Archive for category: Humanitarian Aid

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Tigray: Two Years Under A De Facto Blockade

De Facto BlockadeWhen Ethiopian citizens elected Abiy Ahmed president of Ethiopia in April 2018, he represented a beacon of hope for Ethiopians, even winning a Nobel Peace Prize in 2019 for resolving conflict at the Eritrean border. However, on December 1, 2019, Ahmed launched The Prosperity Party (PP), attempting to join all the Ethiopian political parties into a single national political party. The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), a leftist and dominating political party in power of Tigray’s regional government, refused to join the PP as they viewed “the formation of the Prosperity Party as a move to end the Federal form of government and introduce unitary government.”

By the start of 2020, the national elections that Ahmed promised experienced indefinite delay. In June, his term as prime minister received an extension without an election, causing backlash from the TPLF for their failure to uphold democracy. Ahmed attacked those suggesting a transitional government should take power. At the same time, elections were delayed due to COVID-19, threatening, “we will be forced to take action against those who attempt to hold fake elections.” Despite this warning, regional elections took place in Tigray in September 2020, where more than 2.7 million Tigrayans voted for the TPLF to represent them as their regional government. 

In November 2020, the TPLF forces launched an assault on a federal military base in Tigray, describing it as a preemptive move against federal forces that were reportedly gearing up to attack from a nearby region. Within hours, Ahmed ordered a military operation against the TPLF, tainting his previous association with peace and igniting the civil war. 

Humanitarian Crisis 

Since the civil war began at the end of 2020, 90% of Tigrayans are in need of aid. Over the last two years, Tigray has been under a de facto blockade as the Ethiopian Government has cut electricity, fuel and telecommunication to the region, even restricting humanitarian assistance. Within only a few months, by Jan 2021, the EU High Representative criticized Ethiopia as they received “consistent reports of ethnic-targeted violence, killings, massive looting, rapes, forceful returns of refugees and possible war crimes.” 

Despite international pressure from the EU and the U.S. Secretary of State, who also accused the government of ethnic cleansing, Ahmed declared total war on the TPLF on July 18, 2021. The conflict, and specifically being under a de facto blockade, continues to deeply impact the lives of Tigrayans as they struggle to operate with no electricity, banks, hospitals, medicine, vaccinations and insecure supplies of food or water. According to the WHO’s Incident Management System and Emergencies Operation team leader Ilham Abdelhai Nour, 89% of Tigrayans are food insecure and almost 30% of those under five years old are acutely malnourished. Not only do these malnourished children need urgent and almost constant care, but diseases such as malaria, measles and acute respiratory tract infections are also on the rise, all while only 3% of health facilities in Tigray are fully functioning. 

The Effects on Health Care Services

As a result, maternal health services have completely collapsed, causing high maternal mortality rates across Tigray as 55% of pregnant and breastfeeding women are severely malnourished and incapable of eating for one, let alone two. Meanwhile, vaccination programs and access to preventative medicine for diseases such as HIV, diabetes and malaria have been stalled, increasing the risk of disease and death. 

Unfortunately, there have been reports of all sides committing war crimes, as the TPLF, Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) and Eritrean Defense Force (EDF) have engaged in sexual violence against women as they participate in gang rapes. The EDF’s crimes have been marked with extreme brutality as they target Tigrayan women, using them as sex slaves. 

Humanitarian Response

The International community has stood by Tigray as they condemn ethnic cleansing and the war crimes committed against civilians. In September 2021, the United States imposed economic sanctions on Ethiopia and Eritrea before providing $313 million in humanitarian assistance in April 2022. This funding helps to deliver emergency food and nutrition for almost 7 million people while rebuilding local health facilities and mobile health teams to combat disease and deliver aid to remote regions. Child protection and psychosocial services for survivors of gender-based violence and those suffering from trauma have also been provided by the U.S. 

Furthermore, in February 2022, the Pan-African Lawyer Union and Legal Action Worldwide filed a complaint to the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights against Ethiopia for mass human rights violations against Tigrayan civilians. They argue Ethiopia is in violation of multiple human rights under the African Charter as they participate in military targeting of civilians and civilian structures, mass murders, sexual violence against women and enforced information blackouts. 

The World Health Organization’s (WHO) Efforts

The World Health Organization (WHO) and its 23 partners are also on the ground, supplying emergency medical support whenever possible while attempting to strengthen prevention and preparation as disease outbreaks continue to rise. Being under a de facto blockade limits humanitarian access into Tigray. Between January and September 2022, WHO and its partners assisted 3 million people with health care services. Finally, the EU Commission dedicated €4 million to support displaced Ethiopians, as by the end of November 2020, 29,000 Ethiopian refugees had already fled to Sudan. 

It is imperative that the international community continues to support the people of Tigray who are struggling to survive under a de facto blockade by demanding an end to the de facto blockade and providing aid whenever possible.

– Alice Isola
Photo: Flickr

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WEFA Provides Aid to the Impoverished

Aid to the ImpoverishedWhen disasters strike in developing countries, low-income communities require aid to recover and rebuild their lives. In 2022, natural disasters affected more than 184 million people globally and caused more than 30,000 deaths. WEFA is an organization that specializes in giving people the resources they need to get back on their feet, not only with cleanup help in the aftermath of natural disasters but also with sustainable solutions that will help people escape poverty in the long run. Here is how WEFA provides aid to the impoverished.

About WEFA

WEFA (Weltweiter Einsatz Für Arme, “worldwide commitment to the poor”) is a humanitarian aid organization founded in 2006. It is based in Cologne, Germany, but has several branches across Europe. Through philanthropists and volunteers, WEFA has supported people in almost 70 countries. The organization emphasizes the need to create lasting and sustainable solutions that are designed to empower people to become self-sufficient and independent. 

The WEFA website highlights its mission: “Our mission is to help the less fortunate, prepare for the occurrence of natural disasters and respond by providing protection and recovery to affected civilians, to contribute to the establishment of economic justice in the world and to provide permanent solutions to extreme poverty.”

Disaster Relief

Natural disasters are some of the deadliest and disruptive events on the planet. These forces of mother nature can destroy people’s homes and livelihoods and cut off access to essential services on top of the impact on health and well-being. Furthermore, natural disasters can cause billions of dollars worth of damages if the disaster is severe enough. As such, natural disasters increase the rate of poverty in the affected areas. Based on findings after the extreme floods occurring in Pakistan in 2022, the number of impoverished people in affected areas increased by 9.1 million, according to the World Bank, highlighting the connection between extreme weather events and poverty.

WEFA provides emergency aid to disaster-affected countries that focuses on nutritional needs, hygiene, shelter and technical support. WEFA donated more than 43,000 cans of food to earthquake victims in 2023.

Water Wells

Additionally, WEFA runs a program to build water wells in poverty-stricken communities that need a clean water supply. Water wells provide clean water and the well can be efficiently operated. WEFA has built more than 4,000 wells in Africa and Asia. The wells significantly reduce the time it typically takes to get water in a village. Considering that around 2 billion people across the world, as of 2023, do not have access to clean water, the work that WEFA is doing in providing clean water is very beneficial and gives much-needed aid to the impoverished who need clean drinking water.

Child Sponsorship

Another valuable dimension of WEFA is its sponsorship program. The child sponsorship program consists of a €35 annual donation to any child in need anywhere in the world. This program has reached 17 countries. Sponsoring a child through monetary support can help that child gain an education and, therefore, improve their job prospects as the child grows older. A study by the University of Chicago stated that children in Jakarta, Indonesia, sponsored by Compassion International spent about 4,000 hours studying over the course of nine years. The sponsorship equated to 1.03-1.46 extra years of schooling for sponsored children, highlighting the benefits of child sponsorship programs.

Cataract Replacements

WEFA also runs a cataract program that provides cataract replacements for people in Asia and Africa. In total, the organization has conducted more than 14,000 cataract operations. It also runs a campaign to give people winter clothes so they do not freeze in winter.

WEFA

When natural disasters strike a struggling nation, the damage can seem insurmountable. WEFA helps remedy that by providing aid to the impoverished and sustainable solutions like water wells and education sponsorship. These solutions help towns in the long run and give hope to people who need it the most. WEFA offers hope with the resources they provide when conditions are dire.

– Calder Miller
Photo: Flickr

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USAID Programs in Libya Not Deterred by Cyclone Daniel

USAID Programs in LibyaOn Sept. 23, heavy rainfall from Cyclone Daniel collapsed two dams in the Libyan port city of Derna. The results: a devastating flood, 70 buildings decimated, infrastructure destroyed and at least 11,000 dead. Though Libya received aid from the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and Egypt after the storm, much more assistance was required.  

In response, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) provided $1 million in humanitarian assistance along with a Disaster Assistance Response Team. This team conducted needs analyses and connected with Libyan authorities and international partners to remedy the devastations on the ground.

USAID programs have a long history in Libya. Prior to Cyclone Daniel, USAID dedicated more than $178 million across five programs intended to improve democracy, governance and economic growth. 

More than 2 million Libyans currently live in poverty, and approximately 125,000 remain internally displaced. The USAID programs in Libya aim to lessen poverty by increasing the capacity of the state to respond to the needs of the people, stimulating the workforce and reducing the prospects of violence. 

USAID Programs in Libya

  • Libya Elections and Legislative Strengthening Activity (LESLA): 2018-2024. Since the fall of Qadhafi, instability and violence have prevented a unified Libya from taking shape and exacerbated poverty in the nation. USAID is working with the High National Election Commission (HNEC) and civil society organizations (CSOs) to adapt a manageable legal framework for electoral processes. Through this partnership, the program intends to establish election bodies that function to maintain honest political oversight. LESLA also aims to establish an all-inclusive civic approach by working with political parties to recognize the importance of minority protections. Finally, LESLA is working against hate speech and disinformation by encouraging citizen journalism and establishing fact-checking by civil society.
  • Local Governance and Civil Society (LGCS) – Taqarib: 2019-2025. Taqarib is all about closeness. In fact, it is an Arabic word translating to “coming together”. Throughout the duration of this program, LGCS will work across 31 Libyan municipalities to decentralize public services. Decentralization refers to the creation of additional local offices and authorities, ultimately easing the process of public project approvals. Taqarib works in the public sphere by organizing peer to peer events and encouraging citizen involvement to determine the best service delivery projects for their municipalities.
  • Promoting Leadership and Activism of Youth (PLAY) for Peace in Libya. To shape the youth is to shape the future. PLAY brings together young people from five neighboring communities that share a history of violence and division. This offers a chance to reconcile differences and allows divided communities to create bonds of what is hoped to become a lasting peace with one another. Through teaching constructive communication, engaging youth with municipal councils and growing tolerance for non-discrimination, this USAID program in Libya will shape Libya’s leaders of tomorrow.
  • Libya Economic Acceleration Program (LEAP). LEAP intends to increase state stability through economic security. For the past twenty years, Libya’s unemployment rate has hovered at 20%. This USAID program intends to remedy this stagnation by building entrepreneurial skills for business development— specifically for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). LEAP not only addresses business management and productivity, but also addresses the work force. USAID partners will provide job seekers with technical and vocational education training (TVET) to ensure they meet the needs of the labor market. 
  • Libya Public Financial Management (LPFM): 2019-2024. LPFM works with Libyan economic institutions to provide better public services through national level interventions. USAID will work with the Central Bank of Libya (CBL) on monetary policy to ensure tame inflation and uphold the standards of the Basel II Accord. The main tenets of Basel II include maintaining a minimum level of liquid capital in the central bank while sustaining regulatory requirements and risk management to decrease market volatility. LPFM is additionally working alongside the Libyan Audit Bureau to train auditors, update digital strategies and to ultimately renew the institution through the development of transparent methods of operation and restoration of trust by the people.

Looking Ahead

The situation in Libya is complicated. After the fall of Gaddafi, Libya split into two rival governments: the UN-supported democracy of Tripoli and the Libyan National Army (LNA). The LNA has shut down several ports for oil exports, suffocating the Libyan economy. As a result, USAID programs that focus on economic reform and business development have become critically important in Libya. With the help of USAID and implementation of its anti-corruption programs, transparency initiatives and legal reform, Libya can rebuild itself into a unified government. 

– Anthony Coletta
Photo: Flickr

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Top Poverty-Fighting Causes Receive $300 Million in Funding

Top Poverty-Fighting Causes 
In 2023, Open Philanthropy pledged $300 million of funding over the next three years to GiveWell, an organization searching for and highlighting the most cost-effective, top poverty-fighting causes through comprehensive research. Open Philanthropy aims to achieve the best possible, conducting thorough research on the organizations they fund to achieve this. Open Philanthropy’s funding of $300 million to GiveWell will have a huge impact on those who need it most, preventing tens of thousands of deaths and demonstrating Open Philanthropy’s faith in GiveWell as they “set the gold standard in our eyes.”

Open Philanthropy began as an initiative within GiveWell, headed by Cari Tuna and Dustin Moskovitz, later growing into its own independent organization in June 2017. GiveWell and Open Philanthropy still work closely together as they share the mutual goal of finding the top poverty-fighting causes and cost-effective organizations that do the most good. Since the founding of Open Philanthropy, it has awarded GiveWell more than $1 billion in funding. While GiveWell publishes data and research to recommend the most impactful organizations to the public, Open Philanthropy primarily chooses where to give Tuna and Moskovitz’s money, funding a broader range of issues with a focus on how important a cause is, if it is underfunded and if there is a clear way in which funding could accelerate progress. So far in 2023, Open Philanthropy has donated $140,312,603 to organizations recommended by Give Well. 

Sightsavers

Since 2017, Open Philanthropy has been funding deworming programs led by Sightsavers at the recommendation of GiveWell.

In March of this year, they continued their support for Sightsavers, giving a total grant of $11.2 million to fund the next three years of their work. The majority of the funding, $8.3 million, will support already established deworming programs in Nigeria, Cameroon and Chad, with the other $2.9 million used to develop the program in Chad to cover 10 more regions. 

Sightsavers treat children for the parasitic infection schistosomiasis, which kills 200,000 people in Sub-Saharan Africa every year, and intestinal worms. Deworming is recognized as one of the most cost-effective programs in areas where these parasitic infections are high. Without treatment these diseases can affect cognitive and physical development, impacting the child’s health and disrupting their education as they struggle to concentrate or miss school. This can perpetuate the poverty cycle as it is almost impossible to escape poverty without an education. 

Malaria Consortium 

Extending its funding for the seventh year in a row, Open Philanthropy awarded the Malaria Consortium $61.4 million to aid its seasonal malaria chemoprevention programs in Nigeria, Chad, Burkina Faso and Togo until 2025. Open Philanthropy is passionate about tackling malaria, as every year it causes 600,000 deaths, 70% of which are children under 5 years old in Sub-Saharan Africa. Its grant to the Malaria Consortium funds the administration of antimalarial drugs to children monthly during the four peak months of the malaria season.

GiveWell recommended Malaria Consortium to Open Philanthropy as seasonal chemoprevention has proven to effectively and significantly reduce the widespread presence and severity of malaria. A longitudinal study conducted in Togo showed SMC reduced the prevalence of malaria by 75% in 2020, while the fourth round of SMC proved to be 96.2% more effective than the first round. As malaria is the leading cause of death in children under five, it is unsurprising that the Malaria Consortium’s effective work is one of GiveWell’s top poverty-fighting causes. 

Helen Keller International – Vitamin A Supplementation 

Open Philanthropy’s grant to Helen Keller International in January 2023 was 17 times larger than the previous year, awarding them more than $67 million to assist with vitamin A supplementation (VAS) in Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Niger, Nigeria and Mali. Vitamin A deficiency occurs in poverty-stricken areas as their diets lack variation or nutrients and can have detrimental impacts on their health by weakening their immune system, causing anemia, stunting, blindness and complications during pregnancy or birth. Helen Keller International aids in VAS programs for children by providing technical assistance, advocacy and funding for governments to implement the programs. The grant supports Helen Keller’s operations in 8 countries for an extra 18 months, ending in June 2026, and helps them expand to more regions, such as in DRC, where Helen Keller plans to reach 7 new provinces by 2025.

Open Philanthropy’s generous funding of $100 million a year to the top poverty-fighting causes recommended by GiveWell, will save tens of thousands of lives every year. Hopefully, this harmonious partnership will continue to play a massive and vital role in the fight against poverty. 

– Alice Isola
Photo: Freepik

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Greece’s Nigerian Aid Program

Nigerian Aid Program
August 31 marked a watershed event in Greek diplomacy as Ioannis Plotas, the Greek Ambassador to Nigeria, declared that Greece would actively work to uplift Nigeria’s populace out of poverty. Plotas explained that “in order to alleviate poverty and to provide whatever we can in the domain of humanitarian efforts, our government is ready to contribute either financially or in kind with certain materials.” 

About Poverty and the Economy in Nigeria

Nigeria ranks amongst the five most poverty-stricken nations according to the World Bank, with around 30% of the population earning less than the extreme poverty threshold in 2019. Nigeria’s poverty has persisted since this point with UNICEF reporting in January that around 25 million Nigerians may have had inadequate food consumption from June to August. What led Nigeria to the brink of starvation with a crippling economy? 

According to UNICEF, there is an array of causes of Nigeria’s mass famine and poverty, including economic shocks and a lack of human capital. The World Bank’s 2022 report on the nation’s poverty cited a lack of educational infrastructure, sanitation and electricity as leading contributors to a near 40% of the nation lying below the national poverty line. Despite this crisis persisting for years, government aid to those in need is scarce. The government has scaled back on spending on education and food production, which hinders the long-term growth of human capital. 

Although Nigeria may be scaling back in certain infrastructure, the World Bank affirms that the government is implementing policies that enrich the long-term future of the nation, such as investing in agricultural efficiency and sanitation. These investments in infrastructure have the potential to be the catalyst for a prosperous Nigerian economy, including a plethora of job opportunities and reliable social services. 

Greece’s Nigerian Aid Program

Greece’s intervention in Nigerian affairs is a departure from its conventional passive foreign policy. The nation famously restricted Syrian refugees from entering the nation in 2015 as they fled the bloody Syrian Civil War. Greece then stood firm on its refusal to send funds to aid those the Turkey-Syria Earthquake affected, which took the lives of more than 50,000. This explicit lack of involvement in foreign affairs made Greece’s aid to Nigeria more puzzling yet profound. 

Plotas’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s economic transformation through the Nigerian aid program is the second part of Greece’s involvement in rebuilding the nation. In May, Plotas held the second Nollywood Travel Film Festival in Athens to promote the Nigerian movie industry. By exposing the Greek people to Nigerian film and culture, Plotas hoped to cultivate a “cultural tie between the two countries.” 

Building upon this, Plotas has pledged that the Greek government will provide financial aid to the Nigerian government to help fund the aforementioned projects to build infrastructure. Partnering with the Greek Red Cross Society, Plotas claims that Greece’s Nigerian aid program will assist the nation “financially or in kind with certain materials.” Plotas has affirmed that Greek aid will be sustained and steady as “we are targeting as many people as possible to lift them out of poverty.”

Looking Ahead

There are several other organizations supporting Nigeria such as the United Nations, Save the Children and Action Against Hunger. They are all raising funds to provide financial assistance to impoverished families and address malnutrition in the nation. Through these foundations and foreign involvement, Nigeria’s economic crisis may be quelled, marking a new age of prosperity in the nation.

– Dimitri Lykidis
Photo: Flickr

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Morocco Earthquake Aid: Compassion in Action

Morocco EarthquakeOn Friday, September 8, 2023, Morocco experienced a seismic event that would challenge the nation’s resilience and compassion. The Morocco earthquake caused significant damage to homes, infrastructure and communities and tragically claimed 3,000 lives. In response to this disaster, stories of compassion and solidarity emerged as individuals and organizations rallied to aid those affected.

The Earthquake’s Impact

With its epicenter in the remote region of the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, the Morrocco earthquake measured a magnitude of 6.8, resulting in widespread devastation. Immediate challenges included search and rescue operations, medical assistance and the provision of essential supplies to affected regions.

A Swift and Effective Response

IFRC, the world’s largest humanitarian network, was among the first responders. The Moroccan branch of the organization, the Moroccan Red Crescent, rapidly deployed teams to affected areas. Their comprehensive efforts included distributing food, water and medical supplies and establishing temporary shelters for displaced families. 

The IFRC’s response to the Morocco Earthquake was so rapid that just four days after the earthquake on September 12, the organization launched an emergency appeal for 100 million Swiss francs (about $109 million) to support relief efforts in the country. The rapid response from both local and international organizations has been truly remarkable. 

Benoit Carpentier, a spokesperson for the IFRC, said: “The Moroccan Red Crescent’s local knowledge is invaluable. They are our guiding force, making sure that our response is as effective as possible. We must continue to mobilize support for the weeks and months ahead to ensure that no community, no individual, is left behind.”

Community Resilience

Within the Moroccan earthquake-affected communities, individuals demonstrated remarkable solidarity. Neighbors quickly formed bonds in their shared adversity, pooling resources, offering shelter to those who had lost their homes, and extending helping hands wherever necessary. These acts of kindness highlighted the strength of unity during challenging times and underscored the unwavering support of the Moroccan people.

International Aid and Solidarity

Beyond Morocco’s borders, the nation received support from several countries worldwide. Foreign governments, non-governmental organizations and individuals joined hands to provide financial aid, medical supplies and disaster relief expertise. Morocco accepted international aid from four countries: the U.K., Spain, Qatar and the UAE. These four nations collaborated to provide cutting-edge search technology, such as seismic listening devices and concrete-breaking equipment, to assist in rescuing those trapped under buildings.

Survivors’ Stories 

Stories of survival and resilience emerged amid the wreckage and despair of the Morocco earthquake. One such story is that of Nezha, a heavily pregnant woman who found herself going into labor just ten days after the earthquake struck. She gave birth to a beautiful, healthy baby boy, Anas, in a makeshift medical tent in the middle of the street. Despite the limited medical supplies, Nezha’s smile shone brightly, and the birth of Anas offered a ray of hope to the affected community. 

The 2023 Morocco Earthquake posed significant challenges to the nation. However, it also showcased Moroccan society’s remarkable capacity for compassion, unity and solidarity. The stories of individuals and organizations extending a helping hand to those affected by the earthquake underscore the resolute human spirit and the power of collective action in times of adversity.

– Genevieve Martin
Photo: Pixabay

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Everything to Know About Poverty in Syria  

Poverty in Syria
The destruction from war drills deep scars on the hearts of people and economic infrastructure. As the front lines of Syria saw the year-long resilience ceasing, a new battle is seeing rise. Currently, 90% of people in Syria live in extreme poverty. The basic resources are scarcely available and starvation looms with high prices and food shortage. Families are skipping meals in order to survive. According to the United Nations (U.N.), more than 15 million people in Syria need humanitarian assistance in 2023.

The Impact on Children 

Gunsmoke constantly surrounds children in Syria. The long years of conflict have left many children with the loss of guardians, friends and innocence. Further, the psychological effect of the continuous dispute and loss suffered will remain unknown.

Education remains the least of the concerns in war-stricken Syria. Half of the million school-aged children are deprived of schooling. Instead, they are hurled into child labor or recruited for fighting. The near-destruction of houses in buildings has left no room for educational institutions. Children have completely lost track of their studies and are most likely to drop out completely. Unfortunately, this creates the risk of poverty and despair for future generations.

Psychological Impact on Citizens

The widespread poverty and limited sources of income have pushed the people into an exasperated state. Moreover, many families have lost an earning member of the family. The continuing conflict in Syria has tragically led to the loss of more than 306,000 civilian lives, representing approximately 1.5% of the population that existed before the conflict began.

Adding to the losses and the crippling poverty is the damaging mental health which has driven up to 50 cases of suicide and more, as recorded in Syrian government files. 

The Syrian Refugee Crisis

The crisis traces back to 2011 and has come down to the displacement of 6.8 million Syrians seeking shelter in their own homes. Most refugees are found in countries like Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey and Iraq. Still, 70% of refugees live in extreme poverty with the absence of basic supplies.

A Helping Hand in an Hour of Trouble

Investing or starting a business suffers heavy losses in Syria due to disruption and shortage of resources. With poverty taking its toll, humanitarian assistance seems the only way to stabilize the economy. According to the World Bank, Syria’s GDP could drop by 3.2% in 2023. 

The humanitarian assistance has provided some relief to poverty in Syria. There have been local NGOs that have provided the necessary help and above all UNICEF has worked to improve the basic areas like the water supply system which is cost-effective and climate-friendly, providing a limited supply of electricity and providing nutrient-rich diets and education to children. 

– Asra Mairaj
Photo: Pexels

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How the US Federal Budget is Helping Reduce Global Poverty

U.S. Federal Budget
The U.S. federal budget for the fiscal year 2024 focuses on the high stakes of global poverty. In light of the unprecedented humanitarian crises around the world, the budget seeks more than $10.5 billion in humanitarian assistance, with $6.5 billion allocated through USAID-administered channels. This funding aims to address an average of 75 crises each year, spanning more than 65 nations and encompassing regions like Ukraine and Syria.

Humanitarian Assistance in the Fiscal Budget

The Ukraine-Russian conflict has done serious damage to the already devastated issue of global poverty. The economic woes of developing countries have increased, while sustainable development has become stagnant. Calls for humanitarian assistance have peaked at 360 million people. More than 110 million individuals have been displaced from their homes, while an alarming 260 million people grapple with severe food insecurity, with some teetering on the brink of famine.

It is no surprise that the U.S. economy is a vital and almost dominating part of the world’s financial structure. The U.S. federal budget for the fiscal year 2024 realizes the crisis that beholds the world and is doing its part to lower the impact.

The Impact of International Assistance

The United States Agency for International Development is responsible for administering foreign aid and development assistance. The U.S. federal budget has equipped USAID with $32 billion for foreign assistance. More than $1.1 billion will go toward Feed the Future programs that focus on the food crisis, which the Ukraine and Russian war and changing weather patterns have affected.

The budget also allocates funding for “Bright Spot” countries that have recently shown promising democratic developments. Further, as the U.S. promotes itself as the champion of democracy, it has dedicated $2.8 billion to flourishing democracy, meanwhile objecting to corruption as outlined in the Summit for Democracy and the Presidential Initiative for Democratic Renewal.

Global development is heavily dependent on private sectors and capital growth. The Budget request of $60 million emphasizes empowering new enterprises that will lead to stronger economic resilience. For global health, $4.1 billion will be directed toward combatting contagious diseases, reducing child and maternal mortality rates, strengthening nutrition programs, addressing the HIV/AIDS crisis and expanding the global healthcare workforce, in alignment with the President’s Global Health Worker Initiative. Furthermore, $745 million was requested to be put toward preventing and responding to threats of future infectious diseases.

The aspect of gender equality and women’s security also has a place in the budget. An amount of $200 million was requested for the State and USAID to promote gender equality and ensure the economic security of women.

Looking Ahead

The U.S. federal budget for 2024 aims at providing humanitarian assistance to those in need. The records show that people across the globe are in desperate need of aid. The budget’s targets—if met—will surely help in uplifting those who need assistance.

– Asra Mairaj
Photo: Flickr

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5 Active NGOs in Afghanistan

NGOs in Afghanistan
Throughout the world, countless nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are battling against abuses such as poverty, changing weather patterns and hunger. In Afghanistan, human rights abuses have been skyrocketing, and homelessness has become the new norm. More than 40% of Afghanistan’s population lives below the poverty line, in desperate need of help. Here are five NGOs Active in Afghanistan that are fighting these pressing issues.

5 NGOs in Afghanistan

  1. Afghan Institute of Learning: The Afghan Institute of Learning (AIL) seeks to equip all vulnerable Afghans, particularly women and children, with the knowledge and abilities to take care of themselves. Through community-based programming, AIL is increasing access to high-quality education and health care, empowering communities to strengthen their populations. The objective is to lay the groundwork for effective health and education systems in Afghanistan that will serve the needs of the population both today and in the future. Through health facilities, educational institutions and training programs, AIL, which was founded by an Afghan woman and is primarily operated by women, reaches thousands of people every year.
  2. Islamic Relief: Dr. Hany El-Banna and a group of students established Islamic Relief in 1984 to address the growing famine in Africa. The organization’s initial endeavor was to help a farm in Sudan, and years later, it started to broaden its reach outside of Africa, providing immediate relief to people in Pakistan, Iraq and finally Afghanistan. Islamic Relief is committed to helping vulnerable people who are in need. It achieves this by raising money for local projects and providing essentials like food and clothing. It has also implemented development initiatives aimed at long-term capacity building for vulnerable populations.
  3. Women for Afghan Women: In order to serve the Afghan immigrant populations in New York, Women for Afghan Women (WAW) originated in 2001. Before introducing comparable programs in Afghanistan, it participated in community outreach initiatives all around the region. It now works to advocate for and empower Afghan women and girls in both the U.S. and Afghanistan. Women for Afghan Women has reached more than 1.6 million women since its founding through various activities and services. Every year in the U.S., on average, more than 8,000 Afghan women receive assistance from their outreach activities. Additionally, it has approximately 800 employees working in Afghanistan to support the execution of its initiatives there.
  4. International Committee of the Red Cross: Henry Dunant established the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in 1863 to offer medical care to combat casualties. Years later, as World War I started to claim more lives, the ICRC increased its humanitarian activities across all of Europe. The organization persisted in offering assistance during World War II and is currently one of the most significant humanitarian organizations in existence. The International Committee of the Red Cross has helped thousands of Afghans since its foundation. For instance, it cared for approximately 50,000 injured patients in 2021. In its physical therapy facilities around the nation, the ICRC helped more than 79,000 patients in the same year. Furthermore, it has increased more than 49,000 people’s access to water.
  5. ActionAid International: Cecil Jackson-Cole established ActionAid International in 1972 to defend the rights of women most impacted by armed conflict, humanitarian crises and natural catastrophes. It started its first projects in Afghanistan in 2002 with the goal of ensuring that kids could go to school and get an education. Since then, the organization has established a number of programs that empower Afghan women and help them assert their rights. ActionAid International opposes social and cultural conventions that marginalize women and expose them to violence or discrimination. Additionally, it has advocacy, strategic and humanitarian programming capabilities to advance gender equality across Afghanistan. The organization provides training and tools to female leaders, empowering them to promote social change in their communities and advancing the rights of vulnerable women. ActionAid International has helped more than 100,000 people in five different Afghan provinces since its founding. For instance, it constructed a well in Afghanistan so that more than 1,000 local students could access safe drinking water.

Making a Difference in Afghanistan

In a country where the most vulnerable people face countless challenges, recognizing NGOs in that are making a real difference appears to be vital. These organizations work tirelessly to provide aid, assistance and support to those who need it most. 

– Jake Marks
Photo: Unsplash

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Unpacking the Humanitarian Crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh

Humanitarian Crisis in Nagorno-KarabakhNagorno-Karabakh, also known as “Artsakh,” was home to 120,000 people, most of whom were ethnic Armenians. Artsakh functioned as a de-facto breakaway Armenian state yet was long claimed by Azerbaijan. The territory dispute escalated quickly in mid-September when Azerbaijan invaded the land, displacing 120,000 ethnic Armenians. Limited access to food, water and electricity has created a humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh.

The Lachin Blockade

Prior to the invasion, Nagorno-Karabakh slowly plunged into poverty and insecurity with dramatically lowering human rights standards. In December 2022, Azerbaijani protestors blockaded the Lachin corridor, the only connecting road between Artsakh and the Republic of Armenia. This effectively ceased any movement by Artsakh’s residents. Both nations set up checkpoints at their borders.

As a result, food and medical supply deliveries were nearly halted. The main food markets in the villages within Nagorno-Karabakh were closed. Some locals did not see fresh produce like fruits and vegetables for months. Armenian authorities began rationing supplies.

Access to medical supplies in the region was also significantly restricted. People could not access necessary supplies for infant care, like diapers. The Red Cross brought medicine and necessities such as baby formula across the corridor, but this was only a short-term solution. Armenian authorities in Artsakh became so desperate, that they asked for an airbridge to bring supplies to the region.

The blockade of the Lachin corridor undoubtedly lowered the quality of life of Armenians residing in the area. The hospitals within Stepanakert and the other villages in the area ran out of supplies. Children had to be treated with medication meant for adults. Grocery store aisles were empty. Gas and electricity were only sporadically available. Prices for mundane goods skyrocketed.

The low quality of life in Artsakh due to the lack of access to basic necessities made it increasingly difficult for Armenians residing in the area to carry out their daily lives.

Artsakh’s Progressive Isolation

While the blockade stopped supply lines, Russian peacekeepers set up opposing checkpoints. They barred entry to any who attempted to access the region, even for humanitarian purposes. In one instance, they stopped a man attempting to bring toys to Artsakh from Armenia.

The U.S. Department of State condemned Azerbaijan for Artsakh’s progressive isolation. Azerbaijan entirely cut off Artsakh from the rest of Armenia in July 2023, barring even the Red Cross from entering the territory after accusing the Armenian branch of the Red Cross of smuggling unauthorized materials into the region. As living conditions in Artsakh became unbearable, the 120,000 Armenians residing in the region sought refuge in Armenia.

In September 2023, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) sent nearly 70 metric tons of humanitarian aid to Nagorno-Karabakh, including critical food aid. Russia delivered fifty tons of humanitarian supplies to Stepanakert, the region’s capital. Around the same time, the United States offered $11.5 million in humanitarian assistance to address the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh.

In a September 2023 press release, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, “We encourage the sides to engage in direct talks and focus on ways to increase the flow of humanitarian supplies to the population of the region. The United States remains committed to supporting efforts between Armenia and Azerbaijan to resolve long-standing issues and achieve a dignified and durable peace.”

Looking Ahead

Samvel Shahramanyan, the head of Artsakh’s local government, signed a decree according to which all of the republic’s state institutions will be inactive by January 2024. Some have called for international intervention and retribution in the wake of Azerbaijan’s actions to reclaim Nagorno-Karabakh.

While the current conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia does not appear to be approaching resolve, international groups and nations have rallied together to provide aid. Border and cultural conflicts are difficult to resolve. Thus, providing humanitarian protection and aid to address the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh is paramount for the foreseeable future.

– Tatiana Gnuva
Photo: Flickr