The impact of poverty affects millions of people around the world. It is a massive burden on families that cannot afford a home and school — even food — for their children. Poverty has direct links in Pakistan with one’s access to healthcare. Children in families thta are afflicted with poverty often miss vaccines and are not taken to medical facilities simply because parents pick food over pills.

Poor families often have to make some difficult choices, like buying food instead of medicines, and sending children to work instead of schools. This situation can, and does, destroy hopes and dreams, especially for young children who deserve a better future. Although poverty is a serious, prevalent issue, it can be reduced if people work together with kindness.

Rich countries promise 0.7 per cent of their money for aid, but do not always deliver on the promise. If they start doing that and corporate entities start prefe- rential hiring policies favouring the poor, things can be improved substantially. At the individual level, everyone can donate and volunteer in some way to help the cause. If the world teams up at both micro and macro levels, millions of people can be extracted out of extreme poverty. It is not easy, but it is not impossible to bring about a positive change and help people live with dignity and hope.

Syed Muhammad Shazar Zaidi
Karachi

Published in Dawn, May 30th, 2026