Archive for category: Natural Disaster

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Helping Survivors of the Colombian Earthquake

Colombian Earthquake
On August 10th, 2026, a large 7.4 magnitude earthquake hit the country of Colombia, causing the destruction of more than 10,500 homes on the western parts. The earthquake killed at least 281 people and injured thousands more with many others stuck under the rubble. First responders and authorities have worked tirelessly to search for and rescue any struggling survivors trapped under the rubble, their efforts focusing on the missing people especially because of the situation’s time sensitivity. Despite the dire situation due to the Colombian earthquake, NGOs and humanitarian organizations are actively helping vulnerable communities.

Situation Overview

The 7.4 Colombian earthquake struck shortly after 7:30 pm (GMT-5), shaking the whole country, including its neighbor Ecuador. During this, apartment blocks were toppled and both schools and homes were damaged as people rushed out into the streets to escape the collapsing debris. From recent reports, 281 people were killed (many of them in Cali, Colombia’s third most populated city), more than 3,900 injured – though both numbers are rising as more information is revealed – and about 379 people are estimated to be missing according to the data.

The earthquake has also worsened the people’s quality of life: food insecurity is higher with 31% of the population in Chocó and 29% in Valle del Cauca going hungry as a combination of the disaster and displacement. To compare, the country had 37% of households were suffering from food insecurity before the earthquake hit, making the pre-existing issues worse. Their access to medication and medical help has also been affected due to more than 84 hospitals being damaged in the wake of the earthquake, leaving medical staff scrambling to provide care for many of the injured victims. Shelter has been another point of concern due to the mass distraction of hundreds of houses.

NGOs Working in Colombia

There are several NGOs and other humanitarian organizations that are working in Colombia to aid vulnerable people. These include:

Food for the Poor

Food for the Poor is a nonprofit organization that aims to bring urgent relief to vulnerable families experiencing poverty. Since its founding in 1982, its services include providing food, clean water, health care and shelter for people in poverty. It provided 943 million meals to Colombians between 2019 and 2023 and distributed $3.2 million worth of aid during that same time frame.

The World Food Program (WFP)

Speaking of providing meals, WFP is one of the world’s largest humanitarian organizations that focuses on helping and providing food for people during emergencies, such as conflict, disasters and impacts from particularly bad weather. WFP has been working in Colombia as recently as from January 2026 to June 2026, providing food for at least 260,000 across the country and gave cash-based transfers to vulnerable communities experiencing conflict and climate shock. This included 75,000 children and reached 1.2 million schools. After the earthquake, it has focused its services on helping the survivors of the earthquake.

Looking Ahead

The Colombian earthquake has destroyed buildings, killed 281 people, and injured many others. However, numerous NGOs are ready to assist, and there are many ways to support the victims.

– Michalitsa Kontogianni

Michalitsa is based in Washington, DC and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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What Nepal Flooding Reveals About Global Aid Importance

Nepal Flooding
Following the melting glacier that caused floods and destruction across the Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading regions in Nepal in late August, the country now faces the monumental task of recovery: managing a high death toll, continuing search-and-rescue efforts for those still missing, and tackling massive infrastructure damage, while supporting a population facing homelessness, hunger and urgent medical needs. Tragedies such as Nepal flooding demonstrate why international assistance and aid are vital for global development and support.

Nepal’s Floods

As of Sept. 11, authorities had recovered 1,385 bodies and approximately 5,130 people remained missing following the Nepal flooding. Search-and-rescue efforts continue, but relief now focuses on the 93,000 Nepalis affected in its aftermath. Those most severely affected lived in the low-lying Rasuwa district, along the banks of the Trishuli River, a community already impacted by an earthquake in 2015. The flood damaged roads, schools, power districts and water systems across the northern districts, including Rasuwa. Flash floods swept away 32 bridges and 25 roads, leaving many communities stranded. Those in Nepal who faced poverty prior to the flooding now endure significantly worse conditions.

As Stephane Hallegatte and Marianne Fay write in “Natural Disaster, Poverty, and Inequality,” “…many of these impacts of natural disasters accrue disproportionately to poor households…[and] poor households take longer to recover from disasters, and are more likely to face long-term consequences.”

Following a natural disaster of this magnitude, international aid is crucial, especially to help those already in poverty, who now face food and job insecurity, housing insecurity and health risks.

What International Aid Has Provided

Financial Supplies: Monetary support is essential following a disaster, allowing the government to rebuild, lead relief efforts, and provide support for citizens with essential supplies. The Red Cross and the World Bank are among the organizations that provided financial support to Nepal, along with aid from China and the United States, among others.

Personnel: More manpower, from search-and-rescuers to medical staff, is essential after a disaster. The United Nations and Doctors Without Borders, along with South Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States, have all provided human support.

Supplies: Following a disaster like the Nepal flooding, medical supplies, hygiene kits and other essentials are often distributed to citizens. The World Health Organization (WHO) sent medical supplies and tents for emergency shelter. The World Food Program (WFP) used drones to send food to communities cut off from services, and UNICEF sent emergency kits with hygiene items, medical supplies and other essentials.

Why Is International Aid Important?

As of Sept. 11, rescuers had saved 13,676 people following the Nepal flooding. This highlights the impact of international aid—countries and international organizations providing financial support, technical expertise, medical and other essential supplies, and infrastructural reconstruction. Nepal flooding exemplifies international cooperation.

– Madalyn Youngbauer

Madalyn is based in Worcester, Massachusetts, United States and focuses on Good News, Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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The Invisible Aid in Colombia’s Pacific Coast

Aid in Colombia’s Pacific CoastOn Aug. 10, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia, killing hundreds and worsening conditions across some of the country’s poorest regions. Humanitarian aid missions have reached Colombia’s Pacific Coast in the weeks since, but their work has largely gone unnoticed by the public. Telecommunications and information networks were fragile before the earthquake and remain so now across most of Valle del Cauca, Chocó, Caldas and Quindío. Citizen movements have pushed for more visibility and faster aid, but how the government and humanitarian groups are actually working to improve conditions on the ground has remained largely unreported.

This reinforces a familiar narrative: that Chocó and Colombia’s other Pacific cities are like “ghost regions.” It is a rough label for a place rich in culture and diversity, home to significant Afro-Colombian and Indigenous communities, but long isolated by geography and government neglect. That neglect is highlighted in the statistics. Chocó is Colombia’s poorest department: 66.7% of its residents live below the monetary poverty line, the highest rate in the country, according to the National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE). Multidimensional poverty, which measures deprivation in education, health care and housing rather than income alone, shows a similar situation: 36.8% of Chocó’s population lives in multidimensional poverty, according to DANE. The earthquake exposed this long-existing gap between Colombia’s Pacific Coast and the rest of the country.

After the Disaster

Since the disaster, the death toll has risen to 331, while 240 people remain missing and around 400,000 people have been affected across 16 of the 32 departments in Colombia. The earthquake has created a nationwide humanitarian and infrastructure crisis, shutting down health, education, information and cultural centers, damaging housing and limiting transportation and communication across the country.

Creating Solutions

According to Gloria Miranda of the Institute for Studies on Conflicts and Humanitarian Action, nonprofit and humanitarian organizations have advanced the response to the disaster in western Colombia. However, private donations and social initiatives are not enough on their own. Miranda argues that the priorities of affected communities need to be written into the government’s political agenda, so aid can be coordinated more efficiently and tracked.

On Aug. 21, German outlet DW criticized the response of President Abelardo de la Espriella’s government. It noted that the presidency’s public messaging diverged from other state institutions on the earthquake’s toll, pointed to a limited government presence in the press, and highlighted Colombia’s hesitation over international aid.

Such hesitation was present in the earthquake’s first days, when the United Nations said it had not received a formal request for assistance from Colombian authorities, even as several governments, including Mexico, Brazil and Chile, offered search and rescue teams. Government officials said they were relying on the country’s own capacity and strict technical certification standards for foreign rescuers, but the delay attracted criticism from disaster-response experts questioning whether caution or politics were driving the decision.

Long-Standing Issues

Buenaventura, a port city of more than 430,000 people, had already struggled for decades with limited electricity, unstable internet and scarce to absent drinking water before the earthquake made those problems worse.

Records from the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), which has worked in Colombia since 2005 helping refugees, indicate that even before the disaster, more than 9 million Colombians already required humanitarian aid, including those affected by forced displacement, armed conflict, floods and droughts. This reminds people of the tasks of repairing damage from the earthquake and also of reaching communities that were already facing long-standing vulnerabilities.

This organization is currently providing shelter and survival supplies, such as water, hygiene products and mattresses, for those affected in Chocó, along with monetary assistance for shelters and other families in Valle del Cauca. It is also raising funds that will become a substantial form of aid in Colombia’s Pacific Coast.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), present in Chocó for more than two decades, is coordinating with national authorities and United Nations partners to support children and families. Its focus is water, sanitation and hygiene. The goal is to ease public health problems that the earthquake made worse, along with the economic hardship and basic needs many families in these communities already faced.

Building Back

Reconstruction is now underway, and progress is coming from partnerships between companies, foundations and local communities. Grupo Argos and its foundation, working with singer Nicky Jam, are building 1,000 quick-assembly, earthquake-resistant houses nationwide, from which roughly half will go to Chocó, with the first units delivered by the end of September. In Buenaventura, manufacturers Eternit and Corporacero have donated more than 100 houses combined for displaced families, while the construction association Camacol and the Corporación Minuto de Dios are financing 27 homes for families in Chocó.

Some of the new buildings in Buenaventura are being built as stilt houses, adapted to the flood-prone geography that has shaped life along the Pacific coast. These efforts are still small next to the scale of the damage. However, they show what recovery could look like if it reaches the communities the earthquake, and decades of public policy before it, left behind. Making this urgent aid visible is not a matter of publicity, but about keeping Colombia’s Pacific Coast in the national conversation for the future development of the country.

– Juan Guillermo Rueda Castrillón

Juan is based in Barcelona, Spain and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Sustained International Efforts Support Venezuela’s Recovery

Venezuela’s RecoveryOn June 24th, Venezuela was struck by two earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, triggering a major humanitarian emergency. Over six weeks later, the scale of the disaster remains immense. By August 11th, the reported death toll had risen to 6,301, nearly 61,000 people had been treated in hospitals, and 9,500 homes were classified ‘high-risk.’

A Global Response

Alongside the destruction emerges another story: an international response that has continued to adapt as Venezuela’s recovery needs have changed. 

In the first days after the earthquakes, search-and-rescue teams arrived from across the globe. Spain deployed members of its Military Emergency Unit; Brazil sent firefighters and a field hospital; Switzerland provided specialists and equipment; Mexico sent technical rescue personnel alongside its volunteer Topos teams; and Turkey deployed disaster-response specialists, medical personnel, search dogs and vehicles. Particularly notable was Syria’s 15 specialist strong search-and-rescue mission, considered the first international humanitarian operation they have ever conducted, and described by Syria’s SANA news agency as a “historic milestone.” Other countries across Latin America also contributed, while international organizations mobilized.

A Changing Mission: From Rescue to Recovery

Significantly for Venezuela’s recovery, international support did not disappear when the immediate search ended. As chances of finding survivors diminished, doctors, humanitarian workers, logistics specialists and development organizations increasingly took on longer-term roles. International donations also continued, with 107 registered by August 3rd.

The United Nations and its partners have been coordinating assistance across health, shelter, food, water, sanitation and hygiene, logistics and protection. According to the latest OCHA situation report, nearly 212,000 people had accessed essential services and humanitarian assistance by August 6th.

Hospitals Without Walls

Healthcare is one of the clearest examples of how the international response is evolving. Temporary medical facilities have been established in affected areas, and international partners have provided doctors, medicines, laboratory equipment and other essential supplies.

Brazil has continued operating a field hospital in La Guaira, while Colombia shifted its contribution from search-and-rescue towards medical assistance. Others, including the Dominican Republic, Qatar and international humanitarian organizations, have also supported temporary medical capacity.

Yet, humanitarian concerns extend beyond damaged infrastructure and interruptions to healthcare and essential services create additional vulnerabilities. Women, girls and adolescents can face increased risks of violence and exploitation after disasters. The international response therefore needs to focus also on protecting those most affected, and rebuilding communities and lives.

One striking example of long-term assistance has come from Israel; a reminder that international disaster assistance can move beyond diplomatic complexities. Despite the absence of diplomatic relations between the two countries for many years, an Israeli delegation has become involved in developing a national plan for rebuilding affected areas. The effort includes the demolition of dangerous structures, clearing of debris and rehabilitation of earthquake-hit areas. Within a few days of arriving, consulting senior government officials and inspecting disaster zones, the Israeli team formed a comprehensive reconstruction plan to map the damage, clear debris and unsafe structures and restore critical infrastructure. 

This continued phase of disaster response is critical to Venezuela’s recovery. Recovery requires sustained funding, coordination between international and national actors, restoration of infrastructure and an understanding of what communities will need after the immediate emergency has faded.

A Long Road Still Lies Ahead

The road ahead for Venezuela’s recovery will not be short. The UN Development Programme estimated direct physical damage at approximately $6.7 billion USD, equivalent to about 6% of Venezuela’s GDP. The estimate does not represent the full economic disruption or eventual reconstruction cost. The UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction has separately estimated damage to homes and infrastructure at around $37 billion USD. UNICEF has predicted $52 million USD is required for its earthquake response alone. Such figures underline the scale of the need, and the importance of sustained international funding and support.

– Cecilia Catmur

Cecilia is based in Cambridge, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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5 Countries Providing Earthquake Relief in South America

Earthquake Relief in South AmericaSouth America has a high risk of earthquakes with an average of 32,000 per year, according to Volcano Discovery. This year, three major earthquakes were reported, hitting Venezuela and Colombia with magnitudes above 7. Venezuela received the first two, while Colombia received the third. Before the earthquake, Venezuela already faced one of the highest poverty rates in Latin America, with independent estimates placing it above 80% of the population. The earthquakes are expected to push that figure even higher. In Colombia, 28% of marginalized communities were living in poverty. After the earthquake, the percentage rose to 30%. People suffered from food insecurity and basic infrastructure issues, leaving tens of thousands displaced within the country.

To provide earthquake relief in South America, countries outside of the continent have supported survivors living in poverty after destruction. Here are five countries that have given continuous support for earthquake victims.

United States

The United States (U.S.) mobilized efforts in response to the earthquake in Colombia on Aug. 10, 2026. The Department of State donated $15.5 million in funds for emergency shelter, food, protection, and structural assessment. They also deployed a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) to look for individuals impacted by the earthquake. DART comprises workers from various partner organizations like Catholic Relief Services and the United Nations (UN) World Food Program.

On July 8, the Department of State announced the establishment of a humanitarian air bridge for the June 24 Venezuelan earthquakes. The bridge would initiate Amazon and Airlink to fly weekly relief supplies from Miami, Florida, to Maiquetía, Venezuela, at no cost.

The Venezuelan earthquakes left more than 17,000 people homeless, according to NBC. Venezuela was already home to nearly 8 million people in need of humanitarian assistance before the quakes struck. The humanitarian air bridge provided crucial relief as reconstruction began.

Canada

On June 25, the day after the Venezuelan earthquakes hit, Canada donated an initial $5 million in humanitarian aid, later expanding to $12 million total, according to the Government of Canada. Anita Anand, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, wrote on X that the suffering in Venezuela is “heartbreaking,” adding that many people were “facing unbearable days ahead without shelter, food or certainty.”

For the earthquake in Colombia, more than 30,300 families were affected with 9,550 homes destroyed, according to CBC. To combat the damage, Colombian residents in Toronto are raising funds for survivors in poverty. Two GoFundMe pages were set up to collect money for earthquake recovery and rebuilding.

The first GoFundMe page, set up by Natalia Campo, owner of Delicious Empanadas in Toronto, raised $3,000. The money will go to lost loved ones, homes, and aid for search and rescue teams. The second, set up by Toronto-based Colombian journalist Camilla Gonzales, raised $22,000. The money will go to Corporación Presentes, a Colombian organization that works in disaster recovery.

While there is no specific number of survivors in poverty who are benefiting from the aid, Campo and Gonzales hope that the funds lead to a successful recovery of those impacted by the earthquake.

France

After the earthquake in Venezuela, France deployed a rescue team of 85 French rescue workers to search for victims, according to France in the United Kingdom. Along with search and rescue, the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs sent 38 tonnes of humanitarian aid from Guadeloupe, plus an additional six tonnes from Martinique, France. In Colombia, France worked with the European Union (EU) to launch Copernicus, its satellite service to help with rescue operations. Copernicus provides rapid mapping and assesses earthquake damage. Based on the analysis, Copernicus estimated that 622 buildings were impacted by the earthquake.

Japan

The Government of Japan issued an emergency grant of $3.5 million in response to the earthquake in Venezuela, according to Relief Web. They also provided goods, such as tarpaulin, portable jerry cans and water purifiers through the Japan International Cooperation Agency. Based on the ongoing needs assessment, Japan partnered with nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to provide support to disaster victims living in poverty. In response to the Colombian earthquake, Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu expressed condolences and readiness to assist following the Colombian earthquake. “In the wake of the earthquake that struck the Republic of Colombia on Aug. 10, I express my deepest condolences to those who lost their lives and extend my heartfelt sympathies to all those affected,” Toshimitsu said. “Japan stands in strong solidarity with the people of Colombia.”

Outside of the government, the Nippon Foundation is requesting donations for disaster relief for Colombia. The money will fund efforts for survivors in poverty from the aftermath.

Israel

In response to the earthquake in Colombia, Israel sent a rescue team of 80 people to search for victims, according to the Jerusalem Post. The main goal of the expedition was to provide immediate life-saving assistance to survivors through mapping destruction sites. The rescue team comprised regular duty soldiers and reservists. The delegation also spent three weeks providing earthquake relief to Venezuela before returning home, according to the Times of Israel. During the three weeks, Israel was tasked with assessing and classifying damaged buildings and assisting with reconstruction efforts. After the return, Israel continued to provide aid to survivors remotely.

By proceeding efforts remotely, Israel provides the framework for rebuilding Venezuela after the destruction from the earthquake. The two countries also restored consular ties with each other after severing diplomatic relations in 2009. The impact shows another face of Israel and the Jewish community, according to eJewish Philanthropy.

Moving Forward

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement that the U.S. is closely monitoring the situation and stands ready to support the people of Colombia. Other countries continue to provide earthquake relief in South America as more victims find themselves in poverty. Through international support, survivors receive basic needs from across the globe.

With the five countries providing international support for earthquake relief in South America, past hostilities are forgotten as they come together to provide humanitarian aid to poverty-stricken communities.

– Casey Chan-Smutko

Casey is based in Natick, MA, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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PAHO Venezuela: Combatting Poor Health Conditions

PAHO VenezuelaThe Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) serves as the regional office of the World Health Organization for the Americas and as the specialized international health agency for the region. With 35 member states, PAHO works in disease prevention, responds to natural disasters and strives to achieve health care for all regardless of economic status. The organization values equity, excellence, solidarity, respect, integrity and aims to improve the quality of life for people in the Americas. Founded in December 1902 following the spread of disease at the end of the 19th century, PAHO has eradicated smallpox and polio in the Americas, reduced infant and child mortality and increased life expectancy by 35 years in the region. Through continuous innovation, improved accessibility and technical cooperation, PAHO has spent more than 120 years advancing health and well-being in the Americas.

Earthquake Impacts

On June 24, 2026, northern Venezuela experienced two back-to-back earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, respectively. The second quake was Venezuela’s most powerful in more than a century. The disaster most affected those living in poverty in the Caracas and La Guaira areas due to the existing financial crisis in the country. La Guaira, in particular, is home to the largest population of Venezuelans of African descent, who have long been among the most marginalized socioeconomic groups in the country. An estimated 712,223 people were exposed to the highest seismic intensity. This earthquake also strained the healthcare system, prompting acting President Delcy Rodríguez to declare a state of emergency in late June. Venezuela has struggled with economic inequality since the early 2000s, with more than 7.6 million people in need of humanitarian assistance and more than 50% of the population living in poverty as of 2022.

PAHO in Venezuela

Since the earthquake, more than 16,000 people have been injured, with three hospitals reporting structural damage as access to health services has faltered and approximately 17,300 people have lost their homes, according to PAHO’s public health situation analysis. In response, PAHO collaborated with the Ministry of People’s Power for Health to mobilize medical supplies, including emergency medical kits and medication for diseases; as of late August 2026, PAHO had delivered a cumulative 40 metric tons of medicines, medical supplies, and essential equipment to Venezuela. The organization shipped many of these supplies from its strategic reserve in Panama, where it keeps essential health items stocked for emergencies across the region.

As a highly impacted area, distribution focused on La Guaira with hospitals prioritized based on needs stemming from the emergency. As a main center for trauma and neurosurgery, Hospital Dr. Miguel Pérez Carreño was one of the hospitals prioritized by PAHO to treat patients with complex injuries. PAHO provided materials for trauma surgery, sterilization, anesthesia and more, helping the hospital manage increased demand due to the earthquake.

For many in La Guaira, displacement remains a significant health threat, with more than 10,000 people in temporary camps as of July. In response, PAHO has supported technological development to strengthen epidemiological data collection and analysis to address the ongoing need for disease prevention and treatment, mental health care, and other everyday health needs beyond initial injury care.

PAHO Impact

The work of PAHO work in Venezuela has been critical for addressing the ongoing health crisis and meeting its priorities to expand essential health services, improve water and sanitation, and prevent disease outbreaks. The organization has launched an appeal for nearly $24 million to support health interventions through the end of the year for the most vulnerable populations, such as those in La Guaira. As hospitals operate beyond capacity and shortages continue, PAHO’s efforts are crucial for preventing displaced populations and those in poverty from facing severe impacts due to future emergencies and ongoing health challenges.

– Niamh Werner

Niamh is based in New York, NY, USA and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How a Drought Lead to International Aid to Zambia 

International Aid to ZambiaOn December 18th, 2024, the World Bank approved assisting the Republic of Zambia. Called the Climate and Economic Resilience Development Policy Financing (DPF), this grant provided financial assistance combating the severe and deadly droughts Zambia was facing. Here is more information about international aid to Zambia.

Poverty in Zambia

Zambia is a landlocked country in Africa. The poverty rate within the country is estimated to be around 64.3%. The rural areas largely make up the high poverty rate. It is estimated that 78.8% of people living in rural areas are in poverty, compared to 31.9% of people living in urban areas. The ramifications for people living under the poverty line has led to a severe restriction of accessing food and clean water, it limits the ability of getting an education and has created one of the largest orphan populations in Africa. A contributing factor for the high poverty rate is the weather and how it causes extreme droughts to the country in recent years.

Causes and Severity of the Droughts

In 2024, Zambia had one of the deadliest droughts in its history. The severity of this drought negatively affected 84 out of 116 districts, leading the President of Zambia to declare a national emergency. Zambia’s long history of droughts occurring is due to the weather climate of El Nino. 

The results from the 2024 drought led to rising groceries prices, leading to roughly 2 million Zambians lacking adequate access to food and water. This severe drought also led to power shortages repeatedly occurring and water sources having a high risk of containing harmful diseases like malaria. The repercussions do not end there. The lack of water has led Zambia to be one of the most malnourished countries in the Sub-Sahara, a higher risk for violence towards women and young girls and a higher chance of a girl being married at a young age. All of these challenges indicate a necessity for international aid to Zambia.

The World Bank’s Solution

After the severe drought in 2024, the World Bank agreed to provide international aid to Zambia. The World Bank agreed to financially support the African country by approving a $100 million grant. This money was split into two categories. The $25 million went towards Developing Policy Financing (DPF). The DPF could assist with a country’s budget and debt and could create policy reforms. The DPF also comes with conditions on how to utilize the funds. Regarding this finance support for Zambia, the World Bank outlined the $25 million must be used to:

  • Enhance fiscal management
  • Promote investments from the private sector
  • Toughen disaster risk management

Meanwhile, the $75 million came in the form of a Catastrophe Deferred Drawdown Option (Cat-DDO) to address natural disasters.

The Results

In 2025, Zambia showed several signs of improvement. The country’s GDP per capita rose from 1% to 2.4%. Inflation decreased from 14.8% to 14%. The public debt also decreased from 101% to 87.6%. Zambia’s banking system became stronger during 2025 and the government focused on providing funding to different sectors to combat inequality. These sectors include education, health and agriculture. Lastly, in 2025, Zambia saw an increase in rainfall, resulting in a better harvest in the agriculture sector.

Yet, Zambia still faces several issues, climate conditions still pose a threat to the country and the energy, water and transportation sectors have huge deficits. In March 2026, the World Bank agreed to continue financially assisting Zambia. This year, the World Bank granted Zambia an additional $25 million to fight areas that have a higher chance of poverty and climate readiness.

Looking Ahead

Through the assistance of the World Bank, Zambia has improved since the 2024 severe drought. Zambia’s economy is gradually recovering, the climate provided more rain for the country and the country looked into eliminating inequality. Although poverty and climate concerns still linger, the relationship between Zambia and the World Bank shows a dedication to ending these issues and bettering the country and improving the citizens’ living conditions.

– Dorothea A Pudwill

Dorothea is based in West Springfield, MA, USA and focuses on Business and Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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How Project Hope is Helping After the Earthquakes in Colombia

Earthquakes in ColombiaOn Aug. 10, 2026, a 7.4-magnitude earthquake in Colombia caused mass destruction, hundreds of fatalities and left thousands of people in need of urgent help. The earthquake hit about 150 miles west of Bogotá, with the city of Cali facing considerable destruction. Tremors were felt as far away as Ecuador, Panama and Venezuela.

It was the strongest earthquake to hit Colombia in over a decade, followed by at least 250 aftershocks, just weeks after two detrimental earthquakes in Venezuela.

With more than 156,000 homes damaged or destroyed, more than 170 collapsed buildings, at least 300 dead and more than 4,500 injured, immediate outside help is necessary. Organizations such as Project HOPE, a nonprofit dedicated to emergency response, are working to provide hygiene supplies, medical assistance and infrastructure repairs in the days after the earthquake.

President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a state of emergency, and Project HOPE responded within hours.

Project HOPE’s Efforts

Project HOPE is aiding Colombia by providing hygiene supplies such as toilet paper, feminine hygiene products, diapers, soap, cleaning supplies and more. Without the worry of basic hygiene and dignity items, those affected by the earthquake can focus on finding their families and rebuilding their lives. In Cali, Colombia’s third-largest city, Project HOPE began assessing health facilities within hours of the earthquake, surveying the partially collapsed Hospital Universitario del Valle Evaristo García, where health workers have had to set up tents outside to treat the injured after a wing of the hospital collapsed.

Mental Health Focus

Project HOPE also focuses intensely on mental health. Traumatic events such as earthquakes and other natural disasters leave wounds that are not always visible. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety surrounding possible future tremors can leave people with immense fear and inability to function.

Project HOPE is working to make mental health services a part of basic healthcare, regardless of social or financial circumstances. One billion people around the world suffer from psychological challenges, and less than 30% of those people will receive treatment. Challenges increase significantly in areas impacted by war or natural disasters. Project HOPE’s implementation of mental health services in Colombia helps to address all injuries a person may suffer from after a traumatic event, including mental ones.

Pre-Existing Needs

While it is vital to respond quickly during an emergency, need existed before the earthquakes in Colombia. Nearly 7 million individuals were already in need of humanitarian support before the earthquake hit. After the disaster, that number is expected to grow as families face further displacement, disrupted services, loss of income and reduced access to basic necessities. The limited access to healthcare, clean water and psychological first aid makes recovery from the earthquakes more difficult, emphasizing the importance of aiding those in need before disaster strikes.

– Julia Cholerton

Julia is based in Gig Harbor, WA, USA and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay

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Global Responses to the Venezuela Earthquakes

Global Responses to the Venezuela EarthquakesOn June 24, 2026, two major earthquakes hit Venezuela, ranging from 7.2 to 7.5 in magnitude. They shook the ground violently, leading to $19.6 billion in damages to the country’s infrastructure, destroying millions of homes and trapping people under the rubble. Residential buildings suffered 47% of the damage, infrastructure 27% and non-residential buildings 26%. The death toll is continuously rising as rescuers focus on Caracas and the states of Aragua, Carabobo, Falcón, La Guaira and Miranda. As of late June, the death toll had reached 1,700, with many injured and homeless. Global responses have been immediate, with help swiftly provided to the victims from hundreds of countries and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).

Country Background

Due to Venezuela’s fragile economic and political situation, the country has few means of preparing for a disaster of this magnitude. Many buildings and houses are made of older materials that did not withstand the violent tremors. According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development in 2025, Venezuela ranked third in the highest increase in human fragility, besides North Korea and Libya, and was the second-least funded country in terms of the Humanitarian Response Plan. Even before the earthquakes, 56% of Venezuela’s population was living in extreme poverty, and 7.9 million people were in need of humanitarian assistance, according to the United Nations (UN). After the earthquakes, survivors were left without homes, electricity and very little food and water.

Global Responses to the Venezuela Earthquakes

One hopeful aspect arises from this tragedy: the global effort to aid Venezuela in its time of need. When news of the earthquakes emerged, multiple countries and governments sent aid and first responders to find and save those trapped below the rubble.

Efforts include: China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Guo Jiakun, announced that Beijing will provide $14.7 million in emergency humanitarian aid. Spain’s Armed Forces provided search dogs and rescue workers. Peru sent more than 14 tons of humanitarian aid. The United States (U.S.) announced it will send a specialized Air Force response team. Mexico will send additional humanitarian aid, including water purification plants, power generators and non-perishable food. The European Union (EU) announced $5.6 million in humanitarian aid focusing on providing shelter and health care to survivors. Countries have also sent more than 2,624 rescue workers and 137 search dogs.

NGOs and Other Government Organizations

Several organizations, NGOs and teams are on the ground trying to help. A particular NGO currently assisting the people of Venezuela is Mercy Corps. Initially founded in 1979, it is a nonprofit focusing on promoting social change through volunteer work and helping those who have suffered injustices in the Americas. In 2025, they reached around 37 million people in 35 countries. They have partnered with organizations in Miranda, where many Venezuelans have fled for safety, to support victims’ recoveries.

The earthquakes in Venezuela have left its people shaken with a rising death toll. Yet, hope remains strong through the global responses to the Venezuela Earthquakes. It shows an incredible moment in human solidarity as multiple countries and organizations stepped up to help a country and its people in need. Significant time and effort are being devoted to searching for and rescuing those trapped and providing aid to the survivors who have lost everything.

– Michalitsa Kontogianni

Michalitsa is based in Washington, DC, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How El Nino Exacerbates Food Insecurity

El Nino Exacerbates Food InsecurityThere will be another El Nino this 2026/27 season. El Nino is a recurring weather pattern that changes the normal predictable seasonal rain to potential extreme and unprecedented flood or drought to the world. It exacerbates food insecurity for millions of people on every continent.

The predictions are looking more and more like this year will have an impact that the world has not seen in about 150 years. It is being called it a “super El Nino,” and some are even calling it “Monster El Nino” or “Godzilla El Nino.”

The Recent El Nino

This is a recurring weather pattern that happens frequently, every other year to seven years. The ocean temperature of the southern part of Eastern Pacific warms to redirect weather patterns around the world. Some stand out more than others, but each time it hurts everyone across the world, especially in the poorer areas. The 2024/2025 shows how El Nino exacerbates food insecurity for millions of people. It causes record heat, droughts, flooding, wildfires, among other natural disasters globally.

The UN food agency explained that El Nino exacerbates food insecurity in Africa. The 2024/25 El Nino caused the worst hunger crisis in southern Africa in decades.

The media director for the nonprofit Climate Central explained that modern technologies make predictions to know generally what is going to happen. This means the UN, local governments, and non-profits can prepare for the inevitability of food insecurity is paramount for millions of people. Climate scientists are now certain with a high probability that this year will be extreme.

Historical Comparison

The1877/78 El Nino was the last time it was as extreme as climate models. It caused famine from droughts in one area and famine from floods in others to the extent that potentially 50 million people died from El Nino and aggravated by the political conflicts and colonialism/imperialism.

One of the worst El Nino food insecurities was in the 1877/78 year cycle that impacted populations in all areas of the world. About 50 million was roughly 3% to 4% of the world’s population. In terms of today, that would be equivalent to 250 million people.

The Joint Anticipatory Action Appeal

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and the World Food Programme (WFP) have teamed up to create the Joint Anticipatory Action Appeal. They are seeking $202 million to prepare nearly nine million people for how El Nino exacerbates food insecurity across 22 high-risk priority countries.

So far, the program is already prepared to help 1.2 million people facing food insecurity. With additional funding coming, they will be able to help more than 7.5 million people. The WFP is calculating that for every dollar they spend on preparation is a $7 savings on post-disaster work.

These are countries/regions that will have unique extreme weather disturbances from El Nino:

  •       Peru and Ecuador will have extreme rainstorms and landslides.
  •       India and Southeast Asia and island nations will have extreme droughts, agriculture failures and wildfires.
  •       Central America will have droughts and agriculture failures.
  •       Africa, depending on location, will have erratic and unpredictable rainfall or drought conditions.

Funding Recipients

Funding from the Joint Anticipatory Action Appeal will assist in anticipatory actions focused on local situations. The money is allocated for cash assistance, the supply and delivery of drought-tolerant and/or flood-resistant seeds, livestock protection, water collecting and storage systems, flood protection infrastructure, agricultural advisories and the broadcasting of early warning information.

  •       Southern Africa will receive $54 million for an estimated 2.3 million people.
  •       Eastern Africa will receive $78 million for 3.9 million people.
  •       Western Africa will get $11 million for 500,000 million people.
  •       Asia and the Pacific will obtain $25.7 million for 1 million people.
  •       Latin America and the Caribbean will receive $33 million for 1.1 million people.

Looking Ahead

The El Nino is a normal weather pattern that has been predicted as extreme this year. The predicted flooding in one region and drought in another region requires specific and unique needs for different regions of the world. The international community is hard at work to prevent a complex international food crisis.

– Jonathan Snowiss

Jonathan is based in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash