Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: “Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing, and medical care and necessary social services.” Therefore, this right gurantees the access of vital necessities for every individual so that they could lead their lives with dignity.
From Pakistan, an example that epitomizes the article 25 principles is its Pak Rupee 50 billion Emergency Cash Program during the coronavirus pandemic. Launched in 2020, this program was to ensure financial relief to millions of affected families due to the economic decline triggered by the coronavirus pandemic. Under this scheme, cash transfers were provided to poor families thus assisting the latter in better meeting their basic needs of food and medical care during the crisis. The emergency response would thus establish government recognition of the need to ensure a minimum living standard for its citizens, especially at times of crisis, and provides an effort to uphold the right to an adequate standard of living as established under Article 25.
Written by: Nabeela Mohiud-din