Poor People

Every country, no matter how affluent, has groups of people who live in poverty. Poor people can be described as those who are lacking in goods and services to the point where their lives become miserable. Examples of important goods they may lack are food and shelter. Examples of services are health and education. This essay will examine some of the main causes of poverty and some possible solutions.

A major cause of poverty has always been war. The recent war in Bosnia saw people evicted from their homes and deprived of food and shelter, and of services such as hospitals, schools, gas, water and electricity. Media coverage of the war caused world wide revulsion. The solution to war may be such universal rejection that world leaders will not consider it as an option.

Some countries have the twin problems of over¬population and underdevelopment. They simply do not create enough wealth per capita for their people to escape from poverty. This is changing in many places as countries take steps to reduce their birthrate and develop their resources. Other countries are facing the scourges of famine and disease. The only short term solutions for these countries lie in massive aid from the rest of the world.

This essay has looked briefly at such causes of poverty as war, overpopulation, underdevelopment, famine and disease. The problems at times appear overwhelming, with no solution. Despite this, much good work is being done, with more people than ever enjoying a good quality of life. The challenge for the world is to keep rolling back the frontier of poverty, knowing that it will only be achieved inch by inch.

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