September, 15 2010, 11:12am EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Phone,+1 617 482 1211 (Toll-free 1-800-77-OXFAM),Email,info@oxfamamerica.org
Leading Development NGOs Urge EU Leaders to Act on Pakistan, the World's Biggest Humanitarian Disaster Right Now
“2010 should mark the start of Europe’s new approach to tackling global humanitarian emergencies.” Elise Ford Head of Oxfam’s EU Office
LONDON
International development organizations Oxfam, Plan, Eurodad
and Concern Worldwide called today on EU leaders, meeting tomorrow for
the first time to examine Europe's role as a global power, to shift gear
in their response to Pakistan - currently the world's biggest
humanitarian disaster. 21 million people have been affected and the
number continues to rise, as a severe health crisis is looming.
Elise Ford, Head of Oxfam's EU office, said: "Europe's response to
flood-hit Pakistan is a litmus test to see if the EU can really up its
game in international affairs. EU leaders have all the right tools to
respond and now they just need to act. 2010 should mark the start of
Europe's new approach to tackling global humanitarian emergencies."
"Tomorrow, EU leaders must stand up and agree to do more for Pakistan
by coming up with a generous package of trade concessions, humanitarian
assistance and debt relief," Ford added.
Natalia Alonso, Head of Plan's EU office, said: "The number of people
affected by the floods continues to rise each day and rebuilding the
country will take years and billions of Euros. Urgent measures are
needed. EU leaders cannot afford to stand idle."
Oygunn Sundsbo Brynildsen, Advocacy Officer at Eurodad, said: "While
over 20 million people are suffering from the floods, one third of the
country's revenues are spent on debt payments. A large part of
Pakistan's debt has its origin in loans which never benefited its
people. Western creditors granted large loans to undemocratic regimes in
Pakistan and helped these stay in power. EU leaders must assume
responsibility for their reckless lending by cancelling Pakistan's debt
and making sure that ordinary people benefit from the money."
What must Europe do to help Pakistan get back on its feet?
Scale up funds for short and long term needs
EU member states must drastically increase their contribution to the
UN appeal, as soon as it gets revised this Friday, to meet the emergency
and the longer term needs of the Pakistani people.
Since the initial UN appeal was launched, the number of people
affected by the floods has increased from 14 million to 21 million, with
millions displaced and more than 10 million in need of immediate
assistance. The revised UN appeal is likely to be more than three times
the amount of the initial appeal which was $460 million.
See this chart showing the EU's contribution compared to the current and the expected revised UN appeal (data compiled on 9 Sept.):
Chart showing the response by each EU member state as a proportion of its GNI (data compiled on 9 Sept.):
Grant trade concessions
Prior to the floods, poverty was already widespread and food
insecurity was alarming. The case for the EU to make trade concessions
before was compelling. Now it is vital. The inclusion of Pakistan in the
EU's Generalised System of Preferences (GSP+) scheme presents the best
option for the EU to unilaterally increase Pakistan's access to European
markets.
Cancel bilateral debt
EU
governments cannot expect Pakistan to service debt as it struggles to
cope. Pakistan's external debt amounts to EUR42 billion. A third of
Pakistan's budget revenues are actually spent on loan repayments. More
than 50% go to EU member states. France has received EUR37 million in
interest repayments from Pakistan so far this year - nearly 20 times the
amount of its direct contribution to the flood response.
Oxfam International is a global movement of people who are fighting inequality to end poverty and injustice. We are working across regions in about 70 countries, with thousands of partners, and allies, supporting communities to build better lives for themselves, grow resilience and protect lives and livelihoods also in times of crisis.
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