The Jordan Times carried an editorial piece critical of the recently announced government plans to spend all of $8 million to root out poverty in the 16 most distressed areas. The JT was right to sound the alarm and call for a much broader and more meaningful plan to address the growing economic pains of a significant slice of Jordanian society.
Perhaps one of the first steps to deal with this problem is to use accurate and objective measures to define it. The government's definition of poverty is anybody making less than JD504 per year!!! This figure defies any logic given the accelerated rate of inflation experienced in Jordan over the last few years. Even with such an unrealistically low threshold, official statistics place 15% of the population under the poverty line. Clearly, the problem is much more extensive and serious.
For example, several news outlets reported on illegal Organ trading in Jordan. Alarab Alyawm reported police captured a group of people involved in kidney trading in the Ajloun area. By the way, Ajloun is one of those 16 areas targeted by the government for alleviating poverty. Meanwhile Al-Ghad ran a story on kidney harvesting in Egypt and its associated health risks and criminal activities.
Realistically, how much money per year should be considered below poverty line in Jordan? Keep in mind that regional variations are expected (i.e., Amman vs. rural areas).
Share your thoughts.
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