Dominica has recorded a 12 percent reduction in poverty levels according to the results of two surveys conducted on the island.
Speaking on state-owned DBS Radio on Wednesday morning, chief statistician, Prayma Carette, said the surveys were done to measure the reduction of poverty during the period from 2000 to 2015.
She explained that one survey was done in 2002 and another in 2009, and the results show the rate of poverty has decreased.
“So if we look at the trend in poverty we will realize from the two periods that the surveys were conducted, there has been in fact a reduction from 2002 to 2009,” she explained. “The 2002 rate was 39.9 or approximately 40 percent and the 2009 rate was 28.8 or approximately 29 percent. We are saying over these two periods, the poverty rate or the intensity of poverty declined by 12 points from 40 to 29…”
Carette noted that another survey, to measure core welfare indicators, was conducted in April 2013 and the results will be available by the end of the January 2014.
Carette credited a number national social welfare programs for the poverty reduction levels.
“One is the public welfare assistance programs, that is the established public welfare programs within the ministry of community development and we have over the period, an increase of 20 percent in recipients,” she stated. “The needs of the nationals have been addressed through the public welfare assistance which commonly assist in the monthly alleviation program and this includes access to medical services, especially for the elderly and the vulnerable or the economically deprived.”
She pointed to a number of school programs which assisted in the decline.
“We also have an increase in the coverage of school feeding and it includes the re-establishment of the program in some localities,” Carette noted. “So again we have these programs covering the vulnerable or those at risk. We have an increase also in the number of recipients for the school supplies, text books scheme and we have recorded and increase in recipients over the period.”
She pointed to the Small Business Fund, which she said “addresses the needs of entrepreneurs or self-employed persons who have been given some alleviation for empowerment.”
“So these programs have directly and indirectly assisted in reducing and alleviating poverty,” Carette stated.
Madam all now so me and my three children hungry no work all u close down my JOB house roof leaking when it rains heavily domlec tired my electricity all now so dowasco cut my water supply is RIVER I go my credit high in de shop I owing day care and Pre school fees your fridge full with ham and turkey sorrel and ginger beer your bread well butter mine is not so get your facts right and tell me if this is not poverty to the fullest
Oh well poverty is on the increase…..i have not seen it and i am a statistic living in the country who has not been surveyed
Tell the Minister of finance to pay the people who conducted the survey up to now they still owing.
The questionnaire of these Surveys are put together to force the desired results.
hahahahahahahaha, look jokes. That topic alone have me laughing. What programs?
Why do we Dominicans like pouring cold water on good news to suit our own ends? The fact that the survey shows a 20% reduction in poverty is something that should be celebrated and not scorned.
We have to remember that the whole world have been hit with recession and even the big ones like USA, Great Britain, European Union etc suffered and some are only now showing green shoots to indicate that their economies are starting to pick up again. Small countries with small economies like Dominica is expected to struggle as well. The fact that we have achieved a 20% reduction in poverty is down to the policies of a Skerrit-led Labour government and they should be credited with this result.
Lennox Linton, Thompson Fontain etc were the ones recently pouring scorn on the government welfare policies. I suggest that they eat some humble pie and try and find other issues to challenge Skerrit and Labour at the next election.
Only in Dominica is Poverty Reduction measured by the amount of people who get on to social welfare programs…. A 20% increase of recipients could mean two things: 1. that many of this 20% were left out in the poverty survey done before and therefore the level is higher than originally stated or 2. 20% has fallen below the poverty level and therefore need social welfare… either way this information is crazy or straight up Political Propaganda!!!
The report meat to say a reduction in poverty but there is in fact an increase in destitution- i think this would be more believable by the Dominican public
Do you all realize that this is a 3 year old story. If you have to talk about the subject matter then you must do a new survey. Who does these surveys anyway?
I used those surveys for a school paper. They can be found on the CDB website. My only concern here is the seeming happiness that poverty level is at 29% as of 2009.That’s still too high folks! Even if it declined from 40%.
In August 2013, I was present at a Small Island Development States (SIDS)conference in Dominica. During the meeting a review of the report on the island’s poverty level was conducted; this, a report, which was also submitted to external parties; NGOs etc. In this review it was revealed that the island’s poverty level had actually increased. So I am trying to comprehend to the best of my ability, how a report presented in August; which submitted to external bodies, indicates an increase poverty and the report that will not be submitted to external bodies but is released to the public indicates differently.
Something does not sound right….one of these reports must be falsified and I am curious as to which one.
Take this for example, they are saying we have a reduction in poverty;
1. Social welfare assistance increased by 20% – this means that this percentage is now in poverty and needs to be supported by the government.
2. School feeding programs increased in localities – this means that more children are leaving home for school on empty stomachs; how is that reduction in poverty.
3. Things have gotten worst for me over the years and can consider myself living in poverty therefore that’s an increase.
So happy I did not study statistics at school. Wonder what other lie will surface next week.
Questions ……Questions ………Questions
What were the indicators used in this survey?
Who did they survey?
What was the sample size of this survey?
What type of methodology was utilized to evaluate the results?
I can go on and on …….because it does not seem like this survey was done in Dominica!!!!
Reduction in poverty …..really …….. I want to see that report !!!!
BTW who attributes reduction in poverty to social programmes in a modern economy? Why are these reductions not attributed to JOB CREATION, INCREASED DISPOSABLE INCOME, ECONOMIC GROWTH AND ALL THE POSITIVE THINGS …………..
Instead reduction in poverty is attributed to handouts…….. what happen to teach a man to fish ………..nah we don’t want that ……………if we teach them how to fish they will become to independent and we will not be able to control them ……so stay in line and majey chosson majey …………..se mweh ke in charge!!!!!
Wake up people …….. why do we only embrace the first three letters in our name D………..O………….M ….. you know the rest!
God…….. I fed up with this Sh……….
The sample size was three:
Skerrit
Lennox Lawrence and
Mammy
Please madam tell me something 2009 was the end of all the disif money given in Dominica to alleviate poverty, so ok your office undertook a huge survey this year, can you tell us the stats between 2009 and 2013?
Stop the Politics, After the huge sum spent poverty should be gone.
Some of us are not so daft.
DNO this long but I am sure the readers will ponder the words
There’s a natural mystic blowing through the air,
If you listen carefully now, you will hear..
This could be the first trumpet
Might has well be the last
Many more will have to suffer..
Many more will have to die
Don’t ask me why.
You see things are not the way they used to be
I won’t tell no lies.
One and all got to face reality… yeah.
Though I try to find the answer
To all the questions they ask,
Yet I know it’s impossible
To go living through my past..
They keep us down.
There’s a natural mystic blowing through the air
I won’t tell no lies
Cos if you listen carefully now, you will hear..
There’s a natural mystic blowing through the air
Such a natural mystic..blowing through the air.
Though I try to find the answer to all the questions they ask
Yet I know it’s impossible to go living through the past
They can’t keep us down.
I won’t tell no lies
Cause if you listen carefully now, you will hear…
Read more at http://www.lyrics.com/natural-mystic-lyrics-bob-marley.html#ICd4vEEQCD91KMim.99
There are several approaches to poverty assessment however the most relevant and conventional really is that of well being -well-being as the ability or command of commodities.People are better off if they have the resources needed. Do our households have enough resources to meet their needs.
A threshold need to be established and it would have been prudent to indicate the threshold so that poverty could be measured by comparison or reference to that bench mark. poor.
Poverty assessment is largely based on monetary terms and is the starting point for any poverty analyses. I certain that the assessment presented by the government servant did not begin with monetary evaluation cause if they did the entire survey would collapse into absolute and abject poverty. So having a text book for school yet you cant read the book at night because mum and dad cant afford the light bill is counter productive The same goes for those who receive house yet basic maintenance cant be done to the houses let alone pay the utility bills or even have the basic utilities.
Poverty assessment cant be done based on text books, or allowances for the very poor. In fact the pauper’s allowance had been there way before the current administration.
Don’t let the fool ya Oh no
Or even reaarange ya polom pompolom pom pom
And the fittest of the fittest survive
Stay alive
Another Parry Bellot type survey.
Read a little
Measuring poverty at the country level
A common method used to measure poverty is based on incomes or consumption levels. A person is considered poor if his or her consumption or income level falls below some minimum level necessary to meet basic needs. This minimum level is usually called the “poverty line”. What is necessary to satisfy basic needs varies across time and societies. Therefore, poverty lines vary in time and place, and each country uses lines which are appropriate to its level of development, societal norms and values.
Information on consumption and income is obtained through sample surveys, with which households are asked to answer detailed questions on their spending habits and sources of income. Such surveys are conducted more or less regularly in most countries. These sample survey data collection methods are increasingly being complemented by participatory methods, where people are asked what their basic needs are and what poverty means for them. Interestingly, new research shows a high degree of concordance between poverty lines based on objective and subjective assessments of needs.
This report shows one thing IF any. That is a 20% increase in the confirmed poor.The Government has to feed more school children cause the parents cant. Provide more assistance for medical care cause the patience cant, more small loans to small business ventures cause the banks wont lend (Note: there is no data on how these business perform in the short and mid-term)and this is called a reduction in poverty. Prayma Carette the rest of us did not attend school on Jan 32nd
Oh ho so if there is a reduction in poverty why do i find more people begging me for money and other stuff? Or maybe is me alone they begging…and why does the Gov go about giving LPOs like crazy ? Is that how you solve poverty in a country?… by giving a house or toilet? how about giving them a job so they will not have to beg and they will have a choice to buy what they feel like and not accept the cheap and last grade things of the Chinese? How about that ?
i find people crying more in Dominica . so that cannot be right.
All of a sudden the most popular talk of the day has become welfare, and the reduction of poverty.
Why all of a sudden?
Well, it is a ploy to gain political mileage with the hope the unsuspecting will not recognize the trick, this is a form of brainwashing, or petty psychology; the hope is if they focus on such topics long enough the majority will fall victim to the ploy and will no longer be concern with their lack of mere necessity’s, and their sufferings!
Today the ploy is talking about percent; percent or percentage must be calculated from a whole number; nevertheless, this so called statistician claims ” Dominica has recorded a twelve (12%) percent reduction in poverty levels.”
To the novice, or to a political crone who might be able to read effectively may be elated, and consider such garbage to be welcome news; to many of us who have some knowledge of static’s we will dismisses such as pseudo, (false) statistics.
.
In the first place percent is reckoned on the basis of a whole number (figure), divided into one hundred parts, I can also say, percentage is a part of a whole expressed in hundredths, the result obtained my multiplying a number by a percent. So my question to this so called statistician, is where did that first twelve percent came from.
What was the level of poverty in Dominica prior the reduction of 12%.
If your first reasoning of that 12% is balcony, something you pulled from the sky, all your imaginary, projected for 2014/2015 hope is also rubbish!
Let me inform you if there are no variables you cannot have a reduction or addition to anything, so tell us which variable all of a sudden caused the reduction in this poverty you are talking about. Do not suggest “well the government has given out more handouts” because handouts are not employment.
When we are talking reduction of poverty level we have to prove that with how much people have earned over a period of time, and that should also show in the improvement in the standards of living, reduction in poverty reverberates in the economy, do not sit and talk crap trying to create some false impression, because plenty of us knows how it works you see!
Another thing is that you spoke of some survey you or someone took, can you state how many people in Dominica you spoke with in your quest for data, I bet you right now if any of us outside of Dominica, call ten people in Dominica and ask if they were surveyed, they will respond by asking what are we talking about.
It is time to cut the crap , stop playing games.
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
Is that really a statement from a public officer? This is more like a statement from a politician, just like the statement made by the president of the college.
Well, Prayma not easy! The educated and experienced Chief Statistician is coming on air on the eve of 2014 and telling us about surveys conducted in 2002 and 2009? You serious? Where were these reports? Only now they surfaced? These things are long outdated, P 2002 is 11 years ago wii! 2009 is 4 years ago wii! ?
Oh boy are they serious? When these people make such statements it really scares me… This shows the road map for Dominica… OK you give me a little help there I build my house that nice… You gan also help me maintain it man? If my pipe burst I can come back for a little something to fix it?
OK so I get a little help there to open my little shop.. But wait a while nuh people not buying man? Things slow… Let me increase my prices eh so I can pay my bills cause domlec not easy… I ask my padna if he boy cot my shop the man lie and tell me he brokes… How is that everybody brokes there nuh?
Duhhh it dont have enough money circulating in the country… Duh we importing more than we exporting… Duh more money leaving the country than is coming in… Duh….. SMH
Well based on what I read, it’s only the Red Clinic that has caused the level to change somewhat, but poverty level up till 2009 had not changed because of more people being employed. So presently it should be approaching 50%. ANOTHER REASON WHY THIS FAILED SKERRIT CABAL, should be kicked out of office. Let ‘TEAM DOMINICA’ provide the jobs.
Some of the greedies (young and strong men and women) who get money through this Red Clinic thing, are not the ones who should be getting help. SHAME ON SKERRIT!
that report is contradicting, ok there is a reduction in poverty, but an increase in people receiving social welfare, increase in the number of student receiving school supplies, increase in text book scheme program. What does that say.
for real ! LOL reduction in poverty …
Whilst the intensity of poverty of some of the destitute may have been marginally alleviated .. there is a new “poorer” class replacing the middle class in dominica.
Well well well, It does not look like Grand Bay was part of these surveys Because its now we sucking salt in South City. Look Christmas is next week and I can’t even buy a box of back & neck for me to smoke.
Aye la. Well, if you care about yourself and family, it is time that you think it through and vote for development and progress by voting Workers. Give them a chance this time to see if life will be different for you. Just give them a chance this time.
they LIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
All-u just jealous, my PM things working, continue to do what you doing for the poor people in our country. Who God Bless No Man Cruse.
He is also my out going PM. He has failed you,and thousands of other Dominicans, because he has demonstrated that his leadership has a big hole in the bottom, and it’s those who have greedy and corrupt agendas who are benefitting from it. THANKS GOD 2014 IS NOT FAR.
– Who conducted these surveys?
– who commissioned the surveys?
– what parameters were used?
What are we measuring against what? Surveys like these should be conducted by a neutral third party using internationally accepted standards. As it is this news report tell us very little.
welfare how can this help a country,are you serious,skerro put you up to this ,how can a government have the people depend on them,i dont understand what planet you guys are on,welfare makes people more poor.
DNO, the information in this article is bereft of significant substance that would help your readers evaluate the reliability of the statement that there is, indeed, a reduction of poverty in Dominica.
Just to mention two points:
1. What were the indices used to measure this reduction?
2. How can a trend be recognized from ONLY two measures?
Admin: We’re pursuing another perspective which hopefully, will provide that type of critique.
DNO can the government do anything good? Has DNO sough the full report. The connotation is no matter what spin you put on it, on the face of it DNO is questioning the credibility of the state agency. A sign of an organ of the opposition.
Is DNO a party organ? why are not publishing comments that appear to criticize the opposition for example: ” They said they would create 5000 jobs within the first three years. Did DNO purse another perspective which hopefully, would provide that type of critique. To now say they may have is downright hypocrisy.
DNO is playing the role of PRO of the Workers Party and bias critical analyzer of the Labour Government. I dear DNO to publish this comment.
you sound like you on crack and desperate
What else do you expect them to say? They pay or demand public people to spin on things for them. The record is their to show and just go around the country and you will see it- unemployment, lack of basic needs, etc. There may be some thousands of dollars flying around now because of elections and the DLP buying and bribing voters, but that will soon finish. Din’t worry with this, even business people have gotten poorer.
This survey was well timed. The Skeritt Administration enjoys reacting to policies and programs put forward by Mr. Lennox Linton and the UWP. They proposed a policy on jobs, immediately Government hurriedly put together a Job Expo. The UWP proposed seriously, the building of an International Airport, the Government is in the process of negotiating for a new airport. The UWP proposed an airplane and organized ferry service registered in Dominica, a new airline is scheduled to begin operations in January. In resent times the UWP has been focusing of the state of poverty in Dominica, especially after what the A Team had experienced during its Coast to Coast in twenty one days, today, a report aided and abetted by Government is reporting a poverty reduction. I have absolutely no problems with the Government’s intensions to follow the UWP, but it must also follow its policies as regards to corruption.
After barrages of UWP false propaganda you do not expect a response from the Government?
Because lennox linton has no qualification, he cant respond to the Labour Party. He told a lady he could not find his papers as if he had. He lied and said he only wrote a few applications. The truth is, no one acknowledged his applications. because he is unqualified
The job fair was already in the making. The records at the ministry will show the inception of plans for the activity. It is more likely that unprofessional supporters of the UWP pirated the information for the UWP. Some of their presentations were cut and pasted. The UWP is now accepting all the policies of the Labour Government they harshly criticize. They have no vision they are force to follow the government policies only now saying they will do a better job. Their mode of operation is a politics of jealousy. I wish I was the Government that is why their theme is without merit “Change The Government”
The trouble is the Government is the change.
1.One China Policy
2.Re engineered relations with Venezuela
3.Alba
4.Employment
5.Yes we care
6.Housing revolution
7.Tertiary Education
8.Health care
9.Agriculture
10. Equal Opportunity for all Red ,white, blue ,green, yellow and all.
The opposition do not have a creditable alternative. They are monkey see monkey do.
Oh shut up.. I waiting to see when your governemt. Going to start solving the bigger picture at hand.. Which is to increase the flow of income into the country
I would more want to hear something like
1 Increase and improve manufacturing sector
In fact that’s all I waiting to see happen.. Although there is much more that could be done…
On and young or got one… State house
@Nomination committee More garbage from a Skerrit lap dog. Your fear will soon end in 2014.Skerrit is now turned into a headless chicken. He know not what he is doing. everything Linton and Team Dominica does, he wants to respond and makes a mess out of everything. HIS INCOMPETENDCY IS FRIGHTENING. Save yourself all this head ache Skerro call the election soon.
@ Nomination Committee: What is your point. If UWP is giving False propaganda as you call it the that is good. Means they are not into propaganda.
Information in the ministry is public information. So it is taking 14 yrs to get it from the ministry to the people.
Heaven help labor if you are on there nomination commitee. Open your mind and your eyes.
whatttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt is now man poor
how, where and when oh please….
SO poverty cause skerrit to bring the red clinic
Ok!!! Am i reading this wrong. Poverty decreased by 12 percent because we had a 20% increase in reciepients in the social programs. What a way to twist info. I thought you measure poverty by the amount of people who get on the social program because they fall below an established poverty line.
Decrease in poverty should be measured by people falling above that poverty line and out of the social programs. In other words they are independent of Government assistance and can take care of thier basic needs on their own.
Ms carrette the reason some of us get an education is for making common sense of info like this. You probably need to revisit the way you measure poverty. More social programs is a cost to tax payers and is not a good sign of development.
It’s the season of good will an all dat…you publish this and I can walk away from my pc now and find you exactly 20 poor people just in Roseau central alone. Try those results again people. We are not talking iphone buyers ordinary people who are even on the job and can’t buy themselves lunch today…much less pay the bus home…I am flabagasted at how you all arrive at your results.
You sponsor a few…select the same few and then come out with this impressive results…GREAT!!! Funny how no one in my environment seem to remember being interviewed, checked, targeted for any of these surveys….Let us know where and when next time…
We want a breakdown of these figures Prayma- percentages does not mean a thing. The 12% decrease u reporting is because people migrated generally so that overall numbers look better- or that 12% of the people u censused in your first survey found jobs and their circumstances changed? or are they receiving more stipends from oversee- You report 12 % success not you are not highlighting the contributing factors- This is highly deceptive and purposeful i must admit
Hell no. I travel throughout Dominica, and I can say that thousands of Dominicans cannot make it in their own country. Poverty levels must be more than 40% now. EVEN WORKING PEOPLE CANNOT MAKE ENDS MEET.
Are these “reports” available to the public? Where can I access them? Would sure love to know what “ruler” they used to measure the level if intensity.
How is poverty on a decrease ???? Working pple can’t hardly make ends meet.
Amen to that.
Nice trick
Well based on what I am seeing in Dominica presently, the begging syndrome created by Skerrit, the number of young people who are trying to find a job, the absolute and total incapability of this failed and corrupt regime to address the unemployment situation, presently the poverty rate must be OVER 40% now in 2013. Those who travelled the country WITH “TEAM DOMINICA”, were shockingly surprised to see with their own eyes, the condition in which some Domninicans are living, and their inability to eat even one proper meal per day.
These GREEDY MEN AND WOMEN “Housing Revolution” passed many poor Dominicans straight, because of their political colour, and these are the ones mostly affected.
In a country where the ruling cabal has destroyed and killed agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, off shore services, POVERTY MUST REIGN SUPREME.
Thanks God “TEAM DOMINICA WILL provide the 7000-10 000 in three years, and get Dominicans employed.
Notice that I increased the number of jobs, because I listened to the Job and Employmnent Forum, and I thought that 3000 jobs was a gross underestimation of the number. A clear sign of the poverty is the inability of even those who are working to pay their UTILITY bills.
HOW LONG?
NOT LONG!
lol..Reduction in poverty . its either the poor people are dying, or those who received free houses are no longer considered poor,or the ones conducting the survey is drunk or having a hangover. because they have not passed in my village as yet. so to my observation, the survey is not completed. Its Null. giving handouts to citizens is only temporary wealth, do the survey after the hand outs are done and we will be back at square one .
So technically – Poverty has not been reduced, its just being subsidised by the public’s purse? Confirmed by the fact that there was a 20 percent increase in the recipients of social welfare aid.
hahahaha Prayma Carette, oh please. Anyways do your damage control for your bosses papa.