extend / expand / spread

increase / broaden / spread / widen

dry and crack

be in poverty / be in need / suffer from poverty

Edentata

edentate

occur frequently / appear frequently

stand on the brink of [ruin] / verge on / be about to [die] / be on the point of

verge on / be about to / be on the point of / be just at the point of [a situation] / be confronted with / be on the borderline / be on the verge of / be on the brink of / stand on the brink of / face

live in poverty / be poor / become poor