Tag: poverty
Gaza conflict could spark rise in poverty, UN agencies fear
The assessment by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) looks at preliminary socio-economic impacts, warning that poverty could spike while Gross Domestic Product (GDP) could plummet by 8.4 per cent, which translates into a loss of $1.7 billion. Lamenting the loss of life, suffering and ongoing…
Read MoreAmazon, DoorDash, Walmart, trapping workers in poverty: UN rights expert
In separate letters to Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, DoorDash CEO Tony Xu and Walmart CEO Doug McMillon, the UN-appointed independent expert on extreme poverty and human rights, Olivier De Schutter, requested a response to reports of inadequate pay, aggressive union-busting tactics, and the misclassification of workers as “independent contractors”, intentionally depriving them of traditional employment benefits such as…
Read MoreWorld News in Brief: 500 million heading into extreme poverty, Afghanistan quake latest, Darfur deaths mount
Marking the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, Mr. Guterres pointed out that nearly 700 million people are living on less than $2.15 per day and over a billion don’t have access to basic needs like food, water, health care and education. Billions more lack sanitation and access to energy, jobs, housing and social safety…
Read MoreOver 330 million children worldwide living in extreme poverty
The findings show that 333 million children worldwide are living in extreme poverty – a decrease of almost 50 million over the course of the past decade. However, the report’s authors say that millions more should have been lifted out of extreme poverty had it not been for three years of COVID-19-related disruptions. ‘Stalled progress’…
Read MoreMenstrual Hygiene Day: Putting an end to period poverty
Period poverty, or the inability to afford menstrual products, is a serious issue especially in developing countries, an issue menstruating girls and women grapple with monthly and a spotlight topic on Menstrual Hygiene Day, observed annually on 28 May. “I’m happy to come work here because I meet and work with other people,” said Ms.…
Read MoreWHO calls for more action to end ‘cycles of poverty and stigma’ related to tropical diseases
To mark World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day, the UN agency has released a report highlighting progress and challenges in delivering care for these 20 conditions, which mainly affect the world’s poorest people. NTDs are caused by a variety of pathogens including viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi and toxins, and can be deadly. Other examples are Buruli…
Read MorePakistan floods: 9 million more risk being pushed into poverty, warns UNDP
“We estimate that up to around nine million people – additional people – could be pushed into poverty due to the flood impact” said Knut Ostby, UNDP Resident Representative in Pakistan. Climate risk knows no borders Although the Pakistan flooding was “unprecedented”, it could happen to other countries affected by climate change, Mr. Ostby warned.…
Read MoreUN Forum tackles ‘digital poverty’ facing 2.7 billion people
“With the right policies in place, digital technology can give an unprecedented boost to sustainable development, particularly for the poorest countries,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres in a press release. “This calls for more connectivity; and less digital fragmentation. More bridges across digital divides; and fewer barriers. Greater autonomy for ordinary people; less abuse and disinformation.” The…
Read MoreRising inflation, falling wages threaten increased poverty and unrest: ILO
Global monthly wages fell in real terms to -0.9 per cent in the first half of the year, the study found, marking the first instance of negative growth this century. As a result, the purchasing power of middle-class families has been reduced, while low-income households have been hit particularly hard. Tens of millions affected …
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