By Clara Dhanial, Pakistan
Image: OHCHR
Is the world getting better? Are we developing more fairly, more equal, more humane, and safer?
According to the results of the UNDP's Asia-Pacific Economic and Social Survey, 28% of Cambodian citizens in 2011 are absolutely poor people living on an income of less than $1 a day. Not only in Cambodia but also all over the world, mankind is still suffering from absolute poverty. According to a report by the New York Times on March 6 this year, citing the World Bank's World Poverty Monitor, 47.5% of the people in the sub-Saharan, 84% of China and region of Africa live less than $1.25 a day. Although 700 million people have escaped from absolute poverty due to economic growth, 13% of the population is still in absolute poverty as of 2008. In 2010, the United Nations (UN) expected the world's absolute poor to drop to about 920 million, or 15% of the world's total population, as the world's absolute poor improved significantly in China and other Asia through Millennium Development Goals. Nevertheless, in 2015, as many as 920 million people from all over the world will live a life of less than $1.25 a day.
According to the "The Millennium Development Goals Report 2011" released in 2011, the following problems are exposed.
More than 600 million people still do not have access to improved sanitation facilities.
The majority of children living in poor countries such as sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia do not get educational opportunities. The number of children who are past school age here reaches about 48 million.
Children from the poorest class are excluded from measles vaccination opportunities.
Young people in poor families and rural areas are unable to use condoms due to economic difficulties.
It is likely to cause various HIV.
The extreme poverty rate decreased from 20% in 1992 to 16% in 2007 but did not improve thereafter.
Still, 16% of the population in developing countries is suffering from starvation.
Everyone has the right to lead a human life. Drinking clean water, getting enough nutrients, getting educational opportunities, and living a free life from the risk of disease. However, the poverty problem prevents all of these rights from being obtained. They are exposed to hunger and war, and education and health are also not guaranteed.
On October 17th, World Poverty Day, we urge interest in poverty issues.
Every year, October 17th is World Poverty Day established by the UN; it is a world anniversary created to fight global poverty and hunger and promote human rights. As fighting poverty is the first goal of SDGs, it is an important problem that the international community must solve together.
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