Archive for category: Natural Disaster

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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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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

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5 Charities Helping After the Venezuelan Earthquakes

Nurse holding a clipboard in a hospital hallway, representing healthcare support. Charities Helping After the Venezuelan EarthquakesOn June 24, 2026, two earthquakes with 7.2 and 7.5 magnitudes hit northern and central Venezuela. Since then, more than 3,500 people have died, thousands were injured, and tens of thousands remain missing. Additionally, over 17,000 citizens have been left homeless after the damage and destruction of approximately 59,000 buildings.

Before these earthquakes, Venezuela was already in a state where about 8 million people needed humanitarian aid. The aftermath has caused overcrowding, the spread of disease, and difficulty accessing food and water as thousands attempt to find shelter. This situation has pushed those already in need into a deeper crisis. Multiple charities and organizations, already working in Venezuela, have been able to provide immediate assistance. Here are five charities helping after the Venezuelan earthquakes:

5 Charities Helping After the Venezuelan Earthquakes

  • Project HOPE: Project HOPE has reached 1.2 million people since 2019, providing health and humanitarian assistance in Venezuela. Since the earthquakes, Project HOPE has focused on delivering medical care and supplies, clean drinking water, mental health support, and search and rescue teams where needed. They currently have over 100 staff members in the field, many of whom were already working in Venezuela.
  • Doctors Without Borders: Doctors Without Borders has sent about 50 staff members to respond to the crisis. Their main focus is providing medical care to those injured and sick. They have supplied eight hospitals with the resources to treat around 4,000 patients. They continue to support the country by building mobile clinics offering physical and mental health care, with the first one launched in Naiguatá, La Guaira.
  • The International Rescue Committee: The International Rescue Committee has supported women and children in Venezuela since 2021 by providing primary health care, reproductive health services, and assistance with malnutrition, food and hygiene. In 2025, they helped more than 75,000 citizens. They are currently providing medical care, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene services to those affected by the earthquakes.
  • Mercy Corps: Mercy Corps has impacted over 496,000 Venezuelans since 2019. They prioritize distributing medical supplies, specifically maternal care, and providing cash assistance and entrepreneurship training. During this crisis, they continue to offer cash provisions and support to damaged community health facilities, focusing on basic needs such as nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene. They have delivered sanitation and hygiene kits to 200 children in Caracas.
  • World Vision: World Vision has been providing assistance in Venezuela since 2019, focusing on children. They work with over 2,000 local partners to offer food, water, sanitation and psychological aid across La Guaira, Caracas and Miranda, helping nearly 15,000 people since the earthquakes. They have also established child-friendly spaces for structured play and psychosocial support.

Looking Ahead

Rebuilding and recovery remain critical for Venezuela and its citizens. As charities and organizations continue their efforts, along with international assistance, the support needed is available, making the road to recovery possible.

– Ally Jones

Ally is based in Bethany, OK, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay

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Local Government Provides Juruá River Flood Relief Efforts

Flooded homes along the Juruá River, with residents navigating in small boats.The Amazon River is the largest river in the world by water volume; it accounts for nearly 20% of the river water that feeds into the ocean globally and contains more gallons than the next seven largest rivers combined. It spans roughly 4,000 miles across the Amazon Rainforest and flows through Peru, Colombia, Brazil, Venezuela, Ecuador and Bolivia. Offshoots of the Amazon River and Rainforest extend into neighboring countries of its primary watershed as well.

A River System Under Strain

Because of the Amazon River’s size, it feeds into more than 1,000 offshoots and water-feeding tributaries from its main channel. On April 30, 2026, one of these offshoots, named the Juruá River, flooded to 14.13 meters. This volume exceeded the river’s overflow limit and presented imminent threats to its surrounding communities. The Juruá River is an affluent offshoot of the Amazon River located in Peru and Brazil. This particular flood impacted the Brazilian state of Acre, located in the country’s northwest and bordering Peru directly. More specifically, the April 2026 Juruá River flood devastated large portions of Cruzeiro do Sul, the second-largest city in the state of Acre. This flood impacted an estimated 13 neighborhoods, as well as three rural communities.

The instant devastation caused in the wake of the Juruá River flooding in April 2026 prompted the local government to act swiftly in administering flood relief in Cruzeiro do Sul. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) reported that approximately 7,087 families, representing about 28,350 individuals, were affected by the flood. Authorities said 628 families were displaced and 55 remained homeless, with 242 individuals accommodated in six public shelters established by the local government. The mass devastation caused by the April 2026 Juruá River flood changed the lives of tens of thousands in Brazil’s mountainous west on a deeply personal level.

Impact on Tourism and the Local Economy

This flood was particularly devastating because of Cruzeiro do Sul’s relationship with tourism as a main contribution to its economy. As a result, local government disaster relief efforts must address residents’ immediate safety and livelihood needs alongside long-term economic stabilization. The city is the major transportation hub to the Serra do Divisor National Park, sometimes referred to as “the Yellowstone of the Amazon,” a world-renowned destination for ecotourism due to its high levels of biodiversity. The park is difficult to access and sits in a largely untouched portion of the Amazon Wilderness, making it a priority for ecological conservation and a bucket-list item for nature enthusiasts. The April 2026 Juruá River flood brought Cruzeiro do Sul’s ecotourism to a halt; although temporary, this loss to the city’s economy and employment had the potential to be devastating.

Local Juruá River Flood Relief

However, the Municipality of Cruzeiro do Sul has begun relief efforts to address the unfolding situation. The Cruzeiro do Sul State Civil Defense routinely switches to a high-alert cycle during months of heavy rain, which proactively includes April before the recent flood. In April 2026, the city provided disaster relief to flood victims in these key ways:

  • Coordinating evacuations for citizens in areas isolated by the flood.
  • Distributing clean water and fresh food to impacted communities cut off by recurrent flash flooding.
  • Launching humanitarian aid trucks to heavily impacted areas to distribute emergency supplies, laundry services and hot meals to affected families. These mobile services were coordinated by the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), a religious humanitarian aid organization, in partnership with the local government of Cruzeiro do Sul.

– Natalie Naylor

Natalie is based in Berkeley, CA, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Disaster Relief in Jamaica Acts Fast Following Hurricane Melissa

Disaster Relief in JamaicaHurricane Melissa impacted several countries across the Caribbean, including Jamaica. Melissa first made contact with New Hope, Jamaica, off its west coast on October 28, 2025, and caused mass devastation and destruction across the island. By that time, Melissa had become a Category 5 storm, which is the most severe and dangerous designation for hurricanes on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. The National Hurricane Center (NHC( approximates the winds of Category 5 storms to reach 157 mph or higher and cause the following catastrophic damage:

“A high percentage of framed homes will be destroyed, with total roof failure and wall collapse. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last for weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months,” NHC stated.

Response

The U.S. promptly responded to the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa; President Trump authorized the Department of State to send immediate disaster relief in Jamaica to support the country’s most impacted communities. Secretary Rubio deployed urban search-and-rescue squads from a regional Disaster Assistance Response Team within hours of Melissa’s ending.

Other foreign-aid relief efforts include the State Department and U.N. joint deliveries of essential supplies, including food and water, medical and hygiene supplies and temporary shelters. The Government of Jamaica has also established a dedicated relief fund for the devastation.

Economy

In 2024, Jamaica’s economy had made significant strides towards improvement; the rate of public debt decreased from 140% in 2012 to 64.9% in 2024. However, the impacts of Hurricane Melissa in 2025 and those of Hurricane Beryl in 2024 destabilized this progress. In anticipation of Hurricane Melissa making contact with the island, Jamaica put several measures in place to soften the economic disruption it would bring about. These pre-crisis measures include widespread macroeconomic management, disciplined fiscal policy ratification, and multi-layer disaster risk financing.

Relief Efforts

In the fall of 2025, disaster relief in Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa became a focus of many non-profits. Red Lightning, a disaster aid NGO, delivered generators and Starlink units to reinstate communication across the island and internationally.

Groups like All Hands & Hearts, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the Salvation Army mobilized to conduct evacuations, prepared for cleanup and recovery efforts, and supported local readiness through providing supplies to about 60,000 impacted households across Jamaica.

In addition, the U.N. World Food Program (WFP) and the World Central Kitchen (WCK) donated thousands of meals to Jamaican evacuees, first responders, and other impacted communities across the Caribbean.

The Future

Jamaica’s economy is still at risk of suffering long-term effects from Hurricane Melissa. The country’s main industries are tourism and agriculture. The widespread catastrophic damage that Melissa caused put these industries at risk; Jamaica is reliant on the steady stream of tourists and its ability to farm and export produce.

The aftermath of Melissa severely threatened both of these industries. More specifically, the storm killed 32 people and negatively impacted an estimated 1.5 million of the country’s 2.8 million total population. Despite the degree of destruction caused by the storm and the economic precarity left in its wake, the rapid disaster relief in Jamaica is a testament to the networks of support that came together following the strongest Atlantic hurricane to ever strike the island. These relief efforts bode well for Jamaica’s ability to swiftly recover and heal following Melissa’s devastating impact.

– Natalie Naylor

Natalie is based in New York, NY, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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2024 Landslide in PNG and The Next Natural Disaster

2024 Landslide in PNG Two years after the catastrophic 2024 landslide in Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) Enga Province, the Highlands remain one of the most vulnerable regions in the world to weather‑driven disasters. As the 2026 rainy season brings another round of intense downpours, humanitarian agencies warn that the conditions that triggered the deadly 2024 collapse have not improved, and in some areas, have in fact worsened.

Increasingly volatile rainfall patterns, driven by warmer weather, continue to destabilise already fragile mountain slopes. NASA’s Earth Observatory has documented how extreme rainfall events linked to cyclones and shifting weather systems are becoming more frequent across PNG’s mountainous interior, raising the likelihood of future landslides

Vulnerability to Landslides

The 2024 PNG landslide revealed the structural fragility of many Highland communities. Villages are often built on steep, erosion‑prone slopes where even moderate rainfall can trigger soil movement. When days of heavy rain saturated the ground in May 2024, entire sections of the mountainside collapsed, burying homes under metres of mud and rock. Local authorities struggled to determine how many people were missing because the terrain remained unstable for days. Rescue teams were forced to navigate treacherous slopes, and in many cases, villagers used shovels and their bare hands to search for survivors.

One survivor, Rocky Peter, told ABC News: “A rock has rolled down from the mountain up there, and there was a big bang … For those of us who heard the sound, we were able to escape. But the ones who didn’t hear were buried in their sleep.”

The 2024 disaster exposed the logistical challenges of delivering aid in the Highlands. Many communities are accessible only by narrow mountain roads that wind through unstable terrain. When these roads collapse, entire districts become unreachable for days or even weeks. Helicopter access is limited, and unpredictable weather often grounds flights. Even when national authorities mobilise quickly, the physical geography of the Highlands slows every stage of the response. These conditions were widely reported during the 2024 event, which affected more than 4,000 people and destroyed critical infrastructure.

Entire Communities Become Invisible

The humanitarian consequences of PNG’s landslides extend far beyond the initial collapse. In 2024, blocked roads left families unable to reach clinics, markets or relief centres. Many communities in Enga and Hela rely on a single unpaved road for food and medical supplies, that once blocked, escalate shortages rapidly. UNDP assessments from earlier landslides highlight the same challenges, namely unstable terrain, dangerous rescue conditions and the near‑impossibility of deploying heavy machinery to remote sites.

Children also faced particular risks as families fled damaged homes and sought temporary shelter. UNICEF reports show that PNG’s landslides often disrupt schooling and expose children to heightened protection risks.

Schools frequently double as evacuation centres, suspending education for weeks at a time. The 2024 humanitarian situation report for Enga documented how displacement compounded existing vulnerabilities in communities already facing poverty, limited health care access and chronic underinvestment in basic services.

The long‑term consequences were equally severe. IFRC documentation of the 2024 Enga landslide describes prolonged displacement, blocked waterways and repeated slope failures,  conditions that increase the likelihood that communities will face recurring crises without sustained international support. Two years later, many of these structural vulnerabilities remain unchanged.

Revealing the Cost of Weather Extremes

Two years on, the 2024 PNG landslide stands as a stark reminder of how weather extremes magnify existing inequalities. Remote highland communities, already facing limited state presence, poor road networks and under‑resourced clinics, remain on the front line of increasingly volatile weather patterns. When disasters strike, these communities could lack the buffers that wealthier or more connected regions rely on, such as emergency shelters, stocked health posts, reliable communications and rapid‑response teams. The invisibility of these crises on the global stage compounds the problem. While major cyclones in Fiji or Vanuatu often receive international coverage, slow‑onset or geographically isolated disasters in PNG rarely break through. This lack of visibility contributes to chronic underfunding for disaster‑risk reduction and climate adaptation, despite PNG being one of the most hazard‑exposed nations in the world.

Strengthening Disaster Relief in PNG’s Highlands

As the rainy season approaches, preventing another tragedy like the 2024 PNG landslide depends on ongoing investment in climate‑resilient infrastructure, early‑warning systems and community‑level preparedness. The UNDP continues to support Highlands provinces with all‑weather roads, reinforced bridges and slope‑stabilisation projects to keep communities connected during extreme rainfall events.

Humanitarian agencies such as UNICEF are also expanding pre‑positioned supplies and stocked health posts, proven measures that reduce casualties and displacement during natural disaster emergencies. Sustained international support remains vital to help PNG strengthen its disaster‑response capacity and protect vulnerable highland communities

The 2024 PNG landslide revealed how weather extremes deepen existing vulnerabilities, yet the country’s ongoing relief efforts do show resilience in motion. From UNDP’s infrastructure projects to SPC’s hazard‑mapping initiatives and UNICEF’s community‑based response networks, these programs demonstrate that PNG is building disaster preparedness piece by piece. As global attention often drifts elsewhere, these sustained efforts stand as proof that even in the world’s most remote highlands, coordinated humanitarian action can turn isolation into strength.

– Max Kenway

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

Photo: Flickr

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How Climate Instability Affects Pastoralism in the Sahel Region

Pastoralism in the Sahel RegionClimate instability is slowly but consistently making life in the Sahel harder for herders, whose livelihoods depend on rainfall, pasture and mobility. Rising temperatures, erratic rains and longer dry seasons are shrinking grazing land, drying water points and forcing pastoralists to move farther and more often in search of survival.

A Fragile Way of Life

For centuries, pastoralism has been a strategy for adapting to the dry environment of the Sahel region. Herders move livestock across wide areas so animals can find new pasture and the land can recover. However, that system only works when mobility remains possible and water is not scarce.

Changing climatic conditions in the Sahel are disrupting both. Rainy seasons are less predictable, droughts are becoming more severe and springs and streams that once sustained herds are disappearing. These changes do not just reduce income; they threaten an entire social and economic system.

In the Sudano-Sahel region, more than 20 million people depend on pastoralism for survival and livestock is often the main source of food, cash and status. When grass fails or water holes dry up, families lose animals, nutrition worsens and their ability to recover from shocks weakens. These difficulties affect not only people who live off livestock but also farmers who grow crops for the animals.

Drought and Loss

The human and economic costs of drought can be devastating. One major drought in Niger in 2010 killed more than 4.8 million cattle, roughly a quarter of the country’s herd, causing losses of more than $700 million. For herding families, such losses are not abstract statistics. 

They translate into lower school fees, less milk for children and the collapse of savings built up over years, if not generations, through entire flocks. Pastoralism in the Sahel region is also harmed by diseases and herd weakness caused by climate stress. As animals are concentrated into smaller areas with less fodder, they become more vulnerable to illness and malnutrition.

At the same time, governments may impose tighter controls on animal movement due to concerns about livestock disease, making it even harder for herders to follow the rains and preserve their herds. Additionally, longer transhumances may expose animals to stress, disease vectors (such as ticks and flies) and consequential zoonotic diseases. This is not only an issue for animal health but also for humans, increasing the transmission of infectious diseases such as brucellosis and tuberculosis.

Tensions Over Land

As pasture disappears, herders are increasingly pushed into zones where farming is expanding, especially in the southern Sahel. This creates competition over land and water between farmers and herders, a pressure that can turn local disputes into small armed conflicts when land-use rules are weak or unenforced. Climate emergency does not cause every conflict in the Sahel, but it intensifies competition over scarce resources and makes peaceful coexistence more difficult.

Mobility, once a strength of pastoral systems, is becoming harder to sustain. Fragmented landscapes, insecurity and armed groups on transhumance routes can trap herders in unsafe or overused areas. This is further worsened by the growing availability of weapons and by political entities in the region exploiting these issues. 

When families can no longer move freely, they face more grazing pressure, more conflict and fewer ways to adapt.

The PRAPS-2 Strategy 

Sahelian governments and regional stakeholders are already collaborating to address shared environmental and economic challenges that endanger pastoralism in the Sahel. In addition to flagship efforts like the Great Green Wall, smaller-scale initiatives such as the Lake Chad Basin Commission and the Lake Victoria Basin Commission aim to improve the management and restoration of transboundary natural resources.

The most important of these initiatives, specifically designed to address pastoral needs, is the PRAPS-2 project. It is based on strengthening national responses while reinforcing regional coordination. Its objective is twofold. First, it seeks to enhance regional coherence in natural resource governance, support the implementation of national regulations and facilitate cross-border trade.

Second, it aims to generate and disseminate scientific and technical knowledge that supports sustainable pastoral practices and informs both national and regional strategies, recognizing their economic, social and environmental significance. Regionally, the program is implemented by the Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS). The CILSS oversees coordination under the political leadership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU). 

At the national level, implementation is led by the relevant ministries responsible for livestock or rural development across the six participating countries. PRAPS-2 is structured around five core components:

  • Improving animal health and veterinary drug control
  • Promoting sustainable landscape management and governance
  • Strengthening livestock value chains
  • Enhancing social and economic inclusion, particularly for women and youth
  • Supporting project coordination, institutional capacity and crisis prevention and response

Progress is being made, but this crisis highlights how rising temperatures can deepen insecurity and instability in already fragile regions, making the protection of pastoral livelihoods essential for sustaining resilience, dignity and peace.

– Riccardo Chiaraluce

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

Photo: Pexels

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Women’s Life Centers in Türkiye

Women's Life Centers in TürkiyeThe devastating earthquakes that struck southern Türkiye in February 2023 displaced millions of people and caused widespread destruction across several provinces. Many families lost their homes, schools and access to essential services. Women and children have faced particularly severe challenges during the recovery period, including economic hardship, interrupted education and psychological trauma.

In response, Women’s Life Centers in Türkiye have emerged as important community hubs supporting women and families as they rebuild their lives after the disaster.

Safe Spaces for Women and Girls

Women’s Life Centers in Türkiye provide safe environments where women and girls can access protection services, counseling and community support. According to U.N. Women, the centers offer psychosocial support, referral services and information on protection programs for women facing vulnerabilities following the earthquake. These services are especially important in crisis recovery settings when women and girls may face increased risks of violence, displacement and poverty.

The centers also host workshops, group discussions and social activities that allow women to connect and rebuild social networks. Strengthening community relationships plays an important role in disaster recovery, helping individuals access resources, share information and regain a sense of stability after experiencing significant loss.

Supporting Children’s Well-Being and Learning

Children also benefit from programs organized within the centers. Activities designed for young people focus on emotional well-being, social interaction and the maintenance of routines after traumatic experiences. Structured activities and safe learning environments help children cope with stress and continue their development during periods of disruption following disasters.

UNICEF reports that child-friendly spaces and temporary learning environments are an important part of the earthquake response in Türkiye. These programs provide safe areas where children can play, learn and receive psychosocial support while communities rebuild homes and schools. Maintaining access to educational and social activities helps children regain a sense of normalcy during long recovery periods.

Strengthening Women’s Economic Resilience

Women’s Life Centers in Türkiye also focus on strengthening long-term resilience by supporting women’s economic participation. The centers offer skills development programs, information sessions and community initiatives that help women explore employment opportunities and rebuild livelihoods disrupted by the earthquake. Economic recovery is an essential part of reducing long-term poverty risks following natural disasters. 

According to the World Bank, disasters can significantly affect vulnerable households by disrupting employment and access to services. Programs that support women’s economic participation and financial stability can therefore contribute to stronger community recovery and long-term resilience.

Community-Driven Recovery

Community initiatives such as Women’s Life Centers in Türkiye demonstrate how locally grounded support systems can help families recover after major crises. By providing protection services, psychosocial support and opportunities for social and economic engagement, the centers address several challenges faced by women and children following disasters.

As recovery efforts continue in earthquake-affected regions, programs that prioritize the well-being of women and children remain essential. Women’s Life Centers in Türkiye highlight how community-based support can strengthen resilience, promote stability and help vulnerable families rebuild their futures after disaster.

– Isil Ertas Senturk

Isil is based in Oakville, Ontario, Canada and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr