Other Regional Research

RAND engages in significant research in the regions of Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa. RAND's Latin America work began during the Cold War era with in-depth analysis of U.S.-Cuban relations and has expanded to include issues related to health, education, economics, demographics, and political reform. RAND's work covering Sub-Saharan Africa encompasses many critical issues related to health, education, and political reform in the developing world.

Other Regional Research in the News

  • Doctor Maria Alonso and medical students from the University of Puerto Rico visit patients in a neighborhood affected by Hurricane Maria in September, in Corozal, Puerto Rico, January 20, 2018, photo by Alvin Baez/Reuters

    Partnering with Communities on Puerto Rico Disaster Recovery

    Feb 25, 2021

    After Hurricanes Irma and Maria struck Puerto Rico in 2017, RAND helped its government develop a comprehensive recovery plan. In this RAND Remote conversation, Marielena Lara and Gabriela Castro will discuss the partnered approach they used to support reconstruction and recovery efforts. [Virtual]

  • A woman stands on a ruined building after Hurricane Eta, in Wawa Bar, a Miskito indigenous community in Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua, November 23, 2020, photo by Katlyn Holland/CRS /Latin America News Agency/Reuters

    Lessons for Central America's Recovery from Hurricanes

    Jan 11, 2021

    As the global community works to assist Central America in recovering from the disastrous 2020 hurricane season, other recent recovery efforts offer helpful lessons, both for the governments of the region as well as outsiders providing resources and support.

  • People walk near India Gate on a smoggy afternoon in New Delhi, India, November 15, 2020, photo by Adnan Abidi/Reuters

    Curb Climate Change After COVID-19? Fast-Growing India and Brazil Are Key

    Dec 15, 2020

    India and Brazil are facing pressure to launch recoveries after the economic devastation caused by the pandemic. Will they backslide on their Paris climate agreement commitments, or will the expected return of the United States to the pact encourage them to build a more sustainable economic future?

  • Niger soldiers guard with their weapons pointed towards the border with neighbouring Nigeria, near the town of Diffa, Niger, June 21, 2016, photo by Luc Gnago/Reuters

    How to Build Better Militaries in Africa: Lessons from Niger

    Oct 2, 2020

    To help counter the threat of terrorism and build the capacity of African militaries, the U.S. government spends over $1.5 billion a year on security assistance to the African continent. Does this support work?

  • Roberto Figueroa Caballero sits on a small table in his home destroyed by Hurricane Maria, in La Perla neighborhood on the coast of San Juan, Puerto Rico, October 5, 2017, photo by Ramon Espinosa/AP Photos

    Predisaster Conditions, Hurricane Damage, and Recovery Needs in Puerto Rico

    Sep 30, 2020

    Puerto Rico was facing challenges and stressors prior to the 2017 hurricane season. A comprehensive assessment of those issues and the damage caused by Hurricane Maria and other 2017 storms identifies short- and longer-term needs for Puerto Rico to recover and to build resilience to future storms.

  • 7d, Maria, azul, blue, blue tarps, canon, condado, damage, fema, hato rey, hurricane maria, pr, puerto rico, recovery, san juan, sea, tarps

    Supporting Puerto Rico's Disaster Recovery Planning

    Sep 30, 2020

    In response to Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, the Homeland Security Operational Analysis Center (HSOAC) supported development of Puerto Rico’s economic and disaster-recovery plan. Researchers collected and analyzed damage and needs information from across Puerto Rico, and developed and costed recovery actions that addressed multiple areas of need.

  • Community engagement workshop with ward officers for the Dar Ramani Huria, a community-based mapping project in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, photo by Ramani Huria/CC BY-SA 2.0

    Governance of Risk in Sub-Saharan Africa

    Sep 29, 2020

    In a series of papers—focusing on Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; Freetown, Sierra Leone; and Monrovia, Liberia—researchers explored how interactions among people, the built and natural environment, and institutions shape and influence urbanization, the risks that arise as a result, and potential paths forward for reducing risk.

  • Silhouette of several militants with rifles, photo by zabelin/Getty Images

    Are Counter Violent Extremism Interventions Effective?

    Sep 11, 2020

    Government efforts to counter the propaganda and radicalization that lead to violent extremism are becoming more common around the world, but there's little research on whether such programs work. It is critical to conduct more research to tease out which programs are most effective.