beyond the scope of mere charity

What is the exact meaning of "beyond the scope of mere charity" in the following passage? It is from the book “Persian Gulf Command” by Ashley Jackson, p. 241. The passage is about the miseries of people of Iran and Iraq in World War II.

Everywhere one sees people lying about in an emaciated condition. Their clothes spread out on the hedges to dry show more holes than cloth. They have not even the wherewithal to patch them. The population is fast dwindling[:] some are away harvesting in the plains, others have gone to Persia to try their luck . . . I consider their state is quite beyond the scope of mere charity.

Thanks a million.