How can people escape poverty unless they are suffering?
Why should they?
We have a tough choice. We can do one of 3 things. We can provide just the bare minimum to ensure they don't starve. Discomfort is a great motivator.
We could just hand out, say a half million to every poor person and make them VERY comfortable. The problem is that within 5 years, 90% of them would be poor again.
Or we can keep on doing what we do now. "Poor" people have 60" flat screens, iphones, $200 sneakers and air conditioning. They ain't flying off to Europe for the week end, but they are pretty damned well off by global standards.
I'm a businessman. Solution two is too costly with no long term benefit. Solution three is just a temporary patch. It's almost as costly long term, and has no long term success