A big problem: Poverty

According to countless sources, nearly one half of our worlds population or more than 3 billion people are in poverty. Do you know the definition of poverty? Well, poverty is when your are extremely poor. Poverty is also known as one of the silent killers.They are deadly. They go to the far ends of the earth where barely anyone notices to the biggest and well developed countries where many can see the problem but are too lazy or just don’t care as much to do anything about it

Okay, so remember I said that nearly half of the population are in poverty?! Half the population!! Well, those people who need help live on less than $2.50 a day. If you are in the Philippines, for example, that $2.50 would turn into 124.11 pesos which could just buy you some rice and egg and maybe a whole meal even. That might have been a fair price, but how would that be able to support a whole family?

And, because of this big dilemma which we fail to solve fast enough, according to UNICEF, more than 33,000 die each day due to poverty. This is terrible. An estimation of 842,000 people die each year and everywhere around our world because not enough people have free access to clean water. Yes, we know everything has a price. But, every living things on this planet needs water to survive. Without water our earth would die. Now, people who barely have a roof on their head are struggling 24 hours under hard labour and quenching for just one drop of water.

 

How do we fight poverty you might ask. We could contribute. We could brainstorm ideas to help. We could start by spreading the word and alerting more people. We could help support projects which stop poverty and world hunger. There are a lot of intelligent people out their aiding and finding solutions on how to help. You could do the same. You could be a hero to their eyes. You could save millions of lives.

According to the Borgen Magazine, here are seven ways you could help fight to end poverty:

• Enhance economic growth with targeted action

  • In order to end extreme poverty, the benefits attained by economic growth need to be shared with the poorest people.

• End all forms of poverty

  • Ending poverty is not just about people’s income, but also their access to things like water, health, education, housing and security.

• Commit national governments to end extreme poverty

  • Governments in developing countries should commit to lifting their citizens above the poverty line. This needs to be underpinned by national mechanisms that target and support people living in poverty.

• Develop national poverty reduction plans

  • Governments in developing countries must follow through with their commitment to action through national poverty reduction plans. Strategic approaches to ending extreme poverty should enable public, private and aid resources to be allocated and used.

• Access to credit

  • Access to credit in poor countries can help create sustainable industries that combat poverty, as well as help develop nations.

• Continue to support the poorest people through aid

  • Aid helps to create favourable conditions for citizens of poorer countries, and catalyses other resources for ending poverty like private investment and development finance.

• Equal education

  • Children need education to attain the knowledge and life skills they need to realise their full potential. Equal education helps to break down barriers that prevent many children — and girls in particular — from attending school.

• Access to health care

  • It is important for governments to build health clinics, train health care workers and invest in equipment and medicine so children can grow up healthy and strong.

• Water sanitation

  • Access to clean water is essential for every person’s survival. It is important to build school latrines, community water points and organizations to ensure the continued management and maintenance of water points.

• Teach children about their rights and how to take active roles within their community

  • Child participation helps children engage in citizenship, express their views and make decisions that will shape their future and influence the people around them.

 

Change starts with you.