CAFOD response to the G8 Summit meeting in Canada
It was disappointing to see that the G8 communique made no mention of the promise made five years ago to Make Poverty History.
At Gleneagles in 2005, eight of the world's richest countries promised to provide $50 billion of extra aid by 2010, and double the assistance being given to sub-Saharan Africa. Half-way through the deadline year of 2010, over $18 billion of this money is missing.
The Muskoka Initiative, showing the G8's commitment to reducing maternal and infant mortality is welcome, but it means little if aid funding does not come through for other critical issues facing poor people.
It would be tragic if vulnerable mothers and children survive childbirth, only for those children to face life threatening diseases such as malaria as they grow up. It is also imperative that money comes through to give children an education, combat HIV and AIDS and support communities to build strong livelihoods.
Britain has led the richest countries on aid - fulfilling its promises, making more ambitious pledges than other nations and protecting its aid budget in the face of recent cuts. However as Cameron takes his place on the world's stage he needs to deliver for the poor by holding other world leaders accountable for the promises they have made.
Related blog: G20: an expensive weekend get together for world leaders?
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