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G8 nations face ‘credibility crunch’ as ministers meet to tackle global crises, Oxfam warns

Posted: 12/06/08
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The credibility of G8 finance ministers will be put to the test this weekend as the need for a stronger and more urgent commitment to tackling global poverty is under threat from the growing impact of climate change and rising food prices.

As Chancellor Darling prepared to meet fellow G8 finance ministers in Osaka today, Oxfam launched its report: “Credibility Crunch: Food, Poverty and Climate Change – An agenda for rich country leaders”. The report says that the ministers’ most urgent priority is to fill a US $30bn hole in overseas aid. G8 leaders promised at Gleneagles in 2005 to increase aid levels by US $50bn annually by 2010 but, according to Oxfam’s research, the aid gap that has now opened will cost five million lives*.

Oxfam’s report author Max Lawson said: ”We are now half-way towards the Millennium Development Goals deadline and, instead of coasting to victory, the world is staring at defeat. After years of broken promises, rich country governments cannot hide from previous aid commitments if they are to meet the goals and keep their credibility intact.”

“These are the same ministers who spent more than a trillion dollars in six months to bail out their own banks, but they cannot find a fraction of that to save millions of lives. With an economic recession looming, they must not make the poor pay the price by reneging on their aid promises.”

The UK has a crucial leadership role to play in helping to ensure that G8 promises on aid are not broken beyond repair, and that the current global crises do not undermine the progress that has already been made.

“Chancellor Darling must take this opportunity to drive the G8 towards an ambitious agenda for tackling poverty,” said Lawson. “The UK remains the only G8 nation that has set out a clear timetable for meeting its aid commitments, despite aid falling in 2007, and must push others to do the same. We are also calling on the government to set an example to other rich nations by dropping its domestic targets on the use of biofuels and upping its planned reduction target for greenhouse gas emissions from 60 % by 2050 to 80 %.”

The report calls for the G8 to respond to the current food crisis with urgent financial assistance, ensuring that all the money – including the US $6bn pledged at the Rome summit last week – comes on top of existing aid commitments. It states that the demand for biofuels is responsible for 30 % of the global food price rises and points to the devastating impact that this is having on millions of people.

On climate change, Oxfam highlights that much of the money pledged to help poor communities cope with the effects of changing weather patterns is simply being taken from existing aid budgets, or instead being made in loans**.

“Poor countries face a triple injustice,” said Lawson. “Not only do they have to pay the price for rich countries’ pollution, but the little money available to help them is being diverted from already promised and much needed aid. The crowning injustice is that they are being asked to repay this money with interest.”

ENDS

For more information, a copy of the report, or to arrange an interview, contact:

Lucy Brinicombe: 01865 472 192 or 07786 110 054
Dan Timms: 01865 472 193 or 07810 181 514
Tricia O'Rourke: 01865 472 498 or 07989 965 359

Notes to Editors:

Oxfam proposes a six-point plan for the G8 agenda which includes:

Stop burning food and start supporting poor farmers. Agree to freeze all new biofuels targets and urgently rethink existing targets. At the same time, dismantle subsidies and tax exemptions that provide incentives for the diversion of agricultural production. Oxfam estimates US $14.5bn is needed to scale up immediate assistance to at least 290 million people threatened by rising food prices, and a long-term plan to invest heavily into developing country agriculture systems. It is unclear whether the US $6bn pledged at the Rome Summit is new money or comes from existing aid commitments, and what is the time frame for its delivery.
Japan, France and Germany must scale up aid spending to 0.7% of GNI. In 2005, rich countries promised to increase aid by US $50bn annually by 2010. Since then, they have done very little to meet this goal, failing to reach it by a staggering US $30bn. Rich donors must improve the quality of their aid and agree to monitor this under the UN.

Funds must be forthcoming to provide high-quality public services - health, education, water, sanitation – in developing countries. G8 countries should support plans for hiring 4.25 million health workers who are vital in the battle against poverty.

Urgent action is needed now to cut emissions so that we can minimize the impacts of climate change. The G8 must lead other rich countries by example by cutting carbon emissions year-on-year by 2015 at the latest***. Funds for poor countries to adapt to the impacts of climate change must be made available on top of aid and in grant form. Money must be made available through the UN fund so that it can be spent where it is needed most.

* Using the latest figures from the World Health Organization and UNAIDS, Oxfam has calculated that the US $30bn shortfall – confirmed by the OECD in April 2008 - could provide vital healthcare for children, mothers and those suffering from HIV and AIDS, saving five million lives in 2010 alone and reversing the spread of HIV and AIDS.

** Oxfam estimates that US $50bn a year is needed - on top of aid commitments – in adaptation funding so that poor countries - who are already feeling the impacts the hardest - can better cope.

*** Oxfam believes that, in order to stay as far below to two degrees Celsuis as possible, rich countries must cut emmissions by at least 25 to 40% from 1990 levels by 2020 and globally emissions must fall to 80% below 1990 levels by 2050.

Lucy Brinicombe
Press Officer
Oxfam Media Unit
01865 472192

Oxfam works with others to overcome poverty and suffering.

Oxfam GB is a member of Oxfam International, a company limited by guarantee and registered in England No. 612172.
Registered office: Oxfam House, John Smith Drive, Cowley, Oxford, OX4 2JY.
Registered charity No. 202918.

Contact Name: Lucy Brinicombe
Role: Press Officer
Company: Oxfam
Contact Phone: 01865 472192
Company Website: http://www.oxfam.org.uk