Actionaid has released new findings claiming that the G8 has been wasting money pledged to irradicate hunger on projects of questionable merit.

WHERE IS AID BEING SPENT?

Instead of funding programmes that will work to reduce poverty in developing nations the report shows instances of funds supporting such initiatives as Naval boats for coastal patrol in Nicaragua, odour control for food plants in Germany and biofuel production in South Africa.

The brief is entitled ‘The $20 billion question: has the G8 delivered on its hunger promises’ and outlines that in tough economic conditions, the poorest factions of society are always the first, and the hardest hit. While the G8 members pledged $20 billion in aid, there is no indication of how much money has actually been delivered to date, or any indication of how it will be distributed.

BROKEN PLEDGES

Meredith Alexander, Head of G8 policy at ActionAid said: “Last year we applauded the G8 for pledging over $20 billion for agriculture to fight hunger in Africa. A promise  is a promise – now the bill is due.

“Rich countries cannot honestly expect the world to believe that giving boats to the Nicaraguan navy or investing in biofuels in Africa will put food into the mouths of hungry people or help save the lives of the 4.4 million children who die because of hunger-related illnesses every year.”

With concerns about funding on everyone’s mind, the report points out that the G8 is in real danger of not attaining their goal of reducing the escalating maternal and child mortality rates in poorer nations. Malnutrition is a contributing factor in most instances and the G8 funds have not managed to increase food supplies as pledged.

“Preventing deaths amongst children and mothers needs more than just increasing the number of doctors and nurses.  Malnurioushed children are twelve times more likely to die from easily preventable diseases. If G8 leaders truly want to make a difference they should focus on delivering on past promises.”

Actionaid is committed to transparency where aid is concerned and they work directly with communities to ensure all donations are invested into poverty reduction initiatives and benefit the children and parents directly.