Archive for category: Humanitarian Aid

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International Organizations Provide Aid to Venezuela

Aid to VenezuelaOver the past three decades, Venezuela has encountered a series of challenges. According to the National Institute of Statistics, in 2005, approximately 40% of the population lived below the poverty line. Additionally, a concerning 10% of households were found to be in extreme poverty conditions. Particularly vulnerable are women and indigenous groups, constituting half of the population, who struggle with economic and food security. Recognizing the severity of the situation, international organizations have been actively providing aid to Venezuelan citizens since the late ’90s.

IFAD Empowers Rural Venezuelans

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is an organization that empowers vulnerable rural populations. This organization has played a pivotal role in addressing the escalating socioeconomic disparities that have become increasingly pronounced across the region. Nowhere is this disparity more evident than in Venezuela, where poverty rates have become concentrated within specific demographics, notably indigenous regions like Warao and among landless households where women are primary income earners.

Recognizing the urgent need for targeted interventions, IFAD has been a beacon of hope for these marginalized communities. Since 1989, the organization has made substantial investments, totaling around $80 million in loans. The primary objectives of these investments have been twofold: promoting resource conservation and bolstering household incomes to mitigate the pervasive impact of poverty. Through its strategic investments, IFAD has directly benefited 50,000 households. This transformative assistance has been channeled through six projects, three still ongoing.

USAID Continues To Reduce Poverty

In a significant demonstration of its commitment to addressing the ongoing crisis in Venezuela, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) publicly announced a substantial contribution of $171 million in aid to Venezuela. This announcement, made by U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield on March 17, 2023, underscores the nation’s unwavering dedication to providing support to “people affected by the ongoing crisis in Venezuela and the region.”

Due to 7.1 million Venezuelans fleeing the country, the $171 million investment was distributed into distinct services to help Venezuelan citizens access basic needs and funding for host communities.

1. Around $85 million of the total assistance went to humanitarian efforts such as health care and nutrition vouchers.

2. Around $31 million went to human rights and civil society organizations to help Venezuelans integrate into Colombia and Ecuador.

3. The remaining $56 million went to life-saving humanitarian programs, providing emergency shelters, water, hygiene supplies and health care access.

This recent announcement adds to the cumulative aid provided by USAID, which has exceeded an impressive $2.8 billion since 2017. This substantial financial commitment makes the U.S. widely recognized as the largest donor of humanitarian assistance to Venezuela.

UNHCR Saves Venezuelan Refugees

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), a global organization committed to saving the lives of refugees, has been actively responding to the escalating socioeconomic crisis in Venezuela. The compounding factors of COVID-19 and rising living costs have forced a staggering 7.7 million Venezuelans to leave their homes.

In a proactive move, UNHCR increased its border presence to provide basic needs such as food and water. Specially designed shelters were established to cater to the vulnerable groups among refugees, including children, older people and individuals with disabilities.

WFP Combats Food Insecurity

In 2022, the World Food Programme (WFP) played a pivotal role in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela by assisting approximately 550,000 individuals. WFP has been serving the developing nation due to the ongoing socioeconomic crisis, compounded by the recent COVID-19 virus and food price increases from inflation. Even with the economic growth experienced in 2022, families struggle to secure food and essential needs.

To combat food insecurity, aid to Venezuela in the form of school meals was started in 2021. The aim is to ensure children, especially those with disabilities, receive a meal daily. WFP transitioned to hot meals in April 2023 in three municipalities in Falcon, an agriculturally poor region with an arid climate. WFP partners with school staff to ensure the meal program rolls out to other areas through training and leadership programs. The work done in Venezuela prepares local communities on how to respond to emergencies to increase food security, providing logistical and coordination support.

Conclusion

Venezuela still requires further humanitarian aid to uplift its citizens to socioeconomic levels above the poverty line. The current obstacle for nongovernmental organizations working in the country is limited funding or resources transferred to other departments. While new and unpredictable challenges occur, organizations are still committed to providing aid to Venezuela with more significant opportunities, both in and outside the nation.

– Luis Lujano-Garcia
Photo: Flickr

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Successful Programs From Foreign Aid to Guatemala

Foreign Aid to GuatemalaWhile Guatemala is home to the largest economy in Central America, 55.2% of Guatemalans lived in poverty in 2023. Because of the country’s high poverty rate, foreign aid to Guatemala is essential to reducing instability and providing Guatemalans with the resources to establish essential services and agricultural production. Guatemala’s high poverty rate could be due to natural disasters, such as hurricanes and droughts, causing agricultural setbacks. Additionally, political instability and violence have hindered Guatemala’s otherwise decent economy. The country is still recovering from a civil war that lasted for 36 years between 1960 and 1996. Without major investments in education, health and agriculture, Guatemalans continue to live in poverty.

US Foreign Aid to Guatemala

According to the Brookings Institute, foreign aid  “aims to support security, as well as the economic, social and political development of recipient countries and their people.” The United States spends about 1% of the annual federal budget on foreign aid. Additionally, the United States is the top contributor of foreign aid to Guatemala, alongside Spain, South Korea and the European Union.

In 2022, the United States provided $117.9 million in foreign aid to Guatemala per a Congressional report. Much of that funding was dedicated to development assistance. In 2023, the United States provided $121.3 million in foreign aid to Guatemala with a focus on humanitarian needs. President Biden has requested $164.5 million in foreign aid to Guatemala for 2024, according to Congressional Research Service.

Foreign aid to Guatemala funds programs aiming to improve the livelihood of Guatemalans and reduce poverty.

World Bank Country Partnership Framework (CPF)

The World Bank’s Country Partnership Framework (CPF) is a project that aims to increase human capital, resilience to natural disasters and climate change, and improve job opportunities in Guatemala. Over four years from 2024 through 2027, the World Bank’s CPF program will spend $2.5 billion to address Guatemala’s wide-ranging issues, according to the World Bank. These initiatives include infrastructure development, greater access to basic services, improved responses to natural disasters and greater access to economic opportunities in urban and rural areas.

Project Concern International (PCI) and USAID

Barrio Mio, a collaboration between Project Concern International (PCI) and USAID aims to reduce disaster risk in Guatemala by “improving urban infrastructure, housing and livelihoods.”

USAID and PCI launched a prototype of the project between 2012 and 2015 with great success. This included safeguarding homes against landslides through structural changes. The project also identifyed high-risk neighborhoods throughout Guatemala to reduce “vulnerability to crises before they happen.” In phase one alone, Barrio Mio improved nearly 3,000 shelters and provided clean water and sanitation for nearly 800 individuals.

While the first phase of Barrio Mio was launched in 2012, the project’s third phase concluded in 2020 with the expansion of the program in Guatemala City. A goal of the third phase was to increase the effectiveness of responses to urban emergencies, according to the ALNAP case study. Guatemala’s government adopted Barrio Mio’s methodology for emergency response and urban upgrading policy for communities that lacked stable infrastructure and essential services, Global Communities reports.

UN Guatemala Humanitarian Response Plan

The United Nations’ 2023 Guatemala Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) targeted 2.3 million people. The plan focused on protection, food security and nutrition. The HRP targeted four primary groups including children affected by malnutrition, Indigenous and rural families facing food insecurity, people “in situations of human mobility” and people with disabilities.

Of the 4.6 million Guatemalans facing food insecurity in 2023, the HRP targeted roughly 500,000. Additionally, under the HRP, 117 schools were refurbished, allowing over 20,000 children to attend school with “improved educational conditions.” The plan also developed health services across Guatemala.

The Takeaways

Guatemala has faced several setbacks that have negatively affected its population, including climate-related disasters, political instability and economic mismanagement. Foreign aid has greatly helped Guatemalans facing food insecurity, malnourishment and a lack of health and education services.

– Marley Wilson
Photo: Flickr

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Cash-For-Work Transforming Lives of Syrian Refugees in Jordan

Cash-for-WorkIn the expansive refugee camps of Zaatari and Azraq in Jordan, a beacon of hope shines brightly through the implementation of cash-for-work programs. These initiatives, resulting from a partnership between the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the Jordanian government and a consortium of humanitarian organizations, offer more than mere employment opportunities; they provide a crucial pathway to empowerment and self-reliance for thousands of displaced Syrians seeking refuge from the turmoil of their homeland.

A Closer Look at Cash for Work Initiatives

Meticulously designing cash-for-work programs serves a dual purpose: aiding refugee communities by integrating them into the workforce and contributing positively to the local economy. Refugees take on various roles, from essential waste management tasks to teaching positions, each specifically tailored to meet the unique needs of the camp’s inhabitants. A notable project within the Zaatari camp saw refugees actively involved in constructing durable shelters, effectively transitioning their living conditions from temporary tents to more stable and permanent homes. This project gave refugees valuable construction skills and instilled a sense of accomplishment and community contribution.

Quantifying Impact: A Data-Driven Perspective

The success of these programs is more than merely anecdotal; compelling data and statistics support it. In 2021, the government and UNHCR released figures indicating that they granted a record-breaking 62,000 work permits to Syrians, marking the highest yearly figure since it was introduced. The financial injection is significant, but the psychological and social benefits extend beyond monetary measures.

For instance, Etidal, the primary caregiver of her severely diabetic husband, gained the ability to support her family financially through a volunteering opportunity with CARE International.

Over time, she transitioned into a hydroponics trainer, preparing others for similar opportunities. She expressed, “Through my job in the camp, I became the sole financial supporter of my beautiful family.”

Comprehensive Benefits and Psychological Impacts

The programs offer multifaceted benefits, significantly impacting participants’ mental health and community cohesion. Engaging in meaningful work allows refugees to regain a sense of normalcy, control and pride in their lives, combating the despair and idleness that can pervade camp life. These jobs fulfill immediate financial needs and foster a productive environment where refugees can contribute and feel valued by their community.

Despite their evident success, cash-for-work programs encounter challenges. Critics caution against potential risks, such as creating dependency or inadvertently distorting local labor markets. Furthermore, maintaining consistent funding and effectively scaling these initiatives to meet growing demands without compromising quality or sustainability remains an ongoing battle.

Conclusion: A Model for Humanitarian Aid

Cash-for-work programs in Syrian refugee camps exemplify humanitarian aid prioritizing dignity, empowerment and active community engagement. These initiatives provide immediate financial relief and pave the way for long-term development and self-sufficiency. By interweaving direct aid with strategic development efforts, these programs support refugee populations in reclaiming autonomy and preparing for a hopeful future.

As the world grapples with unprecedented displacement levels, success stories from Jordan’s refugee camps serve as a powerful testament to the potential of innovative, work-based solutions in humanitarian crises. These programs illuminate the path toward a more sustainable and dignified approach to refugee aid, offering valuable lessons and inspiration for global responses to displacement and poverty.

– Hana Al-Khodairi
Photo: Flickr

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The Danish Refugee Council’s Humanitarian Aid Efforts In Lebanon

Humanitarian Aid Efforts In LebanonThe Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is an esteemed non-governmental organization that focuses on offering aid and safeguarding the rights of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs). Since its establishment in 1956, the DRC currently operates in 40 countries, and its ultimate mission revolves around fostering long-lasting solutions for individuals forcibly uprooted from their homes, including its humanitarian aid efforts in Lebanon.

Crisis in Lebanon

The DRC is providing humanitarian aid efforts in Lebanon because the ongoing refugee crisis in the region heavily affects the Middle Eastern nation. Despite its small size, it plays host to a large number of refugees in proportion to its population, with around 1.5 million Syrian refugees seeking shelter. Ever since the onset of the Syrian conflict in 2011, Lebanon has witnessed a substantial influx of Syrian refugees. Furthermore, the country already accommodates a significant number of Palestinian refugees who have been struggling with displacement since long before the outbreak of this conflict.

Lebanon is also currently grappling with one of the most severe economic catastrophes. By 2023, the Lebanese currency has lost 98% of its value. This significant decline has caused a distressing rise in poverty levels, leading to the closure of several businesses and a surge in unemployment rates. Consequently, the prices of basic goods have skyrocketed, making it difficult for people to afford basic necessities such as food, shelter and health care.

The refugees face many significant challenges, including the lack of access to adequate housing and health care. Many live in overcrowded settlements or informal tented settlements, which only puts them at risk of further exploitation and marginalization.

Humanitarian Aid Efforts In Lebanon

DRC has been distributing humanitarian aid efforts in Lebanon since 2004, working closely with local communities, government authorities, such as the U.S. Department of State and other humanitarian agencies to address the needs of refugees and displaced people. Its presence and expertise provide rapid and effective assistance to those most in need. One of the ways this is done is through the CHASE program.

The Capable, Hopeful, Accepted, Safe and Engaged (CHASE) youth empowerment program aims to enhance social and economic empowerment and foster self-reliance among young Syrian refugees and other youths who feel the impacts of conflict. Before creating this program, the DRC conducted a study and found that Lebanese and Syrian youth are facing widespread feelings of hopelessness due to limited opportunities for further education and decent employment, leading to a lack of optimism for the future.

The program employs a holistic approach to support communities, incorporating activities such as skills training, capacity building, awareness campaigns and advocacy efforts.

Economic Recovery Programming

The DRC’s Economic Recovery Programming is a program that aims to support individuals and their households in rebuilding their financial stability after a crisis or shock. Its main focus is to empower individuals to sustain themselves through self-production for income generation in a secure manner. Within this program, there are three sub-sectors: Food Security, Financial Inclusion and Decent Livelihoods.

  1. Food security initiatives work to guarantee that people and families have the necessary resources to access an adequate amount of safe and high-quality food through various interventions that enhance their ability to fulfill their essential food requirements. By providing economic support and facilitating access to markets, these efforts ensure that individuals have both the financial means and physical access necessary to acquire the food they need.
  2. Financial inclusion initiatives aim to provide individuals and businesses with access to affordable and tailored financial products and services, delivered responsibly and sustainably. This may involve educating and assisting individuals, households and communities in understanding and utilizing these financial tools, such as through financial literacy workshops.
  3. Decent livelihood activities aim to ensure that individuals and households have the resources necessary to meet their needs by offering a variety of income opportunities from sustainable work. These activities involve providing employment assistance to individuals and households by improving life and technical skills, social connections and hands-on experiences. They also help give access to important assets such as natural resources and tools, which are essential for participating in both agricultural and non-agricultural labor markets either as wage earners or self-employment.

Supporting Refugees and IDPs

The DRC’s humanitarian aid efforts in Lebanon demonstrate its commitment to supporting refugees and IDPs. Through a comprehensive range of services, the DRC empowers displaced individuals to rebuild their lives. With a focus on long-term solutions and advocacy, the DRC contributes significantly to humanitarian efforts in Lebanon.

– Sara Hatab
Photo: Flickr

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USAID/BHA Food Assistance

USAID/BHA Food AssistanceFood insecurity affects more than 783 million people worldwide and is a significant driver of poverty. Suppose people are unable to secure their basic food needs. In that case, it is difficult to focus on addressing their other needs, such as medical concerns, employment and access to other services, like housing and electricity. Additionally, as reported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), the government entity that provides humanitarian food assistance around the world, alleviating hunger also helps protect the security of those in need and the United States (U.S.) because food insecurity can create and exacerbate conflict.

Strategies and Funding Allocations

For this reason, the USAID/BHA allocates much funding towards its food assistance programs: more than $6 billion in the Fiscal Year 2022 alone, helping more than 167 million individuals worldwide. It also partners with the World Food Program (WFP) and various humanitarian NGOs to provide funding and food provisions to even more needy people. The methods by which this assistance reaches those experiencing food insecurity go beyond providing food and are adapted to the specific conditions facing the countries and communities requiring food aid. These strategies vary from direct food assistance from the U.S. to locally procured food products and even cash or food vouchers given to those who need them to use at local markets.

In-Kind Food Assistance: A Rapid Response System

One common method of providing food aid is through provisions directly delivered by the U.S. to those in need. Referred to as “in-kind food assistance,” food parcels are taken from USAID distribution centers in Miami, Florida; Dubai, UAE; Durban, South Africa; and Djibouti City, Djibouti.

These warehouses are stocked with up to 50 million metric tons of food supplies, enabling a swift and robust response to urgent food needs worldwide. Basic staples such as rice, vegetable oil and lentils are readily available for deployment in critical situations. The reliability of the in-kind food assistance system proves particularly effective in addressing acute hunger resulting from emergencies, including conflicts or natural disasters.

A recent example highlighting the efficacy of this assistance occurred in Kenya, where years of drought made food both scarce and prohibitively expensive in 2022. It necessitated importing food aid into the country through USAID/BHA and WFP. Another instance underscores the crucial role of this assistance in Yemen, currently grappling with one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises. Conflict in Yemen has severely disrupted local food supplies and markets, necessitating the importation of in-kind food assistance to address the insufficient capacity of local resources to provide for its citizens.

Supporting Economies and Meeting Local Preferences

USAID/BHA also utilizes other methods of providing food aid to those who need it beyond in-kind food assistance. One such method is using USAID/BHA funds to buy food provisions from local markets to distribute to those experiencing food insecurity. This allows USAID/BHA funds to support the local economy and provide foods that are more familiar and comforting to those experiencing hunger. It also can often be a more affordable and quicker method of food assistance for aid groups in places where conflict has made locally procured food assistance an essential supplement to in-kind food assistance, which can sometimes be costly to provide in these areas and can often be delayed. This recently has been the case in South Sudan and Afghanistan, where locally procured food products have helped aid groups provide food to those who need it.

Direct Cash Assistance

Another method is giving money directly to those in need so that can buy food at local markets. This is more common in places where there is technically enough food to feed the population locally, but it is unaffordable for those experiencing food insecurity or crisis. An example of USAID/BHA utilizing this approach is in Guatemala, where much of the population experiences hunger and malnutrition. Guatemala has the highest rate of childhood stunting in Latin America and the Caribbean. USAID/BHA efforts in Guatemala are entirely based on cash transactions, rather than in-kind food transfers or local procurement, in conjunction with other programs that partner with local farmers to strengthen agricultural supply and resiliency.

Food Vouchers

Finally, the last method utilized by USAID/BHA to help those experiencing hunger is by providing food vouchers, which can then be redeemed at local markets. A voucher, rather than monetary assistance, ensures that the funding is used for specific nutritious food items and decreases the possible dangers of possessing cash in certain volatile situations. An instance of this method in action is in Syrian refugee camps, where electronic vouchers are often provided to those living in these camps to procure food for themselves and their families.

Conclusion

Overall, USAID/BHA food assistance, as well as food aid provided by WFP and various NGOs supported by USAID/BHA, offers a range of methods to provide food to those experiencing food insecurity. This multifaceted approach allows these programs to adapt to the changing conditions and needs of different communities and situations globally. The flexibility inherent in utilizing all of these approaches, often in conjunction with each other, ensures that food reaches those in need efficiently while providing the added benefits of giving back to the local economy and providing some autonomy and comfort to those facing hunger. Most importantly, USAID/BHA food assistance helps keep people worldwide from having to go to bed hungry.

– Lyle Seeligson
Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Humanitarian Aid International: Addressing Poverty in India

Humanitarian Aid InternationalIndia, especially its rural communities, suffers from widespread poverty and income inequality induced by a long history of colonization. Statistically, almost 60% of India’s population lives on  $3.10 a day, the World Bank’s median poverty line. Humanitarian Aid International (HAI), an Indian nongovernmental Organization (NGO), seeks to lift people from local communities out of systematic poverty by utilizing a unique humanitarian aid model.

About Humanitarian Aid International

Humanitarian Aid International started like any other NGO. It was formed by a team of professional humanitarian workers and academics whose purpose was to alleviate poverty in the local communities of India. After realizing how international NGOs often neglect the opinions of local NGOs while making critical decisions, HAI broadened its purpose to include the representation of local NGOs in national and international humanitarian circles. HAI’s model for providing aid to communities prioritizes understanding the local context, which includes the communities’ cultural beliefs and practices behind their poor conditions. The organization determines the aid it provides with this local context in mind.

Working at the Local Level

India is one of the world’s most religiously and ethnically diverse countries. Therefore, Indian communities often suffer from unique economic problems shaped by their cultural traditions and history, one example being the severe income inequality between higher and lower castes. HAI considers factors such as discrimination and equity in determining aid for impoverished communities. Consequently, the nonprofit can develop multifaceted responses to complex issues.

In the case of Hindu refugees fleeing persecution in Pakistan, HAI was able to gain a profound understanding of the refugees’ plight by constantly interacting with them respectfully and inquisitively. Realizing that the refugee camps lacked not just electricity but also educational facilities and clean running water, HAI actively provided resources to satisfy these needs; they adapted the aid to reflect the non-Western reality of these camps, evident in the Hindi lessons for children and adults alike.

Interview With David Leitner

David Leitner, a professor of Cultural Anthropology at Las Positas College, Livermore, California, explains how communities perceive the world in unique ways. According to Leitner, these perceptions shape the communities’ material needs. Humanitarian organizations like HAI need to understand these material needs to optimize the aid they provide.

“Culture is both a sort of lens through which you interpret your experiences and also a tool kit you have available to react to the world in response to your needs and wants,” said Leitner. HAI also utilizes its model of understanding local context to promote and advance children’s and women’s rights, ideas that vary locally and nationally based on cultural and social differences.

Why This Is Important

According to Leitner, no two communities share everything in common. Therefore, utilizing a universal model to provide aid to local communities can be ineffective since “If both sides have different assumptions about the problem that needs to be solved, it can lead to some serious misunderstandings.” Additionally, understanding a community’s specific economic and cultural conditions can reveal hidden sociopolitical structures that may help explain systemic poverty.

“Coming in from the outside, there’s oftentimes a lot of information that you can only get if you have had a chance to first allow the local people to trust you. This can sometimes reveal hidden power structures that you may not be aware of,” said Leitner. This knowledge can also be applied to HAI’s advocation for the representation of local NGOs in international humanitarian discussions. International NGOs regularly neglect these organizations despite often being the only ones who provide direct aid to impoverished communities worldwide.

Consensus has been reached during events such as the World Humanitarian Summit 2016 to provide more funding to local NGOs and include them in discussions on humanitarian issues. However, non-Western local NGOs have neither been provided the necessary amount of aid nor the representation in international coalitions that Western organizations largely dominate. To diversify international humanitarian networks, earning the trust of local NGOs is necessary, as each deals with different communities with unique causes behind their impoverishment. HAI intends to do just that with active advocacy of its model and local NGOs in national and international spheres.

The Future

HAI has done much good work advocating for its model within the international humanitarian sphere. It has hosted the international secretariat of Charter4Change and signed the Climate Charter, signaling a dedication to supporting local actors and communities. It is also a member of large NGO networks like the World Humanitarian Action Forum and Sphere India, among other accomplishments.

The organization’s work in local communities is a continuous and ever-changing process. It runs multiple campaigns, ranging from providing educational resources to students from poor neighborhoods with insufficient education facilities to laying out ways for people to sponsor individual children whose circumstances have disproportionately disadvantaged them. Ultimately, HAI’s work has humanized the impoverished communities that are often unheard of by universal models of providing humanitarian aid. Thanks to NGOs like HAI, the hope for increasing local NGO participation in humanitarian efforts is on a positive trajectory.

– Parth Mishra
Photo: Flickr

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The Impact of Humanitarian Influencers

The Impact of Humanitarian Influencers In an era where the digital landscape shapes our view of the world, humanitarian influencers are emerging as powerful forces for change, leveraging the vast reach of social media to highlight and address global poverty and need. These influencers, through platforms like Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, are not only sharing their missions but are also mobilizing a global community toward action.

The Power of Social Media

The internet and social media have made the world more connected than ever. Before the internet emerged, options for distributing information were limited to books and magazines, which could quickly become outdated and newspapers and radio broadcasts, which only reached limited areas and audiences. Currently, the internet enables important and current news to reach millions of viewers within minutes.

This significantly enhances the reach of humanitarian activists and aid. Within minutes, activists can share stories of communities needing help and their message can reach hundreds, thousands, or even millions of people who might donate or volunteer. Many humanitarians recognize the advantages of a robust social media presence.

Influential Humanitarians on Social Media

There are plenty of humanitarians who understand the benefits of maintaining a strong social media presence. Known as humanitarian influencers, with the significant aim of impacting underprivileged communities.

With their stories, projects and passion, humanitarian influencers like Surthany Hejeij, Tusaiwe Munkhondiya and Esther Mann are redefining philanthropy:

Surthany Hejeij (@surthycooks)

About half of Venezuela’s population lives in poverty, facing a humanitarian crisis with widespread shortages of essentials like food and drinking water. Venezuelan native Surthany Hejeij initially planned to use her TikTok, Instagram and YouTube channels to share her homemade recipes. However, disturbed by the rampant food waste she observed on social media, she shifted her focus to demonstrate the significant impact that using these ingredients wisely could have.

Surthany prepares large batches of food to distribute to Venezuela’s underprivileged citizens, showing viewers the positive effects of her efforts on her community and illustrating that fighting food insecurity can be as simple as sharing meals with families. Gaining recognition for her critique of food waste trends, this humanitarian influencer has inspired others to act similarly. Surthany has built a community of 29.3 million TikTok followers, 7.7 million on Instagram and 10.3 million YouTube subscribers. She not only continues to provide free meals to people in her community but has also traveled internationally to offer meals, leveraging her substantial online following.

Tusaiwe Munkhondiya (@tusaiweyana)

70% of Malawi’s population faces poverty, with Opportunity International reporting that more than two-thirds live in impoverished conditions. This situation heavily impacts children in Malawi, many of whom come from families struggling to afford school supplies, fees, or even necessities. Despite significant strides toward improving children’s well-being in Malawi, substantial challenges remain. Tusaiwe Munkhondiya, a 24-year-old from Mzuzu, Malawi, has dedicated herself to ensuring the children in her community flourish in a secure, loving and nurturing environment.

Serving as a caregiver to hundreds of children who affectionately refer to her as their mother, Tusaiwe’s nonprofit organization, YANA, channels donations and funds into creating schools, clinics, housing, farms and more for the children. As a humanitarian influencer, Tusaiwe leverages her social media presence to share updates and stories about the children under her care, attracting followers eager to support YANA’s expansion. With 84,000 followers on Instagram and 2.9 million on TikTok, her efforts have captured the attention and admiration of many influential people, one of which being Jaden Smith who regularly sends gift packages to the children in Tusaiwe’s care.

Esther Mann (@estherhavens)

Social media empowers humanitarians to adopt and leverage innovative methods for supporting their causes. The potential for humanitarian influencers to positively impact the lives of underprivileged individuals is boundless. For instance, Esther Mann, hailing from Dallas, Texas, leverages her photography skills to raise awareness about impoverished countries, with a particular focus on African nations like Rwanda and Kenya.

Her captivating images of the local people often grace the covers of magazines and books. The proceeds from these photographs frequently benefit the families she supports in Rwanda and Kenya through the Africa New Life Ministries’ sponsorship program. Moreover, Mann uses her platform to encourage others to sponsor families in Rwanda. Her photography has moved many and inspired individuals to utilize their talents for social good. Recently, Mann hosted a session sharing her unique and empathetic approach to photography.

Looking Ahead

The rise of humanitarian influencers marks a transformative shift in addressing global poverty, showcasing the profound power of social media to unite and inspire action across continents. Through their innovative use of platforms like Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, these influencers are not just spreading awareness but are actively contributing to the betterment of underprivileged communities worldwide. As we look to the future, the continued efforts of these compassionate voices promise to further bridge the gap between need and aid, heralding a new era of global solidarity and support.

– Kimber Peters
Photo: Freepik

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Envisioning the Future of Humanitarian Aid

Humanitarian AidHumanitarian aid, a crucial resource in the global fight against poverty and disease and the most prominent crisis response is at a turning point as many within the field of humanitarian assistance are advocating for a new future for global aid. Humanitarian aid is often serves to address immediate needs in a crisis, focusing on people rather than development sectors, with the direct goal of saving lives and alleviating suffering. This aid is typically possible through the saturation of crisis zones with basic necessities like structures, food and medical supplies.

While the goals of humanitarian aid appear to involve straightforward resource distribution, the implementation often presents unforeseen challenges. Foreign responses to crises have been criticized for their shortcomings in cultural competency and the lack of proper infrastructure to effectively distribute these important resources. Recent experts in the field have advocated for a new structure for humanitarian aid to address these challenges and create a more sustainable vision.

Expert Report on Humanitarian Aid

A technical expert in protection projects spoke with The Borgen Project on the growingly prominent discourse regarding humanitarian aid. The source, who spent more than a decade abroad working on-site at the United Nations (U.N.) refugee camps in Greece, Tunisia and Myanmar, wishes to remain anonymous due to the sensitive nature of the work. She explains, “The problem with humanitarian aid is that, essentially, it is a relatively new field. Basic standards were not really established until the nineties. Because of that, the humanitarian field takes a lot of time to catch up to where many other fields are in terms of adapting to the times.”

The Evolution of Foreign Aid

While foreign aid is a concept that began long before the ’90s, the system in use by developed nations today is relatively new. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the primary U.S. aid organization, was not established until the 1960s and evolved into its current form in the early 2000s. Foreign aid has undergone many changes throughout the years to adapt to emerging political ideologies and needs. This expert believes another period of transformation is ongoing. Since COVID-19 affected the global economy, the need for aid and multidimensional aid in particular has increased. 

The Potential Impact of Local Collaboration

The eighth Secretary-General of the U.N., Ban Ki-Moon, spoke of this issue in 2016, but there are no big changes yet. He explained that current conflict trends require a reimagining of future humanitarian action. “The starting point is a fundamental shift in our approach, away from crisis response and towards crisis prevention, by reducing vulnerabilities and managing risks,” he said. This can largely be accomplished by moving away from “individual projects with short term goals” and toward longer timelines that can be sustained within the community. He emphasized working with local actors and supporting existing support structures rather than replacing them amidst a crisis. 

Ki-Moon’s beliefs are echoed by the technical expert as she explains, “So one of the things that, for example, is talked about a lot is trying to shift to needs-based and more tailored assistance based on what are the specific needs of the population rather than a blanket just assuming that, oh, everyone wants X, Y, Z, but in reality that is not the case.” Tailoring needs to a specific population can make a rapid response more complex, but it can also be the difference between effective and ineffective aid. If a larger organization adopts a ‘one size fits all’ approach to aid, it assumes the world is homogeneous. Understanding cultural differences and norms is crucial for respecting communities and ensuring that aid does more good than harm.

Comparing Long-term and Short-term Aid

By collaborating with local communities, it becomes possible to establish a longer-term support system. The technical expert points out that current humanitarian funding typically spans just one or two years, prompting discussions about the need for sustainable, extended programs. This entails adopting a more integrated approach, where humanitarian and development aid, two historically separate sectors, can be combined to create a more enduring vision. Instead of solely relying on reactive humanitarian assistance, humanitarian aid can be used to lay the foundation for the distribution of basic necessities. This approach enhances the effectiveness of reactive aid by integrating infrastructure and involving community members experienced in aid distribution from the outset.

Furthermore, short-term aid has limitations in its ability to support vulnerable populations. The expert explains, “When you have one year of funding, that does not really create long-term change when we are talking about soft sectors. So that is when I am talking about protection as a soft sector because it is making sure that you reduce the amount of gender-based violence or child abuse and you increase awareness of people’s rights and increase awareness about their land rights and stuff like that. So those things take a much longer time to be able to see that difference.” Crisis response can go beyond survival if the focus shifts to a more sustainable vision. 

An interesting tool to establish these longer-term, local-based visions of aid is cash rather than resources. In the same address, Ki-Moon stated that the U.N. must add “cash payments based on risk analysis to the traditional mix.” Over the last decade, cash has increased and shown to be effective in the correct settings. It is handed directly to local populations who understand the exact needs of the community and do not need to be trained in cultural competency. 

Looking Ahead

The transition toward cash is beneficial. She elaborates, “With cash, there is a lot of struggle between how to manage that to make sure that it is not causing harm and that it is not being exploited by different staff organizations or even the women and people who are vulnerable get it being able to access it if there is a head of household. So that is still being figured out, which is good, but it is not commonplace yet.” The shift to local, sustainable and cash-based aid endeavors may be challenging, but many argue it is the necessary step for the longevity of foreign aid programs. 

-Nikki Bayat
Photo: Flickr

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How Catholic Relief Services Is Providing Aid in Ethiopia

Aid in EthiopiaSince 2020, the Tigray War and other armed conflicts within Ethiopia have displaced more than 10 million people, creating increased poverty and food insecurity in the country. Despite U.N. efforts, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the World Food Program (WFP) have suspended aid to Ethiopia several times, citing the theft by soldiers of millions of dollars’ worth of donated food. Few humanitarian organizations are willing to assist Ethiopian civilians in such a tumultuous period, but the forerunner of this group is the Catholic Relief Services (CRS). Here is how CRS is providing aid in Ethiopia.

About CRS’s Work

With funding from the Department of Agriculture, CRS has provided aid in Ethiopia in the form of food, shelter, medical care, sanitary care and humanitarian training in Ethiopia for nearly 60 years. In 2023, CRS received $529.3 million in funding from the U.S., distributing it through local partners such as churches and NGOs in Ethiopia. CRS is currently extending aid into regions of Tigray that war has destabilized. Nearly 71% of the region’s population received wheat, split peas and vegetable oil from CRS partners, with 50% of the aid going to women who the conflict left widowed.

Its outreach includes training Ethiopian citizens in humanitarian work, enabling communities to respond more quickly and efficiently to disasters. Following a series of devastating droughts in Dire Dawa, CRS provided packets of wheat, split peas and vegetable oil, and kept the market prices of necessities low by selling directly to residents.

Challenges with CRS’s Work

While CRS has seen its share of success in Ethiopia, the work has not been without its obstacles. In addition to the theft of donated food, multiple CRS workers have died while performing humanitarian work in violent regions like Amhara and Tigray. Despite these setbacks, CRS continues to work toward its goal of eliminating food insecurity and extreme poverty in Ethiopia.

CRS is one of the leading humanitarian agencies working to reduce extreme poverty in Ethiopia. With regular funding from the U.S., its food aid and training to communities who the ongoing conflicts affected foster an environment of humanity and compassion.

– Parth Mishra
Photo: Flickr

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USAID and USCG Partnership: Humanitarian Response and Aid

USAID and USCG PartnershipOn November 8, 2023, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) announced a new partnership with the United States Coast Guard (USCG) that will support humanitarian response and aid to countries affected by natural disasters. The USAID, USCG and the Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) signed an international disaster assistance Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Washington, which outlines their support of humanitarian assistance and disaster response to nations in the throes of a natural disaster.

USAID and USCG Partnership in Haiti

Even before its devastating earthquake in January 2010, Haiti’s nearly 10 million people ranked as the poorest in the Western Hemisphere. The earthquake further crippled the nation, killing an estimated 250,000 people, injuring 300,000, and destroying the homes and businesses of at least a million locals. In the wake of this tragedy, USAID and USCG partnered to assist those affected. This powerhouse developed a plan to provide emergency humanitarian assistance to millions, including search-and-rescue efforts, providing emergency food relief and safe drinking water to millions and providing basic shelter to more than a million displaced people.

Then in August 2021, Haiti suffered a 7.2 magnitude earthquake. The USAID and USCG partnership again coordinated efforts to provide critical humanitarian relief. This natural disaster further devastated Haiti, resulting in more than 1,400 deaths, 6,900 injuries and destroying or damaging more than 83,000 local homes.

The Impact of Humanitarian Support

The USAID and USCG partnership provided critical and life-saving support during this natural disaster. The U.S. Coast Guard deployed helicopters to assist with medical evacuations and transport and continued medical evaluations on-site. The USAID Disaster Assistance Response Teams (DART) were promptly transported to Haiti via USCS helicopters within 24 hours of the earthquake. DART members determined the area suffered from a lack of clean water and lacked the necessary medical resources and personnel needed to aid affected Haitian citizens.

USAID responded by funding $32 million in humanitarian assistance for Haiti. As in the 2010 earthquake recovery plan, these funds focused on delivering safe drinking water, health care services, emergency food and shelter for displaced peoples and protection services including gender-based violence prevention and response, child protection and psychosocial support services in the hard-hit areas of southwestern Haiti. Within the first few days following this natural disaster, more than 2,000 hygiene kits and jerry cans (fuel containers) were distributed, over 600 shelter repair kits were provided to locals and over 50,000 people were given shelter commodities that included blankets, kitchen kits, additional hygiene kits and shelter repair kits. More than 3,000 people received hot meals shortly after the earthquakes. They also benefitted from the distribution of food commodities, including rice, beans and vegetable oil.

USAID and USCG Partnership Strengthens Humanitarian Aid

The MOU signed on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, strengthens the partnership between USAID and the Coast Guard, signifying an important milestone between these two groups. It outlines support for disaster response and associated humanitarian assistance provided to nations suffering from global disasters.

“As a humanitarian organization, the Coast Guard is strengthening our partnership with USAID as we respond to wide-ranging disasters,” said Vice Adm. Peter Gautier, Coast Guard Deputy Commandant for Operations. “Throughout the world, we see USAID’s vital work in progress: saving lives, alleviating human suffering and reducing the impact of disasters by helping people become more resilient to humanitarian crises. The MOU makes sure that the Coast Guard is a strong partner in these efforts.”

– Ann-Jinette Hess
Photo: Flickr