Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

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5 Charities Operating in Singapore

Charities Operating in Singapore

Singapore is one of the world’s wealthiest and most developed nations. However, despite Singapore’s economic success, income inequality and food insecurity continue to affect vulnerable populations across the country. According to local reports, some individuals struggle to meet basic necessities, such as a comfortable shelter and food.

In addition to financial limitations and the high cost of living, food insecurity remains an issue for many individuals, particularly low-income families, seniors living alone and migrant workers. The streets in Singapore are sometimes seen with people considered homeless, as they can’t afford housing, highlighting the need for charitable organizations.

While the government has contributed significantly to reducing poverty and improving the lives of the poor, gaps remain for individuals who fall below eligibility criteria or require additional assistance. As a result, charities play a vital role in supporting vulnerable communities by offering food assistance, shelter and housing, health care, counselling services and other forms of aid. The following are five charities operating in Singapore that are making a meaningful impact.

1. Willing Hearts

The first of the charities operating in Singapore is Willing Hearts. Since 2003, Willing Hearts has been supporting and improving the lives of the underprivileged and impoverished through volunteerism and teamwork. Willing Hearts has also relocated five times over the past 21 years to better reach the lives of the underprivileged and marginalized.

Established by Tony Tay and his friends, Willing Hearts is one of Singapore’s leading soup kitchens with more than 10,000 meals distributed per day to more than 70 locations in Singapore through volunteer-led kitchens. In addition to food distribution, Willing Hearts also offers a variety of services such as dental care, legal aid, bereavement and healing services.

2. Food From the Heart

Food from the Heart is an independent nonprofit food charity in Singapore that focuses on 10 initiatives that alleviate food insecurity, educate and raise funds. The community food pack program is one of the initiatives from Food from the Heart that provides seniors, low-income individuals and families with fresh fruits, vegetables, eggs and bread through a monthly distribution. Through this program, the organization supports more than 10,113 families each month.

In addition to all of the programs combined, Food from the Heart has assisted and supported more than 129,877 families and individuals, distributed 143,825 food packs and supported 63,831 beneficiaries in total as of the end of 2024.

3. HealthServe 

According to HealthServe, a large number of migrant workers holding work permits in Singapore face conflict regarding emotional distress, workplace peer pressure and injuries. While employers are legally required to pay for medical treatment, such as medical services, dental treatment and insurance, some individuals feel discouraged from seeking the help they need due to cultural and language barriers and peer pressure. HealthServe has helped and supported these workers by positively impacting more than 18,000 migrant workers by the end of 2024, which includes more than 5,300 medical and dental services, 6,000 casework and social services, 8,000 mental health and counselling services and 14,200 community services related to health education and outreach.

In 2024, HealthServe’s objective was to extend mental health support and awareness. Ever since the program started in 2022, HealthServe has trained more than 1,630 migrant workers with knowledge and skills to support overall well-being.

Looking ahead to 2025, HealthServe aims to expand dental sessions, strengthen support for chronic diseases among migrant domestic workers, enhance psychotherapy and counselling services and extend GP services to more sectors.

4. Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2)

Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2), a charity in Singapore, provides direct assistance by supporting and protecting low-wage, foreign and migrant workers through food programs, medical emergency funds, social work and shelter.

One of its initiatives, The Cuff Road Project, supports workers in need by providing a free breakfast and a fulfilling dinner every weekday for each worker. On Saturdays, TWC2 provides lunch.

One of TWC2’s services is casework, which provides support and assistance to individuals to help them navigate complex social, legal and government systems. Caseworkers in TWC2 assess and evaluate the client’s needs while ensuring a suitable solution and support. TWC2 has logged about 13,630 conversations of support in 2024, including 100,887 inbound and 68,329 outbound messages.

Beyond direct assistance, TWC2 engages with policymakers, like the Ministry of Manpower. They also propose solutions, conduct research on migrant worker issues and engage with employers and businesses.

5. SPD (Society for the Physically Disabled)

Set up in 1964, SPD is a nonprofit charity that focuses on helping individuals with disabilities and those with developing disabilities. SPD provides 20 programs, offering therapy, community rehabilitation, early intervention, job placement and support.

In 2024-2025, SPD assisted more than 13,200 people with disabilities. This included 1,659 children who received early intervention, 7,940 individuals who received support with rehabilitation community programs, and 3,900 individuals who gained awareness and education from talks, events and training.

Looking Ahead

Although Singapore is widely recognized for its economic success and high standard of living, vulnerable communities continue to face social and economic challenges. These five charities operating in Singapore, play a crucial role in addressing these issues by providing food security, health care, advocacy and rehabilitation support. Together, these organizations demonstrate the importance of compassion, volunteerism and community support in fostering a more inclusive and equitable society in Singapore.

– Bianca P. Gunawan

Bianca is based in Jakarta, Indonesia and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Updates on SDG 10 in Brazil

SDG 10 in BrazilBrazil’s hosting of the soccer World Cup and Olympic Games in the mid-2010s symbolized its arrival as a confident middle-class power. Rapid economic growth and large-scale social reform had lifted millions out of poverty and gradually reversed some of the country’s extreme income disparities. But, that progress has stalled over the past decade. This article provides updates on SDG 10 in Brazil, examining the country’s performance against a core UN target – tackling inequality.

Decade of Stagnation

When the Olympics came to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil’s Gini Index score, which measures income inequality, had been steadily falling for decades — from more than 60 in 1990 to around 52 in 2015 —  prompting experts to celebrate the country as a beacon for social progress.

But its Gini score actually increased in subsequent years, before returning to 52 again in 2023, the most recent year of available data. That’s almost double the SDG 10 goal, of 27.5, and represents a decade of stagnation.

‘World’s Most Socially Regressive Austerity’

The economic crisis that hit in 2014 largely explains that lack of progress, after a slump in prices for Brazilian commodities such as iron ore, a major corruption scandal at the national oil producer and a raft of fiscal and monetary policies that undermined confidence in the government’s ability to manage the country’s finances.

Increased borrowing costs followed, along with legislation freezing social spending for 20 years, which one UN official described as the “most socially regressive austerity package in the world.” Millions slipped back into poverty in the aftermath of the pandemic and there has been a surge in homelessness across major cities.

Highly Regressive Tax System

Brazil’s regressive tax system is another major cause of inequality. Several millions live in poverty, but there is also more than 400,000 millionaires (in U.S. dollar terms), with the richest 1% of Brazilians earning 27% of the nation’s income.

The country’s income concentration is significantly higher than previously thought, according to a recent report by a group of Brazilian and international economists, with ultra-wealthy individuals paying relatively little tax compared to other nations.

Using a new method of calculating wealth, officials from the Brazilian tax agency and researchers from the EU Tax Observatory found those earning at least $1 million per year have far lower effective tax rates (20.6% on average) than the average citizen (42.5%).

Many other countries reverse this pattern, including the U.S., where the effective tax for million-dollar earners is 36%, compared to 29% for the average American.

Brazil’s tax system is therefore highly regressive, as the tax burden for middle-class households is significantly higher than for the very rich, which hampers efforts to reduce inequality.

New Leadership and Legislation Brings Some Relief

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s return to the presidency in 2023, replacing the right-wing Jair Bolsonaro, has provided greater hope and funding support to social programs, including the flagship Bolsa Família program, which offers direct cash transfers to low-income families. Lula’s government has also passed legislation reducing the tax burden on low and middle-income households, with a minimum rate established for higher earners. In particular, the new laws ensured new levies on dividends and company profits that were previously exempt.

Observers debate the extent to which this can be celebrated, however, as some warn the highest earners are able to shield their income due to flaws in the legislation, while the changes are only expected to produce modest improvements to the Gini coefficient, of just 0.3%.

Tathiane Piscitelli, a professor of financial law at the Rio-based think tank, Fundação Getulio Vargas, has acknowledged the limited impact of the changes, but said: “It is an improvement to our system, something that has been needed for a long time… Income tax is supposed to be progressive. We had the opposite situation, where those who earned more paid less. So even if this is not the ideal reform, overall it is a major relief.”

Updates on SDG 10 in Brazil

Ultimately, tax reforms can only go so far, and Brazil will need to find ways to strengthen its economic performance to place itself in a fiscal position to dramatically increase social spending. With the government’s debt levels standing at more than 80% of GDP, up from 58% in 2016, and spending is still severely constrained, Brazil is unlikely to achieve the SDG 10 target in anything but the very long term.

Oxfam estimates it would take more than 75 years to match the income inequality levels of the United Kingdom, at the current rate of progress, which would still fall short of the targeted Gini index score of 27.5.

Reasons for Optimism

There are reasons for optimism, however, with analysts at Boston Consulting Group suggesting Brazil’s economy is “impressively resilient” and well placed to navigate the shift in global power structures. Political neutrality on the world stage helps Brazil continue to enjoy warm relations with most Western countries, while its membership of the BRICS+ group of nations provides a key leadership role among the world’s fastest growing economies.

The huge domestic market and vast natural resources should also help shield Brazil from sharp trade barrier changes, said BCG, while a vast clean energy sector and robust digital infrastructure provide solid foundations for sustainable economic growth. If growth can return and the government can respond with increased social spending and continuing improvements to the tax system, inequalities should again start to fall.

International and Non-Government Support

Brazil’s international connections should also bring foreign and non-governmental investment. Last year, for example, the World Bank agreed to fund a major project to re-introduce the Bolsa Verde Program, which offers cash assistance to rural families that commit to environmental conservation, and should benefit 55,000 families in the Amazon by December 2026. Meanwhile, organizations such as the Lemann Foundation are working to draw attention to Brazil’s challenges within influential academic circles, with major investments to establish research centers within some of the world’s leading universities.

Momentum Can Return

The fight to achieve SDG 10 in Brazil may have stalled after earlier gains, but recent policy reforms and global shifts that should favor its economy suggest momentum can return. If growth strengthens and reforms continue, Brazil should again make significant progress in narrowing its deep inequalities.

– Lawrence Dunhill

Lawrence is based in Bristol, UK and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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The Face of Hunger in Lebanon

Hunger in LebanonHunger in Lebanon is a complex and unstable matter. The food crisis has been evolving from year to year as more and more citizens suffer. There are multiple causes and consequences associated with this situation, although there is no doubt about the potential for improvement. 

The issue of hunger in Lebanon is multifaceted and a variety of factors influence it. According to the World Bank, hunger in Lebanon has begun to worsen, dating back to the severe economic crisis in 2019. During this crisis, the Lebanese pound lost around 90% of its value. Another impactful event was the devastating Beirut Port explosion on August 4, 2020. Reports have shown that 17% of the Lebanese population struggles with food insecurity. Here are five factors that lead to excess hunger.

What are 5 Factors Leading To Excess Hunger?

  1. The continuous increase in living costs is a crucial issue. With the instability of the economic state of Lebanon, food prices continue to rise. This leads to fewer citizens acquiring access to nutritious food.
  2. Displacement is a significant factor in Lebanon. Due to the situation in the southern areas, some people have lost the privilege of owning a habitable house. Therefore, displaced families struggle to acquire access to clean water and housing resources. In addition, this coincides with the economic conflicts, making living costs out of reach due to rising prices.
  3. Despite the ceasefire, the recovery process in agriculture has been slow. Damage to some crops has limited the production of farms. Especially in the south of Lebanon, the high expenses that are required for effective agricultural development led to a decline in the lives of citizens living in rural regions.
  4. The labor market in Lebanon is a complicated matter. Neither the employed nor the unemployed are protected from economic instability. Due to the currency problem, wages are not the most reliable leading to further food insecurity.
  5. The decrease in Humanitarian Food Security Assistance (HFSA) intensified the food security problems. Humanitarian Food Security Assistance played an important role in preserving food security. However, in the past year, the amount of coverage was reduced, which has made the situation worse for Lebanese households.

How are Lebanese People Dealing With Hunger? 

This situation has resulted in fragile households. The vulnerability of food insecurity is prominent due to the multiple factors that have contributed to this increase. In these circumstances, residents had no choice but to reduce the size of their meals or skip meals altogether. Moreover, with the economic collapse, farmers have been greatly affected. They had to decrease their harvest, which caused less production, revenue and ultimately, less food security.

What are Some Organizations That Can Help Improve the Situation? 

Despite the circumstances surrounding hunger in Lebanon, it is not a hopeless matter by any means. On the contrary, there are programs that are providing effective help.

The World Food Programme (WFP) is an organization that has proven useful. In 2024, it provided food supplies and shelter with special attention on displaced people. The World Food Programme (WFP) does this through donations and fundraising efforts. The organization also has future plans to help Lebanese citizens who are victims of conflicts.

Another program is the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), which Lebanon joined in 1945. FAO and WFP worked together to create the most recent Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC). With IPC’s results, FAO realized the instability of the rural regions in Lebanon and worked on advancing the situation. FAO, WFP and the Ministry of Agriculture are focusing on new recovery programs to improve the infrastructure of agriculture. FAO aims to raise its emergency as well as resilience assistance in order to support citizens in rural areas.

Looking Ahead

Many factors contribute to the situation of hunger in Lebanon. From the economic issue to the circumstances of displaced people, Lebanon has suffered from food insecurity. Despite these negative conditions, the state of Lebanon is capable of improvement. With the help of impactful organizations such as WFP and FAO, the struggles and challenges associated with hunger are on the road to getting better. 

– Lara Ibrahim

Lara is based in Créteil, France and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay

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Health Improvements and Reducing Poverty in Uganda

Poverty in UgandaUganda has experienced notable economic growth over the past two decades. Yet, poverty, food insecurity and limited access to health care remain persistent challenges, particularly in rural and refugee-hosting regions of Uganda. According to World Bank estimates, Uganda’s national poverty rate stood at approximately 21.4% in 2016, with significantly higher rates in rural areas.

Food insecurity and undernutrition reinforced these vulnerabilities, contributing to poor health outcomes and limiting educational attainment among children. In response, the World Food Program (WFP) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) implemented a range of initiatives to address both the immediate and structural drivers of poverty and poor health in Uganda.

WFP Initiatives: School Feeding, Nutrition and Food Security

Between 2016 and 2020, WFP implemented its Uganda Country Program, which prioritized food security as a foundation for long-term development. A central pillar of this strategy was the Home-Grown School Feeding (HGSF) program, which provides daily meals to schoolchildren while sourcing food directly from local smallholder farmers. This approach was designed to address child hunger and education outcomes while simultaneously strengthening rural livelihoods.

According to a WFP interview with a WFP Uganda program officer, the HGSF initiative has reduced hunger-related absenteeism among schoolchildren while improving household income stability for farmers through predictable local procurement. The interview emphasizes that by linking schools to nearby agricultural producers, the program treats food assistance as both a nutritional and economic intervention rather than short-term relief. WFP reports indicate that school feeding programs reached hundreds of thousands of children annually, particularly in food-insecure regions such as Karamoja, where chronic hunger has historically undermined educational outcomes.

In addition to school meals, WFP expanded maternal and child nutrition programs, targeting pregnant women and young children during critical stages of development. Evaluations of WFP’s Uganda Country Strategic Plan found improvements in household food consumption scores and dietary diversity among participating communities.

UNDP Initiatives: Inclusive Growth and Health Infrastructure

While WFP’s interventions focused on food systems and nutrition, UNDP addressed the broader economic and infrastructural determinants of poverty and health. Through its Inclusive Growth and Resilience programs, UNDP supported job creation, micro-entrepreneurship and access to renewable energy, factors closely linked to long-term poverty reduction.

One of UNDP’s most impactful interventions has been the solarization of rural health facilities. The organization supported the installation of solar power systems in 26 rural health facilities, improving health care access for more than 700,000 people. Before electrification, many facilities relied on unreliable grid power or diesel generators, limiting their ability to provide consistent care.

UNDP reports that solar-powered facilities improved vaccine storage, expanded nighttime emergency services and strengthened maternal health care. By strengthening health infrastructure, these initiatives reduced the economic burden of illness on households. They enhanced the overall resilience of rural health systems.

Measurable Impact: Poverty Reduction and Health Improvements

The combined effects of WFP and UNDP initiatives are reflected in national development indicators. Between 2016 and 2020, poverty in Uganda declined to 20.3%. While multiple factors contributed to this trend, UNDP and WFP reports identify improved food security, social protection and service delivery as key contributors.

Nutrition and health indicators also improved over the same period. National stunting rates among children under 5 declined from roughly 29% in 2016 to 26% in 2022, reflecting gains in maternal nutrition, child feeding practices and health care access. In refugee-hosting districts, WFP-supported cash transfers linked to nutrition and health services improved dietary diversity.

They reduced reliance on negative coping strategies. The WFP interview-based video evidence further reinforces these findings by illustrating how school feeding programs improved attendance and learning outcomes, thereby demonstrating the long-term poverty-reduction potential of investing in child nutrition and education.

Challenges and Ongoing Constraints

Despite measurable progress, significant challenges persist. Funding volatility poses a major threat to program sustainability, particularly in refugee-hosting areas. WFP evaluations warn that reductions in donor funding have led to ration cuts in some regions, reversing gains in food security and nutrition.

Climate shocks, including droughts and floods, further undermine agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods, placing additional strain on food systems. UNDP reporting also notes capacity constraints at the local government level, which can limit the scaling and institutionalization of successful initiatives. These challenges highlight the need for sustained investment and stronger national ownership of development programs.

Conclusion

UNDP and WFP initiatives in Uganda demonstrate that poverty reduction and health improvement are most effective when addressed through integrated, multi-sectoral strategies. These programs linked school feeding to local agriculture. They expanded nutrition-linked social protection and also strengthened the health care infrastructure through renewable energy.

Together, these efforts addressed both immediate vulnerabilities and long-term development needs. The measurable declines in poverty and child malnutrition between 2016 and 2022 suggest that coordinated development interventions can deliver tangible results even in complex and resource-constrained contexts. As Uganda continues to confront climate risks, demographic pressures and funding uncertainty.

However, the UNDP–WFP model offers a compelling example of how development and humanitarian action can work together to deliver sustainable, inclusive outcomes.

– Akash Ramaswamy

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

Photo: Flickr

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Boosting Food Security: The Golden Yolk Project in the Bahamas

The Golden Yolk ProjectThe Bahamas, an island country situated in the Atlantic Ocean, comprises approximately 700 islands and has a population of 399,440 as of 2023. With a tropical climate all year round due to the Gulf Stream, the Bahamas’ population continues to suffer from food malnutrition. The Golden Yolk Project initiative involves increasing sustainable egg production, boosting food security, decreasing malnutrition rates and improving employability rates in the country. It is a government-invested scheme which targets lower-middle-income families across the Bahamas.

Malnutrition Across the Bahamas

A very small number of the food consumed in the Bahamas is naturally grown and produced across the region, meaning the population is highly reliant on imported food sources. According to the Global Nutrition Report, obesity rates across the Bahamas are considerably high, with 41% of women (above the age of 18) and 27.4% of men living with obesity. According to the International Trade Administration, the Bahamas imports almost 90% of its food, totaling around $1 billion a year.

These include meat, beef, dairy, eggs, fruit, vegetable juices and oil products. These foods are highly processed and have led to unhealthy dietary challenges. Due to rising and fluctuating prices of imported food, low- and middle-income families are facing food insecurity. Hands for Hunger reports that one in 10 people in the Bahamas lives below the poverty line and experiences extreme food insecurity.

The Golden Yolk Project

Hon. Clay Sweeting (former Minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs) launched an egg production project in February 2023. The initiative aims to boost egg production across the Bahamas so the country can achieve sustainable and affordable access to food. According to the Regional Statistics Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Government of the Bahamas invested more than $15 million in the project to:

  • Boost annual egg production and restrict imported eggs
  • Reduce malnutrition rates
  • Provide employability opportunities
  • Increase agricultural production rates through new infrastructural development

Ongoing Work/Targets

  • Implementation Across Islands: The project will be carried out on 12 islands in the Bahamas: Grand Bahama, Abaco, Bimini, Berry Island Andros, Eleuthera, Exuma, Cat Island, San Salvador, Long Island, Ragged Island and Inagua.
  • Job Creation: The project will create a total of 90 jobs, 51 of which will be across the islands.
  • Construction of a New Feed Mill: The government will finance a new state-of-the-art feed mill. A feed mill is a series of machines that use grains to produce nutritional animal feed for different animals.
  • Supportive Environment for Farmers: The government will contract the facility to farms, which will be required to sell eggs to different distributors in the Bahamas.
  • Increase in Egg Production: According to CARICOM, officials say the project will produce 13 million eggs annually across the islands while providing technical support and resources to farmers contracted to manage the facility.

Looking Forward

Malnutrition across the Bahamas remains an ongoing issue, particularly for low- and middle-income families experiencing fluctuating prices for imported food products. Obesity is also a visible problem across the country. Effective solutions, such as the Golden Yolk Project, will facilitate sustainable food production with newly funded technical equipment to enhance food security and reduce malnutrition across the Bahamas.

The former Minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs told The Tribune Business that the goal is to raise egg production to 28 million from 700,000 per year once the project becomes operational.

– Zara Ashraf

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

Photo: Unsplash

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Health Care Homecoming: Nurses from Rural Kenya

nurses from rural KenyaIn a busy isolation facility in Murang’a County, central Kenya, nurse Rose Nyawira scrambles between COVID-19 patients to give them the right amount of oxygen. There is only one oxygen cylinder available between them. Rose recognized the need for a more efficient means of distributing oxygen. She conducted research and discovered a device that allows multiple patients to access oxygen from the same cylinder. Her efforts earned her recognition as Murang’a County’s Nurse Practitioner of the Year at the Beyond Zero Awards in 2022.

Like Rose, a group of nurses from rural Kenya is being trained through a partnership between the Beyond Zero Program, Kenya Medical Training College and Roche, a Swiss-based research-focused health care company. Nurses return to their home counties to work in mobile maternal and child health clinics. These clinics provide families, particularly women and children in remote areas, with access to health care.

“I realized very early on in life that I have a gift of caring for other people. After interacting with nurses from rural Kenya, I knew that this was the profession that would help me exercise my gift,” Rose said.

Beyond Zero: The Initiative

Kenya’s first lady, Margaret Kenyatta, launched the Beyond Zero Program in 2014 with the goal of providing maternal and child health care to underserved rural counties. This medical care includes antenatal care, immunizations, family planning, screening and health education. Since 2014, it has provided primary health care to roughly 1.2 million people and reached approximately 45,000 households through mobile medical clinics known as Medical Safaris staffed by nurses from rural Kenya. In 2019, the program donated 52 fully equipped mobile clinics to all 47 counties in Kenya.

Partnership and Training

With support from ROCHE, Beyond Zero has strengthened primary health care by training more health care workers in rural areas. The program offers community health training scholarships through Kenya Medical Training College to train young people from arid and semi-arid regions. Scholarships for student nurses from rural Kenya cover tuition, uniforms, meals and essential supplies, reducing financial barriers for students from underprivileged regions.

The CEO of Kenya Medical Training College, Dr. Kelly Oluoch, emphasized the impact of training Enrolled Community Health Nurses for marginalized communities. “When ECHNs are trained and deployed to their home regions, we see higher retention rates due to their local ties and understanding of cultural and linguistic barriers to health care access,” he said.

Farah’s Story

Beyond Zero’s mobile clinics are staffed with nurses and equipped with vaccines, medical supplies, food and antimalarial drugs, providing rural communities with access to essential medical care.

Farah Kalmoy is one of the beneficiaries. He brought his 9-month-old son to a mobile medical clinic for his measles vaccine. “My home is six kilometers away from Wajir County Referral Hospital, which is the nearest health centre where I can access the medical services,” he said. Without access to the mobile clinic, Kalmoy said he would not have been able to bring his son for vaccination.

Beyond Zero’s nurses serve as a connection between rural communities and Kenya’s health care system. Because many are from the local communities, cultural familiarity can help build trust. The mobility of the clinics allows services to reach remote areas where fixed facilities may be limited.

Looking Ahead

Support continues for nurses in training and for the Beyond Zero Program. The Kenyan government, in partnership with organizations such as the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Roche, plans to expand training and strengthen retention to improve access to maternal and child health services in remote areas. These efforts highlight the role of nurse training in strengthening health care access in Kenya.

– Caleb Dueck

Caleb is based in Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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€1.9 Billion: European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid Budget

European Commission’s Humanitarian AidThe European Commission has announced its €1.9 billion humanitarian aid budget for 2026. With 239 million people in need worldwide and major donors drawing back their support, this budget marks the EU’s sustained commitment to humanitarian assistance. Holding firm in its position as the world’s leading aid donor, the EU delivers life-saving assistance in its efforts to provide emergency food, shelter, and healthcare to those in need. This article first explains the structure of the EU’s humanitarian budget, then breaks down where the European Commission’s €1.9 billion in humanitarian aid will be allocated and the types of life-saving assistance it supports, and finally situates the commitment within the broader context of the EU’s leadership as a global humanitarian donor.

How the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid Budget Works

The European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) distributes and manages the EU’s annual Humanitarian Aid Budget. However, more broadly speaking, the budget falls within the EU’s 2021-2027 Multi-Annual Financial Framework (MFF). The 2021-2027 MFF allocates approximately €1.65 billion annually toward humanitarian assistance, amounting to a total of €11.57 billion for the six years. To reach a specific figure, the EU budgeting authority presents drafts informed by the status of global humanitarian need before their eventual adoption by the European Council and European Parliament.

In addition to the initial budget, the EU Solidarity and Emergency Aid Reserve can be called upon in instances of unforeseen crises in order to finance humanitarian emergency response, civilian crisis management and protection operations. The scale of the EU’s humanitarian commitment is matched by the breadth of its delivery network, with more than 200 organizations responsible for translating funding into action.

What does the funding support?

The EU’s humanitarian assistance partners implement EU-funded programs that prioritize life-saving assistance for vulnerable populations. These programmes represent an ethos of “principled aid that reaches people in need, wherever they are,” operating on needs-based objectives. The assistance provided takes many forms, ranging from supplies such as medicine, shelters, or water-purification units to specialised response teams, including firefighters or search and rescue personnel. To activate a humanitarian response, any country may alert the EU’s Civil Protection Mechanism, which serves as a single point of contact for EU countries and participating states to coordinate assistance. The EU activated the mechanism 64 times in 2025, responding to the conflict in the Middle East, the war in Ukraine and many other situations of emergency. With this in mind, central to the EU’s humanitarian response is the strategic prioritisation of funds, determining where limited resources can have the greatest impact.

Regional Allocation

When broken down by region, the €1.9 billion allocation prioritises areas experiencing protracted armed conflict, food insecurity, and weather-related shocks.

  • €557 million for West and Central Africa, the Sahel, the Lake Chad Basin, North-West Nigeria, Central and Southern Africa, the Great Lakes region and the Greater Horn of Africa, reflecting the scale of protracted conflict, displacement and climate-driven food insecurity across the continent.
  • €448 million for the Middle East, with a particular focus on Gaza following last year’s fragile ceasefire, as well as continued humanitarian needs in Iraq, Yemen, Syria and Lebanon.
  • €145 million for addressing humanitarian needs in Ukraine as Russia’s invasion enters its fourth year, alongside an additional €8 million to support humanitarian operations in Moldova.
  • €126 million for Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran, where overlapping crises continue to drive acute humanitarian needs.
  • €95 million for Central and South America and the Caribbean, a region affected by complex emergencies linked to armed violence, political instability, deep inequalities and environmental pressures.
  • €73 million for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, with particular emphasis on the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar and its cross-border impact in Bangladesh.
  • €14.6 million for North Africa, where persistent political, economic and social challenges continue to generate humanitarian needs.
  • €415 million for responding to sudden-onset global emergencies as well as maintaining a strategic supply chain.

The EU’s Global Role in Humanitarian Assistance

The EU’s humanitarian engagement extends beyond annual budget commitments, reflecting a long-standing role in coordinating international responses to crises. Through its partnerships with international organisations, non-governmental organisations and specialised agencies, the EU supports humanitarian operations in more than 110 countries. As pressures on the global humanitarian system intensify and funding gaps widen, this sustained engagement positions the EU as a key actor in maintaining predictable, needs-based assistance. Efforts to mobilise additional resources, including engagement with private-sector actors, further reinforce the EU’s approach to sharing responsibility for addressing humanitarian crises.

The European Commission’s €1.9 billion humanitarian aid budget for 2026 underscores the importance of structured, targeted and cooperative approaches to humanitarian assistance. By directing resources toward regions facing the most acute needs and preserving flexibility for emerging crises, the EU aims to maximise the impact of limited funding. In a global context marked by growing humanitarian demand, continued leadership and international cooperation remain essential to preventing further deterioration in conditions for vulnerable populations.

– Andrew Geddes

Andrew is based in Edinburgh, Scotland and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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From Food Insecurity in Eswatini to Maternal and Child Health

Food Insecurity in EswatiniIn Eswatini, food insecurity erodes maternal and child nutrition, undermines healthy growth and increases the risk of malnutrition and chronic disease for thousands of mothers and children.

The Population Impact of Food Insecurity in Eswatini

In Eswatini, food insecurity has become a persistent challenge affecting the country’s economy and rural livelihoods. According to the IPC Acute Food Insecurity Analysis, 243,483 people, about one in five citizens, faced Crisis-level hunger between June and September 2024. By October 2024, projections indicated that the number could rise to 304,000 people, or about 25% of the population.

Although mid-2025 figures show temporary improvement, food insecurity remains cyclical. Between June and September 2025, 193,000 people (16%) remained in Crisis or worse, and forecasts project that 259,000 people, more than one in five, will face severe food insecurity between October 2025 and March 2026. These recurring increases indicate ongoing structural challenges.

Climate variability continues to affect food security in Eswatini, as prolonged droughts and erratic rainfall disrupt agricultural production in a country where nearly 75% of the population depends on subsistence farming. The hardest-hit areas, the Lowveld Cattle and Maize zone, the Dry Middleveld and the Lubombo Plateau, reflect this geographic concentration of vulnerability. In the Lowveld Cattle and Maize zone alone, more than 72,000 people face Crisis-level hunger, the highest burden nationwide. Nearly 30,000 people in the Dry Middleveld and more than 9,400 in the Lubombo Plateau face similar conditions.

Consequences of Food Insecurity in Eswatini

The consequences of food insecurity in Eswatini extend beyond hunger and affect maternal health outcomes, infant development and child growth indicators. Stunting, a key indicator of chronic malnutrition, affects approximately 25% of children under 5, about 60,257 children nationwide. The highest rates occur in Lubombo and Shiselweni, where prevalence reaches 28% and peaks at 35% among children ages 18 to 23 months. Although national stunting rates declined from 30.9% in 2010 to 23% in 2017, disparities persist. Children in the poorest households experience stunting at rates above 30%, compared to fewer than 10% in the wealthiest households. Rural areas continue to face higher burdens, reflecting structural inequality.

Maternal undernutrition increases health risks. Limited dietary diversity raises the likelihood of iron, iodine and folate deficiencies, which are common in food-insecure settings. Inadequate folate intake during pregnancy contributes to anemia, low birth weight and neural tube defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly. Iodine deficiency can impair fetal brain development and contribute to long-term cognitive delays. When pregnant and lactating women lack access to diverse, nutrient-rich foods, health risks can extend to children.

Climate shocks further affect nutritional stability. Drought reduces crop production, livestock numbers and household food access, lowering dietary diversity. More than half of children ages 6 to 23 months do not meet the minimum acceptable diet, and exclusive breastfeeding rates have declined, increasing infant health risks. Acute malnutrition also remains a concern. An estimated 8,460 children ages 6 to 59 months experience acute malnutrition, including severe cases that require therapeutic treatment.

Initiatives To Address Food Insecurity in Eswatini

In response to prolonged El Niño-induced drought conditions that began in 2014, the Government of Swaziland, now Eswatini, declared a national disaster on February 18, 2016, and launched the $80.5 million National Emergency Response and Adaptation Plan (NERMAP) 2016 to 2022 to address food insecurity and its effects on maternal and child health.

As maize production declined and water shortages intensified, more than 300,000 people required urgent food assistance. The National Disaster Management Agency partnered with the World Food Programme and other United Nations (U.N.) agencies to distribute emergency food aid and support school feeding programs, helping stabilize nutrition for children in drought-affected communities.

Despite recent economic growth, food insecurity in Eswatini persists, with nearly 29% of the population facing acute food shortages and 26% of children under 5 affected by stunting. The Government of Eswatini has partnered with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to implement the 2022 to 2025 Country Programming Framework, which aims to mobilize $68 million to strengthen agricultural productivity, climate resilience and sustainable food systems.

Looking Ahead

Addressing food insecurity in Eswatini requires sustained action beyond emergency relief. Long-term progress depends on investment in climate-resilient agriculture, stronger rural livelihoods and nutrition-sensitive social protection systems. With national frameworks and international partnerships in place, efforts such as expanding irrigation, supporting smallholder farmers and strengthening maternal nutrition programs can help reduce vulnerability to future shocks. Strengthening food security policy with a focus on maternal and child health may support long-term resilience.

– Yuhan Rong

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

Photo: Flickr

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Immigrant Entrepreneurs: Coffee Shops Fight Global Poverty

immigrant entrepreneurs“Local businesses give warmth,” claim Coffee Links owners Leon and Ellie Araujo. “When you see [food] chains it feels like a cold city.” Leon and Ellie are proud owners of Coffee Links, an immigrant-owned business.

Ellie and Leon’s success story with their business is an important story to highlight. Originally from Mexico City, they immigrated to a new country in 2009 with their three kids. In 2013, they opened their first coffee shop, and today they have two thriving Coffee Links locations.

Entrepreneurship an underlying factor in fueling local economies. In other words, this is a pattern seen all over the world in assisting the economy. Entrepreneurs bring more than 50% to GDP and more than 60% of employment.

Furthermore, 25% of entrepreneurs are immigrant-owned and are positively influencing the economy, including job growth, unemployment, home values, and reduced vacancies.

Improving the Economy

Small businesses are a leading driver of poverty reduction. This is an alternative sector in socio-economic development that is alleviating poverty. According to the International Journal of Research Studies in Agricultural Sciences (IJRSAS), small businesses have had significant positive effects in both developing and developed countries.

Leon truly believes his business has contributed to the local economy, “The taxes give back to the community. All of it stays here in the community.”

When talking about why it is important to create local jobs, Leon Araujo answers, “The team is 50% of the support.” According to the Immigration Policy Center, immigrant entrepreneurs can contribute to local communities by modernizing neighborhoods and public areas, rejuvenating cities and towns.

More specifically, establishments like Coffee Links, a cafe/coffee shop, are the backbone of communities. Coffee Links, like many immigrant-owned businesses, attracts more local business and creates jobs. For example, it can generate direct hires, delivery drivers, cleaners, and suppliers. It can draw attention to collaborations with vendors, coffee roasters, florists, or bakers.

Barriers

“It is more difficult to be an immigrant entrepreneur,” says Leon, compared to being a native-born entrepreneur. Common barriers immigrant entrepreneurs face include language barriers and cultural differences. For example, learning a new language is difficult enough; trying to clearly communicate business ideas and follow regulations in a new language adds to the difficulty.

Leon claims there is one barrier immigrant entrepreneurs face that commonly goes unnoticed. It is a barrier to receiving financial assistance or loans. Leon Araujo is a legal resident of the country where he now lives, and he has had difficulty obtaining credit assistance from banks and credit unions, even though he is fully qualified. Many Hispanic entrepreneurs struggle to access financing and investors due to potential language and cultural barriers. According to The Statement, Hispanic immigrant entrepreneurs are more likely to rely on their savings than to take out a loan, seeking minimal funding. However, if they were to maximize their banking resources, they could potentially ”generate $1.4 trillion in additional revenue.”

Remittance

Many immigrant entrepreneurs send money to loved ones in their home countries. This is called remittance. Migrants who send money home have a significant impact on developing countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. In 2023, global remittances were estimated at over $800 billion.

“I do not send remittance to family in Mexico,” explains Leon, “I am invested in where I am now.” Although Leon may not send money home to family or friends, it is not uncommon for Mexican immigrant entrepreneurs to do so. Remittances sent home fund many Mexican households; about 4.5% of families rely on them. 

What does success look like now?

Mexican immigrant entrepreneurship, such as that of Leon and Ellie, strengthens local economies and contributes to global poverty reduction. Around the world, immigrants play a major role in launching new businesses, generating jobs, and stimulating local economic activity — all key components of long-term economic development. Additionally, remittances sent by migrant families provide more financial support to developing countries than traditional foreign aid, making them one of the most effective tools for reducing global poverty.

“When I first started the business, it was tough,” Leon says. He had to remember that success is not linear and there would be many ups and downs with the business. The most important thing was that he had to believe in himself.

Today, Leon has redefined what success means to him. He claims that he and his family have reached success and are open to anything that will expand the business. He continues to strive to develop a 3rd location

– Mireya Aguilar

Mireya is based in Layton, UT, USA and focuses on Business and New Markets for The Borgen Project. 

Photo: Flickr

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Fund for Armenian Relief: Impacting Refugees in 2026

Fund for Armenian ReliefThe changing climate is a persistent issue that is becoming increasingly relevant as severe weather events reach cities around the world. With the consensus that extreme storms are an isolated issue instead of an international one, damage affecting unhoused and refugee communities in 2025 highlighted the importance of nonprofit organizations in the absence of assistance from local governments. Generating more support for displaced persons and the unhoused community begins with sharing stories that evoke relatability and enhance overall understanding of the issue.

Ongoing Advocacy

On Nov. 11, 2025, climate reporter Sabrina Shankman shared insight on the best way to educate people about the significance of climate change at the “Climate Is Every Story” panel series designed for Boston College faculty and students. Shankman said storytelling is the key to proper advocacy, not data points.

Similarly, Neil McCullagh, executive director of the Carroll School of Management’s Joseph E. Corcoran Center for Real Estate and Urban Action and BC ’91, highlighted the effectiveness of Habitat for Humanity’s human-focused narrative. Specifically, he discussed how the partnership between Habitat for Humanity and a faith-based organization provided 13 housing units that improved the lives of struggling families. Initiatives like this are powerful and help communities visualize the bigger picture and give their support.

Relief Efforts

Habitat for Humanity is a global organization based in Atlanta, Georgia, that provides housing assistance. Habitat for Humanity works with communities around the globe, serving about 70 countries. In 2025, research revealed that inadequate access to housing is a global issue, with 1.8 billion people worldwide unable to find affordable housing.

The organization continues to operate with the philosophy that “a world where everyone has a decent place to live” is possible. Its programs aid populations suffering from poverty, economic disadvantages and other challenges. There are similar nonprofit projects that provide items usually inaccessible to low-income individuals. Habitat for Humanity ReStore offers used household items at affordable prices. Proceeds from these items help the organization collaborate with local families to provide accessible housing for low-income individuals.

Volunteers from the Global Village program improve the lives of communities internationally by building houses in countries including Guatemala, Honduras, Kenya, Malawi and Romania. Other nonprofit projects have provided people in Brazil with a water tank as a response to a disaster in the region.

Global Village volunteers also responded to the risk of natural disasters in Cambodia by building water towers while providing homes for displaced persons in the Dominican Republic. These programs are creating momentum toward housing equity in underdeveloped countries. Relief efforts are giving people a fresh start. Mobilizing volunteers is one of the most effective methods to advocate for change. Still, innovative and sustainable solutions are needed to address fluctuating levels of support for services.

Forced Displacement and Hunger

A variety of challenges affect refugees, but one of the greatest trials they face is hunger. Currently, refugees receive most assistance from nongovernmental organizations.

Sustainable living practices empower refugees to find nourishment through natural resources. Educating displaced persons on agricultural practices equips them with tools to avoid hunger and improve individual economic circumstances. A significant level of impact has been achieved through targeted programs. In particular, nonprofit projects like FAR’s Support for Artsakh’s Displaced Project teach students horticulture and gardening skills. For example, 15-year-old student Nanar Markosyan learned horticulture and gardening through this program, which prepared her to attend the National Agrarian University to pursue greenhouse management.

Sustainable farming approaches, such as tending soil or caring for livestock, promote self-reliance and resilience. Programs like these help prevent reliance on third-party food sources that may not always be available.

This approach can also be seen in the Fund for Armenian Relief’s malnutrition treatment programs established by a local NGO aiming to end malnutrition. The “Breakthroughs in Child Nutrition and Development for Healthy Generations” program was established in September 2020 to provide nutrition assistance to preschoolers and kindergarteners. As a result, 354 children received nutrition assistance in Ijevan, Tavush marz, Armenia. Focusing on successful programs like these helps ensure that child hunger is reduced or eliminated.

Fund for Armenian Relief

Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) assists refugees fleeing life-threatening circumstances. FAR also provides food assistance and humanitarian support to help vulnerable communities in Armenia. The organization was created after the devastating earthquake in 1988, when the Armenian diaspora in the U.S. provided food and supplies. After the disaster, FAR identified the need for additional forms of assistance, which led to resilience-centered initiatives. Currently, the organization operates soup kitchens, assists vulnerable and abused children and supplies clean water. What began as a mission to help refugees rebuild their lives after the 1988 earthquake has evolved into a multifaceted nonprofit organization offering services related to health care, education, economic development, child protection and social services.

The Borgen Project spoke with Bree Carriglio, executive director of Fund for Armenian Relief, regarding the organization’s progress and goals for refugee assistance in 2026. Carriglio described progress made toward supporting displaced populations. When discussing food insecurity among children, Carriglio said, “FAR is always working to identify different ways we can provide nourishment to our most vulnerable populations. Our soup kitchens, old age home and child malnutrition programs in kindergartens are just a few ways we do this, and every year we evaluate how we can improve the nutritional values of our menus and reach more people.”

Carriglio noted that hunger was a major issue among displaced populations after a nine-month blockade prior to fleeing. Following the displacement between 2023 and 2024 resulting from conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, FAR provided immediate aid to 14,000 families during the first six months.

Nutrition Deficits

FAR aims to assess specific nutrition deficits in children through its malnutrition program this year. In 2026, the organization anticipates progress in its food aid programs and plans to identify opportunities to expand nutrition assistance through program evaluations. Looking ahead, Carriglio emphasized that continued efforts to support displaced refugees are essential to expanding FAR’s mission. She said the key to rebuilding lives is to “make sure they have not only the physical resources to do that but also the psychosocial support and other resources to address the emotional toll this type of trauma can have on individuals.”

FAR’s nonprofit projects continue to show progress. Because the organization has no political affiliation, funding relies heavily on donors. In some cases, FAR has partnered with the Armenian government to administer programs that demonstrate measurable outcomes. FAR has also participated in advocacy efforts to raise awareness about forced displacement and food insecurity among refugee populations. Carriglio said, “During the last crisis, we raised awareness by reaching out to the diaspora and sharing both firsthand accounts of the crisis and how we were mobilizing to help, which focused on both immediate assistance in the form of humanitarian aid and implementing strategies to help displaced individuals rebuild their lives.”

However, these resources are not sufficient to sustain every program. Budget cuts created funding gaps, forcing FAR to end a workforce program for vulnerable populations, including veterans reentering the workforce. Monetary aid remains the most effective form of support because food can be purchased within Armenia and distributed without delay.

The Path Forward

The conflict that caused nearly 100,000 refugees to flee Artsakh and cross the Armenian border is one of many challenges displaced persons have endured.

Fund for Armenian Relief has the ability to adapt to change and its mission to provide humanitarian support continues to transform the lives of vulnerable children, including those facing challenges beyond food insecurity. Other nonprofit projects, such as Habitat for Humanity’s Global Village program, have secured housing and supplied clean water internationally.

Investing in programs that support vulnerable communities serves as both immediate relief and a long-term strategy for mitigation. Raising awareness and building strategic partnerships can help reduce the challenges faced by populations struggling to meet basic needs worldwide.

– Lala McCullough

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

Photo: farusa