The Poor Who Don’t Count: Poverty, Food Security and Economic Well-being among Asylum Seekers in Israel

The Poor Who Don’t Count: Poverty, Food Security and Economic Well-being among Asylum Seekers in Israel

This research report presents findings on the socio-economic situation of undocumented refugees in Israel who interact with aid organizations. This study, the first of its kind, is based on a survey conducted with questionnaires completed by 250 respondents, primarily refugees from Eritrea, Ukraine and other countries.

The survey illustrates and validates what was already known to aid organizations: over half of the respondents reported feeling financial distress “often”, a rate that is comparable to poverty when applying the official approach in Israel. The level of food insecurity among this population is disturbingly high: approximately 85% experience food insecurity, and 55% experience severe food insecurity. A substantial proportion of their monthly income is spent on housing, while many report poor health conditions due to limited access to health insurance coverage.

The reviewed findings highlight the state’s need to improve the situation of the refugee and asylum seeker population and, indirectly, to improve the situation of Israeli society as a whole. Among the policy proposals mentioned in this document, we note a proposal to implement a mechanism for regularly collecting data on this population to monitor their situation and its improvement according to the desired policy measures; action must be taken to alleviate the suffering of refugees in Israel by providing essential assistance, even if partial, in the areas of social security, housing, a basic package of welfare and health services, and more – until the desired realization of their official refugee status.

Our thanks to Dr. Yuval Livnat, Etty Konor-Attias and Dr. Yael Hasson from the Adva Center, and Tali Ehrenthal (MSW), Hadar Aviel, Zameret Hershco (MSW), Adv. Orly Levinson Sela and Mika Foux from ASSAF, for their helpful comments and support.

Special thanks to the team of the ‘Mesila’ – Aid and Information Centre for Migrant Workers and Refugees at the Tel Aviv–Yafo Municipality, for their partnership in the data collection for this research.

Translated to English by: Lea Dovrat

This publication was co-funded by the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the Adva Center and ASSAF, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.

This report was also made possible thanks to the support of MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger.