Archive for category: Humanitarian Aid

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How US Aid Freezes Jeopardize USAID Programs in The Gambia 

USAID Programs in The GambiaIn the delicate landscape of democratic consolidation, foreign assistance serves as an indispensable scaffold for nations emerging from prolonged autocracy. For nearly a decade, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and partnered State Department programs have acted as a foundational pillar supporting The Gambia’s painstaking efforts to rebuild its public institutions following the 22-year dictatorship of Yahya Jammeh. However, according to the IMF’s April 2026 Regional Economic Outlook, these hard-won stabilization gains across Sub-Saharan Africa are now under severe macro-financial pressure. 

USAID Programs in The Gambia

Historically, this recovery has faced steep domestic hurdles. The 2026 regional economic slowdown to 4.3%, which external shocks, rising commodity inflation and climbing fertilizer costs that threaten fragile agricultural sectors drove, further exacerbated the structural vulnerability of the Gambian economy. While past USAID programs in The Gambia actively worked to alleviate these conditions, funding community-based civic education and agricultural resilience workshops, the IMF reports that declining foreign aid is creating sharp headwinds for poverty reduction and food security across low-income, non-resource-rich nations. 

The sudden freeze of USAID programs in The Gambia mirrors a dangerous, broader regional trend identified by the IMF: a synchronized, donor-driven contraction in bilateral official development assistance (ODA). As the IMF warns that these structural aid cuts hit fragile and low-income states the hardest, Banjul must navigate a high-stakes political transition with severely diminished external financing. Despite these immediate structural pressures, a combination of alternative European partnerships and regional civil society coalitions is actively working to safeguard the country’s democratic gains.

The Foundation of Institutional Rebirth

For a small, aid-dependent nation like The Gambia, international development assistance has historically been focused on systemic, long-term stabilization. Following the democratic election of President Adama Barrow, Washington stepped up its engagement, deploying targeted grants through USAID alongside multilateral frameworks led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to bolster governance, the rule of law, and anti-corruption measures. As the UNDP’s transitional justice initiatives detailed, these funds and partnerships were strategically channeled into rewriting the country’s repressive legal frameworks, training an independent judiciary and reinforcing security sector reforms meant to depoliticize the national armed forces and police.

Prior to the funding freeze, U.S. aid directly supported the infrastructure behind the country’s landmark transitional justice mechanisms, including the implementation phase of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC). International governance experts emphasize that such foundational support is critical for young democracies struggling to root out deeply embedded corruption and heal societal divisions that a generation of authoritarian rule left behind.

The Strategic Fallout of the Funding Freeze

The trajectory of governance in West Africa experienced a sharp disruption following a widespread freeze on foreign aid programs funded by the U.S. government. In Banjul, the sudden suspension brought critical joint projects with local ministries to an immediate standstill, exposing vulnerabilities across several priority areas:

  • Constitutional Reform – The U.S. government froze funding originally designated to support the National Assembly during the complex drafting and review of the new Constitution Amendment Bill, slowing down essential legislative progress.
  • Human Rights Oversight – The government has deferred frucial grants to expand the operational capacity of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), limiting the state’s ability to independently monitor abuses.
  • Media and Civic Space Protection – The government has abruptly cut subsidies aimed at training independent journalists, upholding ethical media monitoring standards and supporting civic education in schools.

When international funding pipelines dry up, the financial and administrative burden shifts back onto a fragile state economy already struggling with inflation and low human capital. Without robust alternative buffers, the structural gaps left by sudden aid cuts threaten to undo years of delicate institutional progress.

Towards a Positive Future

While external financing gaps have introduced significant friction, a robust multilateral effort is actively working to protect the Gambia’s progressive path. In alignment with its Global Gateway strategy, the European Union has stepped forward as a critical stabilizing partner, allocating €193 million in bilateral grant funding for the 2021–2027 period. These funds are explicitly designated to consolidate democratic transition, strengthen the National Social Protection Secretariat, and transform the rural energy infrastructure by powering 1,000 schools and 100 health centers via sustainable solar grids.

Simultaneously, international governance organizations like International IDEA have launched the EU-funded Consolidation of Democratic Dispensation in The Gambia (EU-CODE) project. Through this initiative, they have partnered directly with local networks, including the Gambia Press Union (GPU) and the CSO Gender Platform, to build legislative capacities, deliver ethical media monitoring training and amplify human rights and women’s representation within the national constitutional process. Ultimately, these cooperative frameworks demonstrate that the collective resolve of European institutions and local civic actors remains an essential buffer in maintaining the country’s democratic journey.

Looking Ahead

Ultimately, the suspension of U.S. foreign assistance exposes the deep vulnerabilities of transitional states operating under severe macro-financial pressures. While the freeze on USAID funding has abruptly disrupted critical pillars of democratic consolidation, stalling constitutional reform, human rights oversight, and civic space protections, The Gambia’s trajectory is not entirely compromised. The swift intervention of multilateral frameworks, catalyzed by the European Union’s €193 million Global Gateway strategy and International IDEA’s localized partnerships, highlights a shifting paradigm in international development. By successfully absorbing structural shocks, this diversified coalition of European institutions and local civic actors demonstrates that while single-donor dependencies pose high risks, a resilient, multi-layered international network remains a powerful buffer capable of safeguarding a young democracy’s hard-won gains.

– Ioana Marin

Ioana is based in Bucharest, Romania and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Migration to Ecuador: An Untapped Economic Potential 

Migration to EcuadorWith a total population of approximately 18 million and an area of 276,841 square kilometers, Ecuador is one of the smallest countries on the South American continent. Due to its geographical location, it is also one of the largest host countries for hundreds of thousands of migrants. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), migration to Ecuador is significant as more than 123,000 irregular migrants cross the Ecuadorian-Colombian border each year.

Meanwhile, the UNHCR estimates that nearly 500,000 refugees, asylum seekers, or people in need of protection have remained in Ecuador in the hope of a better life. Most of these are irregular migrants from Colombia and Venezuela. These groups are at risk of marginalization due to stigmatization, discrimination and a lack of valid documentation—yet new data shows that a well-organized strategy for integrating refugees has immense potential to boost the country’s economic growth. However, since the outbreak of the pandemic in 2020 the country has been struggling with serious crime issues. Drug cartels and gang crime are causing an increasing exodus of young and productive Ecuadorian workers. The result: no economic growth and a rising poverty rate.

Emigration of Productive Labor

Ecuador, once known as the “Island of Peace,” attracted immigrants from around the world due to its comparatively low homicide rate. As the Center for Strategic and International Studies reported, Ecuador’s homicide rate in 2019 stood at 6.7 per 100,000 inhabitants, making it one of the lowest among Latin American countries. 

During the pandemic, the situation shifted dramatically: Lockdowns forced businesses to close, tourism declined and oil exports fell. Ecuador’s central bank reported a 7.8% decrease in gross domestic product (GDP), while unemployment rose rapidly. Three out of 10 workers lost the jobs they held before the pandemic; half of them remained unemployed. The homicide rate jumped to 50.91 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2025.

As a result, income levels in Ecuador have changed: according to the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC), income poverty rose from 25% in 2019 to nearly 33% in 2020—1.4 million people fell into income poverty.

At the time, an undesirable but already well-researched phenomenon plagued the country: the positive correlation between poverty and crime. In other words: rising poverty leads to a higher risk of violence and crime, which, according to Ecuador’s Ombudsman’s Office (DPE), has resulted in the displacement of more than 300,000 Ecuadorians in recent years. Demographically speaking, most of them are young men of working age. A paper by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) calculated the direct cost as an average of 3.44% of the GDP annually. Indirectly, the exploding crime rates slow down economic growth.

Ecuador as a Host Country

Ecuador serves as a transit and entry country for groups from Africa, Cuba and Haiti. The country has, for decades already, been experiencing an influx of refugees from countries plagued by armed conflict and violence. Nonetheless, two main groups mark migration to Ecuador: 

Migrants from Colombia who have fled an armed conflict between guerrilla groups and the government that has been ongoing for more than 50 years. There are an estimated 130,000 to 200,000 Colombians living in Ecuador; according to the UNHCR, 94% of the more than 80,000 recognized refugees are Colombians.

In addition, Ecuador is home to Venezuelans who fled the humanitarian crisis under the Maduro regime. Around 440,000 migrants have applied for asylum, but only a small number of Venezuelans in Ecuador have valid residency documents. For Venezuelans, it takes months or even years to obtain a document such as an ID card or a passport. These delays are due to very high financial barriers, political restrictions, and the general collapse of the Venezuelan bureaucracy.

Migrants in Ecuador Face Legal Obstacles and Discrimination

The status of undocumented refugees creates significant barriers and contributes to the marginalization of these groups. At the same time it opens the door to systemic discrimination, exposes them to the risk of crime and violence, and traps refugees in a cycle of poverty. Access to housing, healthcare, education or employment appears to be significantly more difficult. Although an estimated one-third of refugees in Ecuador hold a college degree, the vast majority end up in the informal sector, with some earning a per capita income of only about $175 or less.

People in host countries often stigmatize minorities. They frequently project the violence and poverty prevalent in refugees’ countries of origin onto those seeking protection, which hinders their cultural and socio-economic integration. In crisis and conflict situations, politicians exploit fear and uncertainty for propaganda against migrants, in the hope of achieving better election results by stoking fears of competition for jobs or a strain on public finances.

Migration to Ecuador Can Boost Economic Growth

However, contrary to all the clichés, propaganda, and hate campaigns, recent statistics from the Center for Global Development (CGD) show that Venezuelan migrants are underrepresented among those detained for criminal offenses in Ecuador. In 2025, Venezuelans made up 2.4% of Ecuador’s population but accounted for only 1% of all detainees. Studies even suggest that refugees are more likely to be victims of crimes committed by their hosts than the other way around, but most of these cases remain unreported due to lack of trust in Ecuador’s authorities.

Given the country’s precarious security and economic situation, the integration of migrants is a crucial factor for economic growth and the well-being of the Ecuadorian population. As the International Organization for Migration (IOM) notes, Venezuelan migrants contribute an estimated $900 million annually to the Ecuadorian economy—simply through their consumption of goods and services. A well-thought-out bureaucratic strategy and a liberalized refugee policy could benefit the country and generate additional resources to combat gang violence and crime.

Migration and Poverty

Humanitarian aid plays a crucial role in integrating migrants into Ecuador’s society. The situation in Colombia is a prime example of how vital financial support can be for the stabilization and integration of refugees: the country has taken in over 2 million Venezuelans. Through programs such as the “Humanitarian Cash Transfer” (HCT), which was funded by USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), households received $100 per month over a six-month period.

A study conducted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimated the total cost of health care, education and other services for this period of assistance—assuming a total of 2 million refugees—at $1.3 billion. The IMF’s analysis highlights that host countries are under significant financial pressure. However, the study found a surprisingly positive impact on the countries’ productivity. Due to the growth of labor force and a better match between migrants’ human capital and available jobs, these countries are able to achieve meaningful productivity and growth gains in the medium term. The study estimates that GDP could grow by 2.5 to 4.5 percentage points by 2030. Furthermore the authors assume that the costs of integrating migrants and refugees would decrease if they gained access to the labor market due to increased economic activity and the expansion of the tax base. 

Projects such as HIAS’s Economic Empowerment Program aim to educate Venezuelans about their economic opportunities and help them develop a greater awareness of their skills and how to apply those skills in a business setting. By offering training, mentoring programs and start-up capital, Venezuelans can be integrated into the labor market. In this way, refugees are provided with a sustainable livelihood—while simultaneously contributing to a net benefit for Ecuadorian society and economic growth.

Conclusion

Migration to Ecuador plays a major role in the country’s middle-term and long-term development. In order to boost economic growth, Ecuador must tackle its national crime rate explosion. Therefore, the country needs to break its cycle of poverty, especially amongst migrants from Venezuela and Colombia. Moreover, the Ecuadorian population should recognize the potential that refugees bring to their country. Foreign aid and assistance combined with a consistent socio-economic integration strategy can provide long-term solutions for downsizing poverty and minimizing the negative effects on Ecuador’s economy.

– Oliwia Kowalak

Oliwia is based in Berlin, Germany and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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5 Charities Operating in Myanmar

Charities Operating in MyanmarThe saying “The children are our future” is a widely held belief that underscores the importance of prioritizing children’s well-being worldwide. Yet, some regions, including Myanmar (formerly known as Burma), fall short of this ideal. This is not a unique issue facing Myanmar, however. Fortunately, Myanmar’s children are not alone in their fight for a better future. Five charities operating in Myanmar are responding to the crisis with diverse, supportive action.

What Are Some Challenges Facing Myanmar?

Myanmar is a Southeast Asian nation bordering India, Bangladesh, China, Laos and Thailand. Its geographic location and ethnic diversity have contributed to long-standing internal conflict.

In February 2021, the military junta staged a coup and assumed absolute control of the country, committing widespread humanitarian violations against the population, including the suppression of free speech, manipulated elections, unlawful detentions, indiscriminate airstrikes on civilians, unregulated resource extraction and restricted access to medical care and supplies.

As foreign aid and attention toward the conflict dwindle, Myanmar sinks deeper into chaos. Protecting the most vulnerable is crucial, and humanitarian action for Myanmar’s children is imperative.

Humanitarian Action for Children in Myanmar

Myanmar’s conflict has created an urgent and time-sensitive need for humanitarian action for children. Violence, displacement and disruptions to educational and health services continue to threaten children across Myanmar. By mid-2025, as the scope of the military takeover expands and intensifies, the conflict has internally displaced more than 3.5 million people, including 30% who are children. Of the 20 million people requiring assistance, 6.4 million are children.

Environmental disasters exacerbate children’s safety concerns. Cyclones, typhoons, monsoon floods and earthquakes destroy vital infrastructure, including homes, schools, hospitals, access to clean water and proper sanitation, especially in underserved areas.

About 55% of Burmese children live in poverty. Malnutrition and lack of immunization for vaccine-preventable diseases limit opportunities. Ongoing violence, attacks, forced military recruitment and marriage threaten children’s well-being. Sanctuaries for children are vanishing due to both natural disasters and human conflict.

Myanmar’s children still have the opportunity for a better future. Five charities operating in Myanmar continue working tirelessly to alleviate suffering and provide vital humanitarian aid to Myanmar’s children, helping them find happiness and a reimagined future.

5 Charities Operating in Myanmar

  1. Save the Children: Save the Children Myanmar is one such charity operating on the ground. It provides humanitarian aid to children in Myanmar through programs in education, health and nutrition. It offers malaria testing and emergency relief and shelter for children affected by the 2025 earthquake. Since COVID-19, Save the Children Myanmar has implemented educational programs to help children enroll in school and regain a sense of normalcy. Save the Children Myanmar has operated in the country since 1995, maintaining a neutral and impartial presence while helping children “survive, learn and be protected.”
  2. UNICEF Myanmar: UNICEF Myanmar has been dedicated to supporting children in Myanmar for more than 70 years. Its success stems from decades of experience and adaptability in the region, allowing them to promote children’s rights, understand local problems and provide effective solutions. Whether in remote areas or with local communities, UNICEF Myanmar aims to make a difference, regardless of location or circumstance. After the 2025 earthquake, it offered emergency aid, emotional and psychosocial support, including safe spaces for children to smile, play and simply be kids.
  3. The Shew Ya Min Foundation: The Shew Ya Min Foundation (SYF) is a charity organization with a mission to ensure that disadvantaged children in Myanmar receive the support they need to escape the cycle of poverty. Its goal is to assist abused children by providing access to education, health care, counseling and life skills to help them navigate instability. Its humanitarian aid for children is diverse, including drop-in and housing centers, mobile outreach programs and emergency shelters in Yangon. The SYF accommodates 100 children during the school year, with a boarding center housing more than 50 students and a medical clinic accepting 35 patients daily.
  4. World Vision International Myanmar: World Vision International Myanmar is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization. Its humanitarian aid for children in Myanmar transcends religion, race, ethnicity and gender, protecting the innocence of children exposed to violence and hostile environments. Child protection and disaster response are priorities, and implementing education, health, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene programs improves livelihoods and offers hope for the future, benefiting more than 1.35 million children, including 349,383 girls, 319,724 boys and 1,322 children with disabilities.
  5. Children of the Mekong: Children of the Mekong has operated in Myanmar since 1958, providing humanitarian aid to Myanmar’s children and remaining faithful to its goal of loving and supporting them by offering a future through education. To improve individual lives, the charity helps children build character and grow intellectually, emotionally and morally. On-the-ground development programs create environments suitable for education, with access to drinking water, housing, and school supplies. Sponsors help more than 23,400 children attend school. These programs help children avoid child labor and exploitation while gaining access to education and long-term opportunities. The organization intentionally meets the needs of children and families and is determined to support Myanmar’s children in the long term.

Looking Ahead

The good news for Myanmar’s children is much louder than the noise of hardships stripping them of a happy childhood and a safe future. Their resilience, combined with the dedication of humanitarian organizations, continues to bring attention to their struggles and needs. These five charities operating in Myanmar have answered the call and affirmed their unwavering support for Myanmar’s children. Providing children with a safe environment where they can grow and thrive remains essential.

– Elora Gunn

Elora is based in Louisville, KY, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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The International Affairs Budget: How It Saves Lives Worldwide

The International Affairs BudgetThe International Affairs Budget accounts for less than 1% of total federal spending in the United States (U.S.), yet it continues to play a major role in reducing global poverty and supporting humanitarian aid worldwide. The budget funds diplomacy, food assistance, international health programs and development programs that provide millions of vulnerable people with access to clean water, education and health care. As Congress debates Fiscal Year 2027 spending priorities, advocates argue that protecting these investments is necessary for humanitarian progress and long-term international security.

Global Health Programs and Humanitarian Aid

The International Affairs Budget supports programs through agencies such as the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). According to the U.S. government, the U.S. provided nearly $3.7 billion in humanitarian assistance to Sub-Saharan Africa during Fiscal Year 2024, supporting food assistance, emergency relief and humanitarian programs in regions affected by conflict and displacement. In 2024, USAID and the U.S. Department of Agriculture also deployed $1 billion in emergency food assistance to address the growing global hunger crisis.

Global health funding also remains one of the most important components of international affairs spending. U.S.-supported initiatives have helped combat diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis in developing nations. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), malaria prevention efforts have saved millions of lives globally over the last two decades.

Specific Global Impact

In countries such as Zambia and Kenya, U.S.-supported HIV/AIDS programs through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) have expanded access to antiretroviral treatment and reduced AIDS-related deaths. According to the U.S. Department of State, PEPFAR has saved more than 25 million lives globally since its creation in 2003.

Supporters of the International Affairs Budget argue that these programs improve health outcomes abroad while helping vulnerable communities recover from conflict, displacement and food insecurity.

Debates Over Foreign Assistance Spending

Foreign aid and development spending remain active topics in Congress. The House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee continue reviewing legislation and discussing policy related to diplomacy, humanitarian assistance and international development programs.

Advocates for protecting the International Affairs Budget point to the connection between poverty reduction and economic development. According to the Center for Global Development, investments in development assistance can help reduce instability, support economic growth and strengthen international partnerships.

International Cooperation and Poverty Reduction

International cooperation remains a major part of global poverty reduction efforts. Organizations such as the United Nations and the World Bank continue to partner with governments and humanitarian organizations to improve food security, education and access to medical services in low-income nations. According to the World Bank, nearly 700 million people worldwide still live in extreme poverty, surviving on less than $2.15 per day.

Outside the United States, countries such as the United Kingdom and Ireland continue to support international development programs. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office publishes updates on humanitarian relief and education programs worldwide. Irish Aid also supports programs that address hunger, improve access to health care and provide economic development in disadvantaged regions.

Moving Forward

Despite the International Affairs Budget’s relatively small size, proposed funding cuts have prompted concern from advocacy groups and humanitarian organizations. Certain critics argue that reducing foreign aid funding could weaken life-saving programs and limit America’s ability to respond effectively to global crises. Supporters claim that diplomacy and development funds remain important components of humanitarian response efforts worldwide.

As lawmakers continue to discuss FY27 spending priorities, deliberations on the International Affairs Budget mirror broader questions about America’s position in global development and humanitarian leadership. While the budget accounts for only a fraction of federal spending, its impact touches the lives of millions worldwide. For many advocates, protecting these investments is both a human rights responsibility and an important investment in a safer and more stable future.

– Gabriel Perez

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

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Poverty in the Sahel Region: Rural Neglect Versus Urban Bias

Poverty in the Sahel RegionThe WHO has described the north-central band of Africa below the Sahara Desert, known as the Sahel region, as a humanitarian crisis due to factors including poverty, instability and armed conflict. Poverty in the Sahel region is not only shaped by these circumstances. It is also influenced by a persistent policy pattern known as urban bias, in which cities receive disproportionate investment while rural areas are systematically overlooked.

Because poverty is more visible and politically concentrated in cities, government spending, humanitarian aid and infrastructure projects tend to prioritize urban areas. As a result, rural regions like the Sahel receive fewer health facilities, weaker transportation networks and less reliable energy access, despite facing equal or greater levels of need.

Malnutrition and Disease Outbreaks in the Sahel

Nigeria, a Sahel country, has one of the highest percentages of residents living in extreme poverty. Additionally, its arid climate makes it more likely to experience drought. This reality makes the area vulnerable to food shortages.

In context, close to one million children in the Sahel region under the age of 5 experience extreme malnutrition. The average lifespan in the Sahel region is about 20 years shorter than that of someone from Switzerland. Aside from malnutrition, the Sahel region is also particularly vulnerable to disease outbreaks and epidemics. 

For instance, there were more than 110,000 recorded cases of cholera in the area in 2021, compared to two in the U.S. that same year. These nutrition and health outcomes are not solely the result of climate or geography. Urban bias limits rural access to clean water systems, preventative health care and rapid disease surveillance, allowing otherwise preventable health crises to escalate in the Sahel.

Logistics 

Logistical challenges in the Sahel, such as transporting food, medical supplies, staff and other resources, are often treated as natural obstacles but usually stem from decades of urban-biased investment decisions. Limited road networks, underdeveloped supply chains and weak rural transport systems are the result of prioritizing cities over rural connectivity. For solutions to reduce poverty in the Sahel region, there must be measures that enable transportation across this vast, arid area.

The Sahel Adaptive Social Protective Program

The Sahel Adaptive Social Protection Program (SASPP) is a multi-donor trust fund established by the World Bank in 2014. It was created in response to several issues facing the Sahel region. It works with institutions and groups to strengthen social programs in the region.

The program provides technical assistance, capacity building and financial support for pilot interventions in six Sahelian countries. Since its inception, the project has allocated more than $270 million to investment projects, strengthening Adaptive Social Protection (ASP) systems in the region. ASP systems are social programs that help build the resilience of impoverished households. 

They do this by investing in their capacity to anticipate, respond to and recover from crises like climate shocks or economic downturns, ensuring they do not fall deeper into poverty.

Closing Remarks

If access to low to no-cost transportation expands, those living in the Sahel would be able to use these resources much more freely. By expanding technology access, the possibilities could be endless. Current technology is developing in such a way that it could help all of the factors determining extreme poverty in the not-too-distant future.

Redirecting resources to rural infrastructure and services offers one of the most realistic paths to reducing extreme poverty in the region.

– Nicole Miller

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

Photo: Flickr

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The Liberation of Port-au-Prince: Humanitarian Aid in Haiti

Humanitarian Aid in HaitiFor the first time in years, Port‑au‑Prince is experiencing a fragile, but meaningful, shift. Neighborhoods long held under the control of armed gangs have been partially liberated, allowing residents to move with a freedom that had become almost unimaginable. After years of escalating violence, mass displacement and the near‑collapse of essential services, the liberation of Port-au-Prince represents more than a tactical gain. It offers a rare opening for humanitarian aid agencies that have struggled to reach communities in Haiti, trapped behind shifting frontlines.

Background

The scale of Haiti’s crisis is difficult to overstate. According to the U.N. Human Rights Office (OHCHR), gangs controlled up to 90% of Port‑au‑Prince as recently as 2025. They restricted movement, blocked trade routes and subjected civilians to extortion, kidnapping and sexual violence.

The U.N.’s March 2026 report on gang expansion documents 5,519 people killed and 2,608 injured between March 2025 and January 2026, with women and girls disproportionately targeted. The collapse of policing and justice institutions left entire neighborhoods effectively under siege, governed by armed groups whose authority rested on fear.

The Liberation of Port-au-Prince

However, recent security operations have begun to change this landscape. The Haitian National Police, supported by international partners including the U.N. Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) and contributors to the U.N.-mandated Multinational Security Support Mission, have regained limited control of several key routes and districts. U.N. experts describe this moment as a “glimmer of hope,” noting that police are now more visible and mobile in areas that had been inaccessible for months. 

This assessment is echoed in the U.N.’s broader human rights reporting, which frames the current moment as a rare but important opening for stabilization. For residents, the change is immediate and tangible. They can now cross neighborhood boundaries without paying extortion fees, as well as reach markets and health centers that were previously blocked off by gang violence.

Humanitarian Aid in Haiti

This shift has profound implications for humanitarian access, with Haiti’s situation being among the most severe in the world. According to the U.N. Humanitarian Action for Children, more than 6.4 million people are expected to require assistance in 2026, including 1.4 million internally displaced people. Furthermore, only 10%–11% of health facilities within Port-au-Prince with inpatient capacity are operating normally. 

Humanitarian aid agencies were unable to reach gang-controlled zones in Haiti, forcing them to rely solely on remote support or limited airlifts. The partial liberation of Port‑au‑Prince has opened a narrow yet vital corridor for humanitarian work. Mobile health clinics have begun reaching displaced people sheltering in schools and makeshift camps. 

The Need for Sustained International Support

The liberation of territory has also revealed the depth of trauma endured by children. A joint OHCHR–BINUH report found that at least 26 gangs in the capital are involved in child trafficking using boys for extortion and armed operations, while subjecting girls to sexual slavery. More than 500,000 children live in gang‑controlled areas and many have been misidentified as perpetrators, executed by police or vigilante groups. 

Even with improved access, Haiti’s humanitarian system is under severe strain. U.N. humanitarian assessments warn that gender‑based violence services face significant funding gaps and many displacement sites lack basic management structures. Food assistance pipelines risk interruption and children with acute malnutrition may remain untreated if funding shortfalls continue. 

Without sustained international support, the gains from recent security improvements could quickly erode. The broader political context also remains uncertain, as Haiti has not held national elections since 2016. Additionally, the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021 left the country without an elected head of state. 

Governance institutions remain weak and accountability for human rights violations, whether committed by gangs or the police, remains rare. OHCHR’s report describes the situation as a “severe deterioration” in human rights conditions, driven by gang expansion, institutional collapse and systemic impunity.

As humanitarian aid access improves in Haiti, agencies stress the need for reintegration programs, safe spaces, school‑based protection systems and cash‑transfer schemes that reduce the economic pressures driving recruitment.

Concluding Thoughts

The liberation of parts of Port‑au‑Prince is best understood not as a turning point, but as an opening. It offers a chance to scale up emergency assistance, rebuild essential services and strengthen protection for women and children. However, it also underscores the need for predictable funding and long‑term support for Haitian institutions working to restore the rule of law. 

For Haitians, the hope is that this moment marks the beginning of a broader recovery, one in which safety and opportunity replace fear and displacement.

– Max Kenway

Max is based in London, UK and focuses on Technology and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay

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How Humanitarian Aid in Cuba Is Keeping the Lights On

Humanitarian Aid in cubaIn the last two weeks, Cuba has experienced two major blackout events, leaving nearly all 11 million residents without power. An aging power grid, coupled with disruptions in global oil trading, has left the country’s power supply faltering. 

Cuba’s Power Grid Failures

Blackouts are not a new phenomenon for most Cubans; they have become accustomed to rolling power outages. The power grid infrastructure has been relied on far longer than intended. Many businesses have had to invest in solar panels to avoid losing power midday, rather than relying on the electrical grid. Over the last few years, this problem has been exacerbated, forcing citizens to adapt to living off-grid.

Day Zero 

Despite these difficulties, life for Cubans has recently worsened. Earlier this year, Venezuela ceased sending oil to Cuba, causing massive shocks to the country’s power system. Nearly half of Cuba’s oil needs were previously supplied by Venezuela. This gap in power production has left Cuba effectively running out of fuel, creating the conditions for an island-wide blackout.

Unlike blackouts of the past, the entire island, aside from those with solar panels or generators, was without power for over a day. The Cuban national news network was even down for 1.5 hours, citing the blackout as the cause. Coupled with these problems is the loss of oil trade with Mexico, which has also halted shipments to Cuba.

Food Insecurity

The aging electrical grid and the massive oil shortage in Cuba have created a dire situation for many citizens. The United Nations (U.N.) warned that the country could be on the verge of a humanitarian collapse. Refrigerators have not been much help over the last two weeks, as they have remained shut off, leading to food spoilage.

Some Cubans have resorted to buying food daily to prevent spoilage. Government officials have encouraged citizens to conserve food, fuel, water and even phone batteries. Hospitals can operate for only two to five hours during this energy crisis.

In response to the bleak situation, Cubans have protested by gathering in the streets of central Havana, the country’s capital and banging pots and pans.

Flotilla Provides Necessary Humanitarian Aid in Cuba

Nonetheless, hope arrives at the ports in the form of aid-bearing flotillas providing humanitarian aid to Cuba. The Nuestra America Convoy to Cuba (NAAC), an “international coalition of individuals and organizations dedicated to delivering critical aid to the Cuban people,” launched on March 21, 2026. The NAAC brought food, medical supplies and solar panels to help Cubans cope without their electrical grid.

Individual countries have also sent aid, with Canada pledging $8 million in food aid to Cuba. Another North American contributor, Mexico, has already sent more than 1,000 tonnes of food aid in the last two weeks. Chile, China and Italy have also pledged support. These efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to Cuba play a major role in preventing the situation from becoming even more critical than it already is.

Conclusion 

With an aging power grid and the failure of multiple oil trade agreements, Cuba has suffered. Two island-wide blackouts have occurred in the last two weeks, along with daily power outages nationwide. These problems can be addressed through long-term investment in energy infrastructure and diplomatic trade discussions. 

However, humanitarian aid to Cuba is helping citizens caught in the crisis. Envoys from around the world have descended on the country, bringing the supplies Cubans lack.

– Zaccheri Morra

Zaccheri is based in Tallahassee, FL, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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ADRA Mongolia: Protecting Vulnerable Communities

Justice, Compassion, Love: The success of ADRA Mongolia in protecting vulnerable communitiesThe Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) was established in 1983 as the humanitarian branch of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. In 1994, ADRA became the first NGO to open a branch in Mongolia following the nation’s regime change. During this period of civil unrest, the charity focused on providing basic necessities. However, as the country stabilized, the charity’s mission expanded. This makes it important to understand the success of ADRA Mongolia in protecting vulnerable communities, as the NGO provides a model of proactive survival techniques and long-term community development.

The Mission

For 32 years, ADRA Mongolia’s mission has been to support Mongolia’s most vulnerable communities, particularly rural nomadic populations living in ecologically dangerous regions. To better support Mongolia’s poorest communities and their varied needs, the charity divided its mission into five categories: health, livelihood, agriculture, emergency and outreach.

Protecting Vulnerable Communities

  • Health Programs. ADRA states that “health is at the heart of so much of the world’s poverty and suffering.” For this reason, ADRA Mongolia spends significant resources connecting rural families with physicians and medical facilities. Health concerns in the region also prompted the NGO to provide citizens with practical health information. This approach appears in ADRA Mongolia’s recent health project, “Next Gen Celebrations,” which focuses on teaching children ages 12-15 about noncommunicable diseases and prevention strategies.
  • Livelihood Support. ADRA Mongolia also supports the livelihoods of households across Mongolia, some of which survive on as little as $1.90 a day. Financial insecurity remains a significant challenge in Mongolia, where women have only recently gained formal rights and many still struggle to engage with financial systems. By 2021, ADRA Mongolia had supported 3,636 households, helping prevent them from falling below the extreme poverty line. The NGO also runs sustainable livelihood programs that teach rural farmers and herders improved techniques to increase long-term economic stability.
  • Agricultural Programs. Although agriculture forms part of its livelihood programs, ADRA Mongolia treats agriculture as a separate focus because of the region’s harsh ecological conditions. In the Mongolian province of Bayan-Ölgii, winters can reach −50°C, rainfall is scarce and weather conditions can change rapidly. Despite these challenges, ADRA Mongolia runs the CANSAP program in the region, teaching farmers how to extend the growing season and protect crops from failure.
  • Emergency Response. Mongolia faces severe emergency conditions known as the “dzud phenomenon,” during which shifting and dangerous weather places up to 90% of the population and livelihoods at risk. ADRA Mongolia identifies the dzud crisis as one of its central priorities, as Mongolia lost 5,900,000 livestock to the phenomenon in 2024 alone. To deliver emergency relief, ADRA Mongolia launched the “Dzud Emergency Response,” which provided support to 167 of the most severely affected households.
  • Outreach Programs. The final focus category for the charity is outreach, which remains important in Mongolia, where 50% of the population lives in the capital, while the remainder lives across the vast steppes. Outreach work for the NGO includes identifying vulnerable communities and individuals and providing them with a space to voice their needs. To support this effort, ADRA Mongolia established the “ChEMP” program, which equips local churches with disaster management training and regular meetings. These centers serve as community anchor points where people can seek support.

Looking Ahead

ADRA Mongolia differs from many religious charities because it serves people regardless of background or religion. The success of ADRA Mongolia in protecting vulnerable communities demonstrates the impact of multi-layered approaches to poverty reduction and disaster preparedness, supporting thousands of households facing economic and environmental challenges.

– Eli Thomson

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

Photo: Flickr

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Humanitarian Aid in Sudan & Gaza: Celebrities Raise $5.5 Million

Humanitarian Aid in Sudan & GazaOn January 10, 2026, Mustafa the Poet, Pedro Pascal and Bella Hadid hosted a concert in LA named “Artists for Aid,” with the goal of raising money to sustain humanitarian aid in Sudan and Palestine. This was the most successful show of their concert series, raising $5.5 million in one night and featuring A-list celebrities, such as Shawn Mendes and Clairo. 

The Inspiration 

This concert was very different from typical fundraising events, as none of the music directly addressed the atrocities occurring around the world right now; in fact, all the artists were focused solely on creating a good atmosphere. The love and effort put into this event are evident in interviews with the co-hosts, such as Sudanese artist Mustafa the Poet, who has organized similar events in London and New Jersey and often speaks of artists’ power to spread empathy. Furthermore, Hadid spoke at length about her Palestinian heritage and the community and rich traditions in which she was raised. 

The breadth of artists who volunteered to perform at the LA concert was evident in the range of genres: from Mendes and rock bands to a surprise performance from Chappell Roan. The artists split the proceeds equally between the Sudanese American Physicians Association and the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund. Not only are these organizations close to the hearts and heritages of some of the hosting artists, but they are also at the forefront of delivering humanitarian aid in Sudan and Gaza. 

What these organizations do is something rare and complex at a time when these regions can be rife with corruption and political agendas. 

Significance 

This event not only raised substantial funds for humanitarian aid in Sudan and Gaza but also demonstrated how celebrities and artists can leverage their enormous platforms for advocacy and humanitarian efforts. In a time when we read about so much violence and hatred on all media outlets, readers may feel overwhelmed and detached from current affairs. However, events such as “Artists for Aid” can be incredibly refreshing, as they strengthen messages of love and community, which have made the past three concerts so successful. 

The dollars raised in the recent LA concert will reach tens, if not thousands, of Palestinian and Sudanese children, who are currently in dire need of immediate humanitarian relief. In an era when many may feel helpless, events such as these serve a vital purpose by reminding us of the power of community. Moreover, “Artists for Aid” should serve as a reminder to other artists and A-list celebrities of the power of their platforms and the boundless possibilities for using them for good. 

– Vittoria Cortese

Vittoria is based in Washington DC, USA and focuses on Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How Aid Groups Support Migrant Domestic Workers in Lebanon

Migrant Domestic Workers in LebanonIn Lebanon, migrant domestic workers (MDW) experience multidimensional poverty on an exacerbated level. More than 250,000 migrant domestic workers in Lebanon predominantly come from “African and Asian countries” under the kafala system, a sponsorship system that is described as “modern-day slavery.” Women are most affected by this system. According to U.N. Women, women make up 76% of all migrant workers and 99% of MDW who come to Lebanon.

The Kafala System

The Lebanese state excludes MDW from the Labor Law, leaving them without basic legal protections. Instead, they are in a contractual relationship with their employer, who is responsible for their “legal status and visa.” Employers frequently confiscate passports and restrict movement, shaping their daily lived reality. 

U.N. Women reports that “94% of employers withheld the worker’s passport and 61% of employers did not allow the worker to engage in social or learning activities with NGOs.” Working conditions for MDWs under the kafala system are extremely difficult. They are subject to long hours with little to no time off. 

MDWs report “verbal and psychological abuse and physical violence” inflicted on them by their employer. U.N. Women has documented that 22.5% of Lebanese employers “always or sometimes lock their domestic worker inside the house.”

Racialized Labor and Social Discrimination Against MDWs

Racism underpins the treatment of MDWs in Lebanon. Migration patterns document that the majority of MDWs in Lebanon are from Ethiopia. As a result, the term “El-Ethiopiyye,” meaning “The Ethiopian,” is a derogatory label used to refer to all MDWs, regardless of what their actual nationality is. 

Furthermore, health care access remains severely restricted for them. Hospitals and doctors turn MDWs away for “not having legal documents, or simply because they’re not Lebanese.” Many MDWs avoid seeking health care because they fear deportation and lack the financial means to pay for the treatment. 

The combination of poor working conditions and inability to access health care is prevalent in the increasing number of cases in psychiatric consultations. Doctors Without Borders reports that from 2023 to 2024, “psychiatric consultations in the Bourj Hammoud clinic doubled.” 

Economic Collapse, COVID-19 and Armed Conflict

Economic collapse, the COVID-19 pandemic and armed conflict have intensified the vulnerability of MDWs in Lebanon. Following COVID-19, the Lebanese lira depreciated, leading to wage cuts for MDWs. A worker who was able to send their family $200 is now only able to send $120, subject to fluctuating exchange rates.

The 2024 Israel bombing of Lebanon left MDWs extremely vulnerable. Many employers fled Beirut, leaving their workers behind. Doctors Without Borders reports that employers abandoned MDWs on the streets or locked them inside their homes as they fled for safety.

Doctors Without Borders

Doctors Without Borders is an international medical humanitarian organization that delivers lifesaving aid to people in crisis worldwide. The organization operates in more than 75 countries, including Lebanon. Since its founding in 1971, it has been working to deliver care, including surgery, vaccination, nutrition support and mental health support.

The charity has a clinic in the northern Beirut suburb of Bourj Hammoud. Here, the organization responds to medical needs through consultations, sexual and reproductive health services and mental health services. Its clinic also covers any life-threatening referral costs from hospitalization.

To break down barriers for migrant workers accessing health care in Lebanon, it offers translators for medical appointments. This decreases the risk of migrant workers being unable to access appropriate health care due to language barriers. The organization expands its medical care to encompass meeting migrant workers’ basic needs. To support this, it has social workers who refer patients to services that provide basic needs such as food and shelter.

Following the Israeli bombing of Lebanon, the initiative set up a mobile clinic from which it donated essential relief items and delivered medical care. During this aid effort, the organization delivered 400 kits of basic relief items to shelters, which included hygiene materials and mattresses. The organization further provided mental health outreach for those affected by the bombing.

Beatrice’s Story

Doctors Without Borders has helped hundreds of migrant workers, including Beatrice. It documented that on October 6, 2024, Lebanon was under bombardment by Israel and Beatrice had been left locked inside the house alone. To flee her employer’s home, Beatrice jumped from the balcony and broke her ankles.

The organization interviewed Beatrice, who stated: “My friends called an organization to see if they could support me with the treatment. That organization, along with Doctors Without Borders, covered my surgery, medication and the two-month recovery period.” Without the aid of the charity, Beatrice would have suffered her injuries without hope of medical attention.

Hope Beyond Kafala

While the kafala system continues to exploit migrant domestic workers in Lebanon, the work of humanitarian organizations offers a powerful counter-narrative of hope and resilience. Groups such as Doctors Without Borders demonstrate that access to health care, dignity and protection is possible even within deeply unequal structures. 

– Lucy Kerr 

Lucy is based in Coventry, UK and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr