POVERTY AND DEVELOPMENT IN EAST AFRICA

Poverty and Development in East Africa

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Outline of the Study

The outline for this study is to learn the poverty scenario and the development projects going on in East Africa and how and what are the problems that are related to the poverty and development. The governments role in reducing poverty and development processes started by government. The local program that are running under the local government and how these will reduce the poverty.

Background of the research

African countries became independent in the 1950s and 1960s after a long struggle for liberation, and subsequently they came to be administered in their own children. (Ravallion 1997 382) The post-colonial decades were not full of joy and satisfaction for the African societies. (Richards 1990 9) The African population faces significant challenges, such as political instability, civil war, poverty, disease, corruption, dictatorship and underdevelopment in terms of basic services such as education, clean water, health and infrastructure. (Ravallion 2001 1803) Development efforts of the last six decades are not in the best interest of the African societies. Foreign aid has not helped the growth of Africa. Debt has become a challenge for many African countries. Trade was based mainly on the export of agricultural products and oil, but not of manufactured goods. (Richards 1990 9)

There is a requirement of poverty and development analysis on East Africa. (Ravallion 2001 1803) finds that the structural relationship between poverty reduction, income growth and distribution is same and requires improvement. Prior to 1985, rapid growth is greatly impoverished. After 1985, despite very low income growth, a rising share of income, which meant the lowest quintile, the average income of the poor rose more rapidly than the non-poor. This unusual dynamics of poverty were mainly due to international migration. Transfers both increased per capita income in work-exporting countries and increased the percentage of income with the arms. (Ravallion 1997 382)

Problem Statement

This study examines the potential for development in East African country and the ways and methods to reduce poverty from it. In order to fight poverty there's need for governments to put in place mechanisms and plans to alleviate poverty.

Aims and Objectives

The aim of the study is to initially evaluate the:

To identify current poverty in East Africa

To identify and gauge the effectiveness of the local government in removing this poverty

To identify the various development programs running under the local government

Significance

One of the chronic problems, which have remained a challenge in East Africa, is the negative impact of the aid. Foreign aid, despite the good intentions behind it, has more harm than good to African societies. In many cases the aid-programs, that encourage dependency rather than self-directed. The programs for short-term activities in which corrupt leaders embezzle money and wealth can do, rather than contribute to the long-term development. (Richards 1990 9) It's compared a two-edged sword foreign aid in Africa. While there are some benefits of aid, it is also to promote the interests of ...