Governments Must Keep their Promise and Increase Aid (BANFFSHIRE and BUCHAN COAST Liberal Democrats)

BANFFSHIRE and BUCHAN COAST Liberal Democrats <info@banffandbuchanlibdems.org.uk>

Governments Must Keep their Promise and Increase Aid

August 13, 2010 11:36 AM
Originally published by George Lyon - Liberal Democrat MEP for Scotland

Tragically at the time of writing, the flooding in Northern Pakistan is estimated to have affected upwards of 14 million people. Another disaster and yet another poignant reminder that billions of people continue to live in extreme poverty and with little or no access to the luxuries that we take for granted such as food, clean water and medication.

As always, the efforts to help those affected will be courageous. The Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC) has launched an urgent appeal for the victims of the devastating floods in north-Pakistan, and I am sure people will rally to that call with an outpouring of sympathy and generosity.

After all, the British people are known for their compassion, reliability and speed when donating aid to such situations. These attributes however, are not reflected in governments across Europe. Whilst individual donations will contribute to helping the victims of the flood, in the face of such events, it is time for European governments to step up to the plate.

2010 marks the European Year of combating poverty and social exclusion. This provides the prefect opportunity for EU Member States to renew their political commitments to providing international aid. This must include keeping their promises made at G20 and the Millennium Summit, to commit 0.7% of gross national income (GNI) to international aid.

The European Union is the world's largest donor of international development aid. Sadly, despite this fact, we have fallen short of our targets

It is particularly discouraging that some countries in the EU have scaled back their aid contributions in light of the current economic crises. For example Germany has cut aid to 0.35% and Italy to just 0.16% instead of progressing towards 0.7%.

With the 2015 targets looming large, Governments need to follow in the footsteps of their citizens - providing as much assistance as possible to disasters, such as the Pakistani floods.

Times are tough at the moment for many EU countries. The economic crises have hit Scotland and other countries in the EU hard; leading some to suggest that aid contributions be scaled back. I believe this is not an option for the EU Governments and certainly does not reflect the will of the general public. Instead of reducing assistance, the UK along with the EU can lead the advance towards the 2015 targets, ensuring that all development assistance given is used both efficiently and cost effectively.

Billions of pounds are wasted in the delivery of ineffective aid. There are often duplications and overlaps of specific funding. Such losses can be greatly improved by better communication between international governments, adopting a coordinated and coherent approach towards delivering effective aid.

In September of this year, the UN is holding a High-Level Plenary Session in New York. The focus of the meeting is to encourage governments and organisations such as the EU to constructively work together to renew their efforts towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

I will continue to encourage the European institutions and its Member States to embrace their position as the largest donor of international development aid and lead the international community towards achieving the 2015 targets.

As the numbers of those affected by the floods in Pakistan continues to grow, the EU must encourage the international community to put into practice measures that can help those involved in such tragedies. We cannot just pay lip service to the suffering in these countries. It is time for governments to honour the promises they made in the past.