Poverty News Blog

War leaves Poverty in its Wake

noreply@blogger.com (Joseph Robertson) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:48:00 +0000

Afghans are met by both poverty and the freezing cold of winter after over a decade since the start of the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan.

Afghans fight both cold winter, poverty

In the center of a city into which wealth has poured in the last decade, these people have been left behind. And while America's spending over $100 billion a year on this war, these Afghans say life has never been so bad.

UN Calls for End to Energy Poverty

noreply@blogger.com (Joseph Robertson) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

The UN Secretary-General called for an end to energy poverty this past week, asking for a "global action to achieve sustainable energy for all by 2030." There are two concepts I like to focus on when thinking about ending poverty - attaining true sustainable energy, and eliminating income inequality (and/or removing money control as form of slavery).

It's about time we focused on the important stuff.

Ban calls for end to energy poverty

“This is the right time for this initiative. Across the world we see momentum building for concrete action that reduces energy poverty, catalyses sustainable economic growth and mitigates the risks of climate change,” said the UN Secretary-General.

Disease in Poverty Declining

noreply@blogger.com (Joseph Robertson) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

The part of this article which should be the most surprising, but doesn't actually surprise me, is that the developing nations of the world are doing more for their lower class than the wealthiest nations. The report mentioned suggests that income inequality - regardless of amounts of wealth - leads to health consequences.

WHO Director: disease of poverty declining

Yesterday Margaret Chan, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), opened the WHO board meeting with a challenge. “Few will disagree with my statement,” she said. “Our world is in very bad shape.”

The Trap of Poverty

noreply@blogger.com (Joseph Robertson) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 01:35:00 +0000

The sad but unsurprising truth of poverty is that it traps people - children are the most likely to become victims of this. If you are born into poverty, you are likely to remain poor...

Poverty trap set at birth - study

New Zealand researchers have put hard numbers to the adage that success breeds success - and failure breeds failure.

Success of Kenya's Democracy in Debate

noreply@blogger.com (Joseph Robertson) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

This article takes a look at Kenya's economic development with respect to its democratic government, suggesting that the presence of a democracy could be hindering it's ability to grow.

Is democracy bad for Kenya's economic development?

As Kenya has entered another election year, debates on the achievements of its democracy are likely to increase. A functioning democracy needs more than elections, but even the management of elections has proven difficult for Kenya in the past, which partly explains why the economic performance has often been weak in election years and beyond.

More on Child Poverty in the UK

noreply@blogger.com (Joseph Robertson) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 17:00:00 +0000

More from The Campaign to End Child Poverty...

Shocking report claims more than 50% of children are 'living in poverty' in UK's poorest areas

A 'child poverty map' exposed the UK's most stricken areas today, as campaigners warned that targeting Government cuts at families would lead to an 'economic and a social disaster'.

Child Poverty in the UK

noreply@blogger.com (Joseph Robertson) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

This article takes a numbers look at children living in poverty in the UK.

Report shows scale of child poverty in Western Wards

The Campaign to End Child Poverty has published its poverty map of Great Britain which shows that the London Borough of Tower Hamlets is the worst area in the UK for child poverty with more than half its youngsters classed as being in poverty.

Haitian Poverty, 2 Years after the Earthquake

noreply@blogger.com (Joseph Robertson) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:00:00 +0000

Having seen the slow recovery and response to the poor in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina (5 years after the disaster, most of the old poorer neighborhoods were still largely unrecovered), it is not a surprise to me the number of people in Haiti who are still without basic living needs after 2 years. This article details some of the numbers...

Chronic Poverty Stalks Haitian Earthquake Victims Still Living in Camps

More than a third of households affected by the deadly 2010 Haiti earthquake and over half of those living in the camps have not recovered basic household assets nearly two years after the disaster, according to an analysis by Tulane University researchers.

Haiti - Commentary 2 Years After

noreply@blogger.com (Joseph Robertson) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

This particular article is a commentary on an Op/Ed piece in the New York Times. I appreciate the notations the author makes in this article as they point out some of the critical elements which serve to keep Haiti suppressed in it's current state of poverty (and leftover destruction from the earthquake).

Haiti's Poverty: New York Times Op/ED Misses Crucial Element

Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, a fact which an op/ed in today's New York Times notes is an inevitable catchphrase in any article about the hapless country occupying the western third of Hispaniola.

Free Trade Agreement in Africa to Promote intra-African Trade

noreply@blogger.com (Joseph Robertson) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

This month, many African Heads of State will come together in an effort to launch a "continent-wide free trade agreement (CFTA)." This is in an effort to promote intra-African trade and hopefully provide an avenue for the poor to free themselves from economic oppression.

Boosting Intra-African Trade: What Role for External Trade Regime?

Effective regional integration in Africa would not only enhance trade within Africa but it would also attract investment in manufacturing. Experience in many countries has demonstrated that light manufacturing can be a major source of job creation and economic growth. African countries remain highly fragmented, preventing investment by firms in the development of efficient supply chains on the continent.

Reducing Poverty in Lagos, Nigeria

noreply@blogger.com (Joseph Robertson) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

The National Association of Microfinance Banks in Lagos are putting forth an effort to dispurse N100 billion in loans this year, in an effort to reduce poverty in Nigeria - this article points out that currently 70% of Nigerians live below the poverty line.

Poverty to reduce in Lagos as MFBs plan to disburse N100bn loan

About 70 percent of 150 million Nigerians live below the poverty line, this figure rose from 54 percent previously. Poverty in Nigeria remains endemic in spite of poverty alleviation works. Experts have criticised the development, describing it as unacceptable because of the risk it poses to economic growth.

The Answer to Poverty is...a Football Cup?

noreply@blogger.com (Joseph Robertson) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

This is perhaps purely an example of the rich trying to get richer. In Equatorial Guinea - a country where 60% of the population is in poverty - the government focuses it's efforts on hosting the Wonga cup. As this article points out, the nation is host to a resource of oil - yet the majority of the population suffers.

Sam Wallace: A poverty-stricken people don't need the wonga cup

However, also like Qatar, Equatorial Guinea does have lots of lovely oil. Unfortunately for the people of the country, the third smallest by land mass in continental Africa, they do not get to see much of the benefits. The Unicef reports are depressing in the extreme: 20 per cent of children die before the age of five; 60 per cent of the population live in poverty.

More on Nigeria

noreply@blogger.com (Joseph Robertson) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:30:00 +0000

Here is another article focusing on the problems in Nigeria. This article displays how a Nigerian living on minimum wage is affected by the situation.

Nigeria: A Protest Against Poverty

GOVERNMENT must have planned for the backlash of the hike in the price of petrol. However, its responses so far show a low appreciation of the economic status of Nigerians, the few exceptions being those who live off inexhaustible government largesse at the expense of others.

Remembering MLK

noreply@blogger.com (Joseph Robertson) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 23:08:00 +0000

As we remember MLK today, I invite you to check out this article which has quotes from his speech in 1967 where he addressed income inequality.

MLK's forgotten speech, accomplishing the dream by addressing poverty

Today as Americans remember Martin Luther King Jr. many will focus on the vision King so eloquently illustrated in his “I Have a Dream” speech. However, what is often forgotten is that MLK attempted to accomplish the dream many years after he spoke at the Lincoln Memorial in 1963. The “I Have a Dream” speech was delivered on August 28, 1963. Four years later, in 1967, MLK attempted to move the dream forward with his “Where Do We Go from Here?” speech.

Price Increases and Strikes in Nigeria

noreply@blogger.com (Joseph Robertson) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 22:19:00 +0000

Price increases in Nigeria - particularly in fuel - have caused a massive backlash with strikes, protests and "national paralysis." This coming to a nation of people already stricken by limited means...

Prices and Anger Rise in Nigeria, Presaging More Strikes

After five days of strikes, protests and national paralysis over a sharp rise in the government-controlled price of fuel, Nigerians emerged from their homes this weekend to find the fragile calculus underpinning most people’s lives in the country further threatened.

Politics and Poverty in India

noreply@blogger.com (Joseph Robertson) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

This article provides perhaps a look into Indian politics - specifically as they surround the subjects of poverty and the general welfare of the public.

Barun Roy: The poverty game

"Yet, in this hallowed land of democracy, the poor remain poor; farmers commit suicide because they can’t pay off their debts; villages go without electricity, safe water or passable roads; the sick are treated like dirt in public hospitals and; slums are the only shelters for millions. How’s that possible?..."

Children forced by Poverty to Work

noreply@blogger.com (Joseph Robertson) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Of the greatest tragedies of poverty is that inflicted upon children. Children who grow up in poverty are often not only lack development such as education, but can be forced into the workforce at a much earlier age than they should be. This tends to perpetrate the cycle of poverty - family is poor, so children must work instead of grow, which leads them to be unable to pull themselves and their family out of poverty, so their children must work...etc

This is the problem facing children in Brazil...

More than 1 million children ages 10 to 14 still forced by poverty to work in Brazil

"The Folha de S.Paulo newspaper says Wednesday that its analysis of preliminary 2010 census figures compiled by Brazil’s government statistics agency shows that more than 1 million children between the ages of 10 and 14 were working last year..."

Next Mexican President Faces Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Joseph Robertson) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0000

The next president of Mexico is going to face a tremendous challenge when it comes to fighting poverty...

Growing poverty looms for next Mexican president

"A battle over how to tackle poverty, which is blamed for stunting Mexico's economic development and fueling the rise of violent drug gangs, is already raging between candidates competing to succeed Calderon in a July presidential election..."

Achieving Poverty Reduction Through Fast Growth Enterprises

noreply@blogger.com (Joseph Robertson) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Last month, a group of experts came together at the International Finance Corporation to discuss the potential for small and media fast growth companies to achieve reduction in poverty and to reach the development goals. The idea is that these are the type of companies who present the most potential for rapid job growth.

Chasing Gazelles to Achieve Poverty Reduction, Development Goals

"Thirty years of research shows that a small percentage of SMEs create the vast majority of net new jobs and GDP growth in the U.S. and Europe, but how does this translate into opportunities in emerging markets?"

The Voices of Poverty

noreply@blogger.com (Joseph Robertson) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0000

This article is an introduction to the project called Voices of Poverty. One of the ways we can help fight poverty is to gain an understanding how it feels to be suffering from it..

The Voices of Poverty in America

"Voices of Poverty was conceived, in conversation with the Open Society Foundations, as a way to tell the stories, in their own voices, of impoverished men, women, and children around America. My aim was to put together an audio archive containing the voices, and stories of America’s invisible poor..."

Tracking our Progress toward the MDGs

noreply@blogger.com (Joseph Robertson) — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0000

The Millennium Development Goals were established by the UN in 2000 to set specific goals to deal with health, hunger, education, equality, and sustainability by the 2015 deadline. As we are approaching that deadline, it is good to look and see how we are doing...

Charting our progress on global poverty

"In 2000, the United Nations member states declared, "We will spare no effort to free our fellow men, women and children from the abject and dehumanizing conditions of extreme poverty, to which more than a billion of them are currently subjected." To that end, they agreed to the Millennium Development Goals - a set of eight goals and 21 targets dealing with health, education, hunger, gender equality and environmental sustainability..."

New US Poverty Figures Misinterpreted

noreply@blogger.com (Joseph Robertson) — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0000

It appears that the new poverty figures released by the US Census Bureau were not interpreted correctly by many journalists. The declaration of 50% of US in poverty may be a bit exaggerated.

‘Poverty Figures May Be Wrong, Journalists May Have Misunderstood Census Data’

"Recently, the U.S Census Bureau released a report that creates a new designation of “low income” in order to “better reflect the distribution of poverty in the US.” The Associated Press ran with a headline, “Census shows 1 in 2 people are poor or low-income ,” and scores of other media outlets followed suit...But analysts at the U.S. Census Bureau district office in Los Angeles are reporting today that perhaps journalists misunderstood. and over 300 online news reports simply got the story wrong..."

In Andrha Pradesh - Almost all In Poverty

noreply@blogger.com (Joseph Robertson) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0000

In Andrha Pradesh - a state on the coast in SE India - 95% of the population lives below the poverty line...

95 percent of people below poverty line in Andrha Pradesh

"The figures, which came up for discussion during the two-day collectors' conference held by Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy in Hyderabad on December 14 and 15, clearly indicate that almost 95 per cent of the state population lives below the poverty line..."

UN Looking to Social Media to Fight Poverty

noreply@blogger.com (Joseph Robertson) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 17:00:00 +0000

The UN has brought in social media gurus to help find ways that social media channels can be used to help fight poverty. The incredible growth of mobile communications along with the vast amount of people utilizing services like Facebook (the article points out that 157.d million Americans use Facebook), provides a vast potential for creating action with a large amount of people...

UN Seeks Help In Poverty Fight From Social Media Gurus

"Around 300 UN Development Program communications officers from about 80 countries, as well as students and NYC tech professionals, filled an expansive UN conference room for the conference “Social Media: An Outside the UN Perspective.” Here are the major points from their presentation..."

UN Development Program Reveals Funding to Fight Poverty

noreply@blogger.com (Joseph Robertson) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0000

The United Nations rural poverty agency announced their aims to raise $1.5 billion to support their efforts to bolster living conditions of the rural poor across the developing world.

UN rural poverty agency unveils billion-dollar funding target

"With almost two billion rural people worldwide depending for their livelihoods on an estimated 500 million smallholder farms in developing countries, the UN’s International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) aims to fill a crucial niche, focusing its efforts in the areas of food and income security..."