Archive for category: Global Poverty

Key articles and information on global poverty.

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The HIV Epidemic in Zambia: Project HOPE

HIV Epidemic in ZambiaAccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2023, 9.8% of Zambia’s population ages 15 to 49 was living with HIV, with about 15,000 related deaths recorded that same year. Based on the distribution of HIV across the population, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) classifies Zambia as having a generalized HIV epidemic. HIV epidemics are considered “generalized” when transmission occurs largely through sexual activity in the general population, meaning programs that focus only on specific vulnerable groups are unlikely to significantly reduce overall transmission or achieve eradication.

In Zambia, several nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) have worked to reduce the impact of the HIV epidemic. These include the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and FHI 360. One of these organizations was Project HOPE, a global health and humanitarian organization operating across five continents with a mission to improve access to care and health outcomes worldwide. Project HOPE has operated in Zambia since 2019, focusing on reducing the effects of the HIV epidemic, particularly among children and adolescents.

Project HOPE’s Efforts in Zambia

Because Zambia is experiencing a generalized epidemic, HIV transmission occurs primarily through unprotected sexual activity. However, there is a significant disparity between young men and women ages 15 to 24. In 2020, HIV prevalence among young women was 5.7%, compared with 1.8% among young men. This disparity may be linked to factors such as high rates of early pregnancy, earlier sexual debut, coercion linked to unequal power dynamics and age-disparate sexual relationships, all of which are prevalent among adolescent girls and young women in Zambia.

Project HOPE identified these dynamics as a major concern and focused its work on addressing the underlying socioeconomic factors that influence HIV transmission among adolescents and young adults.

On the ground, Project HOPE supported HIV treatment efforts by helping ensure access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), counseling adolescents and young people on positive sexual health practices and supporting HIV health informatics programs. The organization also partnered with the Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia to support the Empowered Children and Adolescents Project through community interventions and case management.

Through these efforts, Project HOPE provided antiretroviral therapy to 388,836 adults and children living with HIV and delivered gender-based violence education to 2,565 individuals. On Sept. 8, 2025, Project HOPE announced that it had ended operations in Zambia as of June 2025. The organization cited reductions in U.S. foreign assistance funding following a realignment of foreign aid policy as the primary reason for the decision.

The America First Global Health Strategy

The America First Global Health Strategy was introduced by the U.S. Department of State in September 2025. The strategy responded to concerns about inefficiencies in global health foreign assistance programs. According to the Department of State, only about 40% of global health aid reached frontline workers and commodities, while 60% supported technical assistance, program management and other overhead costs.

Officials attributed this imbalance to earlier policies that emphasized direct investment through NGOs, which they said created parallel supply chains and procurement systems alongside local governments.

As a result, the policy shift led to significant reductions in U.S. Agency for International Development funding for NGOs, with a greater emphasis on delivering aid through local governments. The stated goal is to strengthen public health systems and build long-term self-sufficiency in responding to crises such as the HIV epidemic.

The Role of NGOs in Zambia

As the America First Global Health Strategy takes shape, organizations such as Project HOPE have struggled to sustain operations in countries like Zambia. However, Steven Neri, Project HOPE’s senior regional director for Africa, emphasized the continued importance of NGOs when speaking with The Borgen Project.

“Project HOPE was able to bring our expertise from across Africa and around the world to support the HIV prevention, care and treatment program in Zambia,” Neri said. “Our ability to bring lessons from outside Zambia and work with Zambians to translate those lessons into effective HIV programs is something that I am proud of.”

Neri also highlighted the role of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which has invested more than $110 billion in HIV programs globally, in advancing innovation and expertise in HIV management.

The Future of HIV Management in Zambia

Although Project HOPE has concluded its operations in Zambia, HIV epidemic management continues through coordination between the U.S. and Zambian governments. On Nov. 18, 2025, the Department of State announced that the first doses of lenacapavir had been delivered to Zambia.

Lenacapavir is a twice-yearly injectable PrEP medication that offers a long-acting alternative to daily oral pills, particularly for individuals who face challenges with adherence or access to health care. On Nov. 4, 2025, after 12 working days of review, both tablet and injectable forms of lenacapavir received approval for HIV prevention from the Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority.

As U.S. funding shifts away from NGOs and places greater responsibility on local governments, Project HOPE has emphasized the importance of retaining proven best practices during this transition. Neri expressed cautious optimism about the future of HIV management in Zambia while stressing the need for continued support for on-the-ground delivery.

“Making lenacapavir available in Zambia is consistent with the original focus of PEPFAR,” Neri said. “Without medicines, it is impossible to have a successful HIV program, and without program funding, it is hard to imagine how access to medicines will improve. The two go hand in hand.”

– Nikhil Kumar

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

Photo: Flickr

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A Glance Into Poverty in Portugal

Poverty in PortugalPortugal, a beautiful country, is littered with sprawling cathedrals and castles. One of Portugal’s primary attractions is its high number of visitors. According to Road Genius, Portugal attracts an average of 15 million to 18 million people per year; despite being such a popular tourist destination, Portugal continues to battle with many financial and economic problems. This article will outline the problems and solutions to tackling poverty in Portugal.

A Glance Into the Facts About Poverty in Portugal

SDG Watch Europe states that 2.2 million people, which makes up about one-fifth of Portugal’s population, are at risk of poverty or social exclusion. Portugal had an economic crisis from 2011 through to 2015, which elongated its existing financial issues. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic furthered this.

Portugal observes an extremely large gap between the richest and the poorest. Euro Weekly News states that the wealthiest 25% of the population hold 48% of the country’s total income.

SDG Watch Europe argues that having a job in Portugal does not guarantee its citizens a decent standard of living. For instance, in 2017, about one out of every five people was earning the national minimum wage. Women earning the national minimum wage were double the amount of men.

SDG provides a few solutions: one is to strengthen the social protection and the benefits system to make it fairer and more effective for society in Portugal. Secondly, it recommends a focus on more inclusive growth through policies of income and wealth distribution. This includes more equal and progressive taxation.

Addressing Education in Portugal

SDG states that education is improving in Portugal. For example, school dropout rates have fallen and there has been a sharp increase in girls’ education. However, SDG illustrates that Portugal is one of the least educated countries in Europe with 22% of the population completing only the first cycle of compulsory education. Many children under the age of sixteen end up leaving school in search of work or live on the streets.

According to Eurydice, the Portuguese Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation has launched a Learning More Now Plan, in the school year of 2024-2025, which includes a “strengthening of assessment literacy in leadership” and “early interventions to prevent yearly retention and early school dropout.” Strengthening education is one solution to reducing poverty in Portugal.

The Portuguese National Action Plan

The Portuguese National Action Plan began in 2022 and plans to continue in 2030. This plan has seen a development of initiatives such as the reduction of poverty among children and young people, with the goal of a reduction of 170,000 children in poverty by 2030. So far, there has been 270 measures to reduce the risk of poverty such as the free school meals, enhanced housing support and social benefits.

The President’s Stance on Poverty

According to The Resident, the current president of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, has admitted his frustration with the lack of improvement in Portugal’s poverty figures. At the start of the mandate, the president hoped to help eradicate poverty and improve the situation for the homeless. To improve, President de Sousa has argued for the implementation of a global strategy to eradicate poverty in Portugal.

Portugal needs a large improvement in reducing poverty, particularly for a country that attracts so many global visitors per year. Implementing the solutions that the SDGs set out helps tackle Portugal’s financial and economic issues. This is furthered by initiatives in education such as the Learning More Now Plan.

– Joe Langley

Joe is based in Edinburgh, Scotland and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Foreign Aid to Kashmir

Foreign Aid to Kashmir
Kashmir is the United Nations’ longest ongoing, unresolved area of conflict, dating back to 1948. Today, three nuclear powers share occupation of the land. India controls 48% of the territory, Pakistan runs 35% and China covers 17%. About 40% of the population lives below the poverty line, according to the Kashmir Welfare Foundation.

On both ends of the highly-militarized area, Kashmiri people are subject to several human rights violations, including restrictions on political freedom and the systemic discrimination of religious minorities. Around 70,000 people have been killed in the midst of the conflict over the last 29 years alone.

Aside from the political turmoil, Kashmir is also prone to fatal natural disasters, such as earthquakes and floods. The lack of infrastructure, industries, access to education and proper health care in Kashmir prolong the territory’s recovery from these catastrophes and keep its people in poverty. Foreign aid to Kashmir is a significant component in rebuilding its infrastructure and supporting its civilians, caught in the crossfire between governments.

US Humanitarian Aid

In 2014, monsoon floods devastated Kashmir, killing more than 460 people, displacing 1 million and shoving several more into poverty. This flood was the worst Kashmir has seen in 100 years, as it severely damaged the agriculture, trade, infrastructure and tourism industries in the area. The Indian government provided relief, but it failed to reach 300,000 people and aid-workers called the efforts inadequate. In response, the U.S. provided $250,000 in foreign aid to Kashmir. This included sending humanitarian relief to NGOs in India through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The NGOs then used the aid to provide general supplies and temporary shelters for those who lost their homes.

After an earthquake erupted across Kashmir in 2005, the aftermath took the lives of 47,000 people, left more than 2 million without shelter and displaced another 2 million. The U.S. sent $510 million towards reconstruction and humanitarian relief efforts, with more than 1,000 American personnel on the ground.

Helicopters and U.S. military flights delivered more than 13,500 tons of resources, including medical supplies, food, materials for shelter and rescue equipment. The U.S. also evacuated 18,600 earthquake survivors and provided medical treatment to around 35,000 civilians.

Today, the U.S. is still Kashmir’s largest foreign government donor for relief. The other largest foreign aid donations to Kashmir come from non-government humanitarian organizations.

European Union Humanitarian Aid

In 2019, an earthquake ripped through Pakistan-run Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The disaster killed 37 people, destroyed 9,000 homes and further pushed 10,500 families into poverty. The European Union provided €300,000 in emergency humanitarian aid for those most affected through the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations. The funding helped at least 3,000 people in some of the most vulnerable areas and supplied access to clean water.

In response to the 2014 monsoon floods, the European Union provided €250,000 in humanitarian assistance, which helped more than 12,000 people in need. The aid included sending hygiene kits, food and livelihood support to 40 villages where the floods had the worst impact.

After the catastrophic earthquake in 2005, the European Union donated €50 million in foreign aid to Kashmir. The funding provided civilians with blankets, tents, water, fuel, health care and sanitation supplies.

The Impact of Foreign Aid in Kashmir

Overall, the U.S. and the European Union helped combat poverty in Kashmir with foreign aid, which provided humanitarian relief and significant support the government could not match. A study by the World Bank revealed that 70% of people in Kashmir living near the fault line, where there was a higher presence of foreign aid workers, said they trusted foreigners or those in the West, such as Europeans and Americans.

Every 10 kilometers away from the fault line, civilians’ trust in foreigners decreased by six percentage points. Consequently, the study suggests that people living in developing countries’ trust of foreigners is a direct response to international humanitarian actions in those regions.

The Future of Kashmir

Shafat Ahmed is a part of Conciliation Resources’ Kashmir Initiative Group, which focuses on peacebuilding. Ahmed led work on conflict-sensitive disaster management in Kashmir and developed a plan that he introduced to policymakers.

“When the focus of governments is on political tensions, the issue of disaster preparedness takes a back seat,” he said in a news release.

The plan outlines effective ways to prepare for and respond to natural disasters in Kashmir. The proposed solutions involve the governments communicating, collaborating and coordinating with each other during humanitarian crises. The solutions also include raising awareness and strengthening the means for civilians to confront natural disasters when they occur.

– Umaymah Suhail

Umaymah is based in Karachi, Pakistan and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Net Café Refugees: Japan’s Hidden Urban Poverty

Net Café RefugeesIn Japan, a subtle form of homelessness has surfaced, particularly in the 24-hour internet cafés, which are traditionally viewed as venues for late-night gaming or manga reading. Instead of conventional street living, many low-income workers utilize these cubicle-sized booths as makeshift bedrooms. According to a poll by the Tokyo metropolitan government, it is estimated that around 4,000 individuals spend their workday nights sleeping in these cafés.

The growth in internet café homelessness exposes a deeper and frequently disregarded reality: poverty occurs even in high-income countries and is getting harder to escape, even though the world often considers Japan to be one of the most prosperous nations on Earth.

A High-Tech Refuge for the Working Poor

Many internet cafés in Tokyo, Osaka, and other large cities provide overnight packages that include free drinks, showers, reclining seats and private cubicles. These facilities offer a unique blend of affordability, anonymity and safety for those with inconsistent jobs or wages.

Often referred to as “net café refugees,” people who live in cafés are not always jobless. Many work as delivery drivers, cleaners, warehouse employees, convenience store employees, or part-time office assistants. However, saving for traditional housing is practically impossible due to low wages and irregular hours.

How Poverty Drives Internet Cafe Homelessness

Rising poverty in Japan has led to increased homelessness among internet café users, driven by unstable employment and low wages. Approximately 40% of workers engage in nonregular jobs, which offer diminished pay, benefits, and job security. A missed paycheck can swiftly result in homelessness, prompting individuals to use internet cafés as temporary, low-cost shelters.

High housing costs in Japan, particularly in cities like Tokyo, challenge low-income workers due to the rental system’s requirement for large upfront payments. This situation forces many, estimated at up to 4,000 according to a 2018 survey, to use internet cafés as their primary homes.

Internet café homelessness impacts a wide range of people, including young adults with precarious part-time jobs, middle-aged people laid off from long-term positions, internal migrants from rural areas looking for work in the cities, women fleeing abusive households or financial hardship and those who are cut off from their families and lack a support system.

Many workers do not fit the homeless stereotype. During the day, they blend in with metropolitan masses, keep their jobs and dress nicely. They discreetly withdraw to cramped cells rather than apartments at night. Because they are invisible, it is more difficult to track the issue and simpler for society to ignore it.

The Daily Reality of Cafe Living

Internet cafés, while providing short-term housing, could negatively affect residents’ physical, economic and emotional well-being. Inadequate bedding leads to physical strain and chronic fatigue, while limited access to hygiene facilities impacts self-esteem and health. Irregular sleep patterns further exacerbate mental health issues like depression and anxiety.

Many net café refugees face ongoing stress from unstable living conditions, working without a safe place to sleep, which leads to fatigue and reduced job performance. The costs of café stays, irregular sleep, social isolation, and the lack of a stable address hinder access to jobs, banking and government aid, reinforcing a cycle of poverty even in wealthy nations.

Acknowledging the serious issue of homelessness, local governments like Tokyo’s administration are implementing emergency housing, free counseling, job placement programs and short-term lodging in government hostels. While these initiatives provide important support, they often offer only temporary relief rather than addressing the underlying causes of internet café homelessness, such as high housing costs and low wages.

NGOs Filling the Gaps

Numerous nonprofit organizations in Japan, such as Homedoor, are actively helping individuals facing hidden homelessness by offering free or low-cost temporary accommodation, food, clothing and hygiene products. They assist in navigating government services and advocate for changes to housing and employment laws, playing a crucial role for those hesitant to approach government offices.

Policy experts recommend several changes to end the cycle of poverty and hidden homelessness. Increasing the number of inexpensive public apartments and modular housing units could expand affordable housing initiatives and offer longer-term, safer housing options.

A Poverty Crisis Hidden in Plain Sight

The growing number of net café refugees in Japan highlights the unexpected forms of modern poverty, despite the country’s wealth. As revealed in a 2025 exposition on hidden homelessness, many have to live in internet cafés, capsule hotels or unstable flats while contending with systemic barriers that perpetuate their low-income, precarious situations.

The international community may better understand the different forms of poverty and support solutions that guarantee everyone, regardless of location, has access to secure, stable housing by bringing attention to this mostly unseen problem.

– Katelyn Leano

Katelyn is based in Plainfield, IL, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Melioidosis in Bangladesh Threatens Rural Communities

Melioidosis in BangladeshHidden beneath flooded rice fields and carried by monsoon rains, a little-known disease is shaping a quiet public health crisis. Melioidosis in Bangladesh exists at the intersection of climate, poverty and limited health care access. Yet it remains largely invisible in national disease statistics.

For many patients, the illness never earns its real name, instead slipping through the health care system disguised as more familiar conditions. Rural communities suffer the most severe consequences, as their livelihoods depend on daily contact with soil and water. Understanding why melioidosis continues to evade recognition is essential not only to saving lives but also to protecting the people who sustain Bangladesh’s economy and food security.

Misdiagnosed, Misrepresented and Misunderstood

Melioidosis manifests differently from person to person and can range in severity from flu-like symptoms to skin abscesses and sepsis. Burkholderia pseudomallei enters the body through ingestion, inhalation or skin cuts, allowing it to infect the bloodstream, lungs and skin, sometimes simultaneously. Because the bacteria can affect multiple organ systems, melioidosis is often misdiagnosed as tuberculosis, fungal infections or even cancer.

These misdiagnoses can delay treatment, even though antibiotics must be started promptly and completed fully to improve recovery outcomes. Since the ’60s, hospitals in Bangladesh have reported only around 100 cases of melioidosis. This figure is widely believed to underestimate the true burden of the disease.

One study estimates that melioidosis in Bangladesh could account for up to 17,000 cases and 9,500 deaths each year. This gap is mainly due to limited clinical awareness and insufficient laboratory capacity for proper diagnosis. Patients with other underlying conditions, known as comorbidities, are at a higher risk of melioidosis, including those with diabetes, alcohol use disorder and chronic lung disease, which may complicate diagnosis further.

Rural Communities in Bangladesh at High Risk

Burkholderia pseudomallei is well-adapted to Bangladesh’s warm, humid climate. The bacterium thrives in environments with year-round high temperatures, waterlogged soil and frequent monsoon rainfall. As a result, rural communities, particularly those dependent on agriculture, face the greatest risk of infection.

Agriculture accounts for nearly 90% of rural employment and many farmers work barefoot or without protective equipment, increasing their exposure through direct contact with contaminated soil and water. Social factors further compound the risk. Poverty rates in rural Bangladesh stand at around 20%, compared with 16.5% in urban areas.

Illness caused by melioidosis can prevent individuals from working, deepening economic hardship for affected families and communities. Looking more broadly, the agricultural sector is one of the most productive in Bangladesh’s economy, contributing around 11% of the national GDP. Rural farming communities sit at the heart of this system.

Yet, they often have the least access to health care due to geographic and financial constraints. Protecting farmers and their families from melioidosis, therefore, supports not only their health and livelihoods but also the country’s food security and export capacity. This underscores the need for adequate protective equipment and timely access to effective antibiotic treatment.

Fighting for Futures: The South Asian Melioidosis Congress

In 2023, the third South Asian Melioidosis Congress (SAMC) met in Dhaka, Bangladesh, to discuss emerging research concerning the tropical disease and to share methods of its detection and management. These educational meetings aimed to raise awareness of melioidosis and provide physicians with the tools for accurate diagnosis. This proved successful, with nine reported cases of melioidosis in Bangladesh soon after the SAMC’s conclusion, each patient with different symptoms.

This reflects the vigilance of health care professionals regarding the early diagnosis of melioidosis as empowered by the collective effort of the SAMC to fight this disease. Following the conclusion of the fourth SAMC at the end of 2025, organizers are hopeful that renewed awareness will lead to more diagnosed cases being reported in Bangladesh. The theme of the fourth SAMC, “Melioidosis: The Great Mimicker,” highlighted the disease’s ability to mimic a wide range of illnesses.

The most recent congress brought together experts from across the world in Northeast India to discuss key issues surrounding melioidosis, including diagnostic approaches, public health implications and treatment guidelines. These discussions aimed to raise awareness of the disease and strengthen future efforts to protect vulnerable rural communities.

– Charlotte Bunn

Charlotte is based in Bristol, UK and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How Soil Digital Intelligence Is Changing Farming in the Sahel

Farming in the SahelThe Sahel stretches 6,000 kilometers across Africa. The United Nations Integrated Strategy for the Sahel (UNISS) estimates that 400 million people are residing in these 10 countries in the Sahel: Senegal Gambia, Mauritania, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, Cameroon and Nigeria.

According to the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the population of the Sahel will reach 500 million by 2050. The region also has one of the youngest populations with 65 % of the population being younger than 25 years old. Despite this rapid growth, climate and political instability continue to threaten food systems, emphasizing the importance of why soil digital intelligence is changing farming in the Sahel.

Effects of Climate and Political Instability

Natural disasters continues to shrink arable land and reduce habitability for plants, animals and humans. Political turmoil also disrupts the livelihoods of many farmers through social unrest and violence, severely affecting smallholder farmers in the region, according to IFAD.

These challenges have lowered agricultural yields, causing nutritional deficiencies and a worsening pastoralist economy. A main contributor to these declining yields is the lack of data on fertilizer conditions, which forces recommendations by governmental and research organizations to remain broad. Limited data also prevents national agencies from allocating resources and funding to support local farming communities.

The Introduction Of Digital Soil Intelligence

To address declining food production in the Sahel, leaders at the U.N. Climate Summit in Belém (COP30) prioritized climate finance and adaptation. It focused on digital soil intelligence platforms, which combine satellite imagery and climate data to provide real-time land health information. Soil digital intelligence is changing farming in the Sahel. One example of this technology is the Soil Values Geoportal.

Countries using the Soil Values Geoportal can now factor the following data into their restoration plans:

  • Organic carbon levels
  • Moisture deficits
  • Erosion risk
  • Biomass productivity
  • Weather indicators

Access to detailed information on soil health enables policymakers to formulate more efficient guidelines and funding efforts. The integration of these tools plays a critical role in rural communities, where gaps in connectivity and coverage restrict access to basic soil guidance.

Platforms, such as the Soil Values Geoportal, function in low-bandwidth environments and provide relief in the form of mapping of livestock grazing conditions and seasonal water points.

The digitalization of land mapping also proves useful for environmental management. Farmers can determine the precise amount of nutrients necessary for fertilizer use and prevent acidification or contamination. These practices promote long-term sustainability and improve food security throughout the Sahel.

The Future of Digital Soil Intelligence

As extreme weather becomes a more pressing problem, soil digital intelligence is changing farming in the Sahel. Equipping farmers with real-time information on fertilizer health and rainfall patterns will begin to bring nutritional and social stability. Tools, such as the Soil Values Geoportal, are key to creating sustainable farmland and resilience to environmental stress. Further investment in these technologies is crucial for the people of the Sahel as the economy continues to grow.

– Sachin Kapoor

Sachin is based in Atlanta, GA, USA and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Digital Opportunity Trust: Promoting Digital Inclusion

Digital Opportunity TrustDigital innovations in online education and e-commerce have created new avenues for poverty reduction through economic inclusion. The digital economy can drive inclusive development by equipping people with the tools to lift communities out of poverty. Access to the internet provides better education and skill development, enhancing employability and market participation.

Digital Opportunity Trust

Digital Opportunity Trust (DOT) is a Canadian organization that delivers programs to young entrepreneurs on how to profit from the digital economy. Since 2002, DOT has been working to bridge the digital divide by connecting young people globally to essential digital skills. More than 3 million people in impoverished communities across more than 20 countries have benefited from DOT’s youth leaders.

DOT fosters inclusive development by preparing young leaders to participate in the digital economy and support economic growth at a local level. DOT’s Youth Entrepreneurship program aims to mitigate barriers to digital inclusion by providing young people with access to digital tools in addition to skill training and development. With a solid foundation in digital competencies, DOT is positioning young entrepreneurs as leaders of economic growth.

Initiatives like the Digital Bridge Project aim to educate 10,000 young people in Kenya and Ethiopia on how to use digital tools for their professional and personal development by April 2026. This initiative cultivates a new generation of digitally literate leaders prepared to drive poverty reduction in the digital age.

Economic Benefits of the Digital Economy

We can look to Kenya’s progress for how digital inclusion can transform a society and strengthen its economy. The “Silicon Savannah” has seen steady growth in its Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector since 2016, creating jobs across almost all industries. Kenya’s investment in developing human digital capital aligns with DOT’s efforts to create a “digitally savvy workforce” capable of tapping into new opportunities for economic growth in the digital sphere.

Creating more jobs, especially for young people and promoting sustainable development by leveraging digital markets. The combined efforts of the public and private sectors support job creation and economic diversification in the digital age. Furthermore, Kenya’s adoption of broadband infrastructure has positioned the country as a leader in Africa’s digital economy.

Through its progressive digital strategy policies, Kenya aims to create 300,000 new jobs by 2028 by integrating digital technologies across the agriculture, transport, manufacturing and trade sectors.

Rural Barriers and New Pathways

While progress is being made, the digital divide disproportionately impacts rural populations. Limited internet access among 83% of rural residents limits digital skill development and market participation. To bridge this gap, DOT Kenya youth leader Samuel Mathenge led training sessions that enabled youth in Nyeri County to engage with the digital market.

Through DOT’s Youth program, he strengthened his own skills and trained more than 600 young people in digital literacy. “My journey with DOT Kenya has not only transformed me into a confident digital skills facilitator but also a compassionate and patient leader,” Mathenge stated. Fresh off his DOT training and equipped with the confidence to lead, Mathenge worked with other young people to not only master digital tools but also prepare for the job market.

Together, they searched for careers in the tech sector, refining their CVs and preparing for interviews. DOT’s investment in one young entrepreneur has created a cycle of youth empowerment in Kenya. Mathenge is just one of thousands of DOT Youth leaders globally, working to foster inclusive development in their communities.

Digital Foundations for Poverty Reduction

Digital inclusion opens pathways for education, skill development and youth participation in the labour markets, laying a digital foundation for economic growth and poverty reduction. Indeed, initiatives by DOT empower young entrepreneurs to engage with the digital economy, equipping them with the skills and agency to drive sustainable growth. DOT places economic power in the hands of young leaders, enabling them to thrive in their communities and create lasting change.

– Hope Jowharian

Hope is based in Paris, France and focuses on Business and New Markets for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How Organizations Advance Equitable Health Care in Eritrea

Health Care in EritreaAlthough health care in Eritrea has improved in important areas, such as declining mortality rates, over the past decade, vulnerable populations and rural communities continue to face the adverse effects of health care disparities. Several international organizations and community-based programs work to bridge the gap and increase accessibility to quality health services.

Health Care Disparities in Eritrea

Numerous disparities in health care access and services exist between urban and rural populations in Eritrea. The percentage of women receiving antenatal care from a health care professional in Eritrea increased significantly from 49% in 1995 to 70% in 2002. However, access remained uneven, with 91% of women in urban areas receiving antenatal care compared to just 59% in rural areas

A similar disparity appears in facility-based childbirth. In urban areas, the proportion of women giving birth in a health facility rose from 58% in 1995 to 62% in 2002. In contrast, the figure for rural women increased only slightly, from 7% to 9% over the same period.

Disparities in access to obstetric services were also evident across education levels. In 2002, approximately 88% of women with some secondary education were assisted by a trained health worker during childbirth, compared with 36% of women with only primary education and just 12% of those with no formal education.

Multiple disparities also exist in child health outcomes:

  • In 2002, the infant mortality rate was 48 per 1,000 live births in urban areas, compared to 62 per 1,000 in rural areas.
  • The under-5 mortality rate stood at 86 per 1,000 in urban areas, rising to an average of 117 per 1,000 in rural communities.
  • Stunting affected 20% of children whose mothers had higher education, compared with 35% of children whose mothers had primary education and 44% of those whose mothers had no formal education.

Disparities in Mental Health Treatment

Due to the increasing prevalence of mental health disorders in Eritrea, mental illnesses are among the leading causes of disability, comorbidity and mortality in the country. In 2014, the prevalence rate for common mental disorders was 14.5% and the estimated number of children with intellectual disabilities was between 30,000 and 40,000. However, because adequate mental health workers and services are limited, many mental illnesses and disorders are likely undetected or misdiagnosed.

Nonetheless, several organizations provide essential support to Eritrean refugees. Around 5,000 people flee the country each month to escape hardship and mandatory military service, increasing the need for mental health services in refugee camps. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) launched a mental health program in 2015 in Ethiopia’s Hitsats and Shimelba camps, offering counselling and inpatient and outpatient psychiatric care.

The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) also provides Mental Health and Psychosocial Support through counselling, psychological first aid, referrals and community-based activities that strengthen social connection and resilience.

Expanded Program on Immunization

The World Health Organization (WHO) identified physical barriers as a major challenge to immunization coverage in rural communities. In response, WHO implemented the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) in Eritrea to improve vaccine access, reaching more than 42,000 children and 150,000 mothers. By 2024, the program achieved national immunization coverage rates exceeding 95% for several vaccines.

UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Eritrea

The country program for Eritrea, outlined in the U.N. Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2022-2026, aims to enable more Eritreans to benefit from equitable and inclusive health and social services by 2026. The program outlines some goals for improved health and social services, including:

  • Increase the percentage of births attended by trained personnel from 71% to 85% to reduce preventable maternal deaths. 
  • Reduce the adolescent birth rate for girls aged 15-19 years from 27 per 1,000 to 14 per 1,000.

To achieve these goals, the program implemented several interventions, including:

  • Strengthening the capacity of health workers: Training doctors, nurses, midwives and anesthetists across Eritrea to provide quality emergency obstetric care, post-partum care, family planning, HIV prevention and gender-based violence support.
  • Building health system resilience: Deploying internationally trained obstetricians and gynecologists to remote and underserved areas, supported by technology to improve communication and service delivery nationwide.
  • Increasing access to maternal waiting homes (MWHs): Expanding and improving MWHs, which provide accommodation for pregnant women from remote areas during the final weeks of pregnancy, to enhance safe deliveries and postnatal care.
  • Advocacy: Promoting awareness of preventable maternal deaths and unmet family planning needs to inform government policies, planning and budgeting.
  • Supporting the National Fistula Diagnosis and Treatment Center (NFDTC): Strengthening services for fistula prevention, treatment and rehabilitation to ensure adequate national coverage.
  • Expanding adolescent and youth services: Strengthening and utilizing the existing network of youth-friendly centers to improve access to care.
  • Strengthening HIV prevention services: Enhancing delivery of HIV prevention interventions, particularly for high-risk populations such as female sex workers.
  • Empowering women and young people to use health services: Using community outreach and mobilization to increase uptake of HIV and gender-based violence services.
  • Reinforcing health information systems: Reestablishing and improving health management information systems, including maternal and perinatal death surveillance and response mechanisms.

Additionally, the country program works in collaboration with UNICEF and the WHO to strengthen the distribution and supply chain systems for medicines and medical supplies across Eritrea. This joint initiative aims to address unmet needs in family planning, reduce preventable maternal deaths and combat gender-based violence and harmful practices.

Community-Based Programs

  • Malnutrition Screening and Detection: UNICEF and the Ministry of Health (MoH) work together to train community health volunteers to use mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) tapes to screen for and detect malnutrition in children under 5 and to provide referrals for treatment. These volunteers deliver life-saving interventions to approximately 50,000 acutely malnourished children each year.
  • Bare Foot Doctors Initiative (BFDs): BFDs trained through UNICEF help strengthen community-based service delivery in areas facing geographic barriers to health care. Their deployment has enabled 68,000 women and children to access essential public health services. By 2022, UNICEF had trained a total of 121 community members as BFDs.
  • Community Health Workers (CHWs): CHWs are a key component of community-based child health interventions in the Maekel Region aimed at reducing child mortality. Indeed, CHWs provide case management for pneumonia, malaria and diarrhea, the leading causes of death among children under 5 and lead community education sessions on child health. The MoH provides training and oversees the distribution of medical supplies and medications used by CHWs. The program has improved access to health care services and strengthened relationships between the MoH and local communities across the Maekel Region.

Conclusion

Notable work is being done to improve health care in Eritrea. Trained CHWs and volunteers extend services to areas previously out of reach. Organizations implementing health interventions benefit vulnerable populations and areas, including Eritrean refugees.

Organizations implementing health interventions are reaching vulnerable populations, including Eritrean refugees and helping to close existing care gaps. Together, these initiatives continue to drive progress toward a more equitable health care system in Eritrea.

– Sarah Merrill

Sarah is based in Matthews, NC, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay

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How Public Libraries Are Alleviating Poverty in Rural South Africa

Poverty in Rural South AfricaIn rural South Africa, where access to education, technology and employment opportunities is often limited, public libraries are playing a pivotal role in breaking the cycle of poverty. These libraries have transformed into vital community hubs that offer much more than just reading materials. They are gateways to education, digital literacy and skills development, providing rural populations with the tools they need to improve their livelihoods.

The Role of Public Libraries in Rural South Africa

Public libraries in rural South Africa play an essential role in enhancing the local information environment by providing equitable access to information, education and digital tools. In areas with limited resources, these libraries serve as crucial community hubs, offering a wide range of services, including access to books, the internet and educational programs. By bridging the digital divide, public libraries empower individuals with the skills needed to navigate the digital world, improving their chances of economic success and social inclusion.

Furthermore, libraries facilitate lifelong learning by offering various educational opportunities, from early childhood literacy programs to adult education and vocational training. In this way, public libraries help address information poverty, promote equality and contribute to sustainable development, alleviating poverty in rural communities across South Africa.

Empowering the Next Generation

One of the most significant ways libraries help reduce poverty in rural South Africa is through their work with children and young people. In under-resourced communities, libraries serve as spaces for learning and personal development. Programs such as after-school tutoring, reading clubs and skills workshops help improve literacy and encourage a lasting interest in education.

By supporting the education of the next generation, libraries play a vital role in breaking the cycle of poverty that has held many families back for generations. For young adults, libraries offer opportunities for personal development and career advancement. Workshops on job readiness, training on resume writing, application processes and interview skills are often conducted in collaboration with organizations.

These programs give young people the tools they need to succeed in the job market and secure employment, thus enhancing their economic prospects and contributing to local economic growth.

Access to Information and Resources for Adults

Public libraries also serve as vital resources for adults seeking to improve their lives. In rural South Africa, many adults face unemployment or underemployment, often due to limited skills or restricted access to information. Libraries help address this gap by offering resources that go beyond traditional reading and language support.

Today, public libraries play an important role in promoting Media and Information Literacy (MIL). In an increasingly digital world, they help individuals develop the skills needed to critically engage with information, assess sources and use digital tools responsibly. Supported by UNESCO, MIL equips people to navigate online spaces safely and build trust in digital technologies.

This includes addressing challenges such as the spread of misinformation and disinformation, hate speech and the growing decline in trust toward media and digital technologies like artificial intelligence. By offering MIL resources alongside traditional literacy programs, libraries empower individuals to make informed decisions and engage more effectively with the information ecosystem. Over time, these efforts contribute to reducing poverty in rural South Africa by strengthening digital confidence, critical thinking and access to opportunity.

Success Stories: Impacting Lives in Rural Communities

One notable success story is the African Library Project. This nonprofit organization establishes libraries in rural and underserved communities across Africa. The initiative has played a key role in improving literacy rates and expanding educational opportunities by collecting and distributing books to schools and local libraries.

Through partnerships with community members and volunteers, the African Library Project helps create sustainable, resource-rich libraries that support both students and adults. These efforts not only provide access to essential learning materials but also encourage a culture of reading, helping to bridge educational gaps and promote lifelong learning across the continent.

Overcoming Challenges and Looking Ahead

Despite the positive impact that public libraries have had, challenges remain. Many libraries in rural South Africa face challenges, including a lack of competent, qualified staff and outdated, limited resources. However, there is hope.

Efforts are underway to address these challenges. Recent studies and advocacy initiatives highlight the important role libraries play in development, particularly as public access points for information and communication technologies (ICTs) and community-based programs. Organizations such as the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) and the African Library and Information Associations and Institutions (AfLIA) are actively working to amplify the impact of African libraries and expand their role in development efforts.

These efforts, supported by local and international advocates, reflect a growing recognition of libraries’ transformative power to foster development and improve access to information in underserved communities. With sustained support, public libraries can become powerful agents of change in the fight against rural poverty. By providing access to knowledge, skills and opportunities, they help individuals build better futures for themselves and their communities.

– Chris Tang

Chris is based in Singapore and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Success of Foreign Aid to Cuba

Foreign Aid to CubaBack in the 1950s, Cuba had the third highest per capita income in the Americas. Now, Cuba represents the longest embargoed nation on the planet, with a dwindling economy and a myriad of humanitarian issues. An aggressive U.S. policy of prohibiting trade stifles the country’s attempts at domestic development.

Why Did Foreign Aid to Cuba Cease?

For 63 years, since 1963, the United States has enforced a commercial and economic embargo against Cuba. Far more than simply an attack on Cuban trade, the U.S. policy attempts to globally isolate the island. At its core, the embargo legally bans American investment in Cuba while utilizing extraterritorial sanctions and resulting fines to deter investments from U.S. allies. 

Beyond this, the embargo prevents Cuba from selling its products in U.S. markets or to its allies. In return, it denies Cubans the ability to trade with their natural economic partner just 90 miles away, forcing them to source essential food and medicine from costly suppliers.

While the Obama and Biden administrations passed limited exemptions for travel, the foundational statutes of the embargo remain unaltered, leaving its restrictive core legally and politically intact. While the Obama and (although less) Biden administrations passed limited exemptions for travel, this was not a repeal of the statutes that brought the embargo into U.S. law and because of this the Trump administration had the ability to re-instate the full enforcement. Despite widespread criticism against the U.S., the nation is able to enforce the Embargo through its global-leading status and UN Veto.

Its Consequences

The consequences of the embargo permeate every facet of Cuban life. Though Cuba holds a strong domestic health care industry, the U.S. embargo has blocked access to new health-equipment and forced the country to rely on ‘intermediaries or substitutes, at exorbitant prices for inferior quality.’ As a result of the embargo, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Cuban health industry lost $80 million – a loss that, should it persist, could lead to a breakdown of services. The U.S. Embargo also blocks Cuban farmers from accessing modern equipment and parts, leading to low-yield harvests and rationing. The nutritional deficiencies that the U.S. embargo caused have led to a rise in low birth weights and have triggered neuropathy epidemics in 50,000 Cuban adults.

Financially, U.S. law is prohibiting Cuban banks from processing dollar transactions, and foreign institutions can face billions in U.S. penalties for facilitating trade, rendering Cuba entirely isolated – such as the French bank BNP Paribas which faced an $8.9 billion fine in 2014 after engaging in Cuban transactions. This U.S. policy strangles Cuban entrepreneurs, who cannot affordably import supplies, access international credit or standard payment platforms like PayPal. The embargo also caused energy insecurities, which have led to frequent blackouts across Cuba, completely halting all activity. Consequently, the embargo forces many Cuban businesses into informality, reliant on black market cash-based deals, something that could only be ended if foreign aid to Cuba was re-initiated.

Paradoxically, although the United States created the embargo to pressure the Cuban government, it has only strengthened the regime by allowing its leaders to characterize themselves and their hardship as victims of aggressive U.S. foreign policy. Thus, the embargo continues a cycle of hardship without advancing its stated political goals, condemning the future of Cuban generations.

Solutions

Beyond the actions of the Cuban government or the remittances from the diaspora, the international community undertakes significant efforts to mitigate the humanitarian harm that the embargo caused. Multilateral organizations like the World Food Programme (WFP) lead these efforts, which in 2024, fed 1,320,867 people in Cuba, in addition to providing specialist malnutrition prevention schemes for 268,497 Cubans. The global community also navigates U.S. sanctions to support Cuba, such as the EU, which has allocated $125 million in cooperation funds since 2020, or China, which has regularly tried to develop Cuban industries, including an $1.8 billion credit line so that Cuban public transportation and the logistics involved could be improved. While effective, naturally, the support of these global actors wanes with the geopolitics that the U.S. pursues.

Complementing these governmental efforts, a network of international NGOs are working at the grassroots level to support the people of Cuba. One example is Oxfam, which works in rural and urban provinces to provide supplies and helps address the damage of natural disasters. Another critical NGO is Cuba Vive, which works yearly to raise more than £200,000, all of which goes back to Cuba as medical supplies/personnel.

What Needs to Be Done?

As The Washington Office on Latin America said, the embargo “no longer benefits any players in the game— not the United States and certainly not the Cuban people.” The United States-Cuba Trade Act bill would repeal the core embargo statutes (the Helms-Burton and Torricelli Acts) and restart the flow of foreign aid to Cuba, opening humanitarian channels, reuniting families and reintegrating the Island into the world.

As a 2023 UN General Assembly report concluded, the embargo continues “the adverse… on the Cuban people and on Cuban nationals living in other countries.” Cuba’s recovery hinges on the Embargo’s erasure and replacement by the UN and U.S. courts with a new paradigm of foreign engagement. One that replaces hostility with genuine economic partnership and brings foreign aid to Cuba again.

– Eli Thomson

Eli is based in Preston, UK and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash