Cartoon from theage.com.au
The urgency shown by rich countries to tackle the financial meltdown is in stark contrast to their foot dragging and broken promises over aid and poverty alleviation, human rights and climate change.
It is too soon to predict exactly how badly the poorest countries will fare in the financial crisis and resultant economic downturn. But it is clear that reduced demands for exports to developed countries and lower foreign investment will mean less growth and government revenue for already fragile social protection and services.
As we enter what will inevitably become a more difficult economic climate, there’s a real danger that the traction gained in the Make Poverty History campaign to push for the Millenium Development Goals and to just take two-thirds world poverty seriously, will have been lost in the distorted priorities that arise out of our sudden belief that our “needs” are more important than the thousands dying of preventable diseases and hunger.
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