Rich countries risk 'failing' tsunami victims, Oxfam warns

Oxfam has warned that rich countries are in danger of failing tsunami victims if they do not adopt several vital reforms.

A new report by the charity stated that, although the initial response was generous, there are still more issues regarding aid, debt and trade, that need to be dealt with.

The charity warned that, although there had been an overwhelming public response to the aid fund, the UN humanitarian appeal, which is funded by governments, is still under-funded by 26%. Oxfam is calling for the money to be delivered quickly, in order to avoid the situation that occurred in the aftermath of the Bam earthquake in Iraq in 2003, when some of the money pledged to the appeal did not materialise.

Oxfam accused rich country governments of "dragging their feet" on several trade and debt reforms, aimed at helping alleviate poverty in the long term.

Bernice Romero, Oxfam International Advocacy Director, said: "In the immediate aftermath of the tsunami, the public and governments responded admirably. Pledges were made and the world focused on the disaster. The world must not let the spotlight shift away from the devastation caused by the tsunami until rich countries have done all that they can to help the victims for the long term. So far, they have not made the tough choices that are needed to bring fundamental change."

The charity also criticised some rich countries for temporarily suspending debt repayments for tsunami-hit countries, rather than cancelling the debt. Oxfam claims that this will mean that interest will continue to increase and the affected countries will only have to pay back more money when it is time to pay the debt back. Instead, the charity wants governments to assess what level of debt is sustainable for each country and then cancel the remainder.

Oxfam has also called for the removal of EU and US tariff barriers to textile and clothing exports from countries affected by the tsunami.

Ms Romero added: "Instead of ensuring the tsunami becomes a turning point of poverty for the region, rich countries may just rebuild the poverty of the past. We need more than a simple patch up job."

(KMcA/SP)