Posted on December 4, 2005

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Clinton Says Surplus Tsunami Funds Could Be Redirected to Africa

Unspent donations given to help victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami could be redirected to help alleviate crises in Africa after rebuilding of tsunami-devastated area is complete, Reuters reports.

The December 26 tsunami triggered an outpouring of donations and pledges — some $12 billion — from both governments and individuals, but some aid workers trying to tackle food shortages, worsening poverty, and the effect of AIDS in Africa say donations to their organizations have fallen off as a result. Noting the unprecedented support for tsunami victims, some aid workers have complained that Sri Lanka's temporary shelters are far superior to much of the housing stock in Africa, the world's poorest continent.

According to former President Bill Clinton, who was appointed as a special envoy to the United Nations to help raise money for tsunami relief and recovery efforts, surplus tsunami funds could be redirected to help fight crises in African countries such as Malawi and Lesotho, where AIDS is slashing agricultural production and the cost of medication, funerals, and lost labor drives already vulnerable families deeper into poverty. "The real answer to this is the AIDS programs, the TB programs, the malaria programs, the clean water programs, putting all these kids in school," said Clinton. "They're cheap to do and they would do so much good for so [many] people."

Nevertheless, Clinton said much still remained to be done in tsunami-affected areas before any aid could be diverted to Africa. "There are still some...funds that have not been spent," he said. "In every country but the Maldives, the pledges exceed the estimated damages. Until all the work is done...the people who donated the money have to the right to expect it will be spent in the way they intended it."

Apps, Peter. “Unspent Tsunami Donations May Go to Africa: Clinton.” Reuters 11/29/05.

Primary Subject: International Affairs/Development
Secondary Subject(s): Tsunami Relief
Location(s): Africa, Indian Ocean, South Asia

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