Archive for category: Humanitarian Aid

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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

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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