The G20 summit statement agreed that it is important to prevent irregular migration and address the root causes of population displacement, such as hunger and poverty. Wellington Dias, Brazil’s development minister, says that 2.4 billion people worldwide live in poverty
Experts say poverty and hunger are the main factors causing the global migration crisis. As Voice of America correspondent Aline Barros reports, experts say that designing and implementing effective social security programs and policies can help alleviate the causes that force people to leave their countries. Steve Seide was a political science student in Haiti. He left in 2023 because he couldn’t find work there. Safety was also a concern. The 22-year-old migrant says he was forced to leave for a better life. “The situation there is difficult. “I chose Brazil because I heard about the job opportunities and how welcoming Brazilians are,” says Steve Seide, an immigrant from Haiti.
To get to Brazil, he illegally crossed into the Dominican Republic. He says the journey was dangerous and expensive. “The first time, I couldn’t get across the border, but I came back.” Mr. Seide spent a month in the Dominican Republic. He worked and saved money. After a month, he got a humanitarian visa and now lives in Brazil in search of economic stability.
“In life, you can’t stop. If you want to get somewhere, you have to fight until the end,” he says. According to the Brazilian federal police, about 164,000 Haitians live in Brazil. Brazil recently hosted the leaders of the world’s 20 most developed countries in Rio de Janeiro. Experts who were there say that G20 countries need to have policies in place to integrate immigrants into their new homes. “This must always be approached from a human rights perspective. G20 leaders must recognize that migration also occurs because of issues such as poverty, disasters caused by climate change, wars and conflicts,” says Paolo Illes, founder of the Center for Human Rights and Citizenship of Migrants in Sao Paulo.
The G20 statement agreed that it is important to prevent irregular migration and to address the root causes that cause population displacement, such as hunger and poverty. Wellington Dias, Brazil’s development minister, says that 2.4 billion people worldwide live in poverty.
“Beyond the issue of migration, I always say that hunger and poverty are not just problems for those who are hungry or who live in poverty. It is a problem for the middle class, for the rich, for rich countries and for rich individuals,” says Minister Dias. He says that people can turn to crime out of desperation, creating problems for everyone. For this reason, one of the G20’s key initiatives is the creation of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty. The alliance aims to provide funding for 500 million people and school meals for 150 million children. More than 80 countries, 24 international organizations, nine international financial institutions and 31 philanthropic organizations have joined the initiative so far.
“It’s no longer just about food security; we’re talking about implementing a development plan that improves education, which is a key element in eradicating poverty, as well as health, the economy, creates jobs and improves infrastructure,” says Wellington Dias, Brazil’s development minister. According to the United Nations, the link between food insecurity, migration and displacement is strongly influenced by climate change, natural disasters, conflict and poverty, which were the main themes during the G20 meeting in Brazil.
