Funding boost for Latin America

Nurturing a new generation of leaders in indigenous communities [Marcella Haddad]

CAFOD welcomes plans by DFID to increase funding for development in Latin America by 15%, and to provide this extra support through civil society groups and international aid agencies

Douglas Alexander, Minister for International Development, has pledged to substantially increase the UK government's funding for the whole of Latin America - from £84 million now to £97 million by 2010/11.

In a letter sent out to agencies working in the region, he states that UK NGOs can expect an increase of £5 million per year over this three-year period, as well as £5 million per year specifically to work on climate change and ecosystems.

He writes: "Civil society organisations are at the frontline of tackling the social exclusion and inequality responsible for persistant poverty in Latin America.

"Channelling more support through NGOs will help address these important issues."

Recognising a key role

Clare Dixon, CAFOD's head of Latin America and the Caribbean, said she is "delighted" with the announcement.

She says: "The increased funding will enable CAFOD and its partner organisations to do more to help people living in poverty in Latin America.

"We will work together to tackle HIV and AIDS, to support the landless and those vulnerable to natural disasters and people already suffering the effects of climate change.

“We are very pleased that DFID has listened to civil society organisations and recognises the key role played by them throughout the region in the fight against poverty and injustice."

DFID's plan also includes the provision of £1 million per year to share lessons from Latin America with other developing nations worldwide, an element described by Clare Dixon as "particularly exciting".

She adds: “Despite some economic growth, the gulf between rich and poor in Latin America is widening and the number of ultra-poor is increasing.

"The legacy of decades of authoritarian governments, conflicts and military rule presents huge challenges in issues of governance and impunity.

“CAFOD welcomes the fact that Britain will continue to play a distinctive role in the elimination of poverty and the building of greater social justice in Latin America.”

While most counties in Latin America are classed as middle-income, this masks a deep and growing inequality which makes it the most unequal region in the world.

More than 47 million people live on less than one dollar a day.

CAFOD has worked in Latin America for more than 40 years and has offices in Nicaragua and Bolivia.

The Catholic Church is one of the major providers of humanitarian and development assistance in Latin America and is overwhelmingly recognised as one of the few institutions which inspire trust.

For more information, interviews or case studies, please contact Anna Ford on 0207 095 5557, 07785 950 378, aford@cafod.org.uk

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