Archive for category: Humanitarian Aid

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Humanitarian Aid to Jamaica Improving Safety and Security

Humanitarian Aid to JamaicaDespite its upper middle-income status, Jamaica is one of the slowest growing developing countries in the world. With high public debt and many external shocks, limited energy access and the country’s vulnerability to natural disasters like hurricanes and floods, Jamaica has a lot to improve in order to eliminate poverty and fast-track its economic growth. Successful humanitarian aid to Jamaica has addressed many of the concerning issues that will help the island move in the right direction.

A serious economic restriction for Caribbean island nations such as Jamaica is a lack of energy security. Jamaica relies on imported oil and even though prices have gone down in recent years, electricity prices are still among the highest in the Western hemisphere. Outdated power grid infrastructure, underutilized renewable energy resources and unmet potential of energy efficiency are just a few of the problems created by this energy deficient.

The USAID Caribbean Clean Energy Program is a five-year development project aimed at promoting investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency for the future. Through regional partnerships, this humanitarian aid to Jamaica works to optimize variable renewable energy integration, work with private sectors to drive investments in clean energy development and improve the environment for clean energy advancement.

Upgrading infrastructure, especially in urban areas, can mean a world of difference in enhancing community safety. The Jamaica Integrated Community Development Project helps economically and socially vulnerable communities by improving basic services like waste management, street lighting, paved roads and drainage, as well as introducing violence interrupters and school-based violence prevention. Created by a partnership with the government of Jamaica and the World Bank, this humanitarian aid to Jamaica strives to end the violence and danger that has grown as youth unemployment levels have risen.

USAID is also involved with the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. This U.S. government initiative works with civil society organizations to help those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. In Jamaica, there are currently an estimated 29,000 people living with HIV. The goal of the program is to ensure HIV prevention care and treatment are being addressed across the island. Humanitarian aid to Jamaica focusing on health is vital to the country’s goal of becoming a developed nation, as HIV/AIDS is most prevalent among the poor and poverty-stricken.

There is still a lot of improvement that needs to be made in Jamaica in order for it to gain developed country status. However, these humanitarian initiatives show that there is hope and potential for this island nation.

– Kailey Brennan

Photo: Flickr

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The Numerous Successes of Humanitarian Aid to El Salvador

humanitarian aid to el salvador
Located in Central America, El Salvador is considered one of the smallest and most densely populated countries in the region. Despite its small size, violence runs rampant throughout the country. El Salvador has one of the world’s highest homicide rates and is known for its criminal gangs.

The country also has high rates of extreme poverty, with some living on less than $1 per day in homes without running water or electricity. The high poverty rates coupled with food insecurity have left thousands of Salvadorans in need. Through humanitarian aid to El Salvador, many individuals have had their unique needs met.

Save the Children 

Since 1980, Save the Children has worked throughout El Salvador to help children and their families with health, education, proper emergency response and violence prevention initiatives. Since 2000, child mortality has been reduced by nearly 50 percent as a result of the work of Save the Children coupled with the efforts of government agencies.

In 2016, Save the Children protected more than 26,000 children from harm, supported 133,000 children in serious times of crisis and provided 185,000 children with a healthy start. Save the children seeks to empower individuals by providing food security and a stable income. It provides lower income families that farm with the necessary seeds, livestock, tools and other temporary jobs. By doing so, children and families are more likely to grow and flourish.

Americares

Americares provides humanitarian aid to El Salvador through medical support. Its work began in the country in 1984. Since then, the organization provided emergency aid following a devastating earthquake in 1986, and has continued to meet the medical needs of the Salvadorans.

In 2003, Americares opened a family clinic. The clinic offers a low-cost alternative to other more expensive private practices. At this clinic, families have access to general medicine, pediatrics, gynecology and dentistry. Each year, the clinic serves more than 44,000 patients and acts as a model healthcare institution throughout the region.

Bikes for the World

A unique organization that operates in El Salvador is Bikes for the World. The organization has partnered with the local Salvadoran Center for Appropriate Technology (CESTA) to provide individuals with one of the most reliable and affordable methods of transportation: a bicycle. Since 2012, Bikes for the World has donated nearly 1,000 bicycles to be used by Salvadorans.

With the majority of the population living in San Salvador or nearby suburbs, the organization recognized the need for affordable transportation for individuals living in poverty. The organization not only donates bikes, but also provides job skill training.

Located in San Marcos, a suburb of the capital of El Salvador, CESTA has a bike workshop. Local Salvadoran employees recondition donated bikes, complete repairs, sell bikes and teach bike maintenance and mechanics to at-risk urban youth. The purpose of these actions is that if individuals learn the proper mechanics of a bicycle, they then can gain employment or establish bike shops in their communities. The goal is to not only provide individuals with a method of transportation, but to also encourage economic growth and development.

These organizations have provided effective humanitarian aid to El Salvador. By meeting the direct needs of people living in poverty, the livelihood of many has been improved. While the work of these organizations has been successful, El Salvador is still in deep need of additional humanitarian assistance, as many are still living in deep poverty.

– Sarah Jane Fraser

Photo: Flickr

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3 Major Successes of Humanitarian Aid to Sri Lanka

humanitarian aid to sri lanka
Sri Lanka, an island in the Indian Ocean, has a population of approximately 22 million. The Sri Lankan government and a militant group had severe tension throughout the 1980s, and these tensions escalated substantially in 2006.

However, the government ultimately gained their control back and following the years of conflict, the government put into place various economic development programs primarily funded by the government of China.

Aside from economic restructuring, the government also resettled 95 percent of civilians that were displaced during the decades of conflict. Through the government’s efforts coupled with humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka, millions of people have seen improvements in living conditions, access to education and healthcare and overall disaster preparedness. Here are three successes of humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka.

PINA Organisation

PINA Organisation has provided humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka since 2008. While the organization has several ongoing projects, one of its main objectives is addressing chronic kidney disease (also known as CKD); many Sri Lankans experience high rates of health complications and death as a result of CKD.

The northern and eastern parts of the country are the most affected by the disease — poverty and lack of access to clean water is extremely prevalent throughout the region. With only 35 percent of the entire population having access to clean water, the remainder of the population resorts to using unfiltered ground water.

The use of unfiltered water has been found to be one of the main causes of CKD. The PINA Organisation has partnered with the Sri Lankan Navy and has successfully completed two water filter systems in different regions of the country. Through reverse osmosis, these water systems filter 10,000 liters per day and provide individuals with access to a clean water source.

The organization is responsible for funding the construction of these systems, while the Sri Lankan Navy is responsible for the construction. In 2018, the organization plans to construct another water filtration system in hopes of further preventing CKD by providing Sri Lankans a filtered water source.

World Vision

World Vision has one goal: to sustain the well-being of vulnerable children. Through four key sectors, World Vision is able to meet the needs of children through education, economic development, health and nutrition, and water and sanitation. In 2016, World Vision served over 10,000 children through education. It provided literacy improvements throughout schools around the country, trained over 250 classroom facilitators and provided additional support to nearly 100 children with disabilities.

World Vision also provided proper healthcare and nutrition to over 120,000 children by implementing nutrition programs in schools and prevention programs for disease. The organization also provided access to clean drinking water to upwards 7,000 children, 3,600 households and 35 schools and preschools. Through humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka, World Vision has been able to improve the livelihood of thousands of children throughout the country. 

The United States

Many humanitarian organizations have provided support; however, the United States has also provided substantial humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka. USAID seeks to improve economic growth and financial stability across the country.

Over the past several years, more than 10,000 employment opportunities have been created, with $14 million leveraged in private sector funds. Through this effort, entrepreneurship can be fostered, and public procurement processes can be strengthened.

The United States also has a concern for vulnerable populations such as war widows, female-headed households, disabled individuals, and resettling families in Sri Lanka. They have provided job skills to more than 50,000 Sri Lankans, in hopes of giving individuals the necessary skills to thrive.

Through the humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka provided by these organizations and the United States, many individuals’ livelihoods has significantly improved. Further assistance is needed to fund projects such as the water filtration system project with PIMA Organisation as well as additional resources to meet the needs of more Sri Lankans that are living in poverty.

– Sarah Jane Fraser

Photo: Flickr

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The Success of Humanitarian Aid to Cameroon

humanitarian aid to cameroonCameroon faces many issues that include poverty, disease and violent extremism. Governments and organizations from around the globe have stepped up to provide humanitarian aid to Cameroon and help the country face these challenges.

Despite needing further humanitarian aid, Cameroon has seen progress in many areas. The poverty rate has dropped from 53 percent in 1996 to 37.5 percent in 2014. With the extensive network of organizations providing humanitarian aid to Cameroon, there is hope that the lives of the country’s citizens will continue to improve.

The U.S. government first established a diplomatic relationship with Cameroon in 1960. Current diplomatic efforts are focused on strengthening democratic institutions and thwarting destabilizing threats, such as the threat posed by the extremist group Boko Haram.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) runs several programs in Cameroon. The Cameroon Peace Promotion Project utilizes radio broadcasts to promote moderate voices in the region and prevent the spread of violent extremism.

A second project, called the Central African Regional Program on the Environment, works to conserve the tropical forests in Cameroon and neighboring countries. The Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance and Food for Peace program assists refugees and those affected by conflict. Lastly, USAID also promotes economic development in Cameroon through the West Africa Trade and Investment Hub.

The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) works in Cameroon to provide refugees with the care and resources they need. The UNHCR found that there are over 320,000 refugees currently residing in Cameroon. UNHCR partners with the World Bank and the African Development Bank to empower and support these refugees.

The European Union has allocated €80.7 million in humanitarian aid to Cameroon since 2013. These funds go toward providing food, water and shelter for Cameroon’s refugee population and other vulnerable communities.

Other groups are providing humanitarian aid to Cameroon to combat HIV/AIDS in the country. In 2016, the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) reported that there were 560,000 people in Cameroon living with HIV. UNAIDS is partnering with other organizations like the World Health Organization to accelerate the HIV treatment response in the area. The Centers for Disease Control is also working to eradicate the disease in Cameroon.

Despite the many crises Cameroon faces, there has been progress in addressing these challenges with the contribution of aid from the global community. The success of humanitarian aid to Cameroon shows what can be accomplished with the unified response of organizations across the world.

– Aaron Childree

Photo: Flickr

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The Varying Levels of Success of Humanitarian Aid to Botswana

humanitarian aid to botswana
Botswana is celebrated as a stable democracy in the African region and has experienced steady economic growth for a middle-income country. However, its population also struggles with damaging droughts and one of the highest rates of HIV in the world. Since Botswana is considered a middle-income country, the amount of humanitarian aid to Botswana has decreased considerably, especially when compared to other African countries such as Tanzania.

Botswana has made notable success in its mission to reduce the high HIV rates, and such an accomplishment wouldn’t have been possible without the humanitarian aid to Botswana from other countries. For instance, it was the “first African country to promise free antiretroviral to its citizens in partnership with the Merck Company Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.”

Botswana’s antiretroviral program (MASA) launched in 2002, and as of 2016, it;s estimated that about 300,000 HIV-infected adults received treatment; this number corresponded to an increase from 78 percent in 2015 to 84 percent in 2016.

In addition to MASA, since 2004 Botswana has also received over $750 million through the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which promotes “sustainable, high-quality, cost-effective HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and care interventions.” USAID has helped implement PEPFAR in the country, and that has perhaps contributed to Botswana’s remarkable response to this epidemic. As of 2015, around 92 percent pregnant women with HIV received antiretroviral medication.

Some of the other achievements resulting from humanitarian aid to Botswana include testing and counseling for 272,634 people, and providing care and support for 1008 orphans with HIV.

While these figures demonstrate success in Botswana’s response to this epidemic, it is not clear as to how sustainable these programs are since humanitarian aid to Botswana has decreased significantly over the years. For instance, PEPFAR has made drastic cuts in its funding to Botswana, going from $84 million in 2011 to $39 million in 2015, and $28 million in 2016. So only time will tell if Botswana has reached a point where it can maintain its notable response to HIV with such considerably low funds.

– Mehruba Chowdhury
Photo: Flickr

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The Success of Humanitarian Aid to Serbia

humanitarian aid to serbiaOver the last two decades, Serbia has rarely been mentioned in the news without controversy. Civil wars and independence movements have marred the reputation of this Balkan nation, giving rise to the need for humanitarian aid to Serbia for many of those years. Now, Serbia looks to leave that past behind and move peacefully and progressively into the future. In 2013 the European Council agreed to negotiations that would allow Serbia into the European Union; the talks began in 2014 and continue to this day.

Due to poor leadership and an increase in nationalism in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Federation of Yugoslavia began to disintegrate. Member states began to declare independence, and by 1992, conflicts began to break out all over Yugoslavia. For the next 15 years, the Balkans would be associated with political and cultural strife, creating a need for international assistance and eventually leading to the success of humanitarian aid to Serbia.

In 1992, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) began work in Serbia. The modern goal of the IRC is to provide humanitarian assistance to those affected by conflict. The IRC assisted the people of Serbia though conflict until 2004 and has been a major indication of the success of humanitarian aid to Serbia.

In response to the migrant crisis that affected the Balkan region in March 2016, the Serbian government, European Commission, the IRC and other international and Serbian-based charities initiated a response to provide those stranded with humanitarian aid. The European Commission allocated €25 million in funding for the Serbian government to assist refugees and fund other humanitarian aid projects. Much of the money allocated for refugees has been spent on government-run reception centers. The goal of these centers is to track and assist the over 4,000 refugees in Serbia.

Refugee Aid to Serbia (RAS) is a charity located in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. This local charity works in conjunction with international charities such as NGO North Start and the International Women’s Club, to provide food, education, clothing and legal aid to those stranded throughout the country.

While the number of refugees in Serbia may seem small in comparison to other European nations, the impact on the local economy of Serbia has been significant. This is due to its smaller national economy and population.

– Nick DeMarco

Photo: Flickr

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Humanitarian Aid to Mongolia During a Weather Crisis


For the past few years, Mongolia has experienced a detrimental cycle of harsh weather conditions that has been termed “dzud.” Winters are defined by temperatures at -40 degrees Celsius or below, and spring shortages of food and water lead to intense loss of livestock. To top matters off, droughts in the summer make everything from vegetation to livestock to families suffer.

Herders predict the loss of their livestock and quickly attempt to sell what they have in the market for profit. They do this in order to save up money for another expected rough winter. However, when many herders try to do the same thing at the same time, the market value of each animal decreases and farmers end up without enough money to survive.

USAID documents that on January 20, 2016, the government of Mongolia officially declared dzud conditions and announced that the country was in need of immediate assistance. Humanitarian aid to Mongolia was vital.

Fortunately, the response was rapid. With help from the Mongolian government, and the United Nations’ Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) assessed the situation and determined which groups were most vulnerable.

The plan wasn’t designed to put a long-term solution into play that would save Mongolia’s economy, but rather provide the necessary tools and resources to prevent death among thousands during the brutal winter. Basically, CERF provided humanitarian aid to Mongolia in the form of multi-purpose cash assistance for people at risk that allowed them to purchase essentials. In total, the U.N. provided $2.4 million to Mongolia through CERF. These funds bought basic but necessary food items, reproductive health kits for women and food and care for livestock. As a result, approximately 19,076 people received assistance necessary to beat starvation and death.

Without this form of humanitarian aid to Mongolia, thousands could have died or lost loved ones. Aside from saving lives, CERF strengthened the ties between Mongolia and international agencies, both aid and governmental. When countries are in need of assistance, this example in Mongolia shows that the international community is capable of responding rapidly and effectively.

— Caysi Simpson

Photo: Flickr

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The Success of Humanitarian Aid to Vietnam

humanitarian aid to vietnamA developing country struggles substantially more when hit by natural disasters because of a lack of funding and resources. Vietnam, since 1986, is transitioning from an agrarian economy into a more industrial and market-based society. Because Vietnam is prone to natural disasters the ability for development becomes easily stunted.

The GDP in Vietnam has shown an increase, but in 2016 due to natural disasters, such as Typhoon Damrey, the targeted growth was not met. According to the government of Vietnam, Typhoon Damrey killed 89 people, injured 170 and damaged or destroyed 121,500 houses and homes. This disaster is one of several that disrupted crops, electric grids, and roads while affecting clean water access and sanitation. Humanitarian aid to Vietnam becomes a need to facilitate the recovery and development of the affected areas.

The Government of Vietnam cannot handle the scale of such disasters and aid must come from foreign countries or non-governmental entities. The USAID Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) provides aid for such incidents. For Typhoon Damrey this agency initially provided 250,000 dollars to the Vietnam Red Cross in order to establish clean water, sanitation and hygiene services.

The European Commission also supplies funding for relief and humanitarian aid to Vietnam. 2016 marked the deliverance of €2 million to provide communities affected by drought and saltwater intrusion with safe water, cash and safe hygiene practices. Other efforts relate to the devastation caused in 2013 by cyclones Wutip and Nari. Through the Disaster Preparedness Programme (DIPECHO) the Commission focuses to promote risk management and increase community resilience to natural disasters. The government of Vietnam, supported by the European Commission has made progress in disaster risk reduction. The high susceptibility of floods and typhoons that affect Vietnam calls for more aid though.

Some organizations exist to supply direct aid to the people of Vietnam in order to relieve the stress of natural disasters. Children of Vietnam started in 1998 by Ben Wilson, works in providing educational, nutritional and housing aid, focusing on the needs of Vietnamese children and families. This organization goes as far as bicycle and school scholarships, training families to raise livestock and to farm rice fields and fruit trees for higher productivity.

East Meets West Foundation is another non-profit humanitarian organization providing aid to Vietnam and working to downsize poverty. The people of this foundation look to increase self-sufficiency by improving health, education and economic conditions within Vietnam.  East Meets West brings education to low-income children, supports children with disabilities and developed Clean Water Program to supply potable water to over a hundred thousand people. Foundations such as these provide relief and help to a country that is faced with recurring natural disasters. Humanitarian aid to Vietnam is pertinent to the success of development within the country.

– Bronti DeRoche

Photo: Flickr

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The Success of Humanitarian Aid to Yemen

YemenThe State of Yemen has been embroiled in a civil conflict since the early days of its U.S. and Saudi-backed establishment in 1990. Throughout the following two decades, various political and religious groups vied for power against the rule of Ali Abdullah Saleh. This power was mainly secured through a state of military patronage – meaning that his rule was “legitimized” by military prowess and a persistent framing of political and economic issues as the domain of military families.

As a result of local and international criticism of the ruler’s human rights violations, Arab Spring protests brought about a transition of power to his Vice-President, Abed Rabbo Mansour al-Hadi. It was during this time of instability that the modern crises began to unfold.

The main actors in the modern conflict, as of 2014, are Hadi’s government (backed by Saudi and the U.S.), Houthi Shi’a rebels (backed by Iran), and Al-Qaida (supported by some disillusioned supporters of Saleh). The ensuing conflict has been marked by Saudi and Iranian proxy-interference and a seemingly hopeless humanitarian situation.

Prior to the establishment of the Yemeni Arab Republic in 1990, the country was already the regions most impoverished. Water was scarce, reliance on foreign imports high and the governance constantly challenged. Now, after four years of conflict, the hope of a speedy reconstruction process has been lost and the civilian casualties are catastrophic. The U.N. humanitarian aid official in Yemen has confirmed that the number of civilian casualties has risen to over 10,000.

Currently, four out of five Yemenis – a population of 25 million – are in need of humanitarian assistance. These people face starvation, water pollution and rapid spread of disease, to say nothing of the daily toll of war on their psyche and community affiliations. Yet, the most horrific reality of this situation is the lack of humanitarian aid to Yemen that has been provided, mainly due to the unyielding air raids and mortar attacks which specifically target civilians.

Humanitarian Aid to Yemen

In a more forgiving context, the goal would be to provide food, medicine and various structural support upon the brokerage of a ceasefire. Unfortunately, to date, the success of such a deal in Yemen has been unattainable.

In 2017, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimated Yemen’s needed aid at $2.3 billion. In the same year, the largest financial contributor to the crisis, the U.S. government, provided around 23 percent of the needed aid. The U.S. contribution was followed by aid from Saudi Arabi and the United Arab Emirates. In total, the amount of aid pledged by the international community covers 56 percent of the need.

Of the aid provided, 33.7 percent has been allocated to cover food security programs and 15.3 percent has been put towards health assistance. The main recipients of this funding are the World Food Programme, the United Nations Children’s Fund, the World Health Organization, and the Red Crescent Society of the United Arab Emirates.

The Discrepancy in Humanitarian aid to Yemen

With nearly half of all humanitarian aid to Yemen going to food and health programs, the amount remaining for other necessities – which affect the long-term viability of the country’s survival – are severely underfunded.

Currently, only one percent of aid is being given to Save the Children, an international humanitarian organization that works to ensure the protection of Children’s Human Rights. Furthermore, only .2 percent has been allotted to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), which typically works on issues of reproductive rights and safety and ending female genital mutilation.

At the moment, the provision of food and health aid is most urgent, however, it is vital to ensure further funding for programs that will help Yemen rebuild after the crisis.

 – Katarina Schrag

Photo: Flickr

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Triumphant Moments Regarding Humanitarian Aid to Cuba

The Success of Humanitarian Aid to Cuba
Spending an entire day flooding over northern regions of the island, the harshest storm since 1932 destroyed over 4,000 homes, obliterated acres of cane sugar, engulfed Havana and ravaged Cuba as well as several other Caribbean islands.

And the entire world took notice — Russian, Japanese, Bolivian and Colombian governments all sent vessels of humanitarian aid to Cuba; in fact, the United States seemed to be the only direct assistance absent. Over the years, humanitarian aid to Cuba has been mixed with a rather substantial amount of political hesitations.

For instance, the United States Agency for International Development offers humanitarian aid — such as food, vitamins, medicines and toiletries — to Cuba in regard to their families, but also to political prisoners and politically ostracized individuals.

President of Engage Cuba, James Williams, stated that “politics playing the dominant role in humanitarian relief unfortunately has been with us far too long.”

A possibility considered by members of Congress was to provide Cuba with tools and supplies to repair public infrastructure like schools, hospitals, roads, and bridges, aside from direct humanitarian aid.

“If the U.S. were to do something magnanimous like this, it would go a long way to further U.S. interests in Cuba and generally support a group of people who are in dire need of help,” said Williams.

However, this plan would also require efforts from Congress to briefly, and temporarily, remove parts of the economic ban on Cuba to allow delivery of construction material to state entities that own the roads and other infrastructure. But as of now, the ban permits such deliveries only to private parties.

While America found loopholes to support the island’s direst needs, the Russian Emergencies Ministry sent humanitarian aid to Cuba that consisted of over 1,000 tons of cargo, including construction materials and medicines.

Three aircrafts from Japan, Bolivia and Colombia delivered humanitarian aid to Cuba in the form of an eight-ton load of cargo composed of rice, water, milk, sheets and hygienic items. Along with these nations, the governments of Argentina, Canada, Costa Rica, China, Dominica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Spain, Mexico, Nicaragua, Uruguay, Venezuela and Vietnam also articulated their unity with Cuba and readiness to support their salvage.

– Jalil Perry

Photo: Flickr