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USAID Programs in Belarus: Civil Society and Economic Resilience

USAID Programs in Belarus: Strengthening Civil Society and Economic ResilienceRecent years have seen tight restrictions on foreign aid programs in Belarus, but the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) still promotes targeted programs that make it to Belarus through regional partnerships. Indeed, such initiatives, on a smaller scale, concentrate on civil society assistance, public health and modest economic development. For a state undergoing political repression and economic uncertainty, even modest international programs can potentially enhance the quality of life and preserve access to provisions that are frequently unavailable through state systems.

Supporting Civil Society Under Pressure

Belarus is one of the least hospitable places for independent organizations in Eastern Europe. Independent groups are under legal pressure, state surveillance and have little ability to raise funds. Despite the obstacles, USAID works with international organizations and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) based in neighboring Lithuania and Poland to engage Belarusian activists, educators and community leaders.

Through these partnerships, USAID facilitates online legal livelihood education, digital safety training and capacity-building workshops for NGOs and independent media. Other programs concentrate on training Belarusian organizations to function safely, navigate legal risks or move their operation and work in exile. Other organizations offer training for journalists and youth leaders who focus on local development projects or social advocacy campaigns. These programs might be small in scale, but they are helping to maintain a store of civic knowledge that is under abundant pressure in the country, where independent institutions find themselves under increasing threat.

HIV/AIDS Prevention and Access

In the health field, USAID has long concentrated on the prevention and care for those with HIV/AIDS. Belarus continues to be included among countries in regional health programs prepared by international organizations, such as UNAIDS and the World Health Organization (WHO). USAID supports these efforts by underwriting outreach, training of health workers and community-based testing and education.

These projects are at the forefront of spreading the best global practices of care and nondiscriminatory treatment to Belarusian clinics and health care workers. This is especially vital in rural and underserved areas where stigma, ignorance and funding challenges impede efforts to combat the disease. While health programming does have to operate within state-approved spaces, it is one of the few spaces where international cooperation actually remains possible.

Basic Economic and Digital Skills Training

Belarus has faced increasing economic pressure in recent years, with rising unemployment, low wages and brain drain among young professionals. USAID-funded training programs, delivered online or through regional hubs, help fill this gap by teaching financial literacy, digital skills and basic entrepreneurship.

Participants — often young adults or individuals from marginalized communities — gain practical tools to start small businesses, improve budgeting or enter new job markets. Some programs focus on the IT sector, while others support craft-based entrepreneurship, agriculture or logistics. While the reach of these programs is modest, they offer opportunities to build resilience and reduce economic dependency on unstable state systems.

USAID Programs in Belarus

Although Belarus is not a major recipient of U.S. foreign assistance, USAID’s indirect engagement continues to provide vital support where it is most impactful. These programs don’t aim to change political systems — they aim to improve access to knowledge, health and opportunity for everyday people navigating life in a restrictive environment.

For the U.S., maintaining these connections is a strategic one. Supporting civil society, health care and economic education — even at a small scale — helps create long-term conditions for stability, dignity and local leadership.

– Polina Makarova

Polina is based in New York, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Soccer Without Borders: How Soccer Is Fighting Poverty

Soccer Without BordersSoccer (football) is regarded as the world’s most popular sport, with massive viewing numbers globally. However, beyond the superstar players’ money and fame, soccer is a powerful tool to combat poverty and create opportunities for marginalized communities. Indeed, around the globe, grassroots soccer programs address critical social issues, from access to education and health care to social inclusion and employment. Here are five global soccer initiatives that have made measurable impacts in reducing poverty and improving lives:

Street Child United

Street Child United (SCU) utilizes soccer as a platform to raise awareness about the struggles of homeless and working children, giving them a voice and helping to secure their rights. SCU’s flagship event, the Street Child World Cup, gathers thousands of vulnerable youths from countries including Brazil, India and Kenya to compete in soccer tournaments alongside workshops on legal rights and advocacy.

Beyond the competition, SCU advocates for vital identity documentation like birth certificates, essential for accessing education and health care. In recent years, SCU has helped secure hundreds of identity documents, impacting children’s ability to attend school and receive medical care. Since its creation, SCU has reached more than 1.4 million in more than 30 countries.

Common Goal

Established by Spanish midfielder Juan Mata in 2017, Common Goal encourages soccer professionals to pledge 1% of their earnings to a collective fund supporting worldwide soccer-based social initiatives. More than 200 players and managers from 48 different nationalities and 60 leagues have joined the movement, contributing to causes such as gender equality, education and social inclusion.

One of the beneficiaries of Common Goal’s funding is Soccer Without Borders in Uganda. More than 1,600 refugee and local youth are served annually by Soccer Without Borders Uganda through soccer, education and community-building programs. In 2023, one of the Soccer Without Borders initiatives, the Kampala Girls League, reached more than 1,000 girls, promoting gender equity and inclusion through soccer.

Kick4Life

Kick4Life is a charity based in Lesotho, a country facing one of the world’s highest HIV rates in the world alongside widespread youth unemployment. The program uses soccer for health education, life skills training and academic support, helping young people improve their chances of escaping poverty. Operating a soccer academy, school and social enterprise hotel, Kick4Life has directly reached more than 200,000 young people with health education programs and HIV testing services.

Additionally, more than 25,000 children have undergone voluntary HIV testing, with more than 1,000 testing positive and receiving ongoing treatment and counseling through referral networks.

Football for Peace

Football for Peace works in fragile and conflict-affected communities worldwide. It uses soccer to bridge ethnic, religious and social divides. Furthermore, Football for Peace runs “peace matches,” educational workshops and leadership camps targeting marginalized youth.

In Colombia, in partnership with the Ankle Foundation and funded by the UEFA Foundation for Children, it implemented a project to promote reconciliation between ex-Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) combatants and local communities. The initiative involved 615 children of ex-combatants, providing them with soccer training and psychosocial support to facilitate social integration and prevent the resurgence of violence.

Aspire Academy

Aspire Academy, based in Qatar but with a significant scouting and outreach presence in West Africa, identifies promising soccer talent from countries. The Academy provides full scholarships, world-class training facilities, education and nutrition to talented boys from low-income backgrounds. Aspire’s Football Dreams program has scouted more than 3.5 million boys since its inception, with 18 to 20 elite scholarships being handed out annually after a rigorous selection process.

Beyond soccer, the Academy emphasizes academic education and life skills that can help propel young people into a working environment and reduce unemployment. Indeed, many who have successfully reached the Academy have secured professional contracts in Europe and Asia and actively contribute to development in their home communities.

These initiatives help bring change and fight poverty in marginalized and vulnerable regions. As one of the largest sports globally, the reach is limitless, leaving an opportunity for progression. These initiatives are just five examples.

– James Harwood

James is based in England, UK and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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The Impact of Global Health Equity on Poverty in Kenya

The Impact of Global Health Equity on Poverty in KenyaDespite advances in economic development, millions of Kenyans still live in poverty. In 2022, about 40% of the population lived below the poverty line and at least 32% could not afford an adequate diet. This lack of basic resources prevents many people from living stable, productive lives, despite Kenya’s economic growth. The country has historically faced major health challenges. The prevalence of endemic diseases combined with a lack of access to adequate health care has exacerbated the impact of systemic poverty in Kenya.

Progress Through Global Health Initiatives

Kenya, with a rapidly growing population, is currently home to more than 57 million people. There are still significant social disparities between the rural and urban areas, as 85% of all poor people live in rural areas, while the majority of the urban poor live in slums. Achieving global health equity requires expanding access to clinics, life-saving medicines and trained health professionals.

Over the past two decades, various global health equity initiatives have improved the health landscape in Kenya. The government, supported by international organizations, has focused on preventing and treating infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS. Programs such as PEPFAR (President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief), USAID and the World Health Organization (WHO) expanded access to clinics, medicines and trained professionals. These ongoing efforts have significantly improved health outcomes for citizens, leading to a reduction in poverty in Kenya.

Health Access and Economic Growth

Increased access to health care directly correlates with economic growth. Currently, the Kenyan economy is dominated by agriculture and informal micro-enterprises, which do not provide workers with any health coverage. Workers who cannot afford or access medical care often lose valuable workdays due to illness. Inadequate health care services exacerbate the effects of the epidemic diseases plaguing the nation. The inability to treat these diseases early on leads to increased medical costs. People suffer needlessly, children are too sick to go to school and the nation’s overall well-being and economy are affected, creating a vicious cycle of poverty in Kenya that cannot be stopped without health interventions.

HIV/AIDS: Evolution of Global Health Equity

Kenya’s efforts against HIV/AIDS offer an example of how targeted global health interventions can transform a nation’s future. In the late 1990s, HIV prevalence in Kenya was at an all-time high. By 1997, about 37% of men and 45% of women with a sexually transmitted infection also tested positive for HIV. Societal stigma and the high cost of ART limited access to treatment, while the country’s health care system struggled to manage the growing number of cases. This resulted in high mortality rates and large numbers of orphaned children.

To combat the crisis, international organizations began funding HIV relief efforts in Kenya. Groups such as PEPFAR, the Global Fund and USAID increased access to HIV testing, distributed ART and launched education campaigns. As of 2023, around 1.3 million Kenyans were receiving life-saving antiretroviral therapy.

Productivity Gains and Innovations in HIV Treatment

Modern ART has led to improvements in health and productivity for people living with HIV. A significant benefit has been an increase in the country’s productivity. In two studies focusing on agricultural workers in Kenya, researchers found that workers on ART doubled the number of days they could work each month. Participants also showed a 20% increase in labor force participation and a 35% increase in hours worked. These findings demonstrate the economic value of accessible health interventions.

Dr. Ann Kurth, an epidemiologist and leader in global health systems, spoke with The Borgen Project about Kenya’s progress. “Antiretrovirals came to sub-Saharan Africa and made transformative difference,” she said. “Health system strengthening by PEPFAR funding got you 26 million lives saved. Workforce training helped community health workers screen and test people for HIV in people’s homes with oral tests. We did a lot of self-testing in Kenya. These are innovations that were not the norm, but it helped people identify if they had HIV and get treated earlier.”

Equity and Inclusion in Health Care

Despite many advancements in global health equity in Kenya, significant challenges persist. Rural areas continue to struggle with shortages of medical professionals, transportation barriers and inadequate health care infrastructure. Shifting donor priorities can also affect long-term funding. Dr. Kurth emphasized the need for gender equity in care and research. Historically, clinical trials have underrepresented women and ignored key differences in how diseases and treatments affect them. “Women have not always been represented in clinical trials. A lot of assumptions about clinical practice are based on an assumption of it being a male body. There needs to be more gender representation in research and clinical services and not think of women as just about childbearing.”

Looking Ahead

Kenya’s commitment to improving health care access offers a model for other countries facing poverty. Strategic partnerships with international organizations have saved lives, built community resilience and contributed to reducing poverty in Kenya. Continued investment in health infrastructure, gender-inclusive research and rural outreach could be essential. As Dr. Kurth concluded, “We’ve been able to see major investments in the last couple of decades… That led to incredible child survival, maternal mortality improvements, increases in income and some advances in gender equality.”

– Rafe Photopoulos

Rafe is based in Gainesville, FL, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Addressing HIV/AIDS in Morocco

HIV/AIDS in MoroccoThe HIV/AIDS epidemic in Morocco has had life-changing consequences for communities all over the world. International leaders have made significant progress over the past 30 years in improving awareness of the disease and accessibility to treatment, but countries must still take substantial action to fully eradicate it. Morocco has taken large strides towards this, launching various campaigns to do so. However, the extreme levels of poverty that the country is facing are forcing its residents into lifestyles that intensify their risk of contracting the disease, while the government’s lack of economic stability means prevention and treatment schemes are difficult to enact. Without U.S. support, the country lacks many resources which would be indispensable to its fight against HIV/AIDS in Morocco.

The Prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Morocco

As of 2024, the number of people living with HIV in Morocco stands at 23,000. About 5.9% of HIV/AIDS cases are men who engage in sexual relationships with other men (MSM), 7.1% are drug users and 2.3% are sex workers. The socio-political climate of Morocco still subjects these populations to extreme levels of discrimination, which often prevents them from seeking treatment. Additionally, 9% of Morocco’s population live currently in poverty. These difficult conditions, alongside the prevalence of sex tourism and human trafficking, mean there are an estimated 4.3 million sex workers living in Morocco, 2.3% of whom (knowingly) suffer from HIV.

The prevalence of drug users is also intertwined with national poverty, with economic stress forcing many to turn to substance abuse as a form of relief. The country’s lack of free health care also stands as a barrier to impoverished individuals accessing diagnoses and treatment, further increasing the risk of infection for those affected. Offering schemes to help alleviate the pressure of national poverty may prevent those it affects from turning to high-risk modes of employment and dangerous drug use, while making treatment accessible to those unable to afford healthcare bills. 

Breaking Down the Stigma

In comparison to other Middle Eastern and North African countries, the rate of HIV/AIDS among the population is relatively low. This is due to Morocco’s unmatched ability in implementing testing, diagnoses and treatment programs within its vulnerable communities. 

Thanks to the introduction of self-testing methods, the population now have access to a more discreet method of diagnosis. However, hospitals must still confirm tests offering positive results, limiting their anonymity and leading to a relatively low use rate.

Morocco’s ban on homosexuality, sex work and injection drugs, alongside general societal disapproval, means that many people who engage in these activities do not attempt to seek treatment for HIV/AIDS. 

In 2024 at the Taragalte Festival, Moroccan artist OUM announced that she would be ascending to the role of National Goodwill Ambassador in Morocco for UNAIDS. As a popular artist and social influencer, OUM’s work in spreading awareness and encouraging education about HIV prevention will be vital in breaking down the intense stigma surrounding the illness. UNAIDS foresaw that OUM’s efforts in erasing negative narratives via her public influence would improve access to HIV/AIDS preventative knowledge, diagnoses and treatment, particularly among high-risk communities in Morocco.

The US’s Impact

The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a campaign aimed at controlling the international HIV/AIDS epidemic, does not currently practice in Morocco. This means the country does not have access to U.S. funded resources that could have a significant impact on HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment and, due to the nation’s lower economic status, could not be financed by only their government. PEPFAR supports communities most vulnerable to the illness and with high-risk populations making up the majority of diagnoses in Morocco, the U.S. Department of State’s assistance could offer profound assistance in curbing the epidemic where it is most rife. 

HIV/AIDS in Morocco is preventable. Governmental strategies to combat the disease and its often poverty-rooted causes are already having a profound impact on decreasing its prevalence in the country. However, the epidemic requires further action to achieve total eradication. Reducing societal stigma is an important aspect of making treatment more accessible, but assisting those in poverty, through Moroccan and U.S. funded support, to obtain affordable healthcare schemes and engage in lower-risk lifestyles is by far the most crucial method of ending HIV/AIDS in Morocco for good.

– Amabel Smith

Amabel is based in London, UK and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Combating HIV in Ivory Coast

HIV in Ivory CoastIvory Coast, officially the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, is a country of around 31 million people on the southern coast of West Africa. Though now a sovereign state, Ivory Coast is a former French colony; researchers say former French colonies in West Africa are “where retroviruses first jumped from primates to humans.” While Ivory Coast has made progress in managing the epidemic, the country remains one of the most affected by HIV in West Africa. People in this region are still in dire need of testing, treatment and prevention resources.

Facts About HIV in Ivory Coast

  • Around 2% of people in Ivory Coast are living with HIV. However, a quarter of this population is estimated to be undiagnosed.
  • The Rate of HIV in Ivory Coast has steadily declined within the past decade, declining from 4.5% in 2006 to 2.7% in 2014.
  • Women experience higher rates of HIV than men.
  • There is a high proportion of invasive cervical cancer related to HIV.
  • Sexual transmission is the primary mode of HIV infection. However, transmission through breastfeeding remains a significant issue.
  • Coinfection of HIV with other human retroviruses, such as Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) and hepatitis viruses B, C and delta, is common in Ivory Coast. However, these coinfections are often inadequately managed, with many patients remaining undiagnosed.
  • About 94% of people receiving HIV treatment in Ivory Coast have achieved viral suppression. However, access to testing and treatment remains limited.

What’s Being Done

In efforts to support individuals living with HIV and bolster overall public health, humanitarian organizations and individuals alike have initiated programs in the Ivory Coast to aid the epidemic:

  • The Center for Solidarity and Social Action (CSAS). CSAS was founded in 1995 in Bouaké to promote a better quality of life for people living with HIV, including children and young people. At the time, the organization had the first program dedicated to children and teenagers living with HIV. While the initiative initially offered psychological support, in the present day, CSAS uses medical treatment for patients.

    The organization offers help with the management of STIs, HIV/AIDS screening tests, management of opportunistic infections and access to care and prescriptions. CSAS also leads the PRESERV project, working to improve access to reproductive health and HIV services for young people and vulnerable groups.
  • The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS). UNAIDS, a United Nations (U.N.) organization, was established in 1994 to strengthen responses to HIV epidemics on a systematic scale. It aims to head the global effort to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

In Ivory Coast, the program uses educational initiatives to promote HIV prevention and sexual health to support communities. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, UNAIDS partnered with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to provide food and hygiene kits to needy mothers. This partnership seeks to support vulnerable pregnant and breastfeeding women, especially those affected by HIV. This partnership seeks to support vulnerable pregnant and breastfeeding women, especially those affected by HIV.

Challenges remain in the prevention and treatment of HIV in Ivory Coast. Nonetheless, the progress achieved through these initiatives highlights civilian organizations’ impact on crisis response when given sufficient support. A maintained emphasis on education, contraception and access to medical care can be effective ways of continuing to rectify HIV.

– Erin Hellhake

Erin is based in Old Bridge, NJ, USA and focuses on Global Health, Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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How USAID Programs in Russia Have Addressed HIV/AIDS and TB

USAID Programs in RussiaAs the U.S. government considers further cuts to international assistance, USAID programs in Russia can show what the U.S. can accomplish when it comes to combating disease and poverty. However, it also can be a cautionary tale of what can happen to a country’s most vulnerable when USAID programs are suddenly cut without an adequate replacement. 

Starting in 1992, after the end of the Cold War and the fall of the Soviet Union, the United States began a robust program of assistance to the new Russian Federation starting with the Freedom Support Act authorizing USAID to begin work in Russia. USAID programs in Russia included initiatives to assist with democratic reform, market assistance, anti-corruption programs, but mostly important disease eradication.

USAID’s Fight Against TB and HIV/AIDS in Russia

USAID programs in Russia fought both tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. Starting in 1999, USAID began to focus specifically on drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB), which had become a major issue in the former Soviet Union, especially in Russia. According to William B. Taylor, coordinator of U.S. assistance to Newly Independent States, in 1999, USAID was critical to coordinating between Russian authorities, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Red Cross to combat TB, starting in three provinces and then the rest of Russia. Additionally, USAID also helped provide more than $200 million in critical medical supplies.

By 1999, the spike of TB incidence finally ended and began to decline through the early 2010s. TB mortality rates also declined and experts attributed much of this progress to early detection and prevention programs in Russia. 

Additionally, USAID was instrumental in fighting HIV/AIDS in Russia on several levels; increasing coordination between Russian and American biomedical researchers, assisting with vaccine development, infection prevention, treatment and increasing awareness among Russian business and civic leaders. In 2010, USAID funded the HIV Prevention for At-Risk Populations in Russia program, which treated thousands in the city of Kazan alone.

The Current Situation

According to former U.S. ambassador to Russia, Michael McFaul, “Over the last twenty years, the USAID Mission in Russia has worked with Russian government officials and Russian non-governmental organizations to achieve a remarkable record of success.” However, in 2012, due to rising tensions between the Russian and U.S. governments, Vladimir Putin ordered USAID to cease its operations in Russia.

The Russian government argued that Russian society had moved past the need for external aid. In reality, living conditions in Russia have continued to be extremely difficult. By 2018, Russia became the third-highest country for TB infection, largely due to its inability to follow WHO guidelines.

The Russian Red Cross had to end five different programs dedicated to fighting TB since it received funding from USAID. That being said, thanks to continued funding and cooperation with other international organizations, TB mortality and incidence rate continues to modestly decline, despite setbacks. However, much of the progress in fighting HIV/AIDS in Russia has suffered major reversals. By 2017, Russia had the largest number of HIV-positive individuals in Europe. As of 2024, 30,000 Russians annually are estimated to have died from HIV/AIDS.

Looking Ahead

The history of USAID programs in Russia highlights the danger of suddenly turning off humanitarian aid. In 2025, freezes of USAID funding in places like Ukraine have threatened HIV treatment, endangering more than 116,000 people. However, that history also serves as an encouragement of what is possible with U.S. support.

– Joseph Laughon

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

Photo: Wikipedia Commons

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Elderly Poverty in Cameroon

Elderly Poverty in CameroonElderly poverty in Cameroon manifests in several ways. About 12.2% of male elderly heads of households and 21.4% of female elderly heads of households live in poverty. For many, accessing health care is difficult, and the country’s average life expectancy is 60. Only 3.8% of the population is 65 or older. Lack of social insurance allows elderly poverty to persist, which limits opportunities for personal development. 

Health Threats

One of the greatest consequences of elderly poverty in Cameroon is reduced access to health care. Citizens have to pay for services, and availability is often limited in the northern and eastern regions. Additionally, the people in these regions can distrust health services. The elderly are the leaders of households because families value their experience, and many elderly people dislike technology for fear that it devalues that experience.

In 2022, more than 400,000 Cameroonians were living with HIV and health facilities reported more than 9,000 new cases. The infection rate among the elderly in rural areas is 2.6%. HIV-positive Cameroonians in their prime years can struggle to support the elderly. If they die, orphans and widows must depend on the elderly for income, forcing them to continue working despite their age.

Cameroon has used rapid molecular diagnostic tests to identify TB since 2012, but health facilities only reported 24,000 TB patients in 2019, compared with the estimated average of 52,000 TB patients per year, indicating a significant diagnostic gap. In 2021, the mortality rate of TB (excluding people also infected with HIV) was 30 cases per 100,000 people.

Food security is another health concern. In a community in Yaoundé, the nation’s capital, 37.5% of the elderly were food insecure in 2024.

The Cameroonian government spends less than 5% of GDP on health care, and while the 2017 National Social Protection Policy set the goal of increasing coverage, it was unclear as to the methods that would be used.

Limited Social Insurance

As people age and become unable to work, their only source of income is social insurance, making it a necessary response to elderly poverty in Cameroon. The country’s social insurance system only covers those in the formal sector, the portion of the economy that is subject to taxes and social contributions, but the majority of the labor force works in the informal sector. Only 118,000 citizens, less than 0.01% of the population, receive a pension. Widows only receive a survivor pension if they do not have children in the workforce.

Because of this, many Cameroonians rely on family, religious institutions or tontines for support, but these are more volatile than government programs. At the moment, all government programs are contributory, and social safety nets protect 0% of the poorest quintile of the population.

Barriers To Personal Development

Government spending on education has remained at 3% of GDP for the past decade, and tertiary education receives far less funding than primary or secondary education. Along with restrictions on access to tertiary education based on gender, ethnicity or political affiliation, this hinders many Cameroonians’ ability to potentially gain certain types of jobs, which may force them into work with greater health risks and less insurance coverage through their elderly years.

Banking services are largely unavailable outside urban areas, and less than 20% of citizens have access to them. This prevents many people from saving money they can rely on as they age, which could worsen elderly poverty in Cameroon.

Solutions

Positive-Generation, a Cameroonian nonprofit, has collaborated with The Regional Centre for Research and Training in Clinical Management in Fann, Senegal, to improve care for those living with HIV over 50. They prioritize diagnosis and treatment of comorbidities, two or more medical conditions that affect a single patient at the same time. The initiative has reduced the price of drugs for high blood pressure and diabetes. Additionally, the organization has administered free care for cervical cancer and provided education and screenings for more than 1,200 people 50 or older. It also refers patients to organizations that promote healthy aging through exercise and physical therapy.

From 2009 to 2017, the World Bank Group treated 10,000 cases of tuberculosis and taught hygiene practices to avoid contraction of diseases. Health care workers in the village of Kagnol visited all households twice a month to assess health conditions. If necessary, they escort patients to nearby health care facilities.

In response to the lack of social safety nets, the Group’s International Development Association (IDA) established a cash transfers program that has benefited 85,000 households since 2013. The IDA plans to train more than 60,000 young people in entrepreneurship and business development. Training initiatives will allow them to care for themselves financially as they age. 

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has invested in a project to increase production of rice and onion. Furthermore, the project aims to rehabilitate land and build new crop storage facilities. The project targets 216,000 people in the northern and far northern regions. Poverty levels in these regions are particularly high, as well as northwestern and western regions. 70% of these people are adults or elderly, and the IFAD specifically focuses on those with disabilities. 

The IFAD’s Aquaculture Entrepreneurship Development Support Programme similarly identifies the elderly as a target group. The plan includes guidelines for farm contractors to reduce dust and particulates, which pose health risks for the elderly.

Looking Ahead

Many programs have effectively addressed elderly poverty in Cameroon. Improved health care access and agricultural production will continue to let the elderly support themselves. Progress in that area shows this issue can be beaten.  

– Tyler Payne

Tyler is based in Allentown, PA, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Decline of HIV/AIDs in Myanmar

HIVAIDs in MyanmarMyanmar, formerly known as Burma, is one of 35 countries where 90% of HIV infections occur worldwide. As of 2017, the World Health Organization (WHO) found that Myanmar accounted for 224,026 HIV/AIDS cases, or 0.54% globally. This, though still considered prevalent, has declined at a steady pace. The new efforts began in 2016, with tremendous success resulting in the current year to lessen the effects of HIV/AIDS in Myanmar.

What Is Going On?

Myanmar has experienced ongoing civil conflict since gaining independence from British rule in 1948, with numerous constitutional changes ultimately leading to the establishment of a military-led (Junta) state. In 2021, the country descended into full-blown civil war after the military disputed the results of a general election in which the National League for Democracy won a majority. Claiming electoral fraud, the military carried out a coup, detaining elected leaders and seizing control of the government. Since then, the conflict has escalated and continues to this day.

The majority of Myanmar’s citizens support the pro-democracy resistance against the Junta, and that support has made an impact. Despite initiating the conflict, the military has gradually lost ground to opposition forces.

Poverty Rates

Before the civil conflict, Myanmar had a small but growing middle class, and the economy experienced rapid growth throughout the 20th century. However, in the 21st century, shifting government policies and international sanctions slowed this progress. Poverty is growing at an alarming rate. Today, nearly half of the Burmese population lives below the poverty line. This sharp rise in poverty has directly contributed to a range of serious health issues across the country. On top of these challenges, Myanmar follows an “out-of-pocket” healthcare system, which means individuals must cover their medical expenses themselves, making it even harder for those living in poverty to access the care they need.

Because the country is experiencing division and conflict, it has become nearly impossible for many Burmese people to afford or access proper health care. The ongoing unrest has made it even harder for everyday citizens to get the medical help they need. This shows just how urgent the need is for support, whether from the government or international aid organizations. While HIV/AIDS is already a serious health issue in Myanmar, it is not the only one. As poverty increases and the civil crisis continues, more and more diseases are beginning to spread, putting vulnerable communities at even greater risk.

What Is Stopping the End of HIV/AIDS in Myanmar?

Among those infected, 41% are female sex workers, 31% are queer men and 28% are people who inject drugs. Because of the criminalization of sex work, homosexuality and drug usage, many people with HIV/AIDS are scared to accept treatment. The Aids Datahub found that 7% of individuals who avoided going to treatment clinics were scared of punishment and the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS.

If a person is found “guilty” of homosexuality, they can be sentenced to up to 10 years of prison. An individual found guilty of soliciting can serve up to 6 years in prison. Lastly, Myanmar is the leading source of opium and heroin, two injectable substances. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) predicts that up to 90,000 Burmese people inject drugs, or about 0.23%.

The UNODC has also found that overall drug use has declined steadily from 2020 to 2024. Programs that are working to limit drug use or encourage “safer” drug use in high usage areas in Southeast Asian countries (Myanmar, China and Bangladesh) are helping to reduce the usage of injectable drugs and the number of new HIV/AIDS infections in Myanmar.

What Is Going Right?

This downward trend is largely due to a renewed national HIV response strategy launched in 2016. These efforts focused on expanding access to antiretroviral therapy (ART), improving testing and counseling services and targeting high-risk populations through community-based outreach. By 2023, more than three-quarters of people living with HIV in Myanmar were receiving treatment, marking a major public health achievement despite ongoing political and social challenges.

Despite civil war breaking out in 2021, efforts to maintain access to antiretroviral treatment to minimize HIV/AIDS in Myanmar remain strong. According to the AIDS Data Hub, new infections have declined to fewer than 10,000 per year. Of the 280,000 suspected cases, 216,757 have been confirmed. All confirmed individuals are receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Beginning in July 2020, Myanmar introduced Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), where people routinely take ART to reduce the chances of getting HIV. It is still implementing this preventative measure today. Many foreign aid programs, such as USAID, the Global Fund and the National AIDS program, are funding access to PrEP.

What to Takeaway?

Despite ongoing conflict and growing poverty within the country, national and international efforts to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS in Myanmar remain strong. The number of new infections continues to decline annually, bringing the country closer to the global 2030 goal of eliminating new HIV cases. Access to treatment has significantly improved, with antiretroviral therapy (ART) and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) available to all individuals who seek it, regardless of background or risk group. 

– Abby Buchan

Abby is based in York, PA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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5 Charities in South Africa

Charities in South AfricaSouth Africa has faced numerous hardships throughout the years, including violence, famine and widespread poverty, leaving millions in need of support. According to the World Bank, more than half of the population lives in poverty when measured by the $5.50 purchasing power parity (PPP) standard. Further, although apartheid officially ended three decades ago, much of the country’s wealth remains concentrated in the hands of the former ruling white minority. Despite these ongoing challenges, many individuals and organizations continue working tirelessly to address these disparities and support those most in need. Here are five charities actively working in South Africa to provide vital assistance.

Mothers2Mothers

Mothers2Mothers gives mothers who have contracted HIV the opportunity to help their community and others by providing them with jobs as healthcare workers and mentors. It intends to cut down on the gender wage gap and, at the same time, provide essential and much-needed health care to the population of South Africa. Established in 2001, the nonprofit has employed more than 12,000 women living with HIV. In addition to providing employment, the organization is dedicated to slowing the spread of HIV.

ActionAid

ActionAid is a social justice organization that aims to uplift those in poverty and ensure that those who might not have a voice still have equality. As part of a global network operating in 45 countries, including South Africa, ActionAid supports rural communities through development initiatives and advocacy for equal rights. Rather than working in isolation, the organization collaborates with local communities and smaller organizations to promote equality and empower people across South Africa.

Keep The Dream196

Keep The Dream196 is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping women, children and families in South Africa break the cycle of poverty by equipping them with essential skills and resources to improve their lives. Recognizing the increasing challenges faced by children, such as limited access to education, rising HIV rates and teenage pregnancy, Keep The Dream196 stepped in to address these critical issues and create lasting, positive change in communities.

The organization has successfully kept the children involved in its program out of gangs and away from drug and alcohol abuse, along with reducing the teenage pregnancy rate from 13% to 0.07%.

Feed the Nation

Food insecurity remains a pressing issue in South Africa, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. Feed the Nation rose to meet this challenge by delivering essential food and hygiene products to some of the country’s most vulnerable communities. In April 2020, it partnered with organizations like Pick n Pay School Club and Africa Tikkun, successfully distributing 650 tonnes of food. It has provided more than 39 million meals to families and communities in need across South Africa.

Qhubeka

Many communities in South Africa face a lack of reliable transportation, with about eight million children in South Africa walking to school every day. This transportation barrier places a heavy burden on families and individuals, contributing to the cycle of poverty. Qhubeka addresses this issue by offering children the opportunity to earn bikes after completing a safety and training program. The impact is particularly notable among children, as school attendance rates improve significantly when they have easier access to and from school.

Conclusion

These charities are helping to break the cycle of poverty in South Africa by providing essential resources, empowering communities, and fostering lasting change for vulnerable populations.

– Collier Simpson

Collier is based in Savannah, GA, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Stellah Bosire: A Lifetime of Fighting Health and Economic Poverty

Stellah BosireAlthough widely described as the largest slum in Africa, Nairobi’s Kibera is deeply rooted in community values and caring for your neighbor. While women face higher rates of health risks in varying forms, Dr Stellah Bosire persevered as a child engulfed in poverty. Feeling encouraged by her community and teachers, she became a highly influential human rights activist.

Childhood

Before Bosire was a Gates Foundation Goalkeeper and accomplished actor globally, she faced the same struggles that persist to this day in Kenya. Children were taught at a young age that odd jobs were necessary to provide basic needs for your family. Along with unsafe work opportunities, Bosire and nearly a third of women in Kenya have experienced sexual violence.

Despite the overarching strength instilled in the women around her, Bosire could not help but realize how much they are being held back due to inevitable health risks. For example, the neighborhood struggles with inadequate sanitation, while dangerous social norms blockade women into unfair cycles of poverty.

After falling into this cycle herself at 13 years old, she prioritized finishing school despite selling drugs to financially support her family. She studied the material and took her final exams after just two weeks, scoring the second-highest grade in her school, The Gates Foundation reports. It was this validation that showed Bosire the potential of her knowledge and gave her the confidence to work hard at solving the hardships her community has faced for years.

Bosire’s Career and Giving Back

Bosire attended the University of Nairobi’s School of Medicine, receiving a full scholarship. Her long list of accolades began compiling soon after beginning schooling. She has achieved a Bachelor of Science in Medicine and Surgery, a Master of Business Administration in Health Care Management, and a Master of Science in Global Health Policy. To cover all aspects of her activism, she is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Law at the University of Nairobi.

Bosire has excelled in several leadership positions, allowing her to expand her efforts and help those internationally. She served as vice-chair for Kenya’s HIV Tribunal, focusing on women in the healthcare system who were discriminated against due to their HIV status, The Gates Foundation reports.

Bosire has brought a more holistic approach to health care in Kibera, focusing treatment efforts based on the context of individual lives. In 2021, Bosire created the HerConomy initiative to fund projects that allow women to excel economically, The Gates Foundation reports. This program provides aid and workshops to make a reliable worker, such as loans for healthcare expenses, making soap and professionalizing women-owned small businesses.

Along with accumulating more than 5,000 members, Bosire has also had to overcome harmful gender norms. Men in her own hometown called her “the homewrecker” for trying to shift gender dynamics in the home, according to The Gates Foundation. As a result of this, she invited the men to community discussions to shift their perspective on how economic empowerment for women can benefit all.

Using Her Own Experiences

Coming from an unsafe and uncertain environment, Bosire has used her power to give back to her community. Her mother was ill her entire life, and after Bosire’s education and exposure to formal schooling, they recognized her condition as depression and schizophrenia. In her last year of schooling at the University of Nairobi in 2011, she had lost her mom to Aids related complications.

The work that Bosire has put back into Kibera is present in the whole community. After her mother’s death, she became heavily involved in HIV/AIDS treatment and generated multiple projects for women affected with HIV/AIDS.

Street Healing Program

Tending to women in Kenya and all over Africa, Bosire has also digitized the experience of economic prosperity. She is building a software program to ease the lives of women in the economy, in the form of saving/accessing funds and building credit for a profile in the formal banking system, according to The Gates Foundation.

In addition to women’s economic empowerment, Stellah Bosire also tends to everyone she can on the streets of Kenya. Bosire runs what she calls the “Street Healing Program,” where she walks the business districts in Nairobi, medical bag in hand, ready to help any homeless people who are in need of common treatments or wound cleaning, Nation reports.

With no limits to her selflessness, Stellah Bosire has proven through overwhelming adversity that good change is possible. She credits hard work and resilience for her success, a message that has been relayed back to Kibera. Bosire’s childhood friends and others in Kibera call her achievements a “community degree” since that is where its efforts will flourish, right at home.

– Rachael Wexler

Rachael is based in Chicago, IL, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr