Poverty in Syria and Saudi Arabia
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Syria
Poverty Line
11.9 % of the population are living under the poverty line
Conflict and Violence
Before the war taking place in Syria, they had a booming economy but war has killed many and left millions displaced. Their has been a war going on in Syria since 2011. It began when people in the city of Deraa began peaceful protests because 15 children were arrested and tortured for writing graffiti on a wall that was against the government. On March 18, 2011 the army began to kill protesters, sparking rebels to begin fighting against the regime and trying to get President al-Assad to resign. Over 200,000 people have been killed since the beginning of the civil war 4 years ago. Bombing has destroyed many cities and a lot of human rights violations have been violated. People do not have access to basic necessities such as food and water. Over 7,000,000 are internally displaced. An extremely radical group called the Islamic State has moved into Syria, they use violence against anyone who is against them. The refugees in Syria are fleeing to Lebanon, Jordan, and European countries such as Germany, Turkey, and Greece. More than half of the Syrian refugees are under the age of 18.
Education
The ongoing war in Syria has caused a huge decline in the educational system in Syria. Before the war, nearly all children in Syria went to school and the literacy rates for both men and women were high, Syria was really investing into the youth and their education, but now the percentage of school enrolment is 50%. Around 90% of Syrian children between the ages of 6-17 are estimated to not be in school. Around a quarter of schools in Syria have been damaged due to war or are being occupied by the military and families who have been displaced due to war. According to Unicef, the literacy rates of young girls is 93% and 96% for young boys, enrolment in primary school is 97% for young boys and 92% for girls, and secondary school enrolment rates are 69% for young girls and 70% for boys; ultimately showcasing that their is some education inequality for young girls.
Employment
The crisis occurring in Syria has caused unemployment rates to go from 10% (2010) to around 50% (2012), millions of people are out of work. The minimum wage is around 4.01-10.00 PPP per day in Syria. Many of Syrians have fled to Lebanon and are taking place in their work force. The Syrian workers often have no legal status, work for very little money, and work in extremely dangerous conditions. 75% of the Syrian workers in Lebanon work in construction, 15% are cleaners and trash collectors, and 10% are street vendors; they are working jobs that many Lebanese don't want to work.
Article
https://www.mercycorps.org/articles/iraq-jordan-lebanon-syria-turkey/quick-facts-what-you-need-know-about-syria-crisis
The article is discussing the crisis going on in Syria and the impact it has had on the country and it's people. The war in Syria has caused hundreds of thousands of people to lose their lives, has displaced millions, and has left many parts of the country in ruins because of the bombings and violence.
Our Response
In light of Catholic Social Teaching, we are called to respond by helping out refugees and giving them a chance to start a life devoid of fear and violence. We must also help people who are in Syria by providing aid and trying to help put an end to the conflict.
Syria
Poverty Line
11.9 % of the population are living under the poverty line
Conflict and Violence
Before the war taking place in Syria, they had a booming economy but war has killed many and left millions displaced. Their has been a war going on in Syria since 2011. It began when people in the city of Deraa began peaceful protests because 15 children were arrested and tortured for writing graffiti on a wall that was against the government. On March 18, 2011 the army began to kill protesters, sparking rebels to begin fighting against the regime and trying to get President al-Assad to resign. Over 200,000 people have been killed since the beginning of the civil war 4 years ago. Bombing has destroyed many cities and a lot of human rights violations have been violated. People do not have access to basic necessities such as food and water. Over 7,000,000 are internally displaced. An extremely radical group called the Islamic State has moved into Syria, they use violence against anyone who is against them. The refugees in Syria are fleeing to Lebanon, Jordan, and European countries such as Germany, Turkey, and Greece. More than half of the Syrian refugees are under the age of 18.
Education
The ongoing war in Syria has caused a huge decline in the educational system in Syria. Before the war, nearly all children in Syria went to school and the literacy rates for both men and women were high, Syria was really investing into the youth and their education, but now the percentage of school enrolment is 50%. Around 90% of Syrian children between the ages of 6-17 are estimated to not be in school. Around a quarter of schools in Syria have been damaged due to war or are being occupied by the military and families who have been displaced due to war. According to Unicef, the literacy rates of young girls is 93% and 96% for young boys, enrolment in primary school is 97% for young boys and 92% for girls, and secondary school enrolment rates are 69% for young girls and 70% for boys; ultimately showcasing that their is some education inequality for young girls.
Employment
The crisis occurring in Syria has caused unemployment rates to go from 10% (2010) to around 50% (2012), millions of people are out of work. The minimum wage is around 4.01-10.00 PPP per day in Syria. Many of Syrians have fled to Lebanon and are taking place in their work force. The Syrian workers often have no legal status, work for very little money, and work in extremely dangerous conditions. 75% of the Syrian workers in Lebanon work in construction, 15% are cleaners and trash collectors, and 10% are street vendors; they are working jobs that many Lebanese don't want to work.
Article
https://www.mercycorps.org/articles/iraq-jordan-lebanon-syria-turkey/quick-facts-what-you-need-know-about-syria-crisis
The article is discussing the crisis going on in Syria and the impact it has had on the country and it's people. The war in Syria has caused hundreds of thousands of people to lose their lives, has displaced millions, and has left many parts of the country in ruins because of the bombings and violence.
Our Response
In light of Catholic Social Teaching, we are called to respond by helping out refugees and giving them a chance to start a life devoid of fear and violence. We must also help people who are in Syria by providing aid and trying to help put an end to the conflict.
Saudi Arabia
Poverty Line
It is estimated that around 20% of the population is living under the poverty line
Employment
There are over 7 million people working in the labor force in Saudi Arabia. These workers have very few rights. They are not allowed to form unions, go on strike, or do collective bargaining. The International Labor Organization has cited Saudi Arabia for failing to give equal pay to all, gender segregation in the work force, and for limiting vocational programs for women. The minimum wage is $1,412 a month for citizens of Saudi Arabia and $670 for immigrants.
Education
According to Unicef, the literacy rates of young boys from the ages of 15-24 is 99% and is 97% for young girls between the ages of 15-24. Although literacy rates for young girls is high, there is a lot of inequality within the educational system. Women are not allowed to study traditionally male subjects such as law and engineering, subsequently 97% of female degrees are in education and social sciences which is deemed to be more appropriate for women. General education in Saudi Arabia consists of kindergarten, 6 years of primary school, three years each of intermediate and high school.
Hunger
Saudi Arabia is known for being a wealthy and powerful country but their population is increasing at a high rate and there is not enough jobs and social welfare programs for the people. The Saudi Arabian government releases very little to no information about the poverty going on in the country, in order to protect their image. And when citizens have attempted to expose the truth about poverty and hunger in Saudi Arabia they have been arrested. Poverty is not talked about very much in Saudi Arabia, but the problem is not going away, instead it is growing. Food that is commonly eaten in Saudi Arabia is wheat, rice, lamb, chicken, yogurt, potatoes, and dates.
Article
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jan/01/saudi-arabia-riyadh-poverty-inequality
The article is discussing the growing problem of poverty in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia's population is increasingly getting larger but their is not enough jobs and social welfare programs to keep up with the growing population. Although the Saudi Arabian government has spent billions to try and help the poor, it is not enough. Also, the Saudi Arabian government is not being truthful and upfront about the seriousness of poverty in the country.
Our Response
In light of Catholic Social Teaching, we are called to respond by actually acknowledging the problem of poverty, and then to devise a plan to help our fellow brothers and sisters that are in need of help.
Poverty Line
It is estimated that around 20% of the population is living under the poverty line
Employment
There are over 7 million people working in the labor force in Saudi Arabia. These workers have very few rights. They are not allowed to form unions, go on strike, or do collective bargaining. The International Labor Organization has cited Saudi Arabia for failing to give equal pay to all, gender segregation in the work force, and for limiting vocational programs for women. The minimum wage is $1,412 a month for citizens of Saudi Arabia and $670 for immigrants.
Education
According to Unicef, the literacy rates of young boys from the ages of 15-24 is 99% and is 97% for young girls between the ages of 15-24. Although literacy rates for young girls is high, there is a lot of inequality within the educational system. Women are not allowed to study traditionally male subjects such as law and engineering, subsequently 97% of female degrees are in education and social sciences which is deemed to be more appropriate for women. General education in Saudi Arabia consists of kindergarten, 6 years of primary school, three years each of intermediate and high school.
Hunger
Saudi Arabia is known for being a wealthy and powerful country but their population is increasing at a high rate and there is not enough jobs and social welfare programs for the people. The Saudi Arabian government releases very little to no information about the poverty going on in the country, in order to protect their image. And when citizens have attempted to expose the truth about poverty and hunger in Saudi Arabia they have been arrested. Poverty is not talked about very much in Saudi Arabia, but the problem is not going away, instead it is growing. Food that is commonly eaten in Saudi Arabia is wheat, rice, lamb, chicken, yogurt, potatoes, and dates.
Article
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jan/01/saudi-arabia-riyadh-poverty-inequality
The article is discussing the growing problem of poverty in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia's population is increasingly getting larger but their is not enough jobs and social welfare programs to keep up with the growing population. Although the Saudi Arabian government has spent billions to try and help the poor, it is not enough. Also, the Saudi Arabian government is not being truthful and upfront about the seriousness of poverty in the country.
Our Response
In light of Catholic Social Teaching, we are called to respond by actually acknowledging the problem of poverty, and then to devise a plan to help our fellow brothers and sisters that are in need of help.
Citations:
Central Intelligence Agency. Central Intelligence Agency, n.d. Web. 05 Dec. 2015.
"Five Things You Never Knew about Syria before the War." NewsComAu. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Dec. 2015.
"General Education." General Education. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Dec. 2015.
News, CBC. "Syrian Refugee Children Forced to Work in 'dangerous' Conditions." CBCnews. CBC/Radio Canada, 29 Nov. 2013. Web. 05 Dec. 2015.
"Poverty in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - The Borgen Project." The Borgen Project RSS2. N.p., 24 Sept. 2014. Web. 05 Dec. 2015.
"Quick Facts: What You Need to Know about the Syria Crisis." Mercy Corps. N.p., 02 Sept. 2015. Web. 05 Dec. 2015.
"Realsociology." Realsociology. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Dec. 2015.
"Responding to Syria's Education Crisis: Critical Points for the International Community." The Brookings Institution. N.p., 24 Oct. 2013. Web. 05 Dec. 2015.
"Saudi Arabia - Working Conditions." Saudi Arabia Working Conditions, Information about Working Conditions in Saudi Arabia. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Dec. 2015.
Sawaya, Ziad. "SYRIA." The Numismatic Chronicle (1966-) 160 (2000): 319-22. Web.
Sullivan, Kevin. "Saudi Arabia's Riches Conceal a Growing Problem of Poverty." The Guardian. N.p., 1 Jan. 2013. Web. 4 Dec. 2015.
Central Intelligence Agency. Central Intelligence Agency, n.d. Web. 05 Dec. 2015.
"Five Things You Never Knew about Syria before the War." NewsComAu. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Dec. 2015.
"General Education." General Education. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Dec. 2015.
News, CBC. "Syrian Refugee Children Forced to Work in 'dangerous' Conditions." CBCnews. CBC/Radio Canada, 29 Nov. 2013. Web. 05 Dec. 2015.
"Poverty in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - The Borgen Project." The Borgen Project RSS2. N.p., 24 Sept. 2014. Web. 05 Dec. 2015.
"Quick Facts: What You Need to Know about the Syria Crisis." Mercy Corps. N.p., 02 Sept. 2015. Web. 05 Dec. 2015.
"Realsociology." Realsociology. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Dec. 2015.
"Responding to Syria's Education Crisis: Critical Points for the International Community." The Brookings Institution. N.p., 24 Oct. 2013. Web. 05 Dec. 2015.
"Saudi Arabia - Working Conditions." Saudi Arabia Working Conditions, Information about Working Conditions in Saudi Arabia. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Dec. 2015.
Sawaya, Ziad. "SYRIA." The Numismatic Chronicle (1966-) 160 (2000): 319-22. Web.
Sullivan, Kevin. "Saudi Arabia's Riches Conceal a Growing Problem of Poverty." The Guardian. N.p., 1 Jan. 2013. Web. 4 Dec. 2015.