Speaking on different topic yesterday, the Prime Minister Tony Blair and the Treasury Chief Gordon Brown, both called for the wealthiest countries around the world to put their funds in Africa. It has once again proved the commitment and determination of the UK to make a difference to war-torn Africa in social and economic aspect in 2005.
Acknowledging the UK's EU and G8 presidencies this year, "Make Poverty History" campaign launched in the UK in collaboration with over 100 international aid agencies, churches and Christian bodies is going to take the opportunity to promote the goal.
In the Scottish capital, Edinburgh, Chancellor Gordon Brown addressed fears that efforts to tackle the aftermath of the tsunami Asian disaster might absorb resources that were previously bound for Africa. Therefore, he wants to drive forward the agenda for helping the African continent amid the worldwide horror over Asia's tsunami victims.
Moreover, Brown restated his goal to lead the world's wealthiest nations to double their aid spending to provide an additional US$50 billion a year for a decade for "immediate, predictable, long-term aid for investment and development" in Africa.
"The true test of the international community will be how we can fund and assist both the immediate day-to-day emergency services needs but also the long-term reconstruction of these countries," he said.
Prime Minister Tony Blair spoke at his monthly news conference in London. He echoed it is a moral responsibility to offer support to Africa just as the world has done for tsunami disaster.
"The tragedy of the tsunami was through the force of nature. The tragedy of Africa is through the failure of man," Blair said, "There is the equivalent of a man-made, preventable tsunami every week in Africa."