May 25, 2011 www.interaction.

org

Contacts:
Sue Pleming: 1 202.341.3814 (Cell) or spleming@interaction.org
Tawana Jacobs: 1 202.552.6534 or 1 202.297.1696 (Cell) or tjacobs@interaction.org

Can developing nations afford more G8 broken promises?

DEAUVILLE (May 25, 2011)—G8 leaders meeting in Deauville this week must break a cycle of
broken promises and honor billions of dollars in commitments for food, agricultural and health
assistance, said the largest alliance of U.S.-based NGOs.

“An estimated billion people go hungry every day. The world’s most powerful nations have a
responsibility to deal with this tragic statistic, even as they face their own economic crises,” said
Samuel A. Worthington, president and CEO of InterAction, an alliance of U.S.-based
international NGOs.

“G8 leaders have promised to cut by half poverty and hunger rates by 2015. While they are
enjoying fine French food this week, it would be nice if they could take time to rededicate
themselves to meeting previous commitments towards the world’s poor,” he added, speaking on
the eve of a two-day summit in Deauville, France.

With food prices at record highs, there needs to be renewed focus on delivering on $22 billion in
food and agricultural assistance promised in 2009 at the G8 summit in L’Aquila, Italy. Donor
funds also need to be rebalanced to improve nutrition and reach small-scale producers who face
the growing impact of climate change.

“The World Bank estimates food prices have pushed 44 million people into extreme poverty in
low and middle income countries and rising oil prices compound this misery,” said Worthington.

The Deauville Accountability Report released by a G8 Working Group last week estimated
that since the L'Aquila summit, about a fifth (just 22 percent) of the pledged funds had been
disbursed and 26 percent was in their words "firmly on track to be disbursed", which means that
it is still in the promise column.

Another shortfall of the G8 has been fully funding maternal and child health programs, with
continuing gaps across Africa. There needs to be a clear action plan and transparent timelines,

While not on the official agenda at Deauville, there is expected to be discussion over who might
be the next managing director of the International Monetary Fund. InterAction believes emerging
countries should be allowed to put forward their own candidates. “We urge the selection process
to be transparent and based on merit,” said Worthington.
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AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS
Sam Worthington is available for telephone interviews and InterAction expert John Ruthrauff is in
Deauville to offer the viewpoint of international NGOs. To schedule an interview, please
contact Sue Pleming at spleming@interaction.org or 202-341-3814 or Tawana Jacobs at
tjacobs@interaction.org or 202-552-6561.

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InterAction is the largest alliance of U.S.-based nongovernmental international organizations with more than
190 members. Our members operate in every developing country, working with local communities to
overcome poverty and suffering by helping to improve their quality of life. Visit www.interaction.org

InterAction | 1400 16th St. NW, Suite 210, Washington D.C. 20036 | 202.667.8227 | ia@interaction.org