Disparities and poverty have intensified in Singapore due to the COVID-19 epidemic. Activists from across the country are campaigning for better circumstances. Due to this, a future of home and awareness emerges as the country recovers from COVID-19. However, there are three effects of poverty that worsen with the pandemic.
#1 Health Issues
Poverty-related illnesses like malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS kill an estimated 14 million people each year. It is one of the most severe consequences of living in poverty. These illnesses spread through polluted water, lack sanitation and access to competent healthcare.
There are no such issues for the Singaporean population. However, just 43% believe that Singapore's healthcare system addresses mental and physical wellness. Another comparable amount (40%) believes that healthcare prioritises physical health. Following Coronavirus as the top health worry (67%), 41 percent of Singaporeans say that mental health is the most severe health issue confronting the country, even more so than cancer (33 per cent).
#2 Crime Due to Unemployment
Global unemployment is at an all-time high. One hundred and ninety-two million individuals worldwide are unemployed. Poverty is from a lack of economic opportunity, which leads to criminality. Most of these individuals are uneducated as an effect of experiencing poverty. The overall number of recorded offences in the first half of the year increased by 7.8 percent to 11,041 in 2021. It went up from 10,245 in the same period as the previous year.
#3 Illiteracy
Poverty and poor education are inextricably linked. Children exposed to extreme poverty struggle with cognitive development, speaking, and stress management. Singapore is one of Asia's most English-literate countries. Adult illiteracy, however, may be more widespread than expected due to educational inequality. There are around 283,000 15-64 years olds who are illiterate in English and other major languages.
Join The Best of You in their effort to mitigate the impacts of social inequality in Singapore. The organisation also intends to assist in tackling the effects of urban poverty. They hope you will get inspiration from the volunteer options available in Singapore and share your own experiences.
