Dear members and non-members, You may have seen DFID’s Press Release (http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/aid-ethiopia-20m.asp) made public yesterday regarding the release of additional £20 million in aid to Ethiopia. On 9 June 2008, DFID announced a £10 million emergency response to the Ethiopian government’s humanitarian appeal, in addition to the £5 million of relief aid provided the previous month. On 21 of November 2007, DFID announced a £75 million assistance to be spent on 'water and sanitation projects'. DFID has been looking for every excuse to provide Ethiopia with large financial aid. DFID has to spend the budget allocated to them within the budget year to be able to continue to get the same level of funding from the Treasury and Ethiopia is a country that they have chosen to spend a large amount of money on regardless of whether or not the money makes a difference to the lives of Ethiopians. The Ethiopian government announced that they have increased their military budget by £50million a year to £400 million on the same day that the British government pledged to increase the aid given. Ethiopian government has only been able to finance its invasion of Somalia and threaten neighbouring countries through the large financial assistance it has been receiving from the British government and others. As has been proven time and again, no amount of money pumped into Ethiopia will make an iota of a difference unless peace is given a chance. DFID admits this fact. Clause 55 of DFID’s three years plan for Ethiopia states the following: “Conflict in the Horn of Africa has caused considerable suffering to large numbers of people and greatly contributed to current poverty levels. Greater effort is needed from all stakeholders in the region to put an end to conflict in the Horn. If that does not happen, there is a high risk that poverty reduction in Ethiopia will be seriously impeded.” Unfortunately, we have not seen the British government lift a finger to prevent conflicts in the Horn of Africa. To the contrary, the British government has been adding fuel to the fire by providing Ethiopia the financial and political backing knowing well that it has violated international laws and many UN resolutions. It is this unjustifiable support that is encouraging Ethiopia to defy the rule of international laws and continue with its intransigence, which in turn has created the instability that we are witnessing in the whole region. It is important that people of the Horn of Africa and other peace loving individuals continue to protest against the destructive policies of the British government by contacting their respective MPs. To protest against the increase in financial aid, please contact DFID’s Amy Wright on 020 7023 0423 or 020 7023 0600, or send your e-mail at pressoffice@dfid.gov.uk. Regards, AGE |
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