UNDP calls on G-20 Leaders to curb a full-fledged human development crisis

As the leaders of the richest nations set off to London for the G-20 summit this Thursday, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) warns that those most vulnerable to the crisis are living outside the spotlight and their predicament should be addressed at the table.

“This crisis is not exclusive to Europe or America.  It is everywhere and the G-20 countries should recognize that we are all in it together,” said Ad Melkert, UNDP Associate Administrator.  “They should recognize the human development calamity facing the people of the poorest countries and commit the resources to bail them out.” 

Analyses of past recessions reveal that poor countries suffer substantially more than their richer counterparts, not just in terms of job and income loss, but in health and education indicators – life expectancy, school enrollment and completion rates all drop.  In low-income countries, women, children and the poorest segments of society, are the most susceptible to the consequences of economic collapse.  Data gathered during previous economic downturns indicates that even among poor children, girls are more likely to be pulled out of school than boys.

As remittances slump, trade collapses and commodity prices continue to be highly volatile, more families are falling into extreme poverty.  Increases in poverty rates, almost mechanically, translate into increased mortality.  For instance, a three percent decrease in Gross Domestic Product for developing countries may be associated with between 47 and 120 more infant deaths per 1000 live births. Already in some of the developing countries, the probability of a poor child dying is almost four times higher than a wealthier child in that same country and during economic downturns, the increase in infant mortality is five times higher for girls than for boys.

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Source: UNDP