International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
2019 is the 25th anniversary of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty when we globally acknowledge that every person should have the chance to live with dignity. The theme this year is ‘Coming together with those furthest behind to build an inclusive world of universal respect for human rights and dignity’ (UN).
The eradication of poverty is the first Sustainable Development Goal for the 2030 Agenda. The eradication of poverty is also linked to Sustainable Development Goals that ensure good health and hygiene conditions, access to quality education for all, opportunity for decent employment, gender equality, and preservation of the environment. Poverty is not solely an economic problem but also involves issues like dangerous work conditions, unsafe housing, lack of nutritious foods, unequal access to justice, lack of political power, and limited access to healthcare. People in poverty experience many reinforcing deprivations that prevent them from realizing their rights and perpetuate poverty.
The UN Population Fund provides education about healthcare, specifically reproductive health because lack of access to information traps people in the vicious cycle of poverty. Women and girls are the worst affected because they face additional threats of early marriage and adolescent pregnancy.
Today 1 billion people are living on less than $2 per day (ISFW). DROP4DROP’s mission is to alleviate the water crisis by employing local labourers and heavily involving the community in the project creating a sense of ownership and pride. Having access to clean water allows women and children specifically to be productive in society, seek employment, and obtain an education because it eliminates the long walks to retrieve unclean water from distant water sources. Access to information and education is vital in the eradication of poverty because it allows people to recognize their human rights.
The photo above is in Sonda, Malawi where the community was originally using water from an open well that animals and humans were sharing. Although they were near the town of Mzuzu, this community was very poor and lacked many vital things in their daily lives.
Donating as little as £3 can provide water for an individual who is currently going without. Every penny you donate goes straight into our projects, so you know exactly where your money is going. Keep up to date with our projects by following us on social media @drop4drop.