Plans being made for a September papal visit to East Timor are drawing criticism from local human rights groups. The costs will be too high and people’s lives are already being disrupted they say. Extremely expensive Last Thursday human rights organisation Lao Hamutuk told Union of Catholic Asian (UCA) News that the Government’s budgeted US$12 Read more
At a time of climate change and unprecedented demographic growth, a researcher who analyses thematic themes such as the dynamics of globalisation and human security a calls for placing food issues at the heart of our policies. “We must not forget that 735 million people are in a state of chronic hunger and more than Read more
In the midst of the country’s escalating cost-of-living crisis, the Salvation Army’s State of the Nation 2024 report spotlights the growing socio-economic challenges confronting New Zealanders. The report, Ngā Tukunga Iho – The Things We Inherit, offers an annual assessment of the country’s social progress – this year especially – children and youth housing crime Read more
A dramatic increase in demand at the Wellington City Mission is driving a plea to help bridge the gap to supply nutritious protein. Social Supermarket General Manager Jeremy Neeve said they see roughly 130 clients through the door a week, however that’s on the rise and numbers are growing every week. “We know the cost Read more
Child poverty must be at the top of the incoming Government’s agenda, says the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG). It has written an open letter and launched a petition, demanding a meeting with incoming Prime Minister Christopher Luxon before Christmas. CPAGs health spokesperson and former paediatrician Professor Ines Asher says they’re calling for the meeting Read more
Scrapping the Ka Ora, Ka Ako healthy lunches in school programme would only increase the pressure on already stretched charity groups, the founder of KidsCan says. It comes after The Post reported a pre-Budget Treasury report was highly critical of the programme after finding as many as 10,000 lunches a day are left over, and Read more
Food insecurity is an urgent problem the Government must fix. “The more hungry we are, the more we will see unrest,” says Auckland City Missioner Helen Robinson. “Thousands and thousands of us just don’t have enough money for food.” She should know. Over the past 10 years, demand for City Mission food parcels has risen Read more
Food insecurity, violence and climate change are forcing Africa into a corner. The continent is facing a looming food crisis caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In better times, between 2018 and 2020, Africa imported 44 percent of its wheat from Russia and Ukraine. “A striking phenomenon is the link between food insecurity, violence and Read more
Food has become a discretionary item in many people’s budgets. Its low priority is just one of the changes Delphina Soti, General Manager of the St Vincent de Paul food Hub in Auckland is seeing. Covid has a long tail and there are many layers of need in the community, she says. “There’s a lot Read more