New OECD-data on development aid released
EU Development Assistance Falls to pre-2005 Levels
Brussels, 7 April, 2008. According to data released by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the European Union’s (EU) Official Development Assistance (ODA) fell in 2006, despite commitments to the contrary. EU ODA fell by 5.8% in real terms, to US$ 62.1 billion, representing 0.40% of their combined GNI.
"But how can the EU continue to back away from its commitment to double aid by 2010?" asked Karen Hoehn, Vice Executive Director and Director, European Affairs for the German Foundation for World Population (DSW). "Women in childbirth, people infected with HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, and families struggling to survive cannot wait."
Germany’s ODA increased by 5.9% compared to 2006. Germany provided US$ 12.27 billion (€ 7.81 billion), or 0.37 percent of its gross national income (GNI). DSW applauds the increase in Germany’s contribution, but calls upon the German government to live up to its financial commitments.
Europe has to do much more
European Union Member States agreed in May 2005 to increase their share of GNI to reach 0.7 % by 2015. Most Member States have not produced a clear roadmap to achieve this goal. The development goals of the United Nations, which aim to improve the living conditions for the majority of the world’s population can only be met with additional funds.
"In 2007, Germany improved cooperation between developing countries and donors", acknowledged Renate Baehr, DSW Executive Director. "However, the German government must do much more to meet the needs of people in poverty. We ask the government to actively engage in meeting the Millennium Development Goals by 2015, as promised at the last G8 summit."
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The German Foundation for World Population (DSW) is an international development organisation. DSW helps young people in Africa and Asia to escape poverty by providing sexual and reproductive health information, services and supplies. In Germany and Europe it raises awareness about the close links between sustainable development, poverty, health, environmental protection and demographic trends.
The European Parliamentary Forum on Population and Development (EPF) a Brussels-based network that serves as a platform cooperation and coordination for the 25 all-party groups Parliaments throughout Europe that focus on improving sexual and reproductive health and rights at home and abroad through national and regional health and foreign aid budgets.