Lighten the Load: In a time of crisis, European aid has never been more important

Last year poor people around the world endured the consequences of the food and energy price crisis. Today, the global economic crisis is inflicting serious damage on some of the most vulnerable economies in the world, and on the poorest people. In this time of crisis European countries should, more than ever, lighten the load borne by developing countries. In the face of global economic meltdown, however, Europe is abandoning its aid promises to poor countries, who are being hit hard by a crisis they have not caused. Oxfam International, as member of CONCORD, the European confederation of development NGOs, is taking part in the launch of a pan-European report aimed at raising awareness of the importance of keeping governments to account on promises for more and better aid.