Problems of poor in ecologically fragile environments like drought prone regions have not received adequate attention either from academicians, planners or from international aid and research organizations. The issue is not merely the scale of efforts but also the theoretical paradigm which should guide such efforts. Socio-ecological paradigm recently developed here illustrates how policies for devising delivery systems, organizations, rural banking infrastructure, technology etc. which match the risks, resources and skill base of poor in dry regions could be developed. The regions which failed to attract market forces failed to attract state support too. Before the patience of poors runs out, "we must act, but will we?