Credit Crunch Hits War on World Poverty

SCIAF Chief Executive, Paul Chitnis speaks out against 'double standards' which have seen billions found to bail out failing banks despite the fact that millions of people in developing countires are continuing to die unnecessarily as a result of hunger and preventable diseases.

Speaking ahead of a major gathering of world leaders in New York in September to assess the progress of the UN Millennium Development Goals*, Paul Chitnis said:

“The availability of billions of pounds to bail out financial institutions is exposing ‘self-serving double standards’ as millions of people continue to die unnecessarily from hunger and preventable diseases.”

"Progress in achieving the Millennium Development Goals is extremely slow. Many will not be met by the target date of 2015. The countries that made commitments to achieving these goals in the Millennium Declaration in 2000 and at Gleneagles in 2005 have to make good their promises to provide the resources to make it possible. Many countries are not delivering the money they pledged and total international aid actually fell by 8.4% in real terms in 2007.

“Why is it that billions of pounds can be found to bail out financial institutions but rich governments still cannot find the money to help save the lives of millions of people in developing countries?

“Some progress has been made in meeting the Millennium Development Goals; poverty in most regions has decreased; the number of children attending primary school has increased; and the prevalence of HIV has levelled off.

“But much more needs to be done by the UK government and wider international community. 1.4 billion people continue to survive on less than $1 a day and 28,000 children still die every 24 hours due to preventable diseases and hunger. The wealthy countries have the money to help stop this terrible situation but the political will is brittle and unreliable.”

*The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are eight goals to be achieved by 2015 that respond to the world's main development challenges. They are drawn from the Millennium Declaration that was adopted by 189 nations and signed by 147 heads of state and governments during the UN Millennium Summit in September 2000. The eight goals are:

Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger

Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education

Goal 3: Promote gender equality and empower women

Goal 4: Reduce child mortality

Goal 5: Improve maternal health

Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases

Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability

Goal 8: Develop a Global Partnership for Development