G8 to Drop Aid Pledge to Worlds Poorest?Andy Freeman - 2 Jul 2010

Should the current global financial scandal mean that we sacrifice care for the poor? You'd think not. Yet right now that's the decision on the table for the G8 and G20.

In 2005, the Make Poverty History campaign centred around the G8 world leaders meeting in Gleneagles, Scotland and key decisions where the world's richest countries could stand up for the poorest nations and people's around the Globe. $25bn a year was pledged.

Now in 2010, the draft communique for the Muskoka (Canada) summit is removing any reference to these goals.

The Guardian (UK newspaper) put it like this:

The west's seven richest countries are planning to abandon a pledge to double aid to the poorest countries in Africa.

What seems likely is that the current financial pressures have resulted in many nations not making their targets for aid and they would like them subtlely removed so that they can
concentrate on their own economic issues.

Mark Lawson of Oxfam said:

It is a scandal that the G8 are trying to quietly drop the promise they made to the world when millions campaigned to make poverty history.

I'd like to urge you to take some action:

• To pray that this wouldn't take place and the G8 Communique would include a continued commitment to the poor.
• Write to your MP, Senator or Political representative and demand that
• they do all they can to ensure these goals are not removed or watered down.
• Write directly to your nations leader and insist he or she acts to ensure justice is done and commitments are met.
• Keep up to date through news organisations, through Just24-7 or key campaigning organisations like:
  Oxfam
  One Campaign
  Global Call to Action Against Poverty