The rapid restructuring of Mongolia caused unemployment to rise while inflation soared. This caused a decrease in social services and welfare pushing many families into poverty. A survey of the population in 1998 showed that 36% of the population was living below the poverty line. Access to health care in rural areas is minimal, raising concern for malnutrition in children. An alarming 51% of the population in Mongolia does not have access to safe drinking water. A majority of the population is illiterate due to decreased support from the state. Many children must stay at home to take care of younger siblings while others turn to work outside the home leaving little time for education. The Childhood Poverty Research and Policy Centre have ongoing initiatives working towards decreasing the effects of poverty in Mongolia.
Reference:
http://www.childhoodpoverty.org
Children taking care of children is always sad. I would be interested to see what some of the Policy Centre's initiatives are that would help keep children in school.
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