LIMA, Dec 15 (NNN-ANDINA) - Peru has made enormous progress in the fight against poverty this year despite the effects of the global economic crisis, said the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Jorge Chediek.

Chediek also foresees further progress on this issue next year.

According to the Second Millennium Development Goals Progress Report released recently Peru has achieved most of these goals and is about to reach others.

“The report, analysing 2008 data, shows considerable progress in the fight against poverty. In terms of absolute numbers, Peru has lifted three million people out of poverty in the past four years.

They are not rich, but they have improved their living conditions,” he told Andina News Agency.

According to the report, extreme poverty fell 12,6 percent in 2008, a similar figure to the one expected for 2015 (11,5 percent).

Chediek expressed his confidence that by next year, Peru will take advantage of the post-crisis recovery phase to further reduce poverty. -- NNN-ANDINA