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| In his new book, The End of Poverty, renowned development economist Jeffrey Sachs describes the “Big 5” development interventions as “known, proven, cost effective, reliable and appropriate technologies necessary to allow people to raise themselves out of poverty.” These are: |
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Boosting Agricultural Performance
Adding fertilizers, cover crops, irrigation and improved seeds would allow farmers in sub Sahara Africa, for example, to triple their crop yields and quickly end chronic hunger.
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Improving Basic Health
A village clinic with one doctor and nurse per 5,000 residents would provide free anti-malarial bed nets; effective anti-malarial medicines, treatments for HIV/AIDS opportunistic infections, birth attendants and reproductive health services - all of which could save lives and improve the quality of health and life for many others.
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Investing in Education
Meals for all children at primary school could improve the health of the schoolchildren and the quality of education, while increasing attendance at school. Expanded vocational training for students could teach modern farming or improved hygiene techniques, nursing and other skills to help increase the standard of living for students and their future families.
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Bringing in Power, Transport and Communication Services
Electricity could power lights, computers, pumps for wells, refrigeration for storing food, mills and food processing. Roads could transport goods to markets and ill people to emergency services. One or more shared mobile phones per village could connect people to information and the outside world.
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Providing Clean Water and Sanitation
Safe local water would save many thousands of lives, improve agricultural outputs and greatly reduce time spent fetching clean water, which could otherwise be spent improving lives.
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| With this basic infrastructure in place, at the cost of approximately $350,000 for a village of 5,000 - an entire community of formerly hungry people can begin the first steps towards climbing out of poverty. Without this infrastructure, they cannot even reach the first step. |
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