The Role of the Lithuanian Red Cross Society in Contribution Towards the Reduction of Poverty and Social Exclusion
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Abstract
The paper presents the activities of one of many Lithuanian NGOs—the Lithuanian Red Cross Society (hereinafter—“LRCS”). The goal of the study to analyse: the contribution of the LRCS to the reduction of poverty and social exclusion in Lithuania. To reach this goal, the following tasks have been presented: to study the spread of poverty and social segregation in Lithuania; to analyse the role of the NGO in social care provisioning aimed towards alleviating poverty and social segregation; to identify the practical LRCS activity problems; to state the target LRCS activity groups, i.e. care takers’ specifics. The problem of research: LRCS activity does not satisfy the care takers’ needs. The methods of the analysis are research literature, statistical data, sociological studies results; multiple reports analysis have been applied in the paper, while targeting to scrutinize the spread of poverty and social exclusion in Lithuania; to analyse the role of the NGO in social care provisioning, aimed towards alleviating poverty and social segregation. Quantitative study results have allowed the identification of the problems of the main practical activities of LRCS and the target groups for the activities of LRCS, namely: the specifics of recipients of services. Also efforts were made to find the answer as to why LRCS is unable to satisfy the needs of the recipients of their services. The interview method for information acquisition has been applied: questionnaires have been designed for both LRCS employees and recipients of LRCS services.
Research literature analysis and statistical data show that the level of poverty and social exclusion in the recent decade has not been reduced. Recent studies prove that poverty and social segregation is one of the top social problems, and that the role of NGOs in poverty reduction and alleviation of social segregation, by providing social services, is unconditionally essential. During the quantitative analysis, it was found that uncertainty on the activities of LRCS and a lack of professional knowledge was possessed by its employees. Also, both cooperation with governmental organizations and the lack of support from them compounded the main problems on the activity of LRCS. The following specifics of the recipients of services are defined: low education, passivity, unemployment, lack of income, begging LRCS for financial help.
Research literature analysis and statistical data show that the level of poverty and social exclusion in the recent decade has not been reduced. Recent studies prove that poverty and social segregation is one of the top social problems, and that the role of NGOs in poverty reduction and alleviation of social segregation, by providing social services, is unconditionally essential. During the quantitative analysis, it was found that uncertainty on the activities of LRCS and a lack of professional knowledge was possessed by its employees. Also, both cooperation with governmental organizations and the lack of support from them compounded the main problems on the activity of LRCS. The following specifics of the recipients of services are defined: low education, passivity, unemployment, lack of income, begging LRCS for financial help.
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Articles
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