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A New Threat to Afghanistan

Afghanistan is facing a dangerous new threat, but it does not involve suicide bombers or roadside explosives.

Women in SHGs spoke about bright futures for their daughters and want to work towards increasing the educational opportunities that are available to them in their village of Karauli. Photo: Carmina Rinker

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I recently returned from a study and service-leaning trip in India. While was there I traveled with a small group of Portland State University students and faculty, visiting several grassroots NGOs working with women's microfinance groups in Maharashtra.

Thomas Benke (center) works with Sichuan Research Institute of Environmental Protection chemists and OFSSA staff to set-up the Gas Chromatograph. Photo: Courtesy of Thomas Benke.

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Sister(city)hood Goes Beyond Cultural Exchange

Four years ago, a petrochemical plant on the border of China and Russia spilled 100 metric tons of the toxic chemicals into a tributary of the Amur River.

Mexian fans celebrate a goal. In soccer-centric countries such as Mexico, winning a soccer match can represent more than just a victory on the field. Photo: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/frank_z/165198018/in/set-72157594170">++Frank++ (flickr)</a>

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Amidst Falling Oil and Remittances, Soccer Saves the Day in Mexico

Mexico's finance secretary recently warned that falling oil prices and production may lead to the nation's worst recession in 30 years.

Plumpy’nut is frequently used by humanitarian agencies in emergency malnutrition situations. Photo: Thatcher Cook for Mercy Corps

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Fortifying Foods To Fight Malnutrition in Africa

Humanitarian agencies have long been using protein and energy bars filled with nutrients and vitamins when responding to food emergencies.

A group of men plant crops in Kenya. Photo: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/worldbank/2628528653/">World Bank Photo Collection (flickr)</a>

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U.S. Promotes Agricultural Sustainability in Africa

Earlier this week, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack reiterated the United States' commitment to reduce Africa's dependence on food aid and promote agricultural sustainability while in Nairobi, Kenya. Vilsack said the U.S.

"Greed is ok when you let others profit from it, but greed for oneself is bad, it makes you ill," the Dalai Lama said in an interview with Welt Online. Photo: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/giando/2212005314/">Giandomenico Ricci (flickr)</a>

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A socially responsible world economic order?

At the beginning of July, two influential religious and spiritual leaders made statements within days of each other about the financial crisis and the responsibility of the wealthy to help the poor: Pope Benedict XVI and the Dalai Lama.

The interior of a number 2 subway train in NYC. Photo: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevharb/3065141497/">Kevin H. (flickr)</a>

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Payback

Jeton Qallaku, a Bronx resident, sends about three percent of his $60,000 salary back to his parents and sister in Kosovo each year. Qallaku's family mostly uses these remittance payments to keep up with their water, sewage, and electricity bills.

Workers at a footwear factory in Dongguan, China. Photo: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/clayirving/486823098/sizes/m/">clayirving (flickr)</a>

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China's Not So Cheap Anymore

Made in China.

Photo: <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8072953.stm">AdamCohn (flickr)</a>

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Zabaleen Plea to Egyptian Government: Don't Throw Away Our Livelihood

Cairo's trash-filled neighborhoods are the proud home of nearly 70,000 Coptic Christian zabaleen people and the majority of Egypt's pig population.

Village women in parts of Andhra Pardesh, India are using a local radio station to educate their communities of best practices in health and farming. Photo: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/krisvdv/336523702/">Kris Van de Vijver (flickr)</a>

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India's Rural Women Tuning In and Finding Their Voice

One of the most basic forms of technology — the radio — is helping women in rural parts of India's Andhra Pradesh educate other women in their communities.

Displaced Tamil civilians fleeing their homes in north-eastern Sri Lanka, January 2009. Photo: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tro-kilinochchi/3187678890/"> trokilinochchi (flickr)</a>

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Rebuilding the Economy in Sri Lanka's War-Torn Northeast

When the fighting ends, it's going to take a lot to rebuild the economy in Sri Lanka's war-ravaged northeast.

Rice is incredibly important for delta communities. Photo: Jeremy Barnicle/Mercy Corps

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Burmese Farmers Caught in Poverty Trap

Mercy Corps has started an agency blog to give a glimpse into the work, thoughts and ideas of our team around the world. Here's a post I wrote yesterday that is really appropriate for Global Envision.

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Hard Times for a Zimbabwean Migrant in Dubai

Like many young people who dream of coming to the wealthy Gulf States to find work, 27-year-old Anesu Gamba came here to Dubai three years ago to escape Zimbabwe’s crippling poverty.