Congress must fund the international debt initiative before adjournment

Bread for the World
Thursday, 21 September 2000

For the past two years, Bread for the World has been working with Jubilee partners to cancel the unpayable debt of the world's poorest countries. Bread for the World members have generated more than 150,000 letters to their members of Congress in support of debt relief.

Grassroots groups throughout the world back debt relief. Even today, thousands of people are gathering in Prague to voice their Jubilee call at the World Bank/IMF meetings.

Members in both houses of Congress have shown strong bipartisan support for debt relief. But in the waning weeks of the 106th Congress, the debt relief initiative risks derailment at the hands of a few congressional leaders.

Before adjournment, Congress must pass the necessary funding—$435 million for fiscal year 2001—to fulfill U.S. promises made at the G-7 conference in Cologne last year. Congress also needs to authorize the release of IMF gold sale proceeds that will enable the cancellation of debts owed to the IMF by the poorest countries.

Poor country debt keeps children from getting the food and education they need. It keeps families from receiving health care. It keeps millions of people bound to poverty. Debt relief is hunger relief. Debt relief is medical care for children. Debt relief is clean water and roads for farmers. The relatively small amount of money for debt relief would have a big effect on children and families in poverty-stricken countries.

Now is the time to be people of our word. Congress must fully fund debt relief this year. The world's poorest people should not have to wait any longer.

For more information, or to contact Bread for the World, see their website at: www.bread.org