Stopping World Poverty

One of the biggest issues facing the people of the world today is poverty. For us living in the United States, it may not seem that way. But in some places in Africa, Southeast Asia, and other parts of the world, more people are below the poverty line than above it.

One third of deaths every year are poverty-related, 50,000 of those deaths every day. Many of those that die are children, who have no protection from disease or starvation. Illnesses like measles or pneumonia, which aren’t a big deal here, cause many deaths and lead to even worse diseases like tuberculosis and malaria. Many people cannot eat enough to survive, let alone feed their families and children. Societies living in poverties are at a huge risk of contracting and passing on HIV and AIDS.

What can we do to help? There are many things that can be done by regular citizens to help reduce and remove poverty in the world. The most direct way is to donate money to the cause. But it’s not the only way, nor is it the best way. A good way to start reducing poverty in the world is to eliminate the poverty that exists in our own country. Our school has already done a great job at collecting different kinds of donations for the homeless in our area. The same kind of thing can be done privately by families to help those in need in America.

More indirect, but potentially more powerful methods of fighting poverty exist. There are various petitions, online and on paper, which ask governments to support the fight against global poverty. There are currently bills pending in Congress that would enable the United States to play a bigger role in eliminating poverty. 22 countries, including the United States, as well as the UK, Australia, Canada, Japan, and Italy, have taken a pledge that would see each country donate 0.7% of their yearly income to prevent poverty. Sweden, Luxembourg, Norway, Denmark, and the Netherlands have already reached the goal of donating 0.7% or more. Other countries are scheduled to reach the goal within the next 2 to 7 years. And yet the United States and 5 other countries don’t even have a plan to reach the goal.

One of the easiest ways to help the cause is to send a letter. It can be downloaded online, printed out, and sent to the President of the United States. The letter describes the plan, the countries that have reached out planned to reach their goal, and then asks Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, and the United States to fulfill the agreement that the countries signed at the 2002 Monterrey Conference and the 2002 Johannesburg Summit. It is a simple tasks to send the letter, one which may help the United States in the fight to eliminate poverty.

Places to Start:

• One

  The Campaign to Make Poverty History. Sign a global petition, and find ways you can help.

• Poverty

  Find out more about the problems and dangers of poverty

• Write a Letter to the President

  Direct link to the letter which can be printed out and sent to the President.