Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

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Raising Awareness of Mental Health in Antigua and Barbuda

Mental Health in Antigua and BarbudaEveryone knows that mental health is just as important as physical health. That does not change the fact that mental health encounters neglect concerning overall health and well-being. Antigua and Barbuda, similar to other small Caribbean island nations, faces unique challenges in conversations focusing on mental health due to limited resources, stigma and lack of awareness. However, the government and various organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Antigua and Barbuda Association of Mental Health Counsellors Inc. (ABAMHC), have created public awareness campaigns and taken the steps necessary toward improving mental health in Antigua and Barbuda.

The majority of people with mental health challenges in Antigua and Barbuda are diagnosed with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder and depression. In 2007, only three male patients and one female patient made any visits to one mental hospital for psychiatric treatment, meaning a large number of Antigua and Barbuda citizens lived untreated. Data collected presents assessments and treatments for 174 outpatients through primary health care centers. Out of 174 patients, 114 (66%) carry schizophrenia and other related disorders, 23 (13%) mood (affective) disorders, and 8 (5%) other mental illnesses. In addition, people with mental disabilities are more likely to experience poverty. Social support groups, health care, jobs and education are not easily accessible to impoverished families to provide for the members, specifically children and adolescents, who require extra care.

Health Institutions

Care for mental health in Antigua and Barbuda is severely underdeveloped and primarily focused on confinement rather than treatment. The placement of individuals diagnosed as neurodivergent, someone whose brain processes information differently, in improperly trained health institutions, unfortunately, led to a crisis across the region, where mental health conditions proceed without formal examination, resulting in several people living without necessary care.

In addition to undertrained health institutions, there is one mental health hospital named Clarevue Psychiatric Hospital. Surprisingly, the Clarevue Psychiatric Hospital is the “sole mental health care facility in Antigua and Barbuda,” with enough space for 130 patients who are 18 years old or older. Similar to other health facilities, Clarevue Psychiatric Hospital was “ill-equipped to satisfy the mental health needs of the country.” 

Authorities and mental health specialists, like Health Minister Sir Molwyn Joseph, are stepping up to create a supportive environment for Antigua and Barbuda residents. Plans and programs are underway to construct new mental hospitals and provide appropriate training for mental health professionals. Thankfully, local leaders are passionate and persistent about positively changing other people’s lives by providing support and resources.

“When I reflected, back in 1998, I made [an] appeal…, so you can see the level of urgency,” Joseph said.

Effects of Poverty on Mental Health

Studies indicate that poverty significantly impacts mental well-being economically. Poverty and mental health in Antigua and Barbuda are intertwined as poverty leads to social stresses and trauma, and mental health can lead to impoverishment resulting in a cycle of hardships to access basic needs such as food, housing and healthcare. According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), 18% of Antigua and Barbuda citizens lived in poverty, and 5% were indigent in 2016. Compared to the remainder of the Eastern Caribbean, Antigua and Barbuda has a lower poverty rate than the average of 23%.

Economic hardships disproportionately affect children and adolescents. The poverty rate for children between the ages of zero and 17 is 24%, and for adolescents, it is 25%, which is higher than the rate of 16% for adults ages 18 years or older and the overall rate of 18.4%. The higher percentage among the younger population signifies an urgent call for social and economic policies to improve living conditions for vulnerable groups.

Mental Health Crisis Among the Youth

Experienced psychiatrists have expressed concerns about the mental health among the youth. “In a 2021 report showing that nearly 20 percent of teenagers in Antigua and Barbuda between the ages 13 and 15 had seriously considered taking their lives.”

Dr. Chenelle Joseph, a psychiatrist who has worked with the mental health challenges of the younger generation, has witnessed a growing mental health crisis in Antigua and Barbuda, with increasing reports of suicide idealization and mental health disruptions like depression, bullying and anxiety.

To lower the percentage of teens idealizing taking their lives, a new initiative to amplify community stability and address ascending suicide rates will launch in Antigua and Barbuda. Antiguan-born psychotherapist and former United Nations official Jamion Knight will introduce the Mango Bucket Project, the country’s first suicide prevention hotline to relieve the pressures of modern life of individuals in the Caribbean islands.

“If persons and communities across the country could make a small contribution to improving the mental fitness and resilience of the nation, we can collectively transform the lives of thousands of people who are facing significant and crushing pressures daily,” Knight said.

Mental Treatment Act of 1957

On February 7, 2025, the National Youth Parliament Association of Antigua and Barbuda (NYPAAB) hosted a debate to tackle the Mental Treatment Act of 1957, a 70-year-old piece of legislation that was enacted in various countries, including Antigua and Barbuda, to regulate the treatment and care of people with mental health conditions.

Several government officials have voiced their opinions on the Mental Treatment Act of 1957 and criticized it as insufficient for managing modern questions in mental health care services. Prime Minister Marver Woodley, Attorney General Christal Percival, and Speaker of the House Jessica Zouetr reconsidered the context of current comprehension of mental health and utilized their voices to lead some countries to call for reforms that better align with mental health care practices and rights. 

Mental Health Awareness

While the challenges to improving mental health in Antigua and Barbuda still exist, the collective efforts of the community, government and organizations signal a positive shift toward a more supportive mental health landscape. The nation’s ability to shine through as it navigates these difficulties together reminds everyone that they are not alone in their struggles.

As Antigua and Barbuda pushes forward, the need remains to maintain an environment where mental health is prioritized and celebrated. The road toward healing is bumpy, but the community strides toward a healthier, happier future with every development. The story of the mental health crisis in Antigua and Barbuda is one of hope, compassion and unwavering strength of the human spirit from which all beings should learn.

– Makayla Johnson

Makayla is based in Clayton, NC, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Freepik

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How SOIF Is Empowering Youth and Women in Nigeria

Youth and Women in NigeriaNigeria is an economic powerhouse in Africa. With a gross domestic product (GDP) of more than $360 million, it is one of the wealthiest countries in the region. Yet, the Nigerian population experiences significant wealth disparity. The country possesses the resources to lift its most impoverished out of poverty. Still, with 10 million children out of school and 112 million living on less than $2 per day, the cycle of poverty continues.

Youth and Women in Nigeria

Women in Nigeria experience additional inequalities among communities experiencing poverty. They are five times less likely to own land and face more obstacles to a decent education. This intersection of gender and income has led to only 25% of women in poverty attending school, with an alarming 94% illiteracy rate.

Young people seeking employment have to navigate Nigeria’s high unemployment rate, ranging from 12% to 21.5%. Oxfam International calls for stronger government efforts to address this crisis. In 2012, Nigeria allocated only 6.5% of its national budget to education, just one-third of Ghana’s expenditure. This underinvestment has led to persistent gaps in education and job training.

Single Oasis International Foundation

To address this crisis, Single Oasis International Foundation (SOIF) is uplifting women and educating youth in Nigeria. SOIF is a nonprofit that helps reduce the high unemployment rate in Africa by assisting individuals to find financial independence. It is currently focused on populations in Nigeria but is working to expand to all Africans in need.

Stable employment is a pillar of escaping poverty. This is why SOIF is committed to Goal 8 of the SDGs, which is to promote sustainable economic growth and decent work for all of a given population. Reliable work allows families to support their basic needs and build generation wealth, breaking the chains of poverty.

SOIF’s Programs for Youth and Women in Nigeria

SOIF conducts multiple programs to address specific issues among Nigerian communities. SOIF has already met great success in its efforts. It has provided nutritious food to 300 households and educational materials to 100 children. Through its curriculum initiatives, the organization has trained 900 youth and women in Nigeria and given 50 women the tools to manage their businesses.

  • Preparatory programs: The career and business preparatory programs allow women and youth in Nigeria to build skills for financial wellness and independence. These virtual courses aim to promote higher employment rates. Both programs provide students with eight virtual training sessions and the option for continued mentorship. The former bridges the employment skills gap in Nigeria and prepares students to enter the workforce confidently. In contrast, BPP motivates young people and women to open and manage independent small businesses effectively.
  • The Akara project: Business training and capital are hard to access in Nigeria, so owning a small business can be challenging. The Akara project has created a network of women in Nigeria who support one another in providing their communities with healthy, hygienically prepared food. The name “Akara,” comes from the traditional Nigerian food of fried cake made with beans or peas. These women are uplifting themselves financially and socially with the help of SOIF and improving local nutrition.
  • Rural Community Outreach program: Through RuCO, SOIF manages food and clothes banks. It collects donations of food, books and other items for redistribution to vulnerable communities, mostly women and children. Women and children in need can also access services like skills acquisition activities and health education through RuCO.

Summary

SOIF is significantly impacting Nigeria by empowering women and youth through education, job training and financial support. By addressing critical issues such as unemployment, financial literacy and food insecurity, SOIF helps individuals achieve self-sufficiency and break the cycle of poverty.

– Sarah Lang

Sarah is based in Pittsburgh, PA, USA and focuses on Technology and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Educational Disparities Among Ethnic Minority Groups in Vietnam

Ethnic Minority Groups in VietnamOver the past 20 years, Vietnam has prioritized education, with economic growth boosting funding from the government, international donors and parental tuition payments. These efforts are paying off, with the nation having a more than 95% literacy rate. However, education disparities still exist, especially among ethnic minority groups living in Vietnam.

Childhood Education Disparities

In Vietnam, primary schooling, covering grades one through five, is government-mandated. Secondary education consists of two levels: lower secondary (grades six through nine) and upper secondary (grades 10–12), neither of which is mandatory. In 2022, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and its partners reported that nearly 98% of children in Vietnam completed primary education.

However, completion rates dropped to 87% at the secondary level, with ethnic minority groups having the lowest rates (between 55%-60%). Although ethnic minorities only make up approximately 15% of Vietnam’s population, they represent the largest group of people with the lowest education, largely due to socioeconomic barriers.

Limited School Infrastructure and Language Barriers

About 86% of ethnic minorities in Vietnam live in rural and mountainous areas, where limited school infrastructure poses a significant challenge. Hazardous terrain and a lack of transportation further hinder access to education. As a result, 91% of urban children attend lower secondary school, compared to 85% in rural areas.

Vietnam is home to more than 50 ethnic minority groups, each with its own language. Many ethnic minority children struggle in lower secondary school because educational materials, including textbooks, are written in Vietnamese, a language they may not understand. As a result, more than three million ethnic minorities in Vietnam could not read or write in 2023.

Positive Changes to Address Education Disparities

Vietnam’s Politburo has announced a policy to waive tuition fees for all students from preschool to high school in the public school system nationwide, effective from the 2025-2026 academic year, starting in September 2025. This initiative aims to expand access to education and reduce financial burdens on families. Under this policy, private and nonpublic school students will receive tuition subsidies equivalent to those in public schools, with families covering any difference in fees. This move reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring equitable access to education and is expected to enhance the quality of education nationwide significantly.

Furthermore, Vietnam has collaborated with international organizations like the United Nations (U.N.) to enhance educational infrastructure and accessibility, particularly in mountainous and rural areas. The U.N. and other nonprofit organizations in Vietnam work closely with national partners to improve access to inclusive education. This collaboration leverages global partnerships, including the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), to support national initiatives to transform the education sector.

To address language barriers faced by ethnic minority children, a significant initiative was launched in March 2024. The Nippon Foundation and GPE announced a joint contribution of $5.2 million to support education for children from ethnic minorities across Vietnam. This program, implemented by Save the Children in collaboration with Vietnam’s Ministry of Education and Training, aims to provide high-quality, inclusive education by developing bilingual educational materials and training teachers to deliver instruction in native languages and Vietnamese.

These collaborative efforts underscore Vietnam’s commitment to providing equitable educational opportunities and addressing the unique challenges faced by ethnic minority children in accessing quality education.

– Kelly Chalupnik

Kelly is based in Kirkland, WA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Lack of USAID and Tuberculosis in Kenya

kenya tuberculosisKenya is experiencing a resurgence in tuberculosis (TB). Thousands of Kenyans have lost access to public health care regarding Tuberculosis testing and treatments in the last month since the Trump administration eliminated foreign aid. The aid freeze went into effect on January 20, Inauguration Day. Many Kenyans have taken tuberculosis tests before the aid freeze but unfortunately have not received results due to the health program cuts. Tuberculosis is the deadliest infectious disease; in 2023 alone, 1.25 million died from TB. Half of the international donor funding for TB research and treatment came from the United States.

The U.S. personally funded TB Essentials for Kenya. With the loss of financing, public health programs have shut down, leaving many undiagnosed and suffering. Tuberculosis is fully treatable, yet with the lack of international funding, the entire program, including research, diagnostics and successful treatment, has been ceased.

Unaffordable Care

Many Kenyans live below the poverty line.  According to the UNDP report, 36% of them live below the national poverty line. This percentage is living off of less than $1 a day. This poverty rate prevents many Kenyans from obtaining basic necessities and creates many health issues. In the case of the resurgence in tuberculosis, this poverty rate is detrimental for many. A TB test can cost more than $80 and is highly inaccessible to Kenyans—the U.S.-funded testing for Kenyans and transportation for the movement of medical supplies and prescriptions, according to The New York Times. Most importantly, the U.S. paid for data management on the resurgence. TB treatments require long-term intense medication that often makes the infected feel dejected. Without constant care, it is most likely that TB patients will relapse.

In the neighborhood of Nairobi, the infected still live in their homes, spreading the disease to their families persistently. Community advocates are rallying together to protect their neighbors. TB survivor Doreen Kikuyu collects sputum samples for her neighbors and delivers them to one of the last standing labs herself. There is a lack of public health care workers to administer prescriptions to Kenyans who are not drug-resistant. TB drugs are intense; there are a dozen tests to be run on a patient to ensure their body is strong enough for life-saving treatment. A lot of Kenyans are drug-resistant and have been prescribed a rare drug concoction, according to The New York Times.

Since the foreign aid freeze,  prescriptions are not being re-stocked. TB patients must be consistent with treatment, and fall-off is a cause for a relapse in illness. It takes the average Kenyan family’s entire savings to treat TB and check those uninfected for the spread of the disease.

Survivor, Savior

The resurgence in tuberculosis resulted in almost 90,000 infections alone in Kenya in 2024. TB survivors are a trustworthy source of help for those struggling. Survivor Agnes Okose uses personal funds from her small business to fund visits to other villages to collect sputum samples and transport them to the remaining lab for testing. Twenty years ago, President George W. Bush established the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, setting up many clinics across Africa, The New York Times reports. These clinics have treated HIV and TB patients for the past two decades. These clinics are utterly separate from the nation’s primary medical systems. The foreign aid halt has affected this network of clinics.

African health officials claim that this has resulted in 40% more patients needing care in the primary medical systems throughout Africa, according to The New York Times. Due to the separation of the infectious disease clinics, clinicians in the primary medical systems are unaware of how to diagnose or treat HIV and TB. The resurgence in tuberculosis has left the Kenyan government grueling with no further details on how they will fix the loss of foreign funding.

Hope for surviving this resurgence and the world’s safety is that of the tuberculosis survivors in Kenya. It is unclear if foreign funding from the U.S. will return; what is constant is community care for each other and the desire to prevent tuberculosis from spreading. The Astellas Global Health Foundation works tirelessly with community health leaders to establish public health care access, specifically in Nyamaria County. Kenya’s resurgence in tuberculosis can quickly become another global pandemic with the lack of USAID. Kenyans are protecting their people, their nation, and the world.

– Mackenzie Inman

Mackenzie is based in Washington, DC, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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WEHAF Foundation: Knowledge is Power for Women in Tanzania

Women in tanzaniaThe women of the Maasai tribe in Arusha, Tanzania face extreme rates of poverty and violations of their human rights. Traditions and cultural norms perpetuate health risks and social injustice, diminishing their development and way of life. About 60% of women live in extreme poverty, on account of the unequal challenges they face.

These risks include Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), early marriages, vulnerable employment and unfit education on reproductive health. Indeed, as of 2016, 10% of women experienced the cultural practice of FGM. Furthermore, 35% of those women were under the age of 1.

WEHAF in Tanzania

Ensuring women in Tanzania have access to proper education and tools to fight economic and social issues was the deciding factor behind Widows Encouragement & HIV/AIDS Foundation (WEHAF). Founders Theresia Mollel and Silvia George are sisters who came together in 2016 to empower women of all ages to create a better life for themselves and their families.

WEHAF’s objectives include lobbying for human rights policy change, increasing psychosocial support services to victims of HIV/AIDS and women in need, providing legal assistance to these groups, etc. Further, most young women simply need educating on daunting practices like FGM and early marriage that propel them into adulthood. WEHAF holds workshops and open conversations surrounding FGM in Tanzania to get women equipped to overcome these hardships.

Unemployment

Along with human rights violations, these women lack the necessary resources to cultivate an adequate income. Women are more likely to participate in unpaid labor than men. The employment rate among women has dropped from 79% in 2005 to 72% in 2016.

Vulnerable employment rates, or informal work arrangements and fewer protections, have steadily stayed at a higher rate among women than men in Tanzania. In 2023, the vulnerable employment rate in women was 89.3%, with men at 77.8%. As this rate slowly decreases over time, WEHAF is building a New Mama Center to revive economic prosperity among Maasai women.

In December 2023, construction on WEHAF’s New Mama Center began in Moshono, a small suburb in Arusha, Tanzania. This facility will provide a more permanent care center for women and victims of HIV/AIDS. Furthermore, classes on menstrual hygiene practices are provided for an array of life skills that will set these women up for a successful future.

Success Story

From food packages to sewing classes, WEHAF has created real results that encourage the community in Tanzania to trust the process. One example of the sisters making an impact is through 63-year-old Aisha. She was an accomplished coal saleswoman, but after her leg was amputated, she could no longer invest in her business once the hospital bills came through. WEHAF provided two bags of coal and a food package to kick start her career again. Just one month later Aisha was flourishing once again.

The outreach programs graciously provided by WEHAF is proof that investing in the younger generation is highly important. There is a call to action regarding these women and children, through donations, volunteering or advocacy. The Mollel sisters and everyone fighting with WEHAF appreciate any efforts to break down barriers for women in poverty in Tanzania.

– Rachael Wexler

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

Photo: Flickr

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The Campaign to Eliminate Poverty in Uttar Pradesh

Poverty in Uttar PradeshUttar Pradesh is the most populous state in India, with a population of more than 200 million people. The state, located in northern India, is also one of the most impoverished in the country. Poverty in Uttar Pradesh is widespread, with more than 17% of the state categorized as “multidimensionally poor,” the fourth highest rate in the country. Recently, however, Uttar Pradesh has made significant strides in poverty reduction. Over the past nine years, it has seen the largest number of people lifted out of poverty in any state in India. The state has recently emphasized the need to reduce poverty with the launch of its ambitious “Zero Poverty” Campaign.

The Zero Poverty Campaign

The government of Uttar Pradesh has launched the Zero Poverty Campaign to eliminate poverty throughout the state completely. The program seeks to ensure that all families can meet their basic needs. It provides low-income families with access to a wide variety of government resources. The program works at the village level, identifying the neediest families in each village who struggle to meet their basic needs. Families are identified for the program through a statewide survey, whose accuracy will be backed up by local village committees. Priority is given to families who are homeless, reside in “kutcha” or temporary makeshift houses or rely on daily wages to survive.

These families will receive access to a wide range of government programs to support them and help lift them out of poverty, such as free education, free medical care, access to affordable housing and job training. The program also ensures that families have a reliable source of income and aims to raise their annual income to 125,000 Rupees or $1,440. The government aims to support impoverished families through various programs, providing immediate assistance to help lift them out of poverty and reintegrate them into society.

Implementation

The campaign is initially being rolled out in certain select districts within the state. The government plans to expand the program throughout the state, given its effectiveness. The program’s success will be monitored via a database. It will track the recipients’ upward mobility and quality of life improvements. The government can assess the program’s effectiveness and implement necessary changes by collecting data on recipient outcomes. If successful, the Zero Poverty Campaign could guide poverty reduction efforts nationwide.

Looking Forward

While Uttar Pradesh has made significant strides in alleviating poverty in recent years, significant challenges remain. However, Uttar Pradesh’s Zero Poverty Campaign demonstrates the government’s dedication to addressing widespread poverty. If successful, the campaign can potentially lift millions of people out of poverty and transform how the Indian government addresses poverty. With continued government efforts and funding, Uttar Pradesh can accomplish its goal of eliminating poverty in the state.

– Matthew Wornom

Matthew is based in Yorktown, VA, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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China’s Precision Poverty Alleviation Policy

Precision Poverty Alleviation policyIn 2020, China declared victory over extreme poverty, marking the largest poverty reduction campaign in modern history. More than 700 million people were lifted out of poverty, a feat unmatched globally. A combination of rapid economic growth, targeted government policies and rural development initiatives played a key role in China’s poverty alleviation strategy. By implementing market reforms, direct poverty relief programs and infrastructure investments, China built a sustainable model for long-term poverty reduction.

Market Reforms That Transformed the Economy

China’s economic transformation began in the late 1970s under Deng Xiaoping, who introduced market-oriented reforms to transition from a planned economy to a more open market system. The Household Responsibility System (HRS), implemented in the late 1970s and early 1980s, marked a significant shift in agricultural policy. Before this reform, agriculture was collectivized under Mao Zedong’s leadership, forcing farmers to work in state-run communes with little incentive to improve productivity. Deng Xiaoping ended the commune system, allowing farmers to lease land, choose their crops and sell surplus produce after meeting government quotas.

The shift significantly boosted agricultural productivity, raised rural incomes and granted farmers greater economic freedom. The success of these agricultural reforms laid the foundation for further market-based changes across industries, attracting foreign investment, expanding industrial production and integrating China into the global economy. These reforms created millions of new jobs, increased urbanization and played a critical role in poverty reduction.

The Precision Poverty Alleviation Policy

The Chinese government implemented targeted poverty relief strategies to address specific needs within impoverished communities. The Precision Poverty Alleviation Policy, launched under President Xi Jinping’s administration, introduced a more individualized approach to poverty relief. Instead of applying broad, one-size-fits-all programs, this strategy identified and assisted individual households, tailoring aid to their unique circumstances. Data-driven tracking systems ensured that resources reached those most in need, preventing misallocation and inefficiencies. By focusing on precise identification, the policy allocated resources more effectively and addressed the root causes of poverty rather than just its symptoms.

Rural Revitalization and Agricultural Development

Rural development played a key role in bridging the gap between urban and rural economies. The Rural Revitalization Strategy, launched in 2017, focused on modernizing agriculture, improving infrastructure and expanding economic opportunities in rural communities. A three-year plan introduced in 2021 reinforced these efforts by prioritizing sustainable farming, food security and environmental protection to improve rural living conditions. Reflecting its commitment to food security, China raised its 2024 grain production target to more than 700 million tons, up from its previous goal of 650 million tons. Strengthening food production and ensuring agricultural sustainability have remained central to China’s long-term poverty alleviation strategy.

Looking Ahead

While China’s poverty alleviation campaign has set a global precedent, challenges remain in addressing income inequality, regional disparities and long-term economic sustainability. However, its approach offers valuable insights into how economic reforms, targeted policies and rural investments can potentially lead to transformative change.

– Emina Bolic

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

Photo: Flickr

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NGOs Supporting Palestinians Amid Conflict and Hardship

How NGOs Are Supporting Palestinians Amid Conflict and HardshipDecades of conflict and hardship have left millions of Palestinians in need of humanitarian assistance, with 3.3 million requiring aid in Gaza and the West Bank. Amid widespread poverty—nearly half of Palestinian families live below the poverty line—80% of Gazans depend on relief supplies to survive. In response, a network of international and local NGOs are supporting Palestinians by providing life-saving aid, fostering economic resilience and advocating for human rights to support Palestinian communities.

PRCS and the Red Cross

Amid conflict, medical teams and first responders work tirelessly to deliver critical care under fire. The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS), in coordination with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), has been treating the injured and distributing essential supplies despite extreme dangers. By early January 2024, PRCS teams in Gaza had treated about 15,000 injured people while also distributing food, water, blankets and medical supplies to displaced families seeking shelter in hospitals. However, these humanitarian efforts have come at a cost, with ambulances and medical staff frequently coming under attack.

The ICRC has reinforced PRCS’s efforts by delivering relief supplies to more than 1.8 million displaced Gazans and providing cash assistance to more than 110,000 vulnerable individuals. In the West Bank, the ICRC has implemented emergency cash grants for 910 families whose homes were destroyed while also improving water and sanitation systems that benefit many residents. Together, these joint emergency medical efforts have been a lifeline for Palestinian civilians, ensuring that those in the most dire conditions receive critical support.

Healing Hands: International Medical Aid in Gaza

Beyond emergency response teams, international medical NGOs are addressing urgent health care shortages and providing life-saving treatment for Palestinians. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), which has operated in Gaza for decades, continues to provide surgical and burns care despite hospitals sustaining severe damage.

Following an airstrike on a refugee camp in northern Gaza in 2023, MSF teams treated 50 wounded patients in a single day at Al-Awda Hospital. Over the year, MSF provided more than 107,000 outpatient consultations, conducted 3,670 surgeries and led 13,300 mental health sessions for patients recovering from PTSD and war-related trauma.

Similarly, Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) has led one of its biggest humanitarian responses to date. In 2024 alone, MAP provided medical aid and humanitarian support to nearly 1 million Palestinians in Gaza. Working with local hospitals, MAP dispatched dozens of truckloads of medical supplies, including 32 aid trucks since a January 2025 ceasefire. Additionally, emergency medical teams have performed more than 7,593 consultations and 1,587 surgeries for injured civilians.

MAP’s work has also included hospital rehabilitation efforts, setting up new surgical wards and field clinics, while screening 47,000 people for malnutrition to prevent famine. As conflict continues to strain Gaza’s fragile health care system, these NGOs play a crucial role in sustaining life-saving medical operations.

Essential Aid for Displaced Families

Beyond medical care, NGOs are supporting displaced Palestinians by ensuring they receive necessities such as food, clean water and shelter. Save the Children, which has been active in the occupied Palestinian territories since the 1970s, has reached more than 1 million people in Gaza through relief efforts across 50 locations. The organization has distributed drinking water, food parcels, hygiene kits and winter supplies while also establishing Child-Friendly Spaces to support children’s mental health.

Similarly, Oxfam has launched an extensive emergency response, overcoming severe logistical challenges to assist. Since October 2023, Oxfam and its local partners have assisted more than 262,000 people in Gaza, including 120,000 children. Its efforts include:

  • Delivering clean water to 120,000 people through desalination units and latrines
  • Providing food aid to 140,000 individuals, including fresh vegetables from remaining local farms
  • Distributing winter supplies, including blankets and warm clothing, to 42,000 displaced people
  • Supplying cash vouchers, allowing families to buy essentials as needed

Despite ongoing fuel shortages and security threats, these organizations continue to provide vital aid to families facing extreme hardship.

Building Long-Term Resilience

While immediate humanitarian relief is crucial, NGOs are also working to rebuild Palestinian livelihoods by fostering economic resilience. The ICRC has provided cash grants to nearly 2,800 vulnerable individuals in the West Bank, helping sustain livestock and agriculture in rural communities. These grants allow farming families to replace lost animals and continue producing food despite instability.

Oxfam has also been instrumental in supporting Palestinian entrepreneurship. In Gaza, Oxfam-backed programs have helped individuals like Aya Kishko, a carpenter who opened a workshop recycling scrap wood into furniture despite the blockade. With limited raw materials entering Gaza, her business—supported by Oxfam initiatives—not only generates income but also repurposes scarce resources, showcasing NGO-driven resilience efforts. By investing in local businesses and sustainable economic opportunities, these organizations are empowering Palestinians to rebuild their futures despite ongoing challenges.

Balancing Aid and Advocacy

From field hospitals to food distribution centers, the NGOs supporting Palestinians provide a range of humanitarian services to Palestinians facing crisis and recovery efforts. While emergency aid addresses immediate survival needs, development programs focus on supporting livelihoods and long-term stability. However, demand for assistance continues to exceed available resources and aid agencies face operational challenges, including security risks and restricted access. As the situation continues, NGOs play a significant role in addressing humanitarian needs and supporting ongoing recovery efforts.

– Leah Ishak

Leah is based in Exeter, Devon, UK and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Sickle Cell Disease in Tanzania

sickle cell disease in TanzaniaSickle cell disease has been a part of life in sub-Saharan Africa for more than 8,000 years, accounting for approximately 6.4% of under-five mortality, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Sickle cell disease affects between 8,000 and 11,000 infants in Tanzania each year, with six out of every 1,000 children born carrying this genetic “time bomb”.

Without early diagnosis and consistent treatment, up to 90% of these children may not survive past their fifth birthday. To address this, Texas Children’s Global Hematology-Oncology Pediatric Excellence (HOPE) and Baylor College of Medicine Global Health have launched a low-cost program to combat sickle cell disease in Tanzania.

What Is Sickle Cell Disease?

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), sickle cell disease is a genetically inherited blood disorder that affects hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the protein that binds with oxygen in red blood cells as they travel throughout the body. Generally, red blood cells resemble crimson frisbees, gliding through the blood vessels to various organs and tissues. Upon arrival, they distribute oxygen and carry carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs for exhalation.

When a person has sickle cell disease, their red blood cells morph into a crescent shape, resembling a traditional farming tool called a sickle. As they become crescent-shaped, the hemoglobin often hardens, causing the blood cells to turn rigid. The sickled cells can then get caught in the vessels, blocking blood flow and causing severe pain.

Causes and Symptoms

These malformed cells are caused by a gene mutation inherited from parents who are both carriers of the recessive gene. According to the NIH, symptoms can develop as early as five or six months. These symptoms usually include yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes, often called jaundice and icterus, respectively, extreme tiredness or fussiness and painful swelling of the hands and feet.

As the affected children age, the symptoms begin to intensify exponentially. The NIH states that common symptoms found in sickle cell patients are severe pain events often referred to as “pain crises” or “vaso-occlusive crises,” fatigue, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat and chest pain, among other abnormalities. Many of these occur when the sickled cells block the blood flow and restrict oxygen delivery to the rest of the body. Most commonly, this is the catalyst for the pain crises, which occur sporadically and can continue for multiple hours or even days.

Global HOPE and Baylor College of Medicine

Texas Children’s developed the Global HOPE program in 2017 to improve the survival of children with cancer and blood diseases in Africa. Its mission is to accomplish this by leading patient care, education and research to equate survival rates to those of the United States (U.S.). Through its Global Health collaboration with Baylor College of Medicine, the organization has become one of the largest distributors of pediatric HIV care on the planet. Its global programs aim to decrease health disparities and provide creative, forward-thinking solutions for improved care and survival rates.

In January of 2025, with the support of Bristol Myers Squibb, a global biopharmaceutical charitable organization, Texas Children’s and Baylor College of Medicine announced that they would be tackling the devastating threat of sickle cell disease in sub-Saharan Africa. The program will begin by rolling out interventions and treatments for sickle cell disease in Tanzania and Uganda. According to the Texas Children’s website, the interventions it has planned are economically advisable and have proven histories of success. They have been implemented in Western countries, often known for leading medical innovation, since the 1980s, with initial pilot trials also returning impressively positive results in Africa. The interventions are just as simple and effective in controlling sickle cell disease in Tanzania.

Prevention and Treatment

For infants, screening and immunizations will be administered. Screening is often done in newborns by pricking the infant’s heel and recovering a blood sample on a lab card. A lab then uses tests such as high-performance liquid chromatography, capillary electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing to separate and identify the components of the sample and attempt to detect the presence of abnormal hemoglobin proteins. Once a sickle cell has been identified in a child, Texas Children’s and Baylor College of Medicine plan to provide a daily penicillin pill for five years due to the increased susceptibility to bacterial infections such as pneumococcus. This will be administered orally until the child is five years old and should prevent the development of bloodstream bacterial infections.

Finally, they also plan to administer a daily dose of hydroxyurea, an oral medicine approved in 1998 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treating sickle cell disease. Hydroxyurea has been found to prevent pain crises and hospitalizations for children. It does so by maintaining the circular flexibility of the red blood cells, allowing easier flow and oxygen delivery throughout the body. This will come as a big win in a country such as Tanzania, where access to health care, especially for children, is extremely limited due to high rates of multidimensional poverty, an unequipped infrastructure and a lack of access for rural populations.

Conclusion

The work of Texas Children’s Global HOPE and Baylor College of Medicine’s alliance has already proven to be successful in the work they have done in HIV and AIDS prevention and treatment. Their work to detect, educate, treat and research has lofty goals of emulating their success in the U.S. With the determination they have brought to the medical world thus far, their initiative provides a hopeful future for all children struggling with sickle cell disease in Tanzania.

– Jacob Christopher

Jacob is based in Granite Falls, NC, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay

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Diseases Impacting Vietnam

Diseases Impacting VietnamVietnam is known for its beautiful landscapes, rich culture and an unfortunate, challenging history. After years of war, Vietnam has become one of the fastest-growing economies and has seen the poverty rate decrease to below 4% in 2023. With one of the most successful implementations of universal healthcare in Asia, Vietnam hopes to see more than 95% of its population covered by health care by the end of this year.

The government has also committed itself to increasing the coverage of low-income and marginalized groups in the country’s more rural and mountainous regions. These areas, which are higher in poverty than the larger cities, see the biggest impact when it comes to diseases, as many in these rural areas see lower income rates, which cause people to have health care bills they cannot afford. However, Vietnam continues to make improvements to the health care system and now boasts a life expectancy rate of 2.4 years higher than the world average. However, due to lifestyle changes and limited health care access in some regions, there are still many diseases impacting Vietnam, including communicable diseases like dengue fever, measles and influenza, as well as rising rates of noncommunicable diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Infectious Diseases 

With a tropical climate, diseases impacting Vietnam include many communicable diseases, such as dengue fever, which the country has had continued struggles with over the years. There were more than 114,000 reported cases of dengue fever in 2024, which is less than half of previous years, such as 2019 and 2022, when the country saw epidemics of dengue fever. In September of 2024, the country rolled out a dengue fever vaccine, Qdenga, which was dispersed in a vaccine drive in more than 200 health centers, in the hopes of slowing future breakouts of the disease.

Vietnam has also experienced several measles outbreaks over the years, which has affected mostly younger children, including an outbreak in 2024, where there were more than 7,500 confirmed cases. These cases have been mostly concentrated in the southern part of the country and attributed to a lack of children being vaccinated in these regions. The government continues to push for greater measles vaccination campaigns to curb outbreaks in these susceptible areas. The VNVC or Vietnam Vaccine Joint Stock Company donated 500,000 doses of the vaccine to be distributed throughout the country. These vaccination campaigns originally targeted for young unvaccinated children ages 1-10 but was expanded to include 6-9 month old children in early 2025. In total, 45 provinces have deployed vaccination campaigns with 28 of them having already completed the first phase.

Noncommunicable Diseases 

As the country sees an increase in urbanization and lifestyle changes, it is also seeing an increase in noncommunicable diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. NCDs are still the leading cause of death in Vietnam, with these diseases causing 77% of deaths. The rise in these NCDs is primarily due to an aging population and an increase in unhealthy diets and a lack of exercise. The country has seen a steep rise in inactivity in adolescence, and records show that more than 50% of the female population are overweight. These factors have contributed to a steep rise in diabetes in Vietnam, especially undiagnosed diabetes. With larger cities and more sedentary lifestyles, if not appropriately addressed with methods such as prescreening, and a push for healthier communities, the increase of diabetes could pose a significant risk to the population. 

Looking Forward 

The government has made a lot of progress over the years concerning its population’s health. With more access to health care than ever before, the country’s health should continue improving. However, diseases impacting Vietnam remain a challenge, especially as the rate of urbanization increases dramatically in Vietnam. This brings along accompanying problems, like air pollution, environmental changes and lifestyle changes. If not properly addressed, these issues can lead to the continued rise of cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes rates. However, the government plans to expand universal health care and reform health care centers across the country.

A new law concerning health care in the country is set to start July 1, 2025, which will expand the number of health care facilities that citizens can use, along with other changes, such as moving patients with rare or advanced diseases to higher-level facilities without prior approval. The country still has a ways to go, but currently, it is on a steady path to improving public health by reducing the rate of infectious diseases and providing more people nationwide with health care. 

– Collier Simpson

Collier is based in Savannah, GA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr