Over 100 UK NGOs Warn: Climate Aid Cuts Could Push Millions More Children Into Poverty
Over 100 leaders of UK humanitarian and development organisations have called on Prime Minister Andy Burnham to reverse cuts to international climate funding, which they say could make it harder for millions of children in vulnerable countries to lift themselves out of poverty and inequality.
On 28th July, organisations such as Oxfam GB, WaterAid, ActionAid UK, Bond and Climate Action Network UK, released a joint statement to highlight that redirecting approximately £400 million from international climate finance to fund a cap on UK bus fares represents a false choice between helping families in the UK and vulnerable communities in the developing world.
The organisations pointed out that if the grant is reduced, poorer countries will be forced to take out more loans to meet the consequences of climate disasters for which they were not responsible. This could leave children with less access to vital services such as safe drinking water, health care, education and protection, they warned.
The NGO leaders urged the UK government to safeguard the remaining aid budget, revive international climate finance and reinstate spending on overseas aid to 0.7% of Gross National Income (GNI). They also called on the government to take this opportunity with the G20 presidency to promote reform and lessen inequality in the world’s economy.
Romilly Greenhill, Chief Executive of Bond, stated that governments’ decisions would impact lives and “the climate for decades” and urged leaders to work to restore UK’s reputation as a reliable international partner.
For years, child rights groups have sounded the alarm on climate change and poverty impacting children. International support is vital to protect children’s futures from disruptions to school attendance, to hunger, to disease and to protection issues, caused by floods, droughts and extreme weather.
