Surge in conflicts fuels extreme poverty: World Bank - Region
Economies in fragile and conflict-affected regions have become "the epicentre of global poverty and food insecurity, a situation increasingly shaped by the frequency and intensity of conflict," the bank added in a new study.
This year, 421 million people get by on less than $3 a day in places hit by conflict or instability -- a situation of extreme poverty -- and the number is poised to hit 435 million by 2030.
Global attention has been focused on conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East for the past three years, said World Bank Group chief economist Indermit Gill.
But "half of the countries facing conflict or instability today have been in such conditions for 15 years or more," he added.
Currently, 39 economies are classified as facing such conditions, and 21 of them are in active conflict, the Washington-based development lender said.
The list includes Ukraine, Somalia, South Sudan, and the West Bank and Gaza.
It also includes Iraq, although not Iran.
The report flagged that moves to prevent conflict can bring high returns, with timely interventions being "far more cost-effective than responding after violence erupts."
It also said that some of these economies have advantages that could be used to reignite growth, noting that places like Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and the Democratic Republic of Congo are rich in minerals key to clean tech like electric vehicles and solar panels.
"Economic stagnation -- rather than growth -- has been the norm in economies hit by conflict and instability over the past decade and a half," said Ayhan Kose, World Bank Group deputy chief economist.
The bank's report noted that high-intensity conflicts, which kill more than 150 per million people, are typically followed by a cumulative fall of around 20 per cent in GDP per capita after five years.
Follow us on:
Short link:
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al-Ahram Weekly
9 hours ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Turkey's Erdogan insists on Cyprus two-state solution - International
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday reaffirmed his country's support for a two-state solution in Cyprus, urging the international community to accept the Mediterranean island's existing division. Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when a Turkish invasion followed a coup in Nicosia backed by Greece's then-military junta. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, declared in 1983, is recognised only by Ankara. "We fully support the vision based on a two-state solution," Erdogan said during a visit to northern Cyprus marking 51 years since Turkish troops invaded the island. "It is time for the international community to make peace with the realities on the ground," Erdogan said. The Turkish leader's visit comes few days after UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that meetings between Cyprus's rival leaders at the organisation's New York headquarters were "constructive," even as questions remained about crossing points on the island. Erdogan on Sunday called for an end to the isolation of the TRNC. "Diplomatic, political, and economic relations should be established with the TRNC, and the injustice endured by Turkish Cypriots for decades must finally come to an end," he said. The last major round of peace talks collapsed in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, in July 2017. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
13 hours ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Iran says replaced air defence systems damaged during Israel war - Region
Iran has replaced the air defence systems damaged during its 12-day war with Israel last month, a senior army general said on Sunday according to state media. Israel launched an unprecedented surprise bombing campaign against Iran in mid-June, prompting Tehran to respond with drone and missile attacks. Israel's strikes dealt a significant blow to the Islamic republic's air defences, which were repeatedly activated in the capital Tehran and across the country throughout the war. "The Zionist enemy sought to destroy Iran's defense capabilities, and some of our defense systems were damaged in that war," army operations chief Mahmoud Mousavi was quoted as saying by the official IRNA news agency. "The damaged defence systems have now been replaced," he added. Iran's air defence network includes systems like the domestically built Bavar-373 and Khordad-15, designed to counter missiles and aircraft. Iran also installed Russia's S-300 air defense systems in 2016. The war with Israel killed more than 1,000 people in Iran, while Iranian fire killed at least 28 people in Israel, according to authorities in each country. Israel's attacks targeted military infrastructure and nuclear facilities across Iran. On June 22, Israel's ally the United States also carried out unprecedented strikes on Iranian nuclear sites at Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz. The full extent of the damage to Iran's nuclear programme remains unclear. US President Donald Trump has insisted the sites were "completely destroyed", but US media reports have cast doubt on the severity of the damage. On Friday, NBC News, citing a military damage assessment, reported that only one of the three sites was mostly destroyed. A ceasefire between Iran and Israel has been in effect since June 24. After the truce was announced, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to prevent Iran from rebuilding its nuclear capabilities, raising the prospect of renewed conflict. Earlier in July, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israel was formulating a plan to "ensure that Iran cannot threaten Israel again." Katz said the military had to maintain its "air superiority over Tehran, the ability to enforce restrictions on Iran and prevent it from rebuilding its capabilities". Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
14 hours ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
El-Sisi meets US CENTCOM Commander to discuss military ties, regional de-escalation - Foreign Affairs
President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi met on Sunday with General Michael Kurilla, Commander of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), to discuss strengthening military and security cooperation, regional de-escalation efforts, and advancing political solutions to ongoing crises. The meeting, held in the presence of Egypt's Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Minister of Defence and Military Production General Abdel Majeed Saqr and US Ambassador to Egypt Herro Mustafa Garg, reaffirmed the strategic partnership between Egypt and the United States. Talks focused on enhancing joint coordination in security and defence, particularly amid regional instability. Both sides stressed the importance of close cooperation in supporting regional and international peace and security. President El-Sisi and General Kurilla also reviewed developments across the region, including in Gaza, Syria, Libya, Sudan, and the Horn of Africa, with a shared emphasis on the need for de-escalation and the pursuit of sustainable political solutions. On Gaza, El-Sisi reiterated Egypt's continued efforts to broker a ceasefire, facilitate the exchange of captives and detainees, and ensure the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid. He also praised the efforts of US President Donald Trump to support ceasefire negotiations. Kurilla conveyed greetings from Trump, which El-Sisi welcomed, highlighting the depth of US-Egypt relations. The meeting also addressed the Nile water dispute, with El-Sisi reaffirming Egypt's stance on the issue as a matter of national security. Earlier this month, President Trump vowed to work toward resolving the long-standing dispute between Egypt and Ethiopia, stating that the US had contributed financially to the construction of the Ethiopian dam. 'The Nile is a very important source of income and life… we think we are going to have that solved very quickly,' Trump stated. El-Sisi later responded in a Facebook post, expressing confidence in Trump's ability to navigate complex international challenges and promote stability from Ukraine to Palestine and Africa. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
