View previous stories
	World Vision urges UK to take the lead in Europe on aid delivery by Besi Mpepo World Vision (UK)   Apr 2008   Leading international development agency, World Vision, is urging the UK Government to lead the way in Europe in delivering on overseas aid promises.   The NGO today voiced grave concerns over the lack of progress made by EU member countries in meeting their targets to increase the volume and quality of aid to developing countries by 2010.   OECD DAC (Development Aid Committee) figures released today show a marked shortfall in EU aid – if current trends continue EU member states will not deliver on their promise to give at least 0.56% of GNI in overseas development aid by 2010. Commitment to this target is a vital injection towards the eradication of extreme poverty and the attainment of the Millenium Development Goals by 2015.   World Vision is calling on the Government to publish a clear year-by-year timetable showing how the UK commitment to give 0.7% of GNI as aid by 2013 will be achieved and “to take a lead” within the EU to ensure that aid promises remain on track to meet the 2015 MDG targets.   Besi Mpepo, senior economic justice policy adviser for World Vision, said: “Although the UK has made commitments to increase aid in the next three years, the disappointing figures for 2007 undermine the Government’s claims to be a leader in Europe on this issue.   “The percentage of ‘real’ aid must increase substantially in order for the UK and other EU member countries to continue to progress towards the MDG targets.   It is unacceptable that, up to 30,000 children are still dying every day - that’s around 18 children every minute – because of malnutrition, preventable illness and the other related causes of extreme poverty. The sad thing is that the governments who pledged to give these kids a future, are still falling short of their own set targets.”   World Vision also urged the Department for International Development (DFID) to continue to improve the effectiveness and accountability of its bilateral programme.   While welcoming the measures already taken by the UK Government on the poverty focus of aid, the increased use of country systems and the emphasis on country ownership, World Vision says DFID can, and must, do better by taking a leadership role across Europe through best practices in aid delivery and by not allowing their own targets to slip.   “As shown by the recent UK/France announcement, partnership between European leaders can achieve remarkable results for people living in poverty, especially children and women,” said Besi Mpepo. “All EU donors now need to set out clear timetables for the delivery of their aid commitments and ensure they are delivered in line with the Paris principles of aid effectiveness, with Britain leading by example. Visit the related web page
	Global Anti-Poverty Coalition appalled by latest Aid Data by The Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP) South Africa   April 2008   The world''s largest anti-poverty civil society movement (GCAP) today expressed outrage as new figures show that rich country spending on international aid has dropped for the second year in a row. This is despite promises made by these countries nearly 40 years ago to give 0.7% of their Gross National Income as aid, and shows that new political leadership is required urgently if they are ever to be met.   The OECD’s Development Assistance Committee (DAC) report recently released in Japan, notes a 8.4% drop in real overseas development aid (ODA) in 2007. Most donors are not on track to meet their stated commitments to scale up aid and will need to make unprecedented increases to meet the target of a $50 billion increase annually by 2010.   The 22 DAC member countries, the world’s major donors, provided USD 103.7 billion in aid in 2007. Taking into account this is the end of a period of exceptionally high debt relief, this represents a drop of Gross National Income to 0.28% in 2007, against the internationally agreed target of 0.7% of GNI.   “The OECD countries are dragging their feet. They made commitments but are not following through,’ says Kumi Naidoo, Co-chair of GCAP. “ The unwillingness of governments - France, Japan and Italy in particular - to honour promises on debt relief and aid, is increasing poverty, deepening inequality and adding to global insecurity. It’s outrageous that you can find the money for military spending but can’t find it for ODA,” he added.   GCAP campaigners in developing countries have seen first-hand how these shortfalls on commitments and poor aid quality directly impacts people’s lives.   Where debt cancellation has taken effect since the Gleneagles commitments of 2005, it has led to better healthcare, better education, treatment for HIV/Aids and some progress towards reaching the Millennium Development Goals.   In 2008, GCAP therefore calls on current G8 President, Japan, to show leadership at its July Summit by putting ODA high on their agenda and reversing what they call an ''appalling trend''.   GCAP will also be looking for action at the September Aid Effectiveness Summit in Accra, Ghana which represents a crucial opportunity to improve the quality of aid.   “In Accra, governments will be set a mandatory timetable for aid delivery and effectiveness. This, combined with the G8 in Japan is a great opportunity for a change in direction and one we will not miss. We expect a more serious approach from leaders to ending poverty, the impact of failure is not worth contemplating,” said Christophe Zoungrana, GCAP Africa Coordinator.   The Global Call to Action against Poverty, with coalitions in over 100 rich and poor countries, simultaneously campaigns for domestic accountability in the developing world. Visit the related web page
	View more stories