N.Z. aid

Press, 11 October 1988, Page 20

N.Z. aid

Sir, —While the Government pledged to work towards increasing international aid and promised to increase it by 0.05 per cent of gross national product (G.N.P.) a year until a target figure of 0.7 per cent was reached, it has neither carried out the pledge nor the promise. The Government has, in fact, reduced overseas aid. In 1986 the figure of aid was 0.3 per cent of G.N.P., in 1987, 0.25 per cent, and this year the figure will be even lower. Recently the Government has cut the grant to the United Nations and Commonwealth African Relief Activities and United Nations funds for aid projects in developing countries. Unfortunately, children are, in the main, the end sufferers when aid projects and development are reduced or stopped. United Nations sources point out that at least 250,000 children die each week in developing countries from hunger, illness or disease, and 50 per cent of these deaths are preventable at low cost. A more humane attitude by the Government to overseas aid, it is suggested, would be acceptable to the majority of New Zealanders, notwithstanding the present situation of many of our citizens. — Yours, etc., I. R. DENSEM, President, Canterbury Branch, U.N. Association of N.Z. October 6, 1988.