Making Poverty History: Progress in 2006
In 2005 the world woke up to the reality of the poverty that exists in Africa and the rest of the developing world. In 2005 world leaders came together and pledged to do something about it.
Britain was at the forefront of the campaign to Make Poverty History and this Labour government has done more to tackle Third World poverty than any government before it.
Much has been achieved in 2006, which will hopefully be reflected in the stories that follow.
We have made a commitment to reach the UN target of 0.7% of national income going to aid by 2013. We have written off 100% of debt owed by the world’s most heavily indebted poor countries (HIPCs). We have funded health and education programmes across Africa and have helped to tackle the problem of HIV and AIDS.
But we must do more. Too many people still live below the poverty line; too many people still die from dehydration or from preventable diseases; too many people still go hungry.
We must work together to face the challenges of the future. Together we can take steps toward achieving our common goal of making poverty history in our lifetime.