POVERTY IS THE SCARCITY OR THE LACK OF A CERTAIN (VARIANT) AMOUNT OF MATERIAL POSSESSIONS OR MONEY. POVERTY IS A MULTIFACETED CONCEPT, WHICH MAY INCLUDE SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, AND POLITICAL ELEMENTS. ABSOLUTE POVERTY, EXTREME POVERTY, OR DESTITUTION REFERS TO THE COMPLETE LACK OF THE MEANS NECESSARY TO MEET BASIC PERSONAL NEEDS SUCH AS FOOD, CLOTHING AND SHELTER.