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Poor countries have little left

David Duncombe is Fasting For Debt Relief

by Tom McKay

David Duncombe is in Washington, DC, fasting in support of debt forgiveness for 33 impoverished nations. He has been on a water-only fast since his last meal on June 10. UNICEF estimates that 30,000 children die in developing countries every day because of hunger and poverty. Governments of poor countries have little left for health care, schools, housing, or sanitation services after they make their debt payments to foreign creditors.

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A year ago, the wealthier industrial nations pledged in Cologne to write off $90 billion of developing country debt, a 70 percent reduction. The United States' share is $920 million over 4 years. The U.S. Congress needs to appropriate $435 million this year to keep debt relief on schedule, but the House has only approved $69 million and the Senate has only approved $75 million.

David Duncombe has said: "Millions of people are starving because of Congress' inaction. I feel it is my duty to illustrate for the men and women in Congress who quite literally are making this life and death decision. That a person is willing to starve so that others may not has to speak powerfully to the soul." During his fast he has been visiting eight to ten Congressional Offices a day. For more information see the Jubilee 2000/USA website at http://www.j2000usa.org/updates/fast5.html

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