1.3 Billion People Still Live In Extreme Poverty - UNDP

Accra, (Greater Accra) 6 Oct.,

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) says in spite of serious efforts to eradicate poverty, about 1.3 billion people still live in extreme poverty, surviving on less than one dollar a day. They lack basic health, sanitation and education services. "The world has already made great strides in relieving the worst aspects of poverty. More progress has been achieved in the eradication of poverty in the last five decades than in the last five centuries. "But not everyone has benefited from the great advances in human well-being. Women and children are still disproportionately affected by poverty. Not only do they earn smaller incomes than men, but their opportunities to increase earnings are more limited," says UNDP. In a statement issued in Accra today, the UNDP says it intends to strengthen its efforts through the launching of a series of special events world-wide to commemorate October 17 as "International Day for the Eradication of Poverty". The day, designated by the UN General Assembly to focus global attention on the scourge of poverty and social deprivation, will be used to reflect on past achievements and renew commitments to fight poverty. As part of the commemoration, the UNDP is organising a trip for about 50 reporters and editors to Angola, Guatemala, Russia and Vietnam to facilitate their understanding and coverage of poverty in developing countries. There will be local television debates, press conferences, school essay and art contests, special community sport events and theatrical and other cultural presentations. In New York a major event on October 17, to be hosted by Danny Glover, a renowned actor, will be attended by Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Nobel Laureate Gordimer and other celebrities.