Posts

, ,

Fighting Malnutrition in Refugee Camps With Microgreens

Malnutrition in Refugee CampsIn many parts of the world, malnutrition in refugee camps remains a persistent and deadly challenge. Refugee families often lack access to nutrient-rich foods due to limited agricultural space, inconsistent supply chains and poor infrastructure. Yet, a promising solution is emerging, one that requires minimal space, water or sunlight: microgreens.

The Power of Microgreens

Microgreens are tender, immature greens harvested just after sprouting, typically within seven to 21 days. Though small in size, they hold quite a bit of nutritional value. According to the Cleveland Clinic, microgreens are rich in vitamins C, E and K and beta-carotene and antioxidants that support heart health, reduce inflammation and may help fight chronic disease. Their concentrated nutrient content makes them an effective dietary supplement, especially in low-resource settings.

Since microgreens grow quickly and require minimal space, water and equipment, they are well-suited for refugee camps where access to fresh produce is limited. They can thrive in shallow trays with basic soil or growing mats, using only sunlight or low-energy lights. This makes them an efficient, low-cost solution for improving food security and nutrition in overcrowded and under-resourced environments.

Growing Health at Home

Families in refugee settlements across Lebanon and Jordan are improving their nutrition through small-scale gardening initiatives. Supported by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and local partners, refugees are adopting keyhole gardens. This includes circular raised beds that use compost and greywater to grow various vegetables in spaces of limit and restriction. These gardens are built using readily available, recycled materials, making them affordable and sustainable for displaced households.

UNHCR reports that such gardens help increase access to fresh produce and empower families to participate actively in food production. By cultivating vegetables at home, refugees can supplement their diets with fresh, nutritious ingredients while reducing reliance on food aid.

Growing Solutions Across Africa

Refugees are improving their food security and nutrition in parts of sub-Saharan Africa through sustainable gardening practices. In Kenya’s Kakuma refugee camp, programs like the permagarden initiative have trained residents to grow vegetables using climate-resilient techniques that conserve water and enhance soil health. These small plots can be built with locally available materials and thrive in limited space, making them ideal for approaching malnutrition in refugee camps.

According to Devex, participants in the permagarden program reported increased access to diverse vegetables and greater household nutrition. Beyond physical health, gardening has also helped reduce stress and build a sense of purpose among participants. However, as the Humanitarian Practice Network notes, efforts like these face challenges from environmental extremes, such as drought and flooding, which threaten the fragile resilience systems in Kakuma.

Organizations Making an Impact

The Lemon Tree Trust is transforming how displaced communities interact with their environments by promoting gardening as a tool for resilience, dignity and self-reliance. Working primarily across the Kurdistan Region of Iraq in fighting malnutrition in refugee camps, the organization helps residents reclaim unused spaces for growing food and flowers. Through initiatives like garden competitions, community garden spaces and the distribution of seeds and plants, the Lemon Tree Trust supports displaced families in creating green spaces that nourish both body and spirit. These gardens improve access to fresh produce and foster community cohesion, mental well-being and a sense of home in uncertain settings.

Mercy Corps is also taking bold steps to support refugee self-reliance by integrating food security initiatives like microgreen farming into broader economic and social development programs. Its approach goes beyond immediate relief, aiming to unlock the long-term potential of displaced individuals. For example, Mercy Corps has significantly invested in job training, agricultural innovation and women-led entrepreneurship. These efforts are helping refugees transition from reliance on aid to lead productive, independent lives. Through partnerships and strategic funding, the organization is scaling initiatives offering nutritional and economic benefits, enabling communities to thrive even in the most challenging environments.

A Path Toward Self-Reliance

Microgreens are not a complete solution to malnutrition in refugee camps, but they offer an affordable, fast-growing and scalable way to improve health outcomes. More importantly, they place the power of food production back into the hands of the people who need it most. As international aid agencies look for sustainable ways to enhance food security, microgreens represent a small but mighty innovation with the potential to transform lives.

– Vasara Mikulevicius

Vasara is based in West Bloomfield, MI, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

, ,

Homelessness in Tuvalu

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

Environmental Vulnerabilities

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

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

Economic and Social Factors

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

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

Government and International Initiatives

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

Conclusion

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

– Arianna Distefano

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

Photo: Unsplash

, ,

New Data Center Threatens Further Water Scarcity in Uruguay

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

What Is a Data Center?

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

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

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

The Effect on Uruguay

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

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

Advancements in Technology

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

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

Moving Forward

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

– Mackenzie Scott

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

Photo: Flickr

,

3 Reasons Indigenous Wisdom Is Essential to Planet Safety

Indigenous WisdomIndigenous peoples constitute only 6% of the global population and these communities are three times as likely to fall victim to extreme poverty compared to non-Indigenous people. However, their profound connection to the land and nature offers invaluable insights into modern environmental challenges. This article highlights three crucial reasons why this cultural wisdom is essential to impoverished Indigenous groups as well as the future health of the planet.

Protecting Biodiversity

Indigenous wisdom plays a crucial role in preserving biodiversity and protecting the environment. Central to their beliefs is the Natural or First Law, which focuses on ethics, reciprocity and gratitude toward the Earth, according to PLOS Global Public Health. According to Diné musician, scholar and cultural historian Lyla June, Indigenous peoples have historically acted as “keystone species,” essential to the balance and support of their ecosystems.

Research shows that indigenous-managed lands show higher biodiversity and lower deforestation rates, resulting in these areas becoming carbon hotspots in the environment. For instance, The Ecuador Biodiversity Conservation in Pastaza Project focused on benefiting communities in Ecuador by supporting sustainable biodiversity usage. Although this project ended in 2007, it greatly benefitted the Yana Yacu, Nina Amarun and Lorocach territories.

Families who participated in the project saw a mass increase in crop production. This surplus food can be used for trading and preparing seed banks, which boosts the local economy and provides opportunities for struggling families. In addition to their environmental contributions, Indigenous peoples maintain rich cultures, values and traditions, while navigating poverty-related issues, further strengthening their role as key protectors of the environment.

Managing Environmental Changes

Indigenous groups have long recognized and prepared for environmental concerns, often attributing these issues to the impacts of colonialism and capitalism. Their adaptation strategies, honed through generations of experience, offer critical insights for managing unique challenges that disrupt community work and food systems, according to One Earth. These communities have historically navigated drastic environmental shifts and natural disasters, providing a rich understanding of resilience and adaptation.

For instance, the Skolt Sámi tribe of the European Arctic has recently made protective efforts to restore rivers damaged by man-made changes. By restoring ecosystems such as the Vainosjoki River, this tribe has created a home for many types of fish, plants and animals that were previously unavailable in the area, One Earth reports. This introduces a home and a food source to local communities, supporting the tribe as well as the Earth.

Valuing Indigenous Knowledge in Policy Making

Indigenous populations, despite their significant contributions to environmental conservation and carbon storage, remain underrepresented in government decision-making processes, according to PLOS Global Public Health. Despite the implementation of the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) in 2007, Indigenous voices continue to not be heard. Despite not being a part of crucial policy-making decisions, Indigenous groups around the world today are making great strides in expanding their rights throughout the Arctic, Africa, the Pacific and Asia, according to PLOS Global Public Health.

As a marginalized group, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Indigenous populations around the world had to rely on cultural remedies often without access to the vaccine or proper health care. The Indigenous response to the pandemic further demonstrates the value of traditional medicinal and recovery practices, according to PLOS Global Public Health. Specifically, the Mbuti, Efe and Baka tribes in Africa have been environmentally impacted by an increase in logging and mining in forest-dependent areas.

Additional issues throughout the pandemic forced many to relocate, food and water shipments were often delayed and many lost their jobs due to the lockdown. The pandemic hit Indigenous groups the hardest, forcing them further into poverty, according to Elsevier. Despite these struggles, many groups such as tribes in Brazil and South Africa widely used herbal medicines and traditional techniques to treat symptoms. Mainstream discussions often overlook these practices despite their value as efficient and safe solutions. Incorporating Indigenous knowledge into policy-making and scientific research could benefit efforts to preserve biodiversity and combat environmental damage.

Embracing Indigenous Wisdom

Indigenous people manage about 25% of Earth’s surface, which is notably in better ecological condition in comparison to other regions. One organization, the African Conservation Center (ACC) is an East African group that focuses on working with local Indigenous communities to create innovative solutions to environment-related issues. The organization began its journey in the 1970s and has helped 11,700 homes in Magadi access clean water. Clean water allows families to cook, clean, bathe and hydrate, lack of access to clean water can lead to infection and disease. This effort shows the effectiveness of their practices and the benefits of prioritizing protective conversations.

Embracing Indigenous wisdom not only helps restore and protect natural habitats but also fosters sustainable practices that can benefit future generations. As the Earth faces escalating environmental challenges, the collaboration between Indigenous knowledge and contemporary science emerges as a beneficial strategy for ensuring the planet’s health and safety. These time-tested practices offer valuable lessons for designing life systems that are sustainable and capable of nurturing the Earth for generations to come.

– Lauren Sellman

Lauren is based in Rochester Hills, MI, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

,

Homelessness in the Marshall Islands

Homelessness in the Marshall IslandsSituated in the Pacific Ocean, the Republic of the Marshall Islands is a nation that encompasses five islands and 29 atolls. A former U.S. territory, the Republic of the Marshall Islands has faced many challenges with the financial security and homelessness levels of its citizens since gaining independence in 1986. After gaining its independence from the United States, citizens of the Marshall Islands, and other Micronesian nations, signed the Project Compact of Free Association (COFA) agreement giving their citizens the right to live and work in the U.S. without a visa. Many people from these COFA nations have immigrated to Hawai’i since the treaty’s signing decades ago.

Population

From 2012 to 2024, the Republic of the Marshall Islands’ population dropped from 53,000 to just 42,000, about a 20% decrease according to the Marshall Islands Journal. The Federated States of Micronesia also reported a similar loss of 30% in its population, from 102,000 to 71,000.

Many Marshallese who can secure public housing in the state of Hawai’i are often unable to keep up with rent costs and high living expenses. This forces many people from the Republic of the Marshall Islands and other COFA nations to end up homeless. In 2015, the city of Honolulu, the capital of Hawai’i, said that homelessness had risen to 4,903 and 7,620 throughout the entire state.

ABC News reported that 18,000 people from Microsnian islands live in Hawai’i at any time. PBS estimated in 2018 that nearly 40% of the Republic of the Marshall Islands’ workforce was unemployed. PBS also reported that the islands’ largest employer, a construction and development company, has found it difficult to find and retain local, skilled workers in recent years. Many workers leave the nation to find better work opportunities in the United States.

Natural Disasters

Natural disasters such as flooding, rising water levels and droughts have caused further issues with homelessness. In 2014, a tide flooded the capital and displaced more than 1,000 people from their homes. The threat of losing habitability on islands that over 40,000 Marshallese call home drove the nation to introduce new legislation to push back against changing weather patterns.

In addition to environmental and economic issues, a small number of Marshallese citizens faced displacement during the 1940s and subsequent decades due to frequent nuclear tests by the United States Government and its military. All 167 citizens of Bikini Atoll were relocated from the island in 1946 with the promise of being able to return in the future. The locals attempted to move back in 1969, but the radiation was too high and unsafe to remain, forcing them to relocate once again, continuing the problems of homelessness in the Marshall Islands.

Resilience Program

The Pacific Resilience Program II (PREP II) is an initiative to modernize the small country’s emergency communication systems. The program also seeks to introduce new legislation that would improve disaster risk management, including national plans for rising sea levels. Another key part of the plan includes building coastal barriers and defences to hold back any rising water in the nation’s most populous islands. PREP II is part of a wider regional effort to ensure Pacific island nations can adapt to the stresses of climate change. The program focuses on early detection of rising sea levels and flooding in addition to water barriers.

The country adopted the program on October 20, 2023, and it will play a huge role in supporting the nation’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP). The plan hopes to unite all of the nation’s communities through inclusion against one problem; changing weather patterns. The project’s Ebeye Seawall aims to reduce the impact of rising tides and damage from severe waves for long-term protection from these new weather patterns.

The Future

Although the Republic of the Marshall Islands has not released any official numbers on the homelessness levels amongst its population, it is clear that many citizens are being displaced from their homes for opportunities overseas and due to damage caused to homes due to environmental problems. But, the nation hopes to overcome these challenges that threaten the continued existence of the small island republic. With efforts like PREP II and other projects, the Marshall Islands hopes to mitigate some of these issues in the coming years.

– Kaleb Boyer

Kaleb is based in Flint, MI, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

, ,

How BOMA Is Building Climate Resilience in Africa’s Drylands

BOMAIn the Samburu region of Kenya, Pamela Lenolnyenje is one of the thousands of nomadic people living in/around the Kirisia Forest. Many such people live in extreme poverty partly due to rising temperatures and the collapse of fragile local ecosystems. However, due to financial training and a $175 grant provided by BOMA, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending poverty and mitigating the effects of adverse weather, Lenolnyenje has since gained an income from managing a tree nursery while setting up her shop to sell produce. Likewise, due to intervention by BOMA, destructive land management practices have fallen considerably among the local community.

This is just one example of the work BOMA is doing to combat both environmental degradation and extreme poverty in Africa’s drylands. By combining education with access to capital, BOMA has sought to help vulnerable people escape the trap of climate-induced poverty by improving climate resilience. Refugees, in particular, have formed a primary target group, with sub-Saharan Africa hosting more than a quarter of the world’s refugee population.

The Rural Entrepreneur Access Project

The organization’s Rural Entrepreneur Access Project (REAP) strategy has been key to helping vulnerable populations in this way. Through this strategy, BOMA maps the key barriers to overcoming extreme poverty for pastoral families before implementing a series of interventions, including conditional cash transfers and financial training, for two years. However, due to the unique challenges facing Africa’s drylands, a more specialized “Green REAP” strategy is now used to tackle the twin crises of environmental collapse and extreme poverty.

The Green Reap Project

While environmental issues may appear of secondary concern to those facing extreme poverty, the sustainable management of scarce resources and fragile ecosystems can, in fact, considerably reduce poverty levels. Improving communities’ resilience to the impacts of changing climatic conditions, flood control, water filtration and other issues is crucial for sustainable development. Thus, BOMA, alongside its partners, provides funding and training to help people set up small, environmentally-friendly enterprises, which also help to conserve local ecosystems, such as the tree nursery discussed earlier.

One example of this Green REAP approach in action is the LIFT project in Northern Kenya, established in 2023. The project aims to improve opportunities for 15,600 women, young people and refugees by helping these people build and sustain 3,650 small enterprises. Of these 15,600 LIFT participants, approximately 30% of them come from in and around the Kakuma Refugee Camp and Kalobeyei Refugee Settlement, thus underlining BOMA’s commitment to refugees.

Impact

A 2016 study found that BOMA’s model resulted in a 147% increase in income for participants, alongside a 14,000% increase in savings and a 63% decrease in the number of children going to bed hungry. The Green REAP pilot scheme similarly indicated that 60% of participants shifted away from destructive practices such as charcoal harvesting, demonstrating Green REAP’s impact on climate resilience.

Final Remark

Ultimately, BOMA’s estimates indicate that more than 93,000 people in Kenya will benefit directly or indirectly from the LIFT project in the next two years. However, as the earth’s average temperature continues to ravage the drylands of Africa and trap many in positions of extreme poverty, the need for programs like this remains as high as ever. Thus, only through the incredible work of charities like BOMA can extreme poverty truly be eliminated from the African continent.

– Ben Evans

Ben is based in Abbots Langley, Hertfordshire, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

, ,

The Rwanga Foundation in Kurdistan: Support and Development

The Rwanga Foundation in KurdistanThe Rwanga Foundation is a nongovernmental organization (NGO) founded in 2013 by philanthropist Idris Nechirvan in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. Nechirvan began the charity with the aim of providing every child access to quality education. Since then, the foundation has expanded its reach and helped more than three million people.

History of the Kurdistan Region in Iraq

The Kurdistan region is no stranger to instability and the 2010s were a particularly challenging decade, marked by political turmoil, economic crisis and threats to security. In February 2014, the then-Prime Minister of Iraq blocked 17% of the federal budget constitutionally allocated to Kurdistan. This triggered a crippling financial crisis in the region as many Kurds rely on employment from the Kurdistan Regional Government for their livelihoods.

In June of that year, the Islamic State (ISIS) captured Mosul, Iraq. This led to an influx of Iraqi refugees into the Kurdistan region. In August, ISIS attacked Kurstian and implemented a genocidal campaign against the Yazidi people, prompting the United States (U.S.) to intervene. Liberation from ISIS was eventually achieved in October 2016.

In 2017, the independence referendum, where an overwhelming 93% of Kurds voted in favor, was met with severe repercussions from Iraq. The Iraqi army retook Kirkuk and closed Kurdistan’s airspace and borders, leading to the displacement of more than 100,000 Kurds. Despite these challenges, the decade ended with improved relations with Iraq and although the region has yet to recover fully, Kurdistan has remained resilient in the face of significant adversity.

The Rwanga Foundation’s Mission and Vision

The Rwanga Foundation is dedicated to improving Kurdish youth’s quality of life and providing avenues for educational growth in all sectors. The foundation emphasizes creating a culture and passion for learning by enhancing education standards in Kurdistan through services, capacity-building and policy design. The foundation’s vision is a world where quality education is accessible to everyone.

How It Operates

The Rwanga Foundation operates through four main sectors:

  1. Education: Rwanga aims to transform the culture of education into a continuous journey of learning. It works to develop platforms such as e-learning systems using the latest technology, allowing young people to discover their talents, fulfill their potential and improve their quality of life.
  2. Youth: Rwanga recognizes the power of youth and actively engages them within society to empower them to become the aspiring leaders of the future.
  3. Vulnerable groups: Rwanga believes in the transformative nature of education and hopes to extend the avenues of education and skill discovery to those living in poverty. The foundation believes education is a sustainable and lasting solution to the cycle of poverty.
  4. Environment: The foundation is committed to designing new strategies and solutions to safeguard the environment.

The Rwanga Foundation’s Latest Projects

  1. Message From Children Project: The project is an annual competition coordinated with the Kurdistan Parliament and the Ministry of Education. It encourages primary school students to express themselves through art. The best paintings are displayed in the Kurdistan Region Parliament building. This year’s subject is “How do you see yourself in 2045?”
  2. Empowering Sustainable Livelihoods 2023-2026: This project is a collaborative initiative funded by the Department of Migration, Stabilization and Fragility at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. It hopes to facilitate the sustainable long-term reintegration of Iraqi returnees into their communities by enabling a supportive environment. The project aims to strengthen the capabilities of governmental bodies and NGOs, thereby improving access to economic opportunities. Additional aims include assisting returning business owners and informing returnees about their rights and opportunities.
  3. Parcel of Smile: During the holy month of Ramadan, the Rwanga Foundation distributed 7,000 baskets containing essential food items. The baskets included rice, food oil, tomato paste, sugar, tea, lentils and white beans, and were distributed across the Kurdistan region.
  4. Planting 1000 Trees in Erbil: Sponsored by the Oval Company, the Rwanga Foundation planted 1,000 trees in May 2024 to increase the natural and urban forests in the region.
  5. You Are Not Alone Project: Since 2022, in cooperation with the General Directorate of Welfare and Social Development in Erbil, the project, which ran from February to August 2022, established a rehabilitation system for the Erbil orphanage. Using technology and human resources, Rwanga developed a strong management system for all orphanages across Iraq. This has empowered the children with psychological, educational and intellectual skills to achieve a bright and stable future.

Final Remark

More than a decade after its formation, the Rwanga Foundation has significantly improved the quality of life in the Kurdish region of Iraq. The continuous efforts of the Rwanga Foundation paint a hopeful future for Kurdistan, strengthening the region’s already resilient people.

– Fatima Naqavi

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

Photo: Pxhere

,

Portugal’s Foreign Aid Contributing to the Fight Against Poverty

Portugal’s Foreign AidAlthough Portugal only provides a limited amount of foreign aid compared to its Development Assistance Committee (DAC) counterparts, the country has been focusing its development strategy on the most deprived countries. In 2022, Portugal allocated $504.7 million of Official Development Assistance (ODA). Notably, 69.8% of this aid was directed toward Least Developed Countries (LDCs), representing the highest share among DAC members. This trend continued in 2021 when 61.3% of Portugal’s foreign aid was dedicated to fragile contexts.

Portugal’s ODA in Post-Conflict Settings

Foreign aid that Portugal disbursed has enabled several countries to limit and recover from conflicts. In Mozambique, Portugal has been providing vital assistance in the context of the Cabo Delgado Province insurgency. Back in 2019, the Mozambique Recovery and Reconstruction Support Fund, which Portugal implemented, enabled civil society programs to receive direct funds from private and public sector organizations in Portugal. In cooperation with the EU, the country also set up the +Emprego program in 2020, which improved youth employment, prevented radicalization and delivered humanitarian assistance. By stabilizing the situation, Portugal’s foreign aid thus prevented many people’s living conditions from worsening.

Similarly, Portugal significantly helped in the East Timorese transition after 1999 by providing non-negligible humanitarian assistance. Timor-Leste, still considered a fragile state, cooperates closely with Portugal toward reducing poverty and bolstering development in this country. 

Portugal’s Work in Social Infrastructures

Portugal, as part of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP), has approved the Strategy for Food and Nutritional Security. Structured around three core principles, this program strives to establish and bolster effective governance and policies related to food security. Simultaneously, it seeks to promptly enhance food accessibility for the most vulnerable populations while also fostering increased food availability. As a strategic component of this initiative, the CPLP has successfully instituted National Food and Nutritional Security Councils in São Tomé, Cape Verde and Guinea Bissau.

Moreover, the program involves a Family Farming Work Group tasked with drafting guidelines as part of the program’s objective to enhance food availability. 

The country also participates in strengthening health systems in CPLP countries. Portugal has equipped Guinea-Bissau with laboratories to ensure its partner is prepared to face an Ebola crisis. In collaboration with the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), the Portuguese government played a crucial role in distributing medical supplies. It provided 5,000 medical masks and 200,000 masks in the Maputo Province of Mozambique. This essential donation not only ensured the protection of those in need but also sustained economic and social activities.

Portuguese ODA and the Environment 

Out of its total bilateral allocable aid, Portugal spent 7.5% toward supporting the environment in 2020-2021. This can seem trivial compared to the DAC average (34.3%), but the country has made some important contributions to fighting climate change in developing countries. The OECD highlighted Portugal’s commitment to ocean protection, demonstrated when the country co-hosted the 2022 UN Ocean Conference. 

Moreover, Portugal is supporting the Carbon Sustainability and Ecosystem Services Roadmap in the Principe Island of São Tomé and Principe, which is analyzing the island nation’s carbon emission and removal and making projections for possible reduction. The project will conclude with recommendations that aim to support decision-making concerning carbon emission mitigation. 

In Guinea-Bissau, the Collective and Territorial Integrated Actions for the Valorisation of Agriculture (dubbed EU-ACTIVA) has the objective of enabling agricultural intensification while guaranteeing it remains sustainable. Approximately 4,000 families will receive training that enables them to teach others effective techniques for cultivating the local soil in accordance with climate patterns. By doing so, this initiative will ensure improved living conditions for the residents of Guinea-Bissau.

Room for Improvement

Despite all those significant contributions and achievements, there is still more Portugal’s foreign aid could do to improve the conditions of the world’s poor. The OECD points out that Portugal only invests 0.23% of its Gross National Income in ODA, and thus still has not reached the 0.7% ODA/GNI ratio that it has committed to, and still fares behind fellow DAC members. The organization also recommends that Portugal put more emphasis on long-term objectives and results to achieve more sustainable change in partnerships with other countries. 

However, Portugal’s vital work toward developing LDCs and improving the lives of those that inhabit them demonstrates the country’s enthusiasm when it comes to tackling poverty, and is a positive sign indicating the potential implementation of more effort in the future. 

– Kenza Oulammou
Photo: Unsplash

, ,

Liquid Petroleum Gas Stoves Fight Poverty in Darfur

Liquid Petroleum GasIn North Darfur, a region of Sudan, 90% of families use wood and charcoal to stay warm and cook meals. Burning wood and charcoal, however, has several negative effects. Practical Action, an international development organization, has partnered with the Women’s Developmental Association to provide these families with liquid petroleum gas stoves, which are cleaner and more efficient. The Low Smoke Stoves Project has been ongoing since 2014, significantly improving the lives of families in the Darfur region.

Negative Effects of Burning Wood and Charcoal

  • It hurts the environment by causing pollution and deforestation.
  • It produces a lot of smoke indoors, which can cause infections and illnesses.
  • The materials are expensive to buy, putting a financial burden on poor families.

Wood and charcoal produce a lot of smoke when burned, contributing to bad air quality and causing a variety of health issues that mainly affect the women and children in the home. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, wood smoke causes particle pollution and releases pollutants such as benzene, formaldehyde, acrolein and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The particle pollution caused by wood smoke can cause eye infections, chest infections and other illnesses that can be expensive to treat. Deforestation is also an issue in regions that rely heavily on firewood.

Other than the environmental and health concerns associated with burning wood and charcoal, there is also the financial burden it places on families. The materials are expensive to buy and do not cook efficiently. Women have to spend long amounts of time cooking instead of using their time for education and development.

Benefits of Liquid Petroleum Gas Stoves

Liquid petroleum gas stoves have a lot of benefits over traditional cooking methods with wood or charcoal. They produce less smoke and other pollutants, improving air quality and reducing infections and other illnesses in poor families. The stoves are more fuel-efficient, saving families 65% on their monthly bills. Liquid petroleum gas stoves also cook faster, giving women more time to engage in education and development.

Practical Action’s Low Smoke Stoves Project

Practical Action’s ongoing Low Smoke Stoves Project aims to educate regional communities about the dangers of burning wood and charcoal as well as replace those methods with more environmentally friendly and cost-efficient liquid petroleum gas stoves. The organization, partnered with the Women’s Development Association, has already placed 12,080 liquid petroleum gas stoves into homes in the North Darfur region. Since the beginning of the project, the area had improved air quality, less deforestation and lower carbon emissions.

This program works by giving eligible households a microloan to help them buy a liquid petroleum gas stove. While there is an initial cost, the stoves are more fuel and time-efficient so they quickly pay for themselves with the savings they produce. The stoves not only help improve the quality of life for families in North Darfur, but they also have long-term economic benefits, thus helping to lift people out of poverty.

–  Starr Sumner
Photo: Flickr

How Neem Can Reduce the Use of Chemical Pesticides

Use of Chemical Pesticides
Despite their effectiveness in killing specific pests, historic incidents and unknowns related to chemical pesticides have led to public health concerns. Fears that people could be at risk if they consume food treated with chemical pesticides do have a foundation. Pesticides have been found to partially cause neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson’s Disease, among other maladies. Chemical pesticides cannot choose which organisms they kill, which can lead to raised ecosystem contamination and toxicity. Not all chemical pesticides directly harm humans. However, evidence of those that do, along with evidence for unintended ecological damage, led to efforts to reduce the use of chemical pesticides.

Neem as an Alternative

One of the most concerning side-effects of the use of chemical pesticides is their effect on bee populations. Bees are vital to crop pollination and indirectly help create much of the food that humans eat. Pesticide use is a primary cause of the current decline in beehive populations. American and European beekeepers report this is at around 30% per year.  Bee population decline contributes to food scarcity and poverty. When food becomes more scarce, prices rise and more people go hungry. Current conditions necessitate implementing an alternative to chemical pesticides that is safe for humans, certain insects and plants.

New research points to naturally derived pesticides as possibly safer and less damaging to the environment. Currently, the most promising natural solution is neem oil. Neem oil is an organic, naturally-derived substance from the Neem tree. The tree grows primarily in tropical regions. These areas tend to be most affected by insect infestations and represent some of the poorest areas in the world.

Neem oil use is not a new phenomenon. Traditional Indian farming methods practiced for thousands of years, and even folk medicines incorporate neem usage. It is effective at reducing specific insect populations while having minimal noted negative effects on beneficial insects like bees and worms. A number of agricultural companies have begun using neem in their products, and its use is only expected to grow as its efficacy is increasingly verified.

Outbreak and Application in Africa

In early 2020, East Africa faced its worst locust outbreak in decades. Swarms devoured hundreds of thousands of acres, fostering hunger and fear in local communities. Millions of people became more food insecure and the use of chemical pesticides became less viable. The COVID-19 pandemic upset the global chemical supply chain, which seems to have inhibited governments from receiving the large quantities of pesticides needed to make an impact against the locust invasion.

In response, some farmers in Kenya began making their own neem oil to push back against locust invasions. Neem oil can weaken locusts’ reproductive ability and potentially kill them, which reduces the current and future populations. While it was too late to make a big impact against the swarms, individual farmers protected their crops. If enough farmers learn to make their own oil in the future, or if it is produced cheaply on a large scale, Kenya could have an effective, safe defense against locust invasions. Other countries in the region also afflicted by locust swarms stand to benefit from looking to Kenya as an example.

Potential for Future Practices

Chemical pesticide use is harmful to the environment and can create bad health outcomes for some people. Industrial use of neem oil instead of chemical pesticides could improve health conditions worldwide and protect ecosystems. On a smaller scale, it could protect the economic interests of poor farmers and people at risk of starvation. People may also be more accepting of the use of growable, natural pesticides over the use of chemical ones. Locally-made neem oil also mitigates environmental pollution. This puts more power into the hands of individual farmers. Though natural pesticide solutions require more research, they represent critical development in the future of agricultural pesticides.

– Jeff Keare
Photo: Unsplash