Fatma Tanis
Fatma Tanis is a correspondent covering global health and development for NPR.
Tanis reports on U.S. foreign aid policy, the global humanitarian aid sector, as well as poverty and hunger, among other global health issues.
She's covered some of the biggest humanitarian crises in the world from Yemen, Chad, Gaza and Ukraine. Her reporting has often focused on the most vulnerable populations around the world and how they are impacted by the policies of governments.
For over a decade Tanis has reported on major events from all around the world, with a focus on the Middle East – including the social changes in Saudi Arabia in 2018 and onwards, the aftermath of the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody in Iran in 2023, Turkey's geopolitical strategy vis-à-vis Russia and the West, the plight of Syrian refugees in Turkey, and the war between Israel and Hamas.
Tanis speaks Turkish and Arabic and can survive in Persian.
Tanis can be reached via encrypted message at fxtanis.05 on Signal.
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In Liberia, joint financial planning boosted cash aid's benefits. It also had an unexpected consequence for some families. -
In Liberia, the government gave cash transfers to couples to see if it would help solve problems that arise when partners disagree about how to manage money.
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The UN estimates 650 million women and girls currently alive were married before age 18. A new resolution aims to bring awareness and push countries to act to end child marriage.
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A charity built 96 bridges to connect communities separated by rivers and gorges. A new study looks at the life-changing impact of a concrete-and-steel pedestrian crossing. -
A big glass of moo juice — no, make that several glasses a day — is common in Rwanda. Is that too much of a good thing? -
Milk is a popular drink in Rwanda, associated with economic prosperity. But as the country sees a rise in obesity and cholesterol, the health ministry aims to curb people's habit of drinking it daily.
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The Trump administration announced $2 billion in funding to faith-based groups for global health work. The White House says these groups work more efficiently. Experts question that claim.
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A new study is out that looked at various ways to try to tackle poverty in Ethiopia. Turns out, cash helps, but the impact of therapy is less clear.
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Drones carrying medical supplies constantly crisscross the skies of Rwanda. The Trump administration is giving a major grant to the effort — and at the same time cutting aid to the country. -
A U.S. company in Rwanda has been providing medical supplies via drone. But even state-of-the-art technology can't overcome a weak health care infrastructure.
