a difficult situation, obstacle, or problem that needs to be overcome

the state of being extremely poor or lacking the means to provide for basic needs

to cause trouble, annoyance, or complications for someone or something

predicament; plight

feeling confused, perplexed, or uncertain about a situation

to besiege

(coll.) to get sleepy

living in extreme poverty and lacking the basic necessities of life

describes a situation where there are many layers or instances of difficulties and obstacles.

a state of extreme poverty or material deprivation

living in poverty or difficult financial circumstances

feeling sleepy, weary, or exhausted

to assist the impoverished and provide relief to those in distress, including aid to needy households or regions

embarrassment; in a difficult or straitened situation

to live in poverty and despair; down and out; destitute and without hope

(dialect) to sleep

the feeling of sleepiness or lethargy that occurs during the transition to spring weather

to help those in distress

to hold a position or defend a city while surrounded by enemy forces or trapped in a difficult situation

to get sleepy

a state of being in a difficult, distressing, or dire situation

riders tired and horses weary; completely worn out or fatigued, typically after a long journey or a period of strenuous effort

to continue fighting or resisting even in a desperate, cornered situation; a cornered beast will still fight

tired or exhausted (often used in a literary context)

beset with difficulties

to help those in distress

to be faced with problems

Internal trouble and external hardship; in a mess both domestically and abroad.

grave situation; distressed state

to be trapped, stranded, or beset by difficulties

a person or people who are trapped or stuck in a difficult or dangerous situation

dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)

difficulty in swallowing; dysphagia

to surround someone or something so that they cannot escape or move freely

a difficult situation or dilemma that is hard to escape

to feel perplexed

sleepiness; drowsiness

the problem is...

to help people in difficulty and bring relief to the needy

to provide financial relief or assistance to help an entity out of a crisis

economic difficulty

to be trapped or stranded

areas or regions characterized by low economic development and widespread poverty

to provide help to those in urgent need or distress; disaster relief

an ethical dilemma

not being a slave to alcohol; able to drink in moderation and maintain self-control without being overcome by its effects