CONCORD report on the lack of progress in European commitments on aid quantity and quality

The new report of CONCORD on the reality of aid given by the European Member States and Commission to developing countries is out. Called, “No Time to Waste: European governments behind schedule on aid quantity and quality” it reveals that on current trends the European Union (EU) will have given 75 billion less in aid by 2010 than it promised, threatening progress on the UN Millennium Development Goals set for 2015.

At the press launch on 22 May, Justin Kilcullen, President of CONCORD, explained: “A hundred thousand estimated dead in Burma, food prices rocketing and a woman dying every minute in pregnancy or childbirth. Now, more than ever, European governments must deliver the aid they promised to the world’s poor“.

The official statistics, released by the OECD in April (see OECD website) , showed that European aid fell sharply in 2007, with Belgium, France and the UK recording falls of 10-30%. According to the OECD: “most donors are not on track to meet their stated commitments to scale up aid and will need to make unprecedented increases to meet the targets they have set.” If this record of slow progress continues, Europe will find it harder to meet its target with every year that passes.

In addition, CONCORD’s report proves that European governments continue to “inflate” their aid statistics with debt relief and refugee costs. 15 old member States provided only 0.33% of their gross national income as genuine aid in 2007, continuing to miss the target set for 2006 of 0.39% of GNI.

The EU has committed to make aid work better by making it more predictable, better coordinated, accountable and aimed at promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment. But NGOs are concerned that these targets are not being met and that more ambitious commitments are needed. Moussa Faye, Chief Executive of ActionAid Senegal, was also present at the press launch and the round table attended by officials. He recalled that “if you live in Senegal where one in eight children dies before reaching his or her fifth birthday, aid means services and services mean the difference between life and death”.

2008 is a crucial year for aid, testing the credibility of European governments. At the High Level Ministerial Forum on Aid Effectiveness in Accra, Ghana, this coming September, the EU will review its progress against commitments made in 2005 in Paris. “Europe has a responsibility to take the lead at this crucial event by delivering more and better aid” explained Marivic Raquiza of GCAP South-East, North and Central Asia (GCAP-SENCA)."

Over 200 media reported on CONCORD's report and the demonstration, organised by CONCORD and GCAP that took place in front of the European Commission and Council in Brussels at the opening of an EU meeting on 26 May. CONCORD also met with the permanent Slovenian representation, which held the Presidency of the European Union, to voice its view.

Download the full CONCORD Aid Watch Report 2008 from: http://www.concordeurope.org/Files/media/extranetdocumentsENG/NavigationSecondaire/WorkingGroups/Aidwatch/Aidwatch2008/Light-Full-report.pdf
For further information: Jasmine Burnley, jasmine.burnley@concordeurope.org
For video comments from citizens from developing countries on the fall in EU aid: http://www.concordeurope.org/Public/Page.php?ID=3083

Information provided by Agnes Philippart, CONCORD