Extreme Poverty

Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.  More than 60 percent of Haiti’s nearly 9 million people live in extreme poverty.

Extreme poverty, absolute poverty, or abject poverty is a condition characterized by severe deprivation of basic human needs, including food, safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, health, shelter, education and information. People living in extreme poverty, live on less than $1.25 a day. They cannot  depend on  access to life saving services. [UN declaration, 1995).

 

People living in abject poverty are unable to meet the basic needs for survival.  They are chronically hungry, so getting food becomes the primary focus of their day.  They do not have access to healthcare, safe drinking water and sanitation.  They cannot afford an education for their children.  They lack rudimentary shelter and therefore are not protected against the environmental extremes of temperature, huricanes, and earthquakes.

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