This is the 10952nd most frequent French word.
pauvres
Poor.
Here, 'pauvres' functions as an adjective describing the economic and social state of the men, emphasizing their lack of material resources.
Les pauvres hommes cherchaient un abri pour la nuit.
The poor men were seeking shelter for the night.
In this sentence, 'pauvres' serves as an adjective highlighting the economic status of the individuals directly.
Ils étaient pauvres, mais généreux malgré tout.
They were poor, but generous nonetheless.
The usage of 'pauvres' in this example conveys a sense of pity or compassion towards the animals affected by the disaster.