Dubai, August 09: If you earn less than Dh 80 (Rs 960) a day in the UAE, you would be living below poverty line, according to the Dubai Economic Council.
That income is high compared to the global rate of Dh 4.6 (Rs 55) a day, and over three billion people or almost half the world’s population lives on less than Dh 9.2 (Rs 108) a day, the National newspaper said.
UAE is indeed very rich as they are among the largest producers of oil and Abu Dhabi and Dubai control 83.2 per cent of the UAE’s wealth. But poverty is relative.
One of the main causes in the UAE is society’s focus on image as most nationals take huge loans to buy high end cars which is a matter of prestige. People wouldn’t be living in poor conditions if luxurious life had not been one of their priorities. Ninety-eight per cent of families getting help from the Red Crescent (UAE equivalent of Red Cross) have loans that leave them unable to pay for the essentials of living.
Many families know they are eligible for help from specialist charity foundations but do not take it as is considered below dignity.