Tackling inequality only way to end extreme poverty: Report
- September 25, 2013, 7:51 pm
- National News
- 94 Views
Islamabad, September 25 (Online): As world leaders gather at the United Nations to discuss poverty eradication Save the Children’s ‘Getting to Zero’ report shows that in just 17 years it is possible to eradicate critical elements of extreme poverty, saving at least 1.8 million children’s lives every year.
New research shows that it is possible to end extreme poverty by 2030, but only if income inequality is tackled head on.
By analyzing country level data through new statistical model Save the Children analysts found that by 2030 it is possible to ensure that no child dies of preventable causes, all children finish primary school and everyone has access to safe water and sanitation. However, the data also shows that this is not possible under a ‘business as usual’ scenario.
On current trajectories, by 2030: 1.8 million children will still die every year from preventable causes, nearly 400 million people will lack access to safe water and a massive 1.4 billion will lack adequate sanitation - far short of the goal of getting to zero.
David Skinner Country Director Save the Children Pakistan Program said, “This is both a remarkable and sobering finding. We can now prove that this can be the generation that ends extreme poverty. But only if the world is willing to tackle income inequality head on.â€
Save the Children urges leaders meeting in New York this week not to fall into the trap of willing the ends of poverty eradication without embracing the necessary means. Commitments to end poverty without accompanying pledges to tackle inequality will increasingly ring hollow.
