Tag Archive for: Success of Humanitarian Aid

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The Success of Humanitarian Aid to Bolivia


With an estimated 59 percent of its population living in poverty, Bolivia is one of the poorest countries in South America. Combined with its vulnerability to severe weather, humanitarian aid to Bolivia is essential.

Due to its high plateau 3,000 meters above sea level and valleys at mid-altitude with tropical plains, Bolivia experiences a diverse climate. This kind of diversity creates risk for weather events such as floods and droughts. In Bolivia, approximately four out of ten people live in flood-prone places. Upwards of 16 percent of the entire population living in areas that are at risk for droughts.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

The weather conditions of Bolivia have made its rural population vulnerable. The FAO works with Bolivians to help reestablish their livelihoods and increase their resilience to weather disasters. FAO focuses on establishing a strong disaster risk management program that includes early warning systems. This would warn Bolivian residents before disasters strike.

The FAO is also restoring embankments that will be built at two meters from the surface of the earth. This sole infrastructure would survive two severe disasters (floods or droughts) at different times throughout the year.

Additionally, FAO is helping individual families and farmers. For struggling families, the FAO is providing animals to struggling families to establish herds and the production of protein because animals are often essential for vulnerable families to make a living.

For farmers, FAO is distributing species of seeds such as rice, maize, beans and cassava in order to establish a routine crop production. With FAO’s direction, farmers will practice post-harvest conservation. This way, farmers decide what seeds are the best for sustainable production in the years to come.

World Food Programme (WFP) Providing Humanitarian Aid to Bolivia

Throughout the years, the WFP has been a crucial example of the success of humanitarian aid to Bolivia. Specifically, WFP contributed necessary emergency aid after a severe drought in the Bolivian Chaco and the Southern region of Cochabamba. It provided humanitarian assistance to approximately 10,000 families, or 50,000 people, for six months.

The interventions took place across 12 districts in the four most damaged areas. Food and work were provided as well as vouchers for work. The main goal of this assistance was to restore the food security to the families that were vulnerable because of the post-flood conditions.

Given that this country is so prone to floods, droughts and other severe weather conditions, humanitarian aid to Bolivia is essential in order to sustain living conditions and the livelihoods Bolivian residents. Although weather conditions are constantly proving to be unpredictable and dangerous, the assistance that Bolivia receives helps keep the country resilient regardless of the struggles it faces.

– McCall Robison

Photo: Flickr

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Success of Humanitarian Aid to Chad

humanitarian aid to chad

The sub-Saharan African nation of Chad is one of the poorest countries in the world. Nearly one-half of its 13 million inhabitants live in poverty, with that number reaching 87 percent in rural areas. Chad ranks 184 out of 188 on the Human Development Index, a measure of achievement in three essential elements of human development: life expectancy, education and standard of living. Given these statistics, humanitarian aid to Chad is imperative.

Issues Faced in Chad

Chad faces the overlapping crises of food insecurity, malnutrition, human displacement, epidemics, climate change, drought and chronic poverty. It has one of the world’s highest rates of maternal mortality, high infant mortality and a life expectancy of under 50 years. Over one-third of the population is undernourished, and less than one-third is literate.

Approximately 4.7 million citizens require humanitarian assistance, including 900,000 in need of emergency food. Conflict in neighboring countries has also led to an influx of 409,000 refugees into Chad, which has an extremely limited capacity to shelter them.

International Organizations Providing Humanitarian Aid to Chad

Thankfully, a number of international organizations are providing humanitarian aid to Chad.

The European Commission (EC) is one of the main donors. It focuses largely on food assistance, malnutrition, epidemics, internally displaced people and refugees. The EC has helped 750,000 people through food programs. It has also provided healthcare and education for internally displaced people, protection for those fleeing Boko Haram violence and agricultural programs for refugees.

Solidarites International

Solidarites International assists farmers and herders, whose livelihoods have been in decline for several years. It provides them with resource management to combat lack of income and malnutrition, and risk reduction activities to better handle natural disasters.

Solidarites also establishes agricultural cooperatives, credit facilities and various income-generating activities. Joining the fight against malnutrition, it feeds therapeutic meals to children under five and leads campaigns for nutrition and hygiene awareness. To reduce the usage of unsanitary water, Solidarites rehabilitates water points and helps communities better manage their water supplies.

UNICEF Providing Aid For Children

In 2018, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) plans to provide treatment for 169,200 young children suffering from severe acute malnutrition, measles vaccinations for 147,000 children and clean water for 182,500 conflict-affected people. It estimates that there are 4.4 million people and 2.5 million children in urgent need. Of these, UNICEF hopes to reach 763,800 and 502,650 respectively.

Its multi-faceted humanitarian strategy encompasses a broad range of solutions. It includes children’s rights, psychosocial support for refugees, care for unaccompanied children, family reunification services and mine-risk education. To meet the need, UNICEF is requesting $54 million in funding for 2018.

Humanitarian aid to Chad is essential yet underfunded. The international community bears the responsibility of intervening on behalf of the Chadian people. While many organizations are doing amazing work on the ground in Chad, more help is urgently needed to combat the complex crises facing the nation.

– Anna Parker

Photo: Flickr

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USAID’s Humanitarian Aid to Niger Alleviates Hardships

NigerNiger is known as one of the poorest countries in the world. According to the World Bank, 45.5 percent of Nigeriens live on less than $2 a day. With the highest birth rate in the world, averaging 7.4 births per woman, the growing population struggles to feed and educate its people without humanitarian aid to Niger.

This African country, located on the edge of the Sahara, is prone to major climate-induced hardships such as extreme droughts and floods. These affect economic growth, agriculture and cause major food shortages, something this already impoverished country does not have the means to deal with properly.

Flooding of the Niger River

The most recent heavy rainfall, between early June and late September, triggered flooding in all eight regions of Niger. These floods have resulted in at least 56 deaths with more than 194,000 affected by the damage. With 22,200 acres of crops, 700 wells and 16,000 livestock ravaged by the floodwaters, the Niger population along the Niger River, and Dosso particularly, were displaced and in hardship.

The Niger government deployed personnel to flood-affected areas to respond to efforts and distribute food to communities. The humanitarian needs, however, pushed the government into overdrive, calling upon international assistance for humanitarian aid to Niger.

Humanitarian Aid to Niger from USAID

In response, USAID and the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance provided $50,000 to support the distribution of emergency relief supplies, including shelter materials, to affected people in Dosso and Niamey. This is not the first time USAID has been called upon to assist Niger. According to the organization’s website, “USAID/OFDA continues to support the U.N. Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) in Niger, providing nearly $1 million in FY 2017 funding for UNHAS operations in Diffa.”

For the approximately 50,000 people that were affected by the torrential rains and floods from the Niger River, the Government of Niger, with the support of USAID, is working to find sustainable solutions to recurring floods. As part of these efforts, they have created a protective dike that should defend about 30,000 people from floods in several of the city’s neighborhoods.

A Country Moving Forward

Niger and USAID’s partnership is providing life-saving humanitarian aid to Niger in a courageous effort to assist this nation and pull it out of its many hardships. With more support like this, there is a chance Niger can ascend from its impoverished status.

– Kailey Brennan

Photo: Flickr

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Addressing the Success of Humanitarian Aid to Moldova

After being occupied by the Soviet forces in 1940, the country of Moldova became independent approximately fifty years after the second world war. In 1992, Moldova was declared an independent republic. Even though the invasion took place over fifty decades ago, Moldova still suffers the consequences of the fall of the Soviet era today.

Out of all the Eurasian countries that were affected by the war, poverty-struck Moldova the hardest. The country was, in fact, in a better economic situation in 1991 than after its freedom. The now democratic country is one of the poorest on the European continent. Up to 34 percent of the population lives below the poverty rate.

Environmental issues are also affecting Moldova, thus leaving the country with unsuitable ground to cultivate on. The European country mostly relies on agriculture in order to create economic profit. But such activity contributes to a decline in the quality of land due to soil erosion.

The Polish government has taken a big step forward with the success of humanitarian aid to Moldova. With a contribution of PLN 1 million, or almost $300,000, the Polish government has helped the Moldovan population to lower the level of starvation during droughts and other environmental issues that greatly affect the agriculture sector.

These and many more related issues have increased the flow of humanitarian aid to Moldova. The independent humanitarian organization Help Moldova has been a pioneer in aiding the nation. Rebuilding hospitals, helping families living in poverty and providing medical attention to those in need are just some of the initiatives carried out by the organization.

Caritas Czech Republic is also one of the many NGOs assuring the success of humanitarian aid to Moldova. The organization has been helping Moldovan families for fifteen years. By providing job opportunities, agricultural machines to provide more profit and food and creating school opportunities for disadvantaged children, Caritas Czech Republic is leading Moldova into becoming a better country day by day.

While Moldova is in the process of rebuilding itself, it is still not part of the European Union. But help and humanitarian aid to Moldova from nonprofits and government organizations alike are building a better, more developed country. Moldova still has a long way to go to become a fully developed country in terms of economic and social aspects, but the success thus far has been and still is, undeniable.

– Paula Gibson

Photo: Flickr

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Humanitarian Aid to Sao Tome and Principe

Sao Tome

Located off Africa’s western shore, Sao Tome and Principe is home to about 200,000 people. According to the World Bank, almost 62 percent are living in poverty. With a moderate-to-weak economy, humanitarian aid to Sao Tome and Principe is essential to improve social and health-related issues.

The Economy of Sao Tome and Principe

The economy of Sao Tome and Principe consists mostly of cocoa exports and tourism to showcase its diverse wildlife and tropical forests.

The Portuguese-speaking islands currently struggle to provide educational, as well as economic, opportunities to its children. Approximately 44 percent of the population is made up by children under 14. While about 97 percent of children attend primary school, the rate of secondary school attendance falls drastically to 38 percent.

Programs Providing Humanitarian Aid to Sao Tome and Principe

The International Development Association (IDA) aimed to improve education attendance rates by providing more than $4 million in educational assistance. The program, Quality Education for All, strengthens the educational system by improving teachers’ training and enriching student’s curriculum. By improving primary education, the IDA is building a foundation for secondary education down the road.

Another program contributing to humanitarian aid to Sao Tome and Principe is the Entrepreneurship Curriculum Programme for the Youth of Sao Tome and Principe. Funded by the Trust Fund for Youth Employment, $34,333 was devoted to teaching entrepreneurial skills in secondary education in hopes of better preparing students for the workforce. The program’s goal is to impact at least 1,500 students with entrepreneurial training.

Combatting Diseases in Sao Tome and Principe

Other issues that plague Sao Tome and Principe are personal health and protection from diseases such as malaria and HIV. In 2009, malaria was reported in a total of 33.8 percent out of 1,000 people. However, thanks to relief efforts, this number had drastically declined to 9.7 percent per 1,000 people by 2014.

Along with the decline of reported malaria cases, Sao Tome and Principe reported a total of zero malaria-related deaths in 2014. To further prevent the threat of malaria, the UNDP has worked with the Global Fund. Together, these organizations have provided a $6 million grant that finances the purchase of mosquito repellants along with bed nets. The grant’s goal is to eliminate all threats of malaria and other illnesses by 2030.

Sao Tome and Principe continues improving with help from organizations like the Global Fund and the UNDP, as well as others. By addressing core issues like citizen’s health and education, humanitarian aid to Sao Tome and Principe is providing opportunities for continued growth.

– Austin Stoltzfus

Photo: Flickr

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The Success of Humanitarian Aid to Armenia

humanitarian aid to armenia

Humanitarian aid to Armenia has been continuously growing in large part due to the United States Agency for Intentional Development (USAID). Since 1992, USAID has been a crucial humanitarian aid donor to Armenia and its overall development as a country. Last year marked 25 years of diplomatic relations between USAID and Armenia.

USAID’s Commitment to Provide Humanitarian Aid to Armenia

USAID plays a significant role in helping Armenia overcome the challenges it faces as a developing country. USAID has provided “over $1 billion to improve the lives of the Armenian people, supporting their efforts to strengthen democratic, economic, and social governance.”

A few ways USAID has been vital with humanitarian aid to Armenia is by:

  1. Improving access to quality healthcare for Armenian citizens by extending free primary healthcare and maternity services.
  2. Establishing the “114” hotline that provides social service resources assistance to Armenians.
  3. Equipping and renovating two-thirds of Armenia’s neediest rural health facilities.
  4. Creating the American University of Armenia that trains Armenia’s future leaders, encourages civic engagement and promotes democratic values.
  5. Modernizing the Armenian American Wellness Center to become a state-of-the-art diagnostic facility now providing a host of health services to men and women.

USAID has implemented several humanitarian aid programs that help economic growth in Armenia. The Advanced Science and Partnerships for Integrated Resource Development program supports sustainable water resource management. Furthermore, the Partnership for Rural Prosperity promotes rural economic development in Armenia. Lastly, the Advanced Rural Development Initiative develops competitive rural value chains to increase incomes and improve livelihoods. It has been implemented in 48 rural communities in Syunik, Shirak and Lori marzes of Armenia.

USAID also provides humanitarian aid to Armenia in the form of developmental programs that assist in helping Armenian people acquire healthcare and skillsets for work. One such program provides Armenian tech students with training and research opportunities to prepare them for engineering projects.

Another program is the USAID-supported Center of Excellence for the Prevention of Childhood Blindness in Armenia. This initiative helps prevent lifelong blindness in premature babies and Armenian children.

The World Food Programme in Armenia

Another worthy mention is the World Food Programme (WFP), which is the biggest humanitarian organization in the world. It provides hot meals to 60,000 Armenian children in 587 schools in six of Armenia’s ten provinces for 180 days out of the school year.

New heating systems have also been implemented in Armenia’s rural communities to utilize solar energy and meet present-day demands of energy efficiency and environmental protection.

With the continuous help of organizations such as USAID and WFP, Armenia can continue on its path to becoming a developed country.

– Kennisha L. Crawford

Photo: Flickr

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The Success of Humanitarian Aid to Argentina

humanitarian aid to argentinaThree key issues were addressed following the implementation of newly-approved efforts for humanitarian aid to Argentina. These issues include the AIDS/HIV epidemic, poor water sanitation and limited housing options.

As of 2016, the World Bank recorded that Argentina, a country located in South America, had a total population of 43.85 million and a national poverty headcount ratio of 30.3 percent. This indicated that 30.3 percent of the population lived in poverty at that time.

Humanitarian Aid to Argentina for HIV/AIDS

In 2014, the nonprofit organization UNAIDS approximated that 110,000 living people suffer from HIV/AIDS in Argentina. Of that number, about 5,400 new infections occurred. There were an estimated 2,300 deaths due to HIV/AIDS in that same year.

Increasing Disease Prevention

Humanitarian aid to Argentina has increased efforts for disease prevention. The AIDS Healthcare Foundation program partners with local hospitals and universities to educate and train health professionals in HIV treatment and services.

According to the World Bank, about 30 percent of those infected with HIV/AIDS are unaware of their condition. Fortunately, Argentina’s National AIDS Law required improved access to healthcare as HIV/AIDS treatment became accessible for free.

In 2016, UNAIDS recorded that the cases of HIV/AIDS-related illness increased to about 120,000 living people, 2,400 HIV/AIDS-related deaths and 5,500 new infections. Despite growth in cases, relief programs like the Aids Healthcare Foundation furthered efforts by operating in five clinics in Argentina.

Improving Water Sanitation

From 1991 to 2015, between 16 to 19 million diarrhea-related illnesses were linked to inadequate access to clean water and water services. This limited access mainly impacts Argentina’s northern regions which include Catamarca, Formo and Tucuman, among others.

In March 2017, the World Bank indicated approval of the Belgrano Water Supply and Sanitation Development Project. The project aims to provide humanitarian aid to Argentina by making clean water available to all. It also aims to create “75 percent access to wastewater services for those living in urban areas by the end of 2019.” This will make sanitary water available to 8.2 million people.

Recently Approved Housing Project

A 2017 report by the World Bank indicates a rise in the lack of affordable housing provided by the public. Approximately 18 percent of the population lives in informal housing with limited, or lack of, access to clean water and wastewater services. In this informal housing, residents also do not have adequate access to healthcare and schools.

The Integrated Habitat and Housing Project was approved and includes a $200 million commitment until 2022. The project aims to increase formal housing while also improving living conditions for households in selected precarious urban settlements.

Developing projects by both the World Bank and nonprofit organizations deliver humanitarian aid to Argentina, especially in regard to HIV/AIDS prevention, water sanitation and housing conditions. These concerns indicate that poverty takes many forms and still exists today. However, the continued efforts in Argentina are promising in the global mission to alleviate poverty.

– Christine Leung

Photo: Flickr

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Refugee Aid in Thailand

refugee aid in ThailandThe history of humanitarian aid in Thailand is considered a success story. In recent times, there has been a specific increase in refugee aid in Thailand.

The History of Humanitarian Aid in Thailand

Over the past four decades, economic growth has been significant, with the formerly low-income country becoming an upper-income state. Poverty declined to 7.2 percent in 2015 from a high of 67 percent in 1986. This was in part because of the high growth rate and increased agricultural prices.

Seeking Asylum in Thailand

As of July 2017, 102,000 refugees from Myanmar have found asylum in Thailand. Many families have sought, or continue to seek, refuge in Thailand.

Nine camps situated along the border house refugees and provide basic needs such as healthcare, food, shelter, water, sanitation, education and protection. These camps function as small communities, limiting the livelihoods of the refugees to these areas but supplying protection from the state they fled.

In many circumstances, individuals get married, bear children and spend extensive time in these larger camps. Mae La is the largest refugee camp in Thailand.

Increasing Refugee Aid in Thailand

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) Support Center provides refugee aid in Thailand. Its programs help families and individuals locate documents to allow them to further their citizenship paperwork.

This foundation also supplies food, water and healthcare to people that live in the camps. Economic wellbeing is also one of the goals on the organization’s agenda to help displaced people.

Economic wellbeing, according to the International Rescue Committee, is meeting individuals’ basic needs and allowing individuals to find employment. Allowing refugees to work and earn an income encourages prosperity within the family unit and society.

Through the work that the IRC accomplishes, refugee aid in Thailand will benefit not only the refugees but allow for a country to gain further economic strength.

– Bronti DeRoche

Photo: Flickr

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Success of Humanitarian Aid to Malawi Visible in 2018

humanitarian aid to Malawi
Malawi, a country in eastern Africa, has long battled with issues of governmental corruption, famine and widespread disease. However, in recent years, Malawi has seen vast improvement in important areas of societal life, with most of that improvement being a result of focused effort of international aid programs that increase the successful return of humanitarian aid to Malawi.

With 2017 having drawn to a close, the success of humanitarian aid efforts and investments to the country of Malawi are most noticeable in two distinct categories: technological advancements and food security.

Technology

In regard to technology, the most recent “hot-button” word in Malawi is drones. As of this month, UNICEF has reported the completion of a corridor for testing drones, the first of its kind in both the country, region and in the continent of Africa as a whole.

The corridor was built in the Kasungu district of Malawi, in the Kasungu Aerodrome, and according to UNICEF officials, the drones piloted in and out are planned to be used to further humanitarian causes and programs.

In a press release, UNICEF said that the drones would focus on aerial imaging, Wi-Fi and cell phone signals and transportation of goods, food and medical supplies — much like the drones that were built and piloted in the 2016 testing of the program. The early machines were put through various trials such as transporting dried blood samples from infants for HIV testing in remote clinics.

Malawi’s Minister of Transport and Public Works Jappie Mhango said that the Malawi government was already looking into using the drones to respond to natural disasters like floods and fires.

Food Security

With food sustainability, numbers have improved dramatically from September and October’s low statistics. In late 2016 and early 2017, the majority of Malawian households reported a minimal to crisis level of food security, meaning that families didn’t know where their next meal was coming from, or if it was even coming at all. Malawian crops in recent years have been affected by both an unstable economy and a surge of armyworm infestations, as well as a long-lasting and regional-spanning drought.

Humanitarian Aid to Malawi

According to the USAID-funded Famine Early Warning Systems Network, humanitarian aid to Malawi has caused an 87 percent decrease in low food security for households in the Malawi districts of Balaka and Machinga.

Project Concern International (PCI), Feed the Future and Concern Worldwide distributed more than 22,800 crop storage bags, trained 225 households across 45 communities on the use of the bags and collectively raised over $500,000 to improve food security and agricultural sustainability in Malawi in 2017.

In addition, USAID/OFDA provided a total of more than $3.5 million in 2017 to partner organizations to aid in the recovery of water sanitation and hygiene interventions.

Heading into 2018, Malawi’s food sustainability and security is on the rise, the country has embraced new technological solutions to humanitarian crises and the future looks brighter than it has in years past.

– Arianna Smith

Photo: Flickr

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The Success of Humanitarian Aid to Vanuatu

humanitarian aid to vanuatu

Vanuatu is an island nation located in the South Pacific, west of Fiji. One of the major problems Vanuatu faces is cyclone storms, which are tropical storms that create a heavy circulation of strong winds, thunderstorms and severe rain. Following such disasters, humanitarian aid to Vanuatu is critical.

Recently, in 2015, Vanuatu suffered one of the worst cyclones yet. Cyclone Pam was the second most intense cyclone in the South Pacific Ocean and one of the worst natural disasters in Vanuatu to date. During Cyclone Pam, winds exceeded 185 miles per hour, destroying 90 percent of the country’s infrastructure. As a result of this disaster, the success of humanitarian aid to Vanuatu was essential during this time and thereafter.

The Airbus Helicopters Foundation

Following the natural disaster, helicopters carrying aid was one success of humanitarian aid to Vanuatu. Having most of the infrastructure completely destroyed, helicopters were the best way to reach the communities in need. The Airbus Helicopters Foundation worked with the French Foreign Affairs Ministry Crisis Center. Together, they distributed humanitarian aid to people affected by the cyclone, including medical supplies and food.

The Airbus Helicopters Foundation also worked with numerous stakeholders to send helicopters to humanitarian workers. These workers would then get the supplies to the communities in the most desperate areas. They partnered with Garden City Helicopters from New Zealand in order to provide even more helicopter assistance to Vanuatu people in need.

Australian Government Assistance

One of the main humanitarian aid contributors during this disaster was Vanuatu’s neighbor, Australia. The Australian government committed $35 million after Cyclone Pam, between 2015 and 2018. The aid focuses on long-term recovery support and is delivered through the assistance of the Reserve Bank of Vanuatu. The recovery plans include:

  • Supporting economic recovery, livelihoods and the private sector
  • Rebuilding affected infrastructure for public administration
  • Reestablishing health and education facilities
  • Assisting disability inclusion

These improvements will be focused on Shefa and Tafea, the provinces where nearly 90 percent of damage and destruction occurred after Cyclone Pam.

Israeli Assistance

Israel also helped the success of humanitarian aid to Vanuatu by sending food to feed 2,000 of the Island’s residents for the length of one month after Cyclone Pam hit. Food scarcity became a problem after the disaster as approximately 70 percent of Vanuatu’s crops were destroyed.

The food was a porridge in powder which was high in nutrients and helped people retain a healthy diet during the crisis. Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation in the Foreign Ministry sent food aid, which was then delivered locally by the Israel Forum for International Humanitarian Aid.

In addition to the food aid, volunteers from Israel stayed behind to help the local population. They renovated water systems and reestablished medical and mental health systems for the community.

The success of humanitarian aid to Vanuatu is just one of many examples where aid has helped thousands of people recover after a crisis occurs.

– McCall Robison

Photo: Flickr