Aid Recipients Research Articles

Multilateral Humanitarian Aid As a Foreign Socio-Humanitarian Policy Tool in Britain

The article proposes to single out socio-humanitarian cooperation as a separate foreign policy tool. It studies the case of the UK to demonstrate the synergy between conceptual approaches and their implementation in the national legislation in providing official development assistance (ODA) and humanitarian aid as the two integral parts of socio-humanitarian policy. The authors conclude that the shift in doctrinal priorities in the area, including the prioritisation of emergency aid and individual recipients (Afghanistan, certain African states) after 2020, is confirmed by the change in London's approaches towards UN humanitarian agencies, with the pace of cuts to humanitarian aid funds being faster than the government's stated targets. Based on statistical data from 2005‒2023, the authors distinguish two periods of the UK's multilateral socio-humanitarian policy: 2005‒2020 and 2020 ‒ to the present. The first period saw the growth in London's emergency response funding being in line with the overall growth in global humanitarian needs. In the second period, despite the dramatic increase in the funds requested by UN agencies and the general degradation of the global humanitarian situation (the humanitarian appeal of the UN's main coordination mechanism, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), increased from $39 bn in 2020 to $51.5 bn in 2023, with the number of people in dire need jumping from 98 million in 2020 to 230 million in 2023), UK deprioritised practically all channels of multilateral humanitarian funding. For the second period, we show the emphasis on food aid, along with a staggering (up to 85%) reduction in other funding areas, most notably in unearmarked contributions and CERF pledges. Such a change may be explained, on the one hand, by the deteriorating food security situation in key recipient countries and, on the other hand, by the politicisation of humanitarian assistance on the part of the UK.

Dinamika Indeks Pembangunan Manusia di Provinsi Jawa Barat Tahun 2018-2022

This research aims to find out the influence of the Poverty Severity Index, Number of Poor Population, PDRB per Capita, and Number of Aid Recipients on the Human Development Index in West Java in 2018-2022. The research carried out is a type of quantitative descriptive research. The research tool used is panel data regression analysis with the selected Fixed Effect Model (FEM). Based on the panel data regression, it is explained that the Poverty Severity Index and the Number of Poor People have a negative effect on the Human Development Index, while PDRB per Capita and the Number of Aid Recipients have a positive effect on the Human Development Index in West Java Province in 2018-2022.

Perancangan Sistem Informasi Bantuan Dana Desa Meggunakan Algoritma C4.5 pada Dinsos Kabupaten Ogan Ilir

The design of a village fund assistance information system using the C4.5 algorithm aims to optimize the selection process for prospective aid recipients at the Ogan Ilir Regency Social Service (DINSOS). Currently, the village fund assistance selection process often takes a long time and is prone to inaccuracy and unfairness due to the limitations of the manual system. The C4.5 algorithm was chosen to build an effective decision tree in classifying based on predetermined criteria, such as income, number of dependents, employment, housing status, and expenses. By utilizing the Gain or Gain Ratio value of each attribute, the C4.5 algorithm is able to produce a clear decision tree, which makes it easier for DINSOS to make decisions objectively and transparently. This information system is designed with an easy-to-use user interface and a structured database to facilitate the management of aid recipient data. The results of the implementation of this system show increased accuracy in determining prospective aid recipients and time efficiency in data processing, thus supporting efforts to evenly distribute village fund assistance in Ogan Ilir Regency in a targeted manner.

Kontribusi Lembaga Filantropi Islam Berbasis ZIS untuk Meningkatkan Kesejahteraan Masyarakat di Desa Adipura Kencana Kecamatan Sungai Bahar Kabupaten Muaro Jambi

This research explores the contribution of ZIS-based Islamic philanthropic institutions in improving community welfare in Adipura Kencana Village, Sungai Bahar Sub-district, Muaro Jambi District. The aim of this study is to understand the contributions, impacts, and efforts of ZIS-based Islamic philanthropic institutions in supporting business capital assistance programs in Sungai Bahar Sub-district, Muaro Jambi District. This research employs a descriptive qualitative method, using both primary and secondary data. Data collection techniques include observation, interviews, and documentation, while data analysis is conducted using domain, taxonomic, and componential analyses. The results indicate that direct fund distribution by the institution significantly strengthens the relationship and sense of kinship between the community and the philanthropic institution. Through direct interaction with the community, prospective aid recipients are more open in expressing their concerns and needs, making the assistance provided by the philanthropic institution highly beneficial. The community feels a considerable positive impact from the presence of Islamic philanthropic institutions managing zakat in their area, as many individuals are able to improve their welfare through productive enterprises thanks to the assistance provided by the institution. The institution carefully selects aid recipients to ensure that assistance reaches those who truly need it. However, some community members still feel they belong in the less-privileged category yet have not received assistance from the institution.

Determinants of Length of Stay for Medical Inpatients Using Survival Analysis.

With the increase in insured patients and an aging population, managing the length of stay (LOS) for inpatients has become crucial for controlling medical costs. Analyzing the factors influencing LOS is necessary for effective management. Previous studies often used multiple or logistic regression analyses, which have limitations such as unmet assumptions and the inability to handle time-dependent variables. To address these issues, this study applied survival analysis to examine the factors affecting LOS using the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) sample cohort data from 2016 to 2019, covering over 4 million records. We used Kaplan-Meier survival estimation to assess LOS probabilities based on sociodemographic, patient, health checkup, and institutional characteristics. Additionally, the Cox proportional hazards model controlled for confounding factors, providing more robust validation. Key findings include the influence of age, gender, type of insurance, and hospital type on LOS. For instance, older patients and medical aid recipients had longer LOS, while general hospitals showed shorter stays. This study is the first in Korea to use survival analysis with a large cohort database to identify LOS determinants. The results provide valuable insights for shaping healthcare policies aimed at optimizing inpatient care and managing hospital resources more efficiently.

Resilience in the midst of difficulties: the challenges of single mothers receiving zakat assistance in pahang

This study explores the multifaceted challenges and coping strategies of single mothers who are recipients of zakat aid in Pahang. Utilising a qualitative research design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten participants, predominantly elderly women, to gain insights into their lived experiences as single mothers and recipients of zakat aid. The analysis identified key themes: financial instability, role strain and conflicting demands, childcare and parenting challenges, social stigma and isolation, and difficulties accessing resources. Despite these challenges, single mothers exhibit remarkable resilience and resourcefulness, drawing upon personal resilience, social support networks, formal aid systems, prioritisation and time management, spiritual and religious coping, and adaptation and resourcefulness. This study underscores the need for targeted interventions to support single mothers, addressing both their economic and emotional needs to enhance their well-being and societal integration. The findings highlight the importance of comprehensive support systems and the role of community and religious organisations in empowering single mothers to navigate their complex lives.

‘Don’t call us vulnerable!’: Rethinking flood vulnerability and community-led governance

ABSTRACT Traditional views on flood vulnerability often present a simplistic government-community relationship, portraying communities as passive recipients of aid. This perspective overlooks the dynamic agency of urban residents in shaping their own governance structures. Recent research challenges this binary thinking by revealing how communities actively manage flood risks. However, the intricate interplay between government absence and community-led actions, and their role in everyday governance, remains underexplored. Drawing on scholarship in flood vulnerability and community-led governance, this paper examines the experiences and management strategies of flood-prone residents in Dansoman, Accra, using interviews, focus groups, and “follow-along participant observation.” Three key themes emerged: “anticipate and navigate,” “collaborate and compensate for,” and “rupture and replace.” These themes illustrate how residents acquiesce to, reconfigure, or challenge government roles in flood management, establishing self-governance through community-led initiatives. These efforts often legitimize and strengthen community resilience, sometimes even usurping and replacing state authority. The findings underscore the need to recognize community agency in managing flood risks and compensating for insufficient government support through solidarity and self-help. Policymakers can enhance flood management by incorporating these community-driven insights, fostering more effective, inclusive, and sustainable strategies that reflect the fluid, evolving relationships between government and communities.

Eligibility Recipients Determination of El-Nino Direct Cash Aid Using C4.5 Algorithm

The El Nino phenomenon, which causes increased temperatures and prolonged drought, is predicted to continue to hit Indonesia until the end of 2023. The significant impacts of El Nino include reducing the productivity of agricultural products, including food crops such as rice. This condition will certainly greatly affect the stability of domestic food prices. A total of 420 people from Bernah Village, Kota Alam Subdistrict received it. In the selection process for BLT El Nino recipients in Bernah Village, problems often occur such as problems in identifying aid recipients. This creates a society where aid recipients are still relatively well-off. By applying the C4.5 Algorithm, the C4.5 Calculation can determine feasibility thereby increasing efficiency in determining El Nino Direct Cash Assistance receipts. Calculations using Microsoft Excel 2010 revealed that there were 252 eligible recipients while 168 were not eligible. And from the calculation results using Rapid Miner 10.1. It is known that the accuracy rate is 100.00% with a total of 420 people receiving aid data.

Classification of Social Assistance Recipients Using Machine Learning

Social assistance is assistance funds provided by local governments. In the Minister of Home Affairs Regulation No. 32 of 2011, it is explained that social assistance is the provision of assistance in the form of money/goods from local governments to individuals, families, groups, and communities which is not continuous and selective in nature. One of the villages in North Lampung still often experiences problems, including high poverty rates and low education levels. The Naive Bayes algorithm method was chosen to classify aid recipients based on employment, age, and income. The spreadsheet calculations show that the Family Hope Program Assistance (PKH) class is 135 people and the Direct Cash Assistance (BLT) class is 39 people with a total of 176 people in the social assistance recipient data. From the results of Rapid Miner calculations, the accuracy value for the PKH and BLT classes is 100.00%.

Dissemination of colorectal cancer information among Hispanic patients and their social network

BackgroundColorectal cancer (CRC) screening decision aids can inform patients about CRC screening benefits, costs, and procedures. Patients who receive the decision aid report wanting to share the information with their families and friends. We evaluated a CRC screening decision aid on Hispanic patients’ communication to their alters and whether patient-alter communication leads to alters’ CRC screening intention.MethodsWe conducted a one-arm pre/post study of Hispanic patients and their alters; patients (n = 42) and their alters (n = 19) were recruited from a clinic site in Yakima County, Washington State. Patients viewed a CRC screening decision aid at the clinic site. Survey data from patients and alters were collected via telephone including patients’ communication with their alters about CRC screening after viewing the decision aid and alters’ intention to be screened for CRC after talking to the patient.ResultsMost participants reported sharing CRC information with their alters after viewing the decision aid, and most alters confirmed they had received CRC information from participants (68%). The decision aid was associated with participants' own intention to undergo CRC screening and with alters' intention to be screened for CRC using a fecal occult blood test (p = 0.014) and sigmoidoscopy (p = 0.011).ConclusionsPatient decision aids have the potential to increase CRC screening behavior beyond the decision aid recipients to their social network.Trial registrationTrials Registration Number: NCT04444232 “Retrospectively registered.”

LASPO 2012: ten years and beyond – a socio-legal study of the impact of legal aid cuts on service providers in England and Wales

ABSTRACT Major reforms via the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders (LASPO) Act 2012 and subsequent reforms have reduced the legal aid budget and the scope of eligibility in criminal as well as civil cases. According to Mansfield et al., the principles of justice that embody the legal aid provision has been neglected by governments for over a decade and as such; created a gap that emasculates the most vulnerable in society, such as recipients of legal aid. This study employs an interview-based approach to investigate alternative perspectives in terms of the cuts and widespread impact on service providers in England and Wales, such as barristers, and solicitors. Detailed qualitative data were collected to provide insights into the diminishing legal aid scheme through the lived experiences of both civil and criminal legal aid providers. The study examines the concerns of service providers regarding their future as public defenders and the future of the judicial system post-LASPO 2012, focusing on safeguarding the rights of individuals facing litigation and ensuring that newly qualified lawyers are not deterred from public defence roles due to the long-term effects of ongoing legal aid cuts.

When in Debt, Appoint Women? A Re-Examination of Aid, Debt, and the Inclusion of Women in African Cabinets

Abstract Are more aid-dependent and indebted countries more likely to include women in their cabinets? Several studies have suggested that such countries seek to please donors and lenders. Focusing on Africa, we test whether leaders respond to international incentives and, specifically, signal donors and lenders that they value gender equality in political decision-making. Although leaders have more direct control over the gender composition of the cabinet than the legislature, our analyses do not show that aid dependence and indebtedness result in more women in either the cabinet or the legislature. We operationalize aid dependence and indebtedness as a proportion of recipient gross national income, which we argue better reflects the aid and loan recipients’ vulnerability to external pressure. Using regression analysis techniques and multiple robustness checks to evaluate our panel data, our findings remain consistent with arguments that African states have stronger bargaining positions than the foreign aid literature has acknowledged.

The Effectiveness of the Implementation of the Non-Cash Food Assistance Program in Poverty Alleviation Efforts

This study aims to see how effective the implementation of the Non-Cash Food Assistance Program is in the Greged District, Cirebon Regency, and identify challenges and obstacles in its implementation. This study uses a qualitative research method with a descriptive analysis approach. The descriptive approach of analysis is used to obtain and select data that is relevant, up-to-date, unique, and related to the formulation of the problem or research question. This analysis uses all the data collected through various methods, such as observation and in-depth interviews. The researcher concluded that the implementation of the BPNT program in Greged District, Cirebon Regency, has not been effective because it shows several weaknesses and advantages. Key weaknesses include untimely disbursement of aid that is often late and a lack of effective oversight procedures for cash aid. On the other hand, no fee is charged to the beneficiary family (KPM). Although this program is easy for KPM to understand, there are problems with the accuracy of the target of aid recipients due to inaccurate data. Although it is not yet fully effective and still needs improvement, the BPNT program in the Greged District has helped the community meet food needs and contribute to poverty alleviation

Implementation of the Independent Housing Stimulant Assistance Program in the Provision of Livable Houses in Soloy Agung Village, West Kulisusu District, North Buton Regency

This study aims to determine the implementation of the Independent Housing Stimulant Assistance Program in the provision of livable houses in Soloy Agung Village, West Kulisusu District, North Buton Regency. This research uses a qualitative approach. The informants in this study were selected using a purposive sampling technique, so that the informants in this study consisted of communities receiving uninhabitable housing assistance. The data in this study were obtained through interviews, observations and documentation. The data obtained was then analyzed qualitatively with an interactive model consisting of data reduction, data presentation and conclusion drawn. The results of the study show that there are three steps in the implementation of Self-Help Housing Stimulant Assistance in Soloy Agung Village, West Kulisusu District, first , community preparation, which includes recipient organization, socialization, household needs identification, store services, and proposal writing, is a process designed to enable potential recipients to be ready for the program and to guarantee success and sustainability; Second, Pre-execution activities are a series of arrangements made before the start of construction or restoration activities of the primary house. This regulation includes the identification of aid recipients, the distribution of assistance, and the completion of assistance; and third, the use of BSPS funds is regulated to ensure that the funds are used efficiently and in accordance with the program's objectives, which are to improve housing standards for low-income communities. This includes the creation of DRPBs, shop contracts, hiring handymen, purchasing building materials, performing real work, paying workers' wages, and reporting. BSPS software helps people build and repair livable homes, reduce financial burdens, and create healthy homes with good lighting, sanitation, and durability.

Back to school after COVID-19 pandemic: Resumption or transitional disruption?

Since its onset in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has globally disrupted school operations, leading to a shift to some form of homeschooling arrangements. After two years, in March 2022, the government of Malaysia officially reopened all schools, ending its homeschooling program. In this paper, we exploit a purposefully designed, nationwide, cross-sectional survey of government-owned primary and secondary schools in Malaysia to document student learning experiences during the early months of the home-to-school transition. Our empirical analysis and choice of indicators is guided by a conceptual framework that distinguishes between two competing hypotheses related to school reopening experiences: resumption vs transitional disruption. We find that 59 % of secondary and 72 % of primary level students report that they are happy to be back in school. School reopening also coincides with a significant reduction in educational-related worries (e.g., concerns over dropout, learning loss, and loss of interest in study) and indices of negative emotions (i.e., feelings of being tense, depressed, and restless), particularly among secondary school students. More importantly, those satisfied upon return to school report a statistically significant reduction in worries related to learning loss. These correlations support the resumption hypothesis. Yet our data highlights an important puzzle: Even after school reopening, one-third of students report that they do not learn more, at least one-fifth report a struggle to catch up on studies, and up to 40 % are concerned about learning loss. The majority of learners additionally report not receiving more support from teachers and parents. Recipients of public aid as well as private (i.e., parental) support report being happy about school reopening and are less likely to report “not learning more.” We conclude by discussing these somewhat paradoxical findings and the need for remedial measures beyond financial support for struggling learners to minimize post school reopening, transitional disruptions.

Low household income increases risks for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in young population: a nationwide retrospective cohort study in South Korea

BackgroundLow socioeconomic status is a risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); however, the association between low household income and COPD in young populations remains unclear.MethodsWe screened individuals aged...

Distribusi Dana Zakat Infak dan Sedekah untuk Penguatan Pendidikan

Carrying out zakat is an obligation for all Muslims, which can provide material and spiritual prosperity for poor people. This research uses a qualitative descriptive method with data sources from poor families receiving ZIS assistance and data from BAZNAS Sidoarjo. Data collection methods include participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and documentation. The analysis was carried out by observing all BAZNAS Sidoarjo activities in distributing ZIS funds for education and analyzing interviews and related documentation. The research results show that the model for distributing zakat, infaq and alms funds by BAZNAS Sidoarjo includes school funding assistance, school equipment and school arrears, and has had a positive impact on the welfare of aid recipients. It appears that the ZIS distribution carried out by BAZNAS Sidoarjo in the education sector has been optimal, to help strengthen education.

Food insecurity: The resilient, but “silent poverty” perspectives of older ethnic minority individuals within UK communities

AbstractFood insecurity is acknowledged as a key social determinant of health among older adults. Despite recording significantly higher levels of poverty in comparison to white ethnic groups, older individuals from ethnic minorities are under‐represented as recipients of food aid. Thus, there are knowledge gaps in our understanding of older people and their experiences of food insecurity within ethnic minority communities. Through the theoretical lens of Individual and Community Resilience, we empirically advance our understanding of food security and resilience within South Asian communities via in‐depth interviews with community stakeholders and older individuals from Bangladeshi and Pakistani communities across the Greater Manchester region. Our findings reveal that the integration of temporal, environmental and social constructs within a resilience framework reveals significant potential for further negative social, cultural and economic impact on older ethnic minorities in the future, especially as current food support services do not appear to cater for ethnic dietary preferences, language accessibility and/or cultural norms regarding asking for help/charity outside the home. We predict therefore, in combination with the identified persistent stressors, that food insecurity issues within older ethnic minority communities are likely to get much worse, resulting in the need for extensive resilient capacities to cope with future cost‐of‐living challenges. In acknowledging previous limitations within previous resilience frameworks, we propose an incremental contribution to theory and conclude by identifying culturally and operationally appropriate food support system approaches, which can be used to address the increasing prevalence of “silent poverty” within ethnic minority communities.

Open government and US development co‐operation in Colombia: Lessons for locally led development

AbstractMotivation“Localization”—direct donor support for national organizations in aid recipient countries—has become a top priority for international development. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) pledged to raise the proportion of direct funding to national organizations to 25% and for 50% of funding to involve “locally led” input. Independently, USAID commits to proactive disclosure of project information. This study analyses sectoral priorities, access to project data, and localization trends to inform policy discussion about how USAID can reach its twin localization goals, with a focus on Colombia, the largest US aid recipient in Latin America.PurposeAn open government perspective can shed light on whether and how development agencies are making progress towards localization. Moreover, user‐centred information disclosure by donors is necessary to inform locally led development. The goals of this study are to document USAID's sectoral funding priorities, gaps in data disclosure, implementation actions, and direct local funding percentages to make patterns more visible to stakeholders. We ask: What are the strengths and limitations of public disclosure of data concerning US aid in Colombia?Approach and methodsThis analysis uses open‐source data review methods to bring together different sources of publicly available data. These methods include triangulating government data disbursed across multiple sites, recoding government data to make trends visible, and identifying barriers to data access.FindingsPublic data indicate that US funding for peace‐related projects increased in the years following Colombia's 2016 Peace Accord, though the security share of total US aid remains high. Funding trends demonstrate that USAID is far behind its localization goals in Colombia, though absolute funding totals to local organizations are increasing. Finally, publicly available project data are not user‐centred, require technical acumen to access, and are fragmented across multiple sites.Policy implicationsUser‐centred disclosures are key to locally led development to ensure informed participation and accountability to stakeholders.

Food insecurity, income loss, healthcare access, and other exacerbated social inequalities among people experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil (2021–2023)

BackgroundDuring COVID-19, the number of people experiencing homelessness increased, further exacerbating the violation of basic rights necessary for human survival. Thus, the study aimed to investigate the inequalities associated with income loss and food insecurity among people experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in 24 Brazilian state capitals and the Federal District among the homeless population using a validated instrument. Descriptive analyses and binary logistic regressions were performed.ResultsAmong 1512 homeless participants (median age:37, range:18–89), 39.4% had incomplete primary education, 83.7% earned below minimum wage or had no income, 56.5% received government aid, and 87.1% used the Sistema Único de Saúde (Brazilian Public Health System-SUS). During the pandemic, 42.0% faced food difficulties, and 26.3% experienced income loss. Across Brazilian macroregions, lack of employment affected four regions, with high SUS dependency and food scarcity. In the North (72.7%) and Northeast (51.9%), most lacked government aid, while in the Midwest (51.6%), temporary income loss prevailed. In regression analyses, men, black/mixed race, those married or in a stable union, government aid recipients, and SUS users had greater difficulty acquiring food during COVID-19. Men with incomplete high school or higher education and income above minimum wage were less likely to suffer temporary income loss, and black/mixed race individuals and those living on the streets were more likely.ConclusionsThe study showed how socioeconomic factors increased income loss and food acquisition difficulties during COVID-19, exacerbating vulnerability and social inequities for the people experiencing homelessness.