Debt, Aid, & the G8

Debt relief was one of the more successful elements of the MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY campaign.

SCIAF staff have seen for themselves the difference that the G8’s debt cancellation has made to Zambia and Uganda - improving access to healthcare and education for the general population. But debt is still an enormous burden for many developing countries, as are some of the conditions attached to debt relief. That is why SCIAF is a member of the Jubilee Scotland coalition and campaigns for further debt relief without damaging strings attached.

Aid should be simple – a means by which the governments of wealthy countries assist the development of poorer countries. Yet it can often be wrapped up in conditions, double-counting and preferential treatment for countries on the basis of their diplomatic importance rather than the needs of their people.

That’s why it's important to analyse the quality and the quantity of aid. In this section you can find out more about our work on these issues and our analysis of the G8 Summits which could play an important part in ringing through the changes that are urgently needed in aid, debt and many other areas.

For more information you can read:

• Abi Dymond, SCIAF Policy Analyst, reports on the outcomes of the G8 summit in Heiligendamm, Germany (2007). Read Playing with Numbers, Toying with Lives.

• SCIAF's submission to the DFID white paper consultation on eliminating poverty - click here.