Latet predicts more poverty to come
Photo: Zvika Tishler
Poverty report: Recession still in effect
Latet aid organization reports 40% rise in deaths due to poverty, says many needy kids must steal food
The 'Alternative Poverty Report' published Tuesday by the Latet Humanitarian Aid organization paints a gloomy picture of post-recession Israeli society.
The report sees a 40% rise in the number of people who died due to lack of funds to pay for medical expenses, and says 63% of needy families are currently unable to purchase medication. Most parents are also unable to provide their children with a nutritious diet, the report says.
Not the Only Ones
Doron Peskin
Joint paper by Arab League, United Nations Development Program says 140 million people living under poverty line throughout the Arab world
The 2009 survey also reports that 75% of children do not receive regular dental care. Around half of those polled reported a general decline in their standard of living, which pushed 15% of them below the poverty line.
The recession also appears to have affected volunteer programs, with just 1% of the general public reporting that they volunteer.
According to the report around a quarter of children must work to provide for their families, and around 6% of these reported having to steal food in order to survive. One out of every five families has a child that has reportedly resorted to violence due to financial difficulties.
Around a third of needy parents polled said their children suffered from derision and bullying in school due to their poverty, and many worried that this would lead their children to commit violent acts.
About a third of people supported by Latet are employed, most of them part time. But many of these reported a severe decline in their financial situations, at times leading to fears that they would have to live in the street.
The anxiety has apparently taken its toll, and 24% say they have considered committing suicide. This figure has increased by 20% since 2008. In response, around a third of aid organizations have begun to provide counseling.
The organizations themselves also suffer from the recession, with 66% reporting that they had to cut back on food distribution and fire around 14% of their employees.
'For many crisis is just beginning'
The recession has also affected much of the general public, with around half reporting that they had to lower their standard of living this year. Many perceive the poverty in Israel an issue to be handled by the government, with 80% saying they did not believe enough was being done and 40% saying they believed current policies were worsening the situation.
Latet expressed concern over the report and predicted that conditions would only get worse. "Not only is the crisis still continuing, but there are those for whom it is only beginning, and therefore we predict thousands of people will join the distressed public during 2010," said Eran Weintraub, CEO of the organization.
"The report's findings reflect a worsening and deepening of poverty among the needy, expressed through decline and desperation, and a severe crumbling of the power of aid organizations to provide for this following the economic crisis," he added.
Weintraub expressed hope that "in the new year change will come and the government will begin to take responsibility for the situation".
The survey was held among 519 people who seek humanitarian aid and 96 aid organizations that provide around 50,000 families with assistance. Among the general public, 500 men and women were polled.
