"For the global poor, the locusts of everyday violence have been allowed to swarm unabated in the developing world for decades, and they are laying waste to the hope of the poor."

Pervasive violencehinders progress in developing nations. This everyday violence, including sexual assault, forced labor, and police brutality, creates a hostile environment that prevents the poor from escaping poverty. Unlike natural disasters or diseases, this "locust effect" is man-made and often overlooked in global poverty discussions.

The impact of violence on poverty is multi-faceted:

By addressing this underlying issue of violence, poverty alleviation efforts could become significantly more effective, allowing aid and development programs to achieve their intended goals.