Two days before the start of the G8 meeting in Germany, Save the Children fears that the G8’s backtracking from commitments made at Gleneagles will not halt the loss of children’s lives.
Tuesday 5 June 2007
Save the Children estimates that 600,000 children have died of preventable causes since 2005. However there is still no mention of how the G8 will give practical backing to African countries to help make health services free and available to all despite the Gleneagles promises.
The G8 are currently promoting social health insurance as a way of financing health care in Africa. This not only overstretches their mandate by meddling in national policy, but is an inappropriate measure for most African countries and for the poorest children in the world who need the most help.
In addition, the communiqué from the G8 makes no reference to reversing the decline in aid in 2006. This goes directly against the commitment to increase aid in 2005. And while education makes an appearance in the communiqué it is only two paragraphs and is lacking in any concrete plans.
Matt Phillips, Head of Campaigns at Save the Children, said: "We need to see the G8 offer practical help so that the children in Sierra Leone, where Tony Blair went last week, get the healthcare and education that is their right. Since 2005 there has been a massive global mandate to make poverty history. The world doesn't want to hear more empty words from this G8. We want to hear a roadmap for real action."
Save the Children is calling on the G8 to:
- Back African countries to help make healthcare free and end the injustice of children facing unpayable bills to go to the doctor.
- Stick to their commitments from two years ago and increase aid.
- Dramatically reform the quality of aid to make it work for poor countries: aid must be predictable, untied and targeted towards the world's poorest children.
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For more information please contact the Save the Children Press Office:
+44 (0)207 012 6841
media@savethechildren.org.uk
Notes to Editors
- For copies of a briefing, The G8 Agenda, Reading Between the Lines, on this year's G8, please contact, Sophie Elmhirst or Kate Dancy on 020 7012 6841.
- Save the Children will be present at the G8 with young campaigners from Northern Ireland and spokespeople available for interview. To contact us, call Sophie Elmhirst on 07899 902 886/ 07779 012 934.
- Save the Children fights for children in the UK and around the world who suffer from poverty, disease, injustice and violence. We work with them to find lifelong answers to the problems they face.