As of March 5, 2023, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has reported 21,793 civilian casualties (8,173 deaths and 13,620 injured persons) since the start of the conflict in Ukraine. Considering the staggering numbers of displacements in Ukraine, Poland has welcomed more than 1.5 million Ukrainian refugees into its borders, the U.N. Refugee Agency reports. During times of crisis, the efforts of humanitarian organizations provide host countries with critical support to address the needs of refugees. During a recent trip to Poland, marking the one-year anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the President of The…
Author: Saiesha
According to the U.N. Refugee Agency, before the escalation in Ukraine, the country reported 2.7 million people with disabilities. Though times of conflict and crisis pose extreme difficulties for any individual, people with disabilities face increased vulnerabilities. Apart from facing barriers in undertaking long journeys to escape conflict-affected areas, evacuation plans do not typically take into account the needs of people with impediments and most shelters are inaccessible for those using wheelchairs, among other issues. People with disabilities also face high risks of experiencing violence, abandonment and separation from their support systems. The niche work of organizations that specifically aid…
One year into the Russia-Ukraine war, the humanitarian consequences continue to magnify. More than 8 million refugees from Ukraine are scattered across Europe as of February 28, 2023, the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees reports. Ukrainian Minister of Health Viktor Liashko said in January 2023 that Russian forces have damaged or destroyed at least 1,000 health facilities in Ukraine. Humanitarian organizations play crucial roles during these times of crisis. During a recent trip to Poland, marking the one-year anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the President of The Borgen Project, Clint Borgen, met with the organization Polish Humanitarian Action. In an…
TACOMA, Washington — The Reinforcing Education Accountability in Development (READ) Act was signed into law in 2017 with the aim of promoting basic education initiatives across the world to strengthen education systems, increase access to “safe learning,” assist countries in raising literacy rates, improve the quality of foundational education and leverage education as a tool to spur sustainable economic growth. The READ Act Reauthorization Act of 2022 was introduced in the 117th Congress and passed in the House of Representatives on September 20, 2022, but did not progress in the Senate. On January 24, 2023, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and…
MARIETTA, Georgia — In 2022, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) published a cookbook titled “From Our Table to Yours: Fusion Cuisine.” The book chronicles stories of forcibly displaced people, providing insight into the lives of people forced to start over while sharing recipes from these refugee communities. Using Cooking to Create a Livelihood For refugees, food serves as a way to preserve their home countries and cultures. This is the case for 39-year-old Natasha who sought asylum in Belize with her daughter. The mother and daughter pair forcibly fled El Salvador after they received threats from gang members,…
SINGAPORE, Singapore — One would be hard-pressed to believe that, in 1988, investing in Nigeria’s economy was a lucrative idea. With a population of 91 million, life expectancy was just 46 years and annual per capita income was, in today’s values, approximately $535. Furthermore, only 22% of the population survived on more than $2 per day, around 50% of the population did not have access to potable water and 63% of the population did not have “access to proper sanitation.” However, where others may have seen a lost cause, Haresh and Sajen Aswani of the Tolaram Group saw tremendous opportunity. Their…
ST. JOSEPH, Trinidad — An increase in extreme floods in Northern Bangladesh has rendered large portions of its land inhospitable to its primary crops. Fortunately, locals’ attempts at adapting have proven even more successful than anticipated. The introduction of corn crops in Bangladesh is lifting many farmers out of poverty. This introduction has the potential to save the country foreign exchange funds otherwise expended on corn imports. The Flood-Prone North With a massive network of 230 rivers flowing through Bangladesh, 80% of the country is considered a flood plain. In recent years, climate change has been intensifying the incidence and magnitude of…
ST. JOSEPH, Trinidad — Today, there are roughly 620,000 Māori living in New Zealand, composing about 15% of the total population. While their native language, rich culture and political involvement continue to have a substantial impact on all facets of New Zealand life, the indigenous tribe has historically and disproportionately faced poverty. Consequently, developments in areas like education, business, female empowerment, access to power and journalism have contributed to alleviating Māori poverty. Māori Medium Schools Māori academic achievement has recently increased across New Zealand. The Māori Language Strategy, the government’s ongoing 25-year plan to revitalize Te Reo Māori, the Māori…
LOS ANGELES, California — On July 8, 2021, President Biden announced that all U.S. military operations in Afghanistan will officially end by August 31, 2021. This announcement formalizes the conclusion of a withdrawal process that has been underway since President Trump signed a peace deal with the Taliban in February 2020. While the U.S. has sustained no casualties since the peace deal was signed, the Afghan National Army (ANA) has lost thousands of men attempting to stop Taliban offensives across the country. The Taliban has seized control over more than 150 districts in the last two months, inciting fear of…
Redmond, WA — Cambodia is a county in Southeast Asia that borders Thailand to the west and Vietnam to the east. It was a very powerful nation when the Khmer empire reached its peak during the 12th century and temples, such as Angkor Wat, were constructed. However, in 1884, France colonized Cambodia. A series of tragedies marked the subsequent century, notably the Vietnam War, the Japanese occupation and the genocide perpetrated by the Khmer Rouge, which lasted from 1975 until 1979. The Cambodian genocide significantly impacted education in Cambodia and the country is trying to recover from that loss today.…