September 16, 2019
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United Nations Development Programme

Eradication of Poverty

Republic of the Union of Myanmar

Mariya Jahan

Forest Hills Eastern

 

Poverty is a critical issue that requires a resolution. Thirty-six percent of the world’s population is in critical poverty. This is a concern because it prohibits countries from progressing because there is always a lower class that needs aid. As of 2015, thirty-two percent of Myanmar’s population lives below the poverty line and the purchasing power for employed population consisted of only $1.90 a day (ADB). Eighty percent of the rural area lacks electricity and thirty-seven percent lack clean drinking water (World Banks Blog). A large reason for the increase in poverty in Myanmar is because of the natural disasters. People who were financially struggling prior to the effects of Cyclone Nargis especially struggled after this disaster because they could not afford shelter. The increasing poverty will limit the potential of future generations to enhance Myanmar’s society. Myanmar’s economy is also constantly fluctuating due to the amount of money put into repairing after disaster. Myanmar urges that the United Nations must come together to ensure that families are able to progress and reach their needed resources.

 

In the past few years, Myanmar has stressed the reduction of poverty. From 2012 to 2015, Myanmar increased its investments and government spending on more economic services, this led to more infrastructure projects and allowed its rural areas to become more developed. In 2017, the World Bank granted the Myanmar government $200 million. The World Bank’s main goal, according to U Kyaw Win, the Union Minister for finance and planning, is to, “reduce poverty and help increase access to public services for Myanmar people including electricity, education, and health.”  The World Bank also supported reforms such as rising inflation, debt, efficient government spending, and collecting taxes. The government created reforms and accepted help from outside organizations and nations. Myanmar has recognized the needs of their population in poverty and increased access to social services, attempted to reduce vulnerability to disasters, and encourage growth in the rural populations. 

 

Myanmar encourages the United Nations Development Programme to come together to create reforms to ensure that the thirty-two percent poverty line will slowly decrease. A funding will be required and the aid from different countries are needed. A resolution that addresses the critical issue of poverty will address the scarcity of food, electricity, clean drinking water, and infrastructure.

 

  • Mariya Jahan