Argentina

Argentina went through a financial crisis from 1999 to 2002. As of 2006, the crisis is over. However, there are many challenges that remain. Argentina’s millions of children and adolescents are living short of food, education, healthcare and even housing. Argentina is the only country in the world where poverty has grown faster than the populations during the early 2000s.

Ironically, after the financial crisis a rise of public opinion and civil society organization have become more aware of children, especially the poor children. The government has also been actively preventing poverty by investing $1,225 million annually and implementing social programs. The main program called the Heads of Household Plan, grants subsidy to unemployed heads of households with children under 19 years of age. This Plan costs about $365 million per year and covers 1.8 million people.

Argentina ranks 34 out of 177 countries in human development in 2005. In addition, Argentina is considered the most developed countries in the South America region.

Severe police brutality and horrendous prison conditions are Argentina’s leading human rights violation. Violence in Argentina’s overcrowded prisons has worsened in 2005, and guard brutality is continues. The nation’s capital, Buenos Aires, as well as other provinces, Mendoza and Salta has been reported to have the worst conditions in the detention centers. Many inmates suffer due to overcrowded prisons and pre-trial detention centers. In 2003, due to increasing crime and insecurity in the country, the public pushed a new law that extended detention periods and minimum sentences for offenders, further exposing the limited capacity of the prisons and justice systems. Additional consequence of overcrowded prisons is inmate violence amongst each other. There have been incidents where inmates kill each other with guns or knives, and even burn them alive. However, in recognition of the brutality in prison, in 2005, the Supreme Court of Justice (of Argentina) declared that all prisons in the country must abide by the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners.

Important advances in human rights have been made as Argentina marks the 30th anniversary of the 1976 military coup (which lasted until 1983). During the coup an estimated 30,000 civilians ‘disappeared’ and many thousands subject to awful human rights violations such as kidnap and torture. President Kirchner has promised to bring the perpetrators to justice. Also, the Congress rolled back measures taken in the late 80s and 90s by previous administrations to pardon former military officials guilty of human rights abuses during the dictatorship.

Problems of desertification and pressure on the natural environment, pressure indigenous groups in the north and south of Argentina struggle to obtain land rights. There are several groups that are engaged in a political legal struggle to gain recognition of their land rights.

There have been numerous charges of human rights violations against sexual minorities. Criminalization against sexual minorities exists. Gay and transvestites have been reported to be detained with no apparent reasons. They are often considered “crimes against public decency” or scandalous conduct.

Unprotected sex is the leading cause of HIV transmission in Argentina. New infections are occurring as a result of unprotected heterosexual intercourse, with increasing number of women is getting HIV. While male-to-female ratio among reported AIDS cases reduced (from 15:1 in 1988 to 3:1 in 2004), drug use and unsafe sex between men continue to spread HIV. Estimated 80% of AIDS cases have occurred among men in urban areas especially. The results of a survey conducted in the capital city Buenos Aires shows 44% of drug injectors were HIV-positive. HIV spread rapidly throughout Argentina via intravenous drug use soon after the first HIV infection cases were reported. Various studies show 7-15% of HIV prevalence has been found among men who have sex with men.

Half of all children under two years old suffer from anemia because of lack of iron. This affects their brain development and it influences their future capacity to socialize. The Health Ministry of Argentina report 700,000 children are born and 11,000 dies before they are one years old. Six out of ten deaths are due to easily avoidable causes.

Argentina is one of South America’s largest polluters. Industrial pollution and agriculture pollution are the major problems to the environment in Argentina. Industrial activities in central Argentina include mines, smelters, petroleum wells and refineries. Petroleum refineries have polluted groundwater and underground aquifers with chemicals such as, mercury, lead and other toxins.

The petroleum industry in Salta cleared large portions of land and resulted in the erosion of soil, degrades quality of water and affects local farming. Also, erosion, salinization and deforestation threaten the soil, thus leading to loss of agriculture. The water supply is threatened because of uncontrolled dumping of pesticide, hydrocarbons, and heavy metals. Only 77% of city residents and 29% of rural residents have access to pure drinking water.

Local flora and fauna in the wilderness area of Patagonia has been threatened by extensive mining operations. This condition harms the tourism boom that has been experienced in recent years.

There have been many efforts taken against air pollution in the capital city, Buenos Aires. In 1977, 150 km (93 mi) of greenbelt was created, and in 2000, licensing incentives were given by the municipal government for vehicles that change from gasoline to cleaner fuels. Buenos Aires is part of the World Bank’s Clean Air Initiative in Latin American Cities. Their goal is to promote sustainable integration of clean policies for transport, air quality and urban development.

Argentina is a well educated country. It boasts its literacy rate of 97.2% for both male and female over 15 years old and older. Also, their young adults (ages 15 to 24) appear to show higher literacy rate - almost close to perfect – male 98.7% and female 99.1%. Argentina’s pupil to teacher ratio in primary school is 17 to 1. This rate is similar to the US 15 to 1. (UNESCO 2005)

Extremely poor students are able to go to school because of soup kitchens in schools and school grants.

Casa Argentina en Jerusalem - (Argentine House in Jerusalem) is a non-governmental organization founded in 1966, with the aim of promoting dialogue, understanding, peace and respect among individuals and peoples through educational and cultural undertakings. The House is actively engaged in this trend in its headquarters in Buenos Aires and Jerusalem and its representative office in New York.

Cruz Roja Argentina - Note: web site in Spanish. Medical. NGO.

Desarrollar Argentina - is a website created to stimulate the economic and social development of Argentina. Desarrollar involves three key sectors of the society: Local Governments, Civil Society, and the Local and Regional Economies, in order that across its interaction they strengthen his work and improve the quality of life of the citizens in his set. Our mission is to promote the development of the communities in disadvantage and the knowledge sharing, across the Technologies of Information and Communication (ICTs).

Médicos del Mundo Argentina - Note: web site in Spanish. Medical. NGO.

Solidarity Commitment - is a social initiative to help creating a more equitable world through the facilitation of encounters between people from the northern and the southern hemisphere. It promotes intercultural understanding and the exchange of knowledge and experiences between those visiting Argentina and those living in this country.

Fundacion IDEAS of Cordoba, Argentina - Volunteer Abroad; If you are a youth, adult, retiree, or a family with vocation for social commitment, we offer you the opportunity to employ your expertise and skills as a volunteer an Argentine NGO to help those who need it most, to immerse in the local culture and, if you wish, to travel the extensive territory with its climate, scenery and geographical varieties.

Travel Argentina & Empower Locals! - At StepUp Travel e need volunteers traveling anywhere throughout south and Central America to help spread the word of our site, service and mission.