The Reality of Extreme Poverty

Extreme poverty remains a pressing global issue, affecting hundreds of millions of people who cannot meet their basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter. Despite some progress in reducing poverty rates in regions like China, the absolute number of people living in poverty continues to rise, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where figures have escalated from 170 million in 1980 to 430 million today. The inefficacies of international aid projects often contribute to this dire situation, as seen in a project where significant funds were allocated but resulted in minimal impact—a glaring illustration of mismanagement and poor resource allocation. These experiences highlight the necessity of re-evaluating our approach to aid and development to effectively combat extreme poverty worldwide.