IIMSAM urged governments & individuals for unified approach to fight poverty while observing International Day for Eradication of Poverty

Doha/ October 17, 2009

IIMSAM Middle East Director & Goodwill Ambassador Dr. Naseer Homoud’ message on UN International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Dr. Naseer Homoud calls upon the world for unified approach for fighting poverty which is the fundamental cause of world hunger and malnutrition prevailing in our contemporary civilization.

The International Day for Poverty Eradication seeks to promote awareness of the need to eradicate poverty and to work towards achieving the Millennium Development Goal of halving the number of people living in poverty by 2015. The observance of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty can be traced back to 17 October 1987. On that day, over a hundred thousand people gathered at the Trocadéro in Paris, where the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was signed in 1948, to honor the victims of extreme poverty, violence and hunger. The theme of this year for observance of international day for eradication of poverty is “Children Speak out against Poverty”. The International Day has been observed at the United Nations since 1993, after the General Assembly (resolution 47/196) declared 17 October as the day aimed to promote awareness of the need to eradicate poverty and destitution in all countries.

Marking the UN International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, Dr. Naseer Homoud, Goodwill Ambassador and Director of Middle East office for the Intergovernmental Institution for the use of Micro-algae Spirulina against Malnutrition (IIMSAM), the Permanent Observer to the United Nations Economic and Social Council while addressing the media said “The crusade to make poverty to books of history is only possible if the approach towards fighting the same is unified and organized with collective contribution of governments, organizations and over and above individuals. On this International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, I urge everyone to join hands for this crusade. I am sure, together; we can make real and ample progress for curbing poverty from our civilization”.

Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights says that everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control. “These basic rights have been overlooked by our generation and amid developments and modernization we are lacking far behind yet to tackle this menace of world, which is like an eclipse on our faces” Dr. Naseer added.

“This day is an opportunity for us to show camaraderie with millions of men, women and children who continue to live in wretched poverty, and to freely acknowledge and encourage the work of organizations and individuals who are making significant assistance to the fight against poverty. It is also an occasion to raise public consciousness and mobilize various actors to show their renewed assurance to the eradication of poverty and achieving the Millennium Development Goals” Dr. Naseer added while appreciating the commendable job of several organizations and individuals who are leaving no stones unturned for fighting poverty across the globe.

It is an irony that in present world of plenty extreme poverty is a grim reality, affecting around a quarter per cent of the world population. While extreme income poverty –- defined by a dollar-per-day threshold — has been declining in East Asia and the Pacific, scant progress has been made in all other regions. Some million people live in absolute poverty in sub-Saharan Africa, where malnutrition rose by 27 million during the 1990s.

While addressing the media Dr Naseer contended that poverty is not just an issue for developing countries. The poorest people in rich countries still suffer severe deprivation, according to the several UNDP Human Development Report. Most industrial countries have seen rising income inequalities in recent years, as well as growing poverty rates, functional literacy and long-term unemployment. However, there is hope and efforts which should be sincere and honest should be channelized to curb the hazard of poverty.

“We must not allow the current global financial crisis and the food price crisis, divert us from the people and governments the Millennium Development Goals were created for, the poor” Dr. Naseer said while addressing the media gathering.

While pointing out to the basic solution for eradication of poverty Dr. Naseer is of view that agriculture should be given preference in under developed economies. He urged “Agriculture has an incredible multiplier effect on development. If we are not investing in and grow agriculture then we will be unable to fight this menace amid this global crisis which has adversely affected the industry sector” he further went on saying “although globally, progress in the fight against poverty has been registered, figures from several organizations show that progress in absolute terms in Sub-Saharan Africa has been minimal”

While speaking on this year theme of the day Dr. Naseer urged that this is the day to put socially excluded groups in the forefront of political communication and I call upon politicians, individuals and organizations to take a decisive action that will sustain long term efforts to eradicate poverty. “Let’s start by investing in our children- who are the real assets of our generation” Dr. Naseer urged. He further said that poverty increases the risk of civil war and insecurity, and therefore, poverty reduction efforts are not only needed but a compulsion for the peace and security in the world.

While giving the call to support IIMSAM and its initiatives which is channelizing its efforts to fight malnutrition and hunger among the masses particularly children Dr Nasser hoped that under guidance of His Excellency Ambassador Remigio M. Maradona Director General of the IIMSAM, the organization would reach to its target in fighting these menaces of contemporary world and thus contributing towards a poverty free world.