In the backdropof UN campaign for ending hunger, the MILLENNIUM
DEVELOPMENT GOALS (MDG) REPORT CARD: MEASURING PROGRESS ACROSS
COUNTRIES commissioned by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
and the UN Millennium Campaign is already out. Let us examine
the shortfalls and potential pitfalls: 1. Poverty: In African
countries, the proportion of the population living below $1.25 a
day has increased in 21% countries (in 8 out of 38 countries).
Nigeria’s poverty increased from 49% to 77% in the 18 years from
1990. In Latin America, results are more uneven: whopping 41% (7
countries out of 17) countries, including upper-middle-income
countries such as Venezuela and low-middle-income countries such
as Bolivia, have experienced an increased or unchanged rate of
income poverty. 2. Healthcare: Under-five mortality increased in
six Sub-Saharan African countries during the period under study,
namely Central African Republic, Zambia, Chad, Cameroon, Congo
and Kenya. Kenya regressed most strongly in absolute terms, with
under