Oxfam Ireland expresses disappointment at government aid cut
Oxfam Ireland Media Statement
8 July 2008
Oxfam Ireland today expressed disappointment at the government's announcement of a cut in the aid budget for 2008.
The government today announced a cut in official development assistance of €45 million. This has happened as the poorest countries are faced by both higher oil prices and higher food prices.
'We're disappointed that the government has chosen to cut the overseas aid budget. The poorest should be the last to be hit by such cuts' said Oxfam Ireland 's Policy Co ordinator Colin Roche.
The government has continued to meet its commitments to achieve the UN target to spend 0.7% of GNP on official development assistance by 2012, reaching the interim target it set itself of spending 0.5% of GNP on aid by 2007.
'While the government has made strong progress in meeting its aid promise , cutting the aid budget will nevertheless hurt the poor. The government needs to ensure that it continues to move forward in achieving the aid target of 0.7% by 2012.' continued Mr. Roche.
Contact:
ROI: Paul Dunphy, Media and Communications Executive, 01 635 0422, paul.dunphy [at] oxfamireland.org
NI: Phillip Graham, Media and Communications Officer, 028 9089 5959, phillip.graham [at] oxfamireland.org
Oxfam Ireland is an independent member of Oxfam International- a group of thirteen non-governmental agencies dedicated to fighting poverty and related injustice around the world.
Media Resources
