Ukraine is the second-largest country in Europe and, due to the ongoing war, one of the poorest. Russia’s invasion in 2022 created a humanitarian crisis of immense scale. Millions have fled, families have been torn apart, and countless people have lost their homes, livelihoods, and even loved ones.

India is the most populous country in the world, with a population of around 1.48 billion people. Although the constitution guarantees freedom of religion and the caste system has officially been abolished, traditional social structures still strongly influence social life in many parts of the country. From birth, people are assigned to a caste. Those referred to as “untouchables” continue to face discrimination and, in some cases, persecution and violence from members of higher castes.

India also faces major social inequalities. Especially in rural areas, many people are too poor to afford adequate nutrition. Numerous farming families struggle with debt, leading to thousands of suicides each year. The challenges are also immense in the country’s large cities. A significant portion of the population lives without legal security in unofficial slum settlements. Child mortality remains high by international standards. Every year, around 700,000 children die before the age of five, often due to malnutrition and a lack of access to basic necessities and medical care.

For Christians in particular, the situation in many parts of India is increasingly difficult. The country ranks high on international religious freedom persecution indexes. So-called anti-conversion laws put Christians at risk of being falsely accused or arrested. In this climate, extremist Hindus have at times used violence against Christians, leading to attacks, displacement, and even killings. Converts from Hindu backgrounds are especially vulnerable. They are under constant pressure to return to Hinduism and need prayer and support, as the police often fail to intervene in cases of violence.

Since the founding of the State of Israel in 1948, its population has lived under the tensions of the Middle East conflict, though Israel’s history itself begins in the Bible. Due to their history, both Jews and Arabs lay claim to the land. When the United Nations proposed dividing the territory into a Jewish and an Arab state, the Arab side rejected the plan, which led to ongoing attacks and wars. To this day, lasting peace remains elusive.

Israel currently has around 10 million inhabitants, approximately 7.8 million Jews and 2.2 million Arabs. Although their number is declining, about 140,000 to 150,000 Holocaust survivors still live in the country. Arche places special emphasis on supporting these individuals and their families.

Thailand has a population of around 71–72 million people, making it one of the 20 most populous countries in the world. Approximately 93–94% of the population is Buddhist, 5–6% Muslim, and less than 1% Christian.

Tourism is one of the country’s most important industries. Bangkok is among the most visited cities in the world. At the same time, Thailand faces significant social challenges. Estimates suggest that between 200,000 and more than 300,000 people are involved in prostitution, including tens of thousands of minors. Many also come from poorer neighboring countries. Although prostitution is officially illegal, it is often tolerated.

Thailand is also considered a destination country for human trafficking. Migrant workers are often affected by exploitation, forced labor, and human rights violations, for which government authorities are repeatedly criticized.

Argentina is the second-largest country in South America and has a population of around 46 million people. Among them are 35 to 40 indigenous peoples, including the Mbya Guaraní, who mainly live in the province of Misiones Province in the northeastern part of the country. Originally, they lived as hunters and gatherers in the rainforest while also practicing agriculture.

Due to various factors, including colonization and the deforestation of the rainforest, their living conditions have worsened considerably. Poverty, disease, and limited access to education are widespread. Their situation is especially difficult in Argentina, where they mostly live in isolated communities. Around 30% of the Mbya Guaraní in Misiones are illiterate, compared to a national average of 2.7%. In addition, 16.5% of people between the ages of 5 and 29 have never attended school or any other educational institution.

Bolivia, officially known as the Plurinational State of Bolivia, is one of the poorer countries in South America. Around 12.4 million people live there. The country officially recognizes 36 ethnic groups. Approximately 40% of the population belongs to indigenous peoples such as the Quechua, Aymara, Chiquitano, and Guaraní, contributing to Bolivia’s rich cultural diversity.

Bolivia regularly experiences social and political unrest, which can quickly escalate into violent clashes. In addition, the country remains an important transit and production hub for cocaine, contributing to higher crime rates and ongoing security problems.

Zambia is located in southern Africa and has a population of around 20 million people. Nearly half of the population is younger than 15 years old, making Zambia one of the countries with the fastest population growth rates.

A major challenge is the high HIV infection rate. As a result, hundreds of thousands of children have become orphans and grow up with limited access to basic necessities while living with relatives, foster families, or in orphanages. Due to widespread poverty, child labor among children between the ages of 6 and 14 is especially common in rural areas. As a result, many children do not attend school regularly. Even when they do attend classes, it is not uncommon for public school classrooms to have up to 70 students, which negatively affects the quality of education.

Brazil is the largest country in South America and the fifth-largest country in the world by area. With a population of around 212 million people, it is also one of the most populous countries in the world. The population is highly diverse, consisting of descendants of Portuguese settlers, people of African descent, numerous immigrant communities from Europe and Asia, as well as indigenous peoples.

Although education is compulsory, many public schools are considered underfunded and of poor quality, while private schools are mainly accessible to wealthier families. The public healthcare system also suffers from chronic underfunding and major regional differences in quality. In addition, Brazil struggles with high crime rates, spiritism, widespread poverty, numerous favelas, child labor, and human trafficking.