According to the World Bank, currently 689 million people in the world live in poverty. Poverty is defined as a “state of not having enough material possessions or income for a person’s basic needs” or according to the World Bank, as those living on less than $1.90 a day. This can be caused through a variety of reasons, such as:
- Inequality and marginalisation
- Conflict
- Famine
- Poor access to healthcare, clean water, sanitation, and hygiene
- Climate change
- Poor access to education
- Poor governance
Such a global issue has led to poverty alleviation becoming high on the agenda of many international organisations. For example, the United Nation’s first goal in its list of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is ending poverty, with the aim of ending it “in all its forms, everywhere” by 2030.
Progress has been made. The World Bank has stated that for the past 25 years global poverty has been on a steady decline. However, this progress has experienced a setback with the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. The pandemic has exacerbated many issues relating to poverty and contributed to an additional 120 million people living in poverty.
So where does Christian Aid fit within this fight against poverty?
This involves working in partnership with local organisations, as well as with governments and the private sector.
Christian Aid’s work is exercised through its various projects and programmes in different parts of the developing world. This includes current programmes, such as:
- The Alternative Futures for Syrian Youth programme which focuses on providing a safe space and improving skills of young people in Syria through education and training.
- The Humanitarian Response programme in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where Christian Aid support local partners in responding to urgent humanitarian events such as the ongoing conflict and the Ebola epidemic, which has caused massive displacement of people in the eastern part of the country.
- The Evidence and Collaboration for Inclusion Development (ECID) programme which aims to reduce poverty, realise rights and improve the wellbeing of the most marginalised people in Myanmar, Nigeria and Zimbabwe.
- The Forest Custodians programme which focuses on protecting territories and increasing land access for indigenous groups living in the Brazilian Amazon.
- The HondurACTion programme which focuses on fighting against corruption and pushing for transparency in Honduras.
- The Making Agriculture a Business programme which aims to improve the livelihood and economic resilience of women and marginalised groups in Zambia.
- The Breaking the Barriers programme which aims to increase jobs and income for women living in rural areas, improve working and living conditions, promote gender equality, and strengthen their social status.
- The UK Aid Match programme which focuses on tackling malnutrition in parts of South Sudan.
The ECID programme has helped many marginalised people and groups living in poverty realise their rights and improve their livelihoods.
One of those people is U Hla Mu. Ul Hla Mu is 48 years old and lives with his mother in Gwe Ga Htaung Village (Moe Mouk Township) in Myanmar. At age 3 he contracted Beriberi (a lack of thiamine in the body) and subsequently lost his vision. Christian Aid and the ECID programme have been working with U Hla Mu so he can better understand his legal rights. This has enabled him to gain better access to healthcare and livelihood support.
Case Study: U Hla Mu, Myanmar
The ECID programme has helped many marginalised people and groups living in poverty realise their rights and improve their livelihoods.
One of those people is U Hla Mu. Ul Hla Mu is 48 years old and lives with his mother in Gwe Ga Htaung Village (Moe Mouk Township) in Myanmar. At age 3 he contracted Beriberi (a lack of thiamine in the body) and subsequently lost his vision. Christian Aid and the ECID programme have been working with U Hla Mu so he can better understand his legal rights. This has enabled him to gain better access to healthcare and livelihood support.