Africa Action: Activism for Africa Since 1953
Social & Economic Justice: Promoting a just international economic system and quality healthcare services and infrastructure in Africa
Go to: Cancel Africa's Debt
Go to: End HIV/AIDS in Africa
In 2008, the U.S. Congress passed the Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde United States Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008 which provides up to $48 billion in pledges over five years to stop the spread of these diseases worldwide. Sub Saharan Africa continues to be the worst affected region. Much more needs to be done in order to meet the challenges of the AIDS pandemic and other health disparities. In addition to urging increased bilateral funding to improve healthcare in Africa, Africa Action advocates for the U.S. to donate its fair share to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, an important mechanism to finance life saving programs in Africa. We believe the U.S. must lead by example and make a commitment to help in filling the funding gap that threatens the effectiveness of the Global Fund. We also recognize the need to target U.S. assistance to build health infrastructure and improve service delivery. Africa needs an increase in human resources and infrastructure (qualified nurses, doctors and laboratories) to deliver life saving medicines and treat diseases that threaten the livelihood of its people.
The global financial crisis is threatening to wipe out economic gains made by African countries in recent decades. As capital flows dwindle, markets shrink and governments have far less to spend on social sectors, millions of Africans are pushed further below the poverty line. The U.S. government must take leadership in building a new global economic system and reforming the failed policies of international financials institutions (IFIs). Debt cancellation must be central to this, harmful conditionalities must cease and we must promote fair, not free, trade for sustainable solutions. We must also embrace rights-based responses to the global financial crisis – particularly the human rights of women.
The G20 recently convened and proposed a “Global New Deal” that would involve between $500 billion and $1 trillion in new lending to Global South countries from institutions such as the IMF and the World Bank. However, they have not removed the harmful conditions that will be required for loans borrowed. Urgent action is needed to cancel existing debt and promote grants and aid without detrimental conditions.
Africa Action’s Social & Economic Justice program will pursue two objectives:
* Increased access to quality healthcare services in Africa
* A just international economic system.
The global financial crisis is threatening to wipe out economic gains made by African countries in recent decades. As capital flows dwindle, markets shrink and governments have far less to spend on social sectors, millions of Africans are pushed further below the poverty line. The U.S. government must take leadership in building a new global economic system and reforming the failed policies of international financials institutions (IFIs). Debt cancellation must be central to this, harmful conditionalities must cease and we must promote fair, not free, trade for sustainable solutions. We must also embrace rights-based responses to the global financial crisis – particularly the human rights of women.
The G20 recently convened and proposed a “Global New Deal” that would involve between $500 billion and $1 trillion in new lending to Global South countries from institutions such as the IMF and the World Bank. However, they have not removed the harmful conditions that will be required for loans borrowed. Urgent action is needed to cancel existing debt and promote grants and aid without detrimental conditions.
Africa Action’s Social & Economic Justice program will pursue two objectives:
* Increased access to quality healthcare services in Africa
* A just international economic system.
