1 of 2

Write now Article Tools

Jesus once said, "The poor you will always have among you." Poverty is in every corner of the world. The difference is that while the poor in rich countries are helped by the government and voluntary welfare services, the poor in South East Asian countries are the majority in their country and the capita per head is at the bottom when ranked against other countries'. They have only foreign help to depend on.

South East Asia, which is the south eastern part of Asia, is bound by Australia to its South, India to its West and China to its North. Being on the intersection of geological plates, heavy seismic and volcanic activities are the sporadic threats to the economy of some island countries.

As in the recent Indonesian volcanic eruption, people near active volcanoes can be made homeless and penniless within minutes and without much warning. Worst hit are those residing in the islands and archipelagoes to the east and southeast of the Asian mainland.

Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam make up the Asian mainland region while Brunei, East Timor, Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore make up the islands while Malaysia is the only peninsula which juts out of the mainland region.

The main occupation of the majority used to be agricultural but recent times have seen the younger generations moving away from the farms into the cities to find their treasure. Many would not want to carry on the hard work in the sun growing rice that brings more wealth only to the wealthy traders.

The changes in weather conditions have also made agriculture a nightmare. Farmers do not know when the next rain would be and drought in many parts of South East Asia where rain should fall has also caused many an anxious worry for the next meal. The more able are then sent into the city to find the elusive pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Some South East Asian countries have just seen decades of war and are pulling out of disaster zone with the aid of non-government organizations and other humanitarian societies. Even though the cities bustle with activities, hotels are growing taller by the month, the very poor that reside in the richer of the South East Asian countries still rely heavily on the financial aid of the government or kind social workers just to get their daily bread.

I was once told that as long as we are willing to work hard, we will not starve. It is perhaps true for those with the relevant skills to do so and for those who live in rich countries with a thriving economy.

• 1
• 2
• 3
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Poverty in South East Asia?
We want to hear your view. Write now!