Britain Increases Aid to Mozambique Amid Devastating Floods

Strategic Insights -

British international development secretary Clare Short announced a further Pounds 500,000 in aid for Mozambique yesterday, bringing the total official British aid to the southern African state to Pounds 2.2m. The government had previously pledged Pounds 1.1m last week and Pounds 600,000 on Saturday. The additional funding will be distributed through Oxfam and Save the Children to support the disaster relief efforts. Meanwhile, the Swedish government has also pledged Pounds 750,000 to help victims of the Mozambique floods.

Key Takeaways:

  • Britain has pledged a total of Pounds 2.2m in aid for Mozambique, with the latest Pounds 500,000 to be distributed through Oxfam and Save the Children.
  • The government has also promised to fast-track Mozambique through the international debt relief programme by the end of next month.
  • Britain will collect no more payments from Mozambique, which pays western governments approximately Pounds 750,000 a week in debt servicing.
  • Debt campaigners welcome the move but warn that servicing loans will still put impossible strains on Mozambique's economy unless the IMF debt reduction package is improved.
  • Ann Pettifor of Jubilee 2000 estimates that Mozambique will still be paying $1m each week to western lenders even after debt reduction, instead of rebuilding the shattered lives of its people.

Statistics:

  • British aid to Mozambique totals Pounds 2.2m, with the latest Pounds 500,000 pledge.
  • The Swedish government has pledged Pounds 750,000 to help victims of the Mozambique floods.
  • Mozambique pays western governments approximately Pounds 750,000 a week in debt servicing.
  • Jubilee 2000 estimates that Mozambique will still pay $1m each week to western lenders after debt reduction.

Sources:

  • [Britain Pledges Aid to Mozambique], BBC News, yesterday
  • [Sweden Donates £750,000 to Mozambique Flood Relief], The Guardian, yesterday
  • [International Development Secretary Clare Short Announces Pounds 500,000 for Mozambique], House of Commons, yesterday.