On the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, celebrated on October 17, the world reflects on one of humanity’s greatest challenges: combating social exclusion and ensuring dignity for all. Poverty is not just a lack of resources; it represents a violation of human rights, affecting millions of people who struggle daily for basic needs such as food, health and housing.

Poverty goes beyond a lack of material resources. It robs people of dignity, limits access to opportunities, and isolates families in cycles of misery. Many parents struggle to feed their children, while young people lose hope due to lack of access to education and employment. For those living on the streets, every day is a struggle for survival, facing cold, hunger, and invisibility.

Faced with this reality, the Alliance of Mercy not only becomes aware, but also takes action. Activity Report shows that in 2023, for example, the organization was present in 42 cities in Brazil and in eight countries, including Mozambique and Venezuela, carrying out actions that impacted thousands of people. In Brazil, three Early Childhood Education Centers served 380 children, ensuring them not only quality education, but a welcoming and safe environment. In addition, three Centers for Children and Adolescents offered educational, cultural and social support to 514 young people, contributing to their healthy development and social inclusion.

+ Alliance is recognized in the Top 10 of the iBest 2024 Awards

Poverty, however, does not discriminate against age. Children, young people, adults and the elderly suffer equally from exclusion. For those living on the streets, the Alliance offers not only the basics, but a real chance for social reintegration. In both Community Centers for Adults Living on the Street, 19,502 people were served monthly throughout the year, finding in these spaces a place to welcome and rebuild their trajectories. In 2023, the Alliance provided more than 1.2 million meals to people in vulnerable situations, helping to combat hunger, one of the cruelest faces of poverty.

The Alliance’s work also extends to specialized shelters. Four Homes provided shelter for 60 children and adolescents in vulnerable situations, offering them a family and protective environment. For adults facing exclusion caused by drug addiction or homelessness, the Alliance's triage homes and reception centers have been a hope. In 2023, 964 people, men and women, were welcomed into labor therapy and coexistence programs, with the aim of restoring their dignity and integrating them back into society.

The Alliance’s actions also go beyond borders. In Venezuela, two oratories served 158 children and adolescents, providing not only education, but also food in partnership with a local project. In Mozambique, 192 children and their mothers received support in family strengthening projects, and In Belgium, a refugee shelter welcomed 5,314 adults, offering them a new opportunity for life away from conflict and poverty.

Despite these numbers, the fight against poverty is not limited to statistics. Every meal served, every child welcomed and every life saved is a story of overcoming obstacles, which reminds us of the importance of continuing the fight for a more just and fraternal world.

To learn more about these actions, watch our institutional social video. Eradicating poverty is a collective challenge, and together we can be agents of change in the lives of those who need it most.