Catalysing action on extreme poverty

On 21 October, Concern organised an event to make sure ending extreme poverty is put on the political agenda.  

This event, held at the House of Commons, brought together international experts and practitioners to engage in a constructive dialogue on the key issues and trends impacting extreme poverty and the steps needed to shift power to those living in extreme poverty. 

Ahead of the Budget on 30 October, we wanted to bring much-needed attention and urgency to addressing extreme poverty. We also wanted to explore how the whole of society – from trusts and foundations to the private sector and the public – can help to catalyse progress.  

Urgent action is needed to halt the rise in global poverty. Last year 733 million people faced hunger – one in 11 people globally, and one in five in Africa. Extreme poverty remains persistently high and is increasing in lower-income and fragile and conflict-affected countries. Humanitarian needs continue to grow at a faster pace than funding can keep up with.   

At the same time, cuts to UK Official Development Assistance over the last few years have reduced critical support to people living in extreme poverty. The cuts made under the last government have also damaged the UK’s reputation globally as a good development partner.   

Through the panel discussions, in front of an audience of decision-makers and supporters, our speakers explored how the key drivers of climate change, gender inequality and conflict and displacement affect our ability to address extreme poverty. 

Nimo Hassan MBE, Director of the Somali NGO Consortium, said, “Climate impacts reverse and reset the gains that are being made. 

In areas of Somalia, people have been displaced by conflicts, and then displaced by drought. And then, again, displaced by floods. 

You have this cyclical situation for many, many communities.” 

Dustin Barter, Acting Director of the Humanitarian Policy Group at ODI, said “Humanitarian needs continue to escalate dramatically, yet this year the funding shortfall is the largest we've seen in recent years.” 

“We are at a moment of compounding crises, that breakdown of norms, international humanitarian law, respect for civilians.” 

The discussion – moderated by distinguished broadcaster, Martine Dennis – also explored what ambitious action to tackle extreme poverty would look like from the new UK government and from everyone in the room. 

Wairimu Munyinyi Wahome, Concern’s  Country Director in Kenya, highlighted the enormous potential of genuinely putting affected communities in the driving seat: “If truly, truly it was coming from them and they have thought through it, then they will own it and will have higher chances of sustainability.” 

She also called for gender equality as a solution, pointing to the gains in tackling malnutrition that she has seen through Concern taking a transformational approach to gender equality in Northern Kenya.  
 
Wairimu highlighted the day-to-day reality for women and girls, who bear the brunt of increasing climate shocks. 
 
“We need to aim at making a positive difference in their lives, because they're the ones who fetch the water and have to walk longer when the rivers dry up – and the ones who look for firewood and have to look a little bit deeper and are probably more dangerously exposed to gender-based violence when the trees are gone. So, when we talk about climate change and climate finance, let’s really humanise that intervention.” 

Nimo spoke of the importance of investment in long-term programmes, giving the example of the short-term nature of funding in Somalia. Somalia has been in protracted crisis for 30 years but, for the most part, receiving funding for periods of just 6 months to a year. This is a barrier to developing long-term, sustainable solutions. 

Reflecting on the role of private donors, Wairimu stressed that their value really lies in their ability to be flexible, long-term and to really listen to what’s needed: “They are willing to listen to the solutions that you are proposing to them.” Nimo also added that, “It’s about putting the community at the heart. Which means listening to them and designing something which is tailored to that community’s needs.” 

Dustin spoke of the need to invest in thought leadership so that we can go beyond “tinkering at the edges of the system,” and really make progress. “We have to invest in the big ideas.”  

Despite the huge compounding challenges that we are seeing, the discussion also explored what gave the speakers hope and inspired them to keep working.  Wairimu reflected: “My motivation is that, in as much as there is a lot left to do, there's a lot of good things coming out of the work that we do. And when that change is seen in the communities where we work, it motivates.” 

Our new Executive Director, Sayyeda Salam, also spoke about what gives her hope – the power of putting communities at the heart of decision-making and the funding. 

What was clear from the discussion was that as a major global economy and influential political actor, the UK can and must play its part in addressing the immediate and underlying drivers of extreme poverty. Success will also require changes to the international humanitarian and development system. There is also a lot that the larger donors can learn from the smaller, particularly how to listen and be driven by what communities are asking for.  

We need to work together to enable change. As Sarah Champion MP, Chair of the International Development Committee, reflected, there is demand for that change, particularly from young people. She spoke about going into primary schools and talking to young children: “The thing I get asked is what are we doing for poor people and what are we doing about climate change? They want us to give them hope. They want us to give something practical and concrete that we can do.” The future generation wants us to act.”