquake. Aid workers are responding to the urgent, lifesaving needs of children and their families by providing water, food and health care services.
  • United Nations Humanitarian Crisis Relief (UNHCR): The UNHCR has reported that its team is on the ground responding with other UN agencies by providing “medical care, shelter, safe water, hygiene kits and food,” despite dealing with extremely damaged infrastructure and a lack of telecommunications. As of April 23, UNHCR reported that the organization provided critical aid – including core relief items (CRIs) and emergency shelter materials – to 48,354 people who experienced earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand. CRIs include mattresses, blankets, hygiene kits, solar lamps and cooking essentials kits. On April 15, the city of Yangon received more than 40,000 kg of supplies to help 16,000 people from UNHCR, and there was a promise of more supplies in the following weeks.

Looking Ahead

Though USAID downsizes have immobilized necessary American federal assistance in Myanmar and Thailand following the historic earthquake in Myanmar, other aid organizations are using donor funding to make effective strides in alleviating poverty conditions and the ongoing refugee crisis.

– Erin Hellhake

Erin is based in Old Bridge, NJ, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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The Reality of Nepal’s Poverty Crisis

Nepal’s Poverty CrisisNestled among the towering peaks of the Himalayas, Nepal continues to battle a deep-rooted poverty crisis, with more than 25% of its population living below the national poverty line. In the 2024 Human Development Index (HDI), the country ranked 146th out of 193, placing it among the lowest in South Asia. Although its HDI value improved to 0.601, this progress remains uneven and fragile. Indeed, national indicators may suggest advancement, but they often mask the stark internal inequalities.

This article will focus on Nepal’s poverty crisis and precisely those left furthest behind in communities in western regions and near borders, where poverty is deeper and millions still struggle to access even the most basic necessities. In these areas — such as Karnali, Sudurpashchim and remote parts of Lumbini Province — many experience acute multidimensional poverty, facing overlapping deprivations in education, health and living standards.

Food insecurity remains a pressing issue: according to the World Food Programme’s Fill the Nutrient Gap analysis (2021), 23.1% of the population does not consume a nutritionally adequate diet and 33% of pregnant women suffer from anemia. Although stunting rates have declined in recent years, one in four children under the age of five is still affected. Once again, these indicators fail to reflect the full extent of disparities between peripheral regions and urban centers. Here is more information about Nepal’s poverty crisis and measures that are addressing it.

Geographic Isolation

Remote mountain communities are the ones that suffer the most serious consequences, as they often rely on narrow, unpaved roads to reach markets, schools, clinics and other essential services. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reports that many children routinely walk up to several hours to attend overcrowded, under-resourced schools, leading to high dropout rates.

Worsening the situation, heavy rains and winter snowfall can render these routes impassable, isolating villages for days or even weeks. When roads vanish under mud and rock, families must subsist primarily, if not entirely, on their own harvests. But subsistence farmers lack the diversification needed to absorb such shocks. As the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) warns, unpredictable swings from prolonged drought to sudden downpours throw planting cycles off balance, leaving soils cracked and barren. More frequent landslides then ravage crops and upend local economies, at times forcing residents to start over with nothing.

Health Infrastructure

Improving access to health care remains one of Nepal’s most critical and unresolved development challenges. While the country has made notable advancements in public health over recent decades — reflected in increased life expectancy and reduced maternal and child mortality — many rural clinics continue to operate with outdated, inadequate or even nonfunctional medical equipment, severely compromising the quality and consistency of care.

In pursuit of universal health coverage, the Government of Nepal has launched the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP), a policy initiative aimed at minimizing direct health care costs for individuals and promoting fair access to essential medical services. However, despite its promising framework, the program’s implementation has been uneven and threatens to undermine its potential impact. Enrollment rates remain low, with families either unaware of the program or discouraged by complicated procedures and limited services. A shortage of trained health care workers makes it even harder to provide quality care, especially in remote areas.

A survey that the Asian Development Bank (ADB) conducted across five provinces – Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, Gandaki and Sudurpaschim – in December 2024 found that more than half of Nepal’s medical equipment, much of which the country acquired during the COVID-19 pandemic, remains unused or broken. The causes include limited maintenance capacity, poor logistics and insufficient training. Compounding these issues are weak and fragmented data systems that make it difficult to identify who would most benefit from targeted interventions. 

Without a reliable foundation of digital infrastructure and data integration, the NHIP risks falling short of its goal to provide sustainable health protection for all. Strengthening biomedical training, equipment management and preventative maintenance policies will be essential to ensuring that no one is left behind. 

Economic Development and Grassroots Solutions

On the economic side, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) urges reforms to promote job creation, fiscal stability and inclusive growth throughout the nation. In 2023, agriculture accounted for approximately 26.2% of Nepal’s gross domestic product. However, since the 2010s, the sector’s growth has slowed to an average annual rate of just 3%. The agricultural landscape remains dominated by low-value crops and subsistence farming. The absence of facilities like collection centers, cold storage and grain stores leads to significant post-harvest losses. As a result, farmers are unable to shift from low-value cereals to high-value perishable crops like fruits and vegetables, which require proper storage to sell during peak demand at better prices.

In response, the Nepalese government, supported by international aid, is now prioritizing the expansion of microfinance programs and entrepreneurial training to empower local businesses. Promising results are already emerging from localized initiatives. For instance, several communities have adopted small-scale irrigation projects and diversified crop production, helping mitigate the impacts of changing weather patterns while stabilizing food sources. 

Farmer-Managed Irrigation Systems

One notable example is the modernization of more than 100 Farmer-Managed Irrigation Systems (FMISs), supported by the ADB as part of a broader program to enhance irrigation infrastructure across Nepal. These initiatives, aligned with the National Water Plan 2002–2027 and ADB’s Strategy 2030, aim to improve irrigation performance across 17,452 hectares.

The work includes constructing permanent gated water intake structures, selectively lining canals and improving water control systems. These interventions have enhanced water use efficiency and fairer distribution. Just as important, they have created the conditions for more farmers to shift toward climate-smart techniques and mechanized farming tools.

In parallel, the project has also invested in the people who manage these systems — supporting local Water Users Associations (WUAs) and gradually expanding their role into cooperatives with stronger business and governance structures. Moreover, the emphasis on including women and disadvantaged groups has made these efforts more equitable and representative of the communities they serve. These grassroots responses also offer replicable models for other regions facing similar challenges.

Collaboration Easing Nepal’s Poverty Crisis

Collaboration between NGOs, multilateral organizations and community groups can strengthen the country’s social safety net and ensure that vulnerable populations get the support they need during Nepal’s poverty crisis. 

For Nepal, this means not only investing in health, education and infrastructure, but also strengthening governance, fostering civic engagement and rebuilding trust in institutions. For families in remote villages, it offers the promise of a future where they can thrive and create lasting opportunities for generations to come.

– Lucrezia Frascati

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

Photo: Unsplash

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5 Countries Supporting Foreign Aid

Foreign AidIn 2024, the world’s wealthiest countries donated $212 billion in foreign aid. Historically, foreign aid donations have mostly gone toward education, health care, sanitation and humanitarian assistance in developing countries. These donations are essential to growing the economies of donors and developing countries and helping people worldwide escape poverty. Here are five countries supporting foreign aid in 2025.

Sweden

In April 2025, Sweden pledged $12.7 million to support Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. More than one million Rohingya live in Bangladesh after fleeing violence and persecution in Myanmar. The package is funding sanitation facilities, food assistance and aid for victims of gender-based violence. Women and children account for more than 75% of the refugee population and in refugee camps, hygiene conditions are poor and malnutrition and abuse are rampant.

Sweden also backed Start Fund Bangladesh, an initiative empowering local organizations to respond quickly to emergencies. Additionally, in 2023, the nation helped fund the World Health Organization’s efforts in Ukraine, which provided care to 5.6 million people with noncommunicable diseases and emergency surgery and trauma care to 38,000 people.

Japan

Japan revised its foreign aid laws to improve efficiency in April 2025. The revisions allow the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to provide guaranteed reimbursement to banks in developing countries if borrowers do not repay loans. This helps banks continue to give loans to local businesses. The revisions also allowed JICA to help foreign businesses issue bonds to encourage investment. The changes focus on private sector development, a vital part of sustainable growth in developing countries.

Indonesia has maintained a longstanding partnership with Japan through the Official Development Assistance (ODA) program provided by JICA. Indonesia receives the most aid from Japan, with Japan providing 45% of the cumulative aid Indonesia has received since 1960. In February 2025, Japan worked with UNICEF Indonesia to bring nutritious meals and improved education to 2,500 children in schools across the Papua province of the country.

Slovenia

Slovenia sent two shipping containers full of school supplies, sports equipment and medical supplies to Madagascar in March 2025. Businesses, sports associations and the Olympic Committee of Slovenia provided the donations. The aid package followed the construction of a primary school in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, by the nonprofit Caritas Slovenia. The construction began in September 2024, funded partly by the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs.

Education remains a significant challenge in Madagascar, with fewer than one-third of children enrolled through grade five. Only 17.5% achieve adequate literacy levels among those who complete grade five, highlighting the importance of the aid. Also in 2024, Slovenia sent $16.4 million of humanitarian aid to Ukraine and Palestine. On top of that, it gave $23.8 million to developing countries in the Western Balkans, including Serbia, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Italy

In March 2025, Italy announced a donation of $73.2 million to Syria. The aid package will support rebuilding after the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, with focus areas including hospitals, infrastructure and food supply chains. About 43% of hospitals in Syria are not fully operational and 246 health facilities are at risk of closing due to bankruptcy. Additionally, nine million Syrians are food insecure, while the malnutrition rate in children has risen 3.1% since 2019.

Italy also continues implementing its Mattei Plan to support agriculture, education, health, energy and water access in several African countries, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast and Mozambique. In May 2025, Italy reaffirmed its collaboration with the African Development Bank as part of the Plan. The partnership aims to invest more than $400 million in private sector development in Africa over the next five years.

South Korea

South Korea sent Myanmar $4 million in aid after a 7.7 magnitude earthquake in March 2025. The aid provided the country with 500 tents, 40,000 water bottles and 80,000 blankets. The earthquake destroyed 55,000 homes and displaced 200,000 people.

In 2024, South Korea increased its foreign aid by $780 million compared to 2023, reaching $3.94 billion. This accounted for 0.21% of its gross national income, the highest level since joining the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) in 2010. Aiming to become a leading donor, South Korea is working toward entering the DAC’s top 10, currently ranking 13th. For 2025, it has allocated $4.7 billion to its foreign assistance budget.

These countries are leading the fight against poverty, ensuring foreign aid remains a policy focus in the future. Their efforts will continue to help millions of people.

– Tyler Payne

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

Photo: Flickr