World Poverty Day, also known as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, is observed every year on October 17.
Poverty impacts millions of children and families around the world, preventing them from thriving.
Compassion is working to fight poverty by providing children with the spiritual and practical care they need to leave poverty behind.
What Is World Poverty Day?
World Poverty Day is observed on October 17 each year around the globe. Also known as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, it’s a day dedicated to raising awareness about global poverty and how we can all work together to put a stop to it.
World Poverty Day was first observed on October 17, 1987, as the World Day for Overcoming Extreme Poverty. Five years later, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly declared poverty a violation of human rights and affirmed the need to work toward respecting the rights of the impoverished by reducing poverty rates worldwide.
World Poverty Day aims to build awareness and understanding of those who live below the poverty line and the communities they live in. It gives us an opportunity to acknowledge the struggles of the impoverished and discuss ways we can all fight on their behalf.
What Is Poverty?
Most people consider poverty in economic terms. In fact, the most widely understood poverty definition is earning less than $3.00 per day.
But poverty is so much more than not having enough money or having a low income. Instead, poverty affects a person’s entire wellbeing — physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Poverty means being overwhelmed by need in all areas of life.
For example, physically, a person may be sick from unclean drinking water and unable to access medical care. Emotionally, they may be full of fear and struggling with anxiety. And spiritually, they may feel hopeless. Put simply, poverty means to live a life abundant in scarcity.
The State of Poverty Around the World
Sadly, poverty impacts the lives of millions of children and families around the world. According to the World Bank, around 700 million people live in extreme poverty. Here are some other statistics that show the state of poverty around the world:
Hunger is a key consequence of poverty. And currently, it’s estimated that 37.7 million children suffer from acute malnutrition around the world.
Sadly, undernutrition is linked to nearly half of all deaths of children under the age of five.
According to the most recent numbers, around 67% of those suffering in extreme poverty live in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The World Bank projects that 622 million people will still live in extreme poverty in 2030. Based on this trajectory, it could take decades to eradicate extreme poverty if growth does not accelerate.
How Compassion Is Working to Fight Poverty
Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. — Psalm 82:3, NIV
God’s Word is clear: We are to do our part in serving those in need. And at Compassion, we take that call seriously. Through the support of local churches around the world, we’re providing the spiritual and practical care children need to leave poverty behind.
Through child sponsorship, we equip millions of children from 29 countries (and counting) with the essentials they need to thrive, including:
The hope of the gospel: Each child is connected to a local church where they hear the gospel and experience Jesus’ love.
Protection: Children are surrounded by loving adults trained in child protection who keep them safe and teach them to advocate for themselves.
Health care: Children are monitored for malnutrition, receive a yearly medical checkup and get medical care whenever they’re hurt or sick.
Education: Each child gets a quality education, empowering them to reach their dreams and become thriving adults.
Disaster relief: Children receive emergency aid, including clean water, shelter and trauma counseling.
Through this care, we give children the consistent love and support they need to leave poverty behind. And whether it’s World Poverty Day or any other day, you can join us by sponsoring a child.
