An estimated 40 million people are living with HIV/AIDS, with three million deaths in 2004. Infectious diseases continue to blight the lives of the poor across the world. It has been said that less than one per cent of what the world spent every year on weapons was needed to put every child into school, but this may never happen. The two regions that account for the bulk of the deficit are South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Around 27-28 percent of all children in developing countries are estimated to be underweight or stunted. And they die quietly in some of the poorest villages on earth, far removed from the scrutiny and the conscience of the world. How does the state of poverty affect the children? According to UNICEF 22,000 children die each day due to poverty. In other words, a minority of people control the major resources of the world. The richest 20 percent accounts for three-quarters of world income. In addition to this, information it has been disclosed that the poorest 40 percent of the world’s population accounts for 5 percent of global income. The reality in today’s modern world as disclosed by the experts is that almost half the world’s population, meaning over three billion people live on less than US $2.50 a day and at least 80% of humanity lives on less than $10 a day. What really is poverty anyway? Poverty is defined as the state or condition of having little or no money, goods, or means of support or the deficiency of necessary and desirable conditions, qualities, resources and facilities to live a dignified life. THE poor should be treated with love and compassion, but are we doing all what we are supposed to do for the poor? As a people and an independent nation, are we assisting, loving and caring for the poor the way we should? These are questions are pertinent to our growth and development both in the physical as well as the spiritual sense.
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