How the Rest of the World Lives

Posted by Queuebot in Home & Garden, Pictures, Travel & Places on January 28, 2009 at 4:25 pm

A heart breaking look at the slums of the world.  For all of us who complain about our lives, and how poor we are.....just take a look. I guarantee you'll never think of yourself as poor again.

The Venezuelan capital is located in a valley, with commercial districts and well-heeled residential areas near the valley floor. But look upward in any direction, and you will see shantytowns built into the steep hillside.

The population of Caracas has more than quadrupled in the last 50 years, fueled in part by Venezuela's recent oil boom. Despite President Hugo Chavez's populist platform, and even though Venezuela holds South America's largest oil reserves, about 50 percent of Caraquenos live in poor neighborhoods known as barrios. These neighborhoods lack access to basic municipal services such as waste collection, regular mail delivery, sewage system, and legal electric connections.

The barrios also face a serious security issue. According to UNESCO, firearms kill more people in Venezuela than in any other country not at war. In 2007, the annual tally approached 12,000 murders countrywide. In the tattered social fabric of Caracas and its barrios, internecine gang warfare, robbery, and other violent crime produce 100 homicides a week.

Link - via boingboing

From the Upcoming Queue, submitted by amdela.

 
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