Campaigning about the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is a tough sell in the UK. Most people wouldn’t know their MDGs from their WMDs.
In 2000, world leaders signed up to achieving 8 goals that could change the lives of millions of people throughout the developing world. If the goals are achieved we can end the scandal that 1 mother dies unnecessarily every minute in childbirth, that 75 million children don’t get the chance to learn to read and 5 million people don’t get life-saving HIV drugs as they are too expensive. (For more of an idea about them watch the excellent short animation below).
Amazing, except that over the last ten years, rich countries governments haven’t stuck to their world-changing plan. In lots of European countries aid budgets – the best way to finance the delivery of the MDGs – are either stagnating (France), being slashed (Italy) or are perennially under threat from a hostile press (UK).
There’s a big UN MDG Summit in New York in September and by then world leaders need to have designed a rescue package for the MDGs. They need to have reaffirmed their commitment to delivering 0.7% of their national income to aid by the MDG deadline of 2015.
Living without debt and dire poverty isn’t just a pipedream. In 2005, as a result of campaigning by millions of people around the world, Zambia had its international debt wiped clean.
The result? Free healthcare for people in rural areas and vastly improved standards of health and life expectancy. In the last 6 years Zambia has managed to reduce malaria deaths by a staggering 66%. This is the result of free care and investment in health workers and provision to really make a difference to the lives of the poorest people in Zambia.
Mwangala Moumbeloa is the only trained health worker in the Mwanambyu Regional Health Centre, near Mongu, in Zambia. When I spoke to him he looked tired. He has to be available for emergencies 24 hours a day, so it’s not surprising when he tells me that he feels under great stress.
With up to 60 patients a day to see, it is clear that this health centre is a lifeline to the thousands of people it supports. He tells me how as recently as 2004, women had to walk for 5 hours when their labour started, and pay for treatment, to ensure a hospital birth.
Before I leave, I ask him what the centre needs. He smiles and reels off a list including transport, communications and more water holes. So there’s more to do, but for me, this clinic is an example of what governments and people in developing countries can achieve with just a small injection of financial support, strategically placed to benefit the poorest people.
If the MDGs are delivered, dozens of other countries can make the choices of places like Zambia, to transform countless lives for the better. But let’s not just imagine; let’s work to make these goals the reality they are supposed to be. This year, we need to make sure that our leaders start to deliver the MDGs.
Take action: Join The Big Promise and tell world leaders to keep their commitments