G-7 aid goals from 2005 still not met

The ONE Campaign has issued a new report that shows the progress the G-7 has made in fulfilling it aid commitment made in 2005. The G-7 promised to double it's aid to Africa that year, so far only 61 percent of proposed total has been delivered.

From the Toronto Star, writer Tonda MacCharles summaries the reports result and ONE's hopes for the upcoming G-8 summit.

The group reported Tuesday that the G7 countries (the G8 group minus Russia) will, by the end of the year, have delivered 61 per cent of the 2005 pledge to double aid to sub-Saharan Africa, said David Lane, president of ONE.

If Italy—which “failed dismally” to deliver on its commitments —is taken out of the mix, the other richest economies have delivered on 75 per cent of the overall pledges, said Lane.

“These commitments have made a dramatic difference,” he said.

He pointed to an extra 257 million children who have been vaccinated, saving the lives of 5.4 million children under age 5 who would have otherwise died from preventable diseases. In addition, 200 million insecticide-treated bed nets were distributed to combat malaria, halving malaria deaths in some countries. Nearly three million more people are now being treated with antiviral drugs to fight the ravages of HIV-AIDS.

But Lane warned there are signs the politicized debate in Canada over the Conservative government’s decision not to fund safe, legal abortions has stalled momentum at the negotiating tables behind the scenes in the lead-up to the G8 summit next month.

“It feels like a stumbling block right now,” said David Lane, president of ONE. “My point is that those in responsible positions ought to find a way to deal with it so they do not stop the momentum moving toward the G8.”

Lane said Canadian negotiators put forward “two main centrepieces heading into this summit... accountability where there’s been a lot of progress” and maternal child health, where there have been “misgivings in the councils that prepare for the meeting where there’s a little bit less clear way forward and a less clear momentum.”