There is reason to hope we can do better but a sobering lack of evidence that such hope is realistic.

[I'd edited my previous comment just before mattnewport wrote this; I'd previously left my comment at "There is reason to suppose we can do better", then had decided that that was overstating the evidence and added the "--at least...". mattnewport probably wrote this in response to the previous version; my apologies.]

As to evaluating the evidence: does anyone know where we can find data as to whether relatively well-researched charities do tend to improve poverty or other problems to which they turn their attention?