The World Bank is one of the largest suppliers of development assistance. Its main goal is to improve living conditions for poor people throughout the world. Last year, it provided more than seventeen-thousand-million dollars in loans to developing countries to help end poverty. The money went to efforts like debt reduction for some of the poorest countries in the world. That program was designed to increase debt assistance and provide it faster than in the past. As a result, twenty-three countries received debt assistance last year as compared to seven countries the year before. The World Bank does more than just provide loans, however. It believes that continued poverty reduction comes from investing in the people of a country – especially through education and health programs. The World Bank employs engineers, economists, public policy experts and social scientists to create these kinds of programs. These professionals also provide developing countries with the necessary technical help to carry out the programs. The Bank has helped to make great progress in developing nations, where life expectancy ( 寿命 ) has increased and baby and child deaths have decreased, and more adults now can read than in the past. However, protesters have held large demonstrations at recent World Band meetings. Opponents say Bank programs make industrial nations richer and developing nations poorer. Others say the organization’s activities result in environmental damage.