Why eradicate poverty?

Why eradicate poverty?

Poverty today is no longer just a lack of money or lack of income, but rather it has become a complex phenomenon that intersects with a set of difficult circumstances faced by millions of people around the world. Those who suffer from hunger, lack of proper health care, and other necessary humanitarian services.

Talking about eradicating poverty is directly related to the social dimension of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as the other two dimensions on which sustainable development is based; The economic dimension and the environmental dimension, as eliminating poverty is the cornerstone of achieving equitable development that includes good education, good health, and adequate food. Poverty is the first challenge that must be overcome to build sustainable societies that provide opportunities for all.

Based on this understanding,Earth Guardsin this article reviews the roots of poverty and its dimensions, and reveals how factors such as food deprivation, weak health services, and the absence of educational opportunities affect the expansion of the circle of poverty, and discusses why eradicating poverty was the first goal of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)? So keep reading.

Eradicating poverty is the basis of development

When the United Nations set the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015, it chose to make the eradication of poverty the first of these goals, in a clear message that fighting poverty is not only a humanitarian duty, but rather a necessity to ensure the achievement of the rest of the goals. How can we achieve comprehensive education or a strong health system, when World Bank reports for 2023 indicate that more than 700 million people are below the poverty line?!

There is no doubt that poverty represents a major obstacle to any real progress; In addition to depriving a person of food and livelihood, he is also deprived of opportunities for a better life. This is why the eradication of poverty is directly linked to the idea of building societies capable of developing themselves, by ensuring the provision of basic rights to every human being without exception.

It is worth noting that eradicating poverty is not only a charitable issue, but rather a smart strategy for building a more stable and peaceful world. Poor societies are more vulnerable to conflicts, diseases, and forced migration, and this makes addressing poverty an essential step in achieving lasting global security, as confirmed by reports of the United Nations Development Program.

Multidimensional poverty

The world has realized – thanks to human development research – that poverty is much deeper than what financial indicators show. Hence, the United Nations Development Program – in cooperation with the University of Oxford – developedThe Multidimensional Poverty Index – MPI, which measures poverty based on several criteria that are not limited to lack of income, but extend to include deprivation in health, education, and standard of living.

According to the report “The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2024” the number of people suffering from hunger in 2023 is between 713 and 757 million people, with an average estimate of about 733 million people. This means that one in every 11 people on our planet does not have enough food, and in Africa alone one in five people suffer from a severe lack of food. Food.

Moreover, about 2.33 billion people around the world faced varying levels of food insecurity in 2023, according to a report byUNICEF, a number that has not changed much since the sharp rise in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Of these, more than 864 million people suffered from severe food insecurity; Which means that they sometimes had to spend an entire day or more without eating.

In the context of seeking to find radical solutions, we cannot ignore the factors that exacerbate the crisis day after day, such as climate crises and armed conflicts, which have become among the main drivers of the spread of hunger in various parts of the world. Drought, floods, and changing weather patterns are all factors that negatively affect crops and threaten livelihoods.

At the same time, wars force millions of people to flee, robbing them of their ability to access basic resources. This interconnection between the environment, political conflicts, and climate change emphasizes the necessity of adopting a comprehensive approach to confronting hunger, targeting the deep causes of the crisis and not just its symptoms.

In this context, empowering local communities and promoting sustainable agriculture is one of the keys to breaking the cycle of hunger. By supporting smallholder farmers and providing appropriate training, resources and technology, productivity can be improved and communities can be more self-reliant.

The relationship between poverty and health

It is not possible to talk about poverty without ensuring another basic pillar, which is good health, which is a basic right for every human being, but it remains a distant dream for millions of people who are besieged by poverty. It is worth noting that poor health care is one of the most prominent aspects of multidimensional poverty, as the absence of good medical services exacerbates the economic and social conditions of poor families.

There is no doubt that chronic diseases that do not find a cure lead to huge economic losses, as individuals lose their ability to work and spend, and drown in medical debts that make them poorer beyond their poverty. According toWorld Health Organization (WHO), more than half a billion people live in extreme poverty or have become poorer due to these conditions.

Hence the importance of universal health coverage as a radical solution to protect the most vulnerable groups. Providing health care without heavy financial burdens, and strengthening the health infrastructure, contribute directly to eliminating poverty and disease. Investing in health is an investment in a better, more productive society.

The psychological aspect cannot be ignored; The pressures resulting from need and poverty leave profound effects on mental and psychological health, and increase rates of depression and anxiety, especially among children and adolescents who live in unstable conditions. This dimension is often neglected in public policies, even though it constitutes one of the main dimensions affecting the persistence of poverty.

Education is the key to getting out of the cycle of poverty

In the face of the psychological and health effects of poverty, education emerges as the first line of defense that reshapes the reality of individuals from within. When a child receives a safe and stimulating educational opportunity, feelings of helplessness diminish and challenges become motivations for growth.

From this standpoint, the role of education acquires a deeper dimension in the path of sustainable development, as it is the cornerstone for building a human being capable of breaking the shackles of poverty and moving towards a more stable and dignified future. The absence of good education condemns new generations to remain in the cycle of poverty for life, as studies by the World Bank indicate that each additional year of education may increase per capita income by up to 10%.

The impact of education is not only limited to empowering individuals, but goes beyond that to enhance national economic growth and reduce social gaps. Societies that invest in educating their citizens experience higher rates of innovation and productivity, as well as lower rates of crime and violence. Education also raises the level of health and environmental awareness. Which contributes to improving the quality of life in the long term.

Despite this clear and great importance of education, many children in poor areas still face challenges that hinder their access to education, such as the distance of schools, the shortage of teachers, and the absence of basic educational resources. Therefore, building a comprehensive and safe educational environment requires the combined efforts of governments, civil society and international organizations.

So, we must all remember that eradicating poverty imposes on us a shared responsibility and a comprehensive vision that combines social justice and environmental justice, where development is a right for all and not a privilege for a few. From this standpoint,Earth Guards believes that sustainable solutions stem from societies that know their needs and possess energies and capabilities to exploit in serving the sustainable future. For a decent life.