Over the past many decades, the world has faced many pandemics, many starting in some of the poorest areas of the world. Recently many are hopeful the present coronavirus (COVID-19) can be dealt with. Most experts expect in the future even more devastating forms of virus will emerge. Given the globalization of travel and the tendency for such viruses to fester in the poorest areas of Africa, Asia, and Latin America, it is time to reconsider the importance of confronting extreme poverty.

Poverty is, at its core an unjust condition that has always plagued mankind. Most people see the problem as insoluble. They see previous solutions that have failed. Some even think that previous remedies have worsened the condition of the poor. They claim that assisting the poor increases dependency and produces a “culture of poverty” that persists from generation to generation. Some go further and blame the poor for their problems.
The time has come to focus, with optimism, that the scourge of extreme poverty needs to be eliminated and can be eliminated.

The extreme poor are not the cause of their poverty. All they need is a choice, some options and an opportunity.