The pandemic will increase the number of poor by 115 million 
Due to the pandemic, the number of people living in extreme poverty will increase by about 115 million in the near future. There has not been such a sharp rise in the poor for several decades. This was announced by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on the occasion of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, which is celebrated annually on 17 October.
“The COVID-19 pandemic is placing a double burden on the shoulders of the world’s poorest people,” the Secretary General stressed. According to him, they are most at risk of contracting the virus and have little or no access to quality medical care.
“In addition, according to the latest estimates, this year the consequences of the pandemic may lead to the fact that the number of people living in poverty will increase by about 115 million people …”, – Guterres warned.
He added that women are in the most vulnerable position, as they are more at risk of losing their jobs and being left without social support.
“In this unique situation, we must make a special effort to eradicate poverty. The pandemic presents us with the need to act together, ”said the head of the UN.
He called on the authorities of all countries to accelerate economic transformation for recovery, while relying on environmentally friendly and sustainable technologies. The UN chief recommended that the leaders of the countries adopt “fundamentally new social protection programs covering people employed in the informal sector.”
“The only safe way out of the situation in which we find ourselves as a result of the pandemic is to unite our efforts to solve common problems,” the Secretary General said.
