Advocacy Works: Haiti and Debt Cancellation
March 1, 2010
by Bob Brown
If you wonder if sending a message to your congressman matters, this story will demonstrate that it does matter.
The Jubilee USA Network organizations have been advocating for debt forgiveness for Haiti since 2007. The story of Haiti’s poverty and debt is complicated, having both political and economic aspects that have perpetuated the poverty of the Haitian people. Natural disasters have exacerbated the country’s poverty.
The earthquake on January 12, 2010 has caused unimaginable destruction. In response to the crisis, the International Monetary Fund responded by announcing its intent to give Haiti a $100 million loan. Loaning Haiti more money was completely inappropriate. This action by the IMF caused the advocacy community to act. Jubilee USA and other organizations organized a letter writing campaign to Members of Congress. This caused a bi-partisan letter to be written by two Representatives to Treasury Secretary Geithner, calling for “the complete cancellation of debts owed by Haiti to multilateral financial institutions…and the provision of assistance to Haiti in the form of grants so that the country does not accumulate additional debts.” 94 Members signed this letter as a direct result of phone calls and emails that were made by you and people like you.
Next, individuals were asked to sign a petition to Treasury Secretary Geithner urging him use his leadership to negotiate the cancellation of Haiti’s remaining debts to international institutions and ensure that all new aid comes in the form of grants, not loans.
The consequence of these advocacy actions;
On the eve of the G7 meeting in Canada, Geithner announced that the U.S. intends to seek a commitment with other donors for Haiti’s debt relief to the international financial institutions “in a manner that provides direct and immediate grant support to Haiti.”
At the G7 meeting in Canada, these countries have told Haiti that any debts it owes them needn’t be repaid and international lenders (such as the IMF and the World Bank) should do the same.
The story is not over. Jubilee and other organizations must hold these countries and the international financial institutions accountable to their stated intention.
Actions of advocates like you made this happen. If you wonder if sending a message to your congressman matters, this should demonstrate that it does matter.
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