Poorest of the Poor May be Halved in a Decade, UN Predicts

According to the recently released United Nations Development Program Report, reducing worldwide poverty can only be achieved by a global effort that addresses the un-abating HIV/AIDS epidemic, persistent civil war, accelerating rates of environmental degradation, limited integration in the global capitalist economy and deficiencies in human and social sector development. The report identifies Sub-Saharan Africa and the former Soviet Union as regions where these factors have undermined efforts to reduce poverty and mortality rates. Yet, the report also identifies success stories. Increased investment in literacy and human development, and greater access to world markets in China contributed to reduction of poverty. In India, improved education and health care systems facilitated poverty reduction. Despite these notable improvements, the report cautions, the current flow of annual aid monies needs to be doubled to substantially decrease poverty worldwide. –YaleGlobal