2023-10-08 08:17:57
Once once more we have to talk regarding poverty and destitution. This week the Indec data was released, something that was expected since all the consulting firms and organizations that study the issue had reported the evolution, but the official data was awaited to validate them. Everything indicated that it would be higher than in previous periods, but the numbers being talked regarding were not ratified by official values. Although inflation data continued to grow, we needed to know its impact on the poverty and indigence rate. According to Indec, 29.6% of urban households surveyed are below the poverty line, this corresponds to 40.1% of the population. In absolute numbers, there are 11,769,747 people living below the poverty line and 6.8% of households below the indigence line, corresponding to 2,724,942 people. This implies a growth of 0.9% in poverty and 1.2% in indigence in relation to 2022. This directly affected the ability to access the basic food basket, which was obviously greatly affected. in households below the poverty line and even more so in those below the indigence line, in households with children and headed by women or single parents. In turn, children are the most affected, where the poverty rate rises to 60%. That is, four out of every ten Argentines are poor. And six out of ten Argentine children are poor. These values are the highest recorded since 2013 and indicate a maximum level of deterioration. The Social Debt Observatory of the UCA points out that this percentage in childhood indicates a persistence of future poverty. We know that this implies a deterioration that will not be easily overcome; it requires very important public policies sustained over time, regardless of who governs, both at the national and provincial levels. The UCA points out that poverty grew alongside the Government’s social spending and compares the situation: in 2013, 25.3% of the population was poor and social spending was 12.5% of GDP. In 2023 poverty is 40% and social spending is 17% of GDP. This indicates how the contributions of the Universal Child Allowance and others such as the Food Plan were left behind, something that coincides with what was recorded by the ACIJ study on the decreases in the allocation of these plans. Last Sunday’s article in PROFILE “Children last” and in a recent column by this defender we pointed out: we need governments to assume concrete and clear commitments and policies, not mere words. The different studies agree: the Buenos Aires suburbs are the most affected, and regions such as the NEA and NOA.
The recent event of the vacation of the Chief of Staff of the province of Buenos Aires and mayor of Lomas de Zamora on leave on that lavish yacht in Marbella, wasting millions of euros whose origin is unknown, while that municipality is one of those that register higher rates of poverty, and especially children, is obscene, as the Minister of Social Development of the Nation described it, and indicates an affront to the population of that municipality, the Province and the country. But it is also unacceptable that other politicians believe that a resignation will fix it. Unfortunately, if we do not overcome impunity regardless of which party or group the accused belongs to, this will not end and we will continue with a poor people and their children while a small sector gets rich and shows off that enrichment by being responsible for public policies. Regardless of political affiliations, the entire society is responsible, although those who exercise political responsibilities are more so. For our future, let us become aware and demand public policies that protect our children.
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#Poverty #indigence #urgent #attention