ABSTRACT
In this world, it is all too often the case that people exist in absolute and not just relative misery. Large parts of the earth’s population live in poverty; they suffer from diseases; they are subjected to natural disasters or cruel wars accompanied by displacements and depredation; they die in famines, or at the least suffer greatly from a lack of food, access to basic health commodities, water, housing, and basic sanitary facilities; or they find themselves subject to other forms of plight. These are all states of need that threaten the very existence of those people. It is both generally and reciprocally accepted that such states constitute disadvantages that entitle these people to compensation, if the following conditions are met: As a rule, these persons must have entered into these circumstances through no fault of their own, and they must be unable to remove themselves from them without extraordinary sacrifices and external help. The persons in question must be unable to deliberately influence their circumstances, or at least only be able to influence them to an insignificant degree. The restrictions the circumstances place upon these people must objectively stop them from achieving things that are universally regarded as essential, including first and foremost the satisfaction of basic human needs. 1 Under such conditions, people are threatened with the violation of basic needs, including bodily integrity, security and subsistence. People who cannot afford a combination of the various goods and abilities sufficient to satisfy these basic needs and to achieve those things we regard as essential are called destitute; they exist in a state of need.
