Far removed from the conscience of the world
Global Issues has published a run-down of recent statistics on global poverty. Among the startling findings:
Half the world -- nearly three billion people -- live on less than two dollars a day.
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According to UNICEF, 26,500-30,000 children die each day due to poverty. And they "die quietly in some of the poorest villages on earth, far removed from the scrutiny and the conscience of the world. Being meek and weak in life makes these dying multitudes even more invisible in death."
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Nearly a billion people entered the 21st century unable to read a book or sign their names.
Less than one per cent of what the world spent every year on weapons was needed to put every child into school by the year 2000 and yet it didn't happen.
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The GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of the 41 Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (567 million people) is less than the wealth of the world’s 7 richest people combined.
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[A]bout 0.13% of the world’s population controlled 25% of the world’s financial assets in 2004.
The last item in the Global Issues listing shows that $40 billion would be enough to provide basic needs in the developing world (basic education, water and sanitation, reproductive health for women, and basic health and nutrition). This is less than the amount of money spent on cigarettes in Europe in one year, or just over twice the amount spent on pet food in the US and Europe.
Shameful.