Spending on aid will save millions of lives

From: Andrew Scott, Oxfam volunteer, Thornton Street, Skipton.

THROUGH the Yorkshire Post we would like to thank your readers, people from the local community, charity and faith groups, who have worked tirelessly to make sure the UK meets its promise to spend 0.7 per cent of national income on aid.

The announcement by George Osborne in last month’s Budget will potentially save over three million lives every year.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Back in 1970, 22 countries promised to commit to 0.7 per cent in aid but only five countries have kept that promise. The UK has now become the first G8 country to meet this commitment.

This is thanks to people who have campaigned in the local community for the last 43 years, and more recently coming together as part of the Enough Food for Everyone IF campaign, calling on our Government to fulfil promises to the world’s poorest people. They can be proud that their actions have helped to make this possible.

Member of Parliament for Skipton & Ripon Julian Smith MP said: “Britain will continue to lead the fight against global hunger in 2013. As President of G8 this year, the UK will build on the work we have already done... to lift 50 million people out of poverty over the next 10 years.”

UK aid does save lives and it is important that this increase in aid is delivered in the most effective way such as investing in the Global Fund for HIV, TB and Malaria, which has treated nearly 10 million cases of TB and the Global Partnership for Education.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Both have proved that they deliver results, but they face enormous funding shortfalls.

Aid means an investment in a better world which the world’s poorest people are relying on.

It is money that can and will be well spent.