Poverty Remains Serious Issue in Israel
Poverty in Israel continues to deepen, and many people are finding it harder and harder to escape the cycle, according to information in reports released by the Israeli NGO.
About 32 percent of the population live below the poverty line. That number comprises approximately 2,546,000 people, including 1,613,000 adults and 932,000 children. These statistics are in stark contrast to a different report by the National Insurance Institute, which claimed poverty in the nation was on the decline.
Israel… the land of God’s promise – a place of stunning landscapes, thriving cities, and tranquil beauty… the most desired travel destination for Christians around the world. However, underneath the surface, people in this beautiful land face a challenge of historic proportion. Families are being torn apart from the inside out.
The report also categorized people’s economic hardships in five ways: education, housing, health, food, and the ability to meet the cost of living.
One of the most disturbing aspects of the report was the level of poverty in children throughout the nation. Approximately one out of every three children in Israel is considered poor, and 25 percent of children go to sleep hungry several times a month. About 65 percent of children do not receive a meal at school for lunch.
Additionally, 65 percent of parents living under the poverty line had to do so without access to medical treatment or medicine for their children in the last year. Another 40 percent of parents below the poverty line have done this repeatedly for multiple years.
Impoverished children are also dropping out of school in large numbers. More than one-third of these children are forced to work to help support their families. About 32 percent of these children attended boarding schools in 2014, up from 22 percent in 2013.
Finally, the situation is dire for elderly citizens of Israel living in poverty, as well. About 94 percent of elderly people living in poverty do not have enough assistance to buy necessities and maintain their dignity. About 92 percent cannot afford nursing care or in-home assistance.
All of these statistics are sobering reminders of why we at Curt Landry Ministries continue to remain extremely active in humanitarian aid projects throughout Israel. Your financial assistance can help us to provide some much-needed relief to Israelis of all ages and backgrounds.
Contact us today for more information about how you can lend your support.