[ad_1]
A study by Unicef and UNFPA reveals that urban low-income families, although deeply affected by the pandemic and urgently in need of help, are more resilient and responsible than most think: they just want the opportunity to earn a living and live a life. of dignity.
Ten children from B40 families living in low-cost apartments in Kuala Lumpur were each given a smartphone and asked to document, through photos and videos, their lives during the Covid-19 pandemic and the order. motion control (MCO) from your perspective.
This was part of a study by UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) and UNFPO (United Nations Population Fund) in collaboration with DM Analytics, and resulted in the Families on the edge report released this month.
The study, which also surveyed 500 low-income urban households in Malaysia on their financial situation, revealed that although these households were desperately impoverished before, their situation was expected to worsen during the pandemic.
But there were also some surprising revelations.
While many often assume that low-income families just want handouts, that couldn’t be further from the truth, the study showed.
DM Analytics CEO Dr. Muhammed Abdul Khalid. Photo: LA ESTRELLA / Samuel Ong
“Instead of one-time cash donations, these low-income families prefer sustainable assistance. All they want is the opportunity to earn a living and live a decent life, ”says Dr. Muhammed Abdul Khalid, managing director of DM Analytics.
“They prefer job opportunities, business opportunities like capital, space and equipment, and long-term help so they can make a living,” he says.
UNFPA Malaysia representative Marcela Suazo says the study also revealed the resilience and dignity of these low-income families.
The UNFPA representative in Malaysia, Marcela Suazo. Photo: LA ESTRELLA / Samuel Ong
“Many of them expressed a strong desire to rebuild their livelihoods and there has been an increase in the sharing of responsibilities at home,” says Suazo.
These households have seen a strengthening of connections within their families and communities, and an increase in mutual aid during this time. The care (of the elderly, disabled, chronically ill and out-of-school children) and household chores are shared equally with the partner or other family members.
Hanson, 13, one of the children who participated in the UNICEF-UNFPA study, photographs his younger siblings eating the lunch he prepared. Photo: UNICEF
These households also take responsibility for their lives and the lives of their children.
“Although many of them may not be highly educated, they place great importance on education,” cites Dr. Muhammed as an example.
“Parents from low-income households have been monitoring their children’s studies at home during the pandemic.
“When they cannot, they assign their older children to supervise the studies of the younger ones,” he reveals.
Also, contrary to public perception, not all low-income families have many children.
“More than half of these households (65%) have a maximum of two children, which is quite similar to the rest of the population,” says Dr. Muhammed.
I can’t cope, no savings
Stephen Barrett, UNICEF Malaysia head of social policy. Photo: LA ESTRELLA / Samuel Ong
UNICEF Malaysia’s head of social policy, Stephen Barrett, notes that many households are less able to cope with the pandemic due to low savings, limited access to employment-based social protection (such as EPF, Socso and EIS) and people in need of care such as the elderly, people with disabilities or chronic diseases in these homes.
Hanson, 13, one of 10 children who took part in the UNICEF-UNFPA study, photographs his father preparing dinner for the family at home. Photo: UNICEFAccording to the report, 25% of household heads are unemployed, compared to 5.3% nationally (as of May 2020); 31% of heads of households also faced cuts in their working hours during the OLS, and 30% of households had difficulties accessing health services during the OLS, with the poorest households being the most affected.
Noriza, 48, of KL, who has an unemployed husband and was a small business owner before the MCO, says: “It feels very difficult to think about losing your job or having no income, because our lives are so hard. at this time. “
A 46-year-old online merchant (who just wanted to be known as Ms. R) went out looking for work, anything she could do for income, but found it impossible. “God, it’s really difficult! We are seriously affected! ” she says.
One in six households (17%) reported that their savings could only last a month. Furthermore, more than half (52%) of the heads of households were not protected by EPF or Socso and 8% of households have members with disabilities or chronic illnesses.
Mr. N, 51, unemployed due to MCO, says: “I have to borrow money from loan sharks to pay for my mother’s medical bills. I have borrowed around RM 2000 and have nothing to pawn anymore! “
Women and children are the most affected
Family matters, seen through the eyes of Batrisyah, 13, one of 10 children who participated in the Unicef-UNFPA study. Batrisyah photographs his grandfather’s birthday celebration at his home on the PPR flats in Seri Semarak, KL. Photo: UNICEFThe study also surveyed 30 low-income urban households (mainly single mothers or where women are heads of household) on their general well-being.
Female-headed households were found to be especially vulnerable: 32% of female heads of households are unemployed, while 57% of them also do not have access to social employment protection (EPF, SOCSO or social welfare financial assistance JKM).
Food and nutrition concerns are also growing in these households during the pandemic. Children had to adopt a less-than-healthy diet and risk being malnourished: 52% of these households consumed more eggs during OLS (as it is the cheapest source of protein), while 40% consumed more noodles instants than before due to lack of income and savings running out.
Children in these low-income households also face challenges in accessing online learning at home: 21% of households do not participate in any online learning at home, while 42% do not have e-learning equipment , with a higher incidence among women headed households (56%).
Zuraini, 49, unemployed due to MCO complaints: “I am trying to make sure my children continue their studies online, but Internet connectivity is a great challenge and my children’s education is in jeopardy.”
“The pandemic has changed all of our lives, but even more so those of low-income families, women and children, who are the focus of the study,” says Dr. Rashed Mustafa Sarwar, UNICEF Representative in Malaysia.
“All of this suggests that Malaysia’s social protection system should be re-evaluated to prevent the pandemic from exacerbating the effects of pre-existing poverty, inequality and social exclusion,” he adds.
UNICEF Representative in Malaysia, Dr. Rashed Mustafa Sarwar. Photo: LA ESTRELLA / Samuel Ong
Sustained support is needed
Temporary Covid-19 mitigation measures have helped, and more than half (55%) of those interviewed found Bantuan Prihatin Nasional (BPN) to be the most helpful assistance during the OLS.
However, when asked further, some households revealed that they were unable to access assistance due to a variety of issues including illiteracy, logistics, difficult procedures, and disqualification for various reasons.
“While policy interventions like Penjana (Short-Term Economic Recovery Plan) have helped, more sustained support is still needed.
“The pandemic is a tragic reminder of how deeply connected we are, and fighting it requires that we ‘work together as one human family’, as UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres puts it,” concludes Suazo.
[ad_2]
