In crises, girls’ rights are rarely realised – four ways displacement affects girls
The effects of the crisis in the Middle East are far-reaching and could be permanent if the humanitarian emergency is not addressed. In the midst of crises, the situation of girls is usually the most urgent.
Humanitarian crises affect the well-being of the younger generation in many ways. The violence in Gaza and Lebanon has had a particularly strong impact on children and the women who care for them.
More women and children have died in Gaza in the past year than in any other conflict in two decades, according to a recent analysis by aid agency Oxfam. According to UN Women, 70% of civilian casualties in Gaza are women and children.
In Lebanon, up to one million people are estimated by the authorities to have left their homes and fled to safer areas. As the crisis intensifies, more than 241,000 people have sought refuge across the border in Syria (UNHCR 8.10.2024). A significant proportion of those fleeing are children and women.
The rights of children and refugees are rarely respected. This is especially pronounced for girls. Here are four examples to explain why.
1. Conditions in refugee shelters are challenging
When people are forced to leave their homes in a crisis, girls, along with their families often seek shelter in refugee shelters such as those set up in schools, churches and hospitals. With thousands, tens of thousands and eventually hundreds of thousands of people on the move, the shelters quickly become overcrowded. The rights of girls and other refugees to privacy, clean drinking water, food and hygiene are rarely realised.
2. Health is at risk
In a humanitarian crisis, there is also a sudden shortage of health care.
The sick and wounded may not receive adequate care. In poor conditions, diseases spread and vaccination programmes are not available. Even if a child remains healthy, adult caregivers may become sick, injured or die.
Lack of health care, basic services and privacy affects everyone, but the situation for girls is particularly difficult. For example, menstrual hygiene is difficult without clean water and the risks of infection sharply increase.
Where clean drinking water is available, girls may limit their drinking to avoid frequent visits to dirty and unsafe toilets. Access to hygiene supplies and sanitation in crisis situations are essential for the well-being of girls and women in particular.
3. Increasing risk of violence and abuse
In insecure and protracted crisis situations, girls are more vulnerable to violence and abuse. Girls may be surrounded by fewer trustworthy adults, like as relatives and teachers, who would usually protect them and ensure their rights are respected.
The risk of child marriage also increases if the crisis is prolonged. In some cultures, there are misconceptions that early marriage in insecure situations protects the girl child. Risks increase if contraceptive and sexual counselling services cannot be provided because of the prevailing crisis.
4. Breaks from school affect future opportunities
In crisis situations, training is often disrupted or interrupted. Closing the learning gap is important for well-being, development and further education, as the loss of opportunities also robs children of their faith in the future. School also provides children with routines and psychosocial support in times of instability.
Only a small proportion of girls in Gaza have been able to participate in non-regular school-like activities during the year. The longer the interruption in education, the less likely they are to return to school. In turn, interruptions in education can have a direct impact on future livelihoods.
This is why we must try to keep school interruptions as short as possible in times of crisis.
+1. FCA’s work to help girls in crises in the Middle East
It is clear that many girls living in crisis in the Middle East will carry the consequences of the conflict with them for the rest of their lives. The important thing now is that we do everything we can to help, so that the impact is minimised.
Finn Church Aid is working to help girls in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria who have been displaced by the war.
In Gaza, the work aims to get more children involved in school-related activities and to support them in dealing with their trauma. In Lebanon and Syria, we help displaced families meet their basic needs in refugee shelters.
Text: Merja Färm, Erik Nyström, Ulriikka Myöhänen Photo: ACT network member, DSPR, meets the needs of Gazans by providing medical and psychosocial support 18.1.2024. Photo courtesy of DSPR
More than a million have fled attacks in Lebanon – FCA’s new work helps IDPs in emergency shelters
Displaced people in Lebanon need food, hygiene supplies and psychosocial support. FCA is working with its partner organisation to help the refugees.
FINN CHURCH AID (FCA) has begun relief work in Lebanon. The work is part of FCA’s new programme to help those affected by the crisis in the Middle East and focuses on supporting those fleeing the war in Lebanon. According to official estimates, more than one million people have already been displaced.
FCA has allocated €80,000 from its Disaster Relief Fund for the work.
“The situation in the Middle East is extremely volatile, and we have watched with horror the impact of the crisis on the civilian population. Families and individuals fleeing danger are often in need of immediate protection and emergency assistance. The situation is particularly difficult for those who are already vulnerable, such as people with disabilities,” said Ikali Karvinen, FCA Deputy Executive Director.
FCA will work with its partner organisation, War Child Alliance in Lebanon. War Child is an international aid organisation that has been working in Lebanon for a long time and is already helping victims of the recently escalated crisis.
“FCA wants to start work quickly and with a reliable partner. This partnership will enable us do that,” says Karvinen.
Families need food and support to deal with trauma
The humanitarian situation in Lebanon has deteriorated significantly since the end of September 2024.
Air strikes and other military operations have forced people to flee, particularly from southern Lebanon, the capital Beirut, the southern parts of the Beqaa Valley and the Baalbek-Hermel region.
Almost 900 reception centres for internally displaced persons have been set up in the country. FCA and War Child will work together to help refugees in the Beqaa Valley and Baalbek-Hermel.
“The aim is to meet the basic needs of the refugees. The work includes food aid, as well as improving hygiene and sanitation in refugee shelters,” says Karvinen.
“People have been in a really traumatic situation. That’s why we also focus on emotional first aid, child protection and psychosocial support,” Karvinen continues.
Currently, FCA is significantly expanding its work to help those affected by the crisis in the Middle East. Already 185,000 people (UNHCR report, 4.10.2024) have fled from Lebanon to neighbouring Syria, where FCA also works to support those newly arrived and in need.
FCA expands its operations in the Middle East – first phase of work will help refugees fleeing Lebanon to Syria
FCA is helping refugees fleeing air strikes in Lebanon to Syria by providing shelter, emergency supplies, and psychosocial and mental well-being support. In the coming days, FCA will expand its operations in the Middle East further to help those affected by the escalating crisis.
Finn Church Aid (FCA) is launching a major new aid operation in the Middle East to help civilians living in the midst of fighting and fleeing attacks.
Since September 2024, Israel’s devastating air strikes in Lebanon have caused enormous human suffering and a massive refugee crisis. Many people are also fleeing Lebanon to Syria, where FCA works.
The first phase of FCA’s new operation will assist civilians fleeing Lebanon, a significant number of whom are women and children. FCA has allocated €100,000 from its disaster fund for this work.
“The war that started in Gaza a year ago has now, as feared, spread to the surrounding countries. Amid it all, it is important to remember that all people have the right to protection and humanitarian assistance. FCA has a presence in the region and reliable partners with whom we are helping in this acute crisis,” says Tomi Järvinen, Executive Director of Finn Church Aid.
The situation in Gaza escalated a year ago when Hamas, the Islamic resistance movement that controls the Gaza Strip, carried out terrorist attacks on the Israeli side as part of a long-running conflict. Some 1,200 people were killed in the attacks, and Hamas took 251 hostages. It is estimated that the Israeli state has killed more than 40,000 civilians and injured nearly 100,000 in its response.
Many fleeing violence for the second time
Lebanon’s government estimates that up to one million people in Lebanon have been forced to leave their homes and become refugees. By the beginning of October, more than 100,000 of them had crossed the border into Syria, where the humanitarian situation is already challenging due to a long war and an earthquake last year.
Among those currently fleeing to Syria are both Lebanese and Syrians who have been repeatedly displaced due to the ongoing violence and natural disasters such as the earthquake that hit Syria and Turkey in February 2023. Before the large-scale conflict between Israel and the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah in September, 1.5 million Syrian refugees were living in Lebanon.
FCA’s work in Syria will focus on meeting people’s basic needs. Refugees will be provided with functioning shelters and warmth for the cold winter. Refugees will also receive hygiene products and psychosocial and mental well-being support.
“The escalating conflict in Lebanon has triggered a new humanitarian catastrophe in both Lebanon and Syria. Around 70 per cent of those entering Syria have been women and children. Among those fleeing the conflict are elderly and disabled people”, says Mazen Khzouz, FCA Country Director for Syria.
The number of Lebanese and Syrians arriving in Syria is increasing, but FCA is committed to supporting them by providing emergency assistance, Khzouz says.
“Our efforts will prioritize meeting the immediate humanitarian needs of vulnerable individuals. In the medium and long term, we aim to provide education in emergency programs to displaced school-age children.”
The operation is expanding further
FCA is also launching relief work in Gaza, where the war continues, although the world’s attention is currently on Lebanon. The work will focus on education in emergencies and psychosocial support in the difficult humanitarian situation in Gaza. We will provide more information in the coming days.
FCA has had an office in Syria since 2019, and even before that, FCA had operations in Syria through partners. FCA has had projects in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 2012. The new humanitarian operation will be built on existing programmes and will respond to the changed situation in the region.
For more information and interview requests, contact Ulriikka Myöhänen (p. +358 50 576 7948, ulriikka.myohanen@kua.fi)
FCA grants 150,000 euros for Typhoon Yagi relief efforts in Myanmar
Typhoon Yagi, one of the most powerful storms to hit the South China Sea in nearly 30 years, has caused widespread devastation across Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand. Myanmar has been hit particularly hard with over 160 killed and large numbers of people displaced.
FINN CHURCH AID (FCA) has granted 150,000 euros from its disaster fund to provide humanitarian aid in Myanmar, focusing on east Bago region and Kayin state. Floodwaters have displaced thousands and caused significant damage to infrastructure. As of mid-September, it’s estimated that over 230,000 people have been displaced.
Relief efforts are hindered due to the scale of the disaster. The heavy rainfall, combined with mountain runoff, has led to severe flooding and landslides, with many rivers overflowing and dams nearing full capacity, raising concerns about potential breaches. People are bracing for further rainfall, causing more damage. The current death toll of 160 may well rise as search efforts continue for missing people.
Relief efforts focus on cash and sanitation
FCA’s work will provide essential support to around 3,500 recipients. The support includes cash assistance, which enables people to buy immediate and urgent necessities, such as food, clothes and sanitary goods. Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) projects will also be carried out as a matter of urgency. In flooding situations, drinking water can quickly become fouled and disease can spread.
FCA Myanmar country office will be responsible for the relief efforts. The office is located in Kayin State and will work in coordination with other organisations working in the region. The humanitarian response is critical, but the ongoing political instability in Myanmar complicates relief operations.
FCA’s decade long work in the country and good working relationships with local organisations will assist in reaching people as fast as possible.
Media requests and inquiries:
FCA Myanmar Country Director, Lin Min Aung, Linmin.aung@kua.fi, +959 264 594337
Aid workers at the core of crises – where to find the courage to help?
FCA staff in Ukraine, South Sudan and Syria face seemingly insurmountable challenges every day.
Text: Ruth Owen
WORKING IN CRISIS CONDITIONS means frequent threats to your safety and a constant challenge to your mental well-being. In this story, three FCA Country Directors share the unique challenges they face in their work amid conflict and humanitarian crises. They also reveal what inspires and motivates them to continue their work despite the challenges.
“Every time I come to work, I know that what I do has a direct impact on other people”
Seme Nelson studied peace, conflict and development studies at universities on three different continents. However, he decided to return to his native South Sudan, where he now heads the FCA’s Country Office.
“The challenges in South Sudan are manifold. The country is unstable and its economy is fragile. Many live in poverty, exacerbated by conflict, refugees and war in neighbouring Sudan.
South Sudan was basically founded on a background and legacy of violent conflict and internal civil wars. It’s continued to affect the entire stability of the state. We have also faced threats to our security at FCA. Our Pibor office was ransacked by local people in 2016 amongst widespread attacks on NGOs. And in 2022 our Fangak office destroyed fighting between armed groups, but our staff remain, as do I.
In 2020, I considered remaining in Japan, where I did my master’s degree. But I considered whether what I do would make a significant difference to people’s lives or not. When I remain here in South Sudan, every time I come to work, there is a very direct connection between what I do and how it impacts people.
What has continued to push our staff to continue to work despite the difficulties and challenges is the impact that our programme makes on the people. Every time you see these beautiful stories of change. From young people, mothers, kids who are able to go to school. You feel like our work is contributing to transforming societies, improving people’s access to livelihoods and helping citizens demand their rights.
When the Sudanese conflict broke out in 2022, a lot of Sudanese fled to South Sudan along with former South Sudanese refugees who decided to return to their country. At present, I think only five per cent of these refugees from Sudan are living in refugee camps or settlements inside South Sudan. Probably 80 per cent of them are housed by South Sudanese – people who have decided to open their homes to welcome Sudanese refugees to share the little that they have. The media always wants to document stories of suffering, of desperations, but for me I think we should highlight positive stories like these more.
Yes, my country is founded on a story of conflict and desperation – the process of state building has almost started from zero. But if we look at the infrastructural transformation of the country from 2005 when the second civil war ended, there has been a tremendous growth process. The country has a city called Juba that we’re proud of today, that never even existed before! Regardless the situation of desperation in this country, the generosity, strength and courage of people is something worth acknowledging.
“It is important to distinguish between political problems and solidarity with people who are suffering”
Mazen Khzouz’s home is in Jordan, but his work requires him to spend long periods away from his family. As FCA Country Director for Syria, he believes it is important for him to be close to the communities he works with.
“I’m not the kind of person who’s satisfied with only doing the basic in my life. I need to do more. I need to be closer to people who I serve.
Syria is suffering the effects of a long conflict, economic collapse and a devastating earthquake. The country is under severe sanctions, which are contributing to the impoverishment of the population and increasing suffering. Sanctions have led to a lack of access to all basic necessities and a lack of money. Prices have skyrocketed, purchasing power has been eroded and unemployment is very high. An estimated 90% of Syrians now live below the poverty line. The cost of living has more than doubled since 2023, as measured by the Minimum Expenditure Basket.
The security situation in Syria has improved in relative terms compared to the most difficult years of the conflict. Humanitarian actors are now in a better position to reach vulnerable groups. However, the security situation remains volatile and new outbreaks of violence are possible. Sporadic attacks, inter-group clashes and multiple checkpoints between population centres can also slow down progress in the areas where the FCA’s work is taking place. Journeys to schools and communities can take as long as three or four hours.
Social tensions increase during disasters. It gets frustrating when some people get help and others don’t, even though many need it. Tensions are also a risk for our employees. To mitigate them and ensure staff safety, we build strong relationships with community leaders and local actors.
When we understand that people are struggling to meet their basic needs – to feed and clothe their children – it is easy to understand their strong reactions. We at FCA Syria wish we could do more and reach even more of those in need.
All our employees are Syrian. Staff members have lost loved ones in war, earthquake and even cholera. It is common for one of our staff to help at least two or three other relatives or households with their income.
My family back in Jordan are wondering how much I can endure from the situation, but the proximity to the country helps a lot. I explain to my family we have a strong evacuation plan and I give them assurance that we are safe.
The media constructs a certain image of Syria, which influences the perceptions and opinions about the people and that’s a very big mistake. We need to differentiate between people who are suffering and whatever problems there may be in the political domain.
The Syrian people do not deserve to be mistreated. They are human beings. They have children. They deserve to live a decent life as much as you and I do.”
“I miss my family, but I want to see Ukraine prosper and be free”
Patricia Maruschak is the granddaughter of Ukrainian immigrants to Canada and grew up in the Ukrainian diaspora. She lived and worked in Ukraine from 2006 to 2010, before returning in 2022 to head up the FCA Ukraine office.
Ukraine has been at full since its neighbour Russia invaded in 2022. Frequent air alarms across the country, when there is a threat of attack, lead to constant disruptions to daily life. This impacts greatly on children’s education and their psychological wellbeing, as well of that of their teachers.
Recently in Chernihiv, one of the schools where we have done repairs was damaged because there was a bombing very close to the school. The alarm went off, everyone went downstairs, and were standing for the daily moment of silence for the fallen. During that moment there were three huge explosions close by. Everyone had to immediately lie on the ground, the children were very scared. It’s the teachers’ job to keep them calm in a situation that’s uncertain for everyone. In the meantime, people from the street were also trying to get into the shelter.
All over the country, when an air alarm goes off, everyone has to go into the shelter. Teachers have to try and continue with learning where sometimes there’s no separation for classes. Imagine trying to continue a lesson with 7 or 8 year olds when there are now another 100 children in the room!
We train teachers in ‘psychological first aid’ to help children in the moment. Then we also train them in ongoing mental health support for kids, who have had trauma experiences, or have family members who are away fighting or have returned severely injured and have their own traumas. And then we also help teachers take care of themselves with coping strategies.
Many of our staff never worked in NGOs previously, coming mainly from the business community, but now they’re proud to be helping fellow Ukrainains.
Our procurement officer was an IDP (Internally Displaced Person) at the beginning of the war, because her community was occupied by Russian troops for a while. Meanwhile, our head psychologist has been displaced twice, firstly from Donetsk due to Russian occupation in 2014 and then from the south-east of the country when the fullscale war began in 2021. It’s not just a job for our people, it’s also their life.
I miss my family a lot. But there are clear needs here and the ability to make an impact in Ukraine is very high. We work with capable and experienced Ukrainian education experts. It’s a pleasure and a good challenge to work alongside them and personally, I want to see Ukraine succeed and be free and capable of making its own choices.”
Seme, Mazen and Patricia will speak at the World Village Festival in Helsinki on 25 May 2024.
10 + 1 things to know about the impact of crises on the future of children and young people
Crises and conflicts affect the well-being of the younger generation in many different ways. The effects extend far into the future – and are often permanent.
Text: Anne Salomäki Illustration: Carla Ladau
1. More and more victims.
Millions of children and young people’s lives are threatened by a series of crises around the world. In the Palestinian Territories, Ukraine, Haiti, Sudan and other crisis and conflict zones, children are being killed, injured and disabled. Millions of children suffer from chronic hunger as the food crisis worsens. In crisis situations, children’s rights are rarely realised.
2. Physical well-being at risk.
In addition to hunger, thirst and violence, children in crisis face threats such as disease and lack of health care. The sick and wounded may not receive adequate care. In poor conditions, diseases spread and vaccination programmes are not implemented. Even if a child remains healthy, adult caregivers may become ill, injured or die.
3. Disrupted development.
In crises, children and young people are vulnerable because certain stages of development and vulnerability may be missed altogether due to exceptional circumstances. This can be physical, psychological and socio-emotional development, the disruption of which prevents children from developing to their full potential. Development is also stunted on a large scale, as the Sustainable Development Goals for children are not met.
4. Learning deficit.
In crisis situations, education is often disrupted or interrupted. Closing the learning gap is important for well-being, development and further education, as the loss of opportunities also deprives children of faith in the future. School also provides children with routines and psychosocial support in times of instability. It is therefore important to try to keep school interruptions as short as possible.
5. Girls at particular risk.
Girls are particularly at risk of family displacement and loss of livelihood, and may end up in child marriage or being forced into prostitution. They are also more likely than boys to drop out of school. Moreover, when social services are not available, practices such as genital mutilation become more common. In addition to girls, children and young people with disabilities are particularly vulnerable.
6. Missing out on future revenues.
If a child or young person ends in child labour or in a refugee camp without the opportunity to go to school, their future employment prospects are limited. This has a significant impact on the livelihood of the child and his or her future family. Poverty and educational attainment are also often inherited, so the effects of crises can be felt for a long time to come.
7. Violence can become normalised.
Children who grow up around violence may come to see violence as normal and may resort to it themselves. In addition, children may become child soldiers from a very young age or become radicalised and exposed to recruitment by terrorist organisations. Witnessing and being involved in violence affects the mental health of the child and is likely to lead to lasting trauma.
8. Relationships suffer.
Violence and experiences of marginalisation can lead, for example, to increased substance abuse or intimate partner violence. Unhealthy coping skills can erode relationships. Having missed out on their own childhood, adults may not know how to care for their own children or family members. Many socio-emotional developmental stages may be missed, undermining a person’s coping and social skills.
9. Financial difficulties.
It is easiest for aid agencies to find funding for acute crises and to provide basic needs such as food, water, health care and shelter. Recovery and reconstruction from crises and building future resilience receive less attention and funding – despite the fact that it is multi-year, predictable and flexible funding that is critical in crises. For example, ensuring access to education and livelihoods is essential to enable people to build a more secure future for themselves.
10. The climate crisis is exacerbating the situation.
The climate crisis affects everyone, but especially those who are already vulnerable. Children’s future is threatened by the environmental triple crisis of climate change, environmental degradation and loss of biodiversity. Almost half of the world’s children live in areas of extreme climate risk, according to UNICEF. The crisis is increasing the spread of diseases, the risk of conflict and food insecurity. Climate change is also driving more and more people into refugee situations.
+1: FCA takes a preventive approach.
FCA works to strengthen the coping skills and resilience of children, young people, families and communities so that they do not just return from crises to their old situations, but emerge stronger for the future. In this way, new crises are better prepared for and recovery is faster. Even in the midst of crises, children and young people need hope to help them get back on their feet and reach for a better future.
Conflicts, natural disasters, famines, and economic disasters – sooner or later, crisis like these drop from the headlines and the lips of politicians, but they continue to be an acute reality for the people on the ground. When we talk about forgotten and neglected crises, what do we mean?
1. NO CRISIS IS EVER TRULY FORGOTTEN.
That is why we prefer to talk about neglected crises. Being privileged individuals, we may often forget about individual crises; as such crises do not affect us directly and thus do not require our constant attention. These crises can better be described as neglected – by the international community, which may either be unable to respond with sufficient money, or even find the required political willpower.
2. CRISES ARE OFTEN COMPLICATED.
Conflicts between two states are easy to grasp, as are natural catastrophes. But many other crises have multifaceted reasons – the Syrian conflict, for instance, began after a climate-change-caused dry period and cannot be reduced to a mere geopolitical, historical, and ideological squabble. Events that we find hard to understand are also difficult to follow and identify with.
3. CRISES DO NOT HAVE QUICK ENDINGS.
The recovery period is a part of the crisis. Peace treaties are signed, typhoons die down, but these things still do not mean the crisis itself is over. Rebuilding infrastructure, institutions and citizenship takes a long time and requires a lot of resources, whether it is war or a natural catastrophe.
4. FORGETTING IS UNDERSTANDABLE.
An individual person cannot carry the weight of the world on their shoulders, especially if they also are facing issues in their personal lives. Continuous obsessive monitoring of media – doomscrolling – benefits nobody. We often see compassion fatigue – a situation where the sheer burden handicaps or short-circuits our feelings of compassion, particularly when there is no solution in sight.
5. MORE NEWS, FASTER FORGETTING.
There’s not enough room for many crises in the news at the same time. Also at play are geographical and cultural relationships, which have their effect on what the news finds important. It is easy for Finns to pay attention to the Ukrainian crisis, for example – the attacker is familiar to the people of Finland and is also Finland’s neighbor. Continuous access to news means that existing crises are buried by new ones. Moreover, instead of civilian suffering, the news often finds battles and political squabbles more important.
6. WHO BELIEVES WHOM?
The Internet offers more information about various crises than ever before – and a wealth of differing viewpoints. An enormous amount of information is swirling about online and when crises have complicated and far-reaching reasons, it is all too easy to assume simple, even false points of view and fake news. All of this affects the way we view these crises and their potential solutions.
7. THE LACK OF POLITICAL WILL IS BOTH A REASON AND A CONSEQUENCE.
Politicians, parties, and the international community may, due to their lack of ability or will to act, be unable to solve or prevent certain crises, and this may also serve as a reason for them to not pay attention to certain crises. On the other hand, if people do not demand actions from their leaders, the resulting political apathy may also be a factor in the low amount of attention the crisis receives.
8. LOW LEVELS OF ATTENTION, LOW LEVELS OR AID.
Enormous crises, like the tsunami in Asia or Russia’s attack on Ukraine, bring aid organizations vast amounts of funds from private individuals and organizations. Which is good! Getting aid without media attention is always more of a chore, though. Traditional funders still understand the importance of long-term aid work, but even established actors like the World Food Programme and the UN Refugee Agency have troublecollecting the funds they need for their work.
9. BEING FORGOTTEN INCREASES HOPELESSNESS.
Those living in the middle of long-lasting conflicts may feel abandoned and isolated, if the international community ignores their problems. This lack of vision and feelings of hopelessness then provide grist for extremist mills. Hope and belief in one’s future are important – through these, people and communities have, throughout history, managed to survive various awful crises.
10. THE SCALE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL CATASTROPHE IS DIZZYING.
The climate catastrophe and nature loss will cause natural disasters, weaken food security, and drive refugees and armed conflicts far to the future. The scale of changes is enormous, but the effects are distributed unequally and there are considerable differences in the level of community preparations and available resources. This is hardly a new situation, however: in the 2010s, over 80 percent of all catastrophes were related to climate and weather. One way or another, this crisis is showing up in everyone’s backyard. We cannot ignore it any longer.
10+1. THROUGH FCA, WE CAN PREPARE AND GROW STRONGER.
FCA’s work is not over even when the most acute part of the crisis is. The organization also helps prepare for coming crises and prevent them in advance. Additionally, FCA collaborates with communities to strengthen their ability to prepare and survive by searching for nature-based solutions and innovating to always be a little bit better. FCA also works in crisis areas with its partner organizations.
For this story, we interviewed FCA’s humanitarian aid manager Jan De Waegemaeker and political history researcher Noora Kotilainen, a communication, crisis, and political violence expert at the University of Helsinki. Additional sources include materials drawn up by the Norwegian Refugee Council on forgotten refugee crises and the World Disasters Report.
Teksti: Anne Salomäki Kuvitus: Carla Ladau Translation: Tatu Ahponen
The Poorest Countries in the World: 10+1 Things to Know
The poorest countries of the world remain poor year after year,decade after decade – or so it might seem. What do these countries have in common? Why are they stuck in the mire of poverty – and what can we do about it?
1. SHORTCOMINGS IN HEALTH AND EDUCATION.
What are the poorest countries in the world?One way to define them is the UN’s list of Least Developed Countries (LDCs). The list, updated every three years, currently includes 46 countries, mostly in Africa, some in the Asia/Pacific region and one, Haiti, in the Caribbean. The LDCs are ranked on the list according to factors like income levels, health, and education.
2. POVERTY IS A REALITY FOR A VAST SHARE OF THE GLOBAL POPULATION.
Over a tenth of the world’s population lives in a country classified as “fragile” and, according to the World Bank, around eight per cent of people face extreme poverty. Signs of dire poverty include high maternal and infant mortality rates, low status of women and low levels of education. Most of the work performed in such countries takes place outside the formal labor market, such as in domestic labor. Tax revenues are thus inadequate for providing government services, and basic services like education and health care remain lacking.
3. THE SHADOW OF COLONIALISM STILL PUTS A BRAKE ON DEVELOPMENT.
The legacy of colonialism continues to cast a shadow over many poor countries. The borders of modern-day states, once artificially drawn by their former colonial masters, frequently do not follow patterns like ethnic lines or traditional settlements. Natural resources have been made into a tool for accumulating wealth for a small proportion of the population. Societies maldeveloped in this way are prone to conflict, ethnic violence, and undeveloped governance, rife with practices such as corruption and misuse of funds that clash with the idea of good government.
4. SEVERE OBSTACLES TO GROWTH.
Poor countries’ development may be hindered by conflict, poor governance (especially in small countries) or resource-based economies. The neighbourhoods of the countries also play a large role, especially for countries that do not have a ready connection to the ocean. Access to world markets and secure transportation of goods are important requirements for maintaining a growing economy.
5. OBSTACLES CAN BE CIRCUMVENTED.
Botswana and Vanuatu demonstrate that leaving the UN’s LDC list is possible. Even in the most fragile of countries education offers one pathway to development, and developing vocational training can be an effective way to provide routes to employment and sustenance. Nevertheless, even when development happens, women, people with disabilities and marginalized ethnic groups often face exclusion. It is important to keep everyone on board in order for progress to reach the whole of society.
6. LOCAL IDEAS ARE IMPORTANT.
We say that development must reach the entire society, but what kind of development are we talking about? As ways to define development, measures like the gross domestic product (GDP) and life expectancy are fundamentally based on the Western mindset. A current trend in development cooperation, though, is a shift towards primarily local ownership, with local people themselves defining the agenda of development. In this process, in addition to GDP and other indicators, the status of individuals and their opportunities to live their own lives are also of fundamental importance.
7. WHEN AID WORKS, IT IS FUTURE-ORIENTED.
Humanitarian aid is seen as immediate disaster relief, but it is also acutely needed for protracted conflicts and for refugees. Focusing only on acute relief is short-sighted – raising people up from poverty requires education, jobs, and other opportunities for livelihood. The best way to help fragile countries is combining different forms of aid and thinking beyond what is acute; casting an eye to the future and visualising the permanent eradication of poverty. In this process, peacebuilding plays a crucial role.
8. ENRICHMENT SHOULD NOT MEAN EXPLOITATION.
This, we know already; development should not be a byword for a consumption-centered Western lifestyle, unsustainable both in terms of nature and the climate. When defining our preferred model of development, we must also always keep this in mind; Western lifestyle also needs changing. A consumption-centered, exploitative model of development is fundamentally not an option.
9. DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION IS A SOLUTION, NOT A PROBLEM.
Development cooperation gets a lot of criticism, and its controversial aspects were also highlighted in Finland’s recent government negotiations. Giving aid is not only a moral and ethical obligation, but also something that can advance a better life for all. Trade relations, innovation, and the promotion of technology, for example, impact the entire world positively.
10. FOSTERING DEVELOPMENT MEANS A BETTER LIFE FOR ALL.
Education and jobs – these are the best ways to keep destitute people from negative pathways like joining extremist groups. Just as conflicts can spread from one country to another, the stabilisation of one country also increases stability in neighboring countries. Thus, foreign aid is also in the interests of the donor countries. Development cooperation also helps rectify past errors, including in the case of Finland, a country that has – like others – grown from the exploitation of the global South’s resources.
+ 1: FCA – A DRIVER OF PERMANENT CHANGE.
Thework of Finn Church Aid and the wishes of our donors highlight the importance of women and youth in development. Enabling the participation of women and young people in decision-making and governance allows positive changes to occur in entire societies. Educated women also want their children to be educated, and this fosters the development of the whole local community.
Sources: interview with Ikali Karvinen, Executive Vice President of KUA, and UNCTAD, UNDP, World Bank and Paul Collier’s book The Bottom Billion.
FCA is assessing the start of humanitarian aid work in the Palestinian territories
The decision is based on Egypt’s announcement on Thursday to open the Rafah border crossing point for the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
FINN CHURCH AID (FCA) sends a humanitarian emergency aid expert to find out the possibilities of delivering aid in the Palestinian territories. The person appointed by the FCA will start the assessment work in Cairo, the capital of Egypt, where several UN and other aid organizations that are relevant, especially in terms of easing the humanitarian situation in Gaza, operate.
The background of the decision is Egypt’s announcement on Thursday to open the Rafah border crossing point for the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
“The task of the expert placed in the area is to find out the need for humanitarian aid, the refugee situation and to provide us with information on how we can best and most efficiently help people in need, says FCA’s Deputy Executive Director Ikali Karvinen.
Finn Church Aid is Finland’s largest humanitarian aid organization, which was founded in 1947. We currently operate in 12 countries where the need is greatest. FCA works on the development of the education sector in the West Bank, provides afternoon activities for Palestinian children at risk of exclusion in East Jerusalem, and discussion tools for teenagers in Israel.
Cash transfers in Myanmar are changing lives for the better
The confluence of the COVID-19 pandemic’s economic downturn, political instability, and escalated civil conflicts since February 2021 has cast a shadow of financial hardship over countless lives in Myanmar.
A STAGGERING 67% of the country’s population, including the once-thriving Chin State, grapples with the harsh grip of poverty.
While maintaining a focus on education work in Myanmar, FCA also supports livelihood opportunities and humanitarian assistance with interventions such as cash transfers to beneficiaries.
Three people in Chin State, whose lives have crossed paths with FCA’s work, recently shared their stories.
Van Cung’s Journey of Hope
Van Cung is a 56-year-old resident of Thantalang Town, surrounded by teal-hued mountains and sandwiched by Vuichip and Marau peaks. The two rivers serve as the lifeblood of its inhabitants. In times gone by, it was hailed as one of the most prosperous towns in Chin state.
A devoted teacher with 24 years of experience, Van Cung poured his heart into educating the youth of Chin State in Thantalang. His dedication was unwavering even during long hours of teaching. On a modest salary of about 300,000 MMK (approximately 115 Euro), he supported his family of five, finding joy in meaningful work and the love of his kin.
However, fate took an unforeseen twist. The coup of February 2021 unleashed waves of unrest and protests, causing the education system to collapse nationwide, including in Chin state. The schools closed, leaving him unemployed. Adding to the turmoil, a devastating incident unfolded on November 19, 2021.
During a military campaign, 164 houses in his town were burned down. The destruction escalated, resulting in the loss of 900 houses and 19 religious structures to the fire. Van’s home was one of these —looted, burned, and reduced to ashes. This tragedy left his family with only an aging motorbike. Even now his voice quivers as he expresses his sorrow,
“My life has been shattered beyond imagination. I never fathomed such profound loss, even in my darkest dreams.”
In search of safety, he traveled with his family and aging bike to Zephai village, situated 44 miles away near the Indian border. The host community welcomed them with temporary shelter and food, yet the village was overwhelmed with families seeking refuge, resulting in overcrowding and limited resources. Van Cung turned to farming on available vacant lands, but the yield hardly alleviated his family’s hunger.
FCA provided 150,000 MMK (approximately 57.55 Euro) in humanitarian cash assistance to support his family. This aid was transformative. With this assistance, Van Cung embarked on a two-day journey on foot to Hnaring sub-town to buy spare parts to repair his motorbike. With the restored bike, he devised a plan to sell petrol. In nearby villages, he began selling fuel, earning a daily income of 20,000 MMK—a lifeline for his family.
Van Cung’s impact extends beyond his household. He now extends a helping hand to his community by ferrying patients on his motorbike to the medical center, navigating the winding roads of the Chin Hills.
“I am deeply thankful to FCA for their invaluable support, which has been a lifeline for individuals like me in Chin State. My hope is for their compassionate efforts to continue reaching the Chin Hills, touching more lives in need.”
Iang Ku’s Path to Self-Sufficiency
In a quiet corner of Chin State’s Haka Town resides Ms. Iang Ku, a resilient 30-year-old woman sharing her life with her 90-year-old father. Nestled on a small highland peak, Haka Town rises over 6,000 feet above the earth, compact yet proudly serving as the capital of the entire Chin State.
She and her father once owned a shop, selling cherished Chin traditional dresses, bringing in a steady income of about 20,000 MMK per day. But life’s tranquility was shattered by the echoes of a turbulent coup, rewriting their narrative in an instant.
Amidst the upheaval, a powerful explosion rocked their home, leaving them with their lives but taking away their possessions and livelihood. To take refuge, they fled to Sialam Village situated 54 miles away. For three days, they traveled on foot, enduring hunger and uncertainty, surviving on foraged fruits and vegetables along the route.
Despite the community’s generous hospitality, aid was limited due to their responsibility for a significant number of internally displaced people. Iang Ku experienced profound disappointment and a sense of hopelessness regarding their future survival, especially given her father’s chronic illness. With a heavy heart, she lamented, “I feel as though I could perish alongside my father.”
Like Van Cung, she also received humanitarian aid from Finn Church Aid, amounting to 60,000 MMK (approximately 115 Euro). She invested the entire sum into crafting traditional weaving products, which hold a high market value. With this assistance, she acquired the necessary equipment for traditional weaving production.
She started earning 8,000 MMK within a few days by selling her textiles. Her monthly income gradually ranged between 5,000 to 20,000 MMK. As her earnings grew, she could afford more materials for weaving. She now earns more than enough money to meet her family’s needs and generously assists those in need within her community.
Actively engaged in church activities, she finds herself counting the blessings of her transformed life. “With determination and assistance, I’ve woven a new life, now able to offer hope and help to those in need,” she shares.
Naw Bik’s Tale of Transformation
Naw Bik, a 47-year-old resident of Thantlang Town, was employed as a lower division clerk at the Ministry of Home Affairs. His monthly income of 280,000 MMK (107.5 Euro) provided for his family of four. However, when political turmoil erupted on February 1, 2021, he was compelled to leave his job, causing financial strain that cast his family into a state of food insecurity.
In October 2021, amidst the chaos in Thantlang Town, he and his family, like many others, sought refuge near the India border. They embarked on a grueling 41-mile journey on foot, traversing rugged terrain over two days, carrying what little belongings they could. The path was challenging, marked by steep inclines and treacherous footpaths.
Upon reaching Tlangpi village, his family’s spirits were lifted by the warm welcome of fellow villagers. Despite the uncomfortable living conditions, they found solace among other internally displaced families.
In response, FCA provided 120,000 MMK to address the family’s livelihood crisis. This assistance ignited Naw Bik’s determination. He invested in a grass trimming tool and secured work at an Elephant Foot Yam and Strawberry farm, earning 10,000 MMK per day and a monthly income of 240,000 MMK. This newfound stability eased his family’s daily needs.
Reflecting on his journey, Naw Bik expressed profound gratitude for the unexpected support that reinvigorated his family’s means of survival. The generosity of strangers through the project inspired him to lend a hand to others grappling with conflicts and crises. He stressed the ongoing importance of humanitarian aid in Chin State, where many silently endure for survival.