SDLP call for united front on global poverty

The SDLP's International Secretary has marked the UN day for eradicating global poverty by calling on the community in Northern Ireland to show their solidarity in the fight against poverty.

Margaret Richie said that, whilst the UN day highlights the plight of those living in poverty across the world, the problem is particularly acute in Northern Ireland and must be addressed by local representatives.

Margaret Ritchie said: "It is important that, together with our neighbours worldwide, we mark the day by urging all government, government departments and all bodies to do their utmost, through the allocation of resources, to eradicate poverty and work in partnership for all mankind."

In Northern Ireland, it is estimated that one out of two children are at risk of living in poverty and, of those children living below the poverty line, half are from families where at least one adult is in employment.

The effect of poverty's associated problems, means that children living in poverty are 15 times more likely to die as a result of a house fire and are four times more likely to die before the age of 20.

Mrs Richie said that it was of major concern that the fight against poverty had been put into "cold storage" following the suspension of the assembly.

She added: "This will handicap and cripple our efforts to tackle the startling levels of poverty here, by means of direct implementation of local policies to address deprivation, disadvantage and target areas of social need."

The SDLP's International Secretary called on the wider community to show their generosity in terms of charitable donations and also write to local representatives to lobby for giving "greater priority to eradicating poverty".

(GMcG)