Tag Archive for: Poverty in Haiti

Posts

, ,

The Liberation of Port-au-Prince: Humanitarian Aid in Haiti

Humanitarian Aid in HaitiFor the first time in years, Port‑au‑Prince is experiencing a fragile, but meaningful, shift. Neighborhoods long held under the control of armed gangs have been partially liberated, allowing residents to move with a freedom that had become almost unimaginable. After years of escalating violence, mass displacement and the near‑collapse of essential services, the liberation of Port-au-Prince represents more than a tactical gain. It offers a rare opening for humanitarian aid agencies that have struggled to reach communities in Haiti, trapped behind shifting frontlines.

Background

The scale of Haiti’s crisis is difficult to overstate. According to the U.N. Human Rights Office (OHCHR), gangs controlled up to 90% of Port‑au‑Prince as recently as 2025. They restricted movement, blocked trade routes and subjected civilians to extortion, kidnapping and sexual violence.

The U.N.’s March 2026 report on gang expansion documents 5,519 people killed and 2,608 injured between March 2025 and January 2026, with women and girls disproportionately targeted. The collapse of policing and justice institutions left entire neighborhoods effectively under siege, governed by armed groups whose authority rested on fear.

The Liberation of Port-au-Prince

However, recent security operations have begun to change this landscape. The Haitian National Police, supported by international partners including the U.N. Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) and contributors to the U.N.-mandated Multinational Security Support Mission, have regained limited control of several key routes and districts. U.N. experts describe this moment as a “glimmer of hope,” noting that police are now more visible and mobile in areas that had been inaccessible for months. 

This assessment is echoed in the U.N.’s broader human rights reporting, which frames the current moment as a rare but important opening for stabilization. For residents, the change is immediate and tangible. They can now cross neighborhood boundaries without paying extortion fees, as well as reach markets and health centers that were previously blocked off by gang violence.

Humanitarian Aid in Haiti

This shift has profound implications for humanitarian access, with Haiti’s situation being among the most severe in the world. According to the U.N. Humanitarian Action for Children, more than 6.4 million people are expected to require assistance in 2026, including 1.4 million internally displaced people. Furthermore, only 10%–11% of health facilities within Port-au-Prince with inpatient capacity are operating normally. 

Humanitarian aid agencies were unable to reach gang-controlled zones in Haiti, forcing them to rely solely on remote support or limited airlifts. The partial liberation of Port‑au‑Prince has opened a narrow yet vital corridor for humanitarian work. Mobile health clinics have begun reaching displaced people sheltering in schools and makeshift camps. 

The Need for Sustained International Support

The liberation of territory has also revealed the depth of trauma endured by children. A joint OHCHR–BINUH report found that at least 26 gangs in the capital are involved in child trafficking using boys for extortion and armed operations, while subjecting girls to sexual slavery. More than 500,000 children live in gang‑controlled areas and many have been misidentified as perpetrators, executed by police or vigilante groups. 

Even with improved access, Haiti’s humanitarian system is under severe strain. U.N. humanitarian assessments warn that gender‑based violence services face significant funding gaps and many displacement sites lack basic management structures. Food assistance pipelines risk interruption and children with acute malnutrition may remain untreated if funding shortfalls continue. 

Without sustained international support, the gains from recent security improvements could quickly erode. The broader political context also remains uncertain, as Haiti has not held national elections since 2016. Additionally, the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021 left the country without an elected head of state. 

Governance institutions remain weak and accountability for human rights violations, whether committed by gangs or the police, remains rare. OHCHR’s report describes the situation as a “severe deterioration” in human rights conditions, driven by gang expansion, institutional collapse and systemic impunity.

As humanitarian aid access improves in Haiti, agencies stress the need for reintegration programs, safe spaces, school‑based protection systems and cash‑transfer schemes that reduce the economic pressures driving recruitment.

Concluding Thoughts

The liberation of parts of Port‑au‑Prince is best understood not as a turning point, but as an opening. It offers a chance to scale up emergency assistance, rebuild essential services and strengthen protection for women and children. However, it also underscores the need for predictable funding and long‑term support for Haitian institutions working to restore the rule of law. 

For Haitians, the hope is that this moment marks the beginning of a broader recovery, one in which safety and opportunity replace fear and displacement.

– Max Kenway

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

Photo: Pixabay

, ,

Resilience in Haiti with FADEKA

fadeka haitiIt has been almost five years since a catastrophic earthquake hit Haiti, leaving behind a tremendous amount of damage. The 7.2 magnitude earthquake killed 2,247 people, injured more than 12,700, and destroyed more than 53,000 homes. 1,060 schools were damaged, compromising the education of thousands of children. This event helped start an initiative to enhance the economic status and community standing of women and their resilience in Haiti.

After this event, an initiative to enhance the economic status and community standing of women was formed for women as a resilience in Haiti.

FADEKA Project

The original initiative, Fanm nan Agrikilti se Devlopman Ekonomi Ayiti (FADEKA), meaning Economic Empowerment of Women in the South Department of Haiti, was active from 2018 to 2021. U.N. Women developed the project in partnership with the Government of Norway, releasing a final report in December 2022. Despite the success of the project, Haitian agriculture and women are still struggling with ongoing insecurity and poor infrastructure, and need another FADEKA Project.

For supporters of this topic to want to push for a second initiative, they need to hear about the success of the first one. An independent firm dissected the FADEKA Project in Haiti and the resiliencies made throughout the program, expressing the positives of the project, and providing a guide for a second one.

Success of FADEKA

During the FADEKA Project in Haiti, focus was solely on improving the livelihoods of female farmers through agriculture, fishing, and small-scale processing through catalytic investments and capacity-building for female producer organizations, according to the December 2022 report.

The female agricultural workforce makes up 44.2%, with only a third of Haitian farms managed by women. Agriculture is the primary source of employment in Haiti, with 40% of households involved in activities and around 75% of rural households engaged in a form of agriculture, such as fishing or beekeeping.

Training farmers on extreme weather patterns was also a part of the FADEKA project. A total of 8.7% beneficiaries surveyed said that they had taken training on weather challenges and 7.3% on nursery management within the context of the project. According to the discussion group participants, this training built their technical capacity on weather patterns and resilience.

Improving the Atmosphere Between Men and Women

The report found that 100% of women, when asked about their participation in household expenditure, contributed to it. Along with 65.3% said that household management income is managed equally between men and women, according to the December 2022 report. Overall, women’s voices in their households were strengthened, they had higher participation, more leadership in decision making, and strengthened farmers’ and agricultural entrepreneurs’ preparedness for shocks of weather patterns.

Out of 34 planned activities, the program implemented 26 (76%). The failure of the eight projects could be due to the instability of Haiti’s government. If a second project goes through, the evaluation gave ideas on how to make it more successful.

According to the evaluation report, if a second phase gets the approval, “the focus should be on consolidating the project’s achievements and on capacity-building for local authorities and the beneficiary communities.”

The need for that second project has grown more and more over the past years, with the rise of gang violence, displacement, food insecurity, and the collapse of livelihoods.

Need for a Second Project

Ever since the end of the first project, Haiti has fallen into critical conditions with mass displacement of people, widespread, acute food insecurity and the domination of gang control of Port-au-Prince. Numerous cases of kidnappings, murders, rapes, gang confrontations and other acts of violence against individuals have contributed to a sense of general insecurity in the country.

In order to improve the socio-economic situation and government of Haiti, there are many different approaches, including strengthening local governance to restore resilience and fostering economic independence through agricultural investment.

The Future

With a successful first project, the U.N. Women, along with leaders in Norway, can make the second project more effective.

The FADEKA Project in Haiti is highly relevant but requires an additional period to strengthen its exit strategy. Many beneficiaries found themselves left to their own devices. This argues in favour of a second phase of the project, which could be consolidating the project’s achievements and capacity-building for local authorities and beneficiary communities. These efforts would help many people, and not go in vain.

– Elizabeth Fryer

Elizabeth is based in Philadelphia, PA, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

, ,

Haiti’s Irrigation Canal Fights Food Security Crisis

Haiti's Irrigation CanalHaiti is the most impoverished country in the Western Hemisphere and continues to face challenges that lead to severe instability. As of early 2026, armed gangs control an estimated 80-90% of the capital and are expanding into surrounding areas. This instability has significantly reduced international aid, disrupted supply chains due to frequent looting of imports and caused the cost of essential goods such as food and oil to skyrocket. Port-au-Prince receives a majority of the country’s imports; therefore, the capital’s issues affect all other cities. 

Building From the Ground Up

With insecurity persisting and food shortages worsening, local agricultural production has become increasingly critical to economic stability. The Kanal la Pap Kanpe (KPK) initiative sits at the center of Haiti’s irrigation canal movement, a grassroots effort to bring water to one of the country’s most fertile and underserved farming regions. By expanding access to water, the project could strengthen food security and support the livelihoods of thousands of farmers.

A Shared Island, a Contested River

The island of Hispaniola is split into two countries, Haiti and the Dominican Republic, which inevitably share common natural resources. However, issues persist between the two countries. A clear example is the Massacre River in the north of the island. 

The river not only carries significant historical importance, but is also essential to the livelihoods of the surrounding communities. In 1929, officials from the two countries signed the Treaty of Peace, Friendship and Arbitration. Article 10 of the treaty stipulates that both countries may use the water “justly and equitably,” provided its use does not interfere with the river’s natural flow.

In August 2018, Haiti’s irrigation canal project took shape with the start of construction on the Pittobert canal. The project is designed to irrigate more than 7,000 acres of fertile land on the Maribaroux Plain at a total operating flow of about 1.5 cubic meters per second. In a 2021 report, the Dominican National Institute of Hydraulic Resources (INDRHI) counted 10 irrigation canals on the Dominican side. 

Together, they had a total operating flow of 3.22 cubic meters per second, while the Pittobert canal would be the first on the Haitian side. Progress on the canal halted in 2021 with the assassination of Haitian president Jovenel Moïse. However, grassroots efforts led local farmers to resume it in August 2023. 

Dominicans strongly opposed this move, framing it as a unilateral act that threatened shared resources and border agreements and claimed that the canal would divert water. This disagreement created a transnational dispute with significant consequences for both sides. On September 11, 2023, President Luis Abinader unilaterally announced the complete closure and militarization of the border, prohibiting the migration of people and goods. In response, the Haitian government announced that the construction of this canal would not halt.

According to the popular Haitian media outlet AyiboPost, this canal has sparked one of the biggest grassroots movements uniting Haitians in decades. Both local Haitians and the diaspora mobilized resources and forces to aid in the construction of the canal and in “the recovery of national dignity,” as stated by Gaston Étienne, the treasurer of the project.

From Irrigation to Export: KPK Rice Making Its US Debut

Although completion of the canal has not yet been confirmed, it has already begun benefiting surrounding communities. In November 2024, a new rice brand named after the movement, KPK, was launched. It uses water from the newly built Haitian irrigation canal to irrigate its rice fields and exports to the U.S. have already begun.

Additionally, construction of a second canal in the Fort-Liberté area, the Malfety canal, is well underway, with support from local and diaspora communities. It is estimated that this canal will irrigate approximately 17,000 acres upon completion. Although imports still account for more than 70% of total cereal consumption in Haiti, mainly wheat and rice, the KPK movement also has implications for other countries.

Why the World Should Pay Attention

First, initiatives like KPK have economic lessons that go beyond Haiti’s borders. As local agricultural production increases, new trade and investment opportunities emerge both domestically and internationally. In Haiti, increased domestic production can reduce its heavy reliance on imports and create new export opportunities. Internationally, this can create more opportunities for actors to partner with local farmers to improve and increase production. 

Second, for aid and development organizations and policymakers, projects like KPK highlight the importance of supporting locally driven solutions to economic challenges rather than relying solely on foreign aid. These initiatives demonstrate how targeted infrastructure investments can unlock productivity, strengthen rural economies and improve food security, especially in poverty-stricken areas. Supporting these efforts through technical assistance, financing and market access could further amplify their impact and contribute to long-term stability for these communities.

Final Thoughts

Global attention is increasingly turning toward sustainable development and economic resilience, even as international aid declines and economic challenges persist. In this regard, Haiti’s experience offers valuable lessons. While Haiti navigates ongoing instability, projects like KPK demonstrate how Haiti’s irrigation canal movement and grassroots movements more broadly, can contribute to long-term economic resilience and poverty reduction.

By investing in local production and empowering communities, these initiatives show how countries can build more self-sufficient economies while creating new opportunities for global partnerships. KPK rice reaching U.S. shelves is only the beginning. It is proof that communities do not need to wait for stability to start creating it and that supporting grassroots movements may be one of the most effective investments the international community can make.

– Chloe Bonnefil

Chloe is based in Miami, FL, USA and focuses on Business and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikipedia

, ,

Grassroots Groups Driving Women’s Empowerment in Haiti

Women's Empowerment in HaitiGrassroots groups driving women’s empowerment in Haiti are addressing the deep intersection of poverty and gender inequality in one of the most economically challenged countries in the Western Hemisphere. More than 60% of Haiti’s population lives below the poverty line, with more than 25% in extreme poverty. Despite these conditions, women remain active in the workforce, with a labor force participation rate of 58.3% compared to 69.7% for men. 

However, economic participation has not translated into equality. Haiti ranked 163rd out of 170 countries on the Gender Inequality Index and its Gender Development Index score of 0.898 falls well below the regional average of 0.963. These figures highlight that women contribute significantly to the economy but still lack access to resources, financial security and decision-making power.

Barriers Facing Women in Rural Economies

Women in Haiti face persistent structural barriers that limit their economic advancement. In rural areas, where agriculture supports nearly half of the workforce, women play a central role in farming and household management but often lack access to land, credit and formal markets. Environmental challenges such as drought, soil degradation and limited infrastructure further reduce productivity and income stability. 

Cultural norms also restrict women’s participation in leadership and higher-paying sectors. For example, in the fishing industry, women are often confined to processing and selling fish while relying on fishermen for supply, which limits their bargaining power. These overlapping challenges reinforce cycles of poverty and economic dependence.

Grassroots Solutions Creating Economic Opportunity

Grassroots groups in Haiti are responding to these challenges through community-led, cooperative-based solutions. One example is the Women’s Initiative from The Haiti Project, which supports women in the rural village of Chermaitre. The initiative began when women came together to share their experiences of hardship and resilience, eventually forming the Chermaitre’s Women cooperative.

This program focuses on developing business skills, strengthening collaboration and creating sustainable income opportunities. By centering local leadership, the initiative ensures that women actively shape their economic futures and build solutions tailored to their community’s needs.

Women’s Empowerment in Haiti

The cooperative model combines economic opportunity with long-term social empowerment. Women in the Chermaitre’s Women cooperative produce goods such as coffee, peanut butter and handmade crafts, including textiles and jewelry, which they sell in local and international markets. By pooling resources and sharing profits, the cooperative reduces financial risk and increases collective bargaining power. 

Women use their earnings to pay school fees, invest in agriculture and improve household stability, particularly during periods of environmental stress. Participation also builds financial literacy, confidence and leadership skills. This creates a clear chain of impact: income leads to independence, independence strengthens decision-making power and decision-making power increases women’s influence in their communities. 

In this way, these grassroots organizations empowering women in Haiti transform economic participation into meaningful advocacy.

The Impacts of Grassroots Cooperatives on Women

The success of this model reflects a broader global pattern in which grassroots women’s cooperatives drive sustainable development. Evidence shows that cooperatives increase income while also expanding leadership capacity by giving women opportunities to make decisions, manage finances and resolve conflicts. Many women in these groups take on leadership roles for the first time, helping to challenge traditional gender norms. 

These cooperatives also support environmental sustainability through activities like reforestation and soil restoration. Globally, gender equality is essential to achieving development outcomes, including poverty reduction, food security and climate resilience. In fact, empowering women is considered critical to achieving all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reinforcing that economic inclusion drives long-term progress.

Funding Gaps Limit Grassroots Impact

However, despite their effectiveness, grassroots organizations in Haiti face significant funding challenges. For instance, of the total $6.43 billion invested in Haiti’s development from 2010-2012, only 0.6% of that funding has gone directly to Haitian-based nonprofit organizations. At the same time, 90% of women-led and women’s rights organizations globally report experiencing funding cuts.

Despite limited resources, grassroots groups in Haiti continue to strengthen leadership, improve safety for women and girls and respond to ongoing crises. This imbalance highlights a critical gap: the most effective, community-based solutions often receive the least financial support. Expanding direct investment would allow these organizations to scale their impact and reach more women.

A Path Toward Sustainable Change

Ultimately, women’s grassroots groups in Haiti demonstrate that economic empowerment can drive lasting social change. Programs like the Women’s Initiative show that when women gain access to income, skills and leadership opportunities, they do more than support their families; they strengthen entire communities. Expanding support for grassroots, cooperative-based initiatives offers a clear pathway toward reducing poverty, advancing gender equality and building a more sustainable future for Haiti.

– Kianna Hines

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

Photo: Flickr

, ,

SDG 4 in Haiti: Global Partnerships Advancing Education 

SDG 4 in Haiti

Across Haiti, school closures, language barriers and chronic underfunding continue to disrupt education for millions of students. The UN’s fourth Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) focuses on “ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all” by 2030. In a country like Haiti, achieving this goal is especially urgent as the population continues to face extreme levels of poverty, violence and repeated school disruptions. In recent years, however, efforts have emerged to create a more robust system that will support the overall growth of Haitian youth. International organizations and local partners play an important role in supporting progress toward SDG 4 in Haiti.

Barriers To Achieving SDG 4 in Haiti

Years of political instability and the rise of gang violence have long impacted Haiti’s education system. As of May 2025, more than 1,600 schools across four departments shut down, largely due to the escalating insecurity. In addition to these safety concerns, education is severely underfunded. Less than one-quarter of schools are public institutions. In fact, approximately 80% of primary schools are privately run. Many families do not have the necessary resources to pay for a proper education, while the government does not provide them with the adequate tools to do so.

There are also key systemic issues that hinder learning outcomes. Haiti has two official languages: French and Haitian Creole. However, in reality, only a small minority of Haitians are bilingual, with around 90% of the population only speaking Haitian Creole. Despite this reality, French remains the official language of instruction, which creates an additional barrier for the majority of monolingual students. Educational materials in Haitian Creole remain limited, further complicating classroom learning.

Proper instructor training is another ongoing concern. Many teachers do not have the proper training or qualifications needed to deliver high-quality instruction. To add on to that, classrooms are often overcrowded and lack basic resources. Millions of students lack the proper support and tools needed to succeed, making progress toward SDG 4 in Haiti particularly challenging.

UNESCO Supports Curriculum Reform in Haiti

Despite these many obstacles, international actors continue to create initiatives that aim to strengthen Haiti’s education system. UNESCO has been a major player in Haiti’s pursuit of higher quality education. The Ministry of National Education of Haiti and the UNESCO’s International Bureau of Education recently signed a $6.8 million agreement to support curriculum reform and development in the country.

This project aims to create a better system by understanding and addressing the root causes of issues. Rather than focusing solely on classroom content, it aims to address why education is delivered the way it is and who it serves. Self-described as an “endogenous” education, it aims to completely reform the way in which Haitians perceive education to a more holistic view of it, understanding the power of their environment, their culture and their realities. This approach integrates Haiti’s cultural and social context into the curriculum through a more interactive process that involves the students and their input.

The project will unfold in three phases. The program began with a diagnostic phase from 2022 to 2024. Its conclusions revealed the system’s most glaring issues including overloaded curricula, a discrepancy in teacher training, learning assessment and content, and issues surrounding the use of the language of learning. Phases II (2025-2027) and III (2026-2029) both involve an integration of the newly developed curriculum into schools, including experimentation in classrooms. The final phase will develop digital educational resources that students can access both online and offline. This is especially important in the context of Haiti today, where electricity and internet access can be inconsistent. In addition, the program will train teachers, inspectors and pedagogical advisers who will help implement and monitor the new curriculum as it is gradually rolled out nationwide.

While UNESCO’s initiative represents only one component of broader reform efforts, it is a great example of how international partnerships are helping move SDG 4 in Haiti forward.

Programs Supporting Students Beyond the Classroom

A student’s ability to focus and succeed in school is also contingent on their well-being outside of the classroom. The improvement of education outcomes therefore requires addressing broader challenges that students face such as nutrition, stability and access to basic resources among other factors. Hunger and financial hardship often reduce attendance and academic performance significantly. 

Organizations such as the World Food Programme (WFP) work to address issues surrounding nutrition. WFP helps to provide daily meals to around 420,000 students all over the country. Hunger reduces overall focus and energy, making it difficult for students to be fully present in class. On the other hand, school meal programs improve nutrition and serve as an incentive for families to keep their children enrolled in school.

Other organizations, including UNICEF, have developed programs that address emotional and stability barriers to learning. For example, UNICEF’s EDUPOL provides psychosocial care for more than 200,000 children affected by gang violence and displacement. The program also provided financial assistance to around 18,000 households and supported 33,062 students across 129 schools through water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services designed to improve health and well-being.

By addressing these out-of-classroom challenges, these programs help create the conditions necessary for students to succeed academically. Education improvements require addressing both classroom and societal challenges.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Education in Haiti

Haiti continues to face numerous challenges that inevitably affect the education of all students. However, educators, policymakers and international actors increasingly recognize the need for a more robust education system. Different initiatives have already improved the lives of countless students. Sustained collaboration between these different entities will be essential for these efforts to continue to expand. By addressing both systemic education barriers and the broader social challenges students face, these initiatives can help build a more resilient education system and expand opportunities for Haiti’s next generation, advancing progress toward SDG 4 in Haiti.

– Chloe Bonnefil

Chloe is based in Miami, FL, USA and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

, ,

ASPIRE in Haiti and Community-Driven Development in Myanmar

ASPIRE in HaitiThe onset of this decade has been marked by a surge in conflicts worldwide, with the number of conflicts and related fatalities having more than tripled since the early 2000s. These intensifying conflicts are causing severe and long-lasting economic damage. Currently, there are 39 economies classified as fragile and conflict-affected situations, with more than half of them facing active conflict. Due to the escalation of conflicts, global poverty and food insecurity are predominantly concentrated in these economies.

Poverty and Conflict

In these economies, close to 40% of the population lives in extreme poverty. According to the 2024 Global Multidimensional Poverty Index, out of 1.1 billion people living in acute poverty, 455 million resided in countries experiencing war or fragility. In 2025, although these regions accounted for less than 15% of the world’s population, they were home to 421 million people living in extreme poverty, more than the total in the rest of the world. Estimates indicate that by the end of this decade, nearly three-fifths of the global extremely impoverished population, approximately 435 million people, will be living in these economies.

As the conflict has intensified, food insecurity has also risen sharply, with approximately 200 million people, accounting for 18% of the population in these regions, facing acute food insecurity. Countries affected by conflict often experience high levels of poverty and ongoing conflict slows progress in poverty reduction. Poverty, in turn, interacts with other underlying grievances to fuel instability, while conflict further deepens economic hardship.

United Nations Security Council

At a United Nations Security Council open debate in New York, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres emphasised how poverty can fuel conflict.

He said: “Poverty breeds despair. Despair fuels unrest. And unrest tears at the fabric of societies — feeding mistrust, fear and violence.” Conflict, in turn, weakens already weak institutions and exacerbates poverty and food insecurity. In cases of severe conflicts, after five years, the GDP per capita drops by around 15%. It has also negatively impacted employment creation and average life expectancy.

In this manner, conflict and poverty become mutually reinforcing, creating a vicious cycle. A World Bank report suggests that although these countries face significant challenges, they have untapped potential that could reignite growth with effective policymaking. One such advantage is having a large working-age population. By 2055, around 60% of the population in areas affected by conflict or instability will be of working age, larger than anywhere else in the world.

Transforming this into growth would require investment in education, health care, infrastructure and the private sector to create employment opportunities.

Breaking the Cycle

The World Bank, through its programs, aims to provide basic services, foster development opportunities and create employment in these economies by remaining engaged during conflict and after to assist in recovery and transition. The Adaptive Social Protection for Increased Resilience Project (ASPIRE) in Haiti and the National Community-Driven Development Project in Myanmar are two notable examples.

The ASPIRE program in Haiti supports nearly 23,000 households in the department of Grand’Anse. As Haiti continues to struggle with conflict and political instability, the initiative helps strengthen its ability to cope with recurring shocks by providing it with a monthly cash transfer. The program also aimed to provide training on financial literacy and health and hygiene practices to 50% of households. It helped identify more than 100,000 vulnerable households, enabling targeted investments. It not only addressed immediate challenges but also laid the groundwork for future investments in human capital.

The National Community-Driven Development Project in Myanmar, which comprised 37,000 sub-projects, positively impacted more than seven million people in the country. Nearly a fifth of the country’s population benefited from the improved infrastructure, transportation, water supply, education and electrification. Although the World Bank halted the disbursements of the Myanmar Partnership Multi-Donor Trust Fund in 2021, it continued to monitor the situation and provide analyses.

Final Remarks

Addressing conflict can lead to growth only when immediate humanitarian needs are met and paired with long-term investment in human capital. Through the ASPIRE program in Haiti and the development project in Myanmar, the World Bank routed investments toward education, health care and infrastructure. In doing so, the World Bank sought to break the vicious cycle of conflict and poverty.

– Priya Doshi

Priya is based in Edinburgh, Scotland and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

,

Caribbean Resilience after Natural Disasters

Caribbean Resilience after Natural DisastersCaribbean islands are frequently witnessing hurricanes, floods, droughts, earthquakes and landslides. On October 28, Jamaica witnessed its first Category 5 hurricane, Hurricane Melissa, which brought devastating storm surge, flash flooding and landslides across Jamaica and nearby islands. The rapid intensification of the hurricane caused an estimated damage of more than $48 billion across Jamaica, Cuba, and The Bahamas and 75 total deaths in Jamaica and Haiti.

The widespread devastation consisted of roofs torn off, mudslides, and flooded farmland. Also, 70% of the population lost electricity. In response, local authorities issued nationwide red alerts and opened 800 emergency shelters. The Red Cross mobilized volunteers for evacuations, relief distribution, and reinforcing warnings. This is how sustainable rebuilding and early-action systems are transforming the Caribbean resilience after natural disasters.

Context and Vulnerability of the Caribbean Islands

Local communities frequently struggle with natural disasters since seven out of every 10 natural events in the Caribbean are storms or floods.

After the catastrophic damages of Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, the Caribbean region developed stronger regional cooperation and investment in disaster preparedness and infrastructure resilience. Initiatives like the Caribbean Regional Resilience Building Facility (CRRBF) joined by the European Union, GFDRR, and the World Bank, work to improve long-term disaster resilience and adaptation capacity for vulnerable areas of the region. Key national and regional strategies include strengthening early warning systems, investing in modern weather forecasting and building resilient infrastructure.

In the context of Caribbean countries facing natural disasters, vulnerable populations are the most affected. As of 2025, one in four people live in poverty in these regions and 37% of the population is moderately/severely food insecure. Food insecurity comes from a high cost of food and the majority of it being imported. Moreover, Caribbean economies are small and tourism-dependent and their energy costs are among the highest globally.

Also, post-disaster recovery often leads to debt and internal displacement of communities. For instance, 10 million people faced displacement from 2008 to 2023 due to natural disasters. In addition, climate damages could rise from 5% of regional GDP in 2025 to more than 20% by 2100.

Many studies and reports have shown that to strengthen the economic well-being of Caribbean communities it is vital to assist policymakers and development partners in planning for climate resilience, promoting economic diversification, and facilitating access to financing.

Jamaica

Good examples of Caribbean resilience after natural disasters are the Community-Based Disaster Preparedness partnered with UNICEF and ODPEM, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management. Following Hurricane Beryl in 2024 these programs distributed 400 (water, sanitation and hygiene) WASH Shelter Kits to emergency shelters with a value of J$14.8 million.

Specifically, the ODPEM represents the national disaster management authority and was formed in July 1980, following major floods in 1979. The institution incorporates community resilience, educational initiatives, and policy reforms within national disaster risk reduction strategies.

The UNDP also supports risk-informed development and improves disaster governance by encouraging community-level engagement.

Dominica

In 2017, Hurricane Maria destroyed 90% of Dominica’s housing, demolishing 4,500 homes  and damaging more than 20,000 properties.

Consequently, the World Bank funded a $40 million house recovery project Build Back Better Housing Project in the island. It established a Management Information System to manage nationwide housing recovery data and delivered practical training on resilient building techniques to local contractors and government staff.

The program also rebuilt 676 small homes and donated financial grants and technical assistance to homeowners.

Haiti

A significant example of community resilience happened in Haiti following the 2010 earthquake that caused massive destruction. The local communities worked on rebuilding roads, homes, and public facilities. For instance, the construction of almost 600 classrooms created local employment.

Haitian institutions and citizens joined forces in the development of housing and infrastructure. They managed to achieve sustainable recovery by involving civil society organizations and local communities in decision-making and providing training and employment for the reconstruction process. The Red Cross Red Crescent also partnered with the Haitian Red Cross to provide improved shelters to more than 44,000 households.

As a result, local leadership and national ownership created more than 300,000 jobs, providing training to 2,700 Haitian professionals. Most importantly, 2,000 metres of gabion walls were constructed for disaster risk reduction.

The Impact of Caribbean Resilience after Natural Disasters

The Caribbean islands have seen 24 million people feel the impacts of natural disasters in the last 40 years and an 85% increase in extreme weather events. However, the World Bank and the U.N., as well as local initiatives, have been funding projects that integrate long-term resilience into recovery.

The centre of these projects involves education, capacity building, and institutional strengthening to achieve long-term resilience. As a result, Caribbean islands are not only recovering but also building back stronger than ever.

– Angela D’Avino

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

Photo: Flickr

, ,

Child Marriage in Haiti: How Poverty Drives Child Marriage

Child Marriage in HaitiPoverty, gender inequality and insecurity largely drive the ongoing issue of child marriage in Haiti. Haitians face widespread poverty, food insecurity, gang violence and limited access to public services, leaving families with limited options to sustain themselves. This prompts many to marry off their children as a survival strategy. International aid and targeted poverty‑reduction programs work to address the root causes of child marriage in Haiti.

The Prevalence of Child Marriage in Haiti

In Haiti, 15% of girls marry or enter a union before the age of 18 and 2% before 15. For boys, 2% marry before 18. Three main factors drive child marriage: gender inequality, poverty and insecurity. Ongoing security issues such as gang violence, natural disasters and poor economic conditions push families to marry off their children, mainly daughters, as a form of survival and protection. Poverty, political unrest and natural disasters limit access to education and economic opportunities, leaving approximately one million children out of school in 2023 and families with few options for stability. Despite Haiti’s international commitments through Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end child marriage by 2030, the country lacks a national strategy or a minimum legal marriage age without exceptions. Children 15 and younger marry with parental or presidential consent.

Driving Factors: Poverty and Gender Inequality

The age of consent in Haiti is 15 for both genders. Girls may legally marry at 15, and boys at 18. The president may approve marriages under these ages for ‘serious reasons.’ Additionally, if a girl under 14 conceives or either party reaches 18 within 6 months of marriage, the union cannot be annulled.

Widespread poverty and harmful norms contribute to high rates of violence and early marriage. Deeply rooted beliefs about family roles contribute to in-home violence with 73.8% of young women and 69.4% of young men justifying domestic violence. Nearly half of married adolescents aged 15–19 experienced physical, sexual or emotional abuse. A 2012 UNICEF report on Haitian poverty levels found that 58% of adolescents lived in poverty, and currently, more than half the population remains below the poverty line. High rates of violence in child marriages make divorce difficult, trapping many in abusive relationships.

Driving Factors: Gang Violence and Food Insecurity

Gang violence, hunger and poverty create urgent risks for children, including early marriage, sexual exploitation and school dropout. A needs assessment found that nearly half the population facing crisis levels of hunger. Food insecurity and economic hardship are driving parents to resort to child marriages. Low school attendance leaves children exposed to recruitment by armed gangs; estimates suggest that 30–50% of gang members are underage.

Plan International is an organization that is working to protect children from these risks. It provides psychosocial support, child-friendly spaces, nutrition programs, cash transfers and health services. Since July 2022, the organization has scaled up humanitarian assistance in Artibonite and the Northeast Department to identify and support children in need of psychosocial support, particularly unaccompanied or separated children, forcibly displaced children and survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. Plan International has set up child-friendly spaces, provided sociocultural activities such as theatre programs, and increased access to health services.

Plan International has supported more than 25,000 people with cash transfers, enabling them to buy food, pay school fees and meet other urgent needs. These practices aim to protect children from violence and exploitation. Addressing both hunger and insecurity is critical to preventing child marriage and safeguarding the futures of Haiti’s children. Compounded initiatives like this are helpful in reducing child marriage rates in Haiti.

UNICEF’s Initiatives Targeting Root Causes of Child Marriage in Haiti

UNICEF addresses poverty, violence and instability to prevent child marriage in Haiti. The organization expands nutrition services, including treatment for acute malnutrition, micronutrient supplementation, deworming and immunizations, reducing the hunger and malnutrition that push families to marry off their children. UNICEF delivers vaccines and therapeutic food, and ensures access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene. It also strengthens communities and helps lower the risk of disease outbreaks that disrupt education and livelihoods.

The agency promotes safe learning environments by distributing school kits, rebuilding damaged schools and advocating against attacks on education. A nationwide cash transfer initiative helps families enroll children in school and ensures teachers are prepared for the school year. UNICEF also provides psychosocial support and protection services to children experiencing violence, including victims of gender-based violence, unaccompanied and separated children and children associated with armed groups. The organization supports disaster recovery and preparedness, rebuilding water systems and schools and providing cash transfers to vulnerable families. These interventions reduce the economic and social pressures that drive child marriage and help protect every child’s right to a safe and healthy future.

Safeguarding Rights and Futures

Child marriage in Haiti is closely linked to poverty, insecurity and entrenched gender inequality, leaving children particularly vulnerable to marriage, violence and exploitation. Addressing these challenges through education, health care, nutrition and protection programs alongside broader efforts to reduce poverty and instability is essential to safeguarding children’s rights and preventing child marriage in the long term.

– Mollie Skogen

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

Photo: Unsplash

, ,

Education in Haiti: How Organizations Fight For A Nation’s Stability

Education in Haiti: How Organizations Fight For A Nation's Stability Haiti is one of the two countries within Hispaniola. Formally known as a French colony, Saint-Domingue, the territory surpassed others in the production of sugar, cotton and other supplies. The majority of its population is of African descent with a rich history. Haiti was the second country in the Americas to gain independence after the United States and was the first Black-led republic. The country remains as rich as ever in its culture, traditions, flora, fauna and tourist attractions, but has been facing multiple battles within its territory.

Where It Started

Haiti is currently the lowest-income country in the Western Hemisphere. This is due to high inflation and more than 50% of its population being in poverty. The starting point is tagged from 2018, when Venezuela halted all imports of oil into Haiti. A long-term result was price increases as high as 50% and country-wide protests. After a lockdown was put in place, this blocked aid programs and decreased opportunities for some relief.

After President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated in his home and the last members in office left their positions, this opened up more areas for violence within Haiti. In its capital, Port-au-Prince, armed militias have established themselves and are responsible for thousands of displaced people. Intergenerational poverty has persisted since 1804, when Haiti gained independence, because they were forced to pay millions of dollars in reparations to France. Haiti was forced to look elsewhere to foreign powers in order to access loans, which buried the nation in even more debt. In 2025, youth are faced with little to no educational and economic prospects. This can add to the cycle of violence and poverty.

Education in Haiti

The country is ranked 177th when considering national spending for education in Haiti. Education in Haiti is largely privately owned, with at least 80% of institutions. In addition, the private institutions are mainly run by outside organizations from America and Canada. Public institutions lack appropriate funding and are often held within churches or houses instead of school buildings.

The pandemic and political violence within the country have worsened the impacts on education in Haiti. With the destabilization in the government, the contribution to education sits at 10% of the nation’s budget. Teachers are being forced out of the profession or public institutions are not well-staffed at all. With the majority of families in poverty, students are not able to afford private institutions. With students having little to no opportunities to access private education, this causes the cycle of poverty to continue into the next generation. No education means a lack of access to higher-paying jobs and proper health care.

Organizational Support

Some organizations have done outstanding work to assist the people of Haiti. One such organization is Hope for Haiti. It is based in Naples, Florida and has assisted Haiti post-earthquake of 2010. This earthquake destroyed the majority of college institutions and destabilized other infrastructure in the nation. Hope for Haiti has donated millions of dollars and equipment toward Haiti’s education, health care, clean water and economic development.

Hope for Haiti is transparent with donations and financials on its website. To date, it has provided 50 college students with scholarships. In total, they have provided more than 7,000 Haitian students with educational access and provided teachers with educational training and cash support. The organization has also provided at least $49 million of medication and supplies across the nation. Its health care resources have also increased nutritional support for more than 7,300 children in Haiti. Clean water distribution systems have been distributed to more than 670 families and counting. Its mission has also provided students with clean water access.

Free Haiti Inc. is another organization that aims to connect the Haitian diaspora, the international community and the people of Haiti to organizations that can provide support. The organization is committed to providing sustainable development. Its website also provides details on current events in the country of Haiti and important matters of interest. Free Haiti Inc. provides eight focus areas, like housing and education, which are targeted to improve the quality of life from the ground level up.

Looking Ahead

The focus of these organizations will largely benefit people in poverty and children without access to education. Their programs aim to improve living conditions by expanding education, health care and economic opportunities within the country. With the current crisis in Haiti, there is an urgency to provide aid in multiple areas and support the next generation. A focus on education and increased economic opportunities in Haiti can have a lasting impact on reducing generational poverty.

– Nickaylia Anderson

Nickaylia is based in Syracuse, NY, USA and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

,

Trees That Feed Foundation: The Breadfruit Revolution

Trees That Feed Foundation:Communities across the tropics are proving that breadfruit is more than a promising idea — it is already a vital tool in reducing hunger and building resilience. Once described as a “super tree,” breadfruit is now being cultivated and consumed on a wide scale, turning possibility into reality. From school meal programs in Haiti to women’s cooperatives in Uganda and innovative food businesses in Puerto Rico, breadfruit is reshaping the conversation around global hunger. These stories show how breadfruit food security and breadfruit hunger solution efforts are changing lives today.

Feeding Communities

In Haiti’s Central Plateau, Klinik Sen Jozèf and the Trees That Feed Foundation have integrated breadfruit into school meals and malnutrition programs. Farmers were given saplings to grow their own crops, and breadfruit flour was added to feeding initiatives, directly improving children’s diets and reducing hunger.

Uganda has embraced breadfruit as both a household food and a source of income. Families grow orchards that provide hundreds of fruits per year, enough to feed households and sell in local markets. Entrepreneurs have also begun processing breadfruit into snacks and baked goods, creating jobs and supporting community health. Breadfruit’s role as a consistent harvest makes it a cornerstone of breadfruit food security in East Africa.

In Puerto Rico, breadfruit has become part of the island’s recovery and resilience strategy. After Hurricane Maria devastated traditional crops, breadfruit remained productive The company Amasar now uses the fruit to create pancake and waffle mixes, making breadfruit part of both local diets and the economy. This adaptability shows how breadfruit hunger solution projects provide stability during crises.

Agroforestry and Climate Resilience

In Hawaii, people are restoring breadfruit in traditional groves ‘ulu, where it regenerates degraded soil and supplies food to schools and food banks. In Uganda, farmers are planting breadfruit within agroforestry systems, where it strengthens ecosystems and improves harvests of other crops. Studies also confirm that breadfruit thrives under climate change conditions, with its growing range stable and expanding in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Global Expansion

Governments and NGOs are scaling breadfruit worldwide. The Trees That Feed Foundation and the National Tropical Botanical Garden have distributed tens of thousands of saplings across the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia.

From Haiti’s classrooms to Puerto Rican kitchens and Ugandan farms, breadfruit is proving its value as a sustainable crop that feeds, employs, and restores. What was once talked about as potential is now visible in thriving programs and markets across the tropics.

The world is witnessing the real impact of the breadfruit revolution. With every orchard planted and every new product created, breadfruit hunger solution initiatives are bringing families closer to lasting breadfruit food security worldwide.

– Diane Dunlop

Diane is based in Alberta, Canada and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr