Multi-Dimensional Poverty
A Launching Platform for Comprehensive Intervention
The Ministry of Social Development has successfully advanced toward comprehensive intervention through the Case Management methodology, following the Palestinian Cabinet’s adoption of the multidimensional poverty concept as an alternative to monetary poverty (which is limited to consumption and expenditure analysis). This shift reflects the Ministry’s belief that cash and food assistance based solely on monetary poverty are insufficient to lift vulnerable families out of poverty, particularly in the face of social or economic shocks or exceptional circumstances such as the war on Gaza or pandemics like COVID-19. Combating poverty must go beyond addressing its effects to tackling its root causes, which are linked to multiple forms of deprivation, exclusion, and social marginalization. Multidimensional poverty encompasses various factors, including health, housing, income levels, employment, security and safety, personal freedoms, education, and access to assets. By incorporating these dimensions, the Ministry expands its targeting scope, making interventions more precise and equitable.
Redefining Poverty
For years, poverty was primarily defined by income levels, with social cases assessed based on income compared to expenditure to determine eligibility for assistance within the social protection services network. However, we are now witnessing a fundamental shift: the concept of multidimensional poverty has expanded the definition of poverty to include various life factors and indicators that measure social, economic, and living well-being. These dimensions encompass health, housing, income levels, employment, security and safety, personal freedoms, education, and access to assets. This broader perspective enhances the accuracy and fairness of targeting, ensuring a more equitable distribution of resources. Consequently, poverty is redefined, expanding the scope of support and interventions provided to families. Some families and individuals may need skills development, while others require health insurance, and some may benefit from income-generating projects, among other necessary social intervention components. These interventions are facilitated through an internal referral system within the Ministry, its affiliated centers, governmental partners, or local and civil society organizations.
To watch an introductory video about multidimensional poverty, please click here.
Dimensions of Multidimensional Poverty:
