Archive for category: NGOs

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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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NGOs Working in Syria

Children in a Syrian refugee camp, highlighting NGO humanitarian initiatives. NGOs Working in SyriaThe role of nonprofit organizations (NGOs) working in Syria encompasses a broad range of activities, providing fundamental necessities such as food, water, shelter, and legal aid. NGO-led cash aid has contributed to Syria’s monetary resilience over time. These organizations focus on providing civilians with health care services and psychological support.

Syria’s Demolished Economy

The economy in Syria has suffered a GDP loss of $800 billion over 14 years of conflict. One-third of all housing units were destroyed during the conflict, leaving 5.7 million people in need of shelter support today. Over half of all water treatment facilities and sewer systems are impaired, leaving roughly 14 million people without clean water, sanitation, and hygiene. The conflict has caused 618,000 deaths and 113,000 disappearances. Many lives have been lost due to the collapse of the health system. One-third of the health centers collapsed, and nearly half of ambulance services were impaired. Energy production has dropped 80%, with over 70% of power plants and power lines damaged, diminishing the national grid capacity by more than three-quarters.

British Red Cross Mission in Syria

The British Red Cross is one of the NGOs working in Syria that has assisted over 6 million Syrians since the conflict started in March 2011. The charity has supplied lifesaving aid such as food, blankets, mattresses, and other assistance. The British Red Cross has trained many Red Cross volunteers in Syria. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they provided masks and food packages so families could protect themselves. The British Red Cross helped people in Syria during the 2023 earthquake, which affected 153,000 people, providing emergency cash support for essential household items. The organization stated that they have aided 43,600 migrants with residences and care coordination within the United Kingdom. The British Red Cross is a leading contributor to a $130 million IFRC emergency appeal to provide food, health care, and psychological assistance for those experiencing trauma.

Oxfam Beating Poverty in Syria

The global organization Oxfam has been working closely with local and national NGOs in Syria since 2013 to assist people impacted by poverty and conflict. Oxfam has refurbished wells and pumping stations, sewage, and water supply structures that help more than 490,000 people in Syria. This work includes providing generators to help water pumping methods operate correctly. In March 2025, Oxfam’s partner GOPA-DERD provided 1,000 hygiene products, including soap and menstrual products, to families who lost their homes in Jableh. In July and August 2025, Oxfam provided water by truck to cities near Latakia affected by wildfires and plans to build two water pumping terminals. Oxfam reached more than 92,000 people and spent 844,536 euros on food and living responses between Oxfam KEDV and Oxfam in Syria. They provided cash to 1,000 households to buy food at local markets after wildfires destroyed their agricultural assets.

World Food Programme Support

In 2026, the World Food Programme (WFP) increased its efforts in food assistance for displaced families in North Syria. Areas such as Al-Hasakeh now shelter families in schools and camps. WFP provides date bars, dietary supplements, and food boxes to displaced families in sanctuaries, schools, and Newroz camp in Al-Hasakeh governorate. They have recently resumed food deliveries in Al-Hol camp, aiming to ensure all residents receive two months of food assistance. WFP has also provided support with fortified flour to more than 300 bakeries across the nation, enabling 4 million people to obtain subsidized fresh bread. The organization is spending $189 million in 2026 to stabilize crucial nutrition in Syria, reaching 1.6 million of the most vulnerable people and securing access to affordable bread for millions.

International Rescue Committee Building Hope in Syria

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) has over 1,000 staff in Syria providing life-saving medical care, protection, and personalized support to communities. The IRC partners with local and emigration groups to ensure the continuous flow of crucial medicines, supplies, and equipment. The IRC runs classes, counseling, and security services for children in camps and communities, incorporating mental health services into its main work. The IRC has provided more than 166,000 people with access to medical care, including primary and hospital-level health services and care for mothers. They have partnered with the European Union, increasing funding to local partners from 30% to 48%. Finally, the IRC is building household monetary stability with career training, apprenticeships, and small business support for Syrians.

– Ruba Alghurab

Ruba is based in Florida, USA and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Railway Children Foundation for Street-Connected Youth In India

Railway Children FoundationEvery year, thousands of children in India run away from home, boarding trains in search of safety and a better future. Fleeing poverty, abuse or neglect, many have no destination in mind, only hope that life elsewhere will be better. Unsure of what lies ahead, many children use trains in search of refuge. In India, a child goes missing every eight minutes.

Many of these children eventually become known as “runaways” or “street-connected youth,” though they leave home for a variety of reasons. Often, they seek escape from difficult circumstances and board trains without a specific destination. Children who experience forced labor, domestic violence, neglect, accidental separation or extreme poverty often see no alternative but to leave home. Although many leave without knowing where they will end up, they board trains hoping to find safety and opportunity as the number of missing and street-connected children continues to grow.

Behind these statistics are children like 15-year-old Raju, whose experience illustrates why so many minors leave home. One December morning, Raju, born in Madhya Pradesh, decided to flee his home and travel by rail to another state because of abuse from his father. Forced to endure grueling work or face severe consequences, Raju saw no other choice when considering his future. Raju told FairPlanet, “He used to mercilessly beat me up if I did not accompany him to work. My parents stopped sending me to school after the eighth grade because I was the oldest child, and I had to start earning money.” Raju’s story mirrors the experiences of thousands of children in similar situations.

For children like Raju, trains are often the most affordable and accessible way to reach safety, with more than 400 trains serving Delhi daily. However, the number of children going missing is alarmingly high. In 2024, the National Crime Records Bureau reported 98,375 missing children, or 269 children every day. A total of 22,768 male and 75,603 female children went missing, an increase of 7.8% from 91,296 the previous year. Despite this, there is reason for hope: recovery efforts have successfully located more than 98,800 children, providing futures for street-connected youth in India.

Railway Children Foundation

The Railway Children Foundation, established in 1995, is an international nongovernmental organization (NGO) whose mission is grounded in the belief that every child can thrive free from life on the streets. Collaborating with governments, communities and transport companies, it aims to identify vulnerable children and offer vital support. Over the past year, the organization reached and safeguarded more than 3,308 children in India across eight train stations, located more than 1,700 children, and trained 3,935 railway officials on child rights and protection.

The organization highlights the dangers children face when arriving alone at busy railway stations, where many remain lost, frightened and preyed upon by traffickers. Large stations attract traffickers because of their anonymity and the high influx of unaccompanied children from across India.

With more than 25 million daily passengers, railway stations have become key hubs for human trafficking. In India, trafficking is a widespread internal issue affecting boys and girls, with more than 13,000 cases reported thus far in 2026 and only about two-thirds of the children recovered. Odisha, Bihar, Telangana and Maharashtra have the highest number of cases, driven by socioeconomic vulnerabilities and by forced marriage, labor and sexual exploitation.

To help prevent a life filled with violence and exploitation, trained workers identify vulnerable children arriving alone and coordinate with transport staff and police to escort them to a foundation shelter, where they can receive crisis support. Additionally, child help desks at stations are set up to help children find someone trustworthy and receive care.

Childline India Foundation

The Childline India Foundation partners with Indian Railways to rescue children in transit. Railway personnel are trained to recognize signs of trafficking to save children before it is too late. During one railway intervention, Childline staff intercepted four boys deceived by a trafficker promising employment. Instead, investigators found they were being taken to perform forced labor for 12-14 hours a day under abusive conditions. The foundation encounters similar cases every day, rescuing an average of more than 90 vulnerable children through its railway intervention program.

The foundation also raises public awareness about vulnerable children traveling by train, adorning trains and platforms with 200,000 signs advertising its initiative and contact information. Announcements on PA systems also draw attention, encouraging passengers to stay alert, and child kiosks, staffed 24 hours a day at more than 83 stations, facilitate swift action. These efforts account for 48,000 rescued children since 2015.

The outcomes have been encouraging, with hundreds of calls from passengers who believe children are trafficking victims. To afford futures for street-connected children in India, once rescued, they receive shelter, counseling and support as they begin rebuilding their lives.

Looking Ahead

Every child boarding trains to find a better future deserves the opportunity to thrive in a safe environment where education, stability and safety replace uncertainty and fear. For thousands of runaway children in India, a train ride begins as an escape from abuse but can lead to worse outcomes without effective intervention. While the challenges remain immense, expanding railway intervention programs, increasing public awareness and strengthening child protection systems offer hope that fewer children will fall victim to exploitation. Goals proposed by organizations such as Railway Children include family reunification and care, immediate protection and care, systemic policy, long-term empowerment and futures for street-connected children in India. With continued cooperation and awareness, children will have a chance at reconciliation with their families, the safety to thrive and an opportunity to look toward a brighter future.

– Elora Gunn

Elora is based in Louisville, KY, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Language Barriers and Indigenous Migrants in Mexico City

Woman in colorful clothing stands against a gray wall, reflecting Indigenous culture. Indigenous Migrants in Mexico CityIn Mexico, 38.5 million people lived in multidimensional poverty in 2024, and more than 8.3 million people recently moved out of poverty between 2022 and 2024. While those figures are alarming, the uneven spread of poverty is perhaps more concerning. Indigenous communities continue to face deeper exclusion, and in Mexico City, the pressure becomes practical when schools, shelters and support systems are not equipped to meet people in their language. For Indigenous migrants in Mexico City, language is tied to housing, schooling, paperwork and whether asking for help feels possible at all.

Indigenous Education Support Program

The Indigenous Education Support Program aims to address this issue. It provides lodging, food and educational support for Indigenous and Afro-Mexican children and young people, while also strengthening cultural identity. It is geared partly toward students who do not have the option of continuing school in their own communities. In a city where language can become another line of exclusion, support of this kind can keep younger people in school while preserving ties to community and identity that urban life can erode quickly.

Shelter Support

The same pressure appears in shelters. Reporting from the Latin America Working Group describes how CAFEMIN works with women, children and family groups arriving in Mexico City under increasingly difficult conditions. A shelter coordinator describes current arrivals as “forced migration” shaped by violence rather than only economic need. That phrase captures the pressure many families experience before they even reach the city. Many families are not only poor when they arrive, but they have also been uprooted, and the instability that follows them into the city can turn every form, question and office into another barrier. Under those conditions, legal guidance, daily care and help with paperwork are essential for people to find their footing.

SOS Children’s Villages

A measurable example can be found at SOS Children’s Villages Mexico City, which has worked in the city since 1971. According to the organization, 40 children and young people grow up in its care, 20 young people are supported on the way to independence and 30 people can take part in its various training programs. Its work extends beyond emergency response and includes education, training and family support intended to keep households together. For families already trying to navigate the city from a position of insecurity, help of this kind can narrow the distance between a family and the services it is trying to reach.

Looking Ahead

None of these efforts erase the barriers that Indigenous migrants face in Mexico City, and none solve poverty on their own. Still, they make the city easier to navigate. A place to stay, help remaining in school and support that treats families as more than a case file can soften the force of language barriers, even when those barriers remain. Mexico City is still difficult for many underrepresented families, but the programs in place suggest that services do not have to remain distant or impersonal. They can be made more reachable, more legible and more humane.

– Elliott J Carter

Elliott is based in Mexico City, Mexico and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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How The Hunger Project Is Empowering Women in Rural India

Empowering Women in Rural IndiaIndia is a fast-growing country, with an economy predicted to become the world’s third-largest by 2027. Despite its rapid development, the country remains behind in closing the gender gap. Deep-rooted social norms and cultural barriers limit many women and girls, who face inequality in their daily lives, from classrooms to homes. This cycle perpetuates negative stereotypes and prevents Indian girls from achieving their full potential.

Empowering Women in Rural India

The patriarchal social structures embedded in Indian culture push women to focus on domestic responsibilities. As a result, many women feel pressure to prioritize child-rearing and marriage over education and employment. This is especially apparent in rural areas and marginalized communities.

The inequalities that women face extend beyond their homes and are reflected in both public and private sectors. Representation in ministerial positions is critical to advancing gender-sensitive policymaking. As of 2025, women hold about 10% of seats in parliament or legislative assemblies.

Their limited representation in policymaking makes it difficult to pass legislation that supports their interests. The following statistics highlight key issues:

  • The adult literacy rate for women is 13.4 percentage points lower than for men, with 74.9% of women literate compared to 88.3% of men in India.
  • 14 of every 1,000 girls ages 15 to 19 gave birth in India in 2023.
  • As of 2025, the labor participation rate for women is 32.4% compared to 77.6% for men.

Although the gap between women and men across education, safety and economic participation is slowly closing, a significant disparity remains that stems from structures historically dominated by men.

The Hunger Project India

To address these disparities, The Hunger Project India works to encourage women to take on decision-making roles through community-based programs and leadership training. The organization focuses on building and strengthening women’s leadership skills in local governance, particularly gram panchayats, or village councils, and expanding access for the most vulnerable and marginalized communities to education, health, nutrition and economic opportunities.

The organization recognizes that meaningful change starts at the community level. The Hunger Project is empowering women in public office to drive development through a social justice and gender lens and to create an enabling environment for adolescent girls to build their confidence, life skills and understanding of the structural barriers that affect their lives.

The program encourages girls to use their voices to claim their rights, negotiate for change and make informed decisions about their lives. By empowering women to take on leadership positions, the program helps create role models for young girls in their communities. Women holding these government positions also advocate against child marriage and encourage young girls to strive for independence.

Through intergenerational dialogue, women who have experienced the barriers created by restrictive practices can inform and educate younger women.

Program Successes

Many women have been successful through these programs. Shakuntala Devi is an elected woman representative from Malipokhar Bhinda, Bihar. She endured child marriage and spent much of her life providing for six children. In her leadership role, she now works to combat child marriage by promoting education. She aims to “educate all the girls in her village,” as she believes “we can truly stop child marriage if we educate and empower adolescent girls.”

In addition to supporting elected women representatives, The Hunger Project works directly with adolescent girls to build their voice and agency through life skills and girls’ leadership workshops.

The organization also spoke with The Borgen Project about the broader narrative around gender equity. A representative noted that women and girls are often seen as means to an end, with development frameworks placing a disproportionate burden on them to drive change for entire communities. To create sustainable change, responsibility must shift from the individual level to address the broader structural issues that shape the system. This requires engagement at multiple levels, including panchayat institutions, families and the larger community.

Looking Ahead

India’s path toward gender equality will depend on two major factors: investment in women’s education and a willingness to address the social barriers that limit women’s opportunities. The initiatives led by The Hunger Project India demonstrate the action needed to change the narrative surrounding women’s rights in India. Through consistent efforts and a community-level approach, the organization is gradually contributing to shifts in cultural norms that are empowering women in rural India.

– Sachin Kapoor

Sachin is based in Atlanta, GA, USA and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Health Action in South Sudan

Health Action in South SudanAmylia Deng’s sense of purpose and drive to make an impact emerged at a young age. As a naturally observant adolescent, she keyed in on the challenges around her, especially those affecting women and children, and she knew she wanted to be a part of that change. Growing up in South Sudan and Kenya gave her a unique perspective. Exposure to both environments shaped her worldview — one experience rooted in resilience and community, the other established with opportunities and possibilities.

Health Action in South Sudan

As CEO of Health Action in South Sudan since January 2019, Amylia Deng has dedicated herself to driving lasting impact. She helped enroll more than 200 children back into school, opening doors to children and families faced with financial, structural and social barriers. Deng said that many families cannot afford school fees or live in areas where schools are inaccessible. “There are also cultural factors where education is not always prioritized. Some children are forced into labor or early marriage instead of being in classrooms,” she said.

According to recent United Nations (U.N.) data, South Sudan has one of the lowest literacy rates in the world. Around 70% of adults cannot read or write, approximately 84% of girls over the age of 15 are illiterate, and an estimated 2.8 million children are not in school.

Even before she fully understood it, Deng identified as an activist, author and had a flair for fashion. Writing became her way of processing and telling stories, activism became her voice and fashion allowed for self-expression. All three combined, allowing her to communicate who she is and what she stands for.

Representing South Sudan on a Global Stage

As a diplomat working within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in South Sudan and author of two books — Even After the Darkest Moments and Rising from the Ashes — her journey has led her to represent South Sudan on the global stage. In 2022, she founded Amylia Cosmetics. In 2024, she was crowned Miss International South Sudan.

When asked what challenges she has witnessed as a South Sudanese woman that still drive her work today, Deng said she witnessed limited access to education, early marriages, lack of opportunities and societal expectations that often silence women’s potential. She personally experienced instability and moments where she had to navigate systems that were not built to support young women. These experiences continue to drive her work because she knows what it feels like to have potential but limited access.

Deng said access to education is still one of the most urgent needs. Beyond that, there is a strong need for economic empowerment, health care and protection from gender-based violence. She emphasized that women and children need systems that not only support survival but also create pathways for growth and independence.

According to a statement by U.N. Women Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Anna Mutavati, approximately 5 million women and girls in South Sudan need help, with half requiring gender-based violence services.

The 2025 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey for South Sudan showed that 19% of children are stunted, only 42% attended primary school and 43% of women were married before age 18.

Deng said she would want the world to understand that South Sudan is more than a challenge. It is a country full of resilient, talented and ambitious people who, despite difficult circumstances, continue to rise, create and hope for a better future.

The challenges and responsibilities Deng carried early on had an impact on her life’s trajectory. They forced her to grow quickly and shaped her mindset. The roots of her drive and resilience, however, came from the strength of the women around her and her family.

From a global perspective, Deng said the international community should play a supportive but respectful role when partnering with local leaders and organizations in improving access to education in developing countries, rather than imposing solutions. She mentioned investment in infrastructure, teacher training and sustainable economic education programs as critical. Most importantly, she said those efforts should focus on long-term impact rather than short-term visibility.

A Crown as a Catalyst for Health Action in South Sudan

In many ways, Amylia Deng has become a bridge between the two worlds of hardship and possibility that originally influenced her. For her, the crown is not just an achievement but a duty and an honor to make an impact.

“Success is impact,” Deng said. “Changing lives. Creating opportunities where there were none. Building something that outlives me. It is not just about personal achievement. It is about how many people I can bring up with me.”

In closing, Deng expressed that young people, especially girls, growing up in difficult situations, do not have to let their environment determine their future. “You may start with less,” she said, “but you are not less. Stay focused, believe in your vision even when no one else does. Do not be afraid to take up space. Your story matters. You have the power to change not only your life, but the lives of others.

– Erin Sian Mongillo

Erin is based in North Haven, CT, USA and focuses on Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Global Link Teaching Refugees

Global LinkWhen a refugee arrives in the U.K., the first barrier is not just language. It is isolation. Since 1993, Lancashire-based NGO Global Link has built a bridge across that gap, evolving from a local development center into a national resettlement force.

Global Link operates on a simple belief: an inclusive Britain requires more than teaching refugees English. It requires social justice and conflict resolution, not just within refugee communities but across the U.K. as a whole.

Mission and Challenges

Global Link’s mission rests on three core strands: educating the general public on refugee matters, building cohesion between resettled and local populations in Lancashire and providing financial and advisory support to asylum seekers. Doing all of this comes with challenges. Asylum seekers may arrive from traumatic backgrounds or with no formal education, all while facing the constant threat of citizenship denial. Global Link then has roughly six months to begin teaching refugees English as a second language (ESL) before funded college classes become available.

Bridging the Language Gap

For newly arrived asylum seekers in Lancaster, access to English lessons is limited. Colleges often provide English classes through government-funded ESOL programs. However, many require asylum seekers to have lived in the U.K. for at least six months before becoming eligible. As a result, newly arrived asylum seekers frequently rely on charities and informal classes to learn English during that period.

Ryan Cove, a volunteer ESL teacher at Global Link, stated: “Global Link is one of the only places to offer ESL lessons to asylum seekers who have newly arrived.” With U.K. asylum policies becoming harsher and the required English level rising from B1 to B2, learning English quickly is more important than ever.

The curriculum prioritizes survival. Teachers run lessons on filling in asylum claims, registering with a GP, booking appointments by phone and reading prescription labels. The system aims to cover as many topics as possible and tailor them to specific needs; for instance, the process of getting medication from a pharmacy is broken down step by step.

For filling out asylum claims, Global Link works alongside another Lancaster charity, Refugee Advocacy, Information and Support (RAIS), which provides translation and advice. For more advanced students, lessons move on to job applications and business conversation skills. Cultural references create another layer of difficulty. Idioms, jokes and sayings can be difficult even for advanced ESL students. 

Learning Methods

While some refugees pick up English quickly through social media, others need graded language and visual support. Successful lessons are not always planned. As Cove noted about his students, Ukrainian refugees—mostly older women and mothers—responded best to cooking videos and discussions of travel. At the same time, local classes attended mainly by men from a range of nationalities engaged more with sport and food, allowing students to discuss their own cultures alongside their experiences in the U.K. Games also help.

There is no final exam for asylum seekers. When people arrive, their English levels vary widely depending on their home country and previous education. After six months, those with sufficient English proficiency become eligible for college classes. But success is measured individually: can the person use English in daily life? Can they see a doctor or get a job? 

This is why Global Link is such a valuable NGO: it does not judge success by a single exam but by meaningful progress that helps refugees move beyond mere survival.

National Integration Effort and Impact

Across the U.K., Global Link works to educate the wider public. These efforts take multiple forms, such as visits to institutions and open forums for refugee and local discussion. They also include simulations designed to give people in the U.K. a real understanding of the experiences of asylum seekers, such as Global Link’s “Escape to Safety” (E2S) exhibition.

This project is a tight labyrinth of rooms representing the difficulties and challenges that Iranian, Eritrean and Sudanese refugees—among others—face during the asylum-seeking process. Through its broad outreach, Global Link reached 64,000 people in 2025. Participants emerge from the labyrinth with a visceral understanding of what it means to flee home, wait months for decisions and navigate an unfamiliar system alone.

Nationally, the NGO offers a wide range of activities to bring communities together. These include sports tournaments, cooking classes where refugees and locals share family recipes, community agriculture projects and art workshops. Beyond this, it also offers workshops on critical skills such as driving and job-seeking. 

In 2025 alone, Global Link supported 410 refugees in their integration. In doing so, it creates more than just a development center; it creates a second home for refugees who would otherwise enter the U.K. completely isolated.

Conclusion

Global Link occupies a unique place in the U.K. that goes far beyond teaching refugees. It provides advanced, multi-layered ESL that addresses the challenges refugees face, supported by ongoing community-building for both locals and newcomers. As Cove puts it when describing why he decided to join Global Link, the work “lets you understand what they are going through on a personal basis… building a strong bond with an often neglected area of the community.” 

– Eli Thomson

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

Photo: Flickr

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Faith-Based NGOs Reducing Poverty in Venezuela and Beyond

poverty in VenezuelaReducing poverty in Venezuela remains a challenge for local communities. More than 90% of the population lives below the poverty line and many families struggle to afford food and health care. High inflation has made basic goods increasingly unaffordable, worsening hunger and vulnerability. 

Faith-based organizations are stepping in to break this cycle of poverty and provide immediate relief and long-term support. Their work spans food distribution, education and income-generating initiatives. Th efforts of faith-based organizations address both urgent needs and structural challenges.

Expanding Aid To Remote Communities in Venezuela

In north-west Venezuela, religious sisters have expanded their outreach to remote villages. With new transport, they can now deliver food and medicine to isolated communities that previously had little access to essential supplies. They care for the sick and elderly, support homeless individuals and provide shelter for 30 orphaned or abandoned girls. 

The sisters also run a preschool for 80 children, offering education and meals that help reduce hunger during the school week. These services help break the cycle of poverty by improving access to food, child care and health care in historically underserved communities. Faith-based networks also play a broader humanitarian role across the country.

Church-linked organizations provide food assistance, nutrition support for children and pregnant women and water and sanitation programs to prevent illness. These initiatives help families meet basic needs and reduce the risk of malnutrition, particularly among vulnerable groups. Such interventions help stabilize households and prevent them from falling into extreme poverty.

Promoting Food Security and Income in Colombia

In Bogotá, Colombia, nuns partnered with educators to help women turn backyard spaces into small agricultural enterprises. Families grew vegetables to improve household nutrition and sold surplus produce to earn income. Many participants were grandmothers caring for children and the gardens gave them a source of income and greater financial independence.

This model addresses poverty through both food security and income generation. Entrepreneurship training further strengthened these efforts, with workshops covering financial management, marketing and customer relations. Within 18 months, more than 250 families were earning a livable wage through urban farming and small businesses.

Microloans also helped individuals launch enterprises, including food production and poultry farming. These initiatives show how faith-based collaboration can help communities move from short-term aid to sustainable livelihoods.

Supporting Long-Term Poverty Reduction in Kenya

In Mombasa, Kenya, a faith-run community center supports children living near a large slum, addressing challenges such as hunger, abandonment and lack of access to education. Its leaders also plan to expand the center into a full primary school and launch small-scale agricultural projects to improve food security.

In northern Kenya, religious sisters teach trade skills to young women to promote self-reliance and help them support their communities. This kind of skills training and education helps reduce poverty by improving long-term earning potential.

Across these regions, faith-based initiatives share common strategies. They provide immediate support such as meals, shelter and health care, while also promoting empowerment through education, entrepreneurship and skills training. By combining short-term relief with sustainable development, these faith-based organizations help communities build resilience against poverty.

Conclusion

From delivering food and reducing poverty in Venezuela to supporting women entrepreneurs in Colombia and teaching trade skills in Kenya, faith-based groups continue to play a crucial role in poverty alleviation. Their presence, volunteer networks and focus on community empowerment allow them to reach vulnerable populations and create pathways out of poverty.

– Demetra Mykoniatis

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

Photo: Pixabay

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Migration to Puerto Rico

Migration to Puerto RicoOutward migration long defined Puerto Rico, as hundreds of thousands of residents left the island over the past two decades. Between 2010 and 2020, Puerto Rico’s population declined by 11.8%, falling from about 3.7 million to 3.3 million residents. Following Hurricane Maria, migration accelerated, with approximately 97,000 people leaving the island in 2017 alone. These sustained outflows reduced the labor force and contributed to long-term economic challenges, including workforce shortages and declining tax revenue.

In recent years, migration to Puerto Rico has begun to shift, although outmigration still exceeds inflows. In 2024, about 25,000 people moved to Puerto Rico from the mainland United States, while approximately 38,000 residents left, showing a continued but narrowing population loss. Return migration has increased as Puerto Ricans relocate from states such as Florida and New York, while migrants from across Latin America and the Caribbean also arrive seeking economic stability. These changing migration patterns now play a growing role in shaping labor markets, housing demand and public services.

Who Is Migrating to Puerto Rico?

Many groups contribute to migration to Puerto Rico, each with distinct economic impacts. Puerto Ricans returning from the mainland often bring savings, remote income or professional experience. Migrants from the Dominican Republic and Venezuela frequently seek employment in construction, tourism and domestic labor, where wages tend to be lower and job security limited. According to the Migration Policy Institute, these sectors rely heavily on migrant labor to meet workforce demand, particularly during post-disaster reconstruction and tourism expansion.

Mainland U.S. investors and remote workers have also increased migration to Puerto Rico under Act 60. These individuals often relocate to high-demand areas, contributing to rising property values and increased housing demand. While this investment supports economic growth, it can also increase housing costs for local residents, particularly in coastal and urban regions.

Migration to Puerto Rico and Poverty

Migration to Puerto Rico has helped address labor shortages, but poverty remains widespread. According to the World Bank, Puerto Rico’s income inequality remains high, with a Gini index above 0.54, one of the highest among U.S. jurisdictions. Many workers in tourism, construction and service industries earn wages that do not keep pace with the cost of living, increasing financial vulnerability even among employed individuals.

Housing demand has increased alongside migration, placing pressure on affordability. Research from Harvard DRCLAS identifies rising property values and short-term rental growth as key drivers of displacement in communities such as San Juan. Reports from Foundation for Puerto Rico also show that tourism development has increased demand for housing, particularly in coastal areas, making it more difficult for low-income residents to secure stable housing.

Language barriers, limited documentation and restricted access to services further affect migrants. These challenges limit access to health care, education and stable employment, increasing the likelihood of long-term economic hardship.

Economic Growth, Tourism and Inequality

Puerto Rico’s economy has expanded over time, but growth remains uneven. According to the World Bank, GDP growth data shows consistent long-term expansion in economic output, measured in constant 2015 U.S. dollars. Migration supports industries such as construction, tourism and services, which contribute to job creation and economic activity. However, GDP growth does not account for income distribution or cost-of-living differences.

Tourism plays a major role in employment. In 2024, visitors spent approximately $7.1 billion in Puerto Rico, supporting more than 115,000 jobs in hotels, restaurants and leisure services. Economic forecasts from the Puerto Rico Oversight Board indicate that while tourism remains strong, overall economic growth has slowed, with projections showing flat or modest growth in the near term. The labor market remains stable, but part-time employment has increased and younger workers face higher unemployment rates.

Despite this activity, inequality persists. Inflation in essential goods continues to outpace wage growth, and federal disaster recovery funding—while significant—has faced delays in distribution. These conditions limit the extent to which economic growth improves living standards for low-income households.

Organizations Supporting Migrants and Low-Income Families

The Hispanic Federation has operated in Puerto Rico since 2017, investing more than $54 million in recovery and resiliency efforts. The organization has supported more than 250 solar energy installations across schools and community centers and provided disaster assistance following multiple hurricanes. Its programs focus on housing, energy access and community development, directly benefiting migrants and low-income families.

The Community Foundation of Puerto Rico supports economic development through grants, small business funding and workforce programs. The foundation invests in community-based initiatives that help residents—including migrants—access employment, develop businesses and improve long-term financial stability.

Catholic Extension leads a large-scale rebuilding effort that includes restoring more than 600 churches, schools and community facilities across Puerto Rico. These projects create jobs, strengthen infrastructure and support long-term community recovery in areas experiencing natural disasters.

Following Hurricane Fiona, the FEMA provided approximately $574 million in assistance to more than 712,000 households. Disaster recovery centers and outreach programs helped residents access housing support, legal aid and rebuilding resources.

Caritas Puerto Rico serves approximately 75,000 people annually across 60 municipalities, providing food distribution, disaster relief, counseling and community support services. Its programs support migrants and vulnerable populations by addressing both immediate needs and long-term development.

Conclusion

Migration to Puerto Rico continues to reshape the island’s economic and social landscape. Migration supports labor markets and economic activity, particularly in tourism, construction and service industries. However, rising housing costs, persistent income inequality and limited access to services continue to affect both migrants and long-term residents.

Targeted policies that expand affordable housing, improve workforce development and strengthen social services can help ensure that migration to Puerto Rico supports economic stability rather than deepening inequality.

– Kianna Hines

Kianna is based in Brooklyn, NY, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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3 Organizations Improving the Quality of Life in Sudan

3 Organizations Improving the Quality of Life in Sudan The current situation in Sudan, resulting from ongoing conflict, has left millions of civilians in extreme poverty and worsened the quality of life in the country. Famine and unemployment have worsened, while income has declined. It is expected that “Sudan’s GDP would decline by 42%… The agrifood system would be particularly affected, with its GDP contracting by 33.6% and employment halving under the extreme scenario.”

Since the beginning of the conflict in April 2023, the quality of life for Sudan’s civilians has declined, becoming known as “the world’s largest humanitarian crisis.” Around 12 million people had to flee their homes because of the conflict. If Sudan continues with the minimal resources it currently has, civilians may face prolonged displacement.

3 Organizations Improving the Quality of Life in Sudan

  • The World Food Program. Organizations such as the World Food Program (WFP), United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and Action Against Hunger (AAH) are working to support Sudan by closing the gap between the country’s needs and its available resources. Since the beginning of the conflict, WFP has provided food assistance across all 18 states of Sudan. WFP reports reaching 4 million people each month, including those in the hardest-hit areas. It is addressing areas already facing famine and those at risk of famine in the near future. In areas where conflict has subsided, WFP is supporting more than 800,000 people. This work includes “boosting agricultural production… work with communities to increase livelihood opportunities, build or refurbish community infrastructure like schools or water points.”
  • United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund. UNICEF is focusing on helping the most vulnerable, particularly children. Out of 30 million people in need, around 15 million are children. Forty-five percent of Sudan’s population is facing malnutrition. However, UNICEF states that “girls often bear the brunt.” UNICEF reports that blocked humanitarian access limits progress, noting that “people have endured months without reliable access to food or medical care.” UNICEF is rebuilding water infrastructure, which will help “2.3 million people access safe drinking water.” Communal kitchens set up by UNICEF serve 88,000 people daily, helping reduce severe malnutrition among children and families. In 2025, 1.3 million children received learning support, helping them continue their education despite the crisis.
  • Action Against Hunger. With 112 employees, AAH is providing aid across Sudan. Due to displacement, AAH reports that famine has spread rapidly from El Fasher to North Darfur. In the past year, AAH supported more than 750,000 people, including through “resilience-building programs.” Action Against Hunger also provided nutrition and health services to more than 275,000 people, including 36,000 children treated for malnutrition. It delivered agricultural support to 16,500 households to help prevent further malnutrition and improved access to clean water to reduce disease.

Looking Ahead

With support from organizations like these, aid and resources continue to reach those in need throughout Sudan. These efforts aim to improve the quality of life in Sudan by addressing displacement, famine and disease.

– Freya Bryers

Freya is based in the United Kingdom and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr