UK plan for ending abuse of aid

Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for International Development

CAFOD welcomes the UK's plan to launch a global initiative combatting the misuse of western aid to developing countries

Announced by the UK's international development minister, Douglas Alexander, the aim is for donor countries to provide full and detailed information of all the financial assistance provided to each country.

This will include details of individual projects and their aims, and reliable information on future aid flows so developing countries can plan ahead.

Matteo Bocci, CAFOD's policy analyst on aid effectiveness and accountability, says the move "could not be more timely".

Helping the most fragile

Matteo says: "The global food crisis is hitting the poorest in developing countries, with millions of vulnerable people surviving on very little.

"A more stringent transparency of how aid money is distributed will help to ensure that the most fragile in society will receive the life-saving services they need.

"It is good to see the British government taking a lead on aid transparency, which has long been a demand of civil society organisations in the south and the north.

"Citizens have a right to know what aid has been approved in their name, where it is going and how it is spent.

"It will be important to gain wide support for this measure from donor and recipient governments. It will not go far if it is seen as just another British initiative."

Matteo is currently attending the UN High-Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness in Ghana's capital Accra, and says much still needs to be done if the UK plan is to succeed.

"It is quite useless if it is not linked with clear and measurable targets. In Accra, the debate about quality of aid and clear commitments on targets that need to be achieved for development to work is still missing.

"Developing countries need to be able to rely on predictable flows of money to plan their activities. Without these commitments, poor people will continue to struggle."

For interviews or further information please contact Nana Anto-Awuakye on 020 7095-5560 or 07799 477 541, or email nanto-awuakye@cafod.org.uk or nantoawuakye@yahoo.com

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