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So essential and imperative is national development plans to the success of any nation. If any country desires to attain sustainable economic growth and development, be it developed or developing, it must make plans for its goals and objectives. Since colonial period and after, Nigeria has committed itself on series of national development plans in order to attain sustainable economic growth and development. It is not a denying fact that Nigeria efforts towards development plans have not been achieved and also improves its economic situation. Over time, this has been proved from economic indicators such as increase in rate of unemployment, short life expectancy ratio, lack of infrastructural facilities and absolute poverty as a result of the spillover effect of its development plans to instill results. The main objective of this research work is to overview some of the previous Nigerian development plans and pin-point out the militating factors that serve as deterrent to the achievement of development plans in the country. This research work sourced its materials through secondary sources of materials. However, competent development expert, corruption free society, political leadership, harmonization and efficient resource allocation are part of the remedies or motor for a successful and sustainable national development plans.

The growing crisis caused by the coronavirus disease pandemic has dire implications for Latin American societies. As is often the case, the most vulnerable sectors of society —especially those living in extreme poverty— are being hit the hardest. This article identifies strategies and specific responses designed to achieve three goals: (i) reduce epidemiological risks to save lives; (ii) protect livelihoods; and (iii) ensure human capital accumulation. Epidemiological externalities, as well as humanitarian concerns, demand universal social inclusion. In order to protect the lives, health, livelihoods and human capital of the poor and vulnerable, it will be essential to: implement targeted and decisive interventions at the local level that go beyond transferring cash; allocate adequate resources to fund income support and other key interventions; and involve on local actors and grass-roots organizations for the interventions to be effective.

Este artículo tuvo como objetivo general determinar el efecto que tuvo el confinamiento por COVID-19 en la deuda y quiebra de las familias de la ciudad de Jaén. Se manejó un enfoque cuantitativo, no experimental, con una muestra de 123 hombres y mujeres mayores de edad que radican en la ciudad de Jaén. Asimismo, se utilizó la técnica de la encuesta y como instrumento el cuestionario. Los resultados obtenidos evidencian que el impacto del confinamiento social ha sido devastador en la economía familiar, ya que 107 de los encuestados manifestaron que perdieron su empleo, 113 mantienen deudas a la fecha con alguna entidad financiera, 118 de los encuestados manifestaron que son los únicos que aportan económicamente a su familia. Con todo lo anterior, se concluye que la pérdida del empleo por el aislamiento social decretado por el Gobierno ha generado un incremento masivo de la pobreza extrema en la ciudad de Jaén porque los habitantes perdieron su trabajo, mantienen deudas vencidas con entidades financieras, donde ninguna ha brindado facilidad alguna ante las deudas vencidas ni dejó de cobrar intereses. Y como suma, a pesar de estas dificultades, no han recibido el apoyo económico que el Gobierno entregó en tiempos de pandemia.

O objetivo deste artigo consiste em discutir o conceito de temporalidade de exceção. A partir da leitura de Origens do Totalitarismo notamos o surgimento de uma temporalidade petrificada nos campos de concentração. Mesmo com o fim do regime nazista, os elementos totalitários não desapareceram de nossa sociedade democrática. Eles persistem também como temporalidade de exceção, a qual envolve algum processo de desumanização que desconecta passado, presente e futuro, impossibilitando a experiência da liberdade. Em nossos dias a exceção permanece para milhões de pessoas que vivem na extrema pobreza e encarceradas, numa temporalidade desértica ou embotada que afetam suas atividades da vida ativa e espirituais. Levando isso em consideração, com base no pensamento de Hannah Arendt e também com apoio de outros autores, refletiremos sobre a relação entre a temporalidade, condição e atividade humanas.Totalitarismo; Campos de concentração; Miséria; Prisões; Hannah Arendt.

We study the impact of public debt limits on economic growth exploiting the introduction of a Mexican law capping the debt of subnational governments. Despite larger fiscal consolidation, states with higher ex-ante public debt grew substantially faster after the law, albeit at the expense of increased extreme poverty. Credit registry data suggests that the mechanism behind this result is a reduction in crowding out. After the law, banks operating in more indebted states reallocate credit away from local governments and into private firms. The unwinding of crowding out is stronger for riskier firms, firms borrowing from banks more exposed to local public debt, and for firms operating in states with lower public spending on infrastructure projects.

This article addresses the trajectories of peasant families of the rural areas in the municipalities of Juazeiro, Casa Nova, Campo Alegre de Lourdes, and Remanso, in the Sertão do São Francisco territory, semiarid Bahia, Brazil. It aims to interpret the processes of rural development in the territory based on the results of innovations incorporated by families from the interaction in learning networks mobilized by non-governmental organizations and access to a set of public policies. The Lume method was used to guide the economic and ecological analysis of agroecosystems. In its recent history, this territory was the beneficiary of several policies of tackling misery and hunger through Zero Hunger (Fome Zero) and Brazil without Extreme Poverty (Brasil sem Miséria) governmental programs, aimed at peasant farming. The incidence of extensive territorial development policies conducted by innovative institutionalities is another feature that called the attention of the research. A significant ensemble of innovations has been incorporated to the agroecosystems, to which contributed the public policies of the democratic period and, most importantly, the social capital of the territory resulted from the mobilization of the peasantry as well as from their partner organizations. The trajectories of analyzed families show how food production for self-consumption of the families, the reciprocity of give-and-take actions and the trading in a big diversity of local markets, while empowering the families’ struggle for autonomy, also contributes to summon social active strength for the construction of rural development alternatives aimed at both making peasant farming stronger and ensuring food sovereignty of the territory. Resumo: O artigo aborda as trajetórias de famílias agricultoras de áreas rurais dos municípios de Juazeiro, Casa Nova, Campo Alegre de Lourdes e Remanso, no território Sertão do São Francisco, semiárido da Bahia. Tem como objetivo interpretar os processos de desenvolvimento rural no território com base em resultados de inovações incorporadas pelas famílias a partir da interação em redes de aprendizagem mobilizadas por organizações não governamentais e do acesso a um conjunto de políticas públicas. Foi utilizado o método Lume de análise econômico-ecológica de agroecossistemas. Na história recente, este território foi beneficiário de diversas políticas de enfrentamento da pobreza e da fome nos marcos dos programas Fome Zero e Brasil sem Miséria, com ações direcionadas à agricultura familiar. A incidência de políticas abrangentes de desenvolvimento territorial operacionalizadas por institucionalidades inovadoras é outra característica que chama atenção. Um conjunto expressivo de inovações foi incorporado aos agroecossistemas, para o qual contribuíram as políticas públicas do período democrático e, fundamentalmente, o capital social do território, fruto das mobilizações do campesinato e das organizações que os assessoram. As trajetórias das famílias analisadas mostram como a produção de alimentos para o autoconsumo das famílias, para alimentar as relações de reciprocidade com as doações e trocas e para a comercialização em uma grande diversidade de mercados do território, ao mesmo tempo que fortalece a luta das famílias por autonomia, contribui para reunir forças sociais ativas na construção de alternativas de desenvolvimento rural orientadas pelo fortalecimento da agricultura familiar e da soberania alimentar do território. Resumen: El artículo aborda las trayectorias de familias campesinas de las áreas rurales de los municipios de Juazeiro, Casa Nova, Campo Alegre de Lourdes y Remanso, en el territorio del Sertão do São Francisco, semiárido de la provincia de Bahia, Brasil. Su objetivo es interpretar los procesos de desarrollo rural en el territorio a partir de los resultados de las innovaciones incorporadas por las familias a partir de la interacción en redes de aprendizaje movilizadas por organizaciones no gubernamentales y el acceso a un conjunto de políticas públicas. Se utilizó el método Lume de análisis económico y ecológico de los agroecosistemas. En la historia reciente, este territorio se ha beneficiado de diversas políticas para abordar la pobreza y el hambre en el marco de los programas Hambre Cero (Fome Zero) y Brasil sin Miseria (Brasil sem Miséria), con acciones dirigidas a la agricultura familiar. La incidencia de políticas integrales de desarrollo territorial operacionalizadas por institucionalidades innovadoras es otra característica que llama la atención. Se incorporó un conjunto significativo de innovaciones en los agroecosistemas, para lo cual contribuyeron las políticas públicas del período democrático y, fundamentalmente, el capital social del territorio, como resultado de la movilización de los campesinos y las organizaciones que los ayudan. Las trayectorias de las familias analizadas muestran cómo la producción de alimentos para el autoconsumo de las familias, para alimentar relaciones recíprocas con donaciones e intercambios y para comercializar en una gran diversidad de mercados territoriales, al tiempo que fortalece la lucha de familias por autonomía, contribuye a unir fuerzas sociales activas en la construcción de alternativas de desarrollo rural guiadas por el fortalecimiento de la agricultura familiar y la soberanía alimentaria del territorio.

Background The determinants of access to immunizers are still poorly understood, leading to questions about which criteria were considered in this distribution. Given the above, the present study aimed to analyze the determinants of access to the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine by different countries. Methods The study covered 189 countries using data from different public databases, and collected until February 19, 2021. We used eight explanatory variables: gross domestic product (GDP), extreme poverty, human development index (HDI), life expectancy, median age, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases, COVID-19 tests, and COVID-19 deaths. The endogenous variables were total vaccine doses, vaccine doses per thousand, and days of vaccination. The structural equation modeling (SEM) technique was applied to establish the causal relationship between the country's COVID-19 impact, socioeconomic variables, and vaccine access. To support SEM, we used confirmatory factor analysis, t-test, and Pearson's correlation. Results We collected the sample on February 19, and to date, 80 countries (42.1%) had already received a batch of immunizers against COVID-19. The countries with first access to the vaccine (e.g., number of days elapsed since they took the first dose) were the United Kingdom (68), China (68), Russia (66), and Israel (62). The countries receiving the highest doses were the United States, China, India, and Israel. The countries with extreme poverty had lower access to vaccines and the richer countries gained priority access. Countries most affected by COVID (deaths and cases) also received immunizers earlier and in greater volumes. Unfortunately, similar to other vaccines, indicators, such as income, poverty, and human development, influence vaccines' access. Thus affecting the population of vulnerable and less protected countries. Therefore, global initiatives for the equitable distribution of COVID need to be discussed and encouraged. Conclusions Determinants of vaccine distribution consider the impact of the disease in the country and are also affected by favorable socioeconomic indicators. The COVID-19 vaccines need to be accessible to all affected countries, regardless of their social hands.

The study conducted by a non-governmental organisation ‘Butterflies’ describes the lived experiences of street children during COVID-19 in Delhi. It documents the effects of COVID-19 on their household food security, mental health, and schooling. Data was collected over 11 months through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with 56 children. The data revealed that children were affected on a large scale, as families took loans from relatives and friends to buy food. Closure of schools resulted in the interruption of supportive services like mid-day meals, school health care and scholarships for children belonging to the below poverty line category. This pushed large numbers of families into extreme poverty, physical and mental health trauma and a corresponding increase in child labour.

This study examines the effect of foreign aid on extreme poverty in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) over the period 1981–2013. The study uses recent dynamic panel estimation techniques, including those methods which deal with endogeneity by controlling for simultaneity and unobserved heterogeneity. The main findings of the study are summarized as follows: firstly, foreign aid does have a statistically significant poverty reduction effect in SSA. Secondly, the disaggregation of aid by source and type shows that total ODA, grants and multilateral aid have poverty reduction effects. Thirdly, democracy enhances the effectiveness of foreign aid in reducing poverty. Lastly, GDP per capita and globalization reduce extreme poverty, while inequality has a detrimental effect on the fight against poverty. This study confirms that the volume of aid matters as well as how it is allocated. The policy implications of these findings are that development partners should continue to focus on poverty reduction as the main objective for ODA. Further, aid allocation should be focused on channels which have more poverty-reduction effects, such as GDP per capita and democracy. Finally, aid recipient countries should come-up with income distributional policies that allow the benefits of growth to accrue to many people, thereby lifting the majority out of extreme poverty.

Introduction: The concept of poverty is multifaceted. It develops along with the idea of growing importance of the individual in economic relations. Considering approaches to poverty in the context of various vectors of understanding, we can identify three main scientific directions of thought development: economic-sociological, psychological and political vectors. The paper considers the main features of the above-mentioned approaches with their contradictions and with special focus on the role of victimization within the vectors.Materials and methods: The methodology of the work is based on the general theoretical views of Russian and foreign authors pertaining to the concept of "poverty" and its significance in economic and political science. Psychological view is also studied.The results of the study: The presented vectors (economic-sociological, psychological, and political) are found to have some contradictions between them, either explicit or implicit. However comparing the approaches from the victimization point of view it is possible to say that the vectors in question complement each other, offering to the analysis new facets of victimization of the poor population which in turn go into the basis of poverty definitions. Therefore, it brings forward the question of the relationship between the identified types of victimization through the interdisciplinary approach’s perspective and/or in terms of their assessment.The studied vectors were also differentiated by the criterion of victimization. Thus, within the framework of the analysis of the political vector, the following understanding of poverty was introduced: poverty is a victimization state of a person, which determines their inability to use their civil rights. It can be assumed that the contradictions found will be solved by developing a general structure of interaction of the considered vectors that explains the mechanisms of mutual influence of the considered vectors, covers all aspects of "poverty" and reflects the ways of interaction of different victimization types with respect to different vectors and/or in general.Discussion and conclusion: The study of poverty in economic-sociological, political or psychological perspective requires not only scientific differentiation, but also a terminological differentiation with respect to legal definitions, in particular, pertaining to the poor, very poor (almspersons) and indigent population.

West African researchers have investigated consumption and religious beliefs to explain the weight of religion on individuals’ consumption behavior. However, studies that investigated intrinsic religious beliefs and consumption in the context are not common. The purpose of this research is to explore how intrinsic religious beliefs shape the Muslim consumer behavior in the sector of beverages. The approach is a quantitative one and based on a post-positivist stance. The results show that Muslims intrinsic religiosity has some sensitive effects on consumer behavior in a multi-religious environment tinted by extreme poverty, and a strong cultural heritage of consumption. Thus, the intrinsic religious beliefs effects on consumer behavior are sometimes characterized by some non-tolerant and violent attitude from the part of some consumers. Keywords: Intrinsic Religiosity, Consumer Behavior, Islamic Ethics, Non-Alcoholic Drinks, Marketing.

Ethiopia has one of the highest poverty rates in the world where 24% of the population lives in extreme poverty. While urban poverty reduced from 26% in 2011 to 15% in 2016, rural poverty reduced only from 30 to 26% in the same periods. Improper identification of the rural poor and ill-understanding of the extent of rural poverty is among the challenges in designing appropriate poverty reduction interventions in rural areas. Thus, this study analyzes the extent of rural poverty employing a consumption-based approach and identifies the determinants of rural poverty at a household level. A household survey was conducted and data were randomly collected from 194 households from four representative villages in the west Belesa district of Ethiopia. The food and non-food consumption measurement calculated by the cost of basic need approach were 2949.40 ETB (ETB is Ethiopian Birr, which is the Ethiopian currency. 1 ETB is equivalent to 0.025 US$) and 1485.78 ETB per year per Adult Equivalent (AE), respectively. The rural poverty indices (i.e. headcount index, poverty gap, and squared poverty gap) calculated based on the consumption-based poverty line were 38.1, 8.84, and 3.1%, respectively. The binary logit analysis shows that having a bigger family had a significant and positive relationship with rural poverty. Conversely, larger landholding, plowing oxen, and livestock ownership as well as a higher amount of non/off-farm income have a significant and negative relationship with the poverty status of households. The study found that rural poverty is deep and complex in the study area calling for the design of location-specific and holistic poverty reduction strategies.

This study explored how Open and Distance eLearning (ODeL) system is enhancing employment creation and extreme poverty eradication in Zimbabwe. Poverty is a challenge in developing countries in the presence of unemployment and lack of education. This study aimed to put into perspective the strides made by ODeL institutions in Zimbabwe towards extreme poverty eradication through TVET in the education system. Data were collected from purposively selected 20 ODeL graduates including; entrepreneurs, street vendors, and individuals, formally and informally employed, by using interviews and observation, in this case study. The study employed thematic analysis for the narrative qualitative data. The study revealed that poverty can be reduced through skills empowerment to learners at all educational levels. Exposure to a bouquet of vocational subjects in technical-vocational institutions has enabled entrepreneurs to create employment, applying acquired skills. The major barriers to effective entrepreneurship and employment creation were the scarcity of resources and natural disasters. The study is also significant that educational planners and policy-makers may formulate policies that encourage school and college graduates to be innovative, self-reliant, and may guard against extreme poverty in their communities. It can be concluded that possession and application of vocational skills may create employment and eradicate extreme poverty. It is, therefore, recommended that TVET starts early in life for innovativeness and effective use of available resources. Further research could be carried out on the nature of programmes in learning institutions that empower learners with skills for employment creation, sustainable development, and extreme poverty eradication.

Background Out of pocket (OOP) payments for health are significant health financing challenges in Afghanistan as it is a source of incurrence of catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) and impoverishment. Measuring and understanding the drivers and impacts of this financial health hardship is an economic and public health priority, particularly in the time of COVID-19. This is the first study that measures the financial hardship and determines associated factors in Afghanistan. Methods Afghanistan Living Conditions Survey data for 2016–2017 was used for this study. We calculated incidence and intensity of catastrophic health expenditure by using different thresholds ranging from 5 to 40% of total and nonfood consumption and subsequent impoverishment due to OOPs. Logistic regression was used to assess the degree to which Afghan households are protected from the catastrophic household expenditure. Results Results revealed that 32% of the population in Afghanistan incurred catastrophic health expenditure (as 10% of total consumption) and when healthcare payments are netted out of household consumption, the Afghan population live in extreme poverty ($1.9 in 2011 PPP), increased from 29 to 36%. Based on our findings from logistic regression in Afghanistan, having an educated head or being employed are protective factors from financial hardship while having a female head, an elderly member, a disabled, or a sick member are the risk factors of facing catastrophic health expenditure. Moreover, the people living in rural/nomadic areas or facing an economic shock are more likely to face catastrophic health expenditure and hence to be impoverished due to direct OOPs on health. Conclusions The high rate of poverty and catastrophic health expenditure in Afghanistan emphasizes the need to strengthen the health financing system. Although Afghanistan has made great efforts to support households against health expenditure burden during the pandemic, households are at higher risk of poverty and financial hardship due to OOPs. Therefore, there is need for more financial and supportive response policies by providing a better and easier access to primary health services, extending to all entitlement to health services particularly in the public sector, eliminating user fees for COVID-19 health services and suspending fees for other essential health services, expanding coverage of income support, and strengthening the overall health financing system.

The African continent is no doubt the most resource-abundant continent. Resources such as gold, diamond, oil, natural gas, copper, uranium, among others are mined in different parts of the continent. Almost every country in Africa has a deposit of natural resources, Africa is also the poorest continent in the world. Per capita income in African countries is among the lowest in the world. This is evidenced by the failure to meet the Millenium Development Goals. The paper examines the phenomenon of the natural resource curse in Africa. Understanding the reason why a natural resource-rich continent like Africa is still grappling with extreme poverty, inequality, and underdevelopment is key to policymakers and researchers. The paper also examines the effect of foreign aid on economic growth in Africa. The goal here is to contribute to the debate on whether the African continent benefits significantly from the flow of aid into the continent.

The pandemic caused by the coronavirus has generated a number of adverse situations in the different scenarios in which human beings develop. Particularly in the educational field, the pandemic caused a massive closure of educational centers that had within their operation to dictate lessons in a face-to-face manner. The socioeconomic environment of the different societies that make up Latin America, especially Costa Rica, have high rates of poverty and extreme poverty, bringing high levels of social dissatisfaction and a high degree of economic and educational inequality for the people who make up the Costa Rican civil society. In this context, the pandemic has brought a great crisis to the educational pillar because institutions have had to suspend their lessons and migrate to more feasible alternatives such as distance education through technological platforms. This migration has brought a great paradigm shift by incorporating the teaching staff and educational communities to update their way of teaching lessons, with the clear slogan of coping in a better and timely manner the negative impact that the pandemic has had on the activities that human beings perform as the educational part.

One of the instrument trusted to decrease poverty is zakat especially if distributed to productive activities. This research aimed to find out if the distribution of productive zakat has effect on the decrease level of mustahik poverty, to find out total and classification of mustahik households and the change of mustahik households without and with productive zakat. This research used correlative quantitative method with analysis technique of simple linear regression and CIBEST analysis. This research used saturated sample technique to mustahik of Amil Zakat Board (BAZNAS) of Banjarmasin City with a total of 23 respondents. From the research results, it can be concluded that the distribution of productive zakat has no significant effect decreasing on the poverty level of mustahik. This can be seen from the t count (-1,177) < t table (2,079) and from F count (1,385) < F table (4,30) p value (Sig) in the amount of 0,252 > 0,05 which means that Ho is accepted. Based on total households of mustahik based on CIBEST quadrant before and after the presence of productive zakat fund, there is difference of classification of each mustahik household. The condition change of mustahik household without and with productive zakat fund based on material and absolute poverty index each experienced decrease in the amount of -10,5 and -100%. Spiritual poverty index does not change at all either before or after accepting productive zakat in the amount of zero percent. While prosperity index increase to 504,7%.

En la actualidad, comenzamos a reflexionar sobre una de las estrategias para enfrentar la pobreza y la pobreza extrema que se ha destacado en el Perú. Los emprendedores peruanos se caracterizan por el ingenio, la creatividad y siempre están dispuestos a encontrar soluciones en contextos financieros desfavorables. De hecho, aproximadamente la mitad de los negocios del país está impulsada por necesidades económicas. Ante esto, es necesario plantear una buena idea y desarrollar un plan para convertirla en una oportunidad de negocio. Es así que el proyecto Haku Wiñay entra a tallar, puesto que es un proyecto que tiene como objetivo desarrollar la capacidad productiva y el espíritu empresarial de familias pobres y extremadamente pobres que viven en áreas densamente pobladas con el fin de aumentar y diversificar los ingresos independientes sostenibles.

The COVID-19 pandemic has ravaged the global tourism industry, leaving millions of people unemployed without certainty when tourism bounces back. Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are amongst the worst hit by the novel coronavirus. The unprecedented crisis has severely aggravated the SIDS economic growth due to relying on foreign tourists heavily. In the absence of international tourism, small island residents have been grappling with alternative income sources. Despite its notorious impacts, many scholars look at this global pandemic as a discernible opportunity to reverse mass tourism in the SIDS. Therefore, this paper aims to elaborate on the current condition of small islands communities amid COVID-19, their coping strategies, and their reflection of the future tourism industry in the SIDS. Furthermore, this paper also aims to discuss a prevailing policy to contain health emergency and economic collapse in the SIDS. Based on the critical literature review, many SIDS were already faced complex predicaments before the pandemic, such as high vulnerability to the climate crisis, lack of natural resources, extreme poverty, and reliance on external debts. International support is crucial to avoid the worst-case scenario for SIDS, including those which depend on the tourism industry. As a part of the recovery phase, this paper underscores the urgency of a more sustainable tourism practice for future development in the SIDS. That comprises strategic issues ranging from environmental-based tourism with a focus on socio-cultural aspects, and economic diversification to small island community resilience.

According to official statistics, the incidence of absolute poverty in Italy has sharply risen from 3.6 in 2005 to 7.7 percent in 2020, and this number is likely to rise in the post-pandemic period. However, standard poverty measures only consider the monetary aspect of poverty, neglecting the multidimensional nature of the phenomenon. The last decades have offered solid empirical evidence to guide political efforts to tackle both multidimensional wellbeing and poverty. In these times of rising inequalities, these efforts seem particularly valuable for identifying the most vulnerable groups. While Italy has made significant progress in defining multidimensional wellbeing, less attention has been given to multidimensional poverty. Hence, the goal of this paper is to offer a means for measuring multidimensional poverty (MPI) in Italy based on the Alkire-Foster method by using a widely recognized national framework for wellbeing (BES equitable and sustainable wellbeing) as the normative basis for the construction of the index. The contribution of the paper is twofold: (1) on the theoretical side, it seeks to increase the usability of national and international frameworks for wellbeing by proposing a national assessment scheme as a normative base for defining the dimensions of poverty; (2) on the empirical side, it provides evidence on the frequency and composition of multidimensional poverty in Italian regions. The results show that multidimensional poverty in Italy has increased over time, with the percentage of individuals considered as multidimensionally poor rising from 9.5 percent in 2005 to 17.5 percent in 2015. Moreover, a dimensional breakdown across regions and logistic regression shows that being older, female, from the South and married or widowed increases the probability of facing multidimensional poverty.

The COVID-19 pandemic crisis is projected to plunge over half a billion people (580 million) around the world into extreme poverty. This exploratory paper aims to propose an innovative Social Synergy sukuk (Double-S sukuk) as a solution for alleviating the alarming upsurge in extreme poverty triggered by the pandemic crisis in the face of limited resources. The Double-S sukuk is designed with Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs); such as Islamic Development Bank and Asian Development Bank subscribing to the sukuk at a discounted profit rate, issued by a country facing the pains of the pandemic crises. The profit will be paid by a charitable Non-Governmental Organization; such as Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation as an incentive to the crises country contingent upon judicious utilization of the funds for the pre-agreed social targets achieved within timely milestones that trickle down to uplift the citizens from the pandemic pains of extreme poverty. The country will only pay the principal component. Furthermore, a suitable MDB; such as Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) will issue a charitable guarantee to enhance the sukuk rating and reduce the cost of issuance. This enhancement makes the sukuk an attractive BASEL III High-quality-liquid-asset (HQLA). Instead of begging the public for charitable donations during crisis, the Double-S sukuk will be open to the public to invest alongside MDBs for a discounted profit rate to crowd-in the social/ethical conscious private sector to raise cheaper and larger pool of funds for an apt synergistic crisis alleviation. The methodology used in this study is qualitative based on content analysis of relevant academic journals, industry reports and policy documents.

The accurate identification of poverty types in rural areas is a national strategic need for poverty targeting and overall poverty alleviation. In this study, we took Gansu Province, a key area for poverty alleviation in China, as an example. With the multidimensional comprehensive measurement model of poverty, multi-criteria decision analysis method and ArcGIS spatial analysis method, we explored the poverty-reducing factors of each evaluation unit and classified the poverty type. Results: (1) The evaluation unit of 60.49% in Gansu Province is at the median level of poverty and below, and the phenomenon of extreme poverty is rare. Multidimensional poverty index presents a pattern of “high at both ends, and low in the middle” in space. (2) The proportion of highway entrances and exits, the proportion of rural water-saving irrigation area, the number of health staff in institutions per 1000 people, the number of beds in health institutions per 1,000 people, the water supply per capita water conservancy project, and the number of full-time secondary school teachers per thousand people are the main poverty factors. (3) Poverty in Gansu Province is mainly dominated by single factor and associated with dual-factor, which account for 54.32% of all evaluation units. (4) Economic poverty (income poverty) is relatively poor. It is a result of multi-dimensional poverty. This research can provide guidance and support to facilitate the precise targeting and policy implementation of poverty alleviation targets, and also provide a reference basis for the improvement of the national poverty reduction strategy and the study of poverty geography-related issues.

MotivationA large donor‐funded programme in Bangladesh implemented multiple measures designed to graduate individuals and households out of extreme poverty. The programme was committed to lesson‐learning and advocacy. It monitored change through socio‐economic surveys, qualitative tracking methods, real time assessment and project evaluations. The qualitative tracking in particular shed light on the nature of extreme poverty and resilience.PurposeIs extreme poverty different from moderate poverty, and in what ways? Do the extreme poor experience more idiosyncratic poverty than structural or systemic poverty? Are the extreme poor more female, socially isolated and marginalised, thus impeding their capabilities? What support is needed to enable recovery and transformation from crises?Approach and methodsBetween 2011 and 2015, 72 life histories of households enrolled in a major poverty reduction programme were conducted, entailing repeated ethnographical engagement with informants. This showed how most households experience ups and downs in their poverty and vulnerability through time: an experience at variance with static understandings of hazards and responses. The limitations of resilience literature are thus critiqued to develop new theory around time preference behaviour and discounting.FindingsExperiences of extreme poverty are not solely a function of systemic, class‐based inequality, but of the varied and reinforcing ways they intersect with idiosyncratic conditions of household life cycles, dependency ratios, gender and age balance, morbidity, ethnic discrimination and social isolation. Four key factors stand out as influencing deep poverty: 1) ill‐health, with significant internal opportunity costs; 2) inter‐generational reproduction; 3) high incidence of female‐managed and ‐headed households, resulting from male desertion; and, 4) a lack of income diversity and security.Policy ImplicationsOur findings provide fresh insights into policy responses to extreme poverty. These insights suggest a policy shift away from a narrow concern with graduation to a wider focus on resilience. Resilience as a poverty reduction outcome requires interventions that support individuals (micro level), target the inter‐generational reproduction of poverty (meso level), and engage with wider power structures that exploit and neglect poor people (macro level). Policy makers need to engage more explicitly with the meso and macro levels in particular, recognizing how the three levels converge to reproduce conditions of extreme poverty.

Introduction: Many trans women of color communities experience high HIV seroprevalence, extreme poverty, high rates of victimization and substance use, and poor mental health. Greater knowledge of trans women of color social capital may contribute toward more effective services for this marginalized population. Methods: These data come from a mixed-methods study that examined trans/gender-variant people of color who attended transgender support groups at harm reduction programs in NYC. The study was conducted from 2011 to 12, total N = 34. The qualitative portion was derived from six focus group interviews. Results: Two support groups stood out as exhibiting very strong alternative kinship structures. One group was comprised of immigrant trans Latinas, and the other group were trans women of African descent living with HIV. Both groups demonstrated ample cultivation of “trust capital” in the form of “thick trust” (bonding capital) and “thin trust” (bridging/linking capital) both inside and outside/beyond the support groups. Thick trust included the cultivation of intimacy, support in primary romantic relationships, and community leadership. Thin trust included networking with a variety of organizations, increased educational opportunities, and cultural production. Discussion: Participants “opened up to social capital” through the process of trusting as a series of (1) risks; (2) vulnerabilities; and (3) reciprocities. A solid foundation of thick trust resulted in a social, psychological, and emotional “base.” Upon this foundation, thin trust was operationalized resulting in positive material, economic, and quality-of-life outcomes, leading to an expanded space of capabilities.

This study investigates the relationship between income inequality and total factor productivity (TFP) across countries for a period covering the years 1990 to 2014. The research objective is to empirically assess the skill-biased technological change argument which supports the increasing income/wage inequality that has boosted productivity in recent decades. To achieve this objective, we utilized panel cointegration tests and a fully modified OLS and rolling window OLS regression. The findings show that income inequality significantly deters TFP in the long-term in developing countries. We found no evidence that income inequality affects TFP in the long-term in developed countries. These findings suggest that developing countries that are experiencing prolonged periods of rising income inequality are more exposed to: (i) low productivity and growth, (ii) a high risk of increase in the extreme poverty rate.

El objetivo fue realizar un análisis socioeconómico de las unidades de producción campesina (UPC) de la Reserva de la Biosfera Sierra de Huautla, Morelos (REBIOSH). Se realizó una tipología de UPC con los datos proporcionados del Censo Nacional Agropecuario en las 31 comunidades de la REBIOSH, para ello, se realizó un análisis de clúster y se aplicó estadística descriptiva para caracterizar cada uno de los grupos encontrados. La fase de campo consistió en entrevistas semiestructuradas aplicadas a 18 jefes de las UPC en seis comunidades de la REBIOSH. Se utilizó el estudio de caso para la obtención de información. Para el análisis socioeconómico se realizaron los cálculos microeconómicos propuestos por la metodología del diagnóstico agrario. Posteriormente se calcularon los umbrales de reposición económica que fueron, el salario mínimo de la región, línea de pobreza extrema por ingresos y línea de pobreza por ingresos. Se encontraron cinco grupos, diferenciados por la cantidad de ganado disponible como elemento principal. Los grupos I y II no rebasaron ninguno de los umbrales, el Grupo III solamente logró alcanzar el salario mínimo, y los grupos IV y V superaron estos tres umbrales. Se concluye que la ganadería es un elemento que potencia el ingreso familiar y de esa manera se superan los umbrales de pobreza, por tanto, los sistemas agroforestales son un elemento para lograr superar la pobreza en que viven las comunidades de la REBIOSH.

According to official sources, the coronavirus pandemic that emerged in China in December 2019 has already infected more than 17 million and killed more than 666,850 people. Less impacted than the rest of the world, the Africa continent has nearly 890,000 confirmed cases as of July 30, 2020. According to the African Bank of Development, nearly 50 million Africans will be victims of extreme poverty as a result of the coronavirus pandemic; and this, following the global economic crisis due to this pandemic. It is shown that between 2020 and 2021, Africa will lose in terms of economic income ¼ of trillion dollars and that a contraction of 3.4% of GDP would be noticed. The risk of decline is justified by the decline in oil production by the main exporting countries, notably Algeria, Nigeria and Angola; in addition to the decline in commodity prices on the world market, the volatility of global financial conditions and natural disasters. Even if some analysts believe that the effects of this pandemic are temporary on the economy of the states, it is clear to note that they are perceptible on the world economy in general. In Africa, the low rate of infection, which is 5% since the emergence of the pandemic until July 30, 2020, is a favorable opportunity for the continent to recover and accelerate the process of its economic and regional integration.

Purpose of the study: Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) proposed by the United Nations (UN) in 2015 comprising a universally acceptable worldwide development agenda which each country of the world has to achieve till 2030. The purpose of this study is to examine the socio-economic and political transformational challenges confronted to South Asian Countries (SA) i.e. Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, in achieving the targets of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Methodology: The study uses different statistics of World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Health Organizations (WHO), and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to give a comprehensive picture of South Asian economies and the challenges which they are currently facing for achieving the targets of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In our preliminary analysis, the methodology highlighted the issues of South Asian Countries such as poverty (SDG 1), healthy lives and well-being (SDG 3), inclusive and equitable quality education (SDG 4), sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all (SDG 8)". Principal Findings: The statistics presented regarding South Asian economies exhibit a dismal picture. At present, the attainment of these stipulated goals seems impossible and remains elusive if some serious measures have not been taken. The role of DCs and the world community as a whole is significant in this regard. To save the planet from extreme poverty, hunger, malnutrition, equitable access to modern technology, improved education and health for all human beings, the developed countries should give at least one percent of their GNP in the form of development assistance to poor countries. The study suggests that good governance that could undertake and implement structural reforms is necessary to deal with the challenges confronting to South Asian countries in achieving the targets of these stipulated goals. More importantly, the Developed Countries (DCs) started to implement their strategies to view SDGs' targets. Now it is a dire need that DCs should assist the Under Developed Countries (UDCs) and help them from their experience in identifying the transformational challenges which they possibly have to face in achieving SDGs' targets. Otherwise, it looks impossible for the UDCs to come up with these targets till 2030. Applications of this study: The study highlighted some key challenges that South Asian countries face to achieve the targets of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The study outcomes can prove very much helpful for South Asian countries for achieving these targets and devising thriving economic policies generous to attaining their targets till 2030. Novelty/Originality of this study: This study gives a brief picture of the current position of the South Asian countries where they stand regard to Sustainable Development Goals' targets. Moreover, the results and policy recommendations presented at the end of the study provides help to deal with the challenges that are big hindrances in achieving the targets of these SDGs.

Millions of people worldwide live in extreme poverty, which has an adverse effect on global food security. Research shows that growth in the agricultural labor sector has twice the impact on poverty compared to growth in other labor sectors. To that end, we examine some of the enabling factors of private sector investment to increase food security and reduce poverty: innovative output, intellectual property rights innovation, gender-sensitive land tenure, creation of new businesses, openness to trade, government institutional flexibility, access to credit, inclusion of new sectors, income diversification, public-private partnerships, infrastructure improvements, payments for eco-system services, and climate-smart innovation. Developing policies that improve food security will help to reduce poverty.