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MHPSS Initiatives Lead Recovery After the Myanmar Earthquake

MHPSSEarthquake. Wreckage. Two realities for Myanmar, which on March 28, 2025, experienced the country’s second-worst earthquake. Known as the “Golden Land” due to its many golden temples that offer peace of mind, Myanmar’s mental health services remain under great strain and even more so under the current dilemma.

Effectively, a humanitarian crisis linked with Myanmar’s pre-existing vulnerability to natural disasters, like a 7.7 magnitude quake, coupled with cultural, economic and financial stressors, adversely impacting well-being, as poverty rates near 50% and a new death toll surpasses 3,000. While naturally physically devastating, many often discount or overlook the psychological implications of an earthquake and the relationship between natural disasters and poverty in lower socio-economic countries.

In Myanmar, the emotional recovery for those living on less than $1 a day may take longer than physical reconstruction. An approach that shows promise is addressing mental health and psychosocial needs as a core part of disaster recovery and poverty reduction.

Struggles by the Numbers

Since 2021, Myanmar has faced a worsening military takeover, civil unrest, armed conflict, mass internal displacement and a COVID-19-induced recession.

  • In 2023, poverty rates rose to 49.7% from 24.8% in 2017 (24.4% living in extreme poverty).
  • Women-headed households are 1.2 times more likely to live in poverty.
  • Four of Myanmar’s seven states reported median household incomes dropping by nearly 50%.

These conditions increased national instability and the need for relief in a country facing debilitating humanitarian, bureaucratic, financial and geographical constrictions. Compounded by the crippling March earthquake, the well-being of nearly 55 million people in Myanmar remain at risk, as one in three people continue to suffer from mental health issues related to population shocks. In 2021, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety made up 46.4% of mental health diagnoses in the country.

Rummaging Through Rubble

Earthquakes disproportionately affect developing countries, as poor infrastructure and a lack of resources often dictate the quality of preparedness and response to natural disasters. Decisions about reducing disaster vulnerability are often made collectively rather than by individuals.

Consequently, such differential impact disadvantages the impoverished, who usually are subjects of lower quality living and decreased socioeconomic opportunity. Although disaster preparedness and prevention can significantly reduce vulnerability, the poor are frequently excluded from decision-making processes due to political marginalization, leading to their interests being overlooked in favor of those with power and influence.

Regarding the relationship between psychological distress and exposure to earthquakes, researchers highlight a direct correlation and even a heightening effect on deteriorated mental health outcomes for vulnerable groups. Specifically, one study demonstrated how a 2006 earthquake increased anxiety, depression and sleep disorders by 8.39%, 10.47% and 7.37%, respectively. Moreover, the earthquake increased loneliness by 10% and decreased motivation, nutritional habits and employment by 10%, 12.37% and 2.11%, respectively. After an earthquake, women, children and the elderly are more likely to develop psychological distress than men.

Low-income households and those in rural areas face higher rates of psychological distress following earthquakes, often without access to treatment or support. An earthquake’s psychological impact can last more than eight years.

MHPSS

Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) programs provide targeted interventions for communities affected by crisis. In Nepal, MHPSS efforts following two major earthquakes in 2015 improved mental health outcomes in 54% of participants within six months. Among those with severe impairments at the start of the program, 89% reported improvements.

MHPSS can indirectly contribute to poverty reduction. By improving mental health and social integration, these programs help increase productivity and reduce health care costs. Research suggests MHPSS interventions may continue playing a significant role in long-term recovery by helping individuals build resilience and restore livelihoods.

Here are some of the key initiatives in Myanmar currently:

  • Minimum Service Package (MSP). Sponsored by WHO, UNICEF and the United Nations (U.N.), the MSP delivers immediate psychological and medical support to vulnerable populations. The program offers standardized MHPSS delivery by integrating psychological care with emergency services and health referrals.
  • National Emergency Health Care Plan for Disasters. This initiative brings together the Ministry of Health, Myanmar Red Cross, Department of Administration and Department of Relief and Resettlement. The goal is to lower financial barriers to care and establish a strong mental health infrastructure before, during and after natural disasters.
  • The Psychological Support Program (PSS). PSS operates at the community level to provide counseling and group support, focusing on trauma recovery and emotional stabilization after crises.
  • Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH). PATH works across several regions in Myanmar to train local health workers, distribute mental health resources and offer basic mental health services to underserved communities.

Moving Forward

Natural disasters have claimed more than 1.23 million lives globally in the past two decades. Myanmar’s March earthquake adds to this toll and the estimated $2.97 trillion global disaster cost. It also highlights the urgent need to address mental health in poverty reduction strategies. As one in eight people worldwide live with a mental health condition, integrating MHPSS into emergency response may help Myanmar’s most vulnerable populations recover and thrive. These ongoing interventions offer not only psychological relief but a pathway toward economic and social well-being.

– Marcus Villagomez

Marcus is based in Galveston, TX USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Connection Between Disability and Poverty in Micronesia 

Disability and Poverty in MicronesiaThe Federal States of Micronesia (FSM) is an island nation in Oceania that gained its independence from the U.S. in 1986 with the signing of The Compact of Free Association. This agreement cemented the FSM as a sovereign nation while ensuring that the U.S. would continue financially assisting their government. Since then, U.S. aid to Micronesia has continued to develop. In 2004, the U.S. signed an Amended Contract with the FSM, which includes “provisions related to governmental relations, immigration, and defense and security matters.” Despite these foreign aid agreements, the net change in Micronesia’s poverty rates have been strikingly negative. Additionally, there is a significant correlation between disability and poverty in Micronesia.

A Quick Look at the Numbers

In 1993, the Household Income and Expenditure Survey showed that 30% of Micronesian households fell below the poverty line, and in 2013, a survey that the World Bank did showed that 41.2% of the population fell under the poverty line. 

This 11.2% increase in poverty rates over the span of only 20 years is not a random phenomenon. In 2003, the Micronesian federal government interviewed citizens from three of the country’s four states, Chuuk, Yap and Pohnpei, in a “Participatory Assessment of Hardship.” This assessment found that “landlessness, increasing drug and alcohol abuse, overcrowded households, and natural disasters” along with “the deterioration of customs and traditions… [and] restrictions brought by traditional beliefs” are the largest factors impacting poverty rates and hardship in the FSM. 

What Does This Have to Do With Disability?

Disability and poverty in Micronesia are intrinsically tied. The largest markets in the FSM’s economy are farming and fishing, but because of the dispersed quality of the country’s geography and population, it is very difficult to make a profit selling produce and goods without commuting. Individuals who are unable to travel are often also unable to make an income. In a testimony taken by the Asian Development Bank, one woman explained: “I decided to start a small farm. The hardest part is finding transportation to bring the produce to sell in the capital. Sometimes I walk from my village to another village just to look for a boat. Sometimes I can’t find one and then my produce gets wasted and rotten.” 

As sustenance farming has become less and less of a reliable way to make a living, those who reside in the rural outer islands have started to move to the country’s few urban hubs, leaving those unable to make the trip behind. Furthermore, Micronesia is in an area that is prone to natural disasters and is extremely vulnerable to the impacts of changing weather patterns and rising sea levels. In the case of a natural disaster, there is not infrastructure to ensure the safety of disabled peoples.

On June 11, 2009, the Micronesian government made the following statement regarding disability and poverty in Micronesia: “The FSM has approximately 10,000 people with some form of disability and the available programs and services for disabled persons are currently very limited. The number of disabled people in the FSM is increasing year after year and the limitation of available services suggests a moral and legal obligation to develop adequate programs to promote and protect their interest and wellbeing.”

Solutions

Although the situation with poverty and disability in Micronesia may seem bleak, there are many organizations and pieces of legislation that are continuing to help provide aid to this vulnerable demographic. One incredible organization to highlight is the Pohnpei Consumer Organization. With branches in all four Micronesian states, they work to support the disabled population and raise awareness about their struggles. One project that they took on was creating a “disaster tool-kit,” in order to provide villages with all of the resources necessary to support the disabled members of their community in the case of natural disaster. With hard work and support from foreign aid, it is more than possible to decrease the impacts of disability and poverty in Micronesia.

– Helena Birbrower

Helena is based in Davis, CA, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Natural Disasters and Disease in the Philippines

disease in the PhilippinesThe Philippines is highly susceptible to natural disasters such as droughts, earthquakes, flooding, cyclones and tsunamis. Natural disasters have a significant impact by displacing people from their homes and destroying agriculture, property and livelihoods. The political and socioeconomic climate of the Philippines exacerbates the damage as natural disasters significantly affect people in vulnerable situations due to lack of resources, income and access to social services and medical treatment. This further aggravates poverty and increases the spread of disease.

There is a correlation between natural disasters and disease in the Philippines. With disaster comes destruction and instability. People flee their homes as disasters decimate infrastructure, entire agricultural fields disappear and those from low incomes are unable to access medical care. Similarly, the disasters alone have direct links to negative health effects such as dengue, diarrheal syndrome, measles, cholera, meningococcal disease and acute respiratory syndrome.

Natural disasters cause disease in the Philippines, particularly impacting the lives of low-income people as they are less likely to obtain access to the resources necessary to rebuild their lives after a disaster or treat diseases caused by these events

Disaster, Disease and Poverty

Research has shown that infectious diseases occur following natural disasters as these circumstances hamper the foundations of many citizens’ lives and the health care system is not stable enough to cope with this. A deficit of clean water, stable housing and health care results in poor living conditions and higher rates of communicable disease.

A study on water-related diseases in the Philippines highlights that unless water availability is imperilled and people are displaced, the spread and risk of water-related diseases are low. Comparatively, following flooding, there is a significantly increased risk of such diseases because contaminated water is dominant – meaning that infections such as dermatitis and conjunctivitis are common. Similarly, following flooding, there is a higher risk of faecal-oral diseases such as paratyphoid fever, poliomyelitis and chlorea.

For those living in poverty in the Philippines, disasters such as flooding heighten the risk of communicable diseases, therefore pushing people into extreme poverty as they do not have the resources to treat such diseases. As a result, this worsens their quality of life.

The Work of Planet Water Foundation

Planet Water Foundation focuses on tackling a lack of clean water in the Philippines. Since 2010, the foundation has installed approximately 430 clean water schemes across the Philippines. This scheme involves the implementation of around 360 AquaTower water filter apparatuses in primary schools, ensuring students and staff can access clean drinking water

The foundation has also provided resources to aid communities during and following natural disasters by ensuring they have the resources to stay healthy and prevent disease. Through the placement of AquaBlock Emergency Water Systems following natural disasters such as flooding and cyclones, locals can secure clean water even amidst natural hazards. The Planet Water Foundation’s disaster responses include the Taal Volcanic eruption, Typhoon Odette and Typhoon Goni.

The implementation of systems that ensure there is sanitary water acts as a preventive measure for communicable diseases that arise from contaminated water that manifests from natural disasters. Correspondingly, this addresses the sanitation gap that low-income people and locals experience which helps them maintain basic hygiene even if they lose shelter because of natural disasters.

– Ella Dorman

Ella is based in Worcestershire, UK and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Homelessness in Tuvalu

Homelessness in TuvaluTuvalu, a small nation of islands in the South Pacific, has a population of approximately 10,000 inhabitants as of 2023. Often referred to as “the disappearing nation,” Tuvalu faces existential threats from rising sea levels and changing climatic conditions, which profoundly affect housing stability and community resilience. Homelessness in Tuvalu is not just a housing crisis—it is a looming humanitarian emergency. As rising sea levels threaten to submerge entire islands, the risk of displacement grows.

Environmental Vulnerabilities

Tuvalu’s geographical characteristics make it particularly susceptible to natural disasters, which can lead to displacement and homelessness. According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), in 2006, homelessness levels in Tuvalu were 3.8 times higher than in other developing countries, primarily due to natural disasters, financial hardship and limited opportunities.

The country’s low-lying atolls are increasingly vulnerable to rising sea levels and extreme weather events, exacerbated by climate emergency. These environmental challenges threaten housing stability and have already displaced some communities. In neighboring Pacific regions, entire populations have been forced to relocate due to these environmental threats, foreshadowing the potential risks for Tuvalu.

Economic and Social Factors

Tuvalu’s high cost of living amplifies financial struggles for many families, making it difficult to afford necessities such as food, health care, and education. According to the Asian Development Bank, Tuvalu had an unemployment rate of 7.9% in 2022, further limiting economic opportunities. Additionally, the World Bank reported that in 2019, 3.6% of Tuvalu’s population lived below the international threshold of $2.15 per day, highlighting the financial vulnerability of low-income households.

The government has recognized these economic hardships and is actively addressing the root causes. Efforts include reviewing taxation, price control regulations and the costs of essential commodities and services. Community-driven solutions, such as TANGO, cooperative savings initiatives and grassroots organizations, also significantly alleviate financial hardship, offering localized economic support and alternative income-generating opportunities.

Government and International Initiatives

To mitigate the impacts of natural disasters, Tuvalu has accessed financial assistance through the Pacific Disaster Resilience Program, securing $3 million in January 2020 and an additional $4 million in November 2022. These funds aim to strengthen disaster resilience and support recovery efforts. Furthermore, international partnerships like the United Nations (U.N.) and the Pacific Community continue to aid climate adaptation and community housing projects, ensuring that the people of Tuvalu have the resources to sustain their livelihoods amid environmental challenges.

Conclusion

Homelessness in Tuvalu is deeply intertwined with environmental vulnerabilities, economic pressures and evolving social dynamics. However, the heart of Tuvalu remains its resilient communities, who, despite mounting challenges, continue to foster support networks and advocate for sustainable solutions. Addressing homelessness in Tuvalu requires a collective approach, combining government initiatives, international aid and community-driven strategies to secure a stable and hopeful future for all Tuvaluans.

– Arianna Distefano

Arianna is based in London, UK and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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New Data Center Threatens Further Water Scarcity in Uruguay

Water Scarcity in UruguayUruguay, a republic located in South America, has spent the past several months recovering from a drought that lasted more than three years. The drought was severe, to the point where authorities were mixing seawater with freshwater to try and amend the problem— accidentally rendering it completely undrinkable in the process. While things have gotten much better amid more rainfall and administration changes, water scarcity in Uruguay remains a concern for its citizens due to the construction of data centers. These data centers are projected to use unsustainable amounts of water.

What Is a Data Center?

Most internet netizens are familiar with “the Cloud,” where users can remotely store data instead of keeping it on their devices. This data cannot just be nebulously stored on the internet, though; it has to go somewhere physical to be stored. Data centers are the answer to this, containing warehouses of servers that process and house cloud data along with the machines that help make AI technology work.

These computers need lots of water to stay cool with a typical data center using an average of 300,000 gallons of water a day. Some data centers can even use upwards of a million gallons of water a day. Since the process of cooling down computers heats the water, it cannot be dumped back into the systems where it came from since thermal pollution has been known to destroy entire ecosystems.

This process also has the potential to leave chemicals or other impurities that render the water unfit for human consumption. Many worry that the introduction of this technology in Uruguay could prove catastrophic, given the water scarcity in Uruguay.

The Effect on Uruguay

Water scarcity in Uruguay continues to be a prime concern for its citizens and the announcement of a new data center only further exacerbated these concerns. The initial announcement drew so much controversy that many locals took to the catchphrase “It’s not drought, it’s pillage” amid protests. Experts also worry about the long-term ramifications of data centers posing a drain on Uruguay’s very limited water supply.

While the country is still recovering from the prior drought, the insecurity and ecological decimation it brought can still be felt in many areas. A new proposal for the data center was created, with an emphasis on using air conditioning to cool the computers instead of water. Unfortunately, academics conclude this would be just as damaging environmentally. While it is true the amount of water would be lessened, the air pollution and stress on the electrical grid far outweigh any good proposed by the new solution.

Advancements in Technology

Data centers use large amounts of electricity and water to operate, but this does not have to be a negative thing due to recent advancements. Many data centers have turned to using reclaimed wastewater or sewage, to cool their systems instead of relying on drinkable water. Other companies have proposed the idea of recycling the water used in data centers to create a self-sufficient model of water usage.

Advancements such as these would greatly lessen the impact on drinkable water if implemented in Uruguay. Google, the company building and operating the data centers, has been vocal about not wanting to harm Uruguay through the creation of the data center. On the contrary, Google has offered to collaborate with local universities to provide more technology-focused content in their curriculums in order to bolster Uruguay’s tech business and advancements.

Moving Forward

While Uruguay continues to recover from prior droughts, water scarcity in Uruguay continues to be an issue for it. Many worry that the creation of a data center continues to threaten Uruguay’s water supply. However, recent technological advancements and renewed promises for compromise between Google and the Uruguayan people offer a brighter future moving forward.

– Mackenzie Scott

Mackenzie is based in Indianapolis, IN, USA and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Floods in Brazil: Avoiding Another Disaster

floods in brazilThe 2024 floods in Brazil, specifically in Rio Grande do Sul were considered the worst natural disaster in the region’s history. Heavy rain started to pour in April 2024 and did not stop for 10 days, overwhelming the basins of the Taquari, Caí, Pardo, Jacuí, Sinos, and Gravataí rivers. The water eventually overflowed as it reached the cities and ravaged several municipalities in Porto Alegre.

Floods in Brazil

Several neighborhoods and communities in the Rio Grande do Sul had been completely submerged in two weeks. People lost their homes, jobs, possessions, and loved ones, having to find shelter in churches and stadiums or, in the case of more vulnerable communities, under boats and cars. Around 163 people died, almost 600,000 were displaced and more than 65,000 were in shelters.

A recent study by the Metropolis Observatory showed that poorer families were the most affected by the floods in Brazil as they were struggling to rebuild themselves. Neighborhoods like Humaitá, in which the majority of the population earned a minimum wage, suffered the most. Similarly, in the Delta do Jacuí islands, 200 people had to improvise shelter in tents, cars, and under bridges. Floods have always been common in the city and have always affected the low-income population the most.

Volunteers

Alexandre da Silva, who volunteered in Porto Alegre’s shelters, said that it looked like a “war scene.”

“There was a lot of water. There were many volunteers with boats and helicopters—the rescues were non-stop. Hospitals [were full of] with people suffering from hypothermia, fainting and [those] who had ingested a lot of water.”

Overnight, residents from Porto Alegre found themselves in poverty. The unemployment rate could rise from 5.3% to 6.1%, and the investment needed to rebuild the city could cost billions of dollars. Specialists state that, despite a trend of impoverishment in the region, the extent is uncertain.

“People lost their jobs and did not get any compensation. They lost their houses and had no place to stay; they left with just the clothes on their backs because the flood was very fast. Imagine you are in your house and suddenly it starts flooding. Within three hours, the water had taken over”, declared Alexandre.

People Helping

The disaster quickly reached social media as people detailed their stories and asked for any sort of help. What was expected to be a small movement mobilized the entire country. At the time, the most popular content creator was the make-up artist Camila Pudim. In response to the floods and her new-found success, she posted on TikTok to encourage people to donate to Rio Grande do Sul. The video amounted to more than 90 million views, and several other creators followed in her footsteps, promising to donate their content’s revenues to the cause.

The previous 70,000 people in shelters fell to 1,800 by November 2024 in a continuous decline, and efforts are still ongoing towards the complete restructuring of the cities. The Brazilian government has recently authorized the budget to reconstruct 7,500 houses and the regional authorities have allocated 212 temporary residences aimed at providing homes to those awaiting definite housing.

Solidarity Campaign

Additionally, System Fiep organized the Solidarity Campaign, which continues working towards supporting the flood’s victims. Since its beginning in May, it has raised more than 65 tons of donations among them water bottles, food, clothing, bedding, hygiene products, cleaning products and toys.

The state is now implementing a new strategy, “Plano Rio Grande”, for reconstruction, adaptation, and climate resilience – allocating around 2.2 billion reais to the project. The actions taken include the transfers from the Civil Defense to the affected municipalities (which amount to a total of R$148 million), resources for the reconstruction of roads (R$117.7 million), the Volta por Cima social program, which allocated R$251.2 million to homeless and displaced families, and a program for dredging small rivers and streams (R$300 million).

Corporations Involving

SLC Institute, an organization within the agricultural business, helped with equipment, logistics, fundraising, and by donating R$ 500,000 to the Food Bank, an aid campaign. Renner, one of the most popular fast-fashion companies in Brazil, funded boat rentals that, according to its own Public Relations team, made 900 rescues in Porto Alegre and surrounding metropolitan areas. CMPC, a major player in the forest sector, also used trucks, helicopters, and backhoe loaders to assist in rescuing people and animals.

In addition, when combining the efforts, donations from the former and latter organizations summed up to 80,000 pieces of clothing, 75,000 liters of water, 5,000 bedsheets and towels, 14,000 blankets, 14,000 hygiene items, 15 tons of food, 4,000 food bank parcels, dozens of chemical toilets, and 750 mattresses destined to shelters.

– Beatriz Cicci

Beatriz is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Flooding in Sri Lanka: Building Resilience

Flooding in Sri LankaSince 2019, poverty in Sri Lanka has surged, doubling to 25% by 2022. More than 2.5 million individuals now live below the poverty line. Severe flooding, especially in the Colombo region, displaces thousands annually and deepens the cycle of poverty. The projections for major flood events are even more concerning, as they suggest that 34,000 people could be pushed into poverty overnight, with approximately 1,000 of these individuals remaining in poverty a decade later. The latest Yala Monsoon season, which lasts from May to September, displaced communities, destroyed property and claimed lives, highlighting the growing severity of the issue. Addressing this crisis requires immediate, sustainable solutions that reduce poverty and mitigate seasonal floods. Without comprehensive action to combat flooding in Sri Lanka, the nation risks ongoing cycles of impoverishment, displacement and economic instability.

Building Colombo’s Flood Resilience

Colombo, situated within a river basin, faces regular flooding during the monsoon season. However, the city benefits from an extensive network of wetlands, which play a vital role in flood management by absorbing approximately 40% of floodwaters. Wetlands—areas of water-saturated land—serve as natural flood defenses by absorbing excess water and slowing down its flow, which mitigates flood intensity and associated damage. This natural buffer within Colombo helps alleviate the impacts of heavy rainfall and reduces the risks of flooding in Sri Lanka.

Urban expansion, however, has drastically reduced Colombo’s wetland areas, draining and infilling these ecosystems to accommodate growth. The World Bank revealed that Colombo’s wetlands had declined by about 40% over three decades. Wetlands like the Thalangama Wetland, just outside Colombo, suffer from degradation and misuse as dumping grounds. These direct and indirect effects of urbanization intensify Colombo’s vulnerability to flooding.

In response, the government, with support from the World Bank-funded Metro Colombo Urban Development Project, launched the Metro Colombo Wetland Management Strategy in 2016. This initiative prioritizes wetland restoration and integrates these ecosystems into urban planning to prevent further losses. These efforts led Colombo to become the first capital city to earn international Wetland City accreditation from the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in 2018, which promotes international protection for its wetlands.

Today, Colombo’s wetlands receive stronger protection. According to BBC, efforts to rehabilitate degraded areas, including the Thalangama Wetland, have turned these spaces into biodiverse tourist attractions while maintaining their role as critical flood defenses. The government has also suspended all activities involving the filling or destruction of wetlands in 2018.

Looking Forward

Colombo has successfully revitalized its degraded wetlands, transforming garbage-filled areas into ecosystems that boost biodiversity and protect against flooding. Community-led cleanups and government initiatives, such as the 2016 Metro Colombo Wetland Management Strategy, have enhanced wetlands’ ability to boost environmental resilience and improve urban quality of life. The Ramsar accreditation has curbed further encroachment by raising awareness. However, rapid urban expansion still threatens these ecosystems, BBC reports. Sustained cooperation between residents, authorities, and organizations remains vital to safeguarding these wetlands, which are crucial to Colombo’s sustainability and flood defense.

Asian Development Bank (ADB) report emphasizes the rising frequency of El Niño events, which intensify monsoons and contribute to flooding in Sri Lanka. Restoring and protecting wetlands is just one of many essential steps to strengthen the country’s flood resilience.

– William Pickering

William is based in Nottingham, UK and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Updates on SDG 15 in Paraguay: The Work of REDD+ 

SDG 15 in Paraguay
Between 2011 and 2021, Paraguay’s forest coverage fell from 48.2% to 39.8%, with 88% of the deforestation happening in the Paraguayan Chaco, largely due to cattle ranching and coal mining. Domestic laws allow most of these clearances, as they require preserving only 25% of forested land in ranching or mining areas. As part of ongoing efforts and updates on SDG 15 in Paraguay, the country signed the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use in 2021, pledging to halt and reverse deforestation and forest degradation, according to the World Bank. This commitment aligns with SDG 15 (“Life on Land”), which focuses on the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of ecosystems, like forests.

However, critics argue that this pledge has been vague and ineffective. Rather than achieving its goal of forest preservation, the declaration has resulted in deforestation, permitting invasive eucalyptus plantations to replace biodiverse ecosystems and encroach upon Indigenous lands, the World Bank reports.

According to the World Bank, this issue particularly affects Paraguay’s Indigenous communities, who suffer disproportionately from environmental changes. Approximately 66% of Indigenous people live in poverty, with 34.4% living in extreme poverty—three times the national average. Additionally, 33.5% of Indigenous people are illiterate, less than 1% have access to the Internet and less than 4% benefit from state social protection programs. These conditions heighten the vulnerability of groups like the Qom in the Chaco forest, whose livelihoods are further endangered by harmful eucalyptus plantations introduced under the pretext of conservation, the World Bank reports. This is because Indigenous communities often depend on natural resources for their daily needs, such as gathering and agriculture, as well as for maintaining cultural practices. Here is some information about updates on SDG 15 in Paraguay.

Understanding REDD+

In 2007, the forestry sector accounted for about 17% of global greenhouse gas emissions, prompting the creation of REDD+, an international mechanism designed to reduce deforestation while maintaining forests as carbon sinks. Initially known as REDD, U.N. climate negotiations later expanded it and incorporated it into the Paris Agreement under Article 5. REDD+ now includes conservation, sustainable forest management, and enhancing forest carbon stocks in developing countries. The initiative incentivizes nations to preserve forests by offering financial rewards, making standing forests more valuable than cleared ones.

COP introduced safeguards for REDD+ projects to prevent harm, such as violations of Indigenous rights. These safeguards ensure Indigenous communities and other relevant groups fully participate in decision-making. For nations to receive financial rewards, they must submit reports proving their compliance with these safeguards.

Additionally, the COP urged capable countries to “support capacity-building, provide technical assistance” and facilitate technology transfer to strengthen the effectiveness of these initiatives.

The Corazón Verde del Chaco Project: A Case Study

In 2023, Paraguay’s largest REDD+ initiative, the Corazón Verde del Chaco Project, gained validation for its Climate, Community and Biodiversity (CCB) Standards from the nonprofit organization Verra. This validation demonstrates that the project reduces carbon emissions while also promoting biodiversity conservation and benefiting local communities, including Indigenous peoples.

By earning this validation, the project adds credibility and transparency, making it more attractive to investors and helping secure results-based payments. Covering approximately 300,000 hectares of Indigenous community lands shared by the Maria Auxiliadora community, interviews with community leaders confirmed no evidence that the REDD+ project negatively impacted Indigenous communities.

The Role of REDD+ in Achieving SDGs

REDD+ plays a critical role in Paraguay’s efforts to meet the U.N.’s SDGs, particularly SDG 15 on forest conservation and SDG 10 on reducing inequalities. In the latest updates on SDG 15 in Paraguay, REDD+ aligns with SDG 15 by promoting forest conservation and sustainable land use, offering a more equitable development approach compared to land clearing for cattle ranching and mining. Achieving SDG 15 encourages practices that protect natural resources, which many of Paraguay’s poorest communities, especially Indigenous peoples, rely on for their livelihoods. In addition, REDD+ projects reduce inequalities (SDG 10) by safeguarding the rights of marginalized groups and ensuring they fully participate in decision-making processes, per the safeguards introduced at COP 16.

Future Prospects

Looking forward, ongoing updates on SDG 15 in Paraguay include projects like the Corazón Verde del Chaco initiative, which, with its Verra certification, aims to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 5.6 million tons of CO2 over its initial 10-year period, according to Quadriz. Beyond reducing emissions, this project will likely strengthen the capacity of local communities in the Paraguayan Chaco, potentially by employing Indigenous technicians to monitor forests, as seen in previous REDD+ initiatives in Paraguay.

The initiative also includes gender-focused projects, such as creating childcare spaces, which enable Indigenous women to participate fully in decision-making and workshops. The project’s scale presents an opportunity to expand these benefits, alleviating stress on Indigenous women across Paraguay. By empowering communities and addressing issues like invasive eucalyptus plantations, this initiative seeks to promote better forest management nationwide while preventing the marginalization of Indigenous groups.

– William Pickering

William is based in Nottingham, UK and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Renewable Energy in Samoa

Renewable Energy in Samoa
While extreme poverty does not exist in Samoa, 20% of Samoans still live under the national poverty line, a decrease from 21.9% in 2018. This could be due to the initiatives working to increase self-reliance and sustainability focusing on the rural areas and those considered vulnerable, like women and young people.

Energy Projects

In 2019, Samoa conducted two small hydro projects, the first of many, to supply 20% of the Island’s demand for energy. The hydropower plants were constructed on two separate islands (Upolu and Savai’i) and underwent rigorous environmental safeguarding checks to ensure no damage to the surrounding areas. The goal to rely on 100% sustainable energy was on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic challenges, however, in February 2024, the E.P.C General Manager confirmed that the plans are still going steady, intending to have 100% renewable energy in Samoa the next seven years.

The plans come with several challenges, including the “high upfront costs of renewable energy technology,” requiring international partnerships to help fund the opportunities. The main donor parties include the New Zealand Government, The European Union and the Asian Development Bank, according to Hydro Review.

The aim is that the accessibility of cleaner and higher quality services at a lower price will increase and energy poverty will decrease. Samoa was on track to have 100% electricity access, reaching it in 2020, however, in the past four years the rate has been decreasing with the current rate being 98.30%. This decline, whilst not being as low as other countries sets a worrying trend for Samoa especially due to the increase in natural disasters, so action like the new projects (while not urgent) are necessary.

Subsidized Electricity Tariffs

The renewable energy project report states that the vulnerable people of Samoa will receive subsidized electricity tariffs and secure energy for all residents, creating social inclusion to help develop income generation models for the poorest project participants. The projects are established on existing sites with any that required land acquisition from locals being removed from the project, they also serve to increase economic growth and international relations, hoping to outsource the energy to surrounding countries. 

Looking Ahead

This push towards renewable energy in Samoa comes from the increasing reliance on fossil fuels and the increase in natural disasters due to changing weather patterns. By 2100, Samoa could lose 3.8% of its GDP due to the aftermath of natural disasters, potentially threatening the steady decrease of poverty across the country. However, with the recent projects, Samoa has simultaneously addressed both the threat that changing weather patterns hold and the needs of those living below the poverty line, harnessing renewable energy to help on a global and local scale.

– Caitlin Mulholland

Caitlin is based in Lymington, UK and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Cyclone Yagi Devastates Asia’s Vulnerable Communities

Cyclone Yagi’s aftermath has left millions in need of urgent assistance, as it caused significant damage across Southeast Asia. Governments, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and international organizations have mobilized quickly to deliver both immediate and long-term aid to the affected regions. Efforts focus on providing food, clean water, shelter and medical assistance to those displaced by the storm.

Cyclone Yagi

In September 2024, Cyclone Yagi, one of the strongest typhoons to hit Southeast Asia in the past 30 years, devastated more than 1,200 villages across 106 districts in 15 provinces in Vietnam. It damaged nearly 240,600 homes, 1,530 schools and 570 health facilities. The storm displaced more than 72,000 people and approximately 570,000 people, including 163,020 children, are in need of assistance.

Relief Efforts

In Vietnam, the government’s disaster management units have partnered with local NGOs to set up emergency shelters and distribute essential supplies. The Vietnam Red Cross, alongside the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), is at the forefront of these relief operations. Their teams are providing food, clean water, hygiene kits and emergency shelter to thousands displaced by the floods and landslides. Psychological support is also being offered to help people cope with trauma.

Plan International, known for its work in child protection, focuses on the needs of vulnerable groups, particularly children and women. In collaboration with local authorities, the organization is distributing hygiene kits and ensuring that children who are among the most affected receive psychological support. The organization’s child-friendly spaces within shelters offer a safe environment where children can engage in activities and recover from the disaster’s emotional toll.

Furthermore, in response to the storm’s widespread destruction, international organizations like the United States Agency for Internal Development (USAID) have pledged financial support. USAID has committed $1 million in humanitarian aid to provide immediate relief and support long-term recovery. This funding is helping to ensure that emergency teams can continue to distribute food, water and medicine while also addressing the urgent need for rebuilding homes and infrastructure in affected areas.

Meanwhile, local authorities are working with various international organizations to ensure that aid reaches remote areas, many of which remain cut off due to floodwaters and landslides. The priority is to restore access to clean water, power and health care services in the most affected regions. Long-term recovery plans are being developed, focusing on rebuilding homes, restoring livelihoods and strengthening disaster preparedness for future storms and natural disasters.

Final Note

As efforts continue, humanitarian organizations stress the need for ongoing support and donations to sustain relief operations. With the threat of more rainfall looming, these efforts are crucial to prevent further devastation and to help communities rebuild their lives.

– Trinity Lee

Trinity Lee is based in Bellevue, WA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr