SDG 1

Poverty is a global phenomenon witnessed by all people everywhere, as there is no decent life when facing poverty, and hence it is not surprising that the first sustainable development goals call for the elimination of poverty in all its forms everywhere. 

According to a number of international organizations, poverty is defined as the economic situation in which the individual lacks sufficient income to obtain the lowest levels of health care, food, clothing, education, and the necessary needs to secure a decent standard of life. The definition was expanded after the Copenhagen summit held in 2006, which stressed the importance of individual access to a minimum of a decent life, ensuring a healthy environment, and opportunities for democratic participation in decision-making in aspects of civic life. 

In Lebanon, extreme poverty is not the main problem, although the quality of life index indicates that more than (30%) percent of the Lebanese are unable to secure their basic needs, and that this percentage has increased in recent months with the developments of the economic crisis and the collapse of the Lebanese pound against the US dollar.