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	1.3 billion people worldwide experience poverty in their daily life by OPHI, Global Coalition to End Child Poverty   Sep. 2018   1.3 billion people worldwide experience poverty in their daily life   Half of all people living in poverty are younger than 18 years old, according to estimates from the 2018 global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) released this week by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI).   The new figures show that in 104 primarily low and middle-income countries, 662 million children are considered multidimensionally poor. In 35 countries half of all children are poor.   The MPI looks beyond income to understand how people experience poverty in multiple and simultaneous ways. It identifies how people are being left behind across three key dimensions: health, education and living standards, lacking such things as clean water, sanitation, adequate nutrition or primary education. Those who are deprived in at least of a third of the MPI's components are defined as multidimensionally poor. The 2018 figures, which are now closely aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, cover almost three-quarters of the world's population.   The latest figures paint a stark picture of just how many are still left behind by development, but they also demonstrate that progress can happen quickly with the right approach.   Some 1.3 billion people live in multidimensional poverty, which is almost a quarter of the population of the 104 countries for which the 2018 MPI is calculated. Of these 1.3 billion, almost half - 46 percent - are thought to be living in severe poverty and are deprived in at least half of the dimensions covered in the MPI.   The Multidimensional Poverty Index gives insights that are vital for understanding the many ways in which people experience poverty, and it provides a new perspective on the scale and nature of global poverty while reminding us that eliminating it in all its forms is far from impossible.   Although similar comparisons over time have not yet been calculated for other countries, the latest information from UNDP's Human Development Index released last week shows significant development progress in all regions, including many Sub-Saharan African countries. Between 2006 and 2017, the life expectancy increased over 7 years in Sub-Saharan Africa and by almost 4 years in South Asia, and enrollment rates in primary education are up significantly.   Multidimensional poverty is found in all developing regions of the world, but it is particularly acute and significant in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.   In Sub-Saharan Africa for instance, some 560 million people (58 percent of the population) are living in multidimensional poverty, 342 million (61 percent of those living in multidimensional poverty) of them severely so. While in South Asia 546 million people (31 percent of the population) are multidimensionally poor, 200 million of them (37 percent) severely so.   Figures for the other regions - range from 19 percent of people in the Arab States living in multidimensional poverty, to two percent of those living in countries covered by the dataset in Europe. Within countries there is also considerable disparities. The 2018 MPI is available for 1,101 subnational regions showing within-country variations in multidimensional poverty levels for 87 countries.   The latest data also reveals the vast majority 1.1 billion of the multidimensional poor live in rural areas around the world, where poverty rates, at 36 percent, are four times higher than among those living in urban areas.   'The Multidimensional Poverty Index is a powerful tool for examining global poverty and communicating useful facts. Not only does it allow us to understand how different countries are faring in their fight against poverty, but it helps us to better understand who the poor are, where they are and the many different ways in which they experience poverty', said Sabina Alkire, OPHI Director.   Traditional poverty measures often calculated by numbers of people who earn less than $1.90 a day shed light on how little people earn but not on how they experience poverty in their day-to-day lives. The MPI provides a complementary picture of poverty and how it impacts people across the world.   'The Sustainable Development Goals call to eradicate poverty in all its forms everywhere. The Multidimensional Poverty Index helps answer that call, providing valuable information for all those seeking to understand what poverty looks like for a particular place or group of people, and for those working on the policies to help people escape poverty now and into the future', said Selim Jahan, Director of the Human Development Report Office at UNDP.   While the MPI's core data look at those who are poor, and the subset who are severely poor, the numbers also look at those very close to becoming poor. These people, while not quite multidimensionally poor, are living precariously and struggling to remain above the poverty line.   The data show that in addition to the 1.3 billion classed as poor, an additional 879 million are at risk of falling into multidimensional poverty, which could happen quickly if they suffer setbacks from conflict, sickness, drought, unemployment and more.   http://ophi.org.uk/multidimensional-poverty-index/global-mpi-2018/   2017 Global Multidimensional Poverty Index - 681 Million Children living in Multidimensional Poverty   The report disaggregates the latest figures by age group to analyse the particular situation of 1.8 billion children who live in 103 countries. Findings show that across the 103 low and middle income countries surveyed, children are found to constitute 34% of the total population, but 48% of the poor, based on a measure that assesses a range of deprivations in health, education and living standards.   According to OPHI 689 million children are living in multidimensional poverty and 87% of these poor children are growing up in South Asia and in Sub-Saharan Africa.   Children are also more afflicted by poverty, both in terms of incidence and intensity, than adults across all countries surveyed. The child poverty report finds that half of multidimensionally poor children live in 'alert' level fragile states, and child poverty levels are highest in the fragile states.   'These new results are deeply disturbing as they show that children are disproportionately poor when the different dimensions of poverty are measured', said Sabina Alkire, Director of OPHI.   http://ophi.org.uk/ophi_stories/global-mpi-2017-a-piercing-light-on-child-poverty/ http://www.endchildhoodpoverty.org/news/2017/8/8/ophi-launches-2017-global-multidimensional-poverty-index Visit the related web page
	The gap between humanitarian needs and available funding continues to grow by CARE International, NRC, agencies   Protracted conflicts in Syria, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Yemen, the Rohingya exodus from Myanmar and natural disasters exacerbated by climate change are among many crises.   The Thomson Reuters Foundation asked 10 aid agencies to name their top priorities for 2018   OCHA - Mark Lowcock, Head of OCHA and UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator   1) The 91 million extremely vulnerable people in 26 countries that we aim to reach in 2018 through U.N.-coordinated humanitarian response plans.   2) Internally displaced people - chiefly because of conflict, there are 40 million people displaced within their own countries.   3) Reform - to make the humanitarian system as effective and responsible as possible.   INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE - Bryce Perry, deputy director of emergencies   In 2018, the IRC will continue to focus on the Central African Republic (CAR) and other countries experiencing severe humanitarian crises including:   1) Yemen - with a civil war raging, Yemen continues to be at the top of the list as humanitarians struggle to deliver aid in response to extreme food insecurity, disease outbreak and a collapsed economy.   2) The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) - we remain concerned about the DRC given the persistent political instability, a highly vulnerable population and continued unrest in multiple parts of the country.   3) Rohingya crisis - the last few months have seen hundreds of thousands of Rohingya flee extreme violence in Myanmar to seek safety in Bangladesh. Humanitarian needs have quickly outstripped available aid resources and this crisis will remain a priority for the year to come.   OXFAM - Nigel Timmins, humanitarian director   1) Yemen - without a political settlement in sight, the conflict looks set to continue. Meanwhile, the conflict has created the world's worst humanitarian crisis, the world's largest cholera outbreak and is on course to create the world's worst famine.   2) Northern Nigeria - Over eight million people are dependent on life saving aid as the conflict in northern Nigeria reaches its eighth year, with no sign of abating. Unable to grow or buy food, millions are going hungry. Close to 1.7 million people have fled their homes, and with the security situation remaining fragile, many more will continue to do so.   3) Syria - the devastation and suffering delivered by six years of war in Syria is staggering and relentless. Three quarters of Syrians have been affected, 13.5 million people are in need of assistance and five million have fled the country.   ACTION AGAINST HUNGER, Jean-Michel Grand, executive director   1) The Rohingya crisis - Action Against Hunger has some of its largest relief operation in Bangladesh for the Rohingya refugees, but in 2018 we may see the first movement of population going back to Myanmar. As one of the few NGOs allowed to work in Rakhine state, Action Against Hunger will focus on helping people to return safely and restart their lives.   2) Yemen - this will remain a top priority.   3) Syria - With the recent territorial gains on ISIS and the partial withdrawal of Russia, there are uncertainties about the future of the Syrian refugees and internally displaced people.   CHRISTIAN AID - Nick Guttman, humanitarian director   1) Our Democratic Republic of Congo Kasai response is not yet adequately funded. But in 2018 we will be looking to raise funds in order to increase our response.   2) Ongoing emergency responses in conflict environments - northeast Nigeria, South Sudan and the Rohingya crisis both in Bangladesh and where possible in Myanmar.   3) Humanitarian advocacy - we will continue to prioritise "localisation" (in which local organisations are given a central role in a humanitarian response).   NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL - Jan Egeland, secretary general   1) Strengthen our efforts to protect and assist more needy people in hard-to-reach war zones where too few organisations can operate today.   2) Continue to work for a way out for people in protracted displacement. We will work for durable solutions, whether through return, resettlement or local integration.   3) Focus on using data and technology to better let displaced people help themselves. Education and livelihoods as well as cash grants enables people to make their own choices.   ACTIONAID - Mike Noyes, head of humanitarian response   1) East Africa food crisis - it would be foolish to think the food crisis across Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia and South Sudan has gone away.. Another period of poor rains and failed harvests - mean the region's vulnerability continues, and the risk of further deterioration in 2018 is very real.   2) Rohingya - repatriation of the 622,000 Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, to Myanmar is meant to begin in early 2018. But the Rohingya are more likely to keep arriving into Bangladesh. Existing humanitarian support in the camps will not be enough.   3) Syria - a new phase to this crisis is likely in 2018, following the governments of Syria and Iraq declaring victory over ISIS. As the conflict in the region enters a fresh, potentially decisive phase, this could lead to yet more movement of people - or even create the conditions where return becomes a viable option for some displaced people.   U.N. FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION (FAO), Dominique Burgeon, director of emergencies   1) Reduce the number of people on the brink of famine or severe food insecurity in the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Northeast Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen.   2) Support local food production even in conflict situations support countries to address the impact of climate change.   3) Make sure pastoralists and their children receive more attention and support.   INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF RED CROSS and RED CRESCENT SOCIETIES (IFRC) Elhadj As Sy, Secretary General   1) Early action - early warning technology alerts us to seasonal or anticipated weather-related events that have the potential to devastate communities. The IFRC's focus is to ensure early warning is met with early action through making funding available before disaster hits, and putting in place operations that mitigate suffering and loss of livelihoods.   2) Health security - situations of conflict and disaster can quickly turn into health emergencies. The IFRC prioritises emergency health care, water and sanitation services for timely lifesaving and recovery assistance.   3) Localization - The IFRC is committed to ensuring principled humanitarian action is as local as possible through increased support and investment in our Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies to strengthen their capacities.   U.N. WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME (WFP) David Beasley, executive director   1) Making food and cash-based assistance central to economic development and regional stability. We will put more focus on school meals programmes, on connecting people we help with projects that benefit their communities, and on creating more resilient food systems to support people and their livelihoods.   Millions of lives depend on the WFP to get help to them. We need sufficient funding to address their urgent needs.   Hoping for a turning point in 2018, by Jan Egeland - Secretary General, Norwegian Refugee Council   'We haven't seen this kind of displacement of people since the Second World War. I hope we will have a turning point in 2018, but that will only happen if we pull together', says Jan Egeland in this end-of-year interview.   Q: Looking back at the last 12 months, can you describe the state of aid in 2017?   A: 2017 was a year like no other in the sense that we did fantastic things on the assistance front. Remember that in 2016 we were predicting enormous famines in many countries: in Somalia, in South Sudan, in Yemen and elsewhere. In most of these places we averted famine, we reached millions and millions of people. That is a great achievement for our field colleagues. But we were not able to protect people in 2017. So we have this enormous trend now in international aid work: we are able to assist more people in more hard to reach places than ever before, but we are not able to even to protect the most vulnerable women, children and the wounded. Not even hospitals are safe. I think that is the priority for 2018 and beyond: we need to protect people more so that they are not displaced in the first place.   Q: Where have we failed to protect?   A: The besieged areas in Syria were places where people really were dying because of the lack of assistance. We were not able to get medical relief. We were not even able to get in food convoys in many of these besieged areas. Elsewhere in the country, there was a lot of assistance but not protection against armed men willing to go to any extent to fight, even if it cost the life of civilians around them.   In Yemen, we saw a manmade catastrophe develop by the day. Why on earth would we want to create famine-like conditions through a boycott? And even worse, this is a boycott of Yemen done by a Saudi-led military coalition, supported by many of our very generous donors. The US, the UK and others help us with funding to provide assistance but then they are condoning something which is actually a lack of protection.   Q: What crises are you most concerned about next year?   A: I hope that the big war is over in Syria. It has displaced some 12 million Syrians and it was - still is - a terrible war. It can end in 2018. It is the year where we hope for political agreements, political solutions and possibilities of return. Syrians want to return but most them feel it is unsafe to return, it's too early to make conditions possible and ripe for return.   And then I'd like to also mention the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Central African Republic. It's back as a tremendous epicentre of displacement and suffering. Many thought that DR Congo was better than ten years ago, when we saw genocide-like conditions there, next to Rwanda, where we had a huge genocide. And I fear, when we make up the book for 2018, it may be up there on the top again in terms of internal displacement.   Q: What will be the biggest challenges facing the humanitarian community next year?   A: The biggest challenge we will have is to keep up funding for tens of millions that are in great need. We are accumulating displacement. It is a testament of two things. Number one, we are not solving conflicts, displacement is continuing and countries are back to displacement and conflict. DR Congo is an example of that. We are also not helping people return, resettle or integrate. Too many people are in limbo, in hopelessness for too long. That should change in 2018. But I fear that we will have too little resources for a way out of misery and displacement.   Q: The humanitarian system has been described as broken. How can it be more effective?   A: I think the humanitarian system, in many ways, is more effective than many believe in terms of providing assistance. Mortality is down, morbidity is down, disease control has improved, emergency education reaches more people, emergency shelter is better. We are losing fewer lives than we did when I started many years back with humanitarian work.   The problem is we are not preventing suffering. We are not able to prevent people from being displaced. We save their lives once they have been displaced. So we need to be better in preventing suffering and in finding long term solutions.   Q: What can ordinary people do to help?   A: Ordinary people like you and me can do a lot, really. We have to voice more solidarity with refugees, with victims of war. Why are there not more public opinions saying let this country, my country, be a safe haven for more people. Why is it that Uganda and Bangladesh, two poor countries, are the most generous in receiving refugees? The top P5 in the Security Council - the US, Russia, China, the UK and France - all took fewer refugees than Sweden took, and they took a fraction of what Uganda took in 2016 and in 2017.   We should act for more humanity within our nations and we should also act for higher investment in preventing suffering elsewhere. Aid budgets are a fraction of they should be. Most countries give 0.2 per cent of their gross national income in foreign assistance. It is really nothing compared to the needs.   Q: Yemen looks on track to face famine in 2018. What needs to be done to resolve this conflict and prevent mass starvation?   A: Three things have to happen in Yemen in 2018. The blockade, the embargo, the sanctions that are not allowing in supplies, not even food they have to be lifted. Those who have influence have to make it be lifted. Secondly, we need a political process, UN-led peace talks. The Houthi, a regime in Sana'a, and the rebels or the opposition fighters, they have to sit down at the negotiation table. Saudi Arabia has to help enable this.   And then, finally we have to have access as humanitarians to all over the country. We have too many access restrictions now, which means that some 20 million Yemenis are vulnerable and seven million are at risk of famine. I hope we can prevent a famine in 2018, like was largely averted in 2017.   http://www.nrc.no/hoping-for-a-turning-point-in-2018   Under-reported humanitarian crises of 2017. (CARE International)   The international aid organization CARE has launched a new report highlighting 2017's ten most under-reported humanitarian crises. The report 'Suffering in Silence' found that the humanitarian situation in North Korea received the least media attention globally. While much media focus has been on nuclear brinkmanship, the humanitarian situation has been overlooked. Other crises that rarely made the headlines were Eritrea, Burundi, Sudan, Central African Republic, DRC, Mali, Lake Chad Basin (Niger, Cameroon, Chad), Vietnam and Peru.   'We all know that a single photo can make the world turn its attention to an issue. But the people in the countries featured in CARE's report are far away from the cameras and microphones of this world', says Laurie Lee, CARE International's Interim Secretary General. 'These crises might not make the media headlines, but that does not mean we can forget about them'.   'The media plays a vital role in drawing public attention to forgotten and neglected crises', says Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees. 'Despite the tragic consequences for the lives of millions affected by conflict and displacement, the gap between humanitarian needs and available funding continues to exist.   The outlook for 2018 is grim, as the political will to resolve conflicts and address the root causes that are driving them - poor governance, growing impoverishment, inequality and climate change, is weak. Political leaders must step up and shoulder responsibility for tackling today's forgotten crises'.   'The countries on this list are exactly the kinds of places we focus our attention as a non-profit news organization that reports about humanitarian crises', says Heba Aly, director of IRIN News. 'But as this report points out, this kind of work is difficult to finance and increasingly rare. It's time we start recognizing that quality journalism about crises is part of the solution'.   In 2018, many of those disasters will continue to rage. Poor families struggle to survive, as their capacities to absorb future shocks are diminishing, with conflicts lasting for decades, livelihoods being lost, and assets depleted.   http://www.care-international.org/suffering-in-silence/ http://www.icrc.org/en/document/7-issues-will-shape-humanitarian-agenda-2018 Visit the related web page
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