OXFAM APPEAL - CANCEL THE DEBT

[nancyk58]

APPEAL FROM OXFAM: HELP HAITI TODAY AND TOMORROW

 

CANCEL THE DEBT

 

Our biggest concern right now is dealing with the immediate aftermath of the humanitarian disaster caused by the devastating earthquake. But in our concern to help those suffering, let’s not forget the long term.

 

The world’s attention is focused on Haiti. Leaders are pledging to stand shoulder to shoulder with the people and help them to build a brighter future out of the rubble. The debts that Haiti owes will hamper efforts to rebuild the country and lock them in poverty for years to come.

 

Leaders are meeting in Montreal on Monday to decide on the amount of aid that they will give. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said that it will work to cancel the debt, and this now needs to happen.

 

Email the head of the IMF Dominique Strauss-Kahn to demand that when leaders meet on Monday, they cancel Haiti’s debts immediately.

 

WHY IS DEBT CANCELLATION SO IMPORTANT?

Haiti still owes hundreds of millions of dollars in debt - a legacy of loans from global financial institutions and donor nations to unelected governments of years past. It is one of the poorest countries in the world and yet the IMF response to the earthquake was to offer a $100 million loan. This loan would increase Haiti’s debt burden at this time of crisis.

 

EMAIL THE HEAD OF THE IMF

Haiti currently owes over $891 million in debt. If these debts aren't cancelled, Haiti will be sending tens of millions to the IMF and other international bodies even as it struggles to rescue and rebuild.

 

Email the head of the IMF Dominique Strauss-Kahn to demand that the IMF cancels Haiti’s debt immediately to make sure that earthquake relief doesn't create a new debt burden.

 

Our biggest concern right now is dealing with the immediate aftermath of the humanitarian disaster caused by the devastating earthquake. But in our concern to help those suffering, let’s not forget the long term.

 

The world’s attention is focused on Haiti. Leaders are pledging to stand shoulder to shoulder with the people and help them to build a brighter future out of the rubble. The debts that Haiti owes will hamper efforts to rebuild the country and lock them in poverty for years to come.

 

Leaders are meeting in Montreal on Monday to decide on the amount of aid that they will give. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said that it will work to cancel the debt, and this now needs to happen.

 

 

EMAIL the head of the IMF Dominique Strauss-Kahn to demand that when leaders meet on Monday, they cancel Haiti’s debts immediately.

 

 

After having sent this email:

 

"To: [email protected]

 

Subject: Cancel Haiti’s debt

 

Dear Dominique Strauss-Kahn

 

In the wake of the earthquake, we call on you to work to cancel Haiti's $890 million debt and ensure that earthquake aid comes as grants, not loans. Haiti's scarce funds must be used to help its people rebuild their lives.

 

The international community and the IMF must take action to cancel Haiti’s debt immediately, as you have indicated. You have said that you are working on a way to turn the $100 million loan already announced into a grant and I very strongly urge you to do everything you can to make sure that this happens.

 

I look forward to hearing from you.

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

 

Nancy Boysen "

 

I received this from OXFAM:

 

Thank you,

Thanks for taking action. Although our biggest concern right now is dealing with the immediate aftermath of the terrible humanitarian disaster caused by the devastating earthquake, we need to still think about the future of Haiti.

It’s vital that while the world’s attention is focused on Haiti we show our support to help the people of Haiti build a brighter future.

 

http://www.oxfam.org.uk/get_involved/campaign/actions/haiti_drop_the_debt.html

 

 

EMAIL the head of the IMF Dominique Strauss-Kahn to demand that when leaders meet on Monday, they cancel Haiti’s debts immediately.