Archive for category: Humanitarian Aid

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Fragility and Rule of Law in Lebanon

Fragility and Rule of Law in LebanonLebanon has spent the better part of a decade immersed in the Middle East’s ecosystem of conflict, caught between Iranian and Israeli intervention along its southern border. Today, that instability has sharpened into a direct test of fragility and rule of law in Lebanon, as President Joseph Aoun’s government struggles to disarm Hezbollah and reassert the state’s monopoly on the use of force. Aoun took office in January 2025 on that promise, tied to the November 2024 ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah, but more than a year later the question remains unresolved.

A State Testing Its Authority

The November 2024 ceasefire ended a year of open conflict between Israel and Hezbollah and required Israeli forces to withdraw from five military positions in southern Lebanon. Aoun’s government also committed to disarming Hezbollah, according to the House of Commons Library. Hezbollah refused to lay down its weapons until Israel completed its withdrawal. In this way, disarmament became a threat to Lebanon’s own standing rather than a step toward sovereignty.

By 2026, Lebanese officials reported that the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) had moved into former Hezbollah positions along the border and near the Litani River, extending the army’s presence into territory the group once controlled.

Renewed Pressure, Renewed Risk

The fragile progress unraveled after the United States and Israel killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in a February 2026 airstrike on Tehran, escalating the broader U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iran. Hezbollah responded by firing six rockets into northern Israel, and the Lebanese government proved unable to compel full disarmament of the group, reviving fears of renewed conflict.

By June 2026, Washington and Jerusalem set stricter conditions for a new ceasefire, including complete Hezbollah disarmament, an end to hostilities and exclusive military authority for the LAF, according to the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Lebanese, Israeli and U.S. officials continued negotiations through the summer, most recently in Rome in July 2026.

On June 16, 2026, Israel agreed to withdraw from two pilot zones in southern Lebanon, though the displaced residents and left damaged infrastructure behind were aspects to consider, Reuters reported.

Aoun described the Rome talks as showing “positive progress,” according to Vatican News, and negotiators added the return of Lebanese prisoners and a halt to house demolitions to the agenda.

Despite the diplomatic intervention, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reported that Israeli forces fired more than 450 projectiles into south Lebanon and crossed into Lebanese airspace nearly 100 times more than a single weekend in early August, increasing pressure on Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah.

Rebuilding State Institutions

Efforts to address fragility and rule of law y in Lebanon go beyond the battlefield. Since September 2017, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has worked with the Lebanese government to strengthen the country’s security and justice institutions. The program has helped turn municipal police forces into community-policing units in more than 300 municipalities, providing services to more than 260,000 people across 75 villages. According to UNDP, it has also established four legal-aid helpdesks with the U.N. refugee agency, providing free legal assistance to more than 19,000 people, 62% of whom are women. The project has received more than $14 million from international donors, including the United States, the European Union and Denmark, and is expected to continue until June 2027.

Present Day

Violence has decreased since the Rome talks and a preliminary U.S.-Iran agreement on the wider regional conflict, though Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon continued into August, according to France 24 — a reminder of the gap that still separates what is agreed on paper from what happens on the ground.

This fragility has deepened poverty across the country. According to the International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) Lebanon Crisis Response Plan 2026, the collapse of formal safety nets alongside a weakened rule of law has left vulnerable populations exposed, with more than 79% of Lebanon’s population now living below the poverty line. Migrants face particular risk: approximately 165,000 of them, roughly 70% women, are exposed to exploitation, loss of legal status and exclusion from aid. IOM’s response focuses on community stabilization, peacebuilding, and social cohesion, working alongside the Lebanese government.

The European Union has also stepped in, committing €100 million in humanitarian aid after the March-April 2026 escalation between Israel and Hezbollah, which displaced more than a million people. Food, shelter, and other essential support for those caught in the crisis has been constantly provided.

Even so, the UNDP-backed expansion of community policing and legal aid access shows one path through which fragility and rule of law in Lebanon can improve, independent of the pace of diplomatic negotiations.

– Juan Guillermo Rueda Castrillón

Juan is based in Bogotá, Colombia and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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7 UNICEF Celebrity Ambassadors Helping Children Worldwide

UNICEF Celebrity AmbassadorsCelebrities may be known for blockbuster films, hit songs or championship titles, but many also use their influence to improve the lives of children around the world. Through advocacy, fundraising and visits to communities facing hardship, UNICEF celebrity ambassadors help bring global attention to issues such as poverty, conflict, education and health care.

UNICEF launched its Goodwill Ambassador program in 1954 when entertainer Danny Kaye became the first public figure to represent the organization. Since then, actors, athletes, musicians and digital creators have partnered with UNICEF to raise awareness and support programs that provide children with nutrition, education, medical care and emergency assistance.

1. Millie Bobby Brown

Millie Bobby Brown became one of UNICEF’s youngest Goodwill Ambassadors when she accepted the role in 2018 at just 14 years old. Since then, she has focused on promoting children’s rights, mental health awareness and gender equality. In 2025, Brown traveled to Brazil with UNICEF, where she met with adolescent girls to learn about the barriers they face, including gender-based violence, unequal access to education and limited opportunities to shape decisions affecting their futures. During her visit, she highlighted UNICEF’s work with local partners to create safe spaces for girls, expand educational opportunities and strengthen programs that empower young people to advocate for their rights. Brown emphasized the importance of listening to girls’ experiences and creating equal opportunities for every child.

2. David Beckham

For nearly two decades, former soccer star David Beckham has worked alongside UNICEF to support children around the world. Appointed a Goodwill Ambassador in 2005, Beckham has visited countries including Sierra Leone, Indonesia and Nepal to see UNICEF programs firsthand. In 2015, to mark 10 years as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, Beckham launched the 7 Fund, named after the jersey number he wore throughout much of his soccer career. The fund supports UNICEF programs that protect children from violence, improve access to education and health care and respond to emergencies. Since its launch, the initiative has helped UNICEF reach vulnerable children in countries affected by conflict, poverty and natural disasters while advocating for lasting change for children worldwide.

3. Sofia Carson

Singer and actor Sofia Carson has become a strong advocate for children through her work as a UNICEF USA Ambassador. Beyond using her platform to encourage public support, Carson has traveled with UNICEF to learn about programs benefiting children and young people. She has highlighted UNICEF initiatives that provide children with access to education, nutrition, clean water, vaccines and mental health support, particularly in communities affected by poverty and humanitarian crises. Carson has also participated in fundraising efforts that help finance education, emergency relief and health initiatives worldwide.

4. Orlando Bloom

Since becoming a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 2009, Orlando Bloom has visited communities affected by conflict, displacement and natural disasters. His travels have taken him to countries including Bangladesh, Ukraine and Nepal, where he has highlighted the challenges children face during humanitarian emergencies. Bloom continues to advocate for access to education, health care and protection for vulnerable children.

5. Roger Federer

Roger Federer has supported UNICEF’s mission since becoming a Goodwill Ambassador in 2006. While best known for his success on the tennis court, Federer has devoted much of his humanitarian work to expanding educational opportunities for children, particularly in southern Africa. Through both UNICEF and the Roger Federer Foundation, which began investing in early childhood education in southern Africa in 2003, Federer has helped improve access to quality preschool education in countries including Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa. The foundation has reached millions of children and trained thousands of teachers with the goal of giving young children a stronger start before entering primary school.

6. Khaby Lame

Content creator Khaby Lame joined UNICEF as a Goodwill Ambassador in 2025 after visiting programs in Senegal, where he met children and young people working to improve their communities. Having experienced financial hardship during his own childhood, Lame often speaks about the importance of creating opportunities for young people. Today, he uses his global audience to promote children’s rights and encourage support for UNICEF’s work.

7. Amanda Gorman

Poet and activist Amanda Gorman became a UNICEF ambassador in 2025, bringing her voice and advocacy to the organization’s efforts on behalf of children. Through her speeches, writing and public appearances, Gorman has emphasized the importance of education, gender equality and protecting children affected by humanitarian crises. Her work reflects UNICEF’s mission of ensuring every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Why Celebrity Advocacy Matters

The work of UNICEF celebrity ambassadors extends far beyond public appearances. By visiting communities, sharing the stories of children and encouraging governments and donors to take action, these ambassadors help bring attention to challenges that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Their influence also helps UNICEF reach millions of people through television, interviews and social media, inspiring individuals to donate, volunteer and learn more about the organization’s mission. While celebrities cannot solve global poverty on their own, their visibility helps connect people around the world with causes that need support.

As humanitarian crises continue to affect children across the globe, UNICEF celebrity ambassadors remain valuable partners in UNICEF’s efforts to improve access to health care, education, nutrition and protection. Their advocacy demonstrates how influential voices can help create meaningful change for children and families worldwide.

– Kayla Moore

Kayla is based in Lake Forest, IL, USA and focuses on Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Ugandan Resilience Program Aids Self Sufficiency

Ugandan Resilience ProgramAbout 16% of Ugandans live in extreme poverty, which is over 7 million people who make less than $1 per day. Uganda’s harsh environment makes it difficult to maintain agricultural land, so those facing financial hardships are disproportionately in rural areas. There are also about 2 million refugees from neighboring countries, many of whom are impoverished as well. However, the extreme poverty rate has decreased over the years, dropping from 20% in 2021. The decline in poverty can be largely attributed to large-scale humanitarian efforts.

Challenges in Agriculture

An imbalance between heavy rainfall and long-term droughts makes crop growing far more difficult. With these losses in production, people living in poverty have more difficulty affording the limited supply. Likewise, many farmers who rely on crop growing for their income often find themselves out of a job. This is especially devastating as more than 70% of the Ugandan workforce is employed in the agricultural industry.

AVSI Foundation’s Impact

The AVSI Foundation is an international nonprofit organization founded in 1972 that provides humanitarian aid to impoverished countries worldwide. In 2025, it helped more than 4 million people in 41 different countries.

AVSI assists large communities in various ways, such as ensuring that children receive a proper education by funding schools. It also provides emergency aid to those who suffer after a natural disaster. The foundation helped more than 150,000 students in Côte d’Ivoire through various projects by building schools and assisting many of the same students with vocational training afterward.

Ugandan Resilience Program

In 2017, AVSI launched the Ugandan resilience program in Kamwenge to help a balanced mix of impoverished natives and refugees. In the following seven years, over 13,000 households (around 58,000 individuals) were lifted out of poverty and given the tools needed to live a more independent and financially stable life. USAID contributed around $15 million to help AVSI carry out this seven-year mission.

Before the program began, USAID officials and community leaders spent months determining which families were best suited for it. After narrowing down which communities needed the most help overall, they ensured that only the most vulnerable people were included in the program.

Working Toward Graduation

Participants graduated once they had the necessary food and financial security for the future and demonstrated the ability to build resilience toward future hardships. Their abilities were based on meeting eight out of 11 criteria, which include developing long-term saving habits and maintaining basic food and shelter needs.

Depending on the level of need, participants underwent 18 to 30 months of various interventions. They attended skills training sessions designed to help them establish a career in agriculture, business, or another field that offers a long-term and stable income. Participants received monthly cash assistance for 12 months, allowing them to focus on learning to save for the future rather than spending what little they had just to survive.

There was a set schedule for the type of assistance people received during the program. The specific criteria helped determine what kind of progress each household had made and how close they were to graduating. About three-quarters of households graduated. The main reason people dropped out of the program was that they felt they already had a solid footing on their situation before the program’s end. Only 5% of households remained in extreme poverty despite being part of the program.

The Long-Term Benefits

During and after the program, more than 90% of households were able to eat during every meal, and 96% of children did not have to go without enough food at any point. Even though the program ran during the COVID-19 pandemic, the progress and overall outcome of the participating households was unaffected, further demonstrating their overall resilience.

People who graduated from the Ugandan resilience program experienced up to 60% income growth compared to before they started. Lives improved within households as well. Through coaching, participants learned more about nutrition, cooking, and maintaining sanitation. Over 1,600 women viewed gender-based violence as less acceptable.

Looking Forward

Since the original Graduation to Resilience program ended in September 2024, a follow-up program started in 2025 called Graduation to Resilience LOCAL, which will benefit individuals for another seven years. However, this new program is 10% the size of the original, largely due to cuts in USAID funding.

Despite limited funding and resources, NGOs like AVSI continue to provide humanitarian aid in Uganda to the best of their ability as the overall poverty rate continues to decline. The follow-up program still implements many of the same measures as the original, but on a smaller scale. There are various types of coaching and training still designed to help people become more independent. Other significant funding sources besides U.S. aid exist, as an anonymous donor generously gave $1.5 million to fund the new program.

– Logan Hessek

Logan is based in Northglenn, CO, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Higher Education in Somalia Since 1991

Higher Education in SomaliaAfter the collapse of the Somali government in 1991, the country was left with fractured public institutions such as the higher education system. The power vacuum gave rise to clan-based militias, violence and an absence of an effective national government. In the wake of this upheaval, universities closed, lecturers left the country and thousands of Somalis lost the opportunity to pursue a higher education. However, more than 30 years later, despite ongoing challenges, higher education in Somalia looks very different. Private and public universities have opened, new institutions have emerged and international organizations have invested thousands into the futures of young Somalis to help rebuild the country. Below are three key ways that higher education in Somalia has transformed since 1991.

Private Universities Emerged

To address the absence of a higher education system, Somali educators, business leaders and community organizations established private universities to meet the country’s urgent educational needs. Universities like Mogadishu University, Indian Ocean University and SIMAD University were established during the late 1990s and early 2000s, and collectively they helped provide opportunities to thousands of students at a time when the government could not. They were instrumental in training much of the country’s post 1991 professional workforce and laid important foundations for the recovery of higher education in Somalia.

However, while they addressed an important gap, people still had challenges accessing university. For many Somali families living in poverty – something which worsened in the aftermath of the civil war – education expenses like the high tuition fees associated with private universities left significant barriers to enrollment. Private universities provided important opportunities for the students who could afford to attend, but their expansion did not fully address the financial barriers that faced many Somalis. What they did do for these students, however, was highlight the need for more affordable and state-supported alternatives. 

Today, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Higher Education regulates universities and has continued its efforts to create a state-supported system of higher education in Somalia, but in the immediate years following 1991, private universities that developed were undoubtedly the backbone of Somalia’s higher education system for those who could afford to benefit.

Somali National University Reopens 

One of the biggest milestones for higher education in Somalia was the re-opening of Somali National University (SNU) after more than two decades. During the civil war, the campus suffered extensive damage with many buildings destroyed or abandoned, and in 2007, the African Union Mission occupied the site and turned it into a military base. In 2017, however, the campus was officially returned to the Somali government, allowing plans for rehabilitation to begin, and the start of a state governed higher education system. This was a historic moment, as though private universities had filled an important gap, the re-establishment of SNU symbolized that the government was once again capable of providing a public service.

Since gaining back the site, continued improvements to the campus have reinforced higher education in Somalia. In April 2026, for example, the government launched the reconstruction of the Gaheyr Center, which aims to improve infrastructure and student services. Phase one of the reconstruction plan includes rebuilding the perimeter wall, followed by the construction of new academic buildings, laboratories, student facilities and modern administrative infrastructure. This will strengthen the university’s research and teaching capabilities, and serves further as a demonstration of stability and hope for young people in Somalia seeking higher education in the wake of a devastating conflict.

International Aid Expands

Alongside work done by people in the country, international donors have become key partners in rebuilding higher education in Somalia, particularly with helping bridge the gap between university attendance and poverty in the nation.

International scholarships have helped address the financial barriers that prevent many Somali students from accessing higher education. For students from low-income families, the costs of tuition, accommodation, travel and living expenses can make study impossible without financial support, and this is where the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) has stepped in.

As one of the IsDB’s classified “Least Developed Member Countries,” students in Somalia are eligible for scholarships that help to fund undergraduate degrees, master’s degrees and PhD programs. In 2024, 474 scholarships were awarded across member countries like Somalia and the money covered tuition, living costs, health insurance and travel costs where applicable. This has allowed many Somali students to pursue advanced degrees abroad, and return home with expertise in high demand fields like medicine, engineering and education, areas that will be key in the economic development of Somalia.

International organizations have also contributed to reducing gender disparities in university enrollment. Women and girls in Somalia have historically been at a disadvantage when trying to receive an education, but in 2022, the World Bank Group sought to change this by committing an additional $52 million to the Rajo Kaaba project.

This donation helped to expand access to education and skills training for 30,000 women and girls in Somalia, and though not directly linked to universities, the project helps strengthen the pipeline into higher education for women by funding skills training, improving access to postsecondary education and supporting childcare services so that young mothers can continue to study.

Looking Ahead

Higher education in Somalia has come a long way since 1991, indeed the World Bank Group reports that today, Somalia has more than 100 higher education institutions, far more than existed before the civil war. What was once a sector devastated by conflict has become a strong sign of the country’s resilience and recovery.

Though improvements have occurred, prolonged investment from the Somali government and international donors will be key to addressing challenges that still remain, including graduate unemployment, limited funding and continued unequal access to university for those in poverty and for women and girls.

As Somalia continues to rebuild its nation, universities are not only educating students, but they are also training the teachers, doctors, engineers and public servants who will shape Somalia’s future.

– Amber Bannon

Amber is based in High Wycombe, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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5 Charities Operating in the Central African Republic

Charities in Central African RepublicThe Central African Republic (CAR) remains one of the world’s most fragile countries despite ongoing efforts to promote peace and development. Years of armed conflict, political instability and displacement have limited access to health care, education and economic opportunities for millions of people. According to UNICEF, approximately 2.8 million people require humanitarian assistance, and nearly half of those in need are children. UNICEF also reports that about seven out of 10 people in the country live below the poverty line, making the Central African Republic one of the poorest nations in the world. To address these challenges, nonprofit organizations work alongside local communities to provide lifesaving assistance and support long-term development. Here are five charities operating in the Central African Republic that are improving lives and helping reduce poverty.

1. Central African Red Cross

The Central African Red Cross is one of the country’s leading humanitarian organizations. Working alongside the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC), the organization provides emergency relief, first aid, disaster response and health services to communities experiencing conflict and natural disasters. Volunteers also help reunite separated families, promote disease prevention and strengthen community resilience through disaster preparedness programs. According to the ICRC, the organization supports communities throughout the Central African Republic by delivering emergency assistance and restoring essential services for people affected by conflict.

2. Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps works with vulnerable communities across the Central African Republic to improve food security, strengthen local economies and promote peaceful coexistence. The organization provides agricultural support, cash assistance and livelihood programs that help families recover from conflict and economic hardship. Since beginning its work in the country in 2007, Mercy Corps has helped improve the lives of more than 800,000 people through programs that strengthen food security, economic opportunity and community resilience.

3. International Rescue Committee (IRC)

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) provides humanitarian assistance to people fleeing conflict and violence throughout the Central African Republic. Its programs focus on primary health care, nutrition, clean water, sanitation and protection services for women and children. The IRC also supports survivors of gender-based violence, expands access to education and delivers emergency assistance to displaced families, helping communities recover from years of instability.

4. War Child

War Child has worked in the Central African Republic since 2014 to help children whose lives have been disrupted by conflict. The organization provides education, child protection and mental health and psychosocial support to children and their families. In 2025, War Child reported reaching more than 16,700 children and adults through programs that promote learning, emotional well-being and safer communities.

5. UNICEF

UNICEF has worked in the Central African Republic since 1986 to improve the lives of children and families. The organization provides vaccinations, nutrition services, clean water, sanitation, education and emergency assistance to communities affected by conflict and displacement. Working alongside the government and local partners, UNICEF strengthens child protection systems, expands access to essential health and nutrition services and helps children continue learning during humanitarian emergencies.

Conclusion

Building a more stable and prosperous Central African Republic requires strong partnerships among governments, humanitarian organizations and local communities. By expanding access to health care, education, food security and child protection, these five charities operating in the Central African Republic help vulnerable families recover from crises while promoting long-term development. Their continued efforts strengthen communities, build resilience and create opportunities for future generations, demonstrating how five charities operating in the Central African Republic continue to make a meaningful difference in the fight against poverty. 

– Iman Madani

Iman is based in Columbus, OH, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Working Without Pay: Aid Workers in Somalia

aid workers in SomaliaThe Suuqa Xoolaha Center for Mothers and Children in southern Somalia, like many health facilities in the country, faced indefinite closure following the shuttering of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) by the Trump administration in January 2025. Up until that point, the U.S. had been by far the largest international donor to Somalia, donating hundreds of millions each year, which were distributed through United Nations (U.N.) bodies like the World Food Programme (WFP) in addition to other nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). Much of this financial aid was used to fund health facilities and outposts run by international relief organizations like the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), located predominantly in the south of the country.

Desperate Times, Desperate Measures

When word spread of a young woman who had begun to give birth outside the doors of a shuttered health facility—before she was brought in by neighbors—the former employees of the Suuqa Xoolaha Center quickly sprang to action to reopen the hospital, despite now receiving no pay. Many of those interviewed at the hospital speak of protecting a sense of community in the area, one determined to survive notwithstanding the foreign aid system that can cause vital funds to dry up at a moment’s notice.

Pilgrimage in Vain

As the need for humanitarian aid becomes more urgent in Somalia, opportunities for relief continue to diminish. In a recent interview with The New York Times, Abdullahi Abdi Abdirahman states how he and his wife and their seven children walked for nine days from their drought-ravaged home toward Dollow, a town on the Ethiopian border, which until recently was an international relief outpost. When they arrived, they found tents—but no aid. The outpost at Dollow was one of many across Somalia that had not made the cut following the U.N.’s hyper-prioritization of resources in response to global aid cuts.

Yet Abdullahi’s family is just one example of the estimated 3.8 million Somalians who have been internally displaced due to factors including severe drought, floods, forced eviction and the country’s ongoing civil war. For many, these former aid outposts and facilities were a vital lifeline that provided food, water and medical assistance to the country’s most vulnerable people. Without them, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell warns that almost 2 million children are at risk of acute malnutrition, with 205 of the former 800 health clinics that helped to treat malnutrition having been closed in the last year.

Aid Workers in Somalia Fighting the ‘Era of Indifference’

Kate Phillips-Barrasso, head of global advocacy at Mercy Corps, an American aid group that organizes global relief programs, states that we are living in the era of indifference. This is marked by the decision of many of the world’s wealthiest nations—principally the U.S., but also France, Germany and the United Kingdom (U.K.)—to backtrack on their former commitments to the world’s neediest. Yet where governments flounder, individuals often step forward. One such example is Abdulnasir Mohamed Farah, a 30-year-old teacher in a school previously operated within a UNICEF camp in Dollow. Despite the loss of funding, he and other aid workers in Somalia have stayed behind, working without pay. Mohamed Farah stays, primarily because his fingerprint unlocks a digital payment card provided by the WFP, which he uses to buy the meager daily meal of rice and beans for his students.

A Further Challenge

It remains to be seen how remaining aid workers in Somalia, already under significant pressure, will be further affected by the global economic consequences of the recent war in the Middle East. As the cost of food, fuel and fertilizer rise due to the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz, aid workers will be forced to stretch already scarce resources even further to tend to the needs of the most vulnerable. Speaking from a stabilization center in Dollow, Russell warns of a situation whereby multiple crises continue to converge, with the global economic shock caused by the war in the Middle East further exacerbating the plight of Somalians experiencing displacement due to severe drought and ongoing conflict. Water costs, for example, have more than doubled recently in regions worst affected by drought. Somalia also relies on imports for 70% of its food, and many families who were already on the brink of acute food insecurity may have been pushed further into crisis by this latest shock. The WFP warns that an additional 45 million people globally could be confronting acute hunger as a result of the conflict in the Middle East. While individual heroics are by no means a substitute for a collapsing aid infrastructure, they do illustrate the willingness of ordinary people to spread themselves out and assume the sharpest edges of a burden imposed on them.

– Tomás Quinn

Tomás is based in Glasgow, UK and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Organizations Responding to the Humanitarian Crisis in Haiti

Volunteers sorting food packages for the Humanitarian Crisis in Haiti.Escalated gang violence in Haiti has brought on an unprecedented humanitarian and human rights crisis. Decades of political instability and social unrest in the country culminated with the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021. Armed gangs took advantage of the resulting power vacuum to take control of 90% of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and continue to expand their reach to rural areas and main roads. Due to the breakdown of central authority, these criminal groups go unchecked as they compete for territory and commit acts of extreme violence.

Humanitarian Crisis in Haiti

In 2025, an estimated 6,000 people were killed by gang violence in Haiti. About 1.4 million people, roughly a tenth of the country’s population, have been internally displaced by gang violence. Many of these people live in displacement sites without access to essential services like food, clean water and health care.

Some of the most effective work to address the ongoing crisis is being done by Haitian-led organizations, whose on-the-ground action responds to the everyday needs of those most affected by violence and displacement. The three local organizations highlighted in this article are just a few of the many Haitian-founded nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) doing crucial work in response to the country’s human rights crisis.

Nègès Mawon

Nègès Mawon is a Haitian feminist organization founded in 2015 with the mission to establish equality and autonomy for women in Haiti while liberating them from violence and oppression. Much of the organization’s work in recent years has involved providing services to survivors of gender-based and sexual violence.

Haiti has experienced an upsurge in sexual violence. The UN verified 1,863 cases of sexual violence in 2025, a 163% increase from 2024. According to Pascale Solages, co-founder of Nègès Mawon, armed gangs employ sexual violence as a “weapon of control” to terrorize and exploit. Women and girls living in displacement settlements, where there is a lack of security, are especially vulnerable to this violence.

Nègès Mawon has responded by offering holistic care to survivors of sexual violence, including medical care, psychological support, legal guidance, economic assistance and educational resources. Survivors of gender-based violence can find temporary accommodation at the organization’s Claire Heureuse House. Nègès Mawon’s mentorship program, which pairs survivors of sexual violence, seeks to create community and reduce the stigma around the topic. In 2024, the organization provided services to 1,800 women and girls, despite the ongoing threats of violence experienced by the entire community, including its staff.

Centre Hospitalier de Fontaine Foundation

For more than 30 years, the Centre Hospitalier de Fontaine in the community of Cité Soleil outside of Port-au-Prince has provided critical medical care to some of Haiti’s most vulnerable populations. The foundation’s work has become even more crucial as 70% of public health facilities in Haiti have been shut down due to gang violence, depriving about 4.4 million people of health care.

The Centre Hospitalier de Fontaine Foundation covers medical expenses and provides life-saving equipment and medication. The hospital safely delivered 1,960 babies and treated 384 NICU patients in 2024. In response to the 5.4 million Haitians experiencing acute hunger, the foundation treated 4,037 malnourished children and provided more than 20,000 with vitamin A. In all, it served more than 50,000 people, many through its mobile health services, which bring care to people unable to travel due to the threat of gang violence.

Kareen Ulysse, head of the foundation, has spoken of the increasing difficulty of ensuring the safe transport of supplies and medical personnel to and from the hospital. Despite the daily threat to their safety, hospital staff continue to provide life-saving care.

Défenseurs Plus

Founded in 2013, Défenseurs Plus is a nonprofit organization based in Port-au-Prince dedicated to the promotion of human rights in Haiti. It was established in response to the state’s failure to implement the human rights policies outlined in the conventions and treaties it ratified. Défenseurs Plus provides human rights and advocacy training to local youth and community organizations, working to raise awareness of the rights entitled to all Haitian citizens. Its Legal Intervention and Assistance Program for Victims helps victims of human rights abuses attain justice. Défenseurs Plus also monitors human rights issues in Haiti and drafts alternative reports to United Nations treaty bodies, holding state authorities accountable.

In a recent example of its advocacy work, Défenseurs Plus published a press release in response to the visit of U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres to Haiti on June 16, 2026. Ulrick Tintin, head of legal affairs for Défenseurs Plus, drew attention to the gravity of what he called the “systemic collapse” in Haiti and the human rights abuses its people suffer daily. He criticized the international response to the crisis as ineffective and called for “concrete action” to reestablish state authority through democratic elections.

Looking Ahead

The ongoing work by these Haitian organizations is cause for hope despite the gravity of the ongoing human rights crisis in the country. Although Haiti requires support from the international community, humanitarian aid and assistance will not succeed without the participation of local actors. Haitian-led organizations demonstrate the valuable expertise of local communities and the importance of involving local leaders and NGOs in decision-making as efforts are made to restore state authority and lessen the humanitarian crisis in Haiti.

– India Kaz

India is based in Seattle, WA, USA and focuses on Good News, Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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5 Charities Operating in the Czech Republic

Charities in the Czech RepublicIn the Czech Republic, a number of charities operate to assist with development, emergency aid and combating extreme poverty around the globe. Based in a high-income country, these organizations work both internationally and in local impoverished communities. Here are five charities operating in the Czech Republic.

1. People in Need

People in Need is one of the most prominent charities in the Czech Republic. Šimon Pának, a leader in the student movement of the 1989 Velvet Revolution, founded the organization in 1992.

People in Need strives to provide humanitarian aid both in the Czech Republic and internationally. It combats poverty by addressing the root causes of the problem, including a lack of access to education, minimal resources and discrimination. According to its website, the organization “targets the roots of these problems and remove them with the cooperation of the people affected to remove them.”

People in Need aids both those in emergency situations, such as conflict and natural disasters and provides enduring support for the poor. Over 30 years, it has worked to provide education and counseling to help poor families rise socially and financially. Its Humanitarian and Development Section carries out projects in 31 countries and aids hundreds of thousands of people, providing both immediate emergency relief and education for long-term poverty relief.

2. Caritas Czech Republic

Caritas Czech Republic focuses internationally, specifically in countries where war and natural disasters have caused significant damage. Established in 2004, it has contributed to 34 projects in Ethiopia, Gaza, Georgia, Iraq, Moldova, Mongolia, Syria, Turkey, Ukraine and Zambia. 

In 2024, Caritas Czech Republic worked to provide health care and psychosocial support in Gaza for 5,000 people, in order to aid the impoverished during a time of intense conflict. As well as this, in the same year, they introduced Zambian farmers to modern farming methods and solar irrigation systems, helping them to produce more food and in a more efficient way.

3. Care Czech Republic

CARE formed its Czech Republic branch in 2019. An organization originally founded in the United States, t first started work in Czechoslovakia in 1945, distributing 170,000 CARE packages between 1946 and 1950. After vacating the country during communist rule, CARE returned to the Czech Republic in 2007.

As of 2024, CARE has instituted 12 projects in six countries: Ukraine, Syria, Yemen, Ethiopia, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Recent projects include rebuilding schools in Moravia after flooding in 2024.

CARE focuses its efforts on women and girls, advocating for gender equality in countries around the world. The Mastercard Strive Czechia is a project in the Czech Republic that supports small entrepreneurs, mostly women.

4. ADRA Czech Republic

ADRA Czech Republic is part of an international network of charities in more than 100 countries. The Seventh-day Adventist Church founded ADRA in the United States in 1956, and established its Czech branch in 1991.

While ADRA was originally domestically focused, it began helping internationally during the floods in Moravia in 1997. Since 2006, it has focused on global development education, advocating for the discussion of global issues in schools both in the Czech Republic and in other countries.

The European Commission awarded ADRA with the EU Humanitarian Partnership Certificate for 2021 to 2027. This makes it eligible for EU funding.

5. Mary’s Meals Czech Republic

Mary’s Meals Czech Republic is part of the global Mary’s Meals movement, which provides daily school meals to children living in some of the world’s poorest communities. Through fundraising and support in the Czech Republic, the organization helps fund school feeding programs across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. Today, Mary’s Meals provides daily meals to more than 3 million children, many of whom would otherwise go without food during the school day.

Looking Ahead

From feeding children to responding to natural disasters, these charities address a multitude of issues relating to global poverty. These five charities operating in the Czech Republic highlight the country’s commitment to helping impoverished people build better futures.

– Julia Cholerton

Julia is based in Gig Harbor, WA, USA and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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GCC Humanitarian Aid: Gulf Nations Become Top 5 Global Donors

A group of young boys standing together, smiling outdoors. GCC Humanitarian AidThe Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries now rank first as humanitarian nations among the Global South. Between 2019 and 2022, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait contributed more than $28 billion in official development assistance. According to Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, the Secretary-General of the GCC, member states provided nearly $14 billion in official humanitarian aid globally between 2020 and 2025. Increasing regional giving and a general shift in the desire to help have made the council countries the world’s fourth-largest humanitarian donor.

Member states have consistently ranked among the world’s top five donors for several years. Although regional giving was historically informal and discrete, the Gulf’s young generation of leaders now takes control of the countries’ philanthropic activities with a different approach. Rather than focusing on the symptoms of poverty, they prioritize systematic aid that addresses the root causes. The following initiatives highlight how this shift creates lasting advancements in developing nations.

Rebuilding Education in Yemen

The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), based in Saudi Arabia, has delivered more than $13.3 billion in GCC humanitarian aid to 170 countries since 1996. One of its most impactful efforts focuses on schooling in Yemen through a long-standing partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Together, they rehabilitated 12 schools across the Aden, Lahj and Ta’iz governorates. This work is critical because the conflict in Yemen has destroyed nearly 2,800 schools, leaving 4.5 million children without access to education.

This project created a safe learning environment for more than 18,000 students and teachers across the three governorates. By prioritizing critical infrastructure, KSrelief and IOM provided the students with necessities such as clean water and hygiene services. Workers also installed solar energy systems to ensure uninterrupted learning in areas with electricity shortages. This focused aid builds on previous efforts that improved access for more than 17,500 students in the region.

Food Aid and Technology

In the UAE, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) serves as an umbrella organization for over 30 initiatives. Established in 2015, MBRGI concentrates its work in sectors including health care, food security and education. The organization recently contributed 43 million AED to the World Food Programme (WFP) to support direct food aid for more than one million people affected by the crisis in Gaza. Since 2021, MBRGI has contributed a total of 230 million AED in humanitarian aid through its partnership with WFP. Through these projects, the organization provides life-saving food assistance and supports sustainable projects that address global hunger.

The region also uses technology to modernize relief efforts. The UAE recently partnered with the WFP to accelerate a digital school initiative in Southern Africa. This program has already successfully enrolled 60,000 students across eight countries. Meanwhile, the UAE-based Kalimat Foundation’s Ara Initiative provides GCC humanitarian aid by making Arabic literary content accessible to children with visual impairments. The program helps publishers with the technology to create interactive features including built-in bookmarks and navigation tools.

Healing Trauma Through Drama Therapy

Kuwait has also taken a lead in specialized humanitarian efforts through the Intisar Foundation. Princess Intisar Al Sabah founded the organization in 2017 to support Arab women affected by war and trauma. By using drama therapy to alleviate trauma, the foundation aims to heal one million Arab women by 2050.

From solar-powered classrooms in Yemen to Arab women healing through drama therapy, GCC humanitarian aid is reaching people across the region in effective ways. The combined efforts of these nations show a clear commitment to peace through development. By adopting strategic and collaborative models, member states ensure that aid helps communities thrive long-term. As these nations continue to expand their global reach, their solution-driven approach positions them as a leading partner in the fight against poverty.

– Nikki Rasoulian

Nikki is based in Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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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