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Migrant Communities in Portugal: Gentrification and Deportation

Migrant Communities in PortugalGentrification in traditionally working-class neighborhoods in cities like Lisbon, Portugal, is increasing house prices. At the same time, the government’s recent plans to deport thousands of migrants are raising concerns. Together, these changes threaten multiethnic neighborhoods and immigrant identities across Portugal. However, many organizations are resisting this by empowering migrant communities in Portugal through a range of projects.

Deportation and the Rise of Populism

The recent rise in far-right populism and political strategy ahead of a general election has led to plans to deport 18,000 irregular migrants across Portugal. Luis Montenegro, leader of the center-right party Democratic Alliance and current Prime Minister, has faced criticism for announcing the deportation plans just before a snap election in May 2025 to gain voters. However, the Democratic Alliance didn’t win a majority. The head of the Socialist Party, Pedro Nuno Santos, resigned after winning the same number of seats as Chega, a relatively new far-right party rooted in anti-immigration rhetoric.

According to a Portuguese Migration and Home Affairs Office publication, attitudes toward immigrants among Portuguese people depend on their country of origin. Attitudes toward migrants from the Indian subcontinent, including countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal, are more negative. Moreover, 68% of the public believe Portugal’s immigration policies are too liberal. They also think that the presence of immigrants impacts their salaries, despite the country’s economic growth depending on sectors where most employees are migrants (such as agriculture and construction).

Gentrification and Touristification

Like many popular destinations, Portugal has become a victim of its success within the tourism industry. Lisbon had 5.6 million visitors in 2023 alone. Thanks to the rise of Airbnb, house prices are rapidly increasing while the availability of public housing is diminishing. In addition to touristification, digital nomads arriving in Portugal with higher salaries have contributed heavily to gentrification.

Although rent and house prices have risen by 120% in cities such as Lisbon, wage levels have remained stagnant. This means many people cannot afford to continue living in the neighborhoods where they grew up. Moreover, some of the neighborhoods most affected by gentrification are home to some of the most multicultural communities in Portugal, meaning that immigrants and working-class people are being pushed to the peripheries of their cities.

Organizations Empowering Migrant Communities

Despite the deportations of migrants and the cultural erosion of their neighborhoods, some grassroots organizations are stepping up. They support and empower migrant communities while resisting the effects of mass tourism, digital nomadism and far-right politics.

  1. The Lisbon Project. One of the most notable organizations empowering migrant communities in Portugal is the Lisbon Project. It is a nonprofit organization (NGO) founded in 2016 to strengthen migrant and refugee communities across Lisbon and make them feel a sense of belonging. The charity currently has 5,952 registered community members from 250 countries, with the top nationalities being Bangladesh, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Nigeria and Algeria.

    Focusing on integration and empowerment, the Lisbon Project operates across various domains, including community life, education, employability and social care. Some of its specific projects include the Benevolence Program, which provides free items such as furniture and home appliances to new arrivals). Others include the Portuguese Welcome Course and free Community Dinners, among many others. Despite currently only operating in Lisbon, the organization aims to expand into three hubs across Portugal by the end of 2030.

  2. Renovar a Mouraria Foundation. Renovar a Mouraria is another Lisbon-based NGO. However, it focuses its support on the multicultural Mouraria neighborhood, which has become a home to multiple immigrant and refugee communities in Lisbon. However, due to the neighborhood’s abandonment and marginalization, residents have been affected by drug trafficking, rising social tensions and gentrification.

    Working with various stakeholders, including the Lisbon City Council, Renovar a Mouraria has been coordinating community-strengthening services since 2008. These include integrated social support, migrant regularization, Portuguese language courses and vocational training. In addition to providing practical services, the NGO has fostered creativity and communication in the neighborhood. One example is Secondary Residence, a collaborative project where a group of residents produced a collective reflection. It was based on their interactions with local people and their experiences living in Mouraria.

  3. The Portuguese Refugee Council (CPR). Similarly, the CPR is empowering migrant communities in Portugal and addressing their marginalization by deconstructing myths about refugees. It is also providing designated spaces, including three Refugee Reception Centers.

    Operating since 1991, the CPR has supported 14,640 refugees and asylum seekers in Portugal through advocacy, legal support, international protection and training sessions. Moreover, the CPR runs multiple services and projects specifically supporting child refugees, such as the CPR daycare and the Shelter for Refugee Children.

Final Remarks

Multiculturalism and the rich history of working-class neighborhoods across Portuguese cities deserve celebration and preservation. Thanks to the amazing organizations empowering migrant communities in Portugal, resettled populations can continue to thrive and network, fostering creativity, cultural exchange and positive integration.

– Clodagh Dowson

Clodagh is based in Wiltshire, UK and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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USAID Programs in Ecuador

USAID Programs in EcuadorEcuador is a small, diverse country in South America, bordering Colombia to the north, Peru to the south and east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. Despite its size, it ranks among the most biologically diverse countries in the world, with the Amazon rainforest, the Andes mountains, coastal plains and the Galápagos Islands shaping its rich ecosystems. While the country boasts beautiful cities and landscapes, many Ecuadorians face economic instability, limited job opportunities and displaced populations.

Ecuador’s rising violence, driven by drug cartels and organized crime, destabilizes the economy, deters investment and disrupts businesses. This worsens poverty by reducing job opportunities, increasing insecurity and straining public resources for civilians.

To address these issues, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has implemented key programs that aim to strengthen Ecuador’s development. From environmental conservation to economic growth and democratic governance, USAID programs in Ecuador have played a crucial role in the country’s stability and sustainability. Here are seven key initiatives shaping USAID’s efforts in Ecuador.

Strengthening Development and Resilience

Since 1961, USAID has worked with Ecuador to improve the quality of life. Programs have promoted sustainable economic growth, strengthened governance and protected the environment. USAID programs in Ecuador plays a crucial role in advancing the country’s development through key initiatives:

  1. Driving Economic Growth: Ecuador’s economy is vulnerable to shocks and macroeconomic instability due to its high reliance on the export of primary goods. More than 84% of “Ecuador’s farmers are small producers” with few opportunities to grow more crops. USAID has invested in the EDGE fund, which sought to narrow the gap between small-scale farmers and the markets that support them. These efforts support small businesses, increase employment opportunities and strengthen Ecuador’s economic foundation. Job growth reduces poverty, strengthens economic stability and improves quality of life.
  2. Advancing Environmental Conservation: Ecuador’s biodiversity remains one of its most valuable assets. It is home to many species and a variety of ecosystems. Between 2009 and 2014, USAID programs in Ecuador helped conserve 2.7 million hectares of biodiverse land in protected areas and Indigenous territories. This allowed the indigenous Cofán community to strengthen their culture, identity and ancestral knowledge. By funding sustainable land management practices and conservation programs, USAID helps Ecuador preserve its forests, rivers and wildlife for future generations.
  3. Strengthening Democratic Governance: Indigenous peoples in Ecuador possess a rich culture and a deep connection to their ancestral lands. However, they continue to face substantial challenges related to poverty, environmental threats and the preservation of their rights and heritage. An article by the International Fund for Agricultural Development stated, “Income inequality remains a problem, with almost half the rural population living in poverty compared to a third of people nationwide. The rates of extreme poverty in rural areas are double that of the total population.” USAID’s Amazon Indigenous Rights and Resources program strengthened Indigenous governance in Ecuador by promoting land rights, transparency and citizen participation. It improved resilience to climate change and empowered communities to work with government institutions on environmental and social challenges.
  4. Expanding Education and Workforce Development: Through programs like the Farmer-to-Farmer initiative, USAID connects experts with Ecuadorian farmers and business owners to share knowledge and improve agricultural practices. This will equip farmers with modern techniques to boost crop productivity, sustainability and economic resilience. It also strengthens the agricultural sector’s contribution to national economic growth.
  5. Improving Public Health Services: Ecuador has a small budget that is dedicated to their health system. As a result, the healthcare sector in the country experiences low numbers of medical personnel. Furthermore, there is a shortage of medicine, and outdated or lacking healthcare equipment. USAID plays a critical role in strengthening Ecuador’s health care system. Initiatives such as the Amazon Malaria Initiative focus on controlling and preventing malaria in Ecuador and neighboring countries. By improving disease prevention and health care infrastructure, USAID helps Ecuadorians, particularly those in rural and underserved communities, access better medical services.
  6. Delivering Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief: Ecuador faces frequent natural disasters, including earthquakes, floods and landslides. The Ecuador Building Resilience Program equips communities with technical assistance and training in seismic-resistant construction. By improving infrastructure, USAID helps Ecuadorians build safer homes and withstand natural disasters.
  7. Supporting Migrants and Displaced Populations: Ecuador has become a key destination for migrants and displaced populations seeking economic opportunities. USAID’s RADAR project strengthens solid waste management systems, creates business opportunities and supports communities. Many Venezuelan migrants are significantly involved in the informal recycling sector. The RECIPRI association in Priorato, Ecuador, was created by Venezuelan migrants to organize their recycling activities. This provides training and promotes entrepreneurship, while also enhancing social and economic inclusion.

USAID’s Lasting Impact in Ecuador

USAID programs in Ecuador are vital. They address challenges by improving governance, expanding job growth and supporting vulnerable communities. Programs like Farmer-to-Farmer boost agricultural productivity, while RADAR helps integrate migrants into the economy. By improving resilience and stability, USAID programs in Ecuador play a key role in improving livelihoods and establishing long-term stability in Ecuador.

– Giovanni Garcia

Giovanni is based in Long Beach, CA, USA and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Migrant Workers in the UAE

Migrant Workers in the UAEThe population of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has rapidly grown alongside its economy in recent years. With a population of approximately 10 million, 87.9% of the UAE’s total population are international migrants as of July 2020. As the UAE has become a hub for tourism, real estate and more, migrants worldwide have relocated to the country. About 38% of migrants are from India, 10% from Bangladesh, 10% from Egypt, 9% from Pakistan and 6% from the Philippines.

Economic Dependency on Migrant Workers in the UAE

According to the Migration Policy Institute, the UAE “has become a popular destination for temporary labor migrants seeking employment opportunities and higher standards of living.” Attracting low and high-skilled workers, migrants make up more than 90% of the private workforce in the UAE. Government systems, like the Kafala Sponsorship System, have incentivized companies to hire international migrants. However, the Kafala Sponsorship System has been controversial, leading to the abuse of many migrant workers.

The Kafala Sponsorship System

The Kafala System allows migrant workers an opportunity for financial security in a new chapter of their lives in return for providing labor to an oil-driven economy. However, many private companies have used this to their advantage, becoming a stemming point for human rights abuses. With workers’ residential and employment status dependent upon their sponsor’s jurisdiction, workers have little power to move jobs, challenge unpaid wages and fight against unsafe workplace conditions.

With little mobility in their choice of work, quitting or resigning from a job is an offense that can lead to the termination of sponsorship and deportation. As a result, many domestic workers excluded from labor laws in the UAE become trapped in the Kafala System with no legal path out. In recent years, the UAE government has passed laws to address the flaws in the Kafala system. These new laws include prohibiting the confiscation of an employee’s documents and introducing wage protection measures. While human rights groups have found that work-right abuses are still vibrant, the potential for a flawless Kafala System has become a hope for the future.

Economic Benefit

The UAE has become a popular migration hub due to the economic opportunity the country presents. The country’s tax-friendly laws, such as no personal income tax, have made it attractive for everyone. With the extra money, many migrant workers can send remittances back to their families in their home country. Once financially able, families of migrants are relocated to the UAE to be reunited with family, furthering the UAE economy.

Conclusion on Migrant Workers in the UAE

Due to economic development, the rapid migration to the UAE has caused many migrant workers to be exploited under the UAE’s lack of labor laws. With major flaws in government systems, many migrant workers are stuck in inhuman situations that are at the discretion of their sponsoring company. The government is actively working to pass laws in hopes of reforming systems like the Kafala Sponsorship System. However, migration to the country has not slowed in recent years and many migrants risk employment imprisonment.

– Naseem Rahman

Naseem is based in Staten Island, NY, USA and focuses on Business and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Refugee Education in Germany

Refugee Education in GermanyIn 2015, conflict in Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and other places forced millions of people to leave their homes and become refugees. The flow of migrants entering Europe increased from 153,000 in 2008 to more than a million in 2015.

Education Opportunities for Refugees

During what is known as the “refugee crisis” of 2015, Germany quickly developed a culture of openness, with an emphasis on refugee education. Angela Merkel, then the country’s chancellor, introduced the phrase “Wir schaffen das” (“We can do this”) as a rallying call for the more skeptical citizens of Germany. There were many Germans at the time who doubted the capacity of the welfare state to accommodate such high numbers of new arrivals on top of the demands of the native population. However, the story of Germany’s refugee policy is considered to be one of success today. By 2018, 72% of the asylum seekers had been granted protection and the right to work in Germany. By 2020, half of the asylum seekers who had entered Germany in 2015 had found a job.

One of the central strategies Germany has adopted for accommodating and integrating its migrant population is an investment in education opportunities for refugees. According to the World Bank, there are 15 million displaced school-aged children, more than half of whom are not enrolled in education. If these children were in school, they would be less vulnerable to rights abuses like child labor, forced marriage and violence. Additionally, the consistency of attending school every day in a safe and supportive environment can restore a sense of stability and safety to children who have experienced severe trauma and life disruption.

Barriers to Integration in Germany’s Education System

Although it has been widely recognized that “access to education and language courses are … key to the success of social and labor market integration”, the German schooling system was not designed with this intention in mind. Studies have shown that the German schooling system tends to reproduce and cement already existing social and class distinctions. It can be difficult, therefore, for refugee children to move beyond the social class of their parents, even with a German education. One report cites the fact that frequent relocations in accommodations and being enrolled in a preparatory class separate from native German speakers correlated with a lower chance of gaining further qualifications after completion of the mandatory nine years.

The German Expert Council on Migration and Integration released a report in 2018 suggesting that a barrier to social integration and educational advancement of refugee children is the segregated school system. Some schools implement a parallel schooling system, in which refugee children are taught separately from their German counterparts, sometimes without any native speaker in the classroom. When it came to higher education, refugees again faced considerable barriers. Without institutional provisions like scholarships or waived costs, it was largely the work of volunteers and people working within academia that turned Germany into an example of inclusion when it comes to refugee education. There was a large consensus across academic disciplines that federal funding should be opened up for asylum seekers in Germany.

Looking Forward

Humanitarian organizations filled the gaps where federal policy failed to account for refugee education. An important example of this humanitarianism is the charity Kiron. The charity began its work in 2015, ensuring that forcibly displaced people can continue to access education online. Kiron has now provided remote education for more than 100,000 students since its founding. In 2023, it launched the free program THRIVE, aimed at upskilling displaced women in preparation for the job market.

Additionally, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has committed to enrolling 15% of refugees in higher education by 2030. Achieving this goal will require efforts from not only humanitarian workers but also governments to ensure inclusive education.

– Io Oswald

Io is based in Paris, France and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Migration to Bosnia and Herzegovina

Migration to Bosnia and HerzegovinaThe Balkan country of Bosnia and Herzegovina experienced the displacement of more than 2.2 million of its citizens during the 1992-1995 Bosnian war. However, now Bosnia and Herzegovina is at the forefront of a new migration crisis due to increased rates of global poverty and conflict. Since 2018, more than 110,000 migrants have entered the Balkan country. The numbers first increased in 2018 after 24,067 migrants and refugees arrived in the country compared to 755 in 2017. Despite migration challenging the infrastructure of Bosnia and Herzegovina, obstacles are often overcome thanks to the cooperation of various international institutions and charities

Western Balkan Migration Route

Bosnia and Herzegovina falls within the Western Balkan route, popular among migrants who look to enter EU countries. From January to September 2023, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) recorded 128,871 migrant, refugee and asylum seeker arrivals through the corridor. The large number and potential for an unexpected increase of migrants strain Bosnia and Herzegovina’s resources.

However, the IOM, UNHCR and EU provide financial support for the country to ease the pressure of this corridor on countries like Bosnia and Herzegovina and to protect migrants. The “Individual Measure to Strengthen the Response Capacity to Manage Migration Flows in Bosnia and Herzegovina” project aims to transfer the migration response to Bosnian authorities.

This project continues to receive considerable funding. In August 2024, The IOM confirmed 100% of the financing for protection management for the arrival of migrants into Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Accommodation for Migrants

The increased number of migrants in 2018 strained infrastructure in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Collaboration between the country’s Ministry of Security (MoS) and the IOM facilitated the creation of seven temporary reception centers (TRCs) to house more than 8,000 migrants.

In 2018, the IOM revealed that the national infrastructure was not adequate to house the sudden influx of migrants in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The closure of TRC Lipa and Bira in 2020 reduced overall accommodation capacity from 8,282 to 3,540 beds.

Despite the challenges of accommodating migrants, international cooperation has helped resolve these problems. In 2021, a newly built TRC Lipa increased its accommodation capacity to 1,500 migrants compared to its prior 1,400 migrant capacity. Johann Sattler, Head of the EU Delegation, commented on the opening of TRC Lipa: “This is a good reminder for all of us that those crises can be solved, and the only way to resolve crises is through dialogue and a willingness to compromise.”

War and Poverty

In July 2024, the UNHCR reported that the top three countries of origin of migrants in Bosnia and Herzegovina were the Syrian Arab Republic (35%), Afghanistan (29%) and Morocco (8%). The high number of Syrians and Afghans in Bosnia and Herzegovina correlates to the high levels of poverty in these countries due to war. In 2022, poverty affected 69% of Syrians and 90% of Afghans.

Mental Health

Migrants often face traumatic journeys that have psychological impacts. Adil, a Moroccan migrant who resides in TRC Lipa expressed how migration impacted his mental wellbeing to the IOM: “This journey is hard and dangerous. I have seen and experienced things that I do not want to remember.”

There are ongoing efforts by the IOM and Bosnian authorities to provide mental health support for migrants. The IOM continues to provide mental health screening for migrants inside and outside TRCs and aims to increase mental health support access for migrants in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Between April 2024 and July 2024, the UNHCR assisted 585 migrants with psychosocial support.

Cultural Programs for Migrants

Alongside the efforts of international organizations and the Bosnian government to integrate migrants into the workplace and provide psychological aid for migrants, cultural programs also help improve their well-being.

In 2024, IOM ran creative programs in multiple TRCs. TRC Blažuj held a canvas painting workshop which allowed migrants to express their creativity. TRC Lipa has a creative zone where handcrafting workshops were held for migrants and refugees from Afghanistan, Gambia, Iran and Syria.

Cultural programs extend beyond reception centers in Bosnia and Herzegovina into mainstream society. Migrants from reception centers contributed to a fashion collection for The No Nation Fashion brand showcased at the 30th Sarajevo Film Festival.

Cooperation for Solutions

The impact of global poverty meant the influx of migrants to Bosnia and Herzegovina from 2018 onwards presented challenges to the country’s infrastructure and the safety of migrants. However, cooperation between the former Yugoslav country, international governments and organizations shows the capacity to overcome the potential challenges of migration to improve the quality of life of migrants.

– Sofia Brooke

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

Photo: Flickr

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How the British Red Cross Helps People in the Sahel

People in the SahelThe Sahel is a region in the continent of Africa that includes countries such as Chad, Burkina Faso, Niger and Mauritania. The Sahel’s climate is semi-arid, meaning it experiences extended periods of dryness in the summer and rainy weather in the winter. As result of these weather conditions, drought and flooding are common and have a detrimental impact on the lives of people across the region, leading to the destruction of crops and food shortages.

When certain foods become scarce, prices soar, leaving people unable to afford the food they need to survive. As of December 2023, more than 150 million people across the Sahel found themselves unable to access an adequate amount of food and this number is sure to grow if changing climate conditions continue to influence weather conditions within the region. Spurred on by the desperate situation, the British Red Cross works tirelessly across the Sahel to improve living conditions for needy people.

Help for Communities

Through its Sahel Hunger Prevention Program, the British Red Cross helps people in the Sahel by establishing groups for young mothers to receive information on maintaining their health and their babies through good personal hygiene and nutrition. These groups also allow young mothers to develop their livelihoods, as the Red Cross provides them with seed funding to help cover the costs of setting up a small business and any personal expenses the women may have.

This scheme positively impacts women in the Sahel as it enables them to have financial independence and be strong, valued members of the community who can advocate for their own health and that of the region as a whole.

Support for Migrants

Migrants from nearby regions often travel to the Sahel for a better life. However, the transition to their new home is not always easy. The British Red Cross helps people in the Sahel by setting up service areas where migrants can access care for their physical and psychological health and necessities such as food and personal care items.

In addition to this, the British Red Cross provides support to migrants who have experienced distressing situations such as human trafficking and gender-based violence. To strengthen the relationship between migrants and natives, the organization helps people in the Sahel by holding sports games, allowing all community members to interact and share positive experiences.

Financial Assistance

Another way the British Red Cross helps people in the Sahel is by providing financial assistance through grants that enable those in need to access food, education and health care. In 2021, the charity organization facilitated cash distributions to 1,000 vulnerable families in Chad and Mauritania. As well as being beneficial on a personal level, this scheme also benefits the economy of the Sahel because if people are more able to afford food, then markets within the nation will continue to thrive. As a result, jobs will be created.

Furthermore, the British Red Cross helps people in the Sahel by supporting farmers and livestock owners in preparing for extreme weather conditions such as drought and flash flooding. Collaborating with the Niger Red Cross, it identifies early warning signs of impending severe weather. Then, it develops action plans to address these challenges. These plans include using drought-resistant seeds and providing financial assistance to farmers and their families if harvests are insufficient.

Summary

The British Red Cross supports the Sahel region through a range of initiatives. It empowers women with knowledge and resources to improve their lives and start businesses, aid migrants with health care and community integration and boost the local economy by providing financial assistance to families. The organization also helps farmers adapt to extreme weather conditions, enhancing crop resilience and providing financial aid during poor harvests. Overall, its efforts have significantly improved life in the Sahel, with hopes for continued positive impact.

– Sue-Joyce Headon

Sue-Joyce is based in Liverpool, UK and focuses on Good News and Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Remittance to Bangladesh

Remittance to BangladeshIn recent years, remittances have become one of the primary economic contributors in recipient countries. Remittances are money transfers that international migrants send to their families in their home countries. In 2022, these money transfers to low- and middle-income countries were $647 billion. Remittance to Bangladesh has become a vital economic pillar, for a country of 171 million people.

Bangladesh’s Standing in Global Remittance

According to the World Migration Report, Bangladesh ranked as the eighth-highest recipient of remittances globally and third-highest in South Asia. In 2022, the country received a staggering $21.5 billion inflow of remittance. It is a major source of economic growth and development for Bangladesh, contributing 4.7% to the country’s GDP.

Overview of the Remittance Sector

Since independence, migration has been a significant factor in improving living standards and reducing poverty and unemployment in Bangladesh. With a huge young population and an increasing unemployment rate, many citizens have taken short-term jobs abroad.

In 2023, a record 1.3 million individuals left the country for overseas work, and many others have unregistered contracts. These migrations are mostly for unskilled or semi-skilled work.  The government aims to send an additional 1 million migrants to various countries, expanding the diaspora and increasing inward remittances by creating an “overseas employment market expansion roadmap.”

Economic and Social Factors

A mix of economic and social factors influences migration patterns from Bangladesh. Economically, many Bangladeshis migrate to escape poverty, seeking better job opportunities abroad due to limited prospects at home. The country’s high population and limited job market create pressure on local employment, pushing people to look for work in countries with higher labor demand. Socially, the desire to improve living standards and provide better education and health care for their families motivates migration, according to the Migration Policy Institute (MPI).

Remittances to Bangladesh have a profound impact on the economy. Back-home recipients use these funds to finance essential needs, education and small businesses, according to the MPI. This financial support often boosts the production of tradable and non-tradable goods and services, influences land markets and fosters the growth of banking and commerce sectors.

About 70% of remittance recipients use the funds for essential needs like food, clothing and shelter. They also invest significantly in agriculture, small businesses and housing, driving local entrepreneurship and job creation.

Improving Food Security

A World Bank analysis indicates that households in rural Bangladesh receiving remittances are more food secure compared to those that do not receive remittances. This means that remittance-recipient families are better able to afford and access sufficient food, leading to improved nutritional outcomes and overall well-being.

However, family support is not the sole driving factor of inward remittances. The migrants’ skills and education levels also play a part. A migrant with a secondary education is likely to send back more money than someone with no formal education. This highlights the importance of education and skills development in maximizing the remittance potential of future generations of Bangladeshi migrants.

Remittance Incentive Programme

The Bangladeshi government recognizes the immense contribution of its migrant workforce to the overall economic growth of the country. The Remittance Incentive Programme, launched in July 2019, is a significant initiative of the government. This program aims to encourage Bangladeshis working abroad to use official channels for sending money home, rather than informal systems. The program offers a cash reward directly deposited into the sender’s bank account for remittances sent through legal procedures. The incentive was 2% initially, then raised to 2.5% in 2022 and currently stands at 5%. This initiative promotes the use of formal channels for remittance and enhances transparency.

Remittance and the COVID-19 Pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic-induced global economic turmoil, the World Bank predicted that reducing inward remittance to Bangladesh would hit the economy hard. Despite that, remittance inflow started to increase in the last half of 2020 making it to the list of the top ten highest remittance recipient countries

This significant inflow has improved living standards, financed education, boosted local economies, and elevated the country’s foreign currency reserves past $46 billion. The remittances have also played a crucial role in stabilizing the balance of payments and enhancing the nation’s credit rating

Conclusion

Remittance to Bangladesh can be a powerful force to reduce poverty. Supporting education and skills development and fostering safe working conditions for migrant workers, can ensure this vital lifeline continues to flow and empower the nation for generations to come.

– Sumaiya Sultana

Sumaiya is based in London, UK and focuses on Business and New Markets for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay

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Rural-Urban Migration and the Developing World

Rural-urban migrationWhen thinking of rural-urban migration, experts tend to focus on the positive aspects for migrants. New economic opportunities, access to public services and greater social tolerance define the experience of newly-urban migrants in the conversation around rural-urban migration. When discussing flaws, the conversation gravitates toward the slum conditions and informal labor in large developing-world cities. However, the developing world’s rapid amount of rural to urban migration leaves many villages with less human capital and resources. What does this rural-urban migration mean for the rural developing world?

Urban Transition

Rural-urban migration has swept the developing world since the late 20th century. This transformation, known as “urban transition,” brings the economies of countries from rural-driven to urban-driven. Seeing this trend, many countries have supported larger development projects in urban areas, looking to get ahead of the curb. While an admirable strategy, it leaves out the rural populations who tend to be more isolated. This creates a vicious cycle, where people move where the government invests, and the government invests where people move.

This lack of investment creates a problem for rural areas. Unable to increase productivity and suffering from a lack of investment, impoverished rural areas are stuck in a loop, using the same basic techniques for subsistence farming utilized in the 20th century. Rural families have many children, hoping some will move to the city to send back money and some will work on their local subsistence farm. By sending the educated children to the city, families create a gap in living standards, with those with opportunity leaving while those without stay behind.

Migration in Trade for Remittances

However, this rural-urban migration also brings benefits to the rural areas. Many families send their young adult children into the cities, investing in their future in the city. Remittances, money sent back by those moving to urban areas, keep rural finances diverse and pay for many essential services for rural people. Without this income source, rural families would be completely dependent on the whims of nature, with no sense of security that a separate income gives. Studies show that these remittances increase life expectancy and happiness, two factors increased with security.

How to Help Rural Areas

One of the rural areas’ biggest difficulties is low productivity which hinders economic growth. Many Africans living in rural areas are subsistence farmers, meeting their own food needs but creating little surplus which drives economic growth. For this reason, young people commonly move to higher productivity urban areas. To prime rural areas for development, scholars have identified several factors which developing-world governments should attack. For instance, poor rural infrastructure, illiteracy and low social interaction all hinder rural growth, which drives rural-urban migration.

By attacking these problems, governments can increase rural development, attack poverty at its heart and protect rural communities in the long run. Severe “brain drain,” where educated people move to more productive areas, especially impacts rural communities. Lowering populations will lead to less monetary and representative allotments, decreasing the voice of rural residents. Additionally, men make up the majority of rural-urban migrants, leaving women in a vulnerable position both in caring for children and running subsistence farms.

Rural development projects which take into account community leaders at all levels of planning and execution can greatly increase their effectiveness. Improving the governance of these projects, especially reducing corruption, is essential in assuring rural development. The integration of system-wide rural development projects serves as an opportunity to increase rural development. Currently, thousands of NGOs operate rurally around Africa, with many separate governmental programs overlapping. By increasing cooperation, systematic development of rural areas can occur rather than a patchwork of unrelated development projects.

– Justin Morgan
Photo: Flickr

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3 Key Facts on Child Refugees in Mexico

Child Refugees in MexicoIn recent years, Mexico has become an increasingly significant place of asylum. More than 70,000 refugees have submitted asylum applications in 2019, and despite an initial drop in applications in 2020 due to the pandemic, COVID-19 claims for asylum in December 2020 hit a record high. The well-being of child refugees in Mexico is of particular concern.

Child Refugees in Mexico

People are arriving in Mexico from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Venezuela in search of safety, local integration, Mexican residency and a pathway to U.S. citizenship. In 2020, one in five refugees were children. With such alarming demographics, it has been essential for Mexico to address its overwhelming influx of asylum-seekers and find solutions to protect those vulnerable, especially children.

COVID-19 has heightened poverty among child migrants. Child refugees in Mexico are escaping forced recruitment, gang violence and crime that is a daily reality in their Central American countries. This has resulted in displacement, food scarcity and poverty. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, levels of insecurity amongst these children have only increased, with about 5,000 children (60% unaccompanied) returning to El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico.

COVID-19 has devastated children and families as extended lockdowns, school closures, stalled essential economic activities, neglected migrant reparations and rising violence has escalated vulnerability. Children seeking asylum are most affected by the virus due to the lack of access to safe water, sanitation and other essential services. Restricted access to international protection and regular migration pathways are other obstacles they are facing as they search for safety.

UNICEF has responded with efforts guided by the Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action that focus on providing 2.3 million children and their families, including children affected by human mobility,  protection from the exposure of COVID-19.

Trump Policy Endangers Child Refugees

Since the Trump administration’s 2019 Remain-in-Mexico program, 70,000 non-Mexican refugees have been waiting in asylum camps for their U.S. court hearings in northern Mexico. Within this group, 700 children have crossed the U.S. border alone as their parents wanted them to escape the terrible camp conditions and show themselves to U.S. border officials since unaccompanied minors cannot be returned to Mexico under U.S. policy and law.

CBS News reported that the Office of Refugee Resettlement has been able to house all children who had left their parents in Mexico and 643 of them have been released to family members in the U.S. Although this is good news, the Justice Action Center has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for its plan to deport children with circumstances like these, threatening their safety if they go back to their home country. The NGO, Human Rights First, has complied more than 1,300 reports of murder, rape, kidnapping, torture and assault against migrants returned by the U.S.

Mexico Enlists Reforms to Protect Child Refugees

As of November 2020, Mexico has approved reforms that apply to children in all migration contexts, accompanied or not. The reform will put an end to immigration detention centers for boys and girls and instead will be referred to alternative accommodation. It will also allow international protection and eligibility for temporary humanitarian visas to prevent deportation or return until the migrant child’s best interest can be resolved.

The U.N. Refugee Agency (UNHCR) is collaborating with associated government agencies, U.N. sister agencies and civil society organizations to certify that referral procedures and appropriate shelter capacity are arranged.

Mexico’s Solidarity Plants Seeds for Progress

For a country that has been overwhelmed by the influx of migrants desperately seeking asylum, Mexico has responded with compassion and an assertion to reform its immigration policy. This combined with other humanitarian efforts will provide monumental aid and help eradicate the suffering of child refugees in Mexico.

– Alyssa McGrail
Photo: Flickr

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Reforms for Saving the Venezuelan Economy

Saving the Venezuelan EconomyA combination of poor leadership and crippling sanctions have created a nation-wide economic crisis in Venezuela. The Center for Strategic and International Studies found that even before U.S. sanctions were placed on Venezuela, the country was already enduring hyperinflation, had seen food imports fall by 71% and more than two million Venezuelans had fled the country. Nevertheless, sanctions only exacerbated the crisis as Torino Economics found U.S. sanctions on Venezuela were associated with an annual loss of $16.9 billion in oil revenue. As a result, the Atlantic Council reports that more than 80% of Venezuelan households are food insecure and 3.7 million individuals are malnourished. Consequently, refugees filed more asylum claims globally in 2018 than any other country has. The number of Venezuelan migrants and refugees is expected to reach eight million in 2020, surpassing Syrian migration by more than three million. Reforms in the county are being implemented with the aim of saving the Venezuelan economy.

Saving the Venezuelan Economy

While this economic collapse still ravishes the country, there is certainly hope for the future. Due to both internal and external pressures, the president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, has begun to encourage policies of economic liberalization and privatization that are indicating an economic rebound.

Toward the end of 2019, Argus Media reported the Venezuelan government was beginning to ease economic controls. Specifically, the Maduro government erased most price controls, loosened capital controls, tightened controls on commercial bank loan operations, and most importantly, began to accept informal dollarization. Immediately these policies curbed the levels of hyperinflation that had caused the food crisis across the country. Advisers estimate inflation to be at only 5,500%, a significant improvement compared to the International Monetary Fund forecasts that predicted inflation levels of more than 10 million percent. This is largely in part to the importation of dollars into the Venezuelan economy, pushing out the uselessly-inflated Bolivars. Indeed, a Bloomberg study found Venezuela’s economy is increasingly dollarized, as 54% of all sales in Venezuela by the end of last year were in dollars. Most importantly, food and medicine imports have rebounded, now reaching 15% of the population.

Privatization of the Oil Industry

In addition to the Maduro government relaxing economic controls, the economic rebound in Venezuela has occurred due to increased privatization of the oil industry. Despite being under the control of the military for years, Venezuela’s state-owned oil company has trended toward letting private firms handle operations, aiding in fixing the mismanagement perpetrated by the military’s control of the industry. For the first time in decades, the private sector accounted for more than 25% of GDP in 2019 and likely more by the end of 2020. Consequently, the Panam Post reported that oil production increased by more than 200,000 barrels, a 20% increase following privatization.

Initiatives to Help Venezuelans in Poverty

The South American Initiative, through its medical clinic, provides medical care and medicine to Venezuelans in need, with a special focus on mothers and children. To provide these essential services, it relies on donations that people provide on the GlobalGiving platform.

Fundacion Oportunidad y Futuro addresses hunger and malnutrition with regards to children in Venezuela. It is running in an initiative to provide meals to 800 school-aged children in Venezuela. It also operates through donations via the GlobalGiving platform.

The Future of Venezuela

While there is hope to be found in these reforms, Venezuela has far from recovered. The National Survey of Living Conditions indicates that more Venezuelans are in poverty in 2020 than in 2018, with food security decreasing another 7% over the past two years. The average income of Venezuela remains low at just over 70 U.S. cents a day. These reforms are the foundational steps needed to begin to reverse the economic trend that has relegated millions of Venezuelans to extreme poverty. If the economy is ever to correct itself, liberalization and privatization will be the jumping-off point for an economically thriving Venezuela in the future.

– Kendall Carll
Photo: Flickr