The Secretary of Social Development of Mexico, Beatriz Zavala Peniche, appeared before Mexican legislators to announce a striking statistic: 44,700,000 Mexicans are now living in poverty, more than 14 million of which live in conditions that can be described as extreme.

Malnutrition continues to a problem in rural areas, and Zavala Peniche announced a program that would provide vitamin-enriched milk to children living in these communities. Special programs are also being put in place for seniors older than 70, who will be entitled to receive 1000 pesos ($91) bi-monthly to help them get by.

The Secretary said that the biggest problems Mexico faces now are inequality and social exclusion.

Via / El Financiero

Image: Maurizio Ramos – UNICEF