Columns

Never in the history of this country has a Christmas meant so little for so many as this Christmas. The unemployed poor hungry malnourished and starving have soared.

Poverty

The incidence of poverty has expanded rapidly this year. It is estimated that about 40 percent of the population are below the poverty line. While their incomes have fallen, food prices have risen. Consequently, the hungry, malnourished and starving population has increased. Children, whose health have been impaired are most vulnerable.

Poverty and hunger

Indications are that poverty will increase as economic conditions deteriorate. Global recessionary conditions will increase unemployment and erode real incomes.

Christmas message

The message went out loud and clear from Christian churches not to celebrate this Christmas in the usual extravagant manner. Instead, churches told their congregations to reach out and help the deprived, unemployed, hungry, malnourished and starving poor this Christmas.

The Christian message for this Christmas has been to not spend extravagantly in the usual manner. Instead, be frugal and give generously to the poor.

Archbishop

The Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Church, Malcom Ranjith, has appealed not only to his flock, but to other Christians, and adherents of other faiths to reach out to the poor and alleviate their poverty, hunger, malnourishment and starvation.

Prelates of other Christian churches have made similar appeals: “Please help the poor.”

Teachings

The teachings of all religions that our people follow stress the need to give to the poor and hungry. The Buddha asked people to give one fourth of one’s income to charity. Jesus Christ said: “Whatever you do for the least of my brethren, you do for me.”

Consumption

In contrast to the exhortations of religious leaders, there has been a spate of high expenditures for the festive season in the run up to Christmas. Hotels and restaurants are full, resort hotels are booked, not by tourists; but Sri Lankans.

Explanation

A plausible explanation is that the affluent, who were not able to make merry or travel during the last two years, are feasting and travelling to vent their pent up desires that could not be fulfilled in the last two years.

May be they are also enjoying themselves in expectation of hard times ahead. Nevertheless, we hope they will spare a thought for the poor and heed the wants, deprivations and increasing needs of the expanding poor.

Churches

Christian churches in many regions of the country have, for many months, reached out to the poor and fed the hungry. Parishioners and members of many Christian churches have organised soup kitchens and food markets and distributed dry rations and hot meals. These have relieved the hunger of many.

All communities

The response of people from all communities and faiths to these initiatives have been expansive. Some have received so much, they have expanded their programmes and have funds for many months in the new year. Contributions from Sri Lankans abroad and foreigners have been beyond expectations. Yet these efforts are inadequate to meet the growing needs of the vast increasing number of the poor.

Sustaining programmes

This Christmas season will fade away soon, but the dire straits of the poor will continue into many months in the future. The spirit of giving has to be sustained, nurtured and enhanced, if a significant dent is to be made in poverty, hunger, malnourishment and starvation.

Ramifications

Poverty is multidimensional. The ramifications of poverty are many. Fortunately, this has been recognised in efforts to alleviate other difficulties and other assistance too have been initiated.

Students

Among those crippled by poverty are school and university students. Teachers in remote schools have provided meals to reduce the malnourishment of students. Individuals and neighbourhood organisations have assisted with stationery and exercise books.

Universities

Faculties of universities have begun income supplementing schemes. For instance, several faculties of universities have established a scheme of giving a monthly allowance to needy students from staff contributions. This may not seem much, yet it is a useful supplement to their livelihoods.

Government assistance

The government has responded to the deteriorating state of poverty malnutrition and hunger by expanding and enhancing exiting poverty relief programmes and introducing a few new programmes. Unfortunately, these are inadequate to meet the growing needs of the poor and often do not reach the intended beneficiaries. The administrative costs of these programmes are also highly disproportionate to the benefits to the poor.

Redesigning welfare

A complete reform and redesigning of government programmes for poverty relief is overdue. Meanwhile, sustaining and expanding community efforts to alleviate poverty are vital.

Concluding reflection

We hope the Christmas spirit of giving will influence all communities to extend their help to alleviate the growing hunger, malnutrition, starvation of the increasing number of the poor and deprived. Existing community efforts must be strengthened and new initiatives are needed. Unemployment and poverty are likely to increase in the coming year.