Her situation came to light after she met politician Geoffrey Mosiria, who documented her story as shown in this video shared with Global South World. 

“Sir, in my house, there is hunger. We sleep on an empty stomach,” she told Geoffrey. “Begging is not a part of me,  I rebuke it in the mighty name of Jesus.” 

“The only thing that is in my house is salt and matchbox.”

Elizabeth’s case underscores broader deprivation in Kenya, with the latest available data from 2022 showing that 25.4% of the population — about 13.8 million people — are living in multidimensional poverty, with a further 26.4% considered vulnerable.

The country’s multidimensional poverty index stands at 0.113, lower than peers such as Cameroon and Tanzania , but still reflecting significant gaps in access to basic needs.

For families like Elizabeth’s, those figures translate into daily uncertainty over food, work and survival.

“I do manual jobs. I've been out for weeks trying to secure a job, all in vain.” 

The United States and the European Union have, however, provided billions of dollars in military and economic aid, including advanced air defence systems and artillery. Aid debates in Western capitals continue to shape Kyiv’s battlefield capacity.

Russia, meanwhile, faces sweeping economic sanctions targeting its banking, energy and defence sectors. While sanctions have strained parts of the economy, Moscow has redirected trade and increased domestic arms production.

Despite a call for a ceasefire, Ukraine insists on full territorial restoration and security guarantees, while Russia maintains claims over annexed regions. The United Nations continues to call for a negotiated settlement, but no ceasefire agreement has been reached.

In all of these, the humanitarian toll remains severe, with millions displaced and infrastructure heavily damaged. The conflict continues to affect global food and energy markets .

Watch the full video above as voices from the Global South dish out what's next for both parties to save themselves and avert the deadly cost.

However, the recent aid cuts threaten to undo the policy’s gains by hampering humanitarian efforts, as organisations grapple with funding deficiencies that have made the provision of services significantly difficult. A report reveals that the International Rescue Committee, which provides comprehensive humanitarian relief and development support to refugees, has suspended healthcare programs in eleven settlements, including Bidibidi, Kiryandongo, Palabek and Rhino Camp, risking the lives of over 735,000 people, especially women and children who are more vulnerable. 

“The termination of key nutrition and maternal health programs has removed a critical safety net, increasing the risk of maternal and neonatal deaths,” cautions Elijah Okeyo, IRC’s Country Director. He acknowledges the reduction in immunisation, which he warns could cause a spike in preventable diseases such as measles and weaken their ability to respond to emergencies. 

The situation isn’t too different for other players. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has indicated a shortfall of approximately €6.5 million, affecting over 90% of their health funding budget. Consequently, the number of UNHCR-funded healthcare staff has drastically declined, which has lowered the technical capacity of their health centres established in different refugee settlements in Uganda. The impact is visible, with the organisation already reporting tens of preventable deaths, highlighting the need for increased funding in critical sectors, including psychosocial support.

Finn Church Aid, which supports about 127,000 primary school and 19,000 secondary school learners under its education emergencies program, cautions that dwindling aid risks exacerbating infrastructure and logistical gaps , thus fuelling school dropout rates and compromising child protection.

“Both national governments and international donors must prioritise education in emergencies,” urges FCA, emphasising the need for sustainable commitments in order to build resilience.

Nutrition has not been spared either, as the World Food Program has reduced food rations allocated to refugee homesteads in Uganda by 40%. This exposes a population of close to a million to malnutrition, with prevalence rates exceeding 15% in 2025, according to WFP . 

The pressure of shrinking budgets has compelled Uganda to consider mitigating measures. In 2025, the government ceased granting refugee status to people from Somalia, Eritrea and Ethiopia, signalling a shift in the country’s refugee policy. The decision, according to the Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Hilary Onek, is influenced by the drop in funding, from approximately $240 million to $100 million, despite the ever-surging refugee inflows. This situation restricts access to protection, exposing those displaced from the affected countries to potential harm.

These challenges underscore the need for reforms that strengthen refugee response, particularly as Uganda transitions from a humanitarian approach towards development financing, where local governments are empowered to provide social services as opposed to centralised management. For this to bear fruit, the government must complement humanitarian aid with local resource mobilisation. Uganda must also strengthen local government efficiency and its systems of accountability in order to prevent a recurrence of the 2018 corruption scandal that eroded donor trust and triggered aid cuts.

Editor’s note: Correction made in the opening paragraph. The correct term is “settlement” and not “resettlement”.

The opinions and thoughts expressed in this article reflect only the author's views.

Cuba’s energy shortages have intensified in recent weeks, with Díaz-Canel accusing Washington of imposing an “energy blockade”. The strain follows an executive order signed by Donald Trump allowing additional US tariffs on countries that supply oil to Cuba, a move that has further complicated the island’s access to fuel.

Singapore will provide grants totalling Special Drawing Rights (SDR) 25.48 million, equivalent to about $34.7 million, to two IMF facilities focused on poverty reduction and debt relief.

The largest share — SDR 21 million, or about US$28.6 million — will go to the IMF’s Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust (PRGT), which offers concessional loans to low-income countries facing fiscal stress and balance-of-payments problems.

A further SDR 4.48 million, equivalent to around $6.1 million, will be directed to the Trust for Special Poverty Reduction and Growth Operations for the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (PRG-HIPC Trust) to support the IMF’s debt relief efforts for Sudan.

MAS said Singapore’s contribution to the PRGT will be drawn from its Official Foreign Reserves, while the Sudan-related grant will come from Singapore’s existing resources held in IMF accounts and will not affect reserve levels.

The move follows a 2021 IMF allocation of SDR 650 billion to boost global liquidity during the pandemic. Singapore received SDR 3.73 billion from that allocation, despite not requiring the additional reserves, and is now redirecting part of its share to countries in greater need.

MAS said the contributions reflect Singapore’s interest, as a small and highly open economy , in supporting global financial stability and collective action through the IMF. The amounts are aligned with Singapore’s quota share at the Fund.

Beyond grants, Singapore will also channel SDR 746 million — about US$1.01 billion — to the IMF’s Resilience and Sustainability Trust in the form of a loan, supporting longer-term financing for vulnerable countries facing challenges such as climate change and pandemic preparedness.

MAS said the combined measures underscore Singapore’s support for multilateral efforts to stabilise fragile economies, at a time when debt pressures and external shocks continue to weigh heavily on the world’s poorest countries.

The State Department said all ongoing US assistance to the Somali federal government has been paused, warning that support will only resume if Somali authorities take accountability and implement corrective measures.

“The State Department has paused all ongoing U.S. assistance programs which benefit the Somali Federal Government. Any resumption of assistance will be dependent upon the Somali Federal Government taking accountability for its unacceptable actions and taking appropriate remedial steps,” an official post read.

The World Food Programme confirmed that the warehouse had been demolished by port authorities and said it contained specialised nutritious food for pregnant and breastfeeding women, girls and young children. A WFP spokesperson further warned that the facility was critical to emergency operations at a time when nearly a quarter of Somalia’s population, about 4.4 million people, is facing crisis levels of hunger or worse.

WFP said it is engaging Somali authorities and partners to address the situation.

The Japanese government has announced a $13.8 million humanitarian aid package for Yemen, targeting urgent needs such as food security, healthcare, and essential services. The support comes as the country continues to face one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with millions affected by conflict, displacement, and malnutrition. Japan reaffirmed its commitment to working with international partners to ensure effective aid delivery and support Yemen’s long-term stability.

Intense political efforts aim to ease tensions in Eastern Yemen

Yemen is experiencing increased political engagemen t to ease tensions in its eastern provinces, where rival forces have competed for influence amid fragile security. President Rashad Al-Alimi emphasised that strengthening state institutions is the top priority, describing effective governance as key to stability and lasting peace. The efforts come as local and regional actors push dialogue to prevent escalation in Hadramout and Al-Mahra, where recent frictions have raised concerns over security and cohesion.

Yemen’s future after the STC’s eastward expansion

Yemen’s Southern Transitional Council (STC) is expanding its influence in the eastern governorates of Hadramout and al-Mahra, underscoring the fragmented nature of the country’s decade-long conflict. The advances highlight how power in Yemen now extends beyond the government–Houthi divide, with multiple de facto authorities competing over security and resources. Backed by a regional power, the STC has emerged as the dominant force in the south and parts of the east, even as the government struggles to assert unified control and the economy deteriorates. Against this backdrop, President Rashad al-Alimi described the reported suspension of IMF activities as a warning sign of the political and economic costs of escalating tensions in the east.

Al-Arada discusses latest developments with the U.S. ambassador

President Rashad Mohammed al-Alimi met with U.S. Ambassador Steven Fagin to discuss bilateral relations, recent developments in Yemen’s eastern governorates, and U.S. support for government reforms. The talks also covered counterterrorism cooperation and efforts to deter the Iran-backed Houthis. Al-Alimi praised strong U.S. support for Yemen, including the designation of the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation and backing for economic and political reform initiatives.

UN envoy urges de-escalation in Yemen’s eastern provinces

UN Special Envoy to Yemen Hans Grundberg has urged immediate de-escalation in the eastern provinces of Hadramout and Al-Mahra, citing concerns over rising instability and its potential impact on local communities and regional security. Speaking in Riyadh, he called on all parties to exercise restraint and engage in dialogue, stressing that stability in the east is essential to advancing Yemen’s broader peace process.

For the first time this century, the number of children dying before the age of five is projected to increase. In 2024, an estimated 4.6 million children died before turning five. That figure is expected to rise to 4.8 million in 2025.

“That means more than 5,000 classrooms of children, gone before they ever learn to write their name or tie their shoes… It doesn't have to be like this,” Bill Gates, chair of the Gates Foundation, said.

The report attributes the rise to a significant decline in global development assistance for health.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that external health aid will decrease by 30% to 40% in 2025 compared to 2023, severely disrupting health services in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Projections in the report suggest that continued funding cuts of 20% could result in an additional 12 million child deaths by 2045. If the cuts reach 30%, the figure could rise to 16 million.

 “If we take this path, we’re the generation that almost ended preventable child deaths. Almost eradicated polio. Almost wiped malaria off the map. Almost made HIV history… But we can’t stop at almost. We know kids are dying. We know why. And we know how to stop it,” the report stated.

Amidst significant aid cuts by the United States government under President Donald Trump, the Microsoft founder has pledged $200 billion of his wealth to charity and revealed earlier this year that most of it will be directed towards Africa, with the main goal of ending preventable deaths of mothers and babies, eliminating deadly infectious diseases, and reducing poverty across the continent over the next two decades.

Funding cuts have resulted in a 70% reduction in some countries for vital services like disease surveillance, immunisation, maternal care, and emergency preparedness and response, according to WHO survey data from 108 LMICs gathered in March 2025. 

The Goalkeepers report outlines several interventions with high potential to save lives. These include strengthening primary health care systems, maintaining routine immunisation programmes, improving vaccines , and using data to drive better decision-making.

According to the report, primary health care systems that cost under $100 per person annually could prevent up to 90% of child deaths.

Since 2000, the number of child deaths worldwide has decreased by half as a result of vaccines being given to the most vulnerable children, the report noted.

“And every dollar spent on immunisation gave countries a return of $54.”

Hosted by Uganda’s National Social Security Fund (NSSF), the summit was themed “Unlocking Africa’s Pension Potential for Sustainable Development.” The event highlighted the urgent need to bridge the continent’s massive infrastructure gap using domestic capital.

“The strategic use of pension capital is integral to Uganda’s Ten-Fold Growth Strategy,” said Dr. Michael Atingi-Ego, Governor of the Bank of Uganda, in his keynote address. He called pension savings “patient capital,” ideally suited to building long-term infrastructure such as roads, schools , hospitals, and energy systems.

Atingi-Ego urged African nations to align pension investment with national development goals, backed by sound macroeconomic policies like inflation control and currency stability. He also called for the creation of new financial instruments, including green bonds and infrastructure bonds, to facilitate responsible and impactful pension fund investments.

Further, Uganda’s Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, delivering remarks on behalf of President Yoweri Museveni, described NSSF Uganda as “an important contributor to national development,” supporting its investments in affordable housing, renewable energy , and infrastructure.

“Africa urgently needs both capital and entrepreneurship to accelerate development,” Nabbanja said. “Our pension funds present a unique opportunity to mobilise domestic capital for critical sectors such as energy, infrastructure, and transport.”

What they said

According to William D Hartung, a senior research fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, and the writer of the US Military Aid and Arms Transfers to Israel, October 2023–September 2025 report, “Given the scale of current and future spending, it is clear the [Israeli army] could not have done the damage they have done in Gaza or escalated their military activities throughout the region without US financing, weapons, and political support.”