Charities Praise UK’s Increasing Dafur Aid Contribution

Under the gloom of the world’s worst humanitarian crisis in Darfur, financial aid and voluntary efforts are flowing into the tearful land from all over the world. As one of the most prosperous countries, the UK’s Government, has already giving over £36m, becoming the third largest donor to the UN’s effort in the Darfur region after U.S. and the Netherlands.

The two leading UK-based charities - Christian Aid and Oxfam - complimented the Government’s aid provision for Sudan as “brilliant”. In addition to the present amount, the Department for International Development (Dfid) has committed a total of £62.5m in humanitarian aid to Darfur. This figure includes donations to the UN and all other aid agencies working in the area.

The increasing contribution of the UK Government to the Third World comes after the appeal of a network of NGOs and charities. They have launched a massive initiative urging the government to lift up the aid spending to 0.7% of the Gross National Income, which is a standard set by the UN.

“The UK did take the lead in terms of aid,” Judith Melby of Christian Aid said to BBC, “but they also took the lead by brokering the deal which got round the bureaucratic barriers and allowed aid agencies access to the people in Darfur.”

Melby added that the most important thing is to get the aid into the areas where it is need, therefore she urged the UK government to do even more on this aspect.

Speaking to the BBC, Brendan Cox of Oxfam said, “Compared to other governments they (UK Government) are certainly being more generous. In terms of humanitarian aid, they are doing very well.”

Same as Christian Aid, Cox suggested the government should do more on the political front. Oxfam will “keep up the pressure” on all governments to end the strife in Darfur.

After gaining success in the UK, Christian Aid and Oxfam have now urged France, Italy and Japan to do the same. Both organisations have seen the prospect of the UK’s international position of leadership as it is going to hold the chair of the G8 and the Presidency of the EU in 2005.